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BAIDRA MURPHY gave the thought for the day, by reading from a Wall Street Journal article on the fight to eradicate Polio.  April 12 was the 50th Anniversary of the announcement of the Salk Vaccine.  The WSJ pointed out the often overlooked role of Rotary, and how we had raised and devoted over $600 million to the fight, and had pushed polio to the point of extinction.  The journal noted that Rotary, a private (and sometimes maligned) organization, had been more effective than any government in saving lives.

President-Elect Marlene Cowan started the introduction of visiting Rotarians by noting that our club had a special guest Rotarian, Assistant District Governor, Don McKenzie.  Several Rotarians, including SAM HARDING and SHELLY POTVIN introduced their guests.

SAM PESNER and STEVE ANDERSON made an announcement about their stint as “celebrity bartenders” at Maltby’s, to raise funds for the Relay for Life.  Many dutiful Rotarians (and friends) had bellied up to the bar to help raise $1,170, half of which goes to the Relay.  STEVE graciously thanked those drinkers who went beyond the normal call of duty to make the event successful.

President Cindy reported on the wonderful Rotarian Dinner at Chef Chu’s the night before.  As they do every year, Larry Chu and Larry Chu Jr. provided a fantastic dinner and evening for all.  Cindy especially thanked SHELLY POTVIN for her work in organizing the dinner.

Several Rotarians had ANNOUNCEMENTS:

JOHN HAMBLIN honored the many Rotarians who had provided sponsorships for the ART SHOW (particularly MARY MARLEY and DENNIS YOUNG at the $1000 level).  We are still hoping to have the sponsorships underwrite a large portion of the show’s expenses, and more sponsorships are eagerly sought.

MARGE BRUNO announced that noted author Tobias Wolff (“This Boy’s Life”) would be speaking April 15 at the Los Altos Youth Center as a benefit for the Los Altos Library Foundation.  The event is a free gift to the public.

CAREW McFALL announced that Rotary’s YOUNG AT ART program was entering its 14th year, and that jury evaluation of entries would take place on Tuesday April 19.  There is still room on the jury panel for any interested Rotarians.

ROY JONES announced that the Centennial Rotary Shirts are in, and can be picked up.  The blue shirts are still acceptable, and a few are still for sale (the tan shirt is a special centennial edition).

MONA ARMISTEAD then implored everyone to “just have fun” and join her in a play date.  She clarified that the play date was the annual Rotary Golf date.  It’s not just a fun golf tournament, but also a barbeque and poker night.  Mona assured all prospective players that the golf is for fun and is low pressure, and even the poker is going to be instructional for first timers.  STEVE ANDERSON noted that there were still a few slots to fill in the golf foursomes, and MONA pointed out that you don’t need to golf to come to the barbeque and poker evening.

The meeting then turned to the main event: the Red Badge Auction.  MARLENE COWAN opened by announcing the Tsunami Relief project, and reported that the World Community Service Tsunami Relief Committee (JOE CORRAL, BOB ADAMS, ROY LAVE, AL LIGTENBERG, JOANNA MEDIN, EMILY TAYLOR and MARLENE along with BO KEARNS) had spent many weeks reviewing potential projects for our funds.  The project they chose, with the help of local Rotary Clubs in Indonesia, is the reconstruction of the fishing boats in the village of Lhokseumawe Indonesia.  The committee had already raised over $10,000 (thanks to large gifts from LEM SUMMEY, BEN McGANN, AL LIGTENBERG, DUDE ANGIUS, MONA ARMISTEAD, BRUCE CANN, and GUY FARTHING).

BO KEARNS, with dazzling technical assistance from MIKE HARRIGAN on computer, provided details of the project.  The village was particularly hard hit, and lost over 6000 dead.  The tsunami also completely destroyed the local fishing fleet, the primary source of industry for the entire village.  With the help of local clubs, we will support the reconstruction of the fishing boats.  Our money will not go through any government or relief fund bureaucracy, but will go directly into a local bank account that is supervised by a committee of local Rotarians.  The committee will oversee the funds and the distributions to build the new boats.  This construction phase itself will be helpful to rebuilding the local economy.   When each boat is finished, it will be given to a local fisherman chosen by the committee.  Each recipient will be required to pay back 30% of the cost over 36 months, and will also be expected to provide a portion of his catch to the village.  The money received will support upkeep and maintenance of boats and docks.  By restoring the fishing jobs to this community, Rotary will help them rebuild their entire community to prior levels.

