Ed Bronsdon: Outdoors 4 All

Whenever we receive a talk from Ed Bronsdon, all become reminded of the hope, accomplishments, and joie de vivre imparted by Outdoors for All. Those who would sink into depression and despair are simply not permitted to, once within the purview of this organization. OFA has several facets. This time, it was that of cycling which, if not precisely termed an art form, it is unquestionably a science. Moreover, it takes those who would be out of the mainstream and includes them in the fun and camaraderie.

The cycling program originated from downhill skiing, the nucleus of all that has evolved to date. Anecdotal vignettes included a skier who had lost the use of his legs; children with muscular dystrophy; a blind snowmobiler; a biker with a brain tumor, and several others. Veterans are particularly vulnerable, with PTSD plus or minus physical impairments. They are enabled to relate to the group, socialize, and connect with others. One of the transcendent events is the Seattle-to-Portland bike occurrence. Everyone gets there, no matter by what type of conveyance nor how long it takes. Recumbent trikes are now part of more than 120 in the fleet.

There are 700 volunteers and 18 full time staff. Activities, in addition to skiing and cycling, include kayaking and rock climbing. To date, 2438 have benefited. While much of the activity is in the Puget Sound area, the show often goes on the road to include others.

Observation: We get the impression that Ed and his retinue have not exhausted all the activities to be scheduled nor the apparatuses with which to do them. It will be no surprise to hear of them. Their motto that everyone counts and is important would do well to be part of global weltanschauung.

Twitter

Facebook

Wet…but a good time was had by all.

July 24th USR and Solid Ground hosted our annual Sand Point Block Party.

More photos here!

Twitter

Facebook

Jason Robertson: Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Although a Chinese Medicine practitioner has proposed a full body transplant, Jason Robertson’s immersion into this discipline has not embraced such a concept. His is a traditional form which he practices and teaches. He traces his pathway to dedication in both the language and the concepts to years spent in both of the Chinas and in San Francisco. His mentor, Wang Ju-Yi, has been both teacher and inspiration.

Although there is an herbal branch of Chinese Medicine, the preponderant technique is that of acupuncture. There are some 30,000 acupuncturists in the US, 1300 in the Seattle area, and three accredited local schools. The local society is named East Asian Medical Practitioners. The scope of the process includes: clinical history, acupuncture, advice, supplemental advice, and herbal therapies. Within this mix is the connection of signs and symptoms, clues, and patterns of disease.

The evolution of the art (actually a very old one) was expedited during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s. Mao Tse-Tung approved of sending “barefoot doctors” into the hinterlands to administer to the masses. Subsequently, the techniques came to the larger cities, particularly Beijing. Wang was one of these.

The sequence of events, as practiced by Wang, is first to check the pulse, then to ask questions, laying on of hands to palpate acupuncture channels while running the thumb along limbs and torso, determining the effect on organs, and at times slapping the contralateral limb to direct attention away from the site of the acupuncture. The effect, it is postulated, is mediated by channels toward the target organ. It has been found that acupuncture increases the oxygen levels at the sites. A very narrow-gauge needle is used. 10-15 needle pricks are generally given per hour.

Observation: A student must keenly prick up his/her ears as the instructor makes his points, lest said student be needled by classmates at not having been too sharp, the motto being, “Get on the stick.”

Twitter

Facebook

Humor-More from Dr. Hal

A manufacturer said to a storekeeper, “Thank you, Mr. Schwartz, for your patronage.
I wish I had twenty customers like you.”
“Gee, it’s good to hear you talk like that, but I’m kind of surprised,” admitted Schwartz.
“You know that I protest every bill and never pay on time.”
The manufacturer said, “I’d still like twenty customers like you.
The problem is, I have two hundred.”

The high school kid loved fast cars, and was thrilled to land a summer job with the local Alfa Romeo service center.
“Gee, Mr. Vespucci,” he gushed, grabbing a wrench,
“I can’t wait to learn the ins and outs of fixing up these babies.”
So he was startled when Mr. Vespucci told him to put down his tools and listen up.
“The first thing you gotta learn how to do,” he instructed the kid,
“is to open the hood, stand back, and shake your head very, very sadly.”

Twitter

Facebook

A look around the room_Photos

We receive numerous photos highlighting the activities involving our meetings and members. Mostly beyond “Service above self” we support having fun. Let’s share a few photos.

Twitter

Facebook

Virginia Emery: What are you eating?

Our April 24th speaker was entomologist Virginia Emery an advocate for insects. Her farm contains them in abundance.

She avers:

Insects comprise half the animal species on earth, with beetles predominating in many forms.
They perform important services which concern food, a proper ecosystem, water, and air.
They kill other insects.
Termites break down dead material and recycle nutrients,
Mealworms biodegrade styrofoam, which can be converted to animal feed.
Leaf cutter ants turn leaves into fungus, which they then eat.
They are social just like us.
Army ants eat everything, while cooperating with each other in intricate ways.
Ants and other insects communicate with each other by means of pheromones,
The dance language of honeybees direct others to the best flowers for pollination.
We depend on bees, which are endangered. To replace what they do in the US would cost $29 billion; worldwide $173 billion. Without them, we would lack the food we enjoy.
Flies are important in their effect on composting, their recycling causing a buildup of nutrients.
Insects are food, and are eaten in many places.
They are the next super food, being a source of protein.
Food waste is a large problem. 1/3 of all food is wasted.

Her company, Beta Hatch, converts organic waste into animal feed fertilizer.

Comment: A compelling discourse. But somehow we cannot help but wish that Noah had not admitted those two flies and two mosquitoes onto the Ark.

