Vol. 100, No. 43 May 1, 2014 ROTARY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
Time in a Bottle NEXT MEETING May 8 "Older American Month." There was a It’s Never Too Late: Super-heated high murmur heard around the room that this John Corcoran’s 50 Year could mean us. St Paul's new building winds for days did not is up and being celebrated. Our Presi- Struggle with Illiteracy keep the faithful from dent again fell on his sword taking the today's meeting. De- fine for St. Paul's good works. spite the soaring heat As a boy, John Corcoran, au- Geri Warnke wave temperatures Next up was Marlee Ehrenfeld thor of The Teacher Who Editor Rotarian's were full of who must have felt today was a safe smiles. President "I- Couldn't Read, never learned day to let Ron Roberts take the micro- to read and struggled with this am-almost-outta-here" phone without financial jeopardy. Ron secret for nearly 50 years. He Chuck opened the meeting by introduc- brought the news of the opening of the learned to play the system, ing Daryl Ferguson to inspire us. Daryl San Diego County Waterfront Park graduating college, teaching at reminded us that Rotary is both a person- with a celebration to begin on May 10. al and professional privilege. Suzy Spaf- This is truly a glorious project—a long the high school level, and ford stepped up to the podium and led us time in the planning and construction. building a successful real es- in the Pledge before summoning the Club Through a cruel twist of timing, Pres. tate development career. 33 Singers. America the Beautiful never Chuck came to his senses and fined John's personal mission is to sounded so good...and aren't we lucky to Marlee $250.00 for what seemed like a eradicate illiteracy through his have Bryan Verhoye contributing his tal- nearly innocent moment standing next organization, John Corcoran ent on the piano? to Ron. Foundation, and he shares his inspiring story as a testament Our newsman, Bert Wahlen, Glenn Thomas was the first to the power of reading. brought the news of the day... plus a joke ever new member to give a slide show that surely proves women are smarter. during his self-introduction. It was clev- Then President Chuck amused the mass- erly done. He has multiple talents in the es by suggesting that his tweets are fol- musical department that will be well- lowed daily by each Rotarian. He had used in our club. Welcome, Glenn! declared this meeting a 'no tie' event, but clearly his command had little sway over Next up for club membership the elegantly attired gentlemen of Club was Michael Holland. His introduction 33. Finally in desperation to find a fine to noted that his father, Bill, has talked to give, he had John Neuhart approach the our club for years on our annual eco- podium to have his tie cut off. John only nomic program. He also comes from a Karen Hutchens flinched once as the deed was done, but family with multiple generations in Ro- Chair of the Day surely he must have felt better that he tary. He will be a great addition to our was not fiscally injured. Rarely has a club's finance committee. Welcome to president ever been so keen on raising Michael! the club's coffers that he fines himself. After introducing visiting Ro- Rotator Editors Wanted! Guy Maddox bravely went to the tarians, a lucky one all the way from Please contact the Rotary of- dais to tout the upcoming Grotarian Li- Mission Valley got a gift of a beautiful fice or Andy Liska if you are brary tour. He was sartorially re- photograph taken by Mike here in San interested in becoming a splendent, but fortunately without a tie to Diego. Rotator Editor. have whacked off. Cheryl Wilson re- minded us that we should all be personal- Continued on Page 2 ly in touch with the fact that this is Time in a Bottle Continued from page 1 There is still time to sign up ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT LIB- for the Spring Tennis Tour- ERTY STATION CONFERENCE CEN- Ingrid Croce is a veteran songwriter, TER UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED nament on Wednesday, May musician, mixed media artist, restauranteur, 14 at 5:00. Visit our website entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. And for more details. that is just the beginning of the titles this May ______woman of many talents has earned. As our speaker today, she reminded us of the bleak- 8 John Corcoran 2014-2015 Committees ness of downtown 40 years ago. Her late What committee will you serve husband, the famed folk singer Jim Croce, 15 Dr. Richard Della Penna on this year? was killed in a plane crash in 1973. He and 22 Jeff Bacon, Cartoonist, Ingrid had moved here shortly before. They Navy & Marine Corps walked down 5th and F Streets wondering Times The 2014-2015 Committee at the dilapidated buildings, the empty Sign Up form will be sent out storefronts and the vagrants. After his death, 29 Iris Engstrand, Balboa later this month on the 15th. Ingrid, in a bid to survive financially, Park History Be sure to look for it in your opened a restaurant in that exact location in inbox and return it immediate- 1985. ly. If you have any questions June about a committee, please con- 5 Jim Ryun, 50th anniver - In her charming and lovely way to- tact the Rotary office or the sary of his record break - committee Chair. day she shared the struggles, and the subse- ing sub 4 minute mile quent strengths, she discovered in her ven-
ture. Love came around again in Jimmy Rock who has been by her side for 27 years.
Son AJ is now married and has his own mu- sical aspirations. She lost the lease to the BIRTHDAYS Gaslamp Croce's Restaurant a few months ago. But she has landed solidly on her feet, Bev Siligmueller May 5 GROTARIAN EVENTS yet again, with the opening of Croce's Park George Gildred 6 West restaurant. It has received rave re-
Randal Densley 6 views by recent guests. Ingrid has shown May 27 - San Diego Library & enormous community support for many art- George Jessop 8 e3 Civic High School Tour - ists. It was a pleasure to hear her comments 4:30-6:30 pm. Register at Scott McClendon 8 today about the history and the development www.rotary33.org of the revitalized downtown. Her artistic Punky Chapman 8 vision led to many of the positive changes Future Events: Chris Cramer 9 we enjoy today. Jay Arnett, Jr. 10 June 22 - San Diego Polo Club
Matt Engel 10 Happy May Day to all! July 15 - America’s Cup “Yacht America” Sailing Michael Brunker 10
Frank Panarisi 10 Steve Bond 11
Meetings: Every Thursday at Noon, Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, San Diego, 92106 Charles J. Pretto, President Paul Devermann, Executive Director Rotary Club of San Diego 2247 San Diego Avenue, Ste. 233, San Diego, CA 92110-2943 Phone: 619/299-3309 Fax: 619/299-3340 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www.rotary33.org
FACES IN THE CROWD
Chair of the Day Mike Conner and President Ingrid’s speech was of her journey from a young Chuck welcomed Ingrid Croce and her husband widow to becoming a successful restaurant owner. Jim Rock.
John Neuhart paid the price and was “fined” for Marlee Ehrenfeld is “thanked” by Supervisor Ron wearing a tie in direct opposition to President Roberts for promoting the opening of the new Chuck’s edict that it was too hot for formal wear. park at the County Administration Building.
Lucy Killea , Georgina Serrano, Martha Dennis Nancy Scott wore clothes befitting the era of the and Nikki Clay enjoyed the day. ‘70s icon Jim Croce.
NEW MEMBERS
New member Glenn Thomas intro- New member Michael Holland introduced him-
duced himself today. Glenn is Owner self today. Michael is Vice President and CFO
of GC Thomas, Inc. His classification of The Holland Group. His classification is
is “Commercial Flooring.” Jean “Investment Advisor - A.A.” Craig Evanco,
Young, Greg Pike and Joe Craver Greg Noonan and Vance Gustafson were his
were his sponsors. sponsors.
(Phone) 619-518-7847 (B) 619-401-8892
(E) [email protected] (C) 619-758-8342
2014-2015 Project Allocation
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MAY 15TH
The 2014-2015 project allocation form is available on our website under the News tab