Philippe and Dugan with a picture of a leopard Philippe took on safari. The flags of Uganda and Burundi are on the left and right, respectively.
Philippe and Dugan Lamoise spoke at our March 28, 2024 meeting about connections they’ve made with Rotarians in Africa. Dugan outlined our most recent Global Grant (G-2939) to help refurbish the maternity ward at Prince Regent Hospital in Bujumbura, the largest city and economic capital of Burundi. This grant devoted nearly $74,000 to upgrade showers and toilets as well as purchase beds for recovery wards. The grant also covered purchase of blood pressure monitors and installation of TVs in the wards that can be used to broadcast educational and training videos. Leading the grant were four Rotary clubs in the Bujumbura area. Six Rotaract clubs were integral to project planning and execution. These Rotaract clubs are now themselves qualified to lead their own Global Grants- an important demonstration of the role that Rotaractors can play at an international level. Philippe summarized his long-term involvement with projects in Uganda, including an ~$83,000 Global Grant (G-2893) in partnership with Rotary Club Kampala North to upgrade the Namalemba Health Centre to a Level IV facility that offers a surgical theater, laboratory services and maternity care. These projects arose out of connections made in part at Rotary International annual conventions. Click HERE to watch a video of their talk.
Over 80 students from 22 schools gathered at the Del Mar Civic Center on March 23-24, 2024 for the 20th annual District 5340 Model United Nations. The delegates considered resolutions to mediate the loss of global biodiversity and to implement counter-terrorism measures to build a safer world. On Day 1 students gave ~2 minute speeches about the resolutions before breaking into caucus groups for closed-door negotiations. On Day 2, final amendments to the resolutions were made. Our own Don Fipps opened the meeting. The speaker panel featured Vice Admiral Charles Martoglio and Rotary Peace Scholar Bogdan Matuszynski. Thank you to Kathy Reed for organizing the food and volunteers and Klaus Gubernator for securing the venue and wrangling the audio/visual. Thanks as well to Sharon Schendel, Walt Strangman, Steven McDowell and Marty Peters for helping at the event. Click HERE to view photos from the day.
Model UN Delegates Discuss Biodiversity and Counter-Terrorism
The sleeping cottages our members helped build on the campus of the Palomar were recently featured on KPBS. Click HERE to read more and watch the report.
We welcomed Toni Schoon, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from near Hamburg Germany, at our social and March 28, 2024 meeting. Toni’s host family is in Anaheim, and he’s staying with Matt and Janice and seeing the sites in San Diego while his host family is traveling. Have you ever thought about hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student? Click HERE to visit the District 5340 Youth Exchange page to learn more.
We had a great crowd at Salt + Limefor our March social on March 26, 2024. The margaritas were excellent, the service was so efficient, and the Happy Hour menu offerings were perfectly sized. Salt + Lime began as a food truck and we wish them much success in their permanent venue just across from the Del Mar Civic Center.
Meet members of Area 4 clubs and learn about their projects at the annual 7-way lunch at the Del Mar Hilton on Wednesday April 17. Sign up details to follow when they become available.
Garrie Rhodes presents a check to Lauren Suh, who will compete in the finals on April 20
Come on up to the Carlsbad City Library (1775 Dove Lane) to enjoy an afternoon of music from talented young musicians at the District 5340 Instrumental Music Competition on Saturday April 20 at 3 PM at the Carlsbad City Library. The winner of our club competition, flutist Lauren Suh, a junior at Torrey Pines High School, will be competing in the finals. Click HERE for the listing on our website’s Event Page.
We were saddened to hear of the death of our long-time member Al Tarkington on March 13, 2024. Al joined the club in 1973 and membership was just one aspect of his devotion to the Del Mar community. He was the Del Mar mayor from 1979-1980 and was instrumental in the acquisition of Powerhouse Park. Al was an incredible athlete. In 2019, when he was 80 years-old, Al was the final finisher at the World Championship in Kona, just one of his many years at Kona (click HERE to see a story about Al’s 2017 presentation to the club). Al was married to Stephanie (Steve) for 61 years and in 2022 we were happy to see them both chauffeur Karl and Suzy Wagner to their demotion party in a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II, one of several classic cars they owned. Click HEREto read a memorial to Al.
Field trip Friday on March 15, 2024. Instead of our regular meeting, we headed just a bit north toFree Flightbird sanctuary. Isabelle Zapata, the Free Flight Learning Center coordinator, was our guide and introduced us to several of the delightful birds that call Free Flight home. After giving the birds a snack, we had our own snacks at Viewpoint Brewing Company.
Membership chair Dee House (third from left) and President Matt Kurth (far right) congratulate our newest blue badgers RoseMary Pellegrino (far left) and Susan Maronde (second from left)
Congratulations to Susan Maronde and RoseMary Pellegrino for completing all the steps on their journey to earn their regular badges.
Newest Blue Badgers Susan Maronde and RoseMary Pellegrino
We are delighted to induct Dr. Manu Sohaey as the newest member of our club. Manu had a successful plastic and reconstructive surgery practice in the Chicago area, where he raised three children with his late wife, Minoo. His daughter Dr. Roya Sohaey is a respected radiologist at Oregon Health Science University and daughterJasmine Sohaey Grassi runs a retina care practice with her husband in the Chicago area. His son Christopher is in real estate in the San Diego area. Manu is proud to have been a U.S. citizen for more than 60 years and his family emphasizes the value that immigrants bring to this country.
Past President of Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach Susan Hennenfent enjoys offerings from Salt + Lime at the 2023 Sunset Soirée
Even thoughSalt + Lime had just opened their doors in September 2023, they were enthusiastic supporters of our 2023 Sunset Soirée. Join us for a social to thank them for being part of our event. As always, family and friends are welcomed and encouraged. Their Happy Hour starts early: 2:30PM-5:30 PM so come early to enjoy discounted prices.
For those of you who enjoy watching bright things hurtling through the night sky, Sharon Schendel’s husband Jim Kohn notes that there is a SpaceX launch tonight from Vandenberg AFB. Look west tonight- the launch is scheduled for 7:13 PM PT.
Jude and PDG Mel Gallegos (far left), PDG Steve Brown, Chuck DuVivier, Dr. Nick Tsoulos and PDG Marty Peters shared memories of a trip to Eritrea
As Marty Peters was preparing for his District Governor year (1998-1999) he had a simple idea: encourage all Club Presidents during his term to raise $500 to give to Rotary International’s polio eradication efforts. That simple idea snowballed into something far more. Click HERE to watch a video that includes a brief overview of the polio virus and its impact by Dr. Matt Kurth followed by memories from Marty, PDG Steve Brown (1995-1996), PDG Mel Gallegos (2018-2019), Chuck DuVivier (Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club) and Dr. Nick Tsoulos (Rotary Club of Escondido).
What happens when you Say YES: A trip to Eritrea that changed lives
Wrapping up the Assembly (l to r) Patti Kurtz, Toni Mecaro, Sharon Schendel, Don Fipps, Matt Kurth, Steven McDowell
Our club great representation at the March 9, 2024 District Training Assembly. Of course Don Fipps was there as District Governor, and Janice Kurth delivered the Global Grants session in the afternoon. International Services chair Patti Kurtz attended, as did members of the Presidential line: Matt Kurth, President-Elect Toni Mecaro and Steven McDowell (nominee for Rotary Year 2026-2027). Past President Sharon Schendel was also there working with District Governor Nominee Luis Carranza. Our club is now certified to participate in District and Global Grants in the coming Rotary Year.
Beth Davidson stands on the Bloodmobile steps showing off a new addition to her wardrobe.
The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile was back behind the Del Mar Civic Center on March 7 for another successful blood drive. We collected over 60 pints, and donors got a T-shirt as a special reward. If you couldn’t make this blood drive, click HERE to book an alternate appointment time at one of SDBB’s convenient donor locations. If you donate before March 31, 2024, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Magnum Pathfinder 500 fat tire E-bike. Thank you to Mary Savoy for organizing the drive.
Over 60 pints collected at the March 7 Blood Drive
RYLA 2024 is just six weeks away! We have three applicants from Cathedral Catholic that we’ll interview on Thursday March 7, 2024 from 2-4 PM (right after the meeting). Email Sharon Schendel if you’d like to help interview. Gregory Harris, a member of the RYLA organizing committee, says that more facilitators are needed for the RYLA weekend. Being a facilitator is truly amazing. You have the opportunity to meet spectacular young people and some of the coolest Rotarians in the district while spending time in beautiful Idyllwild. Facilitators must be able to attend the entire weekend (late Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon) and be able to walk a few miles each day. Also, they MUST be Youth-Certified for District 5340. Email Greg if you’re interested in learning more about being a RYLA facilitator.
Over 10% of our club was up in Vista on February 24, 2024 working hard to build more sleeping cottages for the Rising Tide Ranch. Thank you to all the members who helped. There is another build on March 9, 2024.
Susan Maronde gave her “Who Am I?” presentation at our February 29, 2024 meeting. She was introduced to our club by Beth Davidson, but Susan was already connected to Rotary through her father, George Lewis, who’s a dedicated Rotarian in South Florida (click HEREto see the July 2023 story about George, including a video about George’s pet portraits).
Susan is married to Mike and mother to son Harrison, who’s a freshman at Indiana University. Susan, Mike and Harrison also share their home with two Westies, Fenway and Poppy. Susan has a Bachelor’s from USC and a Master’s at University of San Diego. She just retired from Wells Fargo after a successful 26-year career.
In addition to Rotary, Susan is involved in the Del Mar Women’s Giving Collective and next year will serve as its president. Each year the Collective supports organizations with around 60,000 in grants and to date they’ve granted over $500,000. Susan will also assume a leadership role in our club in July when she will take over as Club Secretary.
Members enjoy sandwiches before attending a performance of "Clyde's" at Moxie Theatre; Valentina Lunati (Development Director) and Desireé Clarke Miller (Executive Artistic Director; upper right) gave an introduction to the mission of Moxie Theatre
Our members met at the Moxie Theatre on March 3, 2024 to see “Clyde’s”, a play about creative expression and the importance of taking simple ingredients you have on hand to create something new and personal (click HERE to read the story about Moxie’s visit to our club in January, 2024). The Moxie lobby was set up to look like Clyde’s sandwich shop in rural Pennsylvania, while the stage had the back kitchen of Clyde’s, staffed by Montrellous, Rafael, Letitia and Jason, who’ve all spent time incarcerated. All four strive to make “perfect” sandwiches while keeping to task of their boss Clyde, who struggles with her own challenges to keep the business afloat.
In advance of the play, we all enjoyed some perfect sandwiches from Chēba Hut that were generously provided by Dugan and PhilippeLamoise, who are also title sponsors of the production. There is still time to catch a performance of Clyde’s, which runs through March 10, 2024.
Klaus Gubernator with some Free Flight birds who visited us back in 2017
In lieu of our regular meeting, we have a field trip on March 15 to the Free Flight bird sanctuary near Del Mar Plaza on Jimmy Durante Blvd. (click HERE for a map). Afterward, we can discuss our favorite birds over some Viewpoint Brewing Company brews. The cost is $8/attendee for a guided tour and opportunities to feed the birds. There is limited parking near the sanctuary and dirt lots adjacent to Viewpoint. Email Linda Saville if you have questions. For those attending: wear close-toed shoes that you're comfortable walking in.
Event organizer Garrie Rhodes (far left) presents checks to the competitors (l to r) Lauren Suh, Annie Verkhoczy, Koe Goodsell, and Taj Aliotta
Four talented young musicians treated our members to wonderful performances in the first round of the District 5340 Instrumental Music Competition on February 22, 2024. Taj Aliotta, a senior at San Dieguito Academy, began the competition by playing Cantabile el Presto by George Enescu for flute. Koe Goodsell, a Junior at Canyon Crest Academy, played the Allegro molto appasionato movement from Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, followed by another flutist, Lauren Suh, a junior at Torrey Pines High School, who played Danza de la Mariposa by Valerie Coleman. Annie Verkhoczy, a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School, finished the competition with a keyboard piece, Merry Go Round of Life from the Howl’s Moving Castle soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. The judging panel comprising Janice Kurth, Miles Fleming, and Lowell Gaspar considered the difficulty of the piece as well as the musical interpretation, musical emotion, stage presence and the command of the instrument. All four winners received a check from the Youth Services committee for their participation and the judges chose Lauren Suh to represent our club at the upcoming semifinals in March. Thank you to Garrie Rhodes for organizing our club’s competition. Click HERE from some clips of their performances (unfortunately, Facebook embargoed the video of the meeting).
The San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) Bloodmobile returns to the Del Mar Civic Center on Thursday March 7. Reserve your appointment now and encourage family and friends to donate as well. Email Mary Savoy if you'd like to book an appointment, or click HEREto sign up online at the SDBB website (click HERE to book an alternate appointment if you can't make March 7).
The Annual District Training Assembly is March 9 at Liberty Station. This once-a-year event will equip you with all you need to know about Rotary at the club, District, and International level. Learn from experienced Rotarians the ins and outs of club management, the Rotary Foundation, fundraising and more. The afternoon session is particularly important for our club. To be eligible for District and Global grants, two members MUST attend and be certified. Red Badgers- this is a great learning opportunity and it qualifies as a District event to satisfy one of the steps on the journey to a regular badge! Also, are you looking to get Youth Certified, but still need a LiveScan? You're in luck- you can get your LiveScan done at the conference for $20 (the club will reimburse you for the cost). Click HERE to visit the registration page.
View from the aptly-named View Room where the Fireside Chat will be held
Attention all red badgers! Our next fireside chat (one of the steps on the journey to a regular badge) is Wednesday March 6. All members as well as family and friends are welcome to join for an opportunity to talk with club members and officers in an informal setting. Enjoy pizza from Pizza Nova and learn more about our club's organization and projects, as well as how we integrate with Rotary International. Look for balloons to guide you to the Solana Beach & Tennis Club View Room (there is typically plenty of street parking). Click HERE for the map.
Some of Bob's favorite jackets on display in the St. Peter's Parish Hall after Bob's Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life for Bob Fuchs was held Friday February 23, 2024 at the St. Peter’s Church. Bob served as club president in 2003-2004 and was instrumental in launching our Sunset Soirée and reviving Chili & Quackers in 2017. He also arranged multiple Rotary at Work Day projects at the San Dieguito Lagoon. Bob led a full and rich life and he will be sorely missed. Click HEREto read Bob’s obituary and leave a memory in the virtual guestbook that follows.
Sharon will be back home again in Indiana from January 26 until at least February 16 helping a family member recover from planned surgery. The newsletter may be sporadic during this time. If anyone would like to help write stories or take pictures, I'm happy to post them on the website and Facebook! Just reach out by email.
We were sorry to learn that Bernadette Watkins, beloved wife of our member Jim Watkins, passed away last week. We will post information about services and the obituary when it becomes available.
District Governor Don Fipps with members of the Secretariat General (far left photo l to r) Alex Radulescu, Jordan Smith and Ereny Tanious and with Conference Co-Chairs (far left photo) Kevin Cahill and Pauline Lim-Endresen; Center photo (l to r): Klaus Gubernator, Kathy Reed and Walt Strangman
The 20th annual District 5340 Model United Nations Conferencekicked off on January 20, 2024 with a delegate training session. The session began with country selections, followed by introduction of the two resolutions for debate that concerned loss of global biodiversity and strategies to quell terrorism to build a safer world. The guest speaker was Dr. Ari Novy, the CEO of San Diego Botanic Garden, who focused on global efforts to preserve biodiversity. Don Fipps also attended as District Governor. Thank you to Kathy Reed for again organizing the food, Klaus Gubernator, for securing the Del Mar Civic Center as the venue, and Donna Fipps, Sharon Schendel, Walt Strangman, and Ina von Ber for helping with check in. Mark your calendars for the full session on March 23 and March 24.
We had wonderful weather for our first social of 2024, which was at Il Fornaio in the Del Mar Plaza. Thank you to all members who attended and Il Fornaio for the wonderful food and service. We are grateful to Il Fornaio for their long-standing support of our Sunset Soirée.
The builds will be February 10 and 24 as well as March 9. Check the EVENTS page for details. Wear your “Rotary at Work” shirt (ask Sharon Schendel if you don’t have one) and in general clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or painted. Email Pat Caughey or Steven McDowell if you have questions.
Scott LaRue (center) accepts check for MCRF Scholarships from President Matt Kurth (right) and Sean Barrett (left)
In 1962, a Marine veteran read in the newspaper that a fellow Marine veteran, a Medal of Honor recipient, could not afford to send their child to college. That veteran helped raise $1500 for a scholarship and represented the beginning of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), which has since awarded scholarships worth 200 million dollars. Our members raised nearly $600 in Happy Dollars at the January 11, 2024 meeting to help support MCSF scholarships.
MCSF Board of Director Member L. Scott LaRue told us that the MCSF current provides around 11 million dollars in annual scholarship support to help over 2,700 children of Marines. The scholarships are need-based and non-competitive so that all qualified applicants receive support. To qualify, the student must meet simple eligibility criteria: 1) Be a child of a Marine, Navy Corpsman, or Religious Program Specialist, living or dead, who received an honorable discharge; 2) Demonstrate need for financial aid; and 3) Have a high school GPA of at least 2.0.
The success of MCSF graduates in part reflects the work ethic of a Marine. Over 91% of scholarship recipients graduate in four years (relative 56% national average), and almost half are first-generation college students. Scholarship recipients study at a range of institutions, including community and 4-year colleges, as well as vocational schools. The MCSF makes what they perceive as a Cycle of Impact in which a Marine makes a sacrifice for his/her country, the child of the Marine receives scholarship support, and, using the education they receive, strengthens the nation as their parent did. We thank Pat Dougherty for bringing MCSF to our attention.
Scenes from the 2023 Model United Nations Training session
Model United Nations 2024 kicks off with a training session at Del Mar City Hall on Saturday January 20. Kathy Reed needs volunteers to come early (around 7-7:30 AM) to help set up, check in delegates, and manage refreshments. Email Kathy to for more information and to sign up. Red Badgers: helping at this event qualifies as a “Club Fellowship Activity”.
The monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday January 16 at 8 AM on Zoom. All members, and especially red badgers, are welcome and encouraged to attend. Watch for the Zoom link in an email.
Celebrate the new year with our first social at Il Fornaioin the Del Mar Plaza on Wednesday January 17 from around 4:00PM-6:00PM. As always, friends and family are welcome and encouraged. Il Fornaio would like a rough head count, so please email Suzy Wagner if you plan to attend.
We added our latest regular badge to the box for Dr. Ina von Ber, who completed all the tasks for Rotarians who transfer into our club. Congratulations Ina!
Powerhouse Park was the site of a holiday party for Ukrainian children and their families that was hosted by Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services. Our club helped support the fun through a donation of $750 from the Youth Services committee and $1250 that members raised in a single Happy Dollars session. Thank you to Klaus Gubernator and Steven McDowell for helping to organizing and being onsite during the event.
Our past president Bob Fuchs passed away on December 17, 2023 shortly after suffering a stroke. He was 79 years-old. Bob served as club president for Rotary Year 2004-2005, and was instrumental in making the Sunset Soirée a reality. He also revived Chili & Quackers in 2017 and organized several work projects at San Dieguito Lagoon, a place that was very important to him. Bob provided strong leadership for the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation, which provides the funds to drive our projects. We send our condolences to the Fuchs family and will have fond memories of Bob’s outstanding service to the club. He will be missed.
Wyatt Hinshaw (left) receives congratulations from his sponsor, Patti Kurtz, Membership chair Dee House, and President Matt Kurth
We’re delighted to induct our newest member, Wyatt Hinshaw. Wyatt gave his “Who Am I” at the January 4, 2024 meeting. Wyatt is a Hoosier by birth, but came to San Diego when he was 8 years-old after his mother accepted the CIO position for Scripps. After graduating from Bishop’s High School, Wyatt studied mechanical engineering at Berkeley hoping for a career in the automotive industry. He joined Fiskar Automotive, an experience that demonstrated that the auto industry was not for him. In 2014 Wyatt joined biotech company Scientist.comworking in corporate development. Then, in 2017, Wyatt’s friend Charles Cole asked him to help with the finance side of a beer brewing venture, which would eventually become Viewpoint Brewing Company. Wyatt is now working on a new project: he founded FundaMental Health, which seeks to help individuals struggling to access mental health obtain the help and resources they need. Family is important to Wyatt. He’s one of seven children and is uncle to 9 nieces and nephews. He enjoys cars, surfing and snowboarding, and spending time with his black lab, Maggie Maude.
Wyatt Hinshaw, Donna Fipps, Val Myers, Dugan Lamoise, Janice Kurth, and Sean Barrett (l to r) all gave brief "Who Am I" presentations to kick off 2024
For our first meeting of 2024 we featured “Who Am I”s from several veteran members of the club and two of our newest members, including Sean Barrett. Sean was born in Kentsville, Missouri and graduated college as the Viet Nam war was ramping up. Since his father had been in the military, Sean knew that entering the service would be his only option. Trying to secure a job as a supply officer, he listed Viet Nam for his top three duty stations, which explain why he was ultimately assigned to Guam. After serving in Guam, he went to New London, Connecticut Naval Submarine Base, where he officially became a “bubblehead”: someone who served on a submarine. After leaving the service, Sean earned an MBA from Indiana University and entered a career in banking. Sean wore a flat cap for his presentation to accompany a story about his being mistaken for a certain celebrity while traveling with his wife, Denise, by train between Paris and London. Apparently this celebrity, also named Sean, frequented the train, and there is indeed a certain resemblance.
Congratulations to our newest Paul Harris fellow, RoseMary Pellegrino, and to Val Myers, who earned her Paul Harris +3, respectively. Rotarians who donate $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation are honored as Paul Harris fellows. They earn additional recognition for each subsequent $1,000 they donate. Support for the Foundation comes back to our club in the form of District and Global Grants.
Enjoying wines at Gianni Buonomo (lower photo, clockwise from left) General Manager Al Dorvinen, Linda Strangman, Sharon Schendel, Matt & Janice Kurth, Patti Kurtz, Roy Randall, Toni Mecaro, Ina von Ber, Suzy & Karl Wagner, Walt Strangman. Keith Rolle and Al Dorvinen (upper center and right) were our guides, and Luigi Agostini of Pizzeria Luigi pizzeria stopped by.
We wrapped up a year of socials in the heart of Ocean Beach, where we thanked our long-time Sunset Soirée supporter, Gianni Buonomo Vintners. Our tasting featured a variety of interesting wines, including a Blaufränkisch, Lagrein, and a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc reserve. We extend our gratitude to the "Secret Santa" who picked up the entire tab! General manager Al Dorvinen was our guide in choosing some interesting bottles, and vintner Keith Rolle also stopped by to provide some insight into the inspiration for some of his wines. Next time you’re on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, stop in for a taste!
The monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held Tuesday December 19 at 8 AM on Zoom. All members, and especially red badgers, are welcome and encouraged to attend. Watch for the Zoom link in an email.
Board of Directors meeting Tuesday December 19- Zoom only
Registration is open for the District Conference Cruise to Ensenada, which will be a casual, fun, educational, relaxing and affordable weekend cruise on Royal Caribbean's newly remodeled "Navigator of the Seas." The 3-night cruise will depart from Los Angeles at 4 pm on Friday April 26, sail to and dock in Ensenada and return to Los Angeles at 8 amMonday April 29. Our planned Rotary activities include a Welcome Aboard reception on Friday, Saturday Day at Sea with two Rotary General Session meetings and the option to participate in Rotarians at Work projects in Ensenada and a paella lunch on Sunday.
Don't wait to register. Cabins are going fast! After you register, join the District Facebook group dedicated to the District Cruise. You can share information and ask questions, etc.
Important: Click "Read More" for some very vital information about the cruise.
Our annual holiday party for members of the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club La Colonia clubhouse is Thursday December 14 from 4-6 PM. All members and their families are invited to make holiday crafts, tell their wishes to Santa, and enjoy delicious food donated by Jake's Del Mar. Klaus Gubernator is chairing the event and Kathy Reed is organizing the craft stations. Click HERE to check the event page for directions.
Calling all early birds! The Community Resource Center (CRC) is looking for help with holiday baskets on Saturday December 9 from 5:00AM-9:30AM (yes, that's AM). Holiday baskets are fun, and they're even more fun if you get up super-early on a Saturday morning. This is a self-schedule. If you'd like to help, email CRC staff directly at HBVolunteer@crcncc.org. The staff will provide additional details, include the work site.
Early birds: Volunteer for CRC Holiday Baskets December 9
Tickets for Del Mar Village Taste & Sip are officially sold out, but you can still swing by Del Mar on Sunday December 3 from 1PM-4PM to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Our club will have a booth near the Jim Watkins amphitheater to unveil our plans for a tile enhancement of the amphitheater risers. The tiles will have a wave motif that echoes those on the nearby beach. We'll be raising funds to cover the cost of materials and installation; there are several levels of recognition for donors. Contact Suzy Wagner if you have time to help staff the booth. Thank you to Pat Caughey for preparing the graphics in the flier.
Amphitheater Booth at Del Mar Taste & Sip Sunday December 3
Early edition for the newsletter this week because we have some events this weekend (i.e., tomorrow!). As per Sharon's mantra: "It's on the website", so if you miss any of the details, visit www.delmarrotary.org
Viewpoint Brewing Company is the site for the inaugural fundraiser for FundaMental Health, a 501(c)3 organization founded by our soon-to-be newest member Wyatt Hinshaw. FundaMental Health seeks to surmount barriers to access quality mental health care by awarding financial grants to individuals in need of mental health services and by building a third party network of mental health providers. Through their efforts, FundaMental Health aspires to provide everyone equal opportunities for mental health care. The keynote speaker is Elyn Saks, a professor of law at USC who specializes in legal issues associated with mental health.
Click HERE to purchase tickets for brunch on Saturday December 2, 2023 at 10:30AM-1:30 PM.
FundaMental Health Inaugural Fundraiser Saturday December 2
Sandy Abalos and Alan Havir gave a musical version of the 4-Way Test and members are at the ready to practice some rhythms with their new drumsticks
Conductors lead orchestras, but for rock bands the drummer is the lead and timekeeper. Past District Governor Alan Havir (he served District 5510, which in 2017 merged with District 5490 to form District 5495, covering Arizona) visited our club with his wife, Sandy Abalos, to talk about the history of Rock and Roll drumming. Alan has been a professional drummer himself for over 60 years. He demonstrated some major rhythms used by famous bands and how they evolved from ¾ time and the shuffle (e.g., Bill Haley) to more complex rhythms like Brubeck’s Take Five (5/4 time) and Led Zeppelin’s 12/8 and 17/8 time. Alan brought presents: a set of drumsticks for everyone to drum their own rhythm on the tables.
Our latest blood drive on November 2, 2023 was a great success. We collected 23 pints that can help 69 people. Thank you to Mary Savoy for organizing the drive. Couldn’t make this drive? Donate any time at one of the convenient San Diego Blood Bank donation centers.
We have another cottage build opportunity on November 4 at the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista. These sleeping cottages are like those we’ve helped build in the past and will be part of the Decelles Unicorn Village that seeks to provide shelter for youth who are at risk of being homeless. We’ll again be working in partnership with the St. James Mission circle.
There are projects for all skill levels. Lunch and snacks will be provided. You may bring your own tools or use those provided. Also bring your own work gloves, hat and your preferred sunscreen. Wear your “Rotary at Work” shirt and in general clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or painted. Check the EVENTS post for details and location. Email Pat Caughey if you have questions.
Early in the Soirée planning, Matt Kurth promised prizes to baskets contributed by members that were judged to have a little something extra, as judged by basket-maker extraordinaire Val Myers. The “Most Beautiful” basket prize was shared by Mary Savoy (It’s Cupcake O’Clock) and Dee House (Day of Brunch and Shopping). “Most Profitable” basket was Karin and Jim Davies’ Death by Dark Chocolate, which earned 116% of its estimated value (special mention to the Fipps’ Crate O’ Scotch, and Mary Savoy’s Livin’ in Margaritaville, which both earned 100% of estimated value). Richa Mohan’s Nothin’ But Blue Skies fitness basket won for best Red Badger basket (and also praise for including the Soirée logo). Dugan and PhilippeLamoise contributed six baskets that together brought in around 10% of gross profits, and Val Myers, Sharon Schendel, and Suzy and Karl Wagner each contributed four baskets.
Special thanks also to Matt Kurth for serving as event chair, the Wagners for all their work in getting a fantastic lineup of restaurants to serve, Mark Matthess for lining up the wineries, Philippe and Dugan Lamoise for managing the event website and implementing the very successful online bidding, Janice Kurth for overseeing rentals and event furniture layout, Philippe Lamoise for suggesting the new auction layout that gave everyone more room to move, Marlene Gotz for donating the Yeti cooler and several wine baskets, in addition to securing hard-working helpers for the event; Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito'sSuLynn Daugherty and Joe McLeod for coordinating BGC checkin volunteers; Toni Mecaro for overseeing club volunteers; Pat Caughey for early morning setup; Mark Barry for transporting glassware and other day-of items; Lorelei Nielsen for serving as table captain and donating several special baskets; Sharon Schendel for housing, photographing and writing descriptions of the auction items; Dee House, Linda Groom, and Patti Beck for helping get auction items to the Plaza (Dee drove the van!), Tony Villasenor and his band for the music, Clay and Esther Sheffrey and Beth Westburg for staffing the raffle table; Patti Kurtz for donating a basket and helping people navigate online bidding; the Grossnickles for donating a wine basket; Rose Mary Pellegrino for donating the Midway and Aerospace basket; Kathy Reed for making sure vendors were paid and for donating a basket; Casey Robison for donating auction items and service delicious desserts at teh event; Chris Stewart for being Santa; KC Vafiadis for the sheaf of Stratford Square certificates; Brett Mattei for organizing the Del Mar Lifeguards, who provided several volunteers, Kathy Quillan for making all the baskets so beautiful, event sponsors Pat Dougherty (who also donated the Vail condo stay), Eric Nelte, and Marty Peters, and Dan Smargon; Walt and Linda Strangman for securing the Paso Robles trip, Val Myers and her staff, Briana Leyba and Sara Hernandez (who both were also runners who got food to the vendors) for providing the "convenient post-event location" for basket pickup (all but one have been delivered!). Thanks as well to ALL our members who contributed to the auction and attended the event. It was one of the best ever.
We have three upcoming cottage build opportunities (October 7 and 21; November 4) at the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista. These sleeping cottages are like those we’ve helped build in the past and will be part of the Decelles Unicorn Village that seeks to provide shelter for youth who are at risk of being homeless. We’ll again be working in partnership with the St. James Mission circle.
There are projects for all skill levels. Lunch and snacks will be provided. You may bring your own tools or use those provided. Also bring your own work gloves, hat and your preferred sunscreen. Wear your “Rotary at Work” shirt and in general clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or painted. Check the EVENTS post for details and location. Email Pat Caughey if you have questions.
Every year the District Foundation Seminar showcases projects that best embody the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”. Our own Janice Kurth is this year’s organizer. The Seminar is always an inspiring experience and a wonderful way for newer members to learn about all the ways that Rotary is making a difference. For Red Badgers: the District Seminar qualifies as a district event on your Blue Badge task list.
Can you believe we're scheduling speakers for 2024 already? All Thursdays in January 2024 are currently open. Contact Karin and Jim Davies at wjdavies@sbcglobal.net with your suggestions.
We got started thanking our Sunset Soirée servers at WestBrew, just across the street from the Plaza. We enjoyed their beautiful new outdoor space at the corner of Camino Del Mar and 15th street. The colors are beachy, and if the weather is cooler, there are soft blankets scattered around to cut the chill. For Happy Hour some of us had selections off the lunch menu, and others held out for the dinner menu. WestBrew has a wide range of their own brews to sample. If you find yourself in Vista (their flagship) or in the Gaslamp, WestBrew has locations there, too.
Thrift Shop manager Valerie Rieger outside the thrift shop
Mark Barry, Donna Fipps, and Garrie Rhodes checked out the Thrift Shop inventory right after the meeting
For over 50 years the St. Peter’s Thrift Shopin Del Mar has been raising funds that go to support the ministries of St. Peter’s and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Valerie Rieger, the Thrift Shop manager (and St. Peter’s parishioner), came to speak to our club on September 21, 2023. As manager, Valerie draws on her extensive experience in retail, including 15 years at Nordstrom. Every month the thrift shop highlights a different organization. The Giving Jar on the checkout counter collects donations that go the organization of the month. This month the beneficiary is Beacons North County. Many of our members, but particularly Dee House and Steven McDowell, frequently check out what’s on offer at the shop. Shoppers must be decisive. Items sell quickly, thus the mantra: Buy it today or cry tomorrow. During hours (11AM-4PM Mon-Sat) the shop accepts new and gently used items that are clean and in good condition. You can also bring non-perishable food, which is transferred to the local food pantry. Click HERE to hear Valerie’s talk or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Buy It Now or Cry Later: The St. Peter's Thrift Shop
The 19th Annual Sunset Soirée was our most successful yet. We grossed more funds than in any previous year, and all the money raised will fuel our projects over the next year. We also had one of the highest number of vendors, with 13 restaurants serving and a total of 13 wineries, breweries and tequilerias pouring. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the event. Click HERE to visit a Google Photo album for pictures from the Soirée.
It is with great sadness that we report the unexpected death of our newest member, Stan Tomer. Bill Rawlings introduced Stan to the club and we were delighted to induct him into the club just in August. Click HEREto read his obituary.
We also learned of the death of long time member Ed Eginton earlier this month. Ed was a member from 1975 until 2000. Even after he left the club, he was still a supporter and often provided ceramics he produced as Soirée auction items. Ed was an architect in Solana Beach. No obituary is available at this time.
Brett Mattei, Steven McDowell, Matt Kurth and Toni Mecaro present a new rescue board to Lifeguard Aidan Goodman, who is vice-president of the Del Mar Lifeguard Association
President Matt Kurth, Community Service Chair Steven McDowell, Vocational Service Chair (and former lifeguard himself) Brett Mattei, and President-elect Toni Mecaro were down at the beach to present the Del Mar Lifeguards with another rescue board. Aidan Goodman, a Del Mar Lifeguard and current Vice President of the Del Mar Lifeguard Association accepted the board. These rescue boards have immediate life-saving impact. Aidan said that they use these boards in around 80% of their rescues. We’re proud to help make the Del Mar beaches some of the safest in San Diego County.
We have A LOT of restaurants to thank for serving at the Soirée. We’ll start this week at WestBrew at the corner of 15th Street and Camino Del Mar. Come join us for Happy Hour from 4-6 PM. As always, encourage family and friends to come! A note about parking: Tuesdays are a busy night for St. Peter's, and our parking passes for their lot are valid only for our Thursday meetings. As such, please use the metered spaces along Maiden Lane, find street parking, or park at the Plaza. Click HERE for other nearby parking options.
Val Myers hosted a tasting for Castelli & Pizzarro Family Winery, which also served at our Sunset Soirée. We enjoyed a selection of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon produced by this Ramona winery.
Backyard Wine Tasting of Castelli & Pizzarro Family Winery Wines
Pat Caughey presented on his firm's design for Freedom Park on Navy Pier near the USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum has been a fixture alongside Navy Pier since it opened in 2004. To mitigate loss of view, the California Coastal Commission mandated that a park be constructed. Freedom Park recently received unanimous approval of a development permit from the CCC. Pat Caughey’s firm landscape architecture firm Wimmer Yamada and Caughey is designing Freedom Park, which will connect with park areas adjacent to the Midway. The Park will include areas along the promenade and extend into the G Street Mall to the Bob Hope Memorial. Upon completion, Freedom Park will be the largest veterans’ park on the West Coast. Click HEREto see the video previewing the park that Pat showed in his talk, and HERE to read releases from the San Diego Port Authority about what the park will encompass.
We are delighted to induct our newest member, Rose Mary Pellegrino. After a career in finance, Rose Mary has long been engaged in community service by serving as a member of the Board of Directors for The Country Friends and Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito. She was also the president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce and was a torch runner for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Eric Nelte sponsored Rose Mary for membership.
It’s time to buy your Soirée tickets! Please visit the Sunset Soirée website to buy your tickets and secure bid numbers. By buying through the website, you’ll get a bid number and expedite check in at the event. Members: even if you won’t be attending, it’s helpful to buy your tickets through the event website. Click HERE for a guide to buying your tickets and helping guests register for bid numbers.
Val Myers is hosting the August club social at her home on Thursday August 31 at 6 PM. Wines will be provided by one of the wineries that will serve at the Soirée. The cost is $35 person. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please email Suzy Wagner if you’d like to attend. Directions to Val’s home will be provided before the event, but if you know how to access the member area in ClubRunner or the ClubRunner mobile app, you can find her address there.
Fireside chat attendees: Row 1 (l to R) Mark Barry, Richa Mohan, Marty Peters, Donna Fipps, Jim Davies; Row 2 (l to r) Linda Groom, Steven McDowell, Sharon Schendel Row 3 (l to r) Don Fipps, Jen Segura, Karin Davies, Dee House, Toni Mecaro; Row 4: Greg Harris, Jennifer Caughey; Row 6: Pat Caughey, Jan and Pete Grossnickle, Stan Tomer, Brett Mattei
The Fireside Chat returned to the Solana Beach & Tennis Club on Tuesday August 8. These chats are an informal opportunity for newer members to meet club leadership, learn about the club organization, and hear updates on ongoing projects. All attendees shared what brought them to Rotary and what they hope to gain from club membership. No green flash, but the sunset was still spectacular! Thank you to Marty Peters for providing the venue and Pat Dougherty for the delicious food from Pizza Nova.
Our annual Day at the Races is Thursday August 17. Click HERE to see who is signed up. If you're not on the list, email Marty Peters by MONDAY AUGUST 15 to sign up. This is a members-only event and there is a dress code (jackets required for men, appropriate attire for women with dresses or suits preferred; no jeans, shorts or athletic wear). On August 17 starting a bit before noon, pick up your pass at a small table near the gate (see map). If you arrive late, pick up your pass at Will Call. Take the elevator toIl Palio restaurant. Please bring some cash for betting and for generous tipping of our servers. Newer members: Want to see what the day is like? Click HERE for pictures from 2022.
Sunset Soirée basket activity is picking up! We have around 20 so far and our goal is to have 50 within the next couple of weeks. Remember that, ideally, baskets should fit within one or two Rotary Club of Del Mar shopping bags. The deadline for basket completion is August 30. Click HERE to check out the Google Sheet to see what we have and who we’ve approached so we can avoid duplicating efforts. Make updates to the sheet to note your efforts; Google Sheets work exactly like Excel. You can also email Sharon Schendel and she’ll update the Google Sheet on your behalf.
Honorary member and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) CEO Joe Harper made his annual club visit on August 10, 2023. The handle at the track continues to increase with 90% of bets placed off-track. Safety remains Joe’s top concern and for several years running Del Mar has been the safest track in the country. Currently 1,900 horses are stabled at Del Mar. Now, invitations to trainers are based not only on race times, but also where and how often their horses race. In addition, DMTC now stations veterinarians at different points around the track to watch morning workouts. The vets are looking for any hints that a horse isn’t sound and they are empowered to pull horses off the track to prevent injury. The DMTC is working to change the culture of the entire horse racing industry to ensure that the safety of horse and rider always comes first. Joe and his team were instrumental in helping craft the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) that seeks to duplicate Del Mar’s safety efforts at other tracks around the United States.
DMTC looks forward to the return of the Breeder’s Cup in 2024 after hosting two highly successful Breeder’s Cup races in 2017 (the first time for Del Mar) and 2021. Don’t forget that our own Day at the Races is Thursday August 17.
The fireside chat returns on Tuesday August 8 at 5:30 PM. All members as well as family and friends are welcome to join for an opportunity to talk with club members and officers in an informal setting. Enjoy pizza from Pizza Nova (generously donated by member Pat Dougherty) and learn more about our club's organization and projects, as well as how we integrate with Rotary International. Thank you to Marty Peters for arranging the venue.
Look for balloons to guide you to the Solana Beach & Tennis Club View Room (there is typically plenty of street parking).
Workshops for Warriors, which we've supported through our Vocational Services Committee, is holding its graduation at noon on Friday August 18 at their South Bay Campus (2970 Main Street- only about 5 minutes' walk from the Harborside trolley stop). Marty Peterswill be attending and is able to carpool.
We’ll gather at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Thursday August 17 for our annual Day at the Races event. The $20 fee for lunch and drinks will be billed to your account, but bring a few extra dollars- not only for betting- but to generously tip our hard-working servers. If you haven't registered yet, let Marty Peters know you'd like to attend so he can get your name on the list. Remember- this is a member-only event.
On August 17, arrive around 11:45 and look for a small table staffed by members to pick up your pass to enter the grounds. The gates open around noon. If you arrive later and don't see a table, go to the Will Call booth and let them know that you're with Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Once you pick up your pass, head to the elevators inside the grandstand and go to Il Palio restaurant, high above the track. Gentlemen- remember to wear a jacket (no denim or shorts) and ladies, well, you’ll know what to wear. We’re grateful to our generous host and honorary member, Joe Harper, for sponsoring this outing.
Completed baskets and bag dimensions. Baskets that fit within the bags facilitate transport, both to the event and home with the winner.
Last week Val Myers hosted a Sunset Soirée basket-making party. So far, we have just over a dozen baskets, with a goal of having at least 50 (last year we had 68), so we still have a way to go. If you have good relationships with local vendors, ask them if they’re willing to donate an item, or a gift card or gift certificate. We can use these items to make more baskets. In particular, we need golf items (e.g., certificate for a round of golf) and restaurant gift certificates. If you’re making a basket yourself, it’s helpful to keep size in mind. Baskets should either fit within our 13” x 15” x 10” Rotary swag bag, or be easily dissembled so the contents can fit within the bag and the basket carried separately. If you have baskets or items, drop them by Sharon Schendel’s house or bring them to the weekly meeting.
Thank you to those who’ve made baskets or have baskets in progress: Karin and Jim Davies, Don and Donna Fipps, Dee House, Matt and Janice Kurth, Philippe and Dugan Lamoise, Brett Mattei, Toni Mecaro, Jennifer McDowell, Val Myers, Bill Rawlings, Mary Savoy, Sharon Schendel, and Linda Strangman.
Thank you as well to Mark Mathess for coordinating the beverage vendors (we need more of those, too!) and Suzy and Karl Wagner for coordinating the restaurants as well as the city permits. The Sunset Soirée is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort and we need every member to help.
When Jarvis Leverson was in his early 30s, he was coasting through life, until he found himself without a job and without his longtime girlfriend. This was an awakening for Jarvis, who saw the need to do something different. He read multiple books about the habits of successful people and took away two main things that they did: (1) They got up early in the morning; and (2) They didn’t waste time.
From that revelation, Jarvis crafted his “Morning Hero” approach to a productive life that has three key components: (1) The Power Hour, (2) The Zero Calendar, and (3) 30 Day Commitment. The Power Hour involves getting up one hour earlier and devoting that hour to yourself. The Zero Calendar maximizes the hours in a day by scheduling, everything, not just work, but meals, naps, and hobbies, so your calendar has no blank spaces. For the 30-day Commitment, Jarvis gave the familiar example of a doubling a penny every day for one month. Starting with one penny and doubling every day for 30 days, yields ~$5.38 million, but doubling every other day yields only $327. Many people don’t commit and give up on their goals too soon.
Jarvis now leads a community of Morning Heroes that he inspires every day on his Instagram feed, the.morninghero. Click HERE to visit Jarvis’ website and click HERE to download his Morning Hero journal, or click HERE to purchase a bound version.
Gregory Harris has tickets for the Don Lapham Memorial Dinner at Tony’s Jacal that will benefit the Mexican American Educational Guidance Association (MAEGA). The dinner is August 29 and tickets are $25.
MAEGA Don Lapham Memorial Dinner at Tony's Jacal August 29
District Governor Don Fipps with President Matt Kurth
Don Fipps began his tour of District 5340 clubs at our July 20, 2023 meeting (click HERE to watch the recording). Don began by talking about his and Donna Fipps’ passion: raising puppies for Canine Companions, and he urged members to find support for their passion through Rotary. A life-long Californian, Don’s own journey with Rotary began at a high school convocation when he unexpectedly heard his name announced as winner of a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Delano, which helped fund his education in biochemistry at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he had a “meet cute” with Donna while they both were working on a Rose Parade float. This blog posttells Don’s backstory before he joined our club in 2012. Don was club president in Rotary Year 2018-2019 and had an accelerated trip to the governorship after being nominated to serve in October 2021. As a veteran himself, veteran’s affairs are a cornerstone of Don’s term, and reflect the large role the military and veterans play in the San Diego community. Don launched the District 5340 Military Coordinating Committee to leverage the power of district Rotary clubs to help active duty military and veterans in San Diego. If you’d like to get involved, contact committee chairs Mike Fuqua (mfuqua.rbrotary@gmail.com; RC Rancho Bernardo) and Jim Mendelson (jsmclmax@aol.com; RC Fallbrook).
Last, Don encouraged members to register for the District 5340 Conference, which will be a cruise organized by our own Val Myers and Toni Mecaro! Attendees will board the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seasthat leaves Los Angeles April 26 and returns Monday April 29. Click HERE to check out the video made by Philippe Lamoise and email d5340conferencecruise@gmail.com with any questions. Ready to register? Click HERE!
Guests at the 2022 Soirée check out the silent auction items
Funds raised by the Sunset Soirée fuel our club projects. The silent auction is an important component of the Soirée and appealing baskets drive intense bidding. Our first basket-making party will be at Val Myer’s house on Wednesday August 2 starting around 5 PM. Look for a reminder email that has Val’s address, or, check the ClubRunner app on your phone! Need ideas? Click HEREfor a video showing all the baskets, and the reminder email will have a PDF attachment that lists the contents of all the baskets from last year.
George Lewis, Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Venice-Nokomis, paints pet portraits and floral studies. For each portrait, he makes a donation to support his club's Global Grant that provides cleft palate surgeries for children in Latin America
Beth Davidson brought co-workers Vinay Agarwal and Allison Naui and friend Susan Maronde to the July 27, 2023 meeting. Susan’s father, George Lewis, is a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Venice-Nokomis in Florida. George paints pet portraits (14” x 11” oil on canvas) that can be purchased for $150 (he’s done nearly 600 portraits and does florals, too!). For each portrait, George donates $100 to support their club’s Global Grant that partners with AdventHealth and Sharing Smiles, which offers corrective surgery for children in Latin America born with cleft palates. Click HERE to watch a short video or email George (waterman6960@yahoo.com) to commission a portrait.
Beth Davidson (far right) with Vinay Agarwal (far left) and Allison Naui (center left) of Barry Estates and friend Susan Maronde (center right)
Beth Davidson gave her “Who Am I” presentation at the July 27, 2023 meeting. Beth grew up in New Jersey and attended Villanova University, as her did her father. After graduating, she lived and worked in New York City. Beth has three children, Tripp, an Arizona State University student, Charlotte, who also graduated from Villanova, and Ben, who graduated from Canyon Crest Academy. She has worked with Barry Estates for six years and is a member of the Luxury Coast Group in Del Mar (giving her a very short commute to our meetings). In addition to being a Rotarian, Beth serves as a board member for A Bridge for Kidsthat matches talented youth with sponsors who can help level the playing field, not only financially but strategically with help navigating college prep tests and applications. Beth is also a member of the Del Mar Women’s Giving Collective, which provides grants to non-profits in the San Diego community.
Engaging and interesting programs are the cornerstone of great meetings. Have a look back on all the speakers we had for Rotary Year 2022-2023. Special thanks to Program Chair Beth Westburg for such an amazing lineup!
RYLArian Marisol Lopez (black baseball cap; this is RYLA 2017) is a new teacher
Marisol Lopez (in the black baseball cap) was a RYLArian in 2017 and Sharon Schendel was her facilitator. Last year Marisol earned her bachelor’s degree from SDSU, where she was a first-generation college student, and she just completed her Multiple Subject Bilingual Credential. Marisol accepted a position teaching second-graders in a dual-immersion format. Please consider helping Marisol outfit her new classroom. Click HERE to view her wish list.
Christo Rey San Diego High School co-founder David Rivera (left), Dean of School Culture Jacqueline Mendez (center) and Marty Peters (right)
More than 20 years ago, David Rivera, speaker for our June 15, 2023 meeting, co-founded Nativity Prep Academy to help economically disadvantaged middle school students start on a path toward higher education. In 2020, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, David helped launch Cristo Rey San Diego High School, which is part of a network of 38 schools that combines a rigorous college prep curriculum with work study experience that allows students to build solid foundations both in knowledge-based learning and practical skills that will apply to any career.
The school has 155 current students and is off to an impressive start. All students exceed University of California A-G requirements for admission, 75% take at least one advanced placement (AP) course by their junior year, and 100% of seniors are taking AP math and computer science. Nearly two-thirds of students maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and 90% of graduates pursue higher education.
Cristo Rey San Diego students spend one day a week working at one of range of corporate partners. The academic schedule is structured so the students can complete their classwork and devote themselves to work at the corporate partners. This work helps offset around 50% of the cost of tuition, with the remaining costs covered by fundraising (around 40%) and family contributions (around 10%, if possible).
There are several ways corporate partners can help Cristo Rey San Diego succeed: Employ an on-site team comprising four students who rotate through the workweek (hybrid remote work options are also available) or sponsor a job through a tax-deductible contribution that underwrites a student team placed with a nonprofit organization.
Cristo Rey San Diego High School: A School that Works
The Bench Warmers: Mark Matthess, Bill Rawlings, Dugan Lamoise, Linda Groom, Philippe Lamoise (l to r, lower left); Donna Fipps (lower right); Suzy Wagner (upper right). Photo credit: Don Fipps
For the past three weeks Bill Rawlings has led small teams to sand and stain benches around Del Mar Village. Thank you to all who’ve helped already! Bill needs another group- between 5-8 people to meet Thursday June 22 at 8:30 AM at the Del Mar Civic Center. Email Bill (wmdrawlngs@aol.com) in advance to let him know you want to help.
Pastries at Darshan (photo credit: Julie Maxey-Allison, The Sandpiper) then outdoor meeting at Del Mar Civic Center photo credit: BWE)
The last Board of Directors meeting for the Rotary year will be WEDNESDAY June 21 at 9:30 AM. After a year of meeting on Zoom, we’ll meet in person. As always, ALL members are welcome to attend. First, stop off at Casey Robison’sDarshan French Bakery, grab a pastry and some coffee, then cross the street to the Civic Center to meet on the deck. Can’t make the in-person meeting? Click HERE to join via Zoom.
Fred Salas (upper left) told the story of his young son Jack (upper right; photo credit, Live Like Jack Foundation) and the importance of organ donation
On February 1, 2018, Jack Salas, only 10 years-old, suffered a severe asthma attack. Fred Salas, the speaker for our June 8, 2023 meeting, told about the farewell he and his wife said to their beloved son, and the decisions they made in the two days after the attack that would ultimately impact the lives of five other people. Fred and Jessica decided to donate several of Jack’s organs. A teenage girl received his liver. Both his kidneys went to fathers, and his heart valves helped two young girls.
In 2019 Fred and Jessica founded the Live Like Jack Foundation to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. They want to dispel myths about organ donation, especially that no one is too old to be a donor, and that there is no cost burden to organ donation.
Becoming a donor is simple and urgently needed: over 114,000 people are waiting for an organ. If you aren’t already a donor, sign up at One Legacy, Southern California’s Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), which is part of a nationwide network of OPOs. If you’re renewing your driver’s license, be sure to check “Yes” that you’re willing to become an organ donor. Also, be sure to let your loved ones know that you are an organ donor.
Two PhDs and an MD/PhD (upper left): Sharon Schendel (left) and Janice Kurth (right) with Prof. Erica Ollmann Saphire (center), President and CEO of La Jolla Institute for Immunology; (right) Dr. Dawid Żyła, a post-doctoral fellow in the Saphire lab, receives his award from LJI Board Director Barbara Donnell
Launching an independent academic research lab can be one of the most challenging times in a young scientist’s career. The Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK awardat La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) provides funding to help young scientists collect data projects they’re passionate about. These data form the foundation for competitive applications for larger grants that young scientists need to have a firm footing in the next phase of their career.
Every year, dozens of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows submit proposals that are then reviewed by the SPARK panel comprising LJI scientists, leadership and the Tullie and Rickey families. The panel selects finalists, who then make a presentation to the panel about their research and their career goals. In addition to funding, the SPARK award provides recipients the opportunity to learn how to communicate their research and to lead an independent research project. The Rotary Club of Del Mar Community Service is proud to support young scientists through the SPARK award with a donation of $2,000. Current Club President (and LJI scientist) Sharon Schendel and past Club President and past District Governor Janice Kurth presented a check to LJI CEO and President Prof. Erica Ollmann Saphire at a reception for the latest SPARK awardees.
Supporting Young Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology
San Diego Chill President Ryan Labrum (upper left) shows some concept drawings of the vision for the San Diego Chill center (lower right). The San Diego Chill welcomes all children to learn to skate and play hockey (upper and lower left)
Hockey, in San Diego? Yes, San Diego has the Gulls and numerous club teams, but how does someone start with hockey? And how might a child who is neurodiverse or is experiencing developmental challenges learn to play hockey? The San Diego Chill is dedicated to helping all children experience the joy of gliding on the ice and being part of a team. Ryan Labrum, President of San Diego Chill, spoke at our club June 2, 2023. The Chill is open to all children with developmental challenges. They provide new hockey gear to the children at no cost and a chance to discover their own confidence and ability to be independent from their parents. Ryan said that Chill coaches can have a child skating confidently within an hour using a technique involving two coaches and two hockey sticks. Click HERE to watch an episode of “Making Good” that features the Chill and this training technique.
The volunteer coaches are high school students who have at least three years of hockey experience. The Chill also regularly invites child development and medical experts to meet with the teen coaches to tailor instructions to individual needs and abilities. The biggest challenge for the Chill is ice time. After the closure of two rinks in Escondido, ice time is at a premium and the Chill must compete with other hockey clubs. The dream of the Chill is to build The San Diego Chill Center, and, as a full-time architect, Ryan drafted some plans envisioning what the center might look like. For now, the Chill is working hard to ensure that all of their members have a place for fun and independence.
The demotion party for Sharon Schendel will be Sunday June 25 at 5 PM. Details to follow (i.e., Sharon is ignorant of the plans). EmailSuzy Wagner with any questions.
After Beth Westburg’s fantastic turn as Program Chair, we’re trying something a bit different. Incoming president Matt Kurth is asking all members to contribute suggestions for programs with Karin and Jim Davies coordinating speaker scheduling. You may think: I have no ideas! But many of our best programs were suggested by our members. There are several good sources for ideas, including:
Yourself and your story or agencies you’re involved with
Personal contacts
Community newspapers (e.g., Del Mar Times)
KPBS Midday Edition
Following other Rotary clubs on Facebook and their websites
Email Jim Davies with your suggestions, or click HERE to fill out a simple Google Form.
White sea bass is a popular dish at many restaurants, but, like most seafood, sustainability is an issue. Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is working to provide sustainable seafood and better understand ocean ecology in the face of climate change. In lieu of our regular meeting, on Thursday May 25, 2023 we had a field trip to HSWRI in Carlsbad. This field trip is a follow up to the presentation made by HSWRI President and CEO (and Rotarian) Don Kent to our club in January (click HERE to read the story). At the Institute we saw tanks of teenage sea bass that breed millions of new fish, like the 100 day-old fish that were in a separate tank. We also visited the labs that carry out water quality testing and analyze tagged fish heads that are donated back to the Institute to study migration and genetic patterns. After, we headed south to the Windmill Food Hall for lunch.
Engaging and interesting speakers are the cornerstone of great weekly club meetings. For the past two years Beth Westburg has done an incredible job as Program Chair. For the upcoming Rotary Year, incoming president Matt Kurth is asking all members to suggest possible speakers. Maybe, like Beth, you met someone interesting at a party. Maybe you read an article in a community newspaper or heard an interview on the radio. When asked, so many prospective speakers say yes! Members are our MOST important source for speaker ideas (when Sharon Schendel was Program Chair, over 30% of speakers she scheduled were suggested by members). Past Program Chair Jim Davies has kindly agreed to help coordinate/schedule speakers, so please start thinking of topics/speakers that you’d like to have visit our club. Already have ideas? Click HERE to submit them.
Leon Raymond Hubbard, Jr., Marine Fish Hatchery Photo credit: Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
For our May 25 meeting we’ll tour Hubbs-SeaWorld Institute in Carlsbad (4200 Garfield Street, Carlsbad). The tour begins promptly at noon, so please arrive a bit early to park (parking is limited- carpooling is encouraged). Click HERE for directions from Del Mar. After the tour, we’ll head south to the Windmill Food Hall for lunch.
Field Trip! Meeting at Hubbs-SeaWorld Institute May 25
There’s a relaxing place tucked back in Carmel Mountain where guests can “uncork, sip back and relax”. Lisa and Darius Miller always dreamed of owning a winery. But after a health setback together with the realization of just what having a working winery entailed, they went the path of an urban winery and founded Koi Zen Cellars in 2015. Darius and Lisa hosted a special tasting for our members at Koi Zen Cellars on May 9, 2023 when they discussed how they source their grapes and make their wine. Koi Zen Cellars has already signed on for our 2023 Sunset Soirée and they also support several other wine-themed Rotary events around San Diego. Their tasting room is open Wednesdays-Sundays.
The ducks were back at the beach at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar on Saturday May 13, 2023. We had a great crowd to enjoy the day (despite the full-on May gray), which included games, balloon twisting by Happy Twist Balloons by Keiko, face painting and chili dogs made with Don Fipps’ award-winning IPA chili, prepared by Viewpoint Brewing Company (they also provided the beer).
Special thanks to Suzy and Karl Wagner for organizing the event and to Philippe Lamoise for the event website and management of online duck adoptions. We are grateful to the Del Mar Lifeguards for rescuing Don Fipps, launching the ducks, and for helping shepherd safely back to shore when the waves were a bit rough. We also are indebted to members of BSA Troop 713, especially William Bowen, JaydenSchaffer, and Jason Ghalla, for all their help at the event. Platinum sponsors were Janice and Matt Kurth and Mark Barry; At the Gold Level: Marty Peters, Sharon Schendel, Dan Smargon, Susan and Karl Wagner; Silver Level: Don Johnson/Walking Path Travel, Pat Caughey, Mayor Tracy Martinez and Alan Wittgrove, Steven and Jennifer McDowell; Bronze Level: Jan and Pete Grossnickle, James and Wendy Morrison, Malaeh Neary, and Pam Rudolph.
Thank you as well to all the members who attended and particularly those who took on tasks to make the event a success: Linda Saville for layout; Janice Kurth for securing rentals, Beth Davidson, Dee House, Clint McCalla, Bob Muller, Kathy Reed, Jen Segura, Walt Strangman, Karl Wagner, and Walt Strangman for a ready supply of chili dogs; Don Johnson, Toni Mecaro, Val Myers and Linda Strangman for staffing the onsite sale desk; Steven McDowell for bringing the pop-up canopies; Garrie Rhodes and Jeff Matthews for staffing the drinks tent; Brett Mattei for coordinating with the lifeguards; Don Fipps for drowning again; Joe McLeod for bringing some fun games and for the kite flying; Mark Matthess for being the MC, and Linda Groom for taking the ducks home to dry.
There are lots of pictures from the day. Click HERE to download any you like from the Google Photo album. Dee House arranged for the Del Mar Times to take some pictures. Click HERE to see the article. Last, click HERE to view video of pictures from the day and the duck release. Feeling nostalgic? ClickHERE to watch video from the 2010 edition of Chili & Quackers.
The ducks were back at the beach at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar on Saturday May 13, 2023. We had a great crowd to enjoy the day (despite the full-on May gray), which included games, balloon twisting by Happy Twist Balloons by Keiko, face painting and chili dogs made with Don Fipps’ award-winning IPA chili, prepared by Viewpoint Brewing Company (they also provided the beer).
Special thanks to Suzy and Karl Wagner for organizing the event and to Philippe Lamoise for the event website and management of online duck adoptions. We are grateful to the Del Mar Lifeguards for rescuing Don Fipps, launching the ducks, and for helping shepherd safely back to shore when the waves were a bit rough. We also are indebted to members of BSA Troop 713, especially William Bowen, JaydenSchaffer, and Jason Ghalla, for all their help at the event. Platinum sponsors were Janice and Matt Kurth and Mark Barry; At the Gold Level: Marty Peters, Sharon Schendel, Dan Smargon, Susan and Karl Wagner; Silver Level: Don Johnson/Walking Path Travel, Pat Caughey, Mayor Tracy Martinez and Alan Wittgrove, Steven and Jennifer McDowell; Bronze Level: Jan and Pete Grossnickle, James and Wendy Morrison, Malaeh Neary, and Pam Rudolph.
Thank you as well to all the members who attended and particularly those who took on tasks to make the event a success: Linda Saville for layout; Janice Kurth for securing rentals, Beth Davidson, Dee House, Clint McCalla, Bob Muller, Kathy Reed, Jen Segura, Walt Strangman, Karl Wagner, and Walt Strangman for a ready supply of chili dogs; Don Johnson, Toni Mecaro, Val Myers and Linda Strangman for staffing the onsite sale desk; Steven McDowell for bringing the pop-up canopies; Garrie Rhodes and Jeff Matthews for staffing the drinks tent; Brett Mattei for coordinating with the lifeguards; Don Fipps for drowning again; Joe McLeod for bringing some fun games and for the kite flying; Mark Matthess for being the MC, and Linda Groom for taking the ducks home to dry.
There are lots of pictures from the day. Click HERE to download any you like from the Google Photo album. Dee House arranged for the Del Mar Times to take some pictures. Click HERE to see the article. Last, click HERE to view video of pictures from the day and the duck release. Feeling nostalgic? Click HERE to watch video from the 2010 edition of Chili & Quackers.
We had a beautiful day for Rotary at Work Day on April 29, 2023. New members Beth Davidson and Richa Mohan teamed up with Nativity Prep Academy alumni as well as members Donna Fipps, Linda Groom, Dee House, Steven McDowell, Marty Peters, and Bill Rawlings (friends of the club Jim Kohn and Ina von Behr were also there) to take on two major tasks: painting the old choir loft, which will serve as a new library space; and sanding and sealing the tables on the AMIGOS (Adult Mentors Inspiring Growth in Our Students) Patio. Parents of NPA students also helped to make quick work of the jobs. NPA makes an 11-year commitment to its students. The journey begins on campus with middle school grades 6-8 when students take on rigorous classwork and to attend college-prep high schools around San Diego. After students enter high school, they return to the NPA campus at least once a week to meet with mentors and work towards applying for college. During college years NPA continues to support their students, which all contributes to the high college graduate rate for NPA alumni. Click HERE to watch a video with pictures from the day and click HERE to visit the Google Photo album to download your favorites.
We have three tables booked and 8 seats remain at our tables for the Governor’s Dinner on Monday June 26. Click HERE to email Sharon Schendel by JUNE 9 if you plan to attend. If we can’t fill at least three more seats, we’ll release the table back to the general pool. Remember: this is our chance to support Matt Kurth as he’s sworn in as Club President, and to take part in a fun banner exchange (accessories provided!) to honor Don Fipps as he begins his term as District Governor.
Scenes from Cottage Builds at San Diego Peace Village
More cottages are springing up, this time in Vista at the Rising Tide Sober Living Ranch. We’ll again partner with St. James Mission Circle to raise more cottages to shelter those who are at transition points in their lives. The build will be Saturday May 20 from 9AM-4PM. Click HERE to sign up at the event page, or email Sharon Schendel directly if you’d like to help. There are jobs for all skill levels, and family and friends are welcome to join us.
Through our Youth Services Avenue of Service, our club is a Platinum sponsor of the Torrey Pines High School Robotics team, the Millennium Falcons. Klaus Gubernator is one of the team mentors, and the team credits him with spearheading the upgrade of their “pit”, where the team keeps all the tools and materials that are critical to keeping the robot in top working condition. Last month the team traveled to the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas. The Falcons team had 25 members in Houston, and they were among 700 teams that participated. The team did very well by advancing to the semifinals. For the finals, over 50,000 watched in the convention center (the same venue as the 2022 Rotary International Convention). Click HERE to watch the team’s robot (look for 3647) in action. You can also follow the team on Instagram.
Come support one of our Sunset Soirée wineries on TuesdayMay 9 from 5-7 PM. Koi Zen Cellars will provide a wine flight and light bites at their urban winery in Carmel Mountain. The cost is $35/person and you can bill your account. If you’d like to attend and haven’t yet signed up, email Sharon directly by 2 PM Monday May 8.
Jim Davies (upper left), Donna Fipps and Mark Matthess (lower right) receive their latest Paul Harris pins from Foundation Chair Janice Kurth
Congratulations to Jim Davies, Donna Fipps, and Mark Matthews, who recently earned their Paul Harris +7, +7, and +3, respectively. Rotarians who donate $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation are honored as Paul Harris fellows. They earn additional recognition for each subsequent $1,000 they donate. Through $6000 the pins have blue stones. Upon reaching PHF+6, the pins have red stones. Jim and Donna’s latest pins each have two red stones, and Mark’s pin has three blue stones. We are grateful to all our Paul Harris Fellows.
Janice and Matt Kurth at Salvation Army Women of Distinction event (photo credit: Luis Carranza)
Congratulations to Janice Hall Kurthfor being recognized as one of the Salvation Army San DiegoWomen of Dedicationfor 2023. Janice is a past president and was Rotary District 5340District Governor for 2015-2016. She is an invaluable guide for Global Grants in our district, and also serves on the Boards of the MiraCosta College Foundation and Girl Scouts San Diego. In an interview for La Jolla Light Newspaper, Janice said that she sees education as the best way beat poverty and thus providing educational opportunities is one of the best investments communities can make for their future.
Members at the 7-way: Red Badgers Beth Davidson and Clint McCalla (upper left); Red Badger Jen Segura with Mark Matthess (upper right)
Beth Westburg with Karl and Suzy Wagner and Val Myers (center left); Klaus Gubernator, Linda Saville and Pat Caughey (center right); MC Paulette Britton with 4-way test speaker Dylan Stroba (right, lower left); Keynote speaker Jordan Harrison (lower right)
Members from all seven Area 4 clubs gathered at the Del Mar Hilton on April 19, 2023. Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe president Paulette Britton was MC and Jordan Harrison was the keynote speaker. Carlsbad High School freshman Dylan Stroba presented the talk she gave at the recent 4-way test competition that focused on the importance of self-care and mental health. Presidents or other representatives gave brief presentations on all the projects that their clubs had undertaken over the past months and it was amazing to see all the ways the clubs are helping their communities and growing their membership.
After a 4-year hiatus, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) returned to Idyllwild Pines camp. Around 250 high school juniors from high schools all over San Diego and parts of Imperial County came for a three day weekend of fun and learning about servant leadership. We sponsored six students in all: Macey Milligan from Cathedral Catholic and Monica Mok from Canyon Crest Academy, as well as three students from San Dieguito Academy and one nominated by the RYLA committee.
Spring Workshops for Warriors graduating class (top). President Sharon Schendel, District Governor Elect Don Fipps (left) and Past District Governor (Right) attended the ceremony. The dog tag (lower left) honors support from our club
The latest class for Workshops for Warriors (WFW) graduated on April 20, 2023. These graduates are new veterans and join more than 1,100 others who have undergone intensive, 16-week training courses in machining or welding during the 15 years since WFW was founded in 2008 by Hernán and Rachel Luis y Prado. By graduation, nearly all WFW students have jobs secured or will undertake additional training to gain more certifications. Overall, WFW graduates have earned nearly 12,800 recognized credentials. WFW is gearing up to extend its successful model to other sites around the United States to help provide more highly skilled workers to fill the over 800,000 open positions that require workers with advanced manufacturing skills.
"Rotarian Gothic" Dee House and Joe McLeod at a previous Rotary at Work Day at Nativity Prep Academy
We return to Nativity Prep Academy (NPA; 4463 College Avenue) on April 29, 2023 for our annual Rotary at Work Day. Click HERE to see details on the club website and to sign up. Come ready to take on tasks including painting, light cleaning, organization, or whatever else would help make the NPA campus the best it can be. Arrive at campus by 9 AM. Enjoy Mona Lisa#8 sandwiches donated by Marty Peters when the work is complete. As always, family members and friends are welcome to come help.
Rotary at Work Day April 29 at Nativity Prep Academy
Rotarians Dr. Sivagamy (upper left) and K. Sivasami (upper right) from Rotary Club of Tirupur with President Sharon Schendel. At lower left, students at the Rotary Matriculation School, which the Rotary Club of Tirupur helped found 60 years ago
Dr. S. Sivagami and K. Sivasamy, members of the Rotary Club of Tirupur in southern India, joined our April 13, 2023 meeting during a visit to relatives who live in the area. Their club is nearly as old as ours, with a founding date of May 27, 1955. Members of Rotary Club of Tirupur are truly “People of Action”. As the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up, they spearheaded a district project that established a 400-bed hospital in only 45 days to provide a facility to treat patients suffering from COVID. Their signature project is the Rotary Matriculation School, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. They exchanged additional banners with other Area 4 clubs at the recent 7-way meeting.
The book club returns to discuss “Being Heumann”, which tells the story of how the late Judith Heumann, who was paralyzed by polio at just 18 months-old, became of the most influential activists advocating for disability rights. Her work laid the foundation for a movement that would eventually culminate in the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The club will meet JUNE 6 at Sharon Schendel's house in Carmel Valley. Watch for an email with her address and directions.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar was the host club for the District 5340 Model United Nations held at the Del Mar Civic Center on April 1 and 2, 2023. Over thirty different nations were represented by teams of two delegates that debated two resolutions: (1) Specific actions to address global food insecurity and its disproportionate impact on women; and (2) Prevention of an arms race in space and continued peaceful and sustainable space exploration. Teams began preparing in January with a kick-off training session. Over the past months with guidance from advisors, the delegates worked to understand how each resolution and delivered a two-minute speech outlining their country’s position at the General Assembly on the morning of Day 1. After closed-door caucuses on the afternoon of Day 1, the students returned for Day 2 to present final amendments to the resolution. Several distinguished speakers were also part of the program, including Vice Admiral Charles Martoglio(UCSD School of Global Policy and Strategy), Janet White (Portfolio and Platform Lead, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Walter Lam (Alliance for African Assistance), Bogdan Matuszynski (Rotary Peace Scholar), and Olga Ilinska(Ukrainian Women and Children Refugees). Thank you to members Kathy Reed for arranging all the food and Klaus Gubernator for A/V coordination. Click HEREto watch a video of scenes from the day.
Thank you to Beeside Balcony for providing a great club social on March 28, 2023. Beeside gave us a sneak peek at the new happy hour menu they’ve now launched and the prices and variety couldn’t be beat (and the service was wonderful too. A delicious way to show our gratitude to Beeside for providing tastes at our Sunset Soirée.
They’re coming- don’t let those big blue eyes and the long eyelashes fool you, these ducks are ready to swim. Chili & Quackers returns to Powerhouse Park on May 13, 2023 from Noon to 3:30 PM. Philippe Lamoise has generously fired up the website again, so there are hundreds of ducks just waiting to be adopted at www.chiliandquackers.org. We need as many members as possible to help. Email Suzy Wagner to claim a role.
Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito’s Uncorked for a Causereturns to the Del Mar Plaza Ocean View Deck (same site as our Soirée) on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The premise is simple: teams of up to 3 people bring three bottles of the same red wine. One bottle goes to the jackpot, and the other two go into the tasting pool. All teams blindly taste every team’s wine and vote their favorite. The top three teams who earn the most votes split the wine jackpot. Click HERE to register a team.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Uncorked for a Cause
Our club is a supporter of Workshop for Warriors, which trains new veterans skills to land hand-demand, well-paying positions that require expertise in welding or machining. The latest class is set to graduate on April 20. Our club is dark that day, so let Marty Peters know if you would like to attend.
When emergencies happen, first responders are there to help those who are ill or injured. But often, spouses, parents or children are left alone to process what’s happening to their loved one. In those situations, first responders can call on the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) to send a specially trained volunteer who can listen to the loved one, support them, and provide guidance on what to do next. The presence of a TIP volunteer helps prevent what mental health professionals term the “Second Injury”, which can occur when, from the victim’s perspective, the emergency response system did not provide adequate support.
Tarah Campbell, the Outreach Coordinator for San Diego TIP (and also co-owner of Handel’s Ice Cream in Del Mar Highlands) spoke to our club on April 6, 2023 about her experiences as a TIP volunteer. TIP was founded in 1985 by Wayne Fortin, a mental health professional working in San Diego county. There are now 14 TIP affiliates who provide volunteers to help those in crisis in 250 cities across the United States. Volunteers for TIP are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They can be on the scene typically within 20 minutes of receiving a call from police officers, firefighters, paramedics or hospital staff and upon arriving start assisting family members and friends who are experiencing trauma associated with death of a loved one, violent crime or accidents. Volunteers usually take three 12-hour shifts per month. During those shifts, they are available to respond quickly when they receive a call for help.
You can help. To be a TIP volunteer, no special background is needed. All candidate volunteers undergo mandatory 40 hours of classroom training that focuses on the five emotional first aid skills: reaching out, protecting, reassuring, organizing and reinforcing. They then undertake 3-month field training with experienced volunteers and participate in three hours of continuing education once a month. Click HERE to learn more about volunteering for TIP.
Trauma Intervention Program: Preventing the “Second Injury”
Having a serious disease is scary for anyone, but for a child it’s even worse. The granting of a wish to a seriously ill child can build hope and inspire strength. Heather Ginsky, Sr. Manager, Corporate & Community Partnerships, spoke at our March 30, 2023 meeting about her work for the San Diego chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation. Starting in 1980 with one seven-year-old, Christopher James Greicius, who wished to be a police officer, Make-A-Wish now has nearly 60 chapters across the United Sates. The San Diego chapter began in 1983 and has since granted more than 5,000 life-affirming wishes to children in San Diego and Imperial counties.
After a referral by medical professionals, Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers work with the child to discover their perfect wish. Wishes typically fall into four categories: I wish to (i) be; (ii) have; (iii) meet; and (iv) go. For fiscal year 2023, the San Diego chapter hopes to grant 250 wishes, and already 99 have been granted. The most popular wish is a family trip to Disney World, but meeting celebrities or athletes are also popular.
The wishes have a big effect. In their National Wish Impact study, nearly all clinicians surveyed said that granted wishes had a positive impact on the child’s physical well-being. Nearly all parents surveyed said that the wish reduced the degree of stress in their child and brought their families closer together. Most importantly, nearly all wish alumni said they felt more hopeful about their future after receiving their wish.
The current average cost of a gift is $10,000, and, like everything else, costs of providing the same quality wish are rising. Heather said that there are lots of ways to help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes. In addition to a range of volunteer opportunities, donations of airline miles help fulfill wishes that involve travel. You can also attend their Wine and Wishes gala in October. Reach out to Heather if you’d like additional information about helping wishes come true.
Thank you to all the members who attended the District Training Session at Liberty Station Conference Center on March 25, 2023. Don and Donna Fipps (and Rosebud, of course) were there, with Don leading several sessions in his capacity as District Governor Elect, as were Clay Sheffrey, Matt Kurth and Rex Mize. Sharon Schendel came for the afternoon session after attending most of the RYLA facilitator session in Encinitas (Greg Harris, RYLA committee member was up in Encinitas, too). Janice Kurth gave a comprehensive discussion of the ins and outs of Global Grants. Thanks to these members (apologies if we missed anyone), we’re ready and eligible to apply for District and Global Grants in the upcoming Rotary Year.
We’re proud to host the District 5340 Model United Nations(MUN) at the Del Mar City Hall. Students from San Diego County and Baja California will debate two resolutions as MUN delegates. They will apply their knowledge of history, geography and science to seek peaceful solutions of real-world conflicts. As MUN delegates, students gain critical tools to become peacebuilders and community leaders.
Members are welcome to sit in on any sessions. EMAIL Kathy Reed to volunteer to help with check-in on Saturday April 1.
It’s time again to meet with our friends at other Area 4 clubs. Motivational speaker Jordan Harrison (he’s amazing) will be the Keynote Speaker, and the Area 4 presidents will give brief summaries of their club’s activities. Let’s have a great turnout this year!
If you’d like to attend, sign up by MONDAY APRIL 4 in one of three simple ways: 1) Click HERE to complete a short Google Form; 2) Sign Up at the club website (click the MEMBERS button in the online registration box on the left); or 3) EMAIL Sharon Schendel directly.
Chicken is the default, so be sure to indicate if you’d like a vegetarian meal. The cost is $35 per person and will be billed to your account.
We were happy to squeeze in a bit tighter to accommodate 10 members from Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club, who are touring local clubs to meet more Rotarians and see different meeting styles. Encinitas Coastal has one of the coolest fundraisers going: their Ball Drop. A helicopter drops hundreds of golf balls over Encinitas Ranch Golf Course and the balls that land closest to the pin win cash prizes. They’ll also have a silent auction. Funds raised benefit the Griset Clubhouse of the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club, Lifeline Community Services and Warrior Freedom Foundation. Click HERE to buy tickets to the event and/or purchase golf balls.
Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club Members Visit Meeting
Membership Chair Dee House (center left) exchanged the red badges of Steven McDowell (far left) and Jan and Pete Grossnickle, who all received their regular badges
Three more red badges are back in the badge box (where they await use by new members)! Steven McDowell gave his “Who Am I” presentation and then immediately turned in his red badge. Jan and Pete Grossnickle also exchanged their red badges to regular horse badges, overseen by Membership Chair Dee House.
Walter Ritter, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Write Out Loud, uses a storybox to tell "The Empty Pot"
“Read me a story” is a request familiar to most parents. Walter Ritter, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Write Out Loud, visited our March 24, 2023 meeting to give examples of storytelling for diverse audiences. Walter first read “A Life Without Left Turns”, a story about how three wrongs can make a right by Michael Gartner. This story is well-suited for audiences at assisted living facilities. He then brought out a small wooden case, a Kamishibai, a Japanese word (Kami= paper; shibai= theater) that roughly translates to “storybox”. Kamishibai offers a unique combination of oral, visual and print communication that engages audiences, particularly children, without the distraction of page turning or the reader having to turn to show everyone the pictures. Walter used the kamishibai to tell “The Empty Pot”, a Chinese folktale about honesty in which a childless emperor chooses his successor based on what grows with seeds he gives several children.
Write Out Loud was founded in 2007 and its artists travel around San Diego county giving engaging readings to a range of different audiences. Walter asked for help in identifying senior living centers in particular that might enjoy their performances. Write Out Loud also gives story concerts at Old Town Theater. There are three performances remaining this season. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Caroline Moran and Brett Mattei enjoying food from Beeside Balcony at the 2022 Sunset Soirée
March is a two-for-one month for club socials! Come by Beeside Balconyon Camino Del Mar Tuesday March 28 from 4:30-6:30 PM. Beeside Balcony is our newest restaurant providing tastes at our Sunset Soirée, so it would be great to have a good turnout to thank them for their support.
All members are encouraged to attend the monthly Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday March 21 at 8 AM. The meeting will be via Zoom. Click HERE to join.
Jose Cruz (upper left), CEO of San Diego Council on Literacy, speaks to our club. Shown are volunteers with some of the 350,000 new books the council has distributed to children since 2020
You probably don’t give a thought to the mechanics of reading, but for an increasing number of children, reading is difficult. Jose Cruz, CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy spoke at our March 23, 2023 meeting about literacy statistics and ways to help. Currently, nearly two-thirds of children in the United Sates are not proficient in reading. Among low-income students, 4/5 aren’t on track with reading by fourth grade. Difficulties with reading can echo throughout life: students who aren’t on track to read by third grade are 4-fold less likely to graduate high school. Low literacy rates also have broad economic impacts.
In San Diego county, 34% of fourth graders read below basic levels. Multiple factors contribute to literacy rates including general poverty, lack of access to books, parents who themselves do not read well, and inconsistent use of effective teaching methods (click HERE to watch the video Cruz showed that discusses different methods to teach reading).
The Council seeks to unite the community in supporting literacy through advocacy as well as facilitating partnerships and resources. The Council serves over 100,000 people in San Diego county each year by working with 34 different agencies that provide services to promote reading and also sponsor book giveaways.
There are multiple ways that you can help increase literacy including donating new or like-new books to low-income communities, supporting programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that delivers new books to children, or volunteering to be a tutor for a child or adult.
Ramping Up Reading With the San Diego Council on Literacy
Membership chair Dee House (left) inducted new member Richa Garg (center), who received her pin from her mentor, Linda Groom
We’re delighted to induct our newest member, Richa Garg. She first visited our club during the pandemic period, and we’re happy that she persisted as we worked through that rather strange time. Richa’s younger daughter recently started college and she was looking for ways to give back to her community. With the help of her mentor Linda Groom, Richa is already well on her way to exchanging her red badge for a regular badge.
Clay Sheffrey after his "rescue" by Del Mar Lifeguards at the 2022 Chili & Quackers
Congratulations to Clay Sheffrey who traded in his red badge for a regular horse badge at the March 16, 2023 meeting. He’s been an active member from the start, and at last year’s Chili & Quackers braved the chilly waters as our “swimmer in distress” who allowed the Del Mar Lifeguards to show off their rescue prowess. Clay was also a fantastic help at the Sunset Soirée. He’ll be part of the crowd at the upcoming District 5340 Training Symposium on March 25.
