Posted by G. Stowe Talbot on Jan 23, 2018
Flag Salute & Invocation by Tony Freelend
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Chris Vasquez (Sven’s guest), RJ from Anvil (Tony’s guest).
 
Announcements
 
President Curtis with birthdays and Rotary anniversaries. Thank you letters from Blue Skies, Unity Care and Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center.
 
Carlye reported six people were at last week’s BBRC Networking Lunch (Third Thursday).
 
Next BBRC board meeting Feb 8th at Tradewinds office all are welcome!
 
Curtis and Bill Gorman awarded Paul Harris Fellows to Stephanie Sadler and Brad Cornwell. Congratulations!
 
Student of the Month - Mike Bates introduced this month’s SOM Ashley Grams. Ashley is a very accomplished student and citizen.  She plays varsity soccer and tennis, receives outstanding grades and SAT scores, takes multiple AP classes, and serves in many leadership and volunteer (500 hours) positions, she is a freshman mentor, ASB secretary, and coaches youth soccer. She is also a very kind and empathetic person, reaching out to those in need.  She plans to study sports broadcasting.
 
Fellowship Eric Chambers announced a March 10th dinner (venue TBD) and show at Mt Baker Theatre (“Gobsmacked”, see http://gobsmackedtheshow.com), please sign up!
 
Business Promo minute anecdote by Andy Clay.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Stan doing the attendance sheet, thanks for snow;
  • John Templeton donated $100 for a business referral by Bryant Engebretson;
  • Tim Krell kudos to SOM Ashley;
  • Sven Gilkey missed meetings, new director appointed for the Mount Baker Council;
  • Karen Burke missed meeting, enjoying her second foster experience (4 kids for a month!) - wish her luck!
  • Eric Chambers missed meetings (vacation, holiday and jury duty) thanks Inga and Tim and Eddie for covering for him;
  • Bill Gorman helping out mother in law, and new beard;
  • Debbie Kiene missed meetings, retiring soon from banking world, Pro Bowl next week;
  • Inga Drechsel on the passing of her beloved 14 year dog;
Sergeant at Arms by Eddie
Fines for misc. deeds.
Program
Brad Cornwell welcomed April Claxton from Recreation NW, a nonprofit organization founded five years ago with a mission to promote outdoor recreation www.recreationnw.org.
Their original (founding) event, started 15 years ago, was the Bellingham Traverse, a fun relay race that celebrates the journey of wild salmon. The event has 2 runs, two bike legs, and a paddle through Bellingham’s parks, trails and waterways. It takes place each third Saturday of September.  https://www.recreationnorthwest.org/bellingham-traverse/ 
Their first stewardship project was building a new trail in Fairhaven Park (and the former Hundred Acre Woods property). To build the new trail, Recreation NW organized volunteer labor and fundraised.  The value of outdoor recreation is huge in Whatcom County, with both economic and health benefits. 
 
Recreation NW also organizes:
  1. The Outdoor Recreation Conference - which brings together outdoor recreation businesses and organizations to explore and share ways to grow and promote Washington’s flourishing recreation economy. (2/23/18), and;
  2. Outdoor Recreation Expo (2/24/18) - open to the public, the exhibition features apparel and gear manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, outdoor media, activity clubs, and reps from recreation events and races.
Recreation NW’s newest initiative is Parkscriptions - a pilot project to get doctors to prescribe outdoor recreation time to their patients.
 
Stan wins the raffle!
 
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot