Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

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LOOKING AT GOVERNMENTS FROM A TOPSIDER’S SPOT

             Spotlights have shone on Bruce Herschenson from one direction or another ever since 1969, when the press voted him “one of the ten outstanding young men in the federal government.”  Later, as an assistant to President Nixon, he received a Distinguished Service Medal.

             He started in the Air Force, and then broke into civic life by setting up his own motion picture company.  It did so well that he was appointed to take charge of movies and television for the U.S. Information Agency.  During his years in that position, his films won an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and numerous other awards.

             While in government, he traveled to 90 countries, picking up unique inside knowledge of foreign affairs.  His wide experience led the Republican Party to nominate him to fill a vacant Senate seat in California in 1992.  He ran well, piling up a million votes more than any other Republican candidate in the state, but it still wasn’t enough to win.

             After serving on the transition team that helped Ronald Reagan get settled in the Presidency, he opted for a less strenuous life.  Universities beckoned, and he has taught at one after another in recent years.  He has been a faculty member at Maryland, Whittier and Harvard before moving to his present position, lecturing on “U.S. Foreign Policy” at Pepperdine University.

             As our speaker at this Friday’s meeting, he’ll have much to tell us about the maneuvers of heads of government and their staffs.

 OUR SCHOLARSHIPS THAT KEEP MEMORIES ALIVE

             In May, each year our club awards a series of $1000 scholarships to deserving high school and community college students.  These are named in honor of people we like to recall each year.  Most are funded from the club treasury.

             A young man and woman from Samohi are awarded scholarships in honor of our 1929-30 president, Russell Hart.  Russ was the city’s mayor in 1957-59, and owned a feed store (not many of them around now).

             A St. Monica High student receives the Tom Fox scholarship.  Tom, who came here from Ireland, was our president in 1955-56 and was the long-time owner of Fisher Lumber.

             A student at Olympic High is presented a scholarship in honor of past president John English.  John served two terms as district governor in the late 50’s. 

            Three scholarships are presented to SMC students.  One honors Nick Holt, an outstanding young man destined to be our president, who died prematurely at age 38.  The other two go to students in honor of Archie Morrison, president in 1982-83 and district governor in 1988-89. 

             Added this year are scholarships in the name of the Santa Monica Rotary Club, donated by our current member Connolly Oyler for a New Roads student, and Morgan Leslie Segal by her father, Robert Segal, for a Crossroads School student who is majoring in professional writing or a related field and is significantly involved in public service.  A collection of Morgan’s poems and stories was published after her death in a book entitled Morgan’s Voice.

             In addition a scholarship to the New Roads Piano Academy, in honor of our executive director emeritus, Esther M. Johnson, will be given this year.

             We are proud of these associates of the club, and are pleased to honor their names with these annual scholarships.

-- Bill Fritzche, Club Historian

WE HOPE THEY’LL BE WITH US AGAIN

             Guest of club members of May 10th or May 17th were:

Ellen McNeill, Lynda Jackson, Jill Barnes, Mike Curtis, Julie Shapiro, Wendy Wax, Keri King, Gerry Grosvenor, Ray Cooper, Mark Smiley, John Henry, John Henry II, Michael Parsons, Ron Davis, David Pizzaro and Anthony Segal (May 10th). 

            Jerry Jackson, Joe Perlmutter, Bob Seldon, David Heller, Ava Carberry, Daniel Morell, Victor Edwards, and Marvin Freedman (May 17th).

 FOUR OF A KIND:  $450

             Our May 10th meeting produced four distinguished taxpayer/honorees:

             Bill Hunt, 26-year Rotarian, insurance man, and Paul Harris fellow, was fined $150 for sounding his Model A horn at the May 3rd meeting, over which he presided with his usual authority.  Younger Rotarians should watch Bill carefully as an example and guide to maintaining perpetual youth.

             Nancy Freedman, 12-year Rotarian, probate lawyer, and Paul Harris fellow, and her husband, Marvin, were blessed with their first grandchild, Marina.  Congratulations to the entire family, and thanks for the $100 “Little Person Tax.”

            Guilt by Association was proven on our Carol Jackson, Rotarian since 1988 and CPA, who paid $100 for the distinction.  She has been associating with Norm Lopez, who is in fact her business partner as well as a leading citizen of our city.  Norman was recently honored by the Santa Monica Elks Lodge 906 as a past-exalted ruler.

             At the same Elks gathering, the Elks honored our Allan Young, 26-year Rotarian and director of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club, as Rotarian of the Year.  The Elks got that right.  Congratulations Allan, and thanks for your $100 taxing experience.

           Please Note:  Our incoming president’s office phone number is 213-740-0649 and fax number is 213-740-2976.

COMING IN JUNE

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