Northwind 10-2-08

Whatcom North Rotary

Northwind

October 2, 2008

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Tim Villhauer called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gary Tomsic gave the invocation and asked each to pause for a moment and silently seek guidance in their own way.

VISITING ROTARIANS:   George Tsakumis (Vancouver), Ron Kelly (Mt.Baker) and John Moles (Bellingham).

GUESTS:  It was unusual, but there were no guests this week.

BIRTHDAYS:  Many happy returns to Dick Nolan.

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Tim Carpenter returned from the Honduras.  

ACCOUNCEMENTS: (thanks to those who used the microphone)

• Dick Donahue also returned from Honduras and brought a plaque from our constituent club.  Many kudos to Tim Carpenter for his work in securing and guiding the Foundations $175,000 Grant.
• We received a big thank you from the Boys and Girls Club for the $200,000 donation. 
• Each table had a copy of the District 5050 Newsletter.  It is also available on line.
• Gary Tomsic announced that the invoice for lunch dues was sent to everyone via email so look for it in your inbox.

HAPPY BUCKS:  Tim Villhauer was happy for a trip to Victoria.  Tim Carpenter was $53.00 happy for 26 years of marriage and his birthday (hmmmmmm).  Jerry Landcastle was happy for Gary Tomsic being the auctioneer at a very successful CB's convention.  Dick Nolan was happy for a good doctor's check up.  Jim Bliss was very happy for winning the drawing last week and celebrated by making a sizable donation to the Foundation.  Jack Curnow was happy for a loan.  Bob Bowman was happy that Larry Pollett's picture wasn't on the Post Office wall. 

FINEMASTER:  Roger Lehnert substituted for the scheduled Finemaster Max Legg.  Dick Donahue was fined for having a shiny head at his TV appearance.  Tony Cubellis was fined for his money collecting.  Doug Thomas was fined for his board meetings scheduled for Shanghai and Beijing.  Brian Finnegan was fined 15 cents and Phil Bratt $2 for his business advice.  Jack Curnow was fined for the USC-Oregon State game.  Maureen McCarthy was fined for her trip to Wales.  Phil Bratt was fined again for complaining as was Brian Finnegan.  Roger then had a trivia test that notably included the increase in women's average bra size.

BANNERS:  Stan's banner theme - Sunrise Rotary Club

PROGRAM:  Dick Nolan introduced our own Maureen McCarthy from the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA).  Maureen had some office art trivia and gave away some coffee mugs.  The theme of what she is doing is promoting alternative transportation and it has become part of her life.  Maureen finds social connection and a pleasure in finding other ways to travel.  She extolled the many virtues of public transportation and the tremendous increase in riders and usage of WTA especially since 2004.  She pointed out that the many colored "go lines" indicate that a bus arrives, each direction, every 15 minutes.  The most dramatic recent increases have come from the Mt.Vernon and Kendall runs which are standing room only.  A slick new video about "Smart Trips" was shown and then question and answers were exchanged.  This was a fine program and we thank Maureen for her splendid presentation. 

DRAWING:  Laurie Lloyd drew from a new pack of cards.  No winner.