For the meeting on February 12, 2015 12pm – 1:30pm , members and guests heard and observed the presentation by Leticia Vasquez, Area Director for the Central Basin Municipal Water District. Ms. Vasquez explained that the City of Lynwood is one of 24 cities within the Water District, within the southeast portion of LA County. Ms. Vasquez explained that her agency purchases water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and resells the water to the 24 cities within the boundaries of the water district. She noted that the City of Lynwood has rights to ground water for about 85% of its water uses, with the balance purchased from the Central Basin Municipal Water District.

Ms. Vasquez talked about water -saving actions that Lynwood residents can do. Besides water-saving toilets, other actions include using re-cycled water for irrigation and replacing lawns with either artificial turf or drought-tolerant plants.

Priscilla Segura, Public Affairs Specialist, presented a power point presentation with maps that described the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). She also presented the Water Bond, Proposition 1 that was approved by the California voters in November 2014. The approved 7.5 billion Water Bond has no funds for the BDCP which has an estimated cost of 25 billion dollars.

A three-day weekend trip to see the MWD facilities along the Colorado River will again take place in June 2015. The cost is fully funded by the water district but reservations a month in advance are required. Daniel stated that he attended the 3-day trip to the MWD facilities along the Colorado River and found the trip both fun and very informative!

Before the presentations, Daniel introduced Gavin Centeno, Field Representative for Assembly member Mike Gipson, new Assembly member for the 64th District. Daniel noted that he received an invitation from the assembly member's office for the swearing-in ceremony, held last Sat., Feb. 7, at the CalState Dominguez Campus Theater. Daniel showed the event's brochure with the impressive list of speakers and performers, to include LA City Mayor, Eric Garcetti.

Marisela Santana, Public Information Officer, mentioned coming community events to include the Children with Special Needs Event, Sunday, Feb 22. Admission requires a contribution to the program. Also mentioned was the monthly Block Watch Meeting, Feb 24, at 6pm; also mentioned is the Women's Recognition Month event scheduled for Mar 21, and the Women's Relay for Life event planned for June.

Note as a reminder,: two coming events with Rotary Youth-Act as follows (being organized by Tila and Fernando Millan: Sat. March 1, Help with Feeding the Homeless at a major shelter in North Long Beach, event starts in early afternoon. Also, the LA Marathon, registration day on Sat March 14. Registration on line. Go to LA Marathon.com; then to volunteers; and enter Lynwood Rotary / Interact; for the requested password, use: Lynwood. On Mar 14, a charter bus leaves Lynwood Senior Center, at 6:30 am. Call Fernando and Tila for more information: (323) 422 -8328.

Everyone is encouraged to suggest speakers and programs for our weekly Rotary meetings. In particular, we encourage everyone to talk to individuals about being a speaker, and to provide us with contact information, so we can follow up for specific meeting dates.

Daniel Miller and Omar Franco – Public relations and community outreach for Lynwood Rotary