See Programs for all of the important dates.

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Woop-tea-do, Spring is sprung.  The grass is riz, I wonder where the flowers is.

Songstress KELLY HUDSON, accompanied by BRUCE CANN, pushed us (like pushing a rope) in a “springy” version of Easter Parade.  Following that, MARGE SENTOUS’s thought for the day surrounded the definition of Gobbledygook. 

Full House today.  We had three visiting Rotarians, and thirteen visitors.  Magnetic program today. 

President Elect MARLENE COWAN thanked the little people in last week’s I’M IRISH celebration.  (Aren’t we all?)

DENNIS POTTER made some noticeable headway in improving the sound system, at least in the hand-held mikes.  Say what?

Let’s clear up some confusion:  District Conference vs. the District Assembly. 

What’s the difference?
When is the Conference held?
Is it the same as the District Assembly?
Should I attend?
Must I attend?
Do I care?
Should I care?

DISTRICT CONFERENCE: May 19^th – 22nd

It is typical for the Assembly to be after the District Conference, but this year it is in the middle of the Conference, and after the Conference. 

Click on the above "DISTRICT CONFERENCE" to see all of the going’s on at the District Conference.  It is more like the International conference, (in Chicago this year) with speakers, and fun things.  Lots and lots of activities.  Check it out. 

RED BADGERS:  You should plan to attend at least part of this.  The club will pay your attendance, but LARRY CHU needs to know if you are attending. 

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY:  Thursday, April 21, 2005 from 4:45 PM to 9:00 PM AND Saturday, April 23^rd at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose.

There is NO information about the Assembly on the District website, so listen up and get it here.   Signup sheet went around Thursday for the District Assembly.

The Assembly is part of the Conference, but separate.  It has sessions on Thursday, April 21 during the conference, and Saturday, April 23^rd, after the Conference is over. 

Each of the Avenues of Service (see your handbook) will be addressed.  It is an important training session.  The dinner speaker is Lisa Whaley. 

All board members, new and old, and those who are interested in the internal workings of the club or becoming Board members should attend. 

On Saturday morning, April 23, the sessions cover: Foundation and Membership.  The Keynote speaker is Allan Frumkin.

AVENUES OF SERVICE  President Elect-Elect SAM PESNER, currently Director of International Services gave his “Avenue of Services” report to faithful.  He had, as other Directors had,  a few low-activity committees, and a few very active committees.  Six committees, (again see your handbook)  seemed pretty active to me, although two of the six actually made presentations. 

WCS - WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE.  Co-Chair JEAN MORDO gave a summary of activity of this wildly popular committee.  There are 26 members in the committee, co-chaired by Jean and JOE CORRAL.  They hold monthly meetings and will have 15-20 people at each meeting, so not many slackers in that group.  One of the most important function they provide is screening the endless requests for money from individuals, and NGO’s (Non Government Organizations).  Without their screenings we would spend our Thursday meetings hearing from every worthwhile group you can imagine, and some not so worthwhile.  Clearly there is more need in the world than we as a group can address.  But WCS does filter out the less needy, the shams, and the needy by poorly organized individuals and groups. 

Each project is first filtered by Jean and Joe or some other member of the committee.  Then it is brought to the committee as a whole.  If selected, it is assigned to a member of the committee who gets answers to a whole battery of questions brought up by the committee during the initial review.  Eventually it is selected or rejected by the group, and funds are allocated if selected. 

During this past year, WCS members looked at 26 projects, funded 6 and are considering 2 more before the end of the year. 

One of the interesting things about the way WCS works is our (and I say ‘our’ because it is your funds) ability to LEVERAGE our money.  We had about $14,000 to work with this year.  Yet, we allocated around $21,000 to projects in Nepal, Afghanistan, Mexico, Chile.  How did we do that?  By matching grants from National, or other clubs we partner with

Jean mentioned four members who’s tireless work, and travel contributed to our success:

·         ALLART LIGTENBERG – Nepal

·         DOUG FRANCO – Afghanistan

·         BRUCE CANN – Chile

·         JOE CORRAL – Guatemala

There are several new programs, ambitious programs in the mix that you will hear about at a later date, when they come closer to completion. 

