Northwind 10/30/08

Whatcom North Rotary

Northwind

October 30, 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 prayed for strength in all we do.

VISITING ROTARIANS:   George Tsakumis from the Vancouver Club, John Moles and Gary Nelson (and daughter Autumn) from the Bellingham Club.

GUESTS:  Leah Macaleer brought her infant daughter Willa.

BIRTHDAYS:  None

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None to announce today.

ACCOUNCEMENTS:

• President Tim announced that a Regional Foundation Seminar Dinner is coming up in Metro Vancouver January 30/31 2009.  This will have all the really important people in attendance from ten different Districts.  Plan to attend.  Register early because this will be a sellout.
• Ken Richardson reminded us of the club Foundation dinner on Thursday November 13^th.  Bring your spouse.  No afternoon meeting that day.
• Tim Carpenter reminded us of the upcoming District 5050 foundation dinner November 7^th in Mt.Vernon.  See the website.  Cost is $65
• Laurie Lloyd, Projects Committee Chair, announced that the first work party to build the horse shelters for the Humane Society will be on Saturday November 1^st starting at 9:00 a.m.  Please see Laurie for directions and sign-up.
• Scott Wallace reported on Brad Pederson's treatment.  Brad is home and is walking 2-3 miles a day.  He is avoiding contact with people to limit exposure in his weakened immune condition.  Brad will have a blood and SCCA workup November 19^th and a scheduled transplant of stem cells December 10^th.
• President Tim reminded everyone to vote.

HAPPY BUCKS:  Ken Richardson was happy to see Leah's baby.  Bill Grace was happy to vote and give blood.  Tony Cubellis was $2 happy to see an end to election ads and a support for Pete Kremen.  Pete Ruese gave for a successful launching season.  Maureen McCarthy was happy to see baby Willa and for no cable TV.  Leah Macaleer was happy that Texas Tech football is ranked NO. 6.  Randy Carr was happy for a successful salmon kill.

FINEMASTER:  Roger Lehnert took the podium to extract a little money from the assembled.  First, bankers and lawyers were singled out.  Scott Wallace, Dan Parsons, Greg Thulin and Dave Engels were tagged for no tie.  Gary Tomsic was singled out for Ferndale H.S. playing at Blaine's stadium.  Tomsic was also chided about our "due invoice".  George Tsakumis was tagged for being a Canadian driver.  Max Legg paid for Navy's win/loss ratio.  Larry Pollett was fined for being the big winner at the poker game.  Maureen McCarthy and Lex Ludtke were fined for not being happy about the drop in fuel prices.  Randy Carr did name the first U of W coach.  Brian Finnegan and friend Randy Carr were fined for consuming additional adult beverages at U of W games in recent days.  Phil Bratt was fined for missing a question.  Finally, Tim Carpenter was fined for visiting another club and listing his classification as "unemployed". 

BANNERS:  Stan's banner theme - All clubs featured a Saint except one that had a Halloween theme.

PROGRAM:  Dick Nolan introduced Craig Henderson.  Craig is president of Avion Car Company and design engineer of the Avion 100 mpg car.  This vehicle runs on diesel and 20 years ago achieved the goal outlined by the "X" car challenge.  This is the same folk (Paul Allen) that offered a million dollars to the first one to put a private vehicle in space.  Seems they are offering 10 million dollars for a 100 miles per gallon car and Craig Henderson thinks he already has the winner.  None the less, he is building a new one and is on the way to competing with several others for this prize.  Craig had a nice video to show and the car was outside for everyone to look at after the meeting. 

DRAWING:  Dan Baker drew a card.  Not a winner.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:   Linda Giles will talk about her new book "Big Hunter" - about our soul's longing for purpose.