MARCH 17, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Molly Akers, T-Mobile, "Communications Revolution: Voice, Data, Messaging" | Camp Goodtimes — Save the Date! | Camp Goodtimes Offers Two Sessions—Need Volunteers | Upcoming Tour of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center | 2009 Crystal Mountain Ski Report | REMINDER: District Conference May 1-3, Victoria, BC     

PLEASE NOTE: If the regular parking garage is full and you are turned away or redirected, please go to the Harbor Club parking lot.

Wednesday, March 25; contact: SanDee Olson-Meyer

THIS WEEK's PROGRAM

Molly Akers
T-Mobile
"Communications Revolution: Voice, Data, Messaging"

Molly Akers has been in management within the telecommunications industry for 19 years, the first 5 years in long distance and the following 14 years in the Wiress sector. Molly's job positions have ranged from management in Customer Services to Business Development, Enterprise Program Management, Sales Compensation and Revenue Assurance.

Seeing the tremendous advances in telecom and wireless over the past 19 years has been a phenomenal experience. Molly enjoys the dynamic and aggressive world of wireless and looks forward to what the next 20 years will bring!

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Camp Goodtimes — Save the Date!

It is almost summer, when we can think about going to camp, and the wonderful, wild Rotary Camp Goodtimes Carnival will be held Thursday, July 2. Plan to spend the day on Vashon Island helping kids with cancer have a great day.  The kids tell us the Rotary carnival is the highlight of their summer.  It might be yours, too.  Don't miss it! Contact Charlotte Ellis for more information.

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Camp Goodtimes Offers Two Sessions—Need Volunteers!

Camp Goodtimes is now offering 2 sessions: June 28-July 4 and July 26-August 1. We expect over 200 children with cancer to come to camp this year. For this to happen, we need 140 volunteers and have been working very hard to find applicants. If you have kids over 18, friends, or employees who might be available either week, ask them to go to www.campgoodtimeswest.org to apply on line.

In addition to cabin counselors, we need program staff and support staff. The camp is on nearby Vashon Island, the cabins are modern, the beach is wonderful, and everyone who comes has a great week. Contact Charlotte Ellis for more information.

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Upcoming Tour of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center

The Environmental Committee, with the assistance of Jim Price, has organized a field trip at the recently completed Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. All Rotarians and guest are welcome to join the tour, which will begin at 9:00 am with a guided walk through the slough, followed by a 10:00 am tour of the new facilities. Jerry Henry, Puget Sound Energy, and Park Ranger Christina Dyson Farrell will be our guides.

The new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center provides a grand entrance to the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Completed in October 2008, the complex features classrooms, a visitor center, a community building and a "tree house," all sustainably built. The City of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Center offer year-round education about wetlands and nature for adults, youth and families at the center. 

For more information, please contact BJ Rasmussen.

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2009 Crystal Mountain Ski Report
Scott East

Tuesday, March 3: It was a dark and stormy night…outside, that is, and we like that the night before we ski.  But cheery lights and laughter at the lodge greeted participants as they came in, packing their overnight gear on snowy trail in the woods isolating cabin from cars, and the rest of the world.  The very Happy Hour, with ample appies by Debbie Acton and Rick Hervey, was followed by Rick’s delightful dinner, featuring a tender cut of beef cooked to perfection, and gobs of other good things to go with it. 

Chuck Doland silently schlepped in the group’s variety of vino for dinner, to the relief of all who saw their happy hour contributions rapidly evaporating. Several big labels appeared on the BYOB pre-function table, not the least of which was a Leonetti brought by Alan Fulp for all to sip (but we gulped). 

The group, by then fatter and happier (sappier?), cleaned the decks and counters for after dinner encounters. Lisa Carroll corralled the gaming group, two full tables, plus two observers to boot. She “taught” us a new variation or two on poker (Game Meister’s privilege, usually for profit). Mike Creighton took some heat for cashing in a sizeable stack of chips before the dealing was done, several players lasting past one. But, in his defense, he announced his Cinderella hour in advance, then didn’t head to bed until after the midnight gong, the latest we have ever had two tables going strong.  Such wisdom. If only he would come out of retirement and run for the council again ... we neeeed him.

