MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2004 Rotator Writer: Matt Cabot
Editor: Dick Blanding
Our meeting began with the Pledge lead by JULIE ROSE. JOANNA MEDIN gave us the “Thought for the Day:” Work for Peace in This World. Actually that thought for the day trumps all thoughts for the day so far, in my view.
SONG FOR THE DAY: was wisely skipped today because of our program, (see below).
VISITORS AND GUESTS: Past President WYATT ALLEN played President Elect CINDY LUEDTKE and introduced Visiting Rotarians and Guests: One visiting Rotarian, and six guests.
GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE: Past President DICK HENNING introduced The Netherlands Group Study Exchange of District 1580 for 2004. Team leader Folpmer (remplof@tiscali.nl) Houwert then introduced the following team members, who are spending some time in Silicon Valley, learning our business techniques:
· Radouane Allam - “business consultant” (radouane.allam@nl.ibm.com)
· Chantal Batenburg - “arts consultant” (Chantal@kunstzaken.com)
· Ria Grondman - “pharmacist” (riagrondman@xs4all.nl
· Ester Beek - “clinical psychologist” (e.beck@freeler.nl)
I have included email addresses for the individuals in case you want to communicate with them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
District Conference: President Al reminded us about the upcoming District Conference April 16th thru the 18. To register, or just to find out more information, go to: http://www.rotary5170.org/events/conf04_main.asp
If you click on the “sign up” URL, (http://www.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.asp?s1=1&s2=3&aid=5170) you will see the final day for registration is April 20th. Don’t believe it. If you register on the final day of the registration you will have missed the conference by 2 days.
President Al also mentioned our website, and a way to link to the District Conference information from the links page.
Los Altos Rotary Golf Tournament: Last day to register is April 22nd. Foursomes will be cast in concrete. Sign up sheet went around this week, and probably next. See Tournament Director Steve Shepherd for questions or to sign up.
World Community Service (WCS) travel opportunities: WCS Co-chair JOE CORRAL announced two trips planned for the near future to expand our work in areas of the world in need: April 19th - 26 there will be a trip to Guatemala. See Joe for details.
Red Badger DOUG FRANCO will lead a team to Kabul, Afghanistan sometime in the future. I did notice that Joe did not mention a date, and no one asked. Well, being the intrepid reporter I am, I asked. Joe said they were waiting for the fighting to subside. So I really don’t know when, but if you are interested, contact Doug.
Relay for Life: Past President MARY PROCHNOW reminded us about the Breast Cancer fundraiser, “Los Altos Relay for Life 2004” held at the Los Altos High School track on the weekend of June 26 and 27th. They are look for walkers (read that as donors) and sponsors (read that as heavy donors who don’t like to walk). There will be a community rally on Wednesday April 14th at the Los Altos Youth Center (behind City Hall) from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. Take a look at the following URL: http://www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/losaltos for further information. Call or email either Cindy Luedtke or Mary Prochnow for further information.
Los Altos Rotary Fine Art Show signup: VAL CARPENTER is personnel scheduler for the Art Show. Assignments made to date were published on the wall. Maybe they can get on our website. She is encouraging each of us to sign up for two jobs (or more if you are so inclined, or your attendance needs a boost. No additional credit, just a good idea.
ATTENDANCE: Speaking of attendance, Club Secretary and Attendance Chair JOHN
CARDOZA reported that our attendance for the month of March has risen to 75%. Way to go gang. Some of those new faces are not new Red Badgers, just good old long time members. Introduce yourself if you see someone you don’t know.
One member a number of you have not met is long time member, RON INCERPI. Ron is housebound, but still a very supportive member of Los Altos Rotary. Past President Wyatt Allan presented Ron with his Paul Harris Sapphire pin yesterday at Ron’s home.
On most Thursday mornings, you will find Al along with his “Kitchen Cabinet” meeting with Ron. While the attendees change from week to week, the support and fellowship at these meetings does not. Today’s attendees were: GUY FARTHING, DAN DUTTON, LEN MCBIRNEY, JOE RENATI, AL TRAFICANTI, GEORGE ESTELL, MARTY SPANGLER, and WYATT ALLAN.
RECOGNITION MASTER OF THE DAY BRIAN WARD announced that because of his udder(ances) every male member of the Fines committee resigned. JOHN SINES is looking for a replacement. Not for Brian, but in addition to Brian. Brian continued with his patented Answer or Nominate game, where there were no winners, just donors. He then, bolstered by his success as an accomplished Raconteur, fined all of the bankers, (a big deal in our club), Financial Planners, and Loan agents when they couldn’t come up with a reason why Betty Black shouldn’t make a loan to a frog.
When Brian mentioned the ceramic cow, I thought, “Boy, here we go again.” By the way, I tried to tell that joke at home and I have to tell you, my hat goes off to Brian.
TODAY’S PROGRAM - Today’s Program Chair JACK KELLY introduced the Mountain View High School Madrigal Singers who serenaded us today with 11 songs, one of which was the Star Spangled Banner, which brought us all to our feet. Actually, when they were finished, they were rewarded with a rousing, standing ovation (a rare treat in our club). The songs varied by location, France, Italy, America, Ireland, England, and in genre: religious: Ave Maria; folk: Shoe Fly pie; jive: Java Jive. Incidentally, if you are wondering what a Sho Fly pie or an Apple pan dowdy is, look at:
http://www.rising-stars.com/recipes/sho.htm and http://www.ichef.com/recipe.cfm?task=display&itemid=71663&recipeid=71326
District 5170 Press Release:
Your District Leaders know how important NEW MEMBERS are to Rotary!!! New members are the life blood of any club. At this year's District Conference there will be a SPECIAL Forum designed for New members and older members that are interested in learning more about the many Avenues of Service of Rotary. This forum, led by a dynamic and energetic Rotarian, will discuss the ABC's of Rotary using open discussions with special prizes to be given away. The first 100 people in the room will receive a very informative booklet called the ABC's of Rotary written by a Past RI President who is local and a frequent supporter of District 5170, Cliff Dochterman. Your Forum Leader will take Rotary "Back to the Basic's" and give you many idea's on how to "Lend a Hand" will gaining personal growth and satisfaction in your everyday life. This Forum will be following our breakfast speaker, Pat Palleschi, informative and sometimes humors topic of "Language without Word". Working with and developing new Volunteers in Rotary can and will be one of your most memorable life experiences while "Leading a Hand" and "Sowing the Seeds of Love" because "Mankind is our Business". We hope to see you Saturday Morning, New Member Forum #4 @ 9:45AM to share some stories and learn more about the ABC's of Rotary. Get to the room early to get your FREE copy of the ABC's Rotary. Only 100 available. Sign up now online at www.rotary5170.org.
Programs and Events
April
April 15th - Michael Marlaire, NASA Ames- Development of the Research Park at NASA AmesApril 22nd - Los Altos Police Officers Susan Anderson and Officer John Korges
May
May 6th -May 7: Golf Tournament
May 13th -
May 15 and 16: Rotary Fine Art Show
May 27th - Rotary Scholarships
June
June 3rd - Partners for New Generations Recognition Luncheon
June 10th - LAREF Annual Meeting/ Art Show Recognition
June 17th - Rotary Aids Project- Update
June 24th - End of Rotary Year Celebration
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 2004 The Los Altos Rotary Club