From the desk of

Happiness is ….. hearing that Bob Miller is on the recovery and rehab trail. Keep up the good thoughts and prayers for Bob. Please send cards too. He cannot have visitors just yet.

Happiness is …. knowing that Venice-Marina Rotarians are caring, generous and highly supportive of all things humanitarian. Our first-of-the-month donations to our VMR Foundation totaled several hundred dollars thanks to all with bragging rights, auctioneer extraordinare David Maxwell and gifts from Kaz Smith, Peter Escobar and Bill O’Hara.

Happiness is … seeing our members and guests, including FOX Channel 11, being raptly attentive to the words of our speaker, Dr. N. Nijher, a Sikh American doctor, who was one of the first on the work scene at the WTC Sept 11 horror. He spoke of having to break into wrecked ambulances to get vital medical equipment to treat people so covered with grey dust that nationality or race was unknown. Dr. Nijher and many doctors worked long hours in conditions that most of them had never known. Older doctors likened it to horrific war casualties they had to treat many decades ago. Dr. Nijher decided to tour the nation to promote tolerance of Americans who bring their dress, faith and customs as part of their lives of freedom. Our club enjoyed the privilege of being the only Rotary Club in LA to be scheduled. And if your reaction is anything like mine, I believe our Rotarians are totally re-dedicated to seeking peace and tolerance throughout the world as well as in our nation and community.

JR has scheduled two excellent speakers for our next two meetings. Don’t miss them.

Congratulations to Dr. Gwendolyn Hughes’s special guest Vince Smith for bringing together a huge $$$ business deal. He donated big to our Club Foundation and also is going to be a Golf Tournament sponsor. David Maxwell is forming the Golf Committee, so please help when you are asked. We’ll follow Vince’s early example and bring in our sponsors now.

Our other Vince, Dr. Vince Scott, passed out the Paul Harris Celebration raffle tickets which we traditionally buy to support RI Foundation. If you send your stubs and check now, and your check for the dinner on November 2, Saturday, you will be in time for the Early Bird drawing on September 24 at District Breakfast.

Dr. Scott presented Kaz Smith with another Paul Harris Fellowship for her granddaughter Kathy. The Smith clan has umpteen Paul Harris Fellowships and we salute Kaz for carrying on a wonderful family of Rotary tradition!

Highlights from our Board Meeting of 9-5-02:

The Venice High School Jacket Awards of Excellence program will be held on November 14. Bill O’Hara, Dr. Gwendolyn, Kaz and Steve Williamson are coordinating donation requests to our local businesses and members who have given in the past. Also, please extend help to this committee. Our goal is to raise money for 50 jackets @ $175-200 per sponsor by October 31.

The Board approved a donation of $1,250 to the Boys & Girls Club of Venice for their First Annual Jazz for Youth Fund-raiser to be held at the Marina Beach Marriott on September 29, a brunch honoring our past Councilwoman Ruth Galanter. The donation entitles our Club to 10 seat reservations, however, many of us committed previously to the 10K Culver City Rotary fund-raiser which culminates on the same day and time. Please let JR know if you would like to go. JR will fill our table with families who deserve to go.

Dr. Vince Scott’s leadership request for approval of a $100 full page ad in the Paul Harris Celebration program was granted by our board. It was suggested that all our current Paul Harris members be recognized in the ad. Again, Paul Harris Celebration is November 2, 2002.

October 12 – 13: Don’t forget these dates. PROJECT AMIGOS!! Dave Voss will be counting heads really soon as to who is going so we can make the hotel reservations.

And on a final note, SAVE THE DATE of October 19, a Saturday luncheon NOLAN DZUBAK baby shower. It will be at Joani Pollack’s home. Invitations will be sent by Carol Williamson.

Yours in Rotary, Willie Hjorth

Editor's Note

We have lots of room here for letters and articles. Now that we have this up and running e-mail me and I'll include it next week.

Thanks.

Tom