Flag Salute & Invocation by Stan Dyer
 
Visiting Rotarians:  Lisa  (Wenachee Sunrise)
 
Guests:  Melissa, Ray.
 
Announcements
  • Donna asks everyone to consider signing up for the next fellowship event March 1st (Saturday night):  Dinner at the Table, then Tao Phoenix Rising (Japanese drumming, part Cirque de Soleil) show at MBT.  
  • Glen Groenig announced his new committee: business community outreach.  Please join him if iyou are interested.
 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Christine Palmerton attended Seattle Boat Show for umpteenth time, exhausted! but very worth it;
  • Bill Unerring had a birthday on Sunday;
  • John Templeton said on Superbowl Sunday his (second) grandson was born (Matthew John Templeton, knicknamed perhaps "Hawks"), also his daughter had birthday;
  • Tyler Byrd talked about the pitch competition last week, it was unbelievable, 40 local start-ups participated, please come next time they hold it;
  • Dannon Traxler is looking for a temporary six month home lease from April - October while her house is being remodelled;
  • Steve Swan birthday (60th!) and grandson’s too!
  • Patricia Leach, missed meetings, and announced that KCTS channel 9 will air a segment (on their show called PIE) about the current exhibit "Vanishing Ice" Feb 13th Thursday night;
  • Dick Stark thanks to Tony Larson for his work on the Martin Field remodel a few years ago;
  • Curt Smith for Seahawk win;
  • Henry Lee announced birth of new son (his third child!), Anthony Michael Lee, took a couple weeks off from work;
  • Kendall Olson enjoyed weekend in Whistler, is now an official Mount Baker "ski mountain host", and joined the board of MBT;
  • Curtis Dye's daughter had late night Superball-watching party in England (where she is studying);
  • Sue Sharp’s mom enjoyed watching Superbowl, also she announced that as of first of the year St Luke’s changed its name (and logo) to "Chuckanut Health Foundation".
Sergeant at Arms by Orphalee
Fines for no pins, back rows, Bryant E, Seahawks parties, and lots of football trivia.
 
Program
Bill Geyer introduced Tony Larson, born and raised in Bellingham, has a wide business experience, current owner of the Business Pulse magazine, and director of the Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA).  The WBA mission is to build a leadership network which will be advocates for business here locally.  Tony gave an informal prognosis on the local business outlook.  In a recent survey he conducted, businesses were cautious about national outlook for business growth, but very optimistic about the local scene.  Retail seems to be strong, despite the lagging Canadian dollar.  Agriculture had a great year last year, but water rights is a growing concern.  Technology is doing well, Logos Software thriving, Red Rokk, Big Fresh Media, lots of good things going on.  Auto dealers bouncing back from recession.  Housing indicators look positive.  Manufacturing: Barleans $60+M/yr sales, Blue Sea Systems steady growth, etc.  Contractors:  outlook good for the big players, but more turmoil for the smaller players.  Cherry Point is a huge, but often overlooked, driver for our local economy (think $100K/yr salaries on average!).  
 
If you are interested in subscribing to the WBA Email newsletter: go to the Website http://www.whatcombusinessalliance.com.
 
Important local issues: Waterfront redevelopment, airport expansion (in June WBA will host a lunch and  tour of airport and waterfront), $6M purchase of land for the proposed jail south of Ferndale, Affordable Care Act (WBA will sponsor two events to learn more about that), legalized marijuana, water rights (WBA will have a talk on the water right issue, Feb 19th 8am in the Encore room at MBT).  
 
Future programs: Next week is Dan Robbins about the Port of Bellingham, then Terry and Brad talk on local architecture, then Dr. Ron Pinson on a dental program in Africa, then Bob Moles on club goals and committees for the new Rotary year.
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Stowe Talbot