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Yes, it’s time to put away those light clothes, sad to say. Vice President MIKE GINTZ was in charge, and he showed lots of leadership ability, while modestly naming this meeting “MIKE’S WORLD”…First up was SEAN McMILLAN, who led the Pledge – my only minor complaint being that he almost started before we were quiet. LENNY FRIEDMAN and GREGG ELLIOTT took us through God Bless America, and it may be our best number. SHARON RHODES WICKETT gave the Invocation, preceding it by quoting from a book called “Small Graces”. This referred to ‘shining a light on ordinary moments’ and noting that while we may not live as holy a life as we wish, we all have some Holy Moments – they should be treasured. In her prayer, she referred to the ‘Sprinkling of Grace’ which we feel when we pause long enough to notice their presence.
SHARON, thanks for a glimpse through the window of our busy lives.
SHANE WAARBROEK had no Visiting Rotarians to introduce, but we did have guests. PP JOHN SINGLETON brought along his son, Todd, whom he characterized as his friend – and now, his Boss! ART HENRY sat next to and introduced DEBBIE HEAP, window of our member, JOHN JANSEN. DEBBIE is one of our new Honorary Members, and we are always pleased to see you at our meetings. MIKE asked for announcements, and since PP STEVE DAY was standing, he was called on – saying what he wanted was a new pitcher of tea! While he was standing, he did remind us that those who get their raffle ticket stubs back to him by next Friday – that’s the 8th of October – will participate in a special drawing for the Paul Harris Celebration, which is set for November 6th at the Long Beach Convention Center. Before he sat down, he also reported that his table did indeed have more tea! A late-arriving CATHY REZOS was warmly applauded as she took her reserved seat at the Head Table. CHRIS BRADFORD reminded us that the District Breakfast will be October 12th at the LAX Marriott, and we have a table for ten reserved. RALPH BEASOM again reported on BRUCE ROLF, who remains at Berkeley East in Santa Monica. BRUCE is not doing well – but if you can visit, call first to be sure that Marie will be there, since she helps to communicate. And PDG ANDY ANDERSON is doing very well – at a Salvation Army meeting today and moving along full speed. PP STEVE DAY reported that RAY ZICKFELD (his Father-in-Law) will be taking a brief leave – he is getting over Shingles, and will be back with us in a month or so.
DON NELSON read a letter he received from Carlos Lopes, General Manager of the Bel Air. They were very concerned by this problem, which may or may not have been related to some who had Cobb Salad last Thursday. They have a professional who supervises all food services, and their standards are far above those required by the County Health Department. Since I was one of the five who had stomach problems, I felt it was necessary to pass along KACY ROZELLE’S quip – he had lunch on Friday for $6.75 and it was fine. The $29.00 lunch on Thursday was what made him sick! We’ll be watching the four members who had a Cobb Salad this week to see how they do…
Rudy’s World was introduced, and PP JIM COLLINS was able to identify the scene as being taken from an airplane, probably approaching LAX. This was correct, and it was taken as he was returning from Berkeley at 3:30 in the afternoon. His mission up north was to choose the wines for his daughter’s wedding. Acting President MIKE then brought up a fun idea from the past – on this date in history, September 30th, the following events took place: 1791, Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, premiered in Vienna.1846, a dentist named William Worden used ether as an anesthetic on a patient. In 1954, the first atomic powered vessel in the U.S. Navy, the Nautilus, was commissioned. Ten years ago, the Space Shuttle Endeavor roared into orbit. MIKE, I gotta tell ya – I love these tidbits!
Note that next week we will be meeting with the Beverly Hills Rotary Club at the Beverly Hills Hotel – on Monday, October 4, since WVRC will be dark on the 7th, our regular meeting day. And two weeks from today, the 14th of October, will be the District Governor’s visit – Service Chairs should be preparing their reports. Apropos of nothing else, here are some Roster corrections which you might want to enter into your books (and if you don’t have a copy, lemme know and I’ll get you one, OK?)
SUSAN ALLEN, add to home address, Apt 9C, LA 90024.
HONORATA AQUINO, add to home address, Unit #1701, LA 90024
ANN SAMSON, add to home address, Unit #311 Playa del Rey, CA 90293-8643
ROSETTA HSIA SHAW, add to home address, Unit #309, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
And HENRY TSENG, add to home address, Apt #1503, LA 90024
Thanks to DON NELSON for putting all this together.
SALLY BRANT, who continues to do an amazing job as overall Program Chair, introduced our Speaker, Duke Blackwood. She and Duke have known each other since both started working for the Pete McCroskey campaign in the early 80’s. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and worked as the Assistant to the Finance Chairman of the Deukmejian Campaign Committee. He became Executive Director of the USC Associates, the university’s premier academic support organization, raising over $200 million annually. Following this, he joined the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and in June of 2000, was named Director of both the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Duke thanked us for inviting him to speak – he particularly enjoys visiting with service clubs, and admires the good work that Rotary does worldwide. The Reagan Library is one of ten Presidential Libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Located in the hills above Simi Valley, it houses more than 49.7 million pages of documents, l.6 million photographs, thousands of hours of audio and video recordings, and more than 100,000 artifacts. It encompasses 162,000 square feet, and is both a research institution and a museum. It is the only public Presidential Library on the west coast, since the Nixon Library is currently a private corporation – it will become public in 2009.
The new structure on the property will house Air Force One, used by Reagan and other Presidents and long since retired. The Boeing Company is their partner in moving and reassembling the aircraft – and without them, the Foundation would simply not know enough technically to achieve their objective. Air Force One flew 440 missions, of which Reagan rode in 211. The completed structure, set to open in July 2005, will feature the entirely reconstructed AF One, set on pillars so it is nine feet above the floor (and rises to 45 feet at its highest point.). On a walkway above, you can walk around 270 degrees of the aircraft, plus entry into every compartment aboard. Below this floor, there is a lower floor showing the Presidential Driving Entrance, and many of the Air Force planes used along with AF One. The main floor, or gallery, can seat 1,800, or more than 500 for food service. Since he works for both the federal government AND the Reagan Foundation, it can be tough going, due to almost daily conflicts. He stresses this will be his last ‘joint’ position.
Quick Q&A - I asked if there was an ‘escape hatch’ as shown in a Hollywood movie, and there is none (surprise). PP HOWIE HENKES, How does such a large structure handle potential Seismic movement. It is designed to ride it out. Duke, thank you for showing us your wonderful visuals – we’ll be out there to see the finished product!
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