ISSUE NO. 10 September 27, 2002 OUR 81st YEAR
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Coming Our Way
Former Mayor of Los Angeles, Richard Riordan, will be our speaker on October 4th, and it should prove to be a most enlightening presentation. With elections on the horizon, his insider perspective lends him a unique vantage point. But if Mr. Riordan should prefer to discuss his other interests, there will be plenty more to hear. The “Rx for Reading” program is The Riordan Foundation’s legacy. That Foundation has distributed 20,000 computers to more than 2,000 schools in 40 states, and provided funds for 112,000 books to be purchased for elementary classroom libraries. The “Recretional Reading Mini-Grant Program” was designed for kids with limited access to books, and it awards $1,000 grants to teachers to help them create a library inside their classrooms. With this level of commitment to the education of children, and his political expertise, we’re in for an important learning experience of our own.
A Magic Touch
OK, show of hands. How many Rotarians wished they could have Gary Vitti’s job for 24 hours? You know, the one where you get to spend the day horsing around with Shaq and dodging his antics as ‘cop-to-be’, and watching play-by-play videos in Phil Jackson’s War Room. The fantasy is a dream, of course, because Gary himself described it not as a job, but a lifestyle, because it consumes him 24/7. And it shows. His enthusiasm for being the LA Lakers athletic trainer is infectious. His impressive credentials…six NBA championships…19 seasons as team trainer…are understandable in this context. But he’s more than the glamor and the glory. Gary gives back to his community. He’s interested in organ and tissue donation and is on the board of a project that treats kids of battered women. He even played Little League for Rotary as a kid. His Lakers may have the size, but he’s got the big heart. It makes real his opening statement, “The key to happiness is gratitude.”
Heads Up
Lending distinction to the head table were Tim Shannon, O.D., to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests; Rick Kennedy, MD, to introduce featured speaker Gary Vitti,; Kathy Dodson representing new members; and Rev. Joe Metoyer, Jr., to give the invocation.
Of Significance
• Past President Hal Quigley reminded us to return our Paul Harris Fellowship opportunity drawing tickets and $100 checks to keep the coffers of the matching fund program filled. Intake isn’t keeping up with outflow. Rotarians, there are scholarships out there that will never be realized unless you help.
• Coastal Clean Up Day was a big success, and we have Tim Shannon to thank for it. Joining Rotarians Dick & Char Lawrence, Eric Schmitter, Paul & Marilyn Leoni, and Steve Alexis in the quest for a healthier environment, 7,500 volunteers showed up on September 21st and picked up trash all along the beach from Malibu to Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. Brian West had the van and provided coffee and donuts. Altogether, almost 100,000 pounds of recyclables were picked up. Tim, re-usable hats off to you.
• Scratch golfers and duffers alike are encouraged to contact Bill Aspinwall to sign up for the tournament in Ojai Valley. Forty players (10 foursomes) are needed. The date is October 16th and tee-time is noon. Take the day off and do a good deed.
• Ever wish you could get a copy of the Santa Monica Bay coffee-table book without having to speak publicly before our Club to do so? Now’s your chance. For the discounted price of $35 cash upfront, Rotarians can have their own edition. Contact Barbara Hopper. Pay her. Wait patiently. You’ll be notified when they’ve arrived.
The Welcome Mat
New member Michelle Schrader was welcomed to the the Club. Other guests receiving a rousing Rotarian welcome were Mejoi Kim, Carol Cunney, Masahiko Tamaka, Bret Carter, and Cindy Bailey.
Fine Time
As if tuition weren’t enough, Con Oiler will have to pay $100 for his daughter Caitlen’s prowess at the University of Miami. She’s a soccer star there, so her proud papa isn’t complaining.
The Colberg dynasty continues. Kent and Schiller have given their genes to the young man who’s earned straight A’s, earned an Eagle Scout designation, and received a full scholarship to the University of Virginia. $100 each, please, and your secrets for success.
This is not a thorny issue. Charlie Follette’s $100 fine is simply because he takes trips to Holland to look for the perfect flowers for his nursery.
Klaus Mennekes won’t have to pay anything more than beloved Kathryn Elder’s wages today. Don’t ask.
And More…
Parents of adolescents should have known this one, but it was Jonathan Kemp who got it right and enjoyed Barb Hopper’s baked goodies prize: “Tick Tack” and “Walking the Dog” refer to skateboarding stunts.
Thanks to Steve Litvack for printing the updated roster pages. And naturally, to the indefatigable Barbara Hopper, for keeping track of them.
• By the numbers: Europe has become the third World Health Organization region of the world where the transmission of the poliovirus has been interrupted.
• Rotary clubs have added almost 55,000 new members to their rolls during 2001-2002, bringing membership worldwide to 1,243,431. This is quite a feat, considering the efforts underway to attract new, younger members, especially since membership is based on vocations. It starts by members introducing their children to the tenets of Rotary and ‘sowing the seeds’ over time.
• Remember the Rotary International Convention in June 2003 in Brisbane, Australia. Tour packages can be arranged.
• Over the next two years, Rotarians will be preparing for one of the major milestones in Rotary history: our centennial celebration, which will be commemorated throughout the 2004-2005 year. Stay tuned. n The
Agenda
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October 4 Richard Riordan, Former Mayor, Los Angeles |
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October 11 Jim Gottfurst “The Psychology of Money: A New Way to Enhance Success” |
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October 18 Harvey Stromberg, Professor of Political Science, Santa Monica College “Behind the Headlines” |
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October 25 Govenor Rick Mendoza re: Rotary, and Paul Netzel, re: The Rotary Foundation |
Just Joey
My dear husband snores. Loud and often. The other night I jostled him to interrupt his sleep pattern. He was startled awake and asked, “What’s the matter?” I said, “You’re snoring.” As he settled back into sleep, he mumbled, “I’m not snoring. I’m reading, and I’m turning the pages with my breath.”