Northwind 3/13/08

Posted by Sharon Robinson 
 

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary

Northwind

March 13, 2008

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Greg called the meeting to order at 12:35 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gary Tomsic gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:     Ron Kelly from the Mount Baker Club and Mike Kirkland from BellinghamBay.

 

GUESTS:  No guests.

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Doug Thomas returned from Palm Springs via Pullman (or maybe the other way around?).  Phil Bratt had also been in Palm Springs, and was not happy about the weather in Bellingham, by comparison.  Tim Carpenter has returned from a trip to Arizona where he visited many welcoming Rotary clubs.

 

BIRTHDAYS:  Tony Cubellis the 13th and Stan Brunner the 16th.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:        

 

1.  District assembly on 4/12 - contact Greg for more information.

2.  Career Fair - Paul still needs an architect, a veterinarian and a journalist.

3.  Brian updated us on the planned auction May 9.  Two key points:  (1): Bring lots of people, and (2) Donate good items.  Think of all the fundraisers you've attended over the past year, and bring those people to our event.

4.  A card was circulated for Leah and Bret's new baby, Willa Marie. 

 

HAPPY BUCKS:  Max Legg was happy to find out that "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" are in fact on the new coins, just on the edge - he never thought of looking there.  Tim Villhauer spent three days at PETS; he is now fully Rotarized, and warned us that it is contagious if you get too close.  Tim Carpenter was happy about the trip and seeing George Scott and Tiger Woods (but not together).  Maureen McCarthy was happy for a trip to Florida and for a WTA ridership record.  Rick Staeb is happy that Laurie Michaels from the radio station is now back doing rehab in Bellingham.  Marlene Sexton is happy that her kids are coming up to Bellingham to help plan their own wedding.  Dick Nolan was happy that the sunshine allowed him to get out his little '29 Mercedes.  Ray George was happy for a trip to Vegas where he learned that you can't take "O.J" on planes anymore, but good deeds are still rewarded.  Jack Curnow was happy that his daughter finished her dissertation.  Bob Bowman was happy that his granddaughter's bridal shower was for women only.  Jake Smith and Larry Pollett were back from another ski trip - Jake was happy to watch Larry put on a spectacular lesson on how to fall, and Larry was just happy that he survived.  President Greg was happy to have lost an hour to daylight savings time, since he was up all night at the Zoo with his son.

 

FINEMASTER:   Max Legg fined Democrats and New Yorkers for the fine behavior of the NY Governor.  Anyone from the Midwest was fined because a woman sat on a toilet seat for two years.  Tim Carpenter was fined for his long story.  Ray George for trying to take contraband on the plane.  Nancy Tieman for all the good press on Laurie Michaels at St. Joes.  Anyone who likes Bruce Springsteen was fined because of a woman who defended her right to listen to Bruce with a knife.  (Sorry about the misplaced modifier Stan).  School teachers and administrators were fined on behalf of kids who can't bring candy to school.  Maureen McCarthy for not allowing dogs on buses.  Stock brokers were fined because gold hit $1,000 per ounce.

 

BANNERS:    Maureen McCarthy was able to solve this week's banners - St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland.

 

PROGRAM:   Today's program was presented by Denise CoStanten and her service-dog-in-training, Nugget. Denise is the founder of Brigadoon Youth and Service Dog Programs.  The agency provides much needed service dogs to humans with disabilities or special medical needs.  The program works with at-risk high-school students who do the training, so it serves two critical needs in our community.  Nugget demonstrated her skills, and Denise gave us information about the organization and related several stories about how important service dogs have been in the lives of Brigadoon's clients.  They offer tours of their facility on the first Saturday of each month, the next being April 5th.  They are located at 4759 Mission Road.  RSVP to 733-5388.   More information is available at www.brigadoondogs.org.

 

DRAWING:   No winner again.

 

Editor this week:  Sharon Robinson