Soundings (9/17/13)

Posted by G. Stowe Talbot 
on Sep 17, 2013
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Stew Ellison
 
Visiting Rotarians:  Bob Brunkow from Big Club
 
Guest:  Dan Olson (Kendall's husband), Kim Grams (COO Whatcom Boys&Girls club), Greg Baker and Tanya Rowe from Bellingham School District, Mark Peterson (Sustainable Connections).
 
Announcements
  • Tresha update on G&G, organizing going well, Tonja needs a few helpers for her raffle subcommittee to identify a couple bigger ticker items for the raffle.  Tickets will be available soon.
New Member Inductions
  • John Stewart rejoins the club.  Welcome back, John!
  • Eddie introduced Pete Charron, an optometrist, an owner of Northwest Vision  Originally from Portland, Maine.  Moved here in 2010.  Welcome, Pete!
  • Bob Becker introduced Celeste Mergens.  She originally studied electrical engineering, then did a masters degree focussing on creative writing and sustainable development.  Celeste now heads the local chapter of www.daysforgirls.org, an organization that provides education, safety, and dignity for girls internationally. Welcome, Celeste!
Barry Kramer conducted the formalities.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Christine: Be grateful for what you have;
  • Donna with birthday bucks, daughter now over in Hawaii in college, and reminder Nov 16 Hospice gala auction;
  • Orphalee daughter birthday, caught on freeway with Anna;
  • Harte's son recently won a cyclocross race in Seattle - a great sport!
  • Steve B said $90K was raised at Viking Night;
  • Kendall spent wonderful week honeymooning in Tahoe;
  • Tim Krell's son Mitchell turned 16 Saturday, got a car!
  • Barry Kramer missed meetings, took family to Lake Chelan, before that Oregon.
  • Jill Reid thanked everyone for successful B&G Club golf tourney last week!
  • Stan’s wife was away last week, owes Foundation $200, check out the “cell phone lot” at SeaTac.
  • Brad Cornwell thankful for the TV show Glee, and Bellingham schools, and a football game;
  • Bryant Engebretson was in Seattle received treatment for vocal chords;
  • Tyler Byrd's son started kindergarten!
  • John Templeton's daughter took him to Seattle performance, then stayed with son down there, lots of Seattle sports wins;
Sergeant at Arms by Glendine
Fines for no Rotary pins, no watching the Seahawks.
 
Program
Bill Gorman introduced Dr. Greg Baker, superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools. Greg received a masters and doctorate degrees from Harvard and WWU.  Greg updated on two items:
  1. Early education makes a big difference.  Now Bellingham Public Schools are funding full-time kindergarten.  It’s expensive, but will pay off down the road.
  2. Upcoming bond proposal will go before voters this November, which will help fund the highest priority facilities and capital projects.  Top priority is the rebuilding of Sehome High School build in 1966.  Funds the rebuilding of Happy Valley Elementary School.  Funds the construction of a permanent building for Options High School which is currently in portables.  Also funds some safety and efficiency upgrades of existing buildings like Lowell and Parkview.  
Mark Peterson, volunteer-head of the campaign and citizen advisory committee, talked about the importance of passing the school bond.  In total it will raise $160M, which still puts Bellingham at less than the median WA school tax rate per capita.
 
Stew wins the raffle!
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot