Here's what happened today, March 14, 2013

Good Morning everyone. Figured if I didn't write these up I'd surely leave something out. Great group of folks this morning. 

Bruce brought fliers for the Beaverton, Banks and Beyond Bike Tour which will be held on August 24, 2013 starting at Papa's Pizza Parlor. Registration is currently open, they have an early offer for a NWBSC biking jersey as well. There annual budget right now is creeping up to $ 25,000. Thanked the Optimist Club for their donation. 

Greg Cody joined us today he is on the THPRD Board as well as a neighbor to Marv Doty. Eric S. talked to him at coffee last night and suggested he come to check out the Optimist Club. 

Bruce introduced Captain Eric Oathes of the Beaverton Police Department, he will take over where Terry Merritt left off as our liaison. Bruce has known Eric for sometime as they used to do cases together. 

Alan asked Bruce if Captain Oathes had received a brochure to fill out, when Bruce said no that he had read in an e-mail provided by Alan, that he would have one ready this morning. Alan had to scramble a bit but the captain got his brochure to fill in. 

Bob P. brought an updated roster, passed it around so people could make changes. Thank you Bob for doing this. 

Dave said we need to move our shed. Bob P. said to call him that he would come over and meet Dave and go through the stuff in shed. 

Raffle winner last week was Eric. He gave his winnings to the Dean Mitchell Scholorship Fund. Thank you for doing that. Raffle winner this week was Wally. 

Linda Robinson came from the Hope Pantry, to let us know what they have been up to. Linda said that last year they gave out 5,500 food boxes. These food boxes give a family a 3 day supply of food. The Hope Pantry helped out 23,000 people last year. Said it's very rare for people to come weekly to the pantry. That often people come in just when the need arises. 

They are looking for Volunteers. Here are their hours of operations in case you have a little time to spend at the Hope Pantry: 

Wednesday 

10-11:30am Unload food trucks, Prep the Pantry, Stock the Shelves 

6:00-7:00pm Repackage the produce 

Thursday: 

10:00-1:30pm Prep the Pantry, Fill Food Boxes, Clean up 

Friday: 

10-11:30am Receive/sort/store food from stores 

2:00-3:30pm Unload food trucks, prep the pantry, stock the shelves 

Saturday: 

10:00-11:30am Prep the Pantry, fill food boxes, clean up 

If you are interested in helping you can contact Linda Robinson at 805-750-5105 or at the Hope Pantry's email address: hopepantry@thisishope.com She mentioned that if you would like to donate items that during any of the times above would be great. The top things they are looking for are; Shampoo, TP, deodorant and bar soap. 

Bob P. talked about the amazing time he had at the Robotics fair this last weekend at the Memorial Coliseum. Said that this year the kids made robots that launched Frisbee's clear across the room. Something for our club to get involved in next year. 

This day in History, 1997. Bill Clinton, while recovering from an operation, showed interest in picking up golf again. 

Next week our speaker will be Sally Fabre, she is with the Aloha Business Association and our Optimist club speaker of the month. She works for Agape Community Insurance. 

The week after that Joycelyn from PAL will be there. 

Here is our website, please check it out and read a blurb about our speaker of the month. http://beavertonoptimist.webs.com/ 

Last but not least, have a great week everyone and we'll see you next week. Susan

Minutes from March 7

Out-of-town Bob returned from Maui. He was just in time to help induct his son Matt into our Club. His dad helped apply his pin while acting President Bob gave him certificates and paperwork to make it official. Matt helped with our cleanup at the Jenkins Estate while his father sunned himself in Hawaii. Matt has two little daughters five and two. He is a proud Beaver while his wife Sara is a Duck. He claims to clothe the girls in orange and black? He works at Intell and is planning on taking a sabbatical this summer so he will be available for lots of service projects? Matt and Bob Primrose  seemed overjoyed with the primroses they received and can’t wait to plant them.

