THE LAMORINDAN 2-5-10

THE FIERY THINKER

Mark Roberts offered this to kick things off: "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." (Albert Schweitzer.) We are perhaps fortunate that Mark didn't choose to express the thought - his own -- that commenced a recent column in the Orinda News, being the Orinda Association's fiery leader: "During the holidays, I was reminded about the essential nature of something nearly all of us take for granted: the use of wonderfully opposable thumbs on both hands." The same tabloid showed his offer for a Farmers Friendly Review.

GUESTS

Rotarians:   Zero, Zip, Nada (not to be confused with Larry, Curly and Mo)

Others:

          Norm Eggers, David Waal's father-in-law
          Carol Davis, long-suffering, martyred mate of Brad Davis
          Hays's groupies, spouse Regina and cousin-in-law Terry
          Valerie Heusinkveld - Will she take the name Shearer for

spelling purposes? She and Rich tie the knot on March 13.
          Todd LaPorte,UC professor
          Caroline Kunkel, regular attendee in place of Becky Ware

FINE FINES

Steve Ware doesn't go back quite as far as King Tut, but saw him by way of celebrating his (Steve's) birthday.

Ground Hog Day Eve sounds romantic. Brad & Carol Davis think so, as it is their anniversary. How many? Just check out their custom-made T-shirts, both being #35; don't know how rival players would tell them apart. Three guesses what amount of fine was.

It was only $30 for Dan Rogers, even though recognition was given for his 40th birthday. Since he celebrated by painting the town with wife Lindsey and friends, one wonders why the amount was so gentle.

Pat Flaharty showed that past presidential training can be useful. He noted that Gary Fulcher has been a Red Badger for an inordinately long time. Whether Gary or his mentor Rich Shearer is at fault was ambiguous, but Pat urged that someone pay a fine every week until the red badge turns blue.

OUR SHY, RETIRING EXCHANGE STUDENT

Wow, was Aymeric on a roll! Continuing his series evaluating America, he said it's a nice place to visit, BUT:

Barack is too conservative.
Why are we at war in Iraq.
Why don't we fix global warming.
Time to socialize health care like the school system.
However, he doesn't like the idea of having to pay for others.
He also had an illustrated scientific discussion on evolution.
And for his views on pro-life, see him.

We are hoping that next time Aymeric relates how he really feels.

CLASSY NEW MEMBER

If your GPS breaks down, don't fret. Just call Robbie Kunkel. This lady has moved around quite a bit. Started out in Oklahoma City. Father was a CPA, so at Oklahoma State she of course studied microbiology. Married in Texas, where she lived for four years. Moved to Pennsylvania, where she had a son, now 19. To Cleveland for 1.5 years. Couldn't stand all the glitter Cleveland offered, so on to England for a while, producing another son and enjoying their pace and tendency toward social programs (she and Aymeric may want to discuss). Back to Texas, a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, giving Caroline her start in life, before taking on Northern California. Studied theology and philosophy, and now teaches the latter. Currently studying toward an MBA. Likes "doing it all", being a homebody and a work-body. Definitely adds a touch of class to this herd of cats.

BOOZY FAZEL

Whether this next item is classy depends on the eye and appetite of the beholder. If you get the Lamorinda Weekly - published fortnightly, of course -- you've gotta check out the very back page of the "Life in Lamorinda" section (p. L8). There's The Cookbook in all its technicolor splendor, together with a substantial quote from the Prez, starting with his being raised on a farm in Perry, Iowa, and including (with all due modesty) a lot of what LSR does. A sidebar reveals the favorite recipe of generations of Fazels -- "Boozy Chicken" -- in all its technicolor and tipsy glory. The Prez flashed this at the meeting, but a closer look is necessary. If you didn't get the paper steal one. Actually, you can't steal one, because they're free.

STUFF GOIN' ON

Joanne Luscher, who had a hip replaced earlier in the week, reportedly is doing well. All the best for a swift and full recovery, Joanne.

Thomas Peeks, dictator-in-waiting, looks forward to PETS in March and the Montreal convention in June. Now, how could he not know the speaker in Montreal, especially when it's Dolly Parton? She'll be pushing her literacy foundation. WHO said "foundation?"

Becky Ware is doin' a lot of stuff. Her letter is appended hereto and made a part hereof. (This is a highly cerebral paper.)

The Prez tipped us off that the way to push the cookbooks is to invite people to make a donation and get a a copy free.

According to Dave Waal, the Acalanes Leadership Club would like to find projects worth about 3 hours for 15 kids. If you have any, let him know.

