Please join us to honor the Outstanding Educators in Palos Verdes!
The 2023 Honorees are:
Danielle Standart: Peninsula Heritage School
George Ramos: Chadwick School
Tim Hall: PV Peninsula High School
Steven Ihde: Miraleste Intermediate School
Major Millie Bearchell: Crestmont College for Officer Training
Kristy Kroeger: St. John Fisher Catholic School
Lucinda Rudolphs: Rolling Hills Prep & Renaissance Schools
Katie Angelini: Montemalaga Elementary School (K-2)
Abigail Maeder: Vista Grande Elementary School (3-5)
A Reception and Dinner to honor the recipients of this years awards was held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club Grand Ballroom on Thursday evening, February 9, 2023.
Rotary Means Business District Mixer: A fellowship for business networking among Rotarians and an opportunity to meet your District Governor in person!
There will be a food truck available, a cash bar, networking activities, music, and more. Parking– street or valet.
As World Polio Day approaches, we’re getting ready to amplify our message about eradicating polio to protect the world’s children from this devastating disease.
We’ve made tremendous progress so far, and now’s the time to intensify our fight to make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated. In 2020, the World Health Organization’s African region was certified free of wild poliovirus, showing that eradication is possible even in very difficult circumstances.
The wild poliovirus remains endemic in just two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan— but as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. So let’s use World Polio Day to advocate for the support we need to end polio in countries where children are still as risk.
Get involved Take action this World Polio Day by hosting virtual and community events, creating fundraisers, and sharing posts about the importance of polio eradication on social media.
Use the World Polio Day Toolkit to find resources and tips for planning activities and promoting a polio-free world.
Zones 26/27 Summit on Stopping Human Trafficking will be conducted in San Diego on October 1st for this important final Trails to Peace Summit leading up to the Zones 26/27 2022 Rotary Institute in Salt Lake City in November.
This summit is being designed for both Rotarians and non-Rotarians who want to learn more about modern day slavery for themselves, their clubs, and their districts. It will be held in person but will also have a virtual option for those who cannot travel to San Diego. Both the in-person and virtual participation cost will be $50. The virtual participation cost is per link so multiple Rotarians in a club can share a Zoom link. Virtual and in-person participants can work together to develop projects to fight trafficking. Please encourage Rotarians in your district to go to the website for more information and to register.
Rotary statement on recent polio detections in U.S., Europe
The recent detection of the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 case in New York, USA, and isolates in several environmental samples collected in London are stark reminders that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere. It also highlights the importance of vaccination as the only form of protection against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases and the work that needs to be done in our communities to encourage the uptake of vaccines. Also, as the world gets closer to zero wild poliovirus cases, it is increasingly important to track all forms of the virus wherever they may appear, including in polio-free regions.
The U.S. is still considered low risk for paralytic outbreaks of polio due to the high level of vaccine coverage across the population. If a child has received the entire course of vaccines, the risk of becoming paralyzed by polio is negligible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 92.6% of children aged 24 months are fully vaccinated against polio, slightly below the 95% World Health Organization target.
On August 5th, we had the privilege of hearing Jeremy Brown from the Carson Gardena Dominquez Rotary. He gave a heart-warming presentation on RYLA's (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy) Summer Camp program.
RYLA happens over a weekend in April. They accept freshman through juniors from schools in the South Bay area and many graduates go on to become counselors in the program. They spend two days doing activities that will help them be better leaders and improve their emotional and mental health. We heard an incredible story of one girl who attended as the dying wish of her mother. This incredible girl went on to win a Gates Award and a scholarship to MIT. She also received a masters and today helps care for her younger siblings and father as a result of her amazing engineering job.
To scholarship a kid to RYLA camp costs $300. Our club has the ability to sponsor six kids. As of this moment, we have the cost of four kids covered and will be fundraising at our Wednesday Night Lives for the additional two kids.
The response from Rotary members to the war in Ukraine has been simply incredible. In just a few short weeks, more than $10.4 million has been contributed through the disaster relief channels of Our Rotary Foundation.
This money is flowing into the hands of Rotary members in front-line countries and around the world to help the refugees who are fleeing the war zones, and those who remain to fight for their homeland. The generosity and response to this crisis is amazing.
Take a moment to realize the Disaster Relief channel was set up just three years ago, and in those three years it has attracted approximately $3 million in contributions, before the Ukraine fundraising efforts, to help with the many different types of disasters around our world.
Rotary members step up when they are needed, and we are becoming more engaged in immediate action and care when faced with disasters such as fires, tornadoes, and pandemics. We also continue to stand together, to stand strong, as a positive force in long term recovery and rebuilding and creating lasting change.
The world needs Rotary now more than ever before. Proudly share your stories of why you are part of this incredible leadership and humanitarian service organization.
Understanding the role of gender in polio eradication
The wild poliovirus still paralyzes children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In those countries and many others, gender can play a role in vaccination efforts. It’s important to consider how mothers and fathers make decisions about their children’s health care and to understand who in a community is delivering immunizations, says Heather Monnet, external relations officer and gender focal point for polio eradication for the World Health Organization. Recognizing the importance of women who work in the polio program and dismantling gender-related barriers in order to reach all children with the polio vaccine are key to overcoming the remaining challenges to ending polio.
Rotarians and friends from across District 5280 met on Saturday, April 16 in Torrance for the Rags to Rugs project. Unwanted Tshirts, Towels, and Sheets were transformed into rugs and bed pads for dogs and cats at area shelters.
We hope that you and your family are in good health and in good economic shape, in spite of the continuing pandemic!
Today, we are writing to ask you to consider making a financial donation to support our Club's signature program: 2021-22 Educator of the Year. The importance of education is ingrained in our history. Benjamin Franklin once said: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” We strongly believe that Education breeds hope. Indeed, it is the soul of our society and the engine to our future.
Your donation will be used to help finance scholarships for our students and to honor teachers for their leadership in our community. To donate to the program, attached please find our donation levels and event details. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Club President Jennifer Sullivan at jennifersullivan@ymcala.org or Christine Chui at 310-962-8988. Every gift counts, please continue to support us!
Thank you in advance for your generosity to honor and support our teachers, students, and their educations. We really appreciate your willingness to financially support the Program which helps our youth to develop intelligence and character through our excellent educators. And we wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
There are 16 Clubs that will participate this years event. We will package just under 28,000 meals. What a difference we will make in many people’s lives. Because of the pandemic, we are keeping some distancing protocols. We are also limiting the number of people to 10 per club. Please let me know if you would like to support the event on Saturday Nov 13. I will be submitting the names on Friday, November 5, 2021.
Many of the Marines are deployed when their babies are born and family and friends may not be nearby. Many are in need of items for newborns and small children, or basic items to set up an apartment.
Thank You to everyone who donated to the Back to School Collection! As this picture shows, we collected many supplies for the children to get them off to a great start in the new school year.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club President - Jennifer Sullivan
My name is Jennifer Sullivan, PVP Rotary Club President, Sr. Executive Director at the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA, Auntie Extraordinaire, Four-legged Fan, and Disneyland Fanatic. I am excited to serve the great community of the Palos Verdes Peninsula as this year's Rotary Club President.
The greatest gift we can give is our time, so choosing where we spend that time is vital. I feel blessed to serve this great club and lead under this year's theme "Serve to Change Lives."
Rotary provides an excellent opportunity for individuals in the community to come together and support a need more significant than themselves. The gifts that our club brings are fellowship, action, and service above self. We are a club that loves to give back. In 2021-22 our service will manifest in many ways; service projects local and international, speaker presentations that celebrate connections to the community, and networking. We hope to see you at the club and help us give back.