Become a RYLA facilitator and you too can have a new dress, just like Don Fipps!
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards(RYLA) is back in person for the first time since 2019. This year our club is sponsoring five high school juniors (including Greg Harris’s son Daniel and the Macey Milligan, President-Elect of Cathedral Catholic Interact Club and daughter of our great faculty advisor Mara Milligan).
Greg Harris is on the RYLA committee and says that they are still in need of facilitators. Talk to Greg or Chris Stewart if you’d like to be a facilitator. It’s an experience you’ll always remember! Training is in Encinitas on March 25 from 8-noon and the RYLA weekend is April 14-16 in Idyllwild (facilitators must attend the entire weekend).
Scenes from Disaster Aid USA projects. Upper left: Mark and Nancy Matthews with a homeowner whose home they helped restore
It began with a visit to the House of Friendship, one of the best parts of the Rotary International Convention. There, Mark Matthews, a member of Rotary Club of La Mesa (and Val Myer’s brother-in-law), learned about Disaster Aid USA (DAUSA). At the time, Mark was nearing retirement from the restoration company he founded in 1980, Christian Brothers Emergency Building Services. DAUSA provided a perfect opportunity for him to apply his skills to help those whose homes were in the path of a disaster. Mark and his wife Nancy spoke at our March 2, 2023 meeting. They showed a number of pictures from properties they’d worked on in Texas and Florida.
DAUSA was established in 2010 and members of its Board of Directors are all active Rotarians who represent all of the Rotary Zones in the United States. They leverage the broad Rotary network to ensure that they work effectively with members of affected communities and focus their efforts on those most in need. They serve as a “muck and gut” team that tarps roofs, removes downed trees and vegetation as well as household debris. They also help prep meals.
DAUSA rebuilds communities by first assessing needs and then securing and delivering aid with the help of Disaster Aid Response Teams (DARTs) that work directly with those who have been impacted by disaster.
Jen Segura (center) and her family (clockwise from lower left: Marley, Cedella, Penny Lane, Gracie (black) and Hazy (blonde)
Red Badger Jen Segura gave her “Who Am I” presentation at the March 2, 2023 meeting. Jen had been a member of the Rotary Club San Diego Downtown Breakfast and is returning to Rotary after a hiatus. We’re delighted that she chose Rotary Club of Del Mar! Jen is the owner of West Coast Family Mediation Center and practices out of the Del Mar office. Through mediation, Jen and her team have helped families navigate divorce and also avoid divorce. She noted that communication is crucial: many couples simply don’t talk about basic topics like attitudes toward finances. Her practice focuses on minimizing conflict and maximizing harmony.
Jen is married to Juan “Johnny” Segura and together they have two daughters: Marley Jean and Cedella Schade. They share their home with a black dog named Gracie, a blonde dog named Hazy, and a cat named Penny Lane.
We had a great crowd at West End Bar & Kitchen on March 7. We took over the central table to show our gratitude to West End and Sal Ercolano for his steadfast support of our Sunset Soirée.
Ruth Gunther (upper right, left) and Saundra Cima (upper right, right) presented on Honor Flight San Diego and Ruth told of her personal experience working in the Hospital Corp in World War II (photos of previous trips courtesy Honor Flight San Diego)
Saundra Cima and Winona Ruth Gunther visited our March 2, 2023 meeting to tell us about Honor Flight San Diego. Since 2005, Honor Flight has been escorting veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials that have been built in their honor. In 2010 Dave Smith, the son of a World War II veteran, founded the Honor Flight San Diego hub, which has since flown over 1,500 veterans from every branch of service to Washington. The trips are funded entirely by private donations and the staff is all-volunteer so that all funds raised go to providing veterans with their tour of honor at no cost to t hem. Each packed weekend trip features a number of stops: Arlington National Cemetery, Military Women in Service, WWII Memorial, Korea War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, U.S. Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Navy Yard Museum.
In October 2021 Ruth Gunther took her tour of honor. Ruth is now 103 and she told us about her work as a nurse during World War II. Pearl Harbor was attacked when Ruth was 21 years old and working in a drugstore as an apprentice pharmacist. She said she felt drawn to contribute to the war effort. Ruth wanted to train as a physician, but met pushback and instead began serving in the Hospital Corp as a member of the US Navy WAVES in 1943. At the Corona Naval Hospital in Norco California, Ruth cared for sailors and Marines who had been seriously injured in the Pacific Theater. Ruth has authored two books: ‘What Would Your Father Say’ that describes her work during the war, and “Papa Said” that tells story of growing up on a farm in north central Indiana near the Wabash river.
There are many ways you can help veterans like Ruth take their tour of honor. Honor Flight San Diego publishes a newsletter (or follow them on Facebook) and always welcomes donations to support upcoming charter flights. You can attend a Welcome Home at the San Diego International Airport. The next flight comes home April 30, 2023 and all are welcome to gather at the Terminal 2 baggage claim at 2 PM to be part of the return celebration. You can also encourage family and friends (especially young people) to contribute cards and letters that are delivered during “Mail Call”. These cards are an excellent way to provide a personal note of gratitude to the veterans. Send Mail Call letters care of Donna Hester, 645 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (donna@thehesters.com). Letters must be received by April 22. Happy Dollars at the March 9 meeting will be devoted to Honor Flight.
This once-a-year event will equip you with all you need to know about Rotary at the club, District, and International level. In the morning session from 8-noon, learn from experienced Rotarians the ins and outs of club management, the Rotary Foundation, fundraising and more. The AFTERNOON session (Noon to 2 PM) is particularly important for our club. To be eligible for District and Global grants, TWO members MUST attend and be certified. Click HERE to visit the registration page. Registration is FREE this year with the option to purchase lunch (the club will reimburse this cost).
Scene from our last West End Social in February 2020 (just before things got weird with the pandemic) From left to right: Janice Kurth, Kirsti and Ryan Riell (with Adeline), Karl and Suzy Wagner, Val Myers
Next up on our social list: West End Bar & Kitchen. On Tuesday March 7 starting around 4:30 pm, come enjoy food and drinks while overlooking the Los Penasquitos lagoon. Owner Sal Ercolano is a stalwart supporter of our Sunset Soirée, so we’d love to have a good crowd. As always, family and friends are welcome. In particular, bring friends who might like to learn more about our club and Rotary in a casual setting.
Logistics: Orders will be billed on one or a few checks, so please bring cash (and preferably small bills- tech savvy folks can share via Venmo) to cover the cost of your items.
Thank you to everyone who’s used the Google Form for Pacifica Del Mar lunch pre-orders. Having the orders in advance truly expedites and simplifies service. Please note that Sharon Schendel (not the restaurant) manages the form and submits orders.
The earlier you submit, the happier Sharon will be, but the deadline for pre-orders is 10 AM the morning of the meeting. Any orders arriving after 10 AM may not be submitted. Sharon has parking passes for St. Peter’s church. If you are a regular attendee and would like a pass, please ask her for one. Discounted parking ($4 flat rate) is also available at Del Mar Plaza. Please ask the server for a voucher and have the cost added to your bill.
Walt Strangman (second from left) with Roger, Pam Rudolph, and Marty Peters (far right) in front of the SDBB Blood Mobile
We arranged another visit of the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) Bloodmobile to the Del Mar Civic Center on March 2, 2023. Thanks to members, family and friends, we collected three gallons (24 pints) of blood. That blood can help around 72 people. If you couldn’t make it on Thursday, click HERE to schedule a visit at a SDBB donation center near you! Thank you to Walt Strangman for organizing the drive. Walt is looking for someone to take over Blood Drive organization. The job is fairly simple and so important.
Assistant District Governor (and District Governor Nominee Designate for Rotary Year 2025-2026) oversees clubs in Area 4 of District 5340. Every month Area 4 presidents get together to talk about their club’s progress. Luis also encourages the presidents to join him when he visits Area 4 clubs. Luis was at our March 2, 2023 meeting and it was great to have almost all of the Area 4 presidents attend.
In many regions in Africa, children affected by orthopedic issues, be they present or birth or caused by disease, have shortened lifespans or are denied economic opportunities. One of our newest members, Dr. Mark Barry, spoke at our February 16, 2023 meeting about the efforts of the non-profit he founded in 2014, Children’s Orthopedics Education for Developing Nations (COEDN).
Dr. Barry said that typical approaches to addressing the orthopedic surgery needs of low-income countries would involve: (i) Large teams of surgeons that provide service in the country for 1-2 sessions/year; (ii) Sending the country's best clinicians to train in other countries, where they often remain; and (iii) MDs from high-income countries practice in the low-income country for several years. The mission of COEDN is different. It seeks to implement “train the trainers” programs in developing nations in Africa so that they themselves can train and maintain sufficient numbers of orthopedic surgeons.
Donna and Don Fipps brought their latest Canine Companions puppy-in-training, a 14 week-old yellow lab named Rosebud. Our meetings offer great socialization opportunities for these puppies.
Peace Village Community Room flooring installation (l to r): Dee House, Klaus Gubernator, Betsy Winsett, Bob Muller, David R., and Kathy Reed
Klaus Gubernator and Kathy Reed have been spearheading the refurbishment of the community room at the San Diego Peace Village. Dee House joined in, bringing Bob Muller who spread quite a bit of thin-set mortar for the new floor, which is almost done (the ceiling is done). Kathy brought friend Betsy Winsett, who brought her husband David. We always welcome the helping hands of family and friends!
How are you doing with “Less”? Our book club meets at Karin and Jim Davies' home to discuss the book on Sunday February 26 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Look for a recent email with directions.
We’ll hold our next Blood Drive for the San Diego Blood Bank on Thursday March 2. Walk-ins are welcome, and there are still some appointments available between 12:45 and 1:45 PM. Email event chair Walt Strangman to schedule, or click HERE to visit the drive’s registration site. One pint of blood can help and our goal is to collect 25 pints. If you can’t make March 2, click HERE to schedule an appointment at a nearby donor center.
We thank Larry and Katie Cook for their many years of service to the club. Larry joined the club in 2001 and Katie became a member almost 10 years ago in 2013. They have decided to leave the club, but we are grateful for all their contributions, especially to the Youth Service committee and for their many donations of SDSU ticket packages for the Sunset Soirée (the Cooks are stalwart Aztecs). We hope to welcome them back as guests should they be up in the Del Mar area on a Thursday afternoon.
For next week’s meeting on February 16, 2023, we’ll be in the Pacifica Del Mar Gallery Room (behind the fish tank by the bar). Our new member Dr. Mark Barry will be speaking about his Rotary-sponsored vocational training grant to train surgeons in Africa in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Look for the Google Form to pre-order lunch.
Dugan and Philippe Lamoise, along with Bill and Mary Rawlings are wrapping up a tour of Guatemala where they visited schools that are served by the Guatemala Literacy Project. Near the end of the trip, they met current Rotary International President Jennifer Jones.
We had a fantastic turnout for our social at Sbicca Del Mar on Tuesday February 7, 2023. Organizer Suzy Wagner said she counted 27 members and guests gathered around the large table. It was great to see members bring along friends, who are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Donna Fipps’ newest Canine Companions puppy-in-training, Rosebud, was also there enjoying all the opportunities for socialization.
New member Beth Davidson (left) with Membership Chair Dee House (right)
Membership Chair Dee House inducted Beth Davidson as our newest member at our February 9, 2023 meeting. Beth is a real estate professional working with Barry Estates as a member of theirLuxury Coast Group. She has a meeting commute to envy: her office on Camino Del Mar is only about 500 feet from Pacifica Del Mar. Beth is good friends with Mary Savoy, who will act as her mentor.
Amarok Society co-founder Gem Munro speaking about the efforts to train mothers to teach their own children, and children in their communities in Dhaka, Bangladesh (photo credits: Amarok Society)
Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world and has one of the most deficient education systems. Our speaker for our February 9, 2023 meeting, Gem Munro, along with his wife, Dr. Tanyss Munro, founded the Amarok Society in 2006 to change those statistics. The challenge was great. Gem quoted the Canadian Ambassador to Turkey who said: “of all the countries in the world, only Bangladesh made me cry”. Improving education in Bangladesh couldn’t be done using normal methods like building schools and hiring teachers. Tanyss and Gem had a simpler idea: Teach mothers in the slums of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to become teachers. Agencies they approached declined to help on the grounds that: 1) The slums are impenetrable due to slum lords and corrupt police; 2) Even if penetrated, the poorest Muslim women living in slums are essentially controlled by their husbands and hard to reach; and 3) Even if reached, the women couldn’t learn.
But Amarok Society tried anyway. Munro showed a video that featured a mother enrolled in an Amarok Society school reciting a nursery rhyme. When that mother began the program six months earlier, she had had essentially no education at all.
It’s hard to function when your teeth hurt. The St. Leo’s Dental Clinic in Solana Beach began in 1991 as part of the St. Leo’s Medical Clinic that was founded by one of our charter members, Dr. Dick Wheelock. Our club has long been instrumental to the success of St. Leo’s Dental Clinic. We’ve provided funds and labor to outfit the clinic, which in 2016 received upgraded flooring and updated dental chairs. The clinic was running at full capacity when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Paul McEneany of St. Leo’s came to speak to our club about St. Leo’s post-pandemic activities. After re-opening on June 8, 2022, the clinic began treating patients on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. The focus is on serving low-income adults and prioritizes patients who are in pain. There is no cost to patients, but they are asked to make a donation, if they are able, to offset the operation expenses. Paul said that 85% of patients agree to make a donation, and of those who pledge to donate, 100% fulfill their pledge. As a free clinic, the dental professionals who volunteer their time are covered with unlimited liability insurance under a federal program. However, dentistry is equipment-intensive. St. Leo’s is in particular need of updated compressor and vacuum systems that are critical for proper function of dental tools as well as new X-ray equipment for rapid diagnosis and the latest software to track patient progress.
The need for care is great: The CDC’s Disparities in Oral Health report indicates that 40% of low-income adults have untreated tooth decay that is associated with loss of millions of hours of school and work hours. Up to one-fifth of adults reported that the appearance of their teeth affected their confidence in interviewing for jobs. To assist with re-opening expenses and to help the clinic serve more people, our members raised $1140 in one Happy Dollars session in December, and an anonymous donor provided another $1000. We presented these funds to Paul at our meeting. Our club will continue to partner with the clinic to ensure that our neighbors have access to excellent dental care.
St. Leo’s Dental Clinic: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
The Book Club is working on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Less”, by Andrew Sean Greer. The New York Review of Books describes “Less” as a novel full of "arresting lyricism and beauty”. Karin and Jim Davies will host the discussion at their home on February 26, 2023. Details with address will be sent shortly before the meeting date.
Join us at our next social on February 7, 2023 atSbicca in Del Mar. Happy Hour begins at 3:30 PM and runs through 5:30 PM, so we're saying "4ish" for a start time. Bottles of wine are also discounted. Come help support one of the restaurants that serves at our Sunset Soirée. As always, family and friends are welcome!
Please note that the cottage build project at Rising Tide Ranch is postponed as they work out some administrative issues. We'll re-post this service opportunity when a new date is set.
Membership chair Dee House (far right) inducted Clint McCalla (second from left) and Jen Segura (second from right), who are with their mentors Linda Saville (far left) and Suzy Wagner (center), respectively
We are happy to induct two new members of our club: Clint McCalla and Jen Segura. Clint is a CFP and Lead Advisor with LourdMurray Delphi in Carmel Valley. He is married to Sarah, and they have two children, Eunan and Annemarie. Clint is a native of Texas and a Texas Tech graduate. His father was a Rotarian.
Jen is a professional family mediator and has her own practice, West Coast Family Mediation Center, in Del Mar. She is married to Juan (Johnny) Segura and they are parents to Marley and Cedella. Jen was a member ofRotary Club of San Diego Downtown Breakfast. Thank you to Suzy Wagner, who will mentor Jen, and Linda Saville, who will mentor Clint.
Induction of New Members: Clint McCalla and Jen Segura
For 60 years the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) has been fulfilling its mission of “To return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it”. HSWRI President & CEO (and member of San Diego Rotary) Don Kent spoke at our January 26, 2023 meeting about the Institute’s research areas and efforts toward sustainable solutions.
HSWRI is studying how marine animals respond to changing environments brought about by rising sea temperatures and how military activity or planned wind farms could affect animals that rely on sensory signalsto communicate and navigate. They are also working to enhance science literacy of students ranging from kindergarten to college age.
Most importantly, HSWRI is working to provide novel approaches to aquaculture to meet the protein demands of a growing global population. For nearly 40 years, HSWRI has been developing aquaculture technology to secure and track populations of white sea bass. Some of the released fish are tagged and these tags can be recovered during fish processing to understand the migratory habits of these fish. HSWRI is applying knowledge gained from their sea bass project to other fish species to ensure that the world has access to sustainable seafood.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute: Seeking Sustainable Solutions
Work is ongoing at the community center room at the San Diego Peace Village (here's Flash supervising the new tiling). The Mission Circlefolks also reached out for our help with sleeping cottages at the Rising Tide Ranchin Vista. Mark your calendars for February 11 and February 18. The project coordinators have a variety of tasks that they can align with your skills.
We have a happy problem: lots of prospective new members! Mentors are essential to ensure that new members are immediately engaged and understand the workings of the club. If you’d like to take on this very important role, please email Membership Chair Dee House.
After a few weeks of musical venues, we will be happily ensconced in Pacifica Del Mar’s Private Reserve. This private dining room is just past the main restaurant. Just walk past the main entrance, turn right and follow the arcade (star) to the end- the room is on the right. If you’re coming from the St. Peter’s parking lot, just cross 15th Street and take the stairs by the fire hydrant (star). The Private Reserve room will be immediately to your left.
Thank you to all who pre-ordered their lunches on Thursday. The menu will be the same this week, but the selections will be rotating in the coming weeks. Click HERE to submit your-pre-order. Remember to submit your order no later than 4 PM on Wednesday.
For parking, we have a limited number of updated parking passes from St. Peter’s. Pacifica Del Mar also offers a voucher for discounted parking: $3/car (your account will be billed or you can pay cash- exact change highly appreciated).
Our club has a nascent YouTube channel. We’d like to add to it with videos featuring the many dog lovers in our club. If you’d like to have your pup in one of the videos, email Sharon Schendel. We can use either stills, or have Sharon video you with your dog.
Congratulates to Patti Kurtz and Scott MacDonald on their wedding earlier this month. Patti is the current chair of the International Services Committee and Scott is a former member of our club who is now a member of the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary.
Several of our members are hosting Ukrainian families. On January 30, 2023 The House of Ukraine is hosting Winter Songs of Ukraine, a rozkoliada that features a caroling of winter songs at the end of the holiday season to usher in the spring. This concert also recognizes the centennial anniversary of a 1923 performance by Ukrainian Republic Capella in San Diego. In this performance, the group sang Mykola Leontovych’s“Schedryk”, a new year’s song that features the melody of “Carol of the Bells”. All proceeds from the event will support the ongoing humanitarian response by the House of Ukraine. Click HEREto purchase tickets.
Dee House, Jim Davies, Linda Groom, Bill Rawlings and Executive Director Julie Brunetto after finishing some new shelves
Bill Rawlings supervised the installation of new storage shelving at New Entra Casa, a safe place for women who are transitioning back into the community. The shelves provide a much-needed space for storage of needed supplies and items for the facility. Thank you to Dee House, Jim Davies, and especially Linda Groom for making us aware of this project. We are also so grateful to Pat Dougherty, who generously donated the supplies for the project.
Jim and Janie King cut the cake at their wedding reception at the Old Del Mar hotel in 1951.
Some of the many members who attended the Celebration of Life (l to r): Jan Fuchs, John Baranowski, Dee House, Bob Fuchs
Many members attended the Celebration of Life for Jim King on January 21, 2023 at the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in Solana Beach. Jim’s children Jim, Teri and Nancy, as well as his grandson Justin and many friends shared memories of Jim at the service. They all spoke of Jim’s love for nature. Jim told of how his dad learned to waterski in a rather non-traditional way: in the ocean towed behind a car rather than a boat. Jim was also an excellent bodysurfer and taught his children and grandchildren how to ride the waves without a board. Throughout the service, the love Jim had for his family, and especially Janie, was evident. We all enjoyed the slide presentation with pictures of Jim and his family; he and Janie were such a beautiful couple who raised a special family. Donations may be made in Jim’s name to MAEGA or the Community Resource Center, and, of course, follow Jim’s example and become a regular blood donor. Click HERE to read Jim's obituary, HERE to read Janie's obituary and HERE to read a story about Jim and Janie.
Mark Barry (center left) and Rex Mize (center right) are our newest members! They're pictured with their mentors Jim and Karin Davies (left) and Kathy Reed (right) along with Membership Chair Dee House
We are delighted to welcome as our newest members Dr. Mark Barry and Rex Mize, who were both inducted by Membership Chair Dee House at our January 19, 2023 meeting. Mark will be mentored by Jim and Karin Davies and Kathy Reed is mentor to Rex. Congratulations!
Scenes from the Model UN Training Symposium. Clockwise from upper left: Kathy Reed with Army Navy Academy students; Chair Ann-Marie Bryan (San Diego Downtown Breakfast club) starts the session; District Governor Chuck Pretto with Sharon Schendel, Pat Caughey, Beth Westburg and Kathy Reed who all helped with registration; Kathy Reed arranged a hearty breakfast
Klaus Gubernator and Kathy Reed were up early on Saturday January 21, 2023 for the Model United Nations (MUN) training session. Kathy organized the breakfast and the registration desk while Klaus made sure that all the audio-visual was ready to go. He also secured the Del Mar Civic Center for the symposium venue. District Governor Chuck Pretto welcomed the delegates to the training. Thank you to Pat Caughey, Sharon Schendel and Beth Westburg, who enlisted friend Shelly Carder, to help with the check-in table. Mark your calendars for MUN: April 1 and April 2. Everyone is welcome to attend! Click HERE for more information.
We will return to Pacifica Del Mar’s Gallery Room (see picture) for our January 26, 2023 meeting. In February and beyond, we will settle in the Private Reserve room.
Weekly Meeting at Pacifica Del Mar on January 26, 2023
You may have received a text message prior to the January 19 meeting. Our club now is sending group texts for weekly meeting and event reminders. These texts are sent from (858) 842-5310 to cell numbers filed in ClubRunner. You may opt out at any time. Email alerts will continue as usual. If you need to make an update, email Sharon Schendel to confirm your preferred phone number/email.
The staff at Pacifica Del Mardid a fantastic job getting so many lunch orders ready last week. They said it would be helpful if we could submit pre-orders so they can get lunch started a bit before we arrive at noon. Make your lunch selection by clicking HERE.
Al Bates (left) speaks about San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) decommissioning, which is governed by principles of Safety, Stewardship and Engagement. Work to dismantle the turbine buildings (center) is going on right now
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is a familiar site near the northern border of San Diego county. The plant came online in 1968 and was shut down in 2013 after one of the steam generators failed and was too costly to repair. In 2014, the decommissioning of SONGS began.
Al Bates, the Principal Manager and Nuclear Regulatory Affairs and Technical Advisor to Southern California Edison CNO, visited our club on January 12, 2023 to provide an update on the SONGS decommissioning. All aspects of the decommissioning process are governed by three principles: Safety, Stewardship and Engagement. Safety is the top priority and encompasses nuclear, radiological, industrial and environmental safety. Stewardship has both financial and environmental aspects to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and efficiently and that the activities minimize environmental impacts so that the site is left in the same condition as before the plant was built. Engagement assures transparency and that the public is kept abreast of progress at the site.
Ten years into the 60-year decommissioning period, many of the support buildings have been demolished and work on dismantling the turbine building structures is underway. Much of the debris in these buildings is recyclable steel and nonferrous materials that will be transported away from the site using the on-site railyard that substantially reduces truck traffic on nearby I-5.
Eventually the iconic dome-shaped containment units will be dismantled using a bottom-up approach. Driving by the site, you might think that the domes are sinking, but really they’re effectively “sunsetting” as the deconstruction reduces the dome height by removing material from the bottom of the domes.
All spent fuel will be stored onsite in sealed, stainless steel canisters that are passively cooled in dry cask storage systems. The storage units are seismically rated, resistant to corrosion and rated for more than 100 years. Currently there is no national storage facility, but the canisters can be transported when a site is built.
Bates encouraged community members to keep up to date on the decommissioning process and to be active in efforts to address the storage of spent fuels. You can sign up by visiting www.spentfuelsolutionsnow.com You can also learn more about SONGS decommissioning by visiting their website.
Casey Robison (center) with her mentor, Dugan Lamoise (left) and Membership Chair Dee House (right)
Congratulations to Casey Robison for receiving her “blue” badge at our January 12, 2023 meeting. All new members have a circular, red badge until they complete a list of activities that are designed to help them learn more about both the club and Rotary International and to get to know current members. Once they’ve accomplished all the activities, we exchange their red badge for a regular badge with our club logo. Red Badgers have a mentor in the club who is always ready to help.
Casey has a long connection to Rotary: She was a Youth Exchange student and spent a year in England. A chance spotting of Marty Peter’s pin in the bakery she and her husband co-own, Darshan Bakery, led Casey back to Rotary and membership in the club. Thank you to Marty for sponsoring Casey for membership and to Dugan Lamoise for being Casey’s mentor.
In December 2022 the House of Ukraine in San Diego was looking for a host family for Ivan, a 16-year old Ukrainian who was injured by a Russian tank while he and his family were on their way home from the grocery store. Unfortunately, his stepfather was killed by the tank and Ivan lost a leg. Ivan is in the United States through the support of a collaboration between a foundation established by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, and the US-based Right to Walk foundation.
Ivan arrived in San Diego in September 2022 with Olena, a social worker who was empowered by Ivan’s mother and the Ukrainian Embassy to act as Ivan’s chaperone. Olena has also worked as a journalist and is studying psychology to help those coping with trauma associated with the war. Ivan is receiving physical therapy and will soon undergo another surgery on his leg. He is enrolled in the San Diego Union High School District adaptive education program and is working hard to master English.
Kathy Reed generously opened her home to both Ivan and Olena. Her Bernese mountain dog Flash is particularly fond of having Ivan share his home.
Room that is being refurbished to serve as the Community Room at the San Diego Peace Village
On January 28, 2023 from 9AM-4PM we need some volunteers to help with ongoing work at the San Diego Peace Village. We’re helping to refurbish a large room that will serve as a Community Room for those living in the Peace Village. Email Klaus Gubernator to volunteer.
Enjoying the food and drink at Pacifica Del Mar (l to r): Matt Kurth, Philippe Lamoise, Toni Mecaro, Dugan Lamoise, Klaus Gubernator
We gathered at Pacifica Del Mar on a somewhat soggy Tuesday night for our first social of 2023 (we didn’t know that we’d be right back at Pacifica Del Mar in less than 48 hours). We were pleased to welcome DaVina Hoyt and her son, Caleb Berry. DaVina had been a Rotarian in Pullman, Washington. Thank you to Suzy and Karl Wagner for organizing the event. Our next social will be February 7 at Sbicca Del Mar. These socials are a fun way to express our gratitude to local restaurants that offered tastes at our Sunset Soirée.
Klaus Gubernator is again coordinating the District 5340 Model United Nations. All participants must take part in an initial training session on January 21, 2023 that will be held at the Del Mar Civic Center(1050 Camino Del Mar). Kathy Reed needs some help staffing the check-in table from 7AM-8AM that morning. Email Kathy to sign up to help.
Model United Nations Training January 21: Volunteers Needed
Donna and Don Fipps (left) with Rotary International President-Elect Gordon R. McInally and Heather McInally
Every January Rotary International hosts the International Assembly that provides training and programming for District Governor Elects (DGEs). The Assembly returned this year as an in-person event in Orlando, after being held for many years in San Diego. This year, Rotary International President-Elect (PE) R. Gordon R. McInally (member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, west of Edinburgh), revealed his presidential theme for Rotary Year 2023-2024: Create Hope in the World. The theme calls on Rotarians to inspire or restore hope through the projects they champion. PE McInally also recognized the importance of emphasizing peace, which provides the true foundation for hope. Click HERE to watch his announcement of the theme.
Our own Don Fipps is DGE for District 5340 and both he and Donna Fipps were in Orlando last week. Don’s bobblehead (with a bobbling Canine Companions dog) joined those of several other DGEs (click HERE to see Don’s and others). Follow the adventures of Don’s bobbling doppelgänger on Instagram at @bobbleheaddgdon.
The services for Jim King will be on Saturday, January 21 at 11 AM at the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church (120 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075).
A reception will follow.
Click HERE to read Jim's obituary. It mentions that Jim was a proud Rotarian and particularly dedicated to overseeing successful blood drives by the club. We will host our next drive March 2. Please mark your calendars and donate in Jim's memory.
We kick off a year of socials at Pacifica Del Maron Tuesday January 10. Happy Hour runs from 4-6:30 PM (the rain is forecast to move on around 4 PM). Come enjoy some great food and beverages as we us express our gratitude to one of our Sunset Soirée restaurants. Family, friends and anyone interested in learning about our club and Rotary in general are encouraged to join.
During the slow winter season, Jimmy O’s is focusing on evenings and is not serving lunch. Never fear, they are still opening on Thursdays for our meetings! Jimmy O’s arranged partnerships with neighboring restaurants, primarily Americana. Consider pre-ordering your lunch. Billing will be handled just like before with payment made to the servers. Jimmy O’s will provide drinks and also receive a small percentage of the check to cover operating expenses.
Klaus Gubernator is back at the San Diego Peace Village and is looking for volunteers to help with tiling and ceiling painting on Saturday January 14 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The site is the same as the sleeping cottage builds. Email Klaus with questions.
Tiling and Painting at the Peace Village January 14
Keep up your New Year’s resolutions by joining the Happy Trails Walking Club for a gentle walk in the San Dieguito River Park. Meet that the staging area at 8 AM on Wednesday January 11. Access the staging area by turning south onto San Andres Drive off of Via de la Valle (red star in picture). Family, friends and dogs welcome!
Happy Trails Walking Club: San Dieguito River Park January 11
We were saddened to learn of the passing of long-time member Jim King at the age of 96 years-old. Jim joined the club in 1990 and always had a ready smile (click HERE for brief video). The family is planning a service and will let us know the details. Gifts in Jim’s memory can be made to the San Diego Blood Bank, where Jim was a 10-gallon donor.
Due to a late-breaking speaker cancellation and inclement weather that's due to hit Del Mar around noon, the January 5, 2023 meeting is cancelled. We'll kick off the new year on January 12.
We were so sorry to learn of the passing of Jim King, who had been a member for over 30 years. Jim was a devoted husband to his wife Janie; they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2021. Jim was a generous supporter of the club and the community. The first picture in the video was taken just after he'd made one of many blood donations along his way to being a 10 gallon donor for the San Diego Blood Bank. Many club presidents arrived at their demotion party in Jim's butter yellow Model A Ford. We extended our deepest sympathies to Jim's family. He will be missed.
If you wish to make a donation in Jim's memory, the family suggests the San Diego Blood Bank.
We hosted the second party of the week on Thursday December 15, 2022 for members of the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club La Colonia Clubhouse and their families. Craft stations were ready for the children at the La Colonia park and included snow globes (Dee House, Rex Mize, and Steven McDowell) Santa stickers (Donna Fipps), cranberry and fir jars (Suzy Wagner and Linda Strangman), and reindeer blocks (Kathy Reed and Jennifer McDowell). Event chair Klaus Gubernator had robotics demonstrations. After the crafts, Santa and his gingerbread helper arrived to take notes on what the children wanted for Christmas. Thank you to San Dieguito BGC COO and member Joe McLeod who helped serve food and kept the music going, and to Walt Strangman and Marty Peters who manned the ladles at the Christmas punch station. We’re grateful to Jake’s Del Mar for donating wonderful food. There were plenty of leftovers that Janice and Matt Kurth, along with Sharon Schendel, helped package so families could enjoy second helpings at home.
A Little More Holiday Cheer at the La Colonia Clubhouse
Clockwise from top left: Harold and Casey Robison with Don and Donna Fipps (who's holding Tube Man); Rob Vaughn wondering what he might do with hugging stuffed mice, which Jennifer McDowell, Garrie Rhodes and Kathy Reed find amusing; Karin and Jim Davies admire Tube Man, which they would possess only briefly; Donna Fipps brought melting snowmen cookies
Clockwise from top left: Mark Berry helps Jennifer McDowell extract a box from a snug-fitting bag; Matt Kurth holds the stuffed mice he stole from Rob Vaughn (mainly to get the Lindt chocolates that came with them) while Klaus Gubernator covets the gift; Kathy Reed displays her moose head punch set (which was never stolen) and Jeff Matthews and Val Myers with Suzy Wagner; RoseMary Pellegrino thinks of all the fun she can have with the game "Senior Moments" and Eric Nelte hopes he can play too
Clockwise from top left: Dee House and Suzy Wagner try to figure out the dice game Suzy won while Rob Muller and Casey Robison look on; Candace Bahr with Steven McDowell and Walt and Linda Strangman; Toni Mecaro with Pat Caughey and Steven McDowell; Matt Kurth admires the tequila that replaced the Lindt chocolate balls stolen by Klaus; Garrie Rhodes and Rob Vaughn; Don Fipps guards the cookie table
Everyone dressed warmly on Tuesday December 13, 2022 for an outdoor holiday party at one of our favorite venues, Viewpoint Brewing Company. There were plenty of appetizers and food at the buffet. Dinner was capped with offerings from the cookie exchange participants. We did a “Dirty Santa” gift exchange this year and lots of fun gifts found new homes, many after changing hands a few times. Sharon Schendel has been enjoying her burrito blanket brought by Val Myers every night since the party. Kathy Reed was happy to have a moose head punch set, and the Lindt chocolate balls passed through a few hands, including those of Matt Kurth, who ended up with a bottle of tequila instead. Jim and Karin Davies were certain that they might get to keep “Tube Man”, until Donna Fipps stole him away. Thank you to all who attended, and special thanks to Suzy Wagner for securing the venue, Kathy Reed for the lovely centerpieces, and Dee House for making the nametags. We’re also grateful to all the bakers and to those who provided gifts for the exchange.
A Little Holiday Cheer at Viewpoint Brewing Company
For this installment of the Happy Trails Walking Club, Bob Fuchs (along with his dog, Rascal) Don and Donna Fipps, and Sharon Schendel enjoyed a nice easterly walk in the San Dieguito River Park from the staging area parking lot off of San Andres Drive to the Del Mar Horse Park. Bob recalled the multiple work projects our club has done to support the San Dieguito River Park. The club is out walking on every on alternating Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Interested in leading a walk on Saturday December 22? Email Sharon and she’ll post the information on the club calendar.
The Christmas Party for members of the La Colonia Clubhouse of the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club returns to the La Colonia Park in Solana Beach (715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach). Craft Table Captains, please arrive by 3:30 PM for set up. Members, please arrive around 4 PM. Wear a Santa hat or other holiday gear if you have it! See picture for parking suggestions.
La Colonia Christmas Party December 15 at La Colonia Park in Solana Beach
The holiday party is all set for Tuesday December 13 at the Viewpoint Brewing Company. The fun will start at 5 PM with appetizers followed by a dinner buffet. For those participating in the cookie exchange, be sure to bring a container to take home offerings from fellow bakers.
To participate in the “Dirty Santa” exchange, bring a wrapped gift, ~$25 in value and be prepared not to get too attached to any gift you receive, since it may be stolen!
Dress festively, but warmly!
If you can’t find parking in the Viewpoint lot, recall that there is a gravel lot with paid parking just to the west of Viewpoint (see attached picture).
Holiday Party December 13 at Viewpoint Brewing Company
Richard Lederer returned to our club for the December 8, 2022 meeting to spread a bit of holiday cheer. In particular, he described how Clement Clarke Moore’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” together with Thomas Nast’s illustrations, formed the basis for many iconic Christmas images including Santa Claus as a jolly elf who enters homes via the chimney. Richard provided some noted basic facts to support that the reindeers pulling Santa’s sleigh were all females. Reindeer are the only member of the deer family in which both males and females have antlers. However, males lose their antlers after the fall rut and thus by Christmas in December only females would have the antlers seen in Nast’s pictures.
He also told how “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens helped popularize “Merry Christmas”. Dickens wrote the book in a frenzied 6 weeks and made liberal use of “Merry” rather than the more staid “Happy”. In a well-known quote, Ebenezer Scrooge tells his Christmas-loving nephew Fred: “If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”
Richard is the author of over 50 books (he is grateful to the local publisher Waterside Productions in Cardiff for his latest publications) and his column “Lederer on Language” appears every other Saturday in The San Diego Union Tribune. He is the founding host of NPR’s “A Way with Words”. Follow Richard at his website: verbivore.com.
Book club members at Bud's: (clockwise from left): Sharon Schendel, Linda Groom, Jim Davies, Karin Davies, Don Fipps, Janice Kurth, Matt Kurth, Beth Westburg
With crawdads in the title, facilitator Beth Westburg sought out a cajun-themed restaurant for Book Club members to discuss their most recent reading “Where the Crawdads Sing”. The food at Bud’s Louisiana Caféin Tierrasanta was so good that there was just as much discussion about the dishes everyone got as there was about the book. There were even fresh beignets for dessert. The club will read the 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer. Come join the next discussion!
Marty Peters (left) paints panels that Dee House and Steven McDowell (center) loaded into the truck; Steven McDowell trims out the front window on Cottage 5
Mark Barry, Donna Fipps, Dee House and Bob Muller, Klaus Gubernator, Steven McDowell and Marty Peters were at San Diego Peace Village to help with construction of Cottage 5. These five cottages make up the first phase of what will eventually be 20 cottages that will provide private spaces for people to live as they integrate into the San Diego community.
Join the Happy Trails at San Dieguito Lagoon on Wednesday December 7 at 8 AM. We’ll walk part of the Coast to Crest Trail. Park at the staging area lot at San Andres Drive off of Via del la Valle. Family, friends and dogs welcome and encouraged! T-shirt update: estimated delivery on December 12.
The Burn Institute Director of Operations, Benjamin Hemmings (left), speaks to the club about the Institute's programs like Camp Beyond the Scars (upper right) and support groups for adult survivors of burn injuries (lower right)
For 50 years, the Burn Institute has been helping individuals who suffered burn injuries recover and has also developed educational resources and services to prevent burn injuries from happening. Burn Institute Director of Operations Brian Hemmings spoke at our December 1, 2022 meeting to outline the range of projects the Burn Institute oversees. The Institute hosts camps like Camp Beyond the Scars to help young people aged 8-17 who are affected by burns succeed on their healing journey. Through support groups, the Institute connects survivors who suffered a recent burn injury with those who are farther from their injuries to instill hope and share strategies for coping with the injury. Survivors of burn injuries and their families also receive support during treatment and recovery with parking passes, lodging, and medical equipment funded by the Institute.
The Institute offers burn and fire prevention programs like the Fire Safe Kid program in schools, emergency preparedness training, and education of parents to prevent scald injuries, which represent nearly 40% of burn injuries in young children. To ensure safe maintenance of smoke detectors, seniors (62+) can apply to have Institute staff change batteries in their detectors free of charge. Click HERE for the application.
The Burn Institute: Fostering Recovery and Preventing Burn Injuries
Casey Robison and her Rotary mentor, Dugan Lamoise, who's holding Casey's Youth Exchange pin-laden blazer
As her final step to convert her badge from red to regular, Casey Robison gave her “Who Am I” talk. Casey owns Darshan Bakery in the Del Mar village, where they make some of the best croissants in town. A conversation with Marty Peters at the café led Casey to our club so she could reconnect to some Rotary roots. Casey was a Rotary International Youth Exchange student sponsored by the Rotary Club of Walnut Grovenear Sacramento California, to spend a year in England hosted by the Heckmondwike Rotary Club near Leeds. She has fond memories of her host family. Casey is married to Harold Robison and they are parents to two sons, aged 6 and 8.
Do you know a youth who might like to be like Casey and be a Rotary International Youth Exchange Student? Encourage them to attend an informational session, 6:30 PM, on Tuesday December 6 at Coronado High School. This session is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Coronadoand District 5340. Click HEREfor information about the session.
December is rapidly approaching, so that means holiday parties! Click HERE to fill out the RSVP form or email Dee House. Cocktails and appetizers start at 5 PM and a buffet dinner will be served at 6:30 PM (plated vegetarian meals are available). The cost is $60 per person (the club covers the cost of tax and tip; drinks are separate). We’ll have a cookie exchange as usual, and also a “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. Please cancel by December 6 if your plans change, otherwise your account will be billed.
Club Holiday Party at Viewpoint Brewing Company December 13
Our annual Christmas Party for members of the La Colonia Clubhouse (715 Valley Avenue Solana Beach) of Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito is set for Thursday December 15. The party will run from 4PM to 7 PM. Klaus Gubernator is organizing this year. PLEASE NOTE: we still need two more craft tables and volunteers to help serve food. Please stop by and lend a hand if needed. This party is always a wonderful time! Email Klaus with any questions or to volunteer.
La Colonia Children's Christmas Party: Craft Stations Needed!
In 1899, Charles “Mile-a-Minute” Murphy, was the first to set a paced bicycle land speed record when he pedaled 60 mph behind a train in Long Island. In 2018, Denise Mueller set the current record of 183.9 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. She visited our club on November 17, 2022 to tell how she did it. Denise has always been fast on a bike. In the late 1980s, then teenage Denise was on a ride between San Francisco and San Diego. As she pedaled through Camp Pendleton, she drafted another cyclist for 8 miles. That cyclist happened to be John Howard, a 3-time Olympian, co-founder or the Race Across America and member of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. In 1985 John himself set the land speed record of 152.2, so he recognized her talent. John helped get Denise into competitive cycling and was her coach. She enjoyed success until, as she put it, she needed to start “adulting” and put aside cycling to focus on her career and family. Her career included running the family business Rancho Santa Fe Security, a company that was founded by her father.
Denise approached John Howard when her son was training to run all 19 Rock n’ Roll Marathons. John asked her whether she might return to cycling, and in particular, pursue a land speed record, which no woman had ever attempted. In 2012 she began training and in 2016 set the women’s record of 147.7 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Denise was further encouraged by Dutch cyclist Fred Rompelberg, who had held the record of 166.9 mph since 1995. Rompelberg even gave her use of the pace car he used in 1995 that looks a bit like a drag racer with a large hood at the back that serves as a wind shield. Having the car was one thing, but finding a driver in whom she had complete confidence was another.
Denise found Shea Holbrook to be that driver. In their attempts, Denise followed behind the pace car riding a customized bike with an extremely high gear. She explained that with one turn of the crank on this bike she could travel 131 feet (compare to a traditional ten-speed where one crank turn allows the rider to travel 31 feet). Even to turn the crank she had to reach a speed of around 100 miles an hour. Shea had to get to around 130 mph within one mile, and when Denise cast off the tow rope in the final mile, around mile marker 4, she reached nearly 184 mph, far faster than she expected.
The attempt was not without danger. Denise brought with her a broken wheel hub. The hub cracked soon after the attempt, but fortunately held true as she set the record. One other great thing about Denise: she is a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe!
Click HERE to watch a video of Denise setting the record.
Olga speaks to the club (left) and Klaus Gubernator is hosting a family from Ukraine (right)
Thanksgiving Day marks nine months since Russia attacked Ukraine. On the day of the attack, Olga and her son began her journey to safety. Within one week of her departure, Vyshneve, where Olga lived with her three year-old son, was bombed. Olga had friends in Oceanside who advised her to get to a place that had planes leaving Europe. If she could find a plane, they would fund her tickets. Olga showed a video of her car ride to Rădăuți-Prut in Romania. Cars were lined up for miles and Olga and her son ended up sharing a car with a woman who drove them to Debrecen, Hungary. In Hungary, Olga and her son boarded a plane to start the trip to San Diego, where they’ve lived since early March.
Olga grew up in a family of doctors, but she followed a different path to become fluent in several languages, including English and Japanese. She worked for five years in the Embassy of Japan in Kyiv. Using these excellent communication skills, she has told her story and acted as a liaison for other Ukrainians in the San Diego area.
Olga and James Morrison, a member of Rotary Club of Point Loma who serves as District 5340 Treasurer and Paul Harris Society Coordinator, spoke to our club on November 10, 2022. James has helped organize District efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. In total, Rotary International has raised $15 million for Ukraine and these funds have been distributed through nearly 300 disaster response grants. Our own John Baranowski and Candace Bahr helped Olga and her son when they drove her from Oceanside to Mission Valley to participate in the services fair hosted by the Amna Sanctuary.
James said that housing is the number one need of Ukrainian refugees. Klaus Gubernator has offered rooms in his home to house a Ukrainian mother and her daughters. If you are able to help in any way, please email James.
Don and Donna Fipps were out with Omeeka (who’s now at Oceanside in the next phase of training) last month for the Del Mar Village Association (DMVA) Community Cleanup. A total of 50 people participated to collect nearly 180 pounds of trash. With their 7 pounds, Don and Donna did well above average! Sharon, Suzy and Toni will have a post-Thanksgiving meeting with DMVA leaders to talk about more collaborative projects.
Sharon Schendel, Klaus Gubernator, Kathy Reed and Janice Kurth on the inaugural meeting of the Happy Trails Walking Club
Join the Happy Tails Walking Club Saturday November 26 at 9 AM. We’ll return to Gonzalez Canyon, but will turn left to explore the Torrey Pines Nature Loop. Family, friends, and, of course, dogs, are welcome to join this ~2.5 mile hike. Park at the Sword Road trailhead. Questions? Email Sharon Schendel.
The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile was back at the Del Mar Civic Center on Thursday November 3. We collected 25 pints, which can help 75 people in the San Diego community. Thank you to members Bob Fuchs, Dugan Lamoise, Kit Leeger, Steven McDowell, Joe McLoed, Marty Peters, Kathy Reed, Bob Sonnhalter, and Karl Wagner. Rotarian Pauline Lim from Downtown Breakfast Rotary (also Model UN co-chair) and Robin Chappelow from Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe also donated, as did Suzy Wagner’s daughter Pam Rudolph and KC Vafiadis. I was too close to my return from Brussels, so I’ll be visiting the donation site in Carmel Valley in the coming days.
The Happy Trails Walking Group will meet for a kick-off walk Wednesday November 9 at 8 AM. Meet at the Sword Trail Head for Gonzalez Canyon off Sword Way in Carmel Valley. Dogs are welcome! Click HERE for Gonzalez Canyon Trail Map and click HERE for Google Map link (the trail head is between Sword and Way at the bottom of the “U” of Sword Way).
District Governor Elect Don Fipps presented immediate past co-Presidents Suzy and Karl Wagner with a citation for meeting all the club goals they set for their term as well as recognition for contributions to the End Polio Now campaign. The club also had the third-highest per capita donations ($600) to the Rotary International Annual Fund that returns funds back to clubs in the form of District Dedicated Funds and supports Global Grants.
Clockwise from upper left: Four cottages are nearing completion; Working on the front porch; Member of Troop 713 paint side panels; Cottage interior
Clockwise from left: Bob Muller trims out a side window; Members of Troop 713 took on all tasks; Painting trim work; Jan Grossnickle guides Scouts in painting panels; Klaus Gubernator works to install a front window
Clockwise from upper left: Caulking window trim; Dee House customizes some window trim supervised by Flash and Mira; Roof and window work; Kathy Reed with Pete and Jan Grossnickle; Steven McDowell cutting trim; Marty Peters helps a gal wield a mean reciprocating saw
Four cottages are now nearly complete and a fifth will soon be built to complete the first phase of the San Diego Peace Village. Klaus Gubernator and Kathy Reed (along with Mira and Flash) put in a full day at the build site and were joined by Jan and Pete Grossnickle, Dee House, Steven McDowell, Bob Muller, Marty Peters, and Sharon Schendel. We’re grateful to members of Scout Troop 713 led by Scout Xander Schroeder, who reached out to us to offer help on our work projects. Members of the St. James Mission Circle rounded out the crew and Project Organizer Kathy Faller kept everyone busy and on track.
Our club sponsored a table at the 50th Anniversary celebration for the Mexican American Educational Guidance Association (MAEGA). Our charter member Don Lapham was a co-founder of MAEGA and charter member Dr. Dick Wheelock was also devoted to MAEGA. Since its founding in 1970, MAEGA has awarded over 2.5 million in scholarship support to ensure that promising Mexican-American students can pursue higher education. Meteorologist and entrepreneur Jodi Kodeshled the evening, which featured Superintendent/President of Mira Costa College Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, and Dr. FranciscoRodriguez, Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District. Distinguished alumni provided video statements of how MAEGA helped launch their academic and eventually professional careers, and veterinarian and current Advisory Board member Dr. Nicole Zuniga thanked Rotary Club of Del Mar specifically for our support. Thank you to Greg Harris, Candace Bahr, John Baranowski, and Sharon Schendel for attending.
Register for the 2022 District Conference and Foundation Gala on October 29. Click here to watch the video invitation. The Conference will run from 9AM-4PM. Registration is $150 per person and includes: Continental breakfast, plated lunch, interesting speakers, musical & aerial dance performances, and a raffle.
Stay for the Foundation Gala from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with dancing following. Check in begins at 4:30 PM with aerialist performances beginning at 5:00 pm. The dinner is $130 per person. Register for both at $250 ($30 discount).
Challenge accepted! Lions Clubs of San Diego and Imperial County made a friendly challenge to District 5340 Rotary Clubs to see which group could donate the most food (by weight) to local food banks during the month of October. Given our pallet of peanut butter donation, of course we have a lot of peanut butter, but we also have plenty of other healthy staples. All of this food will go the Miramar warehouse of the San Diego Food Bank, Monday morning (October 24), but there’s still a week left in case you’d like to make a separate donation (click HERE to see the items the bank needs most). Just make sure to note the weight of the food you donate!
Fisher House Southern California Executive Director Linda Rahn, left, speaks to the club; The Naval Medical Center in San Diego has two Fisher Houses (left)
Imagine having a family member in the military, or who is a veteran, and they need medical treatment somewhere far from home. Also imagine that money is tight. How will you get to where they’re being treated? Where will you stay so you can support them during their recovery?
The Fisher Houseprovides a home away from home where families of active military members and veterans can stay, free of charge, while their loved one is undergoing treatment. Executive Director of Fisher House, Southern California,Linda Rahn, was our speaker at the October 20, 2022 meeting. She explained that Fisher Houses provide lodging at spacious homes near military VA medical centers. The houses have between 8 and 21 guest suites, each with a private bathroom. Guests share a kitchen, dining room, laundry, and common living spaces. In essence, Fisher Houses are similar to Ronald McDonald houses where families can stay while children are receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses.
Clockwise from top left: Teams and Tents on the beach; Matt Kurth and Don Fipps keep track of their progress; Donna Fipps concentrates on getting the perfect trajectory; photobomb by Joe McLeod, club member and COO of BGC San Dieguito
Our club fielded a team in the Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito 8th Annual Cornhole Tournament on the beach at Del Mar. The sold-out event included 105 teams and was supported by community sponsorships from over 40 San Diego businesses and individuals. They netted over $40,000 that will go to support dozens of great activities. Visit the BGC San Dieguito Facebook page to see more photos from the day.
Join members of the Del Mar Village Association in a Community Clean up on Wednesday October 26 from 3-5 PM. Click HERE to register. Then, meet at the Jim Watkins amphitheater outside L’Auberge at 15th Street and Camino Del Mar (near our clock). Afterward, celebrate making Del Mar more beautiful with happy hour at L’Auberge Ocean Terrace. Prizes will be awarded for the most trash collected, largest item, and strangest item. If you attend, please take pictures!
Community Clean Up with Del Mar Village Association October 26
Let’s get together and enjoy a nice walk with fellow club members. The Happy Trails Walking Group will meet Wednesday mornings at 8 AM, beginning November 2. Watch for an upcoming email with the meeting site. The low- to moderate intensity walks will be 2-3 miles. Dogs are welcome!
We’ll order T-shirts to help publicize the club. T-shirt orders will go in next week. Please email Sharon to request a shirt (sizes, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) based on men’s sizing). Cost per shirt will be between $18-20, depending on the numbered ordered.
We’re hosting another blood drive on Thursday November 3. The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile will again be behind the Del Mar Civic Center from 9 AM-2:30PM. There are still spots available. Click HERE to book an appointment for the drive and help us top the 21 pints we collected in July. If you can’t make this drive, you can always donate at one of SDBB’s convenient local collection centers. Remember: Every pint we collect can help three San Diegans. If you have questions or want to donate but can’t book online, email Karl Wagner.
Our club is a major sponsor of the Torrey Pines High School Millennium Falcons Robotics club and member Klaus Gubernator is one of the club mentors. On Saturday October 15 the Falcons were one of over 30 local teams that competed in the off-season Battle of the Border competition at Cathedral Catholic High School. The competition provides an opportunities for teams to have more time with their robots and give newer members a taste of what a competition is like.
Every year the Youth Services Committee uses part of their annual budget to fund a scholarship for the Mexican American Educational Guidance Association (MAEGA). The club has a long history with MAEGA. Charter Members Don Lapham and Dr. Dick Wheelock were both committed to MAEGA; Don was a co-founder and Dick served on the Board of Directors for two decades. Daniella Hernandez is a MAEGA scholarship recipient this year and will use the funds to pursue a degree at SDSU.
Thank You from MAEGA Scholarship Recipient Daniella Hernandez
Labor Day lunches and CPR training manikins. From left to right: City of Del Mar Deputy Chief of Lifeguards Mark Rathsam, Sharon Schendel, Don and Donna Fipps, City of Del Mar Chief of Lifeguards Jon Edelbrock, Ranch 45 Chef Aron Schwartz and Ranch 45 General Manager Pam Schwartz
The Del Mar Lifeguards wound down the summer season on a very warm and busy Labor Day. To help keep them going, we donated 50 lunches from Ranch 45. Chef Aron Schwartz and Manager Pam Schwartz delivered them. We also had the opportunity to see the set of CPR training manikins that the club donated with funds from the Community Service Committee. These manikins have lights that give immediate visual feedback to let the user know whether they’re using appropriate hand placement and pressure, as well as the right cadence. The training kit can also help users learn the placement and function of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Deputy Chief of Lifeguards Mark Rathsam said that the visual cues help users acquire skills much faster and also gives them confidence to use these skills in an actual emergency. The lifeguards use the training manikin set both to maintain the skills of their lifeguards and also to train members of the community in life-saving skills. Thank you to Brett Mattei for coordinating the lunch delivery.
Labor Day Lunch and CPR Training Manikins for the Del Mar Lifeguards
Myanmar has been a site of extreme political unrest since a military coup in February 2021. Through Marty Peters, the club was able to donate $500, which was used by the Good Shepherd Sisters to purchase two months’ worth of food for orphans in Yangon, a city in southern Myanmar.
Nutrition Support for Children in Southern Myanmar
We always encourage members to find new projects that have needs the club can help fulfill. Community Services Committee member Linda Groom learned of a need of New Entra Casa, which has been serving women and their families in the San Diego area for around 50 years.
New Entra Casa is a 6-bed facility for women who are involved with Child Welfare Services (CWS) or who have limited visitation with their children. As residents, these women receive education and support to reach their goal of reunifying with their children. Moreover, New Entra Casa is committed to helping individuals recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders through counseling, small groups, and 12-Step and holistic therapy models that address the underlying causes of addiction and trauma.
The club provided funds for New Entra Casa to purchase a new refrigerator that can be used by the counseling staff. Linda said that the staff members are happy to have dedicated space to store their lunches and other items.
Melanie Stanek, San Diego Site Director for Hands of Peace
Hands of Peace (HOP) seeks to empower young people to find and raise their voice as agents of change. San Diego Site Director Melanie Stanek, our speaker at the September 22, 2022 meeting, explained how HOP brings together Palestinian, Israeli and American teenagers between 15 and 17 years-old for intensive summer programs held in San Diego and Chicago. During the summer program, the participants engage in daily dialogue sessions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that are moderated by professional facilitators, take part in team building and leadership exercises, as well as educational and cultural activities. They also have free time with members of the group and the HOP community. HOP youth who do not live in the San Diego area are hosted by volunteer host families. The program also involves around 200 volunteers during the program and throughout the year.
HOP has a strong connection to Rotary. Multiple clubs in District 5340 have worked with HOP, which has received District Grant funding in recent years. There are multiple ways to get involved in HOP, including being a host family, encouraging local youth to apply to participate, volunteering time, and donating funds. On September 28, 5:30-7PM, HOP will hold a Community Circle featuring alumni of the HOP program at the Encinitas Community Center. Visit https://handsofpeace.org/events to register.
We had perfect weather for our 18th annual Sunset Soiree on Tuesday September 13, 2022. After a streak of hot weather, we were fortunate to have a pleasantly warm night with little breeze. Many of the restaurants returned this year and we were pleased to have Cevasco’s and Beeside Balcony as our two newest restaurants. On the beverage side, Koi Zen and Solterra were first-timers. Ruth Grayson was our auctioneer, assisted by her partner Michael Lewis. They kept the enthusiasm up during the live auction, but they also kept a close watch over the silent auction. The robust 70% average return on fair market value of all the auction items reflected their efforts. Meanwhile, the gift card tree was so big that we could split off two “saplings” that both offered a great selection of cards.
Click HERE to access a Google Photo album with full-size pictures available for download and click “Read More” for important thank yous!
It’s almost here! We still have plenty of tickets remaining, so please encourage friends and family to attend. The forecast is for clear, calm, and comfortably warm weather. We’ll have some new things this year: an auctioneer team, something different with the gift card tree, and a special gift for anyone who wins an auction item. Buy tickets now at www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org
We had a fantastic crowd to hear District Governor Chuck Pretto speak on September 8, 2022. During his term, Chuck is focusing on two main, youth-oriented projects: i) expanding mental health resources for young people in San Diego; and ii) installing peace poles on the campuses of local schools.
Rotary’s youth activities have long been of special importance to Chuck. At a time he was thinking of leaving Rotary, a fellow Rotarian in Club 33 asked Chuck if he might consider hosting a Youth Exchange student. Chuck thought: Great. I’ll ask my wife, Kim, if we can do this, she’ll say no (particularly since his three children weren’t yet teenagers), and he can leave Rotary. But Kim surprised him by saying “yes”. Eventually, he and Kim went on to host seven exchange students. The final student arrived when their children were out of the house. Kim allowed the hosting provided that Chuck was responsible for getting her to and from school, and any activities. Chuck said that because of this condition, he was perhaps closer to this student than he was to the others.
Chuck also talked about the importance of wearing a Rotary pin, and how the master brand is more easily seen than the classic small wheel. He talked of one instance in the grocery store. The young man bagging groceries saw Chuck’s pin and said: “Rotary changed my sister’s life.” A Rotary club had made it possible for this young woman to have orthodontic work that increased her confidence and enhanced her life outlook. Wearing a pin fosters these conversations, or provides a starting point to say what Rotary is and why you’re a member of Rotary. Chuck brought a magnetic master brand pin for every member in attendance. Please wear your new pin- especially at the Sunset Soirée, since the program encourages guests to talk with club members about membership.
District Governor Chuck Pretto: Focusing on Youth and Raising Rotary’s Visibility
This video gives a quick tour of ALL the silent and auction items on offer at this year's Sunset Soirée. See additional details about the items or place an online bid at http://www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org.
Do you have friends wondering what will be available to eat and drink at the Soirée? Please share this link with them (and also post on social media): https://youtu.be/CURHtMhSCxw. Or, you can send them to the club website, www.delmmarotary.org, where the video is embedded.
President Sharon has a large sweet tooth. With the blessing of Jimmy O’s, we’ve launched a dessert of the week sign up. First up was Sharyn Daly, who brought pink boxes full of delicious coconut cakes and lemon tarts. If you’re hungry for more, these confections were prepared by member Casey Robison, owner of Darshan Bakery & Café, which has outposts in Del Mar and Encinitas.
Beth Westburg kindly volunteered to bring dessert for our September 8 meeting. No one has signed up for September 29, December 1, and December 29. Contact Sharon if you’d like to be dessert master one of those weeks.
Our September 8 meeting will feature District Governor Chuck Pretto as the speaker. Let’s have a great turnout! Chuck will have a small gift for every member who attends.
Amy Cheshire (upper left) spoke about how genetic genealogy helped identify the remains of her grandfather James Cheshire (lower left, with his young family). In July 2022 he was buried at Arlington Cemetery (lower right).
In 2011 Amy Cheshire, our speaker at the September 1, 2022 meeting, was contacted by a Navy Genealogist about James Cheshire, her grandfather.
In 1941, James was serving as a Chief Pharmacist’s Mate aboard the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. Amy brought the actual telegram her grandmother, Marion, received from Navy announcing in late December 1941, announcing that James had been declared dead. James was among men who were buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery on Oahu, and the family was left with only corroded mementoes found in James’ ship locker.
The Navy Genealogist who contacted Amy was working for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and was seeking DNA samples. Amy contacted second cousins who would share DNA with her grandfather, and they provided samples that were eventually used to help identify her grandfather’s DNA as part of the USS Oklahoma Project that sought to identify remains of sailors who served on the ship.
Amy explained the difference between autosomal DNA, which is carried in the nucleus of nearly all human cell and is a blend of genetic material from the mother and the father, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is inherited only through the mother. mtDNA is particularly useful for several reasons: i) there’s a lot of it in cells; ii) mtDNA is more likely to survive for long periods relative to autosomal DNA; and iii) its maternal lineage provides information for forensic identification when there is a gap between ancestor and descendent.
In 2018, Amy’s family was contacted by the US Navy, which had identified her grandfather’s remains. After COVID-19-related delays, her grandfather was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in July 2022. Amy now focuses on genetic genealogy, which is the use of genealogical DNA together with genealogical methods to identify possible genetic relationships between individuals. She uses these approaches to help adoptees seek birth parents or as part investigative genetic genealogy used to identify crime victims.
Wondering who will be serving at the Sunset Soirée this year? Watch this video to see a complete list! Tickets are selling fast, so buy yours now athttp://www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org
Dr. Miriam Rittmeyer (center), founder of Phalarope (logo at top), and the community leaders of Phalarope's Programa Manchichi that seeks to partner with and educate comadronas to reduce maternal mortality in rural Panama
Imagine being pregnant in a community high in the mountains of Panama that is accessible largely by foot. Would there be anyone trained to help you in case something went wrong? Dr. Miriam Rittmeyer, our speaker at the August 28, 2022 meeting, founded Phalarope to help women in situations like this. Phalarope seeks to empower women through education and community outreach to enable families and communities in Latin America to reach their full potential. Phalarope has six priority areas, and in her talk Dr. Rittmeyer focused on projects to improve maternal and community health.
Phalarope took the unique approach of partnering with comadronas, women who are highly respected and trusted community leaders. Comadronas carry out traditional birth practices in indigenous communities in Latin American countries like Guatemala and Panama. In rural Guatemala, Phalarope implemented a vocational training program, Programa Ixchel, to equip comadronas with medical skills and tools to monitor fetal development as well as detect hypertension and high blood pressure. Using these skills, the comadronas could identify signs and symptoms of high-risk pregnancy that can endanger the life of both mothers and their fetuses. This training is critical to reduce the rate of maternal morbidity and mortality, which can have long-lasting effects for families and communities.
Building on the success of Programa Ixchel, Phalarope secured a Global Grant (G-2658) to start Programa Manchichi that will help six communities in the mountainous region of Panama. The Global Grant allowed expansion of preliminary findings from a Phase I project in which teams in these communities teams compiled detailed regional maps that identified where families are living, and the health status of family members. These data were used to generate a dashboard with health indicators that could provide alerts from the field when patients were in need of higher-level care.
The Global Grant funds a training program with a curriculum that focuses on cultural competency that respects traditional practices while allowing for active monitoring and response to high-risk situations as they emerge. The training is conducted within the remote communities where comadronas receive instruction in identifying high-risk pregnancies in addition to preventative screening for other communities members, many of whom are affected by chronic conditions like diabetes. The curriculum also includes training in prenatal care, particularly coaching to optimize maternal nutrition, determining fetal presentation, as well as post-partum care that is critical to reduce maternal mortality.
Dr. Rittmeyer is a native of Guatemala. She earned her MD in Guatemala and received a Ph.D. in Nutritional Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina as well as a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
In 2021, the Rotary Club of Del Mar International Services Committee partnered with Phalarope on this innovative Global Grant through the donation of $2,500 from the club and $2,500 District Designated Funds (DDF).
Reducing Maternal Mortality in Rural Panama: Phalarope's Approach
The annual MAEGA Don Lapham Dinners will be held at Tony's Jacal, Solana Beach on August 30 and September 6 (both Tuesdays) from 5-8 PM.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission is $25 and include an enchilada-taco combination plate with beans, rice and salad.
Don Lapham was a Rotary Club of Del Mar charter member who co-founded MAEGA to provide scholarships to academically talented high school students of Mexican descent were not attending college due to financial challenges. MAEGA was also championed by charter member Dr. Dick Wheelock, who served on the MAEGA Board of Directors for two decades.
The Don Lapham Memorial fundraising dinner honors MAEGA’s founding member and raises funds for MAEGA scholarships. Come enjoy some wonderful Mexican food while supporting the academic aspirations of local students.
Clockwise from top left: Sharon Schendel with District 5340 Governor Chuck Pretto; Brett Mattei, Bill Dougherty, Bill Rawlings; Sharon Schendel and Dugan Lamoise with Winner's Circle Connie Broge; Sharon Schendel and Dugan Lamoise with Bob Baffert and his winning horse, Peso; Garrie Rhodes with Chris Stewart
Clockwise from top left: Philippe Lamoise, Sharyn Daly and Linda Groom; Don and Donna Fipps; Suzy Wagner, Linda Strangman, Karl Wagner; Eric Nelte and Pat Dougherty; Walt Strangman and Pat Caughey
Spiraling in from top left: The losing ticket pile; Linda Saville with Assistant District Governor Luis Carranza and Dugan Lamoise, Garrie Rhodes celebrates a winning ticket; Jim and Karin Davies; Linda Groom and Linda Saville; the Rotary Race card (Peso was horse 9); Jan and Pete Grossnickle (Pete obviously dreaming about the days' winning- this picture was taken early in the day); Sharon Schendel with Bob Baffert, who walked off with the Maker's Mark, but not the peach roses
Every August club members are treated to a Day at the Races hosted by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President and CEO (and honorary club member) Joe Harper. We had a fantastic afternoon at Il Palio restaurant high above the track. This year the Del Mar Rotary Race was first on the card and the winner was Peso, a horse trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan Hernandez. President Sharon Schendel and Past President Dugan Lamoise were in the winner’s circle to present the Maker’s Mark whiskey and flowers (the flowers came back up with us). Winner’s Circle coordinator and Del Mar track fixture Connie Broge has the best job at the track. She gave Dugan and Sharon the inside scoop on some of the claiming races of the day and other things to watch for. Our collective Pick 5 went down in race 2, but our members still picked some winners for other races. As always, we thank Bill Dougherty for coordinating the day. Click HERE to see the video of the Rotary Race and watch through the end to see the winner’s circle presentation.
It’s not only horses that are coming down to the wire, so is the Sunset Soirée! We’re planning our volunteer roster and need plenty of Rotarian hands to help on the day of the event! Here’s one way you can help right now: BUY YOUR TICKETS, and encourage family and friends to join us.
The next planning committee meeting is at Sharon's house Tuesday August 23, 2022 starting at 5:30 through 6:45ish. Need Sharon's address? Check ClubRunner or the reminder email sent August 22.
After putting the finishing touches on sleeping cottages, Janice and Matt Kurth were at the San Diego Convention Center August 6, 2022 to help members of Rotary Club of Kearny Mesa to assemble school supply kits. They were part of a 400-volunteer force who made 10,000 back-to-school kits containing a total of $600,000 worth of school supplies. These kits will go to students around San Diego County. The event was organized by Supplybank.org, which is based in Oakland, and coordinates the distribution of vital essential goods to under-resourced families throughout California by drawing on a network of over 500 local organizations.
Purchase your tickets for the Sunset Soirée now! All members need to buy two tickets through the website at www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org (couples need to buy a total of two tickets). Follow the instructions pictured above. Once you buy two tickets, any additional tickets are discounted 25% ($75 each).
Please invite family and friends to attend this fun event. They can purchase tickets themselves and use your email as the reference code to get the discounted price. Or, you can purchase tickets on your guests’ behalf. If you’re not yet sure who will attend, you can still purchase tickets using “Guest” as the first name and your own name for the last name (for example, Guest Schendel or, for multiple guests, Guest 2 Schendel, Guest 3 Schendel, etc.). Philippe can input credit cards on your guests’ behalf.
We’ll gather at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Thursday August 18 for our annual Day at the Races event. The $20 fee for lunch and drinks will be billed to your account, but bring a few extra dollars- not only for betting- but to generously tip our hard-working servers.
Look for Bill Dougherty stationed outside the gates beginning around 11:45: He'll give a pass to enter the grounds. The gates open around noon. If you arrive after Bill has packed up his table, go to the Will Call booth and let them know that you're with Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Once you pick up your pass, head to the elevators inside the grandstand and go to Il Palio restaurant, high above the track. Gentlemen- remember to wear a jacket (no denim or shorts) and ladies, well, you’ll know what to wear. We’re grateful to our generous host and honorary member, Joe Harper, for sponsoring this outing.
All members are welcome to attend our monthly Board of Directors meetings, held virtually on Zoom. This month’s meeting is Tuesday July 19, 2019 at 8:00 AM and will last no more than one hour. Red Badgers need to attend one Board meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
Left to right: Vice President and Community Service Co-Chair Toni Mecaro, Club President Sharon Schendel, Brodie Martin (President of the Del Mar Lifeguard Association; (DMLA)), Mark Rathsam (Deputy Chief Lifeguard), and Rick Schwering (Lifeguard and Treasurer of DMLA).
We recently provided funds for the Del Mar Lifeguards to purchase three new rescue surfboards that will help them keep swimmers and surfers at Del Mar beaches safe. These rescue boards are lightweight and balanced, so they’re easier for the guards to paddle through the surf quickly. The lifeguards use the boards to transport up to six people safely back to shore, or to give distressed swimmers a good surface to hang onto until a rescue boat arrives. The boards’ yellow color makes them easily visible to beachgoers. Deputy Chief Lifeguard Mark Rathsam said that the guards used rescue boards in many of the 700 rescues they’ve made so far this year. We're proud to help add to the repertoire of life-saving equipment for the Del Mar Lifeguards. Thank you to Brett Mattei for finding the large stickers of the club logo to decorate the boards.
Klaus Gubernator and Steven McDowell returned to continue building a sleeping cottage that was started last week. More members of St. James Mission Circle also returned.
Musicians with surfing coaches (upper left- Brett Mattei has the hat); Brett's student (upper right) learned quickly after Brett showed in the basics (lower right); This guy might look familiar: he's Val Myer's brother-in-law
Young musicians visiting San Diego for the District 5340 MusiCamp put down their instruments for an afternoon to join members of the Surfers United Fellowship of Rotary to try surfing the waves in Del Mar. Brett Morey of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary organized the event and our own Brett Mattei was there to coach some of the musicians on surfing basics. By the end of the afternoon, many had gotten the hang of it and ridden a few waves. If someone in the crowd looked a bit familiar, that’s Val Myer’s brother-in-law and Brett said that he’s one of the most enthusiastic surfing coaches ever.
Dr. Martin Edwards uses a baseball and a mitt to demonstrate binding of a Paxlovid component into the active site of the SARS-CoV-2 protease
Model of the SARS-CoV-2 protease molecule with the Paxlovid molecule (stick diagram, upper right) blocking the active site (photo courtesy Dr. Martin Edwards)
Dr. Martin Edwards joined our July 28, 2022 meeting to tell the story of how Paxlovid, the treatment for COVID-19 was developed so rapidly. After hearing initial reports from China in January 2020 that a newly-discovered virus could transmit person-to-person, Dr. Edwards thought to himself: “Nearly every person in the world could be infected.” More than half a billion documented infections later, that thought seems to be coming true.
Dr. Edwards said that Paxlovid was propelled by earlier work done on SARS, a virus that is related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but that failed to cause a global pandemic. Both SARS and SARS-CoV-2 make a protein called a protease that can snip apart different virus proteins so they can assemble to make new viruses that can go on to continue infection, or infect others. Scientists at Pfizer already knew the three-dimensional structure of the SARS protease, and they knew from the SARS-CoV-2 DNA sequence that the SARS-CoV-2 protease would probably have a very similar structure.
Pfizer scientists determined the structure of SARS-CoV-2 using x-ray crystallography, and then analyzed whether molecules in a library containing millions of different chemicals could nestle into a pocket in the protease called the “active site” and block the protease from snipping apart virus proteins. Without the protease snipping, there are no new particles, and infection stops. Dr. Edwards brought a baseball and a glove as an analogy to show how the molecules in Paxlovid fit into the active site pocket. By December 2021, the FDA granted Paxlovid emergency use authorization, and millions of doses have since been administered.
Interested in learning more about the development of Paxlovid and why you might have heard of people “rebounding” (i.e., testing positive after receiving the drug and testing negative)? Check out this NPR story, and articles in JAMA Network and Science.
Many events on the club website will now have a registration button. Please use this feature to sign up! By signing up, event organizers can know who plans to attend. For our service projects in particular, having sign ups can help us better track volunteer hours, which we need to report to Rotary. We can also use this information to highlight to potential members and donors how much time our members devote to the community.
Wondering how to get to a member’s home? What their phone number is? What events are upcoming? It’s all in the ClubRunner App. After a quick download from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), you’ll be up and running with all the club information at your fingertips. Note that if an event is held at a member’s home, their address will NOT be posted on our website, so with the ClubRunner app, you can quickly find the address and get directions through your phone. All information through the App is secure and available ONLY to members. Contact Sharon Schendel if you need help updating your profile.
Cevasco’s is one of the newest restaurants in the village of Del Mar and we’re delighted that they’ve signed on to serve at the Sunset Soiree. Happy Hour at Cevasco’s is a true bargain: $3 beers and $5 wine and good selection of tasty items for half price. Great to see so many members there. We had Don and Donna Fipps (and Omeeka, of course!), Steven and Jennifer McDowell, Brett Mattei, Jim Kohn and Sharon Schendel, Matt and Janice Kurth, Linda and Walt Strangman, Karl and SuzyWagner (who also arranged the social). Our socials are fun and important ways that we can support the restaurants that support our club.
The countdown is on! The Sunset Soiree is Tuesday September 13 starting at 5:30 at the Ocean View Deck of the Del Mar Plaza. We have some auction items, but we need more! We also need gift cards for the tree and wine for the final $100 offer that was so successful last year. Bring items to the meeting, or let Event Chair Sharon Schendel know you have something and we can arrange for a hand off. The Soirée is our main source of revenue. Funds that we earn at the Soiree are critical for us to support our projects and maximize the good that we can do.
The website will soon be live. Please also think of guests you might like to invite.
From the Amazon description: In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Tracy Kidder’s magnificent account shows how one person can make a difference in solving global health problems through a clear-eyed understanding of the interaction of politics, wealth, social systems, and disease. Profound and powerful, Mountains Beyond Mountains takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia as Farmer changes people’s minds through his dedication to the philosophy that “the only real nation is humanity.”
Sharon Schendel will moderate the discussion. She chose the book believing that Farmer's story echos the Service Above Self mindset of Rotary.
Book Club Monday July 25: Mountains Beyond Mountains
Our next social is Tuesday July 26 for Happy Hour at Cevasco's. Join us starting at 4 PM at one of Del Mar's newest restaurants. We're delighted that owners Christophe and Guenevere Cevasco are supporting our Sunset Soirée.
Enjoy modern Italian cuisine with a focus on seafood and a bit California fusion mixed in. There are lots vegan and vegetarian options.
After advancing several drugs to treat cancer, Dr. Marco Biamonte, our speaker for the July 24, 2022 meeting, founded Drugs & Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases (DDTD), a non-profit organization that develops news treatments and diagnostics for diseases that largely affect underserved populations. The goal of DDTD is to eliminate diseases that should belong to the past.
Marty Peters, Sharon Schendel, Klaus Gubernator, Pat Caughey and Pete Grossnickle take a quick break from work (upper left, l to r); Pete Grossnickle, Dee House, and Bob Muller roll paint on one of several cottage wall panels (center); Jan Grossnickle painted a lot of trim pieces (bottom center). The cottages will eventually have a small porch and will offer residents a private space to sleep, work and relax.
Assembly line of cottage components (top) made for rapid progress on a second cottage. Poodle "Don Quixote" (aka Don) made sure everyone kept on track (and that no Dorito went uneaten).
As part of the Peace Village refugee resettlement program, which offers shelter to refugees and asylum seekers, these cottages are a first step for folks on their way to more permanent living situations. Residents typically stay fewer than 120 days. The cottages provide a bed, refrigerator, toaster oven, and heater, and a lockable door. They have no plumbing, but residents have access to communal shower and toilet facilities, as well as on-site laundry. Thank you for Marty Peters for coordinating this opportunity (and for working onsite).
We had a great turnout. Members Pat Caughey, Jan and Pete Grossnickle, Klaus Gubernator, Dee House and Sharon Schendel, contributed, as did friends and family members Bob Muller and Tim Grossnickle. This project was particularly good because there were plenty of jobs for everyone, regardless of skill level and volunteers were rewarded with drinks and snacks. In addition, it was fun to work beside and meet all the volunteers from the Mission Circle. The project continues July 23 from 8:45AM-4 PM. Come join us to help build a few more cottages to help complete what will eventually be a village of 20.
Perennial favorite speaker and Honorary Member Joe Harper, President and CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, stopped by Jimmy O’s for our July 14, 2022 meeting. Opening Day on July 22 is already sold out. In fact, tickets were gone 15 minutes after the sale began on June 13, and the crowd will be held to 22,000 this year. The Thoroughbred Club is coming off hosting its second successful Breeder’s Cup. Despite lower attendance due in part to the pandemic, the handle was high, and exceeded the 2017 value by nearly 10%. When the track does well, so does California: as a non-profit, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club returns its revenues to the state. Off-track betting now dominates with around 90% of the handle coming from bets placed offsite.
Joe said that the meet starts later as track requires preparation after the fair season, but it also ends later, which allows Del Mar to have one week during which it is the sole active track. All Joe Harper talks have a healthy old Hollywood component (his maternal grandfather was Cecil B. DeMille) and told favorite stories about his appearances as an extra in movies like the “The Greatest Show on Earth” and “Ten Commandments” that unfortunately ended up on the cutting room floor. We thank Joe for his continued support of the club and look forward to our Annual Day at the Races on August 18.
Amna Sanctuary, led by Executive Director Dr. Rasha Roshdy, organized a one-stop-shop for Ukrainian refugees to access services in the San Diego community. The Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley donated a ballroom where representatives from local agencies including Health and Human Services (HHSA), DMV and San Diego Unified School District helped refugees register for a State ID, enroll in school, and get work permits. Member John Baranowski and his wife Candace Bahr volunteered to help shuttle Olga and her son Lev, who are now living in Oceanside, to the event. Olga told him that the event helped her accomplish in hours what might have taken her months to do on her own. Watch the NBC7 news video to hear an interview with Dr. Roshdy and see scenes from the event.
Our blood drive with San Diego Blood Bank on July 7, 2021 was a huge success. We exceeded the 20-pint goal with 21 pints collected. Del Mar Rotarians and their friends and family comprised the majority of the donors and 5 donors were first-timers with the Blood Bank. We had 11 members donate, and organizer Walt Strangman pulled in his son Mike Strangman, and sister-in-law Carol Poole. The 21 pints we collected can help over 60 individuals in San Diego County. Many thanks to Walt for organizing and being at the Bloodmobile throughout the drive. The next drive will be November 3. Couldn’t make the July 7 drive? You can always schedule an appointment to donate at a location that’s convenient to your home or work.
Scenes from Viewpoint Brewing Company (clockwise from upper left): Overlook of the fair; Karl and Suzy with a delicious cake; the "Spirit of Ecstasy" hood ornament on the Tarkington's 1960 Rolls Royce; enjoying a view drinks before the program begins
Suzy receives her tiara, joining other female past presidents Val Myers, Janice Kurth and Dee House (left) and Karl wears the traditional chapeau of past presidents
Jim Davies (left), District Governor Dan Gensler (center), and Bob Brewer (center) said a few words in praise of the Wagners
Linda Groom received Rookie of the Year honors, and Don Fipps, along with Marty Peters (who couldn't attend) was recognized as Rotarian of the Year
We celebrated the highly successful term of our first co-presidents, Suzy and Karl Wagner, with a Demotion Party at one of their favorite places, Viewpoint Brewing Company. With a nod to the Wagners’ yacht, “Night Wind”, the party had a nautical theme. Al and Stevie Tarkington chauffeured Karl and Suzy to the party in their champagne 1960 Rolls Royce. The Wagners’ term was marked by substantial growth in membership, multiple Fridays devoted to beautifying the Del Mar village, and continuation of successful club projects at home and abroad.
