7:30 Opening

With a rousing "Good morning, Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club!" President Margie Burnett opened our meeting.

Tim Johnstone gave a wonderful invocation and led our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Michel Carter introduced two visiting Rotarians, Mark Gardner and Frank Young.

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You Are All welcome ... wait ... what?

While introducing guests and visitors, Michel was interrupted suddenly by Curtis Cummings, the Sergeant at Arms, who is intent on changing our standard greeting for guests. For a long time it has been "You are all always welcome at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club." Here are some new suggestions from each table, to be judged for a final decision:

• Whether sunshine or rain, darkness or light, you are all always welcome at the BBRC.
• You are mostly, usually, kind of, welcome to be at a better than average Rotary Club.
• Early on Friday morn, our warm welcome to you is our "Norm."
• All things considered, we are a fair-to-middlin' Rotary Club. Thanks for coming.
• All y'all are always welcome to the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club. Y'all come back now, ya hear!
• There were others in different world languages that we couldn't understand, but they sounded good.

After Curtis and his four judges (Wendi, Bob, Steve, and Tamara) had heard all the entries, it was decided that however any Rotarian wants to greet others, it will be perfectly okay! Meanwhile, there was a $5 fine from the SAA.


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The Annual BBRC Retreat, March 19‑20

This year's Annual Retreat will be held at the Inn at Port Hadlock. This is a most beautiful area to visit and in which to have fun, as well as to have some meaningful time to plan for our next Rotary year.

John explained that the survey done last week revealed that the social aspect of the event is as important as the business of planning, based on our Mission and Purpose. We will be focusing on membership possibilities, Foundation, fund-raising goals, and community involvement.

President-elect Chuck Kimbrough will lead in setting goals and objectives. Please register online.

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The Bellevue 5K – April 25

Jonathan reported that preparations are going well for the Bellevue 5K. Several corporate sponsors have stepped up to support the event, including Helly Hansen/Escape Outdoors, Peter Powell Development, and Alan Pratt's Legacy Advisors. Jonathan mentioned that it is not too late to get involved.

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International Service Committee Report

Bob Bowen reported that the attention of the International Service Committee is currently focused on Haiti. The donations members have given have been leveraged in the following way:

• Club members donated $3,175.
• The International Service Committee added an additional $2,000.
• World Vision supplied a 3-times matching grant. Bob mentioned that all disaster relief grants have no overhead, so the total amount will go to Haiti.
• Our leveraged total for support of Haiti is $15,525.

Steve Roberts reported that they are working in Haiti to grow the particular plant that farmers can have on land that isn't fertile for growing food. Steve reported that, with the growth of this plant for bio-fuels, the famers will be able to increase their income and quality of life. He described his experience of Haiti in that there are no wires or electricity, and the people are mostly young, and there are lots of kids. They live in huts with mud walls and floors. When it rains, the floors get wet, and since they sleep on the floor, the are more susceptible to TB.

Steve Szirmai reported on the Foundation's work for long term support and needs. "Computers for the World" is ongoing and gearing up for this year. The Committee is also providing long-term support for Haiti by providing a back-up generator for a hospital there.

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Preserve Plant Earth: Spring Highway Clean-Up

A Highway Clean-Up Work Party is scheduled for Saturday, March 27. We will meet at the Wilburton Park-and-Ride, located just south of downtown Bellevue at 720 114th Ave SE, at 8:30 am.

Please bring gloves and warm clothing, and wear shoes that you don't mind getting muddy. Helmets and orange vests will be provided.

Family and friends over age 13 are encouraged to participate in this project, which should take less than 2 hours. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Scharnhorst.

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Rotary First Harvest Work Party

Howard Johnson reported that the next Rotary First Harvest Work Party is Saturday, February 13th. We need at least 10 to 11 volunteers each month to meet our goals.

Please consider helping out on Saturday. It's a lot of fun and counts as a make-up. Bring your friends and family!

