The program this week is an in-depth look at the inner workings of our website and how the various features can help you utilize the information presented as well as keep your Rotary Friends apprised of the good work that we are doing in our community--locally, regionally and internationally.
Please note that our meeting this week is at the Lake Stevens Fire Department Conference Center- 10518 18th St SE.
CONTEST: Be the first person to correctly identify the location from where the photograph at the top of our website and this bulletin was taken and win a fabulous prize. Deadline is 7:30 am Friday, August 28th. Send your guess to the Editor. Be quick because this photo is going away after this week.
In the 2nd and 3rd Quarter of 2012, a series of topics focused on "Recreation in Our Back Yard". Unfortunately due to time constraints and scheduling difficulties, the final chapter could not be scheduled until this past week. Jean Fikes, Region Manager, Northwest Region for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources was our final speaker. Fikes was there representing Peter Goldmark, the State Lands Commissioner.
The series began with Rod Mace who was the Interim Forest Service Supervisor of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, followed by Deputy Glen Bergstrom and his partner Shadow of the Search and Rescue Division of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and than we had Fred Black who at the time was Mayor of Skykomish. Each topic concentrated on issues around Recreation in Our Back Yard, so important to us in this area surrounded by magnificent outdoor resources from streams, lakes, rivers and mountains to vast beauties abounding in our own backyard.
The Department of Natural Resouces is responsible for the management of over 3 million acres of forest, range and agricultural lands and 2.6 million acres of aquatic areas in Washington State. Jean Fikes is responsible for a five county region which includes Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties. She oversees the management of the DNR trust lands as well as the regulations of the state forest practices act on public and private lands in the region.
In realty, at statehood, Congress passed a law granting several million acres to Washington for the new state to use as a revenue base to develop schools, prisons, hospitals and other infrastructures. DNR is required to manage millions of acres of Washington's public land to produce revenue to public trust beneficiaries. The largest beneficiaries in terms of acres and revenue is public school construction. DNR manages forest land of more than 600,000 acres in several counties that supports roads, libraries, schools, hospitals and fire districts. In 2014, DNR trust lands provided $9.2 million to Snohomish County mostly from the timber harvest sales. That money is non-tax revenue that supports construction of public schools, universities and colleges, prisons and other institutions. DNR staff enforce state forest practices rules on 12 million acres of private and public forest land. The goal is to protect water quality and fish habitat but also keep and maintain a viable timber industry. DNR leases land for grazing and farming. In the Southwest Region of the state for example, 550 agricultural leases on 148,000 acres of trust land are producing $6.8 million dollars a year for state trust beneficiaries. In Benton County, DNR leased 404 acres for vineyards and wineries that could produce $1.5 million dollars a year by 2015. DNR is the state's wild fire agency as well.
DNR is also responsible for providing recreational opportunities for Washingtonians. Walker Valley ORV Recreation area is one in the Mount Vernon area for recreationists to enjoy 4x4 wheelers, motorcycles, ATVers. UTVers and trailbikes. Another area within a couple of hours of 1/2 of the state's population is Reiter Foothills Service Area. The Reiter area is under development with extensive user input driving the project. Another area is the Samish Overlook and all of its trailheads. We have amazing scenery in Washington State and Blanchard area with trails located far into the forest are still in a natural setting. Background lakes and campgrounds are big part of this area. Outstanding vistas abound. Nothing like enjoying the beauty and surroundings in our own BACKYARD within easy driving distances.
Today was an exciting day in Lake Stevens. The Nick of Time Foundation conducted a Healthy Heart Screening at Cavelero Mid-High. Over 260 students from several different school sports teams from Lake Stevens High School and Cavelero were evaluated for potentially life threatening heart conditions. Most student-athlete sports physicals conducted at doctors offices do not include an EKG. Listening to a person's heart using a stethoscope does not help the doctor determine what the heart is doing. The Nick of Time Foundation conducts nine to ten of these screenings each school year throughout the Puget Sound Region.
Special thanks to Cavelero Principal Mike Snow for getting the initial request into the Foundation three plus years ago. Thanks also to the Lake Stevens Fire Department for providing EMT's to conduct blood pressure checks. They were joined by firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District #1 and Valley Regional Fire Authority (Tukwila, Kent and Auburn). Employees from Physio Control came out to provide students with a refresher on CPR using manicans and AEDs. Cardiologists rounded up by UW Medicine were on hand to evaluate the EKGs. There were numerous other volunteers on hand to take care of various other tasks. Of the students that had screenings done today a handful have been directed to have follow up appointments due to the findings of the screening. Perhaps we have helped save someone's life and the anguish of parents who could have lost their son or daughter because of sudden cardiac arrest. Visit the Nick of Time Foundation for more information.
The Everett AquaSox are wrapping up a season-long clothing drive benefiting Mari's Place. You can bring your lightly used clothing to this Friday's game. If you bring two (2) large bags of clothing you will receive a free General Admission ticket to the game or a coupon for 10% off new AquaSox merchandise. The Frogs are doing quite well this season and are probably destined to do quite well in post season play. This is due in part to the phenominal offensive and defensive play of Drew Jackson, the Mariners fifth round draft pick who is flirting with a .400 batting average. Several of our members have enjoyed games this season. Help out our former member, Mary Tawes and the programs of Mari's Place, by donating your lightly used clothing at Friday's game or at the AquaSox office. All clothing is processed through Value Village. Play ball!
We are seeking ideas for our weekly programs. If you have a subject, presenter or idea for our weekly programs, please contact James Monroe with that information. Thank you.
We're are still looking for ideas for the name of this weekly bulletin. We've had one submission in the five and a half years that we've been asking. And, that was from someone outside of our Club! Send your ideas to the Editor. Thank you!
Members- invoices were recently sent to you for the semi-annual dues and voluntary contribution to The Rotary Fund (EREY). Please check you email for the invoice and be part of the Paid group. Thank you for supporting your Club.
"Primarily Rotary seeks to apply the theory of service to business and community life...This is expressed in the first part of our code of ethics: To consider my vocation worthy and as affording me a distinct opportunity to serve society. He Profits Most Who Serves Best is a less ideal expression, but the suggestion of egoism is removed by the added words Service Above Self."
