What a way to enjoy a beautiful summer day during the first week of autumn – being greeted by VAL CARPENTER and NANCY DUNAWAY.  PAUL SCHUTZ would have been the third member of the “Greet-Crew” but he was busy setting up the high-tech portion for today’s program.  RICH CASEY led the Pledge and KURT HUEG gathered the glee club for a splendid version of “You Are My Sunshine.” 
 
After the opening festivities, VAL CARPENTER, in a double-duty role, took off her greeter’s smile and donned her thoughtful look for the Thought-for-the-Day.  VAL’s presentation was dedicated to the memory of a friend of hers who recently passed away as a result of brain cancer.  A favorite quote of his was: “I cannot control the wind, but I can adjust my sails.”  I like it!
 
GINNY LEAR made a “special announcement” (that means she got it in before PRES-ELECT SETH introduced visitors).  She announced that ALAN LAMBERT is recovering from cancer surgery (six weeks ago) and passed around a card for sharing our best wishes for a full recovery.  Hurry back ALAN, we miss your melodious strains.
 
Now PRES-ELECT SETH got to do the introductions.  Only one visiting Rotarian: Mountain View Rotary President, Monique Kane, who would also be our main speaker.  STEVE ANDERSON, JACK HIGGINS, PAUL SCHUTZ, JOHN MOSS and SETH MANNING each introduced their respective guests.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRESIDENT JOHN tried to raise a couple of bucks for LAREF by auctioning PAUL and LIZ NYBERG’s Stanford football tickets for Saturday’s game against Arizona State.  Personally, I can understand why there were no takers since San Jose State’s home opener is this Saturday against UC Davis.  See you all there!
 
The PRESIDENT wants you to pick up your interim directory.  It’s in the box on the table where you spend your lunch money.  Please do so at your earliest possible convenience or you may suffer the same penalty as those who pull tags off mattresses.
 
Let’s just hope that by the time you read this, PRESIDENT JOHN and the other attending Rotarians weren’t embarrassed by the LARC “no-shows” at the focus meeting at Hillview Community Center.
 
As declared by the President himself, on to “not the most exciting part of the meeting.”  It was time to auction the gift from Alviso Rotary that was delivered last week by our District Governor.  The bidding came fast and furious from all corners of the room.  When the dust settled and the hands stopped flying, FRANCIS LAPOLL took the prize for $125.  Maybe next week he’ll tell us what it was.
 
PRES-ELECT SETH promoted the upcoming International Rotary Convention in Los Angeles.  It does sound like a good idea.  If some of us are ever going to attend one, why not make it this close to home.  The current issue of the ROTARIAN has all the details.
 
KAILAS CHIDAMBARAM announced that BRUCE CANN donated $600 to the Coaniquem Burn Center and he was on a mission to raise matching funds.  As of Thursday’s meeting, he needed about $300 more which, combined with BRUCE’S generous donation, would enable our Club able to sponsor two burned children.  As an FYI, the Coaniquem Burn Center is a charitable organization with the mission to support the rehabilitation of burned children throughout Central and South America.
 

STEVE FICK summarized last weekend’s Red Badge Event.  Their plan was to raise $5,000; when all was said and done, they raised over $8,000 for CHASE.  Congratulations, Red Badgers, for a job well done!
 
JOAN ROSSELLE reminded us about the rapidly approaching A Sante’ event and that they are still accepting auction items.  Recent donations include a stay at MEL KAHN’s vacation home and a dinner with the famous Foothill College astronomer, Dr. Fraknow.  KAREN FOX donated noise blocking headphones (earmuffs???).
 
Reminder from TRACIE MURRAY:  LARC is teaming with Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Palo Alto and Mountain View Rotary Clubs for a joint fundraiser to raise money for the RotaCare Clinic in Mountain View.  Our clinic helps thousands of people each year who do not have the funds to pay for much needed medical care.
 
If you have not heard yet, this event will be on Wednesday, October 24th, from 5:30pm - 8:30 pm.  It will be held at Historic Del Monte Building (on Murphy at Evelyn) in Sunnyvale.  It is a wine tasting, along with fabulous gourmet food (and Rotary fellowship).  It is going to be a wonderful event and tickets are only $50. 
 
FIRST PRESENTATION
Mr. Jon Katz gave a short presentation about the OCOA South Project in the Dominican Republic.  This is just one more splendid example of your Rotary dollars at work.  The project is aimed at helping people help themselves rather than just giving them things.  They help set up radio communications, train locals in telemedicine and provide basic education.  A lot more info is available on their website: www.el-limon.org. 
 
JACK HIGGINS said the project is in need of old laptop computers and projectors (like we use at our meetings).  If any of you have such things available, please contact JACK.
 
SECOND PRESENTATION
DICK HENNING presided over the presentation of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award to two very distinguished and deserving members of our community, Chuck and Nan Geschke.  DICK gave a short (albeit comprehensive) summary of all the charitable work and accomplishments of Mr. and Mrs. Geschke.
 
The Plaques and Pins were presented to the Geschkes by PAST-PRESIDENT SAM PESNER to the tune of a well-deserved standing ovation.
 
Paul Harris Fellowships are awarded to non-Rotarians by the Rotary Club of Los Altos for their substantial contributions to the Los Altos community.  
 
  
RECOGNITION
GGGINNY LEAR then explained the difference between the kind of recognition that just took place (with the Geschke’s) versus the kind over which she was to preside.  Her kind of recognition/fining was just a euphemism for giving more money.  GINNY then proceeded to ask 10 questions to members about Los Altos history.  She wanted to know such things as the first shop in Los Altos, the first school, the location of the first Kahn’s Pharmacy, the location of the first Chamber of Commerce building and when Chef Chu’s opened.  The impressive part was how much the fined Rotarians knew about the history of Los Altos.
 
THE PROGRAM
PRES-ELECT SETH introduced the President of the Mountain View Rotary, Monique Kane, who also happens to be the Executive Director of Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC).  This organization is another one supported by your Rotary dollars.br />  
CHAC’s Mission Statement:  The Community Health Awareness Council exists to provide alternatives to self-destructive behavior and to help create healthy lives for the children of families of Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and surrounding communities.
 
A portion of the program included a very moving and emotional video of personal testimonials to the wonderful work of CHAC.
 
SPECIAL NOTE TO MEMBERSHIP:  This scribe heard only TWO cell phones ring during the meeting; but then I was in the far corner.  Are we getting better or worse at this???  End of editorial!