Tattler Newsletter June 8, 2015 (Jun 08, 2015)

June 8th, 2015

Opening:

President Brad started the meeting with a raffle ticket exchange due to the fact that several people had the same numbers. During this time people met with new members and visitors.

President Brad also welcomed back John Stewart to meetings. He was in a accident versus his bicycle and a car and has been recovering ever since. He added that he would not have made such swift recovery without the help of family, friends and his fellow Rotarians. He appreciates it very much.

Announcements:

We would like to send our love and thoughts to our member Dick Tucker with the passing of his mother, Elaine A. Tucker on June 1, 2015. Her service will be today , June 11 at 12:00 noon at The United Church of Ferndale.

Nathan Twining announced a Rotary Happy Hour to be held tomorrow Friday, June 12 at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club from 5:30 - 7:00. Attendance serves as a make-up. It will be 1/2 off Martini Night.

Family Fest is an event put on by The Rotary Club of Bellingham at the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club on Saturday June 20. It provides an opportunity for around 25 foster children to meet prospective parents. This is the third year we have held the event and have had an average of 15 children adopted each year. It is also an opportunity for Rotary members to volunteer a few hours of their time to help with sign-up and to supervise games. Contact John Moon or Byron Manering to sign-up to help.

Jack Mulhern is celebrating his 50th year as a Rotarian of the Bellingham Rotary Club and donated $50 in Happy Bucks. Happy Anniversary Jack!!

There will be a Board of Directors meeting this Thursday, June 11 at 4:30 in the Dorothy Haggen Building.

We have all been invited to come to “Rotarians Night Out at the Ballpark”, Friday, June 19, 7 p.m., for a night of good friends, good baseball, ice cold beer and more. Tickets are $7.50 (a discount from $9.00) at Joe Martin's newly renovated field. There is a link on our website home page under events, or in the email invitation that was sent out.

The club has received 100% of pledges for this year’s project at $105,794. This will be matched with $100,000 from Whatcom County with an additional $30,000 from the Chuckanut Health Foundation.

Guests of Rotarians

Teri Treat introduced Chris Lydann with RISI

Steve Adelstein brought Rafeeka Kloke, Executive Assistant to WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown

Presentation:

President Brad highlighted Don Anderson as a long time member since 1979. Don was born in Missouri and moved to Mississippi at fifteen where he graduated from high school, college and medical school. He was a Navy Lt. Commander and his interest as a flight surgeon led to a residency in ophthalmology at Ohio State University. Don came to Bellingham in 1973. Don’s Rotary highlights included getting the Rotary Foundation to $610,000 which resulted in a high number of student scholarships annually and playing the role of Jimmy Hendrix playing The Star Spangled Banner. He shared the Jimmy Hendrix gig (a taped piece) under then President Steve Adelstein as the longest 26 minutes of his adult life.

Program:

An Update on the Washington State Legislature

Senator Doug Ericksen was our guest speaker, and provided several highlights of this session and his work. Senator Ericksen is the chair of the Energy, Environment and Telecommunication Senate Committee, Trade and Economic Development and Transportation.

He is primary sponsor of the Clean Energy Investment Act and Renewable Energy bill that was passed by the Senate. The Senator explained the challenges Washington faces as our hydro-electricity is not counted as renewable energy and in fact, the use of wind power requires a backup energy system of gas so can increase our carbon footprint. Senator Ericksen predicts that a transportation package will pass. The Senate budget proposed includes 12% growth.

A question was asked about how the legislature is doing with the budget in terms of the McCleary decision. Senator Ericksen shared that with the 18.6% increase that is planned for K12 spending that his perspective is the legislature is meeting the requirement. There may also likely be an increase in the gas tax to address the needs for road repairs and improvements.

He concluded by stating that legislative work requires the passage of a budget that will get passed and does not always please everyone. He also shared that the Skagit River Bridge replacement was a great example of phenomenal State employees doing a great job when they were given the ability to move forward as needed.

Speakers

Jun 29, 2015
Annual Changing of the Guard


Jul 06, 2015
Holiday - 4th of July


Jul 13, 2015
Bob Pritchett -Faithlife/Logos Bible Software
Growing a Silicon Valley Business in Bellingham

View entire list

Upcoming Events

District 5050 Golfun Event

Whidbey Island Golf & Country Club

Aug 07, 2015 11:00 AM

2015 Wacky Wickets

Hovander Homestead Park

Sep 26, 2015
1:30 PM – 6:00 PM