The ROTARY FOUNDATION is also under SAM’S Directorship.  Past Presidents WYATT ALLAN and GINNY LEAR handed out Double Sustainer pins to MEG SOLERA, VICTORIA EMMONS, and CINDY DAY.  They also handed out Paul Harris recognition pins to:

·         CINDY DAY

·         JACK HIGGINS

·         DAVID DEMATTEIS

·         FIROOZ GHAFFARI (plus, plus)

·         JOE RENATI (plus, plus, plus)

RECOGNITION MASTER (Fine Master to the rest of us) LEM SUMMEY was trying to convince us to have fun, and be inclusive.  He asked for the 37 people who have never been fined to stand up and be fined. I think we got about 5 of them before he got the hook.  I think he was the only one who was inclusive and having fun.

RED BADGE 5 MINUTE TALK.  I’ve got to tell you the only thing I remembered about SANDRA BOZICH talk were those black fuzzy things.  Fortunately I did take notes, but if you weren’t here, you will have to wait about 10 years for Sandra to repeat that. 

Sandra grew up in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State.  One of her earliest memories was re-enacting the “Christmas Story” tongue-stuck-on-frozen-pole incident.  Again, you had to be there. 

She graduated from Optometry school in Philadelphia, and then moved to upstate New York where she was married for a while.  She came to Los Altos and owns Eyes Optometry on Main Street. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President Cindy mentioned that April was Volunteer Month.  So, as good Rotarians, we should easily give 10 hrs in April to worthwhile groups.  Coming to a Thursday Luncheon does not count. 

JEAN MORDO donned another hat and reminded us to SUPPORT OR LIBRARIES by voting on Measures A and B.  As you may know, the annual property assessment which has provided about 20% of the library’s funding will expire in June if not renewed. 

·         Measure A simply continues our current library assessment.  It does not increase your taxes.

·         Measure B will levy an additional $12 per year to restore recent cuts to library services. (Less than ½ cup of Starbucks per month)

Check out this for further information. 

BAIDRA MURPHY needs volunteers for our ARTIST’S RECEPTION.  The Artist’s Reception is one of the things that makes our Art Show stand out among Art shows.  Come be a part of it.  Volunteers are needed to contact local restaurants regarding this year’s reception.  Call Baidra if you are interested in helping.  (650) 948-8910 or contact her at baidra@prochnowrealtors.com

STEVE ANDERSON passed around the signup sheet for our Annual Los Altos Rotary Golf / Dinner / and Poker night on Friday April 29^th.  Trust me, the rain will be over by then.  There was some confusion about the cost, but it was less than he said. 

ROY JONES and a few others, displayed the “official” Rotary shirt for the Art Show.  He is taking orders.  There were orders on the table.  Pick one up next week, or See Roy.

JOHN HAMBLIN mentioned the Sponsorship program for the Art Show.  His graphic was completely blank, so there is lot’s of opportunity.  See John for the right spot for your name. 

LATE BREAKING NEWS:  Rotarian MONA ARMISTEAD is being honored by the El Camino YMCA at the Los Altos Community Foundation's 2nd Annual John W. Gardner Building Community Awards Dinner next Tuesday, April 5.  The dinner is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  Cocktails at 6, dinner at 6:45, awards program, 7:45.

Ten other community members from various organizations will be honored as well. Last year TRACIE MURRAY was honored by LARC. Rotarian, and MVLA Superintendent, RICH FISCHER is again the M.C. Dinner is $75 per person and credit cards are accepted.  Reservations may be made by contacting JOANNE BYRNE at the Community Foundation by email:  JoanneatLACF@aol.com or on Thursday at the club meeting.

TODAY’S PROGRAM:  One of the reason for the thirteen visitors was in part our excellent program presented by Nan Geschke on Wallace Stegner: “Throwing a Long Shadow."  Several weeks ago you were encouraged to read one of Stenger’s novels. 

There are 97 THOUSAND references to Wallace Stegner using Google.  Naturally not all are about ‘our’ Wallace Stegner, but still quite a few are.  Yet, how well is he know in our community? 

The History house is currently presenting a retrospective to Mr. Stenger’s life, and will run at the History House until the 12^th of June. 

Pulitzer Prize author, teacher, community advocate, he clearly did cast a long shadow.  Unfortunately writing about a teacher of writing is a bit daunting, so I suggest you check out the web and read other’s words on Wallace Stenger. 

Know however, that he was a long time resident of Los Altos Hills, and help mold may of the environmental policies that are in place today.

Check out:  Wallace Stenger, or Google it to get the other 96,999 entries.

Thanks Nan Geschke on a fine presentation, and thank you History House for such a great Diorama, or is it Retrospective.