Weekly Newsletter February 27, 2023 (Feb 27, 2023)

WEEKLY TATTLER PHOTO'S

Rob Fix, Exec. Director of the Port of Bellingham

Doug Cole & Jodi Broughton, North Cascades Institute Dir. of Marketing

February 27, 2023

Opening Welcome:

President Paul Grey did nothing silly or remarkable in his opening remarks. Therefore, there is nothing to report.

Club and Committee Announcements:

Dennis Williams provided a short quiz as Minister of Fun. The object was to match the person with the quotation. This reporter got only the quote from Steven Wright. “What’s another word for thesaurus?”

It is worthy to note that Teri Treat made a preemptive bid of $500 for all seven bottles of wine at the tables. Thanks, Teri.

Committee Announcements:

Roland Trenouth promoted the upcoming meal packing event. Roland urged members to volunteer to pack meals for the people of Sierra Leone on April 22nd. He estimated that the event would pack over 20,000 meals that costs only an average of 22 cents. We will be working at Assumption gym in the morning. (Click Here to Register)

Felicity noted the promotional literature on the tables to introduce YAIL (Youth Adventures in Leadership) to the students. YAIL is for students 15-17 and Rotarian's families can participate. It will be held March 31-April 2nd in Surrey, B.C. and the club has budgeted 3 students to send. Contact Felicity Dye if interested. Click here for information

Homeless Project Drive with Opportunity Council (Click here for list)

John Dunne introduced Bob Kumar and Taylor Stagliano at a recent meeting. The RCOB is working with the Opportunity Council to supply donated furnishing to those exiting from homelessness. Often these people find themselves in an empty apartment without the means of providing livable furniture. A list of needed items was provided for a one-time donation. Contact John Dunne for more information and turn the forms into him. The Opportunity Council will contact you about picking the items up. Thank you for your help!!

RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds. Here is the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page: (Click Here) Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.

WE MOVED TO THE SYRE STUDENT CENTER - SYRE THEATER AT WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE. HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS.

The buildings address is 235 W Kellogg Rd. But this is not where you park. There is no parking off of Kellogg Road. You must enter parking off either Eliza Ave or Cordata Parkway. You are looking for the YELLOW lot (look on light poles for Y2 or Y3).

Enter from Eliza Ave: the driveway between Kellogg Rd and Westerly Rd has a driveway into the campus, follow that about 200 yards until it slopes down, park in the area between the three buildings.

Enter from Cordata Parkway: Just north of the WTA station and Cruisin Coffee before the round about is Orca Lane, take Orca Lane around the first two buildings until you find a large parking lot between three buildings.

Google maps directions to parking https://goo.gl/maps/Ng1vkLwcFj19vfTV8

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Weekly Meeting instructions:

You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy-protected meeting. If you have n done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you cannot do either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.

Lunch will be $22 for a buffet meal. We must notify them by Monday at NOON the week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending. We are sending out meeting "Invites" weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org. If you sign up for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after the numbers are turned in. If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating.

The Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door.

We urge members of the RCOB to set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB- Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent di ctly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532

Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process. There is also the PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting. We have a QR Code that you scan and simply click to pay thru paypal also.

Website and Phone App instructions:

Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) Go to belling mrotary.org first. In order to login you need t know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Your first name.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 the password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from her computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.

Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:

iphones https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/clubrunner/id434696377?mt=8

Androids https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.doxess.clubrunnermobile

Here is a link for you to take a look at the app:

https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/article/1399-video-clubrunner-mobile-app-for-clubs-district

Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.

Guests:

Nathan Twining introduced Derek Buse

Mark Knittel brought Scott Herman

Doug Cole introduced Jodi Broughton, Director of Marketing & Fundraising for North Cascades Institute for Mountain School

Shauna Naf introduced Heather and Gary Graham

Ward Naf brought Shauna's best friend, Robin Rosenbloom ,who flu in for a birthday surprise.

Michael Mallory introduced Steve Edson

Zoom attendee visitors: Steve Hager, Sandee Lindhout, Dick Tucker and Loch Trimingham

Zoom guest Chuck Snyder from Arizona

Presentation:

Doug Cole introduced Jodi Broughton, Director of Marketing & Fundraising for the North Cascades Institute, who was awarded a grant for the Mountain School. Jodi explained that the school provides fifth grade students with a day-long learning experience at their facility. For many of the students, this is the first time they get out into the mountains. They learn their role in the greater ecosystem, of which the North Cascades are a part. It is hoped that the kids see themselves as stewards of the outdoors by the time they leave. Ms. Broughton quoted one student as saying, “Remember, I can make a difference.”

Program:

The program today was a return of Rob Fix, the Director of the Port of Bellingham. He titled his talk “Port of Bellingham 101” He quickly said that he should have titled it P of B 102, as he had addressed the club not so very long ago. This was an overview of the Port and its operations.

The Port has five basic responsibilities: the airport, marine terminals, marinas, economic development and Parks and access to water.

He stated the airport serves three airlines: Allegiant, Southwest and Alaska. In the spring Southwest will fly once a week non-stop to Denver as sort of a trial balloon. It is interesting that most of the income from the airport is generated by vehicle parking.

Rob touched on the marine terminal, which is shipping the huge boulders that come on trucks through town to the Columbia mouth, where the breakwaters are being rebuilt. There is also a company that is shipping scrap metal to India and elsewhere for recycling. Thus, the piles of rusting metal you see every now and then down at the terminal. The Port did buy a really big crane to give them more versatility in using the terminal and dock.

The marinas have a long waiting list, about ten years for the longer slips. Between Blaine and Bellingham marinas there are over 2,200 slips. And unfortunately, no more room. The Bellingham marina now has a Fishermen’s Pavilion, which hosts the SeaFeast and other events. It is a covered working waterfront workspace.

The Marine Trades Economy supports over 7% of the county’s workforce. Rob noted that All American Marine has built exciting vessels in their new facility off Roeder Avenue. They are working to build the first hydrogen powered vessel, Sea Change. That could be a real sea change. He also noted that the ferry terminal, used twice a week in the summer now has the largest solar panel “farm” on the terminal roof, which powers the terminal.

And Mr. Fix touched on the former GP site. The Trackside with the pump track and Kulshan outlet is also going to have Zekes Pizza coming in as well as other offerings (a wine bar?)

Lastly, he brought up the economic development portion of the Port operation. He reported that the Port has acquired the former Ershig’s property off Marine Drive. They have to investigate possible site clean-up and make an assessment of the structures on the property before deciding how to proceed. But the site offers good potential.

The Port is and will continue to be involved in infrastructure, industrial and housing, rural broadband, foreign trade zones, cross-border business etc.

Rob Fix then opened it up for questions, which took us to the final bell.

Closing:

President Paul wished us all a good week and hopes to see all the tables filled at the next meeting.

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February Rotary Anniversaries - Thank you for your service!


Herb Ershig 61 years of service	Al Archer 41 years of service	Jan Marchbanks 34 years of service	Ron Jepson 19 years of service
Marty Haines 16 years of service	Sandy McIntire 14 years of service	Steve Ban 7 years of service	Rob Olson 5 years of service

February Birthdays - Happy Birthday! Rick Kaiser Paula McCandlis Bob Diehl Fred Kaiser Andy Day Shauna Naf Ralph Rinne