MEETING OF NOVEMBER 30, 2000 By Dick Blanding
It was standing room only today, as the program to honor Dude Angius and his efforts in AIDS awareness got underway. Tracie Murray provided a delightful story about a little boy and an aged stranger. Their kindness to each other provoked the thought on each of their parts, that they had "had lunch with God". This particularly appealed to Tracie, since she is regularly trying to arrange similar encounters between her clients and local youngsters.
Pres. Ginny announced that Past President Roy Alley had recently succumbed to "elegant decay", having passed away last Tuesday. Nominally a real estate attorney, some Los Altos Rotarians thought he had missed his true calling as a female impersonator, having provided the club with some of our best laughs ever with his guest appearances at a few meetings long ago. Condolences may be sent to Roy Alley's family c/o his daughter Edith O'Conner, P. O. Box 352, Quincy, CA 95971. His sons are Clinton, a former Los Altos Rotarian, and Austin. Roy had seven grandchildren. His memorial will be during the day on December 9, at the Sports Bar in East Quincy. A favorite gathering spot. Roy wouldn't miss it.
The club was in rare holiday form today, as we sang Jingle Bells in the round, led by Bob Adams. Bob was further recognized by President-elect Firooz, who took credit for having cleverly substituted Bob's Handbook picture for that of George Estill, thereby increasing the travel business by two or three times. Firooz also introduced lots of guests, including Dave Haggerty, our District Governor for the '92-'93 year; President David Fraser of the Los Altos Sunset Club, and several members of the Los Altos High Interact Club. No fines were levied today due to time constraints, so Steve Anderson took full advantage of the situation to have a fine-free whine about not getting a new handbook with his name on a sticker attached. Maybe next week, Steve.Cindy Luedtke thanked the members of Partners for a New Generation for their help in putting on the program last meeting. She also asked our members to try to think of other organizations, such as churches, etc., that they belong to which might host a 30 minute or less pitch by the PNG team for more volunteers. Steve Gruber, in his last official act before heading out for Tahiti, said all slots except two on Friday Dec. 22 were filled, in our annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army downtown. The location has changed, by the way, to the corner by Bayview Federal and Starbuck's (Second Street and Main Street).
Ginny says we'll have over 150 folks at our big Christmas party next week, and to be sure to carpool. She also stated that $25 from each ticket will go to CSA, as a donation of bike helmets and bike locks for needy kids. Be sure to bring food and gifts to our next meeting, to share the holiday spirit.Special to all Past Presidents: Meet at 8 am in the "Community House" on Hillview Avenue next Wednesday Dec. 6, for the annual choosing of a new president elect-elect.
If you are between 18 and 60 years old, Sam Harding would like to have you take a blood test at 11:45 am before our next meeting (or during the meeting), to see if you qualify to be a marrow donor. Ginny thanked former Mayor John Moss and Curtis Cole for volunteering to be the motive power for our club's float, in the Festival of Lights Parade this year. New Mayor of Los Altos, King Lear, then presented a lengthy proclamation from the city to Dude, for his fine work on behalf of AIDS victims everywhere.
Mary Prochnow, long a primary member of the Rotary Aids Project, introduced a short video on the status of the disease in South Africa. This was followed with a film clip of Dude when he received the first annual Dude Angius Award. It had been presented to him by the National Business and Labor group of the Center for Disease Control. In his acceptance speech, Dud cited Los Altos Rotarians for their great help with the Los Altos Story and subsequent activities.
Dick Hasenpflug said many other clubs have been inspired to undertake anti-AIDS programs of their own, including one in Sandown, South Africa. That program stresses community care centers and support groups; educational programs, and combining with other Rotary clubs to fight the disease.
Mary provide the wrap-up for the meeting, describing her "indescribable feeling of working with friends to create miracles", experienced during the early days of the Rotary AIDS Project. She suggested the effort continue, to help ease the problem in South Africa. She spoke of a new drug which can reduce the chance of transmission from mother to baby from 34% to 8%, and spoke of the RAP group acting as a clearinghouse for ideas for new projects in opposing AIDS.
From Jean Newton: Rotary AIDS Project
If you didn't have a chance to sign up for the RAP brainstorming session and would like to do so, please e-mail or call Mary Prochnow at maryproc@aol.com or 948-8910. We'll be announcing a date soon.
President's Message Thank you, Mary Prochnow, for the commitment you have given to the Rotary AIDS Project. Your talk gave us all a view of the passion of many, which brought the project to this point eleven years after the call. Those who volunteered today will help take it to new levels of achievement. Los Altos Rotary is proud of all of you.
Our Rotary Foundation drive continues. More than half of us have made our contributions so far. We hope you will find that envelope on your desk, and write your check. The obvious tie-in today is the support that Foundation dollars have given directly to our project in Sandown, Africa. Through this fund, our $11,000, from last year's auction, turned into $44,000. That's a great return.
Remember, if you haven't already done so, please bring an unwrapped toy, book, game, or pre-teen gift to the December 6 Holiday Party. Rotary Gives Thanks! This will be a great event. Then, we hope to see you all back at Rotary next Thursday, December 7. On the day that marks the beginning of WWII for America, Billy Russell is going to bring his copies of truly historic documents, signed on the USS Missouri, that signaled the end of the war. See you Wednesday and Thursday. Ginny
Programs
December
Dec. 6 - Holiday party
Dec. 7 - Wes Wenhardt, VP of the Tech Museum
Dec. 14 - Susan Hammer
Dec. 21 - LA Main Street Singers
Dec. 28 - No meetingJanuary
Jan. 4 - Chris Bischoff, Founder of Eastside Prep High School
Jan 11 - Allan Frumkin, Why Rotary?
Jan 18 - Deborah Wilder - Raising the Reader
Jan. 25 - Club AssemblyFebruary
Feb. 1 - Judge Len Edwards, Helping One child At a Time
Feb. 8 - Steve Westly, eBay, Sr. VP
Feb. 15 - Suzanne Kushner - Successful Brand Management - Moving Toward a Customer-Concentric Focus
Feb. 22 - John Giovanola, Hansen Cement Mfg.March
March 1- Suzanne Pari, Author
March 8 - Marlene Cowan, The Donner Party"Information in this newsletter is intended for the exclusive use of the members of the Rotary Club of Los Altos to facilitate the work of the club and to promote club fellowship. It is not to be used for any commercial or outside, unrelated, non-profit purposes. No publication of material in this newsletter should occur without the express permission of the club President or the Editor of the Rotator."
Copyright 2000 The Los Altos Rotary Club
Home Art Show Partners for New Generations Contact Us Links