Linda LaFond opened the meeting with the Pledge and Invocation.
 
John Risdall introduced his guests; Samantha Rubin form the T.C. North Chamber of Commerce and Gina Jacques from LaMettry Collision.  Other guests were Mary Jo McGuire and Mary Burg, and Joel Fox
 
Next week's program will be Tyler Middleton from CenturyLink.  Future programs can be found in the left hand column.
 
Jeff Benson had the pleasure of inducting Jason Slama into the club.  Jason has a Master's in Health Fitness Management.  He owns his own Muscle Activation Technique practice which he operates out of the Minnesota Muscle Gym in Mounds View.
 
Mary Stewart reminded us that C.P.Y. is participating in the Box Tops for Education program.  Just clip the pink labels on many common products, get the box tops to Mary or Geoff, and C.P.Y. gets $.10 for each one.  What a great way to help C.P.Y. continue their great work in our community.
 
Paul Fournier said that, based on responses to his survey, he won't be making any sweeping changes to the Gold Plate Dinner fundraiser for this year.
 
Paul also said that he has arranged for NBMV Rotary members to receive a 15% discount on tickets for  "A Chorus Line" at the Ordway.  The production runs from February 16-28 and demand is very high, so act today if you are interested.  Tickets are available on the Ordway website, or by calling 651-224-4222 To get your 15% discount, use the promotion code LUNDSTRUM15
 
District 916 Education Foundation is holding their 25th Annual Gala Event on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 5:30 pm at Jimmy's Conference Center (just east of 35E and County Road E) in Vadnais Heights.  Information and tickets are available here.
 
Sue Ager announced the birth of her first grandchild, Desmond.
 
President Dana paid $20 to avoid wearing the Birthday Hat but, alas, she still was forced to listen to us sing the birthday song.  See photo below.
Cor Wilson introduced today's speaker, Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman.  Blake spoke to us about his Veterans Journey Home project, a housing initiative for veterans.  Blake explained that there are 30,000 veterans living in the Twin Cities and many of those veterans face significant mental, physical and financial challenges.  Veterans Journey Home seeks to help by "providing affordable housing in safe neighborhoods served by great schools to military veterans and their families".  
 
VJH is currently building a home in Shoreview where dozens of partners have contributed over $100,000 worth of money, materials and labor to the project.  The community has backed the project by volunteering and donating money, local companies have provided materials and students from St Paul College are developing their construction skills while being the primary workers on the site.  Geothermal technology and extra insulation will keep energy costs manageable for the homeowner or renter.
 
VJH is also planning a six unit housing project on donated land in Vadnais Heights.  Dunwoody's architecture students will design the homes, St Paul College carpentry and cabinetmaking students will play a primary construction role and Century College's interior design students will also play a key role.  Job Core students will assist in the construction and painting of the homes.  Commitments are in place for support from companies, churches, communities and also business and civic groups like Rotary.  The total cost of the project is 1.9 million and 88% of that total has been secured in grants and in-kind donations, leaving $236,000 still to be funded.   Blake's contact info:  blake@journeyhomemn.org  651-249-1732  Dana and Blake are shown below.