Northwind 1-8-09

WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUB

NORTHWIND

January 8, 2009

MEETING TO ORDER: President Tim called the meeting to order at 12:30.     Gary Snyder gave the invocation

GUESTS:  Sharon Landcastle was there to keep Jerry on the straight and narrow.  Good luck, Sharon.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  Ron Kelly - Mount Baker, Phil Gibbon - Bellingham, George Tsakumis - Vancouver

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Max Legg returned from a cruise on the Mexican Riviera.  He was not happy to return to two weeks of snow.  Tough luck, Max.

BIRTHDAYS:  There were many since we have not seen each other for a few weeks.  12/16 Chad, 12/25 Elizabeth, 12/28 Pete Kremen, 1/11 Dan Baker, 1/12 Brad Peterson.

ANNOUNCMENTS:

-           Regional Conference is Jan 30-31.

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

-           Paul Cooley is on a leave of absence until May for a training program.

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

-           Maureen circulated an envelope for additional tip contributions for the staff since the weather caused so many of us to miss the last meeting of the year.

-           The board is organizing a bowling outing for the end of January.  Date TBA.

-           Dick Donahue announced that John Aubert has had some serious health problems including a series of strokes, and now the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

-           Scott Wallace read an upbeat e-mail from Brad Peterson.  He's still undergoing treatment in Seattle and was in and out of the hospital over the holidays, but is now out and doing well.

-           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 introduced the new board members for the year: Chuck Tull President Elect, Marlene Sexton President Elect-elect, Tony Cubellis Secretary, Gary Tomsic Treasurer, Sharon Robinson, Maureen McCarthy, Dan Parsons, Randy Carr, board members.

HAPPY BUCKS: Tim Carpenter is not yet ready to be rude and sarcastic.  Maureen McCarthy is happy she's not with the Seattle or Portland TA's.  And happy that Doug Thomas and Randy Carr are sitting in new locations for the New Year.  Bill Grace - he's dray and on Medicare (?).  Greg Iwasaki for his vacation in Mexico.  George Tsakumis - we have less snow than Vancouver.  Jerry Landcastle - for his trip at new years.  Randy Carr for a trip to Whistler.  Brian Finnegan - happy he's not friends with the Carr's anymore.  Also that his dog survived a vicious attack while they were away.  Winton Smith:  his "cup runneth over."  Doug Thomas: Maureen McCarthy should have some amphibious busses.  Tim Villhauer - he's halfway through his presidency.  Rome Sarwas - no flood in BirchBay.  Scott Wallace - happy for his tractor blade.  Marlene Sexton - 10 days snowed in on Lummi, they had board games and pomegranate martinis. Dan Baker went to Sun Valley and escaped any travel problems.  Ray George - his new lab puppy didn't like the color of the linoleum so Ray is trying a find new colors for him.  Jake Smith was happy for the Husky Women's teams all doing well.

FINEMASTER: Max Legg:  UW fans were fined for having to get a coach from USC.  Anyone who has a 401k was fined because it's become a 201k.  Winton Smith was not happy enough about the weather.  Stockbroker and accountants were fined because of the Bernie Maddoff scandal.  Maureen McCarthy for being in the paper.  Doug Thomas for being on TV, Gary Tomsic for getting a pierced earring.  Jerry Landcastle because he can't even see the straight and narrow from where he is.  Dan Baker and Jake Smith for sitting at the head table.  Tony Cubellis for not wearing shades.  Greg Iwasaki for escaping all the nasty weather.