Friday, July 23, 2021 - PVP Rotary Club met at the LA County Fire Station #106 in Rolling Hills Estates. This meeting was to recognize the accomplishment of a Rotary Community Grant to improve the kitchen and community room of the fire station. The special event included Club President Jen Sullivan, Community Service Chair Julia Parton, LA County Fire Dept Battalion Chief Velasquez, Captain Matt Levesque plus numerous Rotarians and firefighters & EMTs. A memorial plaque was presented to the fire station followed by remarks by Sullivan and Levesque. A wonderful box lunch accompanied with a lot of good friendships and camaraderie with Rotarians and Firefighters.
Thank you fellow PVP Rotarians for another successful donation collection for the Camp Pendleton families! Service above self was evident with the generosity of the following:
Posted by Credits to Lynne notes, Eileen Hupp & Carmenza Adams on Oct 28, 2020
Spooky Thursday Night Live!
Halloween Costume
Halloween is almost here and we will start early hiding behind the Zoom with the mystery of an improvised costume. Who will have the best costume from the waist up?
Pumpkin Carving
Say “Hocus Pocus” and the artist in you will shine through the illuminated face of the jack-o-lantern that you carve.
Ghoulish Drink Recipes
Will helps you get into the spirit of games, ghost stories, and contests that you won’t want to miss.
Black Cat Martini
Our opening drink is a very simple, quick concoction that is easy to make but has a great Halloween feel.
-2 oz. Blavod Black vodka
-1/2 oz. Chambord
Combine in shaker with 1 cup ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Black Devil Martini
This simple but fun little number comes from the American Professional Bartending Schools of Illinois in Chicago.
-2 oz dark rum. The darker the better.
-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth
-1 black olive
Stir, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add olive on a toothpick.
The Jack O’ Lantern
This great recipe comes from Southern Hospitality in New York City. Use a lowball glass and garnish this drink correctly to get a great tasting drink that looks like a pumpkin.
-1 oz Hennessy VSOP Cognac
-1 1/2 oz orange juice
-1/2 oz ginger ale
-1/2 oz Grand Marnier
Shake combined ingredients and strain into a lowball glass over ice. Place an orange slice (wheel) over the top with a lime twist in the center of the wheel as a garnish topper.
Fake Blood
-1 oz. bourbon
-1/2 oz. lime juice
-Tomato juice
-1 tsp. Tequila
Pour the bourbon and lime juice in a glass over ice. Fill remainder with tomato juice and stir. Then add Tequila.
Here's a way to have a great volunteer experience. And it is happening this Saturday, May 4th! Bring yourself, your friends, your kids and grandkids. Perfect for any age. Give just a couple of hours of your time and you'll help feed those in need around the world.
It was a glorious festivity last Wednesday night as we feted and cheered those men and women chosen to be 2018's Educators of the Year. The more than 250 attendees that included teachers, administrators, city dignitaries and supporting Rotarians, were all energized and boisterous. The ballroom at Palos Verdes Golf Club, where we convene for our noon meetings, was transformed by evening into a more elegant, magical ambiance. While our club meetings fill about a third of the room, last Wednesday night the ballroom was bursting at the seams. As always, many thanks go to our Sustaining Sponsor, the D.K. Kim Foundation, for making the evening possible.
Steve Holmstrom, DVM, DAVDC | Lions, Tigers and Bears. Oh, my!
Today we heard a fascinating talk by Steve Holstrom, DUM, DAVOC, on his career caring for the dental requirements of the animal world. He is also an excellent sailor, having sailed with his young family including a baby to Hawaii prior to GPS. This is in addition to being an accomplished fisherman, a sailing judge for the America’s Cup and a scuba dive instructor.
District Governor Joe Vasquez and his wife Rose were present at the annual district governors meeting.
He presented Paul Harris pins to several members who achieved levels beyond the first $1000.00. Hangup Moon and Henry Lee were honored for giving $1,000 annually.
Greg and Carolyn O’Brien were honored as becoming members of the Bequest Society.
There was a slide show that featured Governor Joe and the “most interesting man in the world”.
Health workers must have a lot of passion. They face so many challenges to reach every child with the polio vaccine.
