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Halloween Party at the Menos'
As can be seen in the photos above, and the many more in the album, there was great food and fellowship at the Meno's "not so" haunted mansion!
Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self Since 1970
We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Arlington Free Methodist Church
Arlington Free Methodist Church
730 E. Highland Drive
(Mail: PO Box 3592)
Arlington, WA 98223
United States of America
(Mail: PO Box 3592)
Arlington, WA 98223
United States of America
District Site
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Bulletins
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Venue Map
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President
Vice President/President Nominee
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Foundation Director
Associate Director Foundation
Membership Director
Associate Director Membership
Public Relations Director
Associate Director PR
Club Administration Director
Associate Director Administration
Youth Services Associate Director
Director Youth Services
Youth Exchange Officer
Club Runner Administrator
Funding Associate Director
Funding Committee Director
Service Projects Director
Service Projects Associate Director
Who Are We?
The Rotary Club of Arlington is a
group of business owners, professionals
and community leaders that are
dedicated to making our world and our
community stronger.
We are committed to the ideal of
"Service Above Self"
while enjoying fun, fellowship and friendships
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2018-19 R.I. Theme
Manufacturing Industrial Center
Development in Arlington
Mayor Barb Tolbert spoke to our club about business development in Arlington and the Manufacturing Industrial Center. Jobs, education, housing and infrastructure are high on the list of the City’s priorities. Goals: attract investment, create small town charm, recruit businesses, and provide for increased personal growth.
A partnership was formed between Marysville and Arlington to create a Manufacturing Industrial Center. Most of the 4,000 acre area of the MIC lies in Arlington.
The development is focused on jobs and infrastructure. Multi-modal transportation will be analyzed. Visual elements will be included in the MIC to blend the edges of the cities. The plan paid attention to the environment to ensure our built environments blend into the natural environments. The plan encourages support of the airport’s role in Arlington.
When businesses and industries cluster the transportation and freight time is decreased. The MIC will provide these opportunities.
The MIC will attract food processing, wood processing and timber, and maritime businesses.
Cost effective utilities, stream restoration, freight management, and transportation will be important components of the MIC.
Employment in Arlington is booming. Job growth is at 23.4%. Population growth in the city is at 4.2% 2011-2017. Population will go up. 19 new businesses going into Arlington. 400+ new jobs. New housing developments are going in.
Statistics are showing crime rate is going down. Two new police officers have been added to the budget. Three personnel will be added to EMS staff.
The railroad will play a large part in the MIC to transport goods.
Domestic Violence Services
Vicci Hilty Executive Director of Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County (DVS) began in 1976 and with safe homes, minimal services and no shelter. People opened up their homes for people to stay in. This morphed and in the 1980’s the original shelter for Snohomish county was created.
An old farm house in Snohomish was moved to the property and created a 15 bed shelter. At the time the goal was to get people safe and the goal was not more than helping immediately.
About 15 years ago legal advocacy was added to the resources that were offered. Help in finding attorneys and legal services.
5 years ago DVS moved into a new facility that now houses 52 beds. Before the new facility they were turning away about 1500 people with the 15 bed facility. Now with 52 beds they still have turn aways, but not as many. Now only about 400.
DVS realized that housing is not the answer and that domestic violence is about power and control and that the children in these homes are taught these things and it continues. Now they offer shelter, legal services, housing services, a children’s program, a thrift store as well as prevention education.
Something to always remember about domestic violence is that it is not the persons fault that stays, it is the persons fault that is hitting. We need to stop blaming the person that stays.
Housing is an issue and to find housing is a factor in people leaving. The housing frees people to leave. Domestic Violence Services also has children’s programs that help children that have seen or been a part of domestic violence.
DVS also offers prevention education services. These services teach people what healthy relationships look like. They go to schools and teach children boundaries and healthy relationships. They learn how they share commonality and how we take care of each other.
For the future, DVS is looking more at how to reach out to children that are being raised in a violent home and how to get to them early. A few years ago they hired a doctor that is helping run a program for kids and teaches kids about loving and caring for families well. DVS is also looking at community advocacy where they can go to people that need help instead of them going to them.
The thrift shop is called New and Again and is located in downtown Everett at 3010 Grand if you would like to donate. They can also come and do pick-up for large donations if you contact them.
