February 21, 2014

             Reporter: Ron Brown    Editor: Ron Brown        Photographer: Leander Hauri                   

President:  Hays Englehart 2013 - 2014          

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You look great, Chuck!

Chuck Bove asked the question "What is more important, to love, or to be loved?" Brad Davis supplied the non-answer, answer; "What is more important to a bird, its left wing or its right ring?" Possible answer to the riddle...depends on whether you're a Democrat or a Republican?

VISITING ROTARIAN AND GUESTS

Larry Sly - Concord club and Executive Director, CC County Food Bank

Fred Tuemmler - Introducing HOME Team to Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church

Scott Cohen - Northern California & Nevada Special Olympics Executive

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Never, never tell, Thomas

Thomas Raeth acknowledged that Tamara's recent birthday was one year "before the BIG one." He was duly admonished and fined for foolishly revealing the age of any woman, especially his wife! Claire added that some ages should forever be frozen in time.

Rich Shearer joined the club in 1999. Somehow he managed to link Girl Scouts and marijuana in his response.

SAVE THE DATES

April 8 -Tuesday evening, with the Moraga Club, in a 4-Way Speech encore.

May 3 - Saturday morning 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. District Assembly at Solano College. This is primarily a training session, especially recommended for incoming board members, but open to one and all.

NEWEST ROTARY FOUNDATION BENEFACTOR

Atta boy, Dennis

Don Jenkins was very pleased this morning to announce that Dennis Kurimai has taken the next step in Foundation development by becoming a Benefactor. This is a simple promise, to the Rotary International Foundation, of deferred giving over and above the annual giving program in which all members of LSR club participate. Benefactor giving often is directed through a codicil to the member's will. Cal Lee has kindly offered to produce said document at no charge to anyone wishing to avail themselves of his services. 50% of the proceeds from this gift will come back to our District in perpetuity.

NEW HOME ON THE RANGE

Good for you, John!

John Fazel reported on the excellent work performed by himself, Alex Arnold, Ron Melvin, Chris Lane and Tom Black in Napa on behalf of the Access Adventure organization. A new corral is being built for several of the Access horses to further enable the wonderful therapy they provide for disabled people. This location is particularly sited to provide services for those war veterans housed in the large facility next door in Yountville.

VOCATIONAL MINUTE

Didn't even take a breath!

A minor miracle occurred this morning. Rich Shearer gave the shortest elevator speech on record. After admitting that his Harvard Law School Degree was their mistake, he then opined he basically handles all of the "odd stuff" that floats into the downtown offices of Michael B. Bassi, a Law Corporation.

PROGRAM

Referee Melvin is in charge

Program Chair Pat Flaharty is constantly on the lookout for speakers with passions. Sometimes he finds them right here, in the club. A shining example is Ron Melvin, this morning's speaker, who has a lengthy resume and passion for the Special Olympics. Ron has served as a coach, a judge and organizational executive in three international events. Accompanying him today is Matt Cohen, Sr. Vice President, Special Olympics, for Northern California and Nevada.

Ron immediately acknowledged that several club members have connections to Special Olympics. He singled out John Fazel who has participated

Is there anything Fazel doesn't do?

in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, by accepting the honor of carrying the Torch with others, between Walnut Creek and San Ramon, in the very first winter games.

Special Olympics have both regional and international components. Each group operates independently. The participants are known as Athletes. They are children and adults with intellectual disabilities who are being provided with athletic opportunities that instill the confidence needed to succeed in life. All athletes are held to high standards.

The competitions themselves are replete with respectful ceremony. There are escorts for entrances and medal awards, with scoring rules and judges. The organizers level the playing field according to relative abilities, so there could be as my as five gold medals awarded by division for a single competition event. Nearly all sports are included. In some cases rules are modified, again according to abilities. For instance double dribbles or traveling are allowed in basketball.

Field hockey on a wood floor is a great favorite. At the Korean World Games 56 countries participate. Ron showed a video clip from a dramatic finish at that event. He demonstrated a stick and large, round puck shot, fortunately at far less velocity than achievable in a game.

Matt covers a lot of territory

The Special Olympics is dependent on annual fund raisers. As many as a dozen, with Polar Plunges, Dodge Ball on Trampolines and Golf Tournaments as examples. The operational goal is to net $1,000,000 a year. There is no charge for athletes who participate to be housed and fed.

Special Olympics in Northern CA and Nevada inspired more than 20,000 athletes last year (doubled in the last five years) in over 181 competition opportunities. Not to mention the nearly 15,000 supporting volunteers, during the course of one year. Absolutely remarkable!

In this area there is a Softball and Bocci Ball Tournament. Also one of the first events of the year is for track and field for high school athletes and will take place on April 29th at Acalanes High School. See Ron if you would like to help out.