Flag Salute & Invocation by Jim Logghe
 
Visiting Rotarians: None
 
Guests: Christine’s daughter Annika, Brad’s guest Eric Chambers and wife.
 
Dannon announced member birthdays and Rotary anniversaries, and then related more from the club history during 1998-9.
 
Announcements
 
Please let Carlye know if you can make the Third Thursday BBRC lunch at Hearthfire Grill Feb 16 at noon.
 
Fellowship event: Terry Myers announced the possibility for a BBRC after-hours gathering to have dinner and then see “Ladies of Laughter” comedy show at the Mount Baker Theatre Saturday March 18th; if we have enough interest, we will receive the group ticket discount.
 
New Member Induction
Brad Cornwell introduced our new member, Eric Chambers, who is the director of the Northwest Council for Computer Education (https://www.ncce.org).  He went to Edmonds high School, served in the Air Force, then attended Central WA and UW, now works at the NW Council for Computer Education, advocating for technology in the classroom.  In addition to hosting the largest education conference in the Northwest (held each March in either Seattle or Portland), NCCE currently provides a variety of year-round professional learning opportunities to K-20 educators throughout the Northwest and beyond.  Eric and wife Julie have 3 kids.  Bill Unrein conducted the induction ceremony.  Welcome Eric!  
 
Business Bragging Bucket 
Christine’s daughter, Annika Palmerton, talked about her new career as CEO of "UnCork a Cause" selling top wine and interesting merchandise for an organization called ViaOneHope that donates a portion of all proceeds to meaningful social causes.  For more information see: viaonehope.com/uncorkacause 
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Dannon Traxler had nice Valentine’s Day yesterday, also planning trip to FL to see a Freda Kahlo art exhibit;
  • Tim Krell had a great hockey night, also nice skiing, a trip to Bosman, and he recently scored a goal in a hockey game!
  • Bill Gorman reported on an interesting Rotary program providing computer Chromebooks to schools in Kenya;
  • Curtis Dye attended the Oysterfest fundraiser (Whatcom North’s fundraiser event), attended a Rotary grant writing seminar, and recommends a local bar called the Racket on State Street that features many pinball machines;
  • Steve Kimberly daughter expecting!
  • Tresha Dutton;
  • Andy Clay;
  • Mark Turner had great great day snowshoeing up at Baker, and soon will be celebrating his upcoming divorce (“unwedding") with Natalie on Saturday March 4th at their place;
  • Donna Edquist says ADI has been in business for 30 years! Thanks to all the Rotarians for their support;
  • Christine Palmerton husband gift of flowers today, lots of travel this year, also ten years of Nauti Girl!
  • Eddie Hansen $ for Scot Swanson and Terry Brown for their help with the permit for his new building, also attended an interesting WWF wrestling event in Seattle with kids;
  • Bryant Engebretson.
Sergeant at Arms by Flo
Fines for Valentines Day trivia
 
Program
Trisha welcomed our speaker, Dr. Christy Smith MD, the Associate Medical Director for Mechanical Circulatory Support (heart surgeon) at Peacehealth St Joseph’s Hospital.  Prior to joining St Joe’s, Dr. Smith was Assistant Professor in Surgery at the University of Arizona for 10 years.
 
Christy shared some of the new technology and techniques available to cardiac surgery now.  “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement” (TAVR) surgery is a new aorta valve inserted through the groin - minimally invasive surgery.  Another new technology that will be available soon in Bellingham is a Mitrovalve clip, also inserted through the groin. Everything is generally getting smaller and more precise.  Bellingham is lucky to have such a strong Cardiac Center here at St. Joeseph’s Hospital.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot