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.