Northwind 10/16/08

Posted by Winton Smith 
 

Whatcom North Rotary

Northwind

October 16, 2008

 

 

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Tim Villhauer called the meeting to order at 12:32 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Rick Staeb gave the invocation and urged us to achieve greatness in all we do.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:   George Tsakumis from the Vancouver Club, Shannon Terrell from the Bellingham Bay Club, Jeanne McGee from Melaque Mexico and Jim Voss from the Bellingham Club.

 

GUESTS:  None

 

BIRTHDAYS:  George Tsakumis

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None  

 

ACCOUNCEMENTS:

  • President Tim Villhauer reminded us that District 5050 Foundation Dinner is on Friday November 7, 2008.  Registration is on-line.  It will be a great evening and must make event for Rotary up and comers.
  • Thursday, November 13th will be Whatcom County North Rotary Foundation Dinner.  Time is 6:30 and cost is $35.00.  Please dress up.  This will take the place of our noon meeting.

 

HAPPY BUCKS:  New member George Myiow was happy to have stopped smoking.  Bill Grace was happy that there was no rain on his car show in Monroe.  George Tsakumis was $10 happy for a trip to Portland.  Rick Staeb was $50 happy for a trip to Idaho and 31 years of marriage.  Stan Brunner was happy that Washington didn't lose.  Pete Kremen gave a happy retirement pay raise buck.  Sharon Robinson was happy to be back from Hawaii.  Marlene Sexton was happy for a Masters Degree.  Tim Carpenter was $10 happy for good luck at the annual card game with others at the rowdy table. 

 

FINEMASTER:  Max Legg filled in for an ailing Scott Wallace.  George Myiow got fined for smoking.  Lex Ludtke was fined because the price of oil has dropped and he did not offer happy bucks.  Jim Larose was fined for California and Florida strip clubs and one named the "Booby Trap".  Stan Bruner was fined for not knowing there are 19 days to "election day".  Tony Cubellis was fined because stocks were off today.  Rich Jacobson was fined for a Golf question.  Maureen McCarthy failed to know who "Joe the plumber" is.  Fines were given out for a rotten Ferndale Stadium.  Jake Smith was fined for changing tables.

 

BANNERS:  Stan's banner theme - Columbus Day, Battle of Hastings 1066 and Canadian Thanksgiving.

 

PROGRAM:  Dick Nolan introduced Eric Leohardt who is the Western Washington University Director of the Vehicle Research Institute.  They are the ones who have built several special cars that have pioneered engineering innovations.  The current vehicle is Viking 32 Bio-methane PHEV.  The work includes the construction of an anaerobic digester on the Darrel Vanerhook dairy farm.  667 cows working very hard to supply the material for making methane gas, which is compressed for use in the car.  Eric's talk was interrupted numerous times for questions and comments.  The club was very engaged in the program and the question continued until our president reluctantly had to call time.  Great program and I didn't see anyone nodding off despite the lights being dimmed for a fine Power Point presentation.

 

DRAWING:  Gary Snyder drew a card.  Not a winner.

 

Editor this week:  Winton Smith