Jim's story for the February 1 Bulletin

It was Monday, January 25, 2021, and President Tim Hageman joined Jason Hearne in our Pledge, followed by Jason’s quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”……President Tim reported 140 new polio cases in 2020 and zero so far in 2021……Richard Montgomery told us that vaccine practice walk-throughs will begin at BCHD this week.  It will be a drive-through site, with a BCHD signup system, thereby avoiding the LA County signup difficulties.  Richard advised us as follows: when you get the email, act immediately.  Richard also told us that it appears restaurant outdoor dining will be reopening soon……President Tim shared a Kobe Bryant video to honor the first anniversary of his and his daughter’s deaths, ending with “Mamba Out.”

 

We heard from Carol Kitabayashi, speaking on behalf of Westside Pacific Villages, about their programs for seniors, especially including Covid support.  Their multiple services are free during the pandemic, and they appreciate our financial support.  You can find them at www.thewpv.org.  President Tim introduced WPV by first recognizing three of our members for extraordinary service to senior citizens:  Loli Ramezani, whose business is Always Best Care; Steve De Baets, who leads Rotary Cares projects; and Jan Buike, who runs older adult services for the City of Manhattan Beach.

 

President-Elect Jordan Holbert announced her 2021-2022 Board, complete with candid photos of each of the Board members:

 

Sergeant-at-Arms Dan Saks

Family of Rotary Jan Rhees

Nina Patel, with Norm Levin, Social

Dave Gendron, Programs

Secretary Jessica Flores

Treasurer Matt Peck, with John Rhind

International Service Lawrence Flechner, with Bruce Greenspon

Vocational Service Kelly Stroman

Community Service Hilary Mahan, with Debby Arnold

Youth Service Harrison Clay

Club Service Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio

 

And…….(drum roll)……President Elect…….(imagine the voice of Lawrence Tanter, who’s been talking to himself at Staples Center lately)…….Gerry Morton!!

 

Jordan displayed for us our meeting room filled with the now ubiquitous Bernie Sanders memes, as she looked forward to our coming back together in person, having fun, and engaging in—what else?—Service Above Self (cue photos of club members holding each letter of the Rotary motto).

 

Jim Schlager introduced his brother-in-law, Charlie Koones, as our speaker.  Charlie, former president of Variety, is the cofounder of Golden State Media, and he shared “Insights on Modern Local Marketing.”  Golden State started out publishing magazines, including Ventura Blvd and our local staple for 14 years, Southbay Magazine (and the related Southbay Home and Southbay Health).  He still values print media to meet his local goals to reflect and inspire the community.  Golden State has since expanded into advertising agencies (Moon Tide), digital marketing (Emergent Media, with over six million followers), and e-commerce (check out www.Driftward.com, their fine art photography store, just launched). 

 

Describing Golden State’s marketing philosophy, Charlie said, “We focus on delight.”  Marketing is no longer “spray and pray.”  It is now about data, understanding, and accountability.  They create awareness of their clients, then get data on their customers, and then convert them into paying customers with very specific directed spending.  This is “modern local marketing.”

 

Judge William “Holly” Hollingsworth spent the many decades of his judicial career in the Torrance Courthouse, where he could serve the South Bay community he loved so well.  He recently died, well into his 90s, old enough to have outlasted most of his peers.  But one never outlasts one’s peers in Rotary.  Holly was long ago the Mayor of Manhattan Beach.  But of special significance to us was Holly’s service to the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, including serving as our president in the 60s.  We used to occasionally invite all our past presidents, including—especially including—those who had moved on from club membership, to join us for a chance to honor and remember them.   Holly always attended, and always was the oldest past president to attend, establishing himself as a cherished connection to our past.  It was only fitting that, at this meeting, we welcomed our next president, Jordan Holbert, and her Board.  They stand on Holly’s shoulders.  Holly has left us.  He will never attend another past presidents event.  But I pray that we always honor, and never forget, him.