This Week's Program: 
LAREF annual meeting & Art show wrapup
Upcoming Events:
• June 1st LAREF:  2570 W. El Camino Real Suite 400 MTV  5:15 PM
 

June 6th:  LARC BOARD:  Heritage Bank Community Room, 369 S. San Antonio Road
3:00 - 5:30 - NOTE CHANGE IN DATE

June 9th:  GOLF TOURNAMENT, BBQ and Texas Hold'um

Website search:

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
Just 5 weeks to go! Let's think about concluding LARC projects, writing some notes to help next year's committees, celebrating Dr. Barry Groves' arrival and Rich Fischer's "graduation" from the MVLA HS District, planning how to get your Explorer's Club jotter, and most of all enjoying the start of summer!
                             - President Marlene

What a start to our Memorial Day weekend.  First of all, our Artists’ Artist, GINNY LEAR, led us in the Pledge.  Then CRES MC FALL had HERB MARSHALL , umbrella and all, join him for a memorable rendition of “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Ever-thoughtful AL TRAFICANTI reminded us that Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is for remembering those men and women who have given their all in service to our nation.  Al read a poem written by a Connecticut third-grader well-worth repeating here and every Memorial Day:

Remember the brave soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom,
God bless them all, these courageous men and women.

“They fought on land, others at sea,
Sacrificing their lives for you and me.
Schools and offices respect these heroes from the past,
By flying our beautiful flag at half-mast.
As you watch the parade and hear the trumpets play,
Please think about what we celebrate on Memorial Day.”

Soon-to-be President SAM PESNER, introduced us to visiting Rotarians, Steve Ross from Palo Alto University, Karyn Sinunu from San Jose Downtown, and District Governor Arlene Greenberg from Morgan Hill.  Members then introduced guests, most of whom were affiliated with the day’s program in one way or another; details to follow below.

AND THEN CAME ANNOUNCEMENTS:Past-Pres CINDY LUEDTKE wants us to watch our email for a special announcement and reservation form for President MARLENE’S Kick-Out Evening coming up on Friday, June 30^th at 6:30pm at Los Altos Country Club.  Remember folks, members pay for this event whether they attend or not; so why not make plans to come and bring your spouse, significant other or best pal and enjoy the cocktails, dinner, passing of the gavel ceremony and the dancing?

SANDY BOZICH invited us to Rich Fischer’s retirement party on Wednesday June 7^th from  4pm to 7pm at Cuesta Park.  Dinner will be provided by Armadillo Willy’s and wine/bartenders provided by LARC & LA Chamber of Commerce.  This event is free, but please rsvp to Mary Moore at 940-4669.

Chamber Chief JULIE ROSE cordially invited us to the 23^rd Annual Mayors Banquet on Friday, June 2^nd, at the Crowne Plaza Cabana.  This is important because our very own SAM HARDING will be presented with the 14^th Walter and Marie Singer Award as the Business Volunteer of the Year.  Ya’ll come now.

STEVE SHEPHERD has just nine spots left in the Rotary Golf Tournament on June 9^th.  Get ‘em while they’re still available.  This is always a fun event and for you non-golfers, you’re invited to the barbeque and poker game that follows.  See STEVE for reservations ASAP.

HERB MARSHALL donned his Grand Pooba Hat and thanked membership for their help with the Art Show.  He said revenue was running about 70% of last year and that three artists had sales over $10,000.  Herb then saluted us all by taking his hat off.

GINNY LEAR asked membership to sign an Art Show poster to be presented to HERB.

PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

This is SHOSHANA ZIMMERMAN’s last meeting before moving to India.  Please take the time to wish her well in her new endeavor.

We’ll be electing a new LAREF Director next week; candidates are LEE LYNCH and KATIE NUTTER.

Alta Vista High soccer team, coached twice weekly by new LARC member, SHAYNE CORNWELL, will play their last game on Thurs, June 1 at 4 pm at Mt. View High.  Come out to cheer for Shayne’s Alta Vista team!  There will be a pizza party after the game.

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) camp takes place in June and our club has sponsored 4 Interact members’ camperships plus disposable cameras for all the campers.  To see them in action, you are invited to attend the RYLA barbecue on Thursday evening, June 22.  See Marlene for details.

Invitation: Welcome Dr. Barry Groves, new superintendent of the MV/LA High School District on Tuesday May 30^th, 4pm-6pm at the Community Foundation House at 183 Hillview (next to Hillview Community Center on Hillview).  Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.  Free, but please rsvp to Mary Moore 940-4669.

