Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show May 19, 2011

Rotarians Celebrate Mentors and Tutors of Partners for New Generations
 
A piano sonata played by Mitchell Jefferson, one of Rotarian DWIGHT MATTHEWS’ “talented young men” of Partners for New Generations, greeted Rotarians and guests as they arrived at Shoup Park today.  It was one of the biggest meetings of the year with dozens of mentors and tutors from the PNG program as honored guests.
 
CINDY LUEDTKE led us in the flag salute, then, guest Liz Nyberg gave us Bill Gates’ rules of life for high school students, including his memorable tip number one:  “Life is not fair, get used to it.”  Although few of us knew the words to the song, BARBARA SMALL led us through a semi-snappy version of the Sunny Side of the Street. 

President elect MONA ARMISTEAD welcomed visiting Rotarians and guests.
 
President DENNIS YOUNG remarked on the death of long-time Rotarian LEN MCBIRNEY whose services are pending at Spanglers Mortuary in Los Altos.  We will miss Len’s wry wit, positive attitude and eagerness to share his talents with his Rotary friends.  For all of us, too soon Len is gone.

Rotarian BONNIE BURDETT, Chair of PNG, bestowed beautiful roses on each of our honored mentors and tutors to begin the recognition of the extraordinary work and success of Partners for New Generations (PNG).  She encouraged Red Badgers to attend the monthly meeting of PNG and to become involved in this vital Rotary program.  The Board of Directors meet at 8 am on the third Wednesday of the month at Intero Real Estate in Los Altos. 
 
Bonnie honored Rotarian KATHY BERRY for obtaining IRS non-profit status for PNG.  She announced that over 30 new mentors and tutors joined PNG this year bringing the number of volunteers to more than 140.  BONNIE honored CINDY LUEDTKE who’s committee has created the PNG personnel policy, DAVE SNOW, MATT CABOT, CHUCK LINDAUER for work on a new database and other projects accomplished this year.  Altogether, volunteers contributed more than 1,600 hours at Alta Vista, Mountain View, and Los Altos high schools.
 
Rotarian KAREN GREGURAS chaired and coordinated the PNG elementary tutoring program this year.  She supervised and matched 40-50 volunteers with students at schools in both Mountain View and Los Altos.  Each of her volunteers work an hour per day one day a week with the children. Karen’s job is to interview and place tutors.  What a successful year she had!
 
Barbara Reid was one such tutor.  A critical care nurse with extensive volunteer history, she said she chose to work with PNG because of the flexibility and fulfillment the task offers.  She sees success in her students.
 
Rotarian DAN HOLDEN works as coordinator for the middle school PNG mentors.  He said the program has grown from four to 12 mentors.  He recognized the challenge of getting volunteers to work with that age group, but said the rewards are well worth it to the kids and the volunteers.  He welcomes more support. 

Dan Introduced Diane Fujimoto, his neighbor and a tutor at Egan Middle School.  Diane has just retired from the corporate world and wanted involvement.  She got it with PNG working with a 13-year-old bilingual student. 

LINDA WAUD, mentor coordinator, has spent 11 years with PNG.  She introduced Rotarian DWIGHT MATTHEWS, who introduced his two talented young men, Mitchell Jefferson, of piano fame, and equally talented Jason Whitten.  Dwight works with each of these young men to convey to them what he knows to be the opportunities available to them and how to achieve those lofty goals.  Dwight is truly proud to be their friend.
 
Dwight has been working with PNG since 2003 and volunteers at Los Altos High School.  Dwight said he had supportive parents and recognizes the need of role models in young men’s lives.  He is filling that role and making a difference in the lives of many young men through PNG.  This was attested to in the brief talks given by both Mitchell and Jason.  Thanks to each of them for sharing their PNG story!
 

Bonnie then introduced the MARV PATTERSON, DAVE SNOW produced video “Biulding  Better Futures.”  CINDY LUEDTKE made closing remarks asking for us all to consider how we can support PNG with our time, connections, and money.  BOB ADAMS presented BONNIE BURDETT with a bouquet of Roses for extraordinary effort as PNG Chair for a second year in a row.  Thanks Bonnie!!!
 
 

ART SHOW SETS NEW RECORD FOR REVENUE
Following the program, President DENNIS YOUNG presided over the regular business of Rotary.  Announcements were few, but the highlight was SAM PESNER and money-man JEAN MORDO’s astounding news that despite the weather, our club has set a new record by besting the 2007 art show proceeds!  Sam said we are expected to net $92,000 to $94,000 from the show. This revenue will fund our club’s projects. 
 
MICHAEL STADLEN deserves great credit for the work he did as grand pooh-bah of the art show.  Thanks also to SAM for stepping up when needed.  STEVE POMEROY deserves much praise for serving as art show job coordinator and having every job filled!
 
These results were largely due to three factors: $10,000 in non-Rotarian sponsorships, more booths, and a higher booth rate – $350 up from $300.  In addition, CINDY LUEDTKE’S raffle committee raised a whopping $6,143 in sales!
 

GOLF TOURNEY AHEAD
 
Don’t forget:  Friday, June 3, Shoreline golf, golf dinner and poker for all Rotarians.  There is still time to sign up for dinner and poker.  Please make your reservations with STEVE SHEPHERD before June 2nd. 
 

PRESIDENT DENNIS IS NO LAME DUCK
But he’s getting kicked out anyway.  Join TRACIE MURRAY on the kick-out party committee following the weekly meeting.
 







ROTARIAN LARRY CHU JR. WINS SINGER AWARD
A favorite among our young Rotarians, LARRY was honored with the Walter Springer Business Person of the Year Award!

Before President Dennis rang the bell, LARRY worked his magic and extracted a fair share of fines in less than six minutes. 
– sly

THIS THURSDAY'S PROGRAM:

Richard Lowenthal
Founder and Chief Technical Officer
Coulomb Technologies
 
Richard Lowenthal is the CTO of Coulomb Technologies, which he co-founded in 2007. Coulomb Technologies is the leader in electric vehicle charging systems and application services, with the ChargePoint Network now operating in 14 countries, and Network Operations Centers in the U.S., London, and Hong Kong. The ChargePoint Network first went live in January 2009. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging infrastructure, with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet Managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging.
 
From 1998 until 2007 Richard was instrumental in starting several companies, including Lightera, Pipal Systems and Procket Networks. From 1996 to 1997, he was vice president and general manager of Cisco's WAN Access Products Division. From 1990 through 1995, Richard was vice president of research and development for StrataCom. Prior to StrataCom, he was co-founder and vice president of engineering for Stardent Computers, and vice president of engineering for Convergent Technologies. A former Mayor of Cupertino, Richard has also been heavily involved in the non-profit world. He earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley.