Greeters Chuck Barnes & Alan Pratt
President Jenny sounded the bell at 7:30 AM wearing a purple top and gold shoes, prompting Rourke O’Brien’s comment: ”One shouldn’t dress in the dark.”
The invocation and pledge were well handled by Chuck Barnes. Alan Pratt introduced guests and visiting Rotarians, including Pat Mann from Ft. Myers, FL (with 35 years of perfect attendance), and Frank Young, Bellevue Noon, with an estimated 50 years of Rotary attendance if all of his make-ups contributed to time in Rotary. “You are all always welcome at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club.”
John Martinka & Steve Lingenbrink
President Jenny explained that while we have undertaken major projects on the local level, it is also a trait of the BBRC that our members contribute their time and treasure to support International Projects. She asked all members that have participated in an International project to stand, and it was amazing to see how many fellow members have made a commitment to participate in the international arena.
Our most recent undertaking was a Computers For the World project in the island nation of Antigua. Members Morris Kremen, John Martinka, and Steve Lingenbrink made the trip. John reported that 1,000 computers were installed by students from the Newport High School computer networking lab in 15 locations. They also delivered 900 illustrated dictionaries and installed four industrial grade sewing machines in a community center, to allow impoverished women to learn a trade.
Antigua has a population of 100,000, so the resulting radio and TV coverage made our representatives instant local celebrities. Many times they were stopped and thanked for what they were doing for the children. The Newport High videographer was present to capture images of this trip and help produce a 15-minute video of the trip. Members with photos from past international trips are urged to submit the pictures for inclusion in this video. Steve added that Rotary is a very important thread in the fabric of Antigua and there is the potential for additional service trips.
Student of the Month: Daniel Melchor
Daniel Melchor
Bob Holert introduced Sammamish senior Daniel Melchor as the April Student of the Month. Daniel is active on the varsity soccer team and plays the viola in the school’s orchestra. His community service activities include mentoring younger students, the Walk for Aden walkathon, and an outreach program to Hispanic families, urging participation in the walkathon.
Daniel has a great interest in math and plans on entering the field of education after a course of study at Washington State, Central, or Western, depending upon scholarship opportunities.
Jane Kuechle
Tim Johnstone
Jane Kuechle reminded us that there are only 10 days remaining until the Bellevue 5K! Registrations are increasing, with 54 teams from Kindering, 35 from King County, and 21 from the Westin Hotel. A total of 480 runners/walkers have registered so far.
Tim Johnstone put out the call for volunteers. Please contact Tim if you are available for day-of-event participation. The weather has been ordered up by Dick Brown, with temperatures in the mid-sixties, a mild breeze, and clear skies.
Margie has emailed all members a sample letter generated by Chuck Kimbrough that can be incorporated in your outreach for additional walkers. We also need donations of food from a major store, if you have those contacts. Additionally, two pick-up trucks are needed on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, to move tables from the rental company to the Crossroads Park for the Bellevue 5K. Contact Chris Addison if you have a truck that can be used.
Mimi Siegel
Mimi Siegel, CEO of Kindering, thanked the BBRC as an early supporter of Kindering and for the funds that will be raised in this year’s 5K. Kindering is focused on early childhood intervention and is considered a national leader in the field. The services they provide allow children with developmental disabilities to become more self-sufficient. The key is to begin the process early in the life of the child.
"Calling an Audible: Transition & Change in the University of Washington Football Program," Scott Woodward, Athletic Director, University of Washington
Scott Woodward
Husky Bob Holert introduced Scott Woodward, Athletic Director at the University of Washington, who was appointed on September 17, 2008, as the school's 16th director of intercollegiate athletics. Scott, the UW's Vice President for External Relations since 2004, had been serving as interim athletic director for the previous seven months. Woodward holds a bachelor's degree in political science from LSU. In Louisiana, he served as a political consultant, a legislative liaison in the office of the governor, a lobbyist, and for eight years as a principal in his own government and public relations firm. Bob noted that he must be doing well since this year’s spring football practices are three times as exciting as any of last year’s games.
Scott’s soft southern drawl captured our attention as he explained the recruiting process to find a new football coach that resulted in the hiring of Steve Sarkisian, better know as “Sark.”
The Huskies field 23 teams with two revenue producing teams, men’s football and basketball. The department has an annual budget of $65 million, with football generating 85% and basketball 15% of the revenue. Ticket sales, donations, and broadcasting rights secure the revenue. The department is not immune to the current downward pressures of the economy, and a four percent budget cut is in effect.
Bob Holert makes the introduction.
The need to refurbish Husky Stadium was discussed, since the original structure was built in the 1920’s and is showing the effects of age. The cost will be $250 million with half coming from fund raising and the other half from the King County tourism tax, but legislature approval of the King County portion has yet to be achieved. To help make the case for the tourism tax, Scott estimates that Husky sports generate between 20 and 25 thousand overnight visits to the Seattle area annually.
Time for questions and answers:
- Question : Why is Qwest Field being considered as a venue for the Apple Cup game?
Answer: It is all about revenue. An additional $2 million dollars would be generated for each school by staging the Apple Cup every year at Qwest Field. It would deny some Husky season ticket holders access to the game; on the other hand, the game would be played each year in Seattle.
President Jenny Andrews thanks Scott for his program.
- Question: Can you address ethics in Division One college athletics?
Answer: It is always important to be vigilant and stay on top of contacts between athletes and supporters. Every institution is required to self-report violations, and most schools will report 40 to 45 violations per year. It is a sad fact that NCAA legislation is geared to the lowest common denominator. - Question: At Cal and Stanford there are “kid friendly” activities around the stadium prior to football games, but not at the UW. Are you planning such activities?
Answer: Yes, we are looking into staging those of activities. - Question: LSU is coming to play at Husky Stadium. For whom will you be rooting?
Answer: I will be wearing my purple and be proud of it! - Question: What is it with coaches' salaries? Why are they so high?
Answer: It is not a rational process. 
Scott Woodward talks with members after the program.- Question: Why are both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments played in LA? Don’t we get a rotation to allow other regions to participate?
Answer: It is all about TV revenue and the current PAC 10 broadcast contract. There may be the opportunity to move the tournament when a new contract is written in two years. There is also an exposure problem, since none of the PAC 10 games are aired on ESPN. - Question: How do you feel about a football play-off?
Answer: A hybrid system of some sort makes sense. It is important for the intercollegiate community to come up with one before outside political pressures come from Congress.
President Jenny thanked Scott for his presentation and presented a card to indicate that a donation was made on his behalf to RotaCare, a local service to provide healthcare for needy members of the community.
WHEN INSULTS HAD CLASS
Courtesy of Wally Mahoney
These glorious insults are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words, not to mention waving middle fingers.
Lady Astor to Churchill: "If you were my husband I'd give you poison."
Churchill: "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."
• • •
A Member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."
• • •
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." ~ William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" ~ Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)
• • •
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend ... if you have one." ~ George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second ... if there is one." ~ Winston Churchill, in response.
• • •
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." ~ Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." ~ Oscar Wilde
"He had delusions of adequacy." ~ Walter Kerr
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." ~ Winston Churchill
"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." ~ Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." ~ Clarence Darrow
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." ~ John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." ~ Irvin S. Cobb
"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others." ~ Samuel Johnson
"They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." ~ Thomas Brackett Reed
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." ~ Oscar Wilde
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." ~ Groucho Marx
