THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 

THINKing man's Rotarian

   N - Is it Necessary? 

Guests

Debbie Wiener, who dared admit knowing this reprobate reporter

Ken Bozzini, friend of Dan Herbert's, second visit

Visiting Rotarians

Noon club recon agents: John Sherry, Anna Stevenson and Mike Heller

"CAROL OF LIBERIA" 

George, left Stateside by fellow do-gooder spouse

What if they threw a breakfast and nobody came? George Chaffey conveyed highlights from wife Carol from halfway around the globe in Liberia. Her trip got off to a sizzling start as she showed up all excited to a Rotary meeting in Monrovia and found herself all alone! She shook it off and proceeded north to the small town where her official duties commenced. 

GARDEN PARK APARTMENTS

Let's earn our Saint Patty's beer. Brad Davis shared a warm, inspiring speech recently given by a young man who has lived at Garden Park for seven years. The text began, "I wish I'd had a happy childhood...." Brad then proceeded to invite us all out to paint the walls in a couple of those apartments. For those of you wondering, this is the apartment complex adopted by LSR and other nonprofits to assist in an unceasing effort to nurture a substance-free environment for children of recovering parents. 

Brad, poobah of LSR programs for Garden Park Apartments

So, let's have a strong showing next Saturday, March 17. If it helps motivate you, Paula Bernard loves to paint and promises to outdo everyone else. She didn't say anything about keeping it on the walls, so we may see a new Paula, adorned in tie-dye from head to toe by day's end.

MOTHER LODE OF RECOGNITIONS

Mark Roberts had a heyday with a plethora of celebrations. The past week, he doled out more "citations" than the cops do on prom night.

Dan, spirited away to exotic Santa Barbara

Dan Herbert had a big birthday celebration. Annette picked him up at SFO after a flight and whooshed him off to Santa Barbara to take part in "celebratory activities." He's still smiling.

Tamara Raeth was treated to succulent sushi for her birthday. This time, Thomas swears, the fish did not come from their backyard pond.

Rich Shearer has been perfecting his Rotary persona for 13 years. 

Ernie Furtado fattened the club's treasury with $100 checks, respectively, for our endowment and the Foundation, thereby marking 10 years as One of Us.

You joshing us, Ernie, has it been 10 years?

Just back from President Elect Training, Mark Roberts sported a schnoz bandage indicating a war wound. Rumor has it that there is a new indoctrination hazing ritual, but we'll have to go ourselves to find out.  

In honor of Regina's birthday, Hays Englehart took his sister to dine in Willows. In addition, he also paid a $5 fine to the noon club as a result of a mix-up the previous afternoon involving Larry Blodgett. 

Let's be clear, Hays, is the fin for us or for Them?

Skip McCowan dragged Linda off to Napa for her birthday. It was a full-blown, fat-wallet dinner, for which Skip picked up the tab for family revelers. He donated a commensurate sum to the Rotary Foundation.   

Strange trifecta of a mysterious nature: In a puzzling exhibit of who's-on-first footwork, Thomas Peeks and Don Reichert wound up paying dual fines.  

Pat Flaharty apologized to the club as recompense for recruiting member Steve "Weed Whacker" Ware, resulting in a fine of $20 for each.  

Pat tenders self-tithing to atone for "misdeed"

BUT WAIT! There's more ....

John Sherry said he become a grandpa come September 24. He took the opportunity to remind us all of the May 12 raffle in conjunction with his club sponsoring the Concert at

John's always up to something

the Rez and invited us all to purchase tickets at $5 per. Proceeds will benefit local school music programs. It wasn't John, however, who peddled the most tickets. Rather, it was fellow Noon clubber Anna Stevenson. 

PROGRAM

Is 55 the new 60?

Trish Dickson and Clay Dunning shared a comprehensive and enjoyable rundown of Rossmoor, the retirement community just a stone's throw away, but for those of us who know it not, it might as well be on the moon.

Ms.Dickson grew up hereabouts but move away for 50 years. Upon returning, after vigorous tire kicking of options, she settled on hanging her hat at Rossmoor. To her pleasant surprise, she found it not to be a "bunch of folks with walkers" on the prowl day and night for something to eat. Au contraire, Rossmoorians are very active, thank you, constantly using the pools and golf courses for group activities and engaging themselves in a veritable cornucopia of (seemingly) nonstop fun.  

Rossmoor offers excellent recreational facilities including 27 holes of NCGA-rated golf, three community swimming facilities, a fitness center, eight outdoor tennis courts, lawn bowling and many miles of hiking trails.

One-, two- and three-bedroom homes are available in a variety of floor plans. There are more than 6,000 condominium units, cooperatives and standalone homes to choose from. Twenty-four-hour security patrols protect the community by offering assistance to residents in emergencies, responding to non-emergency requests and protection from solicitors.

"Don't tell anyone, but Rossmoor rocks!"

Residents may enjoy five inviting clubhouses with meeting and activity rooms, a library, a computer center and picnic grounds. There are 200-plus clubs and organizations covering service, education, culture, hobbies, religions and special-interest functions. Additionally, the recreation department offers classes, entertainment, trips and holiday programs for residents and their families.

As Ms. Dickson noted, at Rossmoor "You can do as little or as much as you wish." Although there is plenty to do, but no one is under pressure to participate in anything. For those who so desire, kicking back is definitely an option. That said, it is a known fact that most of us become more active ourselves when around active people.   

Ms. Dickson told us of several people "just waiting to become 55" to meet the minimum age requirement. They keep a fund for "emergencies." It is a caring community whose members pride themselves in looking out for one another. 

Mr. Dunning explains the home owner strategy

Mr. Dunning shared a short, interesting video about Rossmoor highlighting much of which his confederate had already pointed out. 

Beginning in 1964, building construction spanned four decades. Any number of a wide variety of homes can be purchased today. Prices range from $100,000 to more than $1 million.  

He noted there are business opportunities in Rossmoor at every level and gave examples of IT people, carpet cleaners and handymen who thrive thanks to having established relationships with residents. Pure investment in Rossmoor properties poses challenges as opportunities to rent out a property are limited. Why? Because those who are "owners in residence" do their utmost to keep property values strong.

CALENDAR

3/16/12 - Postino, 7am. Club Assembly update on where been, where going.

3/30 - Expose yourself. Jim Kendall