SDRotary - Getting Involved

July 11, 2001

This week's Bulletin was written by Steve Waterman.

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Pete Tereschuck led the first pledge of Melissa Blackburn’s administration, followed by Michael Clarkson’s invocation. Melissa’s sister, Michelle, was the special guest songleader of “God Bless America.” Melissa’s husband, Richard, was also there to give moral support.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Carol Jensen, will miss 6-8 weeks after ankle surgery and would appreciate any communication or visits during the tedious recuperation. Dan Cleaves, new Community Services Chair, solicits recommendations for this year’s activities and donations. Last year, most of the club’s donations were made to organizations with ties to various club members.

Amy Edgett of Rotaract (pictured here) is peddling tickets to its annual fund raiser on July 26, La Noche de Fiebre Grande from 6-9 pm at Rock Bottom in the Gaslamp. Click Here For Invitation. Rotaract will also have a picnic benefit on August 11 catered by Martin Blair’s Kansas City Barbecue.

Joe Ciokon announced that Stand Down will take place again this year July 20-22. Support for a tent is $500. We could also use volunteers to serve breakfast Saturday or Sunday. Please e-mail Joe Ciokon so he will know who's coming and "give credit where credit is due." But, also call Andre' Simpson, the Volunteers Coordinator for STANDDOWN at VVSD (619) 497-6123 x 835, or 497-0142.

Joe also reports that the family cruise on the Stennis aircraft carrier will be October 13.

President Melissa reminded us that this year’s Rotary International theme is “ Mankind is our business.” As her first official club meeting function, she presented Michael Clarkson with his blue badge. She mentioned that she has a copy of the official Rotary International Directory for members who will be traveling out-of-town.

FINES

Frank DeFrancesco, new Sergeant-at Arms presided over a busy fining session and announced that fining proceeds this year will go to the Deafness Research Foundation. Frank purchased lottery tickets for Pauline Getz for her birthday and Pete McGuire for his anniversary. “Halfsies” on a winning ticket should be returned to the club. Various and sundry fines went to Tom Sayer, Scripps Ranch July 4 parade Chief “Writing Bull,” Gary Green for being Gary, Alan Talbot for son’s fencing accomplishment, Pauline for firing her secretary, Jeff Lendrum for buying a new house whose sale was mentioned in the San Diego Transcript, Joe Ciokon for judo coaching successes, and Michael Clarkson and Steve Waterman for surviving tailhooking on the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier. Frank challenged members to wear eye catching hats next Wednesday, July18, opening day for the Del Mar racetrack.

THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER

President Melissa introduced Cathy Anderson, CEO of the San Diego Film Commission. In honor of Cathy, our tables were decorated in a movie theme including goodies. Our speaker has received various awards from the film and television industry and is a San Diego Magazine person to watch.

The Film Commission’s origin was 25 years ago with the TV show “Harry O.” In trying to make arrangements to film this show, the producers experienced difficulty getting coordinated agreement from numerous agencies, police department, port district, you name it. The Film Commission was created to solve this problem and was first housed in the Chamber of Commerce and funded by the hotel occupancy tax. It is now an independent corporation with 501(c)(4) status. Its mission is to bring feature films, TV movies and series to San Diego. This film and entertainment last year spent $72 million in San Diego. The factors that film companies consider in deciding to locate in a certain city are how well the city matches the script, budget and costs, and the amount of cooperation they are likely to receive. San Diego competes with Canada, Australia, Los Angeles, and Mexico.

San Diego is the permanent site for 3 current TV series, “Invisible Man” (SciFi channel), “18 Wheels of Justice,” and “The Chronicle” (SciFi Channel). A major coup for San Diego was Stu Siegel establishing his production and sound stage studio here. Cathy told the “amusing” story of a production for a show “Gatekeeper” in which a mock “meth” lab was created in a house near the border. The set was so realistic, the lab was “busted” by the police.

The process for obtaining a permit for filming involves a meeting between producer, director, production coordinators and local fire, sheriff, police, trolley executives, etc. An oral agreement is reached which is adjusted on a daily basis. The Commission works closely with community and was able to get Pt. Loma “Wooded Area” residents to agree to nighttime filming for a cop show. For a production of “The Cell” with Jennifer Lopez, the script called for a setting in the 1970’s. Ocean Beach turned out to be a perfect site. O.B. probably could have worked for the 60’s just as well in this writer’s opinion.

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