Reminder – Send contributions to Past President FIROOZ’s scholarship fund directly to the Los Altos Community Foundation.

The last District Cabinet meeting of this Rotary year will be held on Wed, May 31, 6 pm at Doubletree Hotel near San Jose Airport.  We will receive a Zone level award (first in my memory) for our many Literacy projects this year and a Presidential Citation for membership growth.  Pres-elect-elect JOHN MOSS has accepted a position on the Facilities Committee and will be at the reception table each month at every cabinet meeting, so you’ll see a recognizable face each time you come to visit.  You are all invited to attend, and this counts for a make-up.  RSVP for meeting (no charge) or dinner ($25) to Dick Hatch 510-522-4391 or dhowenterprises@yahoo.com.

Attention: Red Badgers: Meetings this month for make-up or Red Badge checklist (last meetings of this Rotary year): a. District Cabinet – Wed, May 31; b. LAREF – Th, June 1 @ 5:15 pm in Dennis Young’s office; c. Community Roundtable – Fri, June 2 @ 7:30 am, Mt. View Police station, 1000 Villa St, Mt. View; d. LARC Board of Directors – Tues, June 6 @  3 pm, Heritage Bank’s Community Room; e. WCS – Tu, June 27, lunch @ Chef Chu’s (rsvp by Fri, June 23 to Allart Ligtenberg) .

President MARLENE called on BUD OLIVER to preside over the honoring of Judge Len Edwards with a Paul Harris Fellow.  In his splendid introduction, BUD told of the many honors Judge Edwards has received but the most significant was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William H. Rehnquist Award for Excellence in 2004.  This is awarded to only one judge per year in the country and this was the first time ever that a Juvenile or Family Court Judge has received such an honor.

There was an excellent front-page article in the San Jose Mercury News last Tuesday honoring Judge Edwards, who is officially retiring from the bench on June 1^st.  In his remarks, Judge Edwards said that one of his goals in “semi-retirement” is to connect Juvenile Courts across the state to Rotary.

District Governor ARLENE GREENBERG was called upon to present the Paul Harris Fellow Medallion and pin to Judge Edwards.

Judge Edwards was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Inger Sagatun-Edwards, who, I’m sure you sharp-eyed San Jose State alums know is the Dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts.

WYATT ALLEN introduced DAVID DEMATTEIS as the recipient of the Paul Harris Sapphire Pin, which was presented to him by the very busy District Governor, ARLENE GREENBERG.

Finemaster IRENE PRESTON strode to the lectern and rose to new heights (you had to be there).  She asked us to “rethink our strategy” and think of our fines as a way to help Rotary.  She then proceeded to use an unfair tactic to extract cash from membership.  She actually bribed members with chocolate.  Lots of takers; how weak we are.  Pres MARLENE actually had to step in and stop the cash from flowing.

THE PROGRAM  Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, SHIV SHASTRI, acknowledged the LAREF Board for their support and introduced incoming Director of Youth/Vocational Services, MARLIS MCALLISTER, to present the Rotary Outstanding Student Awards.  The recipients are Sarah Loebner and Scott Stephens from Egan Intermediate School; and Natalie Rich and Markus Rutner from Blach Intermediate School.

Chairman SHIV then explained the criteria for Community Service Scholarships, which are:

1 – Significant community service 
2 – Minimum GPA of 3.0
3 – Financial need. 
Eleven students received a total of $15,900 in awards  from LAREF.

Scholarship award winners from Mountain View High School: 

Leslie Cervantes
Chang Nancy Li
Ana Quispe.

Scholarship award winners from Los Altos High School:

Ross Coyle
Kate Hsih.

Scholarship award winners from Alta Vista High School:

Amanda Campbell
Jennifer Ireland
Terrance Johnson
Marisela Lozoya
Diana Molina.

Scholarship award winner from St. Francis High School:  Melissa Tran.

Charles Cowan Scholarship for Science and Technology awarded to Kate Hsih from Los Altos High School.

Award presentation ceremonies such as this can certainly generate emotions.  The student recipients do just fine; it’s the presenters (principals, counselors, teachers and Rotarians) who can get a little teary-eyed and tongue-tied.

The Program was almost over; just one more presentation.  Pres MARLENE called on DG ARLENE to present the Service Above Self Award to SHIV on yet another fine job as Scholarship Chair.  Congrats, SHIV.