MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2003
Rotator Writer: Mary Prochnow
Editor: Dick Blanding
The meeting opened with PAT MILLAR leading the Pledge and SETH MANNING directing a rousing, seasonal hit, JINGLE BELLS. JULIE ROSE shared a THOUGHT FOR THE DAY from RALPH WALDO EMERSON about the measurement of success including "To leave the world a bit better by a healthy child, a garden path, or a redeemed social condition."
If you would like to be a bartender at the December 17th Holiday Party please contact JOANNE BYRNE. TRACIE MURRAY is hosting a Friday night Social on the 16th of January, and the ever-popular Progressive Dinner is January 31st.
Please remember to bring an unwrapped toy to one of the next two meetings and brighten a child’s holiday celebration.
The Rotarian who had traveled the furthest was JOHN KIRKWOOD. JOHN is from Uganda, at the source of the Nile where he operates a vocational college for AIDS orphans who would otherwise receive no education. Some of us were fortunate enough to meet John at the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona. It was wonderful to have him visit.
HINDA WEBER gave her vocational talk. HINDA was born in a Western Pennsylvania steel town. Her father was an Orthodox Jew who emigrated from the Austrian Hungarian Empire, spoke 14 languages and married Dora, a Catholic, who spoke seven languages. He worked in the supermarket business and was President of the School Board, He and Dora taught their children the importance of Community Service. HINDA moved to Los Altos and with her husband has eight children. The youngest is soon to graduate from UCSB. HINDA is dedicated to the kids of Alta Vista, likes to read and ski and play GAME BOY. Welcome, HINDA!
SUPERFINEMAN LARRY CHU declared it "BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR TO ROTARY DAY" and proceeded to collect many dollars.
Foundation Chair VICTORIA EMMONS sent along a note: "The clock is ticking on 2003 with only days left to make your tax-deductible contribution to THE ROTARY FOUNDATION for the current year. Thanks to the 82 members (51.7%) who have already made contributions during the fall campaign, a total of $15,465 has already been raised to support programs both local and abroad. But we’re only at 70% of our $22,000 goal for this year, so we need your support. If you’re curious what it would take to become a Paul Harris Fellow, contact Wyatt Allen. Eleven members so far this year have become new or multiple Paul Harris Fellows or reached a new level, and many others are close to the goal. Go for the brass ring! Make your gift and LEND A HAND. On behalf of all the people in the world who benefit from your gifts, we thank you for your continuing support of THE ROTARY FOUNDATION."
DICK HENNING introduced his Sunnyvale High School classmate, current MAYOR of
SAN JOSE, RON GONZALES. MAYOR GONZALES complimented our Club on our AIDS, Polio eradication and other International projects.
The Mayor outlined the tough times facing his city, with 9% unemployment, and 50% of California’s job losses here in Silicon Valley. He faces a 91 million dollar deficit. He is proud of the fact that graffiti has been reduced by 95% and is dedicated to the children of his city.
Budgeting has become impossible with the instability of the State finances. The take back of the Vehicle License fees by the former governor to try to balance the state budget will leave San Jose with a 37 million dollar shortfall for the balance of this fiscal year and 80 million next year.
In the meantime, San Jose is working hard to attract business and in the last few days, expansion plans for EBay and BEA have been approved and a new 3-5 year Economic Development Strategy has been approved. The first BioScience Incubator on the West Coast was opened at Edenvale. Lowe’s new site was approved and the Eastridge Shopping Center Redevelopment was kicked off.
The Mayor stated "the California recovery is dependent on the recovery of Silicon Valley." He urged that we remember the talent and energy of people here in the home to innovation, and trust that we will continue to be the world’s center of innovation.
BE PROUD
This is the edition of the ROTARIAN that you want to read (DECEMBER). The focus of this issue is the AIDS pandemic and Rotary’s role in the fight against it. The "Los Altos Legacy" is the title of the article about DUDE and our project. Several of our club members are mentioned, and if you look at the article about the Costa Rican project you will see credit given to our club for inspiration. This issue is nearly miraculous--who’d have thought, just a few years ago, that Rotary would have given this much attention to this subject. Congratulations, to each of you for sharing in the joyous miracle of having made the world just a little bit better. The writer wants personally to offer congratulations and admiration to DUDE and BARBARA ANGIUS for the awe inspiring leadership they have given us . It is wonderful to see the fruits of that leadership in print!
DUDE announced that a Rotary Fellowship has been formed to fight AIDS. More information about the fellowship and how to join is available on the Rotary International website at www.rffa.org. Marion Bunch is the chairperson and can be contacted at marion_bunch@wilsonlearning.com
Programs and Events
December
Dec. 11: Rob Chang, the Everest Peace Project
Dec. 17: Holiday Party, Jesuit Retreat House
Dec. 18: Community School of Music and Arts - Holiday Program
Dec. 25: Christmas - no meeting
JanuaryJan. 1: New Years Day - no meeting
Jan. 8: Club Assembly
Jan. 15: Dr. Robert Siegel - AIDS update
Jan. 16: Fellowship Night
Jan. 22: Joe Simitian
Jan. 29: Maxine Goodman - Palo Alto Philharmonic
Jan. 31: Progressive Dinner, 6 p.m., $30 per personFebruary
Feb. 5: World Community Service
Feb. 12: Alliance for Community Care - Workshop on Stigma
Feb. 19: Los Altos Rotary Speech Contest
Feb. 20: Fellowship Night
Feb. 26: To be announced
Feb. 27: Cioppino Feed, Garden House
March
March 4: Trish Bubenik - American Red Cross, Be Prepared for the Unexpected
March 11: Carl Guardino - Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, Economic Outlook
March 26: Fellowship Night
April
April 7: Celebrate Spring at Chef Chu's
April 8: Mountain View High School Madrigal Singers Spring Program
May
May 7: Golf Tournament
May 21: Fellowship NightJune
June 25: Kickout Dinner
OTHER ROTARY CLUB MEETING PLACES
On-line Meeting: www.rotaryeclubone.org
MONDAY
Palo Alto: Rickey's Hyatt House, 12:15 p.m.
TUESDAY
Los Altos Sunset: The Echo Restaurant, Los Altos, 7:15 p.m.
Sunnyvale: Ramada Inn, 12:15 p.m.
Mountain View: Adobe House, Moffett & Central, Mountain View, 12:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Menlo Park: Menlo Park Recreation Center, Menlo Park, noon.
Woodside/Portola: Woodside Village Church, Woodside, 7:30 a.m.
Sunnyvale Sunrise: Wild Woodys Grill, Sunken Gardens Golf Course, 7 a.m.
Cupertino: Quinlan Community Center, 12:15 p.m.
East Palo Alto Bayshore: Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, 2031 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto, 12:15 p.m.
FRIDAY
Palo Alto University: Sheraton, El Camino, Palo Alto, 7:30 a.m.
"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 2003 The Los Altos Rotary Club