For someone to contact Domestic Violence Services they can call the 24 hour hotline 425-25abuse.
Click HERE to learn more.
Cabins at Fire Mountain Scout Camp
Rotarians volunteers and guest volunteers met at the Fire Mountain Scout Camp on Saturday (Oct 20, 2018) to set foundations and framework for two cabins that will serve both Scout Counselors and campers. It was a beautiful Fall day in the Cascade mountains, a lot of work was accomplished and a lot of fun was enjoyed.
On Oct. 27 a crew returned to continue framing the two cabins. The rain held off into the late afternoon.
Some of the photos in the Album
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November is Rotary Foundation Month
Our Foundation Director, Kathy McCone, and the Associate Director, Ryan Berg, used the last meeting in October to tell us a bit about the foundation and plans for next month.
Kathy and Ryan
In 1917 the seed was planted for the Rotary Foundation to do good in the world. You can look at the Rotary Website for more information on the history of the foundation.
The foundations has spend over 3 billion dollars on sustainable projects in the world.
All of the money that is taken in is given back to the clubs through district grants. We have done this twice. The AED’s that we distributed to the community came from a district grant. If we don’t give, there is no money to give back.
When you give $1000 annually to the foundation, including the polio fund, you can receive, or give, a Paul Harris. You can also be a benefactor and add the foundation to your estate plan and when you notify the Rotary Foundation that you will be giving $1000 or more, you receive a certificate.
IF you give $100 per year you become a sustaining member of the foundation. You can give by giving Kathy a check that she will send in or you can give online.
We are applying for another grant for money for sod around the splash pad. We received over $100,000 for our Bungoma project that we did 3 years ago. Joan is now working on another project, this time to Haiti.
During the month of November our club offers a match of whatever you give. The foundation only allows matching in $100 increments.
This year the club will be offering entry into a drawing for prizes for every $25 that is given toward the foundation. For every $1 that is donated to Polio Plus the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation matches, as well. We are able to help with water projects, polio, peacekeeping and much more.
Last year we did almost $10,000 and this year we want to do more. Every time someone donates through the Rotary Club of Arlington the club earns points and that is how we are able to match funds in giving. You also earn points when you give and those points can be given to other people to honor them.
Our foundation is rated every year as one of the top 5 charitable organizations.
For more on the Rotary Foundation including a link to set up electronic giving, click HERE.
Funding for Improved Emergency Communications
Brad Stiener, Executive Director with SERS (Snohomish County Emergancy Radio System) spoke to our club about the measure on the November 6 ballot to update the County's emergency radio system. Brad graduated from University of Washington in 1998.
Brad Steiner
SERS provides all wireless communication for emergency responders. 911 works and is reliable. You need help and you need help quickly.
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There is a lot that happens between you and the call. SERS kicks in as soon as the call is connected. They determine what you need, who is closest to respond, and they dispatch emergency responders.
19 sites across the county. Millions of transmissions per year. 19,000 per day. Even while services are in route to you, SERS is part of the conversation. SERS is a non-profit organization. They don’t build towers to make money but to get the services to people.
During the Oso slide efforts, SERS provided communication services.
SERS was originally deployed in 2001. Much of the original equipment is still operating and carrying your emergency calls.
When the connections breaks there will be a reliability problem with the service and decreased safety. The technology the system uses is dated and will eventually wear out. They are starting to see more failures. There was a 20 minute outage. Half the County lost its ability to communicate. Some failures are random. We are the last County in the state of our size and complexity to migrate to newer technology.
When 911 doesn’t work we are all at risk. Most sites have generator power so if the power grid goes down 911 should continue to work. SnoPac and SnoCom came together last year. SERS will be part of Snohomish County 911 as of January 1st.
All funding comes from each emergency agency. It is a voluntary assessment as SERS has no authority to assess fees.
A temporary site could be up within 15 minutes in arriving on scene.
Funding request placed on November 6th ballot. The County Council unanimously approved placing it on the ballot. The need has been independently verified. Many other county, city, and state agencies have upgraded.
Here are some common questions:
Don’t I already get taxed for 911 services on my cell phone bill? The E911 tax does not pay for local emergency services.
