MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2003
Rotator Writer: Dick Blanding
Editor: Dick Blanding
A fine salute to the flag, a solid rendition of “My Bonnie”, and a quote by Marge Gratiot for our thought for the day, and we were off and running for a very busy meeting today. (“People will forget what you said, they’ll forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”)
President Al told of an invitation from a Rotary club in India, near the Taj Mahal, to come and be their guests for a day or two if you are in India helping with the national Polio Plus immunization program currently going on there. Please get details from the letter posted on the bulletin board.
He also cited an appeal from the Cupertino Rotary, which working with San Jose Rotary and Palo Alto Rotary to host seventeen representatives from Moscow for seven days in December. These folks are here to learn about our methods for handling drug abuse and alcoholism. They need housing, meals, and transportation help during their visit, or ideas for discounts on same, and would accept cash donations as well. Please see notice on our bulletin board.
Ginny Lear then announced a LARC holiday food drive, to complement the CSA annual event. Please bring rice, beans, P. Butter, or cereal, or canned foods to either of our next two meetings. She says “Imagine the impact of 100 bags of groceries!”
Dude Angius then told about an upcoming visit by Rotarian John Kirkwood from the club of Jinja, in Uganda. He will be in our area to speak on a literacy program for orphans of AIDS victims, on the 4th and 5th of December. Please contact Dude if you can assist with hosting John, at dudebarb@msn.com, or call him at 925 735-2012.
Wyatt and Victoria once again called a large number of our members forward to receive recognition for having become double sustainers in giving to the current Rotary International Foundation drive. Wyatt said half of our club members have points they can transfer to others, to broaden our level of participation. See him for details.
President Al said that the food survey forms, asking about our LARC meeting lunches, will be passed out at our next meeting. (Rumors are that filet mignon on toast points with a delicate Madeira sauce will be featured, along with an exotic champignon dish, the finest Cabernet, and your choice of Tiramisu flown in from Rome, or the raspberry gateaux from Paris for dessert.)
Our longest-running Red Badger Bill Moison turned in his tired, worn out old red label for a bright, shiny new Blue Badge today, as sponsor and brother Jerry congratulated him on his achievement. Al noted Bill is a double sustainer for RI, and has an 88% attendance record. Well done, Bill!
New member John Hamblin gave his five minute talk, revealing a history of pole vaulting at Santa Rosa High. Sadly, he suffered a broken ankle just before an opportunity to set a new record. Later on, at Santa Rosa J.C., he did finish fifth in the pole vault in a regional meet. John worked for an architect in Petaluma, and learned electrician skills from an early age. These led him to study architecture, and to conclude that “anything he designs must be functional and buildable.” This philosophy later led to some arguments with profs as he studied at Berkeley, from which he graduated in 1994.
John then took a job in London, where he eventually wound up selling Mac computers at Harrods Department store. He used this time in his life to travel in Europe, studying how buildings were built prior to the modern age, knowledge which serves him well in his current practice. Later, back in San Francisco, John was left to shoulder all the responsibility for a very small company’s designs and profitability, when the V.P left the company. His success there led to a job in Mountain View two years later, and finally starting his own firm here. He has been “blissfully” married to wife Cameron since May of 1998, and they have two daughters.
Finemaster John McAlister was greeted by a hearty chorus of boo’s at his own request, to make him feel more comfortable as he deftly stripped the members of their cash. Dude was acknowledged for becoming 75 and looking no older than Mel Kahn, who is 39. Dick Henning admitted to the notoriety of having been featured in San Jose Magazine, which no one in the club saw, because “it only goes to upscale homes.” Mel then paid a $10 fine for admitting to having been quoted in the article, being the only friend of Dick’s they could find to ask about him.
Our speaker today was Shannon Lee Turner, on the topic of feng shui. Shannon has lived and worked in Asia, speaks fluent Japanese, and has studied Asian philosophy
and spiritual tradition since 1990, becoming knowledgeable in a wide variety of feng shui traditions.
Her first insight for us was to tell about the mistaken impression some have of the negativity of the number four. This myth came about because the Chinese and Japanese words for four sound similar to the words for death, so the number is wrongly accused. Her goal in her practice is to create a symbiotic relationship between people and their surroundings, because one’s environment can affect blood pressure, pulse rate and more. The idea is to create more balance in our lives, leading to tranquility, abundance, and serenity. An example is the use of pictures of loved ones in our offices and homes, or art which reflects who you are.
Shannon discussed the concept of Chi, which involves the flow of life energy in everything, even inanimate objects. Chi can become stagnant in a home too full of objects, where it’s hard to move around, thus causing discomfort. Stagnation of Chi can also occur by letting old, no longer relevant materials collect around you. Examples might be stuff from old projects, books that pertained to some prior phase of life that no longer apply, or old clothes that no longer fit, perhaps being kept in hopes of a return to that 28 inch waistline one day. She says “Clear them out!” These acts to clear out stagnation can lead to new energies and create new avenues in your life. She also spoke of Chi deficiency: not enough color, or texture, embellishment in one’s environment.
Her practice is about 75% residential and 25% small businesses. She said some threads of feng shui are intuitive in humans, hence show up in all cultures. Should you wish to learn more about this interesting subject, Shannon suggested a book called Sacred Space, By Denise Linn. You may also email her at Shannon@tranquilspaces.com for a weekly hint, or to arrange a consultation.
Programs and Events
November
Nov. 13: Jennifer Kuiper - Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Nov. 20: American Red Cross - Disaster Preparedness
Nov. 21: Fellowship Night
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving - no meetingDecember
Dec. 4: San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales
Dec. 11: Liz Kniss
Dec. 17: Holiday Party, Jesuit Retreat House
Dec. 18: To be announced
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 DinnerFebruary
Feb. 19: Los Altos Rotary Speech Contest
Feb. 20: Fellowship Night
Feb. 27: Cioppino Feed, Garden House
March
March 26: Fellowship Night
April
April 7: Celebrate Spring at Chef Chu's
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