ISSUE NO. 17 November 15, 2002 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
Jay Cooper, a well-known Los Angeles lawyer specializing in matters affecting the entertainment industry, will join us on November 22nd to discuss the challenges facing the future of the music business. Such changes relate to the extent to which intellectual property, such as recordings, receive copyright protection; the impact of the internet and new technology and the proliferation of copies without protection to composers, artists and studios; and other substantive issues causing changes to this important industry. Anyone who can hum a tune should be there next week to hear more.
Craft Talks
Wow. Just when you think you’ve gotten out of a few scrapes in your own lifetime, there’s Steve Alexis literally running for his life. Born near Sarajevo, he lived in a small fishing village within eyesight of Trieste, Italy, on the other side of the border. Like most kids, he dreamed of leaving his country and living free. As a teenager in 1958, Steve and a few friends decided to do just that. There were two harrowing attempts to scale the chain link border fence, having one friend shot and killed in the process, before his defining moment came. After getting caught the third time and rounded up for prison, a motorcycle officer pulled up to a bus that was being readied to transport the prisoners to jail. The officer went inside the station just as Steve was coming out and heading for the bus. As Providence would have it, the motorcycle engine had been left running. Without another thought, Steve broke out of line, jumped on the motorcycle, gave it his all, and plowed through the border fence at full speed. He heard the gunshot fire and felt his body getting ripped by bullets and fence metal, but he woke up in Trieste a free man.
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John Deasy’s entry into adulthood may not have been as dramatic, but it has certainly been as meaningful for literally thousands of young people who depend on him. John was initially interested in becoming a physician until he saw a film of a live birth. It changed his perspective from helping children come into the world to helping them once they were already on two feet. With both parents being professors and exposing him to the benefits of advanced education, it was a natural that John follow their lead. His first job was working with kids in juvenile prison where he saw firsthand what could become of a person whose education was limited. John became actively involved in promoting ‘equity and access’, the process by which kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds can achieve a quality education. Years later, when he was offered the opportunity to come across the country as Superintendent of Santa Monica-Malibu School District, it was impossible to refuse. These two similar, yet diverse, seaside communities represent the broad spectrum of what equity and access really mean. John’s message to his students is that intelligence is limitless, and because he has dedicated his life to this code, they believe him.
Heads Up
Lending flair to the head table were Karim Jaude to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests; Henry Walther to introduce featured craft talkers Steve Alexis and John Deasy; and the Rev. Joe Metoyer, Jr., to step in for Michelle Shrader and give the invocation. But more about that later.
Of Significance
| Sharpen up your taste buds and get ready to experience a Lebanese feast tonight at Byblos Restaurant organized by Karim Jaude. Almost 50 Rotarians are expected to sample traditional food and dance (for the uninitiated, that means belly dancing.) Last-minute reservations are being accepted. |
| Rotarians enjoyed last week’s Paul Harris Fellowship Dinner held at the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Cardinal Roger Mahony and Rotary District Governor Rick Mendoza genuinely reflected the spirit of promoting well being throughout the world. |
| Nancy Freedman and Kent Colberg, co-chairs of the Community and Youth Grants Committee, solicit your requests for projects that can be funded by Rotary. Priority is given for Santa Monica area non-profit organizations, and the request should be for a capital item that will have a lasting Rotary message. The approximate range of grant funding will be $1000-$3000 for each approved project. The current budget will allow for three or four requests to be fulfilled. |
| Phil Harris reminded us that the renowned South Bay Master chorale returns to Santa Monica to celebrate the holiday season. Under the direction of Alison Graff, the chorale will be joined by a full brass and percussion ensemble for a concert featuring a performance of John Rutter’s “Gloria”, among other notable renditions. Reserve Friday, December 6th at the Trinity Baptist Church, 1015 California Ave., in Santa Monica. Tickets are $15. Call (310) 784-9225 for more information. |
| The remarkable project entitled Santa Monica Rotary Boys & Girls Club at John Adams Middle School got a resounding round of applause from students’ parents. Dee Menzies and Allan Young attended a recent school board meeting to describe the project, which was given invaluable support from Superintendent John Deasy. This building will be a most welcome addition to the neighborhood. |
| Volunteers to cook, clean, serve, and otherwise make themselves useful, are needed on Thanksgiving Day to give back what’s due to our local police department personnel. Spyros Dellaportas will be the smiling face approaching you. Say yes. |
| The Salvation Army Red Kettle Day will be held on December 13th. Frank Lavac Jr., DVM, asked for volunteer bell ringers. Your job would be to fill up that kettle from all the passersby. Say yes. |
| Speaking of money collected, Marv Levin reported that 86 members of our Club gave financial support to replenish the Paul Harris Fellowship coffers. A total of $7,540 was donated. When asked, over half of our Club members said yes. |
| Due to a healthy surge of interest in casting votes for our upcoming slate of officers, a change has been recommended that expands our ability to vote. Currently, the Bylaws require elections to be held at the second meeting in December, which will be on December 13th this year. To address the concern that voting is restricted to only one meeting, ballots will be distributed one week earlier, on December 6th, and may be used similar to an absentee ballot for those who cannot attend the December 13th meeting. If a ballot has been submitted on December 6th, and that Rotarian subsequently attends the meeting on December 13th, the absentee ballot will be considered invalid. For those ballots appropriately submitted on December 6th, it will be as if the Rotarian had attended the December 13th meeting and voted at that time. |
The Welcome Mat
Visiting Rotarians came from near and far. Lynn Morris joined us all the way from Allentown, PA., while past president John Elman took a jaunt down the coast from Malibu. Guests were Juan Llauro, Sheryl Metoyer and Andrea Lopes. Brand new member Liz Askrin was also given a hearty Rotarian welcome. Warm regards were extended to a hale-looking John Tarle, MD, who has been out on medical leave.
Fine Time
Perhaps she was not feeling particularly spiritual on Friday, but Michelle Shrader was the intended invocator who demurred from this lofty assignment. In deference to her new membership, no fine was assessed. Proof positive: There IS a God.
Phil Tirone cares about the environment. He only drives a car when he must, otherwise, he drives a fuel-efficient motorcycle, with a helmet, no less. So why did he get fined? Doesn’t matter. $100 bucks.
$100 each will be collected from Nat Trives and Monika White for getting their photo printed in a German newspaper. Other photos, and highlights of their diplomatic European trip, can be seen on the Rotary website…for free.
The More Things Change…
Jim Cayton’s new address was misprinted in a previous issue. Please correct it to read 10490 Wilshire Blvd.
On The Agenda
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November 22 Jay Cooper - The Revolution in Entertainment/Business Law |
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November 29 Dark – Thanksgiving Holiday |
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December 6 Santa Monica Chamber – All musical program |
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December 13 Leslie Dutton – Documentary of Chief Parks/ Election of Officers |
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December 20 Special Christmas Program |
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December 27 Dark – Christmas Holiday |
I’ve learned many lessons while being on vacation for a few weeks: Assistant editor Lionel Ruhman writes a hell of a Rota Monica, and I gratefully appreciate his taking over the keyboard for me for two weeks. Mystery writer J.L.H. is really Dick Rice, MD, whose play on names last week was one of the most clever I’ve read. I’m flattered he referred to himself by initials meaning Joey’s Little Helper. Got news for you both. Since this publication is in such capable hands, I now feel free to take off any time I want!