Why can’t emergency personnel use cell phones? The radios are built to be rugged. Cell phones are just now working on ruggedness and don’t have the performance of a radio. Radios can last at minimum 10 years. The battery may lose a little less.
Why now? If funding passes SERS is ready to move forward with obtaining bids. It will take a couple years to upgrade and train emergency personnel. 2021 would be the goal for transitioning. No more manufacturers support on existing equipment after 2020.
What will be the tax? 1/10th of 1% sales tax (10 cents per $100 purchased).
As a representative of the agency Brad was limited to giving facts and figures and not advocating a "yes" vote, but he could leave us with the message to "Please Vote!"
Information on the School Bond Measure
Bonds are for buildings and Levies are for learning. If passed, the funds which would be generated by sale of bonds would provide building improvements to support instructional programs; promote safety and security; improve operational efficiency; and prepare for a growing community.
Information was provided by both Chrys Sweeting, Superintendent, and by Brian Lewis, Director of Operations.
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Chrys Sweeting
Brian Lewis
Instructional Spaces to be Improved: Post Middle School would be rebuilt. There are deficits in instructional spaces at the school. There would be no disruption in learning during the build. Here is a link to a video as to why the decision was made to build new: VIDEO LINK
Arlington High would have a workshop added on to allow for learning behind the BPAC stage (creating and preparing the sets and technology).
Safety and Security: All projects in the bond have to do with safety and security. Installing secured entryways and locks on classroom doors would be possible if the bond is approved. Video cameras could be installed to deter criminal activity and catch criminals. Inside they serve a discipline function. Traffic safety is also address. Click HERE to See More
Improving Operational Efficiency: 22 heating systems at Post Middle School. The bond would allow for replacement down to one system.
Preparing for a Growing Community: If we do not grow anymore, in 2020 there will be 200-300 more students at the high school. The bond would add 8 classrooms to the high school. More HERE
The bond would allow the district to be eligible for $11.4 million in state matching funds to purchase and prepare new elementary school site.
The majority of the bond funds would go to rebuilding Post Middle School. Every school and the transportation facility will benefit from the bond.
Projects would begin in the spring of 2019. Post would be done in May 2022. Ballots will be postage paid this year so you do not have to use a stamp to mail it back. The bond is the very last on the ballot. \
The district has collected on a bond from 18 years ago to build the high school. This bond would be paid off and replaced with the new bond.
Starting this January local school property taxes will be going down because the state will be paying more for basic education. Local levy rates are capped at $1.50 per $1,000 in valuation.
Chrys and Brian, because they are employed by the district, could only provide information without urging a "yes" vote. Jeff Huleatt, during the question and answer session, urged us all to vote "yes". Everyone will benefit if the bond passes. We will get more for our money if we pass the bond now.
2018 Sponsors Recognized
After sharing our mission statement that appears at the top of our webpage with those gathered for lunch, and after sharing some of our projects benefited by Duck Dash funds, Jola Barnett, our sponsorship chair, recognized all of our sponsors. Below she, with the help of Jenie Jones, is presenting a certificate to a representative from Dwayne Lanes Chevrolet.
Seven years ago we started actively soliciting sponsors to cover our expenses so that every dollars of money spent on a tickets would be used for community projects. Sponsorships have grown to over $102,000. With our expenses more than covered, we are able to use the bulk of the funds generated for our projects as well.
This year the number of sponsors grew by 15 over 2017, for a total of 89 sponsors. 22 of those were brand new sponsors.
Dwayne Lane's Chevrolet has continued to be our only Platinum Sponsor. With many previous sponsors moving up a level, we had 22 sponsors at the $2,000 Silver level and 34 at the Bronze level of $1,000.
We had 18 T-Shirt sponsors and 12 Coupon sponsors.
For all the photos of those sponsors who came to lunch to be recognized, go to the album. Photos are also on the carousel near the top of our website.
Park and Portage Creek Clean-ups
On August 25, Rotarians from our club, along with family and friends, did a clean-up of Twin Rivers Park, as part of its goal of having a "hands on" service project each month. This past Saturday, September 22, our service project was a stream restoration project on Portage Creek. We cleaned-up 3 homeless campsites and cut and pulled out the roots of invasive plants so as to improve fish habitat.
