ASSISTING WITH THE MEETING Bob Gee lead off the meeting with an invocation and it was followed by Charlie Hyde starting off the flag salute for us.

Sergeant at arms was Bill Young, manning the raffle desk was Jay Mayer and Ward Fletcher collected Paul Harris funds. The bulletin is being brought to you by none other than Mary Lou Sclair's husband and Ben Sclair's father.

VISITING ROTARIANS
Can you believe it? Not a single visiting Rotarian showed up for this second meeting in August. (Can it be that many have heard about the leadership of our president?)

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS
No one wanted to admit having brought a guest to the meeting today and after a quick check of the room the pres was all set to move to other things when Sally Porter Smith stood and gained attention to announce the presence of Lorna Gifford who will become a full-fledge member next week when she is inducted by our esteemed leader,

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STUFF
Stephanie Walsh, chair of the membership committee, strode to the podium to remind all of the campaign to increase our membership. In case you've forgotten, we are each to bring guests to a meeting and for each guest you bring your name goes into a basket and on a regular basis Stephanie has a name drawn and the winner receives a $50 gift certificate. This one was for Safeway.
The name drawn was that of Mary Covelli Johnson and she immediately suggested that another drawing be held since the guest she had brought was her daughter who was not going to become a member of the club.
On the redrawing, Dan Livingston's name was pulled and even though he was not present at the meeting, Stephanie proclaimed him the winner. "You need not be present to win the $50 gift certificate," she declared.

MAKING NEWBIES WELCOME
Pres. Greg reminded all members that each new member is given a roster and members are required to meet the new member and sign the book. On an undetermined schedule, Pres. Greg says he plans to ask a new member to see if a certain member has signed the book.
John Walstrum's book was presented and Pres. Greg asked if Bill Allen had signed it. After a bit of confusion about which way things were supposed to go, it was determined that Allen had failed to autograph the book. He was assessed a $5 fine.
Next, Kismet Kechejian was called upon to report whether one or both of the Hoffman brothers, Wynn and Vaughn, found Kaz and signed the book. Much to their dismay, neither had done the deed and they, too, were assessed $5 each.
Pres. Horn reminded all that meeting and greeting new members is important and this fiduciary penalty will continue throughout the year for those failing to complete their appropriate duties.

PAUL HARRIS PRESENTATION

President-elect Mick Johnson announced that longtime member Charlie Hyde had been declared a major donor by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. In recognition of his contributions totaling $10,000, Johnson, on behalf of the RI Foundation, presented Hyde with a piece of specially engraved crystal and a Foundation pin with a diamond. Way to go Charlie!

ROTARY CLUB REGATTA

Until this year known as the Floating Board Meeting, the Regatta was attended by nearly 30 members and spouses, according to chairman Morris Northcutt (who was personally unable to attend).  Yachts were provided by John Korsmo and Dave Reames. The steaks were prepared by Richard Simmons and Ward Fletcher and other arrangements and munchies were provided by others whose names were spoken much too quickly by Northcutt for this reporter to gather completely.

Let it suffice that the efforts of all who did anything were appreciated, more so the hospitality of the two ship captains. And, a good time was had by all who came by sea, land or air!

Editor's note: As Captain Reames moved his 50-foot yacht from the dock at the Tacoma Yacht Club's facility on the peninsula, Captain Korsmo was observed watching with obvious envy as Reames stood on the deck, maneuvering his yacht horizontally from the dock using his bow thrusters. It wouldn't surprise this writer and others on Korsmo's boat if by next year the vessel isn't upgraded or at least the equipment on it brought near to equality of Reames.'

REEDER ROADSTER ROMP

There was no one available to report on the plans for the event so it is assumed all is in good order.

LAKEWOOD ROTARY BREW FESTIVAL

Past President Greg Rediske , reprising his stage efforts of our recent installation banquet, and joined by Past President John (Ole) Magnuson, arose to present information in the form of hilarity, relating to the club's planned Homebrew Festival.

