President Patti called the July 27, 2012 Kirkland Rotary meeting to order at 6:27 PM.  After the Pledge, Bill Woods shared some inspiration.  He told us of a Chinese lady who had water brought home in 2 pottery containers suspended on a pole.  One had a crack and leaked so arrived only half full by the time they reached home.  That poor pot was very sad because of the leak and crack.  The Chinese lady pointed out to the pot was really special as it kept the path moist on one side thus allowing the beautiful flowers that lined it.  Morale: Good is in everyone; look for it.

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS  John de Lautour from New Zealand is back for his annual visit to family.  He auctioned off a little N.Z. coin purse (made of kangaroo scrotum-very especially soft) and brought in $45 for the club.  Summer exchange students visited and introduced by Brian Tucker who managed this super program.  Both our students previously were in Italy and are now hosting for a month here.  Josh Truhan was hosted in Italy by Matteo Bagnalasta.  Now Matteo is hosting Josh.  Similarly, Mark Truhan visited Thomas de Melgazzi a month ago and now can entertain Thomas here.   Jason Overleese (think he’s going to or has put in for membership)    Diana Kohn for 3rd visit (hope she likes us)    I may well have missed a couple.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

·        Gerry Campo announced success for our annual picnic at Everest Park last week and thanked those who helped.  He also announced the annual Salmon Bake is at the Boys and Girls Club on August 20 at 6 PM.  Please sign up to bring appetizer, salad, bread, or desert.

·        Megan Nakanishi started out multiple announcements on the Duck Dash which is less than 2 weeks away.

    Joanne pleaded to get tickets in before race day.  It is a thrash that is avoidable.

    Bob Webb pleaded for 2 cartop boats and 3-4 gas powered leaf blowers.  Bob Auslander volunteered a dingy and Rick Reckdal and Carl Boruck volunteered blowers.  Still need one boat and a couple leaf blowers.  Call Bob if you can supply.

    Patti asked for someone to volunteer to be an announcer on the PA for the Race.

·        Rotary Academy starts in the Fall.  It is a good program to learn much about Rotary and to prepare for service to our great organization.

 

PROGRAM   Chris Morgan introduced our program on the new Evergreen Bridge project and its approaches on both sides of the lake.  Steve Strand and Bryant Bullamore, leading engineers on really three projects spoke, and Julie Meredith, Program Director helped with questions.  This program is divided into three projects—the new Bridge, the eastern approach which goes out to I405, and the west approach which will go to I5.  Obviously it is a very large and complicated project.  The Bridge part is progressing on site (caisson at the eastern highrise), in Kenmore where huge anchors are being built, in Tacoma where pontoons are being built, and in Aberdeen where the largest pontoons are being built.  On the Eastside much work has been going on for a year that is very obvious on site.  The west approaches have not yet decided on a design and don’t have funding as yet.  We were assured that when the east approaches and bridge are complete they will find someplace for the traffic to go when it gets to Seattle.  Very complete handouts were distributed.  For complete information go to wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.

 

JOKER POOL  The pool is in its final stages.  We now have about $4800 in the pool; half of this will go to the lucky winner.  Diana Landspa had the lucky ticket but again couldn’t find the joker.  We now have only 8 tickets left including the Joker.

 

President Patti thanked our guests and speakers.  The meeting was adjourned about 7:35.

 

 Respectfully submitted         Bob Webb