Mirtholgy by Dr. Hal

I. Perhaps you have heard the eerie story of the Ghost Car. Whether you have or have not, here goes:

A guy was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the middle of a storm. The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly he saw a car coming toward him and stop.

Without thinking about it, the guy got into the back seat, closed the door–and then realized there was nobody behind the wheel! The car started slowly; the guy looked at the road and saw a curve coming his way. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. He hadn’t come out of shock when, just before he hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and moved the wheel. The guy, paralyzed in terror, watched how the hand appeared every time right before a curve. Gathering his strength, the guy finally jumped out of the car and ran to the nearest town. Wet and in shock, he went into a restaurant and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had gone through.

A silence enveloped everybody when they realized the guy was serious. About half an hour later, two guys walked into the same restaurant. They looked around for a table, when one said to the other, “Look, John–that’s the guy who got into the car when we were pushing it.”

II. A police officer pulled over a car. When he walked up to the car, he saw that there were three elderly ladies within.

He said, “Ma’am, you’re driving too slowly. Could you please drive faster?”

The driver replied, “Oh, I’m sorry, officer. I saw a 21 on the sign and assumed the speed limit was 21 miles per hour.”

The officer explained, “No, ma’am. The speed limit is 65. The highway is 21.”

Then the police officer looked in the back and noticed that the two other ladies were in a tight embrace and shaking like leaves. “Excuse me,” said the officer to the driver, “but what’s wrong with those two?

“Oh,” she replied, “That must be because we just got off Highway 145.”

New Rotary Year, New Member: Sarah Cave

President Tim Lenihan started the Rotary Year on the right foot by adding a new member, Sarah Cave, at the July 9th meeting. She was introduced to the Club by her sponsor Ed Brondson.

Sarah has been a Rotarian since 2008, beginning with the Longview Early Edition Club and then the Longview Noon Rotary serving through 2013. She then relocated to Seattle and has been in the University District Rotary Club. Her classification is Healthcare Education and starting on September 1 she will be the Senior Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Health Services Administration Program at the UW School of Public Health in the Department of Health Services.

She is also on the planning committee for the Kidney Research Institute’s annual gala fundraiser, is active with her daughter’s school (Bright Water), and serves as a mentor to students in the UW Master of Health Services Administration Program.

Please welcome Sarah Cave as the newest member of University Sunrise RC.

Sand Point Community Block Party Photos

Thursday, June 25th the University Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored a Block Party the Sand Point Community Housing residents. Who says that Rotary isn’t fun? Here are some photos of Rotarian’s during the event.

Nancy Bolin’s comments on the Block Party sums up our orientation in hosting this event, “So proud to be a member of This a Rotary Club! After serving so many at Sand Point Housing’s community, I was able to deliver some of the extra food we had with the U Dist. Food Bank this morning. This gift was gratefully accepted! “

Our Week begins on Thursday

As a Thursday morning club, our week begins on Thursday but the excitement quite often happens other than Thursday. The past weeks were no exception.

June 11, President Mike Madden recognized several members whom he considered valuable to his having a successful presidential year: Tim Lenihan, President elect; Phill Briscoe, website management; Tom Rankin, Program chair; and Ken Mallock, Foundation director.

June 13th, The food drive for the University Food Bank provided ample opportunity for high jinks and shenanigans from USR members (boys! Jim Miller, Stuart Webber, and Phill Briscoe)

On June 14th the Reverend David Storm celebrated 50 years of his ordination into the priesthood.

June 18th, President Mike honors Merrill Mayer

Sand Point Block Party: June 25th

Ron Espiritu, our Club’s Foundation Treasurer, is working hard at today’s meeting writing checks for next Thursday’s big event, the Sand Point Block Party; while Jeff Mushen gives club members their assignments.

Technology and Information for All (TINFA)

The dedication of Emma Le Du cannot be overstated. When she speaks of Technology and Information for All (TINFA), the enthusiasm is palpable. It was gratifying to be made aware that USR’s support has done much to aid TINFA’s work.

