Today was Don Wentz's last meeting as president of our Rotary Club of Livermore. The night before was my last board meeting as president of the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore. At today's meeting I was taking photographs for our club newsletter. Don recognized and thanked many of our members. I was surprised and delighted when he recognized me as Rotarian of the Year for 2016-2017. As a club board member, I saw the nominations and someone wrote the following (in words way too kind I thought). I voted for another candidate. Patrick Coyle exemplifies the ideals of the Rotary … [Read more...] about Surprise at Rotary meeting
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Last day at Belize Open Source site
Yesterday, first thing, I drove into Orange Walk Town to pick up my reconciled tax statement before Armin Cansino left for Belize City. At 10:00, I met with Natalio Solis and Pedro Wall who is refurbishing our corrals and adding a chute to vaccinate or load cattle. I watched his crew as they worked. We also discussed improving the little 12' by 20' wooden house that I put in as part of the first visitors accommodations for the Cleveland State University EWB chapter when they did the new classroom building for the school in August Pine Ridge. I also need to add more facility … [Read more...] about Last day at Belize Open Source site
Cashews and GPS track in Belize
The two screenshots from Google Earth show today's route and a bit of yesterday's. I caught water taxi to San Pedro at 3pm, then took a taxi to Mahogany Bay to look at their development using houses they prefab in Belmopan. I caught a ride back to town with Scott Fuson who showed me around Mahogany Bay. His friend, Mario, taxied us back. Mario also called and found me a room at Zen Belize. Fred at Zen Belize was very gracious and deserves highest marks. I was able to met up for pizza with our old family friend, Francisco Bergen. I booked a 7am flight on Tropic Air and Mario … [Read more...] about Cashews and GPS track in Belize
Heading for Belize after great week in Nicaragua
This was a very productive week. I'm leaving for Belize tomorrow, returning home Saturday mid-day. With our NGO partner, Alcance Nicaragua, I visited all four of the communities that we are working in. I documented the construction status of our composting latrines in Los Alvarez and El Llanito, near Santa Lucia in Boaco; and El Tunel and La Prussia, near Masaya and Granada. In addition, we were able to talk to the builders, community organizers, and individual family members who are participating in the project. I captured suggestions and observations from the builders to consider for … [Read more...] about Heading for Belize after great week in Nicaragua
Under the bus
I spoke with the guy in the hammock in the baggage compartment of the bus. He assured me that he didn't travel that way, but was just resting for a few hours. Gave me a whole different take on "under the bus." … [Read more...] about Under the bus