We welcomed Andeana Janovich, reporter with the Yakima Herald Republic and guest of SPENSER HATTON, Jenna Curtzinger, account executive with Obie Media and guest of PENNY BAKER, perennial guest Len Buchanan, the entire Sunkings Team and staff and, of course, President George W. Bush – bet you wish you didn’t miss the meeting.

We were greeted by a glowing WENDY AGUILAR and led in invocation by an also glowing JOHN WARREN. Birthday boy, STEVE SOELBERG called an un-short game of bingo and DAN FISHER, as sergeant, told us all what our most secret “brags” would be.

We are busy in April and May, lots of opportunities to volunteer for our community….mark your calendars!

This week is the book fair at MLK Elementary. Contact KIRSTEN STOFFER if you would like to help sell books. Or just show up with your checkbooks in hand. There are many wonderful books for you to purchase…. Think kids, grandkids, birthday gifts…..

This Saturday is the Robertson Award banquet honoring local sports organizers including our own GENE ROSTVOLD. If you would like to sit at the Kiwanis Table contact BARB GRECO for details. Tickets are $50.

May 3rd Saturday is our Kiwanis Yard Sale to benefit MLK School reported by SPENSPER HATTON. Thank you to STEVE SOELBERG who has secured the Trinity Baptist Church parking lot (12th and Tieton) for the location of the sale. CHRIS CHRISTMAN will organize the selling staff. Sign ups went around and will continue to go around for those who will help set up, man the tables, drive around and pick up items and the “chosen few” who will do anything SPENSER asks….but not anything CHRISTMAN asks, I hope.

May 31st, Saturday ROCK THE GAP, which will be a fun event featuring local restaurants and local music by BETH KLINGELE’s husband’s band, Blind Lemon Pie. This event will be held after the Gap to Gap Race from 5pm to 10pm. Chair LINDA HACKET reported that plans are coming along well, we are partnering with the Greenway and MLK school staff. There will also be a daytime event for kids with activity booths too.

PROGRAM – ROB BICKLER, Publisher Yakima Herald Republic

Rob moved to Yakima in 1991 and told us he and his wife have chosen to stay here for quality of life, even though they have opportunities to move elsewhere. He heads up the FOR A BETTER TOMORROW group with Rick Linneweh of Memorial Hospital. BARB GRECO is the executive director and the only paid staff person. The group is focusing on grass roots efforts to change Yakima for the better. Rob mentioned the many positive things here in Yakima…philanthropy is incredibly high, great weather, outdoor activities, slow pace of life, caring people. He says that Yakima dwells on the negative and not on the positive. Some positive he noted are the Gateway to the Wine Center facility opening this month, new shopping at the Valley Mall, the Front Street and West Side Merchants groups banding together to improve our area.

For A Better Tomorrow started a few years ago with the help of outside consultant Henry Luke. Over 2000 community members participate in surveys and forums. These activities helped narrow down the groups’ focus to several key areas including: Economic Development, Education, Quality of Life, Government, Infrastructure and Private Sector Leadership. Now over 100 businesses and non-profits are Vision Partners that will take ownership of the goals set by the community.

Look for new banners going up around town on buildings that are examples of making Yakima better.

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