ISSUE NO. 26 February 7, 2003 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
| Lovers are in luck. The Valentine’s Day speaker, George Vasquez, happens to be the penultimate expert in orchids. He and his father Amado, of Malibu’s Zuma Canyon Orchids, developed this premier orchid house such that George is one of only 400 people deemed qualified to be a judge of American Orchid Society events. Zuma Canyon hosts nearly 5,000 hybrids in a rainbow of colors and species of phalaenopsis, the moth orchid. More good news. An anonymous donor, surely a lover at heart, has purchased all the orchids that will be on display at our meeting, and has donated them for our silent auction. Bidding for these beauties will be held before the meeting and immediately after Mr. Vasquez’ presentation. Make a reservation in advance to bring your heartmate to our meeting on February 14th, and enjoy the beauty of extraordinary orchids that the high bidder can proudly take home. |
| Friday, February 28th, will be another memorable day, as Rotary International Past President, Richard D. King, will be our featured speaker. It will be the first time this dynamo will address our Rotary Club, and his special interest, the Wheelchair Foundation, will be emphasized to us in a video entitled, “I Want To Live”. Make a reservation to bring a guest to this important presentation. |
Members of our Club can donate a wheelchair for $75 (a matching donation of $75 will be made by the Santa Monica Rotary Foundation, because each wheelchair costs $150.) Rotarians worldwide have already donated 40,000 wheelchairs in 40 countries, but nonetheless, more are needed. Make a difference and make your checks payable to The Wheelchair Foundation in multiples of $75 so that our legacy continues to thrive. If you include your address with your donation, you’ll receive a photo of the grateful recipient of “your” wheelchair. Giving our past RI president a huge check for this worthy endeavor will be a gift fit for a King.
On Becoming Smart
John Deasy, Superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu School District, knows all about becoming smart, because his advocacy of access and school reform resonate from his very being. He dismisses the platitudes of ‘leave no child behind’ and ‘it takes a village’, when in practice, children are segregated into learning paths at an early age that predetermine their access to quality education for their lifetimes. His belief that one is not born smart, but becomes smart, is the basic premise that he requires from the teachers in his district who must make the effort to evaluate each student’s individual capacity and assist in achieving it. No labels, no preconceived notions, just recognition of intellectual capacity. That he is making a difference right here in our community is more than smart, it’s brilliant.
Heads Up
No one can lead us in song the way Clyde Smith can, and he did it with style. Carol Jackson once again held us together in tempo and on key. The invocation, a lovely poem by Maya Angelou, was read by Iao Katagiri. New member Joe Pundyk was introduced, as was David Pissara to welcome guests. President–elect Dee Menzies introduced speaker, and fellow Rotarian, John Deasy.
In Memoriam
Our condolences go to the families of Richard Ferguson, MD, who was a past president, Paul Harris Fellow, and long-standing member of Rotary. He sustained a snakebite many years ago and never fully recovered. His widow, Bea, said he would be buried at sea with no service, other than what we say for him in our hearts. New member Rev. Ronald Williams, pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, suffered an untimely demise. He will be remembered for his activism for social justice in this community. The family of George Hummer, MD, sent thanks for the contributions made in his memory to the Boys & Girls Club project at John Adams Middle School.
Of Significance
Members were encouraged to participate in the International Food Festival on April 27th at Tom Loo’s house. Steve Alexis will be the coordinator, and Oded Wolf will be collecting silent auction items. Please contact one or both of them to bring your ethnic food to this first-time-ever event.
The Santa Monica Rotary Foundation Board has been augmented with two new members: Nat Trives and Carol Jackson. Undoubtedly, our money is safe in your capable hands.
The Boys & Girls Club of Venice hosted its annual Youth of the Year and Community Leadership Awards Celebration, which yielded first place honors to Dawone Marshall. Norris Curl and Shamir Moorer were presented with scholarship awards. The event was well represented by Rotarians from local clubs to celebrate support of outstanding youth and community leaders.
The Welcome Mat
There were no visiting Rotarians this week. Guests were Lisa Seals, Matt Breuner, Oscar Del LaTorre, Suzanne Taylor, and Tina McDonald
Fine Time
| Chris Baker had a lot of explaining to do, but it didn’t go over all that well. Being in San Bernadino on a Rotary Friday was bad enough, but getting stuck in the judge’s chambers to negotiate a settlement wasn’t much of an excuse. His $150 fee was sustained. |
| Dave Rimer was complimented for his outstanding programs, but his hopping off to Turkey for 21 days was deemed to be an abandonment of duty. $210 will remind him of priorities. |
| But Carol Jackson really made the rounds. While Dave Rimer was just in one place, Carol and her husband took a cruise through the Pacific to see WWII battle sights. From Honolulu through the Japanese islands, they went to 12 cities, which tabulates to $120…and an extra $25 because they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. |
| Con Oyler didn’t have to do much to get hit for another $50, except to flaunt his Bruin jacket in front of the Trojan boss. |
The More Things Change….
John Miller’s new classification is HealthCare/Development.
The Redondo Beach Rotary Club will now meet at the Blue Water Grill, 665 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach. (310) 318-3474. Day and time are the same.
On The Agenda
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February 14 George Vasquez: Orchid Expert (display & purchase for Valentine’s Day) |
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February 21 Esther Johnson: Annual Competition Awards. NOTE: Riviera is dark. The program will be held at the Methodist Church. |
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February 28 Richard King, Past President, Rotary International |
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Reservations required: Please let Linda Gray know if you plan to bring a guest on February 14th and 28th. |
Under the “Did he really say that?” category: George W. Bush on those who thought he was too inexperienced to handle foreign policy: “Remember that amateurs build the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”