MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2003

By Cindy Luedtke
Dick Blanding, Editor

The meeting began with words of wisdom from Gandhi and Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) delivered by HERB MARSHALL, followed by a fine rendition of Home on the Range including AL LAMBERT’S signature harmony at the end. 

Let’s Stick Together 

President Mary, in her usual eloquent manner, opened the meeting with a sincere plea to the club to stick together during these times of world turbulence that can so easily invite divisiveness among any group of people.  Let’s be sensitive and respectful to others and accept that there may be differences among us.  That is the Rotary way.   

Sticky Fingers?

TRACIE MURRAY was first out of the gate to announce that she is organizing a fundraiser for the Polio project on Friday April 4th.  On that day, she would like us all to stop in at Los Altos Sub-Acute for a barbeque lunch between the hours of 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The lunch price is $6.50 for which includes barbequed chicken complemented with baked beans, corn on the cob, a roll and a drink.  Such a deal!  For some of us who always seem to be on our way somewhere, they are even setting up “drive-through” service for your convenience.  

Volunteer Early and Often

Next, a reminder from SAM PESNER to sign up early and often for working shifts at the Art Show to be held the weekend of May 17th and 18th.  Please complete the volunteer form at your earliest convenience if you haven’t done so already.  Our fine webmaster, STEVE GRUBER, has made the form available at the club’s website for downloading, so now there is no excuse. 

Additionally, let’s keep in mind that success of the Art Show is crucial to the club’s ability to fund important projects locally and throughout the world.   In addition to giving of your time that weekend, consider how you can further support the effort. Whether it means buying art at the show, urging others to come to the show and buy art, or perhaps donating an important service or good that could save the club on operating expenses, you can make a difference.    

Welcome, Cindy

With the help of HERB MARSHALL, standing in for GARY ROSS and STEVE YARBROUGH, the Los Altos Rotary Club welcomed CINDY WEMYSS to the fold. Cindy is with Edward Jones and has an office in town located on First Street.   

Five minutes with Cres McFall

CRES  did his best to share his life story with us in five minutes. An important event in his life was when he was sent to the Army Language School in Monterey to study Russian for nine months, and was then stationed in Berlin and West Germany for 3 years.  He worked in an Air Force post and monitored the Russian Air Force in East Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia.  Cres met his wife, Paula when she was teaching German at Mountain View High School.  Over thirty-seven plus years ago, he talked her into a blind date and the rest is history.  Who said German was not a Romance language? 

Cres and Paula have two children; a son and an adopted daughter.  Their daughter Is now 23 years old and has earned a place on the United States Olympic Synchronized Swim Team for the 2004 Games in Athens.   

After a time as a mortgage broker, Cres has been a realtor for 33 years.  Cres’ faith in Christian Science has helped him through many challenges in his life, including an impressive healing of his son when he was five years old.  Cres mentioned his grandmother who took up study of the Christian Science faith when she lived near the founder of the church, Mary Baker Eddy.  Mary Eddy first published the Christian Science Monitor in 1908.   

Polio Plus Update;  Red Badgers Rule!

JOE CORRAL did an update on the progress of the Polio Plus campaign.  He announced that we are now over the hump, the halfway point in raising our money.  For those of you with that competitive spirit, the standings show the Red Badgers in the lead.   

What will it be?  Rub Elbows with a Celebrity or Golf Mauna Lani?

At the Rotary meeting on May 1st, there will be a live auction to raise money for the Polio Eradication Fund.  Two of the featured auctioned items include; tickets to Celebrity Forum for 2003-2004 season including an opportunity to meet one of the speakers. (This prize was graciously donated by none other than DICK HENNING, the host of this popular lecture series.)   and, a 3-night stay in a beautiful condominium in Mauna Lani (check dates of availability).  This was made possible through the generosity of JERRY TOMANEK.   

Congratulations, Shiv

President Mary announced that SHIVADEV SHASTRI is the LARC Board’s appointee to complete the term of Ed Sox and will be completing this Rotary year as Director of Fellowship.  Ed and his wife Jo have relocated to Southern California.    

District Conference is Right in your Backyard

Mary continued to remind us about the upcoming District Conference in Santa Clara, from Thursday, April 24th through Sunday, April 27th.  This is a good opportunity to learn more about the workings of District 5170 and some worthwhile projects other clubs are doing in the District. There are a number of events during the four days for you to choose from;  Golf on Thursday, a Luau and Polynesian Review on Friday, a full day of informative forums on Friday and Saturday, Saturday night banquet, and Sunday brunch with Michael Pritchard. The Los Altos Rotary Club will pay for your registration if you attend some or all of these events.   

