Seeds of Love Garden Project

Our community garden is growing.  Trellises will be put up shortly for the beans and tomatoes, and we now have a new Rotary sign.  Everything has been planted, and green things are starting to pop up.  Since much of that green will be weeds, we will be asking members to come to the garden to pull weeds from time to time.  Harvested
crops will be donated to local shelters or others in need of food.

IF Project

Seattle police officer, Kim Bogucki, gave a great presentation dealing with successful programs for offenders re-entering society, and for the children of offenders.  IF gets its name from the question posed by the group facilitators - "IF there was something someone could have said or done to change your life before problems began, what would it have been?"
Former felons, David Lujano and Honey Herman, gave their stories of how they landed in prison, and how they are now working with youth through the IF program.  They have become successful role models.  The key to success seems to be having positive role models who believe in the person, and in focusing on successful life events.  Both Kim and Honey have given TED Talks.
This program has special relevance to our club's desire to mentor our challenge scholars,
and other high school students.

New Members Inducted

Jeff Niderost, Patty Rush, and Josh Meziere were all inducted today as new members of Sunrise Rotary (looks like they got the "white" memo). Jeff is a real estate developer, Patty is a health/nutrition consultant, and Josh is in health insurance.  We are pleased to have them in our club.  Sponsors Ron Stephenson, Bill McDowell, and Alan Walker were given new sponsor pins with a blue back.

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.