Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

BUSIEST PLACE IN TOWN:  THE LIBRARY

             Just how it happened is lost in time.  But in 1890 the steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie, chose Santa Monica as one of 2,800 towns in the U.S. to which he would give money for the building of a public library.  Just for the building, he stipulated – not for books or upkeep, which Santa Monica must pay for on its own.  (Public libraries were rare then; even the New York City library wasn’t organized until 1895.) 

            Our town’s population in 1890 was 1,580, according to the U.S. census of that year.  It might be considered a tough little place; it had a dozen saloons.  But it also had four churches and a good school, supported by hundreds of public-spirited citizens who settled here because of the broad empty beaches and acreage suitable for development.  They arranged to accept Carnegie’s offer. 

            At this week’s Rotary meeting we’ll hear what our public library has become in the 112 years since it was founded.  Our speaker will be Susan Annett, Principal Librarian in Charge of Public Services.  She may tell us how the library obtained files of a thousand magazines, some with bound volumes dating back a century.  Or how it has been taking books to shut-ins for the past thirty years.  Or who paid for the 45 computers available free to all comers, along with mentors who help people use them.  Or how it schedules its story-telling sessions for kids, and its one-to-one tutoring for illiterate adults. 

            With 350,000 books, the library is bursting out of its $4,500,000 main building at 1343 Sixth Street (financed mostly by taxpayers through a bond issue, plus various other grants) and the branches on Main Street, Ocean Park Boulevard, and Montana Avenue.  The Montana branch closed last October for expansion and renovation that will take about a year.

             (At a recent meeting of our club’s directors, the board agreed that members should be reminded of the importance of steady attendance.  The following message comes to you at the suggestion of President Hal Quigley.)

 ATTEND ** ATTENTION ** ATTENTIVE

             The above are cohesive words that can produce positive results.  Ever since Rotary was founded in 1905, attendance has been considered a part of the price of membership.

             Rotary is a “service club” comprised of invited members of many classifications, a cross-section of citizens respected in the community.  These citizens, acting in concert each week, can carry out the ideal of our founder, Paul Harris:  “Get To Know The Community And Be Of Service As Required.”

             Irregular attendance can leave us less informed about the projects, efforts and accomplishments of our club.  Let’s remember our Rotary sponsors, and make them proud.

             Rotary International minimum attendance requirements:

            1.         Must attend 60% of all scheduled meeting during each six months.

            2.         Must attend 30% of all schedule meetings at our home club.

            3.         Must attend 60% of the meeting’s scheduled 45 minutes

            4.         Must never miss more than four meetings in a row.

            5.         If early departure is needed, please notify the president or the

                        guest speaker.

            Let’s try to do better than the above minimum!

                                                                                      --Lionel G. Ruhman

SIX SUPPORTIVE SUPERS STEP UP

Total taxation through February 8th:  $21,992.

             Some guys are just naturally attractive.  Around 1938 our Bill Bullock was photographed with a Jayne Mansfield type who was helping with a community “Chest” project.  Her name was Mildred.  She married him, which Bill proved by showing us their wedding portrait.  Congratulations to Bill, and thanks for the $66 fine – a dollar per year of their marriage.

            Dr. Dave Rimer (Harrison Ford look-alike) our vice president elect in charge of programs for our 2002-2003 year was taxed $100.  Why?  Because he has been working with and supporting a local “women’s tennis championship.”  If you can put Dave in touch with any interesting and exciting speakers or performers, please let him know, as he’s already working on programs for next July and thereafter.  His phone number is (310) 394-2412.

             One of our club dynamos, Paul Gaulke, got more coverage in a local newspaper.  President Hal charged him $75 for it.  This can be considered part of the price of success. 

            Just “doing what comes naturally” cost Dick Lawrence $100.  Our admiring president called this a community tax. 

            As for Barbara Hopper and Hugh Travis (weren’t they listed as taxpayers just recently?) they were assessed $75 each for “great teamwork.”

                                                                                                             Lionel Ruhman

OUR MEMBERS BROUGHT A FLOCK OF GUESTS

             At our February 8th meeting, these were guests of members:  Eddie O’Rourke, Nicole Baltushes, Mildred Bullock, Winifred Oliff, David Bryan, Dennis Leung,

Chi Leung, Khulan Bayarsaikman, Oded Wolf, Charlene Lawrence, Maria Mosqueda, Adriana Ruhman, Eric Ruhman, Elza Ruhman, Margaret Romo, Barry Romo, and Kai-Li Quigley.

FRIDAY MEETINGS ON OUR CALENDAR