Bulletin for June 4, 2014
Written by Scott Fellows
Greeter
Michael Jackson – Who as President of the Chamber board of directors is also busy planning the annual installation dinner, this year set for Thursday, June 26th at the Portofino Inn’s banquet room. This year’s theme is an homage to the great Italian Western, “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” Senor Jackson has requested my attendance and I told him that I would gladly come as the Clint Eastwood character, The Man with No Name or “The Good.” I’ve got an old poncho that I wore at a fraternity party some 45 years ago when we threw an outrageous costume ball after the showing of that iconic movie at the UCLA campus theater. I can’t believe I still have it, after all these years. Some things are too cool to ever part with.
However, Senor Jackson doesn’t like that idea as he feels that I should be “The Ugly” the role made famous by Eli Wallach. After weathering that insult, I suggested that HE should be the Ugly, or The Bad, as I am much better looking than he. While he didn’t disagree, he offered that we both come as “The Good.” And that was an offer that I couldn’t refuse.
The only problem that I can see is that Senor Jackson doesn’t own a poncho, and there is no way I’m letting him borrow mine, not even for a second. If he buys me a coupla shots of excellent tequila, I may relent, but I’m making no promises. Sorry, Mikey.
Invocation –
Very inspirational words were recited by ex-Prez Larry Hashimoto.
Flag Salute –
The very charming Chantel King led us in that verbal homage to the “Greatest Nation on God’s Green Earth.”
Guests –
Only our speaker, Kurt Leiber was a guest today.
Meals on Wheels –
Scott Fellows, your humble correspondent & new Rotarian Amy Zimmerman. Next week, June 11th, your humble correspondent and new Rotarian and newly elected City Treasurer, Steve Diels will deliver meals to our senior citizens.
Announcements –
Redondo Beach Library is requesting members, or whomever, donate LEGO building blocks to support STEM activities.
Member Inductions –
PDG Chuck Anderson, aka Chuckles, inducted Damian Capozzola and Mr. Diels into our club. Your (not so) humble correspondent actually approves of these two guys, feeling that they will contribute much to our club’s community events and to the world wide spirit of Rotary.
Mr. Diels also noted that his lovely wife, Elizabeth (do NOT call her Betty) is now helping with his real job, which is in the financial services industry, as she had his building on PCH re-painted in fabulous new colors, a distant cousin of the usual browns and light pastels that one sees when cruising around this city or any other part of the world. Good work, Betty!
Senior Project – Beach Cities Health District
This senior project is set for Saturday, June 7th. Members are to meet at the BCHD back parking lot at 8am and be ready to wash windows, do minor repairs, etc in 5 homes belonging to senior citizens in our city. Also some members are to “Converse” with seniors in their homes as work is being done. Now that’s a job I could do!
Softball Tournament –
This Rotary softball day is set for Wilson Park in Torrance and the Four Torrance Rotary clubs are sponsoring it. Interacters from the South Bay will also play along. Also cool to bring family & friends. Members are to meet at Wilson Park (located on Crenshaw Blvd, just north of Sepulveda) at 9am and play until 1pm or so. Bring any equipment you (or your kids) have, just in case it’s needed. Beer is optional, but suggested by your (less than) humble correspondent.
Demotion Party –
Set for Saturday, June 28th at the King Harbor Yacht Club. Starts in the early evening and lasts until the bar closes.
Fine Master –
David Whitehead fined PDG Rick Mendoza for using a photo of David playing golf at Trump as his Facebook profile photo. Senor Jackson also fined for receiving the Small Businessman Man of the Year award at the Chamber of Commerce State Convention in Sacramento. Financial success and fixing up your domicile is a punishment? I must ponder that one.
Speaker –
Nancy Langdon introduced Kurt Leiber, the Founder of Ocean Defenders Alliance.
This non-profit organization whose goals are to work for a debris free sea. Kurt has been scuba (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving our waters ever since he moved here back in 1979. While enjoying the wonderful diversity of ocean wildlife, he also saw the downside of the loss of bio-diversity that is happening before our very eyes. So he decided to start organizing people to remove man made debris (nets, traps, etc.) from our waters in order to prevent this gear from killing animals needlessly.
He noted that sea otters are threatened and much of the plankton (which numerous sea creatures feed on) is gone. There is no abalone here and very few lobsters and crabs, and mating them with east coast versions is unfortunately not possible as the DNA does not match up. It’s sort of like trying to mate Republicans and Democrats. It’s okay for a night or two, but not any longer than that.
Kurt also stated that most of the volunteers have slowly, but surely, moved away from eating fish of any kind as the association with sea life brings into play a relationship no one ever expected. When I asked him what his opinion is of eating meat and the process that necessarily precedes the sale and consumption of it he confessed that he no longer eats any meat of any kind. When I pressed him on the drinking of milk, the scrambling of eggs and splashing cream in your coffee he confirmed the obvious: Mr. Lieber is a Vegan, which means that fruits, grains and veggies are the only food he consumes.
I thanked him for taking the time to speak with me and as I stepped back a little I noticed that this man is physically in great shape. Much of it would have to do with lots of exercising in the water but also in his daily diet. It also gave me pause to think about the sushi I love and the rib eye steak that I enjoy.
Raffle Ticket –
Wealth Advisor, ex-prez Steve Scerra picked up a non-green marble and donated the measly $10 back to the foundation. Heck, if it were me, I would have gone downstairs and bought your humble correspondent a cocktail. But I digress.