Northwind 1-15-09

WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB

NORTHWIND

January 15, 2009

MEETING TO ORDER:   President Timcalled the meeting to order at 12:30.  Gary Tomsic gave the invocation.

GUESTS:  None

VISITING ROTARIANS:   Chuck Tull announced one visitor: George Tsakumis - from Vancouver.

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None

BIRTHDAYS:  Bill Grace, January 18^th.

ANNOUNCMENTS:

-          The Bowling outing has been set for Tuesday, January 27^th, at Park Bowl, 6-8 p.m.   Maureen needs a head count next week.

-          Tim Carpenter is doing better; in fact he was able to come to today's meeting.

-          If you have not filled out the questionnaire about meeting location, please get it to President Tim ASAP.

-          Nominations for the Rotary Adventures in Leadership program are needed.  High school students are eligible.  Marlene noted that this looks good on college applications.

-          President Tim again introduced the new board members for the year: Chuck Tull President Elect, Marlene Sexton President Elect-elect, Tim Villhauer, soon-to-be-past President, Tony Cubellis Secretary, Gary Tomsic Treasurer, Dan Parsons, Chair of Administration committees, Randy Carr Chair of Membership committees, Maureen McCarthy Chair of Public Relations Committees, Paul Cooley (who is standing in for Paul?) Club Service Projects, Sharon Robinson Rotary Foundation Committee.

HAPPY BUCKS:   Scott Wallace was very happy to hear about Gary Tomsic's pierced ear.  In fact your editor goofed last week, it's Gary Snyder who is the wild man with the diamond stud!  Rick Staeb was leaving early for a Marketing class he's teaching at, but he still needs a day job.  Josh Wilund gave a report on the progress of the Boys and Girls Club construction.  He noted that much thanks to our club they are 83% of the way toward their overall $4.5 million goal.  Rome Sarwas is glad we now use a microphone for happy bucks.  Winton Smith was very happy for all the stimulus money that will be going toward energy upgrades.  Larry Pollett observed that there are several very nice new mosquito farms on the Guide since the improvements were made.  Bob Bowman stood up to give ten happy bucks for the Obama administration and also some comments on the state of things in California.  Marlene Sexton is leaving for yet another "conference" in San Diego, but she will be back in time for bowling.  Max Legg was sad about leaving early, but he noted another true sign that we are in a recession: a lobbyist had to lay off seven congressmen.  Phil Bratt had ten days in Hawaii and something about a retainage pond (??).  Scott Wallace mentioned a fascinating DVD about Bellingham shipyards.  Ken Richardson told Rick Staeb that the radio station should have staff after five pm if he needs a job.  Rome Sarwas questioned whether there will really be change in Washington, since the new secretary of the treasury has already had some difficulty paying his taxes.  Scott Piper mentioned that his son's band had a great gig playing for a fundraiser, but after traveling all the way there, no one told him the school was closed due to flooding.  Also he noted that there will be an inauguration party at Cap Hanson's Tuesday. 

FINEMASTER:  Jack Curnow fined anyone who did not have a certain medical test today, anyone driving something bigger than a pickup, anyone getting stimulus money, Jake Smith for not understanding last week's speaker, anyone who is planning to be happy about the "event on the 20^th."  Maureen McCarthy for not making sure we have gutter bumpers at the bowling alley.  Bob Bowman for finally standing up.  Bob retorted that at least he wasn't from the same university as O. J. Simpson.

BANNERS:   Stan Brunner put together some very interesting statistics for the busiest ports in the US, represented by Banners from each city.  He noted that LA is the busiest with 225,489,490 tons of cargo each year.  Houston is next.  Seattle and Tacoma are well down the line, with about 26-27 million tons each year.  Stan you never fail to amaze me!

PROGRAM:   Charles and Anjia Ortego were introduced by Bob Bowman.  They have a business called Ancient Gifts and they collect as well as sell ancient artifacts.  Chuck passed around many interesting coins and jewelry items from ancient Egypt and Roman Empire among many other places.  He answered the most frequently asked question, "Isn't this illegal?"  Answer: No.  There are many more artifacts that all the museums in the world can hold, or want to acquire.  He told stories about children in Europe who can go out in a field and dig up these types of treasures.  In fact there was over 31 million of the "Constantine Camp Gate" coin made.  Chuck's speech was passionate as well as informational.  He told us how artifacts can bring history to life for many people.  For more information see his business site at www.ancientgifts.com or the Association for Anthropology and Archeology at www.susu-saaa.org.