Needham Rotary Club Bulletin

July 28 and August 4, 2009

Well, Rotary is having a 'two for one' sale, or, more precisely you're receiving two newsletters in one. Last night, Tuesday Aug. 4^th, Needham Rotary traveled to Campanelli Stadium in Brockton to see the Brockton Rox play the Jersey Jackals. 'Our' Rox prevailed in a 3-2 win that I must say everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Needham Rotarians seen by this weeks bulletin editor included Rick and Gail Davis, Chuck and Linda Buyer, Karen Wetmore, George and Chris Hoffmeister, Ryan Domaso, Jim Brown, and there were lots of guests!

Tickets were inexpensive, $8 for about row 10 behind the 3^rd base dugout, plus, it was '2 for 1' night, so the second person got in free!

It was great that 'we' won, but the highlight was the Rox center fielder, Chris Valencia , who made 3 (count them 3) arm stretched land on your side catches! Clearly worthy of mention on ESPN's SportsCenter! This is how the Rox describe it on their web site www.brocktonrox.com/   :

With three remarkable diving catches and a decisive two-run triple, CF Chris Valencia was largely responsible for the Rox 3-2 win over the New Jersey Jackals on Tuesday night at Campanelli Stadium. 

In a game which included 20 other players, Valencia stood center stage as he took away runs with his glove in a series of spectacular catches, and drove in the winning runs for the Rox with a triple to deep left-centerfield.

I think we can look forward to hearing more of this fellow as he progresses up the ranks into the major leagues!

After the game, Mike Reilly (the Rox announcer, Needham resident and past Rotary guest speaker) gave us a guided tour of the park's announcing facilities where he is the announcer for all 43 home games, as well as the local and visitor radio booths from where the games are broadcast.

If you did not have the opportunity to go, it was an inexpensive evening filled with a lot of fun with Brockton Rox of the Canadian American independent baseball league .

This second newsletter is from July 21^st, and is late due to 'technical difficulties'. The picture attached is from the Rotary Dinner held in Boxboro on July 25^th and shows Needham Rotarians with RI President John Kenny.

Opening: Pledge of Allegiance- President Ryan, 'God Bless America', and Reverend Darrell led us in Prayer.

Guests:  Thomas Gilet, a college student visiting Needham from France, who is a RYLA scholar back in France. At this point, Thomas has returned to France. Anyone wishing to contact him can at   gilet05@orange.fe .

Announcements:

-Bill Paulson, Ted and Marilyn shaughnessy, Jim and Susana Brown and Tom Gilet went to the Rotary dinner in Boxboro celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Mass, as Boston Rotary has turned 100 years old. This dinner featured RI President Kenny, and folks from Boston Rotary, Club number 7. Further, there was an impressive Essex Youth Exchange presence as well. President Kenny stressed "Rotary is in your hands!". So, let's do something !!! (See attached picture).

-August 18^th we will visit Wingate Nursing Home for a cookout at noon, instead of the Sheraton. Bill Swartley, who just turned 102, will recount some of his experiences as President of Boston Rotary. We anticipate that Bob Day will be there as well, as they are Wingate roommates!

-George Hoffmeister read us a thank you letter from Ryan Ford who attends StonehillCollege. It's always great to hear of the progress and success these college students are experiencing.

-December 20^th: The day Needham Rotarians are scheduled to work on the Habitat for Humanity home here in Needham. Hold the date!

-Daryl Minnich saw former Rotarian John Moran and confirmed that John will not be able to cook for our Thanksgiving Day dinner with the Needham Community Council.  Bill Paulson immediately stood up and volunteered to head the cooking. Great project; wonderful Rotarian.

-The Bandy-Hefler exchange is still looking for host families for several days in September. Contact our own Karen Wetmore if you would like to host. It is a great experience!

-If you have Rotary flags you have received from other clubs (near or far), pass them on to Karen. She and Miriam will be sewing them together to make a new banner for our club. Sounds great !!

Humor:

  50/50: Gerry Goodman had the successful ticket but came up short on pulling the correct card. To be continued with only 27 cards remaining!!

Happy Dollars: Most Happy Dollars were HTBH and Scotti for getting a call from Greg Buscone (former Needham Rotarian) inviting him to see Paul McCartney at FenwayPark.  Also, Tom Gilet gave a Happy Dollar and exchanged club flags with Ryan, for his 4 week visit here in Needham and to Needham Rotary!

Birthdays:

Guest Speaker: Ken Davis introduced this weeks speaker, Atty. Ed Zavah, of New England Council and Title Insurance Co. They specialize in section 1031's.

This is a way for an asset owner to exchange assets with another person, and continue to receive depreciation deduction, without having to declare taxes until the second or successive sale.

The rules surrounding 1031s and their tax treatment have changed. The cash from the sale must be placed in escrow until the 2^nd half of the exchange sale is finalized. Taxpayer has 45 days to identify up to 3 other replacement properties, and, 180 days after that to finalize sale. The new property inherits the original cost basis of the original property, and it's capital gains are carried until the 2^nd or successive property is sold.

This is a very good way for investors to take advantage of the tax code to delay paying capital gains taxes.

Email Jim Brown ( hjbrown@dictronics.com ) if you would like a copy of Ed's presentation.