There are photo albums of each of the events.
In October we will be doing some improvement projects at the Scout Camp east of Big Lake known as Fire Mountain.
Snohomish County Update
Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring
Nate Nehring, Snohomish County Councilman, spoke to our club about what’s new with the Council and Snohomish County.
The Council is in the process of reviewing and approving their budget. There are tax burdens from McCleary, car tabs, property taxes, etc. The Council is trying to go through their budget and cut out unnecessary items and produce a balanced budget without raising taxes at the County level. The budget provides funding for public safety, county roads and parks, assessor’s office.
The commercial air service at Paine Field is one project evidencing continued economic development in the area. The flights will start January 2019 as long as there are no issues. Paine field is a great opportunity for businesses to fly right in and out and keeps additional congestion out of Seattle.
The manufacturing and industrial growth in Arlington and Marysville will bring additional economic growth with additional family wage jobs. Affordable housing, traffic, and jobs are important.
Boeing is looking at where to build their next aircraft. Snohomish County has put together a task force to prepare an incentive package to keep Boeing here.
A pre-apprenticeship program has been created with the community colleges and high schools to allow high school students to get trained and obtain a good job right out of school. This allows students to fill jobs right out of school without the need for a college degree.
There is tremendous growth in the area. Snohomish County is expected to have an additional 400,000 people by 2050. Transportation is important due to the expected growth. The US 2 trestle is the biggest traffic issue in Snohomish County. The project may cost $1 billon+.
Many transportation projects are fully funded and are already starting.
The opioid epidemic is challenging for all counties. Snohomish County is offering resources to individuals who need help including an embedded social worker with law enforcement to connect the people with services. Snohomish County is taking a hard stance on nuisance properties and property crimes.
Land use bans have been instituted to prevent heroin injection facilities from coming into Snohomish County.
The Council advocates at the state and federal level. Contact your local, state, and federal representatives to express your concerns over issues.
A County diversion center has been opened in Everett to help people detox and connect them with services. Law enforcement can take them there at any time. There is also a medical wing in the jail.
Dick Post Memorial
Golf Tournament
The annual Dick Post Memorial Golf Tournament was held on September 6 at the GlenEagle Golf Course. There were enough golfers to allow for a shot gun start.
Golfing was organized by Jim Minifie and the after party by our Club Service Director, Carla Gastineau. Photos above show the various awards that were given following a buffet dinner in the Club House restaurant.
As you can tell by the awards, it's not serious golfing--just lots of fun! The event is generally the first Thursday in September. There were some Everett Rotarians who joined our members and our guests to golf and enjoy the after golf party and award.
State DECA Officer-Caroline Diemer
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Caroline Deimer spoke to our club about Washington DECA.
Caroline is a junior at Arlington High School. She is on the volleyball team and Honor Society. DECA prepares students for business careers and provides business and leadership opportunities to high school students. There are competitions the students participate in.
There are 158 school chapters and 11,000 student members in Washington. It was founded in 1946 and standards for Distributive Education Clubs of America. 215,000 worldwide members.
DECA stimulates personal growth and community service. Arlington High DECA does “Santa’s Helpers” and collects food and donations. Last year DECA at Arlington High collected 22,000 food and grocery items and $10,000 in cash. They purchase gifts and donate to local family and the food bank.
Caroline got involved in DECA through her intro to marketing class. She became Vice-President of Business Management and took on a leadership position. She did virtual interviews with DECA executives and gave a speech in front of 900 students at area 1 conference. She became the new Washington DECA president.
Rotarians can help! You can be a judge at a DECA competition, speak at high schools, sponsor DECA, and invite students to your business to learn/help/share ideas/mentor.
Caroline wants to complete her AA, take a gap year to travel, then go to AZ State Business School.
Eric Scott & Terra Vista NW
Eric Scott gave his classification talk at our September 13th meeting.
Eric is the owner of Terra Vista NW. Eric was born in Paradise, CA. When Eric was a year old he got the flu. Doctor prescribed medicine that almost killed him. Anesthesiologist saved his life by getting an IV into him. He was in the hospital for a week. He was later attacked by family dogs numerous times. His brother was also bitten by a family dog and needed reconstructive surgery.
