ISSUE NO. 16 December 9, 2003 OUR 82nd YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
REPORTERS AND REVERENDS
This week we had the Reverend PATRICIA FARRIS giving the invocation. As newish member BLAIR BRANDENBURG sat next to the PresiDEEnt, our own world traveler/reporter NAT TRIVES was prepping his introduction for the Golden Voiced JACK SIEGAL. GENE MILLER met and greeted our Vistarians and Guestarians.
The reporter turned top entrepreneur JACK SIEGAL gave a wonderfully compelling rendition of his life story, from wet behind the ears reporter who talked his way into his assignments, to the man who met presidents (Eisenhower AND Reagan). His coverage of the 50th Anniversary of the first flight at Kill Devil Hill was a watershed event for him. Now that we are coming up on the 100th Anniversary, maybe someone at CBS should send him back to cover the developments since then. His adventures working with that fabled journalist of yore, EDWARD R. MURROW, are the stuff of reportorial repartee, and he should put them in a book for those that follow in his footsteps to learn about.
It was a great pleasure to learn more about the man and his coverage of the Korean War and his path from reporter to lion in the Rotary. Thanks for the talk, Jack.
ELECTION TIME AGAIN
No, it’s not another recall election. But as you may recall, we hold annual elections for our officers and directors. This year there is a fine selection of people who wish to be of service to our club and this week is the time to come out and decide who you want working for you in the future. Remember that this is the path towards Club Leadership and who we pick this week will be our fearless leaders for tomorrow.
CALLING ALL CALLERS
The club is collecting all your old cellular phones. They are collected, refurbished and reprogrammed for distribution to women and children in emergency situations as 911 direct link phones. This is a worthy cause and I’m certain that most members of this club must have some old phones collecting dust, and a few newer ones that should, particularly during the speakers time. On that note, the club’s Board has instituted a mandatory fine for any phone that goes off during a meeting audibly. Those of you who are the worst offenders beware, the club is coming looking for you.
HOLIDAY CHEER
Our PresiDEEnt has announced a quick HOLIDAY PARTY to be held at the MENZIES MANSION (102 Foxtail Drive S. M.) on Saturday the 13th of December, starting at 6:30. Requested contribution is $15.00 and a Potluck based on your last name. There will also be a gift exchange, with a cost limit of $15.00. Please RSVP to the Grecian God of Good Planning, SPYROS DELLAPORTAS at 310/613-9024
VISITARIANS AND GUESTATARIANS
We had with us two VISITARIANS this past week. For the Europohiles we had NOEL DEVELTER a Belgian Rotarian in the Finance category. For the Joeyphiles we had JOEY PERLMUTTER, Mister that is, from Beverly Hills, his lovely wife did not accompany him, but we hope to see her soon.
Guestatarians were plenty this week with SALLY PAL, CHRIS RABBE JOHN PACHECO AND PAT BOFIELD all coming to join us for lunch.
HATS OFF TO MARV AND HAL
The PAUL HARRIS FUNDRAISER was an outstanding success and our club put forth a grand effort, with 132 members contributing.
TUITION TIME
Speaking of HAL QUIGLEY, he just got back from Grand Cayman, that trip cost him a cool $262 in fines, but I’m sure that it was worth it at this time of year. Those tropical climes are calling to our members, since HANK WALTHER was seen in Tahiti, he’s paying $0.10 a mile to go, so his $400 fine means his tan better last a while.
Then there is the man who is wanted by the IRS. They wanted him to give him his money back so badly they took out an ad in the local paper, and he STILL didn’t respond. So the PresiDEEnt found him, and fined him 10% of the money that he recovers, so STEVE ALEXIS, is going to be giving the club 10% of the $26 the IRS is giving him. Steve says it was a classic IRS move, he hasn’t moved in 12 years, and they still couldn’t find him at home.
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
English inventor Michael Faraday conceived and built the first electric motor, then tried to get the backing of Prime Minister William Gladston.
Gladstone wasn’t impressed with the crudely made invention.
“What possible good is it?” asked Gladstone.
Faraday’s reply changed Gladstone’s attitude: “Some day you’ll be able to tax it.”
The right word spoken at the right time, sometimes achieves miracles.
--Anonymous