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Ring Out Ye Bells!
Come join us to hear Ted Hunter and his Firelight Chorale presentation of Ring Out Ye Bells!
University Sunrise’s Member Ted Hunter will be presenting a zany, uplifting, and fun Christmas Show performance with the Northwest Firelight Choral to lift up your holiday spirit
Shows presented on December 12, 13, 19 & 20
Rotary Night is December 12 at 7:30 at our own North Seattle Church.
When purchasing a ticket, attribute it to me, Ted Hunter, and I will personally rebate $5 of the purchase price to you or the Club – your choice! It’s Rotary Night on December 12 with several members already there!
NOTE: No solos for Ted this show; he wanted to give others a chance. If you can’t make these shows, come hear Ted and the Seattle Symphony’s presentation of The Messiah on December 18, 20 and 21.
Celebrate the holidays with the Northwest Firelight Chorale as we kick off our 15th season! This year’s program will delight audiences of all ages with sparkling seasonal classics, majestic carols, frosty favorites to fill you with joy, and a show-stopping gospel rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Filled with magical moments, our dazzling choralography, and plenty of surprises along the way, this spirited Seattle holiday tradition is sure to uplift and inspire. Let the merry music chime!
Program Summary: Bruce Balick, “Black Holes,” November 20, 2025
Black Holes and Universe Role
The main speaker for the meeting was Bruce Balick, a University of Washington Professor Emeritus in Astronomy and a Club member, who gave a presentation on black holes and their role in the universe. Balick explained the concept of gravity and how black holes are formed, mentioning that they play a crucial role in the existence of planets and life.
Understanding Black Holes and Their Role in the Universe
Bruce delivered an in-depth lecture on black holes, covering their formation, properties, and the role they play in the universe. He explained how stars can become black holes and described the characteristics of different types, including stellar, intermediate, and supermassive black holes. Bruce also discussed recent research using the James Webb S
pace Telescope to study “little red dots,” which are believed to be supermassive black holes from the early universe. He emphasized that black holes formed before galaxies, resolving a long-standing question in astronomy. The lecture concluded with a brief overview of a new telescope in Chile designed to study supernovae and nearby asteroids. After the presentation, Bruce answered questions from the audience, including inquiries about his career and the telescope project.
Bruce Balick studied physics at Beloit College in Wisconsin and received his doctorate from Cornell University. He has been at the University of Washington since 1975, where he headed the department. He is now professor emeritus.
In 1974, he discovered Sagittarius A with Robert Hanbury Brown using the interferometer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). His research focuses on planetary nebulae, the final stages of most stars in the galaxy (including the Sun).
He is a user of the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope.
He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Program: Conor Bronsdon and Grant Bronsdon, “AI in Today’s Business World,” October 2, 2025
Conor Bronsdon is the Head of Developer Relations & Growth at Galileo, the AI reliability platform for enterprise GenAI evaluation and observability. He is also the host of the Chain of Thought Podcast, exploring AI with software engineers and leaders every Wednesday. Conor grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington. He is the son of Club President Ed Bronsdon and currently lives in Olympia with his wife, Katherine.
Grant Bronsdon is a Principal at Parker Remick, a retained executive search firm that advises & works with tech companies across size and stages. His 90+ searches in his time at PR have included early-stage clients, pre-IPO organizations, and large public companies like Google, Square/Block, and Walmart. Grant earned a B.A. in Political Science with honors at Yale University and later worked as a Yale admissions officer. After hours, Grant enjoys writing about the Seattle Mariners (lamenting their World Series drought all the while), serving as a Yale Alumni Schools Committee Director, and solving crossword puzzles. He and his wife Phoebe live in Beacon Hill.
Meeting Summary: Overview of AI and Its Impact on Business
Conor Bronsdon explained the history and evolution of AI, including large language models (LLMs).
Grant Bronsdon discussed the impact of AI on hiring and the need for AI strategies in businesses.
The presentation covered the use cases of AI, including software development, writing emails, and travel planning. Connor highlighted the challenges and benefits of AI, including its ability to generate new information and its reliance on training data. AI in Software Engineering and Hiring: Connor and Grant discussed the use of AI in software engineering, including code generation and testing. The presentation covered the impact of AI on hiring, including candidate assessment and digital interviewing. Connor explained the concept of AI agents and their role in automating tasks. The discussion included the importance of evaluating AI answers and the role of human experts in the process.
University Sunrise Rotary Service Foundation Makes Grant Commitments
The Club’s Foundation, in our September 2025 meeting, approved grant requests for the following:
- Bukebero Health Clinic for $1000. This is a project that seeks matching grant funding and emanates out of the University District Club. It is to add solar power for a new health center in Uganda.
- Hunger Intervention for $1000. This is a project that seeks matching grant funding and emanates out of the Lake Forest Park Club. The project aims to provid health meals to needy individuals in north Seattle and King County.