Thank you to past-president Dugan Moore Lamoise for organizing the party, Philippe Lamoise for making sure all the speeches were easily heard, Val Myers for the fun table centerpieces (and personalized rum bottles), and Dee House for creating the nametags. We enjoyed speeches from Jim Davies, former member Bob Brewer, and District Governor Dan Gensler.
We recognized co-Rotarians of the year–one Past District Governor and one future District Governor–Marty Peters and Don Fipps. Linda Groom was named our Rookie of the Year. Congratulations to Suzy and Karl for steering the club to success and now that you’ve finished your term we know that you’ll likely be spending a bit more time sailing on Night Wind!
To download high-resolution versions of these and other pictures, click here. Also check out the story by Dee House and pictures in the Del Mar Times.
Enjoying the Governor's Dinner (clockwise from upper left): Bill Rawlings, Linda Groom, Dugan and Philippe Lamoise; plenty of wine to go with dinner; Karl Wagner, Don Fipps, and Suzy Wagner show off our newest banner; Sharon Schendel after swearing in of club presidents
The theme chosen by RI President Jennifer Jones is "Imagine Rotary". Don Fipps received his District Governor Elect pin from Chuck Pretto and thanks from outgoing District Governor Dan Gensler for his service as his Chief of Staff; Lower left: Pat Caughey, Klaus Gubernator and Celia Ramirez (Rotary Club of San Diego Southeast)
The ballroom at the Del Mar Hilton was full of just over 400 District 5340 Rotarians for the 2022 Governor’s Dinner. Our club fielded two tables to see our own Don Fipps be elevated to District Governor Elect and Sharon Schendel be sworn in as President by the new District Governor Chuck Pretto of Club 33. Co-Presidents Suzy and Karl Wagner topped off a stellar year by accepting the award for best medium-sized club of the district. Philippe Lamoise made sure that everyone could see and hear all the presentations with his A/V expertise. Click here to view/download these and other pictures.
We are delighted to induct our newest members, Jan and Pete Grossnickle. You might remember Jan from when she visited our club as a speaker who presented on her work with those who are experiencing housing insecurity in San Diego. Click here to link to the story about her presentation. Thank you to the sponsors of the Grossnickles, Karin and Jim Davies.
Hampton Brown, Vice President, revenue generation, marketing and innovation for San Diego Airport (SAN), joined our meeting on June 30, 2022 to outline ongoing progress at SAN, particularly work to modernize Terminal 1. These improvements are urgently needed, since Southwest, which uses Terminal 1 gates, services 32% of SAN passengers. In addition, many of Southwest’s flights are within California, and the frequency of these flights is now back to pre-pandemic levels.
International service at SAN is also up by around 27% with options for non-stop travel between SAN and London Heathrow, Munich, Toronto, Montreal, and Tokyo. Hampton said that SAN is actively seeking more non-stop domestic flights, especially a return of flights to Reagan National airport.
Work on Terminal 1 began on November 1, 2021 and the new T1 parking structure is expected to open late 2024. Phase I of construction that will offer new Terminal 1 Gates 1-10 should open in 2025 followed by more new gates in Phase II, scheduled for completion 2027. The wait will be worth it. The renovations will provide more than 1 million square feet of modern terminal space with an outdoor patio area and better access roads. Click HERE to take a virtual tour of the new Terminal 1.
As work on Terminal 1 progresses, there will be traffic challenges. Hampton encourages SAN travelers to explore a variety of transit options. In particular, SAN passengers can take the Coaster or Trolley to the Old Town Transit Center, where they can transfer to the free, all-electric shuttle bus, the San Diego Flyer. The Flyer runs every 20 minutes and stops at both terminals. Click HERE for information about the Flyer, with schedules and an informational video.
The Soirée brings in the bulk of our funds that support our projects. We need EVERY member to contribute in some way. If you would like to be on the planning committee mailing list, please email event chair Sharon Schendel to be added.
There's a new dog tag hanging at the Workshop for Warriors (WFW) in recognition of our $5,000 donation. Students at WFW have recently been discharged from the military and work to earn certification in machining and welding. Our gift helps increase the number of students WFW can serve. Click here for the story about our visit to WFW on April 14, 2022.
Ducks waiting to be picked up while Dano's Island Sounds (lower left) played. Troop 713 members (center) helped with all aspects of the event while
Patty Kurtz, Miles Fleming and Philippe Lamoise (lower right) staffed the duck/food/drink sales table
Viewpoint Brewing Company brought some beer and cooked Don Fipps' award-winning IPA chili that topped the chili dogs; Happy Twist Balloons by Keiko was back with a full menu of balloons; Beth Westburg (lower left) took a break from the "What's Rotary?" booth to visit with District 5340 District Governor Dan Gensler (center) as he waits for Garrie Rhodes (center right) to finish dressing her dog served up by Casey Robison (center right). Bob Fuchs (lower right, center) with Mary Savoy (lower right, left; Bob was Mary's sponsor) and her husband, Gene Helsell.
The Del Mar Lifeguards rescued Clay Sheffrey (bottom, center) and representatives of the Friends of Powerhouse Park sold tiles to raise funds to refurbish the the playground. Suzy Wagner (lower right) was ready to note the winners of the duck race and we had lots of help (lower left) corralling the ducks when they returned to shore.
Some future lifeguards check out the Zodiac rescue boat; balloon sword duels while Scouts collect ducks. Del Mar Lifeguards displayed rescue equipment, the purchase of which was supported in part by Rotary Club of Del Mar
Karin and Jim Davies spend some time with friends Pete and Jan Grossnickle outside the beer tent; the ducks get tossed in the surf (center left); Marty Peters and Karl Wagner were expert grill masters- Philippe Lamoise stopped by for a chili dog; Lots of beer and wine on offer.
Bob Muller and Dee House stop to say hi to Mary Alice Peters and Nelly (upper left); the moment of release (upper right)
The final Jenga match with Caroline Morin was riveting.
May Gray was in full force for our Chili & Quackers “friendraiser” on May 21, 2022, but the weather made for a good tide that brought the ducks back to shore within minutes of release. The ducks had been virtual for the past two years, so we were delighted to bring them back in person to Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. Returning to the beach were Dano’s Island Sounds with calypso music, the Del Mar Lifeguards who launched the ducks and demonstrated a rescue of a swimmer in distress who was expertly played this year by Clay Sheffrey. Marty Peters and Karl Wagner kept the supply of hots dogs ready to be topped with Don Fipps’ award-winning IPA chili, which was made by Viewpoint Brewing Company (they also supplied the beer). District Governor Dan Gensler and his wife, Chris, took time out of their busy schedule to stop by. Special thanks go to Troop 713 members and their parents, who all worked so hard before and after the event. Thanks as well to co-presidents Karl and Suzy Wagner for overseeing the planning, Brett Mattei for getting up early and securing the site, Beth Westburg for leading the “What’s Rotary” information tent, Philippe Lamoise for developing the online site that ensured smooth and secure duck adoption and food pre-purchase; Karin and Jim Davies for organizing the children's activities; Marty Peters, Karl Wagner, Dee House, Casey Robison, and Gregory House for running the food tent; Keith Ward and Jeff Matthews for tending bar; Miles Fleming and Patty Kurtz for handling on-site purchases; Val Myers for day-of oversight and organization; Linda Groom for sheltering the ducks post-race; Linda Saville for spearheading the event layout (and flagging gopher holes); Bill Rawlings for tent transport; Janice Kurth for getting tables and chairs (no small feat given the busy party season); Dugan Lamoise for organizing the Troop 713 volunteers; and Steven McDowell for event breakdown. Last, we thank all the sponsors, donors, and duck adopters!
Join all your Rotary friends from around the District for the year-end festivities celebrating the accomplishments of our outgoing District Governor Dan Genzler and ring in the new with the exchange of flags for incoming Governor Chuck Pretto. All new incoming club presidents will be sworn in during this event as well. Please let Suzy Wagner know if you're going to attend.
On April 30, Rotarian at Work Day, the Rotary Club of Del Mar got together to seal new tables and build new bookcases for Nativity Prep Academy. Nativity Prep is a private-independent, all-scholarship Catholic middle school and college-preparatory program for young men and women from low-income families who represent the first generation to graduate from college. Eleven years of support empowers our students to excel through high school, college, and beyond, becoming role models and leaders in their communities. It is an honor to support these incredible students and amazing organization
We’re Proud to help sponsor Rotary District 5340 Model UN. Thank you to all the students and advisors! Thanks as well to City of Del Mar for providing the venue and of course to our member Klaus Gubernator for organizing the event
The Quack is Back! The Rotary Club of Del Mar Chili & Quackers challenge returns to Del Mar Powerhouse Park Saturday May 21, 2022 from 12 PM to 4 PM.
Ducky Derby: Adopt one duck or multiple ducks to be released by Del Mar Lifeguards as part of a ducky flotilla. The adopters of the ducks that float ashore the fastest will win valuable prizes.
The event is free to attend- adopting ducks is completely optional. Also enjoy chili dogs, soft drinks, beer and wine, which will all be available for purchase. For the little duckies, we'll have games and balloon twisting. All proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Del Mar charitable service projects, both at home and around the world.
Co-presidents Suzy and Karl Wagner present WFW CFO Rachel Luis y Prado with a donation.
Linda Groom, Marty Peters and Janice Kurth learn about WFW welding projects
Machining Instructor Randall Uerkvitz
Machining students take a break from class for our tour
Fiber laser cutter donated by Amada America
WFW welding shop
Near the General Dynamics NASSCO and BAE Systems shipbuilding and repair sites is a place of transformation: Workshops for Warriors (WFW). Around 200 students annually undertake intensive 4-month training programs in machining or welding at the WFW campus. After earning portable and stackable credentials, WFW students pursue manufacturing careers in their chosen skill. Around 95% of WFW students receive job offers and graduates work at a range of major manufacturers like Ford, General Dynamics, Boeing and SpaceX.
On April 14, 2022, Rotary Club of Del Mar members toured the WFW campus. We were led by Rachel Luis y Prado, WFW CFO and Chief Academic Officer, who is married to the WFW founder and CEO, Hernán Luis y Prado, and also by WFW Director of Operations, Keisha Javis-Jones, who is a Marine Corps veteran.
WFW began in Hernán’s garage in 2008 and the campus opened in 2011. A Navy veteran, Hernán realized the need for resources to help veterans transition from the military back into civilian life. The need is particularly urgent in San Diego County, which has one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. Of these veterans, around 10% are unemployed or live in poverty.
Students learn about WFW through word-of-mouth or collaborating partners like Camp Pendleton. Active-duty personnel nearing their End of Active Service Date are eligible to enroll. Accessibility is a key goal of WFW. Students who qualify receive scholarships and living assistance and the accelerated training program means that students can begin earning robust salaries rapidly.
In 2022, WFW will surpass 1,000 graduates who will help fill an emerging gap in the manufacturing sector: skilled machinists and welders are retiring and the demand for skilled workers to fill these positions is high. WFW is undertaking a capital campaign that will substantially expand the campus and allow more students to enroll.
Rotary Club of Del Mar is proud to donate $4,600 to help more WFW students earn skills and credentials they need and to ensure that veterans transition from the military to high-paying, in-demand jobs.
Rotary is an international community that brings together leaders who step up to take on the world’s toughest challenges, locally and globally. The eradication of polio is one of our longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide and we won't stop until we end the disease for good.
At our March 24th meeting, former District 5340 Governor Steve Weitzen awarded the Rotary Club of Del Mar a Certificate of Recognition for exceeding our fundraising goal to end polio.
On March 15, several Del Mar Rotarians met to show off their winemaking skills in a fun evening of competition and wine tasting at Solterra Winery. Outfitted with the necessary tools and a brief tutorial, we got into groups of 4 and 5 and experimented with finding a blend of wine that best suited our palate! Owner and Winemaker Chris Van Alyea did the judging and the team lead by Sharon Schendel came in first place with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
Nearing completion (L to R) Karl Wagner, Pat Dougherty, Bill Rawlings, Matt Kurth, Suzy Wagner, Walt Strangman, Klaus Gubernator, Janice Kurth, Bob Fuchs, Dee House, Sharon Schendel
Kathy Reed sanding the railings smooth
Tandem painting by Matt Kurth and Karl Wagner
Finished!
Our members met at the La Colonia Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito in the Eden Gardens neighborhood of Solana Beach to refurbish the access ramp to Casita de Gloria. Members installed new handrails and a fresh coat of paint to provide a pleasing pathway to the Casita, which houses mentoring programs and other club activities. Outside the casita, El Jardin de los Ninos provides hands-on experiences in organic gardening. Casita de Gloria was named to honor Gloria Castellanos, who spearheaded the La Colonia branch, and currently serves as the La Colonia clubhouse manager.
There has been an outpouring of concern on how we can help the citizens of Ukraine who are experiencing tremendous suffering and loss with thousands of women and children fleeing the country. My classmate, District Governor Dana Moldovan from District 5240 (California Central Coast) is originally from Romania. In her conversations with our fellow Rotarians in Romania she said, “Refugees are arriving in Romania with almost nothing, some are just walking over the border. Most refugees are women and children as the men are staying behind to defend their country. It is still winter and yesterday it snowed again at the border.” Of course, we’re all seeing the disturbing images on the news and naturally wondering how we can help.
We have coordinated with District Governor Adrian Luca & District Governor Elect Florin Marginean from Romania Rotary District 2241 to provide support for the refugees. Contributions will be used for food, clothing and shelter for the women and children refugees.
If you wish to help, please make your checks payable to:
Rotary District 5340 Write: “UKRAINIAN REFUGEES” in the memo line. Mail check to: Rotary District 5340 5052 Clairemont Drive #178651 San Diego, CA 92117
Use the Donate Now Button to donate using your credit card.
Our February Rotarian of the Month is recognized for always being willing to help. She's been our Secretary for the past 5 years, keeping everyone up to date with all things Rotary Club of Del Mar, and she's been a constant volunteer for all of our most recent projects. Donna, we are so grateful for you! Thank you for all you do for Rotary and our club!
On Thursday, February 17, Rotary Foundation Chair and Past District Governor Marge Cole presented our very own Donna Fipps with a Paul Harris Society Certificate. Congratulations Donna!
Donna Fipps Recognized with a Paul Harris Society Certificate
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is thrilled to announce Bill Rawlings as the January Rotarian of the Month!
Bill is a past president sitting on the Board 2022-2023. He organized the Del Mar Beautification Bench Refurbishment Project that was just recently acknowledged at a Del Mar City Council meeting! Bill built Christmas decorations for the Rotary clock and recently installed the education bird sign on the San Dieguito Riverwalk.
Thank you Bill for all you do for the Rotary Club of Del Mar and the community!
As part of the Rotary Club of Del Mar's city beautification efforts, the community service committee recently purchased a new bird sign to replace the old unreadable sign found on the Riverwalk.
We are pleased to confirm that the 2022 Rotary International Convention will be an in-person event in Houston, Texas on June 4-8, 2022.
We are offering a special registration rate of $495 through 28 February. Click here to take advantage of this offer.
All Rotary International convention and preconvention participants must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 OR provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival at the convention.
Check https://on.rotary.org/3umeujx for updates as we continue to determine what safety protocols are necessary, based on the current recommendations for safe gatherings from the CDC. We will see you in Houston!
Held only once a year the District Training Assembly (DTA) offers training on a variety of subjects to Rotarians, including club officers, directors and committee chairs to help them be effective club leaders. ALL Rotarians - especially Red Badgers - are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Come learn about Rotary programs, tips on program and project management and best practices from other Rotarians. DTA is also a great opportunity to meet and connect with Rotarians outside your club. Register on the District website or use the link below. Classes fill up quickly, so don't miss out, register today!
Two members of any club planning to apply for a District Grant MUST register to attend the District Grants Seminar, immediately following DTA. The Global Grants Seminar will be held from 12:10 to 1:30 PM.
Rotarians At Work Day takes place the last Saturday of every April. Started in 2006 as a joint effort between two Rotary Districts (one in the United States and one in Mexico), Rotarians at Work Day continues to grow. Each year, Rotary clubs around the world identify hands-on projects that all members can participate in to help their local community.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is happy to announce that this Rotarians at Work Day, April 30th, we will be supporting Nativity Prep in along with the Rotaract Clubs of Torrey Pines High School, Cathedral Catholic, and Sunset High School with a work project on their campus.
The mission of this inner-city school is to provide a uniquely effective, integrated program of academic preparation, graduate support, and mutual long-term commitment that achieves nationally recognized excellence in terms of college graduation rates for their students. Nativity Prep develops their students and their families ability to live a life of opportunity, choice, and service.
After completing the refurbishment of the benches in Del Mar so beautifully, the community service team was asked to also refurbish the tables, chairs, and benches at City Hall. The City of Del Mar recognized all who participated during their February 7th meeting
The Rotary Club of Del Mar proudly supports the Del Mar Lifeguards. Part of this year's grant went towards the purchase of the pictured EMT kits. To date two lifeguards have been able to complete EMT training, and more are scheduled. They are also available to Del Mar Firefighters.
Huge thanks to the Del Mar Lifeguards for all they do to keep everyone safe! It is our honor to support you!
We had a blustery night for our annual Christmas party, but these days a bit of breeze is healthy. So great to have so many members there–new, old, and some old friends who returned to visit (Blakely Johnson!). Thank you to Viewpoint Brewing Company for the wonderful food and great venue.
Happy Holidays! As we approach the end of the year it’s a great time to reflect on what we have and to be grateful for all the good we have done as Rotarians during this first half of our Rotary year. We have distributed funds for 70 District Grants and have 10 Global Grants in the works. 150 Rotarians from 27 clubs built seven houses in Tecate, Mexico and as Rotarians we have supported and engaged our community like no other organization.
Your gifts to the Rotary Foundation are more than donations. They bring peace, health, literacy and opportunity to people in need. Your dedication to helping people through service and your generous support of The Rotary Foundation makes all this possible. I wish you peace for the coming holiday season and happiness in the coming year. Thank you for all you do for our communities near and far!
Yours in Service, Dan Gensler
p.s.
If you would like to make a donation to the Rotary Foundation, the easiest way to donate is online through your My Rotary account-https://my.rotary.org/en/donate. -- Be sure to check "Annual Fund--SHARE" for the donation. For tax purposes, donations to the Rotary Foundation must be made before December 31--including received by mail by December 31.
December 4 was a busy day for the Rotary Club of Del Mar! Not only were we supporting Project Mercy building houses in Tecate, several of our members spent the day taking care of the San Dieguito River Park.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar just held its annual Christmas party for the Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito, La Colonia with food and fun. It's still a little different because of Covid-19, but fun was had by everyone involved, especially the kids!
On December 4th, the Rotary Club of Del Mar with approximately 140 others from District 5340 traveled to Tecate, Mexico to build 7 homes for families in need. The project was in conjunction with Project Mercy a 501-C (3) non-profit agency based in San Diego, California. The goal of Project Mercy is the improvement of basic living standards and quality of life for impoverished families who live in conditions precarious to their health in the shantytowns of the colonias east of Tijuana, Mexico. It was an incredible day of service and fellowship. For those who wanted to stay overnight, their hard work was rewarded with a fabulous dinner.
The Rotary Foundation provides scholarships to graduate students who have demonstrated long-term commitment to certain areas of focus such as peace-building and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, community economic development, and a focus on environmental health.
In June 2021, Rose Naigino received the Global Grant Rotary Scholarship intended to cover SDSU mandatory campus fees, living expenses, housing, health insurance, and travel expenses during the period of Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters.
Rose is a second year, Joint Doctoral Public Health student majoring in Global Health at San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kyambogo University, Kampala-Uganda and her Master of Health Services Research (MHSR) from Makerere University, Kampala-Uganda. Shortly after, Rose was absorbed into the Makerere University’s Public Health Department to manage the implementation of several research projects on behalf of the faculty. She then decided to complete a short postgraduate diploma in project planning and management to support the work that she did for the University.
If you missed our Rotary Global Scholar Rose Naigino speaking at our November 18th meeting, you can read all about her work, experience here and the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship here:
On November 11, the Rotary Club of Del Mar visited the Carlsbad Aquafarm where we learned how our aquafarm protects the natural ecosystem and enjoyed a unique farm tour and fresh oyster tasting experience!
Giving Tuesday happens once a year, but your gift of Rotary will make a difference for a lifetime. This Giving Tuesday, consider making a special gift to The Rotary Foundation and together we can continue Doing Good in the World.
Registration is now open for the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas. Join us next year to explore what’s possible in Rotary, in Houston, and in yourself.
Whether you’re new to Rotary or a longtime member, it will be an unforgettable experience. Learn more at convention.rotary.org/houston.
Register and pay by June 16, 2021 to take advantage of the promotional rate of $425. Don’t miss your chance to Discover New Horizons at the 2022 Rotary International Convention!
2022 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION:REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is thrilled to announce that our very own DON FIPPS has been selected to serve as District Governor during the Rotary year 2024-25!!
In accordance with the provisions of Rotary International Bylaws Article 12, Rotary District 5340 created a Nominating Committee to review and interview candidates. This year's Committee included eight past, current, and future District Governors. and was chaired by Immediate Past District Governor Steven Weitzen.
Currently, Don is the Assistant Governor for Area 3 - Carlsbad Hi Noon, Carlsbad Evening, Tri City and San Marcos. He is also serving as Governor-Elect Dan Gensler’s chief aide. You may be familiar with Don as the man behind all the District Zoom meetings. Yes, Don is the brains behind the operations that brings us the Membership seminars, Foundation seminar, District Training Assembly and the monthly guest speaker program.
Join us in congratulating Don for this well deserved, hard earned honor!
Don Fipps Selected to Serve as District Governor 2024-2025
Donors of US$1,000 or more to the Rotary Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or the Humanitarian Grants program, or people who have that amount contributed in their name, are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate and a pin.
On October 21, 2021, the Rotary Club of Del Mar recognized and congratulations BILL Rawlings, a Paul Harris + 8!!
This month we recognize a Dynamic Duo, Philippe and Dugan Lamoise as October Rotarians of the Month. The contributions are numerous, but we recognize them for their leadership in putting together the most successful Sunset Soiree yet!
October Rotarians of the Month - Philippe and Dugan Lamoise
Generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. Donors are recognized to express Rotary's gratitude for the commitment, offering individual and club recognition as well as naming opportunities that enable a donor to honor a friend or family member with a named or endowed gift.
When cumulative donations reach $10,000, Major Donors receive a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin or pendant.
At the Rotary Club of Del Mar's meeting October 21, our very own Don and Donna Fipps received this recognition and were presented this award by District Governor Dan Gensler.
Congratulations to Major Donor Don and Donna Fipps!
District 5340's Foundation Committee will be hosting a TRF (The Rotary Foundation) training session on November 15, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom
Donating to Rotary means clean water and sanitation. Health and hope in areas that were once ravaged by diseases like polio. Economic development and new opportunities. Your financial help makes all this happen, and more.
This training session is especially important for club presidents, AGs and Foundation chairs,. Its an opportunity to learn about all the giving options Rotarians can participate in and how important donations are to the success of Rotary International and our local District and Rotary clubs. You won't to miss it.
If you attended the spectacular Sunset Soiree this year, you noticed all of the wonderful basket arrangements for the live and silent auctions. For over a month, these baskets were created and stored all over the home of our Rotarian of the Month. This is just one of the many reasons we recognize VAL MYERS as Rotarian of the month. Val, your contributions to our club are so very appreciated! Thank you!
The Community Service Team recently held a supply drive for the Alliance for African Assistance who is supporting 500+ Afghan families coming to San Diego. We dropped off piles of critically needed supplies and $1500 in cash! Thank you to everyone who made a donation! Stay tuned for future opportunities to lend a hand!
Supply Drive for Afghan Families Coming to San Diego
On October 5, the Rotary Club of Del Mar held its 17th annual Sunset Soiree. The proceeds from this incredible FUNdraiser support the Club’s charitable activities in the local communities and underserved nations around the world.
If you didn't get a chance to attend this year, be sure not to miss us in 2022!
Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
WHAT:
Del Mar Rotary Annual Fundraiser Event
Food Tasting: local restaurants showcase their specialties.
Wine and Beer Tasting: local wineries and local breweries offer tastings of their wines and beers.
Silent and Live Auction: over 50 fantastic auction items of a great variety.
More: Live Entertainment, Great Fellowship!
WHO:
Must be 21 or older to attend
COST:
Tickets are $75 each Discounted tickets at $50 after you purchase the first 2 tickets at $75. Food, Wine and Beer tastings at no additional cost inside the event.
WHY:
Proceeds support the Rotary Club of Del Mar's charitable activities in the local community and schools, and underserved nations around the world.
It's The Night We've All Been Waiting For! The Sunset Soiree is Next Week!
After wowing the city with the refurbishment of 2 benches at the Public Works location, the Rotary Club of Del Mar has been enlisted to continue the effort refurbishing the benches on the streets of Del Mar. On Friday, September 24 Karl Wagner, Bill Rawlings, and Walt Strangman met to work on the bench in front of Durante's Menswear.
Shown here is Stacey Railey, proprietor of Durante's Menswear and Durante's newly opened Women's Shop admiring the work of Walt Strangeman, second from left, Bill Rawlings and Karl Wagner.
Strolling by, on the left is local resident, Steve Lewandowski who will be the auctioneer at the upcoming Rotary Club of Del Mar Sunset Soiree.
Your District 5340 AHT Taskforce has some great volunteer opportunities for you and your club to participate. Reach out to Dave Oates at david@publicrelationssecurity.com to sign up! Space is limited:
October 9 – 8:30am – Noon – Refuge for Women landscape/clean-up work. This will be our first visit to this North County location between near the I-15/CA 78 intersection. We’ll conduct similar work that we’ve done for GenerateHope for the same purpose. There are 25 openings, so be sure to sign up ASAP!
Home Construction in Tecate
On December 4, District Rotarians will meet in Mexico to build homes for deserving families. The Rotary Club of Del Mar is currently working on funding a home and providing volunteers for the construction. Stay tuned for more details!
As World Polio Day approaches, the Rotary community is getting ready to amplify our message about eradicating polio to protect the world’s children from this devastating disease.
Together, we’ve made tremendous progress. Now it’s time to intensify our fight to make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated. Last year, 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. We can use World Polio Day to advocate for the support we need to end polio in countries where it still paralyzes children.
Inspire action
Take action for World Polio Day by promoting the importance of polio eradication, raising funds, and planning events. Let’s engage our communities in the fight against polio — because as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.
Use the World Polio Day Toolkit to find resources and tips for planning activities and promoting a polio-free world. Inspire others to join us by hosting virtual and community events, creating fundraisers, and sharing posts on social media.
Register your club’s participation in World Polio Day to show how Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs around the world are taking action to eradicate polio. If you register your events, fundraisers, and promotions by 14 October, you’ll get early access to a download of Rotary’s World Polio Day Global Update one week before the program will be shown on 24 October on Rotary’s Facebook page and endpolio.org.
Use Raise for Rotary to start an online fundraiser to benefit The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund for World Polio Day. Then, share it with your network! The top Raise for Rotary World Polio Day 2021 fundraisers will be featured on My Rotary.
It’s been a long process, over a year in the making! We’ve just received approval from the Del Mar Village Association and the City of Del Mar to refurbish the ageing benches on the beautiful streets of Del Mar. Thanks to the generous donation of Jim Watkins earmarked for beautification projects like this and the elbow grease of our very own Karl Wagner, Bill Rawlings, and Walt Strangman, we’re on the way. As you can see from the photos, the benches were in desperate need of their care. They sanded, brushed, cleaned, and then oiled these benches back to their original beauty. And we have quite a few more to do!
In a normal year, the San Diego Food Bank serves about 10% of San Diego residents who are in need of food supplies. Before Covid, the Food Bank served about 300,000 people a month. Since Covid, the level of families who are food insecure and in need has increased dramatically, and the Food Bank now serves about 600,000 people monthly through its various partnerships with community groups.
When the Rotary Club of Del Mar asked what the Food Bank needed besides money, food bank officials responded with a request for peanut butter. Peanut butter is typically only sold in prepackaged jars and is considered too expensive for the Food Bank to purchase. Yet peanut butter is a good source of nutrition and very popular with area families.
Under the leadership of Rotary’s co-presidents, Suzy and Karl Wagner, and spearheaded by member Scott MacDonald, the Club mounted a campaign to raise funds and procure peanut butter for the Food Bank. As a result, one pallet of 18 oz jars of peanut butter or 1,620 jars was acquired by the Club and delivered to the Food Bank August 17.
Reminder: Rotary Club members need to register for Member Tickets if you plan to attend the Del Mar Rotary Sunset Soirée on October 5, 2021. You will be billed for these tickets through your Rotary account, but YOU STILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR TICKETS. This tells us if you are going to attend the event, and also gives you an opportunity to let us know if you gave your tickets away to someone else.
If you haven't yet registered, you received an email with instructions. Click on your personal link in that email and you will be taken to the checkout page where you will be able to give the names of people who are going to attend the event, whether it is you or someone else. You will not be charged for this transaction.
Please register as soon as possible so that we can have a better count for the event. Once you have registered for your member tickets (no charge), you will be able to order more tickets at $50.00 each if you want to pay for someone else to attend the event.
If you want some guests to pay for their own tickets, but still get the $50.00 discounted rate, you can ask them to register on their own for tickets at www.DelMarSunsetSoiree.org and enter your email address in the "Referral Code" on the checkout page. Once they submit this information the price of the tickets will be adjusted on the payment page.
Activities Supported: Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, Community Resource Center, End Polio Now, Interact Service Clubs at Torrey Pines, Sunset and Cathedral Catholic High Schools, Leadership, Ethics and Determination training for 8 grade students, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Model UN, Nativity Preparatory Academy, San Diego Blood Bank, Support of medical training in Ethiopia; Youth and Women Empowerment in Burundi, medical clinics and a school in India; communities in Uganda, Kenya and Chechnya, Boys Scouts and local sports teams, Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club, and College Scholarships for local high school graduates.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to network with other district Rotarians and see fabulous speakers like our very own Dugan and Philippe Lamois
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Rotary International is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which also includes the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and countries throughout the world. Together, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since Rotary’s first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Today, Polio is endemic in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This year, the Wine Tasting and Auction kicks off the District 5340 Conference. Here’s your chance to help cancel Polio worldwide and have fun with your Rotary colleagues by participating in our District 5340 Auction and Winetasting fundraising event!
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LIVE Auction items will be auctioned “LIVE” at the End Polio Event, Friday, September 10th. We have posted the Live Auction Items on this Site for you to VIEW. Silent Auction Items are organized into “Categories”, or you can see all of the items by clicking “All Items”.
After the Silent Auction is closed (Monday, September 13th at 8:00 pm PST), you will need to go back into your account and a detailed statement will be available for your review. You must authorize payment for your items against the credit card you provided. Charges will not be processed against your credit card without your authorization. Once payment has been received, some items will be emailed to you with the contact information and some items will be mailed (gift certificates). For larger items, you will be provided with the contact information for the donor and can arrange pick-up of your item from them.
Taxes and processing fees will be charged to the winning bidder.
It is best to use a computer or tablet to view and bid; this website is not optimized for viewing on a smartphone.
On August 19, the Rotary Club of Del Mar was treated to a fabulous day at the races! This was a member only event - don't let your friends and family miss the next one, have them join our club today!
Nominations for District 5340 Governor 2024 - 2025 are due no later than October 10, 2021. Please submit nomination documents (Ballot, Guidelines, Timeline), to the District mailing address provided below:
Rotary District 5340 5052 Clairemont Drive #178651 San Diego, CA 92117
Interviews for District Governor 2024 - 2025 are Saturday, October 23, 2021, beginning at 9 am.
It has been a long, frustrating year and a half for everyone who loves to serve our young people. Come join in the fun as the LEAD Conference restarts the District’s in-person youth programs!
Rotarians and Rotaractors are invited to be Advisors at District 5340's LEAD (Leadership, Ethics, Aspirations & Determination) Conference. Best of all – there is no charge to Rotarians, Rotaractors, or to their clubs for serving as LEAD Advisors!
LEAD is a two-day weekend leadership camp for 8th grade students where Delegates discuss issues of ethical responsibility, improve leadership and communication skills, develop a positive outlook on service and life, and have fun with new friends. Delegates will originate from middle schools throughout our District.
We need 12+ Advisors to work with these wonderful young people. We provide an orientation for working with the students and guidance for meeting the District’s Youth Certification requirements.
Please go to the LEAD website, www.rotary5340lead.org, click on the Advisors link, and follow the instructions to complete the application. You may call Paul Pierce at 760-942-9911, or email him at pepjr@peplaw.com if you have questions.
August is membership month! Rotary clubs are known for the high-impact service projects they undertake locally and globally. To help drive membership, ahare stories about your service projects and how they improve lives on all your social media platforms using the hashtag #WeAreRotary
The Governor's Dinner, an annual event to celebrate accomplishments, present awards, and induct new leadership, was held June 28 at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar. This year, District Governor Steven Weitzen also passed the baton to incoming District Governor Dan Gensler.
Pictured below is Dugan Lamoise being recognized as the Rotary Club of Del Mar President, and Suzy and Karl Wagner being sworn in as our next Co-Presidents.
Congratulations to Matt Kurth, recognized for his significant contributions to the Rotary Club of Del Mar and the community! Thank you for all you do Matt!
The Rotary Club of Del Mar’s June 7 ‘Ducky Derby’ component of the annual Chili & Quacker fundraiser at Viewpoint Brewing Company in Del Mar generated over $10,000 for area beneficiaries including the Del Mar Lifeguard Association (DMLA), Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, and the Del Mar Rotary Foundation Trust.
On June 22, Chili & Quacker Chair Matt Kurth and Rotary Club President Dugan Lamoise presented proceeds from the Ducky Derby’s Lifeguard race to rescue diver and DMLA representative Amara Dumas. Proceeds from the Derby’s Boys and Girls Clubs race will partially underwrite the Rotary Club of Del Mar’s yearly contribution for craft-making activities, presents and dinner for hundreds of children and their families during Santa Claus and His Elves’ December visit to the La Colonia Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito. The event also generated over $7,000 for Rotary-funded grant and scholarship programs in Del Mar and the region.
President Dugan, during her demotion celebration, thanked everyone for a great year and followed with club recognition for these individuals who have made great contributions to their club and community:
On Saturday, June 26, members of the Rotary Club of Del Mar met for a service project at San Dieguito River Park. They spent the morning removing non-native plants so that native species can thrive
Rotary clubs around the world have been mobilizing in their communities to support the introduction and delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations. Rotary has decades of experience in supporting the distribution of polio vaccines as well as highlighting their power and efficacy, which is a critical reason why polio is on the brink of eradication today!
The Rotary Club of Del Mar organized volunteers for the Del Mar vaccination super site and with other area clubs contributed 750 hours of support to immunize San Diegans!
ICYMI - The 9th Annual Chili and Quackers and the 2nd held at Viewpoint Brewery was Monday June 8th! It was an incredible time and a huge success raising money for 3 very worthy organizations - the Rotary Club of Del Mar, The Del Mar Lifeguard's Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito.
Our organizers and volunteers deserve a huge congratulations and thank you!
Congratulations and Thanks to Beth Westburg, a new Paul Harris Fellow!
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your generosity Sharon!
Congratulations to Beth Westburg - A New Paul Harris Fellow!
Congratulations and Thanks to Sharon Schendel, a Paul Harris Fellow +2
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your generosity Sharon!
Congratulations and Thanks to Suzy Wagner, a Paul Harris Fellow +4
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your generosity Patti!
Rotary District 5340 has teamed up with the San Diego Padres to offer four top-tier games with special seats at Petco Park reserved exclusively for Rotary members. Rotary has a long history of involvement with the Major League Baseball franchise. There are 2 games left!
Take me out to the ballgame. Get back to the ballpark with your fellow Rotarians and reserve your ticket(s) today:
1. Padres vs. Marlins - Tuesday, Aug.10, 2021
2. Padres vs. Astros - Friday, Sept. 3, 2021
Tickets are first-come, first-serve. Limit per person five (5) game tickets. Electronic tickets will be emailed to you by Erika, District Admin. Please allow two (2) business days for email.
We have great news - we are getting together as Rotarians for this year's Governor's Dinner slated for Monday, June 28, 2021 at the beautiful Hilton San Diego Del Mar Hotel.
Cocktails: 5:30PM to 6:15PM
Program and Dinner: 6:30PM
Cost: $50
The Governor's Dinner is the annual District awards and induction ceremony. Join us as we celebrate club accomplishments and present awards. District Governor Steven Weitzen also passes the baton to incoming District Governor Dan Gensler. This year, you can either join the celebration in person at the hotel with dinner and parking included in the $50 price or you can attend from the comfort of your home via Zoom.
On May 14, The Del Mar Rotary had a "get out of jail" party of sorts at Casa Kurth. Celebrating friendship and the success of vaccines we gathered for a taco feast and views to die for. Just a few short days later, a second social get together was had at the Monarch in Del Mar. As things continue to improve, prepare for a lot more opportunities to get together!
The hottest event of the summer is upon us! Have you purchased your ducks??
Do not miss the 2021 Chili & Quackers "Friendraiser" at Viewpoint Brewery on June 7 at 5:00pm
We'll regale you with racing ducks quacking across your screens to the finish line!
Three races or "Cups" will highlight local associations that contribute to Del Mar's lifestyle including ours, Rotary Club of Del Mar. The scheduled Cups are:
Rotary Club of Del Mar Cup presented by Viewpoint Brewing Co. - highlighting some of the contributions our club makes to Del Mar and surrounding communities
Del Mar Lifeguard Association Cup presented by Ranch 45 - highlighting the historic relationship between our club and the Del Mar Lifeguards. This cup raises vital resources for their work
Santa and his Elves Cup presented by the Rotary Club of Del Mar on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito in support of the annual Christmas party bringing Santa Claus joy to the children of La Colonia
Act fast! Only 100 ducks available for sale in each race! Click here for detailed rules and prizes.
The live event with all 3 cups, magician and additional entertainment will take place in person at Viewpoint Brewery, Del Mar and online on Zoom Monday, June 7th. Doors open at Viewpoint at 5pm, first race live and online at 5:45pm. The races will run until about 6:15pm.
Please support Rotary Club of Del Mar's Chili and Quackers Live and Zoom Edition by participating in our races or making a donation here
We are two months away from our Rotary District Conference. Join fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, & guests for a weekend of celebration and connection on September 10-12, 2021 at the Hotel del Coronado.
The conference team is working hard to make this a fun celebration to reunite us in person. Join your Rotary family for this unique opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership and friendships as we celebrate our clubs’ successes! If you have any conference questions, please contact us at District@Rotary5340.org.
Register today for the 2021 District Conference – click here.
It's not too late to sign up to join District 5340 in Guatemala in February 2022. This will be a special opportunity to participate in a successful continuing Rotary project. The Guatemala Literacy Project is a network of individual Rotarians, clubs, districts and the nonprofit organization Cooperative for Education working to end the cycle of poverty through education in one of the poorest, least educated countries in the western hemisphere.
Join the effort to make a difference!
There are numerous ways you can get involved.
You may choose:
a. Make a club contribution b. Make an individual financial contribution c. Visit the project in Guatemala with fellow Rotarians d. All of the above!
To get more information on this project and ways you can help, email Dugan Lamoise – at duganlamoise@gmail.com.
Your District Anti-Human Trafficking task force has another excellent workshop on tap.
Join us for this insightful overview of how businesses in San Diego County and elsewhere are banding together to educate the San Diego employees to identify and effectively report indicators of sex trafficking. You’ll receive ideas that you can implement in your workforce the next day!
If you want to be part of stopping the $810 million illicit industry in our region, don’t miss this!
Online Webinar: How businesses can help stop human sex trafficking in San Diego
Front row (l to r) Don Fipps, Matt Kurth, Marty Peters, Donna Fipps; On the stairs (l to r) Tranh Trinh, Dugan Lamoise, Philippe Lamoise, Brigid O'Reilly, Madisongrace Guerra, Dominique Guerra, Klaus Gubernator, Xavier Gonzales, Brian Hickey, Linda Groom, Tony Villasenor, Janice Kurth
Finishing painting the courtyard (Philippe's overhead drone work)
Linda Groom, Klaus Gubernator, and Philippe Lamoise take a break from painting
Tony Villasenor with NPA President Gil Brady (and some very thick gray paint)
Donna Fipps, Janice Kurth and Dugan Lamoise sport the latest in Rotary-themed work wear
We had a big crowd at the new Nativity Prep Academy campus for our annual Rotarians at Work Day. In 2020 the Academy took over its new home on College Avenue that is just over a mile walk to the San Diego State University campus. In addition to gaining ~50% more square footage, internet service is far improved compared to their old campus. Click here to see Philippe’s drone footage of the campus.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar Community Service Committee funded cliff rescue training for the Del Mar Lifeguard Department and their training came just in time for the real thing!
Del Mar lifeguards attended a 40-hour rope rescue training made possible in part by grants from the Del Mar Foundation and Del Mar Rotary. Days after their training was completed, it was put to use for the real thing. During a rescue last week, Del Mar Lifeguards brought a man to safety after he became stuck below the Anderson Canyon rim.
Don't miss our District's Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Webinar coming up May 20!
Join us for this insightful overview of how businesses in San Diego County and elsewhere are banding together to educate the San Diego employees to identify and effectively report indicators of sex trafficking. You’ll receive ideas that you can implement in your workforce the next day!
If you want to be part of stopping the $810 million illicit industry in our region, don’t miss this!
Online Webinar: How businesses can help stop human sex trafficking in San Diego May 20, 2021 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Today was the first opportunity we've had to get together in person since March of 2020 and it was a huge success for both those in person and those who joined by Zoom! If you're fully vaccinated, join us Thursdays at noon at The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito at 533 Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach. We meet at the Yellow Cottage behind the main building. Lunches must be pre-ordered.
District Training Assembly is an annual symposium where clubs from across Southern California gather to prepare for the Rotary Year that begins July 1st.
District Training Assembly (DTA) typically happens in the spring, and is designed to provide training for President-Elects, club committee chairs, secretaries, treasurers, and board members. There is also a wealth of information for existing Rotarians and newer Rotarians.
DTA offers something for everyone, with roughly 40 different classes spread out across three different sessions. If you want to learn more about Rotary and all of the programs of District 5340, DTA is where you'll find the information you seek, and help you take your club to new levels.
Your District Task Force is well underway with initiatives to confront this scourge, thanks to many Rotarians and clubs' help.
Here are just a couple:
Global Grant approved and funded – After a year-long effort, Rotary International approved a $70,000 global grant that will be used right here in District 5340 for anti-human trafficking initiatives. We'll be funding an estimated 700 area public school teachers to receive training on how to spot if one of their students is a victim of or getting recruited for human trafficking. If you have connections with San Diego County area public school administrators, feel free to send them this link. We're looking to receive online proposals through this form by April 30
Rehabilitation project – We’re helping GenerateHope tackle some extensive deferred maintenance work at its home for human sex trafficking survivors. The projects include driveway repair, structural first-floor work, foundational repairs to the first floor, and other projects. Be on the lookout soon for some opportunities to conduct outdoor landscaping work soon.
Mark your calendars for an exciting opportunity to connect with Rotary members worldwide at the 2021 Virtual Convention: Rotary Opens Opportunities, June 12-16. Registration will open in mid-April at a special rate of $49. After 21 days, you will pay $65 to register.
You can also join us early at a preconvention for intercountry committees, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Exchange officers, 10-11 June. Each preconvention costs an additional $20.
The 2021 Virtual Rotary Convention and preconvention events are open to all Rotary members and participants. Both the convention and preconvention fees include access to the virtual House of Friendship.
Don’t forget to visit the convention event page on Facebook to connect with others and stay up-to-date on event news and program highlights!
Save the Date - 2021 Virtual Convention June 12-16
In the Rotary world, the last Saturday in April is designated Rotarians at Work Day. Each year, clubs around the world identify a hands-on project that all members can participate in to help the local community.
In 1911, Rotarians adopted the motto "Service Above Self" because it aptly expresses the ideals that the new formed organization was creating. Past RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, selected this theme for the 2005-2006 Rotary year. For over 110 years, this motto has served as our mantra carrying out humanitarian service as we work for international understanding and peace.
This April 24th each of the 60 clubs within our District can participate in a project.
Rotary Club of Del Mar will be doing a hands on exterior painting project at Nativity Prep Academy. Students at Nativity Prep will be the first in their families to go to college.
During World Immunization Week, April 24-30, join with Rotary to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation by spreading the facts about why #VaccinesWork.
You can help raise awareness for polio eradication and the importance of vaccines during World Immunization Week, April 24-30 by sharing some of these sample posts on your social media. You can also paint your pinkie purple and post a picture online using the hashtags #EndPolio and #VaccinesWork.
Fighting #COVID19 requires global solidarity. That’s why @Rotary #EndPolio is committed to lending its tools, workforce & surveillance network to help countries respond. #VaccinesWork endpol.io/cvxa1
Because #VaccinesWork, @Rotary & partners have reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide since 1988. @EndPolioNow won't stop until we end the disease for good. Donate to support #EndPolio: endpol.io/give
In countries where polio is a threat, kids’ pinkies are marked with purple ink after they’re immunized, helping #EndPolio health workers know which kids are protected. #VaccinesWork @Rotary EndPolio.org
Through the science of immunization, @Rotary & partners have saved nearly 19 million children from becoming paralyzed by polio. #VaccinesWork #EndPolio EndPolio.org
This #WorldImmunizationWeek, I’m joining with @Rotary #EndPolio to advocate for equitable distribution of vaccines, like those for polio & #COVID19. #VaccinesWork endpol.io/cvxa1
#VaccinesWork & the progress made in the fight to #EndPolio is proof. Only 2 countries continue to report wild polio cases. Learn why @Rotary believes we can shrink that number to 0: endpol.io/5rsns
Amidst a challenging year for global health, the @WHOAFRO region was still certified wild polio-free because #VaccinesWork! Learn how @Rotary #EndPolio helped achieve this milestone: endpol.io/afro20
Rotary District 5340 announces an April “Blue Light Special” for adding Paul Harris Fellows to your club.
Through the generous donation of one of our District Rotarians, we are able to match donations to the Annual Fund up to $500/member with up to 500 Recognition Points which will allow that member or his/her designee to become a Paul Harris Fellow with a pin and certificate to be awarded at the appropriate occasion.
To take advantage of this offer, contact our Paul Harris Society Chair James Morrison at james@westwood-llc.com and he will provide the information needed to match these Recognition Points to a Rotarian who has not yet achieved Paul Harris Fellow level of giving. This is for first-time Paul Harris Fellows and may be awarded to a loved one, community member, or another deserving person.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar has stepped up big time, promising to deploy ten volunteers to the Del Mar Fairgrounds Vaccination Super Station every Saturday for the next three months. We've also partnered with DM-Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe clubs, which adopted Thursdays and Fridays respectively, and the San Diego club, which has picked up Tuesdays.
Our goal is to have at least one club adopt each of the seven days of the week, so feel free to tell Rotarians in other clubs about this opportunity.
This week in the District 5340 Newsletter, our very own Don Fipps is featured and recognized for all his contributions to the District.
"We can’t thank Don enough for all he has done to help the clubs and District this year. He has been selfless in contributing to the changes in the leadership plan, bylaws update and, of course, bringing Zoom technology to our members that eased the way for three membership seminars, monthly speakers of international repute, the Foundation Seminar and District Training Assembly."
To read the whole story, and the fascinating tale of how Don and Donna met, click here
ICYMI - Don Fipps Featured in Steven Weizten's Sunday Morning Musings
The District Training Assembly offers training for ALL Rotarians including club officers, directors, committee & program chairs to help them be effective club leaders.
All Club members, especially Red Badgers, are welcome and encouraged to attend. Come learn more about Rotary, club management tips and best practices from knowledgeable, experienced Rotarians. This is a great opportunity to learn about Rotary and network with other Rotarians, all in the comfort of your home. We expect full attendance for each class so don't miss out. Visit the District website to register and select your classes.
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your generosity Patti!
Congratulations to Mark Matthess - Paul Harris +2!
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Thank you for your generosity Patti!
Congratulations to Our Newest Paul Harris Fellow - Patti Kurtz!
The District Training Assembly offers training for ALL Rotarians including club officers, directors, committee & program chairs to help them be effective club leaders.
All Club members, especially Red Badgers,- are welcome and encouraged to attend. Come learn more about Rotary, club management tips and best practices from knowledgeable, experienced Rotarians.. This is a great opportunity to learn about Rotary and network with other Rotarians. We expect full attendance for each class so don't miss out, register today! Visit the District website to register and select your classes. www.rotary5340.org
Schedule
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Coffee & Fellowship
9:00 AM- 9:10 AM District Governor Steve Wietzen & District Governor Elect Dan Gensler
SESSION 1 9:10 AM – 10:00 AM 2020-21 Club Presidents 2021-22 Presidents-Elect & Asst. Governors 2022-23 Club Presidents-Nominee Club Secretaries Club Treasurers Membership
SESSION 2 10:10 AM – 11:00 AM Public Image, Branding & Social Media Fundraising – Finding $$$ Youth Service - RYLA & LEAD International Service Vocational Service Community service
SESSION 3 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM District Grants Rotary Foundation Fundamentals Club Service – Rotary on the Job Rotaract – Building Rotary Running Successful Hybrid Meetings My Rotary - Rotary Club CentralSetting Goals
Congratulations to Jim Davies and Marlene Gotz! And thank you for your generosity!
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is excited to announce our newest member of the Polio Plus Society Matt Kurth!
The Polio Plus Society is for Rotarians (and non-Rotarians, too!) who are dedicated to seeing that polio is successfully eradicated from our planet. Members commit to donating $100 or more per year and pledge to do so until polio is completely eradicated.
Thank you Matt for your generous contributions to this important cause!
The PolioPlus Society is for Rotarians (and non-Rotarians, too!) who are dedicated to seeing that polio is successfully eradicated from our planet. Members commit to donating $100 or more per year and pledge to do so until polio is completely eradicated.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar proudly recognizes our newest members of the PolioPlus Society. Karl and Dugan, your commitment and donations have provided tangible assistance to the global eradication of polio and advances world understanding, goodwill and peace. We are so grateful!
Congratulations to Don Fipps! And thank you for your generosity!
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
What does it take to change the world? It starts with commitment to service above self.
Touched by guest speaker Jeff Sitcov from Doors of Change, the Del Mar Rotarians took quick action and raised almost $1,700 to support the programs of these neighbors and friends.
Since 2001, Doors of Change™ has been transforming the lives of homeless youth, one young person at a time. Recognizing that trust is often a significant barrier for youth in need of services, Doors of Change™ selected music and art as a non-threatening way to engage young people living on the streets. By offering music and art instruction in a small group setting, youth are given the opportunity to explore their feelings and challenges through the arts, achieve a sense of mastery for the first time, develop social skills that are positive and constructive, and create a vision for the future that is filled with possibility
Pictured: Karl Wagner of Del Mar Rotary and Jeff Sitcov of Doors of Change
The Del Mar Rotary Club is once again demonstrating our commitment to our friends and neighbors by problem-solving and taking action!
In partnership with the Del Mar Village Association and Fuel the Frontline San Diego, the Del Mar Rotary Club purchased lunches from our friends at Americana and delivered them to the very hard-working frontline workers at the VA hospital in La Jolla!
Pictured Below: Randy Gruber from Americana and Klaus Gubernator and Susan Wagner from Del Mar Rotary.
Pictured Below: Karl Wagner and Klaus Gubernator from Del Mar Rotary with Jennifer McClellan and Tonya Masino from Del Mar Village Association dropping off lunch at the VA Hospital.
About Fuel the Frontline:
Del Mar Village Association is spearheading and coordinating Fuel the Frontline San Diego, a program to support both local restaurants and San Diego frontline medical providers. Donations to Fuel the Frontline San Diego have now exceeded $13,000. One-hundred percent of the proceeds fund the meals purchased from the local restaurants. To date the initiative has delivered 2,500 meals to five hospitals from 11 local restaurants.
Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
In case you missed it: Our very own Nina Wright, an active volunteer driver for Del Mar Community Connections the past three years, has been named as the organization’s Volunteer of the Month for December! Congratulations Nina!
The Nativity Prep Academy President Dr. Gil Brady and Philanthropy Manger Brian Hickey, along with many staff members this morning were overjoyed with today’s surprise $3,000 Covid relief check along with filling their food pantry from generous Del Mar Rotarian donations! Pictured below is the packed Cayenne, former church now classroom, outside patio areas soon to be turned into Covid friendly classrooms, with newly purchased student desks. https://nativityprep.org/
Thank you to all that helped make this happen so quickly!
In a normal year, almost 10% of San Diego residents do not have reliable access to sufficient food. With the pandemic, this has increased dramatically. Thousands of residents go hungry each day.
In response, the Rotary Club of Del Mar has raised money for the San Diego Food Bank and Kitchens for Good. Scott MacDonald of Del Mar and Kathy Reed of San Diego presented a check for $3,000 to Jim Floros, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank on December 20. The Food Bank normally serves 350,000 people each month, but the demand has significantly increased as a result of the Covid pandemic. According to Floros, the Food Bank now serves about 600,000 people per month, and the Food Bank is very appreciative of financial support during these challenging times from the Rotary Club and others. Information about Food Bank and donations can be made at sandiegofoodbank.org.
MacDonald and Reed, representing The Rotary Club of Del Mar, also delivered a check for $2,550 to Kitchens for Good, a San Diego non-profit organization providing food and culinary training and job development for individuals suffering from food insecurity and unemployment. They have trained over 300 individuals for jobs in the culinary industry. Sonia Diaz, Donor Relations Manager with Kitchens for Good, “We are so appreciative of the Rotary Club of Del Mar for supporting our efforts during these troubled times when so many are struggling.” Information about Kitchens for Good and donations can be made through their website, kitchensforgood.org.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar has been in operation since 1954, supporting community residents and initiating programs throughout the county and elsewhere including active programs overseas. According to Rotary Club President, Dugan Lamoise, “the Club raises funds and conducts programs annually to improve the lives of people.” With the pandemic, food insecurity has become a significant issue, and members of the Club contributed funds this year to the San Diego Food Bank and Kitchens for Good to provide food to needy area families. More information about the Del Mar Club is available at delmarrotary.org.
December 17, 2020 - Jen Nation was the guest speaker representing Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center https://www.olivewoodgardens.org/Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center’s historic 7.85-acre property in National City, California serves as an interactive, indoor-outdoor classroom for children and adults from around San Diego County. Our purpose is to build healthy families and a healthy environment. We do this through science-based environmental education and nutrition lessons, hands-on gardening and cooking classes, and job skills and leadership development programs for youth, adults, and families.
December 17, 2020 - During the December 10 weekly meeting, President Dugan asked club members to donate funds to support those with food insecurity. Here are the results of the donations:
San Diego Food Bank - Full Match $1,500 for a total of $3,050
Kitchen for Good Matched - Funds: $1,250 for a total of $2,600
SUV full of nonperishable food December 15th going to Nativity Prep
The Rotary Club of Del Mar held it's annual Holiday Party amid the COVID-19 pandemic a bit differently December 15, 2020. It began with picking up dinner at St. Peter's while dropping off food for Nativity Prep. https://nativityprep.org/ Then at 5 pm, the club held a white elephant gift exchange using an app developed by Philippe Lamoise. The dinner and cocktails were provide by Sbicca Del Mar. https://sbiccadelmar.com/ Dessert was provided by a member cookie exchange which was also passed out with the dinner.
On Saturday December 12, 2020, Point Loma Rotary and the Rotary Club of Del Mar teamed up to provide grocery cards to families and student at Gompers Preparatory Academy. http://www.gompersprep.org/
The mission of Gompers Preparatory Academy, in partnership with UCSD and our community, is to accelerate academic achievement for all students through a college preparatory culture and curriculum.
Thursday, December 10, 2020, The Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored a Holiday Craft Party for children of La Colonia and the Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito http://bgcsandieguito.org/.
Leading off was Donna Fipps making bracelets and necklaces using beads and chenille sticks. Next up was Dee House making Christmas ornaments using wood ornaments cutouts and self sticking jewels. After Dee was Kathy Reed making 3 Christmas decorations using chenille sticks, tulle ribbon and self sticking decorations. Klaus Gubernator demonstrated decorative items and sticky foam nuggets of different colors. The foam pieces stick together when made damp.
A special guest appearance of Santa Claus was welcomed as he wished everyone a "Merry Christmas."
Here are some photos of our club social Monday, September 14 at the Viewpoint Brewery. Participants tasted 3 beers with cheese pairings and then had a tour of the brewery. One member joined via Zoom after beers were delivered by Susan and Karl Wagner on Sunday.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar delivered meals September 18, 2020, through Fuel the Frontline San Diego and the Del Mar Village Association. The meals were obtained from Chef Christophe of the Beeside Balcony and dropped them off at Scripps Hospital, Encinitas. Seen below are Chef Christophe, Matt Kurth, Janice Kurth, Nina Wright, Marty Peter’s, Susan and Karl Wagner, and President Dugan Lamoise with representatives from Scripps.
United States Attorney and past member of the Rotary Club of Del Mar, Bob Brewer addressed the club on the challenges of the office in the Southern District of California. To learn more about the Southern District, click on the link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca
Today, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan was the guest speaker at our weekly meeting. Summer talked about human trafficking. Check out her web site on the topic to see what you can do to help.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar supported the Fuel the Frontline San Diego effort on Friday, August 28th. The Club purchased a total of 55 meals from Del Mar restaurants Pacifica and Board & Brew and delivered them to healthcare providers at Scripps Emergency Room, Encinitas. Club members pictured are Brett Mattei, President Dugan Lamoise, Nina Wright, Don Fipps, Donna Fipps and Marty Peters. Photos courtesy of Philippe Lamoise.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar celebrated the completion of the Rotary Clock at the corner of 15th Street and Camino Del Mar in Mar Mar August 9, 2020. In attendance were, Brett Mattei, Caroline Morin, Rotarian from Arizona, Karl Wagner, Sharon Schendel, Rotarian from Arizona, Susie Wagner, Jim and Bernadette Watkins, Marty Peters, Sharyn Daly, Dugan and Philippe Lamoise.
The following club members volunteered to substantially increase their already generous direct support of the Rotary Club of Del Mar charitable activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I apologize for the hiatus in our newsletter. My workload expanded substantially after the launch of the Coronavirus Immunotherapeutics Consortium (CoVIC). Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the CoVIC is led by Prof. Erica Saphire and headquartered the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. The CoVIC seeks to find and optimized antibody-based treatments for COVID-19 that can be deployed in low- and middle- income countries to ensure that no one is priced out of life-saving COVID-19 therapies.
District Governor Marta Knight and District 5340 are hosting a district-wide virtual red badger chat on Tuesday may 26, 2020 from Noon to 1 PM. The chat is an opportunity to hear from Marta about events in the district and to meet other new Rotarians and Rotoractors. This event also satisfies the Red Badge requirement of attendance at a district-wide event. Visit the District 5340 website to register.
Christina Kalberg (Executive Director) and Casey Davis (Director of Development) of the Diabetes Research Connection were the featured speakers at our May 14, 2020 virtual meeting when they spoke about efforts to find cures for diabetes.
The 16th annual Sunset Soiree is going virtual. Many of the needs of our local and global community have grown in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The online auction goes live on June 1 and bidding will be open until June 7. Please share the Sunset Soiree website link (www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org) with friends, family and your network and encourage them to donate to support our club’s many projects, both at home and around the world.
Thursday, March 12 2020, club leaders briefed Del Mar Rotarians on SAR-CoV-2 (aka Novel Coronavirus), the virus that causes COVID-19.
Due to the elevated health risk to fellow Rotarians, as well as their loved ones and neighbors, our March 19 and March 26 club meetings are cancelled. The March 17 RCDM Board of Directors meeting is also cancelled, as is the Club Social planned for March 18.
On March 30 club leaders will decide whether to cancel subsequent meetings through April. We will communicate our decision to you.
If we cancel some or all of our regular club meetings for April, we will provide an online meeting solution to ensure continuity of club operations and social engagement of all club members, starting with an April 2 virtual meeting. If we take this route, we will assist members in using this technology.
Also, by March 19, club members having expertise in clinical and research expertise will begin conveying vetted information about the SAR-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 and the effects they could have in our communities.
A committee comprising Sharon Schendel, Don Fipps and Matt Kurth will vet, compile and distribute this information. Other club members who wish to help with this effort should forward their contributions to one of these committee members by phone or email.
Verbivore Richard Lederer was again our speaker at the February 27, 2020 meeting. This year his focus was on U.S. President trivia that can be used to win bets with your friends on drinking outings. Read on for some fun facts.
Chris Stewart was Super Happy during our February 27 Happy Dollars for becoming a certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. At the age of 47, Chris decided to go back to school to earn the certificate and Rotary Club of Del Mar provided financial support to help cover the cost of tuition. As one his projects during his certification, Chris has been helping to develop a virtual reality therapy program to help prison inmates overcome addiction.
Sharyn Daly invites members to consider attending a celebration for Honor Flight San Diego to be held Saturday March 7 at the Del Mar Hilton. Proceeds from the banquet will go to support the escort of San Diego veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their service.
Congratulations to Dugan Lamoise for being named Rotarian of the Month for February. Dugan, together with Joel Candib is chairing the 2020 Sunset Soiree. Her committee has gotten off to an early and strong start so that the 16th annual Soiree can be our best one yet. Mark your calendar for the next committee meeting on March 3 at Tom Ryan’s condo. Watch your email for details and directions.
Our Rotary clock has stood in the heart of Del Mar since 2006 when it was presented as a gift to the city in honor of Rotary’s centennial. The clock underwent exterior restoration in 2014, but now the clockworks are in need of repair so that the clock is right more than twice a day. Donations of $3500 are needed to repair and update the clock mechanism. Contact Marty Petersif you would like to contribute to this special fund.
Garrie Rhodes (center) with Zixnon Chen (left) and Isabella Yang (right)
Ed Siegel finds Isabella Yang's violin to be a bit of a challenge
We had three talented musicians perform at the February 20, 2020 meeting. Isabella McCormick, of Cathedral Catholic High School returned with her harp to play Légende by Henriette Renié. Zixnon Chen, also of Cathedral Catholic High School played Sonata No. 1 by Alberto Ginastera. Isabella Yang of Scripps Ranch High School performed Csárdás by Vittorio Monti by playing the piece on the Chinese violin, which has only two strings.
We joined Rotaract at UCSD Presents for its 6th annual WAPI Project. Over 100 volunteers from Rotaract, Rotary and other UCSD student organizations like the health pre-professional honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta helped assemble more than 1,000 water pasteurization indicators (WAPIs).
LaShonda Delivuk with President-Elect Sharon Schendel at PETS
Each year, all President-Elects (PEs) of Rotary Clubs attend a President Elect Training Seminar (PETS). The Southwest Rotary PETS brings together Rotary PEs from as far as Arizona to learn strategies to ensure the success of clubs they will lead in the upcoming Rotary Year.
Families are welcome at Rotary socials (l to r) Janice Kurth, Kirsti and Ryan Riell (with Adeline), Karly and Suzy Wagner, Val Myers
The February social at West End Bar and Kitchen mixed business and pleasure- the Sunset Soiree committee met first before other members arrived to enjoy food and drinks at the long central table.
Sharon Schendel (second from left) and faculty advisor Mara Milligan (back row) with Interact Club seniors (l to r): Evelyn Lopez, President Denise Picazo, Vanessa Delarvia, Angeline Arcos, Joey Kellogg, Nicole Milla, Salvador de la Rosa, Jonathon Jaramillo (kneeling)
Cathedral Catholic High School (CCHS) was the site for our February 6 meeting. Seniors from CCHS Interact Club, which our club sponsors, with their faculty advisory Mara Milligan hosted.
La Jolla Institute for Immunology Chief Advancement Officer Chris Lee points out some of the Institute highlights
We visited La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) on the UCSD campus to start our three week road trip. LJI is home to around 25 world-renowned faculty who are performing important basic research studies that can be translated into clinical applications.
Top panel: Karin Davies with Patrick and Terry Obath; Bottom Panel (l to r) Susan Stacy, Astrid Durand Viel, Emidio and Auxiliadora Cunha, Dolly Sachdeva and Davinder Singh
During the annual International Assembly in San Diego District Governor Elects (DGEs) undergo training before beginning their term in July. Each year local Rotarians host DGEs in their homes- this year Dugan and Philippe Lamoise hosted a gathering for DGEs and other Assembly attendees.
Lily and Jimmy Thai are founders of the Build A School Foundation that provides funds for the construction of schools in rural areas of Vietnam. For as little as $7,000, the Build a School Foundation can provide a primary school to communities in need.
Our January 30, 2020 meeting will be held at La Jolla Institute for Immunology at noon, our usual time. We’ll learn a bit about what research at the Institute and more specifically about the research done in Erica Sahpire’s lab, where Sharon Schendel is a program manager. Directions and parking instruction are in the picture- email Sharon if you have any questions.
Offsite Meeting at La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Garrie Rhodes, chair for our club in the District 5340 Music Competition, is welcoming all young instrumentalists who would like to play in the first round, which will be our program on February 20, 2020.
Entrants Wanted for District Instrumental Music Competition
We were saddened to hear that our long-time member, Tom Woolsey, passed away on January 22, 2020 at the age of 93. Tom joined Rotary Club of Del Mar in 1990 and was neighbor to Monty Woolley, who informed club members of his loss.
Raquel D'Garay-Juncal (Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley), Peter James-Robertson (DGE District 1285, Horwich, UK), John Mullin (Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo), Deborah Loveday (Rotary Club of Port Macquarie, District 9650), Celia Ramirez (Rotary Club of San Diego Southeast)
This year marks the last year of San Diego as host of Rotary International’s International Assembly- in 2021 the event will move to Orlando. Volunteers from District 5340 were on hand to welcome District Governor Elects who will undertake crucial training during the Assembly so that they will have the tools they need to steer their districts toward success in Rotary Year 2020-2021.
Gil Brady, President of Nativity Prep Academy (NPA), was our featured speaker at the January 9, 2020 meeting. Although the Academy formally schools students for Grades 6-8, these are just three years out of an 11 year commitment. The commitment NPA students and their families make is also significant. While students, they spend over 10 hours a day at NPA. This extended time is needed to ensure that the students, all of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, can catch up to grade level.
Rotary International President Elect Holger Knaack
Rotary International President Elect Holger Knaack was our very special guest at the annual 6-way meeting attended by members of our club as well as those of Rotary Clubs of Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar-Solana Beach, Solana Beach Eco, Encinitas and Encinitas Coastal.
Torrey Pines High School Millennium Falcons (l to r) Advisor Klint Kirckconnell, Guy Nir, Douglas Liu, Minh Ho, Farrah Kaiyom, Fiona Ghatuari, Alisha Chakraborty
At our last meeting of the decade, members of the Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club, The Millennium Falcons, were our featured guests.
Jim Watkins at the new selfie site with Sally the Sea Lion
Our members took time on two consecutive Fridays to spruce up the benches on the southwest corner of L’Auberge. The park has a new resident provided by Jim Watkins and securely installed by Bill Rawlings: Sally the Sea Lion. Next time you’re in the park take a picture of Sally- we’ll need think of an Instagram hashtag for her.
Dugan and Philippe Lamoise recently returned from a honeymoon trip that included a lot of safari and just a bit of Rotary. They brought back for new banners from clubs they visited.
Brett Mattei with Cal Mann and a banner from Rotary Club of Stip in North Macedonia
Former member Cal Mann joined our first meeting of the new decade to talk about his experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in North Macedonia and how a chance meeting helped him begin to align the efforts of Peace Corps volunteers with Rotarians in the areas they serve. Cal brought with him a banner from Rotary Club of Stip. Read more about Cal’s story at a recent Rotary service blog post.
Building Partnerships Between Rotarians and the Peace Corps
At the December 19, 2020 meeting we welcomed Tom McCarthy, son of our member Kathy Reed. Tom is a graduate of both Torrey Pines High School and SDSU, and was an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 713- the troop we sponsor. Karin and Jim Davies were happy to have their granddaughter Keilani for a visit.
Al Graff (center) with Ed Siegel (left) and Honorary Member Bessie Floyd
Last January we helped Al Graff celebrate reach 100 years-old. One year later, he’s still going strong and his works were featured in a recent news article for the San Diego Foundation.
Kit Leeger, Jim and Bernadette Watkins, Monty Woolley
We had a great turnout for our annual holiday party. It’s always great to have a chance to catch up with our members’ spouses and friends while enjoying great food from Flavor Chef. Pedro Hernandez of Flavor Chef carved up about 40 pounds of prime rib and members supplied dozens and dozens of cookies to exchange.
Posing with one our "wraps" (front row, l to r: Jim Kohn, Brett Mattei, Sharon Schendel, Donna Fipps; back row: l to r: Matt Kurth, Jeff Matthews, Keith Ward, Jeanne Koskella, Val Myers, Janice Kurth, Don Fipps, Tony Villasenor, Kathy Quillin)
The holiday baskets themselves were already distributed, but even after some 7,000 individuals are served by the Community Resource Center’s annual event, there is still some work to do.
The slime station was very popular. There are dozens of other pictures available- see links below.
Patti Kurtz and Nina Wright helping guests decorate their Christmas tree paintings
We missed the rain for our annual Christmas party for members of the La Colonia branch of the Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito and their families. Santa returned this year, introduced by surprise guests, the San Diego Sockers soccer team.
Klaus Gubernator inflating soccer balls for donation to CRC holiday baskets
The soccer balls created some blind spots in Tony Villasenor's car
Children attending CRC “shopping” events will have the chance to pick out a new soccer ball- one of the dozens donated by our club and inflated and delivered to the fairgrounds by Tony Villasenor and Klaus Gubernator.
Soccer Balls for Community Resource Center Holiday Baskets
This year we’ll be helping the Community Resource Center (CRC) inventory all the items that remain after their holiday baskets are distributed. These items will form the foundation for CRC giving throughout the year and for next year’s holiday baskets, so it’s important for them to know just what they have on hand. Meet at the grandstand of the Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 15 at 3:30 PM. Enter the fairgrounds through the Solana Gate off of Via Del la Valle and follow the signs. We’ll work until 7 PM, and, who knows, afterward maybe there will be opportunity to head over to a local eatery (Pizza Nova, anyone??). For questions about volunteering, email Sharon Schendel.
Help Inventory CRC Holiday Baskets December 15 at 3:30
We’ll hold our annual holiday party in St. Peter’s Parish Hall (our regular meeting site) on Friday, December 13 at 6:30 PM. Make sure to RSVP to Suzy Wagner by Monday December 9 to reserve your spot (note that December 9 is also the last day to cancel without charge). All guests are welcome! Your account will be billed for $50 per person. Flavor Chef will serve dinner featuring prime rib and dessert of course will be dozens of cookies at our cookie exchange. Bring at least two dozen of your favorite, home-baked cookies and be prepared to let everyone know why your cookies are special. Also bring a container to take home some cookies.
Jo Sletbak, Consul General of the Norway Consulate General
Jo Sletbak, colleague of our President Brett Mattei, and current Consul General with the Norway Consulate General in San Francisco, swung south from his base in Pacific Heights to talk to our club. Jo began by comparing shorelines- despite its smaller size in terms of area, Norway has a longer coastline than all of the United States. Thus, a maritime lifestyle has long been a hallmark of Norwegian society.
For Rotarian of the Month for October, we honored Beth Westburg for all her efforts for the very successful Chili & Quackers. Beth and her husband Reid coordinated the food and she provided excellent ideas before the event and after, so next year’s installment will be even better. Thank you, Beth!
New member Jake Owens (center) with sponsor Marty Peters (right) and Rotary mentor Don Fipps (left)
New member Nina Wright (center) receives congratulations from President Brett Mattei (right) and her Rotary mentor, Sharon Schendel
We’re excited to welcome our newest members, Nina Wright and Jake Owens. Nina is a realtor with Coldwell Banker and her office is in Del Mar, just a few steps away from St. Peter’s. Nina has a love of horses as well as hiking, dancing, music and the beach. Nina got a jump on Rotary life by attending the recent District Seminar. Sharyn Daly is Nina’s sponsor, and Sharon Schendel will be her mentor.
Jake came to our club the way many people do, by meeting Marty Peters. He is an independent promoter of health products and has a strong interest in wine as well as being a wine sommelier. Jake was a member of Interact in high school in Pensacola, FL where Rotarians provided support for his entry into the Naval Academy. He continues to serve as a Major in the USMC reserves. Marty Peters is Jake’s sponsor and Don Fipps will be his mentor.
It’s that time of year again- our annual Rotary Club of Del Mar Christmas Party is all set for Friday December 13. The fun starts at 6:30 pm at our regular meeting site in St. Peter’s Parish Hall. Rotarians and Associate Members are to bring guests- the cost per person is $50, which will be billed to your Rotary account. Flavor Chef will be serving Prime Rib and Vegan Eggplant Parmesan. We’ll have some wine on hand, but bring a bottle or two of your favorite vintage to share.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in the cookie exchange. Be creative and be prepared to give a little description about why your cookies are the best. Bring at least two dozen of your own cookies and an empty container to take home your competitors’ cookies.
Please contact event coordinator Suzy Wagner with any questions about the dinner and John Baranowski for questions about the cookie exchange.
Instead of our regular meeting, on Thursday December 5 starting at 3 PM we’ll again sponsor a Christmas Party for members, family and friends of the La Colonia branch of the Boys and Girls Club San Dieguito at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach (715 Valley Avenue). Klaus Gubernator is coordinating the event, which will have several different craft stations, visits with Santa Claus, and dinner. We’ll need help with set-up, the craft stations, serving dinner and clean-up. Email Klaus to volunteer to help.
Ole Prahm was really happy to have such a warm welcome every time he attends our meetings; John Baranowski was happy to announce another Cookie Exchange at our upcoming holiday party; and Jim McClellan was super happy to have his good friend David Ringrose back in attendance.
President Brett Mattei with Paul Harris Fellow +3 Dugan Moore Lamoise
We recognized Dugan Moore Lamoise for her continued generous support of Rotary International (RI) with her third Paul Harris Fellow. Dugan is also a member of the Paul Harris Society- Society members pledge to contribute $1,000 annually to RI. Have you followed Dugan's lead and made your annual donation to RI? These donations are critical for supporting Rotary projects around the world.
David Ringrose says a few words about returning to Rotary meetings
Not a guest, but a regular member, David Ringrose returned for our November 21, 2019 meeting after an extended medical leave. David is the very rare individual who has survived both pancreatic and prostate cancer and we’re delighted to see him back; Dee House introduced her good friend Sylvia Herbert- they both participated in the recent Passion for Fashion event to benefit the St. Peter’s Thrift Store. Of course we had our resident regular- Ole Prahm.
Philippe Lamoise sporting a hat that was a gift from Rotarians in India
Philippe Lamoise expanded the talk he gave at the recent District Foundation Seminar on the Gamru Village School, a project he’s been involved with for over 15 years. Gamru Village School is located in Dharamsala in the Himachal Pradesh region of India. The area gained fame for its monastery, where the Dalai Lama lives in exile from Tibet. It’s also home to many Tibetan refugees, which brings attention to the region, but many donations go to support the refugees while few funds go to the locals.
Chili & Quackers Chair Matt Kurth with Bronze-level sponsors Jim and Kathy McClellan
The Line of Succession: Vice President Dugan Lamoise, Past President Don Fipps, President-Elect Sharon Schendel and Current President Brett Mattei
Beth Westburg, Garrie Rhodes, Sharyn Daly and Mary Alice and Marty Peters (along with Reid Westburg in the back) enjoy the potluck food
Janice Kurth with Chili & Quackers hot dog grill master Reid Westburg
Robert Muller and Dee House with Miles Fleming
Some of you may have seen this bit on the club website. Unfortunately, I forgot to include it in the newsletter last week, so here it is now!
Thank you to Matt and Janice Kurth for hosting an Open House for everyone who helped make the recent Chili & Quackers “friendraiser” such a success. Matt in particular went beyond the call- chairing the event just one week before his daughter’s wedding.
Celebrating Another Successful Chili & Quackers
Dugan and Philippe Lamoise receive recognition from PDG Marge Cole for becoming Level 3 Bequest Society members (with PDG Janice Kurth and current DG Marta Knight)
PDG Janice Kurth speaks about the importance of supporting the Rotary Foundation
PDG Scott Carr congratulates current DG Marta Knight on becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society
San Pasqual High School SuperNurds robotics team (with faculty advisor Yun Lutgen, far right) demonstrate the skills of their latest robot
Rotarians from across District 5340 gathered at the Institute of the Americas at UCSD to learn about different community and international club projects, hear from Peace Scholars, and thank those whose generous donations to their clubs and Rotary International help make these projects possible.
Past Rotary Foundation Trustee Steve Brown remembered the five Past District Governors (PDGs) we lost in the past year: Bob Tomko (PDG ’68-’69), Jack Mayo (PDG ’92-’93), Larry Scott (PDG ’02-’03), Dave Breeding (PDG ’10-’11), and, most recently, Wayne Cusick (PDG ’96-’97). All of these PDGs made important contributions to the District, and Wayne founded the Paul Harris Society (PHS). PHS members now provide nearly 1/3 of annual donations to Rotary International.
PDG Scott Carr recognized current District Governor Marta Knight as one of our newest Paul Harris Society members. PDG Janice Kurth explained that the apples scattered around (including on the podium) represented importance of continued giving- gifts made now plant the seeds for future Rotary successes. This point was echoed by PDG Pam Russell, who outlined options for Legacy Giving, including the Bequest Society. Pam recognized Dugan and PDG Philippe Lamoise as Bequest Society Level 3 donors.
Rotary Peace FellowBogdan Matuszynskispoke about the training he received as a fellow in Peace and Conflict Resolution and his founding of iSERVE, an organization that uses education and mentorship to promote the idea of global citizenship. Philippe Lamoise spoke about the Gamru Village School (see separate story for November 14, 2019 meeting) and Al Chalfant from Old Mission Rotary Club covered the support his club gives to the Thousand Smiles Clinic.
The UCSD Rotaract Club was represented by Kaeley O’Shea who explained what a WAPI is (water pasteurization indicator) and WAPI-making projects they hosted to produce WAPIs for use in Africa. Yun Lutgen, a math teacher at San Pasqual High School, introduced her SuperNURDs (Never Underestimate Robotic Domination) Robotics Team, sponsored by Rotary Club of Escondido- and the team members spoke about what the team has meant to them (for many, a change of career path).
The 46th Annual Rotary District 5340 Foundation Seminar
Don Fipps looking at the rescue dive gear with Del Mar Lifeguard Tyler Grant
Del Mar Lifeguards Tyler Grant and Scott Henson didn’t have too far to walk to join us at the Powerhouse Park pavilion to thank us again for the dive gear that we donated.
Ed Siegel is really happy to be performing on the American Queen cruise ship as it plies the Mississippi river between New Orleans and Memphis; Ryan Riell is really happy about his latest listings and closing; Jim Watkins is double happy about that plans for the bluff-top resort north of Dog Beach will go to the voters on the March 2020 ballot; Marty Peters was double happy that skin doctors take the “pound of flesh” (almost) literally; Nina Wright is happy to have adopted a Tibetan Terrier mix who is adjusting to his new life beautifully; and Klaus Gubernator was double happy that the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust documents came to him just in time to make the filing deadline.
For our November 21, 2019 meeting we'll again gather at Powerhouse Park while St. Peter's is hosting the Interfaith Shelter. Free on-street parking is available north of the Del Mar Motel or park in the St. Peter's lot (be sure to display your parking pass) and walk to the park.
All members are welcome to attend our monthly Board of Directors meetings, held in the Youth Room of St. Peter’s. This month’s meeting will be held Tuesday November 19, 2019 at 7:30 AM and will last no more than one hour. Red Badgers need to attend one Board meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday November 19, 2019
Bonnie and Krishna Arora showing their gear for a successful Camino de Santiago
Jim and I were excited to meet with fellow Rotarians and their friends and spouses at the home of Bonnie and Krishna Arora, members of the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, to start preparing for our first walk on The Camino de Santiago. We’ll have experienced guides through Spanish Steps, not to mention Bonnie and Krishna, who’ve walked the Camino 13 times via various routes. All profits from this walk will go to support RC La Jolla Golden Triangle projects.
The 46th annual District 5340 Foundation Seminar will be on November 9, 2019 from 8:30 to noon at UCSD Institute of the Americas. Come a bit early to get a free flu shot before the main program begins. The District Seminar provides a great opportunity to hear about the many projects that clubs all over the district are undertaking. Click here to register.
Janice Kurth and Dee House study the vegetarian options
Ronnie working the front desk
Thank you to Pat Dougherty for sponsoring our lunch on Halloween (Flavor Chef was away in Las Vegas for a large event). Within minutes of being asked, Pat had secured a dozen pizzas of all varieties and four trays of salad along with fantastic dough knots from Pizza Nova. Thank you to Pat and to all those who came early and stayed late to set up and break down the tables and chairs. Thanks as well to those who came in costume!
