Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

 

ISSUE NO. 7                                 AUGUST 17, 2001                                   OUR 80th YEAR

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org

 

THINK BETTER, FEEL BETTER

 

Around 1785 a physician named Franz Mesmer helped a few patients by talking them into a sleeplike trance, then telling them they felt fine. Sometimes the results (like warts that disappeared) were impressive. But Mesmer never explained his methods. 

Subsequently other doctors experimented with a technique that came to be called hypnotism (after the Greek word for “putting to sleep.”) Sigmund Freud used hypnotism in psychoanalysis. He and others found that most people couldn’t be hypnotized, even when trying to cooperate, but suggestible patients sometimes were relieved of pain and even of illness. 

In our time hypnotism has been woven into medical literature and into show business. We’ve all seen hypnotist-entertainers. Most of us know one or two doctors and dentists who use hypnosis as a form of anesthesia, or as a help in treatment. 

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis trains and certifies some medical practitioners. Among them is our speaker today, Dr. Bruce Goldberg. He holds three college degrees including a 1984 master’s in counseling psychology from Loyola College. 

In 1989 he retired from dentistry to become a full-time speaker and writer. He has appeared on a dozen television shows, and published two books. He’ll speak to us on “Overcoming Phobias.” 

 


MENTIONED MEMBERS AND MERRIMENT = $350

 

(Taxes collected to date: $2,150.00) 

Our famine Number One Pico man Klaus Mennekes (first at Casa del Mar) paid us a $100 motor tax for buying his first motorcycle. Just another Rotarian following his free adventurous spirit, as President Hal did in his youthful days. Congratulations, Klaus, be safe and enjoy the excitement. 

Nat Trives, Dee Menzies and Gee-Shin Lee were “ambassador taxed” $25 apiece for attending a national assembly in New Orleans. This gathering occurs every five years and must be very productive, to judge from our samples of those in attendance. Incidentally, our new YMCA building is taking shape beautifully. 

WHAT GOES AROUND, ETC. President Hal seized the chance to levy a $75 revenge tax against Past President Herb Roney, who had assessed unmerciful fines on him while in office. To Herb: Even if you wife “is crazy” about you, that is only one person’s opinion. It does not lessen the tax. As a retired dean of Santa Monica College you can well afford it, but if your wife is truly crazy about you, no doubt you can persuade her to pay it. 

I am at a loss for words about Marvin Martinez, our SMC administrator and new Rotarian, eluding the blissful bonds of matrimony for so many years. According to his own happy report, he and his fiancée of fifteen years are getting along well and enjoying their adventure through life. That’s what counts. Marvin: keep happy, work your own time schedule, and don’t rush into anything. We thank you for the $100 deliberation tax. Please pay promptly.

 

-- Lionel Ruhman

 

COMING SOON

 

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Friday, August 24      - “Elder Care” by Bunni Dybnis of LivHome

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Friday, August 31       - DARK, Labor Day week-end

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Friday, September 7  - “The New L.A. Cathedral” by Rev. Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik

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Friday, September 14 - “The Dance Doctor” by Tom Wilson

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Thursday, October 24 - Rotary Golf Outing – being held at Tierra Rejada in Moorpark

  

 

ONWARD WITH ROTARACT

By Bill Crookston

 

Rotaract, our club-sponsored organization for Santa Monica College students, recently completed another school year of activity. Santa Monica Rotarians should be proud of it. 

Thanks to Lynette Shishedo for her involvement over the past four years. As business professor at SMC, Lynette takes responsibility for encouraging student involvement. 

You may have seen some of the students working on our projects: Shots for Tots, Police Thanksgiving Feast, Beach Clean-Up Day and others. The International Rotaract charter mandates at least four hours of community service per semester for members. Students can also find other ways to service in various Westside civic activities. 

This past year our club treasurer Hugh Travis scraped up funds for Rotaract T-shirts, so the members are identified when they are in the community. 

During the semester Rotaract holds business-education meetings every other Tuesday on campus. Many members have told about themselves in miniature craft talks. 

A pay-off for Rotaract comes in a sponsored end-of-the-year banquet, where student leaders and Rotarians can salute each other. Tony P’s was the site in June. 

Vivian Rivas, who was president last year, went on to become our Rotaract Governor. She spoke at the district breakfast meeting and at our Friday meeting. Her parents came to our meeting. They are proud of their 21-year-old. We all are. 

In her talks, Vivian especially praised the convention workshops as useful and inspirational.

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