Rotary Club of Santa Monica

Prior Meetings

September - October 2002

On October 25, 2002 Rick Mendoza made his official Governor's visit. We also welcomed Paul Netzel former District Governor.

Rick was very impressed with our Club. He was especially moved by our activities in helping our Community. Among our activities, he commented on our "John Adams Middle School Youth Center Construction Project", our "Immunization Clinic", our "Public Servant Recognition Day", and our "Organ Donor Awareness Program". Rick also told us that he feels that our Club is big enough and should consider the District's "Youth Act" project to help our Middle School Children.	Way To Go Tom!
	Our editors searched the files to come up with this great picture of VP Tom Loo, his wife Stephanie and their son. Tom was responsible for putting together this years "Information Guide" book to present to our Governor. Tom, not only did a first-class job in preparing the "Guide", he was able to obtain donations from our attorney members, to allow us to print a copy for each member!

Santa Monica College History Professor Harvey Stromberg was our guest speaker on 10/18/02.

Our own Eye Care Expert Don Dickerson (standing) is shown next to Professor Stromberg. Harvey gave us excellent insights as to his predictions about worldwide current affairs. As it stands now he believes that the U.S. will not invade Iraq, mainly out of fear that a new and crazier Iraqi leader may emerge if Hussein is overthrown.

DOT DOT DOT, DIT DIT DIT, DOT DOT DOT. !!!FLASH!!!

People marry for money! NO--NO--NaaaH! Cried the audience.

People divorce for money. ASOLUTELY! Bellowed Con Olyer.

People cheat for money. Dead Silence from our stunned group of Rotarians clutching their “4 way test” coin.

People worry about money. No Sh_t! Whispered a person in the audience.

Our speaker, James Gottfurcht, informed us on the Psychology of Money. We got in touch with our “INNER CHILD”--No Way “DUDE”---YES WAY--it is true.

Seriously on 10/11/02, we were delivered an informative talk on ways to enhance our financial success, by having a different perspective on money, and, thereby, having a rich life.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan was our guest for lunch on 10/4/02

Mayor Riordan is shown next to Miguel Flores. He told us that that one of the reasons the LA School system is behind most of the schools in the nation is because it lacks leadership. In his opinion, at least 50% of the principals lack the qualifications for the position. Richard told us how every business or entity needs an "owner" to operate efficiently, control costs, and take final responsibility . He says one problem the government has in fighting terrorism is that there is no "owner" who is ultimately accountable. One example is the L.A. Airport. He explained that there are over a dozen agencies responsible for security, but there is no one person who is the "owner".

Head Los Angeles Lakers Trainer Gary Vitti was our guest speaker for Lunch on 9/25/02.
	Shown starting left: New member Alan Glick, Gary Vitti, The L.A. Lakers Championship Trophy, and Carol Jackson. (Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but Alan is a Boston Celtics fan.)

Thank you Charlie Follette and Tom Miskimen for sharing your memories with us on 9/20/02!

Charles received his B.S. degree from UC at Berkeley in Horticulture. Following graduation he was very successful working as a Sales Manager for the Canon Camera Company. In 1984 Charlie decided to pursue his love of horticulture and started his own business. He produced the special "Olympiad" rose and named his company "The Rose Garden Nursery" (located here in Santa Monica). He has become an expert in roses and rose garden design, creating such works as the Bob and Dolores Hope garden. This garden won the "Best Garden in America" award. Charlie is also a licensed landscape contractor and performs general landscape design and construction. He is married to Annette and has a baby boy named James. Charlie is shown standing next to his proud sister, and also one of our members Carol Follette. Barbara, add another outstanding member to the roster!	Tom has recently moved from Texas to become the Executive Director of the Red Cross of Santa Monica. Tom was a Human Service Administrator for over 20 years before coming to Santa Monica. He loves the theatre, loves to read, and loves to have stimulating conversations. Standing by the ocean reminds Tom how small we really are, and how not to take oneself too seriously. Tom explains that he has two loves in his life, his wife Diane, and his dog Simba. He talked a little about how the aging “Baby Boomers” will create all new situations for society and how the Red Cross is planning ahead. Tom on the left is seen sitting next to our Director Mike O'Hara. Tom, thanks for the humorous insights into your life, and welcome to our club!

Dr. Bruce Hoffman, Vice President of the Rand Corporation and world expert on terrorization was our speaker on 9/13/02. We also remembered the anniversary of 9/11/2001.

Bruce is shown with Iao Katagiri. Dr. Hoffman said America has made amazing progress last year in the fight against terrorism. Although, he warned us that America should not "rest on their laurels". The enemy is very smart and will be constantly trying to find America's new weaknesses.	For the one year remembrance of 9/11/01, all of our members stood up and proudly sang "God Bless America" while waving the America Flag. Shown on the left is Myles Pritchard and on the right our guest Bruce Hoffman.
Many Rotarians asked Nat Trives for a copy of the message he gave to us at our meeting . He read "Lady" which was part of a wonderful writing on 9/11. The entire piece is titled "Candle", author unknown, and was sent to him by a friend and is reprinted below.
THE LADY I wonder what she thought As she stood there, strong and tall. She couldn't turn away, She was forced to watch it all. Did she long to offer comfort As her country bled? With her arm forever frozen High above her head. She could not shield her eyes. She could not hide her face. She just stared across the water Keeping Freedom's place. The smell of smoke and terror Somehow reduced her size. So small within the harbor But still we recognized... How dignified and beautiful. On a day so many died. I wonder what she thought, And I know she must have cried. One As the soot and dirt and ash rained down, We became one color. As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building, We became one class. As we lit candles of waiting and hope, We became one generation. As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno, We became one gender. As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength, We became one faith. As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement, We spoke one language. As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, We became one body. As we mourned together the great loss, We became one family. As we cried tears of grief and loss, We became one soul. As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes. We become one people. We are: One color. One class. One generation. One gender. One faith. One language. One body. One family. One soul. One people. We are The Power of One. We are United. We are America .

Our guest speaker on 9/6/02 was USC President Dr. Steven Sample. Steven told us how the University has become one of the top learning centers in the country. He also told us about the University's "Breadth and Depth" program - students are encouraged to take courses in a wide range of study. For instance an Engineering major may want to minor in a curriculum as far away from the sciences as possible, such as History.

President Bill Crookston Shown with Dr. Sample holding up a copy of his best selling book "The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership"

Back To Main Meeting/Picture Page

Santa Monica College History Professor Harvey Stromberg was our guest speaker on 10/18/02.
Our own Eye Care Expert Don Dickerson (standing) is shown next to Professor Stromberg. Harvey gave us excellent insights as to his predictions about worldwide current affairs. As it stands now he believes that the U.S. will not invade Iraq, mainly out of fear that a new and crazier Iraqi leader may emerge if Hussein is overthrown.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan was our guest for lunch on 10/4/02

Mayor Riordan is shown next to Miguel Flores. He told us that that one of the reasons the LA School system is behind most of the schools in the nation is because it lacks leadership. In his opinion, at least 50% of the principals lack the qualifications for the position.	Richard told us how every business or entity needs an "owner" to operate efficiently, control costs, and take final responsibility . He says one problem the government has in fighting terrorism is that there is no "owner" who is ultimately accountable. One example is the L.A. Airport. He explained that there are over a dozen agencies responsible for security, but there is no one person who is the "owner".