President Margie Burnett
President Margie opened the Halloween Session of the BBRC meeting just after uttering, "Oh, my God, it's time to start the meeting!"
Howard Johnson offered the "Harvest Prayer," [see below] and Jim Gordon greeted visiting Rotarians and guests.
Jim Gordon & Howard Johnson
The Question of the Day was: "What was your scariest Halloween?" This allowed Frank Young the opening to relate how he was interrupted in the process of transplanting a stop sign when he ran into an unseen guy wire. The scary part was going home to his parents for a trip to the ER for medical attention.
THE HARVEST PRAYER
Anonymous 17th Century Sermon
Please be gentle with yourself and others.
We are all children of chance,
And none can say why some fields blossom
While others lay brown beneath the harvest sun.
Take hope that your season will come.
Share the joy of those whose season is at hand.
Care for those around you.
Look past your differences.
Their dreams are no less than yours,
Their choices in life no more easily made.
And give.
Give in any way you can.
Give in every way you can.
Give whatever you possess.
Give from your heart.
To give is to love.
To withhold is to wither.
Care less for the size of your harvest
than for how it is shared,
And your life will have meaning
And your heart will have peace.
New Member Induction: Norman & Carter
Ann & Jeff Norman
A special part of any President's year is the induction of new members to the club. This was indeed a special day for President Margie, as she introduced Ann Norman and Michel Carter to the BBRC as the newest members of Rotary.
Michel & Rachel Carter
On hand to participate in the ceremony were Ann's husband Jeff and Michel's wife Rachel. Ann is sponsored by Lee Smith and has the classification "CPA." Michel is joining with the classification of "Video Presentations" and is sponsored by Colleen Turner.
Margie urged the membership to reach out and greet Ann and Michel and reminded them that the future of Rotary is in their hands, as stated by this year's annual theme.
L-R: President Margie Burnett, Lee Smith, Jeff & Ann Norman, Michel & Rachel Carter, Colleen Turner
Cary Kopczynski
Cary Kopczynski was pleased when the club responded with a resounding, "It's Rotary Foundation month!" when he asked, "What is the month of November in Rotary?" It probably helped that each member attending the meeting had received a letter indicating his/her lifetime support of the Rotary Foundation.
It is through the Rotary Foundation that support is received for matching grants that allow the BBRC and other clubs to participate in the Computers for the World Project in Antigua, water projects in Kenya, and numerous other vital projects.
Please support the Rotary Foundation by pledging an amount or making a quarterly donation by December 4th, 2009. Our club goal is $300 per year, per member, or $75 per quarter that can billed with your regular dues statement. We know times have not been the best in the current year, making it even more important to provide resources to those in need.
This year we would like to acknowledge all members who support the Rotary Foundation by creating a donor honor roll of our members at the Sustaining, $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 levels. While we strive to recognize all members who support the Rotary Foundation, we know that some of you prefer to remain anonymous. If you would like to opt out of the list, please inform one of the committee members by December 1. Besides Cary, committee members include Dick Brown, Jeff Cashman, Norm Johnson, Kim Shrader and Jeanne Thorsen.
Those who contribute or pledge by that date will also be eligible to participate in the annual Foundation gift drawing.
While it is not a requirement of membership to support the Rotary Foundation, we believe that the effectiveness and good works of Rotary worldwide make your contribution a very meaningful donation.
Reclassification Talk: Chip Erickson
Chip Erickson
Chip Erickson appeared for the second meeting in a row, this time in "gender appropriate clothing," much to the relief of the attending members.
After seeking fame in show business as a sales and marketing guy in radio, Chip has set out in a new direction. He will be joining his sister to form the Erickson Team for Windermere Real Estate in Edmonds. This will allow a shorter commute, more independence, and the potential to continue to earn income.
About this point, Dick Brown welcomed Chip into the Windermere family by having him take a pledge not to wear a tie and keep the heck out of Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Woodinville, Maltby, and Enumclaw. Duvall was also tossed in for good measure.
Elena Howell
Elena Howell that there would be a joint BBRC PR Committee/Membership Committee Meeting on November 5, at the Rock Bottom, Downtown Bellevue (at the Galleria, free parking, from 5:00-6:00 pm.
Jenny Andrews reminded members about the Preserve Planet Earth project on Saturday, October 31st, at Berntsen Park in Issaquah. Volunteers would be cutting, pulling and digging out invasive plants along Issaquah Creek and preparing the area for replanting with native species that will improve salmon habitat.
Jane Kuechle told members that the Bellevue 5K postcards are available for pick-up. Please remind all that next year's event will be held on Sunday, April 25th, 2010.
