CROW’S CALL – August 8, 2019
By: Dr. Bill
Lady Grizzly Colette Lay growled us into attention, reminding us that Rotary International President is Mark Daniel Maloney of Decatur, Alabama. (Do you know why there are ten towns or cities in the US that are named “Decatur”? The late Rotarian John Sims, USN, would know the answer.) Colette introduced Greeter-Substitute Extraordinaire Don Jones who offered a poignant Thought for the Day: “If there comes a day when we cannot be together, I’ll stay there forever deep in your heart.” He led the Flag Salute and asked this correspondent to lead the club in “God Bless America.” Don has lived in the Valley since 1972 working as an independent insurance agent. We learned that he is in the process of selling his business to his kids. Visiting Rotarians included Mark Roberts of Lamorinda Sunrise and incoming District Governor, and Asst. Governor Patty Hoyt of Dougherty Valley. Other guests were John Benus, the speaker; Jennifer and Charles Barnes, Geoff Disch’s daughter and son-in-law (it was Jennie’s birthday and her big spender father took her out to lunch); Steven Porschet, Anne Saunders, and Charlene Fernandez who were all checking out the club.
Tributes:
Ray Giles shared with us a little about the life of Jim Livingstone who died suddenly. Jim had been a charter member of this club. He operated a car repair shop for many years in the northwest part of the city and was instrumental in the establishment of the city of San Ramon and of the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the City Council for many years. In our club he was a mainstay of Carboload and responsible for memorable videos shown at our annual Demotion Parties. (This correspondent remembers Jim’s clever video at his demotion showing a city front loader crushing a bust of Shakespeare.)
Our Corporate Member, McKenna Lay, was recognized once again for winning Gold at the annual Kuo Shu National Tournament in Baltimore. Her school, East West Bok Fu Do, is a real powerhouse in the field.
Dennis Garrison presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Charles Barnes. Charles is an IT guy who recently helped Dennis set up and operate a new computer. He did such an outstanding job, Dennis wanted to recognize him in a way that would impress his father-in-law. You can reach Charles at Charles@WebDispatch.com.
Grant:
Governor-Elect Mark Roberts presented President Lay with a check for $5,484 to fund the StoryWalk project our club is sponsoring in conjunction with the San Ramon Library and the City of San Ramon. Mark explained how the grant came from RI through a system that funnels our contributions back to the local clubs. Colette’s timely initiative secured the funds for our project.
Announcements:
Judy Lewis brought word of “Night at the Museum” at Blackhawk Museum on October 13. It will feature a Neil Diamond tribute act and tickets are $150 each. See Judy for details.
Colette said that she is sending out forms for the upcoming auction via email.
District 5160 is offering seminars in membership, foundation work and public image on October 5.
Gary Sloan announced that we have already raised $40,000 in sponsorships for the auction.
Alamo Rotary is holding a fund-raiser at Gianni’s for the RotoCare clinic on August 26. See Colette for details or click here: Gianni’s to make a reservation for August 26.
Judy Lewis tells us August 23 will be the California Independent Film Festival at the Orinda Theater.
August 25 is the multi-club day at the Oakland Coliseum for the A’s game.
Program:
Marv Remmich introduced our speaker, John Benus, a.k.a.” Doctor Fun”. John is from Sausalito and he leads the monthly “Marin Moonshiners” nighttime hike on Mount Tam and works as a Habitat Restoration volunteer for the National Park in Marin County. The title of his talk was “Facts for Life” about more healthy food and lifestyle choices. John unpacked his presentation material which closely resembled Aisle #6 at Trader Joe’s. Here, in no particular order, are some of John’s sprightly if unsourced recommendations for better nutrition and behaviors:
Give your body what it needs, not what you want.
Your major meal should be breakfast, your lightest dinner. Otherwise you end up like the sumo wrestlers in Japan who eat 12,000 calories just before bedtime.
Eat junk food and your body becomes a junkyard.
Drink no milk after you are three years old; use almond milk instead.
Chew your food at least 48 times before swallowing to aid your predigestion.
Drink a glass of red wine each day; avoid white wine. (“What about Scotch?” cried Geoff Disch and Don Jones. “Out of my area of expertise,” replied Doctor Fun.)
Don’t just walk for exercise taking your dog for a walk; go up hills, run sprints, walk three miles an hour. People in Marin are so accustomed to walking their dogs that in a few years the dogs will be unable to take a shit unless they are on a leash. (“My dogs get walked regularly and they still shit where they are not supposed to,” observed a Dennis Garrison.
Avoid flu shots and colds; instead take three cloves of garlic everyday by putting them in fruit smoothies for breakfast.
Don’t use aerosol shaving cream; instead just hot water and organic soap will work. Afterwards use some greenish gel in a big tube from Trader Joe’s to soften your skin. (Dennis Garrison got to feel his cheek to affirm this!) This gel also has the advantage of being a lubricant for sexual intercourse, plus you can eat it. Of course, if you have taken your three cloves of garlic, you will probably just have to eat it.
Consume a gallon of water a day; avoid bottled water which is polluted with chemicals by the big beverage companies.
Brush your teeth with a soft brush; otherwise it is like brushing with sandpaper. And don’t use regular toothpaste which carries a warning about the dangers of poisoning from excess use.
Regular detergents and dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals which pollute our cells.
Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your longevity!
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Raffle:
Two of our guests were the big winners in the raffle conducted by Edgardo’s acolyte, Julie McKinney.. Steven Porschet won the Greeter’s $20. Anne Saunders won the chance at the bag and drew the heretofore elusive white marble. Anne works with Microbusiness Mentors which give small grants to women in Africa and the Philippines starting small businesses. She said she would be using her $320 windfall for that work. As a result she was able to exit the meeting safely despite the disgruntled Rotarians lurking around.
