Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2002/2003"

Rota-Monica

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org  

Coming Our Way

Stand up tall and be counted among the throngs who will celebrate Veteran’s Day this year.  With patriotism a national pastime these days, we expect to give a hearty Rotarian welcome to Don Rice, Ph.D., former secretary of the Air Force, who is our speaker on November 8th.  All Rotarians who are Veterans should remember our annual custom to show off their branch of service at Friday’s meeting.  If you have any articles of your old uniform that still fit, wear them.  If not, get a cap or other item that identifies your branch of the service and wear it with pride on November 8th to salute in our Veteran’s Day Program. 

There Ought To Be A Law

Gordon Lloyd, Professor of Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, gave us the inside skinny to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Marbury v. Madison with a presentation entitled “Does Judicial Review Mean Judicial Supremacy?”  His expertise in bringing together the disciplines of politics and economics was evident as he exposed the motivations and substance of life in the 1800’s.  That the Constitution “is what we say it is” by legal precedent, rather than by strict interpretation, was defended by numerous examples that established case law.  It should come as no surprise to us that midnight judges, deception, and ex post facto law are still components of the political scenario hundreds of years later. 

And Then I Said…

Past guest speaker Richard Riordan asked us to share the following excerpt of an op/ed piece he wrote on terrorism, security, and city administration. Americans have always looked to the federal government for protection from enemies abroad.  But the terrorists who attached on September 11 were our neighbors. This new enemy lives among us and attacks from our own backyards, which makes it critical that antiterrorism efforts include local authorities.  In Washington, local level efforts are a low priority, and unfortunately, local leaders have not risen to the challenge.  City leaders must take responsibility for their own destiny and greatly improve information sharing and coordinating among their own agencies.  Local government needs a standard ratings program that identifies counter terrorism strengths and weaknesses by city.  Local leaders must voice their opinions and support the interests of their constituents to maintain political responsibility. 

Heads Up

Lending their usual flair to the head table were Con Oyler to introduce guests and visiting Rotarians; Pat Farris to give the invocation; new member Michael Hyler, General Manager of the Riviera Country Club; Jonathan Kemp to introduce today’s speaker; and Gordon Lloyd, speaker.  Clyde Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance in resounding style. 

Of Significance

District Governor Rick Mendoza awarded our Club an A+ after his site visit on October 25th. Tom Loo should take a bow for creating the finest Club Information Guide ever published.  This comprehensive volume explains exactly whom we are and what we do, and will be a valuable orientation tool for new and ‘golden oldie’ members alike. Paul Gaulke brought noisemakers and silly string, always a welcome favorite. Bob Klein showed how the budget works.  Monika White illustrated the art of taking accurate minutes.  Dave Rimer even got kudos in absentia for his outstanding weekly programs.  Hal Quigley was honored for RI funds donated last year, and there’s a good chance that Marv Levin will get the same award for this year.  Talk about proud!  Bill Crookston knows that Santa Monica is great because our members and leadership care.  He extended heartfelt thanks to us all.

Note this deadline: June 30, 2003:  The Council on Legislation is the legislative body of RI that has the authority to amend the constitutional documents of RI.  It meets every three years to deliberate and act upon all duly proposed items of legislation.  The 2004 Council will meet in Chicago June 14-18, 2004.  Paul Netzel will be our District 5280 representative.  If any member wants to submit either an Enactment or Resolution to the Council, it must be submitted for consideration at the Business Session of our District Conference May 2-3, 2003; and it must be submitted to Rotary International in Evanston no later than June 30, 2003.  The official Council on Legislation format must be used. For more information about requirements, refer to www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/downloadcenter/services/council.html#2004-council

Get those tummies ready to gyrate on November 15th, when Karim Jaude is organizing a Lebanese dinner at Byblos Restaurant. For $35 each (which includes tax, tip, and yep, belly dancing), guests will feast on humus, babaghanouj, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, falafa, beef & chicken kabobs, coffee, tea & soft drinks.  A glass of wine is $5 extra.  Quickly  give your checks payable to Rotary of Santa Monica to Barbara Hopper to reserve your space.

Robert Segal was thrilled to learn that the Social Security Administration website commented on Helpguide by stating: “Helpguide is a breezy, easy to read web site that provides the best non-profit non-commercial links on the web focusing on mental health and aging well.  Helpguide is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica and the Center for Healthy Aging.”  Good goin’ Robert.

It’s in the stars:  Horoscopes for birthday boys and girls were researched by Rosemary Regalbuto to help us understand our fellow Rotarians. For Scorpions Clyde Smith, Monty McCormick & Judd Hummer, their charm and flair for giving out compliments will make their lives easier. For Sagittarians Patricia Farris, Bruce Blickensderfer, Jack Michel, Ed Moosbrugger, Bill Bubar, Bob Thomas & Chris Baker, they need to temper their thirst for excitement and recognize the value of a trusted friend.  The stars never lie, because there was a room full of trusted friends on hand to celebrate this additional year. 

The Welcome Mat

The lone visiting Rotarian was from LA Five, Colle Dans.  Guests were Carol Curney, Juan Llauno, Kevin Greene, Blair Green, Tom Watters, Hans Schmidt and Jim Hoover.

A special welcome was given to guest Abul Nunuzzaman, the Bangladesh Ambassador scholarship recipient. Fluent in English, Bangladesh, and Japanese, he studied electrical engineering at Osaka University, where he appreciated being welcomed as a foreign student.  He is now studying at UCLA, after which he hopes to return to Bangladesh to share his knowledge with his countrymen.  This young man is not the first inter-country exchange: Our Rotary Club built 100 water wells in Bangladesh over 20 years ago.

The following new members will be inducted at the November 8th meeting.  Welcome to them all:  Allen Glick, David Pisarra, Joe Pundyk, David Ross, Linda Tisherman, Michelle Shrader, Mijo Kim, Bettina Duval, Petra Haffter, Mike Hyler, Tom Larmore & Greg Holt. 

The More Things Change…

President Bill Crookston wants us to know that our Executive Secretary, Barbara Hopper, has submitted her letter of resignation from that position.  She is giving us a wonderful amount of time to find a replacement.  New member Linda Tisherman, of Staff Support, will assist Bill in finding Barbara’s successor.  Bill leads us in wishing Barbara well in her new endeavors.

New e-mail address for John Miller: johnmill@ucla.edu

New home address for Jim & Lucille Cayton: 10940 Wilshire Blvd. #1902; Los Angeles, CA.  90024-4649.  Home phone (310) 474-5842; Fax (310) 470-7061.

Roster correction for Phil Whiting: His birthday is really on October 20th, not 29th 

On The Agenda 

I love deadlines.  I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

–Douglas Adams

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