Friday Program: Mariners Outlook (Bill Krueger) | Preliminaries | To Tell the Truth | In Memory of Don Deasy | Sign Up Online for Retreat 2007! | Book Drive | New Member Applications Approved: Groshart, Hillock & Turkarslan | Sammamish High School Student of the Month: MacKenzie Tudor | Valentine Dine-Around — A Sweetheart of an Event | Web Fun
Chip read a rousing poem in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. The essence was the final line: “It’s only love that sets us free.” Aaahhhh ... Dick reminded us that RI Foundation gifts can be made in the memory of Don Deasy, and they will still count toward Paul Harris participation.
Sayoko reminded the club that our invoices are now only arriving by email. Check your email, mail your check! Groundhog Day: Back east, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his own shadow, so that points to an early spring. Meanwhile, Salvatori Phil has been in Hawaii, seeing his own shadow. Whoa! Too much information.
The victim for the game this time was Corr Pearce, whose lies were that he: Some of us were trying to combine 2, 3, and 4, which only worked if the model was named Paris. Turns out that number 3 was the lie. Corr, you sneaky little devil!
Don’s memorial service will be held this Friday, February 16th, at 1:00 p.m., at Hec-Ed, at the University of Washington. His family sent this touching note to the club this week:
New Member Applications Approved: Groshart, Hillcock & Turkarsian The BBRC Board has approved three new applicants for membership. In accordance with our procedures, we publish the names of these individuals here so that members can provide feedback to the Board on the candidates. Craig Groshart has reapplied to the club. Many who have been around awhile remember that Craig was a long-time BBRC member and works as a local newspaper editor. He lives in Bellevue and is married to Jo Anne. They have two children, Ben and Carrie. Craig’s sponsor is Rourke, and his classification will be “Newspaper Editor.” Welcome back, Craig! John Hillock works for Sirana Software here in Bellevue, and he is being sponsored by Mike Ralph. John is married to Peggy, and they have one child, Cutter, who is 5. John has a broad range of hobbies and talents. When it comes to music, he lists his talents as: "Absolutely none. Really." He'll fit right in. His proposed classification is “Enterprise Software.” Ercan Turkarslan is being sponsored by fellow Microsoftie Curtis Cummings. Ercan is a software design engineer who makes his home in Redmond with his wife Selcin, and his toddler Aybala. His proposed classification is “Software Development.” Unbelievably, we don't yet have anyone in that classification! Please forward your comments on any of these applicants to Tom Smith, Director of Club Service II. Sammamish High School Student of the Month
MacKenzie is an honor student who has a strong record of community service and academic accomplishments. She is currently taking four AP classes, and she works part-time at Starbucks to support her horse riding hobby. She is the student body vice president and president of the Black Student Union. MacKenzie is working on fund-raising for a walk-a-thon and is helping with fund-raising to help the family of the school’s janitor overseas. In her “spare” time she coaches youth soccer, works part-time at a farm (teaching others to ride horses), and volunteers at a bible school. MacKenzie has applied for college at a broad range of colleges, including the UW, USC, Stanford, George Washington, and Yale. She is also a National Discover Card Scholarship finalist. Congratulations to MacKenzie and her proud parents. Valentine Dine-Around — A Sweetheart of an Event
Eight hosts welcomed four to six guests each into their homes for a wonderful evening of camaraderie and romance. From all reports it was fun to get to know fellow Rotarians and their partners in a more intimate setting, amid good food and wine. For those who missed the festivities, you will have an opportunity again next year when the tradition continues. CLICK HERE for a short slideshow of Dine-Around photos from the homes of Jim and Marlene Kindsvater and Bob and Fran McKorkle (Photos courtesy of Ernie Hayden and Bob McKorkle). PLEASE NOTE: There is sound associated with this file. The Friday Program:
Bill reminded us that baseball season is just around the corner, and it is part of the fabric of our lives. The pitchers and catchers report for training camp just next week.
We have plenty of talent according to Bill. A prime example is our closer, J.J. Putz, or our catcher, Johjima, who is “as good as anyone in the league.” The team started slowly in the 2006 season, with an eventual recovery back to .500 in August, before the final plunge from hope with a 19 and 38 slide in the AL West. That was the problem — the American League is tough, and success depends on better performance in our own division of that league. Boston and NY set the bar high, and they force everyone to compete harder. Bill critiqued management for not reacting correctly to the outcome of the new contract between labor and management. Now, with a new contract, everyone is happy, and everyone is on a spending spree in the player market.
