May 11, 2009 Spokesman

District Governor Jesse Tam, another "short term guy" according to him,  paid us a surprise visit to announce that our own Gary Bruner received the District Service Above Self Award. Gary Bruner was known as "the District Secretary Guy" and someone who is everywhere in Rotary so much he must not have anything else to do.  And Jesse Tam let us know the straight scoop that Gary could do only about half of what he does if Ingrid wasn't in the picture and of course, we know she is if not more. Governor Tam also recognized Joanne Primavera as one of his outstanding Assistant Governors and one who refused to let one of the clubs in her service area to fail. When times get tough, Rotarians step up, Governor Tam says!

Guests recognized were wives Wilma Bartel and Ingrid Bruner already mentioned. Patti Smith introduced Debie Gregorek, guest for several times.  Pascal reported that the District Conference in Victoria was overwhelming.  To lighten the mood, he visited the zoo this past weekend to celebrate the end of his tour with his  present host family before heading to Shinstrom's for the rest the year.  According to President Bob Webb, Pascal gave a great speech at District Conference. 

Brandon Honcoop is recovering well from a recent shoulder surgery after the final skiing outing of the year.  What some people will do for fun!

Chuck Brockway announced that our Miracle League program will he heard on  KOMO News on 5/12/09 between 4:00 and 6:00 PM and on the internet after 5/14/09 at www.komonews.com/sports/heroes .  Next Saturday's game needs volunteers at Perigo Park (sp?)

Alice Volpe and her husband and fellow Rotarian Alan Hoviland returned from the Garden Island in Hawaii with a flag from their favorite Rotary club they attended every week even though an hour away.

Shirley Van Nostrand with a classification of Private Estate Consultant, one of those "final" endeavors was presented for induction by Jim Feek.  Pat Dye is her sponsor (her third) and Patti Sims to serve as Mentor. 

WELCOME TO THE CLUB SHIRLEY!!!!!

In case you had forgotten what it is like, Scott Rethke gave his classification talk as financial advisor.  Scott is local born and raised ever faithful as LWHS grad and UW alum.  Although he thought he would do graduate school in Business and then law school, he decided to become a teacher and coach instead back in Cleveland, Ohio.  A highlight or low light depending how you looked at it was to coach a high school basketball team in a losing game against Lebron James, now NBA superstar. Tiring of all that fame, he returned home to a career in Kirkland as financial advisor that leaves him tons of time to do the things he really loves: golf, fly-fishing and skiing.  When the local Lions club he joined folded, he came to Kirkland Rotary where he could continue to pour back into the community he loves.

Patti Smith introduced our program speaker, a stranger to none of us, Dan Bartel.  Dan gave us the inside tour by definition of the mortgage industry currently in such trouble. If you ever wanted know when your ARM is too short, how Fannie and Freddie who used to be your favorite private relatives are now Government Cousins for good, how often to check your very own credit scores for fun and more importantly, protection three times a year, why loan to value has become a curse and how your very own government probably can't help you with your mortgage if you don't have a job.  Let's face it boys and girls, financial times they are a changing so hold on to your job, your hat and your voter registration.  You will need them all.  Standards for loans are headed up and the misery index with it.  Count your blessings that you don't live in California, Arizona or Florida and if you live here as most of us do, grit it out and be sure you make those payments.  The days of "stated loans"  and "no doc loans" are over, Whew, I thought that would never end!  How did we get here in this mess, Dan says all contributed to problem including your elected officials who were determined that everybody should have a home, whether you could afford it or not.  Every segment had a share, borrowers, lenders with relaxed standards, brokers, investors  and politicians and a good dose of "it can't happen to me".  On the bright side, foreclosures cost lenders from $30-40,000 per house before it's said and done.  But Dan said you might be able to get out of hot water with a loan modification program being offered but deal with the lender directly and avoid those who for a fee will do it for you before they run away with your money.  Some loans are going for as low as 3-4% if you can believe it.  The sad history shows that 50% of loan mods end up in default again.  What is a bank to do?  The so called "Obama" programs are available so long as you have not defaulted on your student loans for example.  There is a first time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 but you have to live there three years or pay back the credit to one of the easiest and toughest creditors there are, the IRS.  The government is feeling its way and the programs are changing accordingly.  As a sign of some hope, Dan thinks the real estate markets may stabilize by the last quarter this year but expect down payment requirements will go up.  Jumbo loans are harder and harder to get and some lenders require six months of payments in reserve.  What kind of world are we coming to?  Is it truly Alice in Wonderland or Bad Day in Black Rock.  Identity theft is one segment of the economy that is up.  Check your credit folks, three times a year whether you think you need to or not.

Even though our speaker is one of our own, Dan who along with Rick Ostrander gave us the Duck Race program, a gift for what we are truly grateful was asked to sign a book for the John Muir Elementary Library like all our guest speakers.

The ticket draw some how went to Pascal (again?) who gave in to public pressure to pick ducky #5 and for once was wrong.  It was 7:45Pm and time for "Good night ladies and gents"

John Woodbery, Scribe