|
Vol. 18, No. 10, September 5, 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
BBRC President Steve Lingenbrink introduced the club’s support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He asked Kelly Nolan, our direct contact with the Salvation Army, to come forward and share what the Army is doing in the affected Gulf Coast area.
With that report, Lingenbrink told the club that donations would be taken through Friday, September 9. Members who have yet to contribute should make checks payable to “BBRCF” (Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club Foundation) which allows for a deduction through the club’s 501 (c) 3 foundation. The funds collected for this purpose will create one check to the Salvation Army. At Press Time, $3875.00 had been banked in support of this effort. Since Rotary International no longer supports first response-type projects for worldwide disasters, the job of direct support has fallen to the 529 Rotary Districts. However, due to the severity and need surrounding the Hurricane, RI is working to form a mechanism that would allow individuals, clubs and districts to donate funds toward disaster relief. You are asked to go to the RI website, beginning the first of this week, for details. District 5030 Governor Sally Gray has accepted the leadership of Rotarian Brian Waid of the Rotary Club of West Seattle, who will coordinating the district’s efforts at disaster relief. Waid was an active Rotarian in District 6840 (Louisiana and Mississippi), serving as an Assistant Governor, prior to moving to Seattle. He will help determine how best Rotarians can assist in serving the needs of the people of these storm-battered states. Contact President Steve for additional details regarding all of these efforts. The Friday Program:
Bellevue Community College (BCC) serves 20,000 students and is the state’s most active transfer vehicle from community college to universities. “We have an aggressive follow-up program with our graduates to make sure their next step is successful. READ MORE
Dear Friends and Family, Most of you are aware of what is going on, but for those just finding out, here is a quick review of the summer: A dry nagging cough was persistent enough that Carolyn insisted that medical attention be received. An office visit to my internist in June soon turned into a chest X-ray and CT scan that was followed by a broncospy. The sobering news was delivered on July 5th, that I was hosting a tumor in the upper lobe of my left lung. In some circles this is referred to as "lung cancer." So, more testing and then a couple rounds of chemo therapy brought us to the end of August with no significant change in the size of the tumor. At this point the option is to go for more chemo, or explore the possibility of surgically removing the offending "guest". The removal process will required that the entire lung be taken, which is a somewhat dramatic way to get rid of the tumor, but if it works it will be well worth it. I will be entering Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on Thursday, September 8th, to see if this is possible. If the good doctors decide that the cancer is contained in the upper left lobe and has not ventured into the rest of the body, they will proceed with the "procedure." This will be followed by a four to seven day stay at Overlake followed by a minimum of three to four weeks of home rest. Then, if all this happens, there will be another two months of chemo. Sort of puts the kibosh on golf and swimming, but putting and walking appear to be authorized activities. Since I will be behind the moon for the next week or so, Carolyn will provide updates via this group e-mail update file. Keep sending your positive thoughts and visions for a healthy outcome, for they are truly appreciated. With love and great expectations for the future,
Jenny Andrews and Margie Burnett, the “A and B Girls,” will pay a visit to Ethiopia in October to bolster Rotary’s determination to rid that country of polio. The NID (National Immunization Day) effort is Margie’s second, while Jenny will enjoy her first trip. Chris Ballard had a few minutes to raise a few bucks for the Sergeant At Arms. He pounced on poor Bill Spencer who was seen evacuating the room with cell phone attached. When Bill returned, his phone bill was $5.00.
Brian Evison met a young lady at an intersection last week, who T-Boned Brian and his beautiful 18-year-old old Mercedes. His car was totaled. Brian got a bad case of whiplash and is gradually recovering. The young lady ran a red light. Doug Cameron felt so good in his rehab on his knee replacement surgery that he and Connie drifted off for a couple of weeks to Curlew Lake. Just watch, he’ll be a new man when we see him next! Breaktime, Mealtime Gets Support
Knapp showed a number of letters from young people impacted by the program. “Many of these students’ parents do not speak English, so we’re very pleased to receive these notes of thanks from the kids’ themselves. Each day, a nutritious, yet simple to prepare meal is offered to those students who are identified as recipients of the free lunch program. Treats such as puddings, popcorn or crackers are available during breaktimes.” One of the program’s corporate sponsors is Top Foods, who offers a $7.00 coupon in the mealtime box for additional meal supplements. There are only three people who are salaried in this program, with hundreds of volunteers helping to put meals together throughout the school year giving their time to this program. The Bellevue School District is a partner in this successful effort to offer nutritious meals to youngsters who otherwise would not have them. The Friday Program:
Bellevue Community College (BCC) serves 20,000 students and is the state’s most active transfer vehicle from community college to universities. “We have an aggressive follow-up program with our graduates to make sure their next step is successful. BCC has a 90% placement success rate. The school excels in major disciplines such as healthcare, management supervision, interior design, and information technology. We also stress our developmental education track, which gets our students up to speed to compete as they continue their academic careers. BCC also offers a comprehensive program of continuing education for all of the citizens of our community.” In the last decade, BCC has grown tremendously, highlighted by a series of new buildings which has expanded the school’s teaching facilities. BCC features an on-campus planetarium and an observatory. “We’re proud of the services we render to the business community,” President Floten said. “We offer programs that help develop business plans for growing businesses, with our entrepreneurial center performing feasibility studies by our students. These free programs have become a valuable asset to the business community.” Students can expect a comprehensive list of foreign languages taught at BCC, the latest developments in the use of the computer in business and the professions, professional development for graduates, free job posting and career resume’ writing. Most of these services are free.
