ISSUE NO. 30 March 7, 2003 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
This week's meeting was brought to us by MYLES PRITCHARD, whose neighbor, DR. RICHARD MOROCCO, gave us a behind the scenes, and sometimes gory, look inside the making of the most popular television show of all time, ER. It reached an average of 36-37 million viewers in its heyday, and today is seen by an average of 25 million viewers a week, and is in it's ninth year. As an example, the good doctor pointed out that it would take him over 10,000 years to see as many patients as the show reaches in one episode.
Dr. MOROCCO, took us through the process, from writer's imagination, through to initial conceptualization, to working with actors and actresses to make them look "as real as possible". He used blocking sketches, clips from old shows and comparisons with historical television episodes to explain the evolution of the medical drama. Showing a clip from the 50's, where there was no blood, no gore, no reality, to the ER of today, Dr. MOROCCO, amply demonstrated the way the world has changed.
As a show that was a groundbreaker, ER was the first show to be realistic in the surgery scenes to demonstrate how an emergency room trauma team actually operates.
Dr. MOROCCO was an engaging and enjoyable speaker,(though some of the pictures of the props were a bit much to handle, thankfully most of us had finished lunch by then!)
COME SAY GOOD-BYE TO HUGH TRAVIS
Hugh Travis is leaving to accept a new position with the Boy Scouts in Baltimore, Md. He is planning to attend his last meeting with our Club this coming Friday, March 14. Come to our regular meeting room between 11:30 and Noon on the 14th and join us in paying respects to Hugh for his years of outstanding service to The Rotary Club of Santa Monica.
HEADS UP
This week at the head table we had JACK SIEGAL taking care of Visiting Rotarians and Guests, Dr. RICHARD MOROCCO, MYLES PRITCHARD, an empty chair in memory of the late AL QUINN, and DAVID PISARRA as the new member.
It was a FINE day for President Bill, he was getting lots of folks this week, LINDA "TISH" TISHERMAN and IAO KATAGIRI in a spurt sorority were instructed to fine each other by the good President, they each pinned each other for a quick $50.
Being a sporting fellow, BOB KLEIN, gets to toss up a $100 for an article about him in the paper.
President Elect Designate LIONEL RUHMAN is celebrating his wife's birthday and that of his grandaughter, who share the date, by giving Rotary $140 in new fines this week.
BILL FRITZSCHE was traveling through the Panama Canal, but he was in that great 1939 Ford when he was spotted tooling around town and is now paying $100 as a welcome back.
And finally, for a petite picture in the paper, DAVID PISARRA, will be paying the princely sum of $100.
VISITORS AND GUESTS THIS WEEK
We had no visiting Rotarians this week, but we had five guests, STEVE ALEXIS was hosting WIN UEBEL, and we were joined by SARAH STIMSON, M. DE ARWIS, SUE HARTENBAUM AND MIKE RUSSCOE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
It’s time to check your calendar, mark a date and sign up for ROTARY READS TO KIDS. The week of March 31 to April 4 we will be reading to grades K, 1 & 2 at Edison, McKinley, John Muir and Rogers elementary schools. The sign up sheets will be circulated March 14th. Please be prepared to sign on the dotted line or email your choice to NORMA BARNES at normab@all-travel.com.
The Rotary International Spring Conference is being held this year at PECHANGA RESORT AND CASINO in lovely Temecula May 1 through May 4th. Please see LINDA GRAY for registration forms.
On The Agenda
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March 14 Joint meeting with the Santa Monica Jaycees to present the "Distinguished Service Award" |
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March 21 Stan Stahl, Computer Security, How to Keep Your Identity To Yourself |
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March 28 Our Literacy Program will feature Mrs. Sharon Davis who will discuss The Governor's Book Fund and literacy. |
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April 3 Rick Auerbach Los Angeles County Assessor |
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April 11 Chiefs of Police and Fire Departments; Public Service Awards Day |
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April 18 Dark; Good Friday |
Just Joey
as submitted by David Pisarra
Some people make things happen.
Some people watch things happen.
Some people wonder what happened.
--Author Unknown