Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

SOME OF HIS BEST FRIENDS ARE SHARKS

            Nine species of shark, some of them nine feet long, are permanent guests at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  They dwell in its Shark Lagoon, where all comers can reach in and “get a sense of what it is like to touch these fascinating animals,” according to aquarium leaflets.  The lagoon is described as an “interactive touch pool” and “hands-on exhibit” assembled to “dispel the myths that sharks are dangerous fearful creatures.”

     Our speaker this Friday can tell us about them.  He is Charles Murphy, recently retired after 33 years as a teacher and principal in public schools, who also served for decades as a part-time Army reserve officer.  Shortly before the aquarium opened in 1997, Murphy volunteered for its Sea Speak bureau to tell audiences about the new institution, and has been an unpaid worker for it ever since

        Sharks are among the 12,000 marine mammals, fishes, invertebrates and birds at the aquarium.  (Yes, birds too.  The place is home of 70 rainbow lorikeets, small parrots from the South Seas, which will land on your hand, shoulder, or even your head.  Murphy can show photos to prove this.)

         Among the creatures at the aquarium are moray eels, sea cucumbers, spiny porcupine fish, barber fish, sea otters, sea dragons and wolf eels.  Did you ever consider what a job it must be to feed these guests every day?  Or to give them medical care?  The aquarium has a full-time resident veterinarian who took years of special training with fish.  He can and does anesthetize a fish, perform surgery including hours of laser treatment if needed, then nurse his patient back to recovery.  Of course, he and the staff also encourage breeding and help with hatching.

        Most of us probably know very little about an aquarium.  Charles Murphy will give us a fascinating imaginary tour.

WE’RE GLAD THAT THEY WERE WITH US

            Guests at our December 7 meeting were Joe Whitcomb, Janet and Gina De Rose, Robert Gough, Laurie Rosenthal, Adriana and Elza Ruhman, Rev. Nat Johnson, Gail Aspinwall, Mary Lois Roney, Brandon Chaber, Greg Trimarche, Mark Hoffman, Aaron Abergel, Blair Brandenberg, Lucille Cayton, Jane Siegal, Kai-li Quigley, Tom McFerson, Maureen Boggs, Dr. Bernard Shah, Dennis McMullen, Wally Hastings, Charles Christensen, Anna Rogers, Victoria Raabe, and Bruce Lavachek.

        At our December 14 meeting, guests were Dragana Kecojevic, Gwen Kirk, Mark Hoffman, Lew Kirk, June Bohn, Pat Collins, Sherril Wood, Mark Alcantar, Oded Wolf, Terry Hargrave, Jamie Menzies, Charles Winthurs and Gail Aspinwall.

ONE FINE DAY =  $1,000

            Taxes assessed through December 7:  $13,611.

          Anthony Van Ruhman, son of Eric and Adriana Ruhman arrived November 17 at St. John’s Hospital.  This little gentleman (our first grandchild) weighs 6 pounds and is 18 inches tall.

          As a Santa Monica Rotary couple of 23 years, Elza and I are delighted to have Anthony become a “Paul Harris Fellow” as a contribution to the world of which is now a member.

          Thank you, President Hal and Santa Monica Rotarians, for the opportunity to introduce our grandson.

                                                                                    --Elza and Lionel Ruhman

SUNRISE: $980 FROM NINE MEMBERS

             The December 14 meeting was our Christmas Party, so there didn’t seem likely to be any time for fines.  However, the planned events ran shorter than anticipated.  President Hal was equal to the occasion.  He quickly thought up vague reasons to impose fines as follows:

 Bob Klein $l00, Carol Jackson $100, Larry Maher $100, Paul Gaulke $l00, Bill Wood $100, Con Oyler $180, Steve Litvack $100, Spryos Dellaportas $100, Allan Young $100.

WE CHOSE THEM LAST MONTH

            Our annual election, held at the December 14 club meeting brought forth the following list of officers and directors, to take office next July: 

                        President  - Bill Crookston

                        President Elect - Dee Menzies

                        Vice President – Tom Loo

                        Vice President – Dave Rimer

                        Secretary – Monika White

                        Treasurer – Bob Klein

                        One-year Director – Stan Fox

                        One-year Director – Bill Randle

                        Two-year Director – Susan Dawson

                        Two-year Director – Jonathan Kemp

                        Holdover Directors – Jim Menzies

                                                     Michael O’Hara                                  (elected a year ago for a two-year term)

FOUR BIG FRIDAYS AHEAD

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