I found that out when I traveled to a mountain community on the border of Uganda and Kenya, 200 miles from my home in Kampala, to join a vaccination team. Just getting to the homes was a challenge, let alone persuading the parents to let us in. We had to park the cars, carry our coolers with the polio vaccine safely tucked inside between ice packs, and move on our own two feet, just walking and walking. It’s a bit of a trick – using your hands to steady yourself while you climb, yet still having to carry this heavy cooler. There were lots of streams and rivers, and at times we had to jump across or walk through the water.
We would sometimes walk for 30 minutes before we would see a home, because they’re not so close to one another. It was lonely and scary, walking through the trees and rocks. The challenge was getting as far as we could, keeping in mind how long the journey back would take. If we walked three hours to get to a home, we needed to be sure we had three hours to get back before dark. And all that with the possibility of not finding a child at home and having to return another day.
Our guest speaker Mike Lansing from the Boys and Girls Club of LA Harbor presenting the club some exciting news, updates and information about
the expanding footprint of this dynamic youth organization. The club's recent expansion, Career Bound Program, and a short explanation of a $9 Million Comprehensive Campaign.
Many thanks to my Rotary Family for presenting my new grand daughter Maya with a very generous $151 at our meeting yesterday. I’m sure that her Mom and Dad will put it to good use and when I get to hold her again next weekend up in Los Altos ( in the Bay area), I’ll be sure and tell her and her big sister Lia about all the friends they have down here in Palos Verdes. Many thanks to all of you again. Joey
Friday, August 23’s Rotary Meeting saw a “full house,” as many of our Rotarians returned from trips and summer vacations. This was also the occasion of the induction of former PVP Rotarian and past Club president John Polin back into our Club.
Friday’s program featured the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Chamber President and CEO Eileen Hupp. Our Rotary Club has been a sponsor of this program for the last three years.
District Breakfast yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 14th) held at the Westin hotel LAX. Marc Mazorow, Kath Anderson, Eileen Hupp, Rick Mendoza, Greg O’Brien, Jim Hartman and Daryl Sidler were in attendance.
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi presents Club President Marc Mazorow with a Certificate of Recognition honoring our Club for our commitment to education….specifically our work in honoring teachers at Educator of the Year AND for granting scholarships.
Certificate of Recognition honoring our Club for our commitment to education
The Meeting of today coincided with the 49th anniversary of the landing on the moon. Jim Hartman gave us something to think about in his inspirational invocation. He graciously allowed us to print it for those of you who were unable to attend, and to remind those of us who did attend.
The Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula members were all smiles last Friday afternoon as they welcomed Marc Mazorow, as our new president of the club. As president, Marc will lead and motivate our club, ensure that club members feel valuable, inspired, and connected to each other. La Rotacion wishes Marc a GREAT Year ahead and look forward to being inspired! Congrats Marc! We are watching you!
This annual award is designated for the one Rotarian in our club who clearly stands out in demonstrating "Service Above Self," and principled commitment to the Four-Way Test. Eileen Hupp, is that outstanding club member who has made significant contributions to the mission and operation of our club. Congratulations Eileen! You are our Rotarian of the Year 2017-18!
Below are the current statistics on the number of Polio caused by the wild polio virus in endemic countries. Eight (8) of the 11 cases, this year, are in the country of Afghanistan and three (3) are from Pakistan. There were no new cases reported in Nigeria at this time. The 11 cases this year is disconcerting as it represents roughly twice the number of cases as last year at this time. The war against Polio continues and Rotary will and must support the effort to end this dreaded disease.
Demotion dinner for our outgoing president Lynne Neuman. The PVP Rotary Club was in the house "boat", starring in the usual cast of FUN Rotarians and fun was sure had by all! Thank you's were received for committees of the many members who work on projects during the year and a all new cast was installed!
Journalist and Former Hostage finds the Value of Humor!
“I might be one of the only people to have taught yoga to Somali pirates.”
A former resident of Redondo Beach, author and journalist for The Guardian and der Spiegel, Michael Scott Moore was held hostage by Somali pirates for 2 years and 8 months (977 days) from 2012 to 2014. Living in Berlin in 2012, he had been in Somalia researching for a book after reporting for der Spiegel on the trial of a group of pirates in Europe...
