Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2002/2003"

Rota-Monica

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org  

Coming Our Way

We’re in for an aural treat on December 6th, when the Santa Monica Symphony  Woodwind Quintet will perform for us. Under the direction of Allen Gross, Music Conductor since 1991, the performers will be Sherril Wood on flute, Dana Sundene on oboe, Lisa Kohorn on clarinet, Lisa Knorr on bassoon, and John Petring on the French horn. This group is known for its well prepared performances of a challenging and diverse repertory that embraces the new and the old, the familiar and the unfamiliar.  Gross’ expertise was honed at Queens College and UC Berkeley before earning his doctorate at Stanford, then continuing at the Vienna Music Academy and the American Institute of Orchestra Conducting.  In demand worldwide, we are fortunate indeed to have the talents of Mr. Gross right here in Santa Monica on December 6th.

Sing, Sing a Song

(But Only If You Pay For It)

You’d be surprised by the number of people who don’t. The turmoil in the record industry has deep roots. Jay Cooper, entertainment attorney, should know.  He was a musician himself during the good ol’ days, and now tries to unravel the miasma for his clients so they can earn their fair share. This $40 billion worldwide industry ($15 billion of which happens right here in California) is primarily controlled by five players: BMG (German), Universal/Vivendi (French), EMI (English), Sony (Japanese) and Warner (American). These conglomerates were the result of mergers of smaller companies, companies that knew their artists and courted them for specific grooming reasons.  With these mergers came cultural blending, and a resultant distancing of artist to product.  Without the funds to spawn new talent, funds that are being siphoned off by illegal usage on the Internet, there is dim hope that new artists will have the breeding ground to succeed. Keep that in mind every time you hear “Happy Birthday” sung in a restaurant.

Heads Up

Songmaster Herb Roney led us in a resounding rendition of God Bless America.    Lending flair to the head table were Con Oyler (“Conman”, according to his own license plate) to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests; Tom Loo to introduce featured speaker Jay Cooper; new member Petra Hafter from Berlin North; and Bettina Duval to give the invocation. Her reflections on the origins of Thanksgiving were lovely.

Of Significance

•           Sleep In. Wake Up. We’re dark on November 29th to recover from an overabundance of turkey. I’m told it’s the L-triptophane that makes us so sleepy.

•           Have your wits about you on December 6th, though, because for the first time ever, (Note to Dick Rice…this is not a “first annual”), that’s when absentee ballots can be cast in advance for next year’s officers. To address the concern that voting is restricted to only one meeting, ballots will be distributed on December 6th, and may be used similar to an absentee ballot for those who cannot attend the December 13th meeting. If a ballot has been submitted on December 6th, and that Rotarian subsequently attends the meeting on December 13th, the absentee ballot will be considered invalid. For those ballots appropriately submitted on December 6th, it will be as if the Rotarian had attended the December 13th meeting and voted at that time.

•           Hal Quigley let us in on the new slate of nominees. No matter who the winner, we’re all winners with this august group:

1.         For the office of Director: Henry Alcantar, Barry Bouley, Alonzo Hill, Karim Jaude, Keith Magee, Jim Reidy, Rosemary Regalbuto, Robert Segal.

2.         For the Office of Treasurer: Ken Mirch, Henry Walther.

3.         For the Office of Vice-President:  David Rogers, Nat Trives, Monika White, Allan Young.

4.         For The Office of Secretary: Shirley Dowling, Bill Randle.

5.         Directors carrying over: Susan Dawson, Jonathan Kemp.

6.         President Elect: Dee Menzies

•           Hurray. District Governor Rick Mendoza distinguished our Club as the one that’s done more with new members than any other Club in the District.  To acknowledge this accomplishment, the Honor Guard will stand for us on December 29th at the new Cathedral of the Angels.

•           And speaking of honors, this one is priceless.  Our very own Bill Crookston has been named by the NCCJ to be the recipient of its Humanitarian Award. Who else could be so deserving? We’ll soon be informed of the date when we shall rise as one to publicly applaud our leader.

•           Harris Levey reminded us that the renowned South Bay Master chorale returns to Santa Monica to celebrate the holiday season. Under the direction of Alison Graff, the chorale will be joined by a full brass and percussion ensemble for a concert featuring a performance of John Rutter’s “Gloria”, among other notable renditions. Reserve Friday, December 6th at the Trinity Baptist Church, 1015 California Ave., in Santa Monica.  Tickets are $15.  Call (310) 784-9225 for more information.

•           Got books?  Norma Barnes needs them, especially if they’re kindergarten age and gently used. The Literacy Program and holiday book drive depend upon you.  Consider your own library as a valuable resource, too.

•           Do good. Volunteers to cook, clean, serve, and otherwise make themselves useful, are needed on Thanksgiving Day to give what’s due back to our local police department personnel. Call Spyros Dellaportas to sign up.

•           Do more good.  Dick Lawrence reminded us that the Salvation Army Red Kettle Day will be held on December 13th. Ring the bell and fill up that kettle from all the passersby.

•           It’s the season.  Open your hearts and your wallets to benefit children who have nothing. Barry Bouley asked that Rotarians bring a new, wrapped gift to our meeting on either December 13th or 20th. Games and toys are especially welcomed by the recipients, aged 3 to 18. Identify on your gift whether it’s for a boy or girl and the appropriate age. Spend $10 or more and make a child’s wishes come true.

•           An International Food Festival is being planned by the innovative Karim Jaude at the magnificent home of Tom Loo.  If you like to cook, or eat, think about participating in one way or the other. Fifteen different ethnic styles are being solicited.

The Welcome Mat

The lone visiting Rotarian was Alice March (thank you for the legible handwriting) who is a motivational speaker from the Santa Monica Sunrise Club.  Guests were Juan Lladro, June Day, Linda Gray, Silvia Richards and Spike Jones Jr. (of Spike Jones Sr.)  All were welcomed warmly.

Fine Time

This country may welcome the tired and hungry, but if you fall asleep after a Rotary lunch, plan to pay $25 bucks, Bill Fritzsche.

One of us here, Karim, was snapped rubbing bellies with the nubile belly dancers at Byblos Restaurant last week. Our babysitters are older than that.  $100 bucks. No further explanation needed.

It won’t be a fine unless her team loses. Susan Dawson paid $75 for two UCLA/Michigan basketball tickets.

On The Agenda

JUST JOEY

This is Thanksgiving holiday.  I may be overweight, but I’m healthy. I wish my teams had won their playoffs, but I’m happy. I see my loved ones aging, but we’re celebrating yet another year together.  I ache for those less fortunate, but do my small share for humanity, and especially, the animal kingdom within that sphere. The stray cat who snarled at me for months on end (after eating the food I left for him) has finally crawled into my lap and purred.  And I am thankful.

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