Twitter

Facebook

Max Collinge: Emotional Intelligence

Our speaker on April 21st, Max Collinge, in a succinct presentation, maintained that Emotional Intelligence and body language are better predictors of one’s success than an IQ, Citing his own rise from the depths of poor self-image and directionless existence, he came to develop social skills by employing a few vital principles.

Much is based on the Vagus nerve, a structure responsible for the difference between comfort and panic. How we think of ourselves determines how we comport ourselves and, in turn, how others regard us. The development of five character traits often makes all the difference:

Love for oneself and the other person leads to favorable body language (i.e. a deep breath that stimulates the Vagus) and a feeling of sociability.
Intellectual Honesty. Speaking one’s mind and not withholding opinions helps to burn off resentment, leads to clearer speech, truth, honesty, and transparency. One is thus able to speak reasonably and vent what is on one’s mind, obviating negative thoughts.
Emotional vulnerability. Allowing this to show on one’s face is preferable to a masking smile. It communicates how we really feel.
A genuine interest in other people, especially in cases of strained relationships, is a good trait. Be tuned in, pick up emotional cues. Ask people about themselves. All of this can be soothing.
Self-direction. Have pride, hold the head up high, and believe you have the capacity. This results in self-assurance.
Our

He asserts that if we think of which of the five keys with which we may have trouble, and work on them, good results may well ensue.

Comment: Some have the innate capacity. Others have to work at it.

Twitter

Facebook

Camaraderie!

Quite often when asked, “What is Rotary?” it is easy to respond, “We are a Service Organization”, whatever that means. Most of us then begin to enumerate the various local and international projects or causes we support; including programs which aide and promote international understanding; and who hasn’t heard about Rotary’s commitment to the eradication of worldwide polio, or how about the various local and national literacy projects; not to exclude, local food drives, tree planting, and the promotion of Rotaract clubs which introduce and involve college students in “Service Above Self”. Most important for the success of all of these endeavors is the camaraderie.

Sarah Cave

Pamela Banks and Past President Mike Madden

Teri St. Onge, Chase Carter, Betsy Conklin, and Pam Mushen

Twitter

Facebook

Chris Bailey, former King County Prosecuting Attorney

March 24th our speaker was Chris Bayley, former King County Prosecuting Attorney. He recounted how he created a justice model that has showed how the office is to be run. His reforms endure to the present day.

He is an advocate of strong relationships between the justice system and the community. Had his model been in place, the police shooting tragedies in the US would not have resulted in unrest and violence.

He traced the history of vice-related corruption, wherein brothels, liquor, and gambling had been allowed to flourish through a system of payoffs. Thus, licenses were continuously renewed. This Tolerance Policy went on for some 30 years. The City Council Licensing Committee, if not paid off, would harass the entrepreneurs. Thus, the pinball-punch card-pull-tab illegal industries made millions and averaged a yearly $500K in revenue to the city. The police vice squad payoff system grew. The Tolerance Policy was, in fact, public endorsement of municipal corruption.

In the middle ’60s, Bayley and other reformers began a campaign to elect different council members. US Attorney Pitkin took office, but could enforce only federal, not state law. Bayley, in some interesting political machinations and confrontations, scored an upset with a narrow victory and became Prosecuting Attorney for King County. He reformed the office and, as he stated it, drove a stake through the police corruption system. His predecessor, KCPA Carroll, had not prosecuted important violations, but trivial ones. This changed. Favorable treatment came to an end. The law began to be applied equally to everyone, including prominent offenders. Police departments were made to behave. The office was thus professionalized.

Comment: It is probable that, elsewhere, corruption exists. It is hoped that similar reformers will enter those arenas as well.

Twitter

Facebook

Remembering our Friend: Rev David Storm

Parrish Photo Friday, March 11, 2016.

“Fellow Rotarians,
It is with a heavy heart that I send you this …. Rev. David Storm passed earlier today and I wanted to make sure all of you knew of the passing of this great Rotarian. I am told he was his normal quick-wit self up till the end….just like a bright bulb that finally fades away at the end, just as he would have wanted.
An amazing man dedicated to the church and our rotary club, he will be incredibly missed. As more details come out around services and other celebrations of life, I will let you know.” –Tim Lenihan, Club President

“The tributes that have come in e-mail form for David Storm cannot be exceeded in eloquence, nor can their sincerity be gainsaid. We are glad that he was honored in life and thus was able to feel the affection and respect of so many before he left us. As some may know, he held a pulpit for years in Port Angeles. At the time of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of his ordination, held in this city, the numbers of attendees were swelled by many who saw fit to travel from there to be present. Such was but one example of the esteem he engendered in the course of a fulfilled life.

Although he traumatically sustained splintering neck fractures that could have rendered him at least paralyzed, he was granted a recovery, possibly by One who decided that we might have him a bit longer.

The Rotarians and those at Merrill Gardens will miss his philosophy and good humor. He has left a hiatus in both places.”-Dr Harold Ellner

“Such a wonderful man”.-John Reynolds

“He was a fine man.”-Arnold Swanberg

“Rev. Storm was a hero to me.”-Tom Ranken

“I did not know Rev. Storm very long but, as the daughter of an Episcopal priest, I enjoyed his invocations immensely and had some memorable chats with him over breakfast. I was so impressed by his commitment to Rotary and unblemished attendance record. What a remarkable man and great role model.”-Sarah Cave

“Reverend Storm was a friend to all of us, ready at a moment’s notice to provide an invocation, and brought his sense of humor and joy to our Rotary meetings. He will be remembered well.-Lillian “Scotty” Ottaviano

Twitter

Facebook