President Elect John called the meeting to order on behalf of President Rick who is traveling.

James Nevers, VP led us in the salute to the flag.

There being no guests or visiting Rotarians, we had a series of Ernie Norehad  stories orchestrated by Joanne Primavera's thumbs up or down signs.

Moving quickly along, the program tonight was an entertaining report of fellow members Bill Taylor and Mike Hunter doing a local version of a Rick Steves report on an Italy wine country tour obtained by Mike Hunter at a Woodinville auction which Mike and Sharon had  shared (no pun intended) the trip with Bill and Sandy Taylor.

While the town and region names were hard to follow, much less remember, the mental  image of a "Tom Tom" GPS device that never seemed to find the place directed to but gave "turn here" signals forcefully whether directionally successful or not.   Memories are made of this trip with words like a "Nest" where they rested in comfort and with beautiful scenery at a region that sounded like a pizza.  Wine shops with $2.00 per bottle wines were relished and how many sober nights there were, was soberly not mentioned.  A little down town market of everything to purchase in your imagination and somehow 200 vans entered the confusing picture.  In one of these charming places, Bill and Sandy did not sleep well because the local town men gathered under their window smoking and talking Italian until the wee wee hours.  From beautiful and majestic old walled cities, walls no longer needed for protection, the  Kirklanders  walk  among local folk was transformed by toll roads they finally figured how to use,  joined the locals at unimaginable speeds as  they moved on the Cinque Terre (fixed by editor).  There apparently they found a familiar restaurant that sounded like MacDonald's  and at another place they dined at Dino's which they enjoyed very much. From there it was on to Milan where they stayed in a hotel called a"Moxi" (either a type or a name, possibly from the Marriott system?) They found another "Moxi" in a place that sounded like  Nashville.  After arriving in Milan they turned in the rental car and used taxis like every body else. There was a beautiful and huge Cathedral they enjoyed.  Apparently you had to check your weapons with an attendant at the gate so Mike dutifully handed over his pocket knife.  Whether he got it back or not was not made clear in the account.  From Milan, they took high speed trains to Rome on which they had reserved seats but somehow an Italian lady of about age 85 had one of them but the ride was shared with her  without incident. From Rome they flew home, Mike and Sharon via London and back to Seattle.  Bill and Sharon took another route  and with coach class seats were uncomfortable enduring the long flight back home.  Pictures of the tour were passed out for the audience to enjoy the beauty of the places they visited.

President Elect  Woodbery handed each a fine bottle of Italian wine in appreciation for a great program

At the end of things, President Elect Woodbery displayed a poster of the Palouse plain created by a former speaker as photographer of nature Bruce Heinemann , using a line underneath it from a poem John and his sister had written together and  shared at his program that read: " A palette of brushless light, as used by the maker of all life, as in a dance as the imagination takes flight."  One of the posters was sent to John's sister in Texas and the other displayed at the meeting tonight.  In a thank you letter to Bruce, John wrote: "May your pursuit of the capture of art God created and provides us in nature; continue to bless those of us who can only appreciate beauty by observation"

The meeting concluded at about 7:30.

John Woodbery

Scribe

• Dave Aubry and Brandon Hancoop “Special night for Rotary” presented Bob Webb with Paul Harris Fellow pin one plus 6.

• We have a new duck! Joe G. will use old duck for Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day 1pm at Marina park. Calling on all members to join. Money raised will help fund warm coats for kids. Please see email GoFundMe” link from Joe to contribute. Goal is to raise $1500.
• Rick Walter announces DECA competition in January. Looking for judges. See Rick for more information.
• Happy Dollars to raise $ for Woodmark staff for the Holidays. We raised just over $500.

• Dr.Glen Curda from Overlake Medical Center. Current member and past President of Bellevue Rotary. Discussion on Common foot problems “the foot is a work of art” and debunking common myths.

• Rick presents thank you gift to Dr Glen Curda.
• No meetings for next three week. Next meeting January 7^th.

The meeting was started with a greeting from Kirkland Rotary President Rick Walter.

John Pruitt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Greeters were Don Dicks and Scott Becker – Front Desk was John Pruitt and Rick Ostrander.

President Rick used the Rotary Moment to quiz the membership on who the first four Rotarians were who attended the very first meeting in Chicago – of course there was Paul Harris – nobody knew Gustave Loehr, Silvester Schiele or Hiram Shorey. However, the club did know the next four Rotary Chapters that opened after Chicago – San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Guests at our meeting were Chris Rusnak, former member and husband of DeeDee. We had Kristin Olson, an attorney in Kirkland who knows many of the Rotarians and is interested in joining. Joseph Castleberry, President of Northwest College came to the meeting as a special guest of our speaker.

Rotary International Foundation presentation by both Dave Aubry and Brandon Honcoop the co-chairs: Dave started out by informing the chapter about RI’s WASH imitative (Wash, Sanitation, Hygiene). This is an education campaign to teach the basic necessities for a healthy environment and productive life. Rotary Foundation has invested in more than 1,000 WASH projects in more than 100 countries. Brandon discussed Rotary Foundation Month and all of the good works of the Foundation and encouraged members to use their “Treasure” to help others around the world – and at home thru District Grants.

• Dave Aubry updated the Club on efforts to wipe out Polio, and he reminded us that November is Foundation Month.
• Amy Mutal asked us to sign up for the Holiday Party at the Heathman at 6:00 PM on December 3^rd. Free Valet parking is available, and wine & beer are included with our dinners.
• Brandon Honcoop thanked everyone who helped with the Warm Coats project this year; three schools were included and over 100 coats were given to needy children.
• David Mutal reminded us of the Holiday Gift Party on December 15^th:  Shopping at Fred Meyer, breakfast, and a visit with Santa while the gifts are wrapped! Let David know where you want to help.
• John Woodbery announced a work party at First Harvest in Kent this coming week-end, November 10th.  Meet at 8:00 AM at the Houghton Park and Ride for carpooling to Kent.  Work will be completed by 11:30 and we’ll have lunch!
• Steve Shinstrom has postponed Bunco until the spring (it was set for December 1^st).

• Warm Coats for kids – October 19^th 10am to 12:30pm – John Muir Elementary – they need volunteers to assist – talk with Joanne or Brandon.
• NW Harvest work party on November 10 – drive there or meet up in Kirkland – great fellowship – looking for 10 volunteers – usually a lunch afterwards – contact Dan for more info.
• DeeDee is looking for volunteers to vet the student of the months – this is happening on October 17^th – let her know if you are available.
• Our Bunco party has been rescheduled for December 1^st – hope everyone can make it.
• The Rotary holiday party is going to be on the 10^th of December and we are still looking at Venues!
• The Rotary Kids event with Fed Meyer and Santa will be the 15^th of December – See David Mutal for additional information.
• This day in Rotary – Ketchikan, AK become the $2,000 club in Rotary.