ISSUE NO. 10 September 16, 2003 OUR 82nd YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
FROM JOHN TO CON!
JOHN DEASY educated us as to who were our visitors and guests, at the other end of the table, reminding us of the fragility of life and importance of “being here now”, was the CONNOLLY OYLER. Seated next to the ConMan, was new member and financial wiz kid GREG HOLT. The program chair this week was man about town, NAT TRIVES as he introduced a long time friend and co-civic leader himself, PAUL CUMMINS, PhD from CROSSROADS, through it all, the PRESIDEENT kept a studious eye.
DR CUMMINS spoke on the costs and values of a good education and whether we as a society are providing for our children. He discussed the value of the Five Solids, English, History, Math, Science, Foreign Language, and then the true cost to us as a society, as we are forced by budgetary concerns to cut the Other Five Solids from our school budgets, Arts Human Development, Environmental Studies, Community Service and Physical Education.
Pointing to the high numbers of increased drop outs and inner city violence, where the Other Five are cut first, he drew a parallel between the loss of educational curricula and the cost to society.
Wrapping it up all with the actual dollar cost to put a child through school, which was in the low 20’s for Crossroads, versus the cost to maintain a person in a prison cell, the mid 30’s, his point was it seems silly that we cut corners in one area, only to have to pay more later.
As an aside, I was sitting next to Daddy to be DAVE ROSS, and we were kibitzing on the high costs of tuition these days through a college degree. We figured an average of $30,000 a year for 12 years, then college at another $200,000 for a degree or two. Plus all the extras like toys, teeth, extra curriculars, and books, we figured it’s close to a million bucks per kid. Right then and there, I decided that I’m going to stick with Dachshunds, barring a run up in the high cost of kibble.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BARBARA HOPPER!! You’re looking swell and it was great to see you.
The District breakfast is 9/30 and we have pledged to fill a table of 10, so if you can make it please see LINDA for a RESERVATION.
The teacher was in school this week, that’s for sure. It was math lesson madness.
JOE FITZSIMMONS couldn’t figure out where he lived and his new condo is costing him another $200 in moving costs.
MIKE CATES from BROADWAY GYMNASTICS is doing cartwheels to only have to pay $4.00 per year of service to the community for the past 25 years.
It seems the oldest profession is called that for a reason. This subject just wont go away, KLAUS MENNEKES was chatting with the PresiDEEnt about how uninvolved his hotel is in the whole scandal, and was about to get off scot free, when thanks to a haughty attitude about being on Ocean Way, not Pico, the PresiDEEnt slapped him with a $150 attitude adjustment.
WARNING WILL ROBINSON DANGER! DANGER!
Seems like there is a large number of people who are absent or worse, showing up early and scooting out the door before the PresiDEEnt has a chance to practice those fundraising skills at which she is so adept.
Well, don’t think that she runs a school for no reason. She knows there is more than one way to skin a cat, (and does anyone know WHY you would want to skin cat? FRANK LAVAC feel free to chime in on this one!) so if you are one of those who is doing the Schoolhouse Shuffle, like JIM HALJUN, JAY SMITH, MIKE HYLAND, JIM REIDY AND KARIM JAUDE, look out, she knows about you.
For those of you, who were just absent, MONIKA WHITE AND SUE HARTENBAUM, you know I mean you, bring your checkbook, the fines are flying your way!
September 26, 2003: Dr. JAIME REGALADO Public Policy Issues
October 3, 2003: ADLAI WERTMAN, Executive Director, Chrysalis - "Chrysalis-Changing Lives Through Jobs"
October 10, 2003: STEVE COOLEY Los Angeles District Attorney - Crime and Prosecution in Los Angeles
October 17, 2003: Dr. JAMES LUCK - President, CEO, and Medical Director of Orthopaedic Hospital
October 18, 2003: Children's Immunization Clinic - Come help local children get vaccinated against six deadly diseases at St. John's in Santa Monica from 10:00 am to noon.
It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.
-- LEO BUSCAGLIA (1924-1998)