February 7, 2014

             Reporter: Cal Lee    Editor: Claire Roberts         Photographer: Leander Hauri                   

President:  Hays Englehart 2013 - 2014          

SUCH A ROMANTIC DAY

So get out there, get those flowers and candy, and show your signature

GUESTS

Rotarian types:

Jose Avelar, Assistant District Governor (and incidentally, an Orindan)

Marcella Avelar, supporting him all the way

Mike Ball, Walnut Creek Sunrise, past president

Kristin Plant - a great teacher!

Other:

Asher Kalman, elite orator

Tyler Kirschberg, elite orator

Kristin Plant, their proud teacher

Chris Lenzi, Merrill Lynch

Conrad Breece, hanging out while Don Jenkins is skiing in UT

OCCASIONS

Mark Larks had a birthday.  We all do at one time or another.  But not all have one like he had.  Anne-Liisa exercised her full creative powers for this one, which lasted for several days.  (This reporter heard a lot of details after the meeting, but the only way to really do it justice would be to have Mark as the speaker someday.)  It was his 40th, so the Prez didn't really use a lot of imagination in determining the recognition.  However, he did praise Mark for having the cash out of his wallet and ready for delivery.

Brad Davis had an anniversary, his 39^th in fact.  However, he did not have the opportunity to get into real trouble because the celebration was cut short when he and Carol were driving toward Santa Barbara and a detour was necessary to pick up a pacemaker.  Looking at the light side as he tends to do, he complained about the placement of the pacemaker being right where the seatbelt goes, and suggested it be placed at another point on the anatomy.  He also showed his super-generous side by not only rounding the standard recognition up to $40, but kicking in $500 for the Endowment.

BUDDY'S 60 SECONDS OF VOCATIONS

IT'S YOUR FUTURE

SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, THERE'S HOPE FOR IT

It was time for the 4-Way Speech Contest again.  Which means it was time for Miramonte High School to show its stuff again.  This time, the contestants were two orators who were selected by vote of the other 180 or so students who are in the public speaking program.

Spike Speicher introduced the speakers, Asher Kalman and Tyler Kirschberg, and did an official coin flip to determine who would speak first.  Good thing this wasn't the Super Bowl, as the coin found its way to the floor before the determination could be made.  Since he called the toss correctly Asher got to speak first (whether he wanted to or not).

Asher Kalman's speech presented the issue of whether the US should furnish military aid to rebels in Syria.

Asher

Syria's protests are bigger than the combination of all other 18 countries in the Middle East who are coping with such controversies.  The basic problem is that Bashar Assad wants to retain power at all costs.  At last count, 130,000 have died.

Asher was obviously passionate about his topic, and he tested various aspects against the 4-Way Test.  Calculated risks are necessary to achieve an objective of liberalization in the country.  Although we are cautious about our presence in the Middle East after Iraq and Afghanistan, it appears that providing relatively liberal outposts with weapons would be a middle course that could result in Assad's eventual removal while keeping US involvement to a minimum.  The issue directly affects us because of the potential that similar scenarios could develop in other countries.

Tyler Kirschberg's speech presented the virtues of Boy Scouts of America.

Tyler

From the time he went on his first outing, in the 5^th grade, and experienced sleeping in the pouring rain, Tyler has loved exploring and adventure.  His most challenging adventure was canoeing down a rushing Russian River and getting wedged in a tree, seemingly helplessly.  He and his companion were rescued, completely soaked, and could not stop laughing.

During his scouting up to and including making Eagle, he has learned about community and world and his place in them.  The adventures test ability and leadership qualities.  The volunteers who make it all possible are invaluable, particularly one of his assistant scoutmasters who was there for him every week and during the summer.

The national organization links the whole nation.  Eagle scouts are tomorrow's leaders.  Among those from past generations are Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Justice Stephen Breyer, Mayor Michel Bloomberg, and President Gerald Ford.  New generations will produce such leaders.  But to Tyler, the BSA most embodies adventure.

After the speeches concluded, the learned judges went to work, and they took their time.  During this time, in response to some questions, teacher Kristin said that the public speaking program are standard curriculum with the levels mixed together, over 1/6 of the student body are in the program, they were in the top 10 nationally in Birmingham last year,  and that next weekend a team is going to the Cal Invitational which is a huge nationwide tournament.

Thoughtful judging

When the judges finally were done, the margin was so close (3 points, out of a total of 269) that there was some agitation to call it a tie.  But a cooler head, Asst. DG Jose Avelar, prevailed, saying there should be a winner to go to the next level.  So, in perhaps the closest contest of his life, Asher Kalman was the winner over his good friend Tyler.  

And the winner is...