THE LAMORINDAN 7-17-09

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Jim Brencic came forth this morning with a timely warning from the defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

"When a government doesn't take shape within the framework of the law, it has no legitimacy" in the eyes of the people. This weakens the government and encourages the government to resort to violence against the people. The legitimacy of this government is in question because of the people's lack of trust."

WHERE IS THE 2 FOR 1 PROGRAM TODAY?

There were no guests or visiting Rotarians today. Is this a club first? Walt Nelson immediately sprang into the breach, imploring 2 for 1 Invitations to breakfast for prospective members go out immediately!

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Skip McCowan announced a 31 year wedding anniversary. Prez Fazel assessed $20 celebration fee.

Chuck Kenney announced a trifecta milestone. 64 years of age, 40 years CPA and 25 years Rotarian membership. Good for the very generous sum of $250.

FLAHARTY GETS YET ANOTHER RECOGNITION

President John invited past president Pat to receive a Rotary Gold Award for the club achieving average donations by club members of $200 to the Rotary International Foundation. This is a first time occurrence for our club, and the "life-size" patch will go on the club banner.

UPCOMING ROTARY EVENTS

Prez John announced the Foundation assembly will be held in Fairfield on August 15th. So far Walt Nelson will be attending.

The District Conference is slated for October 3-4 at Harvey's at Lake Tahoe. Featured speakers include Cliff Dochterman, Frank Dublin and Polio Survivor Anne Lee Huffey. These are great opportunities for old and new Rotarians to GET IT! Oh my gosh...is that still around?

WHAT TO DO WITH STEVE WARE?

In seemingly endless occurrences of promoting the new location for Ware Designs, Steve was called on the carpet. This time for failing to wear his Rotary pin, or have any rotary sign in his brand spanking new store location at the grand opening ceremony on Thursday evening.

The turnout was terrific thanks to major support from Jay Lifson and seemingly the entire Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette noon club. This prompted President Fazel to suggest that in order to be a member of the noon club you also had to be a Chamber member. Tom Black showed up with his trusty brownie to snap a few pictures.

Steve did his best with lame excuses, such as the pin was on his other shirt, until former Prez Pat told him to shut up, pay the $40 fine, and sit down. Amazingly he did.

ENDOWMENT BOARD MEETING

Will take place on Thursday, July23 at 7pm at the home of Paul Bettelheim. All are invited. Charlie Franklin wanted to know if we have more money this year than we had last year. Paul did not rise to the bait, but said that all would be revealed at the next meeting.

DAVID ISENBERG GOES BLUE

After his spectacular performance at the demotion party, and having completed all the menial tasks required of red badgers, which Brad Davis freely admitted blue badgers do not want to do, Dave was rewarded with his blue badge. We welcome another very worthy newbie to the fold.

GARDEN PARK APARTMENTS KIDS STAND OUT

Brad announced that 4 kids made the honor roll this past year with exemplary school work. One of the kids got straight A's! This is a remarkable achievement! Much credit is due to the homework club at the apartments which is supported by 30 volunteers. The pumpkin carving event is again on tap for the end of October. This time a major portion of the pumpkins will come from the kids own home-grown patch!

THE PROGRAM

Our speaker this morning, Dixon de Lena, is the Chief Executive and Founding Partner of Integral Partnerships LLC, a management consulting firm. The company's primary mission is to engage and assist leaders of businesses in the most urgent need of our time - to generate significant velocity in transitioning to a wiser and ultimately sustainable economy for our planet. Since 1999 Dixon has been a regular speaker at green and sustainability business conferences.

Before embarking on his chosen topic for the morning Dixon wryly observed he has a young friend who is an aspiring comedienne. He will be recommending she attend one of our breakfasts, because it is obviously "target rich" for material.

The topic for the morning was the serious issue of obesity. He began with an analogy of space scientists observing an object in the universe that was floating around the sun and was projected to collide with in earth in 2010. The havoc that situation could create for the earth is equivalent to the harm obesity is engendering on our population now and in the future.

Today 1 in 6 adolescents is pre-diabetic. 30% of the population is obese. The culprit is part modern conveniences for fast food and lack of individual attention to food supplies. The Robert Woods Johnson foundation is very active in the issue of wellness and provides the following statistics on obesity in California: 22% of adults are obese; 30% of children are obese; that obesity rate is growing 2% per year, and CA ranks 28th in country in this category.

So how do we improve and take steps in correcting this serious situation? An integral approach is required to cure the lack of education. A simple approach has been developed and is being promoted by the Wellness City Challenge through Eating Healthy Guidelines 101. The guidelines are simple and straightforward:

A. No Sugar in the First 3 Ingredients.

Sugar is in almost everything that is processed or packaged. There are over 40 names for sugar (high fructose corn syrup is the most common) so make sure to read each ingredient.

B. 3 grams of Fiber per 100 Calories

Fiber is critical to live a long, healthy life. Unfortunately processed foods take fiber out to increase shelf life. To ensure healthiest eating only look for foods with large amounts of fiber.

C. No Trans Fat/Hydrogenated Oil - EVER

Trans Fat and Hydrogenated Oils may increase the shelf life of your food, but at the expense of your health! These harmful fats increase health disease, cholesterol and obesity. Look for foods with healthy oils (mono-poly-unsaturated) for longer and healthier life.

Make these three small, simple changes for a big change in your life! Remember: Eat more food grown from plants (fruits and vegetable). Eat less food made in Plants (processed/packaged).

The www.wellnesscitychalenge.com website has great information on the mobilization and utilization of corporate partnerships, fundraising programs, community awareness, schools and senior organizations.

Locally this program has engaged with 19 mayors in Contra Costa County, published the Eat and Learn 101 Program, and trained the Program trainers. Funding grants have been obtained from Kaiser Hospital, Safeway, Mechanics and First Republic banks.

Dixon closed with the statement that obesity is now being classified by some as the next "polio like" epidemic facing the population, per his space analogy at the beginning of his presentation. Sober words! Thank you Dixon.

CALENDAR

July 23: Endowment Board Meeting. 7 pm. Bettelheim residence

July 24: Meeting Speaker Greg Wolf. Stanford water polo coach

July 31: Expose yourself: Rich (will he show up?) Shearer

August 7: Meeting Speaker Ginny Daws, Mount Everest climber

August 11: Board meeting, 7am, Prudential Offices, Orinda

August 14: Speaker Christie Hockel, Down Syndrome Congress

August 15: District Foundation assembly, Fairfield

August 21: Paul Fillinger, Alliance for Smiles in China

October 3/4: District Conference, Lake Tahoe