Highway Cleanup

Fourteen of our members were involved in cleaning trash along 2 miles of State Route 28 near Hydro Park.

Program - Cascadia Conservation District

Mike Rickel, Program Manager for the Cascadia Conservation District, discussed the history of conservation efforts and the creation of the conservation districts.  Cascadia is a soil conservation district, but works to reduce soil erosion, upgrade irrigation, promote more efficient use of water, conduct education and outreach, restore habitat and riparian areas, and enhance crop production.  More information can be found at www.cascadiacd.org.

Program - Wild Hockey

Coach Bliss Littler gave a history and an update on the Wenatchee Wild Hockey team.  This is their sixth year, although they are in a different league this year.  The organization generated $4.3 M in economic impact to the community, and they have also given time and money opportunities to service organizations.
Bliss said junior hockey teaches a lot, regardless of college scholarship opportunities.

Program - PJ Jones

Long-time member PJ Jones gave a program on his ski trips to France, Italy, and Austria.  His DVD was exciting to see, and many are ready to carry his suitcase on his next trip to France.  PJ talked about the differences between US ski areas and the huge areas in Europe, where you can use over 240 lifts and ski for miles on a $50 ski pass in just one area.

President-elect Training Seminar (PETS)

Assistant Governor Richard Riggs gave us a quick update on some of the changes in RI and the district over the last couple years.  He mentioned how exciting the new RI President is, and told us the theme for next year is "Light Up Rotary".  He urged everyone to attend the District Conference in Yakima May 1-4 to discover "The Magic of Rotary", DG Darrell Blue's' theme for the conference.  Check it out on the district web site (www.rotary5060.com).

Carol Adamson, our President-elect, talked about her experience at PETS.  She met Gary Huang, incoming RI President from Taiwan, and enjoyed workshops and inspirational speeches along with over 500 other presidents-elect form 8 other districts in Alaska and the PNW.  Carol praise our club for being so service-minded and willing to help ou
t on next year's committees.

Program - Tax Law Changes

Kris Loomis introduced Tim Dilly, accountant at Cordell-Neher.  Tim talked about some of the changes and surprises in tax filing this year.  Most of the new tax implications are aimed at high end incomes.  Tim gave an interesting and humorous presentation.

Program - Rocky Reach Turbine Repairs

Jim H. introduced Dan Garrison, Chelan County PUD maintenance manager, who discussed and showed pictures of
the repairs of four of the turbines at the dam.  After losing control of one of the turbine blades, they discovered problems in other areas, lending to the need to repair four of the turbines.  This represents potentially up to $60 M in damages and loss of power revenue.

Classification Talks

This morning we had two of our newer members give their classification talks.

Kathy Weafer (right), better known as "Chi Chi", was born in Texas and spent most of her early life on a 250  acre ranch.  She attended the University of Texas, and ended up teaching junior high science for 27 years.  She is now the lead daycare teacher at Sunnyslope Elementary School.  Kathy has 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.

Carrie Heiberg was born and raised in Minnesota.  She was a swimmer and choir member in high school, and at St. Olaf's College.  She majored in Spanish, English, and minored in Linguistics.  She moved to Spokane and was employed with a child birth and parenting program.  After moving to Wenatchee, she worked for the NW Justice Project for a time before becoming a "birth doula" and getting back to her passion of working with pregnant women and their partners.  Carrie
is employed as a grant coordinator at Orchard Middle School, but wants to eventually pursue a masters degree program in social work.

Program - TED Talks

Jim Huffman played a TED Talks on stress.  The speaker presented the idea that when we see stress in a positive way, it is not harmful, and can even be helpful.  Does that mean the old statement, "It's all in your mind." may be true?  Stress also makes us more social - when we reach our to others for support.  Caring for others creates resilience for coping with our own stress.

Happy New Year!

For those who haven't made their New Year resolutions, consider the following:

to be more involved in club activities (socials/service projects, etc);

to improve attendance (perfect attenders are exempt form this one);

to invite a prospective member to our meeting;

to learn more about Rotary through RI e-learning, or the district's Rotary Information Course 

to have even more fun than you did last year.

Reflect on one of my favorite quotes: 

"What kind of club would my club be,

if each Rotarian was just like me?"

Wishing you all of you the very best in 2014.