Optimist Club Bulletin for October 11, 2012

Brought to you by Susan Nordstrom

Wally was talking to Alan about setting up a Facebook page, when I came into the conversation. Because I have a lot of experience with Facebook I have been chosen to set up a page, so I will work on that later this morning.

Alan and Bob A. went to the Court of Honor ceremony on Monday. 26 awards were given and 109 Merit Badges were given. Our club received the official Charter, though the amount of years our club has been charting Troop 870 seems to be a bit in question. Jack remembers it to be since 1968 Vern’s memory is similar. The Charter states it has been 43 years.

Bob A. said that in the 2nd or 3rd Monday in December that the boy scouts are having Holiday Hoop Lah and that he volunteered the optimist club to help with that. So let’s all plan to show up and help out. Bob will get us the official date shortly,.

Steve was busy reading the pamphlet for the Boy Scout Court of Honor and he ran into a term he’d never heard of, which was Geo Caching. I have heard of it because my brother and sister in law geo-cache all the time. Poor Steve seemed to be the only one in the club out of the loop, but the other members informed him of what it was, and Barry quoted how many are around worldwide. I mentioned there are special trips you can take just to geo-cache. So the statement that you never stop learning, came to play this morning. We have done several screen shots for my brother and sister in law, seems like it could be quite fun.

I asked Jack to talk about his Bridge Walk in Astoria, at which time Alan dramatically said oh no not again, Jack explained that last week. I merely mentioned I wasn’t here last week and wanted to know, so thankfully Jack was up to talking about it again, and Alan seemed to be ok after hearing about it again. So Jack and Carol did an excellent job. Carol made it half way before she was picked up by the sweeper bus, which carries those who can’t make it all the way back to the finish line. Jack walked the whole thing and as he crossed the finish line he and Carol got their pictures taken. So if you click on this link,http://www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com/ and click on event pictures and type in Franklin, you’ll see all the photos of their walk.

Marv Thompson, due to him not coming to the club this week, forfeited his winnings from last week.

This week’s winner was Alan.

This day in history was 2008. A Belgium blind man set a new speed record in driving, that is all I know because I forgot to pick up the sheet as I walked out the door.

We were going to have a guest speaker today but she ended up with car trouble and couldn't make it. So instead Mark spoke to us about a non-profit that he is a board member and his son has received skills from, Imagine Possibilities. He spoke about his son who has down syndrome as well as Autism. His son has benefited from Imagine Possibilities. Mark is a past member of this club, he even brought his yellow vest. As jack pointed out that besides Mike that Vern may be the only other one with a yellow vest.

Wally has a speaker in 2 weeks, otherwise the calendar is open, so if you have a speaker let Wally know and he’ll add you to the calendar.

Have a great week everyone, see you next week!

Helping celebrate Aloha's Centennial

Around 650 neighbors came to the Aloha Business Group's event to have cake and cookies and visit the businesses and their displays and  listen to our politicians share their visions.

Our own Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten was there greeting folks.

Lots of folk entered our raffle for a free breakfast at the Peppermill Restaurant Feb. 2nd to hear Beaverton Mayor Doyle talk.

Our Boy Scout Troop 870 was the Color Guard bringing the flag in.

Opti-Bea-Bull

Marv and Gene returned to their regular seats and MarvD gave the invocation so our new year begins and all’s right with the world. President Bob tucked his winnings into the administrative fund so we can feed our speakers and Gene won today’s raffle. Terry Merrit from the Beaverton Police was our guest again until we can induct him.

Joe was so elated about his Rose Bowl winning Ducks and the end of a 95 year drought that he forgot to shake the Secret Greeter’s hand. Which worked out all right since the greeter is so old he forgot Joe’s crime and Joe had to remind him! Scott complained that the Beavers never get footballs that just sit there inbounds waiting for some Duck to hatch it. And we had to listen to a play by play of this historical game almost forgetting to sing Happy Birthday to Dave and wish him a happy anniversary. Dave and his Tualatin Hills Park District will be installing new playground equipment June 2^nd and hoping our Club can help again with this project.

Sheriff Steve reports that Brian and Doug are moving their dentistry practice to a new office. It will be somewhere over near Goodwill. Steve is happy because he’ll get to install all new locks for them.

Wally isn't home yet from visiting his missionary son in the Dominican Republic so Pres. Bob asked me to remind everyone that the Club is sponsoring a booth this Sunday from 2 to 5 PMat the Mt. View Middle School in celebration of Aloha’s Centennial Birthday. Bruce plans to join us with some bicycle safety items since we help sponsor his NW Bicycle Safety Council group. Please come and help us man the booth and advertise the Optimists! Dick Schouten our own Washington County Commissioner plans to be there too.

Speaking of Dick, he brought a hockey scarf from the Winter Hawks to auction off which was scarped up by Marv for a grandson. He also brought some handouts to remind us of the upcoming election. The Oregonian wrote that Schouten “is an experienced and articulate advocate for the environment, alternative modes of transportation, funding for the arts, parks and other livability issues.” He has represented Aloha, Beaverton and Cooper Mt. for the past 11 years and can use our support, our votes and some help in campaigning which will cost around $90,000 this time around. His website is www.supportschouten.com

He also supports the County’s “Plan to End Homelessness” which our next week’s speaker will probably also support as Lisa Mentesana will be talking about Homeless School Kids. We will be singing happy birthday to Bruce Buffington that day. He did such a good job directing us this morning he may have to do it again Thursday.

President Bob reminded everyone that Monday night is our Board Meeting at PAL at 6:30 PM. Wally is scheduled to tell us about the Dominican Republic on the 19^th at our morning meeting. Mayor Denny Doyle is scheduled Feb 2^nd. The 16^th of Feb. will be an evening Valentine Dinner meeting at 6:30 PM.  So we won’t meet in the morning. Leave a comment on our website calendar if you plan to attend. Feb 25^th is the Pacific NW District meeting which will be held in Keizer, Oregon. Please put that date on your calendar.

Deborah Martisak from the City of Beaverton presented a concept plan regarding Hall Creek from 114^th Ave. to 117^th Ave. to be presented to Metro for its Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant Program. The creek would be realigned along with a path which would include a boardwalk and re-vegetation with native plants, stormwater improvements, rock walls and floodplain bench and a series of swales cascading to the creek. She was hoping to get a letter of interest from the club. Jack was excited as he has been proposing improving our natural areas. (I think he wants to lure the herons away from his pond and have them eat the trout in this creek which she sort of promised…the trout I mean.) Anyway, the Club voted to approve signing our support for this flood control and re-greening of this creek. If you have questions her email is dmartisak@beavertonoregon.com   Her phone is (503) 350-4084.