Friday Program:
"The Road to Major League Baseball & What to Do When You Get There," John McLaren, Manager Seattle Mariners

Chip Erickson provided a musical intro as the BBRC taking a seventh inning stretch and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Steve Goldfarb introduced John. The timing could not have been better, since the Friday morning newspapers announced that John will remain the manager of the Mariners next season.

John has spent 21 years in the major leagues, 14 of those spent under Lou Piniella — he thought he might be going to the Cubs with Lou, but stayed in Seattle where he worked under Mike Hargrove, whom he liked.
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Preliminaries

Capo di capo Salvatori called the meeting to order with a “Welcome to Safeco Field” for the benefit of our featured speaker, John McLaren, manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Howard Johnson provided the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance while Brian Evison introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.

As testimony to the difficulty of herding cats and/or Rotarians, despite President Salvatori’s multiple requests for the membership to wear some article of Mariner’s clothing or accessory, at least half of the audience forgot or ignored President Phil’s request. Notwithstanding that fact, there was a full house of enthusiastic baseball fans.

Classification Talk: Bill Rambo

There he was, born into the Rambo family, whose name meant nothing more or less than Smith or Jones, and then along came Sly Stalone and Bill’s life was forever transformed. Imagine, as he said, trying to reserve a hotel room or order a pizza!

Bill had an interesting childhood, growing up on Johnson’s Point in Puget Sound, where his parents, among other things, operated a lighthouse. Bill seemed destined for a career in the logging industry, having obtained a degree in logging engineering and working part-time for the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Weyerhaeuser, but he was waylaid by the Caterpillar Company upon receiving his degree and spent the next 38 years in the heavy equipment business. He worked variously as a sales rep in Oregon and Northern California, project engineer for a new line of heavy equipment, district manager for the Rocky Mountain area, after 1993, Pacific Northwest manager, and he ended his career as the Corporate House Manager for Forest Products for North America.

Bill has been married for 43 years, has two sons, enjoys travel, photography and house projects. Bill will be a perfect addition to BBRC work projects. If he can’t fix it, he can always bulldoze it.

Welcome to the club, Bill!

Rotary First Harvest

Howard Johnson filled the first of three slots during the month of October dedicated to Rotary First Harvest. October is District 5030’s Rotary First Harvest Month in honor of its 25th anniversary.

BBRC’s First Harvest Committee has set a goal of 140 attendees at monthly work parties. So far in the 2007-2008 Rotary year, BBRC has had 28 participants, so it is a long way from its goal of 140. Until the end of 2007, Northwest Harvest work parties will continue to be held at Pier 91 on the second Saturday of the month. As of the first of the year, however, Northwest Harvest will be moving its facility to Kent and work parties may continue on the second Saturday or BBRC may shift its work parties to Food Lifeline in Shoreline, which holds work parties on the fourth Saturday of the month. In the meantime, either Northwest Harvest or Food Lifeline will be happy to accept volunteers for their work parties.

Howard also passed out a Rotary First Harvest quiz. One table with a perfect score received a bag of crisp Washington apples, which is a staple of the work parties.

Chuck Barnes received from Howard a $10 Starbucks gift card in appreciation of the fact that he has attended more First Harvest work parties than any other BBRCer. Chuck gave a few comments about why this is important to him and encouraged others to follow his lead.

Sergeant At Arms Corner

Tom Harrelson was almost cut from the schedule, but managed to fine Steve Goldfarb ten dollars for an article wherein Steve failed to show his Rotary pin or mention his affiliation with the BBRC. The fine was increased due to the fact that Steve has not been a regular attendee lately and the Sergeant at Arms was feeling frustrated in not being able to deliver his fine.

Adopt A Highway Work Party Album

Call For Nominations for District 5030 Governor
PDG Sally Gray

This letter is the official call for nomination for the office of District Governor, District 5030, for the Rotary year beginning July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2008. The applications should be sent to PDG Sally J. Gray, Chair, Nominating Committee, no later than November 15, 2007. The Nominating Committee is scheduled to interview candidates on December 5, 2007.

YES, this is earlier than in the past, but is in accord with recent changes from the RI Council on Legislation. It also gives future leaders more time to prepare for their positions.

Principal duties of the District Governor include:

• Act as the officer of Rotary International in the District

• Further the Object of Rotary

• Organize new clubs in the District

• Strengthen existing clubs

• Prepare and stage a District conference

• Prepare and stage a District assembly

• Prepare and stage a President Elect Training Seminar

• Personally visit each Rotary club

• Issue a monthly newsletter to each club president and club secretary

• Perform other such duties as assigned by the President of Rotary International, its Board, or as are inherent in the responsibility as District Governor.

These duties are discussed in more detail in the Rotary Manual of Procedure, and in the by-laws of Rotary International, Article 15.090.

Another way to look at it: The Governor’s job is motivating, leading, creating, bringing on board a team, training, raising money for wonderful causes, helping clubs be successful.

Principal qualifications for a District Governor include:

• Membership in good standing in a club in this District

• Full qualification for such membership in the strict application of membership provisions, and the integrity of his/her classification is without questions

• Membership in a club in good standing with no outstanding indebtedness to Rotary International

• Service as president of a club for a full year

• Understanding of the duties of District Governor and a willingness and ability to fulfill such duties

• Membership in one or more Rotary clubs for at least seven years at the time of taking office (July 1, 2010).

• Must have attended RI International Assembly for its full duration while serving as District Governor elect.

These basic qualifications are discussed in more detail in the 1998 Manual of Procedure and in the by-laws of Rotary International, Article 15.070 and Article 15.080.

To place a nomination, a club must take the following actions:

• Adopt a resolution of nomination, naming the candidate, at a regular club meeting.

