Alexandria Rotary Club

Career Mentorship at Jefferson Senior High

Wendy Watts, a teacher in the Business/Marketing Department and the Career Mentorship Coordinator at Jefferson High School, visited the Alexandria Rotary Club along with six Jefferson High seniors that participated in the Career Mentorship Program. The students shared their experiences in the program which is intended to give each student a better understanding and appreciation for an identified career and a realistic view of their own potential in pursuing that particular field.

The program is a full year, two-credit course for seniors. Interested students attend an informational meeting or visit with Wendy personally. The students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, complete an application form, submit a resume and complete an interview.
 

Police Chief Rick Wyffels

A goal of the Alexandria Police Department is to stay connected to the community they serve as they feel it is important that the community stays informed about what the Alexandria Police Department does as well and about how community members can assist them in being successful.

The Alexandria Police Department is committed to providing exceptional public safety services by taking a leadership role in building community partnerships.  The men and women of the department believe in the core values of honesty and integrity, accountability and ownership, consistency and fairness, creativity and innovation.

Alexandria Police Chief Richard Wyfells took time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Alexandria Rotary Club about how the department is meeting these goals and providing a high level of service to the community.

Spring Fling at Sixth Ave. Wine and Ale

Normally closed on Monday nights, Sixth Avenue Wine and Ale opened their doors for Alexandria Rotarians, their spouses and guests for the 2007 Spring Fling.

Wind Power

Runestone Electric Association's Jim Hultman stopped by the Alexandria Rotary Club meeting on May 10th to talk about wind as an alternative energy source.

According to the Illustrated History of Wind Power Development, a large windmill was first used to generate electricity in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888 by Charles F. Brush. The machine had multiple blades of more than 50 feet in diameter. Over the last 100 years, wind turbines have advanced dramatically through newer technology and better understanding of the dynamics of the wind resource.

A wind turbine is very similar to a child's pinwheel or the propeller of an airplane. The blade of a turbine is tilted an angle and the movement of the air is channeled creating low and high pressures on the blade that force it to move. The blade is connected to a shaft which in turn is connected to an electrical generator. The mechanical energy of the turning blades is changed into electricity.

This year, Governor Pawlenty signed a bill that requires energy companies to provide 25 percent of power from renewable sources by 2025. Xcel Energy, which supplies approximately half of the electricity in the state, is required to provide 30 percent from renewable sources by 2020. Studies has shown that for Minnesota, wind is a viable solution.

Central Lakes Region Sanitary District

Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates is experienced with the design and construction of stabilization ponds, facility upgrades, sludge handling, mechanical wastewater treatment, alternative onsite systems, and constructed wetlands. At today's Alexandria Rotary meeting, WSN's Tim Bayerl and Chad Gramentz gave an informative presentation to Alexandria Rotarians about the Central Lakes Region Sanitary District.