Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2002/2003"

Rota-Monica

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org 

Coming Our Way

If you’ve ever marveled at the perfection of the human body while watching the Los Angeles Lakers, there’s a good bet that their trainer, Gary Vitti, is the reason why. He’s the one who’s responsible for the care, prevention and treatment of injuries to Laker players, assuring the coaching staff that each athlete is in the best possible condition during the season. He must be doing something right…his 19 seasons is the longest tenure as athletic trainer in team history, which validates his own reputation as one of the best trainers in the business. Under Vitti’s tutelage, the Lakers have won six NBA Championships, and his personal accolades are almost as impressive.  Add a Harley-Davidson he rides through the Santa Monica mountains, and a 400-year-old home in Italy, and it’s plain that Gary Vitti is a man of many passions. Take your courtside seats to hear more on September 27th.

Craft Talks

One could say that a rose by any other name couldn’t smell as sweet, but that wouldn’t fully explain the career path taken by Charlie Follette. This Santa Monica native got hooked on botany as a kid while listening to his grandfather’s life experiences. After attending the requisite Santa Monica city schools, he landed at UC Berkeley and majored in botany and horticulture. A zigzag in Charlie’s career had him selling copy machines until he dug himself a permanent niche; he now owns the Rose Garden Nursery in Santa Monica. Charlie’s greatest triumph came when he designed the rose garden at the home of Bob Hope, and despite impossible odds, had it ready for presentation when President George Bush came to visit. This effort was later voted The Most Beautiful Rose Garden in America.  Grandfather is no doubt blooming with pride.

* * *

Tom Miskimen doesn’t claim too many attributes of his heritage: Irish, Scot, and German, but he immediately relates with his home state of Iowa. The homey, traditional, friendly manner of his family and neighbors are at the roots of his own identity and solid values. Tom’s relationships there drew him to the human condition and led him to obtain his Master’s Degree in Theology and Ageing.  He was a Human Services Administrator in the midwest until moving to Santa Monica last year and taking over the helm of the American Red Cross.  It’s fortunate that someone like Tom is in charge of the Red Cross during this turbulent time, because his integrity shines through to give this organization a true and honest face.

Heads Up

Lending distinction to the head table were Burton Marcus to introduce visiting Rotarians and guests, Jack Siegal to introduce craft talkers Charlie Follette and Tom Miskimen, and Mike O’Hara to give the invocation.

Of Significance

•           The literacy program started by Shirley Dowling has really sown seeds.  Patty Flynn, a teacher at John Muir Elementary School, was the recipient of Rotary’s $2,000 donation to augment the reading program there. Her lively third-grade companions were testiment to the value of this investment.

•           Marv Levin encouraged members to complete their raffle ticket stubs and send them in with a $100 check in time for the Paul Harris Fellowship dinner on November 2nd.  Doing so will not only increase your chance of winning a drawing opportunity, but more important, enable Paul Harris Fellowship matching credits to be augmented.

•           Of course Nat Trives is wearing still more hats these days.  His newest is as chair of the Government Committee of the Santa Monica Chamber.  In this role, he will convene a meeting on October 16th to discuss distracting and election of the Mayor.

•           Phil Tirone reminded us it’s Chili Cook Off Time at St. Monica’s.  Get out the antiacid at 5:30 PM on September 27th and sample some of the best bowls the city has to offer.

•           Scratch golfers and duffers alike were encouraged to contact Bill Aspinwall to sign up for the tournament in Ojai Valley. The date is October 16th and tee-time is noon.

•           Ever wish you could get a copy of the Santa Monica Bay book without having to speak publicly before our Club to do so?  Now’s your chance. For the discounted price of $35 cash upfront, Rotarians can have their own edition. Contact Barbara Hopper to place an order. Pay her. She’ll place a bulk order. Wait patiently. You’ll be notified when they’ve arrived.

The Welcome Mat

Switzerland is the home club of visiting Rotarian Giorgio Dognini.  Flags were proudly exchanged.  Members brought the following guests to the meeting:  Reverend Ronald Williams, Liz Astrin, Blair Green, David Bates, Allison Sanduna, and Thelma Bennett.  A change in status from visitor to member was applauded for Linda “Tish” Tisherman and David Ross.

Older & Wiser

This is not a case of  ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’.  The cost of an American home, car, gallon of milk, gallon of gas, and average annual salary were compared across the decades represented by the birthday-ees. In 1940, an annual salary of $1,200 allowed a family to live in a home that cost $6,500, pay $800 for a car, and 15 cents for a gallon of gas.  In 1980, the home price rose to $86,000, a car cost $5,500 and a gallon of gas was $1.00.  These days, homes are in foreclosure, cars are leased, the cost of milk depends upon whether it contains lactose, gas prices are lower if self pumped, and salaries vary depending upon whether your company is being investigated by the SEC.  Nonetheless, Happy Birthday to Karen Baker, Jim Dyer, Steve Eorio, Carol Follette, Barbara Hopper, Bill Hunt, Joe Metoyer, John Miller, Rex Minter, Vince Muselli, Mike Nichols, Mike O‘Hara, Joey Perlmutter, Fred Rafeedie, Jack Siegal, Lloyd Torgerson, Bill Werner, and Jim Westbrook.

Fine Time

He may be a toy engineer, but Jay Smith didn’t make the other boys and girls happy when he hurled his paper-crafted airplanes over the tables of fellow Rotarians.  That they led straight to the dais was an engineering feat, to be sure, but it cost him $200 for flying in a restricted zone.

$100 will be collected from Bill Werner for missing the presentation by USC President Steve Sample. The fact that he had to work that day was not considered an excusable absence.

Myles Pritchard was fined $50 for being insouciant.  (I always wanted to use that word.  Thanks, Myles.)

The More Things Change…

The Venice Rotary Club has changed its meeting place.  It now meets at Shanghai Reds in the Marina, not Tony P’s.  Credit Susan Dawson for keeping us informed.

On The Agenda

Just Joey

Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes.  That way, when you do criticize him, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes.

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