Chaplain Wally took us back to 1776 with a puzzle named Sandy and offered to tell whether he was talking hurricanes only if his palm was crossed with shekels. He didn't charge for the prayer. President Bob began with a quick recap of Monday evening’s Board Meeting. We replaced Joe Coss, who left us for his Bend retreat, and asked Susan to take his place on the Board. Bob was still attempting to connect with Park & Rec’s. risk management to determine whether our wood splitting and firewood sales can continue at the Jenkins Estate. Jack stepped up to offer his expertise in building some bulletin boards for Aloha’s new library. Scott Thompson's wife just built one (I think to assign chores for Scott and his sons).  So he will help and Wally explained what sizes are needed and where they are to go. Bob Arneson is working with Fir Grove grade school on their cleanup service project scheduled for April 27^th so keep this date open.

Bob has speakers lined up for the 21^st…Sally Fabre (Aloha Business Association) and the 28^th…Jocelyn (PAL Club) and next week we asked the Hope Pantry folks to send a representative to accept our donation for food or necessary supplies. Bruce Buffington has been appointed by Beaverton’s Police Chief to PAL’s new Board. Bruce will be bringing an officer to join our Club next week. We need to get a new application ready. See our Optimist calendar on our web site for correct speaker spellings.

Bob spent his last weeks raffle winnings on breakfast for speakers and Eric Squires, this morning’s speaker, will collect today’s pot of ½ $11.00. Wally claims the New York Provincial Congress ordered the Sandy Hook lighthouse to be dismantled on this day in 1776 so the invading British ships would crash on the rocks. The idea was devious but the British just installed new equipment so our plot was foiled. New Jersey and New York bickered over ownership of the lighthouse until the federal government assumed control of all lighthouses in 1787. In 1996 the Sandy Hook lighthouse, the oldest original lighthouse on the United States, passed into the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. It remains in operation as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Eric Squires spoke to us about an Aloha Historical Society which he cleverly wrapped up with an audio visual demonstration with the latest inexpensive gadgets which could record our meeting’s proceedings and he explained how he did this with his CPO 6 meetings for which he is the honcho. They don’t just talk about land use nowadays. He is having a candidates' forum with folks running for the water board and the school district. His CPO is really a city club in disguise.

Besides being involved with the CPO he also got the wheels rolling in starting Aloha’s new library. And he belongs to the Aloha Business Association with our own Wally. He also is involved with the Washington County Museum and Beaverton Historical Society. Eric brought a friend with him, Anthony Mills, who is a sociologist with a degree in Poly Sci. who spent time in Russia and Micronesia. He likened Eric to Benjamin Franklin because he has so many interests and involved in so many things. We need both of these folks to join our club.

Eric offered to show any of our members how to operate this equipment and to put us in touch with “Free Geek” so we can build our own computers. (First I need to learn how to run my phone!) On behalf of the Club, Wally presented Eric with a children’s book, “It Happened on a Train” to be given to Aloha’s new library.

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.

Opti-Bea-Bull 12-29-11

Small group this morning with only one member willing to flaunt his Christmas present of three granddaughters dressed as gnomes presented on a canvas suitable for hanging in his living room. Our old friend Patsy didn't have to work so she joined us for breakfast and we discussed karaoke. Deputy Police Chief Terry Merrit joined us as Jack's guest and got to pick the raffle ticket. Pres. Bob won and Jack turned over last week's winnings to Marv T. for our Dean Mitchell Scholarship fund. Susan brought a sympathy card in as Will Moton's mother passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. Noel didn't make it so the chorus was disbanded with no birthday celebration.

Pres. Bob reminded us that the Board Meeting will be on the 9th next year so don't show up on the first Monday. Wally has arranged a booth for the Optimists to celebrate Aloha's 100th birthday on the 8th which is a Sunday from 2-5 PM. It is across the street at Mt. View Middle School. We hope to have representatives from some of the organizations we support such as the PAL Club and the Start Making a Reader Today besides us. Bob also reminded us that our Scout Troop 870 will begin picking up Christmas Trees this weekend. Marv D. has arranged for the trucks to transport them to recycle and hopefully Tualatin Hills Park District is on board as the drop off site. Our Scouts raised around $14,000 last year which paid for their Summer Camp registrations, monthly Scout outings and Scout equipment. Call Sherry Peetz at 503-642-1714 to arrange pickup for your tree or your neighbor's.