Prez Sarah introduced some new poker strategies to the group, some of which were forcefully challenged by Andy Baker, whose noteworthy stack had somehow shifted Sarah’s way during his short break. That presidential protocol, putting 4-Way Test to the test (but for our being on Mountain Time), was preceded by some fussball and ping pong, the latter emulating a Ménage a Trois of sports sorts, inspired by the tasty wine by that label at the table. 

That is to say it appeared at times as if three were working against one. Alan had the hottest paddle, but the games were close. He didn’t mean to elbow his partner off to the side to avoid losing points, no, really he didn’t. I’m sure there was no such intent).  Norm Beck appeared to be the evening’s biggest winner (not unusual), generously returning some of his profits. He provided pitchers of the Snorting Elk’s top brews at Wednesday’s late lunch.  

Let there be music!  And indeed there was. Trinity Parker packed her portable and play list to the party, a super selection complimenting, if not driving, the action (sounding good even when Norm would sneak over and switch to his funky favorites.)  Trinity was also roundly recognized for the smallest sweet cakes,  carving the slenderest slices off Rick’s irresistible baked-from-scratch, soaked-in-rum, butternut pecan bunt cakes. Quelle discipline!

Ron Poborsky and Alan Fulp were the early birds, up to prepare a gourmet breakfast, a golden egg/spinach/cheese soufflé. Alan got to bed a bit earlier than Ron, who had gone on strong past 2AM, yet was amazingly alert at breakfast.  This talented and cheery duo’s egg dish was accompanied by colorful and special fresh fruits, thick bacon, and dark coffee quickly restoring the rest of us to life (well, almost all ... there was that one zombie who seemed a bit slow to slip off the shades).

Jim Hogue and Mitch Grafstein, who couldn’t get away the night before, arrived before the lifts opened. Then host/guide Spoon Dickey moved all to the mountain, Frank Young’s lift vouchers in hand. The snow had let up by then, but not before dumping 7 inches overnight, on top of 5 inches the day before. That made for enough fresh fluff for some first tracks for about everyone up that day. Clouds drifted through, separated by segments of brilliant sun. Spoon helped us find spots to lay down fresh tracks even late in the day, albeit some of those routes took us between “Cliff!” signs, bracketing the hardest to reach chutes. 

The 15 participants packed a ton of energy to this year’s CM event, both on and off the mountain. Many thanks to our lodge host/mountain guide for another great year, the chefs, who prep’d AND contributed the food this year, the Youngs for the vouchers that help to make this such a bargain fellowship, and all the partying participants, not only for their non-stop positive energy throughout the event, but for pitching in on the various tasks that keeps the load light.

If you yearn for a short break that provides more relief than the time it takes, block your 2010 calendars now for our annual Crystal Mountain escape!  The first Tuesday/Wednesday of March get us in just before Daylight Saving Time begins. That combines the best snow of the season with a date that lets us awake comparatively late, a good thing when a ski day follows a part-ay. Hope to see another great group there next year!

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REMINDER: District Conference May 1-3, Victoria, BC

If you have not yet signed up for the District Conference, please do so soon. The exchange rate is now favorable, making the excursion less expensive. You can register online here at the Rotary District Website.

Note that due to the difficult economic climate, the registration has now been reduced by $25.00 per person. If you have already registered and paid the initial registration fee, you will be given a $25.00 refund at the check-in.

The main emphasis is FELLOWSHIP and FUN. There is a Thursday Golf Tournament and a Thursday night Pub Crawl. If you don't do well in the tournament, you might especially enjoy the Pub Crawl. There will also be a winery tour and a tour of the Buchart Gardens. You can also explore the historic waterfront and Chinatown.

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