Northwind January 28, 2010

Posted by Nancy Tieman 
 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Chuck Tull called the meeting to order at 12:30 and Tony Cubellis gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:  

George Tsakamis (Vancouver BC); John Moles (Bellingham Club)

 

GUESTS: 

Ray George introduced his guests Larry and Ken.  Marlene Sexton was joined by her husband Mark.

 

BIRTHDAYS: 

Dan Parsons 1/28, Chuck Tull 1/31, Randy Carr 2/1 and Tim Carpenter 2/4

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  none

 

FOUNDATION MINUTE: 

Jake Smith shared some words from RC Clump, original founder of the Rotary Foundation reminding members that we are not about building brick & stone, but rather imbuing the spirit of Rotary upon immortal minds.

 

ACCOUNCEMENTS:

  • There will be a collection for donation to the Haiti relief fund for at least 1 month, with the plan of sending the money to Rotary in Port-au-Prince or Bob Moles' Clearwater project
  • See Tim Carpenter to still get in on the super bowl pool
  • Tony Cubellis continues to collect cell phones; see him for collection pick-up boxes for placement in high traffic areas.  After collecting, bring to meeting.
  • Group study exchange program dates have shifted to May 10-14. There is still a need for 2-3 host families.  See Paul Cooley for more details.
  • Ryla event scheduled for 4/29-5/4-deadline is 2/26 for applications
  • Career Fair is scheduled for April 1. The key note speaker is close to signing.
  • We need to sell tickets for the upcoming Auction. Ray is working on the auction receipts.  Be thinking about who to invite to the dinner on March 12.

 

HAPPY BUCKS:

  • Chuck Tull was happy that we had time for happy bucks
  • Rocky Richardson -welcomed his 3rd grandson on Sunday
  • Norm Rauch was sad that he sprained his ankle but happy that this was the first time his insurance money did not go to Randy Carr
  • Stan Brunner's cardiologist gave him a clean bill of health and said he did not want to see him for six months
  • Paul Cooley's Haggen Haiti fundraiser collected just under $7K
  • George Tsakamis was happy that no one was in the Nexus lane
  • Scott Wallace was happy his wife is back from watching ice skating in Spokane
  • Marlene Sexton is happy she has only 1 grandson, not 3 because she's not as old at Rocky
  • Jake Smith gave some fond memory bucks in honor of JD Salinger's passing and his favorite book, Catcher in the Rye
  • And finally, Laurie Lloyd was just plain happy

 

FINEMASTER:  This week's Fine master was Scott Wallace

  • Kudos to Ray George who invited the fine master for duck hunting even before he knew Scott was fine master
  • All Ferndale city residents paid because of their troublesome City Council member
  • Peter Kremen paid because a meeting went past midnight
  • Lummi Islanders paid sad bucks for ferry issues
  • Sharon Robinson paid since she was happy that Marge is donating to the dessert auction
  • Lex paid because a truck of unknown origin blew a red light
  • The Haggen boys paid because a former Haggen manager going to work for a local bank
  • Anyone who took more than 1 brownie paid 1 buck for each brownie greater than 1 and those members who stole another's brownie paid $2
  • Anyone who talks or texts while driving paid (only Brian Finnegan admitted to this, demonstrating his ability to text via blue tooth phone)
  • All those wearing ties put in the final dollars

 

BANNERS:  Stan honored Robbie Burns on his birthday January 25, 1759 with Scottish banners and the authentic Scottish recitation of a poem.

 

PROGRAM:   Hart Hodges, WWU Professor in the Center for Economic and Business Research was welcomed as today's speaker.  Hart provided an overview of Whatcom County's economic status and some forecasts for the future.  A slow recovery is underway with projected 2-2.5% increase in GDP.  He indicated there is a 15% chance of double digit recession with more jobs lost through the spring and it may be 2013 before we are able to regain the number of jobs we had in 2008.  Inflation is forecasted to stay below 2.5% in the short term, but it is likely to be higher than that by 2014.  Demographic data does not support the theory that Whatcom County is becoming a retirement community.  There could be another 5% erosion in home prices and sales, and don't count on those Canadian shoppers helping our retail businesses. 

 

DRAWING:  Pete Ruese drew the Two of Spades and did not win the pool.