Dr. Todd Morgan, DMD, ABDSM joined our October 31 meeting to talk about his work with sleep apnea patients. Dr. Morgan grew up in El Cajon, and after studying dentistry at Washington University dental school, returned to the San Diego area to practice. His interest shifted from traditional dentistry to sleep medicine and the importance that having good quality sleep can have on overall health. Dr. Morgan focuses on use of Oral Appliance Therapy that involves custom-made devices that are similar to a retainer or athletic mouth-guard. The appliance helps pull the lower jaw forward to open the airway to increase airflow. For many patients, this simple treatment is sufficient to resolve sleep apnea and snoring. Dr. Morgan has other approaches that help patients increase muscle tone to enhance airway function.
Matt and Janice Kurth will host an Open House at their home Sunday November 10 from 4-8 PM. RSVP to Matt at mckurth@yahoo.com and bring a dish to share.
Rotary Club 33 hosted a reception on the patio in front of Cygnet Theatre for the first of five Rotary Nights at Cygnet. The theatre is currently staging “The Last Five Years”, a play by Jason Robert Brown, who also wrote the Tony award-winning “Bridges of Madison County”. The play focuses on the marriage of Jamie (played by Michael Louis Cusimano) and Cathy (played by Racquel Williams)- he a successful author and she a struggling actress- and the challenges that their different career trajectories bring to their marriage. Both actors are onstage for the entire play yet intersect only once. The show runs through November 17 and members of the Cygnet Theatre will be our featured presentation at our November 14 meeting.
For every ticket purchased on Rotary Nights, Cygnet Theatre will donate $10 of the ticket price to their youth theatre projects. The next Rotary night will be Friday December 6 for “A Christmas Carol”.
Molly Stone, Facilities and Operations Manager for St. Peter’s stepped in on behalf of organizer Chis Grobin to put out a call for volunteers to serve when St. Peter’s hosts this year’s Interfaith Shelter November 10-24 at Parish Hall. The rotating Interfaith Shelter visits churches around the San Diego community and at St. Peter’s will house up to 12 individuals or families who find themselves without a home. Many shelter guests are professionals who’ve lost their home due to foreclosure, job loss, or loss of income due to illness. The Interfaith Shelter is managed by the Community Resource Center, which also helps participants access the resources they need to get back on track. This year marks the 33nd year that St. Peter’s has hosted the shelter.
Volunteers are needed to serve 4 hour morning and afternoon shifts, or to spend the night as an overnight host. Email Chis at grobanac@gmail.com to volunteer.
Wayne and LeAnn Cusick with Rotary Foundation trustee Wilfred Wilkinson
Marty Peters expressed his fond remembrance of one of his Rotary mentors, Past District Governor Wayne Cusick, who passed away October 30. He was 76 years-old Wayne had the idea for the first Paul Harris Society that was launched at the District 5340 Foundation Seminar when Marty was District Governor (RY 1997-1998). The idea was simple: create a special level of recognition for Rotarians and friends who pledge to contribute at least $1,000 annually to the Rotary Foundation. Now the Society has over 25,000 members worldwide and has raised over $30 million dollars to support RI projects. Services will be handled by El Camino Memorial in Sorrento Valley and information is forthcoming. An online guestbook is available for condolences.
Foundation Chair Matt Kurth congratulates Chandra Collure on being a Paul Harris Fellow + 1
Congratulations to Chandra Collure on his Paul Harris Fellow + 1. Make your annual pledges to Rotary International to get yourself a bit closer to your next Paul Harris Fellow.
Tony Villasenor was happy that yet another San Diego State Aztec was named MVP- this time Stephen Strasburg for his pitching in the World Series (on the heels of Kawhi Leonard for the NBA); Matt Kurth was Super Happy to have his daughter married; Garrie Rhodes was happy to have Halloween as her one day a year to dress like a witch and have long hair; Brett Mattei was really happy to have returned from Calgary as part of his adjunct teaching for University of San Diego.
Scholarships, RYLA, LEAD, Interact and Rotaract, Eagle Scouts, Model UN, Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club- all activities that the Youth Services Committee, chaired by Larry Cook, contributes to each year. Our club sponsors Interact clubs at three high schools: Cathedral Catholic, Sunset and Torrey Pines High School in addition to the Rotaract Club at University of San Diego. Klaus Gubernator is chief advisor for our teams participating as delegates to the District 5340 Model United Nations. In Model UN, teams of two students study a resolution, which is debated and amended at the district-wide conference held in early spring. For RYLA 2019, Don Fipps, Sharon Schendel and Chris Stewart attended as facilitators and we sponsored six high juniors to attend. Chris Stewart led mindfulness and meditation workshops at the recent Lead conference for eight graders held at Camp Cuyamaca. We sponsor Eagle Scout projects for Boy Scout Troop 713, which this year added nine female members. The Youth Committee disbursed around $10,000 in scholarships to students in the area and is looking forward to continuing its sponsorship of young instrumentalists in the District 5340 music competition in February. Garrie Rhodes leads our contest and asks that we encourage any high school-aged instrumentalists to enter.
Author Andra Watkins with one of the many pictures she took along the Natchez Trace
Andra Watkins, author of several books that have appeared on the New York Times best seller list (and a Rotarian), began with a dream to be an actress. Her family reacted with horror at that aspiration, so she took a safer path to be an accountant. She left that job in 2008 to form her own consulting business, which was doing well until the 2009- a year in which she saw the economy crash, her business fail, and the first digit of her age change to a 4.
That year, Andra was inspired by Stephen Ambrose’s book “Undaunted Courage”, a biography of Merriweather Lewis, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition who was eventually governor of the Louisiana Territory. Andra wanted to write a novel starring Lewis. Again, her family was doubtful and thought she should get a real job- writing was just a hobby. But her husband was in her corner and supported her efforts to write the book.
Book written, Andra went to launch it, but had trouble convincing any agents that the book would have broad appeal. She hatched the idea of walking the Natchez Trace, a 10,000 year old path first forged by animals that later became a road. But the Trace now is not designed to be walked- she need a wingman. Friends declined, and expressed skepticism given their assessment that Andra had minimal athletic inclination.
On March 1, 2014, she began her journey, with the goal to reach Nashville on April 3, 2019, when author Ann Patchett, owner of the independent bookstore, Parnassus Books, agreed to host Andra and publicize her book. On the third day, the weather was 20˚ and sleeting. By the second week she was in agony with every step, but the physical didn’t compare with the mental challenge of being with her eventual wingman- her 80 year-old father. At mile post 135, her dad forgot to come pick her up. A few days later, around mile post 160 she was violently ill with intestinal distress and hadonly three squares of toilet paper left (the Trace has few facilities within a mile of the route)- she resorted to Gatorade for the clean up job.
At one point during her walk, she collapsed in a field and laid there, exhausted. So focused was she on the misery and the agony, that at least 15 minutes passed before she realized that she was surrounded by thousands of daffodils. The experience in the field taught her that we’re often too focused on the minor pains of life to notice the amazing in the every day.
Andra Watkins Turning "I Wish I Had" to "I'm Glad I Did"
Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio (that's the atomic structure of the polio virus to the left)
Forty years ago, Rotary International began in earnest its campaign to eradicate polio and in 1985 launched PolioPlus to provide polio vaccines and disease surveillance to children across the world. In 1988, Rotary was the leading partner in the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a global consortium that brings together efforts of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In the last 30 years, the incidence of polio decreased by 99.9%, from around 350,000 case to just 33 cases of wild poliovirus in 2018.
On World Polio Day 2019, wild polio virus Type 3 (WPV3) was declared to be eradicated. There are three immunologically distinct wild polio types, 1, 2 and 3. Although the disease caused these three virus types is similar, the immune system responds differently to each type, so each must be eradicated. Only wild polio virus 1 remains, and only in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
This past summer, Rotary International pledged to fund $100 million in grants to make the final push to eradicate this disease. In particular, funding will focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan, where children remain vulnerable to infection.
Past District Governor Marty Peters had the idea in 1998 of printing a bumper sticker to raise awareness about Rotary’s efforts against polio. Some 400,000 have since been sold, with all funds going to the PolioPlus fund. Marty continues to dispatch bumper stickers to those who request them through our website.
Enjoying food and drink at Viewpoint Brewing Company (clockwise l to r): Jeff Matthews, Val Myers, Keith Ward, Karl and Suzy Wagner, Don and Donna Fipps
Healthy and not- watermelon and petipa salad with truffle fries
A small crowd (was it competition with the first game of the World Series? The odd time that Sharon put on the club website?) came to Viewpoint Brewing Company to enjoy craft beers and great food while looking out over the San Dieguito lagoon. The social was our chance to thank Viewpoint Brewing Company for providing beer and entering a chili in the recent Chili & Quackers Challenge.
Socializing With a View at Viewpoint Brewing Company
World Polio Day is October 24, which this year fell on a Thursday. In honor of the day we passed round the “Pennies for Polio” jar that District Governor Marta Knight presented to the club when she visited in September. Club members contributed nearly $180 that will be given to the PolioPlus fund. If you’d like to donate to Rotary International efforts to rid the world of polio, click here.
Pete and Jan Grossnickle with Karin and Jim Davies
Jan Grossnickle, our speaker at the October 17, 2019 meeting, has been a RN for over 50 years. She said that she’s done all kinds of nursing, but her current position with the Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA) has been her favorite.
San Diego County has the fourth largest homeless population in the nation. The latest Regional Task Force Survey on the Homeless found that over 8,000 individuals in the County were homeless and of these, nearly 4,500 were classified as unsheltered. High rents and stagnant wages in particular have contributed to the increase in the homeless population in our region over the past decade. The fastest growing sector of this population is the elderly, many of whom lost savings in the 2008 recession and are unable to work or have difficulty finding work.
Jan said that the homeless population is more likely to have chronic illness than the general population, and access to healthcare for these individuals is particularly challenging. She works with CCSA, which was founded in 1972 by a group of churches to serve low income individuals living in the San Diego region. In 2018, the CCSA provided assistance for over 30,00 clients and distributed over $1 million in food as well as over 60,000 clothing items. CCSA has two facilities in Pacific Beach and Claremont. Both sites provide food, clothing and referrals to social service agencies. The Pacific Beach site, where Jan works, also houses a Nurse’s Clinic where clients can be assessed, receive first aid, medical referrals and other support.
Jan and her colleagues at the CCSA Pacific Beach branch are one part nurse, one part social worker and one part cheerleader. In all interaction with their clients, the CCSA nurses exude respect, which can counteract one of the largest problems of the homeless: feeling isolated.
Clients can receive help with problem solving and goal setting, advocacy with health care providers, assistance in applying for benefits and health insurance program enrollment, but most of all, Jan and the other CCSA nurses provide hugs and reassurance that are critical for the clients to transition to independence and self-sufficiency.
Helping the Homeless and Housing Insecure in San Diego
Join fellow Rotarians for evenings at the Cygnet Theatre. Attend one or all of the upcoming Friday night performances and $10 of the ticket price will be donated to support in-school theatre workshops and student matinee performances sponsored by Cygnet Theatre. Rotarians are always early, so take advantage of the time by enjoying the Theatre on Tap beer event one hour before curtain time and stay late to talk with the cast and director about the performance. Visit cygnettheatre.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
We’ll hold our October social Tuesday October 22, 2019 from 5-7 PM at Viewpoint Brewing Company, located just after the roundabout on Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Viewpoint Brewing Company has been a strong supporter of the club, contributing their brews at the Sunset Soiree, and both beer and chili to our Chili & Quackers. As always, please bring relatives, friends, and guests who might like to learn more about Rotary.
Club Social on October 22 at Viewpoint Brewing Company
Marty Peters delivered a hat to Karl Wagner from the San Diego Blood Bank in thanks for all his efforts with the blood drives
Don Fipps was really happy to be voted best chili for the second year running at Chili & Quackers; Ole Prahm is happy to be welcomed so warmly at our club; Marty Peters was double happy that Notre Dame won and to educate his granddaughter on what the Notre Dame grotto is. Marty also presented Karl Wagner with his own hat to celebrate the work that he does on behalf of the San Diego Blood Bank; Mark Matthess is happy to be back at a meeting after a few weeks’ absence.
Congratulations to our Rotarian of the Month for September, Kathy Reed. Kathy is our treasurer- one of the most important positions in the club. Kathy ensures that our club finances are in order, that billings are up to date and funds are transferred to our projects. In addition to her treasurer duties, Kathy also arranged for embroidered shirts and caps for our clubs. Thank you, Kathy!
At our October 17, 2019 meeting we welcomed: Pete Grossnickle, husband of our speaker Jan Grossnickle and good friend to Jim and Karin Davies. The Grossnickles also taught the Davies sailing and are strong supporters of our Sunset Soiree (and beneficiaries of the Lamoise’s gastrofest); our regular visitor Ole Prahm; Katherine Zacharias, a member of Rotary Club Encinitas Coastal who’s making up a meeting;Nina Wrightof Coldwell Banker; Rory Cohen who was attending his first Rotary meeting ever; Amy Caterina who works in biotech communications and is advocating for lymphedema patients through efforts to support the Lymphedema Treatment Act that seeks to ensure fair and consistent insurance coverage for lymphedema patients; and Jake Owens, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, who Marty Peters invited as his guest.
The weather was perfect on Saturday October 12, 2019 for the 8th annual Chili & Quackers Challenge. We had all different chilis of all varieties- from mild to spicy, white to red, and chunky to smooth- even vegetarian and vegan chilis. This year we even had dessert in the form of a giant cookie donated by U-Touch, one of our partners on an international grant that brings digital literacy to students in Uganda. Thank you to Rotary Club of Del Mar Solana Beach for loan of the canopies that provided our chili cooks with much-needed shade.
The Del Mar Lifeguards also played a big role. They had on display their surf rescue equipment (some of the dive gear was funded by our club) and gave a demonstration of a surf rescue- Don Fipps again played a swimmer in distress. At around 3:30 the Lifeguards loaded more than 1,000 ducks into their surf rescue boat and piloted them to the surf line for launch. The ducks all found their way to shore quickly and everyone on the beach (and even one doodle) helped us ensure that all our ducks got back home safely.
All attendees who purchased chili tastes were invited to vote for their favorite recipe. The overall winner was Don Fipps with his waterless IPA Chili and Chef Pedro of Flavor Chef took home honors for the professional division. Haley Merkel’s vegan Chil-E was voted best vegetarian chili.
Special thanks go to organizer Matt Kurth, for all his work on all aspects of the event, all our chili chefs, Philippe Lamoise for spearheading the online duck and chili sales and providing smooth check-in and registration; Beth Westburg and her husband Reid for coordinating the hot dogs and other food; Keith and Jeanie Ward for staffing the registration desk; Dugan Moore Lamoise for coordinating members of Boy Scout Troop 713, who provided all sorts of help, John Baranowski for serving as MC, Val Myers for coordinating the prizes and counting the votes (thanks as well to members of her State Farm office for helping serve chili), Miles Fleming for transporting the ducks, Sharyn Daly for handling the rentals and the Sno-Cone booth, Chandra Collure for making sure the propane kept flowing, Garrie Rhodes, for staffing the drink tent, Tony Villasenor for help with event break-down, Jim Brunner with Minuteman Press helped produce the banners and other event signage and Dee House for help coordinating volunteers. Thank you as well to everyone who attended the event!
Our event sponsors provided critical support. Thank you to Janice and Matt Kurth, Philippe and Dugan Lamoise, Marty Peters, who all donated at the Platinum level; Dan Smargon and Monty Woolley for donating at the Silver level, and Kathy and Bill Dougherty, Jim McClellan, Val Myers, and Ole Prahm, who all donated at the Bronze Level.
This “friendraiser” is a way for our club to give back to the community and to raise the visibility of Rotary and our many projects, both local and international. Please see our Facebook page or the Club’s website for more photos. Visit the Google photo album to download any you like and please share any photos you have!
No Lack of Quacks at Chili & Quackers Challenge
All members are welcome to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings, held in the Youth Room of St. Peter’s. This month’s meeting will be held Tuesday October 15, 2019 at 7:30 AM and will last around one hour. Red Badgers need to attend one Board meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
Remember that there will be no meeting on Thursday October 10 in advance of our Chili & Quackers Challenge on Saturday October 12 from Noon to 4. There are plenty of ways to help- starting with making advance purchase of ducks at http://www.chiliandquackers.org. Event Chair Matt Kurth reports that the odds of winning are currently quite high? If you're on social media, share our Dugan Moore Lamoise's recent Facebook posts, and post the event on Nextdoor or related sites (Email me at slschendel@gmail.com if you need pictures and text).
Parking will be available at the old train station (see picture and be sure to enter the lot from the south) on a first come, first serve basis. Email Matt (Matt@mattkurth.com) or Dee House (deehouse@juno.com) to find out ways that you can help with the event, and please be sure to invite your friends and family to attend. Quack on!
Paddling standing and seated with dogs after helping serve beef sandwiches with Lakeland Rotarians at Beef-A-Rama
Even Moses had a beef roast- cooked in his own fatted calf- entered in the Beef-A-Rama
In addition to getting in the last paddles of the season, I helped at the 2019 Beef-A-Rama Rotary Beer Garden in Minocqua, Wisconsin. I hadn’t planned to volunteer this year, but a chance meeting with PDG Sue Morris (District 6220) at PJ’s Burger Barn roped me in. Members of the Lakeland Noon Rotary are fortunate in their fundraisers- selling beer and beef in Wisconsin is simple! I worked the beef sandwich line- we served more than 500 pounds of beef brisket in around three hours. Proceeds from the Beef-A-Rama Beer Garden, together with those from the Lakeland Sunrise Rotary’s Rump Roast Run, go to fund the club’s many projects, including their very active youth exchange program.
Kevin O’Beirne of San Diego Gas & Electric spoke at our October 3, 2019 meeting about the ways that SDGE is working to keep pace with the growing energy demands of San Diego county. The setting was fitting- the building that now houses eMolecules has been open for less than one year and represents the growth in both infrastructure and population that SDGE must service.
As the population of San Diego county grew by more than 10-fold in the past 70 years, so did the need for energy, particularly with the expansion of the list of items that require power. The region was originally serviced by the South Bay and Carlsbad Encina power plants as well as the San Onofre Nuclear plant, with supplements from peaker plants. Now power supplies are more varied and draw on a broader range of energy sources including natural gas, wind and solar. SDGE even installed what is now the second largest lithium ion battery storage facility involving 400,000 batteries that store up to 120 mW hours of energy that can service 20,000 homes for four hours.
Despite these improvements, the county’s energy infrastructure, particularly that which supplies natural gas, is aging. One of the main gas pipelines in San Diego was first laid in the 1940s when fewer then 300,00 people lived in the county. Meanwhile, over 90% of natural gas supplies originate outside California, with most gas delivered from Texas or Oklahoma via pipeline to storage fields located around Los Angeles. Following the natural gas pipeline failure in San Bruno that claimed the lives of 8 people, energy providers now must increase the safety and reliability of natural gas infrastructure. In response to California Public Utility Commission mandates, SDGE is created the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program (PSEP) and the Pipeline Safety and Reliability Program (PSRP) that will ensure safe and reliable supplies of natural gas to meet energy demands.
As part of the PSEP, more than 20 miles of pipeline around San Diego have been replaced and over the next five years more than 37 miles in both populated and rural areas will be replaced. Existing pipeline will be subjected with strength testing while new pipelines will have multiple safety features including warning mesh to protect against damage from digging and fiber optic cables that enable remote real time monitoring. The pipe itself will be thoroughly tested prior to installation and will be constructed of stronger materials that are resistant to corrosion.
All of these actions are needed to allow SDGE to continue to safely and reliably satisfy the energy needs of the San Diego region, both today in the future.
Nancy Stoke of Rotary Club of Torrey Pines for the Care n' Share Toy Drive
Over the past 10 years, the Care n’ Share Toy Drive has provided more than 100,000 new and gently used stuffed animals to children around San Diego county. Rotary Club of Torrey Pines has been a sponsor of this effort and RC Torrey Pines member (and purchaser of Jim Davies’s treasured sourdough bread starter at our Sunset Soiree) Nancy Stoke attended our October 3, 2019 meeting to ask for help in transferring the project to another Rotary club. Please contact Nancy if you’d like to learn more about this project.
Mel Gallegos presents Don Fipps with a certificate in recognition of our Rotary Citation with Silver Distinction
Immediate Past District Governor Mel Gallegos is visiting all the clubs that earned Rotary Citations during his Rotary Year. During his Rotary Year 2018-2019, President Don Fipps steered the club to a Rotary Citation with Silver Distinction, meaning that the club fulfilled its goals and did a bit extra.
20 gallon donor Marty Peters with Claudine van Gonka of San Diego Blood Bank
Claudine Van Gonka, Communications Manager for the San Diego Blood Bank, joined our meeting with a 10 gallon hat to present to Marty Peters, who just reached a significant milestone: he’s donated 20 gallons (that’s 160 pints) to the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB). Somehow they missed getting a hat to Marty when he reached 10 gallon mark, when the hats typically are bestowed. SDBB estimates that each pint donated can help save the life of three people, so Marty’s donations have helped nearly 500 people. If you missed the most recent blood drive, you can always make an appointment to donate at one of several SDBB locations around the community.
Ten Gallon Hat for Twenty Gallons from Marty Peters
Ongoing construction complicated access to our usual St. Peter’s venue, so Klaus Gubernator generously offered a conference room at the new offices of the company he founded, eMolecules. CEO Niko Gubernator described how eMolecules serves as a platform to help researchers find the chemical reagents they need to fuel drug discovery. eMolecules also recently launched a foundation to help provide treatment options for a range of neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people globally but are not the target of pharmaceutical industry efforts due to low return on investment. In partnership with Novartis, eMolecules already demonstrated success in this research area through the development of GNF179, a potential treatment for malaria that is already in the late stages of clinical testing.
Our Rotary Superhero Donna Fipps (left, with Emerald) with District Governor Marta Knight
At each club, Marta Knight presents a Rotary Superhero award to one member who works largely behind the scene and can always be counted on. Our Superhero is Donna Fipps. As Club Secretary, Donna works to ensure that our member information is current and correct and that members have the resources they need. Donna has a flair for design that we all enjoy at member events- from beautiful cookies at the holiday party, to the gift card tree at the Soiree, to name tags at club events, Donna’s many talents are evident. We also love to have her Canine Companions for Independence puppies in training join our meetings.
District Governor Marta Knight (right) with Assistant District Governor Susie Callahan (left) and President Brett Mattei (center)
District Governor Marta Knight was our special guest at the September 26, 2019 meeting. She asked us to consider our Rotary “Aha” moment- the moment when we realized that Rotary was an important part of our lives. Marta’s “Aha” moment came as she was preparing to become president of her club, Rotary Club of Chula Vista Sunrise and was attending the Rotary International Convention held in Los Angeles in June 2008. In the convention hall she saw thousands of Rotarians from across the globe and listened to the Rotary International President speak about how Rotary allowed ordinary people to do extraordinary things. As she watched the parade of flags from each country in which Rotary had a presence Marta realized: this is my Rotary family!
Marta is a third generation Rotarian. Her grandfather was a founding member of a Rotary club in Mazatlán, Mexico and her father, Dr. Adalberto Rojo, a radiologist, served as District Governor for District 4100 twice, once for Rotary Year 1957-58 and again in 1972 when he stepped in for a District Governor Elect who died suddenly shortly before beginning his term. Marta tells people that her father was so devoted to Rotary that if there had been Rotary diapers, she would have worn them.
As team leader of Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange that traveled to Ecuador for one month, Marta lived her “Aha” moment. She saw a “mechanical cow” funded by a Global Grant secured by her club and Rotary Club of La Mesa that provided much-needed nutrition to local children and their families. Rotary logos marked bathroom facilities for one of the schools they visited. At all schools they brought the children pencils and sharpeners. Marta said the children were fascinated by the sharpeners, and at one school, a young boy demonstrated how they used to use a knife to sharpen their pencils. Examples of the ordinary becoming extraordinary.
For her Rotary Year, Marta’s main goal follows that of Rotary International President Mark Maloney: Grow Rotary. She challenged each club to find community-minded people who are passionate and fun, and practical and resourceful to join us in helping Rotary fulfill its mission. But most of all, Marta wants Rotarians to have fun while working together to make good things happen.
Please remember to make your annual contribution to the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust. This contribution is tax-deductible and is vital to ensure that we have sufficient funds to support our many projects. All checks should be made payable to “Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust” and can be given to Klaus Gubernator. Please complete this pledge form to remit with your check. Don't forget to make your pledge to Rotary International as well!
Randy Willoughby, University of San Diego Professor of Political Science an International Relations
Randy Willoughby, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at University of San Diego kindly stepped in on short notice to speak at our September 19, 2019 meeting about the how single member districts and proportional representation systems differ and how they affect a country’s political activities. In Single Member Districts, single votes are cast and the candidate with the most votes wins. In countries with Proportional Representation, votes can translate into seats in a government body. In this system, which is used in Germany, small parties can have big leverage, as evidence by the emergence of the Alternative for Germany party (AfD).
With our many international projects, Karin Davies and her International Service Committee have a big job on their hands. However, all of these projects embody the current year’st: Rotary Connects the World and began with a Rotarian seeing a need, connecting with other Rotarians, and together devising a way to meet that need.
Marty Peters met an incoming District Governor for Russia who was in San Diego for training that planted the seed for District Grant P-3001 that supplies winter coats, shoes and other personal needs to refugees returning to Grozny in Chechnya. This project now includes seven other clubs. Participation in a Rotary Polio vaccination campaign led Dugan Moore Lamoise to see the needs of students at the village school in Gamru, India, which began District Grant P-2973 that provides funds for a free education and school furniture.
Janice Kurth met Irene, a young woman from Ghana, who established a foundation when she was 23 years-old to help local single mothers. Irene used funds from her bead shop to fund the foundation and Janice helper her get a Rotary International scholarship to study journalism in San Diego. Unfortunately, visa problems prevented Irene from carrying out her studies, but this connection was the basis for District Grant P-2951 that helps Irene’s foundation carry out its mission to provide single mothers with support.
Miles Fleming participated in Hope Without Borders to supply backpacks and school uniforms to disadvantaged schoolchildren in Mexico, and from this became involved in Global Grant G-1579 that seeks to provide clean water to residents in Baja, California.
Through the Project Fair at the 2019 District Conference, Dugan Moore Lamoise began a collaboration with members of the Rotary Club of Tijuana Oeste for the Global Grant G-1928 Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children that brings dental care to children living on the outskirts of Tijuana.
Last, Karin touched on her own project, an extension of Saving Babies Lives in Ethiopia (G-815), called Safe Deliveries for Mothers and Children (G-2009) that will provide Gondar Hospital with sterilization equipment that is vital for ensuring safe deliveries and supplies for obstetrical surgeries.
Brett Mattei was really happy to join with the SURF Fellowship to help autistic kids experience surfing; Klaus Gubernator was happy to report that, in response to Brett’s “Our World in Data” blurb about patents held by the United States, that Samsung, rather than IBM, is now the company that holds the most patents; Vickie Barks was happy that the kitten that stowed away in her car is now a happy and healthy member of her household; Tony Villasenor was really happy that his daughter is on her way to University of Oregon, despite a slight (4 hour) delay in the tarmac as a member of the Executive Branch of the United States Government paid downtown San Diego a visit; Suzy Wagner was happy for another good turnout for our recent social at Americana (mark your calendars for the October social, October 22 at Viewpoint Brewing Company); Marty Peters was happy to have played Spyglass at Pebble Beach.
Emerald V- Donna Fipps's newest CCI Puppy in Training
Jim King welcomed his daughter Nancy King, who is in from Atlanta where she works as a criminal defense attorney; Ole Prahm and Jim Brunner were of course also in attendance. Also welcome to Donna’s newest CCI puppy, Emerald V.
Patty Kurtz and Scott MacDonald enjoying the view from The Landing at Petco Park
St. Peter’s Parish Hall was dark on Thursday September 12 as we held our meeting at Petco Park to watch the Padres play (and beat) the Cubs. We had a great turnout with nearly 30 members and friends enjoying the view from The Landing just below the giant scoreboard. Visit the album at our website or click here to download (or upload) any you like.
The September 12, 2019 meeting will be at Petco Park. We’ll watch the Padres Play the Cubs- first pitch is at 12:40 PM, but the gates open just after 11 AM so arrive early to get a good seat, watch batting practice and socialize while enjoying the buffet. We’ve reserved part of The Landing at Petco, which is located just under the big scoreboard (see photo and attached map). Tickets were reserved and distributed in advance, but at the September 5, 2019 meeting there were a few tickets available. Email Chandra Collure to purchase or retrieve a reserved ticket. Photo credit Matt Hoffman, KPBS.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame for the September 12 Meeting
Enjoying the art at Del Mar Art Center Gallery (from l to r) Karl and Suzy Wagner, Jim Watkins, Kelly and Tony Villasenor, Sharon Schendel
Our club is proud to sponsor the Del Mar Art Center (DMAC) Gallery, which recently relocated to a new at 1101 Camino Del Mar, just across the street from the new Del Mar Civic Center. The DMAC Summer Sizzle on September 7, 2019 featured some of the over 30 artists who are part of DMAC and gave visitors the chance to talk with the artists about their work. A variety of art including watercolors, photography, fused glass, and jewelry is available for purchase at the Gallery. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday from 12-5 and on Saturdays the Gallery is open late, until 8 PM. Stop in soon!
Assistant District Governor John Morris and his wife, Past District Governor Sue Morris of Lakeland Noon Rotary in Minocqua
Lakeland Noon Rotarians Paul Rohner and Andy Gee
The Lakeland Noon Rotary Club in Minocqua, Wisconsin wasted little time in acting on President Mark Maloney’s directive to grow membership. In late August they hosted a gathering at the Northern Waters Distillery in Minocqua to give members of the community the opportunity to meet Rotarians and learn about club projects. Past District Governor of District 6220 Sue Morris and her husband Assistant District Governor led the program, which focused on the District’s very active participation in Rotary Youth Exchange. This noontime club has flexible meeting times: they meet three times per month, two at noon and one in the early evening to accommodate different schedules. Also in attendance was Realtor Andy Gee, who helped my family find a dream lake house. Two of the great things about Rotary- being welcomed at clubs across the world and a resource to find talented and reputable professionals to do business with.
Rick Schwartz, Ambassador for the San Diego Zoo, began his presentation at the September 5, 2019 meeting with some history. In 1915 while driving past the grounds of the 1914-1915 Panama Exposition Dr. Harry Wegeforth heard a lion’s roar- the sound of one of many animals left behind when the Exposition ended. The roar inspired him to follow a lifelong passion for animals and start a zoo in San Diego. In 1916 Dr. Wegeforth founded the San Diego Zoological Society, which still exists today to support the zoo’s activities.
The San Diego Zoo has always been innovative. Dr. Wegeforth wanted the zoo’s animals to do what they do in the wild, so rather than cages he designed enclosures with moats that kept the animals safely confined. That innovation carried through with Dr. Charles Schroeder, the zoo’s first full-time veterinarian. Dr. Schroeder’s philosophy was that continuing to populate zoos with animals taken from the wild was unsustainable. As early as the 1950’s Dr. Schroeder envisioned a facility where animals had room to roam, and to breed, which culminated in the Wild Animal Park in the San Pasqual Valley. Schwartz said that Dr. Schroeder even made plans to have a monorail that eventually followed the path plotted by Dr. Schroeder.
Now, the San Diego Zoo is carrying out its mission: “Ending Extinction”. Evidence of their efforts is Edward, a southern white rhino born to Victoria. Edward was conceived using artificial insemination- the first successful birth in North America. The Zoo is using this success to learn about rhino reproduction in hopes to gain more knowledge that can be applied to the northern white rhino, of which there are only two females remaining in the world. Through the zoo’s work, fewer species will face extinction.
Our club website is now headed by a link to the site for duck and chili ticket purchases. You can also visit https://www.chiliandquackers.org/ directly to pre-purchase ducks, chili tastes, and, if you’ve been envying the chapeau Matt Kurth sports at meetings, your very own duck hat. Chili & Quackers planning is ongoing, so watch for the next bi-monthly meeting to learn how you can get involved to make our annual “friendraiser” a success.
As part of the Red to Blue Badge transition, Beth Westburg gave her “Who am I?” presentation at the September 5, 2019 meeting. Beth is a native San Diegan (she’s a “Sharp Baby”) and attended Grossmont College and San Diego State University to graduate with a major in Finance and a minor in Accounting. She began her career as a loan officer at San Diego Trust and Savings before moving to LA to take a position with TRW as a business analyst. With the economic downturn in the late ‘80s she returned to San Diego to work with Dole Foods as well as National Medical Enterprises.
By the 90’s Beth was working as a mortgage broker and realtor in Manhattan Beach when her father asked her to consider returning to San Diego to take over his financial planning business. Beth and her sister agreed to run the business, now known as LS (for Lipman Sisters) Investment Management, which provides services for a range of clients. Beth works from home and she and her husband Rich are parents to David (22) and Mark (18), who is just starting at The Ohio State University, and are the persons for a yorkiepoo and cattle dog mix. She has already gotten involved in multiple club projects, including the upcoming Chili & Quackers. Beth is grateful to Vicki Barks for dragging her to meetings, for she feels that, in Rotary Club of Del Mar, she has found her people.
Ole Prahm was at his usual spot after a quick walk down the hill to St. Peter’s and Dee House welcomed back former club member Dr. Ray Terhune, a fellow Porsche 356 owner.
Donna Fipps is happy to end her puppy-less days with the arrival of her newest Canine Companions for Independence puppy, Emerald, an 8 week-old black lab puppy; Karin Davies is really happy that she and Jim Davies could go on their Alaska trip secure in the knowledge that her latest Global Grant effort, Safe Deliveries for Mothers and Babies (G-2009), in partnership with the University of Gondar, reached full funding with pledges totaling $104,000 that will go to secure equipment for sterilization; Klaus Gubernator is happy that President Brett Mattei set up the A/V in Parish Hall unassisted; Mark Matthess is really happy that his daughter Audrey was accepted to study for a Master’s degree at the University of St. Augustine Coral Gables; Marty Peters is happy that his granddaughter scored her first goal last Saturday; Sharon Schendel is happy that Don and Donna Fipps are joining her Thursday night bowling league team.
Congratulations to Rotarian of the Month for August, Chandra Collure! As Sargent of Arms, Chandra plays a crucial role in helping our club run smoothly. He’s onsite early to set up for our meeting and stays late to ensure that all the badges are collected and meeting items are returned to storage. Chandra also keeps track of guests and happy dollar accounting, in addition to being a member of the Board. Thank to Chandra for all your hard work for our club!
Matt and Janice Kurth, Marty Peters, Jim and Bernadette Watkins and Mary Alice Peters at Youth of the Year Celebration
Karl and Suzy Wagner with Larry Twomey and Carol Moore
Joe McLeod gets the 50s vibe
Back to the track for several of our members to celebrate outstanding members of Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) of San Dieguito, a major beneficiary of Rotary Club of Del Mar. Attendees and staff alike played to the theme of the 50s and Eric Nelte’s 1955 T-bird was featured right by the dance floor. Kicking off the program, CEO Marineke Vandervort welcomed guests and remarked on the growth of the program over its 53 years- from just 50 boys to now over 7,000 boys and girls who are members of the seven clubhouses. The annual budget grew too: from 25,000 dollars 50 years ago to nearly 7 million dollars today.
Youth of the Year celebrates the achievements of seven outstanding club members who embody the values of leadership and service as well as maintain academic excellence and a healthy lifestyle. They represent the impact that Boys and Girls Clubs can make in the lives of young people. Bella Andrade, Richar Ramos Hernandez, Cole Snider, Kyle Shyffer, Ron Jay Torres, Megan Woelkers, and Nick Young were Youth of the Year nominees. Cole Snider was named Youth of the Year and will be entered in the regional competition as part of the selection of national youth of the year. Cole will be a senior at San Dieguito Academy and benefitted from BGC of San Dieguito basketball leagues. To give back to the club, he and his brother founded “Access Basketball” at BGC San Dieguito and began holding skills clinics every Friday afternoon. Cole said he values the skills he’s learned mentoring younger club members and coaching basketball at Capri Elementary. All nominees were awarded an HP laptop and a $1,000 scholarship. Their stories provided motivation for a successful Raise the Paddle session, which raised around $50,000 to benefit BGC San Dieguito members. View photos from the day at the club website and visit the Google Photo album to download any pictures you like.
Summer Delight at Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito Youth of the Year Celebration
Join Rotary EClub of San Diego Global on August 22 from 6-9 PM at 163 Jupiter Street in Encinitas to enjoy tacos, beer, wine and dessert while benefitting their project: “Keeping Guatemalan Girls in School”. The suggested donation is $15 and there will also be auction and raffle items at this backyard event. If you can’t make it but would still like to donate, visit the project GoFundMe page to contribute. In partnership with a small community in Guatemala, the vocational high school there and the Days for Girls organization, this project will help girls obtain resources needed to stay in school and to learn entrepreneurial skills that will provide them with financial sustainability. Click here to email organizer Maureen Duncan for more information about the event.
Partner with Rotary E-Club of San Diego Global to Support Guatemalan Girls
Brett Mattei and Sharon Schendel (far left) with Tequila Joe, winner of the Rotary Club of Del Mar race
Another great Day at the Races is in the books! Around 30 members were at the Il Palio restaurant high above the finish line to enjoy food and fellowship while trying to make a few dollars with their picks. The Rotary Club of Del Mar was the second race on the card. Despite trailing much of the 1 mile race, Tequila Joe with jockey Joe Talamo aboard made a final push to edge out Snazzy Dresser for the win in just under 1 minute 50 seconds. The owners all looked a bit surprised in the winner’s circle, but were nonetheless happy to take home a bottle of Maker’s Mark presented by President Brett Mattei and the 24K prize for first. Thank you to Honorary Member Joe Harper for hosting our day and to Bill Dougherty for making sure we all got safely through the admission gate. Click here to watch a video of the race and the winner’s circle presentation. View photos from the day at the club website and visit the Google Photo album to download any pictures you like.
The countdown is on to the arrival of Emerald V at the Fipps' home
After a long wait, Donna Fipps is happy to announce that in one month she’ll welcome an 8 week-old black Labrador puppy, Emerald V, as her new Canine Companions for Independence puppy in training; Suzy Wagner was Happy that 21 people attended our August social at Shimbashi Izakaya; Jim Davies was Happy to have taught his sourdough bread class; Ryan Riell was Double Happy to have his wife Kristi join him at the meeting, to have closed a multi-million dollar house sale, and to raise awareness that in the stroller-vs-toe battle, strollers usually emerge victorious (and the vanquished end up on crutches, as Kristi did); Sharon Schendel was Double Happy to have her stepdaughter Kierstin move to San Diego to begin a new job; Rod Stewart was Happy to have been able to be at the Del Mar race track thanks to a Sunset Soiree package; and Brett Mattei was Really Happy to have his brother Craig Mattei in town for a visit.
Guests at the August 8, 2019 meeting: (first row, l to r: Brett Mattei, Craig Mattei, Josue Vasquez, Jean Stewart, Jeff Berend; back row, l to r: Dusty Renteria Soronson; Rod Stewart)
Lots of guests attended our August 8, 2019 meeting. In addition to our regular guests Jim Brunner and Ole Prahm, Ryan Riell was joined by his wife Kristi and we welcomed: Josue Vasquez, a soon-to-be junior at San Dieguito Academy; Rod and Jean Stewart; Dusty Renteria Soronson; Bob Teisher; and Jeff Berend.
In his Presidential Message, new Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney emphasized his theme for Rotary Year 2019-2020: Growing Rotary. One of the principal goals for the year is to expand membership to include new quality members who can help carry out Rotary’s mission. Representing Rotary Club of Del Mar, Jim McClellan and Sharon Schendel joined more than 70 other Rotarians from clubs around District 5340 at the Membership Seminar held August 10, 2019 at University of San Diego. Seminar attendees heard from District 5340 Membership Chair Diane Crawford and District Governor Marta Knight about strategies to increase membership, and from Rotary Clubs of Old Mission, Coronado, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido about how they realized significant increases in membership. Two themes were clear from their presentations and breakout group discussions: (1) personal contacts are the most effective way to introduce potential new members to the benefits of being a Rotarian; and (2) increased flexibility, both in terms of meeting times and member costs, are important considerations for attracting, and, more importantly, retaining new members. Think about ways that you could help grow our club by bringing in new members who could make valuable contributions. Also, log in to My Rotary to explore the resources under the Member Center tab, especially the Learning Center, which hosts a range of online courses about Rotary clubs and membership.
Members and guests enjoying a nice evening on the Shimbashi Izakaya patio
Patti Kurtz shows expert sake drinking technique while Monty Woolley and Scott MacDonald look on in amazement
Enjoying the libations on offer
Always great to get together outside of our regular meeting hours (top, l to r: Karl and Suzy Wagner, Matt Kurth; bottom, l to r: Dugan and Philippe Lamoise, Donna Fipps)!
We crowded the patio of Shimbashi Izakaya at Del Mar Plaza last Tuesday for our August social. We had 21 members and guests on hand to enjoy sushi, beer, wine, and especially sake, expertly served by Shimbashi’s certified sake sommelier, Yuka Nakai, who also efficient managed over a dozen separate orders. Patti Kurtz demonstrated superior technique with the first sips of her sake. Our socials provide an opportunity to thank Sunset Soiree sponsors like Shimbashi Izakaya for their support of our annual fundraiser. Thank you to Suzy Wagner for organizing the event.
Craig Mattei speaks about his career in the Diplomatic Security Service
President Brett Mattei’s younger brother, Craig Mattei, was our featured speaker at the August 8, 2019 meeting. Craig serves in the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the federal law enforcement and security arm of the United States Department of State, and is the Liaison for Diplomatic Security to the U.S. Capitol and White House. In that capacity he coordinates with U.S. Capitol Police, the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms, and the Secret Service to ensure the safety of visiting foreign dignitaries. He also frequently accompanies Congressional leadership on trips overseas as a security advisor.
At around 2,000 agents, the number of the DSS force is small in comparison to other federal law enforcement entities- consider that the U.S. Capitol Police, that carries out the challenging task of providing security to Congress and the U.S. Capitol complex, has around 1,500 members to patrol a roughly six block area of Washington, whereas the DSS serves across the globe as the most widely represented law enforcement entity in the world. Despite its size, the DSS is versatile and can fulfill security needs that bridge several areas. Craig said that these broad-ranging capabilities make the DSS akin to a Swiss Army knife, which has multiple tools in a small package. In addition to protecting foreign government officials, the DSS conducts passport and visa fraud investigations as well as administers counterintelligence and anti-terrorism programs. The DSS is also charged with protecting the United States Olympic Team during the games. One of Craig’s earliest assignments was as the security liaison for the United States Women’s Water Polo team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. On an annual basis, Craig said that the “Super Bowl” for DSS is providing security for thousands of diplomats attending the UN General Assembly held in New York City every September.
Craig joined the DSS in 2002. When he first moved to Washington DC he moved in with his brother Brett, who was already working for the Foreign Service. Craig was also part of the security team that was guaranteed to Hamid Karzai by Colin Powell as incentive to become Interim President in Afghanistan in 2004. Most recently, Craig was preparing to assume the role of Regional Security Officer in Cartagena, Columbia when his current position, which provides him with more stability for his family, became available. Life as a DSS agent has taken Craig all over the world- he’s traveled on behalf of DSS to over 50 countries. He said that for him and his fellow DSS agents, politics is never a factor in their job, which is to ensure the safety and security of diplomats, foreign and domestic protected persons, and US citizens alike.
Diplomatic Security Service: Uncle Sam's Swiss Army Knife
It’s August, so we’re just about two months out Chili & Quackers on October 12, 2019 at Powerhouse Park. Matt Kurth returns as Chair and he and his team made a lot of progress at their first planning meeting last month. Thank you to new member Best Westburg for volunteering to coordinate the chili chefs this year- start thinking about what recipe you might like to enter. Thanks as well to Philippe and Dugan Lamoise for donating this year’s shirts with the updated logo- check with Sharyn to put in your size request (they run a bit small) and wear yours around the neighborhood to raise visibility. All members are encouraged to contribute effort to our annual “friendraiser”. Stick around after the August 8 regular meeting for the next Chili & Quackers planning meeting.
President Brett Mattei exchanges club banners with former member Katie Nielsen
We welcomed back our past treasurer, Katie Nielsen, who moved back to her home town of Lafayette, Indiana back in 2016. Katie continues to be highly active with Rotary- she’s now a member Rotary Club of Lafayette, an old (they’re over 100 years old) but vibrant club that has around 100 members. Katie just participated in the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build (drywall hanging included). We’ll be proud to add her club’s banner to our collection.
Bob Sonnhalter, Emmett Coe, Barrett Smith and Sharon Schendel before tee-off
CCI tournament staff
At the Rotary Club of Del Mar tee box
Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored a tee box at the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) on August 2, 2019 at La Costa. Nearly 40 foursomes teed off on the Legends course, at we fielded one foursome: Bob Sonnhalter, Barrett Smith, Sharon Schendel (late substitute for Ryan Riell) and Barrett’s friend Emmett Coe. All proceeds from the tournament go to support CCI and help talented dogs receive the training they need to make a difference in the lives of the differently abled. Val Myers also had a nice booth with snacks and gifts at the 9th hole. Our foursome followed the 4-way test and shot 67, forgetting to make use of up to 8 “miracle putts” (effectively one putts), which might have lowered our score significantly. Emmett is truly a gifted athlete- he’s a nationally-ranked paddle ball player and he can accurately drive the ball around 300 yards. There were lots of fun side games- on one hole, rather than using our drivers, we used a bazooka for our tee shot.
Canine Companions for Independence Golf Invitational
We’ll gather at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Thursday August 15 for our annual Day at the Races event. The $20 fee for lunch and drinks will be billed to your account, but bring a few extra dollars- not only for betting- but to contribute to our Pick 5 pool and to tip our servers. Bill Dougherty will be stationed outside the gates beginning around 11:45 to hand out passes to enter the grounds. Once you pick up your pass, head to the elevators inside the grandstand and go to Il Palio restaurant, high above the track. Gentlemen- remember to wear a jacket (no denim or shorts) and ladies, well, you’ll know what to wear. We’re grateful to our generous host and honorary member, Joe Harper, for sponsoring this outing.
At 7 PM, Wednesday August 14, on the eve of our Day at the Races, we'll have a "Handicapping" (formerly known as Mensa) gathering at Bill Dougherty's House to select the winners for the next day. Email Bill for more information.
The newsletter returns after a summer hiatus while I was in Minocqua Wisconsin. Lots of time to paddle (both kayak and board) and enjoy the company of my canine and human nieces and nephews. On my first meeting back, I gave a “Who Am I”- my first since joining Rotary Club of Del Mar in 2015. In short, I grew up in West Lafayette and remain a Purdue Boilermaker fan. Science brought me to San Diego- after a PhD in biochemistry that focused on how proteins insert into membranes, I came to Burnham Institute (now Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute SBP) to study the mechanisms that govern cellular decisions to live or die; these processes are important for a variety of diseases, but particularly cancer. I worked for the London-based Biochemical Society for about a dozen years and briefly worked with the SBP PhD program, which brought me to Rotary when Katie Nielsen arranged to have an SBP student speak about the microbiome. I now am Project Manager for the Consortium for Immunotherapetuics against Emerging Viral Threats- an NIH-funded endeavor that brings together nearly 20 labs from around the world to develop new antibody-based treatments for people infected with Ebola virus and related filoviruses. My job requires a lot of writing, and writing the newsletter helps keep my writing sharp. I’m looking forward to my presidential year in RY 2020-2021!
We’ll hold our monthly social on Tuesday August 6 from 5-7 PM at Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar Plaza. Shimbashi is an important supporter of our Sunset Soiree, so please join us in thanking them by enjoying happy hour sushi specials and a variety of appetizers and drinks on offer.
Lynda and Bob Shaff are in from Tucson to visit Suzy and Karl Wagner
We had some special guests with us at the August 8, 2019 meeting. In addition to our regular guests, Ole Prahm and Jim Brunner, comedian Andrew Norelli joined us for another meeting and Realtor for Coldwell Banker Nina Wright came at the suggestion of fellow Realtor Sharyn Daly. The Wagners welcomed their long-time friends who are escaping the Tucson heat- Boband Lynda Shaff. Bob is Past President of the Rotary Club of Tucson. Vickie Barks had a very special guest with her, her mother, Thea Barks, and they were sitting with our newest member, Beth Westburg, who Vickie sponsored for membership.
Alan Mindell returned to our club to speak about one of his many passions- horse racing. Alan generously donates to our Sunset Soiree the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Del Mar track. Members of the tour can watch the horses in their morning workout and meet jockeys and trainers who are at the track. Alan talked about one of his latest claiming horse- Sought More Pep (the name a combination of the sire and dam names, Sought After and Sweetly Peppered). Not long after he claimed her, she came in last in a race at Del Mar. Sought More’s trainer, Eddie Truman, told Alan- within Sought More’s hearing- that perhaps Del Mar might be too much for her. Alan thought she took that as a challenge, and she won her next race. She’s since had 8 wins out of 31 starts. Alan will be leading his next Sunset Soiree tour later this month- look to bid on his tour at the 2020 Sunset Soiree!
Brett Mattei was really happy that his brother is safely back from West Africa; the Wagners were really happy to the Shaffs in town; Vickie Barks was happy and a half to have her mother at the meeting, and for the good pre-meeting find at St. Peter’s thrift store; Jim Watkins was really happy that the proposed Del Mar Resort is now scaled back by 40% from the original 251-room hotel and 76 villas.
Newlywed Philippe Lamoise and his bride Dugan Moore Lamoise have been making the rounds of Europe this summer, so the August 2, 2019 meeting was our first opportunity to honor Philippe as Rotarian of the Month for June. Philippe designed the website for Sunset Soiree, which was instrumental in making sure that registration and bidding went smoothly. He’s also already working on the site for the upcoming Chili & Quackers event. Thank you Philippe!
At our June 27, 2019 meeting we welcomed Sally Schifman, Program Manager and Andrew Beecher, Associate Environmental Planner, both with Rincon Consultants, which is partnering with the Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) program to help local seniors use the SDG&E Energy Efficiency Rebate and Incentive Programs to maximize their energy efficiency and save some money. DMCC will help seniors take advantage of: i) Instant in-store rebates on efficient appliances; ii) Energy savings assistance program (ESAP) that helps renters and homeowners audit their energy use; iii) the Advanced Home Upgrade Program to defray costs of installing energy efficient upgrades; iv) AC Quality Care program to inspect air conditioning units; v) AC Saver, which allows SDG&E to turn off or reduce AC run time; vi) Solar Rebates and Incentives Programs; and vii) Residential lighting program that offers discounted energy-efficient LED lamps. If you know a Del Mar senior who could benefit from these programs, or would like a free in-home energy audit, please have them call 858.730.6131.
Del Mar Community Connections Connects with SDG&E Energy Efficiency Program
Don dons the Rotary chapeau. Click here to see all pictures from the evening.
On June 22, 2019 we gathered on Solana Circle to say thank you to outgoing president Don Fipps for a job well done. Oktoberfest was the theme and Flavor Chef had plenty of German-themed food on offer. We presented Don with his very own Oktoberfest kit. The year-end raffle was particularly exciting- Karl Wagner sold his envelope to Matt Kurth, who then sold it to Chandra Collure. Chandra came out the winner of those transactions, for he held the envelope containing the grand prize- $800 cash. Special thanks Dee House for organizing the party and Brett Mattei for arranging the venue. View and download photos at the Google Photo Album, or on the club website.
Brett Mattei awaits induction with other presidents of clubs within District 5340
Don Fipps dons shades for National Sunglasses Day- and his last day as RCDM president
Congratulations to Don Fipps for a packed presidency. Don’s major initiative as President was updating our club logo and branding- we’ve all been enjoying the results of his efforts. The Club was recognized by District 5340 with a Rotary Citation with Silver Presidential Distinction. Citations are award to clubs that achieve their goals for membership, Rotary Foundation Giving, Service and Public Image. At the June 27, 2019 meeting, we reflected on all the past year’s projects performed by our Lines of Service Committees.
Brett Mattei was inducted as our new president at the Governor’s Dinner on June 27, 2019. We look forward to impact that Brett will make in his presidential year.
Thank you to Donna Fipps for gathering many of the banner’s we’ve received from other clubs over the past year and arranging them on composite banners, which were on display at the June 23, 2019 meeting.
Marty Peters and Donna Fipps with Jilly (far left) little Ressa (middle) and Daisy (right)
Klaus Gubernator is happy that the June 27, 2019 meeting marked the day on which he no longer holds any club office; Sharon Schendel is happy to congratulate Don Fipps on the last day of his very successful presidency; Bill Rawlings was really happy that past president Eric Nelte came through his hip replacement surgery with no problems and that Eric is well on his way to a full recovery; Jim Brunner was happy to have become a great-grandfather to Kapri (carrying on the tradition of names starting with “K”); Marty Peters was super happy that he and his wife Mary Ellen will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 21 and to have Daisy, the CCI dog from Donna Fipps, who was a great help after the loss of his older dog, Jilly; Brett Mattei was really happy to have the guidance of the four presidents who have served since he joined the club in 2015.
Congratulations to our Rookie of the Year for Rotary Year 2018-2019: Ryan Riell. Ryan is carrying on the family tradition- his dad, Les, is a member of the Rotary Club of Mesa, Arizona and was also Ryan's sponsor. Ryan, a realtor and buyer specialist with the Wannebo Real Estate group, is a member of the Youth Services Committee and the Vocational Committee, and has been working to update our social media presence to highlight the club’s activities and recruit new members.
Sharyn Daly’s home is a fantastic vantage point for viewing the July 4 fireworks (remember that the club will be dark July 4). She’ll be hosting a viewing party at her house on July 4 from 6-11 PM. All members and their guests are welcome- please bring a dish to share at the potluck dinner. RSVP to Sharyn at 858.449.0936- she also has a flyer with directions and other details. Since parking around her house essentially non-existent, get together and take an Uber to her house.
Polly Cipparrone, Branch Manager of the Del Mar Library
Polly Cipparrone, Branch Manager of the Del Mar Library, spoke at the June 13, 2019 meeting about how libraries form part of our future. The Del Mar library was established in 1915 and is one of 33 branches in the San Diego Country library system, which has an annual budget of 46 million dollars and and 300 employees. The library system is supported in part through property taxes.
The library can be thought of as a “third place”. Home and work and first and second places, respectively, where we spend most of our lives, but a “third place” is a site for personal time. Libraries are also conveners and connectors that work to bring the community together, not just in a physical place, but also by providing information about local events and resources.
Given its broad reach within the community, the Del Mar library hosts informational sessions delivered by experts on Medicare from Health and Human Services, retirement benefits from Social Security Administration, and parenting classes from Rady Children’s Hospital.
The Del Mar library is updating its technology offerings. Their bandwidth and internet speed is expanding to provide faster access to information and services such as teleconferencing and webcasts. San Diego County residents can sign up online to get a digital library card to access over 60,000 e-book titles using the Libby app or read magazines online. The library itself still receives many print editions, including The Financial Times, Investor’s Business Daily and the San Diego Business Journal. Stop by the library to learn about all the resources they have!
Visiting another club while you’re traveling? Slip one of our new club banners into your suitcase to trade with the clubs you visit. If you can get your picture taken when you give the banner to host club leadership all the better!
We’ll celebrate a successful Rotary Year for Don Fipps on June 22 at 5:30. Email Dee House at deehouse@juno.com to RSVP and to get details about the venue.
Jim McClellan is super happy to be back at the club after recent travels and reports that his grandson is now 9 months old and nearly ready to walk; Tom Ryan is super happy to have his daughter Kate Klenow and son-in-law Derek Klenow in town; Karin Davies is super happy for all the efforts and support the club has provided to her projects; Scott MacDonald is happy that his sister and brother-in-law are in town.
Congratulations to Karin Davies, who is our Rotarian of the Year for 2018-2019. Karin’s Global Grants to decrease the neonatal mortality rate in Ethiopia embody the Guiding Principles of Rotary and show what Rotary can do to improve the lives of others. Her work was featured in a recent issue of “The Rotarian” magazine. Karin will use her experience to chair the International Services committee in the coming Rotary Year.
Don Fipps with Allie DeVaux, SANDAG project manager (left) and Tricia McColl (center) chief design engineer for HTNB
The Del Mar Bluffs are buffeted daily by a variety of pressures, including storm surges, waves, wind, erosion, and surface and subsurface runoff. Preserving the bluffs between the Torrey Pines Bridge and Coast Boulevard has been a long-standing effort that involves multiple government agencies, with leadership by San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and North County Transit District (NCTD). Tricia McColl, chief design engineer for the infrastructure firm HTNB and Allie DeVaux, project manager for SANDAG, joined our meeting to provide an update on the stabilization work.
After a 2000 survey that assessed multiple factors such as bluff stability, geological makeup, stability and potential for earthquake, the agencies prioritized the areas that were most vulnerable. In the ensuing 19 years, drainage improvements and stabilization of two areas were undertaken, and currently stabilization of Del Mar Bluffs 4 is underway. Seismic and drainage improvements are planned for a region around Sherrie Lane and slope stabilization to slow retreat will also be done in an area south of 4th street.
As the bluffs inevitably retreat and sea levels rise, additional stabilization measures will include replacement of old drainage structures, repair of existing sea walls and construction of more stabilization piles will be needed. In the very long term, the possibility of tunnels in several routes is being explored, although the costs for that type of project will run well into the billions.
Dee House is heading up the Demotion Party for Don Fipps, which will be held on June 22, 2019. Please let Dee (click hereto email her) know if you will attend no later than June 14, 2019. Please provide her with the spelling of the names of any guests who will accompany you.
Don Fipps and Scholarship Committee members Bill Dougherty and Kathy Reed congratulate scholarship recipient Ella Chambers
We are proud to award one of our annual scholarships to Ella Chambers, a senior at Torrey Pines High School. Ella maintains a 4.35 GPA and scored 34/36 on the ACT. After volunteering for two years at the North County Immigration and Citizenship Center in Solana Beach, where she capitalized on her fluency in Spanish, Ella now has a paid position there as coordinator of citizenship tutoring and interpreting. In the fall, Ella looks forward to attending Miami University in Ohio, where she plans a pre-law curriculum that she hopes will include study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country and internships to gain practical experience. Our scholarship will provide $4,000 towards her educational expenses.
We thank Bill Dougherty, Kathy Reed, Tom Ryan, Chandra Collure and Chris Stewart for interviewing the 11 finalists from 20 applicants, who were evaluated based financial need, community service, and participation in Interact.
Ella Chambers Awarded Rotary Club of Del Mar Scholarship
Our club is one of six in all of District 5340 that will receive the Rotary Citation for Rotary Year 2018-2019 for achieving our club’s annual goals. We anticipate that we will also receive Presidential Distinction in recognition of our efforts to support and strengthen club, increase humanitarian service efforts, and enhance our public image and awareness. Our club will be recognized at the upcoming Governor’s Dinner on June 27. Click here to register to attend!
Sunset Soiree Chairman Don Fipps gave the initial stats for the recent Sunset Soiree. We grossed $40,325. In total, 186 attended, helping contribute to $12,000 in ticket sales. Program advertisement sales, led by Monty Woolley, netted $7,000. We raised $16,135 from auction items, while the Raise the Paddle effort brought in $2,850. Our gift card tree raffle- new this year- and expertly assembled from member-donated gift cards by Donna Fipps, yielded $2,240. Our expenses came in at $4,000 less than 2018, so in total our net was $29,663. Thank you to everyone who supported our event, which is our main source of funds for club projects.
We thank Val Myers for all her efforts, and for sacrificing the lower level of her house for around one month as a staging area for all the auction items. Val spearheaded the effort to package all the auction items into attractive displays that always up the bids.
Sharyn Daly is super happy! We’re delighted that she successfully beat breast cancer after two surgeries and anti-estrogen therapy and is now declared cancer-free; Bill Dougherty is also really happy for Sharyn, and that his grandson, who’s lived with him and his wife since he was four, is heading off to college in Colorado.
We welcome back Ole Prahm, and, now that his house has sold and he’s a Del Mar resident, are wondering whether he’d like to become a permanent member of the club that represents his new home town; Jim Brunner also joined us, as did Peter Tomas, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Park City Sunrise.
Rotary Youth Exchange Chair Erv Teichmiller with Shantel Pierce, just back from Thailand
Last month I was back in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Two Rotary clubs serve this town, and I love the morning club, which has around 20 members. Fresh off her ~8 months in Thailand, Rotary Youth Exchange student Shantel Pierce spoke about her experience in Thailand. She discussed all the cultural norms she learned, and the wonderful people she met. Shantel said that her youth exchange let her discover her strengths and weaknesses and how to cope with challenges more independently. She also thanked club members for their support in making her trip possible. Long-time Rotarian, and local institution, Erv Teichmiller, heads up the club’s youth exchange as part of District 6220’s very active youth exchange efforts.
I’ll be back in Minocqua for the next few weeks- pictures for the June 13 and June 20 editions of newsletter are welcome!
Larry Brooks- Del Mar Historical Society President, points out features of Casa Del Mar in August 1886
As May wound down, we reflected on how the Del Mar Community has grown over the decades. Larry Brooks, President of the Del Mar Historical Society, joined our May 31, 2019 meeting to present some memories of Del Mar going back to the late 1800s when the town was founded by Colonel Jacob Taylor who moved to the area from Texas. Colonel Taylor began platting the village of Del Mar in late 1885 and by 1886 had established a luxury hotel, Casa Del Mar. The hotel’s accessibility, reputation and beautiful location drew many visitors to Del Mar as a seaside destination, but in January 1890 fire destroyed the hotel.
After the loss of Casa Del Mar, growth of the village was stagnant for more than a decade until five Los Angeles-based investors, Henry Huntington, William Kerckhoff, Henry Keller, Charles Canfield and Edward Fletcher (whose name is attached to several local landmarks, e.g., Fletcher Cove, Fletcher Parkway) formed the South Coast Land Company in 1905 to begin making Del Mar what we know today. In the ensuing 30 years, the population of Del Mar quadrupled. In 1936 the village became home to the San Diego Country Fair and in 1937 the Del Mar racetrack hosted its first summer season. By 1959, the city incorporated.
Brooks told the story of the site of many current day buildings, including the Hotel Del Mar, that occupied the site where L’Auberge now stands, the path to the train station from the hotel, which pedestrians still use more than 100 years later, and showed a picture of the remnants of the Hotel Del Mar natatorium, which can still be seen at low tide. He also told how the Del Mar train station lost its status as an Amtrak stop and how the building came to be privately owned after transfer of a lease from the Santa Fe railroad. Perhaps the most important story for the village of the Del Mar is efforts of city residents to shift the 5 freeway eastward to its current route that preserved the village as we now know it.
The weather was a bit gray, but the rain held off for our 2019 Sunset Soiree held May 21, 2019 on the Del Mar Plaza patio. We had a great turnout and lots of bids on dozens of silent and live auction items. Thank you to all our vendors for providing delicious food and beverages and all the Sunset Soiree Committee members for sacrificing many hours over the past months to ensure that the event went smoothly (my personal thanks to my husband, Jim Kohn, for taking pictures in my absence). View and download full resolution pictures in the Google Album or view them on the club website.
Members attending the May 9 meeting completed a survey about club activities. If you missed that meeting, you can still provide valuable feedback. Please complete an online version of the same survey by clicking here.
With one month left in the current Rotary Year, mark these dates on your calendar: 1) June 22: Demotion Party- to be held at a secret location where we’ll induct new officers and recognize members for outstanding service to the club (note that the club will be DARK on June 20; 2) June 27: Governor’s Dinner- click here to register to attend. Brett Mattei will be inducted as our President, Marta Knight will be inducted as District Governor, and District Awards will be announced.
Karin Davies was Happy that Klaus Gubernator had been giving her lessons in purchasing major equipment for her new Global Grant in Ethiopia; Garrie Rhodes was Happy to have a new phone, and that she could use it; Bob Fuchs gave at the Super Happy level in memory of his close friend, John McGinnis, who was a Rotarian in spirit; Ole Prahm was Really Happy that the sale of his house closed that morning; and Sharon Schendel was Happy to have attended a recent Lakeland Rotary club meeting in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
We welcomed back Ole Prahm and honorary member Jim Brunner (thank you again for the Sunset Soiree program printing!) as well as Katherine Zacharias, a Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal member who was making up a meeting, and Beth Westburg, who will soon become a new member.
For the past 15 years, John Allcock, our speaker at the May 2, 2019 meeting, has practiced and taught mindfulness- the art of paying attention to the present moment without judgement, but with curiosity and openness. Practicing mindfulness mediation can free a person from being captured by thoughts or external events, as well as to choose how to respond to these events.
John is the father of three daughters, and 10 years ago he began sending them emails outlining things that he’d wish he’d known when he was younger. He eventually summarized these emails in his book “40 Things I Wish I’d Told My Kids”. Among the lessons he describes in the book are 1) Don’t be ruled by the tyranny of events; 2) 90% of worries are wrong, either the thing we worried about didn’t happen, or happened in some other way; 3) Thinking is overrated (and can lead to worry); 4) You can’t control what comes into your head, but you can control what happens when it gets there; 5) “You make me mad” is a fantasy- you allow yourself to become mad at the actions of others.
By practicing mindfulness, we can respond rather than react and create space that allows impulsive reactions to be replaced by thoughtful responses. Regular practice of mindfulness may even remodel the brain to increase the gray matter density of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that control higher-order functions and memory, respectively, and decrease the size of the amygdala that controls the “flight or fight” response.
John incorporates mindfulness training at Sea Change Preparatory school in Del Mar, which was founded by his wife Cheryl as a school for students who learn best in non-traditional settings.
We marked the 55th anniversary of our Club’s charter and again are delighted to thank Charter Member Monty Woolley for his vision of what Rotary in Del Mar could be. To make our club even better, members spent some time at the May 9, 2019 meeting completing a survey about club activities. The survey had plenty of room for members to write their suggestions for improvement, and we will try to incorporate these ideas moving forward. If you missed last week’s meeting, please fill out the online survey by clicking here.
The front steps, hallway, front office and science lab at Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) got a dose of new color thanks to our members who participated in our recent Rotarians at Work day. New president Gil Brady was working right alongside us, as were several NPA graduates. Thanks as well go to Cynthia Villas and Mara Milligan, advisors for USD Rotaract Club and Cathedral Catholic Interact Club, respectively. Afterward, Marty Peters brought #8 sub sandwiches from Mona Lisa to celebrate a job well done. Check out the photo album to see more pictures from the day.
Thank you to Dee House for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow four times over- she received her recognition from President Don Fipps at the May 9, 2019 meeting.
At our April 18, 2019 meeting, Brian Keating, a professor of physics at the University of California San Diego, spoke about his minor obsession with winning the Nobel Prize, and how he used the BICEP 2 (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization) Telescope at the South Pole to gather data that might describe the seconds just after the Big Bang when the universe began to expand. In 2014 Keating and his team thought they had the first indirect detection of these early gravitational waves in the cosmic microwave background. Unfortunately, their discovery turned out to be contamination that was essentially dust in the Milky Way.
While dealing with the disappointment of learning that his finding was an artifact, Keating began to think about the nature of scientific awards, particularly the Nobel Prize. Using Buddha for inspiration, he came up with the Four Noble Truths about the Nobel, with the fourth truth being that “the way to overcome misery is through the eight-fold path”, which includes a correct view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration. Through his own introspection about his research and his drive for the Noble, Keating came to new realizations about his motivations for discovery.
Don Fipps in his fairy costume- no talking when rendering the costume, or else you get a dose of duct tape (see right)
Don Fipps, Sharon Schendel and Chris Stewart were all facilitators at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) held April 12-14, 2019 in Idyllwild. RYLA brings together talented high school juniors from all over District 5340 for a fun weekend of fellowship and learning about what it means to be a servant leader. Each facilitator helps a group of eight students get to where they need to be and get discussions going. This year, Don and Sharon were co-facilitators for the Cal Berkeley “family” and Chris Stewart oversaw the United States Air Force Academy “family”. One less serious RYLA activity is “It’s a Wrap” that involves newspaper and masking tape to transform facilitators into different characters. Don led off the pageant with his turn as a fairy. Watch the video in the RYLA photo album.
Donating to the Rotary Foundation is now even simpler using the new button on the left hand side of the page (see picture above). Clicking on the Rotary Wheel will take you to the RI site where you can choose to direct your donation to the General Fund, Polio Plus, World Fund, or Disaster Relief. You can also choose to make a recurring donation. When you donate, please make sure you sign in using your My Rotary ID and password so that Rotary Club of Del Mar can receive recognition towards its per capita donation goals.
Donating to Rotary Foundation is Easy Through Club Website
The Sunset Soiree is less than 10 days away. If you haven’t already, visit www.delmarrotary.org to purchase your tickets. All club members will be billed for two tickets, and any tickets beyond these two are $50. Please be sure to visit the website to register a credit card to speed the checkout process if you win any auction items.
Don Fipps (left) and Marty Peters (right) holding his Triple Crown Donor pin
Congratulations to Marty Peters for being recognized as a Triple Crown Donor, which is a Rotarian who is: 1) A Major Donor; 2) Bequest Society Member; and 3) Grand Donor.
At the April 18, 2019 meeting, we were joined by regulars Ole Prahm, Assistant District Governor Susie Callahan; District Governor Nominee (soon to be Elect) Steve Weitzen, and Nat Reade. Tom Ryan brought his daughter, Kate Ryan Kleinow.
On May 2, 2019 we were joined by Associate Member Dani Knapp, Richard Haase, Nicole Merzi, Ole Prahm and Jim Brunner. Vicki Barks brought her friend Beth Westburg.
Apologies for an extended absence in the past few weeks- I’ve been occupied not only with Rotary events, but with work, guests and travel. Here’s a brief summary of club happenings in the past month. I’ll miss the May 16, 2019 meeting and the Sunset Soiree, so I’ll need your help! Here’s how: 1) At next week’s meeting, volunteer to take a few pictures and a few notes about the amazing speaker, Linda Olson then email them to me; 2) Please upload any Soiree pictures to this Google Photos album (captions encouraged!).
Newsletter Returns and a Request for Help Next Week
Thank you to Philippe Lamoise for building the website portal through which Sunset Soiree tickets can be visited. Philippe gave a demo of the website. Click here (that’s https://www.delmarsunsetsoiree.org/) to purchase your tickets now- just follow the simple step-by-step instructions. Email Philippe if you have any problems.
We have two opportunities to serve at the upcoming Rotarians at Work Day on April 27. We’ll be helping with projects at the San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) and some light projects on the Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) campus. Email Community Services Chair Barrett Smith to volunteer for the SDRP project or emailMarty Peters to help at NPA.
Patrick Steusloff takes a swing with a Clubhub-equipped golf club
Scott MacDonald holds up an iPad paired to the Clubhub that displays information about Patrick's swing
Patrick Steusloff points out bowtie-shaped path (purple) of his stride and center of balance (blue dot) on an iPad that communicates with sensors in his removable shoe insole inserts
Patrick Steusloff is a startup technologist and was a product developer for early biotech companies in San Diego. At Hybritech he developed automated immunoassays systems and was Vice President of Development for Pyxis that provides medication and supply management systems. After founding IntelliDot Corporation, now PatientSafe Solutions, which delivers real-time patient information to clinicians, he took a break and pursued his passion: golf. He studied to become a professional golfer, but at heart he remained a product developer.
One of the most important factors in a golf swing is balance that comes from properly timed weight transfer. Steusloff began thinking about ways that he could help golfers learn effective weight transfer, and he began with bathroom scales, wired together at oriented at 45˚ angles, to capture information about weight distribution between the golfer’s right and left heels and toes. These early efforts led him to found Kinetek Sports and develop Clubhub, a sensor that fits into the drain hole at the end of a golf club grip. Using the Clubhub paired with an app on a smart phone or tablet, golfers can get real-time feedback and analysis on every swing they make. They see how far and where their shots went (and get GPS information on distances to the hole) and a 3-D video of their swing path. All of these data can be shared with instructors to help improve swing mechanics.
While working with Kinetek, Steusloff had an office in Rancho Bernardo, where he would often see a physical therapist, who had a neighboring office, working with patients who were recovering from stroke or other brain injuries. Talking with the therapist, he realized that, as in golf, balance is a main issue for those learning to walk after a brain injury.
Thinking back to the bathroom scales, Steusloff considered potential devices that could give brain injury patients real time feedback about their gait. He designed a shoe insert that incorporates five sensors in the insole that are positioned under the heel, the “knuckles of the toes” and under the big toe. These inserts can be tailored to the patient’s foot and directly communicate with a smart phone or tablet to show him/her their center of balance and stride path. Through real-time feedback patients can immediately see whether their gait is on the right path, and together with a physical therapist they can develop strategies to improve their balance and gait. Most importantly, the device allows them to practice on their own, or with a caregiver, to ensure that they get the repetitions they need gain new muscle memory. This device is in its early development stages, but has already helped several patients with brain injury improve their mobility and return to daily activities.
Balance During a Golf Swing, Balance During Rehabilitation
MemberJoel McLeodinvited members to attend Uncorked for a Cause to be Friday April 12, 2019 at the CBRE offices (near Larsen’s Steakhouse). This fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito is sponsored by their Junior Board. Bring some wine and maybe end up with more wine than you came with at this unique event. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
Scott MacDonald was double happy that his new book “Think Like a Dog” has now been released; Donna Fipps was happy to learn that it was Vicki Barks who brought a Sunset Soiree auction item to the April 4, 2019 meeting; Matt Kurth was super (!) happy that Janice now has a brand new Tesla to replace the one that was totaled several weeks back and that they got full replacement value plus a little more; and Garrie Rhodes was happy in anticipation of hearing Isabella McCormick play at the upcoming District 5340 music competition finals.
President Don Fipps (right) presents Al Tarkington (left) with his latest Paul Harris Fellow pin
Congratulations to Al Tarkington for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow + 3! Contributions by Paul Harris Fellows are vital to support Rotary projects locally and around the world.
Kit Leeger was Rotarian of the Day and chose to feature National Vitamin C Day. She brought with her several examples of vitamin C-rich foods, including peppers, kiwis and lemons.
For our vocational series, Kit talked about her career as an architect. She explained that architects facilitate communications between those who have needs (e.g., clients, users, the public) and those who will make the spaces (e.g., builders and contractors) and also provide professional services that draw on their design and technical expertise to make a client’s desires into reality.
To become an architect, Kit had to refine her drawing skills while learning how to define and solve problems, and prioritize needs. An architecture degree requires 5 years of study, and to become an independent architect Kit undertook nearly 6,000 hours of interning and a licensing examination (hers was a 4 day test during which she had to design a building). She also must do continuing education to keep up to date with current trends.
Being an architect in Del Mar brings special challenges to comply with Del Mar’s emphasis on neighborliness. Designs are considered by the city’s Citizens’ Participation Program (CPP) that gives immediate neighbors a voice in proposed projects, and can also be submitted to the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission. Depending on the project, the California Coastal Commission can be involved, and sometimes voter approval is needed.
Kit then gave an update on the St. Peter’s project she’s leading. The new additions will provide an elevator, classrooms, a music room and ADA-compliant bathroom. The project is on track for completion within the next 18 months. Kit called back to the Object of Rotary, and in particular how architecture can contribute to advancement of understanding and good will.
Kit Leeger Pulls Double Duty to be Rotarian of the Day and Discuss Her Vocation
Javier Martinez Luna, Oscar Bolaños, and Roman Chavez, all from the Rotary Club of Tijuana Agua Caliente attended the April 4, 2019 meeting to discuss their Las Memorias project that aims to help identify patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis; Vicki Barks brought her friend Beth Westburg to check out our club and Garrie Rhodes brought back her friend Brenda Short, who is visiting from England to see the flower bloom. Adrienne Hurt is finishing up her winter in Del Mar. Honorary member Jim Brunner as well as uber-regular Ole Prahm also attended.
Matt Kurth with Margaux Stack-Babich of the Immunity Foundation
Did you know that some viruses can cause cancers and that there is an effective vaccine to prevent infections by these viruses and in turn the cancers they cause? The Immunotherapy Foundation (IF) has a three-pronged mission that seeks to: i) fund research to develop new immunotherapies for cancers that arise following infection with certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV); ii) raise awareness of the importance of vaccines (e.g., Gardasil 9) that prevent HPV infections and the cancers they cause; and iii) support patients diagnosed with HPV-driven cancers to find effective treatments and clinical trials.
Our speaker at the March 28, 2018 meeting, Margaux Stack-Babich, is a program manager for the IF. She told us that the IF was launched four years ago by Ralph and Fernanda Whitworth after Ralph was diagnosed with HPV-related cancer at the base of his throat. After treatment, Ralph was cancer-free for one year, but the cancer returned and unfortunately Ralph died from the cancer in 2016. Fernanda now serves as President of IF.
Traditional cancer therapies involve surgery, drugs or radiation. Many cancers cannot be treated surgically, while drugs and radiation often kill both healthy and cancer cells. Immunotherapies unleash the power of the immune system to selectively target cancer cells. These therapies can be tailored to a particular patient based on mutations present in the cancer, are systemic and long-lasting, have fewer side effects and are less susceptible to resistance.
Although the rate of cervical cancer has decreased in part due to enhanced surveillance and screening, studies indicated that other types of cancers associated with HPV, including oropharyngeal, vulvar, penile and anal cancer are increasing. Thus, immunotherapies for these cancers are urgently needed. IF provides seed funding for local researchers, including those at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, which has allowed them to gather preliminary data that are needed to secure larger grants from government agencies.
IF also stresses the importance of preventing HPV infections through vaccination. Both boys and girls should receive the vaccine, since males in particular often are unaware that they may have been infected with a cancer-causing HPV strain. Ideally, children should be vaccinated between ages 11 and 12 so that they have time to develop an immune response long before they become sexually active. Moreover, the immune response to the vaccine is stronger in the pre-teen years, meaning that vaccine-mediated protection is even more robust when delivered at younger ages. Thank you to Janice Kurth for suggesting the IF as a program topic.
The Immunotherapy Foundation- Unleashing the Immune System to Fight HPV-driven Cancers
Scott Carr welcomes Karin and Jim Davies and Don Fipps as new Paul Harris Society members
Some of our club's Paul Harris Society members and fellows
Past District Governor and current District Paul Harris Society (PHS) chair Scott Carr recognized three new members of the PHS: Karin and Jim Davies and Don Fipps. The PHS was launched 20 years ago right here in our own District 5340 during Marty Peter’s tenure as District Governor. Nearly 120 districts now have their own PHS. PHS members contribute at least $1,000 annually to the Annual Fund, Polio Plus or approved Global Grants as a one-time gift, quarterly gift, or monthly gift of $85. PHS members are critical to ensuring that Rotary International can continue to support projects in its six areas of focus. Consider joining Karin, Jim and Don by becoming a PHS member. Click here to get started.
New member Yasser Tahboub added to our flag collection by presenting President Don Fipps with a banner from his previous club in Bahrain, the Rotary Club of Sulmaniya. This banner joins one that Philippe Lamoise recently brought back from Rotary Club Pertuis Sud Luberon, where his home in Provence is located.
Our club is sponsoring three two student teams for the 15th annual District 5340 Model United Nations Conference. The teams will be considering two resolutions, one concerning protection for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and citizens of Syria and the other emergency responses to the outbreak of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis following the tsunami in the Philippines. The event will be held April 6, 2019 at the Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. You can also register to attend the dinner on April 7, 2019. EmailKlaus Gubernator for specific details about the event timeline.
District 5340 Music Competition Finals: April 7
The finals of the District 5340 Music Competition will be held Sunday April 7 at the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium in the City of Carlsbad library. Our representative, harpist Isabella McCormick, a freshman at Cathedral Catholic, will be competing as one of the finalists. EmailGarrie Rhodes for details about the event.
Rotary at Petco Park: April 16
Join other Rotarians from around District 5340 on Tuesday April 16 at Petco Park to watch the Padres play the Colorado Rockies. Purchase tickets at a special price of $32 each by April 1 (that’s tomorrow!). Bonus, it’s Taco Tuesday that night!
Rotarians at Work Day: April 27
We have two opportunities to serve at the upcoming Rotarians at Work Day on April 27. We’ll be helping with projects at the San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) and some light projects on the Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) campus. Email Community Services Chair Barrett Smith to volunteer for the SDRP project or emailMarty Peters to help at NPA.
As of this month, 45 club members have accounts receivable that total $9,721. If you think you might be in arrears, email treasurer Kathy Reed to find out and arrange for payment. The easiest way to keep current is to have a credit card on file with our bookkeeper Darcy Sondag. Click here to email Darcy.
Donna Fipps was happy that her CCI puppy, Ressa, got her first “college report” and has all A-s; in other canine news, Kathy Reed was double happy that her Bernese Mountain dog puppy Flash has gone two weeks without eating a remote control; Klaus Gubernator was double happy that he has failed to retire for a fourth time, as the company he founded, eMolecules, has established a foundation to discover new treatments for neglected tropical diseases and elected him to lead the foundation; and Matt Kurth is happy to be happy on a beautiful day.
Regular guest Ole Prahm was back in attendance, as were honorary member Jim Brunner and associate member Dani Knapp. Past District Governor Scott Carr also joined us.
As Rotarian of the Day for the March 28, 2019 meeting, Val Myers brought Tootsie Pops for everyone in recognition of National Something on a Stick Day, which challenges people to think about what foods would be more enjoyable when skewered.
Karin Davies was happy to have had a great trip to British Columbia, where she reconnected with a friend who lived with her family as an exchange student when Karin was a high school senior; Suzie Wagner was nearly super happy and gave $50 in recognition of Lanh Tran’s generosity at the recent social at Sbicca; Janice Kurth was double happy to have her Tesla, which was declared totaled after being hit by a drunk driver while she was attending a Rotaract event, replaced with an identical, new Tesla; Mark Matthess was happy that he filled his quota of 8 wineries for the Sunset Soiree; Scott MacDonald was happy for the first day of spring, and Chandra Collure was happy to have a break from jury duty, although he has to go back this week for another three weeks.
Real estate advisor Gary London spoke to our club at the March 21, 2101 meeting about the issues surrounding the real estate market in San Diego county. London has over 35 years of experience in the San Diego market, and from a personal side, his family was one of the first to move into Carmel Valley in the early 1980s (he’s also a Rotarian, calling Club 33 his home club). He has consulted on several large projects in the area, including the Del Mar Plaza and One Paseo in Carmel Valley.
London said that we are now in the longest post-recession recovery in modern times, although the recovery hasn’t been robust with an annual GDP growth of around 2%. His clients at London Moeder Advisors feel that the economy will likely shift in the near future, in part due to the Federal Reserve’s decision not to change the benchmark interest rate and record low capitalization rates with high risk and low rates of return.
Real estate is also affected by changing needs of society. In the commercial real estate sector, the square footage of office space per employee is falling and the retail sector is changing, as more consumers elect to make purchases online rather than in brick and mortar stores. From a demographic perspective, the Baby Boomer generation is reaching retirement while the Millennial generation, those born between 1981 and 1996, are dealing with student debt and entering the housing market later.
Unlike previous generations, the past is not prologue for the current real estate market. London’s firm conducted a survey of local employers that effectively asked: “What keeps you up at night?” The most common answer was their inability to find suitable employees. The housing market in San Diego is contributing to that concern: the median house price is $650,000 (compared to the nationwide average of $250,000) and San Diego is adding only around 10,000 housing units annually when the need is closer to 15,000-20,000 units. Moreover, the type of housing that is being built isn’t where the jobs are and is more likely to be apartments rather than single family homes for young families.
Overall, London said that politicians and residents alike need to take greater responsibility to promote adequate land use and intelligent growth of the San Diego community.
Our Rotarian at Work Day at Nativity Prep Academy is moved to Saturday, April 27, 2019. March 30 proved to be a busy day across the District, so we’ll meet at this amazing school one month later to help them with some projects to update/beautify the campus. Email Marty Peters with any questions and to let him know that you’d like to attend.
Rotarian at Work Day Nativity Prep Academy- Date Change
Marty Peters gave a vocational presentation at the March 21, 2019 meeting as part of the series sponsored by our Vocational Committee. Marty said he stumbled into the financial services sector. After college, he worked for the west coast division of RCA, which paid for him to attend graduate school at USC. However, Marty encountered issues with the accounting style of that office and when he learned about opportunities for pension administration companies, he left with two friends to found his own company, which marked the start of his career as an independent financial advisor.
For Marty, the best part of his profession is a chance to listen (he already had expert speaking skills) and from listening to determine what his clients’ priorities are. Technology and laws inevitably affect the financial services sector and Marty stressed the need to keep current with regulations and to pursue continuing education. Therein represents a challenge of being in financial services- the need to stay abreast of developments to give clients every advantage in managing their wealth. In terms of ethical issues and how the 4-way test can apply, Marty goes a step beyond The Golden Rule to follow The Platinum Rule: treat others even better than he would want to be treated. Marty said that being an independent advisor who is not tied to any one company allows him to give his clients the broadest range of options. Marty would advise young people looking to enter this profession to find a good mentor, join relevant professional associations, and, most importantly, always work with happy people.
Rotarian of the Day John Baranowski kicked off the March 21, 2019 meeting by recognizing National Common Courtesy Day and the ways that we can make everyday a Common Courtesy day (e.g., greeting others warmly, saying “please” and “thank you”, holding the door, letting others go first, letting a car in front of you). He also pointed out someone who embodies Common Courtesy- someone who always greets others warmly, never leaves anyone out, is always there, rain or shine, and is always ready with a joke, of course that someone is Monty Woolley!
Fred Krakowiak takes questions about his experiences in Africa
A sampling of Fred's artwork
A grandfather’s lesson to color outside the lines and make boundaries invisible, in short, to be a maverick, made a lasting impression on Fred Krakowiak, our speaker at the March 14, 2019 meeting. Despite a long and successful career as a financial manager who oversaw investment portfolios worth over $100 million, Fred felt unfulfilled.
Fred pointed out the importance of recognizing and acting on triggers for life changes. His trigger came after the 9/11 attacks when a client sued him for not fulfilling his fiduciary duties. Although the suit was dismissed as frivolous (Fred’s investment decisions for this client in fact led to a portfolio performance that exceeded that of the S & P by 30%), during arbitration Fred recalled looking out the window toward the Camelback Mountain and thinking: “I’m going to sell my practice.”
This moment led to a career change that allowed him to pursue a passion for art and wildlife, particularly wildlife in Africa. During his talk, Fred used some of his wildlife photography to parallel some of the challenges that face people looking for change. He spoke of the need to manage stress and the importance of recognizing that not all stress is negative, but that some responses to stress are.
While tracking a lion pride in Africa, Fred and his guide disagreed about which way to go. The guide pointed out to Fred that he had missed an important clue- the call of a baboon alerting others to the presence of lions. This situation illustrated to Fred the need to trust his senses, and, more importantly, how dulled senses can become during the course of everyday life. Now, when he prepares clients to go on walking safari, he encourages them to visit the grocery store produce section, close their eyes, and notice the smells- not just the sights. His travels to Africa and close encounters with animals also taught Fred to see how the behavior and posture of wildlife could convey life-saving cues.
Africa taught Fred the value of good guides, and that anyone making significant life changes needs a trusted guide as well as a detailed map that outlines the path to the desired change. Such changes are never easy and are often accompanied by anxiety, but Fred said that often life lies on the other side of anxiety.
Fred Krakowiak Channeled His Inner Maverick to Change Careers
Guests added to our Happy Dollars at this week’s meeting. Albert Martinez was happy to be among such friendly, service-minded people; Sue McKinney was happy to be in attendance with her dog Lucky and to give a gentle plug for Crila herbal supplements; and Ole Prahm was double double happy (that’s $20) for always receiving encouragement and warm welcomes at our meetings. Our members were happy, too. Jim McClellan was super happy (another $100 from Jim) for a very beautiful day and to express the value and meaning that being a member of Rotary has for him and Marty Peters was happy at the prospect that maybe, just maybe, Ole might transfer his membership to our club.
On the other hand, I’m unhappy that I repeatedly misspelled Jim McClellan’s name in earlier newsletters. Although I always strive to spell names correctly, I do make mistakes. Please let me know if I get the spelling of your name wrong!
Kurt Vonnegut wrote in “Breakfast of Champions”: “We had tortured circles until they coughed up this symbol of their secret lives: π.” This year Thursday fell on March 14, 3/14, giving Rotarian of the Day Matt Kurth, the opportunity to share some fun facts about π. Besides expressing the ratio of circumference to diameter of circles, π is an infinitely long, irrational number- we can express π to more than 20 trillion digits. Despite being irrational, Matt explained that π is thought to be “normal” meaning that the digits 0-9 appear with equal frequency and that you can find any number sequence (e.g., your birthday, social security number) with the π sequence. Click here to find where your favorite number sequence falls.
Join us on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 5-7 PM at Sbicca restaurant in Del Mar for the March social. Come by to enjoy items from their broad happy hour menu and a selection of craft beer, wines, and cocktails. As always, spouses and guests are welcome. Thank you to Club Service Chair Susie Wagner for organizing our socials.
Ryan Riell with his dad Les, mom Pam (center left) and wife Kristi (right)
Congratulations to Ryan Riell on receiving his Blue Badge at the March 14, 2019 meeting. Ryan is a Rotary legacy- his dad, Les, is a member of the Rotary Club of Mesa, Arizona and was also Ryan's sponsor. His mom Pam and wife Kristi were also on hand to see Ryan's badge turn blue.
Richard Lederer spoke about his latest book: "The Joy of Names"...
... and demonstrated how "Wow" is both a written and verbal palindrome
We were delighted to have the original verbivore, Richard Lederer, as our featured speaker for the February 28, 2019 meeting. Richard has authored over 50 books and his talk focused on his latest offering- The Joy of Names. But first, Richard stopped to reflect on the word “Wow”, which he heard President Don Fipps say a few times. Richard pointed out that not only is “Wow” a palindrome, both written and spoken, but it’s an ambigram- a word that retains meaning even when viewed from varying perspectives.
But back to names- Richard noted that names give us our identity. Infants as young as 5 months old respond to their name, and Dale Carniegie said that to any individual their names is the “sweetest sound… in any language”. Humans are namers by nature, and names have evolved over the past century. For first names, John and Mary long held the top spot as most popular names, and while John holds on at 27th most popular, Mary has sunk to 126 (check out your own name’s popularity over the years at the Social Security website). Now parents frequently name their children so that their name makes them stand out, rather than fit in.
Last names took on increasing importance as villages. Last names often reflected geographical location (e.g., Woods), qualities (e.g., Stout), physical characteristics (Reed meant redhead), or occupation (e.g., Smith, Hooper, Chandler). Names can also be patronymic (e.g., Johnson, son of John).
Richard ended with a bit on nicknames, particularly how Richard, William, Robert, and Sara come to be called Dick, Bill, Bob, and Sadie. Some scholars believe that these nicknames, which all contain hard consonants, may simply have been easier and faster to pronounce.
Friday Project Fair chaired by Philippe Lamoise (thank you to Rotary Club Santee-Lakeside president Elana Levens-Craig for the photo)
Rotarians from around District 5340 gathered this weekend at the Catamaran Resort for the annual District Conference. Attendees learned about District programs (many of them youth-centered), including LEAD, RYLA, Model UN and MusiCamp. Our own Philippe Lamoise chaired the Project Fair on Friday March 1, 2019, which featured many projects in our sister district, District 4100, that are need of partner clubs. On Saturday March 2, 2019 the morning session included presentations on community service projects, many of which yield a high return at low or no cost, such as Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo’s Rotarians at Work Day project that relieved residents of tons of trash at no cost, and the Rotary Club of Santee-Lakeside’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive that ensured that food collected by U.S. Postal Service workers stayed in the community. The afternoon session highlighted the many international projects that district clubs support that address Rotary’s six Areas of Focus. Rotary Club of Del Mar had one of the highest per capita attendance rates in the district!
Karin Davies was double happy to learn that one of her students in Gondar Ethiopia had posted about collaboration with doctors from Israel on remodeling part of the NICRU at Gondar Hospital; Marty Peters was happy that the Notre Dame basketball team beat Syracuse; Garrie Rhodes was happy to have seen a San Diego Fleet football game; Don and Donna Fipps were happy to have spent the past were with their 1 and 2 year-old grandsons in North Carolina; Tusu Tusubira was happy to have had the support of Rotary Club of Del Mar for multiple projects in Uganda.
Phillippe Lamoise and Dugan Moore with Dorcas and Tusu Tusubira
At the February 28, 2019 meeting we welcomed Karim Pirani, founder of iBBQ (Interactive Barbecue), which markets tables that incorporate a barbecue that forms the center of social grilling parties; Melanie Capunay and Nichole Merzifrom 22nd District of the Agricultural Association who manage events and exhibits at the Del Mar Fairgrounds; Adrienne Hurt from Lakeland Rotary in Minocqua is continuing to avoid the harsh Midwest winters; Clive Gill, who will speak to the club in early summer, stopped by to hear Richard Lederer; Tusu Tusubira and Dorcas Tusubira from Rotary Club of Kampala North and Rotary Club of Kamapla-Sunrise in Uganda were in town for the District 5340 Conference- Tusu is attending the conference on behalf of Rotary International President Barry Rassin. He was also a District Governor in Rotary Year 2006-2007 with Philippe Lamoise.
Garrie Rhodes was our Rotarian of the Month for February. We recognized her hard work to make the music competition such a success, and also for securing the featured speaker for the February 28, 2019 meeting, Richard Lederer.
Pacifica Del Mar is the site for our February social. We’ll gather in their bar from 5-7 PM for specially-priced drinks ($2 off all beer, wine and cocktails) and bar menu items, which include chilled seafood, half plates and large and smaller bites. As always, we hold our socials at restaurants that support our annual Sunset Soiree as a way to thank them for their support.
Music competition organizer Garrie Rhodes (center) with judges Ed Siegel (second from left) and Jake Jamieson (far right) with contestants Devin Oswald (far left) Isabella McCormick (center left) and William Bonitz Newman (center right)
The first round of the District 5340 Music Competition was the program for the February 21, 2019 meeting. Our thanks to Garrie Rhodes for again organizing our competition, which featured three very talented young musicians. The contest is open to high school aged students in the region and the entrants are evaluated on the difficulty of the piece, their command of their instrument, interpretation and stage presence. Our own Ed Siegel and Jake Jamieson, who has a BA and MA in Ethnomusicology from UCLA (both have also performed at the Hollywood Bowl), served as judges.
Devin Oswald, a freshman at Cathedral Catholic High School, started the competition by playing a movement from Haydn’s Concerto G Major for violin. La Jolla Country Day senior William Bonitz Newman returned for the second year and played the 1st Concertino for alto saxophone by Georges Guilhaud. Isabella McCormick, a freshman at Cathedral Catholic High School finished the competition with Impromptu for harp by Reinhold Glère. Isabella’s performance was judged the winner and we awarded a $300 prize. She will move on to the Regional Contest in March to compete for a spot in the final round to be held in April.
Isabella said that she started playing the harp when she was six years old, and began working on her winning piece just last month.
We thank all the contestants for taking the time to play for us (and also their parents, Devin Oswald, Gisele Bonitz, and Patty and KevinMcCormick for joining us) and wish Isabella all success in the next round of the competition.
Visit our Facebook page to see (and like!) video clips of the performances.
The next meeting of the Sunset Soiree Planning committee will be 4 PM on Wednesday 27 at Tom Ryan’s house. All are encouraged to attend to learn how they can make this year’s event a success. Also, if you have any gift cards that you don’t plan to use, please consider donating them for a gift card tree that Donna Fipps will be making.
Larry Cook was happy (although not Aztec Happy) that the SDSU men’s basketball team beat Nevada, which was ranked sixth in the nation; Karl Wagner was happy (and amazed) to see hail on his front porch- the first time he’d ever seen that in the 30 years he’s lived in Del Mar.
Adrienne Hurt (Lakeland Noon Rotary Club in Minocqua, Wisconsin) and Nat Reade (Rotary Club of Pasadena) returned for the February 21, 2019 meeting. Amin Karbasi, a software engineer at Qualcomm joined us to learn more about Rotary, and Meri Anne Krystmas, piano teacher to Larry Cook attended to hear one of her current students, William Bonitz Newman, play in the music competition.
Adrienne Hurt and Alta Markeson returned for another meeting as they continue to avoid the cold in Wisconsin and Utah; Jim McClellan brought his guest, Karlos Copara, who founded a company, Accel Branding, that helps companies develop branding strategies; Garrie Moore welcomed Brenda Short, a law professor on a brief visit to the Del Mar area from England; and Tony Villasenor introduced John Douglas, a long-time resident of the Del Mar/Carmel Valley area.
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) puppy Ressa, came to Donna Fipps nearly two years ago. At the February 7, 2019, we bid farewell to Ressa as she moves on to undergo intensive training at the CCI Southwest Training Center in Oceanside. Ressa was in frequent attendance at our meetings and events, and never failed to wag her tail whenever someone greeted her. We wish Ressa every success going forward!
Sergio Del Prado (Sergio del Prado, Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships) and Matt Clark (Director of Group Tickets & Hospitality) joined our February 7, 2019 meeting to talk about the upcoming Padres season and events at Petco Park. Although the Padre’s 2018 season was lackluster (40% win rate), the concerts, including the Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Def Leppard and Journey, held at Petco Park set attendance records, the sixth installment of Pedal the Cause raised nearly $3 million to benefit cancer research conducted in the San Diego area, and Trevor Hoffman was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Petco Park continues to be one of the top-ranked ball parks in Major League Baseball, but despite this success the Padres organization is still working to improve the facilities. The Premier Club is undergoing a significant refresh and the updated version will be ready for the 2019 season. The Park at the Park will be updated to provide a better experience for fans attending concerts and many fans will be looking forward to the Paul McCartney concert on June 22.
On the baseball side, 2019 is the Padres’ 50th anniversary. The outlook for the upcoming season is good, particularly given that the team has 10 of the top 100 prospects and one of the best farm teams in all of major league baseball. Young players to watch include Fernando Tatis, Jr., MacKenzie Gore, and Luis Urias. Our District 5340 will continue to host baseball nights, so 2019 looks to be a great year to watch some baseball downtown.
Help plan the Sunset Soiree meeting and discover ways that you can contribute to making our largest fundraiser- to be held May 21, 2019- a success. We will hold a planning meeting at 4 PM on February 12, 2019 at Tom Ryan’s club house in Solana Beach. Email Tom for directions, or check out his address on the Club Runner app.
All members are welcome to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings, held in the Youth Room of St. Peter’s. This month’s meeting will be held Tuesday February 12, 2019 at 7:30 AM and will last around one hour. Red Badgers need to attend one Board meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
As the first in a series of vocational talks, Ryan Riell discussed his work in San Diego real estate with the Wannebo Real Estate group. Vocational presentations will follow a similar structure: (i) Why the speaker chose his/her career path; (ii) The most rewarding/difficult aspects of their vocation; (iii) Impacts of technology; (iv) Trends, opportunities/challenges; (v) Ethical issues; and (vi) Advice for those looking to enter the vocation.
Ryan entered the real estate profession because he wanted to help people solve problems and navigate one of the biggest purchases they will make- a home. He noted that over 93% of new agents wash out in the first year of this “learn-as-you-go” profession. Technology has definitely impacted real estate with the advent of the multiple listing service (MLS), which gives equal access to those in the housing market, but can also serve to drive up prices and increase competition among both buyers and sellers. From an ethical perspective, all agents have a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interest of their clients, regardless of how those actions affect other parties involved in the transaction.
Ryan gave a brief snapshot of the Del Mar/Carmel Valley market. The current median price for Del Mar is $2 million, up by $185,000 relative to 2018, whereas the median price in Carmel Valley is $1.055 million, also up by $185,000. The Days on Market for Del Mar and Carmel Valley is 36 and 21 days, respectively, and the Months of Inventory is 7 and 1.6 months. If >7 months represents a Buyer’s market and <4 months a Seller’s market, Del Mar is currently slightly favorable for buyers while sellers have the advantage in Carmel Valley. Ryan said that new agents should consider joining in with a team who can provide valuable insights into the workings of the real estate business.
Donna Fipps was happy (but not entirely) to see her Canine Companion for Independence (CCI) puppy Ressa graduate to advanced training; Jim King was double happy that his wife has a new Lincoln; Sharyn Daly was happy to invite club members to her house on the 4th of July.
February 7, 2019 was Periodic Table and as Rotarian of the Day Dugan Moore summarized some of the history of the table and how Dmitri Mendeleev brought about the periodic table used today.
Rotary-themed gifts from District 2333 in Russia (that's a giant polio virus on the left)
Al Tarkington was happy to see North Coast Rep production of Moon Over Buffalo Marty Peters was superhappy to receive gifts from District Governor Elect Anna Tumanova, who will govern essentially all of Russia, which has only one district, District 2223. Marty shared the Rotary-themed gifts: Matryoshka dolls bearing the Rotary wheel and a big stuffed polio virus (I took that one to my virus-themed lab); Ed Siegel was happy to have completed a 20 year study that definitely supported the theory that having his car washed brings on rain.
Hands of Peace Site Director Sarah Heirendt with Program Chair Scott MacDonald
The interfaith organization Hands of Peace (HOP) seeks to empower young people to find their voice and raise their voice as agents of change. San Diego Site Director Sarah Heirendt, our speaker at the January 31, 2019 meeting, explained how HOP brings together Palestinian, Israeli and American teenagers between 15 and 17 years-old for intensive summer programs held in San Diego and Chicago. During the summer program, the participants engage in daily dialogue sessions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that are moderated by professional facilitators, take part in team building and leadership exercises, as well as educational and cultural activities. They also have free time with members of the group and the HOP community.
HOP youth who do not live in the San Diego area are hosted by one of 30 volunteer host families. The program also involves over 200 volunteers during the program and throughout the year.
The Summer Program is the first of three phases of the HOP journey. In regional seminars held throughout the subsequent year, new alumni of the summer program have the opportunity to discuss the challenges they face as they take their newly gained knowledge and understanding back to their home communities. Older alumni are encouraged to continue their role as leaders of a new generation through internal dialogue or partnerships with other organizations.
HOP has a strong connection to Rotary. Multiple clubs in District 5340 have worked with HOP, and the HOP has received District Grant funding over the past four years. HOP is currently working toward securing a Global Grant. There are multiple ways to get involved in HOP, including being a host family, encouraging local youth to apply to participate, volunteering time, and donating funds.
We were delighted to help Honorary Member Al Graff celebrate his 100th birthday at our January 31, 2019 meeting. Al was born in North Dakota, but spent much of his life in Southern California. He attended Catholic grade school and Loyola High School in Los Angeles before studying mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley. He and his wife Marianne had 5 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Al said that when he was ordained as a deacon in 1983, he was told that the most important thing deacons can do is to help the poor. He recalled several projects he co-founded or served that had a primary mission of helping those less fortunate. Al co-founded Esperanza International, which provides housing and medical care for residents of Tijuana. In 1991, Past President of Rotary Club of Del Mar Dr.Dick Wheelock approached Al to ask if he could find some space at St. Leo’s where he could see patients, which was the beginning of St. Leo’s Medical/Dental clinic. Al was instrumental in finding a home for Head Start chapters around the county, as well as for encouraging Rotary Club of Del Mar, which he joined in 1990, to sponsor a holiday party for Head Start students. He also served on the boards of the Community Resource Center and the Mexican American Education Guidance Association (MAEGA) that raises funds for college scholarships for children of Mexican Latin American descent.
To honor all of Al’s contributions to the community, Mission Circle, together with the St. James Scholarship Fund, established the Deacon Al Graff Scholarship that will provide tuition support for children of immigrants and low-income families to receive a Catholic education. Al considers the tuition support he received to attend Loyola High School an instrumental part of his successful life. Please consider donating to the fund to help other young children receive similar support.
President Don Fipps says he always has a back-up Rotarian of the Day if he needs one- his wife Donna Fipps. Given the very special birthday we were recognizing, Donna gave a brief history of some birthday traditions. Credit the Egyptians for celebrating birthdays in the first place; the Romans for celebrating the birthday of every man (women finally got to celebrate their birthdays in the 12th century); Greeks and their god Artemis for lighting candles on birthdays; Germans and their Kinderfest for bringing a cake to put the candles on; and Pillsbury and their doughboy for making cakes simple to make.
At our January 31, 2019 meeting we welcomed Alta Markeson and Adrienne Hurt, members of the Rotary Club of Logan Utah and Lakeland Noon Rotary in Minocqua, Wisconsin respectively, who are both wintering in the Del Mar area. Jay Hansen, lector at St. Peter’s church, together with Past Presidents Bob Bobbitt and Jim Brunner, and Honorary Member Bessie Floyd (with husband Ron) attended to help celebrate Honorary Member Al Graff’s 100th birthday.
Jim McClellan was super happy (that’s $100, folks!) to see the Watkins family in attendance and that his friend and fellow Rotarian, Honorary Member Al Graff, celebrated his 100th birthday earlier in the week; Scott MacDonald is double happy that he contracted with Indiana University Press to publish his next book, which will concern student debt; Ryan Riell was double happy that his daughter Adeline, who celebrated her first birthday in December, walked down the hallway of her daycare all by herself that morning so she could go and play with friends; Cynthias Villis was happy in hoping for a good turnout at the upcoming 8th Annual District 5340 Kroc School Peace Forum to be held February 23 at USD; Brett Mattei was happy that his brother in the Department of State is in good spirits despite being temporarily without a paycheck; and Nat Reade was double happy to announce that he is seeking 2 couples to join 6 other couples on a 9 day rail trip, June 15-24, 2019, that will travel between LA, Seattle and Chicago before returning to LA.
Deacon Al Graff- newly minted centenarian Photo credit Nancy Fisher
Honorary Member AlGraff recently marked his 100th birthday. Please join us at the January 31, 2019 meeting to help celebrate and hear him give a few words of reflection. Thank you to Jim McClellan for helping Al get to the meeting.
Celebrating Al Graff's Induction Into the Centenarian Club
Mark your calendars! Our annual Sunset Soiree will be held Tuesday May 21, 2019 on the Del Mar Plaza Terrace. Thank you to Tony Villasenor for working with the Del Mar Plaza to confirm the date. Don Fipps will take over from Paul Chunyk to chair the event committee. Please attend the first planning meeting at Don’s house on Tuesday, January 29 starting at 4 PM to learn how you can help make our most important fundraising event of the year a success. Email Don for the address and directions.
I’m proud to receive my second Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Given the many ways that Rotary helps, I can think of no better organization to support.
Marc Brutten, Founder and Chairman of Brixton Capital, owner of Del Mar Plaza
Del Mar Plaza now...
... and then
Marc Brutten, Chair of Brixton Capital Group, was our speaker at the January 24, 2019 meeting, when he outlined the history and future plans for Del Mar Plaza. Among the 140 commercial properties owned by the group, the Plaza is unique in size, location, and meaning to the community it occupies. The ~76,000 ft2 Plaza that was spearheaded by developers David Winkler and Ivan Galyer and designed Jon Jerde was narrowly approved by Del Mar voters. In 1989 it superseded the previous, more traditional 1950’s-era shopping center that housed a grocery, dry cleaner and bank. Over the past decade, however, the Plaza lost some of its original appeal, particularly when it was owned by a German investment group that had little expertise in managing retail properties. Brixton Capital acquired the Plaza in 2017 with the goal of returning it as one of the centerpieces of the Del Mar Village.
The Brixton group seeks to create a lifestyle-focused environment for the Plaza that engages the community to a better degree than in previous years. In addition to hosting events like our Sunset Soiree, the Plaza restored Seaside Sessions that feature local musicians and encouraged patrons of the Twilight Concert Series to dine at the Plaza prior to heading down to the concert. The Plaza hosts “Lil Tritons”- targeted at families with children that brings folk music and child-friendly activities. Over the holidays, the Plaza held pop up artisan markets that offered unique gifts made by local artists and a movie screening of “Elf”.
Plans are also in place to bring a new restaurant to occupy the old Epazote site. The Social Syndicate restaurant group will bring in Waterproof, a gastropub restaurant with a tapas-style menu that will give Plaza visitors a moderately-priced dining option that can be visited regularly, rather than just on special occasions.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is grateful to the Plaza for supporting its main fundraising event, and we look forward to enjoying the newly revitalized Plaza.
Making Del Mar Plaza a Community and Cultural Centerpiece
At the January 24, 2019 meeting we inducted our newest member, Yasser Tahboub, who recently moved to Del Mar from Bahrain, where he was a member of Rotary Club of Sulmaniya. We are delighted that he chose our club to continue as a Rotarian in the United States. Yasser said that he’s been volunteering since his youth and sought out Rotary as a way to continue volunteering as part of an organization that has a global reach.
USD Rotaract Club President Alvin Seepaul (center) with club advisor Cynthia Villis (left) and President Don Fipps
Sisters Kit Leeger (left) and KC Vafiadis (right) with Susi of Susi & Joni clothing boutique in Del Mar
Don Fipps with Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe members Mary Murray (left) and Assistant District Governor Susie Callahan (right)
Plenty of guests came to our January 24, 2019 meeting. We welcomed: Jason Davis, Vice President and Private Banker at Union Bank; KC Baivatas, daughter of Jim Watkins and Kit Leeger’s sister, who introduced her friend Susi Wyetter, owner of Joni & Susi clothing boutique in the Del Mar village; and Nat Read, frequent visitor from Rotary Club of Pasadena. Past President John Sorenson (RY 1998-1999) was getting his fill of fish tacos while visiting from Minnesota.
The Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe was well-represented with members Susie Callahan (Assistant District Governor), Past Chief Assistant District Governor Ole Prahm, and Mary Murray, Vice President at Union Bank.
Alvin Seepaul, President of the University of San Diego Rotaract club- now 24 strong- attended along with Club Advisor from the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, Cynthia Villas. Rotary Clubs of Del Mar, La Jolla Golden Triangle, and Coronado are proud to sponsor this Rotaract Club.
Cans of PBR awaited all attendees of the January 24, 2019 meeting, courtesy of Rotarian of the Day Vickie Barks, who brought them in recognition of National Beer Can Appreciation Day. We surely appreciate having Vickie as an active member. Read more about Vickie’s current pursuits (and her shout-out to Rotary Club of Del Mar) in a recent Del Sol Magazine article.
Salvatore Ercolano (far left) with club members and guests (frong row, l-r) Walt Strangman, Donna Fipps, Suzy Wagner, Keith Ward, Linda Strangman, (back row, l-r) Tony Villasenor, Matt Kurth, Karl Wagner
Enjoying good food and company in the evolving restaurant interior
Salvatore Ercolano, owner of Seasalt, recently acquired another restaurant on Carmel Valley Road, which he’s named West End Bar & Kitchen. Although the restaurant isn’t yet open for regular business, he welcomed our January social as part of a “soft open”. The chandeliers are in place and will eventually hang over booths as part of the reconfiguration of the space.
There’s a new restaurant along Carmel Valley Road west of the 5- West End Bar & Kitchen. Although the restaurant is new for us, the owners are not- they also own Seasalt just down the road. Join us on Tuesday January 22 from 5-7 PM for Happy Hour with special pricing on cocktails, beer, wine and the bar menu. Please note that all orders will be included on a single check, so please bring cash (and preferably small bills) to cover the cost of your items.
Club Social January 22 at West End Bar & Kitchen
Featured Speaker and Rotarian Amy Scruggs shows this picture taken on a recent safari as illustration that satisfying needs can sometime involve discomfort
MC Don Fipps studying his schedule- done in characteristic military detail that kept the meeting to time
Walt Strangman with Sharyn Daly
Karl and Suzy Wagner
Klaus Gubernator, Gabrielle Benot, Dugan Moore and Barrett Smith
Area 4 Annual 7-Way Meeting
Last year it was the 6-way meeting, but District 5340 Area 4 has grown by one club to include the Rotary E-club of San Diego, whose members joined those from Rotary Clubs of Del Mar, Del Mar Solana Beach, Encinitas, Encinitas Coastal, Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach Eco, at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar. Over 100 Rotarians (including Current District Governor Mel Gallegos, District Governor Elect Steve Weitzen, Assistant DGs Susie Callahan and Ole Prahm) attended to hear club presidents showcase their club’s activities. Our own Don Fipps acted as MC.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Solana Beach: 30 members, meets Fridays at 7 AM. President Ken Barrett told about their Bocce Ball tournament that raised funds to support Just in Time for foster youth and Solutions for Change that helps homeless families re-integrate into society.
Rotary Club of Encinitas: 95 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Deb Vaughn-Cleff said that funds raised at their annual Food and Wine Festival (June 2 this year) go to support over 14 organizations, including their Home Team that provides help with household projects for seniors.
Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal: 44 members, meets Tuesdays at 12:15, President James Owen. Their fundraiser, the Golf Ball Drop, supports the Navy SEAL Foundation and other organizations.
Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe: 80 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Michael Taylor noted that their Taste of Rancho Santa Fe event has an attendance of nearly 800 to raise funds that support over 10 charities and organizations, including Spay-Neuter Project (SNAP), ConnectMed, and Future Legends.
Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco: 18 members, meets Tuesdays at 6 PM, President Dave Peiser. This club focuses on projects that promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, including Latrines for Life in Cambodia, Project Amigo in Mexico, and Shelter Box. When they’re not meeting at LePort School in Solana Beach, club members take frequent field trips to environmentally sustainable projects.
Rotary E-Club of San Diego Global was founded in 2015 and has 15 members from all over the world, including San Diego. They meet both electronically and face-to-face. Treasurer Janet Mikelson summarized the e-clubs activities, including their partnership on a Global Grant Train for Change that will train teachers in Honduras, and equip these teachers with skills to train new teachers to decrease the high school dropout rate.
The featured speaker this year is Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe member, and nationally known singer and performer Amy Scruggs. She spoke of the many times her “life GPS” had to “recalculate”. From becoming a mother at a young age, to multiple job changes that eventually led her to become an established entertainer who opened for multiple country music stars, Amy related the importance of being “Contagious, Not Competitive”.
Donna Fipps and Ressa were at the San Diego airport with members of San Diego E-Club global greeting arriving District Governors
We are fortunate that Rotary International holds its annual International Assembly right in our own back yard, at Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego. Each year, District Governor Elects (DGEs) are required to attend the Assembly to take part in training that will be critical for effective leadership of their districts. Their spouses are also encouraged to attend programming tailored to their role. Local Rotarians host DGEs and this year past DG (PDG) Janice Kurth and her husband Matt Kurth, together with PDGs Marty Peters and Philippe Lamoise, invited seven DGEs and their spouses to their La Jolla home. Each DGE has some connection to Rotary Club of Del Mar- either through personal friendships or international projects on which the club partners. This year we were joined by: PDG Jean-Pierre Noirtin (District 1510, France) ; DGE Peter Oser-Veltins and Suzanne Veltins (District 1900, Germany); DGE Anna Tumanova and her daughter Varvana (District 2223, Russia); DGE Pasha and Shakila Zameer (District 3000, India); DGE Jim Henry (District 5870 Austin TX); DGE Delma and Audley Maduro (District 7020, British Virgin Islands); Training Leader Najoua Azouz and his wife Lotfi, along with DGE Noureddine and Danielle Hafsi (District 9010, Tunisia); DGE Xavier and Brenda Sentamu (District 9211, Uganda); DGE Joe Otin (District 9212, Kenya- this district encompasses Ethiopia). We congratulate all the DGEs and wish them every success in their Rotary year.
To round out 2018 happiness, Scott MacDonald was happy that his newest book, “Think Like a Dog” is available for pre-order on Amazon; Bill Dougherty was super happy that his grandson was accepted at the University of Arizona; and Jim McClellan, at 80 years young, finds that life only gets better. And to start happiness in the new year, at our January 10, 2019 meeting Karin Davies was double happy that her 10 year-old granddaughter Minami wanted to use some of her Christmas money to help rescue wild animals and made a donation to Lions, Tigers and Bears Sanctuary in Alpine; Don Fipps was happy for Donna Fipps, whose birthday was that day; Marty Peters was double happy for his wife’s upcoming birthday and Notre Dame’s fine football season; Dee House was happy to see long-time friend and speaker of the day Dr. Bruce Bekkar.
President Don Fipps presents Americana restaurant owner Randy Gruber a plaque recognizing his prize-winning chili at the recent Chili & Quackers event
At our December 20, 2018 meeting we welcomed Patricia Wimmer, a member of the Rotary Club of Rochester Rotary Risers in Rochester, Minnesota; Janie King, Jim King’s wife of 68 years; and Steve Ford, new editor of Del Mar Lifestyle magazine. We also welcomed back prospective member Yasser Tahboub from Rotary Club of Sulmaniya in Bahrain. At the first meeting of the new year on January 10, 2019, we were joined by frequent guest Ole Prahm, Adrienne Hurt of Lakeland Noon Rotary Club in Minocqua, Wisconsin, Nat Reade of Rotary Club of Pasadena, Gabrielle Benot, an artist who lives in Del Mar, and Anthony Gallo, Monty Woolley’s grandson who is a senior at Colorado State University. Randy Gruber crossed the street from his restaurant Americana to accept a plaque recognizing his prize-winning chili at our October Chili & Quackers event.
TPHS Robotics Club President Danny Maas points out the club logo on the Millennium Falcons team T-shirt worn by Jonathan Mi, Head of Design and Build
"Darth Elevader"- the team's robot for the 2018 season
We welcomed as our special guests at the December 20, 2018 meeting members of the Millennium Falcons, the Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club. Team leadersDanny Maas (President and grandson of well-known Del Mar resident and former city mayor Earl Maas), Jonathan Mi (Head of Design and Build), Emmie Yao (Head of Business), and Farrah Kaiyom (Head of Outreach) brought this year’s robot “Darth Elevader” that had lift and climb abilities to satisfy goals for this year’s FIRST challenge. Click here to watch the lift mechanism in action. The team works with an annual budget of $50,000 that covers the cost of building their robots as well as the team’s outreach activities that include teaching local elementary school students the basics of robot design. They mentor the Technobotic Dolphins at Del Mar Heights Elementary and helped the Casa di Amistad engineering club acquire a 3-D printer. The Falcons thank Rotary Club of Del Mar for being one of their Platinum-level sponsors.
Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club Millennium Falcons
Dr. Bruce Bekkar spoke about actions everyone can take to mitigate climate impacts
Bruce Bekkar, M.D. practiced as a Board-certified Ob/Gyn before becoming a full-time climate activist. As a physician, he was acutely aware of the many negative health effects that arise from a damaged climate. In his talk at the January 10, 2019 meeting, he outlined ways that climate is changing for the worse and the health impacts such changes can have. He handed out cards that listed ways to mitigate personal impacts on the climate. For transportation, individuals can choose to walk, bike, use public transit or carpool, or drive a hybrid or electric vehicle. In living spaces, simple changes are switching to LED bulbs and “smart thermostats”, and bigger changes involve retrofitting windows, adding insulation and installing solar panels. Overall lifestyle changes include water conservation, composting, shopping local and reducing meat consumption. Advocacy for community choice energy, both locally and across the state can promote use of energy from renewable sources, and support of local climate action plans is important for creating large-scale changes that can turn the course of climate change.
Induction of new members: Dee House (top panel), Joe McLeod (center panel) and Tom Tucker (lower panel)
We finished 2018 by adding three new members. Tom Tucker is a well-known figure in San Diego real estate and owns Coastal Premier Properties. In his spare time, Tom enjoys fly fishing golf and photography. Joe McLeod is the Chief Operating Officer of Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito. A graduate of Lander University, Joe arrived at BGC San Dieguito after serving as Director of Operations for Outdoor Outreach San Diego, which introduces underserved youth to a variety of outdoor activities and helps them realize their leadership potential. He and his wife Alexis are parents to three daughters. Dee House returns to the club from the Rotary Club of San Diego Downtown Breakfast. Dee is a personal financial advisor and guided the club into the new millennium when she served as president for Rotary Year 1999-2000. She also maintained another connection to the club by adopting Donna Fipp’sCanine Companions for Independence puppy, Jenny, now known as Jenga. We welcome Dee, Joe and Tom and look forward to having them as members.
Jim McClellan was double happy that his grandson continues to expand- he’s now up to 15 pounds; John Baranowski was happy for a successful cookie exchange and all the hard work that the Holiday Party committee put in to make the event a success; Marty Peters was happy that Notre Dame is in the final four of the NCAA football championship and to be home after an enjoyable cruise.
Deputy Chief Lifeguard for Del Mar Mark Rathsam and Lifeguard Kaitlyn Rosenthal demonstrate the features of the Aqua Lung rescue equipment
Brett Mattei outlined the need for a oceanfront Marine Safety Center in Rosarito Beach
As St. Peter’s hosts the Interfaith Shelter, we moved our meeting site to Powerhouse Park in Del Mar on December 13, 2018. The meeting included a thanks from Deputy Chief Lifeguard for Del Mar, Mark Rathsam for rapid response gear that will be critical for finding and rescuing swimmers in distress around Del Mar. Lifeguard Kaitlyn Rosenthal demonstrated how quickly and easily the ~$2,000 Aqua Lung kits can be donned. The club donated funds for purchase of two of the kits that will be part of the Del Mar Lifeguards battery of rescue equipment.
Our speaker for the meeting was President-Elect Brett Mattei, himself an experienced lifeguard, who is leading the effort to build a new Marine Safety Center for Rosarito Beach in the town of Rosarito, which lies just 10 miles south of the US border and is a popular destination for San Diegans and tourists alike.
Brett explained that Rosarito Beach has around 800,000 patrons annually and is staffed by two year-round on call lifeguards and around 20 seasonal guards. Nonetheless, around 5 swimmers drown each year at Rosarito Beach- an unacceptably high rate that can be attributed in part to extended response times associated with the remote location of the lifeguard headquarters that are about 6 blocks from the beach. The proposed Marine Safety Center will provide an oceanfront facility that will dramatically decrease response times and increase situational awareness of the lifeguards who staff the station. The project will be a collaboration between Baja and Southern California Rotary Clubs, with Rotary Clubs of Del Mar and Playas de Rosarito acting as leads.
Designs for the center were donated by club member Kit Leeger and her team with assistance from McKinley Associates. The advance team had located a site for the Center, and the local governmental agencies were highly supportive of the project, but unfortunately agencies at the national level already had plans in place for the proposed site, so the team is now looking for an alternate location. The budget for the project is $120,000 and is slated for completion between 2020 and 2021. Brett will be visiting clubs around District 5340 to seek support for the project and will also welcome donations that are designated for the project, as well as assistance with design of promotional materials. Together, these efforts will realize a Marine Safety Center that will increase the confidence of visitors to Rosarito area beaches.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Sponsors Marine Safety Center for Rosarito Beach
Mary Rawlings helps put the finishing touches on a succulent planter
Tony Villasenor and Don Fipps doled out dinner
We had a great evening on December 12, 2018 at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach where we hosted our annual children’s Christmas party for the members of the La Colonia Branch of the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) San Dieguito. The afternoon of the party, Donna and Don Fipps, Klaus Gubernator, Brett Mattei, Barrett Smith, and Chris Stewart inflated soccer balls that would be given to the kids when they got their presents later in the week.
Dozens of children and their families came to make ornaments, visit with Santa and enjoy a home-cooked dinner that featured tamales and rice. Kathy Reed oversaw the decorated pine cone station, Patti Kurtz helped kids make several different kinds of ornaments, Bill and Mary Rawlings along with Brett Mattei guided the kids as they made succulent planters, using cuttings from Klaus Gubernator’s garden, Donna Fipps brought out the beads and pipe cleaners for jewelry making, and lots of kids were sporting green lips after eating their creations at the station where they decorated ice cream cone “trees” that was staffed by new member (and BGC San Dieguito COO) Joe McLeod. See all the pictures at our Facebook page or the club website.
Children’s Christmas Party at La Colonia Branch of Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito
Don Fipps, Tom Ryan and Chris Stewart take a break from the assembly line
Just a few of the 350+ boxes we packed
Matt Kurth manned the stuffing station and Tony Villasenor helped stack the completed boxes
Each year the Community Resource Center (CRC), helps residents of San Diego North Country, particularly women and children and families, maintain self-sufficiency by providing domestic violence programs, food programs and emergency and transitional housing. During the holiday season, the CRC Holiday Basket program offers a free shopping experience to over 6,000 of our neighbors, including more than 3,000 children, 300 seniors and survivors of domestic violence. The centerpiece is a 50-pound food box that carries two weeks’ worth of nutritious staples and, when supplemented with a turkey and fresh produce, has all the trimmings for a full holiday meal.
Club members staffed the December 11, 2018 shift to pack boxes specifically for seniors in need. During our two hours, we packed over 375 boxes that were chock full of pasta, beans, canned goods, energy bars, oatmeal and peanut butter. Check out all the photos at our club website or our Facebook page.
Monty and Anne Woolley getting ready to enjoy carved prime rib
Dugan Moore, Janice Kurth and Philippe Lamoise
Five blondes a brunette
Kathy Reed secured the centerpieces for the tables
Joel and Kristi Candib with Caroline Morin and Brett Mattei
No shortage of cookies!
Bill Rawlings made the suggestion for the YouTube yule log
Over 50 members and guests gathered at St. Peter’s Parish Hall for our annual holiday party. Flavor Chef again lived up to its name by providing a delicious prime rib dinner. There were plenty of cookies to exchange- each baker told a bit about what made their cookies special, and Donna Fipps’s reindeer sugar cookies prancing among a pine tree forest were declared the winner. We also had over 5 dozen cookies left over that we donated to the Interfaith Shelter. Check out the photo album on our Facebook page or on the club website.
Remember that we'll be at the Del Mar Civic Center for our December 20, 2018 meeting. We'll have a special meal from Flavor Chef and will be electing officers and directors for Rotary Year 2019-2020. Write-in candidates are welcomed!
Several guests attended our December 13, 2018 meeting, including Yassir Ashtabula, a member of the Rotary Club of Sulmaniya, who recently relocated to Del Mar, and Steve Ford, the new editor of Del Mar Lifestyle magazine, who took over for member Dan Austin.
Karl Wagner was Rotarian of the Day at the meeting on December 13, 2018, also the National Day of the Horse, which was designated by Congress (and by unanimous consent!) in 2004 as a day to “to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States”. The day was fitting for Karl, who said that he’s been riding horses ever since he was nine years-old.
The Christmas Party at La Colonia Park will now be on Wednesday December 12 from 4-7 PM. We’re still in need of some volunteers to help with the arts and crafts tables, and of course we’d love to see you all there lend any extra help that will be needed. Please contact Klaus Gubernator to volunteer.
The holiday season is often marked by blood shortages. To help, please visit the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile, which will be parked at the new Civic Center (1050 Camino Del Mar) on Thursday December 6 from 9 AM-2:30 PM. There is plenty of parking at the Civic Center- 100 spaces under the building and 40 spaces above. Entrances to below-ground parking are on 10th and 11th streets. If that time doesn’t work for you, visit the Blood Bank’s website to schedule a donation appointment.
Save a Life- Give Blood December 6 at the Del Mar Civic Center
Brett Mattei presents Dr. Shalon Nienow with a challenge coin in thanks for her presentation
Dr. Shalon Nienow, a pediatrician at Rady’s Hospital who specializes in treating children who have been abused, joined our November 29, 2018 meeting to outline ways to recognize and report child abuse. Although many people may think of child abuse as physical injury, the majority (60%) of child abuse referrals are for neglect, which can include failure of parents or guardians to provide adequate food, medical care and/or education. Over one quarter of all referrals are for sexual abuse. An estimated 1 in 3 females and 1 in 20 males are victims of sexual abuse by the age of 17, although these rates, particularly for boys, may be higher since many victims never disclose their sexual abuse. Children can also experience psychological abuse, most commonly bearing witness to domestic violence. In 2017, San Diego County Child Welfare Services received over 50,0000 allegations of child abuse, of which nearly 70% were investigated. In total, 11% of allegations were substantiated.
Dr. Nienow said that there are multiple factors that contribute to the incidence of child abuse. Among factors associated with adults, substance abuse is foremost, but domestic violence, mental health issues, lack of education about parenting, or simply inappropriate expectations of how a child should behave are also prominent.
Typical childhood behaviors such as excessive crying can provoke abusive behavior, as can toilet training accidents, interruptions of parental activities or refusal to eat. Frequently, children placed in the care of non-relatives such as new boyfriends/girlfriends, who are often unwilling caregivers, are at risk of abuse.
Dr. Nienow next defined the term “mandated reporter”, which in California encompasses a broad range of occupations and volunteer activities. Rotarians who are youth-certified and participating in Rotary-sponsored events such as RYLA are, in fact, mandated reporters. Mandated reporters who fail to report suspected abuse may be held legally liable. Dr. Nienow emphasized that all suspicions of abuse should be reported- reports are kept confidential and the suspicions need not correct. But in cases where abuse is occurring, timely reporting can help children, and their caregivers get the help and resources they need.
Dr. Nienow noted that people often don’t report because they don’t want to get in trouble, don’t want to get involved, or don’t think that they’re right in their suspicions. But she said that the question they should ask themselves is: “Could I be right?”
In terms of how to empower children to avoid abuse, Dr. Nienow said that teaching kids the proper terms for body parts is important, both so they can articulate what’s happened to them and so that they don’t feel that such parts are secret or shameful to discuss. Children should also learn that no one has a right to touch their body without their consent and be able to identify several adults who are not their parents who they could tell if they are being victimized.
If you suspect a child is being victimized, please report your suspicions. For emergent situations, dial 911, or call the 24-hour hotline at San Diego County Child Welfare Services: 1.800.344.6000. Your actions could help save a child.
Thank you to Marty Peters for arranging to have Dr. Nienow speak to our club.
Our 2017 packing crew- the conveyor belts make it easy!
Use the Solana Gate entry off of Via del la Valle
Get packin’ at the Community Resource Center Holiday Baskets at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Tuesday December 11 from 6-8 PM. We will be packing boxes that provide nutritious staples for families in need in the North County region. Enter the Del Mar Fairgrounds at the Solana Gate off Via del la Valle (see map) and follow the signs to volunteer parking. The grandstand can be chilly, so wear layers that can be easily shed as you warm up packing goodies. Email Barrett Smith with any questions and bring a completed waiver form.
Community Resource Center Holiday Baskets December 11
Thank you to Kathy Reed for organizing production of Rotary Club of Del Mar polo shirts and baseball caps. Both are white and feature the club name and Rotary wheel. Caps are $15 dollars and shirts are $25- if you’d like one, please email Kathy to let her know. The cost will be charged to your Rotary account.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Shirts and Caps Now Available
Al Tarkington was super happy that his wife Stevie’s cochlear implant surgery was a success and that two weeks ago he qualified for the half-Ironman World Championship; Karl Wagner was happy that the Blood Drive isn’t scheduled until next week rather than this soggy Thursday; and Sharon Schendel was happy to have met Gordon Shurtleff of the Rotary Club of Torrey Pines while they were on adjacent machines at Scripps Shiley Fitness Center.
November 29, 2018 was the day after the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lights were lit. Rotarian of the Day Kathy Reed told about the tree’s evolution from its humble beginnings in 1933 when construction workers building Rockefeller Center decorated a 20 foot tree with tin cans. This year’s 72 foot-tall Norway Spruce was donated by Lissette Gutierrez and Shirley Figueroa. The couple learned not long after they purchased their home that the tree in their front yard they called “Shelby” was a candidate to grace Rockefeller Center.
At our November 29, 2018 meeting, Chris Stewart brought Alex Arriaga, who works in investments, and who made the wonderful suggestion that Chris join Rotary; Ryan Riell introduced Andrew Paul, a loan office; Eric Nelte welcomed back Marineke Vandervort and new member Joe McLoed, who are CEO and COO, respectively, of the Boys and Girls Club San Dieguito; Kathy Reed’s table was full of guests: her friend Annie Brown, Brand Ambassador for Mastercraft boats, returning guests Tom and Debbie Tucker of the Tucker Team real estate firm, and Rock Stone, who is returning to San Diego after a career with the FBI; Janice Kurth was happy to be joined by Tiffany Hsieh who relocated to San Diego to serve as Business Development Director for the San Diego Division of the American Heart Association.
We're expecting a good crowd for the December 7 holiday party at St. Peter's Parish Hall
What cookies will you contribute to the Cookie Exchange?
There will be no meeting this Thursday in lieu of the club's holiday party on Friday December 7, at St Peter's Parish Hall starting at 6:30 PM. Don't forget to whip up some Christmas cookies in advance to contribute to the Cookie Exchange. Bake at least 3 dozen, and if your recipes lacks both nuts and alcohol, bring a few extra that will be shared with patrons of the Interfaith Shelter, which will be hosted at St. Peter's from December 9-23. Also remember to bring a container to take cookies home.
All members are welcome to attend the upcoming Board of Directors meeting to be held Tuesday November 20 at 7:30 AM. We’ll meet in the Youth Room at St. Peter’s.
We’ll be having a cookie exchange at the Holiday Party on December 7, 2018. The Interfaith Shelter will be hosted at St. Peter’s Parish Hall shortly after the party, so please consider baking a few extra cookies (in addition to the 3 dozen for the exchange) for shelter guests to enjoy. The shelter staff ask that for these cookies not include peanuts (or any peanut-based ingredient) or alcohol.
Dan Blacker, trainer of thoroughbred racing horses
Trainer Dan Blacker came south from the Santa Anita track to join our November 15, 2018 meeting to talk about his career training race horses. He said that a trainer, in essence, gets horses ready to race. To do so involves overseeing the workout schedules of the horses he trains as well as the workout riders, hot walkers, grooms, farriers and veterinary care.
Dan has always had a love for horses, ever since he saw his first one when he was 4 years-old in Oxford, England. He rode competitively as a teenager before attending the University of Edinburgh to study Environmental Geosciences with an eye to working in the oil and gas industry. In addition to his studies, he worked with several horses trainers, and his love of horses eventually drew him to a career in the racing industry.
He graduated from the Goldolphin Flying Start program where learned about horse racing and breeding at major sites around the world. This training was instrumental for him to establish his own training enterprise, DB Racing, which he began in 2011 when he was not yet 30 years-old. He saddled his first winner as an independent trainer just weeks later.
Dan answered many questions from club members, who are eager to better their typically dismal record at our annual Day at the Races. Dan said when he’s looking for horses for his clients, he looks for, among many things, credentials, breeding and conformation (e.g., longer legs). He finds the mare to be more important in selecting horses. Whereas a stallion might have some 200 progeny a year, of which maybe 20% are good, a mare will have just one foal. When asked about claiming races, Dan explained the several levels of races: stakes, allowance, and claiming. In claiming races, anyone can buy a horse running in the race and if a claim is put in, as soon as the gate opens the claimant owns that horse.
Member Scott MacDonald is one of Dan’s clients- Scott owns a share in “Sir Eddie”, a horse that Dan described as “laid back” and “polite” meaning that he’s often likely to let another horse go ahead of him. Nevertheless, Sir Eddie usually manages a show or place and those results yield a payout check for his owners, including Scott.
Ryan Riell did double duty as Rotarian of the Day at the November 15, 2018 meeting. Not only did he highlight November 15 as Great American Smokeout Day (which is also the 10 year, 10 month, 15 day and 2 h anniversary of Ryan’s last cigarette), but he gave his “Who Am I” as part of his Red Badger tasks. Ryan grew up in Mesa, Arizona, a place that was to be a stopping point on his parents’ journey back to San Diego from Virginia, but ended up being their home. Ryan majored in Chemistry at Arizona State University and started a PhD program in Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago, but the September 11 attacks changed those plans. He joined the Army and in 2004 accepted a commission before serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2005 and 2006. After leaving the service, he transferred back to UIC to continue his PhD work, but instead took a master’s in Exercise Physiology. That expertise landed him a position working with the USA Triathlon team back in Arizona, where he met his wife, Kristi. Ryan moved to the San Diego area in 2014 and is now working in real estate. Ryan and Kristi are now proud parents of Adeline Marie, who will turn one year-old in just a few weeks. You might have caught a glimpse of Adeline’s happy smile at our recent social at Americana. Rotary is a family tradition for Ryan- his father was a long-time Rotarian- and he welcomes the opportunity to be a part of Rotary and give back to his community and local area. Ryan is part of the Youth Services Committee and the Vocational Committee, and will be working to update our social media presence to highlight the club’s activities and recruit new members.
The Browns, Chad, Ella and Maia are selling holiday poinsettias
Ella and Maia Brown were our special guests at the November 15, 2018 meeting. Along with their dad, member Chad Brown, they were selling holiday poinsettias to benefit the Encinitas YMCA. Email Chad if you’d like to purchase a plant.
Rotarian of the Day and New Member Joel Candib holding the secret ingredient in Harvey Wallbangers- Galliano liqueur
Not to be outdone by Bob Sonnhalter’s calzone from last week, Joel Candib set up an impromptu cocktail bar to serve Harvey Wallbangers in honor of National Harvey Wallbanger Day. The origin of this cocktail is unclear- some say it might be in tribute to a surfer in south Los Angeles who used to like to get drunk and bang his head on the wall. The drink reached peak popularity in the 1970’s, which is when Joel discovered it as a student at University of Toledo. Harvey Wallbangers used to be the drink of choice to fill bota bags or flasks to keep hydrated during football games.
Joel is one our newest members and transferred from the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, which he joined about four years ago. As part of his transition from Red Badge to Blue Badge, Joel gave his “Who Am I” talk. Joel was born in the Bronx and spent his early years on the Grand Concourse- he could see Yankee Stadium through his bedroom window. At the time, baseball players didn’t make the salaries they now do, and many of the players lived in Joel’s neighborhood. Joel recalls playing with Mickey Mantle’s son in the local playgrounds. In 1960 his family moved to Rockaway Park and Joel attended Brooklyn Technical High School. In 1972 he made the move to California to begin a career as an accountant. He sold his practice in 1991 and in 1993 began his current career. Joel said that he is very excited to be a member of the club, and we’re delighted to have him!
Suzy Wagner was happy for a successful social earlier in the week; Jim McClellan was happy to have Dee House back at the club and to have a very bouncing new grandson who’s already put on 4 pounds to his prodigious 10 pound birthweight; Donna Fipps was happy to have a CCI puppy reunion between Ressa and Daisy; Dee House was super happy to be back at the club; Scott MacDonald was happy in anticipation of adding a third grandchild to his family; Tom Ryan was double happy in advance of the November 10 Marine Corps birthday; Marty Peters was happy that Notre Dame remains undefeated and that Gift of Rotary goes on.
Ryan Riell and his wife Kristi with their daughter, 11 month-old Adeline
Sherry Ryan offers Marty Peters some warm apple crisp
Reunion of Ressa and Daisy
Jim and Karin Davies, Joel Candib and Don Fipps enjoy happy hour drinks
Patti Kurtz, Dugan Moore and Suzy and Karl Wagner
We had a great turnout for our November social on November 7, 2018- pushed back one day to avoid conflict with election day. Over 21 members and guests enjoyed Americana food on the patio. The fish tacos and pastrami sliders were especially good. The social was one small way to thank Randy Gruber for his faithful support of our fundraising events.
Chistina Grobin (left) and Debbie Zambianco (right)- organizers of the St. Peter's Interfaith Shelter
For our December 13 and 20 meetings we’ll gather at Powerhouse Park and the Civic Center, respectively. During this time, St. Peter’s will be the site for the rotating Interfaith Shelter, which will use the Parish Hall to house up to 12 individuals or families who find themselves without a home. Many of the Shelter guests are professionals who’ve lost their home due to foreclosure, job loss, or loss of income due to illness. The Interfaith Shelter is managed by the Community Resource Center, which also helps participants access the resources they need to get back on track. This year marks the 32nd year that St. Peter’s has hosted the shelter. Organizers Chistina Grobin and Debbie Zambianco are seeking volunteers to help offer support to the guests and share meals and conversation with them. Email Chistina to learn more or to volunteer.
In addition to all the great food from Flavor Chef, at our Holiday Party on December 7, 2018 at St. Peter’s we’ll hold a cookie exchange. Rummage through your favorite recipes and whip up 3 dozen cookies to share. Be creative with your display and be sure to bring an extra container to carry all the new cookies you’d like to try. The only limitation is that they cookies have to be homemade.
Check Your Recipe Files for the Holiday Party Cookie Exchange
At our November 8, 2018 meeting we welcomed Chistina Grobin and Debbie Zambianco from St. Peter’s, mortgage broker Richard Stewart from the Carlsbad club, and Ron Baez who owns a pool service and repair service. We also welcomed back former members Jim Brunner and Dee House.
Clem Brown, Environmental Sustainability/Special Project Manager for Del Mar
Clem Brown Environmental Sustainability/Special Project Manager for Del Mar was the speaker at our November 8, 2018 meeting. In his talk he told us about his role in developing strategies to ensure that Del Mar achieves the goals set forth in its Climate Action Plan (CAP) that was approved by the City Council in June 2016.
The plan involves first assessing how current lifestyles, including transportation, energy use, and waste affect the environment. Building on that information, Clem and his team are generating a road map to help the city reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50%, use 100% renewable power for city facilities, and generate zero waste by 2035.
In 2012, the GHG Emission inventory indicated that the bulk of GHG in Del Mar could be attributed to residential energy use (21%) and transportation (57%). To reduce GHG from energy production, the city is pursuing the concept of Community Choice Energy (CCE) in which North Coast cities of Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside band together to purchase power directly from suppliers that will give the city more choices, particularly the choice of renewable power. One other step to addressing GHG related to energy production is already in place at the new Civic Center in Del Mar. Housed in the basement is a new photovoltaic and energy storage system that provides up to 90% of the power needs of the facility, even those at night when the sun isn’t shining. The Civic Center also has charging stations for electric vehicles, and the city is streamlining the permitting process for Del Mar residents to install charging facilities in their homes. These actions likely will help increase the city’s already high rate of electric vehicle ownership.
To reduce the car trips, Del Mar is exploring “Micro Mobility” solutions by allowing neighborhood electric vehicles, and facilitating adoption of bike and scooter sharing in the city, which would be coupled with increasing the safety of bike lanes and making the city more walkable through the new Streetscape project that will involve the area between 9th and 15th Street.
Clem pointed out that Del Mar has a number of ways to meets its Zero Waste goal. In addition to banning single use Styrofoam food containers and plastic straws, Del Mar will focus reducing the amount of organic waste (currently 34% of all waste generated in the village) by examining solutions that involve composting or other types of recycling.
Under Clem’s leadership, Del Mar is already well on its way to achieving these important goals that will mitigate our impacts on the environment.
2019 Float Parade Committee with the float already in progress
Rotary will again be represented at the 2019 Rose Parade. The parade theme is “The Melody of Life” and the Rotary float will feature a piano-playing dragon and the tag line: “Service Rocks”. There are several ways you can get involved: i) buy a raffle ticket for a chance to ride the float; ii) donate $10,000 for a guaranteed ride, or hoof it alongside the float for $6,000; iii) contact Don Fipps to sign up to decorate the float in the days before the New Year’s Day parade. The float is funded independently of Rotary International and provides fantastic visibility for Rotary via parade goers and a global TV audience. Rotary’s entry has won the Princess Award (most beautiful float under 35’) two years running.
Sandra Hoyle, Programming Chair, Del Mar Foundation
Bob Gans, President of the Del Mar Foundation (DMF), and Sandra Hoyle, who oversees DMF programming joined us at our November 1, 2018 meeting to highlight the many ways that DMF fosters connections and engagement within the Del Mar community.
DMF began in 1982 to help organize community events. But over the years, the mission of DMF expanded beyond event oversight to encompass support for causes and organizations devoted to promoting the community of Del Mar. The DMF is staffed nearly entirely by volunteers to provide support for residents of the 92014 zip code, which includes all of the village of Del Mar and is bounded by the I-5 to the east, Via del la Valle to the north, and Carmel Valley Road to the south.
Sandra Hoyle spoke about her initial involvement with the DMF, which started when she moved to the area 10 years ago and was looking to meet people in the community. She began by volunteering with the Kids Corner at the Del Mar Library and eventually got involved with the DMF. She outlined the community events she spearheads, including the Summer Twilight and First Thursdays concert series, their version of TED Talks, DMF Talks, and special events like the Annual Picnic, 4th of July Parade and Halloween Dog Parade.
The DMF also offers grants that benefit the community. In the past five years, their grant budget quintupled, from $20,000 to $100,000. The funded projects include capital improvement work to expand and beautify public spaces. A prime example is the $125,000 given to the Del Mar Civic Center to ensure the inclusion of public gathering spaces. The Del Mar lifeguards received funds from the DMF to purchase a rescue boat, while older Del Mar residents benefit from the Del Mar Community Connection that brings groups together for lunch once a month.
In 2007 in honor of the silver anniversary of the DMF, an endowment program was established to provide stable, long-term funding for DMF projects. The endowment is now over $2 million and grows annually thanks to donations to annual campaigns, multi-year gifts paid in installments, sponsorship for concerns, and bequests. These funds, together with the efforts of DMF’s hard-working volunteers, will serve to strengthen the Del Mar community in the coming years and maintain the status of Del Mar as one of the best places to live.
Recover from Election Day by joining us at Americana in Del Mar for our November social. On Wednesday November 7 we’ll gather from 5-7 PM on the patio at 15th street and Camino Del Mar to enjoy the happy hour offerings, and thank owner Randy Gruber for his continued support of our Chili & Quackers Challenge and Sunset Soiree.
Monthly Social on November 7 at Americana in Del Mar
We’ll hold our annual club holiday party Friday, December 7 at St. Peter’s Parish Hall (our regular meeting site) beginning at 6:30 PM. The cost is $50 per person and will include dinner from Flavor Chef and drinks. We’ll reprise our cookie exchange- bring 3 dozen of your favorite homemade cookies to trade for 3 dozen new varieties.
Larry Cook was happy to see the Boston Red Sox win the World Series- Larry was a Red Sox bat boy for their ’59-’60 season; Marty Peters was happy to have seen Notre Dame prevail over Navy at the SDCCU stadium; Ed Siegel was happy to be back at the club after attending a Rotary Club of Encinitas meeting, where he found there was no piano; and, continuing with the grandchildren theme of last week, Scott MacDonald was happy to learn that he will be a grandfather three times over as his son and daughter-in-law are expecting.
At our November 1, 2018 meeting we were pleased to welcome Joe McLeod, the Chief Operating Officer of Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito along with Nat Reade and Past President Dee House.
Rotarian of the Day Bob Sonnhalter speaking about the history of calzones
Special calzone from Flavor Chef just for the head table
In addition to being All Saints Day, November 1 is National Calzone Day. Bob Sonnhalter was Rotarian of the Day and gave a bit of history for the calzone and how it earned a national day. These half-moons of goodness are thought to have started in Naples and were designed to be eaten on the go. Bob said that calzone roughly translates to “pants legs” and are stuffed with traditional pizza fillings. In 2016 Minsky’s restaurant in Kansas City was successful in their petition to get a national day for calzones on the National Day Calendar, and if you find yourself at Minsky’s you can order their Deluxe Loaded Lobster and Bacon calzone. Sitting at the front table had its benefits on November 1- Flavor Chef brought us our own calzone!
We had several guests at the October 25, 2018 meeting. Janice Kurth introduced Joann Lam one of the founders of a new E-Rotaract club, which our club is proud to sponsor. The club was just launched at the recent Big West Rotaract Conference held in Portland, Oregon. Joann was a member of the SDSU Rotaract Club and upon graduation she wasn’t sure whether she’d be in San Diego for the long-term. Given that uncertainty, an E-club was the perfect solution. Members meet virtually, and she could maintain her connection with Rotary in whatever new place she might land. Joann said that the E-club Rotaractors are seeking career mentors, so if you’d like to mentor one of the members, please email Joann, who is now listed as an Associate Member of our club.
John Voss joined us from the Bay Area, and we welcomed back former members Scott Thomas and past president Dee House.
Winning chili makers (L-R) Walt Strangman, Carol Kane, Don Fipps
Event chair Matt Kurth with Suzy Wagner, whose duck had the fastest return to shore
Marty Peters with one of many "duck retrievers"
District Governor Mel Gallegos and his wife Jude joined us for some beer and chili
Face (and other body part) painting was popular with everyone
Chris Stewart crushed a lot of ice for Sno Cones
Canine Companions for Independence puppies in training, Thyme and Ressa, had a fun time
Some more scenes from the day- to see them all, click here
Matt Kurth certainly earned Rotarian of the Month recognition for heading up the Chili & Quackers event held on October 20, 2018 at the Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. We had a beautiful day for the event and the turnout was fantastic. After expenses we raised $5,770 that will go to support our club projects. We had 14 chilis in all- the recipes for many are available on our Facebook page as part of publicity posts that Dugan Moore made over the past weeks. For the kids attending, Karin and Jim Davies broadened the game offerings, and we had both face painting and balloon animals. The Del Mar lifeguards were on hand to give CPR demonstrations and launch the ducks from one of their rescue boats. Brett Mattei got there very early for initial setup and helped decide where the ducks should be launched to ensure their safe return. Chris Stewart and Brody Fleming manned the snow cone machine. Miles Fleming, Patti Kurtz, Scott MacDonald and Philippe Lamoise, were busy with on-site sales; Philippe also designed our website that enabled easy pre-purchases. Garrie Rhodes staffed the drinks tent and Mark Matthess again grilled hot dogs. Val Myers gathered the prizes (over a dozen this year), and Sharyn Daly coordinated all the rentals. Suzy and Karl Wagner brought on board several restaurants and Chad Brown secured the permits for alcohol sales. Dan Smargon led the cleanup team, which got great help from the Troop 713 Boy Scouts. John Baranowski was the MC for the day. Congratulations to Suzy Wagner for having the fastest duck, and to Don Fipps, Carol Kane, and Walt Strangman who took first, second and third place, respectively, for their chilis, and, no surprise, Randy Gruber again took top prize in the restaurant division. Thanks to everyone who helped (and apologies to anyone I missed!) to make this such a great event. We’re already thinking of ways to make next year’s installment even better. Click here to check out my photos and also visit the gallery at Del Mar Times.
Jim McNemanim, Senior Vice President of Forward Planning at Zephyr, goes over the site plan for the proposed Del Mar Resort
Jim McMenamin, Senior Vice President of Forward Planning for Zephyr gave the presentation at our October 25, 2018 meeting on plans to develop the property to the north of North Beach (aka Dog Beach) in Del Mar. For nearly a century, the bluffs above Dog Beach were mainly privately owned. Now, plans are in the works to develop the property to create what Zephyr refers to as a “Resort without walls”. Visitors to the Montage in Laguna Beach will get a glimpse of the type of development Zephyr envisions: a 251 room hotel, 76 resort villas, four restaurants and a trail network along the bluffs for the public to enjoy. Just over one quarter of the site will be occupied by the Del Mar Resort, and the remainder will be open space that preserves view corridors. The profile of the buildings will be limited to no more than 46 feet in height to preserve site lines. All parking is to be self-contained and will not impact street parking. The revenue from the property to the City of Del Mar- largely through transient occupancy tax (TOT)- is estimated to be around $7 million annually, or nearly 1/3 of the current city budget. Jim explained that Zephyr has coordinated extensive outreach activities to gather public input and ensure that concerns are addressed. Project completion is anticipated for 2022 and Zephyr put significant effort into developing the project in an environmentally sustainable manner to provide area residents with a new site to gather to enjoy the benefits of this unique space.
Don Fipps kicked off the October 25, 2018 Happy Dollars by being happy to have won the Chili & Quackers cookoff with his IPA Spcial Chili; Suzy Wagner was super happy to share some her winnings from her speedy Chili & Quackers duck; Kit Leeger was happy that after 3 years, the St. Peter’s renovation project she’s guiding has at last reached story pole phase; Janice Kurth was double happy in anticipation of an upcoming trip to Japan where she’ll reconnect with a Tokyo Rotarian she’s worked with over the years; Matt Kurth was super happy for the success of Chili & Quackers; Marty Peters was double happy that the fire department wasn’t really needed to get him back on his feet at Chili & Quackers and that he had a ticket to the Notre Dame-Navy game that he would exchange for a $50 donation to the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust; Ed Siegel was happy that Chandra Collure was a grandfather and that the latest installment of his calendar books- which he’s maintained since 1974- that he'd lost in Pensacola Florida were safely returned to him; Chandra Collure was of course super happy about the birth of his first grandchild in Santa Monica; and Marlene Gotz was happy that she was able to take her 14 year-old grandson Tyler with her to Boston to celebrate her mother’s 93rd birthday. What will you be happy about at next week’s meeting?
New member Joel Candib (center) with Membership Chair Brett Mattei (left) and President Don Fipps (right)
Membership chair Brett Mattei inducted Joel Candib as the newest member of our club. Joel is a financial services professional and is transferring to our club from Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle in part because our meeting time works better with his schedule. He’s already on the fast track to upgrade to a blue badge through attendance at the recent fireside chat and helping at Chili & Quackers. We’ll look forward to learning more about Joel when he gives his “Who Am I” at the November 1, 2018 meeting.
Karin Davies was Rotarian of the Day for the October 25, 2018 meeting, and when the choice was between National Chucky the Killer Doll Day and National Sourest Day, Karin of course chose the latter. She explained the many ways that “Service Above Self” can make the sourest of things sweeter with help from the “Four Helpmates of Happiness”: Dopamine (helper’s high), serotonin (sense of well-being), endorphins (reduce pain), and oxytocin (the cuddle chemical). Doing, witnessing or even thinking about performing kind acts raises the levels of all four of these chemicals, suggesting that Rotarians are among the happiest of people!
Michelle Zive spent many years helping others build stronger bodies as a clinical dietician. She works for the Center for Community Health at University of California at San Diego as Principal Investigator for the Healthy Network of California that uses social media to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles. However, Michelle also has a lifelong love of learning and storytelling. More than 20 years after completing a Master’s in Nutritional Science, Michelle undertook PhD studies at University of San Diego to help others learn to tell stories that build trust and empathy and break down stereotypes and misconceptions.
One Tribe Connect grew out of her PhD studies. In her presentation at our September 20, 2018 meeting, Michelle shared a quote from Jonathan Gottschall’s book: The Storytelling Animal, which said: “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night telling itself stories.” One Tribe Connect builds on this innate human desire to tell stories, and in the process promote cooperation among groups, develop social norms and shared beliefs that are integrated from multiple viewpoints, and transmit cultural knowledge between individuals.
During her presentation Michelle showed an excerpt from the TED talk, “The Danger of a Single Story” by author Chimamande Ngozi Adichie who cautioned that in showing a people as one thing and only one thing, that one thing is what they become. Thus, we must remember to engage with the entire story of a person, since a single story alone can be polarizing and robs people of dignity.
In her research during development of One Tribe Connect, Michelle considered these single stories, and strategies for instead hearing entire stories. For example, if she asked a middle-aged woman to describe a Millennial, she might say “someone who is bored, entitled, and in front on a screen all day”. Yet by bringing Millennials together with older women the stories that emerged provided a broader picture of both groups, and dispelled misperceptions.
Michelle’s talk prompted lively discussion among members who shared how their own biases and assumptions might have affected their interactions with others, including their own families. Although authentic storytelling can be challenging and reveal vulnerabilities, it is a powerful means for building understanding and empathy.
One Tribe Connect- Using Storytelling to Build Bridges and Enhance Empathy
I’ll be traveling over the next couple of weeks and will miss the September 27 and October 4 meetings. I’d be grateful to any of you who could take photos at these meetings- particularly of the speaker, but also of any other photo-worthy moments. You can email me the photos with a brief accompanying blurb, or just send photos and a few notes. I’ll then post them in the newsletter with your byline. With my thanks in advance for your help- Sharon.
Submit Newsletter Photos and Articles for October 4 and October 11 Issues
Miles Fleming as Rotarian of the Day for the September 20, 2018 meeting
The age-old debate
In honor of National String Cheese day, everyone found a stick of string cheese at their plate (courtesy of Don and Donna Fipps). Rotarian of the Day Miles Fleming ran with the theme by polling members about their string cheese consumption preferences, i.e., bite versus peel and the strong attitudes about both methods.
Manning the booth at the Del Mar Foundation picnic on September 22, 2018
Booth visitors eager to learn more!
The ducks are training and chefs are polishing recipes for Chili & Quackers, which is now less than four weeks away on October 20, 2018 from noon-4 pm at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. The C & Q team has been raising awareness in multiple ways. We had a booth at last week’s Del Mar Foundation picnic and event chair Matt Kurth has been at the Del Mar Farmer’s Market. Sign up with Matt to help get the word out at upcoming Saturday Farmer’s Markets. We’ve had business cards printed that have a QR code for Chili & Quackers and the uptake has been good- we have plenty, so please take a few at an upcoming meeting and share them with friends. Speaking of sharing, Dugan Moore has been posting Chili & Quackers chili recipes on the Rotary Club of Del Mar Facebook page- if you’re on Facebook please share her posts to increase visibility. If you’re on Nextdoor in your neighborhood, consider downloading the Chili & Quackers logo and sharing it with a Nextdoor post.
District 5340 will hold its annual Foundation Seminar Saturday September 29, 2018 from 8 am-noon at the Grossmont Theater in El Cajon. Rotarians from around the district will gather to learn more about projects sponsored by Rotary clubs throughout the district that have improved the lives of individuals and bettered communities both at home and around the world. The Foundation Seminar is always a fantastic demonstration of the power of Rotary, and or Rotarians who embody this year’s theme: “Be the inspiration.” Brett Mattei and Dugan Moore will be presenting on our Club’s projects. Arrive early for a free flu shot! For complete information and to register, click here.
Register to Be Inspired at the District 5340 Rotary Foundation Seminar
Dollars were flying at the September 20 meeting. Pat Dougherty was double happy about celebrating his birthday; Jim Brunner was happy for a great trip with his two sons to San Francisco, where they watched victories by the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, as well as Stanford (and he got his picture taken with the Stanford cheerleaders); Tom Ryan was super happy in anticipation of his daughter’s wedding in Montauk, New York on September 27; Philippe Lamoise paid penance for not cutting or biting his string cheese (on string cheese day- see Rotarian of the Day story), but rather cutting it to top his salad; Karin Davies was happy for the recognition giving to her Global Grant; Jim Watkins was super happy the Del Mar Streetscape project was given the green light with scheduled completion next summer; Marty Peters was happy remembering his recent four day fishing trip in Big Sky country; and Larry King prompted Dan Smargon and Jim Davies to contribute Happy Bucks for return of phone and hat, respectively, left unattended around the Parish Hall.
The Cover of the October issue of The Rotarian that features an article about the Saving Babies Lives in Ethiopia Global Grant spearheaded by Dr. Karin Davies
Check your mailbox for the most recent issue of The Rotarian, which features the project headed by our member Dr. Karin Davies, who partnered with Dr. Pat Bromberger to teach health care professionals in Ethiopia to deliver life-saving care to struggling newborns. If you’d like to help Karin share this issue with project stakeholders, please save your copy and bring it to Karin at an upcoming meeting. You can also read the article online by clicking here.
Saving Babies Lives in Ethiopia Global Grant Featured in October Issue of The Rotarian
The Woolleys- Ann, Monty and Basil- never have too far to travel to attend socials in the Del Mar village
Donna Fipps (left), Donna Johnson (center), Sharyn Daly and Don Johnson (upper left) and Janice Kurth (right) enjoy the evening weather
Bellied up to the Bleu Bar are (l to r) Jim Kohn, Suzie and Karl Wagner, Bill Rawlings and Matt Kurth
Around 20 members and guests met near the L’Auberge Del Mar pool to enjoy drinks, appetizers, and dinner at the Bleu Bar. Thanks again to the Wagners for organizing our socials, which continue to be a great way to support local businesses who have sponsored club events such as the Sunset Soiree. On October 2 from 5-7 PM we'll return to Viewpoint Brewing Company for our October social.
Matt Kurth has built on his experience as a physician-scientist working neurodegenerative diseases to advise a number of companies on drug development and clinical trial design. At the September 13, 2018 meeting, Matt discussed how clinical trials of therapeutic compounds that are conducted in order to gain Food and Drug Administration approval are important for ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs used to treat a range of diseases. During his presentation Matt outlined the different phases of clinical testing- Phase 1 through Phase 4. Drugs are first tested in Phase I trials involving only a few dozen patients to determine the effective dose and can progress up to Phase 3 in which thousands of patients are enrolled, often at the cost of up to $50,000 per trial subject. Such testing, together with the high failure rate of drug development, contribute to the high costs of drug research. Matt highlighted examples of the “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of current therapeutics. Among “The Good” are personalized medicines, such as those used in certain cancers that consider a patient’s genetic makeup and advances in treatments for autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases. For “The Bad”, effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Diseases are lacking, vaccination rates remain less than ideal, and the incidence of drug resistant bacteria is increasing while the number of new antibiotics is small. Finally, “The Ugly” is that millions of Americans still lack reliable access to basic health care services, which drives up the costs for the entire population. Matt's presentation is the first in a series of vocational presentations. If you're interested in presenting on your vocation, email Vocational Chair Dan Smargon.
The Food and Drug Administration- an Important Guardian of Drug Safety
Marta Knight leads a session on the qualities of effective leaders and developing good projects
Past District Governor Carl Kruse outlined how ethics fits into all Rotary Lines of Service
Janice Kurth, District 5340 Rotary Foundation Chair and Past District Governor (and Rotary Club of Del Mar member) discussed how donations to the Rotary Foundation help support current and future projects
Over 70 club president-elects, presidents, and others on the leadership track in Rotary gathered on the University of San Diego campus at the Joan B. Kroc Center for Peace and Justice to gain insight into the qualities of effective leaders, ways to build and sustain club membership, develop projects and fundraisers, and ways that contributions to The Rotary Foundation can strengthen clubs worldwide. District Governor Mel Gallegos, along with District Governor-Elect Marta Knight and Past District Governors Marge Cole, Karl Cruse and Janice Kurth led sessions on a variety of topics designed to ensure that future club leaders have the tools they need to sustain the vitality of their clubs. Rotarians in attendance had the chance to work in small groups to share ideas about what programs have been effective for their clubs and ways that Rotary can continue to flourish at the club, district, and international level.
Rotary Leadership Institute Provides Guidance for Future Leaders of Rotary
President Don Fipps (left) and Rotary Foundation Chair Matt Kurth (right) with Suzie Wagner
President Don Fipps and TRF Chair Matt Kurth awarded Suzie Wagner her second Paul Harris Fellow (i.e., Paul Harris +1). Remember that all donations to The Rotary Foundation count towards Paul Harris Fellow recognition and help provide funding for projects both locally and across the world. Matt noted that 12/63 members have fulfilled their pledges to the foundation and reminded us that the club’s goal for the year is a $25 minimum donation from each member and $100 per capita donations. Download the pledge forms to make your contributions to The Rotary Foundation (click here to download the form) and the club’s Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust (click here to download the form) today.
