Soundings (1/18/11)

Bucks in the Bay

• Bill Gorman did some sales training classes last week, he is really happy with Comcast and excited about the upcoming purchase of NBC Universal;
• Bob Jones had fun setting up an antique train set for his grandkids - see his video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dH_l09QZSM (I think this is the one...)
• Harold Scott had 60 + birthday bucks;
• Leena Kirschman missed meetings, Steve Spitzer had surgery on his rotator cuff and is recovering well, son Garrett will finish out year at WCC and maybe transfer to WWU;
• Dr Curt Smith's picture was in the Herald the other day;
• Lisa Shork many missed meetings while with family in Puerto Rico, also a plug for upcoming fashion show fundraiser benefiting Visiting Nurse Home Care: Friday Feb 4, 2011, 5:30 - 8:30pm at St. Lukes hall!
• Tim Krell skiing two weekends at Whistler;
• Lance Calloway birthday bucks;
• Tonja Myers said John Templeton is out with damaged knee;
• Christine Palmerton getting ready for the Seattle Boat show at Qwest Events Center - see her if you want tickets - also had a fun weekend in Seattle;
• Jim Johnson happy bucks for trip to Mauritius Island (small island in Indian Ocean, East of Madagascar) to visit wife's family, wonderful trip but glad to be home, next week off to Honduras with Bob Moles;
• Eddie Hansen took staff to las Vegas then went to to Chicago to see Seahawks;
• Stan dyer $100 for foundation in honor of Eddie who told him to bet on the Seahawks;
• Bob Becker says the Interfaith Community Health Center is in need a board member with financial or business skills - this is a wonderful local organization - see Bob if interested;

Sergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton
Fines for Stan's language, Brad Cornwell sulking, Trivia on today's birthdays, Revolution Day in Tunisia, Dennis fined for his beautiful tie, Anna's beautiful dress, those who watched the Seahawks' game, those who traveled to warmer climes in 2011, those who went skiing in 2011, those who played golf in 2011.

Program

New member talk:  Ellen Sheen is married to Allan and they have a little boy named Archer.  Ellen has worked at Archer Group for several years but is mostly now a stay-at-home-mom with Archer.  Ellen writes a food blog called www.lapuremama.com - which has led to some other interesting writing assignments.  She was recently asked to work part time at Purple Smiles wine shop in Fairhaven and is enjoying it.

Bob also talked about the Copan project in Honduras and the upcoming trip there.  Mike Hammes has really helped on this project from technical perspective.  Bob recently learned that the "small grants" application that he had submitted to district in December was awarded to us for $4,000 (even more than he had asked for!).  The upcoming trip will complete the restroom facility that the locals have mostly built themselves based on our design.

Recently Mike and his wife solicited funds from family and friends to raise money to help the school there with uniforms and other necessities. It was very successful and these funds will be delivered during the trip. 

Much of the success of these international projects depends on the relationship with the local club on the ground there:  Fortunately, the Copan club has demonstrated that it is a stable and better partner for us (compared to Trujillo club for example).  

One exciting future potential project would be in the Trojes area of Honduras to build and install more sand water filters. This effort will also include education about hygiene and instruction on maintaining the filters.  This project has garnered interest from other Western Washington Rotary clubs - several have already participated with us in on past projects.  

Jim Johnson talked about the issue of slavery in the world: Today there are still approximately 27 million slaves, mostly in south Asia and north Africa.  There has been resistance on the part of Rotary International to fund Rotary efforts to combat the slavery issue, probably because of pressure from countries such as India, which does not want to be identified as a slave nation. Jim hopes that one our future international initiatives will be directed at this issue.

Next week's speaker is from the WA State Bar Association on the initiative process.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot