MEETING OF October 28, 2004
Rotator Writer: Dick Blanding
Editor: Dick Blanding
Once again our meeting was graced with the grand music of BRUCE CANN at the piano, including such apropos favorites as America the Beautiful. MARGE GRATIOT offered some thoughts on politics, from such diverse sources as Plato, Clarence Darrow, and another soul who said that each nation gets the government it deserves. Hope we've been good this year!
Mark your calendar now: our Armistice Day (Veterans' Day) meeting on Nov. 11th will be at the Los Altos Country Club. It will be a joint meeting with Kiwanians, to honor America's Veterans. On a related note, please notify the Town Crier if you or a friend is a veteran, so the paper can list you on its honor roll.
President CINDY passed around a clipboard to sign up for a bottle or more of "Centennial wine" being offered by our district. DUDE followed with a brief report of progress in the battle against AIDS, citing a federal government grant of $7,000,000 to various organizations including Rotary, to help fight the disease and assist countries in Africa in coping with the large numbers of orphaned children there. MARY PROCHNOW followed with the information that R.I. had just provided 80 million immunizations to Africa to help stem a recent outbreak of polio.
MEL KAHN had way too much fun being finemaster, starting off with an assault on the wallets of eight Past Presidents, raising tons of money in the process.
Red Badger CHRIS ELSON gave his five minute talk, describing the origins of his interest in service clubs. His Kiwanian dad played Santa for underprivileged kids in San Francisco, and Chris got to be his elf at nine years old. His high school teams in Napa were called the "Vintage Crushers", sporting their gold and (what else?) burgundy colors. Chris joined the Army, serving 17 years on active duty and in the National Guard. He advanced from private to captain in the infantry. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara, then operated his own successful company out of Napa, producing coloring books, including the best-selling one featuring the human anatomy. With his wife and five other women, he now operates two companies locally, called Rudd of Los Altos and Viscusi-Elson. Chris, his wife, and their 21 month old son Hunter live in Willow Glen.
President CINDY reminded us that our club is being feted by the National Association of Fundraisers, at a banquet on November 19th. If you would like to attend, contact CINDY or VICTORIA EMMONS.
JULIE ROSE announced that on Nov. 13th and 14th, we should all remember to mention Los Altos Rotary when we shop downtown, because the downtown merchants are donating a portion of their profits to service clubs for those two days.
As in years past, economist, professor, political activist and Rotarian Gloria Hom presented a brief summary of the various facets of the propositions on the current ballot. Gloria was the first female member of Palo Alto Rotary, and was president in '92/93. She's been honored as the Outstanding Educator of the Year in America, and holds a PhD from SF State.
Gloria stressed that this is perhaps the most important election in her lifetime, and we should carefully consider the issues and be sure to vote. She mentioned that spending requests on this ballot alone exceed the Gross National Product of Portugal. Here are her comments on the propositions:
1A Protects local governments from raids on their finances by the state government, though the state can still borrow that money in two years out of ten, if the governor declares it an emergency and 2/3rds of the legislature agrees; it must repay all such loans promptly, however. Also, mandates from the state must be funded by the state government.
59 A constitutional amendment, called the legislative open records act: adds transparency to records of state government activities.
60 Ensures the Primary Election system remains as it is. This requires the primary winners from each party be on the general election ballot, as is currently the case. Both major parties are strongly backing this measure.
60A Requires that any proceeds from the sale of surplus state government property must be used to pay down the $15 billion emergency loan the state obtained last year.
61 A bond issue for construction and renovation of some children's hospitals. Of the $750 million ($1.5 billion including interest), 20% goes to UC, and 80% to eight other hospitals.
62 Would create open primaries again. This concept was struck down by the Supreme Court after existing briefly in 1996. Both major parties oppose it. Louisiana is the only state with such a system, and it has an extremely low voter turnout. One result is that the general election could feature a choice between candidates from only one party. Argument for is that extremists have taken over the parties, and this would help promote the middle of the political spectrum. However, it did succeed in producing David Duke's election in Louisiana. Argument against is that it would effectively destroy the political party system.
63 Creates a 1% to 9.3% surtax on all incomes over a million dollars, to raise money to expand mental health care. Pro: it will help mental health victims. Con: it will drive even more businesses and entrepreneurs out of California.
64 Would curb frivolous lawsuits in California, by requiring specific tests be met for filing suits. Pro: this is badly needed reform of lawsuit activity which is out of control, and is seriously affecting the ability of businesses to remain in business. Con: opponents express concern that some legitimate suits may wind up being prevented.
65 Gloria says just vote NO, and suggests yes on prop. 1A, which deals with the same issue of raids on local finances.
66 Changing the Three Strikes criminal law to mandate that the third strike be for violent and serious crimes, then checking back on the two previous strike offenses as well. If passed, this would result in a wholesale re-examination of convictions of 22,000 prisoners, which would instantly clog the judicial system and potentially release violent criminals. Governor has put $1,000,000 of his own money into the campaign to defeat this, and statewide sheriffs and district attorneys agree it is an awful idea.
