Soundings (6/15/10)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Chris White

Visiting Rotarians: Jim Blaney (moved here from Iowa!)

Guests: Amanda McClure, Andy Garcia, Ellen Sheen, Chris Palmerton.

Announcements

Eddie said last week's golf was successful! We'll do it again next year too.

Tonja said in two weeks (June 29th) we will NOT have the normal lunch, but we will be meeting that evening for the New Leadership and Fellowship Dinner at Boxx Berry Farm to induct the new board and officers. Tickets are $30 each (incl. food and beverages) and are available online by credit card here.

Tonja sent out by Email the final draft of the Club Vision Plan.  The purpose is to give us a base from which to build and plan our Club activities and expenditures for the next few years.  She would like to hand over a finalized, club-approved version to incoming pres, Bill Gorman, by June 29th.  Please review this document and come prepared to discuss it next Tuesday, June 22nd. 

There will be a volunteering opportunity at the Hospice House on Saturday June 26th from 10am to 2pm.  We will be painting, cleaning and landscaping the admin. building. 

Steve Brummel talked about Brewers on Sunday July 25, 1-5pm. We will try to raise over $30K, and we have plenty of room to grow. Tickets are $25 each and availableat many locations around town (or you can purchase online by credit card here). Each club member is expected to buy at least 10 tickets, but we hope you will send a lot more.  We have no limit to the number of tickets we can sell.  Remember to explain to your guests that it is a "beer tasting", not a "beer garden".  We will try to get 32 breweries again. We still need lots of volunteers (pre-event set-up, ticket takers, one volunteer at each brewer, and of course take-down / clean-up); please sign up for a spot. Volunteers should buy a tee shirt at entry ($5/each) so we can tell who the volunteers are.
 

Induction of Two New Members:

Dennis introduced (his daughter) Ellen Sheen.  Ellen is a real estate exchange facilitator, and also works part-time as paralegal at Archer Group, which involves putting up with her father.  She is married and has a son, Archer.  Ellen received her BA in Communications from WWU in 2004.  Her involvement with Rotary started in 2000 when she attended RYLA, and she subsequently served for serveral years on the RYLA planning committee. Among her many interests are food (she has a food blog at http://www.lapuremama.com/), photography, running, AND she helps organize some kind of annual vegetarian cook-off (?).

Stan introduced Allan Stockbridge, who moved here last year from Park City UT.  He is a grad of Towson University in Baltimore.  He first joined Rotary there after college.  He moved to Park City in 1995 and joined Rotary there, and even helped organize RYLA in Utah.  Allen is an international commercial real estate broker.

Bucks in the Bay
  • Tonja for the last week of school;
  • Bryant E's partner Kyle Jackson just passed his Certified Financial Advisor exam;
  • John Templeton said his friend Dave McEachran running unopposed again for County prosecutor;
  • Lesa Boxx said this weekend is the start of the VERY BERRY LIV FEST (June 18th -20th) donations going to Olivia (Liv) Cook age 6 for a kidney transplant;
  • Brent Walker said we still need donations for our own Foundation, the new Boys & Girls' Club in Ferndale is now open and it's amazing, kudos to Lynn Templeton and his incredible fundraising effort! Also 36th wedding anniversary;
  • Leena Kirschman also gave thanks to Lynn T, and said her son Garrett graduated from HS! He is playing in the State All-Star football game next weekend in Eastern WA!
  • Rod Bring for missed meetings while transitioning to new Blaine Office;
  • Mike Kirkland said Hospice House opening in September, and he is soon retiring!
  • Gordon said his house is on the garden tour this coming weekend!
  • Joel hoping his upcoming spinal infusion will be successful;

A quick Sergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton.

Program
Our own Sen. Dale Brandland (42nd District) gave us an update on state politics, and his upcoming retirement. He said his term serving as senator was a great experience. Previous to state government, he had served eleven years as Whatcom County sheriff. Dale thanked all the people who helped him through his job. He made some tough decisions on controversial issues but he has no regrets. However, he does feel he could have communicated better in retrospect, either by newsletter or Email, but it's not easy.

Ultimately he just got tired of the weekly commute to Olympia and being away from family, but he always loved the job. Said he had good record of reaching across the aisle to work with the Dem's when the proposals were good. Olympia is all about the relationships. He primarily focussed on public safety and the state budget (there are three budgets: Operations, Capital, and Transportation - Dale served on the capital budget committee). He is sorry some of his votes disappointed his supporters, but does not regret his decisions.

He predicts tough times ahead in the state budget. The proposed initiative to introduce a tax on high-income individuals? He is very skeptical - he thinks it is like the nose of the camel in the tent, and would probably result in a full income tax after two or so years.

Dale said he is not sure yet what he will do for the next chapter in his life, probably not public-elected office.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot

Remember, make-up meetings are available at:
Bellingham Club, Mondays at noon at Northwood Hall;
Whatcom County North Club, Thursdays at noon at Northwood Hall;
Bellingham Sunrise Club, Thursdays at 7am at Bellingham Golf and Country Club.