What’s it Spell?

The fine master of the day was LEM SUMMEY.  In his cleverness, he actually prepared ahead and made a “sweep” of the room with a real stumper.  Do you know how to spell “ RI President”?  The answer for those of you who still don’t know is Bhichai Rattakul.  Lem was a little nervous since, immediately before him, Baidra Murphy made note of Mr. Rattakul’s letter to the editor of the Smithsonian Magazine.  The letter was written in reference to an excellent article in the Smithsonian about the Polio campaign that failed to even mention Rotary’s role in the project. Way to go, Bhichai.   

Can Politicians be “Non Political”?

Who better to introduce today’s speaker, Toni Casey, than BOB FENWICK, the current Mayor of Los Altos Hills.  Toni Casey is a former Mayor of Los Altos Hills three times over.   After her most recent term ended last year, she was appointed by the Bush Administration to serve as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs under the U.S. Small Business Administration.    

Toni spoke about the Small Business Administration (SBA) and her experiences during her short term of appointment.    Some of the changes underway in streamlining the organization include using outsourcing for the actual production of loan packages.  The outsourcing of certain services would allow the current area representatives to be freed up and play more of a marketing role in their positions.  This would allow them to better educate the public on what the SBA has to offer.   

Toni went on further to go over some of the highlights of pending legislation with specific attention given to the current administrations tax cut proposals.  It’s her belief that the President’s Economic Stimulus Package would have a most positive impact for small businesses.  

With the help of CLYDE NOEL, Toni confirmed the rumor that she recently tendered her resignation from the SBA position and plans to run for Senate against Barbara Boxer in the next election. 

Bring Books

This coming week will be the LAST WEEK for collection of books for Masai Girls' School in Nairobi!!!  Please remember to bring in your used, but good condition, elementary school books for these young ladies!  Collection boxes will be in the Garden House foyer.  Thanks to LUCY RASMUSSEN, LEE LYNCH, JOANN BYRNE, and KELLY HUDSON for heading up this project.

Chicken Soup for the Rotary Soul - Friday, April 25, 2003
12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Santa Clara Marriott Hotel • $25 per person

Jack Canfield, Founder and Co-Creator of the
"Chicken Soup for the Soul" Book Series

One of America's leading experts in the development of human potential and personal effectiveness, Jack Canfield, will tell us why participation in volunteer organizations, like Rotary, will make you healthier, more satisfied, and better individuals. For years, we have been told that Rotary serves others. This year, the message has been that Rotary can help you! Jack Canfield will give you the personal, psychological, and physical benefits you enjoy through your weekly participation in Rotary.

Jack Canfield is both a dynamic and entertaining speaker and a highly sought after trainer with a wonderful ability to inform and inspire audiences toward increased levels of self-esteem and peak performance. His powerful talks and results-oriented seminars on achievement, motivation, personal power and the psychology of success bring about immediate changes and long-term growth in all kinds of individuals and groups.

Before the lunch, Jack Canfield will be autographic his books, including his recently released, "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul." The books signing will take place from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Santa Clara Marriott.

If you cannot make any other part of the District Conference, take the 90 minutes to find out why your membership in Rotary helps you. To register, please go to the District 5170 website: www.rotary5170.org or click on the following link - District Conference

I look forward to having you join us, Friday, April 25.

Yours in Rotary Service,
Brad Howard
District Governor

Programs and Events

April

April 3: Kirk Hanson, Executive Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Topic: Business Ethics
April 10: Jon Friedenberg, President and CEO of El Camino Hospital Foundation. Topic: Update on the El Camino Hospital Upgrade
April 16:  Dinner at Chef Chu's, 6:30 p.m.
April 17:  To be announced
April 24: Judge Len Edwards. Judge of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. Topic: Working with Abused and Neglected Children.

May

May 9:  Golf Tournament, 10:00 AM at Shoreline Golf Links, Mountain View
May 17 and 18:  Rotary Fine Art Show
OTHER ROTARY CLUB MEETING PLACES
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:  *uinlan Community Center, 12:15 p.m.
THURSDAY
Palo Alto Sunrise: Scott's, Town & Country, Palo Alto, 7:15 a.m.
Yosemite:  The Ahwahnee Hotel, Noon
FRIDAY
Palo Alto University: Sheraton, El Camino, Palo Alto, 7:30 a.m.
Lake Tahoe:  Harvey's Hotel, 12:15 p.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

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