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It is wonderful to be spoiled by living in San Diego and belonging to America’s Finest Rotary Club! It was another Chamber Day on the Bay. Greg Zinser provided some terrific music as we gathered and the break from routine was welcomed. Lots of interesting conversation: trips over the summer and plans for the upcoming Holidays took center stage, a little on the healthcare debate in D.C. and the on-going conflict in Afghanistan.
President Dick Troncone brought us to order and had James Buley give the inspirational moment. ED Glazener and Greg teamed up to lead us in singing “America” followed by Bert (he doesn’t need his last name) giving a glimpse of 1939 and then getting us up to the minute with the news. George Driver presented the visiting students from Serra High and Leane Marchese our visiting seniors. Don Balfour sponsored a new member, his daughter, Carolyn Balfour McCormick. Then Chris Elliot became our newest member sponsored by Jen Martino.
Bob Arnhym invited us to join him and others in roasting Bill Kolender on Nov. 12. With Bob on the podium, you’ll need to tape your sides to keep them from splitting with laughter! Jim Hughes announced the Rotary Foundation Gala on Nov. 7 and Bonnie Schwartz our next golf outing on Nov. 6.
Bill Trumpfheller was the Chair of the Day and did the visiting Rotarians duty first. We had several visitors but the prizes went to a gentleman from Japan. Bill then introduced our speaker, Ed Moss, President and Publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Ed is fairly new to San Diego (except for some previous time in North County) but is certainly experienced and well traveled. His career in newspapers has taken him from Virginia to Michigan, Ohio, Louisiana, Arizona, Pennsylvania and up and down California.
His first statement was, “The Union-Tribune is here to stay.” Ed described some of the challenges facing the industry in general and the U-T in particular. He spoke to the changing culture – active oriented – and the need to respond more quickly. The organization is committed to implementing major technology changes to make it more streamlined. They are working to make advertising more available to small businesses and to geographically targeted markets. They also are committed to more local news and more of those sections important to San Diego. He promised us that the paper/media organization will continue to emphasize customers, readers and advertisers. Given the challenges print media is facing everywhere, his was a very positive message.
Editor: Steve Hubbard
Photography by Paul Nestor
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