Rotary Clubs of South Bay Sunrise & Palos Verdes Peninsula
The 6th Annual South Bay Beer and Wine Festival took place this past Sunday under the threat of rain. Yet we still prevailed! Around 1500 attendees enjoyed UNLIMITED TASTINGS from more than 100+ micro-breweries, wineries and restaurants, shopped at our Silent Auction and Rotary Souvenir booth. The rain scare put a small dent in our attendance and sales, but we will still enjoy some healthy income to our Foundation for continued community projects.
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.
You might remember in Chapter One of our story, our esteemed PDG Rick Mendoza was given the microphone at 1:22 for his talk on the Rotary Foundation (not to be confused with our Club Foundation). Despite Rick’s ability to provide meaningful dialogue in short timeframes, he was unable to finish his thirty minute presentation in seven. Therefore, he was given the opportunity to finish in Chapter Two.
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.
Another great day at the Palo’s Verdes Country Club to be a Rotarian, a lot to be proud of. We had the honor and pleasure of having past district governor Rick Mendoza speak on a topic he is very versed on and passionate about, the Rotary International Foundation. Founded in 1917 with an initial donation of 26.50 by founder Arch C Klumph, the then president, was used for a comfort station and a buggy for a doctor to do house calls.
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.
If there is a better way to beat the heat than attending a Rotary Meeting at the Palos Verde Golf Club on a Friday Afternoon – I don’t know what it is!
Hospitality is the Hallmark of our club. No sooner do we enter the Club’s Hallowed halls than we are welcomed by Greg Sparkman and newly inducted member Alyssa Titus. Recently installed President Marc Mazorow rang the meeting to order so that the festivities could begin. Rick Mendoza gave an inspirational prayer, John Stillo led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and I (Bruce Attig) attempted to get everyone’s blood flowing with a patriotic song!
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.
Speaker today is none other than our Rick Mendoza, who gave one of the best Craft Talk in our club history. Rick was born on 1934 to Amallio and Alyce Mendoza in San Antonio, Texas. Rick has 3 sisters, he is the eldest, a spoiled only boy. In Central Catholic High School, Rick performed in senior play “Sunshine Twins” when he broke through the longtime shyness and became the current magnificent personality that he is. Rick’s first job was in Piggly Wiggly at age 14....
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.
Anchors Aweigh! Too bad for you if you missed Bob Johnson’s craft talk.
Bob was born on a farm (as were most of our members in attendance) and raised in northern Wisconsin. One of the highlights of his talk was viewing videos of day and night carrier landings from inside the cockpit. His talk consisted of his Naval career. Commander Robert A Johnson, US Navy, Retired. He attended the University of Wisconsin on a Navy Scholarship in 1952 and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering and a BS in Naval Science in 1957.
He and Gail were married and went to Pensacola Florida for flight training in propeller fighters. Next onto Beeville Texas to check out in jet fighters and was awarded his wings in November 1958...
Our speaker at the meeting of 3/2/2018 was Scott Martin.
Scott Martin, a landscape architect-turned-peacebuilder, is a founding member of Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) and a former chapter president of MBBI-LA and former co-leader of MBBI’s Rwanda project and is now working on the Cambodia Project, focused on using social entrepreneurship to build capacity for sustainable peace. Scott has been engaged with MBBI for about a decade...
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...
A brief encounter with fellow PVP Rotary Member Allan "AJ" Johnson, who is interested in knowing the reason I'm in every picture? I think what AJ really wanted to know was "How can I get my picture on La Rotaćion?" Smile... Well, the answer is simple; Take a Selfie with a Fellow PVP Rotarian and email it over! I'll will make sure your picture is included on the next Weekly Edition of La Rotaćion.
What's a Selfie you may ask? | sel·fie ˈselfē/
noun informal | 1. a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared with La Rotaćion. "occasional selfies (alone) are ok, but posting a new picture of yourself with a fellow PVP Rotarian on La Rotaćion is the BEST!"
Today's speaker was Karl Huggins; - the Director of the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Facility at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center since 1992 who has been involved with the treatment of hundreds of divers suffering from air embolisms or decompression sickness known as the bends.
Friday January 19th Rotary Speaker: We were entertained and inspired by Brady Connell, fellow Rotarian (Playa/Sunrise Rotary Club) and Executive Producer of ABC’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.
Friday January 5th Rotary Speaker | We were treated today to a slide show by one of our world traveling members Dr. Mel Schier. Mel and his wife Cynthia traversed the globe for many years - learning about other cultures and history - with Mel taking copious pictures along the way...
Bruce Attig welcomed our guest speaker, Leon Carroll, Jr., of the San Pedro Rotary Club. Leon is a native of Chicago and is currently the technical advisor for our favorite TV show NCIS.
We all love stories; we love sharing some of our favorite experiences just as much as we enjoy hearing other Rotarian’s wild adventures. Whether it’s a riveting tale of victory after overcoming impossible odds, a simple fun moment that happened over the weekend. Storytelling is one of our favorite communication tools and gives us all a better experience here at the club. How else are we supposed to learn about all great things happening here? Have a story to tell? Share it! We want to hear it.
