Announcements: Peter Falley reported Sunny Kellerman's husband is still struggling with the after-effects of surgery. He's been in and out of emergency rooms here and in Las Cruces, but he may be discharged and going home today. Lucy Falley is still recovering from an undiagnosed neurological disorder.

Jim Callender reminded us that there will be a Hygiene Project event at the 6th Street School on Monday, April 29th at 2 pm. A dental hygienist from Dr. Beck's office will talk to the kids about proper dental hygiene. A few club members should attend the event. 

Carlos showed one of the dental hygiene packets that were stuffed prior to the meeting for distribution to the kids.

Kathy Eaton reminded us that the garage sale of Peter Herzberg's stuff and other contributions will be held on June 1 at her house. Additional contributions of saleable items are welcome as will be help prior to and at the sale event.

Carlos announced that our meetings on May 7, 14 and 21 will be in the HMS Conference Room. The April 30 and May 28 meetings will be at WNMU.

He also told us that a former Rotary Youth Exchange student from South Africa will be visiting Silver City and plans to attend our meeting on April 30.
 

Program: Our speaker was Ximena Zamacona, the founder and owner of Full Circle Mushrooms in Las Cruces. Full Circle Mushrooms is a mushroom farm that grows edible mushrooms for sale in stores and restaurants. She explained that the mushrooms have to be grown indoors in a controlled climate, since the New Mexico climate is not suitable for mushroom growth. She told us that mushrooms are not plants, but rather fungi. Unlike plants, which absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, mushrooms absorb oxygen and produce carbon dioxide like animals. They decompose leaves and wood from trees as well as other agricultural products and use the resulting ground covering to grow in. The Mushroom Farm uses wood and leaves from the local pecan orchards for this purpose. Ximena told us that she produces a variety of gourmet mushrooms that are sold locally and used in local restaurants. She brought some interesting looking samples.