Soundings (2/7/12)
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Flag Salute & Invocation by Glendine Barkley
Visiting Rotarians: Ann Jones and Ray George
Guests: None
Announcements
Homestays needed for incoming "Friendship Delegation" from Germany: District 5050 is excited to announce a call for clubs to host a Friendship Exchange team from District 1870 in Germany. The team will be 10-12 Rotarians from May 22 to June 12, but homestays only needed for a few of those days.
July 22 is Brewers by the Bay!
International Service Committee meeting Feb 16th, 5:30 at May's office!
Bill Geyer says Feb 28th is the next membership meeting!
Brad Cornwell says his Charitable Giving Committee is working on awarding grants, stay tuned!
The District Conference will be held June 1-3 at Semiahmoo, with pre-event golf tourney.
RYLA will start accepting applications for the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for young people ages 18-25) on Feb 1. The event itself will take place April 26-29 at a camp in Deming. See Bill Geyer for details.
Steve says the fellowship basketball event this Thursday night Feb 9 vs. Alaska Anchorage.
Our club's board of directors and the Membership committe have both reccommended the following two membership applications for approval; their names will be published in the Soundings for two weeks for any comment or concerns from the club membership:
- Charlie Sheldon, the Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham. His previous employment was with the Port of Seattle as an executive in the Seaport, Airport and Marine Terminal divisions. He has provided leadership and management in all aspects of budget and capital planning, as well as facilities and fisheries management during prior work at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Charlie obtained a BS from Yale, and an MS from the University of Massachusetts. His interests included backpacking and rowing. Prior community service includes trail maintenance in Kitsap County and serving on the Chief Seattle Club Board. Charlie lives in Bellingham with his partner Ronda. Charlie was sponsored by Frank Chmelik.
- Susie Betts, co-owner of Solutions Electrical, a local electrical contractor serving Whatcom County. She has worked as an apprentice electrician in addition to all the administrative work in growing her business since 2007. Previously she served as the NW Regional Sales Director for Arizona Beverage Co from 2003-07. Susie’s community service includes numerous Board positions, including Whatcom Women in Business, BIAWC, Whatcom/Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Whatcom County Food Bank, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Whatcom County and Whatcom County Medical Society Alliance. Susie resides in Bellingham and her additional interests include skiing, golfing, biking and scuba. She was sponsored by Lesa Boxx with add'l references by Stan Dyer and Christine Palmerton.
- Anna just returned from TN to see relatives, blues festival was going on, lots of fun;
- Steve Spitzer for missed meetings in Ottowa, London, $ for NY Giants!
- Shannon weekend on water at the Derby, wearing Nauti Boy wear;
- Dick Stark has been a B'ham Bells fan since 1950's! A lot of famous names came through the Bells' program;
- Aaron Lemperes' mom passed away, thanks for all the support, proud of Hospice support;
- Christine Palmerton was at boat show, did better than last year, glad to be home!
- Henry Klos interesting father-daughter moment helping her get a job!
- Bill Gorman says Comcast is gearing up for political campaign advertising season!
- Joel Hile has been out with illness, recovering;
- Mary Humphries happy 51 birthday! Daughter got a job, husband is retiring from DOE;
- Steve Kimberly 63rd birthday!
- Dave Ennen is now a grandpa!
Sergeant at Arms by Bill Geyer
Fines for Puppy Bowl(?), Bill Gorman, trivia on miscellaneous Superbowl excesses,
Program
Nick Caples, general manager of the Bellingham Bells Baseball team. Caples previously worked with the Wenatchee AppleSox for seven years. Recipient of a RYLA award a couple years ago, Nick talked about the positive impact the 4 day camp had for him; he was very impressed with the other kids with whom he attended camp.
Eddie Poplawski, a businessman from Bellevue, recently bought the Bells from Tony Larson. The West Coast league has a lot of talent, many of the players are with college teams. Eddie is very hands on, a great owner who gives Nick a lot of support. Nick grew up in Cashmere, WA, a big sports community. His dad payed basketball and coached basketball and football. Nick started working for the Wenatchee baseball team (the Apple Sox) while still in college. He worked there for seven years, then moved to Palm Springs to work as real estate agent. Nick then got hired back to the Northwest by Eddie Poplawski to run Eddie's Bellingham team.
Nick says the goal of the team is simple: To weave the Bells into the fabric of Bellingham and all of the surrounding communities by providing a fun and affordable entertainment opportunity for families and friends to enjoy. A lot of Pac 12 players on the Bells' roster. Very high level of play. Gary Hatch is the head coach, he has a a 30-year coaching career, who has been a teacher at Sehome. Coach Gary has been a good mentor to the young men on the team.
Three revenue sources:
- tickets
- concessions
- sponsorships
The Bells' always need homestays for the players during the season.
Curtis wins the raffle!
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot