Greeters Aisha Kabani & Steve White
President Margie Burnett
President Margie Burnett called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. at the Glendale Golf and Country Club.
The Greeters were Steve White and Aisha Kabani. Steve gave a thoughtful and inspiring Invocation (see below) and then led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Aisha introduced visiting Rotarians and guests, including Molly Anderson, a prospective member; Judy Johnson, wife of HoJo; and Garrett Brooks, son of Bill.
- Invocation
Attributed to Joseph D. Coons, Bellingham WA - Lord of the Universe, this is a time in our year when many of us turn our attention to the spiritual side of our lives, when we consider what light we will follow.
- Help us to understand that no matter what name it is given and in what language it is expressed, philosophy called The Golden Rule is indeed the most true guidepost by which we should mark the trails of our existence here.
- Remind us that if that concept were universally held as a standard, by the people of all nations and faiths, there would be no wars, no hunger, no crimes one against the other.
- We pray that you continue to bless the work that we, as Rotarians, from many nations and of many faiths, do to help those less fortunate, for we believe that one manifestation of this Golden Rule is in our Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
- Please give us an international time of peace on earth, good will towards men, inspired by our great leaders and philosophers who, themselves, were inspired by you, Oh Lord.
- And, finally, we ask you to guide those who, as our government leaders, make their daily decisions that affect us, so that their efforts, whether international or local, shall be motivated by this same great rule of charity and good will.
- Thank you, Lord.
- Amen.
Student of the Month: Shabana Pervez
Shabana Pervez
Shabana Pervez, a senior at Sammamish High, was introduced by Bob Holert as the Student of the Month. Shabana attended the meeting with her father Adjab and her counselor Erica Mullin.
Shabana, of Pakistani heritage, is one of four children. She is described as a "giving, outgoing and highly motivated and successful student." Her goals include attending the University of Washington and its School of Medicine to become a doctor, researcher, pediatrician, who focuses on helping children, environmental health, and humanitarian relief activities and services. To further her learning and commitment to the field of medicine, she is a 3-year volunteer at Children's Hospital.
Bob Holert & Student of the Month Shabana Pervez
Shabana has a high GPA and is an Advanced Placement Scholar with honors. She is currently enrolled in government, calculus, literature, and biology courses. She was National Honor Society Student of the Month at Sammamish in May and October of 2008, and again in May and September of 2009.
Cary Kopczynski & Jim Owens
Cary Kopczynski and Jim Owens reminded members that "we are nearing the final days of the Rotary International Foundation's Every Rotarian Every Year campaign. He stated, "Many of you have already contributed ... thank you! For those who haven't, we will be collecting checks and credit card payments today.
All members who make contributions or submit pledge forms will be eligible for our prize drawing on December 11! Some fantastic prizes will be given away, including amethyst and peridot gem stone earings donated by Steve Luplow and Ben Bridge Jewelers, valued at $160. Another prize is a "Literary Feast Basket" created by Jeanne Thorsen, with "The Famous Authors Cookbook," filled with recipes from such authors as J.A. Jance, David Baldacci, John Nance, and Tom Douglas.
Prizes for the drawing
Consistent with Rotary International's theme of "Every Rotarian Every Year," the BBRC's RI Foundation Committee is asking that each member consider a minimum contribution of $100, and our goal is to reach an average contribution of $300 per BBRC member contribution.
If you have any questions, please contact Cary or any member of the committee: Dick Brown, Norm Johnson, Kim Shrader, Jeff Cashman, Jim Owens, or Jeanne Thorsen.
BBRC Moving To Become Repeat Winner Of "Donut Award"
Howard Johnson
Rotary's First Harvest work party challenge "Donut Award" goal of 175 is starting to move within our reach, advised Howard Johnson. In November the BBRC members and friends donated 40 helpers to NW Harvest on November 14th, and we are now at 82 with NW Harvest and 4 with Food Lifetime. The next dates for service are this Saturday, December 12 at NW Harvest and December 26 at Lifetime.
BBRC Members Raised $950 for Turkey Basket Project
Paul Chapman
The BBRC contributed 20 Turkeys to the YMCA and 50 to Hopelink as part of its Turkey Basket Project, reported Community Service Chair Paul Chapman. He thanked the membership for its generosity in "passing the hat" for this project.
Visiting Rotarian Frank Young was sorry he missed this donation opportunity, so he generously presented President Margie with a substantial donation to get the Turkey Basket Fund campaign started for next year.
Slate of Officers for Announced for 2010-11
President Margie read the list of candidates for the 2010-11 Rotary Year.
- President - Chuck Kimbrough
- Past President - Margie Burnett
- President-Elect - John Martinka
- Secretary - Jonathan Koshar
- Foundation Director - Morris Kremen
- Membership Director - Chris Rasmussen
- International Service - Chris Monger
- Returning Board Members
- Club Service Director - Tom Smith
- Treasurer - Lorenzo Hines
- Community Service - Jane Kuechle
- Public Relations - Kaj Pedersen
- SAA (Non-Board) - Elena Howell
Santa's Helpers Announce December 18
Santa's Breakfast at Glendale
Sweet elf Wendi Fischer & Curtis "Cletus" Cummings
Announcer John DeWater came forward to remind everyone where our story left off. Sweet elf Wendi was working on finding someone to play Santa at the Annual BBRC Holiday Breakfast.
We resume the story with Wendi talking on the phone with naughty elf Sayoko (currently in Japan). Sayoko had a recommendation for someone to interview, but Wendi wasn't so sure. Because she is the sweet elf, Wendi agreed to meet Sayoko's candidate.In walks Cletus (Curtis Cummings). Wendi does her best to be kind to him and asks him if he knows any holiday songs. Of course he does! "Jingle bells, Batman smells...um" Wendi cut him off quickly and thanked him for coming. Cletus was excited, thinking he got the job.
Wendi and Cletus froze as the Announcer came back on: "Will sweet elf Wendi find a Santa? Will she be forced to use this Duvallian? What will happen next? Tune in Friday, December 18th, at 7:00 am, right here at Glendale to find out. Don't forget to bring your children and grandchildren."
The annual BBRC "Golfing with the Elves" will be held on Thursday, December 24th, with a 9:00 AM tee time at Mt Si Golf Course. Greens fees will be $19 if you bring an unwrapped stuffed toy or non-perishable food items for the Mt Si Helping Hand Food Bank.
Take a break from the sound of the holiday with some fresh air and fellowship as we celebrate the Winter Solstice. Guests and family members are always welcomed.
RSVP to Norm Johnson.
Proposed Member: Desiree Yuzawa
Desiree Yuzawa is a mortgage banker at The Legacy Group in Bellevue. She learned of the BBRC through our Adoption Party and has visited our club several times since then. She lives in Bellevue with her husband and a daughter. Her sponsor is Tamara Dean and her proposed classification is Mortgage Banker.
Contact Membership Committee Chair Chris Rasmussen with any questions or concerns regarding this application.
"We Can Have It All — American Jobs, Affordable Energy, Clean Environment," Aaron Koopman, COO, Ramgen Power Systems
Aaron Koopman
Howard Johnson introduced speaker Aaron Koopman, a University of Washington grad who is the Chief Operating Officer, of RAMGEN Power Systems LLC (Ramgen), a privately-held research and development company, focused on unique energy-related applications of supersonic aircraft technology. Ramgen is applying supersonic aircraft technology to develop a machine that compresses carbon dioxide so it can be pumped into the ground. Supersonic aircraft engines use the effect shock waves generated by the speed of the incoming air, acting on their ramp-like engine inlet systems, to produce high levels of compression at exceptionally high efficiencies. These systems have been refined and proven in countless flight applications over the last 50 years.
Ramgen's primary innovation is the application of these supersonic flight inlet concepts and methods to ground-based air and gas compression applications to create clean affordable energy. Such a mechanism could reduce industrial greenhouse-gas emissions like never before, which is why the federal government has awarded the Bellevue-based research-and-development firm $20 million in stimulus money.
Ramgen technologies and know-how are being applied toward three commercial applications:
- CO2 Compressor for large-scale Carbon Capture & Storage Systems
- High stability, low-emissions dry low NOx Gas Turbine Combustor
- An Advanced Supersonic Component Engine (ASCE) for Military, Industrial & Marine Power Generation applications.
The energy crisis has been further influenced by the emerging scientific and political consensus that global warming is occurring, and that the CO2 released by fossil fuel combustion plays a significant role in this climate change effect. This conclusion has led to growing and conflicting pressure to reduce, not increase, the use of fossil fuel.
Koopman reports, that the United States has coal reserves that make it the "Saudi Arabia of coal." These reserves are clearly sufficient for the fifty years or more required to transition our economy to a new energy source. China and India, two of the world's fastest growing economies, also have abundant reserves of coal, as do most of the other industrialized nations.
Coal remains the fuel of choice for most all of the highly industrialized nations of the world, based upon security of supply and cost, and almost half of the electricity used in the United States is produced in coal-fired power plants.
Koopman, believes that we will need both renewable energy resources and fossil fuels for the next 30 years and throughout the 21st Century. He pointed out that, "Renewables by themselves will not fill the energy need gap."
The US's and the world's continued use of and development of coal-fired plants is on a collision course with concerns about global warming. Coal releases nearly three times the CO2 per unit of energy produced, when compared to natural gas, and CO2 is considered the largest single contributor to climate change.
On the Ramgen website it was reported that "it is estimated that by the year 2012, the new coal plants being built around the world will pump up to five times as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, Ramgen is pursuing the path to clean up the CO2 exhaust, and recently, the US DOE has included $2.4 billion in the Stimulus Bill for Carbon Capture research.
Ramgen and Koopman see this program as an important opportunity for their CO2 compressor, which is used in large scale Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Systems. Carbon Capture & Storage is considered an essential element of any plan to address the combined goals of achieving energy security and addressing climate change, both of which are seen as critical to national security and sustainable economic growth.
Aaron Koopman
Ramgen's compression technology has unique technical and commercial advantages when applied as a CO2 compressor. The Ramgen CO2 compressor is projected to reduce the capital costs of CO2 compression by 50% and produce a minimum of 25% operating cost savings.
Applying these cost savings to a new 400 MW clean coal plant would result in capital cost savings of approximately $22.0 million and an annual operating cost savings of approximately $5.0 million. There is a multi-billion dollar per year potential market for Ramgen's CO2 compressor technology for use in enhanced oil recovery and geological sequestration, both considered effective and necessary CCS techniques.
Koopman reported that US coal plants are being denied construction permits, and Puget Sound Energy has decided to not construct coal plants, while China is building one coal plant per week. Washington also is not constructing any more hydro plants. The problem is that our manufacturing plants are continuing to relocate overseas where there is cheaper power as well as labor. Today, coal is 49.8 percent of our nation's power, while natural gas is 22%, nuclear is 19%, and renewables are 8% including: wind at 2%; hydro at 4%; biomas at 4%; and solar at .4 %.
President Margie Burnett & Aaron Koopman
Carbon-compression isn't new technology. The normal process involves sending trapped carbon dioxide through spinning compressor blades. But that method is limited because shock waves occur once the blades exceed the speed of sound.
Ramgen's goal is to turn that problem into a solution by actually harnessing shock waves to compress the gas faster, cheaper, and with smaller machines than those that currently exist. The company is developing a 10,000 horsepower mechanism that would do the job with a rotor roughly the size of a basketball.
The goal with carbon compression is to limit the damage to Earth, as industrialized countries continue to burn fossil fuels at an increasing rate. This would buy time while the price for clean energy drops.
Founded as a Washington State corporation, Ramgen received its first significant funding in 1998 and, since that time, has received more than $22 million in private funds and $30 million in government contract revenues from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD).
View/download Aaron Koopman's presentation: PowerPoint | PDF
Courtesy of Chuck Barnes
Why we love children ...
I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening, when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"
• • •
A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle, the phone rang, so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the it. "Mommy can't come to the phone right now. She's hitting the bottle."
• • •
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"
• • •
While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl of about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?
"Yes," I answered and continued writing the report.
"My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?"
"Yes, that's right," I told her.
'Well, then," she said, as she extended her foot toward me, "would you please tie my shoe?"
• • •
It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner Jake was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked.
'It sure is," I replied.
Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"
• • •
While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that a proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.
The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: "Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes."
• • •
A little girl had just finished her first week of school. 'I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!'
