Soundings 5/1/07

Mary Gribeck (Boys & Girls club) accepted a check for $4,000 from our club; she works at the Birchwood club at McLeod and Northwest. This facility serves about 80 local kids from very low income families. They offer various programs, activities and even free snacks to the kids. Their total annual budget is $30K, so our gift of $4,000 is a big part of that.

Bucks in the Bay
Tonja Myers for 8-year wedding anniversary;
Robin Schmidt for Josh Wiland joining Rotary;
Curt Smith for Husky crew win again (Curt himself rowed for UW in '54 and '55!);
Stan Dyer $186 for Foundation, and for new car;
Bob Jones for granddaughter;
Mike Kirkland for 37th wedding anniversary;
Dick Stark for missed meetings while in Palm Springs;
Bob Moles thanks for support Pure Water;
Denise Bosman for daughter's tennis success and support Pure Water;
Ken Oplinger for upcoming Ski to Sea festivities and Friday golf tournament supporting S-to-S;
John Templeton $100 memorial for Curt Mayberry;
Lynn Templeton for 33rd wedding year anniversary, thanks to Dale Brandland for his legislative support for B&G.

Sergeant at Arms by Patti Imhof
Fines for Lynn Templeton and Stan Dyer, for those who have received political solicitations, Dave Ennen, Mimi Ferlin's table, Byron Sprauge, Denise Bosman, building up not out, tennis players, Ron Hardesty, past presidents, B&G board members and staff.

Program
Barry introduced Michael Baker from Home Port Learning Center. HomePort Learning Center is a transitional education program for adjudicated at-risk youth in Whatcom County. Through experiential learning in a vocational context; the youth acquire academic, vocational, and work readiness skills. Mike said he appreciates our club's financial support these past years.

Home Port Learning Center was started 1994. It is a small private non-profit program that operates 4 days a week 12 months a year. The curriculum is designed to provide functional vocational and academic support to students who have been unsuccessful in mainstream high school programs. Students receive structured opportunities for hands-on learning in settings that reflect real-life work situations.

Home Port keeps the kids busy by offering hands-on projects (like shop) that tends to turn them around and keep them motivated. Home Port uses the "work place" as the model. They have to apply, interview, and sign a contract just like a regular job. It's not an entitlement. They learn tangible skills; and the academic program is very practical and basic. The students learn the worth ethic, showing up every day, and following through and accomplishing goals.

The WASL issue doesn't necesarily work for kids who are on the "trade" vocation track. Our Rotary money went to finance the building of the Stewardship, an 18-ft motor boat which will be used to do projects around Bellingham Bay. Home Port is looking for new waterfront space.

Respectfully Submitted,
Stowe Talbot