October 17, 2005 Spokesman

Called to order by President, Joanne Primavera @ 6:30

Pledge led by Jerry Campo.

Joanne did an inspirational moment on the different meanings of "bridge" as our speaker was going to update us on plans for the 520 bridge.

Student of the month from Juanita HS was introduced by Rachel Knight. She shared the interesting story that he was redoing a friend's car that had been stolen in auto mechanics shop.

Vlad gave us a fun account of all he has been doing. He went to Leavenworth with D.D. & Chris where he tried German food for the first time and tried out some golf carts-they do not have them in Russia. They took this sojourn after going to 1^st Harvest where they helped assemble 14,000 health kits for victims of Katrina. Tomorrow is going to be a very exciting day for Vlad-he is going to be in his first basketball game for LWHS and he is moving in with Dan and Wilma Bartel while his current host parents are in Japan. He encouraged all of us strongly to take him places. D.D. had a list of activities that Vlad would like to do on each table SO sign up and take this charming gentleman to places in our great NW!

Announcements:

Thanks to the Shinstroms for hosting the annual "John Woodbery Memorial Bunko Party" John was there! Thanks also to Pat Swenson & Alice Volpe for making it especially fun with all of her décor and Margaritas. Also thanks to Steve & Mary Brown for arriving early and helping set up and to Steve for cooking those "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" They already have a theme for next years Bunko gala western a.k.a. Western/Cowboy theme!!!

There is going to be a party at Cuizam on Sunday, Nov 6. John Overleese and Katherine Kehrli are hosting. Katherine will show us some goodies to prepare for the holidays; John will show which wines will go best with them. Sign up for this fun social time and come to Cuizam between 5-7 pm.

Pat Swenson announced that we are going to begin a new tradition. 5 members who have been in Rotary over 3 years will be chosen each month to give a 2-3 minute 'mini classification speech" so we can get to know all of our members and their uniqueness. Pat will chose a fun question to ask each at the end of their presentation.

Craig Neal announced that Rotary's Christmas Party will have several new twists this year: It will be on Monday, Dec. 5 and will be held at Broadmoor Country Club. Directions to follow.

Michelle Neal, who is expecting their second baby, announced that there are sign up sheets on each table for our Thanksgiving Families from Kirkland's 3 High schools. She encouraged us to sign up for each school and to bring the items on the 21^st of Nov.

The club received thank you notes from Michelle for all that our club has contributed to assist in the rebuilding of her hometown, Sliddel, that was devastated in Hurricane Katrina. We also received a thank you from Best HS for the contribution that our club made enabling them to have a successful business week.

Felicity announced two important dates and times for our involvement with John Muir Elementary: 1) Reading/Lunch buddies instructional meeting on Thursday, October 20 @ 11:30; 2) Our "Operation Warm" project will be Friday, October 21 where we will hand out 170 new coats to needy kids. She needs help to set up at 9 am and the kids will come to pick out their new coats at 10.

Tom Sturgell gave us a power point presentation on our new web site that has a lot more capabilities than the other. It is from Club Runner which the board approved in july. It can do such things as print a directory, upload pics, change your own info,etc Go and explore all of its capabilities at www.clubrunner.ca/kirkland. You will be instructed on how to get your password. Your login is your last name.

Two members moved proudly from Red to Blue: Jeannie McRae (who's sponsor was Chuck Morgan; mentor, G.G. Getz) and Barbara Seaton (her mentor was Gayle Cudworth; sponsor, ???). They are both jumping in with both feet! Jeannie has agreed to be co-chair of the 4^th of July picnic; Barb has agreed to be put up for the position of Treasurer! Rick Ostrander cheered rather loudly!

Patti Smith introduced our timely program: the plans for the redoing of the 520 bridge. Four people were here to present the program from Washington Dept of Transportation. John Melton was the lead presenter backed up ably by Daniel Babuca. Ara Swanson and Suann Pelley provided support for the power point presentation. John managed to scare us to death about the safety, reliability, and mobility of the current bridge. Daniel presented the options that are currently being studied. They contended that if 912 is turned down by the electorate it will set planning and design back several years. They had very informative handouts that explained the options, vulnerable points, and projected timeline. Many questions were asked by the enthralled audience i.e. what will happen to the current bridge while the other is being built? How would proposed tolling work? Will they get rid of the required 3 person minimum to use the HOV lane on the new bridge?

Honeypot: The pulled number was finally claimed by Vlad via Bob Webb. Vlad was also successful in pulling the right object out of the bag.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm