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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
 | | Running mountains somehow involved here? |
John Fazel proclaimed, "Take the road less traveled. Remember the beaten path is for beaten people. This higher path is never paved!" ~ Robert Frost (although not necessarily verbatim)
VISITING ROTARIANS AND A BOATLOAD OF GUESTS
Debbie Roessler - Moraga club and District Poobah
Waite Stephenson - Moraga club
Alicia Creighton - Lafayette noon club
Yolanda Peeks - Reigning First Lady
Gwen Reichert - Paul Harris Fellow awardee extraordinaire
Tom Velken - Third-time visitor (you know what that means)
Jim Marggraff - Past guest speaker, first-time guest
Eve Philips - Four-Way Test contestant, 16 years ago!
Brian Harms - First-time visitor
Francoise Hansen - Ditto
Andrea and Brian Sheets - Parents of Contestant Alysa
Kristen Plant - Miramonte HS debate team coach
Trio of Miramonte Four-Way Test Contestants
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Bob Heinen remembered Kandy's name and her birthday. $20.
 | | My kids love me! |
Alex Arnold was honored on his birthday with an "I luv u dad" phone call from each of his children. Must have called collect. Cost him $20.
Ernie Furtado joined Rotary nine years ago. He offered $9. This was soundly rejected. Prez Peeks upped it to $20. Still got off cheap.
Rich Shearer acknowledged he paid his debt to society 12 years ago by becoming an obedient member of LSR. $20.
 | | Love definitely comes in letters |
Kathleen and Mike Edwards celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Valentine's day. $20. Mike added another $20 in a salute to Gillett Johnson for suggesting this year to honor your sweetheart with a love letter from the heart instead of Hallmark. As Mike sagely observed "It worked!" (Scribe aside: Is there a $20 conspiracy afloat?)
REICHERTS ADD TO PAUL HARRIS AWARD RECORDS
Cal Lee had the honor today of presenting yet another set of Paul Harris pins to Gwen and Don Reichert. For Gwen, this was her third sapphire-encrusted gem. Don's pin,
 | | Been there, still doing that! |
already maxed out with sapphires, graduated to rubies. Cal dryly remarked that Don is also well on the way to visiting all 33,000 clubs in the Rotary universe. Don added that Gwen had accompanied him on many of those visitations, with the sojourn at the Cairo, Egypt, club ranking as the most memorable of all. (Certainly would be today as well.) Don continues to be a role model for outstanding leadership in the total Rotary community.
MARGGRAFF TENDERS $175 DONATION FROM LIFESCRIBE
 | | Jim gives back as promised |
True to his word, Jim presented a check to Prez Peeks for the club, in recognition of the LiveScribe smartpens purchased by club members after his stunning presentation last fall of this miniature technology writing instrument, named Echo. He later presented an Echo to Molly Schoenfeld, who not only won the Four-Way Speech contest but also drew the lucky raffle ticket for the bonus award.
DEBBIE PROMOTES MORAGA CLUB'S "A NITE AT THE RACES"
 | | And they're off to the races |
This is Moraga's social event of the season. The date is Saturday, March 12, Holy Trinity Hall, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m. $45 per person.
Enjoy a catered dinner with no-host bar. Listen to a Dixieland band. Wager on video horse races. Bid on wonderful auction items and enter a prize raffle.
All proceeds will fund local youth educational and humanitarian causes. For information or to reserve a group table, contact Frank May: 925-376-8195 or mayfrl@comcast.net.
PROGRAM
 | | Philip, Molly and Alyssa |
For the umpteenth consecutive year, LSR was treated to a spectacular Rotary 4-Way-Speech contest by Molly Schoenfeld, Philip Chang and Alyssa Sheets. The program was introduced by Kristen Plant, who graduated from a former student in the program to dynamic leader of the program at Miramonte. In its 31st year, the speech program has gone from one class to five classes with 150 students participating, many for all four years.
Kristen's goal is have a program that any student can take to
 | | Kristen proudly presents her students |
master the skills of public speaking and can stand up and speak with confidence on any occasion.
Last weekend more than 3,000 students from all over the U.S. gathered in Berkeley for the largest public speaking contest in the nation. More than 200 teams participated. Miramonte speakers took fourth place. They are now gearing up for state qualifications. If it had not been for the passing of a parcel tax last year, this program would have been eliminated. It is fortunate indeed this valuable teaching tool is alive and well today. Way to go, taxpayers!
The Rotary Four-Way Test contest allows contestants to pick a subject and develop an essay defending it against the principles of the test which are:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 | | Literacy is a top priority for children |
Alyssa Sheets led off the morning with a strong presentation on the value of literacy education. She used the test principles skillfully to speak about practical applications of reading, challenges for the brain, creative thinking and avid readership versus texting and TV. Alyssa closed with an effective Groucho Marx quote, "Everytime the TV is turned on I go in another room and read a good book."
 | | Bi-partisanship must prevail |
Next up was Philip Chang with the subject of political partisanship. He argued convincingly that it failed every single principle of the Four-Way test. His target was the U.S. Congress, and he asserted that partisanship colored adult discourse on issues, is not fair to the American people in serving their interests, makes it impossible to build good will, and victimizes American voters. Philip ended with a plea to our nation's leaders to focus on greatness in behalf of "We the People."
 | | Punishment must fit the offense |
Molly Schoenfeld was the final contestant. Her subject was a sobering one for all to consider. Are drunk-driving laws adequate to protect our nation's children? She cited the differences between a recent "Leander's Law," which makes drunk driving a felony in New York, and the lax misdemeanor penalty for drink impaired drivers in California. Molly went on to forcefully proclaim drunk drivers cost the deaths of innocent children and are grossly unfair to children putting them in perilous danger. She asserted that a stern law will be beneficial to all concerned by making people less likely to drive under the influence. As she said, it is human nature to make mistakes, but it is an altogether different issue when there is a child on board. Molly advocated for nationwide passage of Leander's Law.
Because this is a contest with cash rewards at stake, a panel of LSR members was chosen to designate the winners. Although it is an oft repeated cliché, in this case it is absolutely true these three are all winners. Nevertheless, Molly was awarded number one ($300), Philip number two ($200) and Alyssa ($100) number three. Molly advances to the District competition.
It is safe to say that these young adults have attained a public speaking level that will serve them extremely well in whatever direction their lives take them. Congratulations to them and to debate team coach Kristen Plant.
Reporter's note: Tom Black, self-appointed club publicist, took it upon himself to contribute a write-up of the contest to Lamorinda Patch, the fledgling online community newspaper. Link: http://lamorinda.patch.com/articles/miramonte-senior-wins-first-prize-in-local-speech-competition.
VOILA! MOTORAMA WEBSITE GOES LIVE
Thanks to the heroic efforts of Gary Fulcher and Tom Black, the updated and greatly enhanced website is now public. Check it out www.motorama.us. It is slated to become a permanent addition to the growing communications arsenal of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary.
CALENDAR
Friday, 3/4 - Postinos, 7:00 a.m. Program: Farming Small
Saturday 3/5 - HOME Team strikes again. 8:30 a.m., Fulcher chalet
Saturday 5/14 - HOME Team, 8:30 a.m.
Saturday 1/9 - HOME Team, 8:30 a.m.
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