IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK

By Dannie Cavanaugh

The buzz in the room was about last Saturday night's event, the Culver City Rotary Club's 80^{th Anniversary Party, and how much fun}

everyone had. It was truly a great event and the good feelings of that evening spilled over to Wednesday's luncheon.

The meeting kicked off with an Invocation from Joe Davidson, whose beard/goatee/chin growth is beginning to take on a life of its own. Kathy Haworth recited the Pledge and, showing skills we didn't know she had, Michele Walman sang the patriotic song. Guests included once-upon-a-time Rotarian George Plato (always great to see and hear you George - don't be such a stranger!), Virginia Tangalakis, Tina Tangalakis, and visiting from the Jeffrey Foundation, Claudia Bartlett and Sue Consiglio. Making sure that all the guests would never forget their afternoon with the Culver City Rotary Club, Linda Black serenaded them with the Welcome Song.

Linda Black covered the District Announcements with the main emphasis on the upcoming District Conference that will take place at La Quinta Resort & Club on May 13th - 16th. Our Club will be hosting a hospitality suite - stay tuned for more details.

There were no health updates but it was reported that Ann Murakami had been vacationing in Chile and had left the country only 10 hours before the earthquake hit.

Other announcements included a reminder from Tim Messmer about the upcoming track meet set for March 20th. Tim needs some help on this one so everyone needs to step up. Volunteers are needed for the pancake breakfast and for helping out at the event. Also, we need to sell advertising space in the program and banners. Please try to sell a banner or two so that this event will be a success.

Craig Ferre is getting the groundwork set for the Youth Exchange project this summer. We will be sending two students to Japan from mid-July to mid-August and Craig wants us to start thinking of worthy candidates.

The dispensing of fines by the Club president is an art not a science and Club presidents usually get more adept as their year wears on but it is very difficult to follow the logic and progression of the fines

doled out by President Bill. As a reporter trying to scribble down the amounts and reasoning behind each fine, it is a challenge to follow. I am not quite sure how the Treasurer does it but my sympathy goes out to poor Chris King.

Andy Weissman was at first fined $50 but then had it reduced to $25 as the other $25 was shifted over to Phil Tangalakis because Phil defended Andy. Andy was fined because he will be seated on the dais at the Mayor's luncheon and President Bill did not get a personal invitation. Can you follow that? George Plato expressed an opinion or two and Ernie Garza and Allan Goldman each got $20 fines - huh? Then the Prez waived Ernie's fine for that infraction but then fined him for the heroic deed that Ernie performed many years ago that was recounted by Bruce Jagger at the party Saturday night. Now I am really confused. Then Janet Chabola tried to fine President Bill for something or other and that was when I quit taking notes.

Before the main program, Claudia Bartlett and Sue Consiglio gave a brief talk about the good work that is being done by the Jeffrey Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping special needs children. They are looking for help in raising money to provide scholarships.

Our speaker was Tina Tangalakis, daughter of Virginia and Phil Tangalakis, who gave a presentation on her recent trips to Ghana. Tina first traveled to Ghana as a volunteer at an orphanage teaching children between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. She is now working with seamstresses in Ghana to create purses and bags made of local fabrics that will be sold in this country. It was a very interesting talk, giving us insight into a land that few of us will ever see.

Cartwright Sheppard ended the meeting with a bit of humor and with that another meeting was in the books.

Have a great week Rotarians