Congratulations to Paul Harris Fellow +1 Suzie Wagner
Scott MacDonald kicked off the round of happiness at the September 6, 2018 meeting by being happy for the return of Patti Kurtz from Europe and the impending publication in May of his new book, “Think Like a Dog”; Jim McClellan was happy in anticipation of the birth of a new grandson; Tony Villasenor was super happy that his son is to be married next week; and Chris Stewart was happy to announce that his book “Prayers, Punk Rock and Pastry” is doing great on Amazon.
U-TOUCH founder Deb Plotkin (second from right) with Dugan Moore, Matt and Janice Kurth and Philippe Lamoise, who all recently visited a U-TOUCH Digital Center in Gulu, Uganda
U-TOUCH students
Deb Plotkin’s journey to the founding of U-TOUCH, an organization that brings computer technology to the people of Northern Uganda, began when she was just four months old with a knock at the door of her family’s home. An officer had come to tell her mother that Deb’s father, a loving, compassionate man, had been shot and killed in an armed robbery. The loss of her father instilled in Deb a desire to search for meaning and purpose in life, and also fostered a sense of connection with all isolated children, particularly those who’d lost a parent.
In 2005, Deb heard Sister Pauline Acayo speak at UCSD. Sr. Pauline told of the violence in Uganda, particularly that associated with the Lord’s Resistance Army, which often forced children to become soldiers, and also was involved in a conflict that resulted in the displacement of thousands of Ugandans. Deb and her daughter began raising funds for the Uganda Education Fund, which provided the means for Ugandan children to attend school.
Although Deb and her daughter, together with students at La Jolla High School and Muirlands Middle School, raised more than $75,000 to support the education of individual children in Uganda, Deb felt the need to provide sustainable resources that could provide life-long benefits to Ugandans. In 2010 she founded U-TOUCH as a 501(c)(3) organization to provide education in computer technology. Through programs such as the Microsoft Digital Curriculum in which students gain expertise with the Microsoft Office suite, U-TOUCH students build their computer skills. Having learned the fundamentals of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), U-TOUCH students can expand their skills to include web design and internet connectivity, as well as learn how computers can facilitate business development.
U-TOUCH also emphasizes the important role of women in economic development through its Women’s Empowerment (WE) Program- a month-long course that that challenges traditional gender roles and helps women develop leadership and life skills, as well as tools needed to found their own businesses that allow these women to support themselves and their children.
Since its founding, over 5,000 Ugandans have obtained Microsoft Digital Literacy certification at one of 5 U-TOUCH digital centers in Northern Uganda. Its graduates see an increase in their income of up to 200%. Deb began her talk with the statement: Brilliance is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. The many success stories of U-TOUCH students illustrate the brilliance of these students that shines when they’re given the right opportunities.
Learn more about U-TOUCH at their website (created by a U-TOUCH graduate) and consider attending their upcoming event, Gala for Giving Hope, to be held in Del Mar on Sunday October 14 at 3 pm. The gala will raise funds to support U-TOUCH activities.
Bridging the Global Digital Divide: The Lives U-TOUCH are the Lives You Save
We’ll spend our September Social overlooking the ocean at the Bleu Bar at L’Auberge in Del Mar. Join us from 5-7 PM to enjoy cocktails, beer and wine paired with bar bites, salad or sandwich (click here for the menu). Remember to invite friends or colleagues who have interest in the San Diego biotech community in advance of our Vocational Series presentation by Matt Kurth at the September 13, 2018 meeting.
September Social: September 11 at Bleu Bar in L'Auberge Del Mar
Past President Klaus Gubernator now serves as Trustee and Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation trust (chaired by Val Myers). At the September 6, 2018 meeting he explained the different ways that club members can donate to support both club and Rotary International-sponsored projects.
Rotary Foundation: The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization that supports the activities of Rotary International. Donations you make to the Rotary Foundation support a variety of activities, including the Polio Plus fund, Global and District Grants and scholarships and are fully tax deductible. Our goal is to have 100% of members donate with a per capita annual donation of $100
Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust: Members are also asked to contribute to our Foundation Trust, also a 501(c)(3) organization. The trust gives us greater flexibility to fund smaller projects (e.g., La Colonia Children’s Christmas Party; Community Resource Center; Del Mar Lifeguards rescue equipment). Your donations to the Trust are also fully tax deductible. Our goal is to have 100% of members donates and a per capita annual donation of $200
Rotary Club of Del Mar: The club is a 501(c)(4) organization, which allows us to take positions that may be considered to have a political aspect. Use of funds is not restricted and go to cover club expenses such as Parish Hall rental and catering
Download the pledge forms to donate to the club’s Foundation Trust and Rotary Foundation and return the completed forms and checks to Klaus. To ensure that your donation is tax deductible, make checks out to “Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust” and “The Rotary Foundation”, for donations to the Foundation Trust and Rotary Foundation, respectively. Members can also make their donations to the Rotary Foundation online by clicking here.
Supporting the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust and Rotary International
Marlene Gotz announced the 49th annual Dia Del Sol event to benefit United Cerebral Palsy will be held at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar on October 10, 2018 from 10-1:30 PM. In particular, she seeks several members who can assist children affected by cerebral palsy who will be participating in the event’s fashion show.
Dia Del Sol is hosted by members of the Beach & Country Guild, an all-volunteer organization of women that raises funds to support children and families in San Diego who have been affected by cerebral palsy. The guild donates up to $250,000 annually to United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego for the direct benefit of the San Diego community.
Annual Dia Del Sol Event to Benefit Cerebral Palsy Research
President Don Fipps presents Dan Smargon with his sixth Paul Harris Fellow recognition
Marty Peters recognizes Jack Lyon as a Paul Harris Fellow
Congratulations to Dan Smargon on receiving his sixth Paul Harris Fellow recognition- he received a Paul Harris pin with a ruby for his contributions to Rotary International. We also congratulate Matt Kurth on receiving his second Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Rotarians can also recognize individuals as Paul Harris Fellows, which is what Marty Peters did on behalf of Jack Lyon, founder of Veterans Village of San Diego.
We’re just over five weeks from Chili & Quackers on October 20, 2018. We’re gearing up to secure sponsors and need your help in getting the word out about this event. If you’re on Facebook and haven’t already, please “like” the Rotary Club of Del Mar Facebook page. Once on the page, please like and share Dugan’s posts about Chili & Quackers. Through sharing we can maximize the number of people we reach. Please also encourage your family and friends to visit our website to “adopt” ducks and pre-purchase chili tastes and food and beverage tickets is now live at the club website. Thank you to Philippe Lamoise for his work developing the site. Want to be involved in planning? Email event chair Matt Kurth to find out ways to help.
Judi Westberg, Regional Development Officer for Mercy Ships brought plenty of informational materials
Our Program Chair Scott MacDonald connected with Judi Westberg, Regional Development Officer for Mercy Ships who presented to our club on August 30, 2018, in an unusual way- through art. Scott was purchasing work by local artist Tom Liguori, who instead of payment asks clients to donate to one of several charities, including Mercy Ships.
Judi began her presentation by showing a 60 Minutes piece that aired several years ago. In many countries in Africa, access to basic healthcare is extremely limited and access to surgical care is even more rare. Mercy Ships bring surgical care to countries identified by the World Health as being most in need. Don Stevens founded Mercy Ships in 1978 by Don Stevens and in its 40 year service has helped more than 80,000 individuals and their families by bringing 21st century medical care to those most in need.
The Africa Mercy is a 500 ft converted rail ferry ship that carries a crew of 450, including 15 doctors. The ship has 78 beds and 6 operating rooms. All crew provide their services for free, and each crew member must fund their own living expenses. Many of the crew are sponsored by churches and other organizations in their home communities.
Mercy Ships provide only surgical treatment and specialize in maxillofacial surgeries, particularly those involving repair of cleft palates and removal of disfiguring benign facial tumors. They also perform cataract surgeries that have helped dozens of patients regain their sight after decades of blindness.
Mercy Ships is a faith-based organization that receives no government funding and thus their $55 million annual budget is supported solely on private donations and corporate partnerships. They are currently engaged in a capital campaign to raise $160 million to build a new ship that will be designed to meet surgical specifications. Judi invited us to learn more about Mercy Ships and keep abreast of its activities by signing up to receive their newsletters.
Mercy Ships Bring Hope and Healing to Those Most in Need
On September 13 Matt Kurth will give the first in our new Vocational Series of presentations that will highlight the different vocations of our members. Matt will discuss biotech and pharma industry in the San Diego region. All members are encouraged to invite friends or colleagues who are in this field, or have interest in the topic, to attend. Members can also consider bringing guests to the monthly social on Tuesday, September 11, at the Bleu Bar at L’Auberge to talk about the biotech/pharma industry in an informal setting in advance of the September 13 meeting. Interested in presenting on your vocation? Contact Program Chair Scott MacDonald.
Sharyn Daly was happy for being back into her house in the hills of Del Mar, while Ole Prahm, visiting from the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe, was happy to be able to attend a Rotary meeting within walking distance of his home. John Baranowski is happy for an upcoming trip to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. John’s wife, Candace, hit on a great idea while they were looking for an Albuquerque hotel. She suggested that they reach out to local Rotarians to ask whether any members would be willing to host them during their trip and they would donate the funds they would have otherwise spent on a hotel to club projects. They had more than a few offers and will be looking forward to meeting Rotarians on their upcoming trip.
Brett Mattei and Vickie Barks and the rest of our crew in attendance
Suzy and Karl Wagner with Monty Woolley
Larry Cook (big winner for the day) and Scott MacDonald
Don Fipps, Marty Peters, Bob Fuchs and Brett Mattei
Garrie Rhodes and Ed Siegel
Val Myers and Sharyn Daly with Kevin Fitzpatrick
Eric Nelte, Tom Ryan and Jim Brunner
Chad Brown with Bill and Pat Dougherty
Don and Donna Fipps (far left) in the Winner's Circle with the Del Mar Rotary race winner Fawree
Another beautiful day at the Del Mar Race Track for our annual Day at the Races. We gathered at Il Palio restaurant on the 6th floor of the grandstand to enjoy a lunch buffet and the window-side tables that have panoramic views of the track. Instead of the usual Sick Picks, we had only five races this year, but the picks didn’t fare all that much better with the smaller card. Larry Cook collected winnings as usual, but regardless of the take everyone had a wonderful time. Don and Donna Fipps were in the winner’s circle to greet the winner of Race 2, the Del Mar Rotary Race. Fawree, ridden by jockey Flavien Prat ran the one mile in only 1:38 to win easily over Tidal Effect and Impression and pay out $19 for a $2 bet. Click here to watch the complete race and the winner’s circle presentation. Thank you to honorary member and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper for graciously hosting this event.
For our meeting on August 23, we’ll venture from our usual meeting site down the road to the newly opened Del Mar Civic Center to hear City Manager Scott Huth present on the state of city of Del Mar affairs. We’ll also be able to tour the new facilities. The Civic Center is located on the Coast Highway (1050 Camino Del Mar) and there is plenty of parking at the Civic Center- 100 spaces under the building and 40 spaces above. Entrances to below-ground parking are on 10th and 11th streets.
Field Trip: August 23 Meeting Will Be Held at Del Mar Civic Center
Suzy and Karl Wagner with their grandson Ashton (far left) and Suzy's daughter Pam and her husband Mike
Don and Donna Fipps
Lanh Tran and Bill Nguyen with their daughter Skylar
Suzy says "hi" to Skylar
Steely Damned plays on as the sun sets
As a twist for our monthly socials, Karl and Suzy Wagner were up bright and early (i.e., 5 AM) on August 7, 2018 to claim a spot on the Powerhouse Park lawn in advance of the latest in the Del Mar Foundation Twilight Concert Series. Their early morning efforts provided us a close up view of Steely Damned and a place to enjoy early evening picnics. Karl and Suzy’s grandson Ashton was visiting from Boulder, Colorado, where he’s attending University of Colorado Boulder, and Suzy’s daughter Pam and her husband Mike also joined us. Two other special guests were with Lanh Tran- her husband Bill and their daughter Skylar, who’s just a few weeks shy of her first birthday.
August Social at the Del Mar Foundation Twilight Concert Series
Eric Nelte reported that Doug Hall, former member of Rotary Club of Del Mar and Rotary Club of Encinitas, passed away on August 4, 2018 at the age of 86. After serving as Executive Director of the Carlsbad Boys Club from 1964-1966, Doug spearheaded the creation of a new Boys Club in the San Dieguito community and built three clubs in Encinitas, Solana Beach and Carmel Valley. Notably, the San Dieguito Boys Club was the first in the United States to admit girls. Doug served as Executive Director for BGC San Dieguito and retired as their CEO, whereupon he became President of the BGC San Dieguito Foundation for which he oversaw planned giving and contributions in excess of $20 million.
Doug left a lasting legacy at Rotary Club of Del Mar- Bob Fuchs said that when he was club president in 2004 Doug suggested that the club host a wine tasting festival, which endures today as the Sunset Soiree.
In lieu of flowers, the Hall family requests that donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito Foundation Doug Hall Scholarship fund (P.O. Box 871, Solana Beach, CA 92075) or the Grace Anglican Church (4055 Oceanside Blvd., Ste P, Oceanside, CA 92056.
A celebration of Doug’s life will be held Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10 AM at the old St. Anne’s church building on 701 West Street in Oceanside. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Please wear “happy colors” to honor Doug’s preference for bright colors. Contact Eric Nelte if you have any questions.
District Governor Mel Gallegos (second from left) with his wife Judy (aka Hey Jude, far left) and (left to right) Don Fipps, Assistant District Governor Susie Callahan, Past District Governor Marty Peters and and newly named District Governor for 2020-2021, Steve Weitzen
District Governor Mel Gallegos visited our club on August 9, 2018 to give a presentation focused on how members can open the door to Rotary for others. In 1990, Mel’s wife Judy (aka “Hey Jude”) became a Rotarian. When they were both attending a District Conference in Lake Arrowhead, Mel was asked why he wasn’t a Rotarian, too. Judy said: “He’s not qualified”, based on the thinking that Rotarians had to own their own business. At the time, Mel was working at Sharp Memorial Hospital- a business he of course didn’t own. But it was Lou Coviello who opened the door for Mel and let him see that he most definitely did qualify to be a Rotarian. The door opened further at the 1996 Rotary International annual convention in Calgary, Canada, when Mel realized the international reach of Rotary. There he met Rotarians from all over the world, and even though they spoke different languages, he found that they shared similar goals and ideas.
Rotary opened the door for Mel to travel to Africa. In response to a challenge by the late Jack Campbell, a Rotary Club of Escondido member and polio survivor, District 5340 raised funds to sponsor a National Immunization Day in Eritrea in Africa. Mel was a member of the team that traveled to Eritrea to deliver the polio vaccine. This trip was the first of many Rotary-associated trips Mel and Judy have made to Africa.
Mel asked us to think about who introduced us to Rotary and how we remembered them. He then encouraged us to think of people in our lives who we might be able to introduce to Rotary. Across the world, around 1.2 million people call themselves Rotarians. Yet that number has remained stationary for over a decade, indicating that we lose as many members as we gain. Moreover, most of the current growth of Rotary is in Asia. Therefore, Rotarians in the United States need to find new strategies to maintain and grow membership by inviting service-minded people to join us. To help cultivate new members in our district, the District 5340 website lists a number of resources and the August 2018 issue of The Rotarian features innovative ways to help prospective members see the value of being a Rotarian. Above all, Mel called upon all of us to keep opening doors for others and in turn help Rotary grow and flourish.
District Governor Mel Gallegos Encourages Rotarians to Open Doors for Potential Members
In addition to welcoming club visitors Richard Fogg (Rotary Club of North County Inland), Carolyn Sparks (Rotary Club of Las Vegas), Steve Balch (Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle), honorary member Jim Brunner, and Dani Knapp as a new Associate Member, our members gave plenty of Happy Dollars to express happiness about recent events or people in town for a visit. Donna Fipps was happy to that her Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) puppy in training, Ressa, is the first water-loving CCI dog she’s had; Karin Davies was grateful that her University of Gondar colleagues were awarded all the necessary equipment to outfit a Level 3 NICU at University of Gondar hospital- site of training for her Saving Babies Lives in Ethiopia Global Grant; Ed Siegel was happy to be have an upcoming interview with local raconteur Ken Kramer about his version of the Star Spangled Banner in the key of G; Charles Dorfan expressed happiness at the prospect of studying for both a law degree and MBA at Columbia starting in the fall; Karl Wagner was happy that the August 9 San Diego Blood Bank Drive at the new Del Mar Civic Center had already collected 13 donations; Scott MacDonald was thankful to have his son and daughter-in-law in from Morocco; Marty Peters donated Happy Dollars in recognition of a Paul Harris Fellowship he awarded to Fr. James Rude, S.J.; visiting Assistant District Governor Susie Callahan was happy that she yet again at a meeting with Richard Fogg; and Sharon Schendel was pleased to see publication of a collaborative study on improved treatments for Ebola virus infections that appeared in Cell. The proceeds from all this happiness will go to support our many club projects.
Carolyn Sparks of Rotary Club of Las Vegas and President Don Fipps exchange club banners
We always look forward to the introduction of guests at our weekly meetings. At the August 2, 2018 meeting, Janice Kurth’s sister, Jeanette McKnight, a speech pathologist from Fort Worth, Texas joined us, and Dani Knapp, member of the Rotary Club of Kona of Hawaii, returned for another meeting. Carolyn Sparks, member of Rotary Club of Las Vegas, brought us a banner to add to our collection, and Don Fipps gave her one of our banners. When you’re out traveling, use the Club Finder tool to find a meeting to attend. You’ll be given a warm welcome.
Laura Lavoie, Director of Philanthropy at Rady Children's Hospital, with Program Chair Scott MacDonald
Examples of 3D models created at Rady Children's 3DVIP lab
Laura Lavoie, Director of Philanthropy for Rady Children’s Hospital, was our speaker at the August 2, 2018 meeting. Laura has a personal connection with the hospital- her son Luke, who’s now 6, spent the first 37 days of his life in a Rady-administered NICU at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. She now has the opportunity to help give back to the hospital system that gave her and her son so much.
Rady Children’s began in 1954 as Children’s Hospital of San Diego, a 12 bed community polio hospital. In the nearly 65 years since, the hospital grew to a 550 bed facility that is one of the biggest children’s hospitals by volume. Last year they treated over 20,000 inpatients and almost 300,000 outpatients. Through its partnerships with pediatric medical groups and referrals, medical services for over 90% of children treated in San Diego county were in some way connected to Rady Children’s.
The hospital is ranked in the top 10 for multiple specialties and has faculty who are affiliated with top research institutions in the area, including UCSD. In her presentation Laura focused on four programs that are supported in part by community donations.
The 3D Visualization, Innovation and Prototyping (3DVIP) lab uses 3D printing to create models and prints based on medical imaging that allows surgeons and other clinicians to hold in their hands a model of the organ they’ll be treating. Through these tactile models, clinicians can plan treatment strategies and also help patients and their parents visualize how they’ll be treated.
Faces for the Future (FACES), a four year academic and career development program, exposes students from Hoover and Crawford High Schools to career opportunities in healthcare. Through clinical rotations and shadowing staff at local agencies involved in healthcare delivery, FACES provides these students with mentors and with firsthand experience that will be critical to their future success. FACES is also helping to diversify the healthcare workforce by giving underserved students the skills and tools they need to enter training programs after they graduate high school.
Rady Children’s Philanthropy was also instrumental in obtaining funds needed to install NICVIEW cameras in their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). These cameras are positioned above the isolettes and allow parents to see their newborns in real time by logging in to a secure online video feed. Parents value the ability to see their infants whenever they’re not able to be in the NICU itself- one family logged in more than 650 times in the first week of their child’s life.
Since its launch in 2016, the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Rady Children’s has sequenced the genomes of more than 1,000 patients. Sequencing of an entire genome once took weeks and cost millions. Rady patients now can receive results in just days at minimal cost. Of those patients whose genomes were sequenced at Rady, 35% received a diagnosis based on sequencing results (note that not all disease has a genetic foundation that can be detected by sequencing) and of those, the treatment plan for 70% changed course based on the sequencing findings.
Through these innovative programs, Rady Children’s stands as an invaluable resource not only for San Diego’s youngest residents, but also for children around the world who are referred to Rady Children’s for treatment. To learn more about how you can support Rady Children's programs, email Laura.
Rady Children’s Hospital Keeps San Diego at the Forefront of Pediatric Medicine
We’ll gather at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on August 16 for our annual Day at the Races event. The $20 fee for lunch and drinks will be billed to your account, but bring a few extra dollars- not only for betting- but to contribute to our Pick 5 pool and to tip our servers. After the gates open at noon, look for Bill Dougherty who will be stationed outside the gates to hand out passes to enter the grounds. Then head to the elevators inside the grandstand and go to Il Palio restaurant, high above the track. Gentlemen- remember to wear a jacket (no denim or shorts) and ladies, well, you’ll know what to wear. We’re grateful to our generous host and honorary member, Joe Harper, for sponsoring this outing.
On October 20, 2018 the ducks will return to Powerhouse Park in Del Mar for our annual Chili & Quackers challenge. This year we’ll offer partnership opportunities for club members and local businesses (click here to download the form). Partners will see their name and logo on the event website and also received chili tasting tickets and duck entries. In addition, club members who purchase partnerships will be recognized with points towards their next Paul Harris Fellow award. We’re seeking around 15-20 chili cooks- so start thinking of which chili recipe you might have lurking in your collection that can beat out the stiff competition.
Matt Kurth, our Rotary Foundation Chairman, reminds us to make our annual pledge to support projects sponsored by The Rotary Foundation. Rotary Club of Del Mar is particularly active in Global Grants, and giving to the Foundation is a great way to help support this important work. This year our goal is a $200 per capita donation, which should be achievable given our 2017 rate of $266 per capita. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and contribute to Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Click here to download the pledge form and bring the completed form along with a check for your pledge to Matt, or
The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile will be parked at the new Civic Center (1050 Camino Del Mar) from 9 AM-2:30 PM. There is plenty of parking at the Civic Center- 100 spaces under the building and 40 spaces above. Entrances to below-ground parking are on 10th and 11th streets. If that time doesn’t work for you, visit the Blood Bank’s website to schedule a donation appointment.
Save a Life- Give Blood August 9 at the Del Mar Civic Center
Lots of members (including honorary member Canine Companion-in-training Ressa) and guests enjoyed sushi and sunset at Shimbashi in Del Mar Plaza
In thanks for their support of our Sunset Soiree in May, Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar Plaza was the site for our July social. Founded in 2009, Shimbashi Izakaya derives its name from “Shim” and “bashi”- the Japanese words for “New” and “Bridge”. Izakaya is Japanese for “pub”, and is a place to unwind with after-work drinks. Our members were on hand to enjoy the happy hour sushi specials and the variety of appetizers and drinks on offer. With our new banner, our socials are no secret, and we welcome anyone interested in learning more about Rotary and meeting our members to join in. Thanks again to Susie Wagner for organizing the event.
Barrett Smith (right) with his traditional rabbit ears over new past president Klaus Gubernator
We congratulate Barrett Smith for being named Rookie of the Year. Barrett is an extremely active club member. In addition to participating in the majority of club events, in the past year he took over as Chair of the Community Services committee from Bob Sonnhalter and overseen several new activities by the Committee.
Bill Dougherty (right) introduces Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper (left)
Fresh off another successful Opening Day, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) CEO Joe Harper was our speaker at the July 19, 2018 meeting. Joe was a little late to the meeting as he was meeting with state legislators who were visiting the track that morning. When he visited us last year, Del Mar was gearing up to host its first ever Breeder’s Cup in November 2017. At Del Mar the Breeder’s Cup saw its highest ever on-track handle, which was up by 21% relative to the 2016 handle despite having only half as many attendees. Joe explained that the Del Mar facility offered more high-end tickets and the smaller attendance can actually increase the number of bets placed as fans have easier and faster access to betting windows.
An economic impact report indicated that the Breeder’s Cup brought more than 100 million dollars to the area from hotel bookings and spending at restaurants and other local businesses. Apparently the only complaint nearby restaurants had was that they didn’t have enough high-end wine on hand. Joe is hopeful that this impressive debut performance will set the stage for many return visits to Del Mar by the Breeder’s Cup.
Joe expects the 2018 summer meet, which runs through September 3, to be another success. They have another great concert series planned, and this year they’ll have Brigantine Wednesdays with free admission (for Diamond Club members- it’s free to join) and famous fish tacos from The Brigantine. There are plenty of other events planned for this year, including a return of the Food Truck Festival, Craft Beer Festival and Burgers and Brews, among others. The DMTC will again generously host members of the Rotary Club of Del Mar on August 16- but consider visiting the track in advance to brush up your betting prowess so that our “Sick Picks” will be more successful this year.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper: Breeder's Cup and Beyond
Our new president Don Fipps gave a brief Who Am I at the July 19, 2018 meeting. Don grew up in Bakersfield and attended Delano High School, where he made his first contact with Rotary through a scholarship that together with a ROTC scholarship helped him attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and major in biochemistry. After graduating, he undertook active duty in the US Army and was a Medical Platoon leader in the Fulda Gap in Germany. During his time there he also administered local outpatient health clinics- a challenge for a 22 year-old newlywed in a foreign country.
Don put on his “Dream Sheet” his desire to be stationed at the Walter Reed Medical Center where, in addition to being involved in medical testing activities, he performed HIV research and eventually earned a master’s degree in biology from Bowling Green State University. In the mid-90s he was in charge of the Army’s medical humanitarian assistance for Africa before retiring from the service in 1997 after having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then worked for the American Red Cross in Charlotte, North Carolina. There he was promoted to Vice President of Quality, a position based in Washington DC. Rather than uproot his family, Don commuted from Charlotte to DC every week. He left that position to become CEO of Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services region for the American Red Cross. While there, he first joined Rotary. From Pennsylvania he went to Sacramento where he was Vice President of Research at blood center there, but in 2012 the center downsized their research operations, leaving Don out of a job and having to forgo being president of the Rotary Club of West Sacramento (club motto: “Mighty is as mighty does”) when he and Donna moved to San Diego to work for UC San Diego.
Before Don and Donna moved to San Diego in 2012, he began looking for Rotary Clubs to join. He thought Rotary Club of Del Mar was appealing because its meetings were in an Episcopalian church. Don is newly retired from his position as Administrative Director of Clinical Laboratories for the UCSD Health System and is looking forward to devoting himself fully as club president for 2018-19.
For the August social on August 7, 2018 we’ll try something new and meet in Seagrove Park to hear Steely Damned 2 who will be performing as part of the Summer Twilight Concert Series sponsored by the Del Mar Foundation. Suzy and Karl Wagner will stake out some space at the park early so that we can have a good view when the concert starts at 6 pm. Feel free to bring chairs. Also consider ordering a beach box dinner from either Il Fornaio or Pacifica Del Mar. The price of the dinner includes free parking at nearby Del Mar Plaza. (Photo credit: The Del Mar Foundation)
Social at Twilight Concert Series in Del Mar on August 7
Kit Leeger (top) and John Baranowski (bottom) both contributed Happy Dollars at the July 19, 2018 meeting
John Baranowski contributed Double Happy Dollars in thanks for a recent successful fishing trip in which his group brought in more than 1,200 pounds of bluefin tuna. Kit Leeger also gave some Happy Dollars to recognize an article about her father, Jim Watkins, that appeared in Ranch & Coast and summarizes Jim’s vision for the future of Del Mar.
The Rotary Foundation Chair Matt Kurth outlines our annual goal for giving to The Rotary Foundation
Matt Kurth, who assumed the role of Rotary Foundation chair from John Baranowski, outlined our goals for Rotary Foundation giving for Rotary Year 2018-2019. We hope to have minimum of $25 donation per member with average per capita giving of $100. Many of our members already donate to this level, so we expect to achieve these goals. We also seek to have 100% Paul Harris Fellows, which are awarded to members who give $1,000 within one year. Monetary donations less than $1,000 per annum can be supplemented with recognition points to help members become Paul Harris Fellows. Matt also encouraged members to consider becoming sustaining members to give at least $100/year to the Annual Fund. The Rotary Foundation supports many of our projects, so your gift will directly benefit our club.
Goals for Giving to The Rotary Foundation in 2018-2019
A calendar of upcoming events is now on display at each table. No need to worry that you might have missed a date and time- just have a look at the display. Feel free to take a copy with you at the end of the meeting, or snap a picture as a reminder. Thank you Donna Fipps for preparing these each week.
John Baranowski (left) with former club member Larry Black (right)
We were delighted to see former member Larry Black return to our July 19, 2018 meeting. Larry was a member of Rotary Club of Del Mar and now lives in Hilo Hawaii.
A beautiful evening to enjoy great food and fellowship. Clockwise from left: Monty Woolley, Tom Ryan, Linda Strangman, Suzy Wagner, Carl Wagner, Walt Strangman, Sherry Ryan
Clockwise from left: Don Fipps, Dagmar Gubernator, Patty Kurtz, Klaus Gubernator
Left to right: Karl Wagner, Walt Strangman, Jim Kohn, Sharon Schendel, Sherry Ryan, Monty Woolley, Tom Ryan, Linda Strangman
Bill Rawlings (center left) sold tickets for the opportunity drawing in advance of the demotion party (with Brett Mattei, left, Mary Rawlings, center, and Dugan Moore and Philippe Lamoise)
Crepes & Corks owner Nico Becucci makes his seafood paella with nearly as much seafood as rice
For the third year running, we returned to Crepes & Corks in the village of Del Mar on June 12 for a paella dinner. Nico Berucci and his staff provided excellent service and a paella that had no shortage of seafood. The wines were a bargain and their crepe menu provided the perfect cap to another great social. Thank you to Suzy and Karl Wagner for arranging the event.
Jim and Janie King provided transportation for Klaus in their Model A Ford
Klaus came prepared with his own beer stein.
Awaiting Klaus's arrival Matt Kurth (center) enjoys a laugh with Brett Mattei (left) and his wife Caroline Morin (right)
No shortage of Greek food to enjoy
A congratulatory cake reads "Thank you very much Klaus"
Flavor Chef always provides wonderful food for our events
Larry and Katie Cook (left and right) with Barrett Smith (center)
Monty and Ann Woolley with Tom Ryan
Jim and Karin Davies with Kit Leeger
Al (left) and Steve (center) Tarkington chat with Marty Peters (right)
Klaus has new experiments to perform with his chemistry set
A balaclava to keep warm while walking dogs
The donning of the traditional President's helmet
The joker made an appearance at last
A memento for a term well served
Thank you Klaus and Dagmar!
On June 16, 2018 we celebrated the demotion of President Klaus Gubernator after a fantastic year of service. The Club met the goals he put forth at the beginning of his Rotary year, most notably by growing the club roster through the addition of quality members, many of whom Klaus personally recruited. We thank Derek Carlson and his Flavor Chef staff for providing plenty of delicious Greek food, as requested by Klaus, Brett Mattei and his wife Carolyn for securing the venue in Solana Beach, and Jim King for providing limousine service in his Model A Ford.
The farewell gifts reflected Klaus’s expertise, club accomplishments and hobbies. First, we presented him with a chemistry set, which Klaus said reminded him of a similar set that sparked his interest in science when he as a child. A small tree represented Klaus’s efforts to ensure that the club satisfied the 2017-2018 Rotary Year mandate that every Rotarian plant a tree. Last, in honor of his dog Mira, Klaus received a German Shepherd-patterned balaclava- perfect to wear for dog walks on cold mornings (several members Klaus sponsored frequently join Klaus and Mira on walks with their dogs). Klaus then donned the traditional Rotary Club of Del Mar helmet, which Bill Rawlings promised is guaranteed to enhance any club achievement. Watch a video to see the helmet in action!
Congratulations to President Klaus Gubernator on a Successful Year
Steven Solomon spoke about the ways that The Rotary Foundation affected his life
Steven Solomon spoke at the July 12, 2018 meeting about the ways The Rotary Foundation supported him: beginning as an Interactor and Boy Scout in Illinois, as a Rotary Scholar and a Vocational Scholar, all the way through to his current position as Senior Annual Giving Officer for The Rotary Foundation.
During his time as a Rotary Scholar, Steven worked in Durban, South Africa. When he returned to University of Wisconsin to finish his undergraduate work, he learned that Jane Goodall was scheduled to speak in Milwaukee. He managed to get a ticket to the event and waited afterward to have Dr. Goodall sign a book for him. Through that brief meeting, Steven became involved with Dr. Goodall’s organization, Roots and Shoots, which seeks to empower youth to become leaders who can make positive changes in their communities, and he was able to bring a Roots and Shoots program to Durban. Steven’s contacts with Dr. Goodall were instrumental in arranging for her participation at the 100th International Convention.
Later, a chance encounter with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and demonstration of his Zulu speaking skills led to Steven being a primary contact for Archbishop Tutu at a Rotary World Peace Symposium in England.
Steven embodies what contributions to The Rotary Foundation can do. Whether giving to support for projects today through the Annual Fund, working to eradicate polio through the PolioPlus Fund, or planning to support future projects of The Rotary Foundation by giving to The Rotary Foundation Endowment, donations to The Rotary Foundation are put to work in ways that will touch many people around the world.
Steven ended his presentation by recognizing Dan Smargon, who, just before his one year anniversary of induction into the club, became a Paul Harris Fellow plus four. Dan noted that, at a time when there is such wealth disparity in the world, contributions to The Rotary Foundation are needed more than ever to help those people who are at risk of being left behind. We thank Dan and all our Paul Harris Fellows for their contributions to The Rotary Foundation that help make the many projects the foundation supports a success.
Past District Governors Larry Scott (left), Marge Cole (center) and Marty Peters (right)
We were honored to have four Past District Governors attend the July 12, 2018 meeting. In addition to our members Marty Peters (DG 1997-1998) and Philippe Lamoise (DG 2005-2006), Larry Scott (DG 2001-2002), current District Paul Harris Society Coordinator, and Marge Cole (DG 2008-2009), who is the now the Zone 26 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, joined us for lunch.
Don Fipps presents Mike Spivey with a Rotary Club of Del Mar challenge coin
In 2017-18 we provided funds to support Mike Spivey, as he trained in snowboarding for the Paralympics held in South Korea in February. Mike joined us for lunch on July 12, 2018 and expressed his thanks for our donations and to let us know that he’s set his sights on being a member of the USA Paralympics team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. He was joined by Bob Bishop, Surf Minister at The Torrey Pines Church Surf Ministry where Mike works with wounded warriors who are part of the Ministry community.
Don Fipps with the new welcome banner that can also be used at club events
Don Fipps presided over his first meeting as President on July 12, 2018. He’s already introduced several new items, including a printed Calendar of Events at each table, a portable banner for display at meetings, socials and other events, and challenge coins as speaker thank you gifts and to recognize other achievements.
We’ll hold our monthly social on Tuesday July 17 from 5-7 PM at Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar Plaza. Shimbashi is an important supporter of our Sunset Soiree, so please join us in thanking them by enjoying happy hour sushi specials and a variety of appetizers and drinks on offer.
Paul and Lori Sutton with a poster for their documentary: "Straight from the Pen" that tells the story of the writing program that Dr. Sutton started for prisoners in California correctional facilities
Paul Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at San Diego State University, began his presentation on May 31, 2018 with some grim statistics: in the United States nearly 1% of the population is incarcerated. Despite the billions of dollar spent, recidivism rates are more than 50%. Very little money is spent on rehabilitation programs, even though most prisoners will eventually be released.
Dr. Sutton noted that most prisoners fail to see the value of communication and the benefits it can bring. He wanted to change that mindset. He approached the warden of Richard J. Donovan (RJD) Correctional Facility Daniel Paramo to discuss the possibility of launching a writing program at the prison- Warden Paramo liked the idea. Dr. Sutton’s program began with 24 lifers and 12 SDSU Corrections Majors who met for four hours, once a week for 16 weeks. In contrast to much of prison life, in which most activities are mandatory, the writing program was voluntary, and participants had to apply for a spot.
The program asked the participants to honor three rules: Be honest, Be truthful, Respect each other and the audience. For the latter, the program insisted that the new writers learn grammar, elements of style, word choice, and, most importantly, the value of simplicity. There was a weekly assignment and each participant had to read his essay aloud, which was a source of apprehension for some, since prisoners are reluctant to show weakness or fear. Indeed, their first essay assignment was about insecurity- and it had to be their own insecurity, not someone else’s. Yet through these writing assignments the behavior of the participants changed- the men began to help each other with their writing and to support them as they expressed deep-seated fears.
Dr. Sutton and his wife, Lori, made a documentary about the project, Straight from the Pen, which has won several awards. They also compiled an anthology of the essays the prisoners wrote in the program. Among prisoners who attended the writing classes, and have since been paroled, none have returned to prison. One prisoner featured on the documentary, Melvin, summed up the benefits he gained from the writing class: “When I write, I’m free.”
Klaus Gubernator’s successful term as club president is drawing to a close. Join us on June 16 at the super-secret location (email Brett Mattei if you missed where it is) to end Klaus’s term in style. Cost is $50/person. There is still time to RSVP at the upcoming meeting on June 14.
All members are welcome to attend the upcoming Board of Directors meeting to be held Tuesday June 19 at 7:30 AM. We’ll meet in the Youth Room at St. Peter’s.
Detective Mike Sherbondy of the San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes division, visited our club on June 7, 2018 to talk about ways to avoid being the victim of identity theft. He covered what constitutes identify theft, how personal information is stolen and used and what to do if identity theft strikes you. In 2016 over 15 million people in the United States were victims of fraud in the 2016, at a cost of over 16 billion dollars.
Identity thieves typically steal personal information in the form of names, social security numbers, birth days, driver’s licenses, PINs and credit/banking account statements. They use a variety of tactics, from the more complex, such as skimming credit cards, to the simple- stealing mail or wallets/purses. They can then use this information to set up fraudulent accounts, take out loans, or even obtain medical treatment.
Detective Sherbondy outlined several ways to guard against identity theft, including liming the number of credit cards you carry, regularly reviewing credit/bank statements, practicing good password management, and signing up for account alerts. He also recommended shredding pre-approved cred applications, receipts and bills, as well as mailing items from secure mailboxes and avoiding having mail sit in your mailbox.
He ended his presentation with actions to take if you do become a victim of identity theft. First, file a police report and close the affected accounts. Notify credit agencies such as Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Then, contact all creditors by phone and in writing and keep a log of all your contacts as you deal with the theft and make copies of documents.
The joker remains at large, but at Klaus’s demotion party on June 16 he will be found no matter what. As in past years, we’ll draw tickets for a chance to win $1,000 (contrary to popular opinion Bill Rawlings does not always win- I got the joker last year), but this year we’ll sell ONLY 100 tickets. So buy early and often! You need not be present to win!
Bill Rawlings will be selling tickets for $10 each at:
Tomorrow night (June 12) at 6 PM come hungry to Crepes & Corks in Del Mar Village for the return of Paella Night. Suzy Wagner reports that the RSVP list tops 40, so this is an excellent chance to socialize over wonderful wine and food. Email Suzy if you have any questions.
Don Fipps (top, below the yellow arrow) is sworn in by new District Governor, Mel Gallegos (below, right)
Miles Fleming, Don and Donna Fipps, Dagmar and Klaus Gubernator before the Governor's Dinner begins
Dugan Moore, Philippe Lamoise and Matt and Janice Kurth
Last week the circus came to the Marriott in the Golden Triangle with soon to be Past District Governor Scott Carr serving as ringmaster. During the program multiple clubs were honored for their achievements and several Rotarians received individual awards. Our own Janice Kurth, Rotary Foundation Chair for District 5340, awarded several major donor recognitions and also announced that District 5340 was ever so close to raising $1,000,000 for Polio Plus. Several generous Rotarians got the District over the million mark by pledging more than $45,000 that night. Mel Gallegos was sworn in as new district governor, and Don Fipps was sworn in as our new club president.
We congratulate Karin Davies for recognition of her work with the Rotary Foundation Global Grant Saving Babies Lives in Ethiopia. Karin was a TWIN (Tribute to Women & Industry Awards) recipient at the recent benefit luncheon for the San Diego Country YWCA. Karin and her husband Jim brought the award with them to our May 10, 2018 meeting and noted that it belongs in part to the Rotary Club of Del Mar for providing support to ensure the project’s success.
Karin Davies Recognized at YWCA Tribute to Women & Industry Awards
Idyllwild Pines camp was again the site for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) where nearly 300 of the top high school juniors in District 5340 gather for a weekend of fun and new friendships. Each RYLA features inspiring speakers and a chance for these students to meet others who share their service-oriented mindset. This year, Alex Montoya told about overcoming physical challenges to achieve life-long goals, Fary Moini of Rotary Club of La Jolla Gold Triangle talked about the school she helped found in Afghanistan (we connected with these students via Skype), Edwin Oketch told the story of rising from the Kibera slums in Kenya to become a social worker helping orphans like him, and mountaineer John Beede shared how he achieved his goal of completing the seven summits and how students could use goal-setting techniques to reach their goals.
All RYLArians are divided into 8 member “families” that are designated by colleges. Family members bond quickly, and often develop lasting friendships. These students are inspiring and their enthusiasm is infectious. Many go back to their schools and share the knowledge they gained at RYLA with their classmates.
Marsha Hunt, Chief Financial Officer of Uganda Development Initiative (UDI), was our speaker at the May 24, 2018 meeting. UDI works to increase education opportunities in Uganda by building schools and by providing sponsorship programs, tutorials and support to agricultural, medical and small business programs.
Marsha told the story of a number of children who had been helped by UDI. She explained that many young children in Uganda must care for children even younger than themselves. One child, Joanna, began caring for an orphaned infant when she was only 8, and by the time she was 11, she was caring for three younger children. Ugandan children like Joanna often put their schooling on hold while they care for these children. UDI helped Joanna get the schooling she needed, and also to get medical care to treat a brain tumor that might have otherwise killed her.
Through its work, UDI has facilitated sponsorships of many children living in and around the town of Kanungu in southwestern Uganda. Kanungu was once the site of tragedy- over 300 members of a religious cult perished in a fire in 2000- but now, due in part to UDI’s efforts, is an educational center. UDI has helped to build four elementary and high schools and one college. The town is also the site of the Kataate Medical Center, which will provide residents to access to surgical facilities.
Marsha Hunt is past president of Rotary Club of Woodland Hills and continues to travel regularly to Uganda to oversee UDI projects.
Uganda Development Initiative Builds Educational Opportunities in Uganda
President-Elect of Rotary Club of Daybreak Lafayette keeps her morning meetings fun!
Sharon Schendel with two members of the Lakeland Breakfast club in Minocqua, Wisconsin
When I list the reasons why I love being a Rotarian, top on the list is being able to go to any club in the world and be warmly welcomed by members of local Rotary clubs. The newsletter was on hiatus for a few weeks as I did some traveling and took a little break from weekly reporting. During my travels, I visited two Clubs: Rotary Club of Lafayette Daybreak and Rotary Club of Lakeland Breakfast in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The Lafayette Daybreak Rotarians were also getting ready for their annual fundraising auction, but President Elect Jeni Leaird, fresh off the district PETS, was encouraging her club member to keep in mind that being a Rotarian should be fun. To get the fun started, they held a round-robin Rock’em-Sock’em Robot contest. Meanwhile, the Lakeland Rotarians are hosting international scholars and thinking about ways that they can make their annual Rump Roast Run at the Beef-o-Rama festival even more successful.
We thank Karl Wagner for his continued support of Rotary International. John Baranowski awarded Karl his latest Paul Harris fellowship recognition. On a local level, Karl and Suzy Wagner work hard to set up monthly club socials and also are generous donors to the Sunset Soiree.
Congratulations to Karl Wagner for Another Paul Harris Fellowship
Join us at the San Diego Marriott La Jolla on Monday June 4 at 5 PM for the annual Governor’s Dinner. This event is a chance to thank outgoing District Governor Scott Carr for a job well done and to welcome incoming District Governor Mel Gallegos. You can also see our President-Elect, Don Fipps, be sworn into office. The program also includes awards for outstanding club achievements and updates on District 5340 achievements over the past year. Register by May 31!
Bob Fuchs, Klaus Gubernator with Mira, Garrie Rhodes, Barrett Smith and Marty Peters were some of our Rotarians at Work
President Klaus Gubernator stands with a newly-planted Torrey pine while his dog, Mira, looks on
At the 2017 International Assembly held in San Diego, then President-Elect Ian Riseley challenged Rotary clubs to honor that the theme of Rotary Year 2017-2018: “Rotary: Making a Difference” by planting a tree for each one of their members.
At our Rotarians at Work Day on April 28, 2017, our members gathered at the San Diego River Park to remove non-native species and plant Torrey pine trees. These pines adhere to the mandate that trees planted in response to the challenge be compatible with the local climate and be sustainable without ongoing maintenance. Torrey Pines are found only in coastal northern San Diego county and Santa Rosa Island. Together with members of Boy Scout Troop 713, club members planted a number of trees that we hope will be enjoyed by park visitors for years to come.
Rotarians at Work: Planting Torrey Pines at San Diego River Park
Marty Peters, Monty Woolley, Bob Bobbitt, Ole Prahm (Photo credit: Jon Clark Del Mar Times)
The May 3, 2017 turned into a surprise birthday celebration for Monty Woolley, who started his 90s on May 1. Monty is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Del Mar, and we made sure he attended the meeting by asking him to give a brief presentation of the club’s history- this presentation was co-opted by the party. Some members from years past returned to wish Monty well. Click here if you’d like to see the slide show.
It's back! Join us at Crepes and Corks in the heart of the Del Mar village for paella night! If you've ever visited our home page and saw the picture of the huge pot of shellfish and rice and wondered: what is that? Well, that's Paella Night! The paella is excellent and you can top it off with a delicious, freshly-made crepe. This year, we’ll meet Tuesday, June 12 at 6 PM at Crepes and Corks. If you’d like to RSVP, email Suzy Wagner.
The 14th annual Sunset Soiree at the Del Mar Plaza was a wonderful evening filled with wine, food and friends. Thank you to all who came and to all those who worked so hard to make this event one of the most successful we’ve had. Paul Chunyk was event chair and Kit Leeger again took on the huge job of getting all the auction items into appealing packages that were key for getting the maximum bids. Thank you as well to Marlene Gotz for taking care of event setup, Mark Mathess and Val Myers for making sure there were plenty of drinks to sample, the Wagners for securing the food vendors, Barrett Smith for making the check in and online registration so smooth, Monty Wooley for getting program advertisers, and Jim Brunner for printing the programs. We are grateful to all the vendors and auction item donors for helping us to raise the funds that support all of our club’s projects. These are just few of the pictures- click here to view more- many were provided by San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club member extraordinaire, Jose Becerra.
If you have personal logos or those from Sunset Soiree donors, email them to Jim Brunner (brunnersr@att.net) as JPEG or PNG files so that he may insert them in the Soiree program.
All members are welcome to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings, held at the Harper Branch of the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club in Solana Beach. Meetings start at 7:30 AM and end no later than 8:30 AM. Red Badgers need to attend one BoD meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
Board of Directors Meeting: Tuesday April 17 at 7:30 AM
Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski congratulates Donna Fipps on her third Paul Harris Fellow
Congratulations and thank you to Donna Fipps on becoming a Paul Harris fellow three times over! Paul Harris fellows provide critical support for the Rotary Foundation.
Dugan Moore outlined the exciting itinerary that she and Philippe Lamoise, along with Janice and Matt Kurth, and several other Rotarians, will follow later this month. They will begin with the District 9212 District Conference and then visit several areas that have project sponsored by our club. A highlight of the trip will be a visit to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has one of the few remaining colonies of mountain gorillas. Their trip will finish at the District 9211 Conference in early May. Philippe plans to host a live feed to connect with attendees at the overlapping District 5340 Conference at Knotts Berry Farm.
Rotarian of the Day Dugan Moore: Bon Voyage to Uganda
Jane Kinyua (center) with her Rotary Host Parents Matt and Janice Kurth
Rotary Global ScholarJane Kinyua was the speaker at our April 12, 2018 meeting when she presented on Children’s Peace Initiative (CPI), a project that she co-founded. Jane expanded on the brief presentation she gave in October 2017 that outlined how CPI undertakes five interventions to engage children to break the cycle of tribal conflicts between communities in northern Kenya. In this presentation, she discussed a collaborative study to assess the impact of CPI on the communities it serves.
For years, communities in northern Kenya have endured a violent cycle of tribal conflicts. CPI was founded with the vision of engaging children to break this cycle of violence. Jane described five interventions that CPI undertook to help children view members of neighboring tribes in a more positive way.
She highlighted indicators of peaceful co-existence between communities, including doing business together, visiting neighbors, free movement of people and animals, as well as letting animals graze in neighboring regions. The increased frequency of many of these indicators, particularly doing business together and visiting, could be directly tied to the friendships that CPI helped foster.
Jane introduced Mama Caleb as an example of CPI’s success. She explained that when women in Kenya become mothers, they often gain a new name: “Mama” followed by the name of their firstborn. Mama Caleb is a widow who works very hard, but tribal conflicts made it difficult for her to provide for her children. Sometimes her family would sleep under their beds rather than on them to avoid the bullets. Caleb was an early participant in CPI, through which he developed friendships with children in neighboring communities. Kenyan society is very interconnected, so Caleb told members of his extended family and church members about his new friends and his fun with CPI. His participation encouraged the growth of CPI as more families felt safe in letting their kids join CPI.
As a result of CPI, Mama Caleb could increase both her harvest and her livestock holdings, allowing her to feed her family and generate additional income. Mama Caleb is only one family among the many that the efforts of CPI helped. The assessment of CPI indicates that over 33,000 family members have benefited from CPI since the program began in 2012, and, best of all, there have been no ethnic-related deaths during this period.
With the advent of peace, these communities now have a strong foundation to address other issues that they face, including improving hygiene and sanitation, access to clean water, and educational facilities.
Upon completing her studies at the Joan Kroc School of Peace at USD next year, Jane plans to return to Kenya to apply what she has learned and build on the success of CPI. Jane gave a very special thanks to her host parents, Janice and Matt Kurth, and expressed her gratitude for funding from Rotary International, which helped support CPI.
Put on your best gardening clothes and gather at the Dust Devil Nature Trail (just off El Camino Real between Del Mar Heights Road and Via del la Valle) in the San Diego River Park (SDRP) on Saturday April 28 at 8:30 AM to help in our latest Rotarians at Work day project. We’ll be planting trees and removing non-native vegetation. Bring a hat, sunscreen, some water, and your gardening gloves and join your fellow Rotarians and members of Boy Scout Troop 713 to make SDRP a more beautiful place!
Rotarians at Work Day April 28: San Diego River Park
Anne Milhalkanin (center, left of the sign) with volunteers at the San Diego Women's Resource Fair
At a recent workshop for special needs youth held at the Jacobs Center, Anne gives instructions on techniques to stand up to potential threats
While serving as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) crisis counselor, Anne Milhalkanin, speaker at our April 5, 2018 meeting, found herself in her car, pissed off. She had just counseled another sexual assault victim and was wishing she could do more. Thus, Pissed off Chicks (PoC) was born and in 2015 PoC was recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. For over 20 years, Anne has been helping women find their voice and stand up for themselves to avoid becoming a victim of sexual assault. PoC seeks to improve the lives of individuals whose lives have been affected by violence and to help others avoid becoming victims. Anne has expertise in a variety of self-defense techniques, including Krav Maga, and she partners with her husband Mike, to give self-defense workshops around San Diego County. In addition to these workshops, PoC collects monetary donations as well as household and personal items that are part of baskets given to help homeless and displaced individuals get back on track. These baskets include blankets, scarves, socks, toiletries, and make-up. Last July and September PoC also hosted Summer and Fall “Escapes” for young women who at risk for gang violence and human trafficking. During these special weekends, these young women gathered at a beach house in Oceanside, which served as home base and a place to gather after trips to the zoo, Belmont Park, the spa, and the beach. For many of these young women, it was their first visit to these places.
I first met Anne in January 2016 when I started Fitness Challenges held at MMA Academy, which she co-owns with her husband Mike. Anne inspires me to work harder, because I know that she has seen first-hand what can happen when women fail to assert themselves in threatening situations. Click here for a glimpse of what these classes are like (and that’s me on the right- on the left is Gianna, one of the bad-ass women in these classes).
If you’re a woman interested in learning basic self-defense techniques, register for PoC’s 18thannual self-defense seminar/fundraiser to be held April 14 from 1-4 PM at MMA Academy Training Center in Sorrento Valley. Members of San Diego Police Department will also be attending to discuss sexual assault statistics in San Diego county. All revenue from registration fees will be donated to support PoC activities.
Kevin Kennedy, U.N. Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian Crisis, was the Keynote Speaker
The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peach & Justice at University of San Diego was the site for the 14th annual Rotary District 5340 Model United Nations Conference on April 7 and 8, 2018. This year Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored four teams to debate two topics: 1) Whether Palestine should be admitted to the United Nations; and 2) Strategies to protect oceans by reducing plastic waste. Daisy Waters (Torrey Pines High School (TPHS) Interact President) and Delaney Jacobs (TPHS Interact Treasurer) represented Guatemala. Eilee Shahidi (Canyon Crest Academy) and Hannah Newville (TPHS) were the team for Iran and Alexei Serguienko and Arda Ulug (both TPHS) represented Iraq. Mollie Waters and Taylor Newville (both TPHS) were delegates for the United Kingdom. Club President Klaus Gubernator was the advisor for the Guatemala and Iraq team, while Scott MacDonald and Dan Smargon advised the United Kingdom and Iran teams, respectively.
Up until this year Rotary District 5340 was the only District to have a Model UN Conference. This year Rotarians in Eugene, Oregon held an inaugural Model UN Conference patterned after the District 5340 program.
Participants in Model UN begin background research on their country during January and early February and also undergo training in analytical and negotiating skills. With support from their advisor, the teams draft their country’s position on the resolution and gather support for their position in the form of empirical data, statements from leaders, and research articles. During March they compile their speeches stating their position on the resolution and what changes they recommend.
During the two-day Conference, the student delegates present their prepared speeches to the General Assembly. On Saturday the teams broke into smaller caucus groups to form alliances as well as discus and draft amendments to resolutions. On Saturday evening the students enjoyed a banquet at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley where Kevin Kennedy, immediate past U.N. Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syrian Crisis, gave the keynote address. On Sunday, the student delegates presented and debated each caucus group’s amendments to the resolutions, followed by a final vote on the amendments to the resolutions.
Through their participation in Model UN students learn strategies for peaceful conflict resolution and negotiating skills and also have the opportunity to develop critical and analytical thinking skills and craft oral presentation techniques.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Sponsors Four Teams for Model United Nations
Dr. Carolyn Ross uses integrative medicine to treat a range of addiction disorders
Opioid addiction is a growing problem in American society. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016- more than were killed in the Vietnam War. In the last three years in particular, the death rates from opioid addiction increased dramatically. Each day, over 90 people in the United States die due to drug abuse.
Dr. Carolyn Ross began her presentation at our March 29, 2018 meeting with the story of Billy- he was the second of five children and had a close relationship with his father. Sadly, Billy’s father died unexpectedly from a heart attack. The loss hit Billy particularly hard- he felt the need to take his father’s place in the family. In addition to being bright, Billy was also sensitive, and this trait, which is common among addicts, together with the stresses associated with the loss of his father led Billy to begin experimenting with drugs. Although he spent time in prison on drug-related charges, and relapsed several times, Billy was able to overcome his addictions, eventually marrying and having children.
The problem of opioid addiction is widespread and affects all socioeconomic classes. Nearly 50% of the American population has some connection with an individual who has experienced opioid addiction. Opioids are now prescribed more frequently- around 29% of patients receive prescription pain medications, and of these, 12% develop a full-on addiction and 4% turn to heroin. More than 80% of heroin addicts first misused prescription drugs. These addictions have both an economic cost in terms of lost productivity as well as health care and criminal justice expenses, but also a human cost through effects on family and community relationships.
Dr. Ross is part of the medical community that is seeking to change the conversation about addiction. Traditionally drug addiction was seen as a moral failing. Now, the perspective is changing to see addiction as a chronic disease, and that individuals who suffer from drug addiction are subject to the same relapses and remission that a cancer patient might face. Many addictions can be traced to a childhood trauma, or adverse childhood event, such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Some individuals who struggle with addiction have impairments in production of the neurotransmitter dopamine that can affect the amount of pleasure they gain from usual activities (e.g., spending time with friends, having a nice dinner, physical activity) and opioids can supply that pleasure. Dr. Ross referenced a study by Volkow et al. that showed drug addicts can recover normal dopamine levels, but as they transition away from drugs their dopamine levels are low, leaving them particularly vulnerable to relapse.
In her practice, Dr. Ross uses Integrative Medicine, a holistic approach that incorporates traditional and alternative treatment approaches that address both the physical and psychological challenges that addiction poses. In particular, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that involves medications such as buprenorphine can help ease symptoms of withdrawal and increase the likelihood of success. Dr. Ross’s approach to healing drug addiction is to treat the trauma and realize that addiction is not a moral failing, but instead is an illness with a physiological basis. Dr. Ross ended her presentation by referring to the challenges that Billy overcame before his death last year, and noting her personal connection to Billy- he was her brother.
Carolyn Ross: Changing the Conversation About Opioid Addiction
Deb Plotkin, member of Rotary Club of La Jolla, and founder of U-TOUCH
Deb Plotkin, a Rotary Club of La Jolla member, joined our March 29, 2018 meeting to contribute a Happy Dollar in thanks for our Club’s contributions to the organization she and her husband Ron founded, U-TOUCH. The mission of U-TOUCH is to provide technology, resources, and training to help Ugandans become digitally literate and master the tools they need to help their country enhance its digital connectivity. Deb will present at our September 6 meeting to tell us more about U-TOUCH.
Thank You from Deb Plotkin for Supporting Digital Literacy Education in Uganda
Debra Dupree speaks about resolving workplace conflicts
Dr. Debra Dupree visited our club on March 22, 2018 to give a presentation on strategies for effective management of conflicts in the workplace. She began by contrasting the traditional view of “Transactional Leadership”, which largely links rewards to effort, with “Transformational Leadership”, in which leaders motivate their team members by arousing emotions and changing attitudes that together contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Dr. Dupree echoed points raised by Dr. Brian Alman, who also spoke at our club on March 1, 2018, that stress is a major factor in workplace conflict, and this stress can manifest as physical problems, including headaches, anxiety and depression. Many of our adult interactions are influenced by our childhood experiences. Dr. Dupree told the story of her father, who, like his father, sold dairy cattle in the Midwest. Her father was outgoing and enjoyed interacting with his clients. On the other hand, her grandfather was gruff and introverted, which led to conflicts between father and son that were never resolved. This dynamic laid the groundwork for Dr. Dupree’s interest in psychology and particularly interactions between people and how they can be improved to reduce conflict.
Awareness of both self and presence (Dr. Dupree gave an example of a client who was a hotel manager who often went about the property with an angry look- was it a surprise that his employees avoided contact with him?), together with authenticity, connection and effective expression are critical to moving toward effective transformational leadership.
Dr. Dupree also emphasized the importance of active listening to resolving workplace conflicts.
To be a more effective listener she suggested that we listen to the “sounds” of the BEACH: Beliefs, Expectations, Assumptions/Attitudes, Concerns/Challenges, and Hopes and consider these points as we listen to what the other person is saying. Another trick to remember for active listening: “silent” is an anagram of “listen”, and for effective listening we must be silent, not only in our words, but in formulating what we’re going to say in response.
Active listening, together with a greater sense of self-awareness and presence can contribute to a workplace environment where conflicts are managed effectively, which in turn can increase productivity and decrease employee turnover. But overall, Dr. Dupree encouraged the practice of kindness for lessening the negative effects of workplace conflicts. She quoted Mark Twain: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Bill and Mary Rawlings, Donna Fipps (and Ressa), Don Fipps, Marty Peters
Val Myers and friends, Susie Wagner, Kelly and Tony Villasenor
Jim and Bernadette Watkins
Jeff Matthews, Matt Kurth, Karl Wagner, Don Johnson
Rotary Club of Del Mar members were spread all over Sbicca restaurant on March 21, 2018, enjoying great conversation and food, both at the bar and at the patio tables. Our socials are a good way to get together outside of our regular meetings and to support local businesses, particularly those who donate items to our Sunset Soiree, as Sbicca as done in previous years.
Auction Chair Kit Leeger with the list of auction items we hope to secure
We’re just six short weeks from the 2018 Sunset Soiree to be held at the Del Mar Plaza on Tuesday May 15, 2018. The Soiree provides over 2/3 of the funds we need to support the Club’s many projects, so we need everyone to get involved. Review the list of donors from last year and our wish list of new donors. Rack your brains to come up with ideas for auction items- “experiences” go over well, as do Padres tickets. When you approach donors, tell them about the good our Club does in the community (and beyond) and have the donation form ready to give to them.
Barrett Smith is managing the Sunset Soiree website and at the March 29, 2018 meeting he gave a brief tutorial on how to get your tickets. The website to purchase tickets for the Sunset Soiree is now active. All members will be automatically billed for 2 tickets ($75 each, total $150)- use the website to get your information in for easy processing of any auction purchases you make. Members can also purchase tickets for family and friends at a discount. In an upcoming newsletter we’ll have guide to the website that shows how to complete your ticket transaction.
Get Your Sunset Soiree Tickets: Website Is Now Active
Bill Ashman (Rotary Club of La Mesa), PDG Larry Scott and President Klaus Gubernator
I hate needles. I don’t have time. I got them when I was a kid. I didn’t know I needed them. Vaccines will make me sick. These are just a few of the reasons that people give for skipping immunizations. Past District Governor (PDG), Larry Scott, our speaker at the March 15, 2018 meeting, rebutted each of these reasons and debunked a few myths during his presentation on the critical need for lifelong immunization.
PDG Scott is a member of the District 5340 committee Don’t Wait, Vaccinate. The Committee was founded in 1994 in response to low immunization rates in the county. The Committee was a natural extension of Rotary’s global role in polio eradication, and a vehicle to harness the network of Rotarians to encourage members of their community to stay current with vaccinations. The Committee and the District provided funding for high school students at Carlsbad High School to produce the film “Invisible Threat” that examines the science of vaccination and considered why parents choose not to vaccinate their children. The film is now an educational tool used by over 300 universities in the US and several countries across the globe. The American Academy of Pediatrics hosted a screening at their national conference and uses the film to help medical residents discover strategies to overcome parents’ hesitations to vaccinate.
Vaccination is a continuing source of controversy, as several groups contend that vaccination causes autism. Some of these beliefs arose from a 1998 study by the British physician Andrew Wakefield that contended the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism. This study has since been retracted and many subsequent studies debunk this myth. Nonetheless, a small, but increasing percentage of parents choose not to vaccinate, putting not only their children, but others, at risk. PDG Scott explained the importance of “herd immunity” wherein the population that is vaccinated protects those who cannot receive vaccines because, for example, they have weakened immune systems or are allergic to vaccine components such as eggs. Furthermore, a high percentage of vaccination in a community stems or even eliminates disease outbreaks.
In addition to infants and children, teens and adults need regular vaccinations. Everyone should get the flu shot. Although this flu season has been particularly bad, those who had the flu shot were less likely to be infected and if they were, the infection was less severe. Tdap boosters beginning at age 10 and every decade thereafter (pregnant women should get a booster in the 3rd trimester) are important for everyone to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). For teens, both boys and girls, the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine can reduce the risk of contracting the virus that causes genital warts in both sexes and is linked to cervical cancer in women. The meningitis vaccine prevents bacterial meningitis infections that frequently occur on college campuses. Adults aged 60 and over should be vaccinated against shingles. Even those who were already vaccinated should receive an improved vaccine, Shingrex.
Immunization is the most important health achievement of the last century and is estimated to have saved thousands of lives since their use became widespread over 50 years ago. But vaccines only work if you get them!
Thank you to PDG Janice Kurth for arranging to have PDG Scott speak to our club and to past Asst. DG Bill Ashman for joining our meeting.
What's Your Excuse: Larry Scott Presents on the Importance of Lifelong Immunization
Seeds of Wonder playhouse at San Diego Botanical Gardens (formerly Quail Botanical Gardens)
Another Super Happy Dollar donation at the March 18, 2018 meeting- this time from Bill Rawlings in celebration of hard work completed at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Bill and his team of volunteers built and furnished a beautiful playhouse for young visitors to the gardens in Encinitas. Bill is a long-time volunteer and supporter of the garden, which boasts 32 acres and 29 themed gardens. As spring nears, pay them a visit to get ideas for your garden!
Join us on Wednesday, March 21 from 5-7 PM at Sbicca restaurant in Del Mar for the March social. They'll be extending their happy hour prices by one hour just for us, so come by to enjoy items from their broad happy hour menu and a selection of craft beer, wines, and cocktails. As always, spouses and guests are welcome. Thank you to Club Service Chair Susie Wagner for organizing our socials.
Marty Peters with Brian Hickey from Nativity Prep Academy
Painting a very green accent wall in the science classroom
Brian Hickey from Nativity Prep Academy was Marty Peter's guest at the March 15, 2018 meeting. Brian brought thanks from the students and staff at Nativity Prep for all their hard work beautifying the NPA campus on March 3.
Barrett Smith gives the OK to the new dive gear for the Del Mar Lifeguards
As Rotarian of the Day at our March 1 meeting, Barrett Smith shared a letter from Jon Edelbrook, Chief Lifeguard and Director of Community Services for Del Mar, expressing gratitude for the new dive gear purchased with funds donated by our club. Through the support of RCDM, the Del Mar surf rescue dive team has the resources they need to stay on the cutting edge of rescue techniques to keep Del Mar beachgoers safe. Chief Edelbrook invited Barrett to participate in one of the training sessions with the new equipment- check out the video showing the Rotary-labeled SCUBA tanks and Barrett trying out the gear.
Thanks from the Del Mar Lifeguards for the New Dive Gear
Back row (left to right): K9 Officer Jonathan Wiese, Kristen Amicone, Scott Holslag, Nate Whann, Tracey Williams Trevor Phillips; Front row: Cooper and Paul Chunyk
Officer Tracey Williams of the Northwestern Division of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) was joined by four other SDPD officers, including K9 Officer Scott Wiese and SDPD Community Relations Officer Trevor Phillips, as well as Kristen Amicone, Director of Education and Technology for the San Diego Police Foundation, at our March 8 meeting. Del Mar is part of the Northwestern Division of SDPD that covers a 42 square mile region from Via del Valle to the north, Miramar to the south, and from the North Torrey Pines State Beach to the west and Del Sur to the East. Community Relations officers are good points of contact for small disputes or law-enforcement-related issues, and they can be reached by phone or email (see the Division website for details).
Jonathan Wiese, K9 officer, presented on the SDPD K9 division. The costs of the K9 unit are not part of the city’s budget, and thus are supported largely by private donations gathered by the San Diego Police Foundation. The dogs are imported from several European countries where sporting programs produce dogs (most commonly Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and Dutch Shepherd) that have initial training that provides a foundation for police work. Upon arriving in the States, the dogs are acclimated with their handlers and trained in nose work and “bite-hold” tactics.
Officer Nate Whann brought his dog, Gucci, a 5 year-old Belgian Malinois, who gave a demonstration of the bite hold technique using Officer Scott Hoslag as a mock criminal. Gucci showed the enthusiasm that these dogs have for their work- to the point of a bloodied tongue. However, most handlers never have to resort to letting their dogs bite, as many offenders surrender on seeing the dog, at which point the dog is taken away from the situation. Officer Wiese noted that the dogs are the only tactic in their arsenal that has a recall- a dog can always be called off, but a bullet or Taser can never be unfired. After the dogs retire, their handlers often adopt them to live with their families as pets.
Kristen Amicone spoke briefly about the work that the San Diego Police Foundation does on behalf of SDPD officers, including securing donations to ensure that SDPD has a full K9 contingent. She invited us to attend the May 30 Friends of the Badge luncheon, which will show how SDPD officers serve their community and this year will feature an in-depth look at the SDPD Crime Lab. The Foundation generously donated a tour of the K9 facilities that will auctioned at our Sunset Soiree.
Thank you to Paul (and Cooper) Chunyk for arranging to have the officers present to our club.
San Diego Police Department K9 Unit- Bite and Hold at Rotary Club of Del Mar
Our members joined forces with our Interactors, Rotactors and Nativity Prep Academy students and alumni to form a team of 32 that painted accent walls in five classrooms and cleaned many areas in the school. After all their hard work, the team enjoyed Mona Lisa sub sandwiches that were donated by member Marty Peters, who also organized the event. The NPA staff reported that the teachers and students were delighted with their updated surroundings, which will also help the school shine for visiting donors and supporters.
NPA is a tuition-free Catholic school located in southeastern San Diego that serves over 200 young people each year. Students attend NPA for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, and the NPA Graduate Support Program helps these students attend high-profile public and private high schools (including subsidizing tuition costs) and then navigate college admissions and financial aid processes. Their program’s success is evidenced by their 99% high school graduation rate and the 86% college attendance rate. The parents of these students are also committed to ensuring that their children develop the academic and life skills needed for a successful life. NPA is supported entirely by private donations.
Brian Alman, Ph.D., joined our March 1 meeting to talk about stress reduction techniques he’s developed as a practicing clinical psychologist. Dr. Alman’s own experiences with chronic back pain that began in childhood inspired him to pursue a career that allowed him to help others use techniques that engage both the body and mind to work towards healing.
Stress is a major contributor to health problems, and its economic impacts in terms of medical expenses and lost productivity are significant. Dr. Alman referenced the Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) study, ground-breaking work led by Kaiser Permanente that collected data on more than 17,000 HMO patients between 1995 and 1997. This study developed the ACE score to describe the number and types of adverse events that children experience, including mental and/or sexual abuse, or emotional and/or physical neglect. Later studies correlated higher ACE scores with lower health and increased risk for early death. Because children lack the range of experiences and coping skills of adults, these ACEs can translate to physiological effects that have long-term consequences. In the context of his presentation, Dr. Alman showed results from one study indicating individuals who have high ACE scores have a higher risk of depression.
Dr. Alman has developed several techniques that allow his patients to draw on inner resources to mitigate the negative effects of stress. Many of his approaches are breathing based, and he shared one simple technique during his presentation. He asked us to breathe normally, and, upon exhaling, say our name. After several exhales, he then asked us to state a brief goal (e.g., “focus”, “accept”) during inhalation. Overall, Dr. Alman thinks of stress-related symptoms as “signals” that should be acknowledged rather than ignored and that these signals can be used to create strategies to enhance overall resilience in the face of stress.
Thank you to our member Marlene Gotz, for arranging to have Dr. Alman (who is her cousin) speak to our club. Dr. Alman invites us to attend his March 29 workshop on stress management. All proceeds from the workshop will be donated to Father Joe’s Villages.
Kathi Reed has been busy since joining the club last June. She's already a Paul Harris fellow and served as Interim Treasurer during Lanh Tran's maternity leave. Next Rotary year she'll take over as treasurer full time, so her badge has effectively been blue for some time! Kathi is a great example of how our Rotary Club of Del Mar likes to get new members engaged in all club functions.
Kevin Fitzpatrick received his second Paul Harris pin from Foundation Chair John Baranowski
On essentially the one year anniversary of his join date (Feb. 29, 2016), Kevin Fitzpatrick became a two time Paul Harris fellow. Thank you to Kevin and all our Paul Harris Fellows for making Rotary Foundation projects possible.
Kevin Fitzgerald Becomes Two-Time Paul Harris Fellow
Congratulations to newly-engaged Philippe and Dugan!
Since President Klaus Gubernator revived Happy Dollars, club members have expressed a lot of happiness. At the March 1, 2018 meeting, Past District Governor Philippe Lamoise gave a $100 Super Happy Dollars to deliver the wonderful news that he and Dugan Moore (chair of our International Services Committee) are engaged. Congratulations to you both!
Super Happy Dollars- Congratulations to Dugan Moore and Philippe Lamoise
Mike Spivey will represent the US in two snowboarding events in Pyeongchang
Tom Ryan passed along thanks from Mike Spivey for our contribution to his training fund that helped him qualify for the Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang. Mike is now in South Korea gearing up for two events, Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross, where riders race head-to-head. Tune in to NBCSN on March 11 at 8:30 PM PDT and on March 16 at 11 PM PDT to watch Mike compete.
Snowboarding Paralympian Mike Spivey Will Compete in Pyeongchang
Erica Hwang, who won our local contest and the regional contest, will compete in the finals of the District 5340 Music Competition. The concert will be at 2 PM on Sunday, March 18 in the Schulman Auditorium of the Carlsbad main library on 1775 Dove Lane in southern Carlsbad.
TODAY! District 5340 Music Competition Finals Set for March 18 in Carlsbad
We congratulate yet another first time Paul Harris fellow- Kathi Reed. Kathi has been a very active member since joining last summer, most importantly, she served as interim treasurer when Lanh Tran was on maternity leave.
John David Wicker, now in his second year as Athletic Director for San Diego State University, was our speaker at the February 22, 2018 meeting. He began by highlighting the increasing success of SDSU athletic teams. The football team completed its third consecutive 10+-win season, and the 2017 Armed Forces bowl was their eighth consecutive bowl appearance. The men’s basketball team played in the NCAA tournament 11 of the last 12 years, and SDSU teams collected 37 Mountain West conference championships in the past five academic years.
Mr. Wicker noted that SDSU takes a three-armed approach to ensure the overall success of its athletes. In addition to helping athletes achieve the highest degree of athletic performance, the athletics department works closely with SDSU faculty and staff to help student athletes maintain high academic standards and gain skills they need to succeed upon graduation.
This approach is succeeding- SDSU athletes have a 97% four-year graduation rate and 61% are designated as scholar athletes by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA over two years. The SDSU Going Pro program begins when freshmen athletes receive training in time management, financial literacy, media interactions, and sexual assault prevention. In subsequent years the programs expand to include leadership training, resume writing, and career fairs.
Another important issue facing Mr. Wicker’s department is plans for the Mission Valley campus, which would take over the site now occupied by Qualcomm Stadium (now SDCCU Stadium). He outlined the SDSU vision for the site, which seeks to incorporate a college feel while respecting natural features, primarily the San Diego River and Murphy Canyon Creek (a source of flooding in the stadium area). Meanwhile, the plan addresses public concerns, such as maintaining a regional asset, capitalizing on the strong alumni support in the area, minimizing reliance on tax payer funding, and mitigating traffic impacts.
In the SDSU plan, over half of the ~75 acre site is devoted to parkland, along with 16 acres of playing surface, an aquatics center, 8 acres of below-grade parking, and extensive hiking and biking trails. The site would also include a 35,000 seat stadium with the potential to expand to meet capacity for an NFL team, a hotel, and retail outlets geared to serving the market rate and affordable housing units planned for the site. Overall, the SDSU vision for the site is to create green space that engages the river while allowing the land-locked university to expand its capacity to supply additional educational opportunities for San Diego residents.
The SDSU plan will go up against a plan put forth by private developers, SoccerCity, in an initiative that will appear on the November ballot. Thank you to member Larry Cook for arranging to have Mr. Wicker present to our club.
San Diego State Athletic Director John Wicker: A Vision for the Future
Mandy Shefman, Engagement Manager for Arts for Learning San Diego (Arts4LSD), who was our speaker at the February 4 meeting, shared that Arts4LSD will have a fundraising event on March 11 at 4:30 PM at the White Box arts theater in Liberty Station. Consider attending to support both arts education and resources for the homeless.
Arts for Learning San Diego Fundraiser: March 11 at Liberty Station
You can now download Donor letter and Donor forms for inviting donors to provide auction items for the upcoming Sunset Soiree.
The Soiree Committee will meet Wednesday February 28 from 4-5 PM at Tom Ryan’s house (watch for directions via email). Soiree Chairman Paul Chunyk emphasizes that packages containing “experiences” (e.g., outings to the ball park or race track, golf lessons, weekends at vacation homes) are top sellers, and encourages everyone to think of experience-based items (or other items, of course!) they could arrange to have donated.
Ironmen finishers and training partners Don Coordt (left, a former Rotary Club of Del Mar member) and Al Tarkington
Al's triathlon bike
In October 2017, Al Tarkington was the oldest finisher in the 39th annual Ironman World Championship, a race that includes a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 bike ride across hot, windy lava fields, and a 26.2 mile marathon. At our February 15, 2018 meeting Al talked about his motivations to compete in Ironman races and his training regimens.
The Ironman began to settle an argument over which discipline was the toughest: swimming, biking, or running. Now, 40 years later, the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii include over 2,500 athletes who earned their spot by qualifying in one of 44 races held worldwide. Al went to watch his first Kona Ironman in 1983, and in 1991 he completed his first Ironman race.
For Al, three factors are important in his triathlon success: i) an understanding and supportive spouse (he and his wife Steve just celebrated 55 years of marriage); ii) time and commitment to train (retirement certainly gave more time for training; and iii) funds (bikes typically cost $5,000-10,000 and international qualifying races can be an easier route to the championship).
Most weeks during the year Al trains between 10 and 12 hours. The training time ramps up to 20-24 hr/week in the months immediately before the race, and then to as much as 40 hr/week in the month before the race. Al said he likes to arrive in Hawaii one week before the race to acclimate to the weather and the time zone. During this week he’ll train very little and load up on carbohydrates to maximize his glycogen stores. Al thinks of nutrition as the “4th discipline” behind his swimming, biking, and running training. The swim alone consumes nearly all stored glycogen, so during the bike ride replacing lost calories and maintaining adequate hydration, particularly in the windy, hot conditions, is critical for making the finish.
Al remembered the post-race dinners when contestants gather to talk about the race. Most vow never to do the race again, but in the subsequent weeks, most forget about that vow and resume training. For Al, Ironman is a lifestyle and a means to stay physically and socially engaged. As Ironman founder John Collins put it: Ironman is an opportunity to “Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles- Brag for the rest of your life”. Al has certainly earned the right to brag!
Get involved in planning upcoming Sunset Soiree. The Organizing Committee will meet Wednesday February 21 from 4-5 PM at Tom Ryan's house in Solana Beach. In Solana Beach. Check out Club Runner for the address, or watch for an email from Soiree Chairman Paul Chunyk, which will have the address and gate code.
Sunset Soiree Organizing Committee Meeting February 21
All members are welcome to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings, held at the Harper Branch of the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club in Solana Beach. Meetings start at 7:30 AM and end promptly at 8:30 AM. Red Badgers need to attend one BoD meeting to achieve Blue Badge status.
We’ll hold our next Rotarians at Work Day on Saturday March 3 at Nativity Prep Academy (NPA) We’ll join Nativity Prep Alumni and Staff, and students from our Interact clubs on the NPA campus to complete light projects- mainly painting. Meet at the Cathedral Catholic High School parking lot at 8:00 AM to carpool to campus or make your own way there (2755 55th St. just off Hwy 94 using the Bayview Heights exit) to arrive by 8:30 AM. We’ll work through 1 PM and then enjoy hoagie sandwiches from Mona Lisa Italian Deli. Download the flyer for the day’s schedule.
Rotarians at Work Day: Nativity Prep Academy March 3
Patti Kurtz receives her blue badge from membership chair Matt Kurtz
We congratulate Patti Kurtz on becoming our newest Blue Badger. Patti was also Rotarian of the Day and gave a brief “Who Am I”. Patti has spent her career as an educator and is now an educational consultant. Fittingly, she referenced a quote by educator Colleen Wilcox: “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.”
Erica Hwang performed the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s first violin concerto to win the regional leg of the District 5340 Music Competition held at the Chula Vista Library on February 14. She will now move to the Competition finals, where she will compete for a $3,000 scholarship.
Erica Hwang Advances to Finals of the District 5340 Music Competition
Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza will be the site for our monthly social. Join us Tuesday February 27 from 5-7 PM for sunset views while sharing calamari, bruschetta, pizzas and specially-priced drinks.
Ironmen Don Coordt (far left) and Al Tarkington (third from right) join John Baranowski (second from right) and his friends, all Wisconsin natives (left to right): Phil Rouse, Don Janov, Rick Rouse and Andy Ogens
The great thing about living in San Diego is that friends living in colder climates are happy to come visit in the winter months. At the February 15, 2018 meeting, five friends of John Baranowski, Phil and Rick Rouse, Dan Janov, and Andy Ogens, all originally from Wisconsin, joined us for lunch. Members are always welcome to bring friends and family members to meetings.
Some six years ago, when Alan Mindell hit 70, he began to think of ways to re-invent himself. At the February 8, 2018 meeting, he outlined how he became a first-time novelist, tour guide, dancer, college teacher, motivational speaker, and world-class sprinter- all after the age of 70. While a baseball player at UC Berkeley, Alan said he earned the nickname “Motorbutt” for his fast running. When he hit 70, he wanted to see whether his butt could still motor and he entered the 2012 San Diego Senior Olympics, where he won four gold medals in his age group for sprinting. The nice thing about age groups in competition, is that as you age you get better, so Alan is looking forward to turning 80, when he’ll again be the youngest in the class. Alan also is inspired by competitors in other age groups, particularly a 100 year-old who attempted to break 6 world records at the 2015 San Diego Senior Olympics (click here to watch him pole vaulting).
