MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2002
By Steve GruberIf you didn't know already that we had two sisters join the club recently, you knew after today's meeting because they both got up and gave their five-minute talks at the same time. It wasn't in unison, but it was close, as first BARBARA DUNCAN, then SANDY WHIPPLE would give us a few sentences of their collective biography. But here's what they told us: First, they are not twins, but SANDY is a few years older than BARBARA. They were born in Pennsylvania and grew up in New York. SANDY moved to this area first, and worked as an accountant for a high tech firm. She then opened her own accounting practice. BARBARA has worked her way up the ranks in human resource departments for several companies, and apparently wrapped up her last job by laying herself off. They both like painting schools, and started with the Los Altos Elementary District schools and worked their way up to Mountain View High School, which also got painted by Sandy and Barbara.
MARY PROCHNOW announced that next year's district handbook will have advertisements, and you should call her soon so space can be reserved for your ad. MARY has to have the information to the district governor elect by March 1, when PETS begins. PETS stands for President Elect Training Seminar and MARY will be attending as our next president.
The Interact Club from Los Altos High School, under the direction of MARY MARLEY, raised $490 for AIDS patients in South Africa.
We heard from Vera Henzl, a Foothill College instructor, on the history and culture of the Czech Republic. This was Czech Republic day, and we also listened to part of the country's national anthem.
KLASS stands for Keep Los Altos Schools Strong. It is a community group that is backing the April 9 tax election that will increase the parcel tax for the Los Altos Elementary School District from its current level of $264 to $597. Today we heard about the district's finances from MARGE GRATIOT, Rotarian and superintendent of the district, RANDY KENYON, the assistant superintendent for business administration, and DICK HASENPFLUG, a Rotarian who is a member of KLASS.
Expenses for the district have been going up faster than revenues have been coming in. Most of the money is from property taxes and the state, and the state revenues may be declining because of the recently announced $17 billion deficit. To protect the district against this possibility, the parcel tax has been proposed for four years. The alternative would be to lay off teachers, consolidate schools, buy fewer textbooks, and reduce classroom cleaning, for example.
The tax election, called Measure A, requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The first tax election that was held 14 years ago passed by 70 percent. Further information is available at: http://www.klasscampaign.org/
In other news, MEL KAHN says he'll be going to Aspen soon for skiing. That's not news of course, but his method of transportation might be: He's driving. MEL didn't want to leave his dog at home, so the lucky canine is making the trip in the car. The dog probably feels even luckier that MEL doesn't do his skiing in New England . . . Announcing a guest as a "prospective member" is not a good idea because not all applicants are accepted for membership. Just announce your guest as a guest and we'll learn the rest when the membership notice comes out . . .
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Marge Gratiot and Dick Hasenpflug gave a great presentation about KLASS. We know this is a beautiful world when we constantly see how a few individuals can do so much good for so many in our community. True power is the power to do good for others!
With an invitation from Mary Marley, who came early to greet and seat them, our Interactors showed up at our meeting this Thursday. They arrived with a goal. In their own way they came to participate in helping the AIDS victims in Africa. As this was their week off, it turned out this was the only day they could have come before summer time. Without receiving any training or coaching from us, and having been focused on their goal of fundraising they went about doing this the only way they knew how. Though the Interactors' circulating among the audience to collect money may have caused distraction to some among us, we know these young folks' intention was to only do some good for the world community. Allowing them to go around with a speaker still at the podium was my mistake, for which I profusely apologize. Of course, if we were to do it over, it would be done differently. And, while you will agree my youth and vitality has no resemblance to that of the Interactors, you might agree my intention was similar to theirs. Looking at the brighter side, we want to offer our sincere gratitude to all the approximately 50 Rotarians who supported the Interactors in their cause. Imagine the encouragement and the energy you imparted on these young folks. You've helped them to soar higher in their efforts to help mankind. Los Altos Rotary is the most amazing group of people - George Perham said it best. Once again, it is an honor for me to be amongst you.
-Firooz
Programs and EventsFebruary
February 26 - Area 10 dinner, Los Altos Golf and Country Club
February 28 - Francesco Sciortino, Consul General of Italy, "Celebrating Italy"
March
March 7 - James E. Gross, "What the Hoover Institute is all about"
March 8 - Cioppino Night, 6:30 p.m., Garden House $35.00 per person
March 14 - The new San Francisco Presidio
March 21 - Susanne Pari, the author of Fortunecatcher, "Ancient Persian Traditions in Modern Life"
March 28 - Samir Laymour, "A Muslim speaks on Islam"
April
April 26 -28 - District 5170 Conference, Lake Tahoe
"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 2002 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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