During the question and answer period, President Floten was asked whether partnering with other 4-year schools may become a trend? Her response was “Yes, we must be able to handle the increase in class numbers that are coming in the next several years. Offering degrees in 4-year schools will only make the community college experience more valuable.” A question about Cost per student figures: Community colleges receive a $3000 subsidy for each student from the state ... $770 per quarter. As a contrast, the UW has a subsidy that is three times that amount. How is BBC changing with population growth?
In answer to a question regarding attracting faculty to the school: Thanks to President Jean Floten for her presentation and to LeeAnn Wood for her introduction. President Floten received a certificate noting that the BBRC has presented a book in her name to a Bellevue school as an emphasis on Rotary’s Literacy outreach. [Remember these?]
My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where the hell she is. The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again. I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there. I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them. The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier. If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country. You could run this over to your friends but why not just e-mail it to them! I decided to take an aerobics class. I bent, twisted, gyrated and jumped up and down for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotard on, the class was over. I don't exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass. THIS WEEK'S EDITOR THIS WEEK'S PHOTOGRAPHER(S) |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
John DeWater, 15 years Margie Burnett, 11 years Peter Powell, 11 years Shelly Noble, 7 years Tom Miller, 2 years
Hey, Chris! It’s me, Sol! I write to say that I’m doing ok in my country again, and that it’s really hard to get used again to the things (that I left behind) but I’m trying hard. My East coast trip was really awesome and I had a great time. I did a lot of shopping in New York and New Jersey. I hope everything is ok over there and I want to thank Rotary and you again for all the things you guys did. Hope to keep in touch.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
“The Salvation Army is one of first responders to natural disasters,” Kelly said. “We have mobile canteens already onsite with more units due into the area – 120 canteens in all. From these facilities, up to a 1/2 million meals a day can be served. Food and water is the first priority, with $1.5 million earmarked in that category. Helping to solve the shelter crisis will come later. People who wish to volunteer their services can begin to do so next week. All money raised goes to victims.” 
Completing her 16th year as president of Bellevue Community College, Jean Floten paid an informative visit to the BBRC, extolling the virtues of Bellevue’s Community College. Her first order of business was to praise the work of last week’s speaker, Bellevue School District Superintendent Mike Riley. “He is an extraordinary leader in the education community, not only in this state, but in the country. Since coming here, he’s made some tremendously important changes in the way we educate our kids.”
Don Deasy tried to stir up emotions for the Idaho-UW football game on September 17. He produced an envelope with four tickets to this Husky Stadium game, with the proceeds going to the BBRC’s support for victims of the Gulf Coast hurricane. The tickets are in the possession of the Club Administrator and will be auctioned off on Friday, the 16th. These are great seats, says Don. Bids will be taken anytime by 
President Lingenbrink opened the meeting, introducing Kelly Nolan, classification “pastor,” who offered the invocation. Kevin Jewell greeted lots of guests of Rotarians, but nary a visiting Rotarian was in sight. Must have been a holiday weekend.
Chris took the old “To Tell the Truth” gambit and zipped through some highlights of his life, one of which was false. He claimed to have escaped electrocution, driven from Key West to Ellensburg in 82 hours, set a world’s record in downing pitchers of beer, and set up a barbecue on MTV. More tables were suspicious of Chris’ beer-drinking capabilities and they were right. Next, President Lingenbowl said he would bowl a lane to see how many pins would remain standing ... which would increase the fine to the losing tables. Lingenstrike bowled a strike, which ended that bright idea.
In the Recovery Department:
The Overlake Service League sponsors a program called “Breaktime, Mealtime,” wherein 4500 children receive free and reduced lunches daily throughout the Bellevue school system. The program was chosen to receive support from the BBRC Foundation with a grant of $5000. Jeanne Thorsen presented the check to Nancy Knapp, who represented Breaktime, Mealtime.
Completing her 16th year as president of Bellevue Community College, Jean Floten paid an informative visit to the BBRC, extolling the virtues of Bellevue’s Community College. Her first order of business was to praise the work of last week’s speaker, Bellevue School District Superintendent Mike Riley. “He is an extraordinary leader in the education community, not only in this state, but in the country. Since coming here, he’s made some tremendously important changes in the way we educate our kids.”
“BCC is a large, dynamic institution ... a crown jewel in our community. Education is values in Bellevue and it shows. Most recently, we have partnered with Eastern Washington State University to offer 4-year degrees from our campus. Baccalaureate degrees in health related courses are offered.”
Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.
Not all the people working to expand the impact of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club throughout our community are members of the club. Chris Monger made sure the club was aware of the work of Judy Sievanen, who has coordinated setting up the raffle selling sites the last 4-5 years. “Judy has stayed in the background and out of the limelight, but has taken this project and made it work for us.” Judy and Chris work together at Palmer, Groth and Pietka in Seattle. She received a lovely bouquet of flowers in recognition of her dedication to this project. Thanks, Judy!