Alan used his own experience with baseball and horse breeding as subjects for his two novels: The Closer, about a knuckleballer, and The B Team, about a one-eyed horse who makes the Kentucky Derby. When he was writing The B Team, Alan needed a jockey to ride his fictional horse, and he approached the very real Victor Espinoza, who agreed to play a role in the novel, which appeared prior to Espinoza’s triple crown win aboard American Pharoah.
In addition to running and writing, Alan leads tours of San Diego neighborhoods, dances, and teaches college courses about horse racing. He encourages everyone never to give up looking for new and interesting things to do.
Preparations for the 2018 Sunset Soiree, to be held May 15, 2018 at Del Mar Plaza are already underway. Soiree Chair Paul Chunyk hopes that each member can contribute at least one auction item. Based on previous years, “experiences”, such as an outing to a Padres game or a weekend at a vacation home, are top sellers. The Soiree is a major source of funding for the club’s activities, so please be thinking of items you could contribute and donors you could approach- sometimes securing a donation is a simple as asking!
RYLA Facilitators for 2017- join the picture in April!
Youth Services Chair Larry Cook reported that more facilitators are needed for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) weekend, April 20-22. Every year, the top high school juniors from across District 5340 gather at a camp in Idyllwild for a weekend of fun, motivation and inspiration. Each facilitator works with one “family”- a group of 8 juniors. Facilitators are on hand to make sure the kids get where they need to be and to get discussions started- the kids take it from there! The joy of the weekend is watching these young people, all strangers from different backgrounds, come together to build strong bonds while learning new things about themselves and what they can do for others. For me, RYLA provides the chance to step out of my normally reserved personality, to dance, yell, and have fun with these kids.
All facilitators must submit an application, be youth certified (click here to become certified) and undergo a half-day training, which this year is April 14. Click here to read more about RYLA, and feel free to talk to me, Haylea Minks, Christ Stewart, or the Cooks (all previous facilitators) about what to expect and what to bring.
Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski congratulates Tony Villasenor (upper panel) on his first Paul Harris Fellow and Lanh Tran (lower panel) on becoming a two-time Paul Harris fellow
We celebrated two more Paul Harris Fellows at the February 8, 2018 meeting. New member Tony Villasenor earned his first Paul Harris Fellowship, and in recognition of her tremendous contributions as Club Treasurer, the Club conferred Lanh Tran her second Paul Harris Fellow.
Paul Harris Recognition for Lanh Tran and Tony Villasenor
Mandy Shefman, Engagement Manager for Arts for Learning San Diego (left) with Maria and Dennis Fipps (second from left and far right) and Arts for Learning San Diego board member Miles Fleming
Carrie Ann Fipps in motion
Mandy Shefman, Engagement Manager for Arts for Learning San Diego (A4LSD), was our speaker for the February 1, 2018 meeting. She began by asking members whether they were artists, and if there were any arts that members wished that they had learned as children. Learning a musical instrument, dance, and painting were common wished-for skills.
Despite numerous studies that support the value of arts education in terms of reducing the rate of dropouts, alcohol and drug use, and delinquency, funding for art programs is constantly at risk for cuts. Even in San Diego, funding for arts program faces a 31% cut. Meanwhile, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education is often emphasized as an important means for later success, but A4LSD advocates we instead refer to STEAM, where the “A” highlights the value of arts education in producing well-rounded students.
Founded over 50 years ago and now based in City Heights, as an affiliate of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network, A4LSD partners with over 200 local performing artists practicing in visual arts, poetry, music, theater, and dance who provide assemblies, workshops, and family events to expose children a broad range of art. A4LSD also provides funding for artist residencies and professional development for local teachers.
One of A4LSD’s largest partnerships is with San Diego Unified School District’s Learning Through the Arts Initiative. This program helps teachers at Title 1 schools, which largely serve economically disadvantaged students, integrate arts education into their classroom to enhance engagement and increase parental involvement that together can improve academic achievements. In the past few years, A4LSD has seen significant growth in the numbers of children served (now nearly 76,800 children- an increase of 35% since 2014), artists participating, and programs offered (now 1,710, up from 1,563 in AY 2015-16).
Ms. Shefman introduced Dennis (brother of our President-Elect Don Fipps) and Maria Fipps, who are involved in one of many A4LSD partnerships. Dennis and Maria are the parents of Carrie Ann Fipps. By age 4, Carrie Ann showed a flair for dance, and she was a founding member of the dance troupe City Moves. Sadly, Carrie Ann passed away at the age of 15 after a battle with leukemia. In her memory, the Fipps established the Carrie Ann Fipps Memorial Scholarship, in partnership with A4LSD. Every year in May young dancers participate in a group audition and a panel of judges composed of a member of the Fipps family, as well as dance teachers and choreographers awards $1,000 to one student to fund one year of dance lessons. Several winners have since gone on to pursue careers in dance.
We thank member Miles Fleming, who is also a member of the A4LSD Board, for arranging to have Ms. Shefman present to our club.
Kids for Peace Board Vice President Toni Hood (center) with International Services Committee (ISC) Chair Dugan Moor (left) and ISC member Patti Kurtz (right)
Toni Hood, Vice President of Kids for Peace, joined our February 1, 2018 meeting to thank club members for donating to their program to provide “growing shoes” for children in developing countries. These shoes expand up to five sizes, and thus can be worn for several years rather than just one. These shoes can help prevent exposure soil-transmitted disease and parasitic infections and in turn increase overall health and the likelihood that children can consistently attend school. We look forward to learning more about Kids for Peace in an upcoming presentation.
Kids for Peace- Providing Shoes that Grow to Kids in Developing Countries
Scott MacDonald (right) exchanges red for blue badges with membership chair Matt Kurth (left)
Scott MacDonald recalled this question from Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of his Rotarian of the Day talk
Congratulations to our latest Blue Badger, Scott MacDonald. Scott was also Rotarian of the Day and after opening with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., he gave a quick synopsis of the many places he’s lived prior to settling in Del Mar with his “better half” Patti Kurtz, also a member of our club. Scott founded MacDonald Scholars with the goal of helping college students offset the costs of higher education, while also giving back to their communities (see a synopsis of his presentation at our club in May 2017).
Scott has already been a very active member of the club- he is serving as an advisor for the upcoming Model U.N. and will assume the role of Speaker’s Chair in July.
Paul Harris Fellows (l to r) Miles Fleming, Dugan Moor, Garrie Rhodes, Jim Davies, Dan Smargon
Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski recognized several new and multiple Paul Harris Fellows: Jim Davies, Miles Fleming, Dugan Moor, Garrie Rhodes and Dan Smargon. Their donations to the Rotary Foundation are critical for supporting Rotary’s many projects, both at home and around the globe.
Charles Dorfan (left) with his sponsor, President Klaus Gubernator (right)
We’re delighted to welcome as our newest member, Charles Dorfan, who received his Red Badge from Membership Chair Matt Kurth at the February 1, 2018 meeting. Charles lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Victoria and young son Dov. He is an Executive Benefits Advisor with WestPac Wealth Partners. Klaus Gubernator is his sponsor and he will be mentored by Marty Peters. Charles is a UCSD graduate and comes with a desire to give back to his community, and in particular to help families in crisis, which stems from his experiences as a pediatric cancer survivor.
Welcome to Our Newest (and Youngest) Member, Charles Dorfan
Over 120 Rotarians and guests from around North County gathered at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Center in Carlsbad for the Rockin’ Rotary social. Lots of great Rotarians from several North County clubs, including Rotary Club Carlsbad Hi Noon, Encinitas, Oceanside, and Rancho Sante Fe were there, as were some potential new Rotarians. Anyone wishing to enter the raffle had to meet five new Rotarians or guests. The music by JP Hennessy of the Rotary Club of Encinitas was fantastic- JB used to play for a band that once was the warm-up act for U2 (check out some video of the dancing at Rotary Club of Encinitas Facebook page).
William Bonitz (far left), Gisele Bonitz (second from left) and Larry Cook (far right) with Marianne Krystmas (third from left), who teaches William piano now and also taught Larry
Students competing in the District Music competition were encouraged to invite guests to hear their performances. Erica Hwang’s father, Sung-Sik Hwang joined us, as did William Bonitz’s mother, Gisele Bonitz. A special guest was Marianne Krystmas, who is William’s music teacher and also taught Larry Cook to play the piano! We congratulate Marianne on her success in teaching multiple generations of musicians in the San Diego area.
Multigenerational Music Students of Marianne Krystmas
Rotary Club of Del Mar members support the vendors who help sponsor our annual Sunset Soiree (May 14 this year), and we visited Soiree sponsor New English Brewing Company on January 25, 2018 for craft beer and Greek food from the Taste Around the World food truck. Yet when we arrived, the Barrel Room was already packed. Our social coincided with a meeting of the Veteran’s Brewing Club (VBC), which we learned is a newly formed, informal group that seeks to connect transitioning service members with military veterans and business leaders. VBC provides a more casual atmosphere for networking and discussions about effective strategies for transitioning back to civilian life.
Andrew Zhao, Garrie Rhodes, Erica Hwang, and William Bonitz
Our January 25, 2018 meeting was filled with beautiful music performed by young musicians. Erica Hwang and Andrew Zhao, both seniors at Torrey Pines High School, joined William Bonitz, a junior at La Jolla Country Day High School, to compete at the local level of the District 5340 Music Competition. William began the concert with “Introduction and Rondo” by Leroy Ostransky for the alto saxophone and followed that with “Valse Lente” by Oscar Merikanto for piano. Erica played the first movement from Tchaikovsky’sviolin concerto in D Major. Andrew Zhao made great use of the Baldwin grand that lives on the St. Peter’s Parish Hall stage by playing Chopin’s Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1. Visit our Facebook page to see video clips from all three performances.
Members Garrie Rhodes and Miles Fleming, together with Niels Lund, president of Rotary Club Solana Beach Eco, acted as judges to evaluate musical technique, interpretation and stage presence. The quality of all the performances was excellent, and the judges named Erica Hwang as our representative at the regional concert, to be held February 14 in the Chula Vista High School library. If she is successful there, she will compete in March in the District finals, where the top performer will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Erica thanked the members for their attention, and expressed gratitude for all her audiences, which remind her that classical music continues to be valued. She said that this is the first time she played this piece without piano or orchestral accompaniment, and she enjoyed the freedom she had playing solo. Both she and Andrew will be auditioning for music programs at the university level. We thank Garrie Rhodes for her hard work organizing the concert.
Three Young Musicians Perform for District 5340 Music Competition
Chris Stewart, Haylea Minks and Barrett Smith work the eyeglass station (and modeled a few pairs)
A Stand Down in wartime was the removal of combat units needing rest and recovery to a safe and secure place after relief by rested units. Here, Stand Down refers to the opportunity for homeless veterans to remove themselves from the stress of the streets and allow community members to watch over them while they receive needed services.
First begun in 1998 by Veteran’s Village of San Diego, each year there are more than 200 Stand Down events across the country. The 2nd annual North County San Diego Stand Down was held January 25-28, 2018. The goal of the Stand Down is to connect homeless veterans with service providers. Rotary Club of Del Mar members Haylea Minks, Barrett Smith and Chris Stewart volunteered at this Stand Down- they staffed the eyeglass station. Outside of Stand Down events, the North County San Diego Stand Down organization accepts donations of cash as well as gently used clothing and household items collected by their partner, TeamAMVETs.
President-Elect Don Fipps (right) with District Governor Elect for District 2220 in Russia, Alexey Kutsenok (left)
Matt and Janice Kurth (left) model gifts from District Governor Elect for District 3000, Rvn Kannan and his wife Sarala (right)
We are fortunate that Rotary International holds its annual International Assembly right in our own back yard, at Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego. Each year, District Governor Elects (DGEs) are required to attend the Assembly to take part in training that will be critical for effective leadership of their districts. Their spouses are also encouraged to attend programming tailored to their role. Local Rotarians host DGEs and this year past DG (PDG) Janice Kurth and her husband Matt Kurth, together with PDG Marty Peters, invited eight DGEs and their spouses to their La Jolla home. Each DGE told a bit about their home district: Barbara Wolf-Wicha (DG 1920) is proud to be the first female DG for her district covering the east half of Austria. Ismail Sadek, attending with his wife Doris, is DG for District 1910 covering western Austria, including Vienna. Alexey Kutsenok of Sochi, Russia, District 2220 looks forward to building membership for the 50 clubs in his district, the first in Russia. Sharmila Bhatt can build on the experience of her husband, Harish, who also served as DG for District 9211. Sharmila will be busy visiting the 101 clubs in her district that covers Tanzania and Uganda. Jeff Bamford (spouse Putiry Mwendwa) is DGE for District 9212 that includes 98 clubs in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan. Jeff’s overseas posting as an international banker brought him to Kenya, and subsequently to Rotary. Dominique Venere, DGE of District 7030 will put in a lot of travel time to speak to clubs across the Caribbean islands and two clubs in Guyana. Jerry Chapman is DGE for District 5870 covering Central Texas- Matt and Janice’s daughter is a Rotarian in this district. DGE Rvn Kannan and his wife Sarala brought gifts for Matt and Janice. DGE Kannan will oversee District 3000 in India- he too will be busy with nearly 130 clubs.
We congratulate all the DGEs and wish them every success in their Rotary year.
Join us for the January 25, 2018 meeting, which will feature talented young musicians in our region competing in the first level of the District 5340 music competition.
Featured speaker Dr. John Blount, spoke about changes Rotary is making to maintain its organizational vibrancy
We joined five other clubs: Del Mar Solana Beach, Encinitas, Encinitas Coastal, Rancho Santa Fe and Solana Beach Eco, at the Hilton San Diego Del Mar for our annual 6-way meeting. More than 130 Rotarians (including six past District Governors (DGs), Bob Blum, Janice Kurth, Philippe Lamoise, Marty Peters, and Marilyn Sanderson; two Assistant DGs, Steve Weitzen and Ole Prahm, and one DG elect, Marta Knight) attended to hear club presidents showcase their club’s activities.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Solana Beach: 30 members, meets Fridays at 7 AM. President Bill Sutton told about their Bocce Ball tournament that raised funds to support Just in Time for foster youth and Solutions for Change that helps homeless families re-integrate into society.
Rotary Club of Encinitas: 95 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Jim Merrill reminded us of why this club earned the nickname “Animal House”. Money raised at their annual Food and Wine Festival (June 2 this year) goes to support over 14 organizations, including their Home Team that provides help with household projects for seniors.
Rotary Club of Encinitas Coastal: 44 members, meets Tuesdays at 12:15, President Richard Cohen. Their fundraiser, the Golf Ball Drop, supports the Navy SEAL Foundation and other organizations. A helicopter drops numbered golf balls over an Encinitas Ranch Golf Course green and holders of balls coming closest to the pin win one of several prizes. Members also helped decorated the 2018 Rose Parade float and prepare hygiene kits to combat the recent hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego.
Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe: 80 members, meets Wednesdays at noon. President Luis Carranza noted that more than 50% of his club members are women. Their Taste of Rancho Santa Fe event (October 18 this year) supports over 10 charities and organizations, including Spay-Neuter Project (SNAP), ConnectMed, and Future Legends.
Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco: 18 members, meets Tuesdays at 6 PM. President Niels Lund kicked off the meeting with a song he wrote: “You Can Do Good in Rotary”. Their club focuses on projects that promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, including Latrines for Life in Cambodia, Project Amigo in Mexico, and Shelter Box.
The featured speaker, Dr. John Blount, DDS, from Rotary Club of Sebastopol, highlighted ways that Rotary is evolving to diversify membership and increase the number of younger members, including introduction of more flexible membership levels, while continuing to provide opportunities for servant leaders to enrich communities at both the local and international level.
North County Clubs Come Together for Annual 6-Way Meeting
New English Brewing in Sorrento Valley (11545 Sorrento Valley Rd., #305) is the site for our January social. This 10-year old brewery (positively ancient by San Diego craft brewery standards) poured their award-winning beers at our Sunset Soiree. Join us on Wednesday, January 24 from 5-8 PM to try one of their 15 beers that you can wash down with Greek food from a food truck that will be on site.
Want more socialization with North County Rotarians? Register to attend the Rockin’ Rotary Social on January 27, 2018 held from 6-9 PM at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Center (1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad CA 92008). Guests are most welcome, but register early as only 200 tickets are available. Tickets are $25 and include craft beer from Latitude 33 brewery, wine, pizza, and snacks. The JP Hennessy Band of the Rotary Club of Encinitas will provide entertainment. The club with the most club members in attendance will get a special prize.
Rockin’ Rotary Social January 27 at Agua Hedionda Discovery Center
Sharon Schendel (center) with San Diego History Center Development and Membership Coordinator Samantha Williams (left) and Executive Director Bill Williams (right)
San Diego History Center Executive Director Bill Lawrence (and Rotarian- he’s a member of San Diego Rotary Club 33) and Development and Membership Coordinator Samantha Williams joined our January 11, 2018 meeting to speak about the Center’s exhibits and show a few of the highlights of their collections. This year the Center will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its founding in 1928 by civic leader George Marston. Originally called the Junipero Serra Museum and housed on Presidio Hill, in 1982 the museum moved to its current location in Balboa Park’s Prado, where it occupies a 50,000 ft2 facility.
The Center seeks to collect, preserve, display and interpret the history of San Diego by offering content that provides a variety of perspectives to bring people together through a shared understanding of the past. Bill showed some of the most precious documents among the Center’s 45 million: a recently discovered document bearing Abraham Lincoln’s signature and the diary of Ah Quin, a Chinese labor organizer in San Diego during the 1880s that gives insight into working immigrants. The Center also has over 2.5 million photos of San Diego’s past, 17,000 objects related to the area, 1,700 pieces of fine art with San Diego and California themes, and one of the best costume collections in the nation.
The Center’s Oral History Program, established in 1955, has recordings of San Diego pioneers, and continues today to collect stories of a range of San Diegans from different backgrounds. The Center also publishes The Journal of San Diego History a triannual peer-reviewed journal that features scholarly articles on the history of the area. History Center members receive the Journal as part of their membership. Bill and Samantha brought with them the Summer/Fall 2017 issue for club members to take home. That issue included an article about the American Red Star Animal Relief Program at Camp Kearny during World War I and the Moreton Bay fig tree in Balboa Park.
Bill ended his talk with a Del Mar-specific trivia contest that in which members were asked to guess the name and year of a series of photos. Those who provided correct answers got a copy of the photo to keep (anyone who missed out or would like to see other photos available for purchase can visit the photo archive).
San Diego History Center: Connecting the Past, Present and Future of the San Diego Region
Youth Services Chair Larry Cook and Katie Cook with Berkeley Rotoract member Megan Wiener
We were delighted to welcome back Megan Wiener, our 2017 scholarship winner, as Rotarian of Day at the January 11, 2018 meeting. Megan is off to a great start at UC Berkeley where is majoring in Psychology with a pre-law focus. Due to all her hard work at Torrey Pines High School, Megan actually entered with credits equivalent to a sophomore! She joined the Berkeley Rotaract, which of the 8,400 Rotaract clubs in 170 countries across the world, is the largest at over 200 members. Rotary Club of Berkeley is their sponsor, and the two clubs work closely together.
Scholarship Winner Megan Wiener Returns as Rotarian of the Day
Karl Wagner reports that the San Diego Blood Bank is facing a critical shortage of blood- they have only a 2-week supply. The Bloodmobile will be in the Del Mar Hilton parking lot on January 18, 2018 from 9:30-2 PM, so please sign up to donate badly needed blood. If that time doesn’t work for you, visit the Blood Bank’s website to schedule a donation appointment.
On January 18, 2018 at noon we’ll gather at Del Mar Hilton Derby Ballroom for our annual 6-way meeting. In lieu of our regular meeting, join Rotarians from 5 other clubs: Del-Mar Solana Beach, Encinitas, Encinitas Coastal, Rancho Santa Fe, and Solana Beach Eco. Mix things up and sit with members from other clubs to learn about their projects and share what our club is doing. The Speaker will be John S. Blount, DDS who will cover a range of Rotary-related topics, including how Rotary International is interfacing with local clubs. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so soon. Click here to RSVP, indicate meal choice, and whether you’re bring a guest.
Del Mar Hilton, site of January 18 Six-way meeting
In lieu of our regular meeting, we’ll join five other North County Rotary Clubs for a 6-way meeting on January 18, 2018 at the Del Mar Hilton. John T. Blount D.D.S., program coordinator for the 2018 Rotary convention in Toronto and Chair of the 2019 convention in Hamburg Germany, is scheduled to speak. Dr. Blount has been instrumental in developing strategies to secure the future of Rotary and has moderated the international training program for all incoming Governors.
Six Way Meeting at Del Mar Hilton on January 18, 2018
Julie Marner, Executive Director, Burundi Friends International, with long-time Rotary Club of Del Mar member Bessie Floyd
Burundi Friends International Board members and volunteers- founder Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian is in the center of the back row
A 2010 trip to Burundi to teach English led Julie Marner to her current position as Executive Director of Burundi Friends International (BFI). Founded in 2007 by Burundian Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, who studied in the United States and hoped to give back to her native country, the mission of BFI is to foster partnerships for education, healthcare and economic empowerment that will sustain communities and fight poverty.
Land-locked Burundi is about the size of the Maryland, and is a member of the East African Community (EAC). Although the official languages of Burundi are French (a holdover from Belgian colonization) and Kirundi, the chosen language of the EAC is English. As such, Ms. Marner noted that Burundians who are fluent in English have access to broader economic opportunities.
The country faces many challenges, including: poor infrastructure (very few roads are paved, and only 5% of homes have electricity), difficulty in exporting goods, poverty (average annual income of $280), high rates of malnourishment, lack of clean water, and high rates of HIV and malaria. The family size in Burundi is large at ~6 children/family and as a result, the overall population is young- nearly half of Burundians are younger than 15 years old.
BFI seeks to address these challenges through its three-pillared approach: Education & English Clubs, Economic Empowerment Programs, and Healthcare & Medical Supplies. In her presentation, Ms. Marner focused on the Economic and English programs, which are closely related.
Burundian youth in particular have been proactive in taking advantage of the resources that BFI brings to their country. Knowing that English skills are critical for advancement, Burundians are enthusiastic English learners. In addition to stocking libraries with donated books, BFI helped found English clubs that provide an open learning environment where club members can access technology and books for active English learning. Beginning with just one club of 35 members, the number of clubs is growing rapidly. In the last year alone, the clubs experienced a 375% growth rate and membership is now 3,600. Over 2,000 volunteer teachers lead the clubs and help recruit and train even more teachers. BFI also has a scholarship program that allows talented students to seek university degrees either at a national or international level. Three of the students BFI assisted secured prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowships for young African leaders.
Coupled with the educational programs, BFI provides programs to help Burundians learn to save money and launch and manage their own businesses.
Ms. Marner told about Innocent Niyongabo as an example of the changes that BFI programs have made. Innocent was orphaned at 4 years-old when his parents were killed in the 1995 civil war in Burundi. Despite these huge challenges, Innocent was highly motivated to learn English. In just a few years, he is now fluent in English and serves as Vice President of the BFI English Clubs while pursuing a college degree. He realized that his parents were killed in part due to the poor mindset of Burundians, and he made it his goal to change this mindset and help his fellow youth realize the same educational and economic opportunities he seeks.
One of Innocent’s friends, Fabrice Bizimana, who is also active with BFI English clubs, summed up the resources that BFI provides: “Receiving a dictionary is like receiving a treasure.” We are confident that under Ms. Marner’s leadership BFI will continue to provide education and economic treasures to the people of Burundi.
Burundi Friends International: Bringing Educational and Economic Empowerment to Burundians
Bill Rawlings, Jim McClellan, Eric Nelte and Monty Woolley beside Bill's truck, filled with donations
Bill Rawlings kindly offered to take clothing donations to the Rotary Club of Escondido in advance of their clothing drive for the upcoming veteran’s Stand Down event. Members stepped up with donations, and Bill had no trouble filling the bed of his pickup truck!
Bill Lawrence will present at the January 11, 2018 meeting (Photo credit: John Gibbins)
Bill Lawrence, Executive Director of the San Diego History Center, will present this week about how the Center integrates in the San Diego community to fulfill its mission of telling the story of the San Diego region as well as educating community residents. The Center is based in Balboa Park and also maintains its original site on Presidio Hill. Mr. Lawrence is a graduate of San Diego State University and previously worked at KFMB and KPBS.
Speaker for January 18 Meeting: Bill Lawrence, San Diego History Center
The speaker for our January 4, 2018 meeting is Julie Marner, Executive Director of Burundi Friends International (BFI), which was founded in 2007 as a three-pronged program to fight poverty by enhancing education, healthcare, and economic resources. Burundi that lies east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and just south of Rwanda, is one of the economically challenged nations in the world.
Ms. Marner has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Practical Theology from University of Colorado and University of San Diego, respectively. She has a long history working with volunteer organizations that focus on homelessness, the prison population, and the mentally ill. Ms. Marner first visited Burundi in 2010 and returned in 2011 to teach English Communication at Light University (as the majority of business in Africa is conducted in English, proficiency in this language is a key to increased economic success). She has since expanded her initial educational efforts to address economic empowerment and healthcare issues.
January 4 2018 Speaker: Julie Marner of Burundi Friends International
Rotary Club of Escondido is helping with a clothing drive for veterans. All clothing donations are welcome, but jackets, sweatshirts, shoes, plus-size clothing, and towels are particularly welcome. They are also seeking new underwear and socks for both men and women (goal: 500 and 50 pairs for men and women, respectively). Bill Rawlings kindly volunteered to transport any items brought to the January 4, 2018 meeting to the Escondido Rotarians. If you can’t gather your donations in time for Thursday's meeting, you can bring the items to the drive at the Escondido Town Hall on Saturday January 6 between 8 and 11 AM.
Foundation: John Baranowski reported that half of our members have made their annual pledge to the Rotary Foundation and have paid the pledged amount. Make your 2018 pledge early by completing the attached form and returning it to John. Pledges can also be made online.
Membership: Matt Kurth tallied the club census, which currently stands at 66 active members and 4 honorary members. We have 7 pending Red Badgers who are working toward their Blue Badges. Our membership is 1/3 female and the median age is the mid-60s, with 18 members younger than 50. Our membership is stable and enduring- in the club the average tenure with Rotary is 21 years.
Del Mar Rotary Foundation: Bob Fuchs, chairman of the Del Mar Rotary Foundation Trust, reminded us that 5 years ago all donations were directed to the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation trust. Most donations made to the trust are unrestricted, although members always have the option to designate that funds be given to a specific project or committee. We are fortunate that a substantial proportion of the trusts funds are in an account that pays 6% annually, resulting in income from interest alone of nearly $10,000. Have you made your suggested donation to the club's foundation yet? Remember that these pledges are separate from those for the foundation. Access the pledge form here.
The Community Service, International Service, and Youth Services committees all reported on their successful years and the variety of projects they sponsored.
Donna Fipps ready for action at the bead station, where she was joined by Janice Kurth
Kathi Reed helped with the pine cone project- and one of our guests displays her beautiful finished project
Dan Smargon and Klaus Gubernator helped fashion buckeye-pipe cleaner animals (top), and Bob Sonnhalter and Bill Rawlings were ready to help with ice plant cuttings (bottom)
Plenty of balloons for twisting and cookies for decorating
Our guests could decorate stockings and advise Santa on how to fill them
Helping with Christmas cards- plenty of rocks were needed to keep the wind from blowing the cards away
Tony Villasenor helped serve dinner
Tom Ryan, Monty Woolley, Tom Woolsey, Marty Peters and Tony Villasenor enjoy dinner
On December 7, 2017 we hosted our annual Christmas party for local children who are members of the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club Harper Branch. The children could choose from several different craft stations to make Christmas decorations and presents. They could also visit with Santa and enjoy the food and refreshments. The weather at La Colonia park in Solana Beach was breezy, but all the kids had fun and left with several momentoes from the party.
Community Service Christmas Party at La Colonia in Solana Beach
Danny Maas (left) spoke about recent successes of the Torrey Pines High School Robotics Club, the Millennium Falcons, at the regional and national levels (Team photo credit- The Del Mar Times)
Daniel Maas, a Junior at Torrey Pines High School (TPHS), joined our November 30, 2017 meeting to thank our club for its support of the TPHS Robotics Club, the Millennium Falcons. The club has grown significantly in the past few years, and now numbers 35 members. They compete in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Competition (or, as FIRST likes to refer to it, “Coopertition” that emphasizes teaching and learning from teammates to assist and enable the success of others). In 2017, the Falcons won the San Diego regional competition and advanced to the FIRST finals in Houston, where they reached the semifinals. The club is looking forward to the January release of this year’s robot task and will start building their robot soon after. Support from Rotary Club of Del Mar is instrumental for the club to secure the necessary equipment to build their robot and travel to compete at the national level.
Torrey Pines High School Millennium Falcons Robotics Club Seeks Continued Success
Marty Peters with Veteran's Village CEO Kim Mitchell and founder Jack Lyon
Kim Mitchell (second from left) and Jack Lyon (second from right) with Rotary Club of Del Mar members who served on active duty between November 1955 and May 1975 (l to r): Monty Woolley, Tom Ryan, Jim McClellan, Bob Sonnhalter and Tom Woolsey
Jack Lyon, together with fellow Vietnam veterans Bill Mahedy, Randy Waite, Paul Grasso and Russ Kelly, founded Veteran’s Village in 1981 as a resource to help disenfranchised veterans access services to which they were entitled. From its small beginnings, the organization has grown to serve more than 2,000 veterans annually by providing transitional housing and programs tailored to its five pillars of success: Prevention, Intervention, Rehabilitation, Aftercare and Employment Services.
Jack introduced Veteran’s Village’s newly installed CEO, Kim Mitchell, who co-founded the Dixon Center for Veterans and Military Services after having served in the Navy for 17 years. Ms. Mitchell, a Naval Academy graduate, reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander serving onboard surface ships and at shore commands. In her last two years in active duty she was the Deputy Director of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Office of Warrior and Family Support before assuming duties as a White House Military Social Aide for the Obama administration for which she helped host more than 500 military-related events. Together these experiences provided a strong foundation to take over as head of Veteran’s Village.
Ms. Mitchell has personal experience with how a little assistance can chance the course of a life. She was found as an infant clinging to her dead mother and was eventually taken to the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Da Nang, Vietnam. There she was found by Air Force Technical Sergeant James Mitchell, who adopted her and brought her to live with his family in northern Wisconsin. Sadly, her father, a farmer, was killed in a lightning strike just weeks before she was to leave for the Naval Academy. This experience taught her to cope with change and be aware that life can change in an instant.
Ms. Mitchell’s immediate goals for Veteran’s Village are to increase public awareness of the services provided by the Village, increase community involvement through various events, including Stand Downs (which Rotary Club of Del Mar members have supported), and support partnerships with local businesses, which are instrumental to ensuring stable employment for veterans. The Village’s various programs enjoy an 80% success rate. In keeping with the Village’s motto: “Leave no one behind”, for those who do not succeed on their first attempt, the Village welcomes and encourages them to keep trying until they do achieve success.
At the end of her presentation, Ms. Mitchell referenced the national Vietnam Commemoration, which was authorized by Congress in 2012 to thank and honor Vietnam veterans. She asked club members to raise their hands if they were on active duty any time between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975. Those members who raised their hands received lapel pins to recognize their service and sacrifice during this period.
Serving Those Who Served: Veteran’s Village of San Diego
Haylea Minks and Don Fipps handled the pinto bean station
Boxes rounding the curve for the next stage of filling
Celebrating a job well done!
Rotary Club of Del Mar members, spouses and friends gathered at the Del Mar Fairgrounds grandstand to pack holiday baskets for the Community Resource Center (CRC). Packing is efficient as boxes roll along conveyor belts in front of different stations stocked with staples. After supplementing with turkey or chickens, recipients have what they need to prepare holiday meals with all the trimmings. The CRC holiday baskets represent the largest distribution program in San Diego and will serve over 1,500 families who live in San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach or Del Mar and have an annual household income that is at or below 80% of the area median income. Together, we packed nearly 280 boxes in just a few hours.
Packing Holiday Baskets for Families Served by the Community Resource Center
St. Peter's Parish hall was in a festive mood on December 16, 2017 for the annual holiday party. There were plenty of beverages- both hard and soft- and prime rib was the main entree. Cookies were available for exchange- Donna Fipps brought cookies topped with "Nutcracker" mice. A great way to kick off the last 10 days before Christmas!
Stacie Terry, Head Coach of SDSU Women's Basketball with the ultimate Aztec, Larry Cook
Coach Stacie Terry, now in her fifth year as head coach of the San Diego State University Women’s Basketball team (currently 4-0) was our speaker at the November 16, 2017 meeting. She began by recalling her own goals as an undergraduate at University of Texas Arlington, where she played basketball and continued her excellent 3-point shooting after graduating from El Capitan High School. At UTA Coach Terry was a Communications major, and she planned to become the first female sideline reporter for the NFL. Yet when she graduated, she didn’t have the experience she needed to break into broadcasting. When she got into coaching, Coach Terry made it her mission to provide the women she coached the opportunities she didn’t have.
Coach Terry has had success in recruiting, as evidenced by her nationally-ranked recruiting classes. When recruiting, Coach Terry looks for young women who have intangible qualities beyond basketball talent and considers whether they have a good attitude and work ethic. Pat Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division I history advised her that she needed players who could “wake up and start their own engines.” Coach Terry makes a promise to the parents of her recruits: not only will their daughters become better basketball players, they will become more well-rounded young women.
SDSU players attend financial planning workshops and are encouraged to start saving a few dollars from the scholarship funds. Coach Terry also makes it point to expose her players to the local culture of the cities where they play away games. For instance, when they played a tournament in New York, the whole team went to see “The Color Purple” on Broadway. Academics are also emphasized and the team strives to see that each player maintains at least a 3.0 GPA. Players are coached to develop a media presence and conduct themselves with confidence. All of these skills will serve SDSU players well when they enter the work force.
Beyond Basketball: SDSU Head Coach Stacie Terry Takes a Holistic Approach to Coaching
December will be a great month with the following events and activities:
On Thursday December 7, 2017, the club will be dark as we hold our annual children’s holiday party at La Colonia Park in Solana Beach. Fire up your Pintrest pages and find some interesting and simple craft projects that we can have ready for the kids who attend.
On Monday December 11, 2017 join us at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to help assemble Community Resource Center holiday baskets. Remember to complete the waiver form and return it to Barrett Smith.
On the evening of Thursday December 14, 2017, in lieu of our regular meeting, we’ll hold our annual club Christmas party at St. Peter’s Parish Hall.
Mark Your December Calendars: La Colonia Holiday Party, Holiday Baskets and Club Party
There will be no meeting November 23, 2017 in observance of Thanksgiving. Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday with good food and good company. Join us November 30, 2017, when Kim Miller and Jack Lyon, Veteran’s Village CEO and Founder, respectively, will present.
President Elect Don Fipps read the slate for incoming officers and directors for the new Rotary year. Elections will be held at the December 21, 2017 meeting.
President: Don Fipps
President-elect: Brett Mattei
Vice President: Sharon Schendel
Treasurer: Kathy Reed
Secretary: Donna Fipps
Sergeant-at-Arms: Chandra Collure
Rotary Foundation Chair: Matt Kurth
Youth Services Chair: Larry Cook
Director/Community Services Chair: Barrett Smith
Director/International Services Chair: Dugan Moore
Members and guests visiting before the meeting gets underway
Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza was the site of our second Community Outreach meeting for 2017. We had another great turnout, with several guests in attendance. Vickie Barks brought her colleagues from the League of Amazing Programmers, Jackie Arsenau and Becky Deller; Garrie Rhodes invited Alton Hitchcock, real estate agent and home brewer; and Carrington Kingsley, guest of Kit Leeger, returned for a second visit. John Winfield, editor of Fine magazine joined us, as did Linda Strangman, wife of member Walt Strangman. The meeting was a family affair for member Chad Brown, who brought his wife, Dana, and their two daughters, Ella and Maia, who were selling poinsettias on behalf of the Encinitas YMCA Dreamcatcher project, which raises funds so that needy families can access YMCA facilities and services.
Nat Read (top) recited poems by Robert Service (lower right) and discussed how Service's verse influenced his own work, "Poet Cop"
Nat Read is a frequent speaker at Rotary Club of Del Mar, and he never fails to entertain. The poet Robert Service was the focus of his presentation at our November 9, 2017 meeting. Nat began by reciting from memory Service’s poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee”, the story of the continuously cold prospector Sam McGee who finally found warmth on the shores of Lake Lebarge.
Nat told how, at the age of 20, Service left Scotland to sail to western Canada to become a cowboy in the Yukon wilderness. His ambition as a young man was never to take a “respectable” job, and he fulfilled that ambition by taking on a variety of menial labor jobs.
The charm of disrespectability soon wore off and Service migrated south, first to San Francisco, followed by Los Angeles, and he eventually responded to a job posting for what he thought was for a tutor for two young girls in San Diego, but was in fact a job as a replacement handyman at a brothel. As a parting gift, Service received a guitar from one of the brothel’s “residents”.
After drifting throughout the West, Service eventually secured employment with the Canadian Bank of Commerce and was transferred back to the Yukon. While there, Service wrote “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”, which Nat also recited from memory (together, the two poems total nearly 2,000 words).
Following more wanderings and a stint as a war correspondent and ambulance drive in World War I, Service lived more comfortably on the earnings from his 14 books of poetry and 6 novels. He even landed in Hollywood for a brief period as movies were being made of his stories. His turn as an actor was not as successful as his writing- he was deemed “ill-suited” to play himself in a movie.
Nat noted that American poetry eventually moved away from poets like Service, in favor or less traditional poems such as “Makeshift”, which Nat read as a representative poem that appears in The New Yorker. Nat said that he’d talked with one of the former Poet Laureates of California, who said that his colleagues didn’t like Service, but the fact that his poems have never been out of print reflects their popularity.
Nat is a poet himself, and Service was one of his inspirations. His book of poetry, “Poet Cop” details his feelings about his work as a Reserve Officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. His assignments for the LAPD included vice in Hollywood and gang suppression in the South Bureau.
Nat Read Recalls Robert Service, “Bard of the Yukon”, and His Role in American Poetry
Our November club social will be Wednesday November 15, 2017, 5-7 PM, at Americana, located at the corner of the Coast Highway and 15th Street Del Mar (across the street from the Rotary clock). Come enjoy a variety of draft beers and wines, and the Happy Hour menu, which includes duck & corn quesadillas, mussels, calamari, thin crust pizzas and potstickers, among others. We may catch a glimpse of owner Randy Gruber, who was also awarded “Best Chili” at our recent Chili & Quackers event. As always, members are encouraged to bring guests.
Club Social This Week at Americana Restaurant in Del Mar
The year-end meeting of the International Services Committee (ISC) will be held Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 5 PM at Dugan Moore and Philippe Lamoise’s home in Sorrento Valley. All members, particularly new members, are invited to attend to discuss ongoing international service projects and ideas for new projects.
Members are encouraged to submit proposals for pilot projects. ISC Chairwoman Dugan Moore asks that the proposals be summarized in one page or less and should consider the following questions: i) will I have personal involvement in the project and do I plan to have hands-on participation in the host country; ii) is the project sustainable and does it align with one or more of Rotary International’s six areas of focus; iii) what is the future potential of the project, how it will benefit the local community, and can the project be expanded. Dugan welcomes questions in advance of the meeting either by email or phone. Please also contact Dugan for directions to her home.
Off-Site Year End Meeting for the International Services Committee
Rotary Club of Del Mar members and their guests enjoyed lunch and conversation at Pacific Del Mar
As St. Peter’s Del Mar hosts the Interfaith Shelter at our usual Parish Hall meeting site, we ventured just across the street to Del Mar Plaza for lunch at Pacifica Del Mar. We had an excellent turnout, and more than two dozen guests, including Brett Davis, Marianela Davis, David Goodell, Pat Hayden, Carrington Kingsley, Martha Laudroche and Robert Vaughn, joined us to learn more about Rotary Club of Del Mar projects and to meet our members. The food and the service were excellent, as was the conversation. We look forward to our second Outreach meeting to be held November 16, 2017 at Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza. Please invite spouses, friends, and colleagues to enjoy the buffet lunch as our guests.
First of Two Community Outreach Meetings Highlights Rotary Club of Del Mar Projects
Our November 16, 2017 meeting will be held at Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza. This meeting is another great opportunity to bring friends, colleagues, or anyone who would like to learn more about Rotary and the Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Coach Terry is a San Diego native who played for the El Capitan Vaqueros. She played NCAA Division I basketball for the University of Texas at Arlington and professionally in the European Pro League. Prior to her appointment as SDSU head coach in 2013, Coach Terry was an assistant coach for UCLA and then LSU.
San Diego State University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Stacie Terry is Speaker for the Community Outreach Meeting at Il Fornaio
Barbara McNally, author of "Wounded Warrior, Wounded Wife"
Cover of Barbara McNally's book and logo for her foundation, with images for lover, mother, warrior, sage
Barbara McNally was a licensed physical therapist working with veterans to help them adjust to the effects of serious injuries and through that work she learned about the tremendous challenges that military members wounded in the line of duty face. Several years ago, as she was driving across the Coronado Bridge, a motorist in front of her stopped his car, got out, and then, to her horror, jumped off the bridge. She later learned that the motorist was a veteran who left behind a wife and children. Barbara vowed to devote herself to helping ensure that no other veteran would feel such despair that s/he would be driven to suicide.
Barbara began her talk with a short video featuring wounded veterans talking about the thanks they get from strangers, and the spotlight that shines on them, but no one shines a spotlight on those who also deserve thanks and praise: the spouses and family members of these wounded warriors. In an effort to increase the recognition for families of wounded military, Barbara launched the Barbara McNally Foundation, the logo for which includes images that represent qualities of many military caregivers: Lover, Mother, Warrior, Sage. Her foundation seeks to empower these caregivers, particularly women, to gain the knowledge and courage they need to support and advocate for their wounded warriors.
Copies of Barbara’s book, “Wounded Warrior, Wounded Wife: Not Just Surviving But Thriving” were at each table at our October 2, 2018 meeting. The book tells the stories of many wives whose lives were changed by injuries their husbands sustained, and how they grew and changed in response to the needs of their husbands. For many of these couples, their relationships changed in ways they never could have imagined, and were the richer for the experience.
A major project of the Barbara McNally foundation is co-sponsorship of Support, Purpose & Appreciation (SPA) days. At SPA days, caregivers get a much-needed rest and take time to focus on themselves, sometimes for the first time in years. SPA days give women the opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences, and share how they’ve coped with the challenges they face. Although hundreds of women apply to be a part of SPA days, only a small fraction can be accommodated. Many of our members who attended the meeting gave donations to allow more women to attend SPA days. Donations can also be made through Barbara’s website. We congratulate Barbara on recognizing this important issue, and for her actions to ensure that the caregivers receive recognition for the invaluable services they perform.
Barbara McNally: Focusing on Caregivers for Wounded Warriors
Nat B. Read will speak about 19th century poet Robert B. Service, aka "The Bard of the Yukon"
This week's meeting will be held at Pacific Del Mar in the Del Mar Plaza
As St. Peter’s hosts the Interfaith Shelter over the next two weeks, this week our meeting will be held at Pacifica Del Mar. Thai grilled chicken salad, rock shrimp pasta, or turkey burger with fries are on the menu. Members are encouraged to bring guests, and anyone who would like to learn more about Rotary Club of Del Mar are encouraged to attend as our guest.
Nat B. Read will present on the poet Robert W. Service, known as the “Bard of the Yukon”. Service worked as a cowboy in the Yukon wilderness in the late 19th century, and his experiences were the foundation for many of his poems and stories.
Community Outreach Meeting at Pacifica Del Mar with Nat Read as Speaker
Niels Lund, President of Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco
Niels Lund, the President of the Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco, which meets on Tuesdays evenings at 6 PM in the library of the LePort School, told us about his Club’s efforts to meet the tree-planting challenge. A recent District 5340 NewsBits newsletter posted a link to the Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco’s compilation of agencies that Rotary clubs could partner with to plant new trees in the San Diego area. The Rotary Club of Solana Beach Eco is the fourth Eco Rotary Club to be established, and the number of Eco clubs is growing. Eco Rotarians believe that all individuals should be able to enjoy a high quality of life while protecting, respective, and enhancing the environment.
Solana Beach Eco Club President Niels Lund and the Rotary International Tree Planting Effort
Jan Nelte (left) and Linda Shaw (right) are co-chairs of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla's Jacaranda Tree Project
Village Garden Club of La Jolla members planting a new Jacaranda tree (Photo credit: La Jolla Light)
At the seminar for incoming District Governors held in San Diego in January 2017, Rotary International President Ian Riseley challenged each one of the more than 1.2 million Rotarians to plant one tree between July 1 and Earth Day, April 22, 2018. Riseley outlined his belief that: “the greater result [of the tree planting] will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but to the planet itself.”
President Klaus Gubernator invited Jan Nelte (wife of former President Eric Nelte) and Linda Shaw from the La Jolla Village Garden Club to speak about how the committee they co-chair, the Jacaranda Tree Project, could help us meet President Riseley’s challenge and also beautify public spaces in San Diego. The Project began in 1986, and since its founding has planted more than 2,200 Jacaranda trees, which the San Diego City Council named the “Official Tree of San Diego”, across San Diego county. Sites that received trees include Miramar National Cemetery, the waterfront esplanade on Harbor Drive, the La Jolla YMCA, Horton Plaza Park, and the downtown Central Library. In Balboa Park, the club cooperated with the Balboa Park Conservancy to plant 21 trees around Morley Field.
The Club uses donations made to the Jacaranda Tree Project in their entirety toward the purchase and planting of trees. All donations are tax-deductible. Donations of $50 or more can be designated to honor the memory of loved one, recognize a special person, commemorate an event, or, for Rotarians, help reach the goal of 1.2 million newly planted trees. No individual tree is designated for specific individual, but rather the Club recognizes all who donated at a special annual dedication ceremony. Download the donation form and follow the instructions to make a donation.
Andy Stern, founder of the Lost Bird Project, which produces Smartfins to monitor ocean health
A bronze sculpture of a Passenger Pigeon, part of the Lost Bird project that seeks to help individuals connect with the earth through art (Photo credit, The Smithsonian Institution)
The inner workings of a Smartfin (photo credit: AAAS)
One day, and he said it truly was one day, Andy Stern had an epiphany. He remembered thinking: “I know why I’m here.” After 30 years of treating patients as a neurologist, he wanted to address one of the biggest threats to human health- climate change. Andy felt that one of the reasons that humans are so prone to ignore the dangers of climate change is that they are disconnected from the earth and the environment.
He founded the Lost Bird project, which seeks to help people connect more deeply with the earth through art. His brother-in-law, Todd McGrain, a sculptor, created large bronze sculptures of five now-extinct bird species: the Great Auk, the Labrador Duck, the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet, and the Heath Hen. The sculptures were placed at the site where the last known member of the species was seen in the wild. There is a film documenting the project, and the sculptures were also on display at the Smithsonian Institution. The Lost Bird project has a new film in progress, “Elephant Path- Njaia Njoku” which was submitted for exhibition at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.
Around five years ago Andy conceived the idea for Smartfin, a way to gather real time data for ocean chemistry. Although there is extensive research being conducted on the deep ocean, because surf zones are dynamic and high energy due to wave action, there was a gap in data collection for these areas. Smartfin seeks to fill that gap. The Smartfin can be fitted to a typical surfer board. Embedded within the fin are electronics that sample ocean pH, temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Once a surfer has finished his/her sets, s/he offloads the Smartfin data onto a smartphone, and the data are then uploaded onto servers. The resulting data are open access and available to oceanographers across the world. The beta-testing is now complete, and scaled-up manufacturing is underway to expand the availability of Smartfins to surfers. During the development phase, Smartfin partnered with scientists at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and will now enlist the help of the Surfrider Foundation to distribute Smartfins, free of cost, to chapter members. Using this approach, Smartfins can be deployed to many different areas to help scientists learn more about ocean chemistry in the surf zone. The Smartfins will cost around $200 to manufacture, which is significantly less than other technologies used to monitor ocean health, such as floats in the Argo network. Through Smartfin and the data gathered by surfing citizen scientists, Andy and the Lost Bird project will be closer to achieving the goal of increasing connectedness between humans and the ocean, and promoting meaningful action to slow climate change.
Global Scholar and Children's Peace Initiative Senior Project Manager Jane Kinyua exchanges flags with President Klaus Gubernator
Rotary Global ScholarJane Kinyua joined our October 26, 2017 meeting to exchange a club flag from her host club, Rotary Club of Ruiru, and to talk about the Children’s Peace Initiative (CPI), a project that received support from a Global Grant on which Rotary Club of Del Mar was the primary international partner and for which Jane serves as Senior Program Manager.
For years, communities in northern Kenya have endured an ongoing violent cycle of tribal conflicts. CPI was founded with the vision of engaging children to break this cycle of violence. Jane described five interventions that CPI undertook to help children view members of neighboring tribes in a more positive way.
Intervention 1 was a children’s peace camp that brought children from two warring communities together for a five-day camp filled with activities designed to help children develop cross-tribe friendships. Each child was given the goal of developing a new friendship with a member of the other tribe. Intervention 2 used storytelling to illustrate the beauty of the neighboring tribes that can help erase negative images and attitudes. For Intervention 3, CPI arranged an inter-community culture celebration to help participants embrace and appreciate cultural differences, while also reducing fear of opposing tribes. Intervention 4 involved an inter-community parent meeting. Jane said that if they had simply announced that such a meeting was being held, the parents would likely not have attended. Instead, they encouraged the children to ask their parents to come meet their new friends, and this approach raised participation significantly. Last, Intervention 5 they called “Grab Peace by the Horns” wherein parents of participating children who had gone above and beyond to promote peace between warring communities were rewarded with a heifer. When the heifer gave birth, the calf was presented to the other community, thus strengthening the bond between the communities.
CPI trained local community members in the approaches they used, thus ensuring program sustainability, one of the requirements for Rotary-sponsored projects. The success of CPI’s efforts is evident in the adoption of this approach by other countries in Africa.
Jane holds a B.A. from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. When exchanging flags with President Klaus Gubernator, Jane explained that the Rotary Club of Ruiru flag features a coffee plant, the main cash crop in the region.
Children Promoting Peace in Kenya Through the Children’s Peace Initiative
New blue badger, Chandra Collure (center) with his sponsor Ed Siegel (left) after receiving his blue badge from membership chair Matt Kurth (right)
Chandra Collure was awarded his blue badge at the October 26, 2017 meeting. Chandra gave his “Who am I” earlier this year when he summarized the community improvement and infrastructure projects he oversaw as the City Engineer and Public Works Director for Solana Beach. Chandra has already taken on several roles in the club, most recently he served as “fire chief” for Chili & Quackers when he made sure that all our chili chefs were supplied with portable stoves to keep their chili hot (temperature-wise, of course!). He has also taken over Sergeant at Arms duties from Mark Matthess. We are grateful to have Chandra as a member of our club.
Barbara McNally, author of "Wounded Warrior, Wounded Wife, Not Just Surviving, But Thriving" will speak at the November 2, 2017 meeting
Barbara McNally authored the book “Wounded Warrior, Wounded Wife, Not Just Surviving, But Thriving” to tell the stories of the inner lives of wounded soldiers, and how these injuries, both seen and unseen, affect the lives of those closest to them. Barbara is a licensed physical therapist who has helped her clients, both veteran and civilian alike, recover and regain strength. Through her PT work, she connected with spouses of wounded warriors, whose stories inspired her to write “Wounded Warriors” and launch the Barbara McNally Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of women by helping them access their personal strengths and potential.
November 2 Speaker: Barbara McNally, Helping Veterans and Their Families Thrive
Al Tarkington competing in the Ironman in Hawaii on October 14, 2017
Al at the finish line- looking fantastic at the end of a 140.6 mile day
Congratulations to Al Tarkington, who finished in the Ironman World Championship held in Hawaii on October 14, 2017. Although there are now dozens of Ironman races across the world, the Hawaii championships remain the most prestigious. A full Ironman course requires racers to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a 26.2 mile marathon. Al finished 6th in the 75-79 year-old age division with an overall time of 16:42.
Jorge Reyes Loaiza from Free Flight bird sanctuary holds "Mandy", an Alexandrine parrot
Red, a 20 year-old green tailed macaw, was often dancing during the presentation (see the video at our Facebook page)
Klaus Gubernator (holding Mandy) talks with Jorge while (l-r) Bird, Timmy, and Jesse look on
Jesse the Triton cockatoo gets a bit of bit of attention from Suzy
Five feathered guests at our October 19, 2017 meeting provided a splash of color and some of their own commentary to our usual meeting business. Bird (Blue Fronted Amazon parrot), Jesse (Triton Cockatoo), Mandy (Alexandrine parakeet), Red (Green-winged macaw) and Timmy (Ecletus parrot) are all residents of Free Flight sanctuary, which is located just a few minutes away from St. Peter’s.
The sanctuary was founded in 1981 by the late Dr. Robert Stonebreaker, who recognized the need for a facility that could provide shelter for exotic birds in need of a home. Avian Care and Visitor Liaison Jorge Reyes Loaiza explained that these birds can live as long as 80 years and thus often out-live their owners. In addition, exotic birds often bond to just one person, and the addition of new household members, be it a new partner or a new baby, can result in the need to re-home a bird.
Free Flight currently houses 51 birds (49 parrots, one yellow canary, and one African crowned crane) who arrived at the shelter either because their owners could no longer care for them or had passed away, or the bird was no longer adjusted to its home. Among the residents, 20 are up for adoption, which requires visitations in advance of bringing the bird home to ensure that the bird is bonding with its new owner. For those who love birds but are unable to adopt, Free Flight has bird sponsorship programs. The sanctuary also provides boarding facilities for bird owners who are on vacation or otherwise temporarily unable to care for their birds.
Free Flight has a variety of ways to get involved. Their Junior Docent program is a week-long training program for teenagers aged 13-17 who want to become docents at the sanctuary. Parrot Camp is for younger kids, grades 3-6, and provides education about parrots. The Senior Docent program trains those 55 and older who want to volunteer as docents. Free Flight is also developing a program to involve veterans in caring for the birds. The Sanctuary is conducting a capital campaign to raise funds to replace the 25-30 year-old cages with new stainless steel cages that will be easier to clean and are larger and more mobile, as well as rust-resistant.
The Sanctuary welcomes visitors daily from 11-4 (on Wednesdays 11-2). They charge a small admission fee and food can be purchased to feed the birds and koi.
St. Peter’s parish member Chis Grobin is coordinating volunteers to participate in the Rotational Shelter, part of the Interfaith Shelter Network, which will be housed in St. Peter’s Parish Hall for two weeks from November 5-19. Volunteers can sign up for shifts by sending an email to Chis.
They particularly need volunteers to serve as overnight hosts between November 16-18. Prior to their shift, all volunteers receive training about who the shelter serves, the challenges these individuals face, and how to be an active listener for their concerns.
The Rotational Shelter Program is the hallmark of the Interfaith Shelter Network. Over 70 congregations, of all denominations, host the program at their facilities for 2-4 weeks a year while another 50 congregations serve supporting roles such as providing meals, hosts, transportation, and funds. Shelter guests are first screened by local social service agencies to ensure the absence of drug, alcohol, or mental health issues. Guests must also agree to work with the referring social service agency to take steps to address problems that led to their homelessness. On average, 12 guests are hosted at rotating congregation facilities. Guests may stay up to eight weeks in the network, although most stay fewer than six weeks. Please consider getting involved in this important program.
We'll meet at Pacific Del Mar November 9 and Il Fornaio November 16
Due to the Interfaith Shelter being held in November at St. Peter’s, we’ll hold our November 9 and November 16 meetings less than a block away, at Del Mar Plaza. The meeting November 16 in particular is a perfect opportunity to bring friends, neighbors, or co-workers who might be interested in learning more about Rotary. Be sure to let Sergeant at Arms Chandra Collure know in advance if you’ll be bringing guests.
Danielle Hoffer, Peace Corps volunteer and Paul Harris Fellow, spoke about her experiences working in Zambia
Danielle Hoffer, newly returned from serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, joined our October 19, 2017 meeting to talk about her experiences. In Zambia, she focused on improving education, food security and gender equality in the regions she served. She also developed programs to provide information about HIV/AIDS prevention and implemented HIV/AIDS counseling and testing programs. While there, she learned to speak Bemba, one of the 72 languages spoken in Zambia.
Danielle was president of the Rotaract Club at the University of San Diego, from which she graduated magna cum laude in 2014 with a B.S. in International Relations. In September 2017 she was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Naperville, for her embodiment of many of the Rotary Foundation’s six areas of focus that aim to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support peace efforts.
Danielle is seeking to build on her Peace Corps experience by pursuing a career that would allow her to manage projects in developing nations.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Paul Harris Fellow Danielle Hoffer Speaks About Her Experiences in Zambia
As Rotarian of the Day, Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski reminded members to submit their pledges to support the Rotary Foundation. John read the letter from Rotary International President Ian Riseley that opens the November issue of The Rotarian. The letter highlighted the importance of the Foundation in enabling Rotarians to accomplish projects worldwide. The Rotary Foundation is one of the most efficient uses of a charitable dollar. Charity Navigator awarded the Rotary Foundation its highest rating as reflected by low administrative costs (91% of donations directly support projects) and high transparency and accountability. In 2016 the Association of Fund Raising Professionals recognized the Rotary Foundation with its Outstanding Foundation Award.
Make your pledge today- download and fill out the pledge form and give your donation to John as soon as possible to receive tax credit for 2017. You can also use this form to donate to the Rotary Club of Del Mar’s Foundation, which is overseen by Bob Fuchs.
Rotarian of the Day and Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski
Dr. Andrew Stern will speak at the October 26, 2017 meeting about Smartfin, a surf board fin that allows real-time monitoring of ocean chemistry (pH, salinity, temperature) and characteristics (wave dynamics relative to position). The data collected by surfing citizen scientists using Smartfin-equipped boards are available to ocean scientists worldwide.
Smartfin was founded by Dr. Andew Stern and is an initiative of the arts-based nonprofit he also founded, Lost Bird, which is devoted to raising environmental awareness by using art to connect people with the Earth.
October 26 2017 Speaker: Andy Stern, Citizen Scientists and Smartfin
Tony Villasenor (center) with his co-sponsors, Barrett Smith (left) and Marty Peters (right)
We welcome new member Tony Villasenor, who received his red badge at the October 19, 2017 meeting. Tony is co-sponsored by Barrett Smith and Marty Peters, whom he got to know through the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito during his long service on their Board of Directors. He is the Director of Commercial Real Estate for Ten-X, a leading online real estate marketplace. Tony and his wife Kelly (nickname KellBell) have a blended family- they each brought three children to their marriage. He has a history with Rotary, as his stepfather, Bob Dunn, was a member of Rotary for 65 years and was also a Diamond-level Paul Harris Fellow.
More than a dozen chili chefs faced off with their best chilis (top). Organizer Bob Fuchs (lower right) worked hard all day together with Val Myers, who oversaw awarding of the prizes, and John Baranowski (lower left), who acted as MC for the day. Don Fipps played "swimmer in distress" for a demonstration by the Del Mar Lifeguard Surf Rescue Team (middle panels)
Janice Kurth, Garrie Rhodes Karl Wagner (l-r, upper left) tended bar, Vice President Brett Mattei (with Deputy Chief Lifeguard Mark Rathsam) was there early in the morning for set-up (upper right), while Scott MacDonald, Miles Fleming, Patti Kurtz, and Val Myers took care of walk-up duck adoptions as well as food and drink sales
Kristin Brakespear, owner of Diamond Princess Parties was on hand to offer a great range of patterns for the kids. Conner Chunyk shows off the snake pattern he chose.
The Del Mar Lifeguards took out nearly 900 ducks to launch in the surf
The winning duck made it back to shore very quickly!
Juniors and seniors (thanks Monty!) helped gather the ducks as they arrived on the beach
After all the ducks were gathered (that's Sharyn Daly's granddaughter Mason on the lower right) the Del Mar Lifeguards carried them back to the park
Our chili cookoff winners! Suzie Wagner with her white chicken chili was third most popular, Eric Nelte's "Capital Punishment" took second (second from left) and Randy Gruber (second from right), owner and chef of Del Mar's Americana restaurant, was first with his "6 Hour Chili" was voted best chili by attendees. John Baranowski (right) announced the winners.
Sharyn Daly and Bob Fuchs sorted ducks prior to launch (upper left), posing with the bean bag toss (upper right), Val Myers sorts the prizes (lower left), Monty Woolley signals his approval of the chilis (lower right)
We had a beautiful day on Saturday October 14, 2017 for the 6th annual Chili & Quackers chili cook-off and ducky derby. We had all different chili varieties- from mild to spicy, white to red, and chunky to smooth- there was one to satisfy every taste. Viewpoint Brewery provided their craft brews to wash down that chili. There were plenty of games for the kids in attendance, many of whom visited Kristin Brakespear’s face painting booth (Kristin is owner of DiamondPrincessParties and also teaches at Painting With a Twist in Rancho Bernardo). Dano’s Island Sounds provided steel drum music for the event.
At 2:30 around 900 ducks were at the beach ready for launch from a Del Mar Surf Rescue boat piloted by Del Mar Lifeguards. The ducks found their way to shore quickly and we were indebted to all the kids who helped us ensure that all our ducks got back home safely.
All attendees who purchased chili tastes were invited to vote for their favorite recipe. This year Randy Gruber, owner of Americana in Del Mar, with his “6 Hour Chili” was voted most popular. Eric Nelte’s “Capital Punishment” was second and Suzy Wagner’s white chili with chicken was third.
Special thanks go to organizer Bob Fuchs, for his tireless work on all aspects of the event, all our chili chefs, Brett Mattei for arriving so early for set-up, John Baranowski for serving as MC, Val Myers for coordinating the prizes, counting the votes, and overseeing the ticket booth, Patti Kurtz, Scott MacDonald and Miles Fleming for manning the ticket booth (Miles also volunteered to transport the slightly wet post-race ducks back home), Sharyn Daly for handling the rentals, Janice and Matt Kurth, Garrie Rhodes, and Karl Wagner for staffing the drink tent, and Boy Scout Troop 713 for help with the games.
This event was a great way for the Rotary Club of Del Mar to give back to the community and to raise the visibility of Rotary and our many projects, both local and international. Please see the club’s Facebook page for full-scale versions of these and other photos.
Chili & Quackers Returns on a Beautiful Del Mar Day
Jorge Reyes, Avian Care and Visitor Liaison for Free Flight Bird Sanctuary, is the speaker for the October 19, 2017 meeting
Be sure to join us at this week’s meeting when Jorge Reyes, Avian Care and Visitor Liaison for Free Flight Bird Sanctuary will speak about the sanctuary’s efforts to offer shelter and re-socialization for companion parrots, and to educate the public about the mental, physical and emotional needs of these birds. A few of the sanctuary’s residents will likely join Jorge for his presentation, so the meeting may have some extra sound effects!
Sunny With a Chance of Feathers- Free Flight Bird Sanctuary the Topic of this Week’s Presentation
Lindsay Zehren of Resounding Joy spoke about music therapy for seriously ill children living in the San Diego area
Lindsay Zehren, Director of Special Projects for Resounding Joy, and a music therapist, gave a presentation on October 5, 2017 about how she uses music to enrich the lives of her clients. Lindsay got her presentation off to a musical start- she played her guitar while singing the interactive song, “We’re in the mood for music today” that she uses to gauge the mood of her clients at the start of many sessions. Through this song she can assess how ready a child is to participate, what vocabulary they will use, and what movements they’re able to make.
Resounding Joy was founded in 2005 by Dr. Barbara Reuer and develops therapeutic and recreational music programs that improve the overall well-being of individuals and communities. Their services are delivered through four core programs: Healing Notes (music therapy that supports children undergoing medical treatments); Mindful Music (recreational music programs for seniors; Semper Sound (music that assists in rehabilitation); and Sound Minds (use of music to promote development of preschoolers). Since its founding Resounding Joy has served more than 85,000 clients in the San Diego area. Lindsay’s presentation focused on a project she developed while she was an intern working with Resounding Joy that uses music therapy for children who have complex medical issues and are in palliative care.
Lindsay explained that music therapy is evidence-based and draws on a large body of studies that concern human reactions to music, such as the concept of entrainment, a synchronization to music, which she said is most visible at sporting events, say, when Queen’s “We Are the Champions” plays.
For her Healing Notes Palliative Care program, Lindsay works with seriously ill children and their families to help them use music to enhance their overall quality of life. One of her case children, 3 year-old Joey, recently transitioned to hospice care for a chromosomal disorder that affects his heart and lung function as well as his motor skills. Lindsay described how she taught Joey’s mother, Siobhan, the ukulele, an instrument that many people can master quickly and allows her to play music for Joey- his sister Grace also often joins in the music-making. One of the services the program provides is a Legacy Project. For Joey, Lindsay worked with Siobhan and Grace to write a song that describes all the things that they love about Joey, and then they gathered at the Resounding Joy’s Sorrento Valley studio to record a music video of the song that featured Joey.
Resounding Joy’s work is outcome-based, and clients or their parents frequently provide assessments of progress toward goals. The programs regularly receive 100% positive assessments, and most parents feel that every session with Lindsay or other music therapists from Resounding Joy provide helps their children progress towards achieving a range of goals, including improved motor skills and vocalizations, strengthened family bonds, and development of a legacy. From her presentation, it’s clear that Lindsay follows a quote by Ellen Browning Scripps: “The most important and beautiful gift one human being can give to another is, in some way, to make life a little better to live.”
Resounding Joy Harnesses the Therapeutic Power of Music
Jim Benedict (left) and Barry Entous (right), members of the Finance Committee Sheriff's Sub-Committee, field questions about the feasibility of having an independent police department for the City of Del Mar
Jim Benedict and Barry Entous, members of the City of Del Mar Finance Committee Sheriff Sub-Committee, joined our September 28, 2017 meeting to discuss issues surrounding community law enforcement. Currently, the City of Del Mar contracts with the San Diego Sherriff’s Department and for fiscal year 2015/2016, the cost was $2 million. There are several concerns regarding the existing service, including: i) a lack of city control over services provided; ii) limited traffic enforcement; iii) long response times for “Priority 4 Calls” that involve vandalism, prowlers and excessive noise, which represent the majority of calls in the City of Del Mar; iv) lack of additional support during peak summer months; and v) contract fees that rise on average 2.5% annually. Due to these issues, the Sherriff Sub-Committee was formed in 2013 to explore the costs and feasibility of securing dedicated community law enforcement.
The committee estimated that the costs for a dedicated police department would be $2,260,500, with the bulk of that figure (~$2,000,000) going to pay 15 full-time and 4 part-time employees and the remainder to cover supplies and facility rental. There would also be associated start-up costs that are estimated to be around $1,200,000 that would be used to purchase equipment and vehicles as well as to recruit and train new officers. Jim and Barry noted that the Sub-Committee is continuing to explore the costs and issues associated with an independent police department and a detailed report of the Committee’s findings, including an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, was made publicly available on June 19, 2017.
Exploring Options for City of Del Mar Law Enforcement
Scenes from Minocqua's Beef-A-Rama (clockwise from top left): the Rotary Beer Garden on the parade route; one of the beef roasters in competition for best roast; Rotarians "bull riding" in the parade of beef; lots of people wear at least one article of cow-themed clothing; and instead of ducks we could hire a cow and sell squares- the winning square is the one that receives the cow pie
You may have noticed that the newsletter was on hiatus for the past two weeks while I was making my annual trek to the north woods of Wisconsin. Our visit always overlaps with Minocqua’s Beef-A-RamaTM (yes, it's trademarked), and the local Lakeland Rotarians, who number about 70 between their morning and noon groups, make excellent use of the event to raise funds for their projects. The noontime club hosts a beer garden while the morning club hosts the morning “Rump Roast Run”, in which nearly 1,000 runners participated. Together these events raise around $50,000 for club projects, and little effort is needed for publicity, especially for the beer garden, since there’s a hot market for beer in Wisconsin.
Scenes from Minocqua's Beef-A-Rama (clockwise from top left): the Rotary Beer Garden on the parade route; one of the beef roasters in competition for best roast; Rotarians "bull riding" in the parade of beef; lots of people wear at least one article of cow-themed clothing; and instead of ducks we could hire a cow and sell squares- the winning square is the one that receives the cow pie
You may have noticed that the newsletter was on hiatus for the past two weeks while I was making my annual trek to the north woods of Wisconsin. Our visit always overlaps with Minocqua’s Beef-A-RamaTM (yes, it's trademarked), and the local Lakeland Rotarians, who number about 70 between their morning and noon groups, make excellent use of the event to raise funds for their projects. The noontime club hosts a beer garden while the morning club hosts the morning “Rump Roast Run”, in which nearly 1,000 runners participated. Together these events raise around $50,000 for club projects, and little effort is needed for publicity, especially for the beer garden, since there’s a hot market for beer in Wisconsin.
Have you made a trip recently? I’d like to make “Rotarians on the Road” a regular feature, so please let me know about your travels (espcially if Rotary is involved) and share any interesting photos you have!
Vikki Bevers (center, left) joined our meeting in advance of her son Barrett's (center, right) birthday. The club honored her as a Paul Harris Fellow. They're joined in this picture by Haylea Minks (left) and Paul Chunyk (right)
Barrett Smith, chairman of our community services committee, turned 30 earlier this month and his mom Vikki Bevers came out to help him celebrate. At our October 5, 2017 meeting the club presented her with a Paul Harris recognition to thank her for raising such a wonderful man who has been an important part of our club ever since he was inducted in August 2016. We’re so proud that Barrett is carrying on the legacy of his father, who was also a Rotarian.
Barrett Smith’s Mom Vikki Bevers is Honored as a Paul Harris Fellow
With characteristic modesty, Past President Eric Nelte accepts congratulations from current President Klaus Gubernator on his second Paul Harris fellowship.
Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski has been busy lately presenting Paul Harris Fellow recognition to new and multiple Fellows. We congratulate and thank Past President Eric Nelte for becoming a two-time Paul Harris Fellow.
Paul Harris Fellows: Eric Nelte as Two-Time Fellow
Dr. Kathryn Ely spoke about Quench and Connect, an organization she founded to bring clean water and educational resources to Ugandan schools. A well-known structural biologist, she also showed some of her protein structures, which are just visible at left.
In developed nations, access to clean water is taken for granted. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, worldwide, as many as 800 million people lack access to clean water and around 2 billion people live in regions that have no sanitation systems. Water is fundamental for many basic human needs, including cooking, bathing, and agriculture, while lack of clean water can cause a range of health problems such as diarrhea, bacterial or parasitic infections, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Dr. Kay Ely, the founder and Executive Director of Quench and Connect, was the speaker at our September 14, 2017 meeting. Quench and Connect has dual goals of bringing, clean, safe, and readily accessible water to schoolchildren in Uganda as well as to provide educational tools that will enhance the academic achievement of these students. By installing borehole wells on the campuses of secondary schools, Quench & Connect is able to fulfill the first goal of increasing access to clean water. The Ugandan contractor DRACO, Ltd. drills these boreholes 150-200 feet below ground level to access aquifers to facilitate water delivery via a sealed pipe to surface hand pumps. Village residents receive instruction on how to maintain the well so that they can maximize the expected 10-15 lifetime of the boreholes. Since Dr. Ely founded Quench and Connect in 2010, the project has helped install one dozen borehole wells in schools throughout Uganda. These clean water sources have dramatically improved school attendance by decreasing the frequency of water-borne illnesses that keep children out of school.
Dr. Ely is a well-known structural biologist whose group solved the three-dimensional structures of proteins involved in signaling pathways that are important for maintaining cell structures and eliciting immune system responses (you can catch a glimpse of these protein structures in left of the pictures). Such structures are critical for understanding the mechanism of these proteins and for the development of targeted therapies for diseases in which these proteins play a role. Her scientific background helped fulfill the second goal of Quench and Connect: providing educational resources to Ugandan schools. To that end, Quench and Connect has donated both scientific equipment and teaching tools to allow Ugandan students to learn about modern scientific theories and techniques.
Quench and Connect is a non-profit entity that is staffed entirely by volunteers. Neither Dr. Ely nor the Board of Directors receive compensation for their work to ensure that nearly all of the funds donated to Quench and Connect go to improve the health and education of students in Uganda.
Quench and Connect: Providing Clean Water and Educational Resources to Ugandan Schools
San Diego Blood Bank professionals ready to take donations!
The San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) Bloodmobile returned to St. Peter’s parking lot in advance of our September 14, 2017 meeting. Watch for upcoming blood drives at St. Peter’s or make an appointment to donate at one of six SDBB donor centers- did you know that the closest for many Rotary Club of Del Mar members is in the Von’s plaza just off the 56?
San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile Returns to St. Peter's
John Baranowski (right) presents Ed Siegel with his latest Paul Harris Fellow recognition
We congratulate and thank member Ed Siegel for becoming a four-time Paul Harris Fellow. Fellows like Ed provide critical financial support to Rotary International projects. We also thank Ed for his frequent musical accompaniments at our meeting- it's always great to hear the concert grand piano that lives on the stage of St. Peter's Parish Hall being used, although the piano's music stand never gets to fulfill its purpose because Ed plays by ear!
A toe-tapping ice breaker got things started and helped the Interactors get acquainted
Chula Vista High School Interactors created this problem solving tree to deal with an issue that's important to their club: addressing homelessness
District Governor Scott Carr spoke to Interact Liaisons about the District's new Youth Protection Policy. Do you work with youth as part of Rotary? Please get re-certified now by visiting the District's Youth Certification site
Small breakout session on "Making Meetings Work"
Symposium organizers and facilitators with Interactors who campaigned for District positions. Organizer Richard Arroyo is on the far left, and Sharon Schendel's 2017 RYLAerian Anais Carrasco is in the center
Over 160 Interactors and Rotarian Advisors from across District 5430 gathered at the Liberty Station Conference Center (also meeting site of Rotary Club of San Diego to brainstorm about ways to enhance their Interact experience that involve building membership, developing leadership skills, and running efficient meetings. Throughout the day-long symposium, Interactors met in small groups to discuss challenges their clubs faced and share tips for running more effective meetings. In particular, the Interactors learned about different leadership styles and how they can best work together to capitalize on member’s strengths.
Rotary Club of Del Mar covered the registration costs for four Interactors from Cathedral Catholic: Brittany Espinosa (Joint Treasurer), Kylie Malvenda (Public Relations head), Denise Picazo (Joint Secretary) and Patrick McClean (President). I was delighted to see one of my 2017 RYLAerians at the Symposium, Anais Carrasco, who campaigned to be a district youth liaison. Thanks to Richard Arroyo (Rotary Club of Chula Vista), District Chair for Interact, for all his hard work organizing the event, and Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle member Brett Morey for sharing his pictures from the day.
Interact Symposium Focuses on Building Leadership and Problem Solving Skills
Red Badger (but returning Rotarian) Chandra Collure gave his "Who Am I" talk
Chandra Collure was inducted into our club in June 2017. He was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Del Mar Solana Beach and his return to Rotary via Rotary Club of Del Mar was sponsored by Ed Siegel. At the September 7, 2017 meeting, Chandra fulfilled his Red Badger requirement of presenting a “Who Am I” talk, which he began by telling the country of his birth, Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. He came to the United States for an education and earned his BA from University of Wisconsin Madison before pursuing a MS at University of California Berkeley. A job offer to be Senior Manager of the City of Oceanside Engineering Department brought him, his wife, and two children to San Diego County in 1988. Chandra was the City Engineer and Public Works Directors for Solana Beach, and in that capacity oversaw many large infrastructure improvements. Most notably, his efforts were critical in relocating the train tracks that crossed Lomas Santa Fe at the Coast Highway to below grade level. This project significantly relieved train-related traffic back-ups at this intersection. After his retirement, he consulted on foreign projects. Chandra said that he was looking to devote more time to his community, and welcomed Ed’s invitation to join the RCDM.
Rotarian of the Day for September 7, 2017: Chandra Collure
Dr. David Wellis, CEO of the San Diego Blood Bank, gave an overview of the Bank's broad-ranging projects
The Bloodmobile will be returning to the St. Peter's parking lot September 14
One of 1,800 pints collected at the 2017 Comic-Con Robert A. Heinlin annual blood drive- a 50% increase over 2016
CEO of the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), Dr. David Wellis, visited our club to talk about the many innovations that SDBB is undertaking. The Rotary Club of Del Mar has long supported the SDBB by publicizing blood drives held at the St. Peter’s Parking lot- the next one will be on September 14, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves!
A veteran of the biotech industry, Dr. Wellis said that SDBB, established in 1950, was the oldest establishment he’d worked for. Despite its age, Dr. Wellis has made SDBB one of the most innovative blood banks in the country, while still adhering to its long-standing mission statement: Saving lives with quality blood services in partnership with the community. Indeed, when disaster or tragedy strikes, San Diegans supported SDBB, whether by lining up to donate after the PSA plane crash in North Park in 1978, or providing blood in response to 9/11, when SDBB supplied some of the first additional blood to arrive in New York through a partnership with the Navy.
SDBB has 7 donor centers in San Diego and Orange Counties, and in FY2018 is projected to take in 125,000 donations. In addition to whole blood donations, SDBB donors also provide platelets and plasma. SDBB also has one of the largest cord blood repositories in the nation and has already facilitated more than 150 blood marrow donor matches to treat leukemia patients.
Dr. Wellis leveraged his background in basic research to facilitate partnerships with the strong biotechnology community in Southern California. One of the partnerships resulted in Clearsate- a platelet derived product that can be used to substitute for fetal bovine serum that is critical for cell cultures used in basic and translational research. Clearsate makes use of platelets, which have a 5-day shelf life, that otherwise would be discarded.
SDBB is now embarking on a partnership with the National Blood Collaborative as part of an award from the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) to enroll volunteers into the PMI Cohort program. The PMI Cohort mission: “All of Us” addresses a main problem with many efforts to translate medicines from the lab to the clinic: a heavy reliance on Caucasians, particularly male Caucasians. PMI Cohort volunteers will provide information about health history, grant access to their health records and mobile health devices, as well as provide blood and urine samples from individuals who have a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. This information will be entered into a confidential database that can be accessed by researchers studying a wide range of diseases to give greater insight into how differences in genetics and health histories affect disease outcomes. Dr. Wellis referenced a survey emailed to around 150,000 individuals to gauge interest in the PMI program. Within days, over 10,000 responded to express interest in filling one of the 70 slots.
But at its heart, SDBB gathers vital blood products, and donation rates can dip during the summer and holiday months. To address such decreases, SDBB hosts novel events, such as their long-standing Robert A. Heinlein blood drive at Comic-Con. Heinlein was a science fiction writer who suffered from a disease for which he received many units of blood. The Heinlein Blood drive is now 40 years old, and 2017 was one its biggest years with more than 1,800 pints collected. In December SDBB will host “It’s in Our Blood”, an event aimed at maintaining blood supplies during the holidays when donation rates typically decrease.
Overall, Dr. Wellis’s talk highlighted how SDBB has grown far beyond the realm of a typical blood bank, although donors remain at the heart of their services, so come to the Bloodmobile on September 14, or schedule an appointment at a SDBB donation center near you!
Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen, District Governor Scott Carr, President Klaus Gubernator, Past District Governor and Rotary Foundation Trustee Steve Brown (apologies to Assistant District Governor Alex Robertson- not pictured here but very much in attendance)
The Golden Circle reminds us to start with the "Why" when thinking about Rotary
The question of “Why?” was the theme of District Governor Scott Carr’s talk at our August 31, 2017 meeting. Each year, the District Governor visits each club in the District, which for District 5340 means 65 clubs that are scattered across San Diego and Imperial counties- as far north as the Fallbrook Village Rotary, Chula Vista Sunrise club to the south, and Rotary Club of Blythe to the east, near the California-Arizona border. DG Carr thought about what to talk about to all these clubs, but, above all, each club he visits reinforces that Rotarians embody the new Rotary tagline: “People of Action”. Rotarians are making things happen. He referenced Hurricane Harvey, and that so many Rotarians had already contacted the District Office asking how they could help. In response, the District launched a web portal where District 5340 Clubs and individual members can donate to relief efforts.
For his Rotary Year, DG Governor Carr seeks to diversify District 5340 membership to better reflect the demographics of southern California. In terms of the simplest demographic- the men:women ratio, Rotary still has a way to go, as only 33% of Rotarians are women. Moreover, he noted the need to attract more members from groups that are currently underrepresented in Rotary, such as Hispanics. As a whole, Rotary embraces change- after all, the entire leadership changes every year, but to continue to diversify membership, Rotarians must consider new strategies for attracting quality members. In this regard, he told of Simon Cynek, a motivational speaker and marketing consultant, who is well-known for his philosophy of: “Start with the Why”. Cynek illustrates the concept in a “Golden Circle” divided into three concentric regions: What, How, and Why. DG Carr asked us to think of prospective members as individuals who are making a “purchase decision” about where to devote their time, talent and treasure. If you tell them the “What”, i.e., Rotary has 35,000 clubs and 1.2 million members, they might think: “Gee- sounds you like you’ve got a lot of people and are doing fine.” If you tell them the “How”- we raise funds for local and international projects and volunteer for hands-on community projects, they might not see how they could fit in or wonder if they have the time. But if you start with the “Why”- why are you a Rotarian, then people are better able to understand how they themselves could begin making a difference right away.
