THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Don't want to miss an opportunity do we, John?

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

B. Franklin as quoted by ultimate opportunist, John Linneman.

VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS

Don Jenkins - Orinda Club

Mark Cranmer - Walnut Creek Sunrise Club

Jackie Welles - Ray's better half

Agatha Sue Lee - Cal's better half

Maria Angelo - Gabriel's mother

Rudy Arnold - Alex's grandson

Laura Lewis - Unrelated to Rotarians, Buddy Burke's guest and a fan of Gabriel's 

GOINGS ON

Well done, Krysten

Krysten Laine thanked everyone associated with a successful third annual Motorama, with special recognition for the numerous Red Badgers, who were everywhere a helping hand was needed during the day. The winner of the wine barrel raffle (five cases worth $2,000) was a woman named Ann who lives in San Mateo? Seems like she wandered into Lafayette and the Postino parking lot at exactly the right moment.

This year, the Orinda Fourth of July float will feature all of the Rotary Clubs in Lamorinda. Check this out with Mark Roberts, Co-Chair of the parade, who can tell you how to participate.

Congratulaltions! Great hat, John

John Fazel turned 75 last week, which now makes him eligible to attend the ¾ Century Club luncheon which he founded and has served as Master of Ceremony for umpty-ump years. 125 seniors who attended the event this year, were mesmerized by guest speaker Cliff Dochterman and well served by a gaggle of LSR volunteers. John contributed $100 to the Endowment in recognition of his reaching senior citizen status.

RECOGNITIONS

John Fazel - Presumably you just read about him

John Linneman - Another fourth year birthday on February 29

Claire and Mark Roberts - 27 years of wedded bliss

Hays and Regina Englehart - 35 years of wedded bliss

Cal Lee - 19 years of Rotary bliss

Joe Bettencourt - Three years of Rotary bliss

Fortunately...The end of Bliss

LIGHTNING CHANGES FROM RED TO BLUE

Looks like a shell game?

In perhaps the shortest time in the history of the club, Claire Roberts and Ron Melvin shot up the ladder from Red Badger to full-fledged Blue Membership. It was also the fastest recognition of said event by Alex Arnold, who presented the badges while they were still in motion from their seats to receive them. Fortunately we know all about Claire and Ron, as each of them had previously given their five minute talks. Alex saw no reason to expound further. In a hurry to get out of office are we, Alex?

RAFFLE

Okay John, the hat does look better on Fazel

Usually goes unnoticed by this publication unless the white ball is pulled. Not the case this time, but John Linneman did manage to obtain a bit of a trifecta for being noticed this morning. Thought For The Day, February 29th Birthday, and the Raffle. Too bad he couldn't come up with a way to snatch some of the spotlight from our Program's performer as well.

PROGRAM

Introducing Gabriel

Buddy Burke introduced the program by proclaiming that "old souls come in all ages and sizes." He was of course referring to Gabriel Angelo, who is 12 years old, dresses like a throw-back of about 30 years in white shirt, tie, vest, hat and hard sole shoes and is poised well beyond his years. Buddy first met Gabriel, dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit and wearing a hat, at Peets Coffee in Lafayette at 6 am. He further introduced Gabriel via a film clip from his recent appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show where he was interviewed and then performed in front of her live television audience. Finally Gabriel was introduced to us as a Justin Bieber... "with talent."

On the go, making his own rhythm

Gabriel plays the trumpet and tap dances at the same time. Gabriel and Buddy had an interview session to begin the program, inviting questions from the audience as well. Gabriel lives in Emeryville and has been performing on the streets of San Francisco in addition to his more spectacular venues. For instance Arturo Sandoval, the world renowned trumpet player from Cuba, was so impressed with Gabriel's playing that he gave him one of his own horns, right on stage. He has had trumpet playing lessons along the way. The tap dancing is self taught. Gabriel has watched Fred Astaire routines however, to gain inspiration. He practices four hours a day and also creates original compositions.

Gabriel managed to include some sage comments during the interview. For instance on the subject of expectations..."a lot of people expect more than they put in." On speaking to strangers (like Buddy at Peets)..."once you talk to a stranger, they are not strangers any more."

Buddy mentioned that Gabriel had been hurt and is recuperating from his injuries. When asked how he got them, Gabriel called it his "war wound," saying he was burned along the side of his upper body while in Afghanistan. Incredulous, he was asked, what in the world was he doing in Afghanistan? His response was priceless..."fighting for you!" Alas, the ruse was exposed. No wound. No war. No Afghanistan. Gabriel was simply building suspense to let Agatha Sue Lee "cure" him on the spot, thus enabling him to perform.

Blow, Gabriel Blow!

To close the program, Gabriel did indeed perform two numbers for us.The consensus was we had just seen the reincarnation of Sammy Davis, Jr. This is a young talent destined for greatness, and a good deal of credit goes to his mother Maria, who is providing the necessary guidance, support and earning half of every Grammy that Gabriel will receive. Extraordinary!  Buddy's You tube video featuring Gabriel tap and play.  http://youtu.be/CQwo3HKjgWc 

CALENDAR   

Friday 6/22, 7am - Gabriel Angelo - Magical musical story

                   5:30 pm - Demotion party, Waal home

Friday 6/29, 7am - Jim Margraff exposes himself

Wednesday, 7/4 - Pancake Run - Orinda

Friday 7/6, 7 am - Antje Jahnke - Procrastination Researcher

Tuesday 7/10, 7am - Board meeting

Friday 7/13, 7 am - Club Assembly

Friday 7/20, 7 am - John Yoo, Legal Counsel, George W. Bush

Friday 7/27 7am - Expose yourself, Claire Roberts

Friday 8/3, 7am - Saving lives, a woof and a meow

Friday 8/10, 7 am - Economist Tappan Monroe

Tuesday 8/14, 7am - Board meeting

Friday 8/17, 7am - Dan Borenstein & Pensions continued

Friday 8/24 7am - B'wana Carole Chaffey, Liberia