The Mariners have been a good offensive team on paper, but were second to the last in the league in scoring. Our offense can do far better with this defense and this ball park. Bill also questions some of the big investments: Gil Meche was a big dollar deal: $55 Million — too much! He’s a good guy, but not that good of an investment. Pinero was a big disappointment. Boston may find that out soon. What have they done to prep for 2007? Felix Hernandez is still young, and he’s lost 20 pounds since last year. He is smart, and he has learned from last year’s experiences. Can he be a number one starter? Washburn was disappointing last year. Horatio Ramirez is in from Atlanta, but he had injury problems recently. Will he hold up? Was Rafael Soriano the right one to move, and did we get the right value from him? Probably yes on both counts. We’ll see with Ramirez; he has good command, and is overall a good pitcher. Chris Rietsema is also in from Atlanta; he is also a risk due to last year’s injuries. Overall, we need an “elite pitcher.” The rest of the AL West has money, and they are spending it. Both LA and Oakland have great pitching strength. Bill stressed that greater depth in pitching could allow the team to hold off opponents’ offenses and focus on manufacturing runs.
But Ichiro is perhaps the key: he needs to sign a long-term contract to stay, and he has displayed some discontent. Is it time to make a move — perhaps to trade him for the elite pitcher the team needs so much? What about coaching? Will Hargrove stay or go? If he gets off to another slow start, that could be the first major change. He needs to deliver this year. In summary, it was great to have Bill back, and we always look forward to his talks, whether he is giving the inside scoop on the team or talking about the progress of his efforts in Cure Autism Now. Ba dum bump! Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything." Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted. A dyslexic man walks into a bra. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road." Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?" "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'” Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, I went to a seafood disco last week ... and pulled a mussel. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh. Two termites walk into a bar. One asks, "Is the bar tender here?"
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Brian Evison, in his typical Australian style, introduced our guest speaker, Bill Krueger of Fox Sports. Brian recounted Bill’s major league pitching career, starting with his University of Portland 1977 performance that landed him on the school’s “All Century Team.” Brian stated that Bill made his major league deboooo in 1983 (“deboooo” is roughly the Aussie equivalent for what the rest of us call “debut”). After 13 seasons as a lefty major league pitcher, Bill retired from the Mariners in 1995. He has since been a highly visible television personality in our region. He is currently the president of the Northwest chapter of Cure Autism Now.
Paul Chapman and Chip Erickson greeted visiting Rotarians and guests. Paul introduced Rotarian Joyce Bottenberg, a frequent visitor from the Sammamish Club. President Jim also presented Paul with his well-overdue blue badge. Congratulations, Paul!
Sergeant At Arms Andrew Face, fresh from a time travel trip back to the sixties, showed up in a velvet coat and a quite colorful shirt. Quipped Jay Powers: “Barry Manilow called and wants his coat back.” Ouch!
Bob Holert introduced senior MacKenzie Tudor from Sammamish High School, who was accompanied by her mom, Darcia. Dad Gary Tudor couldn’t be present at the meeting.
Now in its 11th year, the BBRC Dine-Around Valentines Dinner was a great success once again. Some 33 Rotarians and their guests enjoyed each other’s company on Saturday, February 10th, in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Brian Evison, in his typical Australian style, introduced our guest speaker, Bill Krueger of Fox Sports. Brian recounted Bill’s major league pitching career, starting with his University of Portland 1977 performance that landed him on the school’s “All Century Team.” Brian stated that Bill made his major league deboooo in 1983 (“deboooo” is roughly the Aussie equivalent for what the rest of us call “debut”). After 13 seasons as a lefty major league pitcher, Bill retired from the Mariners in 1995. He has since been a highly visible television personality in our region. He is currently the president of the Northwest chapter of Cure Autism Now.
There is reason for optimism with the Mariners this year. Last year, the team had a tough time, especially after looking back at the three previous 90-plus win seasons. Bill reasoned that last season we were still unwinding from changes from an older team to a younger and untested group.
What do the Mariners need? Bill’s conclusion is to start with the starting staff by adding more depth. There is risk adding Jose Guillen to right field due to his injuries. It was the correct move to put Ichiro in center. However, no matter how they spread the talent, more depth is required to give key players a chance to rest — the team fell apart in August last year because none of the key players could get a day off, and the wear and tear took its toll.
There is reason to be optimistic. Sexton and Beltrade have both been hitting well. Jose Guillen is strong in the middle of the lineup. Ichiro continues to produce.
, 02/02