The annual BBRC "Golfing with the Elves" will be held on Thursday, December 24th, with a 9:00 AM tee time at Mt Si Golf Course. Greens fees will be $19 if you bring an unwrapped stuffed toy or non-perishable food items for the Mt Si Helping Hand Food Bank.
Take a break from the sound of the holiday with some fresh air and fellowship as we celebrate the Winter Solstice. Guests and family members are always welcomed.
RSVP to Norm Johnson.
2nd Annual Rotary Night with the Thunderbirds
November 6, 7:30 pm • Thunderbirds vs. Spokane Chiefs
It's a great hockey game at sparkling new ShoWare Center in Kent. More than that, it's a fantastic fundraiser for your club's Dictionary Project. A hefty portion of each ticket will be returned to your club ... and it's a Rotary party! Come join the fun. Contact Sean Runnels [Ph 253-856-6833] or click here to download a ticket order form.
"In the Company of Crows and Ravens—A Halloween Special Report," Professor John Marzluff, University of Washington
Dr. John Marzluff
Dr. John Marzluff , a professor of Wildlife Science in UW's College of Environment, provided a fascinating insight into the behavior of crows and ravens and their interaction and dependence upon humans.
The crow and its larger cousin, the raven, have been with man for at least 30,000 years, based upon ancient cave paintings. The raven has influenced Northwest folk lore with myths that the raven created life. If associated with life, they are also closely associated with death, as they have historically been scavengers on the field of battle, thought to carry away the spirits of the deceased. Odin was said to have two crows as advisors, and the Tower of London is the home of ravens that insure that the empire will remain intact.
Norm Johnson introduces the speaker.
A 30-fold increase in crows over the past 40 years in the Seattle area indicates how well the crow has adapted to the urban environment. They are smart birds, with a brain to body mass ration that exceeds that of apes and approximates that of early man. They are ingenious problem solvers with the ability to make and utilize tools and crosswalks. Examples included a New Caledonian crow bending a piece of wire to retrieve a piece of meat and Japanese crows placing walnuts in crosswalks. Car tires would crush the walnut and the crow would return to the now accessible nutmeat.
President Margie Burnett thanks Dr. Marzluff for his presentation.
The crow also has the ability to recognize faces and determine if the face is a friend or a foe. Seven crows captured and tagged four years ago on the UW campus still remember the face of the "Caveman" (a mask) that tagged them. This has also been passed on to other crows that to this day will harass the person wearing the mask. The same person wearing a Dick Cheney mask was allowed to pass without incident.
Crows also know where it is safe and where it is not. Where crows are hunted for sport, the birds will learn to avoid that location. They will also flock to places where food is easily available, whether it is a handout of peanuts in a parking lot or the dumpster behind the local Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Andrew Face & John Marzluff
Professor Marzluff said it is a sign of good luck to count 12 crows at sunset. If more than 12 are seen then, "Stop counting." At sunset crows will return to their nesting rookeries, where they gather to conference about the day's activities and "discuss" the plan for tomorrow. Rookeries in the Seattle area are located on Lake Washington at the Eastside Marina, Foster Island, and the Kenmore Park and Ride. Crows live an amazing 20 to 30 years in an urban environment and make 30 distinct sounds for communications. (Ravens make 80 distinct sounds.) They can recognize each other's "voices." So, much like Rotarians, they gather for a common period of time then disperse to their "work" areas.
They gather at night for safety from owls, red tail hawks, and eagles. This is also to check out the available singles. Jim Gordon asked if this was like going to a local "Crow Bar."
Jenny Andrews & John Marzluff
This brought the discussion full circle, when Professor Marzluff pointed out that no other animal has had the same impact upon the language as crows. They are fast evolvers and now have a very strong dependence upon the human population. So, as we go, so goes the crow.
Professor Marzluff was thanked by President Margie for his talk and was presented with a card indicating that a donation has been made to the Fisher Foundation to support the families of wounded American soldiers. The program was introduced by Norm Johnson.
Courtesy of Ernie Hayden:
Practical identity protection you can use
Security: Risk and Reward
By Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Network World, 10/27/2009
Is it Christmas already? I'm beginning to receive informative e-mails about evil hackers who want to steal my identity during the dangerous (and ever lengthening) holiday season. As usual the advice ranges from lame to impossible.
Click here to read the article.
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Courtesy of Phil Salvatori:
Food for Thought
1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?
2. Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?
3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?
4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?
5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?
6. Why do "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?
7. Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?
9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there?
10. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?
11. Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?
12. Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?
13. Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?
14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things?
15. Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds? 19.