His parents were teachers. The month of July they would spend on a sailboat in the San Juans. Parents divorced when he was thirteen. He has two step-brothers and one biological brother. One brother manages a golf course, one is a firefighter/paramedic, and one is a bartender.
Eric went to Cal State – Chico. Eric found a job after college working for a firm to develop flood maps for FEMA. Eric worked in surveying for awhile. He lived in Sacramento and felt California was getting old. Remembering his time in the San Juans, he moved to Washington and took a job with a large engineering firm. He worked on the Seattle Central Library, George Lucas’s private driveway, and the Experience Music Project.
In 1998 a former college girlfriend called him, a year later they were married. They have two daughters. One loves robotics and will go to Skagit College and one loves art and has won awards for her art. Eric’s wife teaches for Tulalip Tribes.
In 2010 at the peak of the recession the company he worked at downsized and he was laid off. They moved to Arlington and Eric took the position as City Engineer for Arlington. A few years back Eric started his own business, Terra Vista NW, Consulting Engineers.
Clientele includes developers and municipalities. He provides right of way improvements, drainage designs, parking lot design, etc. services. Terra Vista NW can provide a more focused design with Eric acting as lead from the beginning to end. Eric has 25 years of experience in civil engineer. He works with clients directly to determine what the project needs. This saves time for the clients.
Eric enjoys working for himself and starting the firm. The clientele is different than the Seattle clientele and really appreciate Eric’s help solving their project needs.
Eric got involved in Rotary because he wants to be involved with the community. Eric was in Kiwanas for many years but wanted to be around business people. He heard the Arlington Rotary Club was a fun group and decided to check it out. He enjoys being part of the community and the people in Rotary.
District Governor Linda Murray
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Our District 5050 Governor-Linda Murray
District Governor Linda grew up in L.A. and went to University of Redlands. She started work in the L.A. Sheriff’s department. In 1980 she and her husband moved to Washington. For the last 37 years her husband Bill and Linda have operated Evergreen Security.
Linda has served on numerous boards. She is a member of the S. Everett/Mukilteo Rotary Club. She served as President in 2000/2001. Her husband is also a member and past president. She has led an exchange group to India.
This year our International President is from Nassau, Bahamas. He has chosen “Be the inspiration” as Rotary’s theme this year. Linda has attempted to inspire Rotarians this year to make their clubs bigger and more relevant. Linda congratulated our club for our work on the splash pad, the AED units, support of the senior center, food bank, and Bungoma water project.
Linda’s first goal is to evolve and work together for a common outcome. Clubs needs to create a five year plan. The District can help with visioning in a two part meeting. Last year six of these visioning meetings occurred.
The next goal is to enhance membership experience in hopes of increasing retention in hopes of growing the clubs. Net increase of 64 members is the goal for this year. Another goal is to increase retention rate by at least 1%.
The District can help the club be successful through membership workshops, presentations, Rotary and Learning Institute that comes closer to the clubs and costs less.
It is important to continue polling membership to find out what the members want. Be open to new ideas from membership. More members means more project can get accomplished and have a greater impact. Branding is important. Tell your Rotary story. Make it personal. What is your favorite Rotary moment? Make that known when you are talking to people.
The District is putting together a technology committee and offering workshops to help clubs with technology issues.
The District will work on increasing members’ knowledge of the Foundation and attempt to increase giving to EYER. The District will stress the convenience of Rotary Direct. November 3rd there will be a general Foundation seminar.
Final goal is to get more young professionals in the club and double the number in Rotaract by end of year.
Upcoming District Events:
Facilitation workshop – if you are interested in being a facilitator please attend
World Polio Day – October 13th
District Rotary Work Day – last Saturday of April
District Conference at Tulalip Resort April 12-14.
Linda finished her presentation with these simple words:
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Mariners vs. L.A. Dodgers
Rotarians, including a couple from the Rotary Club of Stanwood-Camano, and guests took a bus to Safeco field to see the Mariners play the Dodgers. It was fireworks and sign along night!
Photos are in an album and now up on the photo carousel above.
