I want to start with an update on the opening of the dialysis center. We were hopeful that this would be up and running by this time but unfortunately, we are running a little bit late with our projected opening date. The good news is we’re still on track to make this a reality, it’s just taking a little bit longer than we expected. We have a doctor in Mexicali that will be doing specialized training for the incoming staff. I will continue to keep you posted on our progress.

Last month I reported to you that our RYLA/ high school students attended a leadership conference at CEDO. Our Rotary Club members had the awesome opportunity to work with some of the brightest youth in our community. The 80 attendees of the conference coupled with our Rotary exchange students participated in several leadership activities. At the conclusion of the conference, they were divided into small groups and posed the question, environmentally speaking how can we improve the community of Puerto Peñasco? I had the opportunity to work with one of these groups. It was so inspiring to witness their collaboration and their deep thought of what needs to happen to improve the quality of life in our community. The group I facilitated came up with the following three issues that needed to be addressed: 1.) Clean up the trash around the city; 2.) Control the burning in the dump and; 3.) Keep the sea healthy, and clean for all the species that live there. How about that? These young people identified issues that we all have talked about… So now what?

It is our goal that an entourage of these young people present these issues to the Mayor. If the city will listen to the young people which are the future of our community, it may help our efforts in achieving these three goals. This is definitely a work in progress, and I will keep you posted of what comes of all this.

If you remember last year, our club hosted the Rotary District Conference where we had over 800 attendees including our partners from the US. This year the district conference was held in Tijuana and three of our Rotarians attended along with our four exchange students. It is always a wonderful activity to break bread and share time with Rotarians from other parts of the country and world, the new ideas that are generated and the renewed commitment to Rotary is always a theme of these conferences.

We are also gearing up for our next dental clinic. It is a partnership with dentists and senior year dental students from the US. Twice a year this group provides a free dental clinic for sometimes up to 500 people …. our projected date for our next clinic will be July 4th and 5th. We will help with the organization of this. We are very lucky to have Shirley and Paul Amador as members of our Rotary Club, their expertise as dentists, help us a lot with this activity.

Our Rotary Club continues to meet weekly at 9 o’clock every Wednesday morning at Puesta del Sol Restaurant at Playa Bonita Resort on Sandy Beach. We welcome guests!