Hays Englehart, Mr. Home Team, thanked the troops for bringing the stuff he requested. No more is needed, as he and Joe Bettencourt are sweettalking donations out of local hardware stores.

One thing that won't be goin' on is our meeting here on February 26. That's because the InterClub on February 25 takes its place. Guest speaker is Barry Jekowsky, conductor of the California Symphony.

And finally, most thrillingly, there's a Board meeting on Tuesday at the Herr Fazel's office.

SENIOR TECHNOLOGY

Hays figured out that Terry Englehart is his cousin-in-law. She helped him develop the concept of the Home Team. She's pretty well qualified.

5+ years ago she started Senior Center Without Walls to help home-bound seniors. It began with 6 people. It didn't stay that size long, and she has hauled in three major awards, including the Gold and Silver Award from Oakland.

SCWW is a telephone community by which housebound (for any reason) seniors in Northern California can enjoy free group activities, which reduces isolation and depression. To connect to a group, it's just a matter of getting a schedule, signing up, calling a toll-free number, and push a two-digit access code. Participation is anonymous except for first names. Friendly conversation and stimulation are the order of the day.

It's a way to learn of senior resources, get support in a crisis such as a hospital visit, and get therapy from the "blues busters" group. Stimulation of the brain is a big part, through lots of activities such as quizzes, and experts in various fields. Of course, there's Bingo, which ranks among the most popular events.

Book groups, where Terry reads a short story aloud once a week and a novel is discussed once a month. Armchair Travelers, where a docent assembles photos and goes on a "tour" or a "cruise." SCWW. Spotlight, conducted by an experienced interviewer, featuring a participant who wishes to tell a life's story. Support groups on aging, vision, environmental sensitivities, coping with loss, women's depression, and chronic pain.    New Year's Eve party by phone, in the afternoon (well, it's Midnight in Moscow). Annual talent show. Imagination Station, where anyone can show improv talent in far-out situations (going to Jupiter, Alice down the rabbit hole). Even baby showers or memorials over the phone.

The plaudits given by participants (on our screen, which actually worked) as to the value of SCWW were convincing testimony. In case you didn't get a brochure, Senior Center Without Walls is at either 510: 444-5974, or outside of that area, toll-free, 1-877-797-7299. E-mail is info@SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org. Website URL is www.SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org.

Our thanks to Terry for her presentation, and also for turning on a light in Hays's stimulated brain to create the Home Team.

From Rebecca Ware, Esq:
Hi everyone!

I would like to update you all on what I've been up to recently. I am currently in Villa La Angostura visiting the family of Zoe Martinez, a girl who is on exchange in the US and living in Albany, CA. Her family invited me to stay with them and spend part of my summer vacation here in Villa la Angostura. Villa la Angostura is a small town near Bariloche, in the province of Neuquen, and about 3 hours from the border with Chile. I arrived here January 25th after 14 hours on a bus from Comodoro. Villa la Angostura and Bariloche are located on lake Nahuel Huapi, the largest in this lake district. I arrived on a Monday around 1 pm and Zoe's parents picked me up from the bus station. The drive from Bariloche to Villa la Angostura takes about an hour because you have to drive to a whole other point on the lake. Villa la Angostura is a popular spot for tourists, especially people from Chile. Zoe's parents, Ariadna and Ezequiel, are both architects and they actually built their house. They have 3 kids, Zoe, Manual, and Yael. Manuel will be starting his second year of college at the University of Buenos Aires. He is studying to be a chef which is so awesome because he cooks ALL the time. He made bread yesterday and pasta for lunch today. I've been hanging out with Manuel and his friends because they are all my age. The day I arrived we went to the beach with all of his friends and spent the rest of the afternoon laying in the sun, playing cards and drinking mate. Last Sunday, Manuel, his friends and I canoed to an island on lake Nahuel Huapi and spent all day exploring the island and laying on the beach. Villa la Angostura is so different from Comodoro. For example, there are actually trees in Villa la Angostura and its not nearly as windy as it is in Comodoro. Basically I'm having an amazing time here. It's definitely going to be hard to go back to the city of Comodoro. I still don't know how long I will be here in Villa la Angostura. I suppose I have to go back to Comodoro at some time because school starts in early March. That's about it. I can't believe I still have 5 months here in Argentina. It's gonna go by so fast! But I have things to look forward to when I get home too....like college. I will be starting Cal Maritime in the fall. I miss you all.   I enjoy reading the newsletter every week and keeping up with everything you all do. Happy February!

Becky

CALENDAR