This Week's Program: 
Del Blaylock
•  New Year Kick-Off
 

Upcoming Events:
Los Altos Wine and Arts Festival.  Chef Chu's Food Booth
 

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A note about one of our past members, Nels Burdett

Nelson Burdett, a past member of the club, suffered a massive heart attack last week and, for a time, doctors feared he might not recover. He underwent emergency angioplasty and a stent was implanted but his kidneys had shut down and his lungs were not functioning well at all.  Fortunately, he rallied and, as of Sunday morning, the doctors were able to take him off all the various systems that had been keeping him alive.  He is now functioning completely on his own and is alert and talking to his family.  Nels is at El Camino Hospital in the Critical Care Unit.  While he is not allowed visitors yet, he would surely appreciate get well cards and good wishes from his friends in Rotary.

This week’s program:  President Marlene’s Kick out

SAM PESNER led the Flag Salute and RICK GLAZE, along with the whole year’s lineup of songleaders, got us all going with “Marlene Good Bye.”  A wonderful original . . . however, Randy, Paula, nor Simon will be calling anytime soon.

Discussion time was spent compiling random thoughts about Marlene.

General and President’s Announcements:

Relay for Life:
SANDY BOZICH thanked her fellow Rotarians (aka The Ramblers), who participated in the 2006 Relay for Life.  SANDY, who was still out of breath after participating in the 24-hour charity run . . . well walk, was happy to report that the Rotary team appears very likely to hit the impressive dollar amount of $16,000 (minus $14.00 for a couple jars of Ben Gay and some Icy Hot) for this great cause.  A job well done!

President Elect, SAM PESNER spent a few minutes to talk about his trip to the International conference in Copenhagen.  Despite a few misadventures experienced by some of the group, all arrive home safely.  He presented several gifts he brought back, including a beautiful shawl for Marlene.

This weekend, July 8th and 9th we will be selling Chef Chu's Famous Chicken Salad at the annual Wine and Arts Festival.  So far we have 16 volunteers.  We need 8 more.  Please contact Matt Cabot at matt.cabot@gmail.com to volunteer a couple of hours to help this very worthwhile and fun cause.  We have openings Saturday from 3:15 to 6:30, one on Sunday from 12:15 to 3:30 and several openings on Sunday from 3:15 to 6:30.  You can see the signup schedule here. 

Announcements from the President:
            Cann Quad Dedication:

Rotarians were asked to attend the dedication of the Cann Quadrangle at Eastside College Prep School on Thursday, July 13^th,  beginning at 5:30 pm.  The school is located at 1041 Myrtle Street in East Palo Alto, CA.  Please RSVP to Annie Glyer at (650) 688-0850, extension 115.  A side note: Annie promises to have you out of there before dark.

            Laref Donors:

Laref Donors were recognized for their generous contributions with a certificate and a diamond-shaped Guy Shoup pin.   Explorers were reminded to pick up their jotters.  The jotters would come in very handy to aid members in taking copious notes during Rotary meetings, just in case you were ever asked to write the Rotator . . . believe me; it could happen to you.

            President MARLENE took the time to thank some very important Rotarians in her life: DICK HENNING, who sponsored MARLENE way back when. This would have big news at the time, but the event was overshadowed by the Boston Tea Party.  (Editor’s Note:  New writer.  Is he testing me?)

            PREZ MARLENE also took time to thank LUCY RASMUSSEN, whom she encouraged to join.  Lucy has been working tirelessly ever since for the Rotary Aids Project.

Paul Harris for Bernadine:

            The Los Altos Rotary Club recognized Bernadine Chuck Fong by awarding her with a Paul Harris Fellowship for her outstanding contribution to our community.  Bernadine is retiring after twelve years as President of Foothill College.  Bernadine is thought of as a creative innovator in education and she no doubt will feel proud of her Paul Harris Fellowship, as it is rarely awarded to non-Rotarians. 

Bernadine was a good sport in accepting her award on Kick Out Day.  She wore her “Donner-wear” along with sidekick, Gaye Krauss to keep us all in the theme.  Congratulations and Best wishes to Bernadine for her retirement.

Would you like a neck, or a leg?

After a short presentation of a trendy briquette necklace more befitting of our beloved honoree, Marlene, a final fining of the membership took place, allowing JOHN MC DONNELL some time to seek out those last few explorers.

