ISSUE NO. 35 April 11, 2003 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
April 18th is dark due to Good Friday, but we shall reconvene on April 25th to commemorate another important presence…the administrative assistant/secretary/right hand/unsung hero who makes us look good. There will be fun, favors, a fashion show (fellow Rotarians will walk the runway!) and, most of all, an expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts these people make on our behalf. The more the merrier. Bring that special someone for well deserved recognition on April 25th, but do Diane Margolin a favor and let her know beforehand.
Wow
Women often have characteristics in common, but in this case, the first in memory, three remarkable women were the recipients of awards naming them Teacher of the Year, Detective of the Year, and Firefighter of the Year by their host organizations in Santa Monica. Rotarian John Deasy, Superintendent of the Santa Monica/Malibu School District, introduced Mary Hirt as Teacher of the Year. A product of the Santa Monica school system, her accomplishments are awe-inspiring… championship volleyball, recognition as the State’s outstanding physical educator, and physical education teacher of the year. James Butts, honorary Rotarian and Chief of Santa Monica Police, introduced Virginia Obenchain as Detective of the Year. From narcotics and vice to the elite robbery/homicide division, Ms. Obenchain distinguished herself with countless investigations of heinous crimes and followed through to obtain convictions. Chief of the Fire Department, Ettore Berardinelli introduced Sarah Billman as Firefighter of the Year. She not only serves as a firefighter, but also a paramedic. Her skills are not only physical, but organizational, too. She rewrote the training and policy manual so that there would be a comprehensive written reference and ‘how to’ guide for the staff. These women demonstrate that dedication, education, passion for their chosen field, and opportunity are the ingredients for success. Our community is indeed lucky to have them among us.
Heads Up
To the barks and meows of the crowd, Frank Lavac, DVM, gave an insightful invocation. Jay Smith introduced and welcomed visiting Rotarians and guests, and Paul Gaulke was recognized for coordinating today’s events. John Miller was the songmaster while Carol Jackson kept us on key and in tune.
The Welcome Mat
Visiting Rotarians came from near and far. Mr. Noel Develter joined us from Belgium, and gave his gracious thanks for being our guest. Pacific Palisades Club delivered Perry Akins and John Gundersburg. Guests who were welcomed to Santa Monica were Evelyn Guerboian, Mark Smiley, Sarah Billman, Donald Doss, Virginia Obenchain, Jacqueline Seabowl, Mary Hirt, Ettore & Connie Berardinelli, Bruce Davis, Keith Richardson, Jon Aharoni, Brenda Katz, Jessica Overwise, and Reb Wirtz.
And even though it wasn’t a welcome, it was certainly a ‘hello’. Paul Gaulke extended best regards from Hugh Travis, now settled in Baltimore, Maryland.
Another Good Year
Birthday boys and girls must have shown great maturity, for Rosemay Regalbuto let them hold a gun (water, of course) to douse the birthday candle. That selected other Rotarians got spritzed was another indication of great maturity. Happy Day to Andrew Parker, Carol Jackson, Jim Clayton, Paul Gaulke, Dick Hart, Ken Miller, Nat Charnley, Bob Moore, and the birthday poster boy, Bill Hunt.
Of Significance
| Norman Barnes thanked those Rotarians who so willingly read to our school children last week and helped instill in them a love for reading. |
| Sign up sheets for next year’s committees were passed out by Dee Menzies, who asked that we each commit ourselves to an extra-curricular activity for the betterment of our club. |
| Silent auction items for the International Food Fest on April 27th are to be given to Barry Bouley, Oded Wolf and George Collins. Menu items are to be referred to Steve Alexis. |
| The eradication of polio has an incentive package attached. Perry Akins of Pacific Palisades Club has 30 raffle tickets for Santa Monica Rotarians. The money collected will go toward the Polio Plus fund, and the three top prizes are an electric car, $1000, and $500. |
| QUESTION: Who is George Rosenthal? Builder/developer? Yachtsman? Philanthropist? Korean War Veteran? ANSWER: All of the above, and the owner of the Malibu Hills Vineyard named “Rosenthal-The Maliubu Estate”. He produces some of California’s finest wines, right in our neighborhood. Rotary has arranged a chance to spend the afternoon at the estate and meet Mr. Rosenthal and talk and taste wine. It’s coming up on June 8th. Save the date. |
Fine Time
For celebrating the 30 year anniversary of their first date, Hal Quigley was fined $120. (I’m not sure of the math here, but that’s what the man said.)
Jim Butts, honorary member or not, was fined $100 for winning an Emmy Award for his video on teen drinking. That he had to pay $99 to repair the statue when it fell and broke apparently makes it all the more valuable.
The birthday bash got a little out of hand when Paul Gaulke was the first to use his water gun, not to extinguish the birthday candle, but to exact some personal retribution. $50 for that squirt. And on top of that, he’s gonna have to pay another $160 for daughter Joselyn’s election as Student Body President at Louiseville High School.
On The Agenda
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April 18 Dark: Good Friday |
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April 25 Administrative Assistants’ Day/Fashion Show |
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April 27 International Food Festival |
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May 2 Cynthia Stringfield, DVM, Veterinarian for the LA Zoo |
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May 9 Jerrold D. Green, Ph.D. Senior Political Scientist at RAND “Looking Beyond The War in Iraq” |
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. Jonathan Swift