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FRIDAY's PROGRAM

"Meet the Seattle University Redhawks Baseball Team — the Only D1 Baseball Program on the East Side of the Lake!" Donny Harrel, Head Baseball Coach for Seattle University

Donny Harrel, was recently appointed as Head Baseball Coach at Seattle University. Before coming to SU, Donny was Assistant Coach at the University of Washington, and prior to that, he was an Assistant Coach at Oregon State. Donny has been named NWAACC Southern Division Coach of the Year four times.

Seattle U is a private Jesuit University with over 7,000 students enrolled. Its mission is to bring people of all faiths for the betterment of all mankind. Until 2008, they did not have a baseball program in varsity athletics. Coach Harrel is excited about the potential of his Seattle University Redhawks and plans that they will be in the top three teams next year.

Since Seattle U has had no baseball field prior to now, they have adopted Bannerwood Park as their home field here on the Eastside. Because they've chosen the Eastside, they've been greatly involved in community activities. They adopted a Boys & Girls Club last fall and set up camp days for kids. They have developed a Player Sponsorship Program in which SU alumni have stepped forward and adopted players. They also believe that when there is a game in town, it will bring lots of new revenue to Bellevue and other cities around Bellevue. They have more home games than away.

There has been a resurgence in university baseball. It has become quite a money-maker. SU has a great schedule of games starting February 23rd, with a 56-game schedule. Coach Harrel said they have some great players who are tough, but are up against those who are better. He added that Notre Dame is coming here next year.

Regarding recruiting, the NCAA has a rule that if kids transfer to be in the program, they have to sit out for one year. Coach Harrel recruited in 2008 to be ready for the 2010 season. In the 17 months since recruiting, they have had time to get ready. They have worked hard to have the right foundation in place, with the right people working in the right places. He added that they always battle against professional draft picks in order to keep kids in college.

Coach Harrel and Seattle U are very happy to be coming across the lake and joining forces on the Eastside. The benefits for this joint effort should pay off in a big way, as they plan to be Division 1 winners. Harrel mentioned that you can get tickets to the game at www.goseattleu.com.

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Web Fun

Courtesy of Ernie Hayden

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.

He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.

When she went to tell Edna the news she said, "Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.

"The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead."

Edna replied, "He didn't hang himself. I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?"

A repeat, but worth another look:
HOLLYWOOD SQUARES
Courtesy of John Mix, Wally Mahoney & Phil Salvatori

These questions and answers are from the old TV games show Hollywood Squares. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions.

Q. Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.

Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.

Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.

Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A.. Rose Marie: No wait until morning.

Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.

Q. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat?
A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness!

Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I love you"?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.

Q. What are "Do It," "I Can Help," and "I Can"t Get Enough"?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.

Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.

Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.

Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.

Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.

Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.

Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?

Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.

Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.

Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.

Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.

Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh

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BIRTHDAYS

Jan Nestler, 02/02
Katherine De Stephano, 02/04
Doug Cameron, 02/06
Mitch Freedman, 02/07
Joe Castleberry, 02/10
Bob Vallat, 02/13
Bill Brooks, 02/14
Ruben Ladlad, 02/15
Alan Bohling, 02/16
Jim Zidar, 02/23

ANNIVERSARIES

John Mix, 24 yrs
Phil Salvatori, 20 yrs
Steve Peters, 17 yrs
Tom Smith, 13 yrs
Bill Spencer, 13 yrs
Alan Pratt, 12 yrs
Cyril Faulkner, 7 yrs
Fred Barkman, 6 yrs
Elena Howell, 4 yrs
Tim Johnstone, 3 yrs
Katherine De Stephano, 1 yr

REAL
• Post Card Virus
• UPS/Fedex Delivery Failure
• reunion.com spamming
• Conficker or Downadup Worm
• Turning on AC when you first get in your car (open windows!)
 
HOAX
• Credit Card-Type Hotel Keys
• Internet Petitions
• Dialing *77 on cell phone summons highway patrol

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 14 - District 5030 Conference in Portland. More Information

JUNE 20-23 - Rotary International Conference in Montreal, Canada. More Information

FRIDAY SNAPS