Rotary
Club of Santa Monica
"2002/2003"
Rota-Monica
ISSUE NO. 32 March
21, 2003
OUR 81st
YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
March 28th
will have a special distinction for our Club. First Lady of California,
Sharon Davis, will speak to us about her commitment to literacy. Her
program will help us kick off our annual literacy initiative Rotary Reads to
Kids 2003. Mrs. Davis knows firsthand the
importance
of literacy and that it is a fundamental building block of academic success. The
Governor’s Book Fund, founded by Governor and Mrs. Davis, is a nonprofit program
established to provide grants to California elementary, middle, and high schools
to purchase library books. An author herself, profits from Mrs. Davis’ book
benefit school libraries. Please support this important program, and the Club’s
driving forces behind improving literacy: Shirley Dowling, Susan Dawson, and
Norma Barnes.
Going, Going,
Gone
Have you ever had
that sinking feeling when you’ve reached for your wallet and it was gone? Now
you can get robbed of all your valuables without knowing it, which is a sinking
feeling unlike no other. Dr. Stan Stahl, computer security expert, told
us of the ease with which the Internet has enabled thieves to steal our
identities with considerable gain and low risk to themselves. Moreover, there
are websites designed especially to teach the uninitiated how to hack into
information systems and otherwise run afoul of the law. No one is safe,
including insurance companies, data processing firms, banks, and even the
payroll department of the State of California. Financial losses are inching
toward the billion dollar mark for fraud and theft of intellectual property. The
remedy? Short of having good karma, you can prevent unauthorized access to your
information, detect accidents, and recover and limit damage to your files. By
managing the security of your own data, you raise your awareness of the dangers
that lurk within cyberspace.
Heads Up
The head table was graced by Past President
Nat Charnley, who introduced visiting Rotarians and guests; new member
Blair Green; Dick Lawrence, who introduced speaker Dr. Stan Stahl;
and Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, who gave a moving invocation. Herb Roney
led the group in rousing song, and Carol Jackson accompanied us on the
piano.
The Welcome Mat
Visiting Rotarians
were Jane Siegal from Beverly Hills (who also happens to be the lovely
daughter of our own Jack Siegal), Edward Kusakabe from Los Angeles, and
his brother visiting from Tokyo North, Richard Kusakabe. Guests of
Rotarians were Patrick Henry, Wade Killefer, Helen Cherry, Brenda Katz, Joey
Perlmutter, Sue Hartenbaum, and Katie McIntire. Welcome one and all.
Older & Wiser
Con Oyler
announced who among us has aged (gracefully, of course.) The calendar pages
were turned for Kris Andresen, Barry Bouley, Blair Green, Bill Crookston,
Susan Dawson, Stan Fox, Alan Glick, Bashir Kadry, Michelle Schraeder, Bob
Selden, and Tim Shannon.
Of Significance
 |
We know that being a Rotarian is good for the soul
and the psyche, and now it appears that it’s good for something else
too…survival! There are 27 living Past Presidents of Santa Monica Rotary…all
of them looking hale and hearty, and many of them joining today’s recognition
ceremony for the applause they so richly deserve. The Club tipped its
collective hat to Frank Blenkhorn (who has had perfect attendance for
57 years!) C. Dean Funk, Nat Charnley, Schiller Colberg, Jim Cayton, Ed
Rafeedie, Tom Barnard, Jack Michel, Bill Fritzsche, Dick Rice, Bill Hunt, Bill
Werner, Bob Fredricks, Roy Fogel, Don Shelby, Bob Thomas, Aubrey Austin, John
Bohn, Kent Colberg, John McIntire, Spyros Dellaportas, Dick Lawrence, Herb
Roney, Jack Siegal, John Lehne, Hal Quigley, and Bill Crookston.
|
|
Marv Levin gave a compelling picture of the
world before Rotary undertook the pledge to eradicate polio, and the
astounding impact Rotary has had on eliminating this debilitating disease
worldwide. There are single-digit instances of polio in the world, but even
that few can ruin lives. Donations of $1,000 can buy 12,000 doses of oral
polio vaccine. We’ve made it easy to make a difference. Our Club will match
credit for the first 12 members who donate $500 to Rotary International’s
Polio Eradication Program. If you were not a member of Rotary between
1985-1988 when our Club made (and completed) its pledge, get on the bandwagon
now. Your $500 will go a long way toward giving someone else a long life.
Call Marv Levin or Hal Quigley to make it happen. |
|
The Red Cross fundraiser, The Spirit Awards, will be
held on April 24th. Your support will make Ann Greenspun
very happy. |
|
And speaking of being very
happy, Hank Walther let us know that our volleyball players went into
the Sacramento tournament undefeated, made it to the semi-finals and won,
began the finals in fine form, and placed second overall. Good teamwork, men. |
|
Now that’s using the ol’ noggin’. Allan Young
wasn’t about to let the John Adams Middle School project linger while the
bureaucrats sweated the small stuff, so he found an empty classroom and
started the after-school project anyway. Go for it, Allan. |
|
Ambassadorial Scholar Annie Bird is having a
grand time in Buenos Aires. Her Spanish is increasing steadily in her advanced
class, and her tango dancing is improving as well. She’s becoming a resource
for the history and culture of the country, which is serving her well as she
meets many other students from around the world. She sends us un beso,
a kiss, and her thanks for this marvelous experience. |
|
Show your appreciation to
your administrative assistant or secretary with a luncheon at Rotary on April
25th. There will be a fashion show narrated by Brent Selzer, and
goodie bags for all of these unsung heroes who make us look good. Call
Diane Margolin now at 393-2707 to make your reservation. |
|
Rotary Club of Grand Cayman
needs our help. John Kartonchik wants to know if there is anyone in our
membership who can provide them with signed celebrity photos for their Camelot
Auction. Apparently, there aren’t many celebrities in Cayman, and because
purchasing originals off of the Internet can’t be guaranteed, he’d love some
help from our Rotary Club. Contact Larry Maher at
LHMCPA@aol.com to respond. |
More English-isms that can
confuse and confound:
He could
lead if he could get the lead out.
The farm
was used to produce produce
The dump
was so full it had to refuse more refuse.
It was a
good time to present the present.
When shot
at, the dove dove into the bushes.
The
bandage was wound around the wound.
They were
too close to the door to close it.
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