Caleb Returns From Year in Iceland
Jose Arrives from Bolivia
Our August 23rd meeting highlighted our club's participation with Rotary International's Youth Exchange program. Caleb Abenroth did a program on his year in Iceland and we welcomed Jose' Maria Paz Duran who arrived Wednesday evening from Tarija, Bolivia.
Caleb Abenroth
Caleb left last August and just returned the end of July. Caleb got to tour some of the first houses manufactured in Iceland and churches. Caleb made friends with a Polish young man and many other friends, some were exchange students. The exchange students had a dinner together. He photographed the beautiful landscape.
Caleb stayed with host families and got to travel around Iceland. His first host family was not as active as his second host family. He got to see and do more with his second host family. They went fishing and caught 60 fish. He was immersed in the culture and language.
Caleb got to participate in Eurotour where he traveled Europe with 50 other exchange students. They visited Amsterdam, Berlin, Poland, France, etc.
Everyone in Iceland is known by their first names. Their last names are their father’s first name + “son”.
Although it wasn't planned, Jose' was visiting our club for the first time following his arrival.
Jose Exchanging Club Banners with President Elect Simona
Jose will be presenting a program in the near future telling us about his country of Bolivia. He is from the southern region-the city of Tarija. He will be attending Arlington High School and he is currently living with Kay and Dave Duskin.
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Ruth and Rhonda from Stop ClaimsRuth and Rhonda from Stop Claims spoke to us about employee rights and avoiding the pitfalls of Labor and Industries Industrial Insurance.
In 2015 there were 174,000 employers in the State fund. Washington is a monopolistic state where every employer in the state fund is required to use L&I for their workers’ comp insurance. You have to become self-insured to be exempt. 109,000 new claims were accepted in 2015 and 300 claims were assigned to a case manager. $1.5 billion was paid in benefits and more pensions paid. Only 14 fraud claims were referred to the AG’s office for prosecution this was down from 24 the year before. Many more are likely fraud claims that are being overlooked. There are a lot of unworthy claims being paid. Care goes on too long, opiate abuse, depression, and PTSD are all associated with unworthy and fraud claims. Other things to be aware of are that occupational disease can be transferred to a new employer and sometimes the old employer does not have any liability. Many times, Pre-existing conditions are tacked on to the L&I claim that increases the cost of the claim.
The laws require that whatever the attending physician says the claims manager has to accept it. If there is a question, benefit of the doubt goes to the injured worker. Medical evidence is accepted until proven otherwise.
To ensure that a claim is not a runaway claim one needs to attempt to prevent a claim with an accident prevention plan and needs to manage the medical within the claim (medical care should only be had for 60-90 days unless it is a serious injury). IT is also wise to keep surveillance of the injured worker if there is a question about injuries. You can also, transition the worker back to work with light duty. To do this, use a vocational counselor to prepare a list of duties worker can take to physician. And remember that any legal decision from L&I can be protested within 60 days and then the decision is appealed.
Your experience rate and L&I premiums will go up if you have more compensable claims. Factors that will increase experience rate are time loss, a medical claim over $2,930, if there are any funds on reserve for the injured worker and permanent/partial disabilities. Remember that employers can review any claims online. It is important to monitor claims to ensure they do not become runaway claims that cost the company a lot.
The retrospective refund program is an incentive program through L&I that awards employers if they implement strong safety procedures. L&I will look back at claim performance. If they are good there is a refund, but if they are bad there is an assessment. Finally remember that, if you hire an injured worker you get a discount and benefits from L&I.
North Snohomish County Outreach is a program that allows people to come in, do laundry and have a meal available to the homeless in our community. Their goal is to partner with Laundry mats and service providers. At this time they run laundry time in Smokey Point at Suds and Duds on Tuesday nights at 6:30.
It's Executive Director, Sarah Higginbotham, was our program on August 9. She also was one of the winners of our Duck Dash and she announced that she used the money to buy shirts for the volunteers.
Sarah Higginbotham in her new shirt!
Thanksgiving 2016 was when the project began as a ministry outreach of LifeChurch 360 when people would take the guest laundry and wash their clothes during the service and bring them back. Then Sarah read when Helping Hurts and changed the focus of their ministry to them doing their laundry, but North Snohomish County Outreach would help pay for the laundry and provide a meal. In 2017 they started advertising during the PIIT Count and began to see the many invisible homeless that exist in our area.
