Soundings (4/15/08)

Bucks in the Bay: 
      Orphalee Smith happy tax bucks for the season to end, and a reminder to next week's sergeant to fine Dennis Archer for his great escape today. 
      Bob Jones bi-polar bucks for his opportunity to see the Dalai Lama at Quest field. Amazing to see a spiritual leader with a politician holding hands.
Sad bucks for the people who created the flying banners that suggested that the Dalai Lama was responsible for and/or could prevent the rioting. 
      Lance Calloway-for his apparent inability to change the weather on soccer fields last week, and appreciation bucks for the Rotary grand that allowed for the AED defib units that have arrived and subsequent CPR courses completed today. 
      Gordon Plume-100 for a birthday (although he claims not to be 100 years old), and for his 3 day trip to Kirkwood skiing in 60 degree weather, with like 16 family members and NO CONFLICT! He also bragged about getting his 1st senior discount on the lift tickets, as well as extra special attention while boarding the ski lifts. 
      Harold Scott-for his shameless indirect marketing by providing the following facts: The chance of being in a fire is 1 in 12,000; the chance of being in car accident is 1 in 240, the chance of needing health insurance is 1 in 15, and the chance of needing long term care is 1 in 2. 
      Tim McElvoy-$20 happy bucks to announce that Stan Dyer is still alive, despite missing today's meeting, but will "See" us better real soon after his cataract surgery. And hopefully you won't "see" him on your doorstep as he is now the collections guy, based on his grape and gourmet debt collection performance, at McEvoy Oil... Go figure.
      Curtis Dye-1 week at AWAKO at Cape D coast guard station in America. Stayed at Cape D lighthouse which offers 3 lovely bedrooms with one bathroom. 
      Bill Gorman-Also was able to enjoy the Dalai Lama, and noticed it was a significantly different crowd than what Qwest field normally would find. 
      John Templeton-for his trip to Arizona, 4 rounds of golf, and his ability to deliver Saturday's sunshine to our door. 
      Donna Edquist-for her attendance at the Whiskey's of the World event in San Francisco, her week long trip with her daughter and her friend in Palm Springs (hopefully she procured some of that fine whiskey to aid in her tolerance of the teenagers 'boy crazy' life). A reminder of the Boys and Girls club auction this Saturday. 
      Ed Zeck-for testing his theory that they get to go more places on vacations if they travel with fewer, spent a week in Spain, and his new found knowledge that if you mix European coffee with a little half and half and sweetener, you may end up with prune juice and buttermilk. (Hopefully, not prescribing this to his patients). 
      Barry Kramer-Given Harold Scott's statistics of 1 in 2 needing long term care insurance, will be taking some out for his wife, questions weather Donna Edquist really could confirm the weather in San Fran, and announcement of the St. Joes and Whatcom Hospice dinner and golf tournament, sponsored by Windermere Real Estate, on 20th/21st at the Country Club. 
      Eddie Hansen-Lordy, lordy, looks who's turning 40 this Thursday. He shares the birth-date with Stan Dyer, but not the birth year. Also, asks for membership assistance at Semiahmoo to get him a t-time for his foursome (that's golf, btw), the last weekend in June.

Sergeant at Arms: Lynn Templeton
Fines for Eddie Hansen for as Lynn apparently has underwear that is older than he is (eeewwww), for Mike Kirkland for failure to introduce guest, anyone who's not wearing rotary pins, Dave Ennen for successful coffee business that is "Cruisen" to Eastern Washington, Matt Rose and his lack of lame excuse for being late, Donna Edquist for ability to remember that she attended the Whiskey conference, Ed Zeck for remember his attendance at the Prune Juice/Buttermilk abroad conference, Cy Lindberg for sporting his faded by still illegal tan, Orphalee Smith for being here on tax day, Tonya Meyers to pay Dennis's fine for leaving early. John Templeton, Zack Jones, Lesa Boxx and Christine Palmerton were identified as today's best dress, Phil (X-fashion consultant) chose Christine as the winner. Fines for filing taxes on time, double fines for extensions, and nothing if you didn't do anything.
History questions fines for: 
   Barry Kramer 1997 retired Jackie Robinsons' baseball jersey #, 42. 
   Stew Ellison-knew that in 1971, George C. Scott refused to accept an award for his role in "Patton". 
   Steve Spitzer-in April 1962, US ws 300 billion in debt, and now we are a mere 9.5 trillion dollars in debt. 
   Dan Wilkerson-1st major league baseball game played in California. Shannon Terrell-The closest land mass to the Titanic's sinking ship in 1912 was. Newfoundland. 
   Gary Barnett, still wearing shorts and will continue to get fines until those legs are covered. Fines for those who have never won raffle, such as Orphalee Smith and Lesa Boxx, now excludes Lynn Templeton as he won last week for the first time in 5 ½ years (uh, your welcome Lynn as I picked your ticket). 
   Tim McEvoy-for giving away free gas, and monopolizing the Hannegan and Bakerview corner with yet another Shell station. 
   And speaking of Shell, Dwayne McNett for his willingness to Shell out $500 for his green fees and another $500 for his wife's green fees, and $60 tip for caddy tip, and $200 in pro-shop, but the opportunity to play on Pebble Beach golf course..PRICELESS! 
   Bob Jones for providing the optimism of Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi holding hands.

Program-Nancy Jordan Executive Director: Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Center 
   Nancy began her career in banking, with an agricultural background. She has since entered her own business venture with her husband, called Soundwise. Her first mission with the EDC was to decide weather the business should remain open.

2007 In Review 
   Most significant change is the move to 115 Unity Street, Suite 101 in Bellingham.
Projects: 
   Marine Industry Cluster study in conjunction with the Economic Development Association of Skagit County 
   Served as Fiscal Agent and Project Lead for Foothills communications and Economic Development project.-recognizing that children in the foothills were unable to access high speed internet which was putting them at disadvantage, and the importance of being able to access cell towers in every area. 
   Study involving potential impacts of 2010 Olympics 
   Hosted monthly gatherings with Economic Development practitioners (such as workforce, Tom Dorr with WWU, Bham Tech College, Anna with TAG, Port of Bham, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Renaissance Group, Whatcom County Tourism.) 
   Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access-study with employers what the gaps were in getting insurance for employees 
   Community Trade and Economic Development with Julie Wilkerson, Director had many community meetings 
   Procurement counseling services-help folks access government contracts and grants. 
   Supporting City of Ferndale-grass roots efforts 
   Updating website- Objectives 
      Enhance business retention and expansion, 
      Offer business relocation services, 
      Offer client consultation and referral services, 
      Revolving loan fund, 
      Economic Development Investment Fund---.09% of sales tax goes to County Council to invest back into community-projectsfunded by this have included riverwalk terrace in Ferndale; West Lynden infrastructure development; waterfront projects 
      Economic Strategy Council-provided mock exercise with council

What's New in 2008 
   Areas of Focus-Contracts and Deliverables; Member and Board of Directors expansion (now only cost $250 to join), Economic Strategies Council 
   Purpose-To create collaborative opportunities for the long term.

And fun was had by all..

Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy Cheldelin