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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
 | | Thoughtful reflections from Dennis |
Dennis Kurimai offered two thoughts this morning, both from American authors and in the context of Rotary being a service organization.
1. "Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often."
Mark Twain
2. "Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't." Richard Bach
His point on the former is that as Rotarians it is our job to refute Mr. Twain... action needs to speak more frequently than words. That (he believes) was Mr. Twain's point. Rotary's results on eradicating polio are just such an example. On the latter quote, Dennis said "our creator had plans for us for our time on this Earth... and as long as we are alive there is work to be done... our mission to put service above self is not yet complete."
GUESTS
Eve Phillips, fellow trail runner friend of John Fazel's
Tom Velkin and Bryan Harms, who together embody heart and soul of Viking Real Estate Group and who, not incidentally, are friends of Hays Englehart.
VISITING ROTARIANS
John Sherry, Mike Heller and Bill Eames, all from Lafayette Noon Club (are they paying LRSR dues yet?); Mike Ball; and Luis Alkon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 | | Alex survived PETS information firehose indoctrination |
Today's word puzzle: "PETS" (has to do with a training session for presidents elect). Fresh from PETS, Alex Arnold is revving up for his upcoming reign and gave us some words of inspiration. Of particular note is that as we sit on the verge of wiping polio off the planet with some recent help by the Gates Foundation, our "Rotarian modesty" could let Bill and Melinda overshadow due recognition of the contribution of Rotary International in the past 25 years. This goes beyond ego in that we'll miss our chance to build upon this extraordinary accomplishment unless we tell the world what Rotary has accomplished.
 | | Another of Arianne's excellent slide shows |
Via a snappy slide show, exchange student Arianne took us back to her slightly younger years at Carnival in her hometown of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It was complete with feathery costumes and neon-colored paint battles, a tradition. Parades, featuring a queen and dancing, highlight the biggest event in her home country.
Her activities this past week included a trip to Ocean Beach, and a day terrorizing the Jelly Belly factory, a place made famous by a former U.S. president who once served as governor of the Golden State. If you need a further clue, the surname is Reagan.
Speaking of revving, Motorama is ramping up, so to speak. Dennis KurImai gave a high-octane update. We now have support from the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We are expecting 300 for the Gala event Satuday evening before Motorama. If a guest, participant or exhibitor purchases two Gala dinner tickets ($100 each) they will also get one free VIP Pass for the Motorama Exhibit on Sunday. Adds up to a great value! He'll tell us more later.
 | | Oh say can you sell those shirts? |
This reporter did his best to promote the 2011 Motorama shirt deal. The "two-and-a-half-men" shirts will be pastel blue this year, hide beer bellies and are an attractive addition to anyone's wardrobe. We passed around the order sign-up sheet and the response was pukka.
ERG REPORT
Katie Rose Ware gave a colorful explanation of this rowing machine, and how the Oakland Strokes is having an "Ergathon" fundraising event. She appreciates the support of LSR donations to help their cause and promises to make us proud!
 | | He won it fair and square |
All eyes were on Thomas Raeth as he shoveled in the raffle loot. When asked if there was any hanky-panky involved, Mr. Raeth, one of today's Greeters and dispenser of raffle tickets, responded negatively with a straight face, so we gave him the benefit of the doubt.
ROTARY RESPONDING TO JAPAN CATASTROPHE
The full weight of Rotary International will be launching its considerable financial resources to help the relief efforts so vitally needed in Japan today. John Fazel is coordinating this action for LSR. He will have full details as to how each of us can participate in this effort on Friday. Rest assured that every dollar we contribute will go directly to help the people in Japan who are in desperate need.
PROGRAM
 | | Walt is revved |
We all have hidden talent. Walt Nelson brilliantly demonstrated one of his. As newly appointed Program Chair, Walt captured our emotions with his storytelling prowess. He weaved a personal testimony into explaining the profound importance of our weekly meeting Program Committee.
Walt's tale: When he entered the Navy at age 17, Walt dragged along a "steamer trunk" of thoughts and hopes from his parents. For three years, he pushed and shoved that trunk all over the world. In an epiphany sometime later, he managed to open it up, sort it down, and put it into a "suitcase." As he carried that gladstone around a few more years, watching himself age tenderly, he began to wonder if he could cull just a bit more. Alas, he opened it up and removed more contents, leaving himself with only a fanny pack of parents' hopes and dreams.
Walt's third revelation came when he learned how to shift that fanny pack to a position behind him. Then and there, he was done toting other people's playbook, doing things to please others.
 | | Perseverance is the name of Walt's game |
While this story held our attention, it served as a superb segue for sharing his relationship with Rotary International. He started with small steps in getting involved years ago in Lafayette.. He made some overtures to different groups, but the baggage held him back.
Taking us again to his youth, he told how he began night school under a program called "COPS." Another one of those non-decipherable acronyms. Although it seemed like a good idea at the time, the limit to the number of credit units he could carry in a given semester slightly extended his stint as a night student. He chugged along to graduation, 22 years later at age 40. He admitted that he'd not recommend "going this route" to aspiring students. No matter, it illustrates the importance of sticking to a task and progressing along in increments as circumstances dictate. But, he finally had life licked. Or so he thought.
That is, until another "Kodak moment." At a Warriors game in the early 1980s, his ears started ringing. His eyes watered. His body went a-kilter. In the basement of the Coliseum, his life changed again as the arena's cardiologist thrust a whole tray of pills upon him. He was in the "worst shape of his life" as he lay there at 220 pounds.
Freshly inspired, he listened to his home doctor, looked up "exercise" in the dictionary and laid out a running schedule: one block after one month was his first success. He increased his goal to completing a 5k race at Golden Gate Park. Or so he thought (it turned out to be five MILES) a Herculean feet for his aching feet (and legs). Determined not to throw in the towel, he made it across the finish line in 55 minutes, but the success made him feel like he was on heroin. He clawed his way to the San Francisco marathon in 1983. This time Walt knew exactly what he was getting into and did well. At the finish line he asked "where's my ribbon and medal?" Discovering they go only to the winners, who were nowhere to be seen, rummaging through boxes, he cobbled one for himself and shuffled away a happy man.
After this momentous accomplishment, he figured he'd go slowly. So, he did. Say what? L.A. Marathon. N.Y. Marathon, Avenue of the Giants Marathon, more than 100 races in all.
Walt used this opportunity to tie it all together in a message for his rapt listeners to help with getting great speakers. The process is continuous. All of us contributing will help maintain our first-rate programs. Walt promised us the perseverance he is famous for in the relentless pursuit of top-notch presentations. Please...help him out.
As the meeting wound down, Mr. Nelson brought the audience to their feet, having finally gotten over the "agony of da feet" the first race visited upon him.
CALENDAR
Friday, 3/18 - Meeting at Postinos, 7:00 a.m.
Friday, 3/25 - Postinos, 7:00 a.m. TGITLFOTM, Yeager 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 4/29 - TGITLFOTM, Black 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 5/27 - TGITLFOTM, Roberts 5:30 p.m.
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