Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show June 13 2013

To Everything, There is a Season
 
The Summer Solstice is just two weeks away, very close to the day President John will become Past-President John.  It will be the longest day of the year.  President’s John’s longest day will not occur until June 28 when he will be honorably discharged of his duties as the leader of Los Altos Rotary.  Past President MONA ARMISTEAD reminds everyone that they must sign up for the dinner and pay for your guests by next week.  It will be a fun and gala evening at the Fremont Hills Country Club.
 

JOANNE KAVALARIS proffered the thought for the day, summarized as “Attitude Counts!”  In honor of Flag Day, VAL CARPENTER led a rousing and quite stirring “You Are a Grand Old Flag.” ; one of our better vocal efforts lately. 
 
President-elect JACK KELLY introduced visiting Rotarians and Rotarians with guests.  Jack specially welcomed visiting District Governor Arley Marley.  Arley advised the club that this was his first meeting back at Rotary since the death of his and our beloved Mary. 

While it was an emotional moment and Rotarians welcomed him in their warm embrace, Arley was not without his wonderful sense of humor and reminded us that it was customary to welcome a DG with some applause.  For that, he got a Standing O! 
 

Next Week: Putting round pegs in square holes.  Helping kids on horseback. A program to get your “giddyup”.
 

Honorary Paul Harris Fellowship Awarded to Gay Krause

Past President MONA ARMISTEAD honored community activist and volunteer Gay Krause an honorary Paul Harris fellowship in recognition of more than 20 years of community service.  Gay leads the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College that is becoming a national model for innovation.
 
Gay was a school counselor, principal for more than 20 years.  She has been active in challenging our youth to grow and providing programs to help achieve academic excellence for kids at risk.  She formed the Challenge Team which meets monthly for the past 25 years to collaborate with 50 community leaders to create better options for children.
 
Upon receiving the PHF award, Gay surprised Past President Mona and President John by handing them a check for $1,000 to support Rotary’s community service effort. 
 
Thank you Gay!
 

Red to Blue, not States, but Badges
Membership Chair RANDY GARD welcomed LINA BROYDO and her sponsor DICK HENNING to approach the podium so Lina could receive her blue badge having completed the requirements.  The purpose of the Blue Badge requirements is to help new Rotarians get introduced and active in the club.

From One End of Main Street to the Other in 40 Short Years: Kathy Lera’s 10-Minute Talk
 
Kathy is a Los Altos girl through and through.  She was born in San Francisco after her parents met as employees of Southern Pacific, but was raised in Los Altos.  With both a brother and a sister, Kathy thought everybody was a fortunate as she growing up in Los Altos where she could ride her bike anywhere as a child and romp in the orchards with her siblings.
 
Her mother signed her up for everything from dance to having a paper route.  During the summers, her folks would drive to the family farm in Minnesota, a trip the kids loved. 
 
Kathy’s mother was a community activist who watched out for the safety of children in Los Altos.  She frequently would take Kathy to the Chief of Police in Los Altos and suggest that crosswalks, stops sings and other traffic safety features be added.  Kathy thinks of her Mom every time she passes certain stop signs!
 
Her family started the Christmas tradition of meeting each year for a day in San Francisco and a photo with Santa.  That tradition is now 56 years strong.
 
Kathy attended St. Williams School and Los Altos High, graduating in 1975.  She got a job at the Chamber of Commerce in Los Altos and worked there for four years before landing a position at a prominent international circuit board manufacturer in Mountain View.  She was promoted to North American sales director but chose to leave big business when they offered her a permanent relocation in China.
 
Now, Kathy is well known throughout Los Altos as the advertising sales lady from the Town Crier.  
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Mourning the Loss of a Fine Rotarian
JOE LOCONTE died early this week after a long struggle with cancer.  Joe was a building contractor for large projects.  Joe sought out Rotary when AL TRAFICANTI was president of the club and asked to become a member.  He had heard of the good works of Rotarians and wanted to get involved.  He was active in setting up and taking down the Rotary Art Show. A kinder gentler man you could never know.  Services will be announced.  A card was circulated by JUDY OTT, Sunshine Chair, for Rotarians to write a message to Joe’s wife Patty.

Matt Cabot, fresh back from a trip to Russia and France, gave President a Club banner from the Sussex Vale Rotary Club in Sussex England. Sussex is about 64 k from London, in the south side of England. It is not known why Matt gave a banner from that club. He was never in England.

• Low Gross- Ladies: Carol Moison, Men: Doug Miller
• LARC Champs- Steve Shepherd and Kendra Gjerseth
• Low Net- Mike Spence
• Mixed Doubles- Bud and Ann Oliver
• Calloway- Ann Oliver and Dylan St. John
• Yellow Ball- Steve Shepherd, Mel Kahn, and John Bogard
• Longest Drive- Lorna Adano and Travis Nichols
• Closest to the Pin- Celeste Drake, Dylan St. John and Doug Miller
• Poker Table Winners- Roy Lave and Bob Armistead

Announcements from the Floor:

Club Treasurer SANDI WHIPPLE reminds all that IOU’s are now due and payable!
 
RON STEFANI, Songmaster Coordinator, is seeking a few more volunteers.  Please sign up for the last two open slots!
 
ALLAN VARNI announced that the Global Matching Grant from Rotary International has been approved for construction of furniture for the SOPUDEP School our club is supporting in Haiti.  The $15,000 grant will be used to help the children who need so much and have so little.
 
 PAUL SCHUTZ invited members to get involved with the Rotary Welcome Veterans Project Committee.  See Paul to get in on the action or email him at pschutz3@comcast.net. This is an especially great opportunity for Red Badgers to get active!
 

Via email:

Matt,

I was unable to attend the lunch meeting today.  Can the attached flyer for my Dad’s memorial service be included in the Rotator?  It would help correct the mistaken date from last week’s announcement.  Thanks.  Bill Balson

JACK HEIDMILLER has coordinated the club’s participation in the Los Altos Annual Art & Wine Festival and the Chef Chu Booth this year as well as many of the past years.  Volunteers are needed for shifts for both days.  Sign up online or contact Jack at jackthg@aol.com.
 
The joint Rotary/Kiwanis evening at the History House is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2013.  Kiwanis is doing the food, Rotary the refreshments. $5 per person.
 
Mayor JARRETT FISHPAW and KATHY BERRY, who has been the driving force behind the incredible Rotary involvement with Relay for Life, updated Rotarians on the activities for the weekend.  She was still looking for people to work in the 1 AM shift.  Will you be there?  Mayor Jarrett, sporting a perfectly coordinated new bow tie, will be, maybe not at 1 a.m. though.  You guys rock!  Rotary Ramblers Roll!

Finemaster, TED SORENSON did an excellent job in filling President John’s coffers.  He nipped Mr. Georgeous “The DUDE” ANGUIS for making all the girls cry.  Dude then paid homage to JANE REED, an angel in the wings.  JACK HEIDMILLER was proud to pay the piper on behalf of having his South American granddaughter, Contessa for the summer.  RON STEFANI helped out by celebrating his 47th anniversary. Ted volunteered that his 39th was Saturday.  All in good fun, but thanks for the bucks!

PP DICK HENNING introduces speaker BARRY GROVES:
 
What Does it Take to Get Into and Out of College in the 21st Century and Beyond?
“A Place Where no Person has Gone Before”
 
It is all about debt.  How much debt for education do you want your child, grandchild or great grandchild to be saddled with when they get out of college?  Is $250,000 for a four-year education too much?  Of course, it depends.
 
Los Altos/Mountain View School Superintendent BARRY GROVES, our very own Rotarian, said there is a college for every student. The idea is to find the right fit for the student. Money plays a part, but there avenues to college for every student of every means.  Students need help to get matched up with the school that works for them.
 
Barry didn’t mince words about the burgeoning debt load facing students.  More and more students are being asked to carry the burden of their own educations, only assisted by government. 
 
The Stats:
2,675 four Year Colleges
3.3. million high school grads
23 million in college
25 percent apply to more than 7 colleges
50 percent graduate from college
 
It typically cost from $55 to $100 to apply to each school. 
 
The students who get into Stanford and other elite schools have perfect grades from superior classes and extracurricular activities to wow the examiners.  The other ways of entry is through patronage and connections.
 
Costs:
 
Stanford                      $60,000 yr.                  5.8 percent accepted
Berkeley                      $33,500 yr.                  20.8 percent accepted
San Jose State            $24,000 yr.                  75 percent accepted
Foothill            $1,000 per quarter                  100 percent accepted (best value)
 
800 Los Altos High students applied to Stanford.  Two of those students had perfect grades and SAT scores in the most difficult classes and were denied.  Nine others were accepted.  96 percent of LAHS students will attend college or another higher level school.
 
Student loans, once available at competitive interest rates now cost students 6.8 percent interest.  The rates on student loans are set to double as a result of the “sequestration” budget cuts at the Federal level.
 
40 percent of students are accepted based on “early action” or “early decision.” two ways to commit to go particular schools.
 
Cal Frosh Demographics:
White 24 percent
Hispanic 12 percent
Black 3 percent
Asian 44 percent
Native American 0
International 13 percent
 
Hispanics are 50 percent of K-12
 
A woman came into Barry’s office and said she wanted her daughter to go to Stanford.  She wanted to know what she should do to prepare.  Barry asked her how old her daughter was and the woman said she was in kindergarten. Too late, Barry said.
 
Students more than double their lifetime income by attending college.  Barry helps kids find schools that fit. Thanks for a great program!

THIS THURSDAY'S PROGRAM:

"Square Peg Ranch"
Joell Dunlap is the co-founder and executive director of Square Peg Ranch, a non profit adaptive horsemanship program that teams up kids, who know what it's like to be a Square Peg, with rescued horses needing another chance at life.  Founded in 2004 and located in Half Moon Bay, it is run by a small group of volunteers.  It has 18 horses and caters to about 30 children a week, who are primarily autistic and/or at risk youth.

Joell speaks nationally on behalf of HorseBoy Method ™ an exciting and effective method for eliciting communication from autistic children using horses, nature, and movement.