Events

Carlos Calvillo, Assistant Chief, Operations South Bureau
Los Angeles City Fire Department

Carlos Calvillo is an Assistant Chief with the Los Angeles Fire Department with more than 38 years of fire service experience. He currently serves in the Department’s Operations South Bureau and has held leadership and command assignments spanning emergency operations, hazardous materials, Urban Search and Rescue, communications, and emergency management.

Throughout his career, Calvillo has served in senior leadership and command positions on numerous complex incidents, including major structure and industrial fires, wildland-urban interface incidents, maritime emergencies at the Port of Los Angeles, large-scale planned events, and major disasters across the United States.

His experience includes leadership roles with FEMA California Task Force 1, where he has served as both a Planning Chief and Task Force Leader on multiple national disaster deployments. He has also held leadership assignments within both the Los Angeles Fire Department and City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Centers and has been involved in the development and implementation of emerging public-safety technologies, including WIFIRE and FIRIS.

Calvillo holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Coast University and has completed several executive and leadership development programs, including USC’s Executive Leadership Program, LAPD’s WestPoint Leadership Program, and TEEX’s Enhanced Emergency Management Course. Leadership development and mentoring have remained important components of his career. After graduating from LAPD’s WestPoint Leadership Program, he later served as an instructor with the LAFD’s WestPoint Leadership Academy and has continued to mentor firefighters and officers preparing for greater leadership responsibilities.

Outside of the fire service, Carlos enjoys spending time with his family, playing the drums, cycling, and being outdoors.

Chef Robert Bell is a self-taught executive chef, generous philanthropist, and active member of the South Bay community. He and his partner, Michael Franks, have made Chez Mélange the oldest and most established culinary destination in the South Bay. Founded in 1982, Robert and Michale have served the community great food and great service. Robert is an active member of the community, and it shows in the daily operation of his restaurants, He support organic, sustainable, rustic cooking and above all else, “the small guy who’s just trying to make a living”,. He believes in the farmer, the fisherman and most importantly, the family. “We are a family ourselves and our night are spent together, serving what we are proud of in a restaurant we hope you support”

Robert says his love and inspiration of food and dining originated with his grandmother. “Sunday meals and gathering around the table were so much fun. I was 10 years old and all we’d talk about was how we like our dinners: do we use the long pasta or short pasta? Food was an important thing; it wasn’t just something you ate so you wouldn’t be hungry”

The original For Our Children Food and Wine Festival was held in two tents at Chel Mélange, and they are still a supporter of the event today. Additionally, Robert is a supporter of The Seed To Plate, a program in Palos Verdes where special education students maintain a garden. Chez Mélange purchases their harvest, and Chef Robert transforms their produce into a market-driven menu which highlights world cuisines. Other noteworthy restaurants are Misto, Christine’s, Gusto, Fino, Too Chez, Descanso, Depot and the Chez.

Last meeting before our big Rotary Responders Roundup event! 

Join us at Hesse Park for our Annual Blood Drive!

Join us at the PV Golf Club for craft talks from club members John Schurict and Judi Rook!

Join us for an exciting visit from District Governor Brady Connell!

This is an oppoirtunty for all club memebrs to show Brady what a great club the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club is and to share the important work we've done and still plan to do. Make sure to join us for this important meeting. 

Michael Choi and his brothers, Aaron and Joseph, owners of Fire Grazers, Inc. have returned for their annual brush clearance activities across the Peninsula.  To many Peninsula residents and residents of surrounding areas, they have become local celebrities along with their herd of 700 goats.

The PVP Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Michael Choi to talk share his story. It's not to be missed!