There is something about the number 11 that keeps cropping up in the life of La Rotacion editor Juan Bueno. Juan’s father was one of 11 children. Juan was one of 11 children as well. Last Friday, May 11, Juan gave his first Rotary craft talk, bookended by his birthday on Thursday (the 10th) and his first club anniversary on Saturday (the 12th).
Our esteemed speaker Frank Scotto is a local Torrance professional who has a deep history of service. He was born in Riverside in 1948 and his family moved to San Pedro and then Torrance. He was in the Military during the Vietnam War and continued on to public service throughout his life. He graduated from El Camino College and in 1974 went into the service station and Towing Industry. He recently sold his towing business after 42 years to pursue other business venues and political opportunities. His started his civil service career by serving as commissioner on the Torrance Civil Service Commission in 1997 and was elected to the City Council of Torrance in 2000 and serving as Mayor Pro-tem then and in 2006 and 2010...
Rotary Speakers April 20 : Steve Cooley and Robert Schirn
District Attorney Honorable Steve Cooley and Robert Schirn, career prosecutor and office historian. They were at the club to discuss their new book entitled Blue Lives Matter In The Line of Duty. It is a collection of facts, stories and lessons learned regarding the murders of various LAPD officers struck down in the line of duty. They highlighted the execution murder of Deputy David March in 2002, the pursuit of the murderer, Jorge Arroyo Garcia, and the efforts to bring Garcia to justice.
Mr Bruce Attig introduced the speaker, Dr. Ajmel Puthawala, radiation oncologist at the Fountain Valley hospital. He is board certified and practicing radiation oncology 46 years and has extensive experience about radiation treatment to cancer patient. the topic was advances in Radiation Oncology.
Clean water and sanitation are basic necessities of a healthy environment and a productive life. Since 2013, The Rotary Foundation has invested more than $74 million in water and sanitation projects. For World Water Day, read about one of those projects in Sri Lanka, and learn more about the work Rotary is doing to provide access to clean water, improve toilets and latrines, and support hygiene projects.
Your help is needed Saturday April 28th in San Pedro! Volunteers are required for the following event. Click on Sign Up to view available slots and book yourself directly online...
Event:
Sharfest Community Workday
Date:
Apr 28, 2018 at 10:00 AM - Apr 28, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Ryan Choura is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker and CEO of Choura Events. He founded the Los Angeles-based creative event agency in 2007 with a mission to provide an innovative A-to-Z solution for creating, designing and building life-changing event experiences. Current and past event highlights include The ESPYS, Summer X-Games, Coachella, Stage Coach, Electric Daisy Carnival, Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Newport Food and Wine Festival, Huntington Beach Air Show and Golden Globe and Grammy's after parties...
Rotary Clubs of South Bay Sunrise & Palos Verdes Peninsula
Tickets are on sale for the 5th Annual South Bay Beer and Wine Festival. Enjoy beer from over 40 micro-breweries, 20 wineries and 30 restaurants for a single price of $75 — $10 off with attached promo code. VIP upgrades are an additional $39. Visit the website for more details.
One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. Old Photos are a great Memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good. We all love a good trip down PVP Rotary memory lane, so be a good sport and share!
Our program on February 9 was the annual Rotary Speech Contest. Eight energetic and engaging your people from our local High Schools spoke for up to six minutes on the topic of “Making A Difference.” Tiana Vibhakar, from Palos Verdes High School, shared with the club how various obstacles “get in the way of life itself.” She chooses to brighten others’ days by leaving uplifting post-it notes in random locations throughout her day. Natalie Valvo, from Rolling Hills Prep was inspired by a YouTube video to accept and encourage others “just as they are,” and claimed Ghandi’s mantra: “be the change you want to see in the world.” Ailum Shi, of Palos Verdes Peninsula, reminded the club that making a difference in the world starts with ourselves...