Northwind, April 19, 2012
RETURNING ROTARIANS: Maureen McCarthy returned from a trip to Portugal and Barcelona, Spain.
VISITING ROTARIANS: Gary Goldfogel was visiting as well as giving the program.
GUESTS: Susan Richardson was Ken’s guest.
NO BIRTHDAYS or ANNIVERSARIES
IMPORTANT DATES:
- 4/28/12 Rotarian Work Day, for which we will be painting the Boys and Girls Club in Blaine. Gary will be providing a great BBQ lunch after the work party.
- 5/5/12 Cinco de Mayo party,
- 5/19/12 at 10:00 am. Signups circulating. Meet at the Bob’s Burgers at the Birch Bay Mall. 10-12 people are needed.
- 6/1/12 District Conference
- 6/28/12 Installation Dinner (no meeting at noon).
- 8/25/12 Running of the Ducks.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Laurie announced that the club will pay for the meal cost for any member bringing a guest. Also she is still collecting Rotarian Magazines when we are done with them.
Norm discussed the Cinco De Mayo party, which will be for Fun, Fellowship, and Fundraising. He asked us to come up with good Experiences for auctioning, and circulated a sign up for the Chili contest, which Ken Richardson is scheduled to win if someone doesn’t come from behind soon! He also said pre-paid tickets are available if anyone want to give some to friends.
Bill Grace mentioned the car show at Boulevard Park over Memorial Day weekend.
Rick, Julie and Laurie are signed up for the district conference. Anyone who wants to carpool should contact them.
HAPPY BUCKS: Bill and Gary were happy for a dinner they had with the District’s Major Gifts Coordinator. They mentioned several of the programs they learned about, including the Bequest Society and the option to direct your gift to the Permanent Fund. Derek was happy that his son has learned to say Dada, even if he doesn’t know what it means. Also he asked for volunteers to help at the Haggen to Haggen run coming up on 5/5. Ken was happy to have Sue at lunch, it sounds like she lost a bet. Laurie was happy, but not about the Mariners. She was happy to have Stan at her table. Marlene was happy for a new grandson they are expecting, and for the fact that her son-in-law has gotten a job at the Bellingham Police department so they will be moving back to town. Maureen was happy for her two weeks with nothing but a bus pass and a backpack. Dale is happy for the Canucks. Alina was happy, but as far as a reason my handwriting fails me – it looks like W Shim Whatcom. The symphony, maybe?? Sorry Alina. Ray and Rollo also had reasons to be happy. Tim V. was happy for a large number of things, not further identified. Rick’s band will be playing at the First Congregational Church if anyone is interested in attending. Julie was happy for the recognition Carolyn Meub received at the White House recently for her great work with Pure Water For the World.
FINEMASTER: Ken was very efficient and ruthless with his fining. The fined included anyone who has not brought a guest, or proposed a member yet this year. Anyone who does not plan to attend any of the above-listed important dates, anyone who has not yet logged on to Club Runner. In memory of Dick Clark, anyone too young to have watched American Bandstand, or too old and not allowed to watch. Also anyone who’s attended less than three meetings this week that included Tim Villhauer, Maureen and Marlene, just for existing
BANNERS: The banners represented clubs from the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
PROGRAM: (Thanks to Marlene for taking notes, when I had to Scoot!) Whatcom County Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel.
Gary Goldfogel MD.
Basically told the difference between a “coroner” and a “medical examiner”. Dr. Goldfogel is a medical examiner and has an MD and specializes in Forensic Pathology. (A coroner has to run for office, be elected, and be at least 18 years old and does not need any medical training.)
Dr. Goldfogel is a physician qualified to perform forensic investigations for sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious, or unnatural deaths.
Dr. Goldfogel has worked for Whatcom County for 24 years. There are less than 400 forensic pathologists in the country, making it a small “specialty.” Forensic pathologists often work “freelance” for coroners. His occupational challenges can be what do when a person dies across the border, (can’t move dead bodies across borders) and Pt. Roberts is in Whatcom County.
About 1500 people die every year in Whatcom County and he autopsies about 150 (10%)
Actually a very good program…lectures around county on CSI investigations/myths and facts. Took a training on DNA/courts in Los Angeles and they used all the evidence gathered in OJ Simpson trial. (He said “Simpson was guilty as hell”, but we already knew that!