Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org

VETERANS DAY IS BIGGER NOW      

When we observe Veterans Day at our meeting this Friday, we’ll have more to think about.  Because of the attacks on September 11, and the continuing problems with anthrax, all Americans have now become veterans, in a sense.

Past president Jack Siegal will be presiding, and has planned the meeting program.  He says:

"The different type of war that we are in now will result in all Americans becoming veterans, a fact I intend to acknowledge at the start of our program on November 9.  This should make the program even more timely and interesting than in previous years.

“Our speakers, in order, will be Mike Nichols, representing the Army; Allan Young from the Navy; Stan Johnson from the Air Force; Herb Roney from the Marine Corps.  Mike and Allan were in the Vietnam War, Stan served in World War II, and Herb and I were in Korea.

“Our speakers will tell how and why they entered the service, and where they served, along with any special highlights.  But the emphasis will be on what they learned while in the service – about themselves and others, and how it changed them and their lives.

“As an example, I learned quickly in Korea that the other fellow’s race, religion and ethnic and economic background didn’t matter; what was important was whether you could count on that person when the chips were down.  Herb Roney really moved the audience when he spoke on Veterans Day several years ago.  I’m sure Mike, Allan and Stan will do likewise.”

Jack adds a reminder that all veterans should wear their old military uniforms for this meeting, or any part that still fits.

NINE FINE ROTARIANS = $1,296

TAXES ASSESSED THROUGH OCTOBER 26:  $10,711

Ed Moosbrugger was “super taxed” $125 for being described as “super citizen” by Mike Rosenthal.  We all agree.  Ed personifies the memorable saying of Tip O’Neil as Speaker of the House of Representatives:  “It’s good to be nice and it’s nice to be good.”  We miss Ed’s Evening Outlook business articles.

Mike Rosenthal also dubbed our President Hal as “The Man” in another Santa Monica Mirror article.  Our humble president assessed himself a “self tax” of $200.

“The game of golf cannot be won, only played,” as Steve Litvack learned.  Hal taxed him $125 for completing the winner-loser line.  In golf there are no losers.  The real winners were the other members in Steve’s foursome.  This gentleman is a pleasure to be with.  In addition, he prints the Rota-Monica each week with quality and punctuality.

Paul Gaulke won the past president’s perpetual trophy, which cost him a $125 tax.  It’s worth it, isn’t it, Paul, to go down in Santa Monica Rotary golf history?  I joined this esteemed group several years ago, not because of talent but through the liberality of the Callaway scoring system.

Cena Abergel and her husband, Yakov, recently traveled to Israel to attend a wedding.  For this brave deed in troubles times, President Hal taxed Cena $100.  Welcome back.

Erik and Nancy Jorgensborg’s daughter, Haley, continues to ascend with comet speed on the volleyball team at Marymount High School.  We’ll all be cheering for Haley in the city play-offs that begin this week.  And we thank Erik for his $125 Haley Comet Tax.

President Hal applied a Prime Rate Tax on Joyce Khoury (Chase Manhattan) and Philip Tirone (First Capital) $150 each for lending other people’s money at basement bargain rates.  Such rates were never ever expected to be.  Changing times?

Bill and Mildred Bullock recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.  Possibly Bill said to Schiller Colberg “I’ll see you and raise you five.”  Congratulations and thanks for the $66 anniversary tax.

  n Lionel Ruhman

This Wednesday Evening:  Fireside Reception

Soon after new members enter our club, they are guests at a Rotary Information (Fireside) Meeting, where they learn from a group of our past presidents about our club’s history, tradition and organizational structure – and about their own responsibilities as members.

If you receive this issue of the Rota-Monica on Wednesday, November 7, it’s just in time for a reminder to new members that tonight is the night they’re invited to a Fireside Reception at John and Kay Lehne’s home at 3634 Malibu Vista Drive, Malibu.

Past presidents, Rice, Bohn, Fritzche, Lawrence, Lehne, McIntire and Siegal will be the informants.

We Hope They’ll Come Again

Guests of our members at the October 26 meeting were Dwayne King, Karen Mason, Howard Gross, Thomas Hathaway, Constance Abergel, Terry Amerine, Marge Gaulke, Don Burgess, Christine Schenkow and Bruce Lavachek.

YOU’VE PROBABLY KNOW JIM HALJUN A LONG TIME

(One of a series on club officers)

If you’ve been active in community service hereabout, you probably know Dr. James A. Haljun.  You may have teamed up with him.

He might be called widespread.  For thirty years now, Jim has been an active member of local civic enterprises, health work, church work, youth work, professional associations, and business-building groups.  Many have elected him to serve a term as leader.

He’s lived here all his life.  He went through Harvard School, earned is D.D.S. at University of Southern California, and then opened his own dental prosthetics office here in 1970.  (His father was a dentist here.)

Jim joined our club in 1976 and has served on several committees.  This is his third term on the board of directors, where he is secretary this year.  He taught at USC Dental School for ten years as an assistant professor, has served on the board of the Western Los Angeles Dental Association, and as president of the Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry.  In Santa Monica he has been board member and president of the YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce, where he headed the health task force for five years.  In the United Methodist Church here, he has been chairman of the board of trustees.  He also spends time each year helping local children learn to read.

Dr. Jim is one of three percent of dentists who have been invited to join the American College of Dentists, founded to recognize those who make significant contributions to advancing dentistry.  In 1996, during their annual meeting, the ACD voted to award him a fellowship for “work in the advancement of dentistry and dedication to the community.”  In 1999 he was made a fellow in the International College of Dentists.

Jim and his wife, Terry, (a docent at the Getty Museum) have been married 26 years.  They live on Michael Lane in Pacific Palisades.

BIG DATES AHEAD

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