ISSUE NO. 36 April 25, 2003 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
The animal lovers among us will have a field day on Friday, May 2nd, when Cynthia E. Stringfield, DVM, will speak to us about her experiences as Chief Veterinarian at the Los Angeles Zoo. Her experience includes birds (wild raptors such as owls, hawks, eagles and vultures), reptiles, land and marine mammals (California sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals), as well as treatment of beached cetaceans (those are whales). From their nutrition to their environment to wildlife conservation, Dr. Stringfield will surely bring us an informed perspective of our furry, winged and wet friends.
Strut Your Stuff
The administrative assistants and secretaries for whom today’s program was designed got a special treat when Rotary stars walked the runway for our viewing pleasure. Emcee Brent Seltzer energetically highlighted the physical attributes of Jim Haljun, Gwen Kirk, Nat Trives, Rosemary Regalbuto, Isabel Vivier, Herb Roney, Harman Sieff and Karen Baker as they modeled fashions by Ames on Montana and Weathervane on Montana. And then there was that surprise beauty, the one who evoked oohs and aahs upon entry into the ballroom. There was whispered speculation about the identity of this vision…the hourglass figure, the fetching blond hair. It took a few moments to realize that the come-hither looks were being cast from…John Lehne. Watch out vamps! Thanks to Diane Margolin and Norma Barnes, Patricia Farris, Barry Bouley and George Collins for producing such an entertaining afternoon.
Heads Up
To the barks and meows of the crowd, Frank Lavac, DVM, gave another insightful invocation. Mike Hyler introduced and welcomed visiting Rotarians and guests. John Miller was the songmaster while Carol Jackson tickled the ivories. Special thanks were extended to Club Executive Secretary Linda Gray.
The Welcome Mat
Many guests were present today to have expressed to them well deserved appreciation for their role as administrative assistants and secretaries. Guests of Rotarians were also welcomed: Ilyn De Guzman, Lewis Kirk, Barbara Hopper, Kay Lehne, Virginia Spurgin, Edie Margolin, Brenda Katz, Susan Norton, Rev. E. Keith Richardson, Marya and Sara Geanopolulos, Linda Geiskie, Elza Ruhman and Jeannette Mohr.
Of Significance
| Incoming President Dee Menzies thanked us for our anticipated involvement, and reminded us to sign up for next year’s committees and declare our financial support for the betterment of our club. Do the right thing because now’s the time to commit ourselves to Service Above Self. |
| One thing is for sure: Rotarians are generous when it comes to purchasing wheelchairs for those in need. Our Club has purchased 151 wheelchairs, which deserves a round of applause. And there’s more. According to Dick Rice, here’s your chance to participate in an international humanitarian project. The Wheelchair Foundation will be distributing 240 wheelchairs in our sister city of Mazatlan June 11th through June 14th. We have been invited to participate in the delivery of these chairs into the homes of the recipients in Mazatlan. Hotel rooms at the Playa Mazatlan are available for a discounted rate of $84, and arrangements for group meals can be made. For more information about this chance of a Rotary lifetime, airfares on Alaska Airlines, or any other detail, call either Dick Rice at 451-2200 or Linda Grant at the Wheelchair Foundation at (605) 574-0520. |
| The Give of Yourself Committee reminds all of us that April is National Donate Life Month. Carol Jackson, who has personal knowledge of the blessings donated organs can bring, urges us to make arrangements to donate our organs. It’s simple. Put the pink dot on your driver’s license. Let your family know of your decision to be an organ donor. Remember that it’s your family, or the person closest to you, who will be making the decision at the critical time. One donor can help more than 50 people with organs and tissue. Please consider making this ultimate gift. |
| Members of Rotary were given a thank you note “for the books, for reading to us, trying to make sure we can learn to read. Rotary is always doing good things for children. But we have one more important favor to ask. Even though it’s good to read, it would be better if we weren’t permanently crippled or breathing in iron lungs. Please Rotary, help make sure that no child is stricken with polio. We know you give money for vaccines, but we can’t be sure that polio won’t end up back in our country with so many travelers going around the world and back again. We know that Rotary never stops caring and doing so much for so many. If you can save the world’s children from polio, you will have made your greatest achievement.” Signed: Everybody’s Children |
| George Rosenthal is the Malibu wine maven who is opening his estate on June 8th to the first 25 Rotarians who sign up for a tour and tasting. The fee is a discounted $15 for the experience, which will start at 1:00 PM and last until 4:00 PM. If there is sufficient interest, a second tour and tasting will be scheduled in the future. Contact Dave Rimer for more information. |
| Thanks were expressed by the family of Bruce Blickensderfer for Rotary’s donation to the Boys & Girls Club made in his memory. |
On The Agenda
|
May 2 Cynthia Stringfield, DVM, Veterinarian for the LA Zoo |
|
May 9 Jerrold D. Green, Ph.D. Senior Political Scientist at RAND “Looking Beyond The War in Iraq” |
|
May 16 Craft Talks |
|
May 23 Dark: Memorial Day |
Nearly all people can stand adversity, but if you want to test their character, give them power. (with apologies to) Abraham Lincoln