The chuck wagon arrives at Donner Pass; or is it “Broken” Back Mountain?

Past President, CINDY LUEDTKE and her cast of characters “donned” their mountain attire and commenced the roast of President Marlene, particularly with educating the club on the mouth-watering roots of Marlene’s family tree.

It took some heavy lifting and probably resulted in some sore backs, but the arrival of the chuck wagon was a site to behold.  A replica of a Canistoga wagon was rolled in by “Yosemite Sam” Harding, seth manning, and john sylvester, singing a real Sierra favorite, “Dem Bones”.  This was followed by an informative presentation and slide show given by DAN O’DONNELL, which explains exactly why we all now know, the DONNERS DIDN’T DO IT.   Marlene was again “donned” with another necklace, this one of bones and matching bone earrings, a Donner Party Cookbook and Dead Man’s Ale.

French Confusion

With the help of SETH MANNING, ALLEN LAMBERT, LOUIE BOREL, AND VICTORIA EMMONS, the group was able to decipher some of Marlene’s inner most thoughts about her year in Rotary which was quite enlightening.

Exploring Other Cultures; The Last Frontier

We were visited by the Coneheads, who traveled many light years to say good-bye to President MARLENE.   The parental units looked much like Joan Rosselle and Jack Kelly, accompanied by alien daughter, Katie Nutter. 

 Before ending with some random thoughts and another rendition of “Good Night Irene,” MARLENE was presented with not one, but two scrapbooks of the year’s events by MARLIS MC ALLISTER and a standing ovation for a job well done. 

ONTO THE KICK OUT DINNER

It was a fine evening at the Los Altos Country Club for a well-attended Kick Out Party.   We were joined by special guest, GITI GHAFFARI, who accepted a Paul Harris and a Guy Shoup Fellowship for our dear FIROOZ who recently passed away. 

MARLENE presented the Memorial Guy Shoup Clock to this year’s Rotarian of the Year, Allart Ligtenberg, for his outstanding work in World Community Service.  Outgoing board members were recognized by MARLENE, each with a special gift.  MARLENE was awarded a beautiful plaque and a Past President’s Pin by Past President and Kick Out Chair, CINDY LUEDTKE.  MARLENE then passed on the President’s Pin to SAM PESNER, President of Los Altos Rotary Club 2006-2007.  MARLENE donned SAM with a blingy, blue, “Poobah- style” hat and a custom-made scepter equipped with a bicycle bell to quell the crowd at rowdy meetings in the future.  SAM then introduced the board members for the coming year; JOAN ROSSELLE, MATT CABOT, MARLIS MC ALLISTER, ROLAND PAYNE, CINDY WEMYSS, JOHN HAMBLIN, JOHN MOSS, MARLENE COWAN,   SANDIE WHIPPLE will remain our Treasurer as will JOHN CARDOZA  continue as Club Secretary.  HUGH RIDDELL will be our new Sergeant at Arms.  Hugh received a special “Sheriff’s” pin from Sam.  Last but not least MARLENE was passed the illustrious boot by CINDY who will dearly miss its presence in her office.

After the formal program was over, many members resigned to the patio to listen and dance to music provided by PLM Productions. 

AND ANOTHER ROTARY YEAR BEGINS-

2006 Kick Out Committee:

Cindy Luedtke, Chair
Matt Cabot
Victoria Emmons
John Hamblin
Sam Harding
Dick Hasenpflug
Jack Kelly
Alan Lambert
Lee Lynch
Seth Manning
Marlis McAllister
John McDonnell
John Moss
Katie Nutter
Dan O’Donnell
Dennis Potter
Joan Rosselle
John Sylvestor
Sandie Whipple

Webmaster's Note:  Have you heard the one about the cobbler's kids?  Well, my computer crashed (the one that I use for the Rotator and Rotary business.  No backup, couldn't figure what to do.  It turned out if I connect a wireless mouse and a wired mouse, everything works)  If I don't it doesn't.  So I have a computer with multiple mice on it, but it works.  Sorry for the delay.  Pictures next week.  (If I get them, or if I got them, if I can find them.) 

BTW this was Lou Fazo's first Rotator.  Sorry I made it late. 

Matt