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May  12 - Joel ben Izzy, "A Tale of Curses and Blessings"

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            It was Cinco de Mayo at the Los Altos Rotary today, and there was no mistaking it.  One glimpse at our  lovely senorita President CINDY in her stunning, floor length, flowered fiesta dress and even a flower in her hair,  told you it was a celebration.  Cuisine was presented by Estrellita's, and  accompanied by a genuine Mariachi  group.  An attempt by a few to sing along to Cielito Lindo in Spanish revealed that English is still clearly the official language of our club.

            JOHN SYLVERSTER provided a stimulating principle guaranteed to keep one in everlasting ignorance: that is, "contempt prior to investigation."

            Lots of guests from all over the globe: ex-Los Altos Rotarian: the Bob Bratmans from Wales, one from Brazil, four Moscow guests of KAREN FOX, and even a couple from Phoenix. 

            STEVE SHEPHERD gave the results of the golf/BBQ/poker event: closest to pin, BOB RAYL; Women's closest, MEL KAHN; longest drives, DENNIS POTTER and MONA ARMISTEAD; low net, BOO BUE and Norma Rayl; low gross, BOB RAYL and MONA; Yellow Ball Team, ENG, DUHRING, POTTER and ROY JONES; and winner of the Try Another Game Award was Marty Spangler, who received the plaque adorned with a can of tennis balls from DAN O'DONNELL.  Here is link to the pictures of the Golf Tournament, BBQ and Poker Night

            Winner of the Texas Hold-um winner takes all, were:  JEAN REED, JOANNE BYRNE, STEVE SHEPHERD, (ex Los Altos Rotarian, JACK THOMAS

            JOAN ROSSELLE asked each  of us to complete a form telling our preferences for social occasions next year.

            VICTORIA BRACHA (pronounced Bra-sha) delivered her fascinating story in her five minute talk today.  Born in China with grandparents who were landowners and officials at the Court, she witnessed the horrors of the Communist Cultural Revolution firsthand, as her educated mother was relegated to tending rice fields and her father to becoming a welder, in pursuit of "re-education."  Victoria was sent to the countryside to live with an aunt,  later returning to Shanghai, where she was allowed to study following the Cultural Revolution.  She dreamed of the USA, and in the early '80's sold everything and enrolled at American University.  The plan was thwarted, however, for lack of a sponsor. 

At that point, a Mormon family in agreed to be her sponsor, so her own family in China set about gathering the tuition money.   This was no mean task, when working at rates like $11 a month for many jobs, but they eventually launched Victoria with the $1500 tuition, and she left China with $60 in her pocket, and began her studies at the University of Utah.  It was there she met her husband, with whom she has a nine year old son.  Victoria is a fashion designer, and has her own shop on Main Street.

            JULIE ROSE presented PAUL CONARD with a handsome plaque, honoring his many years of service as Treasurer of LAREF. MIKE SPENSE is current treasurer.  She also presented gifts of $1000 to the Youth in Government program at the YMCA teen center; and $1500 to a group which  provides grief counseling in the community.

            MARLIS MCALLISTER extracted fines from many Rotarians for their lack  of knowledge of Mexican history.  Past President AL TRAFICANTI said to sign up now for the July 1st Kickout at LACC.

            Three heavy messages came to our club today.  Rotarian and former mayor ROY DUNNETT passed away at  91.  BRUCE CANN has been told he has multiple melanoma, and has just three years of life left to live.  And Past President FIROOZ GHAFARI told us he is beginning treatment for a just-discovered brain tumor, so he is accepting prayers and good vibrations in all languages.  According to Firooz, at least his tumor is more dignified than that of Lance Armstrong, the cyclist, whose cancer resided in his testes.

            Our Speaker was Russell Clark,

recent owner of Estrellita's Restaurant  on San Antonio.  Russell was born to a Brooklynite and a Mexican mom, came to the U.S. and went through Santa Rita, Egan and LAHS.  He provided the colorful banner strung across the room, though he apologized for it actually being the one for the Day of the Dead, or All Saint's Day, rather than  representing Cinco de Mayo.  He offered a very brief history of the attempted French colonization of Mexico long ago, and then turned over the remaining time to his outstanding musicians.   We learned that the word mariachi  comes from the French word for marriage, because the style of music was played at weddings for dancing.  He also acknowledged that the only burritos in Mexico are at Taco Bell.  The lovely serenade which followed had everyone swooning, as it was intended to do.

Note 1:

All members can check their Art Show, May 14 & 15, work assignments and times by reviewing the Volunteer Assignments and Schedule on the Web at:  www.losaltosrotary.org/ArtShow2005/SignUp.htm  Please take a look.  If you can work additional time please send Val Carpenter an e-mail @ vcarpenter@aol.com.

Note 2: the election of  three new members of LAREF Board of Trustees will be held at the LAREF Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for the June 9 LARC meeting. There are nine candidates for three seats: LEE LYNCH, SETH MANNING , MARLIS MCALLISTER , JEAN MORDO, TRACIE MURRAY, KAREN OWEN, DAVE SMITH, MIKE SPENSE and DENNIS YOUNG.  Two of the seats are four-year terms, one seat is a three-year term.  Nominations from the floor will be taken next week, May 12; nominations in writing must reach JULIE ROSE by May 15.

[Webmaster's addition]  I am still looking for additional Rotator writers.  See last week's Rotator for more information.