The Gazette

Surfbeat

ROTARY CLUB OF LA JOLLA

“Service Above Self”

Focusing on Truth, Fairness, Better Friendships

and Shades of Beneficence for All

August 30, 2005

Writer: Ron J. Jones

Presiding (8/23): President Lee Vida

Invocation: Penny Shurtleff,

“In a perfect world, there would be no conflict, hatred or suffering;

Our whole human race would forever exist in peace and tranquility.

We all know, through no fault of God, that we do not have a perfect and idealistic world

However, there is always the expectation that mankind will realize and accept the cultural, religious and life style differences of those who share our planet with us.

The hope and promise of world peace is truly in our youth.

God, today we ask that You help guide our youth onto the path of international understanding, compassion and tolerance of others.

Please show them how to effectively soften the hearts of those who only know hatred and intolerance.

Let them show by example how knowledge, patience, compassion and acceptance can lead the world to understanding.

Although this seems like a simple and idealistic solution to promoting peace throughout the world, we know it is not.

Therefore, please give our youth the strength, determination, knowledge and ability required to making peace throughout the world a reality.

The Pledge of Allegiance: John Vaughan

Song Leader: Bill Burch and Laurnie Durisoe

Piano Player: Jeanne Hawkins

Song: “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”



Visiting Rotarians (8/23):
We welcomed Philippe Leger, Paris Alliance, France, Interior Decorator; Jim Hughes, San Diego #33, Commercial Real Estate; District 5430 Youth Exchange representative Rob Eckert, San Marcos, and Kathy Stevens, Lake Arrowhead, CA, Property Management, “Our club has 60 members.”

Guests of Rotarians (8/23):
La Jolla Country Day High School Communications Coordinator Lisa Reynolds presented LJCD assistant cross country coach Sarah Johnson, LJCD Upper School Director Rod Jemison, LJCD Director of Admissions and Public Relations Vincent Travaglione, along with Robert Cross, husband of the day’s guest speaker, LJCD Spanish teacher Beth Cross.
Nilou Cowperthwaite hosted her daughter, Roxanne, a strong supporter of our Baja ESL/Computer lab. “She goes to Tijuana every Saturday with Dr. Vaughan.”
Jeanne Cherbeneau introduced her sister, Neva McMullin, “She’s visiting us again,” and with a nod to our Gallic visitor, added, “she also speaks fluent French.”


Vida mins:

President Lee Vida waved the recently published Scripps Hospital Healthcare informational booklet listing a number of our club members: Board of Directors trustee Kaye Woltman, Foundation Director Richard Woltman, along with medical staffers Dr. Davis Cracroft and Dr. David Shaw. “It speaks so well of the type of people in this club,” Lee observed…

The San Diego Reader’s News of the Weird reports that the Rotary Club of Chatham, New Brunswick, announced in May that the grand prize in its raffle to help build a new environmental awareness center would be a Hummer. Uh huh…

Don Dewhurst has added another twig to his family tree with the arrival of his tenth grandchild; Bob Teaff can claim one with the addition of Caitlin, a newly arrived granddaughter…

Ed Lewis recently gifted Zeke Knight with one of his coveted hand crafted bird houses. Zeke, with a nod to the past club “Acts of Random Kindness” bumper sticker campaign, placed Ed’s work into the “Senseless Acts of Beauty” category…

FYI: Zeke Knight was District Governor Bob Watson’s banker when both lived in Tahiti…

Just a reminder, RI has upped the ante: instead of “Every Rotarian Every Year” chipping in a c-note of unrestricted giving, they’d like to see $125. The District office also asks that you consider giving up $3 to support the construction of the Rotary float entry in the annual Rose Parade…

Think good reality television thoughts for Mera Kelley’s daughter-in-law, Carrie, as she faces off against a group other supremely qualified candidates singularly hoping to be chosen by Martha Stewart as her next apprentice…

Our club sponsored the La Jolla Concerts By The Sea show this past Sunday, and it was a good one. On stage was Yavaz, a Latin jazz group pumping two hours of samba, salsa, classic jazz favorites and a few rock tunes: the encore was a jammin’ “Guantanamera-Louie Louie-Hang on Sloopy-Twist and Shout” medley that packed the grassy area in front of the stage with dancers. MC Ron Jones extensively pitched membership in today’s Rotary and con-cluded his remarks by adding, “Whatever your preconceived notions about Rotary are, they’re probably bogus—we aren’t your father’s Rotary anymore.”…

Dave Weston and Patti Rearwin recently completed the Tour de Iowa, a seven-day bicycle pedal through the Hawkeye state. The 33^rd annual 485-mile trek is billed as the Adult Spring Break. “The humidity was 100% the first day and 90% the second day. The ‘Welcome to Iowa’ winds reached 70-90 mph at one point.”…

The club’s treasury is $280 to the better with Vince Vano’s contribution of $10 for each of his meeting make-ups in Espana…

Jim Lundy’s wife, Lily, says that the people at Wayne Woods’ Burns Drugs are the “happiest druggies.” Um.

Youth Exchange

Last week’s program was devoted to the RI Youth Exchange program with former student participant Beth Cross as the featured speaker. Beth is now the Upper School Spanish language instructress at LJCD, utilizing knowledge that was initiated by total cultural immersion as a high school junior in Caleta Olivia, Santa Cruz, Argentina.

The club’s Youth Services committee (Edith Duarte, Amanda McLaren, Nilou Cowperthwaite and chair Susan Fox) were represented at the microphone by program boosters Maureen and Geoff Schwartz who described the Rotary International project in operation since 1927 as a “vehicle designed to foster international under-standing.”

Maureen began, “It is a one-year high school exchange to one of 82 countries. There are about 8000 students on exchange each year. Students in grades 10 through 12 are eligible. Parents pay the transport and insurance costs. I believe that our Rotary club has missed out by not having hosted an exchange student for some years. Of course, if a club hosts a student, then it may send one.”

Geoff continued, “Maureen and I were on the District 935 Youth Exchange committee in South Africa for nearly 10 years until 1980. We were responsible for selecting, placing and briefing those applicants who were successful. About 75 kids applied each year and we sent between 20 and 25 students to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and Brazil. We strongly encourage you to get involved with this program. You will thoroughly enjoy the experience.”


The Last Laugh:
This was probably written by a guy:
1. NAMES If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Dawg. 2. EATING OUT When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the women get their bill, out come the pocket calculators. 3. MONEY A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale. 4. SUCCESS A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. 5. MARRIAGE A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change and she does. AND THE BEAT GOES ON
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, “in-laws.”