Soundings (9/27/05)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Announcements:
*Grape & Gourmet: Jack Grant reports that 17 restaurants confirmed, but we need 35 or 40. Scotty reports that only 150 of the regular tix have been sold, need to sell 750! This event is our club's major fundraiser, and we need to make it a success.
*Tournament for the Children: About $4,000 was raised in total, big thanks to both Todd Ramsay and Steve Brummel.
*Eddie Hansen proposes a crab feed (fresh crab and Cesar salad) on his boat at the dock near BYC 4-7pm. We need 20 people minimum.
*Next week's meeting at GP not Northwood Hall.

 
Guests
Bellingham Club: John Moles, Jamie Voss.
Whatcom North: Hilary.
Also, Mike Bayless, Bryan Allsop, Dave Gallagher, Ruby Smith and Paul Sadler.

Flag Salute and Invocation by Mike Kirkland.

New member inductions
1) Stephanie Sadler was introduced by Mimi Ferlin. Stephanie is a WWU grad, teaching in Bellingham schools many years, later the principal of Carl Cozier and Roosevelt Schools. Now head of St. Paul Episcopal School. She raised 3 kids and 4 foster kids (all now grown).
2) John Hulbert was introduced by Steve Brummel. John is a WWU grad, worked at Prostock Athletic, Unity Group and now is a financial consultant with Smith Barney. He enjoys teaching sports, golf, skiing, and volunteering for JA. He has 2 girls and 1 boy.
Denise Bosman encouraged them to get involved in the club, the more you put in the more you get out of it. Attend a board meeting to see what that's like (second Wednesday of every month, 7:30AM at the Bayside Cafe). Welcome Stephanie and John!

Bucks in the Bay
Bill Unrein - thanks Todd and Steve for golf tournament, and happy bucks for 30th anniversary;
Chuck Olson - for getting closest to the pin which won him the Porche for the weekend;
Carol Beecher - for opening a new store in Fairhaven, need volunteers for the "Barkley Autumn Trail Run" and pumpkin patch (Sat. Oct 15th);
John Hulbert - happy bucks for 9th anniversary, long-drive at the golf tournament, new house, and good health of his daughter;
Bob Rice - missed meetings while in Normandy, Baltic region;
Paul Leuthold - for successful party last Saturday at Woodstock (the new park purchased by Parks Dept. / Greenways), and 27th wedding anniversary;
Ed Zech - just returned from China - very impressed by the growth there, med school reunion in Omaha;
Robin Schmidt - "polio plus" campaign, trip to Hawaii with daughter;
Eddie Hansen - Roche Harbor trip with friends on the boat, also trip to Lake Shasta, and a new truck;
Bob Newell - good tournament, 50 year anniversary;
Ron Hardesty - needs John Hulbert to fill out a team for scramble golf tournament;
David King - Walk for ALS last week, $88K raised;

Program
Orphalee introduced our own Dr. Curt Smith to discuss the campaign to add fluoride to Bellingham's water supply. Curt pointed to 60 year history of fluoride's effectiveness at improving dental health. Children ages 6 months to 16 years receive the most benefit. Fluoridated water is endorsed by most major medical organizations. Saves dollars because 20% of the kids have 80% of the dental disease.

  • Is it "forced medication"? Such a stance has never won in a court of law. Why can't use tablets or drops on an individual basis instead? This approach never reaches those most in need of fluoridation.
  • Does fluoridation cause cancer? No, except for the claims of an unpublished paper by a grad student at Harvard.
  • Overdose? Almost impossible to do.
  • Causes brittle bones? No. Who is making money out of fluoridation? No one.
  • Is it not effective now that dentists treat with fluoride? It still is, especially with younger people and immigrants, people with the least access to dental care.
  • Political process: Faced with a very passionate opposition. He has received verbal assaults, a rat in his mailbox, and hundreds of stolen yard signs.

Questions from the audience: Does the City Charter allow fluoridation? Curt did not know. If target group is 2-3,000 kids, couldn't they be better treated individually with toothpaste and cleaning? Shouldn't we keep the water fluoride-free, to give a choice to everyone? Dr. Zech spoke about two cases of heart valve surgery that was precipitated by dental disease that fluoride might have prevented; the surgeries were non-insured and costs will ultimately be borne by the public at large.

Respectfully submitted, Stowe Talbot