Next speakers:
4/30    Roberto Giannicola    San Francisco Rotary Club's Centennial Celebration
5/7      Jerrie Patterson   India Through the Windshield  

Thought of the Day:  Missed this completely, so sorry.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  Ralph Sartori, Petaluma (President-Elect).

VISITORS:  Forrest’s son-in-law joined us. And our speakers: Emma and Shelby Dombroski

ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS.
Chili Cook-Off, Sheila had the ingredients (spices) and the secret recipe; and gleefully shared the multitude of bags with the volunteer chefs (Dawn, Jim O. Sally, Bruce S., and kept one for herself.  

District Conference is coming up quick – call and get your last minute hotel room and conference registration; don’t miss this super celebration of our past year. 

Rebuilding Together – Great update, super participation by our Club members, the Rotaract and Interact Clubs.

First Friday will actually be held on the first Friday – May 2nd at Volpi’s, let Rickie R. know if you want to join the select group for dinner.

Community Project – committee to look at the Arroyo Park possible project; Pam asked for volunteers and got an incredible response:  Sue H., Monica, Andy, Jerrie, John S., Sheila, Connie.

John and Pam updated the Club on the progress on Cool Kids Camp, need to get out there and encourage Clubs to donate – only raised $13,000 so far and need $35,000.



 Connie stepped right up to the plate and offered to sponsor a student to honor her grand-daughter Callie’s birthday.
 THANK YOU CONNIE!






Raffle:  The wrong marble was selected by Gordon, with only three left that was a difficult task!  Sorry!



PROGRAM:  Christine introduced the program:   Memory Walk – Emma and Shelby Dombroski, Alzheimer’s Association, Program Director.  Forgetfulness/small memory lapses are normal for the aging process.  As we age the neurons in our brain begin to shrink.  Less blood flow to the brain also affects the memory and retention.  Thus, recall and learning is reduced; the “tip of the tongue” issue. 

Not paying attention is the cause of most forgetfulness; not so much retention; normal age related memory loss.  Shelby discussed dementia:  the symptoms experienced during aging that illustrate memory, language, living skills loss or reduction.  Some ‘dementias’ are reversible if caused by outside sources.  Not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer’s.  It is important to talk to a doctor if you have any of the 10 warning signs:

Memory Loss
Difficult performing normal tasks.
Language problems (forgetting simple words)
Loss of initiative
Poor or decreased judgment
Problems with abstract thinking
Misplacing things
Changes in behavior
Changes in personality
Disorientation of time and place

Personality traits can become amplified.  Shelby discussed the various types of affects to the brain and the resulting symptoms. Alzheimers is progressive and degenerative involving neuron transmitters and loss of brain cells. 

Major risk factor is age; by 85 you have a 50% chance of the disease.  Genetic predisposition (slightly higher risk).  Head injury; women are slightly higher at risk (women live longer as well).  Now looking at estrogen levels, heart disease (having a stroke puts you higher at risk).  What is good for the heart is good for the brain (eating well, exercise and keeping your mind stimulated). 

Shelby discussed the progression of the disease, and the drugs used to slow the progression.

20,000 people in the NorthBay are affected.

Shelby shared how the Alzheimer’s Association helps and the research being done to find a cure; they are available 24/7 for assistance, emotional support, referrals, etc.  Questions can be answered, caregiver assistance through referrals to agencies, educational workshops, partnering with your doctor.  They have an early stage program.

All services except the early stage program are free; they rely on donations and the annual Memory Walk, to be held on October 18, 2008.

Your hapless Editor,
pt