Kris Chatterson of the Black Diamond Police Department came to the 12 August Meeting and talked about Saber's unique trained ability to sniff out drugs. We all know dogs had a nose for finding stuff, but Kris mentioned the dogs sense is 4,000 times more acute than the human sense of smell. This service dog, Saber, is a black Lab rescue dog who did well at the 6 week training school on McNiel Island. Neither white carpet cleaner, bounce or coffee grounds can through the dogs sense of smell off.
Then Saber demonstrated his ability to go right to the spot where the sample drug was placed. This was a most vivid demonstration of how one dog (and master) help to keep our kidds safe.

Code Blue Now is asking each of us the think about what might be improved in Health Care delivery, and to tell someone about it.

Shouldn’t health care be an individual responsibility? After all, food and clothing are, even housing, and healthcare is simply another basic.

How does the US health care compare to Canada, England, Japan, or other European Countries?

Is health care becoming simply reactive, or is there an opportunity to become preventive?

In the short 20 minutes, Kathleen covered so much of the subject, it made our head spin. Maybe we should make a doctor's appointment. Did you know not everyone can? Thanks Kathleen for getting us thinking.

Jesse Tam and his wife Lilly joined us for breakfast and this informal time of exchanging ideas was most encouraging. Speaking off the cuff was most refreshing as we felt we were better introduced to the sincere nature of our District leader. The conversation talked about our growth consistent with the dynamics of Federal Way. He understands our interest in an overseas water project and want's us to plug in to the District effort. It was wonderful that Jesse Tam wasn't here to fix things, rather encourage us to tune up our own resources. Yes, it is about fun and community. The rest of being a serving Rotary Club will follow.

As July continues to rip by, we are looking all levels of progress. The July 15th meeting was a chance for Jodie Riley-Kauer to acknowledge Byron Hiller's past and continuing leadership on the International Service Committee. Let's rally along side Byron to continue searching out the International Service direction.

The Rotary First Harvest Director, David Boborank, did give us a plate full of ideas to chew on.

The Doors for Marie Callenders open at 7:00 on the 22nd to greet Jesse Tam, our District Governor. The half and half raffle is really getting hot, so get there early. Although our time is short, we can catch up and prepare notes between the doors opening at 7:00am and the bell ringing at 7:30.

An under 30 Group of Rotarians (age not number of members) gathers every other week associated with the Health Sciences Division of the University of Washington. And to have Jen and Ryan come and talk with us is an inspiration. Their group experiences great turnover every year a graduate students move on to other opportunities. Having been down to one or 2 members a year ago, they now have 20 to 30 young adults gathering twice a week for the common goal of service. The Thailand 2009 trip will be life changing not only for the 10 or so members spending a month overseas, yet also for the lives touched in the medical facility where they will be serving. October 24th is a dinner to help increase awareness of this outreach, and FW Sunrise is getting a table of 8 together to take part.

The July 1st -- "Breakfast with Al", allowed thoughts and an exchange of ideas with the Fire Chief. He talked about team efforts, the results of working together while he used the joining of 2 local fire districts in recent years as example. Lessons were learned for all of us in our business, community and Rotary involvement.

The Toast of "Let's Push Water" was again given for Sunrise Rotary. Al Church did mention the fire teams try and conserve the use of water on a fire due to steam damage. What does a burning building in an African village get when they have no water? Be a part of the team doing research and helping to "Make Dreams Real".

Federal Way Sunrise Rotary -- 2008