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Ren Adam, Editor |
October 9th, 2009
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October is Vocational Service Month
Upcoming Programs and Events
Presented by Program Chairman, Leland Hammerschmitt and his crew.
October 16th-Linda LeBrock, Lynn Mikelatos, Jerry Beckerman-Ventura County Career Link-Professional/School Alliance for Job Guidance and Job Preparation
October 23rd-Ms. Dagmar Freitag-German Politics and Nordhoff Music
October 23rd through 25th-District Conference
October 30th-Fifth Friday Social-Halloween Celebration
November 11th-Board Meeting-7 AM, Grey Gables Meeting Room
In the Beginning....
Ojai Rotary Club President Scott Smith made members, guests and visiting Rotarians welcome to Friday's meeting, followed by Margaret Ward, an intern for the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival, reading the Four Way Test, followed by introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.
Announcements. . .
The October Fifth Friday get-together will be Oct. 30 at the home of Colin and Cindy Jones; Kay Bliss was in charge of the sign-up sheet.
In honor of Vocational Service Month, Film Festival Intern Margaret Ward again made her way to the podium and, after describing her own long-time relationship with Rotary (her dad was a Rotarian in San Diego), applied each tenet of the Four Way Test to film, film-making and film makers.
Ward said it was while growing up in San Diego that she developed her zeal to be a film producer, and consequently produced three award-winning documentaries while still in high school. She is now attending Brooks Institute.
President Scott then made presentations of several varieties of native plants to allegedly deserving club members, including Marty Pops, Bob Daddi, Bill Ghormley , and Dave Watson. Tony Thacher received something green for being found “outstanding in his field.” (no joke!)
Each plant is native to the Ventura County area, or the state of California. As many know, Pres. Scott is a native plant enthusiast, as well as an accomplished musician.
Club member John Rennell told us about National “Lights on After School Day,” set for Oct. 22 at 4:30 p.m. at the Oak View Park and Resource Center , 555 Mahoney Ave. The event will feature information about homework assistance; participation in volunteerism; supervised activity; career exploration and coaching; academic enrichment; school engagement; and targeted drop-out prevention and intervention.
Join other fellow Rotarians and attend District Governor, Luz Maria Ortiz-Smith's 2009 District 5240 Conference at the Marriott Ventura Beach, Ventura, CA, October 23rd through 25th. District 5240 Clubs are invited to showcase and celebrate the individual club's achievements. Make this a weekend event. Invite family and friends to the District Conference, see some of the wonderful work being done by District 5240 (one of the top five Rotary Districts in the world). Enjoy three days entertainment and outstanding speakers. Hurry-up and download the Entertainment & Speakers Flyer for more detailed information.
Upcoming programs include:
Oct. 16: a presentation about the Ventura County Career Link – Professional/School Alliance for Job Guidance and Job Preparation
Oct. 23: Dagmar Freitag, a member of the German parliament. Click here for more information.
Oct. 30: Fifth Friday at Jones' house
Fining:
Fine master was John Rennell, who took money from Janet Mahon, who celebrated a birthday; Bob Davis in honor of his 70th; Tony Thacher for the predictable defeat of his Cal Bears by the Mighty Trojans of USC; Allan Jacobs for failing to adequately explain a swollen jaw, which he blamed on his wife; Wally McCall, whose wife was honored recently by Ojai Unified School District; and Rennell himself, for advertising the “Lights on After School Day.”
Why dogs don't like Halloween....
The Program: The Women of Jewelia
Jonell McClain introduced the history of “The Women of Jewelia,” a best-seller written about 13 women who, back in 2004, bought a 16.25 carat diamond necklace from Ventura's own Van Gundy and Sons Jewelers, with the idea they would share wearing the necklace year round.
According to McClain, she had spotted the necklace in Van Gundy's window, tried it on as a lark, and then saw the price tag -- $37,000! She went back to the store several weeks later, found the price had been reduced to $22,000, and the piece was going to be included in an upcoming promotional auction.
McClain came up with a plan: She would find 11 other women, each of whom would put up $1,000; they would buy the bauble at the auction; they would then share and wear the necklace, one month each, year round.
The collective question was: “Is it possible to share a luxury item like a $37,000 diamond necklace?”
The answer has been a resounding “Yes,” according to McClain.
The 12 women approached Tom Van Gundy with an offer of $12,000; understanding what the twelve planned to do, he countered at $15,000 , on condition his wife could be one of the group, at which point the deal was struck.
Initially, the necklace was passed among the 13, and strong friendships were forged as a result of thei
r sharing. But that wasn't enough, and they began to question how they could expand the act of sharing beyond the group, at which point they started letting various women of the community wear “Jewelia” – from brides to care-givers; cancer survivors and even a homeless lady.
As time passed, there became two rules attached to the wearing of Jewelia: 1) If you go to Paris, the necklace goes with you; (2) Because the husbands were not supportive of the $1,000 expenditure to buy the necklace, it was decided that when it was your turn to wear the necklace, you had to make love wearing ONLY the necklace. McClain stated the husbands “… were soon on board.”
The Women of Jewelia have been featured in People magazine, and have appeared on Good Morning, America and The Today Show. Additionally, the subsequent book has been published in 30 countries and a movie is in the works.
To date, more than 1,000 men and women have worn Jewelia, including Kevin Kostner … and Ojai Rotary President Scott Smith.
Joining Jonell McClain for the program were three others of the 13 women -- Maggie Hood, Mary Osborn and Dale Mugenberg.
Final Thoughts
The Pres closed the program by reminding members to practice our ethical duties: Provide opportunities for young people; recognize the value of all useful occupations; and help improve the quality of life in our community.