67 Creates a 3% surtax on our phone bill to improve facilities and raise pay of doctors in emergency rooms and trauma centers.
68 Indian gambling; would vastly expand casinos throughout the state, and has no accountability for proper accounting of profits. Arnold says vote NO.
69 Creates requirement for giving a DNA sample if you are arrested, in order to expand the state's DNA data base.
70 See prop. 68; Arnold says vote NO.
71 Creates a $3 billion ($6 billion with interest) obligation and a new state bureau to promote stem cell research. (Compare with current spending of $118 million on breast cancer.)
72 A referendum put on by the legislature, which passed it as SB 2, and signed by Gov. Davis. It would require all medium and large businesses to provide health care for their employees, funded 80% by the company and 20% by the employee. Appears to provide a huge impetus for business to leave the state, and creates a state health care activity along the lines of the DMV.
LATE BREAKING NEWS (added by your webmaster) Wednesday was RON INCERPI's birthday. President Cindy honored Ron with some festive hats, some quiet noise makers. Others brought a wonderful lemon cake and Asti Spumante (I think) Champaign. Every Thursday a group of Rotarians get together to meet with Ron to fill him in on the goings on at Rotary. It has the unofficial name of the Inserpi Rotary Kitchen Cabinet. Here are a few pictures of the event. (Click on them to enlarge them.)
Programs and Events
Note: Meetings of the board of directors are held at the Bank of Los Altos Community Room, 369 S. San Antonio Road.
Meetings of the LAREF board are held at the Masonic Lodge, 146 Main Street.
Note: Meetings of the board of directors are held at the Heritage Bank (Formally Bank of Los Altos)
Community Room, 369 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos.
Meetings of the LAREF board are held at the Masonic Lodge, 146 Main Street, Los Altos.
LARC Los Altos Rotary Club
LAREF Los Altos Rotary Endowment Foundation
PNG Partners for a New Generation
October
Oct. 21 - Nick Phillips, Foundation Drive: Partners in Service from South Africa
Oct. 28 - Propositions review by Gloria Hom
Oct. 29 - Friday Night Fellowship
November
Nov. 3 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Nov. 4 - Stroke Alert by Bob Parsons
Nov. 4 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Nov. 10 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Nov. 11 - Salute to WWII veterans at Los Altos Golf & Country Club
Nov. 18 - Lynne Satterwhite, new LAHS Principal and Rich Fischer, Superintendent of the MVLA High School DistrictNov. 19 - National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon, 11:30 am, San Jose Fairmont, $70 per person. Los Altos Rotary to be honored.
Nov. 25 -No LARC meeting
Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving holiday
Nov. 28 - Festival of Lights Parade and Party
December
Dec. 1 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Dec. 2 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Dec. 2 - Dude Angius and Mary Prochnow - World AIDS Day
Dec. 8 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Dec. 9 - Community Services Agency program
Dec. 15 - Holiday Party
Dec. 16 - Main Street Singers Holiday Program
Dec. 23 - No LARC meeting
Dec. 30 - No LARC meeting
January
Jan. 5 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Jan. 6 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Jan. 6 - Symphony Silicon Valley by Andrew Bales, Director
Jan. 12 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Jan. 12 - PNG Mentor Training, MVLA Board Room, Noon
Jan. 13 - Building Intuit by Tom Lefevre
Jan. 14 - Friday Night Fellowship
Jan. 20 - New Developments at Foothill College by Bernadine Fong, President Foothill College
February
Feb. 2 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Feb. 3 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Feb. 9 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Feb. 10 - Club Assembly
Feb. 14 - Speech Contest
Feb. 17 - Four Way Test Presentation (speech contest meeting)
Feb. 23 - Centennial anniversary of the founding of Rotary
March
Mar. 2 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Mar. 3 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Mar. 4 - Cioppino Feed
Mar. 9 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Mar. 10 - Decision-Making by Jeff Foran
Mar. 18 - Friday Night Fellowship
Mar. 23 - PNG Mentor Training, MVLA Board Room, Noon
April
Apr. 6 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
Apr. 7 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
Apr. 13 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
Apr. 13 - Dinner at Chef Chu's
Apr. 29 - Golf Tourney
May
May 4 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
May 5 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
May 5 - Cinco de Mayo Celebration by Russ Clark of Estrellita's
May 11 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
May 14-15 Rotary Fine Art Show, Lincoln Park
May 19 - District Golf Tourney
May 20-22 - District Conference
May 26 - Scholarship Awards
June
June 2 - LAREF board, 5:15 p.m.
June 2 - PNG Volunteer Luncheon, Garden House, Noon
June 2 - LAREF & Art Show reports
June 8 - Board of Directors, 7:30 a.m.
June 8 - PNG meeting, Heritage Bank Community Room, 8:15 a.m.
June 9 - Partners for New Generations - mentor appreciation
June 18 - 22 - Rotary International Convention in Chicago
July
July 1 - Kick-Out 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: China Shuttle, 22382 Homestead Road, Cupertino, 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
