Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 11-05-2015

At the November 5, Meeting, the members and guests heard a presentation from the scheduled speaker, Lorene Reed, a very active leader in programs at the Lynwood Senior Center, describe her dramatic changes in her landscaping to reduce her use of water. She provided photos of her new landscaping, as well as interesting and informative brochures from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ( MWD) Three of the brochures suggest drought tolerant plants and techniques to use for their installation, along with suggestions for the appropriate watering systems to install. Everyone helped themselves also to seed packets of California Poppies.

Ms. Reed said the idea of switching to a drought tolerant landscaping for her home started with a gardening class she attended at the senior center a year ago that was given by the MWD. She noted that her husband watered their lawn and plants daily and the result was a flourishing garden and lawn, but she became more aware that most of their water consumption was due to watering of the plants compared to use in the house. Ms. Reed described their participation in the turf replacement program. The program initially paid $3.00 per sq. ft. of lawn replaced, and then due to high participation in the program, the payout was reduced to $2.00 per sq. ft.. Although she noted, for limited areas, the payout may be at $3.00 per sq. ft. of lawn removed. One important fact, after the new landscaping, the monthly water bill for the Reed residence went from about $200.00 to $56.00 per month!

Lorene noted that with a friend she drove around in other communities where there has been more extensive drought tolerant landscaping installed. At a home in Inglewood, they stopped and inquired as to the landscaping installed. The name was Karie Diamond Contractor and she is located in Sherman Oaks. It was this contractor that Lorene used. Lorene described the specific online procedures required for the lawn replacement program, including the requirement for before and after photos. Lorene’s landscaping project with photos is featured in a recent LNP issue.

The initiative and follow through of Lorene and her husband definitely impressed the audience. Lorene stated that she is in touch regularly with Leticia Vasquez, District 4 Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District (and a former mayor of the City of Lynwood.) Relating to updating the community on water issues, two guests at the meeting, Chester Lyon and Mary Fuller, both active at the senior center, mentioned at the end of the meeting, the free trips that are available from the MWD, consisting of weekend trips to MWD facilities along the Colorado River and also water infrastructure facilities in Northern California.

Before the speaker, Larry Esparza mentioned that the Memorial / Celebration of Life event for his family member, Geraldo Reyes,on Sat, Oct 31, was attended by himself and by Lynwood Rotary members, Joe Wang and Oliver Conner. Daniel mentioned that Geraldo was scheduled to become a Lynwood Rotary member.

Then President Martina Rodriguez described the plan for providing lunch for home repair volunteers for the Calderon Family at their home in Lynwood. There will be a special meeting at the home of Martina Rodriguez on Wed. Nov 11, at 7:00 pm to coordinate this event, including food preparation.

Also several Lynwood Rotary members may attend the Remodel Celebration, at the conclusion of the five day home repair work, which starts Mon. Nov 9. The Remodel Celebration will be at 3:00 pm on Fri, Nov 13, at the Calderon home, 4010 Josephine Street, Lynwood, 90262.

Two other events to be discussed at the Nov 11 meeting are the Club’s support and participation for the Rotary District 5280 Annual Foundation Event in November. The second event is the Rotary Float in the Annual Candy Cane Lane Parade, to be held Fri, Dec 4, along with participation of Rotary Youthact members.

Also at the Nov 5 weekly meeting, members expressed their pleasure that Lulu will continue as City Clerk.

Marisela Santana, City of Lynwood Public Information Officer, announced two coming city events: First, Tue, Nov 10, 11am, Veterans Day Ceremony at Front Steps of City Hall (actual Veterans Day is Nov 11.).; Second,, Candy Cane Lane Parade, Fri, Dec 4, starting at 7pm, from MLK Jr. Blvd. & Atlanrtic Ave., west to Bullis Rd. (Rotary will have a float, along with Rotary Youthact members, starting with potluck supper in the backyard of Martina’s house on MLK Jr. Blvd. where the parade starts.)

Daniel Miller / Omar Franco

Public Relations and Community Outreach Lynwood Rotary