IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, September 21, 2011
By Jim Machado,
President Ann Murakami opened our meeting at the beautiful historic Culver City Hotel by recognizing our guests Past District Governors Rick Mendoza and Pat Cashin. The room was filled with good energy, having many guests and spouses in attendance. The Invocation was given by John Cluff and the Pledge by Lyn Caron. The Patriotic Song chosen by Tim Messmer was "You're a Grand Old Flag." Some members thought they saw the ghost of James Cagney dancing behind the bar to the music. I'm not one to believe in ghosts but I think someone mistook Cy Pierce for Mr. Cagney moving around the room. As you know Cy is a real "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
We had a number of guests including Jerry Chabola, Linda Foreman, Raphie Machado and later, Janet's son & daughter Casey Chabola and Janice Beighy. From the YMCA we had Kristina Lund and Director Karen Paulette as well as the head of the Culver City Education Foundation, Leslie Adler.
It was good having Andy Weissman, Allan Goldman, and Rod Miyata back. Andy is still wearing Charlie Sheen shirts, Allan's got his full beard for fall, and Rod was looking like a photo journalist with his many camera shots.
In the health department Harold Hanslmair was out with skin cancer. Red & Kit Betts are doing better, they have settled in their new place, but miss the club.
Linda Black substituted for Keith Jones and did the District Announcements: District Breakfast is at Westin LAX on Sept. 27th and the District Picnic is Oct. 2nd at the Redondo Beach Seaside Park. Dieter Holberg let us know that the Pacific Palisades Playhouse is currently having a wonderful play called "The Rabbit Hole." Dieter gives it 4 Stars!!
President Ann had a number of recognitions starting with Ed Little for being quoted in an LA Times article regarding the auto industry. Ed's fine was $100. Andy "ex-mayor" Weissman was recognized with a $50 fine for missing the Culver City Chamber of Commerce 90th Birthday party. Clint Ehlers got cocky, turned on his I-phone and played the Texas fight song in the ear of Bruin Bob Thompson. Cowboy Clint was going to get fined $25, but Texan Linda Black said no real Texan would allow such a small fine. Clint barked back "You want some of this?" and both Clint & Linda ended up with a fine of $50 each.
It was now time for the presentation on the Rotary Foundation and some additional recognition for some club members. Past District Governor Rick Mendoza went into some detail about the outstanding work Janet Chabola has done for Rotary and its foundation. Janet received a certificate from Rotary International and the Culver City Education Foundation presented her with an orchid. Linda Black was also mentioned - she had received a R. I. certificate at the prior District meeting. Linda was given an orchid by the Culver City Education Foundation as well. The Culver City Rotary Club was praised by PDG Rick Mendoza for contributing over the years a total of $500,000 to the Rotary Foundation. He also stated that our current president, Ann Murakami was the recipient of a Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. This is just an example of how the community receives the benefits of the Foundation's investments. Rick spoke about how we need to continue our donations to support the important causes of the Rotary Foundation. There's a number of ways to give to the foundation: Benefactor, special projects, etc. As Past R.I. President Paulo Costa said "Bring daring dreams into splendid realities
President Ann Murakami led another successful meeting of the friendly Culver City Rotary Club.