Reciprocator 8/12/2009

Steven Eorio ('e-o-ri-o") of Santa Monica was introduced as a visiting Rotarian by Cy Pierce. The president then asked Carmen Portnoy to introduce her two guests: David Abaian of Imperial Windows and Doors and Dr. David DeGravel, a professor at Cal State Northridge. Dr. DeGravel is interested in our club since he lives nearby, and he intends to visit us again next week. However, Carmen is looking for another Rotary Club for him to visit since his fall teaching schedule will not allow him to attend Wednesday luncheon meetings. J

Jim Machado introduced his nephew, Danny Machado, a starting pitcher for North Torrance High School, who was one of our club's exchange students to Kaizuka last summer. Danny was present to accompany his uncle during the afternoon outing with our two visitors from Kaizuka.

It was Cy's turn again to introduce Christina Fields, a branch manager of Bank of the West. Never formally introduced was the speaker's colleague, Dr. Barry Lomax, MD, who sat next to me.

Craig Ferre led the "welcome song" even though he hadn't introduced our guests from Japan yet. We learned from Linda Black that Mary Cavaness was getting better after a stay in the hospital for a serious condition.

Linda than went on with the District announcements and reiterated what "Boom Boom" had announced the week before: namely, if you couldn't bring school supplies by the next meeting, let her know how much you want to contribute and she'll buy it for you.

Rob Barber announced that Thursday was getaway day for the weekend fishing trip to the high Sierras. Those going would meet for dinner in Bishop before heading further up the mountains to the cabins. The "boys" will return Sunday.

Cartwright Sheppard's humor of the day at the end of the meeting would have been more appropriate at this part of the meeting so as to give real meaning to this getaway weekend.

Chris King announced that he had gotten the initial dues invoices for the new Rotary year out via e-mail, except to those few who still get mailed paper invoices. Let him know if you haven't received your bill. Hey, Chris - I didn't receive mine! Chris also announced a new lunch paying procedure for guests, but a birdie tells me the announced procedures will be discussed again by the board so the writer anticipates that changes may be announced at the next meeting Chris wasn't finished, since he also announced that he would be seeking volunteers to assist with Fiesta La Ballona on August 29th and 30th. He also collected business card for place mat ads. In case, you didn't hear the unannounced portion of his announcement, the club is joining the Kiwanis Club (i.e. John Riordan) and the CCHS Interact Club in operating a pancake breakfast booth on both days of this community event.

Director Edward C. Little of the Metropolitan Water District and a publicly elected Director the West Basis Water District then presented a check in the amount of $5,025 to the club for the assistance by the members of this club and the young members of the Club Rotario Latinos Unidos for the toilet replacement and sprinkler system controller programs sponsored by M.W.D. during the months of June and July for our area. The club again thanks Rob, Craig, Dannie, Clint, and Joe for helping with the heavy toilet lifting. Dieter, Art, Bruce, Tim, and Bill helped with the paperwork required for the programs. Sorry, if this writer missed the names of anyone else that was present since I wasn't at the sprinkler system day. Ed, of course, was always present to campaign for re-election to continue the terrific job he does to promote water conservation and recycling. That is why the multi-million dollar recycling facility is named for him!!!

Club Rotarian Ed Little than kicked off the largest annual fund-raiser for the club and stated that the count-down to sell tickets would start next week with the distribution of mailing labels for those who bought tickets in the past from club members. "They buy from you because they want to win the _____."

Janet Chabola announced that she had arranged to have John Newhouse, a long-time former Culver City Lion member and then president of Culver National Bank, inducted into the Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Club by having former Culver City club member Ron Brack sponsor John into his present club. Janet told the "commish" that she should at least get a single for arranging for the induction of a new Rotarian. John is already getting active by promoting participation in his club's golf tournament.

Our club's Rotary Foundation chair, Carmela Raack announced for the first and only time until after Oct. 3rd that the District's Rotary Foundation fund-raiser event was on the same day as the club's culminating event for its major fund-raiser. Accordingly, Carmela passed out envelopes with forms to all members present so that they could pledge to pay after Oct. 3rd. If anyone wants to contribute now with a check and/or merchandise for the silent auction, Carmela would get it processed.

"Buffy" Francuz then bribed the president with a stuffed bunny (To be called "Billy Poo"?) to replace the president's misplaced kangaroo. Then, fine free!, she promoted her Fawnskin raffle and rummage sale for Labor Day weekend in Big Bear.

After all these announcements, the president said he had to keep the meeting moving along so he quickly assessed $10 each to John Cluff and Tim Mesmer for receiving new name badges, and $10 each to Victor Gallardo and Richard Marcus for receiving new roster blue books.

However, he then slowed down to ask Carmela why she had eaten his lunch at the prior meeting. "Boom Boom" responded that it wasn't her fault since no one at the table told her that she was eating "el presidente's lunch". Nevertheless, it cost her $20.

The president revealed that he had awakened (he called it an "epiphany" moment) earlier in the week when he and his wife Sue were taking our guests from Kaizuka out for the day. (Writer's note: According to Webster's Dictionary, a capital "E" is the January 6th Christian commemoration, and a non capital "e" is a "'manifestation' esp. of divinity". I don't think the president experience falls under either definitions.) Sue had reminded him to put sunscreen on, including "on the bald spot". The president said he wondered what "bald spot" until he felt the splash as Sue poured on some sunscreen. Continuing the practice of blaming others, the president called upon Bruce Jagger, who has sat with the current club president for over two decades at the moving "trouble table", to ask why Bruce hadn't told him about the "bald spot". It cost Bruce $20 for not letting the president know that he was showing the signs of aging.

Tim Messmer then introduced the program speaker: Dr. Thom E. Lobe, MD, the founder of the Beneveda Medical Group. Dr. Lobe's topic was announced as "Integration Medicine". Dr. Lobe revealed that he was interested in alternative medical practices that specialize in "Energy Medicine". The speaker used Richard Marcus, Chris King, Tim Messmer, and Craig Ferre to demonstrate some of his procedures regarding "energy".

After Dr. Lobe was finished with his program, we had a chance to catch up with the membership baseball game. Jim Machado offered to trade Mark Sugihara of his team for Carmen Portnoy of Cy's team. The 'commish" stated that the trade cost for Carmen had gone up to $200. The "commish" also awarded Janet a single for getting someone inducted into another Rotary Club. This writer wonders if the "commish" has some self-interest at stake since the "commish" is arranging for a friend to join the Manhattan Beach club.

As previously stated, the meeting ended with humor and a butchered closing.