In Fall of 2017 they started visiting people in jail and seeing their transitions and needs. Last week they had their highest , guest attendance of 45 and 10 new guests. They started having people fill out forms with expectations to understand their services are a privilege and these also help them to track people and who they are serving.
In September of this year they will start serving not just Smokey Point, but downtown Arlington. They have found that people in downtown Arlington have a different drug of choice. Alcohol is their drug of choice. They also have a shower trailer and are working with the City to start that with laundry and meal services. They are also in discussion with Granite Falls, Marysville and Stanwood to reach out into those areas.
Also working with other services to have them at their laundry times to help have resources available during laundry times. They work with the Community resource center, Community Health, Mercy watch, Immaculate Conception, Life Church360 and Stick it or Stuff it.
They are always in need of socks, used clothing, people to help serve meals and share that these resources are available.
Most of the people that they work with are in need of someone to see them as a human being. Believing that everybody is somebody is key to what North Snohomish County Outreach does. They allow people to have a place to be known to feel human again and take care of the things that they have.
Funding, right now is from self-funding and individuals that give to help. To see how to volunteer check out its Face Book site: Click Here
Celebrating a Record Breaking Duck Dash!
Our club likes to have fun and what better party to have than to celebrate our successful Duck Dash fundraiser. This year we raised $102,200 in sponsorships and we sold $86,020 in tickets.
We worked as teams this year for both sponsorships and ticket sales. The team that raised the most money in sponsorships and ticket sales was Team Jola (Jola, Lauren, Chrys, Jeff & Mel)! It was first in sponsorships at $18,050 and third in ticket sales at $10,260.
Team Jola
Team Dave (Dave, Linda, Cindy, Andria, Bob and Peggy) was the second team over all, with $16,200 in sponsorships (the highest number of sponsors), and ticket sales of $6,305.
Team Dave
Dale was the overall ticket sales winner at $6,590. His team (Bucky, John D, Lee, Ron L and Matt) was the high selling team at $11,170.
Carla Congratulated Team Dale
The duck Dale is holding was given to him to display as the number 1 seller. Last year's top seller, Carla, presented him with his ring, the duck and with the medallion.
Passing the Medallion
Every member who sold the goal of $1500 in ticket sales was recognized. They include Carla, Jennifer, Dale, Lee, Jola, Mel, Jim K, Devin, Brad, Ryan, Bill, Kathy, Jim M, Cory, Jody, John M, Dave, Linda, Bryce, Wayne, Duane, Dana, Paul, & Leroy.
The $1500 + Club
(Notice Dale's Modest Display of Rings!)
There is a photo album and the photos are being displayed for a few weeks in the photo carousal. Jeff's trash steak and Cindy's strawberry shortcakes, were complemented by a number of outstanding dishes brought by party goers. The kids had a great time with games, and bouncy house, and with the dunk tank.
Hiking with Polar Bears
Dan Clements spoke to our club about hiking with polar bears.
Bob traveled to Seal River in Canada. He flew over the tundra to get to Seal River Lodge. The polar bears were waiting as soon as he landed.
Most travelers see the bears from a tundra buggy but it is more difficult to photograph the bears. The advantages of hiking is you can get closer to the bears and explore more areas. Males can weigh up to 1800 pounds, they have a keen sense of smell, and they do not hibernate except for females with cubs. They can swim up to 200 miles and they leave 20-25 years. There are 22,000-30,000 polar bears in the world. All bears have scent glands in their paws. They leave scent trails when they walk. There are 19 polar bear sub-populations.
Dan got to see the Aurora Borealis. They experienced 20-25 below zero temperatures for their morning hikes. During a safety briefing Dan was told to get together in a group and don’t move. Look as big as possible and carry two rocks in each pocket to disrupt the way the bears scope things out.
Dan saw caribou, snowy owls, and arctic fox as well. He observed and photographed polar bears sparing, napping, and stretching.
The last polar bear census was done in 2011. One population is declining, most are remaining stable or growing. Polar bears are not becoming extinct and dying off. Ice is definitely melting. Since 1979 sea ice declined by about 39% in the arctic. Polar bears normally hunt on the ice so the melting they are on land one month longer than before. They are becoming emaciated. Polar bears can hunt beluga whales and dolphins. They are great swimmers and hunters in water.
