Next Week's Program: 
11 August - DG Visit - Arlene Greenberg

August
18 August - Bill Evers, Hoover Fellow - Education in Iraq, then and now


25 August - Ed Zschau - Thoughts About the Future

Upcoming Events:
 

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Members were met at the door by greeters JACK KELLY, DON WITT, AND GIGI CARTER.  They were given table assignments by KATIE NUTTER, who used plants growing in a summer garden as the means of assignment.  Those who got “weeds” didn’t complain – typical of the pluck of LARCers.

The meeting started promptly at 12:15, with just a few people straggling in after that time.  RHONDA WENTZEL led the group in the day’s song, “I’m Looking for a Four-Leaf Clover,” and BILLY RUSSELL provided the thought for the day.

President-elect SAM PESNER led the introductions.  Among them:  ROLAND PAYNE introduced a guest, CSR Ramachangan of Madras, India.  His club has 53 members and raised $200,000 in aid for Tsunami relief.  Jim Conway,   a past member of LARC,  was visiting from Rancho Mirage and presented a flag from his club, where he just completed the past year as President.  This Rotator writer did not get the names of all the people introduced, as she was still busy at the door with the table mixers.

President MARLENE and others made the following announcements:

LARC members present at last week’s Membership Training Seminar included Red Badgers VICTOR ECHEVERRIA and SHOSHANNA ZIMMERMAN.

At the District meeting on August 3, Marlene learned that District 5170 is #8 in the world of 513 districts, with $917,000 in donations.

Also at the District 5170 meeting, Marlene learned that some clubs – e.g., Los Gatos Cool Cats, have branded their clubs.  For Los Gatos, the result has been an impressive growth in membership.

District 5170 is doing an occupational information survey, where the information will go on the district website.  Members are encouraged to provide their names, occupational title, and educational degree.  No addresses or phone numbers will be shown.

Members are invited to go to Costa Rica from November 9 – 13 to deliver wheelchairs.  The cost of the 5-day trip is $1725, and President MARLENE has the forms if anyone is interested.

Another travel opportunity is Sri Lanka, to deliver water purifiers, from August 25 – September 3.  The trip is being coordinated by Howard Tours and costs $3,000.

The West African Project Fair in Ghana is another travel opportunity, October 13-15, 2005.  The trip is also being coordinated by Howard Tours.

Save the date:  April 28-30, 2006 is the District Conference at the Santa Clara Marriott. 

The tickets for Rotary Day at the A’s that were purchased by LARC members were given to Interact club members for their enjoyment.

Fred Haradiran, the new president of the Jakarta, Indonesia, Rotary club, passed away on July 23 while snorkeling.  Many of you may remember, Fred visited LARC with his son Greg on June 16 to thank us personally for our donation to his club’s Fishing Boat Project.  BO KEARNS and MARLENE COWAN sent notes of condolence.

The Palo Alto Rotary Club is now meeting at Ming’s on Mondays at lunch time, while they find a new home.

The LARC Board meeting is set for Wednesday, August 10 at 3 p.m. at Heritage Bank.  The Assistant Governor of our district will be in attendance.

District Governor Arlene Greenberg will attend the LARC meeting next Thursday. 

IRENE PRESTON announced that she was circulating sign-up sheets for those who provide dinner for RotaCare.  Each member of our Club is encouraged to do this at least once a year.

BELLA BERLLY announced that the August 12 wine tasting get-together will be at MARGE BRUNO’S. 

Speaking of MARGE BRUNO, she was one powerful fine master!  More than $500 in “recognition” was collected.  Lagging Red Badgers were prime territory for fining!

President MARLENE gave anyone who has made “Explorer Status” a Los Altos Rotary Jotter  BILLY RUSSELL and      LUCY RASMUSSEN for example.

The results of the survey of members’ funding/philanthropic priorities will be discussed at the next LAREF meeting.

PAUL SCHUTZ announced that the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) is looking for volunteers to help with collecting money (CHAC keeps 100% of the proceeds) at various parking lots serving the upcoming Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Art and Wine Festival on Saturday, September 10th and Sunday September 11th.  Each day has three 3-hour shifts - 150 volunteers in all.  If you can help either day, please give Paul Schutz a call (650-965-2020, ext 20) or email at pschutz@chacmv.org.  Thanks!

President Elect SAM PESNER introduced our guest speaker,       Michael Sims of NASA.  He showed marvelous photos of Mars and told members that they can be viewed at http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov. 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 by President MARLENE, who encouraged us to remember “service above self” as we explore other cultures this week.