We were pleased to have 2 lovey ladies join us from the Cancer Support Community. First to tell us a bit more about the organization was Theresa Plakos who has been their PR Director for 8 years. She pointed out as we are all so aware how in this day and age cancer touches almost everyone and they are a valuable resource for patients and loved ones. It has been located on the Redondo Beach pier for 30 years and was the 2nd such facility that opened by Dr. Harold Benjamin, with Santa Monica the 1st. There are currently 45 such facilities locally and 120 worldwide.
Their goal is to ensure all individuals dealing with cancer are empowered, strengthened and sustained. They offer over 200 free programs for those that have been affected one way or another by cancer. They use a patient active concept which encompasses partly the fight for recovery and to improve the quality of life. Some of the services they offered are weekly support groups, educational groups, workshops with guest speakers, mind & body stress programs and individual counseling. They have also started a kid’s community and are a complete resource for the whole family in dealing with cancer.
They have 2 major fundraisers throughout the year, Celebrity Wellness at the Botanic Gardens and the Girls Night Out Program that is held at the Hermosa Comedy Club. They also get their fund through grants, individual, corporate and nonprofit grants.
Theresa then introduced Carla Saliba a cancer survivor. Carla spoke about how her and her husband were experiencing a bit of a change in their lives as empty nesters in 2014. She was then diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and could hardly believe it and described herself as a deer in the headlights when she heard the news. She was told by one of the nurses Anna, to the go to the Cancer Support Community that it would make a difference. There she met livelong friends that continually supported her whether it just be talking about what to expect or telling her that yes she can do this and they would be with her every step o the way. It was one place she felt completely understood.
She shared her story of that year it was the only Christmas party she attended and felt 100% comfortable with her wild wig on, how she fit in to and enjoyed so much the yoga classes with others experiencing the treatment as well and participated in sound therapy that they offer. She did beat cancer and credits Cancer Support Community with playing a huge part in saving her life. She has written a book The Art of Gratitude and does volunteer for a number of organization including Cancer Support Community and the USO. We are fortunate to have such a great resource right in our own back yard.
If you were unable to attend this week’s “Thursday” night live, you missed a wonderful event. This turned out to be an almost Fairy Tale send-off for our Rotary family members Kjell and Cheryl Helberg. Unfortunately, Cheryl was tied up with relocation duties so Kjell was tasked with taking all the attention.
The evening was magical as our chariots crested the top of the Palos Verdes hill leading to Kathy and Joe Anderson’s Castle on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival, we crossed a bridge spanning a crystal clear chlorine treated moat (no piranha’s or crocodiles were evident) in order to reach the inside main gate. As would be expected, Sentry Judy Maruszko vigilantly stood guard outside the Portcullis requiring proper documentation and registration of guests – by order of HRM Queen Lynne Neuman. Once allowed access we were presented with a veritable feast of strange Swedish delicacies and endless libations.
With Chalices in hand we toasted our Honoree Kjell (who is departing for a strange land called Texas) while numerous admirers regaled the crowd with tales of his many feats and accomplishments. Sir Helberg was very modest about his time spent with our group, which only reinforces why he will be missed. Fortunately for us, he promises to come back often for visits!
So as the sun set on this fairytale evening, we watched the sun fade over the horizon, reminisced about the good times we’ve had with rotary friends and dared to imagine the great adventures yet to experience!
Overcoming obstacles to polio eradication in Pakistan
A Rotary volunteer administers polio drops to a child missed by earlier rounds in Pakistan.
By Alina A. Visram, manager, Pakistan National PolioPlus Committee
When I first joined Pakistan’s PolioPlus Committee (PNPPC) as a manager close to eight years ago, polio eradication seemed within our reach. I used the opportunity to study poliomyelitis beyond just perceiving it as “a crippling disease.” I researched the causes and consequences; the types of polio virus; modes of prevention; and how elusive the virus can be given the right conditions.
Then in 2012, the dynamics of my country changed. We were faced with hostile militants, who refused to allow polio teams to vaccinate children in their territory. Our front line workers were regularly targeted for their work during campaigns.
Cozette Vergari is a member of the State Bar of California and is also admitted to practice law before the United States District Federal Court for the Central District of California. Aside from litigation, she is trained in mediation, and has received Court appointments as legal counsel for minor children in high conflict custody battles. Cozette established her own law firm in 1996, subsequently overseeing well over 1000 client matters in the areas of Family Law and Trust and Estates.
At the Rotary International Convention, global leaders and key donors affirm their commitment to ending polio
With polio on the brink of eradication, nations from around the world and key donors pledged more than $1 billion on Monday to energize the global fight to end the paralyzing disease.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said ending polio would be one of the world’s greatest achievements.
"Polio is the thing I spend the most time on. Everyday I look at my email to see if we have a new case," Gates said. "I'm very inspired to be part of this. I'm also very humbled."
We've got a view for a room, and need volunteers to make it happen. Take a look at the plans for Saturday, April 30th and join us in this this worthwhile community project. We are Rotary. Service above self.
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