Novermber 10, 2008 Spokesman

VETERAN'S DAY REMEMBRANCE
President Bob asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of those veterans who've served our country over the years.   This was followed by several stories, both moving and humorous, from our veteran members, including Bob Webb, John Overleese, Bill Woods, Gary Bruner, John Woodbury, GG Getz, and Jim Feek.   There was also a table display with various memorabilia brought in by our members.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  -President Bob announced that the next meeting of the club would be on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, at 7:00 at KPC.   This is a special meeting, with a presentation by Penny LeGate on Polio Plus.   Sign ups have been on-going for several weeks.   THERE WILL BE NO MONDAY MEETING ON THE  FOLLOWING DAY, MONDAY NOV 17.

  -Pat Dye announced the upcoming District Conference, to be held in Victoria, BC, on May 1-3.   She advised members to sign up early, and also that this year, the club will pay HALF the registration fee for first-time attendees - a very good deal!

  -Bob announced that Jerry Marsh had surgery today and was home doing well.

  -Dick Westin announced the sign-ups for the Salvation Army bell ringing once again this year.      (CR)Apple Cup sign-ups for chances began tonight as well for those who are closely following the highly-competative antics of the Huskies and Cougars.   This should be quite a game!  First team to cross the 50 yard line or get a 1st down may just be the winner.

  -Rich Bergdahl spoke eloquently and passionately about the Rotary Foundation, in honor of Foundation Month.   He thanked the members for helping to meet our financial goal last year.   This year's goal is Every Kirkland Rotarian, Every Year, stressing 100% participation, not dollars.   He closed by talking a bit about why HE'S a Rotarian, speaking about country, attachment, and humanity.   Great job, Rich!

SPEAKER
Patti Smith introduced our guest speaker.   Tony Blau, MD, is a Professor of Hematology in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington.   He is the Principle Investigator for an NIH grant for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, and is working on development of methods for stem cell transplants and regenerative medicine.   Dr. Blau began is talk by showing a picture of a group of Rotary Exchange Students at the Berlin Wall in 1978 - he was one of these, an experience, he said, that changed his life.

Dr. Blau spoke to a variety of interesting developments, both locally, nationally, and internationally as to how stem cell research has led to innovative treatments for an enormous array of life-threatening diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, and on and on.  He was drawn to this area in the first place by a fellow named Don Thomas, who first developed a method for using stem cells for therapy.   Essentially, Seattle is the birthplace for stem cell therapy.   He indicated the potential for this research is tremendous, capable of changing the entire face of medicine as we know it, but it will take a very long time.   His talk was very informative and presented in a very easy-to-understand way.

At the conclusion of his very informative and entertaining talk, Dr. Blau addressed several questions and agreed to stay after for further conversation.

President Bob thanked him and presented him with a book for the Muir Elementary library for him to sign in his honor.

50-50
Finally, our guest from Juanita High School, Mo Linett, had the lucky number, but alas, did not draw the lucky duck, so the pot lives on!!

ADJOURN
There being no further business before the Club, President Bob adjouorned the meeting at 8:50pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Brown, Scribe for the Night