Northwind 3/16/06
WHATCOM
COUNTY NORTH ROTARY CLUBNORTHWIND
March 16, 2006
MEETING TO ORDER:
President Scott Piper called the meeting to order at 12:34pm; Lynn Masland (guest) welcomed the club in Spanish. President Scott then led us in the pledge of allegiance. Rick Staeb provided the invocation.
GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS:
Gary Cordrey struggled with the announcement (pronunciation) of the visiting and guest Rotarians. From Bellingham Bay Rotary: Mimi Ferlin; John Sleeth and Patti Imhof; from Bellingham Rotary: Bill Elfo; Tom Livesay and Dewey Desler; from Sunrise Rotary: Lynn Masland; and from out of town: George Tsakumis; Dale Collins and Gene Feat.
GUESTS:
Tim Carpenter introduced his grandson, Ken, and Ken's wife, Jennifer.
BIRTHDAYS:
Stan Brunner is celebrating his 86th birthday. Patti Imhof (guest) also was celebrating a birthday. Happy Birthday Stan and Patti!
RETURNING ROTARIANS:
Mel Hollinger visited the White Rock Club.
FOUNDATION MINUTE:
Stan Brunner provided the foundation minute on the District Simplified Grants Program.
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Remember the Fun Run on 4/15 to help raise funds for the Blue Skies for Children. As part of the fundraiser, Gary Tomsic auctioned off the No. 1 runner's bib. Max Legg purchased for $150.00!! Hopefully we will see Max wearing that and, true to the number, crossing the finish line first.
Phil Bratt announced that May 18, 2006, will be the Youth Service Award lunch.
Paul Cooley is still looking for volunteers to help at the Career Fair (3/31).
Doug Thomas announced that the Metcalf Project Committee will be providing its first presentation to the Boys and Girls Club on April 13.
Bill Grace reminded the new members that they need to assist at a club function to get rid of their red badges, thus, helping out with the Career Fair will count.
Maureen Camandona indicated that they need volunteers at the fun run on 4/15.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Brian Finnegan enjoyed his trip to China, was happy about tomorrow's St. Pat's day and the upcoming UW NCAA game; Gary Tomsic enjoyed a recent trip to Mexico and was excited about his alma mater (Utah State) playing UW; Doug Thomas' daughter's birthday and 4 hours spent finding his daughter's dog; Randy Carr recognized Dick Metcalf project and in honor of Carpenter's guest, time spent in Okinawa; Deb Wiggs sells "books on tape" on eBay, if you have ones you want to sell, she will do it and all proceeds will go to the Dick Metcalf project; Phil Bratt had a San Diego trip (had to actually de-ice plane when left San Diego), and LC basketball success; Tim Villhauer had his picture in paper; Dan Parsons recognized the UW basketball; Scott Wallace did a make-up at Bellingham Club (they fine guests); Bill Grace mentioned the upcoming career fair; Bob Bowman was surrounded by women at lunch table; Mimi Ferlin acknowledged service of the armed forces defending our country; Jerry Landcastle mentioned Stan Brunner's birthday and Stan volunteering to serve on civil service commission; Tim Carpenter was happy Ken (grandson) was visiting, dissertation on his Icelandic (Irish criminals) and Norwegian (Vikings) heritage and how that translates to criminal terrorist so "don't mess with him"; and Brad Peterson warned all that his son now has his driver's license.
FINEMASTER:
Doug Thomas commenced his duties as finemaster and immediately picked on Gary Cordrey for failing miserably to enunciate a majority of the visiting Rotarian's names; all Lynden people who didn't provide a happy buck for the basketball programs were fined; Jerry Landcastle because of an article in paper and quotes provided; anyone who has a pet that has been picked up by the local pet police, fined; all non-pet owners were fined; Gary Tomsic, why does he have a day job when he could make a living being an auctioneer?; anyone who hasn't either pledged or given a contribution to the Metcalf project, fined $1 (warning, this fine will increase as time goes on); Rick Staeb's employee tried to sell Doug ad time on the radio when Doug simply looking to have lost dog announced; Tim Carpenter because of his heritage.
Banners: All Irish banners recognizing St. Patrick's Day.
PROGRAM:
Tom Livesay, Rotarian and director of WhatcomMuseum provided today's program discussing the Bellingham/Whatcom Public Facilities District.
The Bellingham/Whatcom Public Facilities District was founded in 2002. Its mission is to fund a regional center to increase public prosperity and lay a foundation for future public and private enterprise.
So far it has renovated the Mt. Baker Theatre. It is looking at building a new Children's Museum and has chosen a design and location.
The funding for the District has come from the public ($17 million) and private sectors ($8.6 million). The purpose of the funding is to build an endowment for the Mt. Baker Theatre and the Museum.
The District is also looking to build a new art museum as well as the new Children's Museum. The old city hall where the existing museum is would be converted to a museum of history. The old Arco building and the old Children's Museum building would either be sold or leased.
Drawing: Dan Parsons had the lucky ticket and pulled the Ace of spades, winning the drawing. We now start back at zero
Editor this week: Greg Thulin