ISSUE NO. 24 January 24, 2003 OUR 81st YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
Coming Our Way
Past presidential candidate Michael Dukakis will speak to us on Friday, January 31st, from his vantage point as Vice Chair of the Amtrak Reform Board. His presentation, “Where is Amtrak Going…And Is it On Track?”, should have all the topical elements of our times: a blending of economics and societal needs. Mr. Dukakis, whose parents emigrated from Greece, spent his youth in Massachusetts. After graduation from Harvard, he served for two years in the Army and was part of a delegation in Korea. From Town Hall meetings to the Massachusetts Legislature, he continued to thrive in the Democratic Party, winning his party’s nomination for Governor in 1974. Since his defeat for the office of president to George Bush, Mr. Dukakis has been a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University, and visiting Professor to the School of Public Policy at UCLA. We welcome him to our Club for an informative view of life in the fast lane.
Craft Talks
When her building blocks looked better than the other kids’ in the sandbox, it was a given that Kris Andresen would wind up an architect. Steady in her knowledge of her heart’s desires, Kris also knew one day she wanted to leave her birthplace of cold Indiana and live in warm Florida. She managed to accomplish all her dreams, and in the process, ended up in sunny California designing buildings for Lorimar, Disney, and movie stars. Between her flair for style and substance, which has landed her on the board of the Santa Monica Building Commission, her 11 year old cat, church activities, Westside Development Economic Commission and Center for Healthy Aging, Kris blends philanthropy with purpose to achieve the ideal form.
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Tod Lipka too knew his mission from an early age as his unstable homelife was the impetus for his interest in helping others. He spent long hours in the hospital while his father was being treated for brain cancer, and there developed an appreciation of being in need and helping others. Attending a conservative college was a cultural challenge, but enabled him to apply for federal government funding for starting a program to help aging citizens. He used the funding and his training in gerontology to start outreach programs that led to his appointment as CEO of Step Up On 2nd, an organization that feeds the homeless and teaches second careers to seniors. Tod’s contribution to the community is a perfect example of a mission accomplished.
Heads Up
Distinguishing the head table were Michelle Schrader to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests; Hank Walther to introduce craft talkers Kris Andresen and Tod Lipka and Jay Smith to give the invocation. Monte Herring introduced Annie Bird, Ambassadorial Scholar. It was almost like the real thing. A tape recording of Esther Johnson’s “God Bless America” kept us on key and tempo. A salute to Dick Rice for thinking of making the recording, and then remembering to play it.
Of Significance
| Rotary of Santa Monica was represented by one table at the District Governor’s dinner for Rotary International President, Bhichai Rattakul. It was an inspirational event that reinforced the theme and message of Rotary locally and worldwide. |
| Speaking of a worldwide presence, Monte Herring introduced us to Annie Bird, Santa Monican, who was the recipient of a Rotary $25,000 Ambassadorial Scholarship that will allow her to study at the University of Buenos Aires for one year. Ms. Bird attended Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College, where she joined Rotaract. Through her experiences, she studied international relations, exercised leadership roles, went to Geneva with the UN, had an internship with Richard Gephardt in Washington DC, and was awarded the Dale Ride scholarship. This remarkable young woman, who has accomplished so much in so little time, is a sterling example of how Rotary funds help create ambassadors for our future. |
| Right here at home, Step Up On 2nd was awarded with $2,000 for a new stove. Tod Lipka, CEO, said that over 30,000 meals are made annually for the homeless, and having a new stove is truly a welcomed gift. |
| Make room on the award wall. Nat Trives has been given yet another honor. He was recently given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition. No one else could be more deserving. |
| Rotarians were solicited to submit grant requests to Kent Colberg, whose Community and Youth Grants Committee has some funds for worthy projects. If you have a capital need that is community based and reflective of Rotary’s mission, contact Kent. |
| Jim Reidy wants you to volunteer at the Immunization Clinic on February 1st. Show up at 0900 at St. John’s Hospital with a happy face for the young ones. |
| Plan to attend the NCCJ dinner on February 27th, when the honorees will be Rotarian Bill Crookston (yep, our Prez) and Kiwanian Jean McNeil Wyner. Should be a marvelously partisan evening. |
| Next week is January 31st. That’s when Chris Baker wants us to show up wearing our loudest, noisiest, brightest shirts & blouses. Oh, whatever will Mike Dukakis think of us? |
| Karim Jaude is looking for tennis partners to play at Riviera Country Club on Fridays, late in the afternoon (so as not to conflict with our meetings), followed by dinner at the Club. There is no charge for the tennis, only for what you order off the menu. Spouses of Club members are also invited to play tennis. Call Karim at 471-4185 to sign up. |
The Welcome Mat
Visiting Rotarians from afar were Hans and Mona Johansson from Sweden. Local guests were Annie Bird, Juan Llaro, M. Sean McMillian and Daniel Houston. Welcome to all.
Fine Time
$100 will be collected from John Miller for taking a job with the non-profit Venice Family Clinic as Chief Development Officer. Alonzo Hill will be set back $50 for teaching his daughter how to growl (safety training starts early in the Hill household, naturally.)
On The Agenda
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January 31 Michael Dukakis: “Is Amtrak Still On Track?” |
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February 7 John Deasy, Superintendent of SM Schools: “Schools & The 4-Way Test” |
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February 14 George Vasquez: Orchid Expert (display & purchase for Valentine’s Day) |
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February 21 Esther Johnson: Annual Competition Awards. NOTE: Riviera is dark. The program will be held at the Methodist Church. |
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February 28 Richard King, Past President, Rotary International |
Why the English language is so difficult to learn:
The bandage was wound around the wound.
He could lead if he would get the lead out.
The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
They were too close to the door to close it.
..from The Reader’s Digest