MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2002
By: Cynthia M. Luedtke
Editor - Dick Blanding
Webmaster - Steve GruberThe meeting opened with the national anthem of Ireland.
DAN DUTTON had us inspire each other by having us all give our neighbor a big hug. I always knew
he was really a teddy bear! As for the song of the day, RICK GLAZE won't give up on the idea that we can somehow sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Honestly, after the second attempt this year, I think its time to put that one to bed.
ALEX NG introduced two new members to the club: BILL MOISON and JOHN KROGMAN. BILL MOISON is sponsored by his twin brother, JERRY MOISON. As director of this year's Art Show, I think Jerry thought it wise to solicit some dependable help. JOHN KROGMAN was sponsored into Rotary by ROSS BRIDGES. Welcome, gentlemen, to the best Rotary Club in the world.
Some of our members will no longer be "seeing red". The newest blue badge recipients were JOAN ROSELLE, JAN SCHROEDER, and ROSS BRIDGES.
MARLENE COWAN announced that it is time for the scholarship committee to convene. Anyone interested in being on this committee should contact Marlene pronto. This year, the committee will
distribute to each school, a videotape produced by NANCY TRAFICANTI that will encourage students to apply for a coveted Rotary Scholarship.
SAM HARDING, publicist for rising star RICK GLAZE, announced that Rick Glaze & The Virtual Wafer Hot Band will be appearing live and in concert for one night only, at The Espresso Garden & Café in San Jose on Wednesday, April 10th at 7:30 PM. This is a special appearance celebrating the release of their most recent CD. Call now to make your reservations at 408-298-0808.
Rose Rambo, new Troop Committee Chair for our own Boy Scout Troop 37, was able to update our group about the impressive number of Eagle Scouts produced by our troop. She also explained there is a high level of participation and utilization of the summer camps, resulting in a growing need for more camperships and other financial assistance, as the size of the troop has grown to around 130 Scouts.
DAVID DYE added that the 2002 Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner for the Pacific Skyline Council will be held on March 26 at the Faculty Club on the Stanford Campus. Steve Young is the keynote speaker that evening. Dave urged us all to join members like ROB HOLDEN and others in being an Eagle Scout Sponsor for the event. For $100 you can sponsor one youth and yourself to attend this inspiring evening of events. But don't stop there. You can also be a Program Sponsor ($200), Table Sponsor ($500), or a Dinner Patron ($1000). Even if you can't attend that evening, you can sponsor one or more Eagle Scouts at $50.00 per dinner by writing a check to PSC-Boy Scouts of America.
BAIDRA PROCHNOW, an Irish lass through and through, introduced ARIEL ROSS, the daughter of our own GARY ROSS. Ariel, in her lovely Irish costume, performed two Irish dances for the group. Nice job, Ariel. I admired your style and composure during and between performances.
CINDY LUEDTKE stood in as fine master today for JOHN MCALISTER, who was standing in for GINNY LEAR. The first diplomat of the day was GERRY TOMANEK, who was acknowledged for his recently received honor from Stanford Business School. Gerry was awarded the very first John Gardner Award for his thirty-plus years of volunteer work in the community. Congratulations, Gerry. We are proud of you.
ED SOX got hit for 66 big ones (we're not only talking dollars here) for it being his birthday. Due to his diplomatic immunity as President, Firooz was not fined for his 37 years of happy marriage. Fewer than expected members of Irish descent were fined, but the proud ones happily paid $2.00 for the privilege. GARY ROSS, proud daddy of the day got stung going out the door. Additionally, JOE RENATI, MARGE BRUNO, STEVE GRUBER, and BOB RAYL added to their contributions to operations.
Cindy was able to extract one last fine from JOAN ROSSELLE. Joan became a diplomat, not only for her pride of becoming a blue badger, but also to "give Cindy the hook" so she could introduce the day's guest speaker.
JOAN ROSSELLE introduced the day's guest speaker, Cherilyn Widell, Director of Preservation for the Presidio Trust.
The Presidio Trust was formed in 1996 with the charge of protecting the non-coastal areas of the
Presidio. The Trust works in partnership with the National Park Service, the agency in charge of the coastal areas. The Trust operates on an annual budget of approximately $36MM. This area covers 1480 acres and 800 buildings of which 469 are of historic significance.
The Trust has the huge challenge of finding a way to become financially independent by 2013 or the property will be broken up and cannot be returned to the Park Service. Through Federal tax credits, philanthropy, and lease income, the Trust continues to make headway in the renovation and conversion of the existing buildings to their best uses. . There are 65 separate organizations under lease with the trust at present. They have 39 tenants that are film-related companies now on the property. The Lucas Digital Arts project is underway, renting 23 acres on a long-term land lease for 900,000 square feet. Underground parking will be made available for its facility, leaving nine acres above as open space. The Presidio provides 1200 housing units, including 800 apartments.
The Presidio Trust is currently in search of an Executive Director, so if you're looking for a challenge, you are welcome to apply.
Cherilyn invited us all to go see the Presidio and learn about the significance of the Presidio in military history, become aware of the efforts to protect its natural resources, and investigate its progress as well as future plans for creating a people-friendly park.
Programs and EventsMarch
March 21 - Susanne Pari, author of The Fortune Catcher, "Ancient Persian Traditions in Modern Life"
March 28 - Samir Laymoun, "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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