The meeting started with Susan Beals giving the invocation and leading the club in the pledge of allegiance.

Bob Holert introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians.  There were several of each but one visitor in particular stood out.  Tom Helbling returned after a long illness.  Tom was given the full BBRC welcome.

Larry May introduced James Probus of Bellevue Christian as the student of the month.  James was a much faster talker than this scribe could keep up with.  But he had many accomplishments and is on his way to Whitworth with a psych degree in mind.  He was joined by his family and a couple of teachers.

The club was again honored as the recipient of the Golden Donut award from Rotary First Harvest.  David Bobanik of RFH presented the award.  The award is for the club having more volunteers show up to pack food than any other Rotary club.  There was also a push for members to attend the RFH annual Hearts and Wine event February 12.  See the website for details

Wendy Fischer presented information on what a sponsorship for the “Walk Run, All in for Autism” is worth to the community.  Bottom line.  Your name in lights and do some good at the same time.  The Walk Run committee can help you offload your money.

Carmella Ramaglia announced that Mark Hough would have fireside chat after the meeting to give more information about his time in Afghanistan and Bosnia trying to set up the rule of law.

Dan Sullivan got his blue badge as an award to running the BBRC gauntlet for new members.

SAA Ann Norman comforted Scott Hildebrand for his Alma mater’s loss in the Football Championship bowl.  It could be said that Clemson did not lose, just had the misfortune of being behind when time ran out.  Ann also collected a $1 from all without their Rotary pins.

John Martinka introduced the speaker Peter Jewett, principal engineering geologist and co-founder of Farallon Consulting.  He spoke on the changing character of environmental issues.  The biggest problems are the challenge of the unknown.  We do not always know what our actions today will do in the future.  He gave an example of the Tsunami in Japan.  500 million tons of debris in the water that was supposed to hit the northwest coast in 18 months but never showed up.  The debris has broken up into small pieces and is circling in the northern Pacific.  No one is sure what will happen to it.

He touched on how environmental issues affect the economy both negatively and positively.  He had many local examples.  And on the other side, how today’s economy affects the environment of the future.  While much of how today’s economy and regulations will affect the future is unknown, he pointed out that we can successfully take charge of the environment with flexibility, passion, and creativity.   All people have to get involved.

President Paul informed the speaker that 1,000 pounds of fresh produce was donated to Rotary First Harvest in his name.  Donation courtesy of Steve Goldfarb of Alvin Goldfarb Jewelers.

Thought for the day from famed naturalist and painter, John James Audubon.  “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children”.

About the Speaker