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| Program Chair: Paul Aslan | January 9, 2014 | |||||||||||||||
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This Week...
January 14
District Breakfast
January 16
Steve Scherer
"2014 Economic Forecast"
Upcoming...
January 23
Steve Sann
"A Historic Ride Down the Development of Westwood Village"
January 30 Calvin Chan & Janice Kamenir-Reznick "Myanmar Water Project and Jewish World Watch" |
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January 16 PP Steve Scherer "2014 Economic Forecast" |
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January 23 Steve Sann "A Historic Ride Down the Development of Westwood Village" |
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PP Gordon Fell led us in the pledge of allegiance and then
things started going wrong. Jim Crane was MIA for the
invocation, but Dr. Colby did a fine impromptu job of filling
in. When Jim did arrive, he walked into a $25 fine, duly noted
by Terry the Treasurer.
Speaking of fines, we heard that PP Steve Scherer was missing
since his son's wedding, which deserves a fine, but who can
serve him with notice? His long-time partner PP Ron Lyster
gladly agreed to bear the good tidings ($100). So much for
having a lawyer for a partner.
When it was disclosed that the Friedmans sold Steve the wedding
ring, Prez Mark was into his windup before realizing that there
were eight (8) Friedmans at the table immediately in front of
him. Not wanting Lenny to run him down in his wheelchair, Mark
showed them mercy (or was he in fear of his imminent roast)?
PP Lyster came forward with a fine banner from the Rotary Club
of Dublin, which exempted him from being fined for a lovely
vacation. Then Phil Gabriel, who has been reverse-ageing like
Dorian Gray, regaled us with his story of learning his merchant
craft at the knee of Lenny Friedman, who seems to be campaigning
to steal John Wooden's throne as the Wizard of Westwood. But
there must be some truth to the tale, since Katherine Hennigan,
Director of Economic Development, came all the way from
Councilman Koretz's office to throw a heavy plaque at Lenny. He
dodged artfully, then she read the inscription honoring him for
a lifetime of service as a pioneer and civic leader in
Westwood. We were impressed, because big plaques like this are
generally only given to public servants who are paid for their
service. Hearing of Lenny's granddaughter's recent marriage,
however, Prez Mark levied a $50 fine on his insolent son
David-father of the bride.
It being a big day for plaques, our member Diane Good presented
Prez Mark with a nice one for WVRC for our continued support of
programs for the homeless at the Salvation Army Transitional
Center where she is the CEO. Diane also told us about Project
Gratitude which is an effort to support our troops in combat
areas with letters expressing our thanks. She distributed some
stationery that we can bring back next week with our
sentiments. Having spent some rough years in Korea myself (not
during the shooting war), I'll be sure to add my thanks.
Tom Barron, Membership Chair, then performed his favorite duty-inducting a new member into WVRC. Marcie Rogo, in spite of her father, has joined our new Rotary Impact group of young professionals. Tom swore her in and Prez Mark pinned her, calling her "the fun one" among his progeny. Tom had more fun introducing Matthew Guillory, another Young Professional member who was ready with his craft talk. Matthew is a particularly valuable new member who has already started up a Rotary Impact Club in Mission Valley which expanded to 27 members in only nine months. Born in San Bernadino, he seems to have been the entire athletic squad for Hesperia High before going on to San Diego State where he graduated at the top of his class in Finance. Not surprisingly, he now is a mortgage banker and travels throughout the state, as well as pursuing his MBA at Pepperdine, so we won't see him here every week.
With Secretary Ann Samson sidelined by flu, VP Colby Smith
called for some gentle Hump Day roasting of our incumbent Prez.
IPP Dwight Heikkila revealed that Mark was the creative genius
behind much of Ed Jackson's Demotion Skit, though we weren't
privileged to see the raciest stuff. Mark gave "Mad Dog" Marsha
Hunt her nickname and also produced the Westwood Village Rappers
in their infamous and indecent performance at the "W" Hotel
where they are no longer welcome. Dwight promised to continue
as Mark's ethical guide and protect us all from the "black hole"
that is Mark's mind.
The next roaster, Mark Barshop, who claims to have known Mark
closely 36 years, took the gloves off and pummeled the Prez
thoroughly with unkind cuts about weight, ethnicity,
professional and personal indelicacies. He began a story about
certain "shortcomings" that could only have ended badly, when he
looked up and saw the Prez's Posse (Mom, Wife, and Daughter) in
shock. Calculating the number of Rotarians between him and the
exit, he relented in his attack and we all breathed a sigh of
relief. I realized at that moment that Rotarians only like to
"play" at roasting and should leave the real roast to the
carnivores.
Prez Mark, showing no nervousness, magnaminously invited all comers to take their best shots, but none were game and all were happy to call it a Hump Day.
-YYE (& PE) Aly Shoji
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