This Week's Program: 
May 11th:  Shoshonna Zimmerman - Bird Flu.
 

Upcoming Events:
May 10th: LARC BOARD:  Heritage Bank Community Room, 369 S. San Antonio Road  3:00 - 5:30

May 20 - 21:  • LOS ALTOS FINE ART SHOW

See our Calendar for all of the important dates.

To see Neighboring Club meetings go to Clubs

To our Website

To District 5170

PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Next Thursday's business meeting will be abbreviated to create time for educational presentations of reasons both for and against the request for Los Altos Rotary to take a public position regarding the proposed Gay/Straight Alliance parade. This is planned as brief oral presentations, so no written materials should be distributed. In order to show our support for youth and to learn from them, the Gay/Straight Alliance students and their school advisor will be invited to this Rotary meeting. The regularly scheduled program on Bird Flu will be presented by Shoshanna Zimmerman at 1 pm.

BEAUTIFIED BUS BARN
Twenty Rotarians (Van Gogh wannabes) and thirteen Los Altos High Interacters had a great time painting the Bus Barn Theatre together on May 6 & 7. Chef Chu donated great chicken salad, and a good time was had by all. The theatre looks super after this hands-on community service project. Go check out the new color! (photo to follow tonight).

BEGINNINGS

GAEL KNIGHT, having completely recovered from the recent tax “season” endeavors as a tax accountant, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

CRES MCFALL   led us in our attempt to serenade Pres. MARLENE, but our assembled group was not quite up to the task.  MARLENE, you deserved better, but our heart was in it even if our collective voices were not.

Pres-Elect SAM PESNER again found there were no visiting Rotarians, but guests were introduced by members including BRUCE BARTON,  editor of the Town Crier  and LIZ KNISS, Supervisor of our 5^th District. 

BRUCE thanked the   club for the recognition award the Town Crier received at the District Conference for the newspaper’s generous coverage of our Rotary Club events and speakers.

LIZ gave kudos to KAREN FOX after recently visiting St Petersburg, Russia.  She wanted to express the appreciation from her group since they enjoyed their visit to that wonderful city due to KAREN’S efforts and guidance.   

ANNOUNCEMENTS
VAL CARPENTER reminded us of our Fine Art Show assignments and that there are still a few shifts remaining open.  If you, or someone you know, are willing to help fill in the gaps, please contact VAL as soon as possible. 

MARY MARLEY informed the club there will be one opening on the Los Altos Rotary Endowment Fund Board of Trustees beginning July 1^st.  The present board has nominated LEE LYNCH for the role, and MARY stated that additional nominations can be made until May 14^th.  The election will be held June 1^st.

MARY MARLEY also announced that fellow Rotarian JEANNE MacVICAR will be one of the celebrity bartenders at Maltby’s Restaurant May 10^th as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.   Plan to attend after the Chamber of Commerce mixer planned that same day at Borel Bank and Trust from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

STEVE SHEPHERD announced its time to sign up for our club’s annual golf tournament to be held on Friday, June 9th.  There is something for non golfers as well:  a barbeque dinner will be at the home of MONA and BOB ARMISTEAD and a Texas Hold’em Tournament is to follow.

ROY JONES announced that if you want to order a Los Altos Rotary shirt to wear during the Art Show, you need to contact ROY, pronto.  Those who have ordered shirts should contact Roy to pick up your shirt as well. 

SHOSHANA ZIMMERMAN, in anticipation of our speaker next week, announced that ABC television will be airing a documentary concerning the potential Bird Flu epidemic next Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

President MARLENE also had these announcements:

Ø      Paint the Bus Barn weekend is upon us.  Volunteers are needed Saturday 12:30-4:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00-noon and 12:30-4:00 to paint the “barn.”  Chef Chu will provide Chinese Chicken Salad to volunteers of both shifts.  Your “mug shot” could be in the Town Crier if you work Sunday morning as well. 

Ø      RHONDA WENTZEL is planning a career day at Alta Vista High School on Friday, May 12^th from 10:00-noon.  If your industry has a career not requiring a four-year degree, please think about making a pitch and let RHONDA or MARLENE know of your interest. 

Ø      Pres. MARLENE thanked JOHN MOSS from taking Los Altos Rotary brochures to the Chamber Business EXPO last Thursday.  Thanks to JOHN MOSS, JOHN CARDOZA and Pres. MARLENE for manning the booth.

Ø      Highlights from the District Cabinet Meeting held May 3^rd.  District Governor ARLENE GREENBERG, announced the passing of FIROOZ GHAFFARI and the memorial service to be held May 4^th.   Tickets for the Bay Cruise on the Commodore yacht are still available at $150 ($125 will go toward your Paul Harris Fellowship with the Rotary Foundation).  The last cabinet meeting of the year will be held May 31^st at the San Jose Doubletree Hotel.  If you wish to attend, RSVP to DICK HATCH, (510) 522-4391 or dhowenterprises@yahoo.com.

Ø      Our board has approved $1,660 for four RYLA camperships for Los Altos High School Interact members to be held June 18-23.  In future years, the funding will be decided by LAREF.

Ø      The business portion of our meeting May 11^th will take up the topic of whether or not our club should sponsor the proposed Gay/Straight Alliance Parade if the City Council approves their parade permit.  This will be a board decision, so let members of our board know of your position, especially if you cannot attend the May 11 meeting.

ANNUAL DISTRICT CONFERENCE

The annual District Conference was held this past weekend in San Jose.  Pres; MARLENE provided these highlights (which only scratch the surface of all the happenings of the four-day conference of all District 5170 Rotary Clubs):

Ø      27 Los Altos Rotarians attended one part of the conference or more.

Ø       Thanks to HUGH RIDDELL and JOE CORRAL for volunteering as Sergeant At Arms. 

Ø      As is typical, the speakers were of good quality and the forums provided valuable information to those attending.  These included a keynote address on the topic, “Miracles Happen Because We Care;” a talk by Major TAMMY DUCKWORTH  (she lost her legs in a helicopter accident in Iraq) who is running for Congress and helped establish the first Rotary Club in Afghanistan; and a talk by Olympic gold medalist aerial skier NIKKI STONE on achieving our dreams.

Ø      Abuse and Harassment Prevention training was completed by members SANDIE WHIPPLE, BARBARA DUNCAN, MARLIS McALLISTER, SAM PESNER, JOHN MOSS and MARLENE COWAN.    Every Rotary member who volunteers for youth activities must annually go through LifeScan to be eligible to lead youth in any type pf Rotary sponsored activity or organization. 

Ø      The Foundation and Finance Committee endorsed proposals to establish a RI Standing Committee on Population Concerns; approved a balanced budget (our US Congress and State legislature take note!); qualification of Rotary membership should be prior community service rather than exclusively status as management of a company and lowering the attendance requirement from 60% to 50% of meetings.

Ø      The Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from Japan attended and presented their banner in thanks to the District for hosting them.  Next, year, the GSE team will visit form Argentina and our club will have their fist visit and opportunity for host homes.  Let MARLENE know if you are interested in hosting a visitor for 4-5 days next spring.

Ø      A number of Ambassadorial Scholars made presentations at the conference.  MARLENE was especially impressed by SARAH STEFANOS who is involved with neurology research at UCSF and will study Forced Migration and Refugee Studies for one year at American University in Cairo, Egypt. 

Ø      A World Peace Fellow, ROLAND BOLADO, addressed the group as well.  After graduation from Annapolis, he spent 8 years with an intelligence unit in the Presidential Security Group (I for one didn’t know that organization even existed) in the Philippines. He is studying the roots of ethnic conflict there, Communism in Southeast Asia and the threat posed by Islamic Fundamentalism with the Philippines as training ground for suicide bombers. 

Ø      Pres. MARLENE was the MC of the Friday night dinner for nearly 500 Rotarians where skits were presented from each of the District’s ten areas and their respective clubs.  If you are planning to attend next year, you might want to experience this entertaining event. 

Ø      In terms of youth activities, the four speech finalists competed, Interact members reported on service activities and earnings for Pump Aid and presented a talent show.

Ø      DICK HENNING received a special recognition for his special assistance with the annual conference (Congratulations, DICK!). 

Ø      JOSE SOLARA (MEG’S husband) received a District award for Professional Excellence and BRUCE BARTON received an award for the Town Crier as previously reported. 

Ø      MARLENE explained the five roses next to the podium at our meeting:  The four red roses represented the passing of four Los Altos Rotarians in the past year: AMY CHAMBERLAIN, GENE TARBELL, RUDY GRZIWOK, and ROY DUNNETT.  The white rose presented the very recent passing of FIROOZ GHAFFARI which wasn’t even known at the time of the memorial service held at the District Conference.  

MEMBER NEWS - A MEMORIAL
There were virtually unlimited praises expressed my many of our members both during our meeting and during the special Memorial Service for FIROOZ GHAFFARI, our beloved Rotary member of past president form 2001-02.  There is no doubt that FIROOZ was a very special man who touched so many people in so many different ways.  There were volumes spoken in tribute to FIROOZ both at our lunch meeting and at the afternoon service May 4^th, and there are undoubtedly many more thoughts and comments from those who found it difficult to express themselves regarding our collective loss.  He brought so many positive elements into our lives and into our Rotary meetings and events.  Members shared so many stories, used so many words and phrases to describe him, and verbalized so many ways he will be missed; I couldn’t possibly do justice here.

I will venture a few words that seem to capture the greatest of attributes FIROOZ was blessed with:   honesty, integrity, respect of himself, respect of others, courageous, man of action, eternally patient, full of kindness, external calmness, a true gentleman, eternal optimist, inspirational in a quiet way, thoughtful, devoted family man, loving husband and father, philosopher, peace maker and possessing a dry wit and sense of humor with a twinkle in his eye.  Many of us would strive to achieve at least few of these valuable attributes, but FIROOZ GHAFFARI possessed these all and many others.  He made such a lasting impact upon each of us who had the honor and privilege to have known him that his presence will be sorely missed, but his memory will endure with both a deep fondness and great admiration. 

