Your Weekly Get Up & Go has been Updated

    President Manny Carbahal called the meeting to order, and introduced Barry Rathfon who served as the first President of the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club.  At the time there were only five members and the Club met at Denny’s Restaurant.

     Club members introduced their guests, which included the speaker of the day, Dr. John Morrison, who is a professor in the UCD School of Medicine.  Dr, Morrison’s topic was Memory loss with aging. Keith Watenpaugh encouraged everyone to participate in Trivia Night, and guaranteed that Trivia will improve your brain neurons.  When asked by a Club Member how he knew that, he said “I know because I am a doctor.”  He failed to mention that he is a doctor of human rights.  Chuck Snipes also encouraged attendance and sponsorship of Trivia Night which will be hosted by the famous Dr. Andy. Tickets can still be purchased here

    Meaghan Likes announced Ribs and Rotary.  She was soliciting sponsors and reminded us that the Ribs and Rotary event is scheduled for May 20th at Central Park,  Larry Green announced that it was time once again for March Madness and that there would be a $20.00 fee to be listed on the college basketball brackets with a team.  All the proceeds will go to the Rotary Foundation.  Nikki Grey Ratumu announced that the International Committee was sponsoring a Kenyon young woman to go to High School.

    John Morgan served as the Sergeant of the Day.  Clay Brandow offered Happy Bucks for the best skiing snow in five years.  He said he had a great time on Thursday.  Nikki Grey Ratumu gave happy bucks for her baby’s first words.  Vanessa Errecarte gave Happy Bucks for the break in the rain.  She said that her family was worried that the spillway water could damage one of the family rice mills.  

    Dave Heard was fined for getting a new Mastiff dog named Wilma from dog rescue.  Don’t you agree that “Wilma” is a great name for a dog.  Now Dave has two dogs:  Fred and Wilma. Lucas Frerichs was called out for the City charging the Club for use of the Senior Center for a non-profit charitable purpose.  Lucas claims he should not have been fined because he had Sergeant’s Insurance.  We all would like to see the documents that evidence said Sergeant’s insurance.  Don Saylor had to pay a fine for all of his drinking. 

 He was seen drinking in a photo in the newspaper at a Gala Event and at the Delaine Easton Fund Raiser.  Tom Read was fined $10.00 for a cute albeit topless photo of his granddaughter.  Chuck Snipes had to pay a $5.00 fine for reckless driving in the bike lane in his stretch golf cart.

    John Morrison then provided the feature presentation on “How Do You Know if You Are Somewhat Losing It or Are Truly Demented.”  It apparently all turns upon the health of your synapses.  The synapses in your brain are complicated little structures.  There are three types: 1) thin synapses, 2) mushroom-shaped synapses, and 3) stubby-shaped synapses.  The Mushroom-Shaped synapses are the seat of expertise and are rarely effected by Alzheimer’s disease.  Therefore, you can be confident that Manny and Meaghan can still prepare your tax returns even if they can’t remember where they parked their cars. (um... thanks?)

     It is the thin synapses that are most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s.   You lose these, and then you lose your mind.  It starts in the Medulla, when an Alzheimer’s sufferer can’t remember things, and then progresses to the frontal cortex, which affects all cognitive function. After the frontal cortex is impacted, then one’s mental abilities becomes that of a two-year old.

    Dr. Morrison stated that they are working diligently to try and solve the Alzheimer’s puzzle.  Apparently, estrogen helps prevent Alzheimer’s and can be a key to the cure.  He stated that the best way now to help ensure healthy synapses is to live the way one would to prevent heart disease – keep your weight down, exercise, and sleep well.  Apparently, trivia might not help, but practicing trivia makes you good at trivia. (And can't hurt!)