President Elect MARLENE COWAN reminds us that: All LARC members are encouraged to attend the District Assemby on Saturday morning, April 23 at Doubletree Hotel, San Jose 9:00 - 11:45 am. Counts as a meeting make-up and an elective on Red Badge list. You'll enjoy the fellowship and informational meetings with special sessions on Membership and The Rotary Foundation. Contact President Cindy if you wish to carpool from Los Altos."
 

President Elect-Elect SAM PESNER REMINDS US:  All members of the Club are welcome and encouraged to sign up and attend the upcoming District 5170 Conference May 20-21 at the Marriott, Santa Clara. Registration is easy on line - simply go to http://www.rotary5170.org and click on Register Online! under the District Conference logo. Let's all get energized for the new Rotary century with President-elect Marlene!

The SILENT AUCTION had been running since the beginning of the meeting, and was now brought to a close.  Auction Chair KATIE NUTTER announced that the dozens of items generously donated by club members and friends had raised $2,696.

President Cindy then called up DICK HENNING to handle the live auction items.  Much spirited bidding ensued, and the generosity of club members was readily apparent.  Everyone was impressed when DICK initially bought the JEAN MORDO dinner for $100, and then gave it back to the club so that it could fetch $800 from ROY LAVE.  Kudos on your kindness DICK.  The following is the list of the live auction items and the winner of each.

L-1  A round of golf for three people at CordeValle – a world class private golf course in Morgan Hill.  Donor: JERRY MOISON; WINNER: Mona Armistead ($400)

L-2   A two-night stay at the Inn at Truckee, Donor: RICK GLAZE; WINNER: Marlene Cowan ($200)

L-3   Gloria Ferrar 2000 Cuvee Champagne -- Imperial size (6 liters, which equals 8 bottles).  Donor: SETH MANNING; WINNER: Steve Yarbrough ($300)

L-4   Three nights in a beautiful Lake Tahoe home (in on Friday, out on Monday).  Five bdrms, one dorm, three baths.  Donor:  DUDE ANGIUS; WINNER: Kim Cooper ($800)

L-5   Flight of fancy – an airplane ride to Harris Ranch for lunch.  Ride in a Socata Finidad four-seater.  Donor:  PAT FARRELL ;WINNER: Mary Marley ($350)

L-6   Diamond pendant necklace -- .16 carat diamond in yellow gold, on a lovely chain.   Donor:  KATIE NUTTER ; WINNER: Jack Heidmiller ($300)

L-7   Dinner for eight by our own, Louis Borel.  The finest in French cuisine, Donor:  LOUIS BOREL; WINNER: Steve Anderson ($950)

L-8 Diamond stud earrings -- .75 carats each, in yellow gold.  Donor: KATIE NUTTER; WINNER: John McDonnell ($800)

L-9 Four tickets to the 4/21 Giants game, Triple A club level section 213, plus a parking pass. Donor: Kamrin Desmond-Knight and Co. WINNER: Steve Yarbrough ($100)

L-10 Two Series tickets to the Celebrity Forum for the complete 2005 – 2006 season, Including a cocktail reception after one of the evenings with the celebrity speaker. Market Value: $700. Donor: RICHARD HENNING; WINNER: Karen Owen ($775)

L-11 An elegant dinner for eight, wine included, to be served either at the home of Jean Mordo or wherever the winner would like. Donor: JEAN MORDO; WINNER: Roy Lave ($800)

L-12 Cioppino Night with the Luedtkes! Dinner and wine for eight people. Great food. Great wine. Donor: CINDY LUEDTKE; WINNER: Dennis Young ($500)

L-13 Smooth Grooves. Thrill your guests with the fabulous sounds of our own John Sylvester’s jazz trio, The Jazz ConneXion, with piano, base, and alto saxophone. Donor: JOHN SYLVESTER; WINNER: Matt Cabot ($550)

L-14 A weekend by the Yacht Harbor In Santa Cruz. 2-bdrm, 2-bath home with ocean views. Sleeps 4-6 adults. Donor: Mel Kahn: WINNER: Shoshanna Zimmerman ($450)

Auction Chair KATIE NUTTER announced that the live auction brought in $7,550, for total auction proceeds of $11,246.  Both KATIE and President Cindy thanked DICK for his spectacular and entertaining stint as auctioneer.  Cindy once again thanked all the donors and all the winners.

There being no further business, President Cindy adjourned the meeting.

Here is a copy of the Wall Street Journal's article on Rotary's involvement in Polio eradication.