Jim's story for the November 30 Bulletin

It was Monday, November 23, 2020, and President Tim Hageman turned the reins of rhetorical power briefly over to Tarek Shaer, who led the Pledge and, for Thanksgiving week, offered special thanks to first responders, further encouraging us to be grateful for what we have and not regret what we don’t have……Rich Montgomery bemoaned LA County’s decision to impose a curfew and close all outdoor dining, especially since we don’t really know why Covid numbers have increased, and encouraged us to support our local restaurants by using their takeout services.  (Opinions vary on the LA County orders, but Rich always has an action plan for the City when faced with new developments.)…..Picking up the ball even further in supporting local businesses, our guest Jeff Serota described a fund he has helped organize, with $600,000 raised so far and more coming (go to www.donatellmb.com).  

 

Jan Buike, our senior services coordinator in Manhattan Beach, reminded us about the December 16 annual holiday luncheon.  This year there will be 300 meals, for Manhattan Beach residents only, prepared for drive-through pickup, with Dial-A-Ride delivering meals where needed.  Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio is catering a traditional turkey dinner starting at noon at Joslyn Center.  Music and Santa will be there.  Chris Ullman is coordinating volunteers……President Tim showed us thank-you notes for our work with Warrior Pantry, Roundhouse Aquarium, and Polio Plus.  And Jan reminded us that our club members have been helping to deliver groceries and prescriptions to local seniors.

 

Lee Zeidman, when he’s not busy joining President Tim in fantasy sports leagues, is President of Staples Center/Microsoft Theater/LA Live.  Only 4 of their 17 restaurants have stayed open, and this was Day 244 with no audience events on campus.  This is the same campus that has hosted countless (6000+) events, from the Kobe Bryant memorial (plus Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hussle Chick Hearn, Jerry Buss) to multiple championships (Sparks, Lakers, Kings).   The plan, at least, is that NBA workouts, preseason and season will start in December at Staples Center.  The campus has hosted some events without an audience—boxing, music, and a little more.  They have developed Covid-safe facilities and protocols.

 

Lee got into this business after college, overseeing events at CSU Northridge, UCLA, and UCSB, moving onto private operations and then to the Forum in 1988 as director of operations, which led to his present position.  He gave us a candid look at how he did it, applying for jobs and somehow getting them.  His one major piece of advice:  in a job interview, ask questions—don’t just answer them.   Now he faces his greatest challenge yet, getting ready for post-pandemic work.  (I can’t resist repeating his interesting phrasing of his prognosis:  “I’m not a Debbie Downer, I’m not a Negative Nellie, but I am a Realistic Ricky.”)

 

President Tim closed the meeting with a video of Bill Gates discussing Polio Plus.  Gates has pledged a 2 to 1 continuing match ($2 Gates, $1 Rotary) up to $150 million per year total (100+50) as this fight goes on.  Lee Zeidman bested all our previous speakers by pledging to pay for the 100 vaccines we awarded him.  Few of us actually knew what 100 vaccines cost, but Lee correctly guessed $100.  Clearly we need to ask him to be our speaker every week.