Polar bears are mostly in decent shape. They will do well in select areas but go extinct in other areas. During the last ice age the area Dan visited was under 2-3 miles of ice and people were living in the area. Polar bears have demonstrated they can adapt to a changing environment.
Darrington Music Program
After we recognized a couple of the winners at our July 19 meeting, and watched a video that Al Erickson took of the Duck Dash with his drone, President Paul introduced Laura Goheen, the music teacher for the Darrington School District to tell us how funding from our club benefited the program.
Laura Goheen
Laura lives in Arlington with her family. She taught in Darrington as a school teacher for a few years and then the slide happened. The district brought back the music program after the slide as a therapy for the children. Because the Arlington Rotary Foundation had funds that were contributed to help slide recovery, it funded some new instruments and helped fund other parts of the program.
Laura began teaching the music program. The kids hadn’t had a music program since 2014. The program has grown that now they need another music teacher. They couldn’t have grown the program without the investment of the community and the grants received. There is now a drum line, Congo drums, 50 ukuleles, electric keyboards, etc. The kids are excited to come to music.
Our board approved additional funding for the music program in Darrington at its last meeting.
The Pioneer Museum
We changed things up this year for our annual summer picnic. Our normal meeting place, Arlington Free Methodist Church, was being used by the church for vacation bible school, so the picnic was scheduled for the day the church was unavailable. The other change was to move the normal picnic location from Haller Park to the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Park and Museum, with an opportunity for members and guests to tour the museum.
Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum
Dale made the arrangements to use the park and tour the museum. As he stated, "The museum is one of Arlington's best kept secrets". It is not normally open on Thursday, but it was opened especially for us, with tour guides.
Picnic
 Burger Master Ryan ! |  Robin and Bill Help Out |
 Devin Ready for the Crowd |  Ryan Burgers and Dogs |
What would be a Rotary picnic without Ryan Burgers! Of course, Bill and Robin helped out. Thanks to Carol Jacques for bringing side dishes!
Meeting
 President Paul |  Meeting in the Park |
 New Member Induction: Adina Palinsky was inducted as a new member at our meeting in the park. Mel, on the left, provided her bio while Membership Director Cindy looks on to her left. Her sponsor, Carla, and her mentor, Dave, are on the far right. |  Adina is given her Rotary pin by her sponsor, Carla. Adina has lived in Arlington since age 9. She is the Asset Protection District Leader for Rite Aid Corporation. She lives in GlenEagle. |
Next week we will be back meeting at the Arlington Free Methodist Church. Duck Dash winners have been invited to lunch and Al will be showing the video of the race he took with his drone.
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Volunteer to Help with Turkey Trot 5K
Arlington Grocery OutletNov 22, 2018
6:30 AM – 12:00 PM -
Home Town Holiday Kick-off
City HallNov 24, 2018
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM -
Club Administration Meeting
Kafe NeoNov 28, 2018
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM -
Membership Committee Meeting
Cascade Valley Hosptial CafeteriaDec 06, 2018
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM -
Fireside at the Skin Care Lounge
The Skin Care LoungeDec 06, 2018
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM -
Board of Director's Meeting
City Hall 2nd Floor Conference RoomDec 12, 2018
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM -
Christmas Banquet (No Lunch)
Angel of the Winds Hotel & CasinoDec 13, 2018
5:30 PM – 11:00 PM -
Christmas Basket Packing & Deliveries
Free Methodist Church GymnasiumDec 20, 2018
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM -
SERVICE: Christmas Luncheon-Stillaguamish Sr. Ctr
Stillaguamish Senior CenterDec 21, 2018
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM -
Membership Committee Meeting
Cascade Valley Hospital CafeteriaJan 03, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM -
Board of Director's Meeting
City Hall 2nd Floor Conference RoomJan 09, 2019
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM -
Club Administration Committee Meeting
TBDJan 23, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM -
Membership Committee Meeting
Cascade Valley Hospital CafeteriaFeb 07, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM -
Board of Director's Meeting
City Hall 2nd Floor Conference RoomFeb 13, 2019
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM