Soundings (4/8/08)

Club Business
     Rob Slater, gracious grant recipient for Clearview High School in Ferndale updated the club on grants received and use status.  His typical grants received range from $1200-5000.  However, he has received the Building Bridges grant from State Superintendent totaling $257,500.  Additional matching funds increase total grant to $300,000 over an 18 month period, The grants are to be used prevention, retrieval and retention of drop out students.  Of the 50-60 kids in program, 70% are recipients of free/reduced lunch and are defined as "at risk".  The first benefit that they realized was the ability to increase counseling resources from 6 hours per week to 36 hours per week.
     Clearview HS is proud of the successful Partnerships with Business, which have included NW Workforce, Catholic Community Services, Chamber of Commerce, NW Youth Services, and Bham Bay's own GORDON PLUME!
     His objective is to fund the "ropes' course, which is an exercise in building teamwork, at a cost of $600-800 per session.  He hopes to obtain funding for 4 sessions, and schedule a session at the beginning of each quarter to integrate concepts/community immediately.

Bucks in the Bay:

• New member Doug Wight is getting the hang of the whole kids and family promotion opportunity that Happy Bucks lends.  He doted on his son Dave's surprise twist of interest from sports, girls, partying to ..glass blowing.  Has extended an invite to the Tacoma Museum of Glasses on April 18th   at the Tacoma Dome.  Said he would offer 100 towards Hospice House for each member who attends the event.  In addition, his son will be placing one of his "wave" glass art pieces in the auction at Grape and Gourmet in honor of his grandmother who passed away 1½ years ago.
• Dick Stark-said bucks- for his friend and colleague Terry Allen's passing on Saturday.  Terry was  a KPUG news director and sports announcer, and had a great sense of humor.
• Harold Scott-the apologetic missed mtgs, and a plug for long term care contracts, pointer #8 on tax breaks, (look on form 1040)..then go see him.
• Scott Swanson-After announcing breaking ground on his home in the Fall, he anticipates obtaining occupancy this week  (welcome to home ownership, Scott, and good luck with ever feeling free on weekends again).  Oh, feel free to stop on by the Sportsplex Sunday at 5:00 to watch him and his semi-pro soccer team play the Seattle Sounders.
• Mike Kirkland-Whatcom Hospice House support thank you bucks (We'll probably see him up there each week for the 3 years).
• Curt Smith-For time spent with his daughter in California with 2 grandkids, before basking in the Arizona sun.  Although his daughter attended Pacific Lutheran University, University of Washington and that Kansas University, while obtaining her Master's degree, she had no interest and/or knowledge of sports, much less that her University was playing in March madness finals.  She probably could tell you who's going to win the Dancing with Stars competition, (which, by the way, requires a ton of skill to choose the winner, and don't think those dancers aren't athletes-Curt).
• Phil (X-April fools guy)-Hageman announcing the reality of his inability to retire from Pearson.  Also, notes Food Bank progress, selecting colors, detailing windows, front of the building is bricked.  Thanks again for all the support and is very proud of the way the building will offer respect to it's clients and this community.

Sergeant at Arms:  Dale Holt
Mariners fast pitch shut out, fines for everybody not seated at on of the front tables, for anyone who as ever stated "no running in the house" as he has and then broke his own rules and his own bones while doing so, anyone from Kansas---Scott Swanson, anyone who has attended a Mariner's game this season (and admits it like Ron Hardesty did), for skiers, snowboarders or anyone who has wished for snow and then watched it fall on the soccer fields last Saturday,  Bill Boyd (even in his absence) fine for getting paid for asking to play with new fire trucks (every boys dream), participants in the ski to sea; accountants -be prepared for double fines  next week, fines for walkers, bikers and joggers; anyone knowing anything about the vandalism on harbor and special request for Dave Ennens verifiable whereabouts Sunday at 3:00 am; Power and sail boaters are once again fined. ....Pete Ritmueller gets the Good Samaritan award for assisting in rearranging the furniture for the program guests.

Program-Group Study Exchange (GSE) in England - mid Sep to mid Oct 2007
     Danielle Mullen-Team leader from (LaConner Rotary) presented powerpoint with Tina Joy Harrick (Monroe Rotary Club).  Other fabulous four team members not present today were Michelle and Kate went to SW/SE London where Rotarians were predominantly men.  Stayed in stangers house (7 hosts), which was challenging but yet rewarding when the Tea Ferry visited.
     Highlights of sights and experiences included spending Vocational Days with leaders in professions, feeling the fellowship of Rotarians, recognizing the power of asking leaders to join rotary, seeing the architecture and hearing the history of the Churches, touring the Royal Bank of Scotland and seeing the hand recorded property titles, experiencing the commercial pheasant hunting and choosing from slow gin, brandy, apricot gin, and vodka and/or homemade bakery items at snack time.
     The District Conference presentations included information about significant alcohol problems in England, "Around the World on a Condom" referencing Healthcare education for women, Keeping environmental issues in check.

And fun was had by all..
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy Cheldelin