Spokane North Notes
 
A weekly bulletin of the Spokane-North Rotary Club
May 11, 2015
 
Editors: Chuck Rehberg and Sandy Fink
Photo: Eric Johnson
Program Coordinator: Jim Minkler
 
          Fund-raiser: “One week to go,” reminds coordinator Jodi Harland.  Tickets, lists of sponsors and attendees and monies collected to date are due next Monday, May 18 for the club’s “Hawaiian Night,” 6-10 p.m., Thursday, June 4 at The Backyard, 1811 W. Broadway.  (There is no club meeting on Memorial Day, May 25th.)  Jodi is working on a trip to Hawaii as an auction item.
 
          Steve Boharski adds that 8 to 10 more restaurant dining deals are still needed to fill raffle prize packages for the event, which benefits year-long programs at Holmes Elementary.
 
          Rotary Day: All Spokane-area clubs will have booths and presentations Saturday, May 30, 12-4 p.m., near the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park.  President-elect Lenore Romney is signing up volunteers to staff our club’s table for 75-minute segments.
 
          Thanks!: Great job by Melinda Keberle in organizing the club social May 9 at the season-ending  concert of the Spokane Jazz Orchestra.  About 25 members, families and guests attended the concert and club-sponsored social hour at The Bing.
 
On the fast track for fun
 
            Bill Simer fills his “need for speed” on the region’s road-race courses.
            Bill shared his racing passion with the club May 11, showing slides of the motor sports venues in Seattle, Portland, Spokane and California.
 
           “It’s fun to talk about my hobby,” Simer said.  “In real life, I’m a CPA.  In my pretend life, I’m a race car driver.”
 
           Asked how many cars he owns, Simer replied: “More than I need; not as many as I want.”
 
           In addition to the slide show, Bill brought props, including his helmet, neck support, arm restraints, fire-resistant racing suit and even fire-proof undies, which, he said, “I also wear when I meet clients.”
 
          All the protective gear comes in handy, especially in times like two weeks ago, when Simer said, “I spanked the wall at 80 miles per hour.”
 
          Bill showed one slide that he said dated his interest in cars to age 2.  He has built and repaired several race cars in various formula classes and his passion for Porshes is deep-seated.
 
          His meetings at various tracks with racing legends like George Follmer are as notable to Bill as playing with Jack Nicklaus would be for avid golfers.
 
          Those interested in seeing Bill race should plan to attend the events June 6-7 at the Spokane County Raceway in Airway Heights.