The group practices the doctrine that every person has worth and dignity and is of value to self and others. Their work is with K-12 students in rural Mexico and Guatemala with stress on technology in the classroom. This has been shown to constitute a tool for better education. An additional four schools in Guatemala will soon be in the program.

Emma reiterated how much our support has helped, both in regard to equipment and in the mentoring of teachers in the use of computers. A video showed not only the classes and teachers, but also the affection and appreciation for Emma, et al.

Comment: A happy amalgam of material support + motivation.

Chris Rivera, Chairman of the Council of State Biosciences Associations

With Washington outstanding in many endeavors, Chris Rivera, Chairman of the Council of State Biosciences Associations, gave us a view into yet another. His organization has given rise to more than 200 companies in the biosciences field. Life sciences, aka human health care, is a burgeoning enterprise, with Washington already its global leader.

His address, plus video, provided a kaleidoscope of industries, products, and procedures already in place in the state, or in the process of development, i.e.,Perkins-Cole…defibrillation…bone marrow transplant…Immunex…Amgen…Hutchinson/UW/WSU…Abbott…Lilly…Global Health Fund…Phillips…Arthritis Foundation…Samsung, NEA, and many more.

Beginning in 2009, the mission of the biotechnology industry is to save lives and secondarily to create jobs and improve the economy. Some impressive numbers were given regarding the funding of the industry and the number of employees in all aspects of biotechnology. Aid to CEOs in building businesses is accorded. To this end, capital is raised by investments including the venture capital of “angels”. There are some 100 start-ups per year. Pro bono mentors guide new entrepreneurs.

Comment: A happy marriage of aiding the sick and the economy simultaneously—and not a bad field in which to build careers.

Joe Gruber, Exec Director, University District Food Bank

Last week’s program was an occasion to make one feel good all over. A $15,003 check was presented to Joe Gruber, Executive Director of the University District Food Bank. It is our charity of choice, benefiting from Debuts and Discoveries. The bulk of the proceeds is destined for Packs for Kids, ensuring good weekend nutrition for school children in need of it.

Packs for Kids was begun at Eckstein Middle School where it was estimated that one in five children had to struggle with hunger, impairing, among other things, their capacity to study. It expanded to other schools.

A healthy diet is the norm in these packs, to wit, fresh fruit, a healthy drink, and items of that variety. Packs are taken home on Friday. An average pack, whose container is reusable, costs $4.25. Work is afoot to bring it down to $3.50.Last year $30,000 was budgeted. Now the cost is $42,000.

Our support last year was seed money for the current year. As this relatively new program expands, more awareness and thus more funds are in the offing. There seems to be plenty of support. Eight schools are now in the program, meaning that the number of packs increases each year. Sandpoint elementary is soon to be included.

Sunrise Rotary is the foundation of support. Packs for siblings is now included. It stands to reason that, if a child requires this type of support, siblings are in the same situation. There are not just a few homeless students. Others are being sought and made recipients. Joe recalled a few anecdotes in which such help has made heartwarming differences.

Comment: Afterwards, someone told him, “Bless you for what you do.”

His answer was that he feels privileged to do it.

Need more be said?

Volunteer Opportunities

Saturday, June 13 from 11am-4pm We will be hosting a food drive for the at the Sand Point Metropolitan Market. We will be working in hour shifts for this event. Betsy will be passing around a sign-up sheet as we get closer to the event.

Saturday, August 15 We will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Capitol Hill. The event goes from 10am to 10pm–we will be walking in one hour shifts during this time. If you’d like to participate, you can sign up here under the team “Uni Sun Rotarians”.

International Service Scholarship Banquet and Auction this Saturday

Saturday, May 9th, 6pm to 9pm

International Service Scholarship Banquet and Auction and Fireworks and Unlimited Booze. Come see and support the future of our Rotary club at UW Rotaract’s annual auction and banquet. Are there actually going to be fireworks? Maybe! But really, you should come for the booze, bartended by our very own Dan Newman. For only $25, you get a dinner from Cedar’s, entertainment from this generation’s brightest and best, and your chance to hire them before anyone else does! May 9th, 6pm to 9pm.

Please see the banquet flyer.

Purchase tickets: http://goo.gl/forms/DyzB8Uz9Cu