Virginia Emery: What are you eating?

Our April 24th speaker was entomologist Virginia Emery an advocate for insects. Her farm contains them in abundance.

She avers:

Insects comprise half the animal species on earth, with beetles predominating in many forms.
They perform important services which concern food, a proper ecosystem, water, and air.
They kill other insects.
Termites break down dead material and recycle nutrients,
Mealworms biodegrade styrofoam, which can be converted to animal feed.
Leaf cutter ants turn leaves into fungus, which they then eat.
They are social just like us.
Army ants eat everything, while cooperating with each other in intricate ways.
Ants and other insects communicate with each other by means of pheromones,
The dance language of honeybees direct others to the best flowers for pollination.
We depend on bees, which are endangered. To replace what they do in the US would cost $29 billion; worldwide $173 billion. Without them, we would lack the food we enjoy.
Flies are important in their effect on composting, their recycling causing a buildup of nutrients.
Insects are food, and are eaten in many places.
They are the next super food, being a source of protein.
Food waste is a large problem. 1/3 of all food is wasted.

Her company, Beta Hatch, converts organic waste into animal feed fertilizer.

Comment: A compelling discourse. But somehow we cannot help but wish that Noah had not admitted those two flies and two mosquitoes onto the Ark.

Max Collinge: Emotional Intelligence

Our speaker on April 21st, Max Collinge, in a succinct presentation, maintained that Emotional Intelligence and body language are better predictors of one’s success than an IQ, Citing his own rise from the depths of poor self-image and directionless existence, he came to develop social skills by employing a few vital principles.

Much is based on the Vagus nerve, a structure responsible for the difference between comfort and panic. How we think of ourselves determines how we comport ourselves and, in turn, how others regard us. The development of five character traits often makes all the difference:

Love for oneself and the other person leads to favorable body language (i.e. a deep breath that stimulates the Vagus) and a feeling of sociability.
Intellectual Honesty. Speaking one’s mind and not withholding opinions helps to burn off resentment, leads to clearer speech, truth, honesty, and transparency. One is thus able to speak reasonably and vent what is on one’s mind, obviating negative thoughts.
Emotional vulnerability. Allowing this to show on one’s face is preferable to a masking smile. It communicates how we really feel.
A genuine interest in other people, especially in cases of strained relationships, is a good trait. Be tuned in, pick up emotional cues. Ask people about themselves. All of this can be soothing.
Self-direction. Have pride, hold the head up high, and believe you have the capacity. This results in self-assurance.
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He asserts that if we think of which of the five keys with which we may have trouble, and work on them, good results may well ensue.

Comment: Some have the innate capacity. Others have to work at it.

Pamela Banks: Candidate for City Council District 3

On September 17th, we heard from Pamela Banks, aspirant for District 3 of the City Council. She gave a moving history of family struggles in her Portland childhood and her family’s dedication to community service.

Pamela Banks and Past President Mike Madden

A graduate of the UW, she is President and CEO of the Seattle Urban League. In that capacity she has done fund raising, food drives for the poor, and much more. She rescued the Urban League from financial ruin in 2009-2010. It now flourishes with a staff of 14. She has served for 30 years, under 5 mayors, and has been a community organizer for southeast Seattle. Her focus is on the community; she shuns federal involvement.

Her goals:

To connect citizens to local city goals and to deliver more local services, especially for those of low income and the homeless.
Light Rail liaison with the community, considering the impact of the Light Rail on businesses and property owners during construction.
In general, support for small businesses.
An education and employment program, which obviates much crime.
Problem solving as regards transportation and safety.
The housing crisis must be addressed with a view toward preservation of the single family home.
Gun violence is increasing. More education and jobs are needed to reverse it.
A career bridge for women. Funds are in place for this.
Housing affordability. Must build 20-50 thousand apartments.
Homelessness pervades not only Seattle but all the surrounding communities. The problem is huge. There is much work to be done.
Transportation, i.e., getting people to work, must be improved.
Early reading for children. If kids cannot read at a third grade level when reaching that grade, dropouts and other bad consequences occur.
Many construction and transportation jobs are unfilled. Federal grants are in place for teaching these skills. Teachers must also be trained.
To get people out of cars, mass transportation must be improved. The matter of dwelling construction without provision for parking remains an unsolved enigma.

Observation: A tough job awaits anyone who attains office. Sparring with colleagues must be added to the abovementioned labors.

Vicki Christopherson: Initiative 502 for Legal Marijuana

August 6th, our speaker Vicki Christopherson, a government relations specialist and lobbyist for the marijuana industry, gave a short summary about Initiative 502.

Here is a description of the bill: Initiative 502 defined and legalized small amounts of marijuana-related products for adults 21 and over, taxes them, and designates the revenue for health care and substance abuse prevention and education. Cannabis is still classified as a schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Possession by anyone under 21, possession of larger amounts, and growing of unlicensed or unregulated marijuana remains illegal under state law.

Prior to the initiative’s 2012 passage, certain evils existed. Among them were licenses granted for marijuana’s medicinal use that degenerated into commercial abuse. The Initiative caused honest purveyors to have to compete with the black market. On the one hand were those highly regulated and taxed and on the other, the opportunistic non-taxed. Legislation has thus decreed that, by 7/16, all medical marijuana will be regulated by the Department of Health and the Liquor Control Board. No longer will it be legal to set up shops and issue cards for sales of the substance. Retail stores will have to be licensed. There is to be a crackdown on loopholes and sales to minors. To be sure, there is opposition from those making lots of money. The DOH will determine that which is medical. No sales tax will be charged to genuine patients. Payroll tax consideration will accrue to taxpaying, honest, licensed dealers.

However, unintended tax obstacles were in place, including a 25% tax on producer, processor, and retailer. Then there is are taxes on gross receipts, business and occupancy, and tax on the client. (Can a business sustain this?). This is to be replaced by a single 37% tax (still high). Also, a requirement that one use one’s own vehicle for transport and disclosure of the route has evolved. There seem to be creative ways to get around these. Add to this the idea that a trail vehicle may harbor guns when the transport vehicle may not.

Other impediments: The public and financial record issues involving disclosure; wild variation as to what revenue should be; difficulties in creation of a safe adult market; to legalize or not to legalize; whether the federal government should change marijuana from a schedule 1 to a schedule 3.

Comment: As Churchill would say, “A riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

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

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.