- Makawnapur, Nepal, for $500. This is a project that seeks matching grant funding and emanates out of the Edmonds Club. The project provides tailoring and business training for girls.
- Twegasha School for $1000. This is a project that seeks matching grant funding and emanates out of the Seattle International District Club. It will add harvesting and filtering of rainwater for cooking, drinking, hygiene, and agriculture in Tanzania. It will also add needed toilets for boys.
Program Summary: Jon Scholes, Downtown Seattle Association, August 28, 2025
Jon Scholes discussed the progress and challenges facing downtown Seattle, emphasizing the growth in residential population and the recovery of the visitor industry post-pandemic. He acknowledged the need for improvements in street safety and the ongoing issue of ground floor vacancies, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and high operating costs. Scholes expressed a commitment to enhancing the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.
Jon highlighted issues with local government performance, criticizing the fixation on tax revenue rather than outcomes that benefit businesses and residents. He pointed out that the city is set to collect record amounts of money but questioned whether it is providing adequate value in return. Scholes warned that increasing the B&O tax could drive businesses away, as they have alternatives outside of Seattle.
Jon reported strong visitor numbers to the new downtown waterfront park, indicating a successful local engagement with the space. He acknowledged the challenges of negative perceptions surrounding downtown Seattle and outlined strategies to improve its image, including a campaign aimed at locals to promote new attractions. Scholes emphasized the importance of local support for a thriving downtown.
Jon discussed the current office vacancy rate in downtown Seattle, which stands at over 30%, compared to lower rates in Bellevue. He noted that the decline in office occupancy is due to companies reducing their space and the need for a more appealing business environment to attract tech firms. Scholes also warned that falling office values could lead to increased tax burdens on residents.
Help Victims of the L.A. Fires and Stretch Your Donation
The USRC Foundation has very kindly set aside funds to match our contributions to a special campaign in L.A. organized by the Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation (https://rotary5280.org/page/2025-wildfire-disaster-relief/).
You can be assured that your donation to our Foundation will make a helpful difference. Mail a check to the USRC Foundation at P.O. Box 15131, Seattle, WA 98115 with “L.A. Recovery” on the memo line.
University Sunrise Rotary Club: Trip Plans!
February 3, 2025
Seven of us met Friday afternoon to discuss the planning of a third annual club trip.
We have done a Club trip twice in the last two years and they have been fantastic fun (In fact everyone who has been on past trips is enthusiastic about going again).
Here is what we decided:
- Destination: The Walla Walla area.
- We plan to spend time visiting local wineries and breweries in the Walla Walla area.
- TBD–While we are there, we are considering a one-day side trip to the Lewis Clark Valley (Lewiston, ID/Clarkston, WA area) to investigate the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center.
- The proposed dates are September 4-7. Please mark your calendar!
- Please let us know your interest in participating. We are investigating getting discount room rates and will likely look for a March 1 commitment from participants to get lower room rates.
The participants in the meeting were Bruce Balick, Steve Barton, Ted Hunter, Scott Jamieson, Mike Madden, Dave Mushen, Pam Mushen, and Tom Ranken.
Possible itinerary:
Day One (Thursday):
Depart Seattle in carpools leaving at 10am. Drive to Walla Walla with stop for lunch. Arrive by 4 pm to check into the hotel. Rendezvous for dinner and wine walk/tasting at 6pm.
Day Two (Friday):
Wineries and breweries in the Walla Walla area. Possible day trip to Clarkston for a Lewis & Clark tour. Visit the Discovery Center, the Interpretative Center, the Nez Pierce Historical Museum, and the Confluence Campsite. Lunch in Lewiston ID (beer available for those 19+!). Leave Walla Walla at 8 am, return by 6 pm. Visit a famous winery for a tour and dinner.
Day 3:(Saturday):
Wine tour to three or four famous wineries in the area, led by Scott Jamieson. May include a venture across the border to Oregon or into the Palouse.
Day Four: (Sunday)
Return to Seattle or continue the L& C trail to Astoria or? (Your own plan. Could include Goldendale for an observatory visit or drive down Columbia Gorge with a stop in Hood River or myriad possibilities).
Are you in??
-Tom
-Tom Ranken | 206.890.8387 | tom@usrotary.org
Program: University Sunrise Service Foundation Annual Report to Members, January 2, 2025
The mission of the Foundation is to enable members to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty. The Foundation may fund activities or make direct grants to individuals or organizations and may combine its financial resources with other Rotary clubs and Districts, for the greater good.
The program will be presented by the Board of the Foundation along with members of the Screening Committee. Board members are Tom Ranken (Chair), Stuart Webber (Treasurer/Secretary), Pam Mushen, Dave Mushen, and Lincoln Ferris. Screening Committee Members are Mike Madden, Nancy Bolin, and Hal Beals.