I couldn’t find a Greeter when I arrived but the warmth of everybody near the door rendered one unnecessary.  Stefan Laube was at the desk.

With Prez Marc missing, former Prez Victor Currie assumed the podium and got the festivities started at 6:14.  Dick Dickson led the Invocation and Bud Warmington the Pledge.  The 4-Way was a cooperative effort.  With Rick Weiss at the piano, Bob Merring led the Club through “Smile.” 

Introductions included Joan Archibald, a Costa Mesa RC member considering joining our Club. Ronan Cosgrave from The Emerald Isle—his dad was a District Governor, Portia Weiss, and May Hashimoto (Wong guest). 

Steve Speer not only encouraged attendance at all Club meetings, but that members also eat meals.  The Club guarantees BCYC a minimum attendance.  When the actual is below this, it gets very expensive.

Victor advised that RI’s new slogan for the 2010-2011 year will be “Building Communities—Bridging Continents.”

Jokemaster Anna Wong was the first to grace the podium after dinner with jokes about the Samarai method of “fixing” flies, and three ways to cross a river. 

Your scribe, doubling as Finemaster, promptly fined Roger McGonegal and Raouf Yuga $40 each.  Honest Jerry Morris also paid $40 for a fine levied some weeks ago.  Happy fines were paid by Rick Weiss; wife Portia was very happy about the assistance received from Lauren Reeves, Markee Fritschle for her brand new Subaru Outback and Terry Rousselot for completing therapy. 

Jim DeBoom made a $500 contribution to our Club Foundation with the understanding that it would buy a “Shelter Box” for Haiti.  Shelter Boxes are portable homes that will support as many as 10 people.  Rotary Clubs across the country are buying these Boxes in a big way.  Thinking this was a great project, the Club passed around a basket for individual contributions.  While no exact total is known, it looked like at least another $500. 

Raouf Yuja introduced speaker John Menzies Clark from Seniorcare Counseling.com.  John and his company are the people to call when one is faced with a need for senior care of any kind.  John noted that 75% of those over age 65 will require some kind of senior (long-term-care) before arriving at the pearly gates. 

John explained the many levels of senior care providers and the labyrinth like system of who pays for what.  A Skilled Nursing Facility is the highest level of care.  Medicare and Medical (Medicaid in CA) provide differing levels of payment as well as payment coverages.  Asset and income levels are also determining factors in the amount of coverage.  Still, loopholes/inconsistencies exist which can/should be exploited when necessary.

The next highest level is Assisted Living, apartment like living with dining rooms, activities.  A typical cost is $3,000/month; prices range from about $1,200 to $6,000/month.  Prices are surprisingly negotiable.  Next comes Boarding Houses, assisted living on a smaller, more personal basis.  Then comes In-Home Care which is very expensive.  For a live-in, free room and board must be provided as well as $185/day.  Finally, especially for dementia sufferers, there is Bus Service where a bus picks up in the morning and drops off at night.

Thanks John—great, informative presentation.

Ed Rennie, El Scribé