MEETING OF MAY 1, 2003 By Wyatt Allen
Dick Blanding, EditorThere was obviously something very fishy about today’s meeting. From the delicious food in the serving line to the stories and quips later on, we all enjoyed the fruits of our own members’ fishing expedition to Alaska. Thanks to both the catchers and cooks for the mouth-watering salmon and halibut we enjoyed today!
BEGINNINGS:
The not-so-seasonal weather forced lunch indoors from the initially planned outdoor BBQ picnic, and we reverted to some traditional elements of our meeting. DUDE ANGIUS started us off with the Pledge, ALAN LAMBERT led us in a not-too-boisterous chorus of “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, and SHELLY POTVIN SUTTON provided our thought for the day about the importance of always having a positive attitude. Imagine everyone looking at the bright side of every situation and all glasses being half full, not half empty.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The club’s Gold Tournament and BBQ is scheduled for next Friday, May 9th. We have set a record with 56 golfers signed up. There is room for a few more to attend the BBQ. Contact STEVE SHEPHERD if you can make it. Let’s all pray for better weather to all to enjoy than what we’ve experienced this week.
Our annual “Fine Art in the Park” is May 17th and 18th. If you can help distribute posters to promote the event, please contact JOANNE KAVALARIS or JOHN MOSS. We would like to see these beautiful posters in windows all over town!
POLIO ERADICATION – POLIO PLUS:
Our club is reaching closer and closer to our strenuous goal. Today, DICK HENNING (in extremely rare form, I might add) provided opportunity by leading a live auction of donated items and added $2,060 towards our goal! MONA ARMISTEAD will enjoy time in Hawaii, JACK HIGGINS will enjoy a 20-year-old bottle of French (or is that now called “Freedom”) Burgundy and someone else will enjoy reserved seats at the Celebrity Forum next season. Thanks to those who contributed and to those who bought.
For those of you who have not taken the opportunity to make your pledge or donation, I encourage you to support our club effort and more importantly, contribute to this all important cause with world health ramifications. Each week, Pres. MARY ends our meeting by saying, “Imagine a world at peace.” Imagine every Rotarian saying “Imagine a world without polio.” We are very close to each of us being able to say those powerful words. Please help make it happen and turn in your donations. Although it is preferred to have all donations completed this year, your pledge can be over a three year period if desired. Also, if it would be easier to contribute a gift for our auction, that opportunity still exists until May 15th.
TALES OF TAILS:
Since today’s venue was initially intended as an outdoor BBQ picnic with a program dedicated to fellowship, Pres. MARY offered the opportunity for fish stories to follow the theme of our meal. There were several tales of fish (of various description), birds, other animals and humans from members SYLVESTER, McBIRNEY, YARBROUGH, PESNER, SCHNEIDER, ALPERS and PRESTON. JOHN SYLVESTER would have to get the nod for the biggest fish tale (or is that tail?). Did MIKE SCHEINDER really pay for a lost umbrella that he didn’t lose? MIKE, it might be good insurance for the rain that appears to be on its way in early May.
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE:
When the fish and other stories began to drift far from the fish theme, time was gratefully
available for two visitors of our club from Kenya to talk some about the projects in which they are involved to help children and young adults in that country. MARY MAKOKHA wanted to talk to us about her “little fishes.” She was referring to a project called Rural Economics and Empowerment Project (“REAP”) in Kenya to provide courage and hope to young people in an area ravaged with HIV and AIDS. She estimated that some 40% of the population is HIV or AIDS infected, leaving many orphaned children. The project helps the kids deal with their plight by providing hope and opportunity to improve their situation through education and caring adults.
PETER "KIM" KIMANI, was a hotel accountant after graduation. Gradually over several years, workers in the hotel became infected with HIV and fourteen died of AIDS. He began to realize that the workers were unaware that unprotected sexual
activity could lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. He began a “Focus Club” among the hotel staff to educate and help prevent the spread of AIDS. The project has become a community outreach with a “Focus Club” organized in some 30 high schools many designed around a sports theme to make it more appealing to young adults. KIM is now the executive director of Focus International in Kenya. With 2.5 Million people out of a population of 30 Million in Kenya, every possible effort to help people become aware of how HIV and AIDS passes from one to another is a help to someone. Remember the story about the little girl and the starfish? Seems as though MARY and KIM have the same drive to help those they possibly can.
Certainly glad we had some time to hear about their heart-driven projects in Kenya.
Message from Ellen Flanagan:
The Polio Eradication Fund goal is $45,000.00 So far, the donations add up to $42,099.00. We have only $2,901.00 left to reach our goal. It is not typical of the Los Altos Rotary to NOT reach their goal, so come on, let's show the District and the Rotary Foundation that we can do it!!!
Programs and Events
May
May 8: Partners for a New Generations, Appreciation Luncheon
May 9: Golf Tournament, 10:00 AM at Shoreline Golf Links, Mountain View
May 15: Cheryl Houts, Community Librarian, Los Altos Library - Topic: "The Los Altos Library in 2003 and Beyond"
May 17 and 18: Rotary Fine Art Show
May 22: George Koo, Director of Chinese Services Group, Deloitte & Touche - Topic: " Economic Integration of Greater China and Implications for California".
May 29: Scholarship Awards ProgramOTHER 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: Quinlan Community Center, 12:15 p.m.
East Palo Alto Bayshore: Starbucks, Home Depot EXPO Shopping Center, 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
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