Soundings (9/18/12)
Posted by G. Stowe Talbot
on Sep 18, 2012
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Flag Salute & Invocation by Bill Geyer
Visiting Rotarians: Dick Tucker, Homer and Phyllis Todd (Spokane), Jim Johnson's sister Janet Sullivan, and Tonja's brother Tim Ely.
Student of the Month: Harold Scott introduced Aramis Johnson, counselor at Squalicum, who in turn introduced Jessica Alvarez (her mom is Leticia Alvarez); Jessica thanked our club for the award and for her mom's support. As a freshman, she started volunteering for North Cascades National Park (both in US and Canada), creating and repairing trails, she also taught the importance of nature and the environment at local middle school classrooms. Scotty thanked Mark Turner, who has been taking a photo of each SOM; they are on display at the high school - it definitely raises our profile there.
Inductions
Harold Scott introduced our newest incoming member Paul Twedt. Paul been with Northwestern Life Insurance & Financial Services for 20 years, first in Seattle, then opening the Bellingham office 10 years ago. He is active in volunteering and community service. Welcome, Paul!
New Member Applications
The membership committee and the board of directors has approved the application of Margarita Vartanyan, sponsored by Bob Moles. Margarita owns Vartanyan Estate Winery, a local vintner (vewinery.com). She has an MBA from WWU, and has been active in several community projects. This notice will be posted to the general membership for two weeks; please see Bill Geyer or Dennis Archer if you have any concerns or comments.
Announcements
• Terry Brown reminded us about the fellowship event Wednesday night, Oct 24, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at MBT ($45/ticket), and also a pre-event, no-host dinner at The Table restaurant. Please see Donna if interested!
Bucks in the Bay
• Dennis $100 to our BBRC Foundation;
• Tim Krell son's birthday, then planning a fun cycle tour in Eastern WA, damn those sports people who make too much money!
• Tim McEvoy $100 two weeks in Ireland playing wet and windy golf;
• Bill Boyd $100 for foundation, 53rd birthday, retiring from the fire service, hired by Coastal Industrial Services;
• Terry Myers happy to have brother, Tim Ely, here this week;
• Bob Moles back from annual fishing trip in AK (with Mike Hammes), attended the Red White and Blue performance at Skagit Community College last week, it was amazing;
• Jim Johnson went to Northern CA to attend niece's wedding;
• Barry Kramer also heard the the hockey lockout is all year!
• Sue Sharp $100 for Foundation;
• Art Runestrand lost his cane, talked about one of his accomplished great grandsons who is now in college;
• Dick Tucker glad to be here and visit our club finally.
• Stan $100 for Foundation, back from road trip to CA (very hot!), attended his former Rotary club (Santa Monica) where lunch is $40, the Kentucky Derby is America's oldest professional sport started in 1865, and finally... volleyball is the most popular sport at nudist camps.
Visiting Rotarians: Dick Tucker, Homer and Phyllis Todd (Spokane), Jim Johnson's sister Janet Sullivan, and Tonja's brother Tim Ely.
Student of the Month: Harold Scott introduced Aramis Johnson, counselor at Squalicum, who in turn introduced Jessica Alvarez (her mom is Leticia Alvarez); Jessica thanked our club for the award and for her mom's support. As a freshman, she started volunteering for North Cascades National Park (both in US and Canada), creating and repairing trails, she also taught the importance of nature and the environment at local middle school classrooms. Scotty thanked Mark Turner, who has been taking a photo of each SOM; they are on display at the high school - it definitely raises our profile there.
Inductions
Harold Scott introduced our newest incoming member Paul Twedt. Paul been with Northwestern Life Insurance & Financial Services for 20 years, first in Seattle, then opening the Bellingham office 10 years ago. He is active in volunteering and community service. Welcome, Paul!
New Member Applications
The membership committee and the board of directors has approved the application of Margarita Vartanyan, sponsored by Bob Moles. Margarita owns Vartanyan Estate Winery, a local vintner (vewinery.com). She has an MBA from WWU, and has been active in several community projects. This notice will be posted to the general membership for two weeks; please see Bill Geyer or Dennis Archer if you have any concerns or comments.
Announcements
• Terry Brown reminded us about the fellowship event Wednesday night, Oct 24, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at MBT ($45/ticket), and also a pre-event, no-host dinner at The Table restaurant. Please see Donna if interested!
Bucks in the Bay
• Dennis $100 to our BBRC Foundation;
• Tim Krell son's birthday, then planning a fun cycle tour in Eastern WA, damn those sports people who make too much money!
• Tim McEvoy $100 two weeks in Ireland playing wet and windy golf;
• Bill Boyd $100 for foundation, 53rd birthday, retiring from the fire service, hired by Coastal Industrial Services;
• Terry Myers happy to have brother, Tim Ely, here this week;
• Bob Moles back from annual fishing trip in AK (with Mike Hammes), attended the Red White and Blue performance at Skagit Community College last week, it was amazing;
• Jim Johnson went to Northern CA to attend niece's wedding;
• Barry Kramer also heard the the hockey lockout is all year!
• Sue Sharp $100 for Foundation;
• Art Runestrand lost his cane, talked about one of his accomplished great grandsons who is now in college;
• Dick Tucker glad to be here and visit our club finally.
• Stan $100 for Foundation, back from road trip to CA (very hot!), attended his former Rotary club (Santa Monica) where lunch is $40, the Kentucky Derby is America's oldest professional sport started in 1865, and finally... volleyball is the most popular sport at nudist camps.
Sergeant at Arms by Frank Chmelik
Fines for Stan, Jack Louws, WWU grads for upcoming basketball slaughter, Husky win, Bill Geyer, Paul Twedt, and Bill Boyd has been an outstanding fire chief!
Program
Bob Moles introduced Jack Louws, Whatcom County Executive. Before being elected, Jack served several years as mayor in Lynden. Jack is also one of the owners of Louws Truss Company, with his son. 32 years marriage, and three grown kids.
Jack said his first few months as County Exec was getting to know the people and operations at the County. He also spent a lot of face time with community people and individuals to establish a sold understanding for further work in the job.
Some of the projects he has worked on:
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot
Fines for Stan, Jack Louws, WWU grads for upcoming basketball slaughter, Husky win, Bill Geyer, Paul Twedt, and Bill Boyd has been an outstanding fire chief!
Program
Bob Moles introduced Jack Louws, Whatcom County Executive. Before being elected, Jack served several years as mayor in Lynden. Jack is also one of the owners of Louws Truss Company, with his son. 32 years marriage, and three grown kids.
Jack said his first few months as County Exec was getting to know the people and operations at the County. He also spent a lot of face time with community people and individuals to establish a sold understanding for further work in the job.
Some of the projects he has worked on:
- Putting together (with City of Bellingham) a new vision for Medic One. Compliments for Mayor Linville, Jack enjoys working with her.
- Jack has also been working with Sherif Elfo to get a site for the new jail. We definitely need a new jail - up to 550 beds needed. Cost might be as high as $55M. County currently looking at three property bids. The site selection will be made in the next couple months.
- Vision for Birch Bay - redo the main drag, utilities underground, restore beach to natural state, $10M project.
- Lake Whatcom watershed with City of Bellingham.
- We are currently way behind in maintenance of streets, for example.
- Reface the courthouse to prevent more water damage ($4M project).
- Expand efficiencies through technologies, telephone system, new software ($6M project).
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot