Club News

Mike Potter, from Valley Water’s Office of Communications, was the featured speaker at the Los Altos Kiwanis Club meeting on August 12, 2025. He outlined the agency’s ongoing work to ensure a safe, reliable water supply for the region, while also protecting and restoring local ecosystems.

Potter explained that one of Valley Water’s goals is to use natural creekbeds for flood control, balancing human needs with environmental health. The agency serves two million residents across 15 cities and oversees nearly 7,000 wells throughout Santa Clara County.

Valley Water’s emphasis on groundwater monitoring dates back to the post–World War II era, when rapid growth in the area led to over-pumping. In the Alviso region, the aquifer dropped by 13 feet, permanently altering the landscape. Today, monitoring and managing groundwater remains a core function of the agency to prevent similar issues from recurring.

Residents can learn where their water comes from by visiting valleywater.org, which also provides information on available homeowner programs. For example, residents may qualify for grants of up to $3,000–$4,000 to replace non-productive lawn turf with water-efficient landscaping. The website also offers guidance on rainwater collection, greywater reuse, and other conservation practices.

Valley Water further encourages community involvement through its Water Ambassador Program, where volunteers receive training to help educate the public about water conservation and infrastructure. Ambassadors will also learn about the region’s upcoming water purification facilities, currently in the planning stages, which are expected to produce up to 24 million gallons of purified water per day.  ~story contributed by Barbara A., club member

Ingrid Rogers was the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club’s luncheon meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. A passionate climate activist, Rogers began her advocacy work in 2010, contributing to educational efforts with a San Jose-based environmental organization. Since then, her creative talents have fueled her mission—she has written songs, plays, and narratives focused on raising climate awareness.

Her most recent project, Facing the Climate Future Together: Voices for Advocacy and Action, highlights the stories of 33 local climate activists spanning all age groups. Published this year, the book conveys a hopeful and action-oriented message, mirroring the energy of the “climate strikes” organized by First Fridays for Future. The group regularly demonstrates outside Palo Alto City Hall, using clever messaging in the style of the classic Burma Shave signs to engage the public.

Rogers emphasized that the group’s short-term goal is to demonstrate that climate action is possible. But the long-term goal, she stated candidly, is nothing less than survival.

She left the audience with a powerful takeaway:
“No step is too small—but you have to get involved. Eight billion people can make a difference! Go with your passion!”  (submitted by member Barbara A)

Ingrids website: https://ingridworld.weebly.com/

At our July 22, 2025, noon meeting, Kiwanis Club members were treated to an exciting and interactive demonstration of 3D printing, presented by Nancy Rafati and Marcus Hurt of Olimpico Learning. The hands-on session sparked curiosity and creativity among attendees, who eagerly engaged with the technology and its many possibilities.

Olimpico Learning—a recipient of a grant from our club—is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable, and customized education. Their vibrant website, OlimpicoLearning.org, showcases a wide array of programs, including their popular Summer Learning Program, which immerses students in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).

The presentation included important safety insights, such as avoiding contact with superheated materials (up to 200°C!) and the importance of not inhaling emitted gases. Nancy highlighted how 3D printing can both save time and reduce costs, noting that while print times can vary significantly, the ability to design and print both internal and external components simultaneously opens new possibilities.

By the end of the session, members were actively imagining future applications—from medical devices like organ transplant tools to futuristic modes of transportation. We’re proud to support innovative organizations like Olimpico Learning and are excited about the impact their work is having on the next generation of learners and inventors. (contributed by Barbara A. , club member)