The gist of their presentation was that we all need to make tickets available to others so the event will indeed become a positive fundraiser and we all need to turn out to get the event accomplished and Magnuson will be in Germany rather than at the Water Ski Park where the rest of us will be laboring,

You can get more information and details by going to the world's longest webpage address: http://lakewoodrotaryhomebrewfestival.com. Remember, the event is coming up fast .. August 29^th from Noon to 7 pm. Sell tickets now! You can see the basic info on the page but you need to create an account and then log in to get to the secret stuff. So, go to the webpage and click Create an Account and fill in the requested info to set up your own password If that is a little too complicated for those who are technologically challenged, most of what you need is on the first page where no password is required and anyone else can call Pres. Horn.

FUN AND FINES

Even though President Greg was about out of time, he said he saw a new car in the parking lot and asked Mary Lou Sclair if it was hers. She responded affirmatively and proudly reported she and her husband (oh, that's me) had taken her new Ford Escape on a 5,300 mile trip to Oshkosh, WI (to the big aviation gathering) and back. During the trip she managed to find out if the SUV would do 90 mph (it did quite easily).

Along the way Mary Lou said she saw many things and places that made her appreciate the beauty of our country. Oh yes, Ed and Anita Janay, former members who now live in Cheyenne, WY, were visited for an overnight.

Mary Lou said one of the most enjoyable experiences was stipping at the Austin, MN, Spam Museum. DavePres. Greg presented with an Oshkosh B'Gosh Rotary Club banner made from overall material and a beer mug from the Spam museum and a can of hot spicy Spam. Not many president's have received such worthy and appropriate bribes, er gifts.

So shaken and pleased with his bribes, er, gifts, Pres. Greg almost forgot about any sort of fine, even though Dave pointed out that when Leon Titus learned the new used 2009 SUV had been acquired from Lakewood Ford he said he would pay the fine, which someone suggested be Mary Lou's top speed of 90 mph. Unfortunately, or intentionally, Titus was a no show at the meeting. Perhaps Pres. Greg will wait for him to show up to discuss the financial situation in more detail.

Dave Covey was called upon next and with time running out Covey informed all that his son was to be married soon in San Diego, Ca. This info was followed by an exchange in which Covey explained that he wanted to pay $17.95 as a fine. "Years ago I stood up for the masses and started the My-T-Fine Revolution, claiming $17.95 as the proper fine amount. Pres. Greg then proceeded to challenge him to a more appropriate fine that he would match on the day that one of his sons either got married or produced a grandchild for him (which ever came first was OK, he declared). After considerable discussion (and confusion it seemed to this writer) Covey agreed to $17.95 times 5 which I translated into $100.

PROGRAM OF THE DAY

Program chair Larry Faulk introduced Karen Turner Lee, Employment Security Commissioner. A Clover Park School District graduate and known to many in the area, she pointed out that Lakewood's diverse population had many in the upper levels of finances but 15.8 percent living below the poverty level.

              Statewide, just under 10 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Lee explained that the poverty level is figured by her department for different areas of the state. It depends on the local costs for housing and food and other factors. In this area, the poverty level for a family of four is described as an annual income of less than $31,000.

The Employment Security Department has three primary functions: Provide income support for the unemployed; assist individuals in finding employment; and providing information on unemployment. She explained the latter function as having evolved shortly after the start of the 20^th century when immigrants arrived in the US found they had to pay to find where jobs were available. President Teddy Roosevelt declared that unacceptable and established the service to gather the employment data and offer the information to all comers.

"Jobs available in Lakewood and there are people looking for work and we help match the two up," Lee explained. She added that currently the unemployment locally is about 9.2 percent. There is a large group - 16 percent - who have become discouraged and are no longer actively seeking employment. The commissioner said the state had received $20 million in federal funding this year to provide jobs for youth and about $750,000 had been earmarked for the local market.

THE RAFFLE DRAWING

Bill Allen claimed the lucky raffle ticket and drew a white chip, thus regaining his $5 penalty for failure to sign Walstrum's member book