• Send a letter of such nomination, certified by the secretary. That is, the club must vote on the nomination, and the secretary must sign a report of such vote.

In addition, the club will also send the following documents to the Chair of the Nominating Committee:

• The Club Letter of Nomination
  (MS Word | PDF)

• The completed “Statement of Qualifications of a Candidate for District Governor, 2010-2011, completed and signed by the club secretary and by the candidate.
  (MS Word | PDF)

• The “Governor Nominee Data Form” (to be completed by nominee and signed by applicant and club secretary).
  (MS Word | PDF)

Each nominee will be asked to complete:

• “Governor Nominee Data Form (referenced above)

• A brief additional “Rotary Resume” to be sent with application.
  (MS Word | PDF)

All of the above forms must be received by the Nominating Committee Chair by November 16, 2007.

All paperwork should be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to Sally Gray at:

Email: sally.j.gray@rbcdain.com
Address: 3760 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: 425-803-2509
Fax: 206-666-2315

IT IS THE RESPONSBILITY OF THE CLUBS TO SUBMIT PROPER NOMINATIONS. POTENTIAL CANDIDATES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR CLUB FOLLWS THE PROPER PROCEDURES.

It is extremely important that candidates and their friends refrain from anything that appears to be campaigning or canvassing or the appearance of such activity. Clubs and individual Rotarians may be tempted to contact a Nominating Committee member to extol the virtues of a particular candidate. No matter how well intended, please do not do this. An individual candidate may, in preparing for his/her candidacy, attend other clubs and tell them about their candidacy. Again, the intention may be pure, but the action should be avoided. Any such actions that appear to be electioneering are strictly prohibited under RI by-laws and by Board decisions, which are reflected in the Manual of Procedures.

If any club president, club secretary, or a potential candidate wishes to discuss the above procedures, criteria or duties of District Governor, please do not hesitate to call me.

This is a wonderful opportunity for any Rotarian.

Yours in Rotary,
Sally J. Gray
District Governor 2005-2006
Chair, Nominating Committee for Selection of
District Governor 2020-2011

"The Road to Major League Baseball & What to Do When You Get There," John McLaren, Manager Seattle Mariners

Chip Erickson provided a musical intro as the BBRC taking a seventh inning stretch and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Steve Goldfarb introduced John. The timing could not have been better, since the Friday morning newspapers announced that John will remain the manager of the Mariners next season.

John has spent 21 years in the major leagues, 14 of those spent under Lou Piniella — he thought he might be going to the Cubs with Lou, but stayed in Seattle where he worked under Mike Hargrove, whom he liked.

John said that, although he had spent many years with Lou Piniella, they were not alike, but made a good pair since they were able to compliment each other. Lou was an offensive player, whereas John likes speed, defense, and pitching.

John is a native Texan, but has now lived in the Bellevue/Kirkland area for 11 years. He loves the area, he loves the Mariner’s organization, and he loves Safeco Field.

John had some retrospective comments on the Mariner’s 2006 season. He allowed that there was a definite breakdown in pitching, which he attributed to the fact that the pitching staff of the Mariner’s was young and was plagued by injuries. Had the pitching staff been more seasoned and stronger, there is no doubt in John’s mind that the Mariner’s would be in the playoffs.

In the off-season, the Mariner’s will be looking for pitchers, and several of John’s pitchers will be participating in the Venezuela league in the off-season to build their arm strength.

The 2006 Mariner’s were praised by John for their desire, their 100% effort, and their mental preparation. Even after bad losses, they maintained positive attitudes; as far as he is concerned, the Mariner’s have a first class organization.

It was clear that there are serious baseball fans within the BBRC ranks when it came time for Questions and Answers. For instance, when asked why he doesn’t allow more base stealing, he said that it is simply because he doesn’t have a lot of good or healthy runners. Otherwise, he would be running his players much more.

When asked about some of the players going after first (bad pitches), namely Ichiro, his comments were direct and to the point. With respect to Ichiro, why would you try to change the ways of a hitter who bats .360!

When asked how he intends to deal with the Anaheim Angels next year, who seem to have an over-abundance of talent, John was equally forthright and stated that it will be a matter of mindset. He intends to take the game to the Angels, even in Spring Training. Manager McLaren turned out to have just a slight Texas twang and clearly is possessed of a good sense of humor. He has high hopes for the 2008 Mariner’s, which was just what the BBRC wanted to hear.

Web Fun

Why do they say that?

It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on old war ships, but how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem.

The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others.

The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called a Monkey. But if this plate was made of iron, The iron balls would quickly rust to it.

The solution to the rusting problem was to make Brass Monkeys. Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

And, all this time, you thought that it was a vulgar expression, didn't you?

• • •

Things People Actually Said in Court
Courtesy of Carol Klobucher

ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan.

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-one-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: Uh, he's twenty-one.

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Uh ... I was getting laid!

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard. ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All my autopsies are performed on dead people. Would you like to rephrase that?

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him.

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Huh ... are you qualified to ask that question?

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

NEW BLUE BADGE

Another red tin badge headed for the dust bin as Corr Pearce received his blue badge.

SPRAY PARK GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
Remember the Spray Park Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 pm on Friday, October 19, at Crossroads Park.

VILLAGE THEATER OUTING
BBRC has reserved 32 seats for the “Million Dollar Quartet” at 8:00pm on October 12, at the village theater in Issaquah. Roger Allington announced that additional tickets are available if the BBRC sells out the first 34. The evening will start with a no-host dinner at the Shanghai Garden restaurant on Front Street in Issaquah at 6:00.

The “Million Dollar Quartet” is based on a December 4, 1956 jam session at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee involving Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. This is an evening not to be missed. If successful, a theater outing ma become a regular event each Fall.