Northwind 2/7/08

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary

Northwind

February 7, 2008

Meeting to Order:  President Greg called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the flag salute.  Mel gave the invocation with an analogy to "the big game."

Visiting Rotarians:   None

Guests:   Greg Iwasaki introduced his guest, Ray George from "The Signpost"

Birthdays:   None

Returning Rotarians:   None

Announcements:   Greg Thulin announced (again) that Board Meetings are now held the first Thursday of the month, (the next meeting will be March 6^th).  Today's meeting was held outside the Zervas Bldg. but accomplishments were made.  One of the decisions made was to approve hiring Charlie Heggem to organize the Bay 2 Bay Bike Ride in August. 

Paul Cooley announced the Career Fair will be held on March 28, 2008.  For those on the committee, the presenters need to be secured.  We need at least 28 presenters and brochures will be sent to the counselors at the schools. 

Bill Grace announced continuing Roster update/corrections.  See him if information needs to be added or changed on the Roster.

Gary Tomsic announced he is sending receipts for foundation donations and Rich Jacobson saved the day with a "lost" donor's address.

Happy Bucks:   Greg Thulin had 4 Happy Bucks today.  One was for his friend's mother who survived a horrible accident with semi-trucks.  He also shared a story of his middle-school son, whom Greg is very proud of for getting straight A's on his report card, but when the same kid was told by his mom to "not to have an attitude" [towards a tutor], he replied, "I don't have a "fricken attitude!" (For some reason, Greg thinks if you already raised a middle-schooler, you may have forgotten how cute they can be).  Please, it's been 15 years since I've had a middle-schooler, and I will NEVER forget how it was!  I am just now getting over it!  Good luck Greg and Kim!  Bill Grace was happy to have his 6 month check-up and is very happy with the results. He was also happy to have Leah and Josh in the club as they have lowered the average age of the club to 57, (the average year of service [age and years in Rotary] is 72).  Scott Wallace was happy to have watched a Ferndale game and seeing Char Hart and also explained to Greg why his hair is gray (read: Middle Schoolers!)  Dan Parsons had happy bucks for a banquet he attended with Brian Finnegan and Randy Carr honoring the new incoming class of Huskies.  He was also happy that state income tax will pay for the new Huskies stadium.  Jake Smith was happy that after his wife's car was stolen, it took her a day and a half to figure out how this was his fault, (she used to be much quicker!).

Finemaster:   Randy Carr did not show, so Max Legg saved the day.  Lex Ludtke was fined for his "new truck", (Lex had really only washed the wheels).  Gary Tomsic was fined for previewing Mel's invocation, (Gary claims to have written it).  Greg Thulin was fined for his son's "colorful" language, (Greg claims the kid got it from his mother's side).  Jake was fined for denying his wife's stolen car was his fault and was given some sound advice to make sure to take the car out of the crime computer to avoid an unpleasant experience with law authorities, (Jake "pities" the cop who tries to arrest his wife on stolen vehicle charges).

Banners:   Paul Cooley believed the banners were about "leather and lace" and other things related to Valentine's Day, but Stan was going in a slightly different direction.  February has some history: 1848/Karl Marx-Communist Manifesto (no banners), 1878/ First telephone directory (no banners), 1898/ Battleship USS Maine blown up in Havana harbor (no banners), 2008/ Valentines Day Don't forget spouses and others AND we need more banners!  Today's theme:  Flowers, music, something lacey, hearts= Valentines Day. You have one more week so don't blow it!

Program:   Paul Cooley introduced, (shamelessly on Haggen's behalf), Riley Starks from Lummi Island.  Riley discussed Reefnetting and the many benefits that come with this ancient form of fishing.  Some of the benefits include preserving the art of reefnet fishing as well as the ecological benefits of this form of fishing.  We learned of the "Chefs in Raingear" program which educates Chefs and restaurateurs about the importance of sustainable harvesting of the world's oceans.  For an excellent example of reefnet salmon, treat yourself to The Willows on Lummi Island or go to the Reefnet Festival on Lummi Island on August 16^th! 

Adjourned:  1:30