We met at the PAL Club last week to help them hold a proper Christmas Party and were able to help them with leftover cookies and punch. It gives a person a warm feeling to be helpful like that. In fact Pres. Bob announced that we should gather up all the pictures and put together one of those Community Project reports to give to the Pacific NW District and show them how helpful we are. A Secretary's job is never done. Bob did present a check to PAL from money we raised from firewood sales.

Last week Jack brought another guest, Dave Hall, who use to be one of our members and is moving back to Beaverton, I think. Jack won the raffle which was probably his reward for being so diligent in inviting folks. We didn't have a speaker so shared our Christmas plans. Marv D got an A on his annual exam and is good for another ten years which is comforting to a guy in his eighties. Barry also passed his exam. Susan is involved in her procedure for MS but is shaking our hands with her glove. They don't exchange presents but she got a new brace for her leg which seems to be working OK. Wally is planing to visit his son, the missionary, in the Dominican Republic and leaves on the 27th. Scott took his family to Mexico and explored Puerto Vallarta. This week they are up at their cabin on Mt. Hood to ski if it ever stops raining. Bob shopped for clothes for a son and now has to return a gift card because the son may move as his office is relocating to Washington and he needs to make repairs to his house instead. I think Steve got clothes for his son too. And Jack made some sort of foolish exchange with his wife and now will be doing dishes for a year!

We did get a picture of Pres. Bob giving his presentation in his new Scout uniform on our Dec. 15th meeting. He was requesting Club support on starting a Scout Venturing Program which is for older kids from 14 to 20. The kids themselves have to decide what activities they want to do. The group can be coed as long as a female adult will volunteer. We encouraged Bob to try to get a group together. He already has some Scouts interested so it may be easier to form than a JOOI Club.

Beaverton Optimist Club Thursday, December 1st, 2011 (whoa!)

Alan Z rang the bell, in place of Bob A., (Thank You Alan !)...... Marv  lead us in the pledge and Wally followed with the invocation, and................................"This Day in History, 1958 & 1990/96"....??  (What the??)

Barry arrived a tad late, but soon enough to collect his prior week raffle winnings.....!

Joe was fashionably late, but made the rounds and avoided a fine.....sa-lick...!

Dave C won this weeks raffle........yes !!!

Jack told a blond Joke........ Great intro, great drama, great enthusiasm.......................weak ending.......!

Wally auctioned off a marvelous "day planner"..... Marv D won the bid and is now planning Marvelous days ahead......cause he's an optimist.............!!

We took a moment to inquire about Vern & Pat Williams........  Sounds like Vern is doing well but Pat may be going thru some difficulties....... We are thinking about you guys and will keep ya in our prayers.....  :)

Joe C distributed some valuable Nike coupons redeemable for 30% discounts this weekend only.....!!   You should have been there..........!!    Thank You Joe & Debra !!!

Important Reminders:

1.  Bob P's birthday this week..... (Bring expensive gifts next week)

2.  Alan Z's birthday this week....( Bring more expensive gifts next week)

3. Birthday celebrations scheduled next week, Thurs PM.....( could be the highlight of the yr.....according to Bob & Alan)........again, they are requesting nice, expensive gifts  please ,........

4. Beaverton Optimist Board Meeting, Monday Dec 5th, 6:30PM....PAL Club......(Bring enthusiasm & support)

5. No Breakfast meeting next Thursday, Dec 8th...... (Don't bring nuttin)

6. Optimist Christmas Party, Thursday, Dec 8th, 6:30 PM, Peppermill....( bring gift to exchange and lots of smiles)...contact Bob P if you have not signed up...order off the menu or choose, fettuccini, sirloin or ham... no ketchup.....

Morning Entertainment-  Allen put together a bevy of power point photos, featuring past projects and memories.......  Was pretty cool to reflect on recent events/accomplishments that turned out to be a lot of fun and were very supportive of the community.....  Awesome.......!!

This day in History.......1990- English Chunnel opens

                                  1958...Rosa Parks makes history...

                                  1996...No body knows and Wally cannot explain !#!$%! (should a been there ! )

Have a great Week.....!