President and Sheriff for the Day
-- by Sue Vogl
Former president Richard Ham and his sergeant at arms, AKA Sheriff, Mark Lipps teamed up to run our April 2 meeting while President Mark Burton recovers from hip surgery, and, as we know from his Facebook posts, eats the wonderful meals prepared by his wife Dickie.
Mark had his work cut out for him trying to keep Rick Farrell’s thought for the day singular as opposed to plural. Before reading from his favorite author, Boots Lebaron, Rick announced that since other members didn’t deliver just one thought, he wasn’t going to either. From those thoughts, I was only able to capture a partial quote – “the reconstruction of a mutilated psyche.”
The Final Frontier
Mark shared the experience of 33 Rotarians who joined him for a behind-the-scenes tour of the James Webb Space Telescope at Northrop Grumman. Although, from the photo we couldn’t see the telescope (it’s secret), from the expressions on their faces, it must be fascinating.
This inspired Richard to reminisce at some length about his early days working on satellites at Northrop Grumman, earning him a fine from Sheriff Mark.
Mark quickly rounded up our April birthday men and woman for a Make it Rain salute to April showers.
Ed Kushins, who has led this project for two years, announced that two SUVs were filled with donated business clothing for Working Wardrobes.
Lots to Celebrate
Jordan Holbert, Debby Arnold and Kathleen Terry took the stage to update us with a photo presentation on Celebrate Manhattan Beach:
- Jordan – Start planning your bids for these wonderful live auction items.
- Kathleen – Thank you to the 75 Rotarians who have donated silent auction items.
- Debby – Buy tickets!
Rich brought back one of his favorites, the Mystery Rotarian, and it took us too long to figure out that the marathon runner and triathlete in question is Gerry Morton.
Good Neighbor
Gerry announced our speaker, Jeff Wilson, senior public affairs specialist at Chevron, our neighbor to the north. And, as his comprehensive overview demonstrated, Chevron works very hard to be a good neighbor, both fiscally and environmentally. “We don’t want to be seen, heard or smelled,” he explained.
Chevron began its operations in El Segundo in 1911. At its two-square-mile facility, its primary products are motor vehicle fuel and jet fuel. Chevron plays a big part in the El Segundo economy, contributing 20% to its general fund.
Jeff pointed to a number of accomplishments. Chevron was named the safest refinery in the U.S. in 2016 by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association. The plant is the largest user of recycled and reclaimed water in California. In eight years, Chevron has given $10 million in STEM grants to 18 South Bay schools and programs.
Conscious of Sheriff Mark’s time management, Jeff finished his presentation with time to spare, allowing time for questions ranging from cyber security to local gas prices.
It was another busy meeting filled with ways we learn about our community, while contributing to it.