Soundings (5/3/11)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
on May 3, 2011
 
 

Flag Salute and Invocation by Stan Dyer

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None

Rotary trivia: There are two Rotary Districts in Pakaistan, and three clubs in Abbottabad where Bin Laden was found.  His attendence was terrible.

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Bucks in the Bay

  • Bill Gorman was in company training seminar last week, he remarked on the extraordinary events in Pakistan over the weekend, amazed at the skill and acumen of the JSOC team;
  • Bob Moles glad to get through last week (a root canal, then knee surgery);
  • Tim Krell taked about the incredible Canucks game, remembers the roar of the crowd!
  • Mike Kirkland for the amazing Navy Seals;
  • Gorden Plume was in surgery last week, went to CA to see grandson, ran in a race and got first in age group!
  • Terry Brown was in Kona last week, played some golf, excited for our upcoming Rotary gold outing;
  • Eddie Hansen got a new BIG car, had fun Tuesday night last week with Rotarians at CATS, then went to Palm Springs with Rhonda for long weekend to listen to country music at the Stagecoach Festival;
  • Leena Kirschman also excited about the Canucks' win, and a successful Boys & Girls Club auction;
  • Christine Palmerton had fun at CATS and B&G Club dinner, she also recently sold one of her companies (Par Yacht Charters) so now she will have more time to concentrate on the Nautigirl brand; 
  • Mary Humphries BTC's Culinary Arts students competed in Nevada(?) competition and almost won first place!  Mary's daughter is now focussed on stdying business at Shoreline CC, also check out the upcoming BTC's Welding Rodeo on May 20th - 21st;
  • Lynn Templeton thanks for successful auction, 6-yo grandson is now playing soccer and even scored a goal this weekend!
  • Bob Jones for the Navy Seals and for some lost weight;

Sergeant at Arms
Fines for Christine and all naughty girls, Tony Freeland came in third in his age group in an 8K race in Vancouver this past weekend, Bin Laden jokes, current events and Cinco de Mayo trivia.

Program
Dennis introduced Tom Dorr from the Center for Economic Vitality (formerly known as the SBDC). Its purpose is to advance the economic vitality of our communities and keep Whatcom County businesses strong.  The organization provides:

  • Local solutions such as counceling: One-on-one business advice, rural outreach programs, Stage Two companies (10-90 employees),
  • Training and workshops,
  • Economic gardening & research:  Getting existing firms competitive Intelligence, economin develpment strategy, to grow existing businesses.
  • Helping with banking relationships,
  • Shared work,
  • Export assistance:  The CEV has developed a unique program to jump-start WA exports (especially to BC), matchmaking importers with exporters. They will be putting on mini trade shows in BC.

Check out their Website at CEVforbusiness.com

The CEV is trying to shift public perception of the benefits business brings to the community… See the article in Business Journal that Tom recently wrote.

Some CEV achievements: Over 6,000 busineses have been assisted, and 46,000 hours of assistance given.  In 2010, over 200 jobs saved, and $13M in new investment was recorded by those companies helped by the CEV. 

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot