The Mission of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation is to:

Build and Maintain a tribute to U.S. Military Members and Veterans
Honor all U.S. Military Members & Veterans, Past, Present & Future
Educate the Community
Provide Humanitarian Support

MICHAEL FRANGADAKIS, BOARD DIRECTOR

Michael Frangadakis is a Vietnam Vet who served in the 44th Medical Brigade in the highlands of Vietnam. Today he continues service to America through his active reserve duty in the California State Military Reserve where he earned the Non-Commission Officer of the Year Award. Mike serves as a Sergeant First Class in charge of recruiting and retention in Northern California. He is currently the National Guard and Veteran Affairs Commissioner for Santa Clara County, the current President of the West Valley Advisory Board of the Red Cross and the President of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation of Los Gatos. Mike has a career steeped in real estate. With over three decades in the industry, Mike has served as broker, licensed and certified appraiser and CEO of his own business, Realty World - Frangadakis Corporation. His expertise in real estate and appraisals is often called upon for court expert witness requests in the state of California and earned him selection into the Realtors Hall of Fame. Mike has been extensively involved with his community. He serves on the Certified Community Emergency Response Team, is a member of the Saratoga Men's Club, Pan Cretan and the St. Nicolas Greek Orthodox Church. He has been a Los Gatos Rotarian since '78 in which he chairs their Operation Yellow Ribbon Program supporting the Fisher House and Poly Trauma Center of the Palo Alto VA. His personal passion is to support all military Veterans. Mike has been Married to his Wife Liz since 1981 with 3 adult Children.

Rebuilding Together Volunteer Appreciation Night: Taco dinner provided
 
All 700 Volunteers are invited to attend Rebuilding Together Volunteer Appreciation Night at Rebuilding Together Warehouse on Thursday, November 8th from 5-7 PM!  Celebrate with all homeowners and volunteers from all organizations that participated this Fall 2018.  Great opportunity to network & Enjoy tacos and drinks.

Rebuilding Together wants to thank all volunteers for their hard work, support, and dedication, so please stop by. You can RSVP by calling Rebuilding Together office: (408) 578-9519 or responding to this email: volunteer@rebuildingtogethersv.org

Gary Craig Hobbs
Assistant Professor, Art and Art History

“It sounds counterintuitive for a teacher to learn from his students, but I do so every day.”
How can technology and creativity combine to solve some of our planet’s problems? Gary Craig Hobbs believes digital technology may offer solutions. Hobbs challenges his students to explore these issues through the creation of digital media art, computer games and mobile apps. Films, animations, artworks and personal experiences influence designs. The results are as unique as their creators. Hobbs, who grew up near Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the Apollo Mission, vividly recalls viewing initial images of the universe and how it prompted his own dreams of flight. Today, he partners with students to create a world with a brighter future.

Hobbs received his BFA from California Institute of the Arts and his MFA from the Digital Arts and New Media program at University of California, Santa Cruz. From 2009-2012, he lectured at the University of California, Santa Cruz and California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco, and is currently Assistant Professor in Art and Art History at San Jose State University.

Once a month our Rotarians prepare food and serve those in need at Saint Luke's church in Los Gatos. This program was actually started back in the 1990's when one of our Rotarians saw a need to provide Food and Shelter for the Homeless. Today Saint Luke's church not only partners with our club, but others who help fund this on-going program. They serve every Tuesday at 10am. Rotarians are encouraged to serve and talk with those recieving the food. 

Rotary presents opening night of Fantastic Beasts; Crimes of Grindelwald a Warner Brother picture; second of five in all new adventures in J.K. Rowlings Wizarding World. 

Let's fill all the seats with your co-workers, family, and friends.  Proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. They keep families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need. 

Tickets will be sold at our club meetings or you can email Dan and let him know how many seats you want. Your Rotary member credit card will be charged.  Guests, friends, or you can also purchase tickets on our website (through ticketleap). See home page ticket link. 

Cost is $40/pp
            $35 for 12 and under

Holiday Wish Drive for a child who is sponsored by the Family Giving Tree;

Nov 20 & 27:  Select a wish card - take as many as you want to shop for

Nov 27 & Dec 2: Return your "Unwrapped gift, with tag attached" at meeting or Presidents Brunch

Dec. 11:  Help Deliver all the gifts to the Family Giving Tree Warehouse

Family Giving Tree Vision: Envisions a world where every child is made to feel like a valuable and empowered part of their community through a shared belief in the power of giving.

Matt Morley, the public works director of Los Gatos will discuss beach traffic, North 40 plans and Blossom Hill project.  

