Northwind July 23, 2015

Call to Order:  President Sharon called the meeting to order and led us in the flag salute.

Invocation:  Jim Blaney  provided inspired gratefulness in the crowd. 

Announcements:  A reminder from Sharon that starting August 6, at noon, our meetings will be held at the Gateway Center by the Lummi Welcoming Center, (which includes the liquor store and smoke shop.)  A reminder, as well, that the July 30^th meeting will be fellowship at Chihuahua’s (patio) starting around 5:00.  Please bring friends and family!  Jill announced that we will have a table at Pioneer Days to promote Rotary and all we do.  Sharon announced bittersweet news that Alina has accepted a job with Wells Fargo, but needs to resign to attend 8 months training.  (We are hoping she will rejoin later when she completes her classes.) In her absence, Pati and Sharon will take over the managing of the duck ticket sales.

Happy Bucks:  Bill began by giving very thankful $$ as his great nephew was involved in the I-5, twenty six car collision and was one to rescue the truck driver.  He and his friend were uninjured.  Dale was happy that he was pulled over by one of Ferndale’s finest and despite many infractions, he was not given a ticket.  Stan gave happy bucks in honor of his son Donald’s recent marriage.  Sharon had sad bucks to lose Alina, but happy bucks because she and Greg opted out of a party in Skagit, thereby missing the collision.  Jill gave $ acknowledging she is bad at selling duck tickets, but better than Greg is.  Marlene had happy bucks for her great trip with friends to Victoria.  All friends are still speaking to each other!  Jim B. had happy bucks for the new meeting place starting on Aug. 6^th.  Bill remembered he was happy he had a visit with Ray George, who sadly, had serious back surgery.  We all wish Ray well and most wondered aloud what it would be like to visit Ray on drugs.  (To clarify:  Ray would be on drugs, probably not the visiting Rotarian friends.) 

Finemaster:  Linda was fined $1.00 (in absentia) for raising the bar on the Northwind.  Anyone who has not RSVP’d regarding Chihuahua’s was fined $1.  A $2 fine was levied to anyone not going to Chihuahua’s for fellowship.  A fine if you never brought a guest to the library meetings.  Alina was fined $1 (also, in absentia) for confusing me with e-mails.  Members were fined if they have not gone out on a boat this month.  Sharon was fined for not having rich friends with boats.  Members were fined if they have the luxury of time to find and put on their Rotary pins.  Members were fined if they have not yet had an overabundance of fresh veggies from someone’s garden.  Mariners fans were fined, (Laurie, in absentia) for being last place in the Pacific Division.  Tim avoided a fine for knowing where our new meeting place will be, (Gateway Center) and Jake avoided a fine because he knew the date (Aug 6) of when we begin meeting there.  Rollo was fined for trying to find the library BAR!  There was no choice but to fine Dale for his being pulled over AND for an awkward conversation about the new member proposal.  Jake was not fined for showing up at EXACTLY 4:30, which he said he had planned.  And last, but not least, Tim and Pati were fined for being the last in. 

Banners:  No Banners L 

Program:  Nick Hartrich, the Executive Director of Downtown Bellingham Partnership (also a green bldg. “guru”)  discussed how his organization influences change.  They have many exciting programs in place that are bound to improve the vitality of downtown B’ham.  They host the Art Walk, (1^st Friday of month), Downtown Sounds, (free concert on Wed in July, Fridays in Aug, at the Maritime Heritage Park).  Sept. brings us the “Bite of Bellingham” and the list grows to include landscaping and beautification, a lecture series and Night Mkt.  (More info can be found at:downtownbellingham.com)  Nick and his group are willing to promote our Duck Derby as well!  This seriously was an interesting program and if you weren’t here, you missed a good one!  Nick is very energetic and has some great ideas which are “out of the box.”

Drawing:   Stan won the door prize of an LED flashlight and Dale did not win the ~$1.000 jackpot.  The Pot Grows!