FIROOZ, and his parents before him, valued education very highly.  For this reason, a FIROOZ GHAFFARI Memorial Scholarship Fund is being established to encourage high school students to study science in college.  We encourage all Rotarians to consider a contribution to initiate this scholarship as a tribute to our fallen past president, valuable member, and dear friend.  Forms will again be available at our meeting next week to enable you to make your pledge. 

Our sincere thoughts and prayersgo out to FIROOZ’s wife GITI; his three children FARAMARZ, SHOALEH and FARSHAD; and his extensive family in their time of great loss.  If it is of any consolation, each and every one of us who was blessed with the opportunity to know FIROOZ GHAFFARI are far better for experience and were influenced in such a remarkably positive way from that friendship. 

RECOGNITION
VAL CARPENTER provided the opportunity for members to reach or at least contribute toward Pres. MARLENE’S Explorer Club: 

DICK DUHRING, for his nomination by our club for the Gardiner Award given by the Los Altos Community Foundation.   But mostly, Dick wanted to report the improper kiss he received from DICK HENNING on stage.

MONA ARMISTEAD, for her youngest son being accepted for the Wharton MBA program.  Interestingly, the person who volunteered to be his mentor / buddy is our own HEINZ BLENNEMANN.

CHUCK LINDAUER in memory of his father’s passing last week and his for his daughter who is expecting a child soon.

JEAN HOLLANDS if not for anything else, not being sure whether or not she is a native Californian. 

JOHN HAMBLIN for his wife CAMERON achieving her real estate broker’s license (and for not knowing the date of the Mexican Independence is (Sept. 16^th). 

Pres.  MARLENE acknowledged members who recently joined her Explorer’s Club:

MONA ARMISTEAD, LOUIS BOREL, MATT CABOT, PAT FARRELL, GUY FARTHING, KAREN FOX, RICH FISCHER, DICK HASENPFLUG, KELLY HUDSON, MARY MARLEY, PHIL ROSE and  MEG SOLERA.

ALLART LIGTENBERG  shared with us his most recent trip to Nepal and reported on the status of several Rotary matching grants to provide;

Ø      briquette presses for fifty women to provide essentially smokeless cooking 

Ø      solar cookers, also to provide smokeless cooking where fuels are not available

Ø      renewable energy projects (making solar stove boxes and metalworking)

Ø      ALLART also took a two-week trek into the high, snow-covered mountains to a settlement with no medical facilities or income generating capacities.

He reported on experiencing wide-spread public unrest, protests, riots and the restriction of a free press but fortunately traveled to and from the airport without incident. 

TODAY’S SPEAKER
KAREN FOX    introduced MODESTA GARCIA and her topic, “A Mexican-American Farm Worker’s Daughter Goes to Harvard.”  The timing of her talk was of course tied in with Cinco de Mayo which, according to MODESTA is celebrated to a greater extent in the USA than in Mexico.  It is celebrated for the victory Mexican defenders achieved over invading French soldiers in 1862. 

MODESTA provided what she referred to as roots and routes of her life.  She also stated she has a sister who is active in Rotary in Galveston, Texas.  Her ancestors migrated to Texas from Mexico in 1906.  They worked first in agriculture, then in the shipyards of Galveston where most didn’t have time for an education while trying to eke out a living for their family.  She was fortunate to have family and outside mentors and counselors that helped her form her dream, then go out and achieve it step by step. 

She began her college years at the College of San Mateo before transferring to San Jose State.    From there, she was the first young Mexican-American woman from a farm worker’s family to be accepted into Harvard‘s masters program by a selection committee made up of older wealthy Caucasian gentlemen.  She later went on to teach at Princeton, Santa Clara, and now is a professor at the College of San Mateo where she started in college.  She is eternally grateful for all the mentors and counselors she had that not only helped her believe in herself, but helped her open doors of opportunity not usually deemed attainable for a person of her background. 

She stated that the root of her success is from this concept of service: “The more you know, the more you owe.”  She encourages everyone to dream of their future, and then find those who can help you achieve those dreams. 

When questioned about her views on the current debate on how to handle immigration, she encouraged us to learn about and recognize the contributions to not just businesses, but society in general that immigrants provide in this country. 

In school, she enjoyed ethnic studies.  Today, she focuses upon not just her students, but also their parents.  She encourages her students to seek higher educational opportunities to maximize there career potential and the parents to continue their education to better their lives. 

You look and what MODESTA GARCIA has achieved, and you realize what America represents to so many: if you put your mind and abilities to it, there is no limit to what you can achieve.  It certainly doesn’t hurt to have mentors and others to encourage you along the way.  Seems to relate to the spirit of Rotary, doesn’t it?