November 12, 2012 Spokesman

Posted by Jerry Campo 
on Nov 12, 2012
 

Rotary Minutes, Nov. 12, 2012

President Patti Smith opened the meeting at 6:32

Brett Johnson led the pledge, Brian Tucker was our greeter.

Rich Bergdahl gave our moving inspirational moment, a reading of the Gettysburg Address, a tribute to our Veterans on this Veterans Day Observance. Rick Walter, Gary Bruner, Tom Sturgell, Rick Ostrander and Al Hoviland were our Veterans in the crowd.

Our guests were Thomas Lewis, Juanita High Student of the Month, and Scott Early from Bellevue.

Announcements:

  • President Patti reminded us of the Buy a Book promotion at Barnes and Noble to aid John Muir Elementary. Contact Pat Swenson to find code you need to use for this promotion.
  • Neil Johnson will head up the Salvation Army Bell Ringing effort.
  • Remember to sign in on sheet at front desk for attendance credit so Rick won’t have to scour the room to update the list during dinner!
  • Anne Hamilton shared our willingness to help as we have donated enough for 50 Thanksgiving boxes for John Muir families through the Kirkland Nourishing Network-great job!
  • Don Dicks announced we are at 23% participation, with over $3000 so far this Rotary year. Keep it up!  Anne Hamilton will be assisting Don this year.
  • The Holiday Party will be at Lucia’s, Sunday, Dec. 2, from 6:00-9:00.  You can sign up via email to Jerry Campo at sub300@aol.com, or the signup sheet at the next 2 meetings.
  • Rick Walter did his usual standup act with Happy Dollars collected!

Our speakers, Betsy Smith and Jennifer Gill, were introduced by Chris Morgan. Betsy is the Education Director and Jennifer is the Development Manager for the Kirkland Arts Center.  The KAC is celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary; it was started by William Radcliffe and local citizens, and is currently located in the Peter Kirk Building.

It is the largest visual arts center on the Eastside, serving over 350 students in art and ceramic classes. There are programs for everyone, including toddlers to teens in their Youth programs. Some of the teachers have been associated with the KAC for over 20 years, teaching painting of all sorts and ceramics. The KAC houses 3 large high fire kilns, the most in the area. Past and present students have donated over $50,000 toward the kilns.  There are Summer Camps for 6 weeks, sponsored by the Eastside Prep school. Outreach programs, an active scholarship program and mentoring for high school students in independent projects are also offered.

Initiatives, such as starting an Art & Wine series for ceramics on the weekends, are also in the works.  The 50th Anniversary fundraising event, Redux, held at the Meydenbauer Center, raised over $126,000. This was the 4th annual event.  The gallery is a partner with the UW in an emerging curator program. The gallery’s current exhibit is ‘Uneasy Landscapes’, by Harriet Sanderson.  The KAC is currently searching for a new Executive Director, as Christopher Shainin will soon be leaving.  The gallery depends on the generous support of our local residents!

No honeypot this week.

Scribe, Jerry Campo