Our Club will have an Offical Car and carrying a banner that says Los Gatos Rotary. Last year we had several members & their families walk behind the car show casing our 2 largest fundraisers (Great Race & CrabFest) and that we are People of Action.  

//Join us and walk in the parade: We are #42 in lineup at 10:30am//
- text or call Amy Potts (208)4075087

VIEW our photos from 2017

If you can walk, you will need to arrive 10am in the spot assigned to our club once that is provided. 

More about the Parade: 
The 62nd Annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas/Holidays Parade is sponsored by the Los Gatos Lions Club & LGS Recreation, in cooperation with the Town of Los Gatos and Los Gatos High School 

Parade Route:
Starts at N.Santa Cruz/Almendra Av. - wraps to W Main Street - ends at Church Street. (nice stroll, not too long)

Launch the holiday season with Los Gatos Rotarians and their significant others for this festive event at beautiful LaRinconada Country Club.  Not just for past presidents - all rotarians are encouraged to attend. Last year 17 past presidents attended so it was a nice time to honor their service & leadership. 

Club DARK on Tuesday Dec. 4th so that you can attend the annual Presidents Brunch the sunday BEFORE this day:

About Presidents Brunch:
Kick off the Holiday season with Los Gatos Rotarians and their Significant others.  In 2017 we had wonderful performers, a delicious meal, and 17 of our past club Presidents attend. 

Enjoy the talented youth at RJ Fisher and help us get into the holiday spirit. 

For all Rotarians in District 5170. This is a first class leadership training course designed for volunteer based programs but the skills you learn can be applied to your job and life beyond Rotary. 

Register HERE: (space is limited)

Los Gatos Lodge
$20 (includes light breakfast and lunch)

Speaker: John Lipp 

Volunteer energy and passion can change the world. But it doesn’t happen without skilled and thoughtful leadership. This interactive workshop provides leaders with best practices and hands-on tools to mobilize their volunteer base and drive their mission forward.

Topics include: understanding volunteer motivation, recruitment, retention, recognition, situational leadership, and conflict management. Participants will review the latest trends impacting the world of service, and develop practical solutions to their individual volunteer recruitment, retention and leadership challenges.

After attending this workshop, participants will know how to:

• Translate proven leadership principles to volunteer-based organizations
• Use motivation theory to improve volunteer impact and retention
• Design volunteer and membership recruitment campaigns to target a new generation of volunteer leaders
• Manage “difficult” volunteer behaviors before they undermine your project
• Create a “culture of appreciation” that makes all volunteers feel appreciated and valued
• Use storytelling to inspire others to give time and money

John Lipp is a National leader with comprehensive experience in all areas of nonprofit administration, including fundraising, executive leadership, governance, community engagement and program development. Global thought leader, author, and speaker with a proven ability to lead and motivate paid and volunteer staff. Mission driven, relationship-oriented and committed to positive social change.

Chie Kawahara organizes green home tours to help architects and homeowners experience the comfort of science based energy efficient homes. As a member of Santa Cruz Downtown Toastmasters, she speaks about conserving water and energy at the home. In her prior career, she managed information technology implementation projects. Chie Kawahara received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from University of Hawaii and a masters of business administration degree from San Francisco State University. She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and enjoys trail running, baking, and playing flute.

Website: http://midorihaus.com

Rob Tufel, Executive Director of Cancer CAREpoint as well as Kevin Dowling from Habitat for Humanity 
 

Highlights of Modern Astrophysics and Cosmology

Dr. Edwin F. Erickson, NASA Ames Research Center, Ret.

From Exoplanets to Gravitational Waves, from Black Holes to the Cosmic Microwave Background, from Dark Matter to Dark Energy – modern observations are revealing exciting details of these and other phenomena of fundamental astronomical significance.  As technical capabilities extend our limits of perception, theoretical astrophysicists strive to interpret the observations, elevating our understanding of – and raising intriguing questions about – the origin, the evolution, and the future of the Universe:  Cosmology. 

Successful theories not only describe and explain what is observed, but predict as yet unseen and even unobservable features of nature.  Driven by curiosity, the astronomers and physicists  are pursuing development of new facilities and ideas to further extend our limited perception and understanding.  The talk will describe some basic Physics principles and their application to astronomy, to demonstrate some of what we know, how we know it, and what we don’t know.  

• Local youth leadership, scholarship, and service clubs
• Local charities, grants and community services
• International service projects

• Crab, Crab, Crab, Crab
• Soup, Salad, Bread
• Pasta (vegetarian)
• Dessert

The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors, and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities. In San Jose and other offices across the country, the IRC helps them to rebuild their lives.

• To increase the personal knowledge and awareness of the importance of being able to speak effectively before a group.
• To increase public knowledge of what Rotary is and does throughout the world, especially among young people.  Through this knowledge, we hope that they will learn, as we have in the past,  “He who serves best profits most.”
• To increase participation in the contest and to provide all high school contestants an opportunity to win prizes as top speaker, or runners-up, in District 5170.

Share your love by volunteering on Valentines day at Los Gatos High.  

You can help LGHS Interact students make blankets for Jake's wish dog rescue organization.

No experience needed, you will love spending time with the youth and know that you helped not only them but dogs in the Bay area.  

Time: 2:05pm - 3:30pm
Location: meet in Los Gatos High School Administration offices
                Tina will take you to classroom
                If there is parking in High school court you can park there or in front of  
                school in 90 min. parking 

Contact: Tina for more details

"Seeing Again-Eye Care Guatemala" is an ongoing medical and surgical mission project at the Clinica Maxeña in Santo Tómas La Unión,  sponsored by the Diocese of Helena, Montana and the Los Gatos and Santa Cruz California Rotary Clubs.  Its purpose is to save and restore sight to a very needy indigenous population in Guatemala. 

Voluteer opportunity - Tuesday 9:30am - 10:30am
Bring food or come to serve.
 

Once a month our Rotarians prepare food and serve it at Saint Luke's church in Los Gatos. This program was actually started back in the 1990's when one of our Rotarians saw a need to provide food and Shelter for the homeless. Today St. Luke's church not only partners with our club, but others to help fund this on-going program. They provide serve every Tuesday at 10am.

Tim Elias is the outreach coordinator for Waste Connections.  He has a bachelors degree in environmental sustainability from University of Oaklahoma. 

Kate Angshing is in charge of fundraising for and managing the Lamling Vista Elementary School in Vennyei’s village in rural Nagaland, India. Kate graduated from UC Davis in 2006 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. She met her husband on a medical mission trip to India in 2005 and has returned to India several times since then.  Kate & her husband are both passionate about youth empowerment, social justice, and public health.

Our club continues to provide financial support for teacher salary and school supplies.  

For more information on Lamling Vista and Sahaya International click here

Jenny Anderson, LGUSD music teacher and department head will present the RJ Fisher Jazz band.

Raymond J. Fisher middle school in Los Gatos has an outstanding music program. They offer three bands, three orchestras, and three choirs. Students audition for each one: Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, and Sing A Cappella Choir.  Many students also participate in Solo and Ensemble. These ensembles allow students to play multiple instruments with the chance to explore all of their musical interests. 

The Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC) is designed to help develop leadership and presentation skills of 96 industrious high school juniors from throughout Silicon Valley. It is an innovative, informative and interactive experience that provides a strong foundation for college business courses. In this comprehensive introduction to developing a business plan, students are challenged to be visionary, creative, analytical, and competitive as they devise viable business opportunities in a team environment.

What is it

• 96 students (48 young men and 48 young women) segmented into 12, 8-person business leadership teams
• Representing 30+ high schools in San Jose and Los Gatos
• 3 days of team building and skill development activities

What do they learn

• Principles of a competitive business enterprise
• Essentials of a business plan
• Requisites of a marketing strategy
• Elements of business finance
• Components of Human Resources

What they obtain

• Self confidence
• Leadership skills
• Team building skills
• Oral presentation skills
• New friendships

Los Gatos High has a service oriented club called Interact it is sponsored by our Rotary club.   Interact students meet once a week for lunch and organize community service projects, raise funds, and work alongside Rotary on service projects.  As well are part of District 5170 Interact organization and raise funds for the project that is presented at the beginning of each school year. 

* Intearct District 5170 is one of the largest in the world and are part of Rotary International Youth Services

While Interact clubs receive some financial assistance from Rotary clubs & guidance, they govern and support themselves and are included in Rotary International’s “Youth Services” Avenue of Service.

Interact students will bring baked goods as well as offer other services such as yard work, pet sitting, or tutoring. 

District 5170 Training Assembly
West Valley Community College, 14000 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 8 AM - 2 PM

DTA Club Registration Instructions – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
1. To coordinate registration sign-up we recommend:
a. Clubs Register as a Group.
b. Each club assign A Primary Club Contact.
c. The Primary Club Contact might be the club secretary or treasurer.
d. The Primary Club Contact is responsible for processing payment of registration fee
of $49 per club member and is customarily paid by the club.
e. Full Registration fee of $49 required whether or not member attends lunch.
2. Do NOT wait to register names! Building the registration numbers as they are collected insures forum room assignments and minimizes errors due to delays.
a. Do not worry about duplicates as the database prevents duplication of names.
3. Registration fee is customarily paid by the club.
4. Registration fees are NOT required at time of registration but are due at the event or with the final registration list.
5. Changes to registration, either member cancellations or member additions should be submitted to Registrar in advance if possible.
6. Registered names can also be swapped with another member after submitted to registrar.
7. E-mail registration list to: admin@rotarydistrict5170.org or Fax to (408) 273-4555 see below.
8. Advance notification of swapped names will ensure printed badge name.
9. Late registrations are accepted at the event, but badge name will not be typed.
10. Final list of registered names must be submitted to District Administrator/Registrar on or before April 9th. No refunds for cancellations received after April 13th at 5 PM.
11. Methods for registration:
a. Print and complete attached DTA Registration and Instruction form. Or download
forms from District website at www.rotarydistrict5170.org .
i. Distribute registration form during club meeting. Instruct club members to
print name and club role.
ii. Scan and E-mail completed registration form to:
admin@rotarydistrict5170.org OR
iii. Fax the completed registration form to (408) 273-4555.
1. Note on fax cover: Attention: Rotary District 5170.
2. Send in weekly or after multiple entries.
12. Additional questions: Contact – Olivia Poe, District Administrator/Registrar
   (408) 273-4577 or admin@rotarydistrict5170.org.

Speakers: from Lucille Packard Foundation for Children’s Health

- Megan Alpers-Raschefsky, Associate Director, Development Communications,
- Caitlin Burns, Community Relations Associate, 

Mission

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health works in alignment with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the child health programs of Stanford University School of Medicine. Our mission is to elevate the priority of children's health, and increase the quality and accessibility of children's health care through leadership and direct investment.

As District Attorney, Mr. Rosen created an innovative and nationally acclaimed Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate innocence claims and implement the most professional practices in criminal prosecution.  

One of the state's most forward-thinking District Attorneys, Jeff Rosen of Santa Clara County, discusses the paradigm shift happening -- and needed -- in California's justice approaches.

Since arriving in the Bay Area, Mr. Rosen has served as president of a large synagogue, taught trial advocacy at Santa Clara University Law School, and trained police officers in report-writing.

Mr. Rosen received his undergraduate degree from UCLA where he majored in Philosophy and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He also won the prestigious Truman Scholarship and the Outstanding Senior Award. Mr. Rosen received his law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, where he served on the Moot Court Board and taught English to immigrants.

Mr. Rosen's wife serves as a Mr. Rosen's wife serves as a Superior Court Judge for the State of California.  They have two daughters.

Mr. Rosen enjoys playing sports, reading, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

An admirer of President Harry Truman, Mr. Rosen believes, "The buck stops here."

With only 5 days away from Race day which is Sunday April 29th everyone will know what they were assigned as it is ALL hands on deck to make this Fundraiser happen.  If you will be out of town please let Mike know and he can give you a project you can do to help out without being present on race day.  

Register: At start of RACE - 14500 Big Basin Way, Saratoga CA

On April 28, 2019, the Rotary Club of Los Gatos presents the 42nd Annual Great Race, a scenic footrace/walk from Saratoga to Los Gatos. Since 1978 this community event has taken participants from the South Bay and beyond 4-miles down Highway 9 from Big Basin Way in Saratoga to N. Santa Cruz Ave. in Los Gatos.

Start time is 8:30AM. 

Also we are continuing complimentary access to photos taken at the event by professional photographers. You will  be able to download- at no cost- all individual and group photos and shots of you breaking away from the pack! Keep those cell phones in your pocket and let a professional take photos this year. This is a $20-$50 option at most races that is included to enhance your race experience.

The event is great for racers, joggers, walkers and families. Special rate for kids 12 and under. Proceeds support Rotary's youth and community projects.

“Short Hair Detention” chronicles Laux’s experiences as a survivor of the Khmer Rouge. Complete with emotional narrative from the perspective of a young teenage girl, Laux candidly discusses her life that was dictated by fear throughout the four years she endured the Cambodian genocide. 

About the author 
Channy Chhi Laux was just 13 when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. In 1979, Laux immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee. Without knowing a word of English, she attended high school in Lincoln, Nebraska, and earned two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree. Laux worked as an engineer in the aerospace and biotech industries for 30 years.

For more information, please visit ShortHairDetention.com