ISSUE NO. 45 June 21, 2002 OUR 80th YEAR
ww.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
HERE COMES TROUBLE?
There’s a worsening shortage of medical care all over the country. Too few doctors… too little medical space…medications as costly as ten dollars per pill. These problems aren’t new. For a long time, Dr. Richard E. Corlin has been in a position to watch them grow. He’ll tell us about them at our Rotary meeting this Friday.
Dr. Corlin is a Santa Monica physician, but he is also currently president and spokesman of the American Medical Association, in which he has been active for 20 years. He served five years as speaker of its house of delegates. He is also a longtime faculty member of the UCLA School of Medicine.
Of our many medical problems, the most worrisome to Dr. Corlin are gunshot wounds and the need for tighter laws about guns. When he was inaugurated as AMA president, the topic of his speech was “Gun Violence and Tort Reform,” and he’ll likely dwell on these during part of his talk to us.
Dr. Corlin is noted as a vivid and informative talker. He always “wings it,” as he says, rather than use a manuscript. Obviously his talk should give us food for thought.
AN OUTSIDER LOOKS AT US
“A club known for backslapping lunches emerges as a key ally in the war on terror,” wrote Mike Conklin recently. It was the start of an article in the Chicago Tribune, the big daily paper for which he is a star reporter. The Rotarian reprinted his report with permission.
Conklin went on: “It is an unlikely war that the U.S. has been fighting. One of our allies is about as improbable a partner as you could imagine, namely that bastion of business-minded boosterism, Rotary International.
“Yes, that Rotary. The same middle-America institution that summons mental associations with George Babbitt and whose lapel-pin wearing members meet weekly for lunch and award scholarships to local high school students.
“As it happens, Rotary is one of the most popular organizations in Pakistan, where it has 84 active chapters and 2,300 members (5 percent of them women). A Rotarian in Pakistan who oversaw the latest polio initiative says 5,000 immunization centers are being established…we are also providing blankets, food and other provisions for refugees from Afghanistan…
“Rotary will spend nearly $25 million this year on scholarships for college students – the largest privately funded program for such grants in the world, ranking alongside prestigious names such as Fulbright, Carnegie and Gates.”
JUNE 7TH – ANOTHER TAXING EXPERIENCE
Jack Gregory, Paul Harris Fellow and 22-year Rotarian, went vacationing in Hawaii and paid us a pleasure tax of $125 for the trip. This certified financial planner has served Rotary with distinction as VP, director, treasurer, and chairman of various committees. Thanks for you dedication, Jack.
CPA Phil Whiting was honored by president Hal, CPA, for reaching Golden Veteran status (50 years) as a CPA. This noteworthy achievement cost Phil $100. For more about this special man, Rotarians can refer to Phil’s page in our Rotary roster book.
Marvin and Ruth Levin have been married 54 years. Each was taxed $54.00 Congratulations to a truly great couple.
Jim and Lucille Cayton were recognized on the society page of the Crystal Cruise newspaper. These accomplished travelers are enjoying the fruits of their labors as retired founders of Jim’s louver drape corporation. Best wishes from your Rotary friends.
Bob and Louise Gabriel have completed a beautiful home in Santa Monica. We are all happy for this hard working couple, and grateful for the $125 property tax, which President Hal assessed.
--Lionel Ruhman
You are cordially invited to attend an Aloha Luau!
Join the festivities as we say “Aloha” to Tax Collector, Hal Quigley and “ Welcome” Enterprising Entrepreneur,Bill Crookston
Friday, June 28, 2002
The Riviera Country Club
1250 Capri Drive
Pacific Palisades
No Host Bar Dinner & Entertainment 7:30 PM
Hors d’oeuvres 6:30 PM Informal Hawaiian Attire
R.S.V.P. by June 20, 2002 No shorts or jeans
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
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DARK on July 5th |
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July 12th - Joel Kotkin, author of "The New Geography". How the digital revolution is reshaping the American landscape. |
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July 19th - Jack Riley, Ph.D. Rand director, Criminal Justice. "Gun Control and Violence, LA". |
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July 26th - Gil Garcetti. The need for us to reinvent ourselves in the world of terrorism. |
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August 2nd - craft talks. |