Jim's story for the November 26 Bulletin

It was Monday, November 19, 2018, and President Ken Deemer smiled benignly as Dick Chase used his thoughty time to tell us what happened in 1917 (World War I?  John Rhind’s college graduation?), namely the birth of his still-thriving mother-in-law…..The November birthday kids became coneheads while Jan Rhees brought cupcakes and a song…..The November anniversary longevity winners were Donna and Donn Ennis at 52 years….Norm Levin thanked Jason Wallace for his dine-around…..Dave Harris was back in the house, grateful for the club’s help post-surgery, especially meals….Hilary Mahan was the big winner in Chris Ullman’s annual fundraiser USC-UCLA football pool…..Speaking of which, Ian Jackson returned to the podium for a sports report, with nary a mention of Harvard-Yale.

 

The first annual VetFest was a great success, with close to 600 people and nearly $40,000 raised. Chris Ullman and Dave Gendron organized it, Kelly Stroman marketed it, Mike Doell and Tim Hageman led logistics, Keith Sultemeier and Kinecta sponsored it, and countless others deserve mention.

 

Gelson’s opened and dropped $2,000 on us to mark the occasion…..Sue Vogl hosted the first Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio club wine-around…..The District is calling for contributions for fire victims—the Board is meeting to create a response…..December 1 is Erase Hate, Foster Acceptance at LMU, with speakers including Matthew Shepherd’s forever heartbroken parents—see Kathleen Terry for details…..Contact Mark Lipps if you can attend the December 8 Angel City Celebration, a health and resource fair for the community…..Cedric Tuck-Sherman is taking signups for Sandpiper holiday baskets and adopt-a-family….December 12 is the Older Adults Holiday Luncheon—Steve De Baets already has his 20 volunteers.

 

Richard Montgomery introduced our speaker, Hermosa Beach resident Heidi Swan, author of A Night in Jail, her brother’s true story.  She and her brother both started substance abuse in middle school, and he took it to extremes.  Her message: teen years are no time for alcohol and drugs, the effects of which reach well into adulthood.  Anxiety still plagues her.  But her brother has suffered in extreme ways—18 trips to jail and terrible addiction and mental illness.  A staged reading by two movie actors (Avatar) of the book will take place January 13, sponsored in part by Hermosa Beach Rotary, to be attended by both Heidi and her brother.

 

Heidi shared with us background information on teen drug use.  Marijuana today is up to 30X stronger than before.  Opioid addiction is 2.5X more likely after teen marijuana use.  Vaping devices are easy to hide and thus especially dangerous.  THC in candies and food is unpredictable.  Marijuana is now being widely marketed in the same deceptive ways used by Big Tobacco, with comparably big money behind it.  Teen drug abuse increases the likelihood of anxiety, bipolar disorder, suicide, depression and schizophrenia.  The four risk factors are early age of use, frequency of use, genetic predisposition, and high potency THC.

 

The past week, packed with events, much like the week before it, showcased what this club has become.  Most clubs have to beg and prod members to volunteer.  Now we hear:  Sign up now if you want to volunteer, because volunteer opportunities will sell out fast.  And sure enough, they do.  In Manhattan Beach Rotary, it’s a joy and a privilege to volunteer, and it shows.