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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
 | | Tay, in true Einstein demeanor |
Albert Einstein said "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Tay Wheeler knew that!
VISITING ROTARIANS
Larry Blodgett - Noon club and Gala Supporter
John Sherry - Noon club and Motorama Supporter
Alicia Cragholm - Noon club and all of the above
Debbie Roessler - Moraga club and District Poobah
GUESTS
 | | Nancy & Bela, a delightful duo |
Jim Newport - Guest of Krysten
Kara Wheeler - Keeping on eye on Tay before heading to UCLA
Bela Baglietto - Mom Nancy's superb Gala helper
Parker Watson - Accomplished today what dad Dave can't do (more later)
Mariam Worsham - Planning to set a new attendance record
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
 | | Who was that "other Rotarian" couple? |
Charlie Franklin took wife Terry to dinner with another Rotary couple to celebrate her birthday. Her gift was a seven-week-old border collie that is demonstrably smarter already than some nameless humans we all know. Prez Peeks rang up another 20 bucks. Arf.
Thomas Peeks and Yolanda clocked 32 years (and counting) on the matrimonial odometer. They "celebrated" by Yolanda's going to a board meeting and Thomas having a root canal. Can you top this? Our Sergeant-at-Arms nicked Thomas for 32 smackers.
Meanwhile, Mark Roberts and Claire reached the 26-year mark. They celebrated by tiptoeing around San Francisco and summiting Mt. Diablo. Mark popped for $26. (Do we see a pattern here?)
OTHER STUFF
 | | Oh yeah. We've been pals for years! |
The shy, retiring Buddy Burke had a business meeting at Facebook after last week's Rotary breakfast. Who did he meet in the lobby over in San Mateo? Why of course his old friend dating back to 1977. That would be Jimmy Buffet. The proof is in a smiling picture on his iPad of these two buddies (pun intended) renewing their friendship. Is there anyone on the planet Buddy hasn't met?
Krysten Laine thanked everyone in advance for the tremendous job of putting the Gala and Motorama together. The results, which far exceeded even the rosiest expectations, will be revealed for all to admire in Friday's meeting. Krysten is leading today's program, titled "Exposing Motorama."
 | | Fazel snared the Disney logo |
John Fazel emceed the 12th annual Three-Quarter Century Luncheon in Orinda. Always successful, this one set a new record for attendance with 130 guests. Featured speaker was Betty Budde, now 90, who served a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) in World War II. Her mission was to secretly fly B-26 and B-29 bombers across country in preparation for entering the planes into combat. As an indication of just how hush-hush her role was, she did not reveal to her own son what she did in the war until he turned 35. Apparently she didn't think this was a very big deal. John displayed a cartoon logo designed by Walt Disney featured on the uniform patches of all WASPs. As a tip of the cap to John, Tom Black mentioned for the benefit of those who may not know that the Three-Quarter Century luncheon is John's "baby." He inititated it and has served as tuxedo-clad emcee every year. We again supported the event with an infusion of volunteer workers, as did John's employer, BH&G/Mason McDuffie.
 | | He's gonna get you! |
Gillett Johnson is on the prowl for house painters to work on a special project for Las Trampas. If you can stand upright, hang onto a brush or roller and put most of the paint where it should be going, he wants you! Gillett also is looking for housing for Russian realtors/bakers (or whatever their vocation actually is) while they are visiting the area for about 10 days. They will be arriving sometime in August, so start practicing your language skills right now. (See Venera or her husband Robert for special tutoring help).
 | | Parker gets the job done! |
Guess who won the raffle this morning? Parker Watson, that's who! David, his dad, has been trying for years and has never even come close to winning. It could be that the raffle ticket Hays Englehart gave to Parker may have been the winning ducat. Anyway, Parker got to keep all of the winnings, and Dave gets to keep trying. Maybe Dave should let Hays buy the raffle tickets for him and see if that works.
PROGRAM
 | | Pres. Peeks presents LN-4Hand Certificate to Anne |
Anne Sanabria is marketing director of Monarch Place, a senior community in Piedmont. She got her presentation off to a good start by announcing that her father served as president of his Rotary Club in Washington D.C. in 1959. She was a little surprised at all of the energy displayed by this club starting at the outrageous hour of 7:00 a.m.
She quickly differentiated between senior assisted living communities which have a social model compared with those communities with a medical model. She likened Monarch Place to a perpetually docked cruise ship, as opposed to facilities catering to seniors with medical needs.
All communities have residents who live month to month. They may be subject to mild cognitive impairments. Social benefits, driven primarily driven by interpersonal activity, are essential. She noted that folks who enter on a 30-trial basis, as many do, have a high conversion rate to permanent residency. One reason for this is they find they are being treated with dignity and respect. Top-quality establishments have employees with lengthy time of service and great human empathy. Average cost of this type of facility per resident run about $3,000 a month. Facilities which specialize in care for residents with dementia, such as Alzheimer's, can easily run twice that.
Preparing elderly people to eventually turn to assisted living is a process that should be started early and in conjunction with other family members. A thorough work-up by a qualified nueropsychologist is highly recommended before a decision is made regarding what kind of assisted living facility is most suitable.
A little-known fact is that military veterans or their spouses can qualify for significant government financial aid if they meet the requirements. Senior-care facilities are not covered under Medicare (ouch!). And, as each generation lives longer, the greater is the possibility that loved ones will eventually need to consider these facilities for their later days. She stressed the importance of making informed decisions and to start the ball rolling while parties are willing - and able - to participate in weighing options. Or, as they are wont to phrase it in the funeral industry, engage in "pre-need planning."
CALENDAR
6/24/11 Postino 7 a.m., Krysten & Expose Motorama
6/24/11 TGITLFOTM - Peeks demotion, Waal's home, 5:30 p.m.
7/1/11 Postino 7 a.m., Gillett & Vietnam library
7/8/11 Postino 7 a.m., Project Second Chance
7/12/11 Board Meeting, 7 a.m., Location TBA
7/15/11 Postino 7 a.m., Loaves and Fishes
7/22/11 Postino 7 a.m., Cameron Shearer, Traveling the Continent
7/29/11 Postino 7 a.m., Can We Canoe? Count on it!
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