NPR or Something Else?
WHAT TO DO WITH KPCC?
RADIO STATION KPCC is an important asset in the west valley, a major communications tool if used correctly, a waste of a resource if not. Headquartered and funded by our community college district and located at PCC and on Mt. Wilson, KPCC has been succeeding marvelously and failing horribly, depending on the reporter. Right now there’s a new plan and an old plan, and we’re unclear where to go. Cindy Young is the general manager of KPCC, and she speaks to Rotary this Thursday on the station’s current relationship with National Public Radio, the station’s development of independent programs, and the importance of KPCC to our community. Len Therrien hosts Ms. Young, and you're certainly encouraged to host a guest too.
NEXT WEEK OUR NEIGHBORS with the Chinese Club of San Marino will describe the broad spectrum of their activities and programs for our community.
JULY FIRST SEEMS TO BE ALL PAUL: his homily, his sermon, his message of plans for the next year, the next decade, the next century, the next millennium, Paul, pure Paul.
JULY EIGHT IS ALL ABOUT PAUL: Lee Mothershead brings back from Southeast Asia truth potions and magical mystical properties that will unveil more about Crowley than we’d ever possibly want to know.
THE JULY EIGHT MEETING IS FOR DINNER, REMEMBER: it’s our annual Demotion Dinner, at Caltech’s Athenaeum, and your ever-faithful committee would warmly appreciate your returning your acknowledgement as soon as possible to help in their planning.
CLAREMONT ROTARY HAS BEEN NUMBER ONE in attendance for some 69 years. This year, Claremont had a few 100% meetings – everyone there that belongs! But Henderson, Nevada, nosed out Claremont to take District 5300 honors for best attendance. San Marino? We don’t quite cut it. We’re down in the 60% range, though we suspect a few members do make up and forget to report it (some years ago, most clubs mailed postcards back to your home club for you; with higher postal costs, most don’t do so now, and it’s up to you to report your makeup). Then we have some members that we’ve not seen for weeks, months – years? We hope to involve sponsors of our missing persons, urging better attendance from those we seldom see. Tough to be a good Rotarian without ever appearing at a meeting! If you sponsored one of our MIA’s, would you please take it upon yourself to nudge him or her to come join us?
THANKS TO SEVERAL OF OUR MEMBERS for supporting the emergency project of assistance with Kosovo refugees! Lee Mothershead expedited funding from the ‘Rotary Volunteers’ program run by Rotary International, a process that usually takes many weeks but was completed in a few days. Two ‘RV’s’ are now in Albania, helping the Rotary Club of Tirana with their two refugee camps and establishing a third camp funded by District 5300. Ron and Mike Brittan report much confusion. Many refugees fled in such a hurry they couldn’t take time to register their names and descriptions. These people are ‘lost’ in the camps, with aid organizations unaware of how to match them with families and temporary resettlement. The Brittans’ idea was to bring PC’s and laptops, with software to register and search out separated families. We’re proud that several from San Marino came up with surplus computers (more still needed, 486s or better) and cash. And of course we’re proud of our hometown district governor for this deed, rather than just a bunch of gubernatorial words.
IF THERE’S ANY CHANCE YOU KNOW ROTARIANS who might like to give some time as a "Rotary Volunteer" with the district’s camp in Albania, encourage them to apply! The district office can get them application forms to register, and they can join our delegation there now. Rotary International provides round trip airfare and up to $50 per diem for living expenses. Call Vivian Duncan at 888-378-5300, our district office. The work in Albania and Macedonia is tough right now, but imagine how satisfying!
IF YOU’RE NOT QUITE ABLE TO GO TO HELP the Kosovo refugees, what about supporting the project? We’re reading of the human tragedies among the Kosovons, as we relax with a fine dinner. We could each skip one meal out, or one day’s golfing, or a purchase we don’t really need, and send a few dollars each to support what Ron and Mike Brittan are doing on our behalf. With the Mothersheads in Asia, turn to the district office for information, or send a check in care of Rotary District 5300 Kosovo Project, 1963 South Myrtle, Monrovia 91016.
DEBBIE BELL’S DEPARTMENT HEADS told us how swimmingly well everything is progressing in our city government, but we’re suspicious San Marino is scraping for extra bucks. Have you seen our new ‘motors,’ the ‘cycle officers’ hidden behind local signboards, down side streets, in shadows, just waiting to pounce? Careful, now; let Debbie get her extra funds, but let the dollars come from out-of-town motorists speeding along the drive!
DON SCOTT HAS SEEN those motorcycle officers hiding in wait for unsuspecting speeders in San Marino, and is reminded of his youth. So far, Don hasn’t regressed to his old habits, but the thought of sneaking up behind the motor officers and startling them with a firecracker is delicious enough to keep Don imagining.
THANKS TO DOUG LARNER and those Yearlings and other good Rotarians who came out to run the games and prize booths at this year’s Grad Night, yet another success for our club that’s now history.
IMPEACHMENTS OF SITTING ROTARY PRESIDENTS are rather unusual, but Pasadena Rotary has indicted their president and subpoenaed all members for jury duty at the impeachment of their president Sonia Lagomarsino for such high crimes as ‘sappy singing,’ ‘weeping and wailing,’ and ‘impersonating a fairy godmother.’
THE FOURTH OF JULY IS COMING! To arms! Bob Ebert is planning the Best Float Yet! Ask him or any on the committee, including Lois, Margie, or Merrill, if they need help.