DG Carr stated his “Why” simply: Rotary brings light to places that are dark. He recalled an experience he had as a member of the San Diego Downtown Rotaract Club. The Club members hosted an event for foster children housed at Rancho Jireh foster homes that included a barbecue, games, clowns, and face painting. During the event one little boy came up to him and just smiled. He never knew the child’s name or what happened to him, but that child made a difference in his life that day, and he’s hopeful that his service made a difference in that child’s life. DG Carr encouraged us all to think of a similar moment in our Rotary experience, and to think of our Rotary “Why”.
District Governor Scott Carr has had a long history with Rotary. His involvement began with the San Diego Downtown Rotaract club while he was an undergraduate at the University of San Diego. He met his wife through Rotaract. DG Carr served as President of Rotary of San Diego Downtown Breakfast between 2011-2012 and held several roles in District 5340, including Chief of Staff to DG Louise Andres, and Assistant Governor. District 5340 has benefitted from his extensive expertise with both traditional and online communication methods through his service as website chair, public relations chair, and District Training Assembly Chair. Outside of his Rotary duties DG Carr is involved in a number of community organization such as the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP), Senior Community Centers of San Diego, KPBS Radio Reading Service, Sepsis Alliance, and Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. His three children, a 6-year old daughter and 3 year-old twin sons, also keep him very busy.
District Governor Scott Carr Starts With the "Why"
Sharyn Daly, Karl and Susie Wagner, Brett Mattei and Janice Kurth enjoy twilight drinks and food
Monty Woolley, Donna Fipps, and Tom Ryan in front of the area housing the fermenter tanks and other brewing equipment
Del Mar Rotarians had two tables reserved for their August social at Viewpoint Brewery- Dagmar Gubernator (center left) looks pleased with the food and beer!
On August 29, 2017 Rotary Club of Del Mar members held their monthly social at Viewpoint Brewing Company off the Jimmy Durante Roundabout in Del Mar for early evening drinks and appetizers. The mussels and wings were especially good! Viewpoint Brewing Company is the first brewery to call Del Mar home, and we’re delighted that they’ll be pouring at the upcoming Chili & Quackers event on October 14 and then again in May 2018 for our annual Sunset Soiree.
Light bites are on offer at Viewpoint Brewing Company from 11 am to 4 pm with full-service dinner available after 4 pm. In the coming months, Chef and Brewer Charles Koll and Executive Chef Gunnar Scott Planter plan to offer Sunday brunch and counter service lunches. The restaurant and brewery offers house brews as well as brews from other local brewers and is housed in a 7,000 ft2 warehouse-style setting that capitalizes on the lagoon views. This service-minded brewery is a good neighbor to the Lagoon- patrons can choose the menu item “Buy a Bird a Brew” to make a $6 donation to the San Diego River Valley Conservancy (a cause that’s also close to the hearts of Del Mar Rotarians).
Great View, Great Brews at the August Social at Viewpoint Brewing Company
Dr. David Wellis, CEO of San Diego Blood Bank, is the speaker for the September 7 meeting
The recent FDA approval of Kymriah to treat certain types of leukemia in children and young adults highlights the growing importance of personalized and precision medicine. Dr. David Wellis, CEO of the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), will discuss how SDBB resources are being applied to precision medicine to develop new, personalized treatments for a variety of diseases.
Dr. Wellis received his B.S. from UC Irvine and both a M.S. and Ph.D. from Emory University, where his research focused on the biophysical mechanisms of olfactory function. He undertook postdoctoral research at Tufts University and UC Berkeley, as well as business training at Santa Clara University and UC Berkeley. His experience in basic research forms the foundation for the involvement of SDBB with the extensive biotechnology community in San Diego and southern California.
September 7 Speaker: David Wellis and the rise of personalized medicine
Donna Fipps and Marty Peters with three generations of Canine Companions for Independence dogs: Jilly (left), Ressa (center) and Daisy (right)
Following up from earlier this month, the August 24, 2017 meeting had three CCI dogs in attendance. Marty Peters is now the “person” for 11 year-old Jilly (left) and 2 year-old Daisy, who both got to meet Donna Fipps’s current puppy-in-training, Ressa.
Join us at the August 29 social for great views and brews at Viewpoint Brewing Company
Be sure to come to the August Rotary Club of Del Mar social on Tuesday August 29, 2017 from 5-7 PM. We’ll be at Viewpoint Brewing Company- Del Mar's first craft brewery- overlooking the San Dieguito Lagoon and just off the new roundabout on Jimmy Durante Blvd. at 2201 San Dieguito Boulevard. Sample one of their five beers on tap, or choose from among 20 regional guest beers that are also on tap. Viewpoint Brewing Company will pour at the 2018 Sunset Soiree, so come thank them in advance for their support!
Rotary Social August 29 at Viewpoint Brewing Company in Del Mar
Retired NCIS agent Jeff Seay spoke about his experiences that were the basis of his Ruben Carver novel series, of which "The Jihadist List" is the latest installment
Retired National Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agent Jeffrey Seay presented at our August 24, 2017 meeting to discuss his experiences as an NCIS agent, and how he used them as a foundation for his book series featuring fictional NCIS agent Ruben Carver, whose motto is: “You can never have too many friends or too many bullets”.
A San Diego native, Jeff graduated from Helix High School, where Bill Walton was a classmate. He enrolled in Grossmont College as an art major, which didn’t exactly please his father. After discussing the military with a friend, on a whim he went to visit an Army recruiter (having told his father he was going for a job interview) and within a week he enlisted. The decision to enlist, Jeff said, was one of the best decisions he made in his life. The second best decision? Getting out of the Army.
After his military service, he worked for San Diego Marine Construction, but his wife pressed him to seek an alternate career path. He applied to the CIA, and during the application process learned of the NIS, which he thought was the Naval Intelligence Service, but was in fact the Naval Investigative Service that in 1992 was renamed NCIS. Thus he began a 20-year career as an agent for the NCIS, which lists its mission as: “to investigate and defeat criminal terrorist and foreign intelligence threats to the United States Navy and Marine Corps- ashore, afloat, and in cyberspace”. During his service, and particularly after the USS Cole bombing in 2000, NCIS began to focus heavily on counter-terrorism.
Jeff was the mainland China Referent and in that capacity was responsible for advance coordination with the People’s Liberation Army (PLO) in advance of 7th fleet ships arriving in China and other Asian countries. He is also Mansfield Fellow, which allows U.S. federal government employees to gain an in-depth understanding of Japanese government, as well as business, professional and academic activities in Japan. Jeff now splits his time between the U.S. and Japan, where he headed security activities for several financial institutions. Several years ago after his last contract was up, he found himself nearing 60- the mandatory retirement age in Japan. His wife was still working, and he wanted to stay busy.
As with his Army enlistment, his writing career began on a whim. He created the character NCIS Agent Ruben Carver and began writing adventures for him. Jeff said that his wife found the draft one day and when she asked: “How does it end?” he knew the book had hope. He self-published the first book of the series, “Carver” in December 2014 and is currently completing the 5th book of the series. The 4th book, “The Jihadist List” is available through Amazon and other online booksellers. At the recent San Diego Festival of Books he was part of “Author Alley”. Jeff noted that he enjoyed speaking to Rotary audiences and seeing the different personalities of all the clubs.
Join us at the August 31, 2017 meeting to hear District Governor Scott Carr outline his plans for the upcoming Rotary Year. Scott is a Past President of Rotary Club of San Diego Downtown Breakfast, served as Chief of Staff for District 5340 Governor Louise Andres in 2014-15 and most recently was Zone Communication Officer for Zones 25 and 26 of Rotary International.
Although Rotary continues to grow and flourish, in order to continue to attract quality new members, Rotary International (RI) has granted individual clubs greater flexibility in instituting new membership categories. Rotary Club of Del Mar had three membership categories: Regular, Honorary, and members on Leave of Absence. The Leave of Absence category became obsolete after the update to the meal policy (i.e., members are charged for meals only for meetings they attend).
The Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Del Mar recently adopted four new membership categories: Associate, Family, Corporate, and Young Member and our bylaws will be updated accordingly.
Regular members will pay $328 in quarterly installments. Of the total, $88, $46, and $194 go to Rotary International, District 5340, and RCDM, respectively.
Associate membership is free, although donations are welcome. This category is appropriate for individuals looking to learn more about Rotary.
The following categories are half price at $164 annually ($88 to RI, $46 to District 5340 and $30 to RCDM).
1. Family membership: The first family member is a regular member, the second family member is half price, the rest of the family are associated members invited to all of our activities.
2. Corporate members: An institution like the city of Del Mar is invited to nominate two members, e.g. the mayor and the city manager. Both are half price, and the rest of the organization is invited to all of our activities through them.
3. Young members: Members under 40 will be charged half price for the first year, to be reviewed by the board at the beginning of each Rotary year.
Tours on offer from Ocean Discovery Institute Living Lab (top) and UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic (bottom)
Ocean Discovery Institute: For anyone interested in a guided tour of the Ocean Discovery Institute’s new Living Lab, which is scheduled to open in November 2017, our August 3 speaker, Deborah Seitz, invites us to join her at the Institute on August 31 at 4:30 PM. Please email Sharon Schendel for details and to RSVP.
UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic: July 20 speaker Liam King and Clinic founder Dr. Ellen Beck have offered to host us on a tour of the downtown clinic on a Monday afternoon (around 5:30) in October. If you’re interested, please email Sharon Schendel and indicate the October Monday that works best with your schedule.
Tours of Ocean Discovery Institute Living Lab and UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic
Departing member Laura Williamson (right) with Kevin Fitzpatrick (left) and Monty Woolley (center)
The August 24, 2017 meeting was the last for Laura Williamson at Rotary Club of Del Mar. Laura became an integral part of the Club in the all too short time that she was with us, and we will all miss her beautiful smile and hearty laugh. She will be moving on from San Diego to South Carolina, but given that her nephew Daniel just secured a job with General Atomics, we’re hopeful that she’ll make frequent return visits. Although we’re sad to see her go, Laura’s experience demonstrates one of the best parts of Rotary: no matter where a Rotarian may move to, s/he will always be to find new friends quickly and become a part of the community through local Rotary clubs.
Karin Davies with her granddaughter, Nami- a Rotary International donor
The Rotarian of the Day for the August 24, 2017 meeting was Karin Davies. Karin was joined by her 9 year-old granddaughter Nami, who helped Karin make 50 stockinette caps and kangaroo vests for the newborn resuscitation kits for her recent trip to Ethiopia as part of the ongoing Global Grant, “Saving Babies’ Lives in Ethiopia”. While birthday present shopping recently, Nami came in under budget by $15, which Karin suggested she save for another time. Instead, Nami asked to donate that money to the Ethiopian neonatal resuscitation project, and she presented President Klaus Gubernator with money to deposit in the international services committee account dedicated to the project. Thank you to Nami- your thoughtfulness and generosity at such a young age is truly impressive!
John Baranowski (second from left) awarded Paul Harris Fellows to Dan Smargon (far left) and President Klaus Gubernator (far right) and major donor recognition to Jim and Karin Davies
Foundation chair John Baranowski recognized new member Dan Smargon as a first-time Paul Harris fellow and President Klaus Gubernator as a five-time Paul Harris Fellow. Karin and Jim Davies also received major donor recognition. Jim noted that he could think of few better causes than Rotary International for their charitable dollars.
Panorama view of the section of Il Palio reserved for Rotary Club of Del Mar (Dugan Moore and Phillipe Lamoise work on their picks at the center table)
The Fipps were off to a good start with Be a Lady in race 1
Larry Cook discusses his picks with Haylea Minks as Bob Fuchs looks on
Susie Wagner celebrates a winning pick with Ground Rules in Race 2
The Il Palio lunch buffet was extensive and seconds (or thirds) were encouraged!
Bill Dougherty sorts bets for the Sick Picks pool
Race 3 post parade- Arch of Troy (my pick using the "I like the name" system) at 15:1 would win
Rotary Club of Del Mar triumverate? Or just Monty Woolley, Tom Ryan and Jim King studying the forms
Katie Cook chats with Steve Weitzen and Marty Peters, while Larry Cook studies the program
Haylea Minks with Kevin Fitzpatrick and Barrett Smith
Matt and Janice Kurth with Garrie Rhodes
Sharon Schendel with Barrett Smith and Chris Stewart
Susie Wagner with Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen
Karl and Susie Wagner with Kit Leeger
Our host, Del Mar Throughbred Club CEO Joe Harper, stopped by to say hello
Don and Donna Fipps (lower left) stand in for President Klaus Gubernator to present a bouquet to the winner of the Del Mar Rotary race, Silverspun Pickup- watch a video of the photo finish and the winner's circle ceremony
We had our annual (aka “Another Umpteenth Annual”) Day at the Races at the Del Mar racetrack in lieu of our August 17, 2017 meeting. On the eve our outing, members of the “Rotary Mensa Society” gathered at Bill Dougherty’s house to go over the next day’s card and choose their five “Sick Picks”. Unfortunately, none of the Sick Pick horses saw the winner’s circle, but several of our members, including Larry Cook, the Fipps, Bill Rawlings, and the Wagners chose several winning horses to leave with more money than they came with.
The lunch buffet at the Il Palio restaurant, on the sixth floor of the grandstand overlooking the home stretch, was generous and delicious, and the tables beside the panoramic windows made for a comfortable vantage point to see all the races. We thank Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper for hosting the outing.
Race 5 was the Del Mar Rotary race for maiden 2 year-old fillies that are California bred or sired. Don and Donna Fipps stood in for President Klaus Gubernator to present a bouquet to Silverspun Pickup, ridden by Martin Pedroza, who edged out Sing a Solo to win in a photo finish. Click here to watch the race and the Fipps in the winner’s circle!
Join us at the August 24, 2017 meeting to hear Jeffrey Seay, a retired Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Agent, discuss his experiences with the NCIS, and his Ruben Carver novel series that chronicles the adventure of NCIS agent Ruben Carver. His most recent installment, “The Jihadist List”, was published in 2016.
Seay served in the Far East in counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, and force protection operations. He was the Personal Security Adviser to the Commander of the Seventh Fleet, and ran counterintelligence collection operations in support of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq between 2003 and 2004.
This week’s speaker: Jeffrey Seay, from NCIS agent to author
The annual MAEGA Don Lapham Dinners will be held at Tony's Jacal, Solana Beach on August 22 and 29
Youth Services Committee Chairman Larry Cook has tickets available for the upcoming Mexican American Educational Guidance Association (MAEGA) Don Lapham Dinners to be held August 22 and August 29 (both Tuesdays) at Tony’s Jacal restaurant in Solana Beach.
Don Lapham, publisher of the San Dieguito Citizen (also a Rotary Club of Del Mar charter member), along with Catalina Gonzales (Tony’s Jacal owner), Michael Breen and Dr. George Kirby (former superintendents of Solana Beach Elementary School District and San Dieguito Union High School district, respectively) founded MAEGA in 1970 in response to concerns that academically talented high school students of Mexican descent were not attending college due to financial challenges. In the nearly 50 years since its founding, MAEGA has provided scholarships totaling more than $750,000 to local students. Any senior of Latino descent attending San Dieguito Union district high schools (Canyon Crest Academy, La Costa Canyon High School, San Dieguito Academy, Sunset High School, and Torrey Pines High School) is encouraged to apply.
The Don Lapham Memorial fundraising dinner honors MAEGA’s founding member and raises funds for MAEGA scholarships. Email Larry to buy tickets (they can also be purchased at the event) and enjoy wonderful Mexican food while supporting the academic aspirations of local Latino students.
Don Lapham Memorial Scholarship Fundraising Dinner at Tony’s Jacal Restaurant
Detective Carlton Hershman (Ret.) presented on the common signs of dishonesty
In North by Northwest, Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill tells his secretary: “There’s no such thing as a lie, only expedient exaggeration.” During his 32 years of service for the San Diego Police Department, the last 20 as a detective, Carlton Hershman has heard a lot of expedient exaggeration and from that learned a few things about lying, which he shared with the club at the August 17, 2017 meeting. He began with two ground rules: i) lying is a cooperative act; and ii) people lie for a reason, such as to avoid punishment, avoid embarrassment, or maintain self-esteem. He also distinguished lying from embellishing. People embellish to make a story more interesting, whereas lies are used deliberately to deceive.
Det. Hershman pointed out that lies take time to formulate, so liars often stall to decide whether and how to lie. When stalling, people will often repeat the question just asked, laugh nervously, yawn inappropriately, or change the subject. In addition to verbal communication, many lies are given away by body language and, especially, facial expressions. But in order to gauge normal body language, Det. Hershman said that “Baselining”, or making an initial set of observations of body language when a person is discussing a topic about which s/he would not lie that can used to compare with later behavior, is critical. He also referenced body language “hot spots”, such as pursing the lips, touching the forehead and avoiding eye contact and/or excessive blinking. Last, he said that feelings of contempt are not as easily disguised as feelings of delight (he used as an example of feigned delight at Valentine’s Day gift exchanges). Feelings of contempt are typically visible, particularly in the form of asymmetrical mouth movements or eye rolls. Det. Hershman ended his talk with a very short video of Alex Rodriguez (apologies to Yankees fans) that summarized many of these behaviors.
Det. Hershman has lived in the San Diego area since 1979, when the Navy brought him to the area. He joined the San Diego Police Department in 1985 and became a Detective in 1997. As Detective, his assignments included the Homicide Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, Unit, Elder Abuse, and the Cyber Unit of the Technology Crime High Tech (C.A.T.C.H.) Team. Det. Hershman frequently offers investigation and interrogation technique workshops to law enforcement agencies around the country, and also provides training at the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Academy and to Sexual Assault Victim Advocates in the San Diego area.
Val Myers (left) and Sharyn Daly (right) with Bob Fuchs are organizing the latest installment of Chili & Quackers
On Saturday October 14, 2017 our Chili & Quackers fundraiser will return to Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. The Del Mar Lifeguards will be launching our duck flotilla- those who adopted the ducks that return to the beach the fastest will win prizes. Then, dust off your best chili recipe to face off against other chefs for the honor of being named best chili. Sharyn Daly and Val Myers together with Bob Fuchs are event chairs. Invite your friends to join in for a fun afternoon on the beach.
Bill Dougherty gives details of the upcoming Day at the Races on August 17 (L-R: Tom Ryan, Tom Woolsey, Bill Dougherty, Chad Waters).
Del Mar Race Track map- the circle represents roughly where Bill Dougherty will be with tickets
Just a few more days before the annual Rotary Club of Del Mar Day at the Races! On Thursday August 17, Bill Dougherty will be manning a table near the entrance to the Turf Club (see map). The gates open at noon and the post time for the first of eight races is 2 PM. The cost is $20 (billed to your account) and includes admission and lunch. Parking is $15 (paid at the lot entrance).
There is a dress code: men MUST wear a suit or sport jacket. Sport shirts and tailored denim may be worn with the sport jacket- ties are optional; for women, suits or daytime dresses are preferred and slacks or tailored denim may be worn with tailored jackets.
If you want to consult on your picks, Bill Dougherty is hosting a Pick the Winners gathering at his home on Wednesday August 16 at 7 PM. Email Bill or check Club Runner for the address. Good luck to all!
And They’re Off! Annual Day at the Races August 17
Rotarian of the Day Dugan Moore presented a quote from Mother Teresa
Dugan Moore, Chairman of the International Services Committee (ISC), was Rotarian of the Day. Dugan gave a quote from Mother Theresa that she felt characterized how much good Rotary does with comparatively little money. Not only does a relatively small amount of money go a long way in developing nations, but contributions by individual clubs are augmented by District and Rotary International funds, as well as funds from other clubs. Come learn about the ripples the ISC is making by attending their monthly meetings on the third Thursday, right before the regular meeting.
Creating Ripples of Change with Global and District Grants
Donna Fipps (holding Ressa, her current CCI puppy) with Marty Peters after a symbolic leash handoff
Daisy in May
Earlier this summer we said goodbye to “Daisy” the Canine Companions for Independence dog member Donna Fipps had raised from a 10-week old puppy to an 18 month-old adult. Just an hour before the meeting, Donna learned that Daisy, like 60% of dogs that undergo intensive training at Canine Companions for Independence Southwest Regional Training Center, would not go on to be a full-fledged service dog. This was both sad and happy news, because when Daisy came to Donna she made an agreement with Marty Peters that he would adopt Daisy at the end of her training if she did not go on as a service dog. We’re hopeful to see Daisy again at an upcoming meeting.
As a follow-up to last week’s story about Jose Becerra, member of the Las Colinas Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito who was elected 2017 Youth of the Year, here is Jose’s winning essay. We are proud to have sponsored this young man and wish him every success in pursuit of a career in construction management. Visit BGC San Dieguito's Facebook page for more pictures of the evening.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito 2017 Youth of the Year: Jose Becerra
In the interest of creating greater flexibility to accommodate the work schedules of our members, President Klaus Gubernator outlined a proposed change to our meeting timeline. In the updated timeline, a one hour main meeting will be bookended by optional social time so that if members have busier schedules on some weeks, they can budget less time for the meeting but still have all the benefits of attendance. Prospective members may also find the updated timeline easier to fit into their schedules. We will be trying this amended schedule (see table) in the coming weeks. Klaus also proposed to bring back Happy Dollars, with a $5 donation requested to share good news with the club, and a $100 donation for “Super Happy Dollars” for extra-special news.
Deborah Seitz, Donor Relationships Coordinator for Ocean Discovery Institute, explains the holoistic approach the Institute takes to enhancing science education for City Heights youth
Artist's rendition of the Living Lab, set to open in late 2017- tours of the site are held every Thursday afternoon
Although the ocean is integral to the lives of San Diegans, many San Diego county youth have never even been to the beach. Moreover, despite the strong scientific research being conducted in California and San Diego in particular, in the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress that gauges knowledge of physical, life, Earth, and space sciences of 8th graders across the United States, only Alabama and Mississippi ranked lower than California.
The Ocean Discovery Institute (ODI) aims to change these statistics for youth in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood that lies just east of the I805-15 split. Deborah Seitz, ODI Donor Relations Coordinator, was the speaker at the August 4, 2017 meeting and highlighted the exciting projects offered by ODI. The Institute was founded in 1999 and its three core programs focus on raising community awareness of the importance of scientific literacy, providing hands-on science projects in the classroom, and research opportunities through the Leaders Programs. Over 6,000 City Heights children have benefitted from ODI instruction, as reflected by the increased science GPA of participating students.
Beginning in late 2017, ODI will expand its reach with the opening of the Living Lab, a 12,000 ft2 facility located within walking distance of many City Heights students. The Living Lab is part of a joint venture with San Diego Unified schools, and will allow ODI to provide thousands of hours of curriculum-aligned science education for more than 10,000 students. Deborah encouraged any interested members to register for tours of the Living Lab, which are held every Thursday afternoon at 4:30 PM. We congratulate ODI for their efforts to increase the quality of science education in the San Diego area, and help local youth aspire to careers in the sciences.
Ocean Discovery Institute- Hands-On Learning to Foster a Love for Science
Barrett Smith (right) with 2017 Youth of the Year Jose Becerra (left) and 2016 winner Yvette Conde (center)
(L-R) Pat Dougherty, Eric Nelte, Marty Peters, Mary Alice Peters
BGC San Dieguito CEO Marineke Vandervort with Foundation chair Eric Nelte and Board of Director Marty Peters
Bill Rawlings with Don and Donna Fipps
Rotary Club of Del Mar member (and BGC San Dieguito Development Director) Blake Johnson making rush deliveries to....
...people who raised bidder cards to donate to BGC San Dieguito (top: Marty and Mary Alice Peters, bottom, Sharon Schendel and Jim Kohn)
Youth of the Year nominees from each of the seven BGC San Dieguito clubhouses received backpacks and new HP laptops
The family-style Moroccan food was delicious, but when your arm is broken one of the benefits of marriage is having your wife cut your meat!
Rotary Club of Del Mar (RCDM) sponsored a table at the August 4, 2017 Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) of San Dieguito Youth of the Year Celebration held in the Infield Pavilion of the Del Mar Racetrack. The theme, “Mo-Rockin Nights”, was in full evidence with belly dancers, sword dancers, and plenty of desert backdrops. The silent auction offered dozens of packages, while the live auction featured Turf Club tickets for the Breeders' Cup in November, a Stunt pilot experience from Sky Combat Ace, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the CBS series NCIS. Before the live auction, attendees could raise their bidding paddles to make direct donations, as many of our members seated at Table 8 did, to help raise over $100,000 to support BGC San Dieguito programs.
The Youth of the Year award recognizes BGC members for achievements in leadership, community service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. Nominees embody the critical impact BGC have on the lives of youth. Jose Becerra, from the BGC Las Colinas clubhouse, and sponsored by RCDM, was named 2017 Youth of the Year. Jose received a $1,000 scholarship and will represent BGC San Dieguito at the regional level. RCDM Member Blake Johnson, who serves as BGC San Dieguito Development Director, said that Jose is an amazing BGC member, and Jose said that he hopes to pursue a career in construction management.
Youth of the Year Celebration by Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito
Rotarian of the Day Barrett Smith provided several quotes for consideration
Barrett Smith, the new Chair of the Community Service Committee, was Rotarian of the Day at the August 3 meeting. Barrett began with a few timely quotes from Milton Berle and Thomas Edison, and then, as part of President Klaus Gubernator’s call to include more cyber in our meetings, shared a short video highlighting the Refugee Olympic Team, composed of 10 athletes from 4 countries who overcame adversity to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics. These athletes are an inspiration for us to do whatever we can to make the world more peaceful.
Past President Lieutenant Commandeer Tomas G. Henderson (Ret.)
We were saddened to learn of the death of our Past President, Lieutenant Commander Tomas G. Henderson (Ret.). This Rotary Year is the 30th anniversary of Tom’s 1987-1988 presidential term. Tom was born in 1935 in Eureka, California, and was a graduate of Eureka High School and the United States Naval Academy. He was a carrier pilot during the Vietnam war. After retiring from military service, Tom founded Henderson Construction Company. Tom was a vital member of the Del Mar community- in addition to his Rotary membership, he was an active member of St. Peter’s Church in Del Mar. He is survived by Lois, his wife of 57 years, his two children Laurie and Alan, and four grandchildren. His burial with full military honors will be at the Miramar National Cemetery on Friday August 11 at 9 AM, followed by a memorial at St. Peter’s Church at 1 PM. Donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Warrior Foundation Freedom Station of San Diego or St. Peter's Legacy Fund. Click here to read the full obituary that appeared in the Del Mar Times; an online guestbook is also available at the site.
Memorial Service for Past President Tomas G. Henderson
Daniel Ojeda presents on his connections to Rotary
Daniel Ojeda, a second year PhD student in Marcus Kaul's lab at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, joined us at our July 27, 2017 meeting to talk about his connections with Rotary. Daniel grew up Oaxaca, Mexico and was first introduced to Rotary through his godmother, who is a Rotarian. Daniel was volunteering for a Rotary-affiliated project that was helping to repair cleft palates of local children. Daniel’s godmother encouraged him to apply for a Youth Exchange opportunity. He said he originally thought he’d go somewhere exotic- maybe Russia, somewhere in Europe, or Japan, but eventually he was offered a spot in Michigan. During the 2010-2011 school year he lived with three host families as part of the Rotary Club of Cedar Springs Youth Exchange program. Daniel thinks of this year as one of the best of his life. He developed life-long friendships during his exchange year, and remains in close contact with host families. Through Rotary Youth Exchange he met exchange students from all over the world and learned to adapt to various situations because his host families each had children of different ages and different approaches to parenting. He also experienced winter temperatures and snow for the first time! During his exchange year, Daniel challenged himself by taking the SAT. He scored well, and his strong academic record, together with his talent for long-distance swimming, earned him a swimming scholarship to Fresno State.
After swimming competitively for a few years, Daniel suffered a stress fracture that ended his tenure on the swim team and his athletic scholarship. Fortunately, he was awarded an academic scholarship that allowed him to continue his studies and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology. Daniel was a summer intern in Jason Bush’s lab at Fresno State, and was supported by a partnership grant from the National Institute of Health that aimed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in biomedical research. Daniel said he always wanted “Dr.” in front of his name, and through this internship he met the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Guy Salvesen, who encouraged him to apply to their PhD program.
Daniel’s research focuses on the mechanisms of AIDS-related neurodegenerative diseases. He explained that many of the changes seen in AIDS patients with neurodegenerative disease mimic those of other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Thus, findings from his research could have broad-ranging applications to a variety of neural diseases.
Throughout his talk, Daniel emphasized how much Rotary’s support helped in his academic endeavors, and how much he enjoys having the opportunity to tell about Rotary activities can make lasting impacts.
Daniel Ojeda Tells How Rotary Helped Him Find His Footing in America
Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito CEO Marineke Vandervort outlines activities at local clubhouses
St. Peter’s was having an event at their Parish Hall, our usual venue, so the Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) of San DieguitoHarper Branch kindly hosted our meeting on their shaded rooftop deck. Marineke Vandervort, BGC of San Dieguito CEO, gave a brief overview of all the activities that the clubs offer. BGC of San Dieguito has 7 clubhouses and over 6,500 registered members. In 2016 BGC San Dieguito impacted nearly 11,000 youth in San Diego’s north county. Among its many activities, the BGC of San Dieguito offers after school programs, tutoring, and summer camps. The Harper branch in Solana Beach is home to the Pardee Aquatics Center, which, in addition to providing swim lessons for thousands of kids, hosts the San Dieguito Swim Team and San Diego Shores Water Polo. Times for lap swimming are also available.
Marineke got her start with the BGC when, at 15, she began as a swim instructor at the Aquatics Center. After serving as Human Resources Director for BGC of San Dieguito for nearly a decade, she was elected CEO in January 2016. Marineke earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, where she held a swimming scholarship.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar donates regularly to the BGC of San Dieguito and several of our members also have active involvement: Past President Eric Nelte is President of its foundation, while Marty Peters and Monty Woolley serve on the Board of Directors and Chairman’s Council, respectively. Member Blake Johnson is Development Director for BGC of San Dieguito, and new member Laura Williamson supervises after school programs at the Allred Clubhouse in Carmel Valley.
We are grateful to the BGC Harper Clubhouse for hosting our weekly meeting, and we all enjoyed hearing the club members making full use of their clubhouse and its services. There are a number of ways to get involved or volunteer- learn more at the BGC of San Dieguito website.
Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito CEO Marineke Vandervort Welcomes Rotary Club of Del Mar Meeting
The Japanese food was plentiful at the social on July 25
Social selfie (clockwise from left): Blake Johnson , Matt Kurth, Val Myers, Janice Kurth
In thanks for their support of our Sunset Soiree in May, Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar Plaza was the site for our July social. Founded in 2009, Shimbashi Izakaya derives its name from “Shim” and “bashi”- the Japanese words for “New” and “Bridge”. Izakaya is Japanese for “pub”, and is a place to unwind with after-work drinks. Our members were on hand to enjoy the happy hour sushi specials and the variety of appetizers and drinks on offer. Thanks again to Susie Wagner for organizing the event.
Rotary Social for July held at Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar Plaza
We now have an updated annual pledge form (click here to download). The Rotary Club of Del Mar asks each of its members to make a voluntary annual contribution of $350. Members can designate how their total donation is to be distributed between The Rotary (International) Foundation and the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust. Note that both foundations are 501(c)(3) organizations, and thus the donations members make to these foundations are fully tax deductible.
Members may use this form to designate how their donations to the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation Trust are to be used. Meanwhile, funds given to The Rotary Foundation may be divided between the General Share Fund and the Polio Plus Fund.
Keep in mind:
For donations to The Rotary Foundation:
Checks should be made out to The Rotary Foundation and given to Rotary Foundation chair John Baranowski
For donations to the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation:
Checks should be made out to RCDM Foundation Trust and given to RCDM Foundation Trust chair Bob Fuchs
UCSD MD/PhD student Liam King presents on the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic
Volunteers at the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic work to provide medications to Clinic patients
Many individuals in San Diego lack access to healthcare. UCSD 5th year MD/PhD student Liam King presented at the July 20, 2017 meeting on the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic that seeks to provide a range of medical services for individuals who have either no or limited access to affordable healthcare. The Clinic was founded in 1997 by Dr. Ellen Beck and currently serves patients every weeknight at one of three clinics run out of the Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, the First Lutheran Church in downtown, and Lemon Grove Academy in east San Diego. The Clinic’s clientele base has grown steadily and treats more than 2,500 patients annually. Students at the UCSD Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy and members of the Pre-Dental Society, as well as students at the USD Hahn School of Nursing, and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine are primarily responsible for running the Clinic. Patients are further assisted by students working towards degrees at the SDSU School of Social Work and California Western School of Law. On any given night, more than 60 volunteers, including students and licensed professionals, staff the Clinic.
In his talk, Liam outlined a typical night at the Clinic. He noted that the students take the patient’s history and perform a physical, and then present the case to licensed professionals who advise on the appropriate treatments for each patient. The Clinic serves homeless or low- income individuals and immigrants, both documented and undocumented. The most common problems these patients have are diabetes, heart disease, obesity or food insecurity. Patients have access to a variety of specialty clinics at the Clinic, where they can receive treatment for heart, eye, kidney, mental health, and dermatology issues, along with a range of other specialties.
Liam told about two patients he had treated since he began volunteering at the Clinic at the start of his medical studies. Both patients had delayed medical care due to financial or legal obstacles, and both required extensive help to address their varied medical issues. The Clinic was instrumental in getting them the help that they needed even to survive.
The Clinic relies on donations from Government agencies at the state level, as well as local and national foundations and individual donors.
Liam is a Torrey Pines High School graduate and received his Bachelor’s degree from Berkeley. He is currently performing the PhD portion of the UCSD MD/PhD program in the lab of Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, at The Scripps Research Institute, where his research focuses on the use of structural biology to develop effective immunotherapies for filoviruses such as Ebola and Marburg.
UCSD MD/PhD Student Liam King Describes His Work at the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic
Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen presents Val Myers with her second Paul Harris fellow
Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen presented Val Myers with her second Paul Harris Fellow, while Dan Smargon, who was unable to attend, was recognized as a first-time Paul Harris Fellow. Jim and Karin Davies, who were also unable to attend, are now Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation, a distinction given to Rotarians who have donated more than $10,000.
Val Myers and Dan Smargon Receive Paul Harris Fellow Recognition and Karin and Jim Davies are Now Major Donors
Scholarship committee chair Bill Dougherty (left) and Rotary Club of Del Mar President Klaus Gubernator with Neela Agjahan, who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to go towards tuition at UC Riverside
Recent Torrey Pines High School (TPHS) graduate Neela Aghajan joined us at the July 20, 2017 meeting. Neela was the runner-up for the Rotary Club of Del Mar Scholarship, and she wrote a very kind letter to the scholarship committee to thank them for their consideration. The scholarship committee chairman, Bill Dougherty, read excerpts from Neela’s letter and Neela herself thanked the club. She noted that while students are usually encouraged to say nice things about others, there are fewer opportunities for students to reflect on what they’ve done and the good that they themselves have done. Neela said that her application for the Rotary scholarship allowed her to think about all that she’s already done so far, and that the confidence that the scholarship committee showed in her abilities was additional inspiration for her to continue to excel in college. In recognition of her letter, the scholarship committee voted unanimously to award Neela a $2,000 scholarship for her college tuition.
Neela graduated from TPHS with a 3.9 grade point average and was active in the Speech and Debate Club as well as softball. She also received an honorable mention at the 2017 Rotary Model U.N. In the fall, Neela will enter University of California Riverside where she plans to major in pre-med and biomedical engineering.
SURF Learn to Surf participants (top, Donna Fipps in the center near the wood board) and the two Bretts (below), Mattei (left) and Morey (right) carry in their boards after a good morning of surfing
The SURF board gains new signatures at each SURF event (left) and the joy of a successful ride (right)
Dr. Phil Bresnahan of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography tells about Smartfin technology
There’s a new Rotary Fellowship forming: Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship (SURF), founded by Brett Morey of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club. The mission of the fellowship is to “Combine the Aloha spirit of surfing with Rotarians from around the globe who share a love for the ocean and make a difference in the world”. More than 95 Rotarians and Rotaractors are listed as potential members since Brett founded the fellowship in May 2017. The fellowship is awaiting approval from Rotary International, and increasing the roster of interested members will be very helpful in gaining official recognition.
On Saturday July 14, 2017, SURF hosted the Rotaract Learn to Surf event, held at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. Over 30 new and experienced surfers were onhand to enjoy the morning waves. Rotary Club of Del Mar members joined in, with Donna Fipps watching over the gear during the lessons, and President Klaus Gubernator stopping by. Vice President Brett Mattei, who’s a very experienced surfer, took a few turns that morning. Rotaractors from the San Diego, City Heights, Pacific Beach and Tijuana New Generations Rotaract clubs were all in attendance.
In addition, Drs. Phil Bresnahan and Tyler Cyronak of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography informed the group about Smartfin, a surfboard fin equipped with sensors that gather data on various ocean parameters such as salinity, pH, temperature, oxygen, and wave dynamics. Smartfins allow surfers to become citizen scientists to provide important real-time data to the worldwide scientific community to further ocean research.
The next events for SURF are on August 3, when they will participate in the 5th annual Rotary MusiCamp Learn to Surf event to introduce international symphony exchange students to surfing, and Life Rolls On, September 10, when SURF members will team with occupational and physical therapists to help differently-abled individuals experience the joy of surfing. SURF welcomes all surfing Rotarians-visit their Facebook page or email Brett Morey to learn more.
Proposed Rotary Fellowship Surfers Unite Rotarian Fellowship (SURF) Hosts Learn to Surf Event for Rotaractors
Klaus Gubernator with Scholarship winner Megan Wiener, Bill Dougherty and Debbie and Mike Wiener
We were pleased to have recent Torrey Pines High School (TPHS) graduate Megan Wiener and her parents, Debbie and Mike, join us at the July 13, 2017 meeting. The Rotary Club of Del Mar awarded Megan a $4,000 scholarship to go towards tuition at University of California, Berkeley in the fall. Scholarship Committee Chairman Bill Dougherty thanked Scholarship Committee members Ed Siegel and Chandra Collure who interviewed the scholarship applicants, and outlined Megan’s many achievements, including graduating from TPHS with a 4.36 GPA and scoring 35 on the ACT (36 is perfect, by the way).
Megan joined the TPHS Interact club as a freshman, and served as President her senior year. Megan is truly a servant leader. Since she was a 7th grader, Megan and her mother have worked with the San Diego chapter of the National Charity League, whose members are mothers and daughters who participate in hands-on projects for nearly 30 agencies in the San Diego region. In 9th grade Megan began volunteering with San Diego Teen Court, in which local high school students learn about the juvenile courts by acting as judges, jurors, and attorneys as part of diversion services for juveniles involved with the justice system for the first time.
Megan has already sought out the Rotaract Club at Berkeley, and we’re proud to help her finance the costs of her education as she works her way to achieving her career goal of becoming an attorney. We wish Megan all success at Berkeley!
Megan Wiener Receives Scholarship from the Rotary Club of Del Mar
Honorary member Joe Harper spoke about scheduled events at the Del Mar Race Track
Arrogate overtakes California Chrome to win the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic (above; Photo credit: Barbara D. Livingstone). Arrogate will be stabled at Del Mar in advance of the 2017 Breeders' Cup series, to be held at Del Mar November 3-4, 2017
Honorary Rotary Club of Del Mar member Joe Harper kicked off the new Rotary Year by giving news about the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, of which he is President and CEO. The 2017 summer meet opens on Wednesday July 19, 2017- the start of an exciting year at the Del Mar Race Track. On November 3-4, Del Mar will host the Breeders' Cup. The site of the Breeders' Cup rotates annually, and although Santa Anita has hosted the Cup nine times since its inaugural race at Hollywood Park in 1984, this will be the first time the Cup will be hosted by Del Mar. Joe said that in his pitch to the site selection committee, he emphasized San Diego as a destination city that offers around 30,000 hotel rooms and several 5-star restaurants within 25 miles of the track. Based on estimates for previous Breeders' Cups at Santa Anita, Joe’s efforts to secure the Cup for Del Mar will likely bring an additional $40 million in tourism revenue to the region.
This year’s meet is also special because Arrogate, the all-time leading money winner in North America, will spend the summer in Del Mar. Joe noted that he encouraged his friend and Arrogate’s trainer, Bob Baffert, to stable Arrogate at Del Mar in advance of the Breeders' Cup in November, which would allow the horse to acclimate to the track conditions. Joe said that Arrogate is slated to run two other races in addition to the Breeders' Cup: The San Diego Handicap and the Pacific Classic, on July 22 and August 19, respectively.
Joe realized early on that the track needed to find novel ways of attracting younger people to the track. As a result of his insight, Del Mar now offers a number of events in addition to racing. There’s the Friday Night Concert Series, Family Weekends, with plenty of kid-friendly activities in the infield, giveaway days, and several food-focused events, including Burgers and Brews, Pizza and Beer Festival, the State BBQ Championship, and Tacotopia.
Every year Joe generously hosts members of the Rotary Club of Del Mar for a Day at the Races in the Turf Club. We’ll all be looking forward to our outing in August, and to the many events at the Del Mar track in the coming months.
Joe Harper Tells Tales of Horse Racing and About His Success in Bringing the Breeders' Cup to Del Mar
Our new president, Klaus Gubernator, presided over his first meeting on July 13, 2017. Fittingly, Klaus was Rotarian of the Day and told a bit about himself. His parents were both affected by World War II, and after marrying in Göttingen, settled in Belgium where Klaus was one of the first students at the European School of Mol, which was established for children of scientists employed at nearby research institutes. Klaus noted that this school was truly international, and teachers taught subjects in their native tongue- imagine having to learn Math, History, Music, and Physical Education in German, French, Italian, and Dutch, respectively!
Klaus earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Heidelberg University, and in 1997 he and his wife Dagmar moved to the United States. Klaus was instrumental in helping several drug discovery companies grow from having only a single lab and a few employees to either acquisition (CombiChem) or public offerings (Senomyx). In 2005, Klaus founded eMolecules, which he often refers to as the “Amazon of Chemicals”. eMolecules works with researchers around the world to provide chemicals and reagents that are critical for reducing barriers to drug discovery. He has since handed the reins of eMolecules to the capable hands of his son and daughter, and now uses his leadership skills as Executive Director of the St. Leo's Dental Clinic in Solana Beach.
Klaus joined the Rotary Club of Del Mar in 2006 after being introduced to the club by a banker who helped him secure a loan for his current home. He noted that at the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) he learned why Rotary Presidential terms are limited to one year: “No one can ruin a Rotary club in just one year”, although we all know that this was never a concern for Klaus (or any other Rotary Club of Del Mar president!). We look forward to a productive and progressive year under Klaus’s leadership.
Klaus Gubernator Presides Over His First Meeting as President
Lanh Tran with Sharyn Daly, who organized the shower
Lanh receives a few more gifts from Chad Waters (left) and Marty Peters (right)
Lanh's new stroller will take Skylar from car to home in style
In late August, our Treasurer, Lanh Tran, will welcome her first child, Skylar. Thus, the June 29, 2017 meeting had a baby theme to help celebrate our growing Rotary family. We hope to see Lanh and baby Skylar soon in her new stroller and baby clothes!
Bob Sonnhalter, Community Services Chair (left) and Larry Cook, Youth Services Chair (right) report on the year's activities
Karin Davies (center, back row) with just some of the clinicians her Global Grant (G-1172) helped train in neonatal resuscitation
Dugan Moore visits with students at the Gamru Village School, supported by District Grant P-1408
At the last meeting of President’s Tom Ryan’s term the Committee Chairs presented on their progress during the 2016-2017 Rotary Year.
Sunset Soiree
Paul Chunyk, chair of the Sunset Soiree, delivered the fantastic news that the Soiree netted more than $38,000, which will be critical for our many club projects. He thanked all those club members who worked so hard and donated so much to make the event such a success.
The Youth Services Committee also had a busy year, as reported by Chair Larry Cook. With the addition of the newly-installed club at Sunset High School to those at Cathedral Catholic High School and Torrey Pines High School, we now sponsor three Interact Clubs, which together have close to 100 members. Torrey Pines High School fielded three teams at the Rotary-sponsored Model U.N. and we sponsored two Cathedral Catholic juniors at RYLA, as well as six juniors from inner city schools who would not otherwise have been able to attend. We also sponsor the Rotaract club at University of San Diego, the Carmel Valley Girl Scout troop and Boy Scout Troop #713, which had five new Eagle Scouts this year. The club also offered several scholarships, with $8,000 going to three scholarships at MAEGA (Mexican American Educational Guidance Association), 4 $1,250 scholarships at Sunset High School and one $4,000 scholarship to a senior at Torrey Pines.
International Services
Dugan Moore was traveling, so I delivered the report on our international activities on her behalf. The Committee completed projects for the Gamru Village School in India (P-1408), a Children's Peace Initiative (CPI) Peace Project in Kenya (G-308) and an Irrigation Project in Nkondo, Uganda (G-149). Karin Davies’s Global Grant in Ethiopia (G-1172) is nearly complete and will be entering a new phase to integrate the training in neonatal resuscitation into medical school curriculum. Other projects that are nearing completion include support for an Eye Care Center in India (G-723) and an Adopt-A-Village program in the Githunguri District in Kenya (G-155).
Private donations from Marty Peters helped fund a new school wall and play equipment in Vietnam and provided aid to Chechen refugees.
Global Grants the club will be supporting in the next Rotary year include Mission Mental Health in India (G-1356) to improve mental health awareness and treatment in several regions in India, Wash in Schools in India (G-1336) to build sanitation facilities and provide hygiene education and India, and providing water tanks for schools in Ensenada (G-692).
Click here for links to Rotary International projects that the club has supported since 2010.
Lines of Service Presentations Reflect on Our Service for the Past Rotary Year
Ressa, Donna Fipps's latest Canine Companions for Independence puppy
We were delighted to meet Ressa, who came to Don and Donna Fipps's home only the day before as their latest Canine Companions for Independence puppy. Ressa is a black lab-golden retriever mix and she will be joining us at meetings over the next two years as part of her socialization activities.
We look forward to watching her grow and learn!
A New 10 Pound (and Growing) Member for Rotary Club of Del Mar
2017-2018 Presidents are sworn in. Rotary Club of Del Mar President Klaus Gubernator is below the yellow arrow
Past District Governor Carl Cruse (right) congratulates District Governor-Elect Mel Gallegos (right) and 2017-2018 District Governor Scott Carr (center)
Two former District Governors: Janice Kurth, District Foundation Chair, recognizes Marge Cole as a Level 3 Major Donor
Marilyn Sanderson accepts her Past District Governor pin from Carl Cruse
Bare feet were required for Marilyn's entrance to Bruno Mars's "Uptown Funk"
The San Diego Marriott La Jolla was the site for the annual changing of the guard for Rotary District 5340 leadership. More than 350 District 5340 Rotarians gathered at the Governor's Dinner on Monday June 26, 2017 to thank outgoing District Governor Marilyn Sanderson and welcome the newest District Governor, Scott Carr and the District Governor-Elect, Mel Gallegos. Be sure to attend our August 31, 2017 meeting when Scott Carr will be discussing his plans for the upcoming year.
Governor Sanderson recognized several clubs for outstanding levels of participation, and individual Rotarians for undertaking special service projects. Rotary Club of Del Mar member and 2015-2016 District Governor Janice Kurth, who now serves as District Foundation Chair, honored 2009-2010 District Governor Marge Cole for becoming a Level 3 Major Donor. Major Donors have given at least $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation, and Level 3 Donors have given at least $50,000 cumulatively.
Most importantly, our new President, Klaus Gubernator, was sworn in as a member of the 2017-2018 President Class.
Tom Ryan presents scholarship awards to Sunset High Students (L to R) Emmalee Strayer, Sofia Bishop and Cydny Dahl (not pictured, Ava Muzik)
Earlier this month President Tom Ryan awarded scholarships to Sunset High School graduating seniors to help them pursue higher education. The Club donated four scholarships worth $1250 each to students chosen by Club members who did the interviews, including Chandra Collure, Bill Dougherty, and Ed Siegel. Sofia Bishop, Cydny Dahl, Ava Muzik and Emmalee Strayer received $1250 that will go toward tuition at either Palomar College or Mira Costa College. We are happy to help these talented students achieve their educational goals.
Scholarships for Sunset High School Students from Rotary Club of Del Mar
Jim King's vintage Model A was Tom's chariot for the evening
Dan Smargon, Garrie Rhodes, and Karin Davies enjoy dinner
The dessert recognized Tom's Marine Corps service
"Judge" Bill Rawlings reviews Tom's presidential year, while Klaus Gubernator looks on
Tom's new "reminder system"
Don Fipps presents Tom with a state-of-the-art communication kit
Tom can stay both clean and think of Rotary while wearing Sharyn Daly's gift
Bill presents Tom with the Rotary "Crown"
No need for a nightlight with this chapeau
Our Rotarians of the Year- Kit Leeger and Paul Chunyk (holding his son- and perhaps future Rotarian- Cooper)
Steve Weitzen (Rotary Club of Solana Beach-Del Mar) drew the raffle tickets as the sun set
One of Donna Fipps's two tickets drawn
Some skepticism from the ticket holders about buy-out offers from the crowd (L to R: Bill Rawlings, Larry Cook, Mary Rawlings, Donna Fipps, Susie Wagner, Sharon Schendel, Monty Woolley, Katie Cook)
The joker surfaces at last
On Saturday June 24, 2017, we held our annual demotion party to thank outgoing President Tom Ryan for all the fantastic work he’s done on behalf of the Rotary Club of Del Mar during 2016-2017. Incoming President Klaus Gubernator and his wife Dagmar kindly acted as our hosts at their home overlooking the Del Mar coast and fairgrounds. Tom arrived in style in one of Jim King’s vintage cars.
As thank you gifts, “Judge” Bill Rawlings presented Tom with a ball of string so he could tie strings round his fingers to remind him to line up Rotarians of the Day and a watch to keep the meetings running on time, while Don Fipps gave him a high-tech communication packet (stationery, stamps, and some Spam to filter out junk email). Sharyn gifted a Del Mar Rotary apron. Last, Tom donned the Rotary Club of Del Mar “Crown”.
Tom gave special recognition to several Rotarians. Blake Johnson was awarded “Rookie of the Year”- he thanked Tom with a lovely serenade- and Paul Chunyk and Kit Leeger were co-Rotarians of the Year. Paul and Kit served as Event Chair and Auction Chair respectively, for the very successful 2017 Sunset Soiree, which is our primary funding source for the Club’s projects.
The evening ended with the ticket drawing to give away the $1,000 that had gone unclaimed throughout a year’s worth of ticket drawings. Incoming Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen served as impartial ticket picker, and I for one am delighted with the ticket he picked!
The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile arrived at St. Peter’s parking lot on June 15, 2017 to gather blood donations to serve the San Diego area. The Blood Bank processes around 10,000 units of blood per month and supplies hospitals in San Diego and throughout southern California. They are the primary supplier to Rady Children’s Hospital and are also designated by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) as the Southern California Regional Operations center to distribute blood in the event of a major disaster in California. The Blood Bank welcomes new donors and invites the public to subscribe to its newsletter to learn about Blood Bank activities and upcoming blood drives.
We congratulate Del Mar Rotarian Jim King for becoming a 10 gallon lifetime donor- he even got a color-coordinated post-donation bandage!
Continuing Support from the Rotary Club of Del Mar for the San Diego Blood Bank
Del Mar Rotarians enjoy paella and conversation at Crêpes & Corks
Karl Wagner thanks Crêpes & Corks owner Nico Berucci and his staff for the delicious paella
The Rotary Club of Del Mar supports local restaurants by holding monthly socials that are arranged by the Chair of Club Service, Susie Wagner. By popular demand, we revisited Crêpes & Corks for a paella dinner prepared by owner Nicolo Berucci and his staff. Many wines were on offer at special prices, and several of our members capped their dinner with one of the delicious dessert crêpes.
This year Crêpes & Corks will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Camino Del Mar. The café provides a great atmosphere to enjoy some wine and a crêpe, or a full dinner.
Our next social will be held in July at Shimbashi Izakaya, a Japanese sushi and sake bar on Camino Del Mar.
Amy McDermott, zero8hundred Development and Marketing Manager
On most military installations, 8 AM, or “zero eight hundred” marks the start of a new day. zero8hundred grew out of the belief that service members should have support as they navigate the transition back to civilian life. Amy McDermott, Development and Marketing Manager for zero8hundred spoke to our club about the unique service that zero8hundred provides.
Many service members enter the military directly after high school, and thus had never lived independently, negotiated a lease, bought a car, or set up a checking account. zero8hundred helps military service members during a critical transition period- 9 months before they leave the service through 12 months post-service.
As the end of their service approaches, all military members attend a mandatory transition class, or as Amy’s military husband calls it: “How to be a civilian in 40 hours or less”. During these transition classes, service members at San Diego County Coast Guard, Marine, and Navy installations are given the opportunity to partner with zero8hundred. Spouses also take transition courses, and they too can work with zero8hundred.
Transitioning service members who opt in are assigned a “Peer Navigator”, who is trained in social work and has been in the military or is part of a military family. Service members meet regularly with their Peer Navigators, who can help them identify critical resources and services, as well as make personal introductions to individuals at these agencies, or who are working in fields of interest to the service member.
zero8hundred is built on a Veteran’s Wellness Framework that has four key pillars: i) Education and Jobs; ii) Basic Needs; iii) Physical and Mental Health; and iv) Personal/Social Connections. The agency also maintains a web portal with an extensive database of local agencies that address critical issues involving employment, education, health, and wellness.
zero8hundred was established in January 2015 with the goal of serving 300 families. They have already served nearly 2,000 families and many service members who partnered with zero8hundred said that they “saved my life” by reaching out during an uncertain time. More than 200 clients have completed the 21-month transition period, and they report a 90% satisfaction rate with how zero8hundred helped them achieve stated goals.
The agency is proud to help all service members, regardless of their discharge status. They are currently funded by grants and local sponsors, but welcome donations from individuals who are interested in supporting these transition services.
zero8hundred Helps Navigate the Transition Between Military and Civilian Life
Sheriff Bill Gore speaks about the many services the San Diego County Sheriff's Department provides
Sheriff Bill Gore was our speaker at the June 7, 2017 meeting. His San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is the third largest law enforcement agency in California, behind only the Los Angeles Police Department and the LA County Sherriff’s Department. He manages an annual budget of $865 million that allows the Department to provide law enforcement services to over one million individuals living in unincorporated areas of San Diego, as well as by contract to seven cities, including Del Mar. The Department also operates seven detention facilities such as the San Diego Central Jail and Las Colinas detention facility. Since their merger with the San Diego County Marshal’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department provides security services to San Diego county courts.
In his presentation, Sheriff Gore outlined several challenges the Department faces. One of the largest came in 2011, when the U.S. Supreme Court mandated that California reduce its prison population. This ruling affected the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in that its detention facilities began to house inmates who would have otherwise been sent to a state prison. Sheriff Gore also noted that mindset of correctional facilities is beginning to change from a “tough on crime” attitude to one that seeks ways to reduce the recidivism rate. In response, the Department has broadened its detention facility services, so that inmates receive mental health care, social services, and educational programming. Together these programs work to increase the likelihood that, upon release, inmates can successfully rejoin society. He said that the Las Colinas women’s facility in Santee now serves a national model for how detention facilities can be better designed to deliver these services more effectively.
Sheriff Gore ended his presentation by highlighting two of the Department’s outreach programs administered by the Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP): The You Are Not Alone (YANA) program, which sends SVP officers to check on the well-being of homebound individuals; and free vacation checks conducted by SVP officers. Other volunteer opportunities such as the Search and Rescue Detail are also available through the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Gore is a San Diego native and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Administration from University of San Diego and Seattle University, respectively. He has spent over 44 years in law enforcement, 32 of which were with the FBI. His wife, Natalie, was one of the first female FBI agents in the United States. He was appointed as the 29th Sheriff of San Diego County in 2009 and was elected to the post in 2010. He also is a member of the Rotary Club of San Diego.
Sheriff Bill Gore Highlights the Broad-Ranging Services the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Provides
Thanks for the wash-up sink purchased by the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club Allred Club using funds from the Rotary Club of Del Mar
St. Peter’s meeting hall had an extra splash of color from a large banner made for us by the members of the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club Allred Club in Carmel Valley to thank the club for its donation that helped purchase a portable wash-up sink. Specifically, the funds derived from the Community Services committee budget. As evidenced by the banner, the members at the Allred Club take part in a lot of arts and crafts activities, and we’re happy to help them make sure that they don’t take home any extra mementoes from their work!
Helping Keep the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club Allred Club Clean
Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh presenting on non-surgical options to treat back pain
“Oh, my aching back”! is a common lament. A recent literature review in the Lancet indicated that nearly 20% of those surveyed in a large study experienced back pain. Back pain is also a significant economic burden both in terms of health care costs and lost productivity. Many back pain sufferers seek surgery or rely on opioid drugs for relief, but the outcomes are often disappointing. Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of SpineZone spoke to the Rotary Club of Del Mar to present his alternative approach to back pain relief that does not involve surgery.
As a Board-certified surgeon, Dr. Raiszadeh performed hundreds of complex spinal and reconstruction surgeries to treat a variety of back-related issues. During the past 20 years of his practice, Dr. Raiszadeh said that he noted a marked increase in the number of patients who sought surgical treatment to relieve neck and low back pain, but unfortunately, many were not achieving optimal results. In an effort to shift focus toward preventing back pain and natural healing methods, Dr. Raiszadeh developed evidenced-based treatments that involve education, targeted strengthening, and careful attention to posture. He has since opened the SpineZone, which has four clinics in the San Diego area, and in mid-June a fifth location will open in Del Mar. In addition to his work with SpineZone, Dr. Raiszadeh is the Founder and Medical Director of the Spine Institute of San Diego at Alvarado Hospital. Dr. Raiszadeh is also the author of “Take Back Control: A Surgeon’s Guide to Healing Your Spine Without Medications or Surgery” that outlines many of his non-surgical solutions for overcoming back pain. The goal of Dr. Raiszadeh’s work is to help many more back pain sufferers take a proactive approach to managing their condition.
Dr. Raiszadeh completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley and his medical training at UC San Francisco. He did his orthopedic surgery residency at UC Davis before undertaking a fellowship in pediatric and adult spine surgery at the Hospital for Joint Diseases/NYU in New York City. His foundation, the Spine Humanitarian and Research Education (SHaRE) is devoted to providing treatment for underserved populations in the United States and across the world, as well as supporting research and publication education about causes of and cures for spinal pain.
Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh outlines non-surgical approaches to relieve back pain
Sharon Schendel with former Del Mar Rotarian (now Lafayette Rotarian) Katie Nielsen
One of my favorite parts of being a Rotarian is visiting other clubs. Last week I attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Lafayette, Indiana, which is now the home club of former Del Mar Rotarian (and my Rotary Sponsor) Katie Nielsen, who moved back to her hometown two years ago. It was great to see Katie- she now serves as Treasurer for her club, and all the club members love her as much as we did when she was in Del Mar.
At the May 30 meeting the Lafayette Rotarians welcomed West Lafayette High School student Lucas Mockus to report on his experience at RYLA- he echoed many District 5340 RYLAerians- he walked in knowing no one and walked out with 90 new friends. The speaker, Purdue Professor Emeritus Bill Harper spoke about Purdue Athletes Life Success (PALS), a youth development program that offers a one month camp experience that teaches a variety of life skills, as well as offering games and fellowship, to local children aged 8-14 whose families are below the poverty line. Some PALS graduates go on to enroll in the college preparation and scholarship program 21st Century Scholars. As an attendance incentive, PALS offers campers new bikes and at the meeting several of the Lafayette Rotarians offered checks to purchase bikes for the program.
A visit with a former Del Mar Rotarian- Katie Nielsen
We were pleased to welcome as our guests Peter Kalibbala and John Kirkwood from the Rotary Club of Jinja in Uganda. Mr. Kirkwood told about the organizations he founded, Lords Meade Vocational College (LMVC), and the Tofta Education Trust (TET), which supports the school. Mr. Kalibbala has been in Rotary for two years and serves as a TET Field Officer. Mr. Kirkwood has a long history in Africa- in 1976 he taught at a secondary school for disadvantaged boys in Kenya, and in 1987 he moved to Uganda where he was a principal of a technical institute. His mother, Janet, instilled in him the mindset that “with privilege comes responsibility”, and both LMVC and TET are the legacy of his mother’s teachings.
TET works with LMVC to provide education opportunities for up to 800 economically disadvantaged children in Uganda. Students at LMVC can develop skills and receive vocational training. Since 2000, TET has provided scholarships to more than 1,500 LMVC students.
Rotary International has supported LMVC since 2006 through matching grants to provide educational resources. Several clubs in District 5340 have partnered in Global Grants to supply LMVC with textbooks and scientific equipment, in addition to installing wells to ensure that the school has access to clean water.
Peter Kalibbala and John Kirkwood visit from Rotary Club of Jinja, Uganda
Art made by Sunset High School students for sale at the Art Up event
The Art Up poster invites all to check out the event at the D Street Bar & Grill in Encinitas
Sunset High Students provided music for the event
On May 25, 2017 members of the newly-founded Interact Club at Sunset High School gathered at the D Street Bar & Grill in Encinitas to sell art that they and their Sunset High classmates produced to raise funds for Stand Up for Kids, an agency that seeks to help youth break out of the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Club Liaison Chris Stewart reported that the event raised $1,100 for Stand Up for Kids, and was also a great venue for the students to display their extensive artistic (and musical) talents. Rotary Club of Del Mar is proud to support this young Interact Club, which has gotten off to a fantastic start!
Klaus and Dagmar Gubernator with Auction Chair Kit Leeger
Looking over the silent and live auction items
John Baranowski chatting with our member Chris Stewart, who hosted a booth for his Buns & Roses Baking Company
Jan Fuchs with Marty and Mary Alice Peters
Sharon Schendel with Haylea Minks
Event chair Paul Chunyk (left) and Alison and Miles Fleming (right)
Rachel Motycka and Kevin Fitzpatrick (top panel) and Donna and Don Fipps (bottom panel)
Philippe Lamoise, Dugan Moore, Matt Kurth and Monty Woolley
Larry and Katie Cook
Sharon Schendel, Barrett Smith, Garrie Rhodes and Eric Nelte
Mark Matthess with John and Candace Baranowski (top) and Brett Mattei with his sister-in-law, Natalie (bottom)
Auctioneer Steve Hamann keeps the bidding lively while Blake Johnson keeps track of the bidders (top panel) and Monty and Ann Woolley and Tom and Sherry Ryan look on
Like father like son- Barry and Monty Woolley
Vicki Barks considers the silent auction items as the bidding nears a close
Jim Brunner and Tom Ryan check who won the silent auction items
We held our 13th annual Sunset Soiree Tuesday May 23, 2017 on a lovely early summer evening. The pictures best convey the spirit of the event. We are so grateful to our many vendors who ringed our auction tables with great food and spirits and to Del Mar Plaza for providing the venue. We also thank our generous donors who gave dozens of auction items and our auctioneer Steve Hamann for again ensuring that the live auction items went for the maximum amount. All proceeds from the event will be used by the Rotary Club of Del Mar to support the club’s many service-oriented projects as well as local and international organizations.
Sunset Soiree- a time for good wine (and beer and cider), good food, and good friends
Deputy Chief of Community Services Mark Rathsam (left) and Del Mar Lifeguard Hailey Horan (right) accept a donation from president Tom Ryan
Klaus Gubernator, Matt and Janice Kurth, and Kevin Fitzpatrick receive instructions before boarding the surf rescue boat
The 2016 Del Mar Lifeguards and Surf Rescue Team showing the boat that the Del Mar Rotarians took for a ride (Photo Credit: Del Mar Lifeguards)
Instead of our usual meeting site at St. Peter’s, Del Mar Rotarians and guests met at the Powerhouse Community Center off the Del Mar beach. The location was in keeping with the speaker, Mark Rathsam, the Deputy Chief of the Community Services Department in Del Mar. The Community Services Department oversees Del Mar Lifeguard Services, facility use permits for the city’s parks and beach area, as well as Parking Enforcement and Park Ranger Operations. Del Mar’s lifeguards stay busy- in 2016 they conducted over 600 ocean rescues, more than 8,000 “safety contacts” (e.g., swimmer in distress), and provided ~900 medical aids. Most importantly, in 2016 there were no drownings. In addition to rescues, Del Mar lifeguards provide safety education, offer surf camps, and oversee the Jr. Lifeguard program- our Speaker’s Chair Brett Mattei got his start in lifeguarding through this program.
The rescue dive team was founded nearly 20 years ago, but their outdated equipment was a potential safety concern. In 2016 the Rotary Club of Del Mar donated gear that improved rescue diver communications, navigation, and personal safety. This year the club made a donation of $5,300 that will help the lifeguards reach their goal of having 12 sets of identical gear- the standardization will simplify maintenance and repair, and also ensure that each team member uses the same equipment. Del Mar lifeguard Hailey Horan joined Mark to demonstrate the new equipment, which includes a dive computer that lets lifeguards monitor at a glance their bearings, depth and air supply.
At the end of the meeting, several Del Mar Rotarians rode in the surf rescue boat. Channel 8 news reporter Brandon Lewis also played a surfer in distress in a mock rescue. A story on the surf rescue team appeared on the May 18, 2017 broadcast.
Donations from Del Mar Rotarians Equip Del Mar Lifeguard Surf Rescue Team
Kit Leeger, Auction Chair for the Sunset Soiree on May 23, 2017, reports that we’ve exceeded last year’s donations for our annual fundraiser. There are dozens of items that will satisfy all tastes. Have a look at the auction item list and plan your bidding strategy in advance! In addition to the auction, over 25 food and beverage vendors will be on the Del Mar Plaza terrace with plenty of samples to try. Remember that your Rotary account was billed for two tickets, but please be sure to complete the online form using the code DMRCFree so that your name will be added to the check-in list. You can also input your credit card information if you want to bid on auction items. Use the code DMRC50 to buy any last-minute tickets at a discount. See the quick guide for instructions on online ticket purchases.
Lauren Montague, Marketing and Special Events Manager for the Community Resource Center, with Community Services Chair Bob Sonnhalter and club president Tom Ryan
Boys and Girls Club San Dieguito Foundation President Eric Nelte with club president Tom Ryan
We are pleased to continue our support of the Community Resource Center (CRC), based in Encinitas, with a $1,000 donation to CRC’s family crisis support services. The CRC was founded in 1979 with the mission of relieving homelessness and food insecurity for families in coastal communities. The CRC’s mission has since expanded to provide counseling services for families dealing with domestic violence, major life transitions, addictions, and many other challenges. The overall mission of the CRC is to help its client families create paths to safety, stability, and self-sufficiency.
Paralympian Michael Spivey with Janice Kurth and Tom Ryan
Michael Spivey with his gold medal in Boardercross at the 2017 Paralympic National Championship held at Copper Mountain, Colorado
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is proud to help support veteran Michael Spivey in his efforts to compete in the Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom events at the 2018 Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Michael has had a great year in taking the gold at the Paralympic National Championship Boardercross race at Copper Mountain and the IPC NorAm competition. He has one more year to train and is holding a rally campaign to raise funds for training and housing expenses, travel costs, and registration fees.
Michael grew up in Texas and served in the Marines as a Combat Engineer. After his first deployment to Iraq, in 2010 he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he lost his left arm below the elbow after encountering an IED. While recovering at the Naval Hospital in Balboa Park, he undertook golf and surfing as physical therapy. He eventually discovered snowboarding, and progressed quickly to earn a national ranking. We wish Michael all success in his journey to the Paralympics next March! You can follow Michael’s progress on his Facebook page and visit his rally campaign page to donate to his training fund.
Rotary Club of Del Mar Contributes to Paralympian Michael Spivey’s Rally Campaign
After receiving her Paul Harris fellow award from Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski, Karin Davies gives an update on her Global Grant
Karin and Jim Davies wearing shirts that highlight the Global Grant partnership of the Rotary Clubs of Del Mar and Gondar Fasiledes (Ethiopia)
Congratulations to Karin Davies on being recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for the 8th time. Karin is a retired pediatrician and the lead on the Rotary Foundation Global Grant “Saving Babies’ Lives in Ethiopia”. This grant partnered with the Rotary Club of Gondar Fasiledes to fund a “train the trainers” project that has taught more than 40 medical doctors, nurses, and midwives to teach neonatal resuscitation and post-resuscitation care techniques. These newly trained teachers have since instructed more than 700 other practitioners. The techniques that Karin and her team taught in Ethiopia are making meaningful differences as reflected by the 50% lower infant mortality rate in areas served by the providers they helped train. Karin submitted a second global grant that will fund the incorporation of these resuscitation techniques into the curricula of medical schools in Ethiopia. Karin’s husband Jim Davies, also a Rotary Club of Del Mar member, has also worked tirelessly on this project and accompanied Karin on each of her trips to Ethiopia in support of this grant- in fact, they’ll both be leaving for Ethiopia in late June.
Rotary Foundation Global Grants support projects that align with at least one of the Foundation’s six areas of focus: Promoting Peace, Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water and Sanitation, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, and Growing Local Economies. Karin’s grants address several areas of focus, and also satisfy another requirement of global grants- that the projects be sustainable. We are so proud of the work that Karin and Jim have done to improve the lives of mothers and babies in Ethiopia and for their continued support of the Rotary Foundation.
Karin Davies Recognized as 8-time Paul Harris Fellow
Our newest Blue Badger, Dan Austin (center) with his sponsor Val Myers and Membership Chair Matt Kurth
Dan led the Pledge of Allegiance and Klaus Gubernator supplied the flag
From Sunset Soiree to Blue Badge in a little less than one year. During his “Who Am I” talk, which all new members give to introduce themselves, Dan Austin noted that he was first introduced to the Rotary Club of Del Mar when club member Val Myers invited him to attend the 2016 Sunset Soiree. Dan said he enjoyed getting to know so many like-minded people and Val sponsored him for membership.
Dan grew up on the east coast in Syracuse and graduated from Syracuse University, after which he took positions specializing in broadcast media and marketing. Nearly two years ago Dan moved to the Del Mar area to take a job in radio broadcasting and 18 months ago he took overDel Mar Lifestyle magazine, for which he serves as editor. Del Mar Lifestyle is a community-focused magazine that reports on events and businesses in Del Mar and Carmel Valley.
Dan’s “Who Am I” speech was his last step in earning his Blue Badge and we’re all thrilled to have him as a member.
Del Mar Lifestyle Magazine Editor Dan Austin Receives His Blue Badge
Barrett Smith demonstrates online ticket purchases for the Soiree and Monty Woolley discusses the Soiree program
Just one more week to go before the Sunset Soiree on Tuesday May 23, 2017! Last week Barrett Smith explained how to buy tickets online and the quick guide also provides directions. Although your Rotary account was billed for two tickets, please be sure to complete the online form using the code “DMRCFree” so that your name will be added to the check-in list. You can also input your credit card information if you want to bid on auction items. Use the code DMRC50 to buy additional tickets at a discount. Email Barrett or Paul if you need any help.
Thank you to Soiree Chairman Paul Chunyk, Barrett Smith for helping manage the online content, Monty Woolley for compiling the program, and Karl and Susie Wagner for the final push for auction items. Special thanks to Auction Chair Kit Leeger for her hard work on gathering the packages and ensuring that the bidding will be fierce!
Remember that this week’s meeting will be held at Powerhouse Center in Powerhouse Park in Del Mar (highlighted in blue). Free parking is available at the old train station (in green). Get to the entrance via 15th street by turning right (northbound) on Coast Boulevard and the entrance (yellow arrow) will be on the right just before the railroad tracks. The lot will open at 11 AM. Thank you to club Treasurer Lahn Tran for arranging the parking!
For this week’s presentation the Del Mar lifeguards will present a real time life saving drill. The club will also be presenting checks to different organizations and we expect media to be in attendance. If you can, talk up the Sunset Soiree to any members of the media.
May 18, 2017 Meeting at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar
At the May 11, 2017 meeting Scott MacDonald spoke about MacDonald Scholars, a scholarship program he founded to help reduce the financial burden that most college students face. Scott is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, and as a student he worked in a factory to pay his way through school. He realized that the costs of college can no longer be easily offset by working, and he grew concerned about the debt many students incur as they pursue higher education.
In response to these challenges, in 2005 Scott founded MacDonald Scholars, a “pay-it-forward” scholarship vehicle, first at Davidson College, from which his two sons graduated. He then launched similar programs at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, IU Bloomington, the University of Michigan, and, most recently, at University of San Diego. The idea behind the scholarship is to promote a mindset similar to that of Rotary: “Service above Self”. MacDonald Scholars, who are identified by the participating university, are given $5,000/year for four years that can be used to defray tuition or living expenses. In exchange, Scholars participate in leadership and educational programs available at their university and perform 280 hours of community service annually.
Scott outlined several service programs that his MacDonald Scholars developed. One Scholar raised funds to build and sustain schools in rural Ethiopia, while another instituted a program to provide solar lighting for houses in India so that the children would have light to study by at night. Still another Scholar founded “Hives for Lives” that donated proceeds from honey sales to cancer research.
During his career, Scott was CEO of several companies. He wrote the book “Saving Investa”, which tells the story of how, as a Morgan Stanley executive, a one week trip to Sydney turned into a 5-year journey to guide Investa from near insolvency to being one of the largest commercial real estate companies in Australia. He uses proceeds from book sales to support MacDonald Scholars.
Scott is hopeful that other donors will be inspired by his experience to fund similar programs at other universities that can be used to train the next generation of servant leaders. Visit the MacDonald Scholars page to learn how.
MacDonald Scholars Program Helps a New Generation of Servant Leaders
Community Services Committee Chairman Bob Sonnhalter presents a donation from Del Mar Rotary to fund the mulch purchase
The park ranger gives a debrief on plant identification (top panel) and Brett Mattei (center with bucket) gets started mulching (bottom panel)
Chris Stewart and Klaus Gubernator (left panel) and President Tom Ryan and Sharon Schendel (right panel) take a break from work
Rotarian Gothic (Laura Williamson and Barrett Smith) at the Dust Devil Nature Trail
The San Dieguito River Park (SDRP) has long been special to the Del Mar Rotary Club. This year Del Mar Rotarians helped remove invasive plants and mulch newly installed native plants near the Dust Devil Nature Trail. DMRC donated funds to purchase the mulch and more than 20 club members were on hand to help. We were joined by members of Boy Scout Troop 713, which the Del Mar Rotary sponsors. The Dust Devil Trail can be accessed from southbound El Camino Real and is a 1.7 mile loop that offers views of the ocean.
This project is another in a line of Del Mar Rotary projects for SDRP. The most prominent project was completed in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Rotary’s founding in 1905, wherein each club was challenged to undertake a significant project. Bob Fuchs conceived the idea of installing a boardwalk in the SDRP near Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Under Pat Dougherty’s expert supervision, Del Mar Rotarians installed more than 1,200 feet of decking in June 2007. Bob still fondly remembers the reaction of his grandson, then 5 years old, to the sight of so many people coming together to accomplish a large project in one day. His grandson looked at all the Rotarians working, shook his head and said: “This is really neat!”
Children enjoying the boardwalk installed by Del Mar Rotarians in June 2007 (photo from San Diego River Park)
Rotarians at Work Day focuses on the Dust Devil Nature Trail in San Dieguito River Park
Allred Branch Boys and Girls Club members enjoying the games at the ice cream social
Marty Peters with Doug Allred (top panel). In the lower panel, Barrett Smith scoops ice cream while Blake Johnson at the end of the table helps with the sprinkle station. In the background, Laura Williamson chats with Doug Allred and on the right are Marty Peters, Eric Nelte, and Donna Fipps. Photo credit: Chris Brake Photography
On May 3, 2017 several of our club members were on hand to help with the ice cream social at the Boys and Girls Club of San DieguitoAllred Branch located in Carmel Valley. The social was organized in part by DMRC member Laura Williamson. Boys and Girls Club Board member and benefactor Doug Allred was in attendance to meet the kids who use the many services the club offers. Del Mar Rotary presented a gift of a portable sink and other washing equipment to help keep the club clean. Thank you to Chris Brake Photography for providing all the fun photos!
Del Mar Rotary Club at the Allred Boys and Girls Club Ice Cream Social in Carmel Valley
Del Mar Rotarians Janice Kurth and her husband Matt Kurth, both MD/PhDs, traveled to China for a Rotary-sponsored medical mission. Janice presented a banner she received from a member of the Chandigarh Midtown Rotary Club in India who provided dental services on the mission.
Janice Kurth presents new banner to Del Mar Rotary
Sharyn Daly and Susie Wagner decide who will draw the card, while Bill Rawlings and Mark Matthess look on
This week's $1,000 drawing had a twist: two tickets were drawn. Sharyn Daly held the first ticket and had her choice of $50 guaranteed or a card draw. Susie Wagner held the second ticket and after some brief bargaining, Sharyn went for the card draw. Susie was the only one who walked away with cash! All proceeds from ticket sales go to support club projects.
Sharyn "Monty Hall" Daly and Susie Wagner win the weekly ticket draw
Del Mar Rotary welcomed Cygnet Theatre Associate Artistic Director Rob Lufty and frequent Cygnet performer Steve Gouveia for a presentation on Cygnet Theatre’s upcoming production of Shockheaded Peter, a musical based on the 19th century German children’s book Struwwelpeter. Like the book, Shockheaded Peter tells cautionary tales about the consequences of bad behavior. Steve, a Poway High School graduate and original cast member of Jersey Boyson Broadway, performed two songs from the production.
Rob explained that Shockheaded Peter will include dance numbers and elaborate costumes, as well as masks and puppets to tell the stories. He also gave a bit of history of the Cygnet Theatre, which started in 2003 and now calls the Old Town Theatre home. The venue holds 256 in stadium-style seating. When deciding on a name for the new theater, the founders thought of their ambition to rival Balboa Park’s Old Globe Theater, named after the Globe theater in London. Another prominent theater in Shakespeare’s day was The Swan, but given that the new company was so small, they instead adopted the name of a young swan, Cygnet.
Congratulations to Laura Williamson, our newest Blue Badger. Laura moved to the Del Mar area last September from Tacoma, Washington, where she chaired the membership and speakers committees for the Tacoma North Rotary Club. Laura helped raise the three children of her late sister, Danielle, and when her nephew moved to San Diego to pursue engineering studies, she relocated to be nearer to him and his two sisters. After having all three kids help with so many Rotary projects, she was delighted when her nephew expressed his desire to join Rotary- he’s now attending Golden Triangle meetings, which fit better with his school schedule.
Laura began looking for a new Rotary club shortly after arriving in San Diego and she was surprised to learn that there were more than 60 clubs in the area! A chance encounter over a salad at Piatti restaurant in La Jolla led to an introduction to Del Mar Rotarian Janice Kurth, then District Governor. After joining Del Mar Rotarians at their annual Del Mar Race Track outing and a holiday party at Treasurer Lanh Tran’s Toys for Tots event at First Republic Bank in Del Mar, she felt that the Del Mar Rotary was the right club for her. Her fellow Del Mar Rotarian, Blake Johnson, who is Development Director for the Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito, even connected her with her current position as Supervisor of After-School programs at the Boys & Girls Club Allred Branch in Carmel Valley.
Laura has already been a very active member of the club, and we’re delighted to have her!
Laura Williamson- Del Mar Rotary's newest Blue Badger
NASA JPL Aerospace Engineer, Jordan Evans, gave an absolutely fascinating presentation on Mars rovers. Jordan talked about what it took to land the rover Curiosity on Mars in August 2012. Also pictured are some artifacts; parachute and scale model of the Curiosity, which is about the size of a Hummer.
President Elect, Shivanand Bellare from the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Platinum City, India exchanged club banners with President Tom Ryan and Club Membership Chair, Matt Kurth.
Adapted from writings of Stu Green, Founder, and Al Childs, 5th President
The Rotary situation in this area in the 1950s was very different. The nearest Club was in Encinitas. To the East, was Escondido, and to the South, La Jolla and San Diego. So there was a large empty space comprised of the towns of Del Mar, Solana beach, Cardiff and Rancho Santa Fe with a population of maybe 8000 without a Rotary Club.
Sensing this vacuum, out of the Vista Club came Hiram Walker, District Governor. He contacted Stu Green, the local pharmacist, who had been a Rotarian in Brawley, CA in the Imperial Valley. This contact in early 1953 began the chain of events that lead to chartering the Del Mar Rotary Club in May 1954.
Stu Green persuaded Frank Strauss to become the solicitor-organizer and first President of the club. At that time, Frank was a Vice President of NonLinear Systems, the predecessor company to KayPro of which Andy Kay was the President. No one knew what Frank did at NonLinear, but he seemed to have a lot of time on his hands. So it turned out that he was just right for the job. Together Frank and Stu persuaded 38 men in the area to join up. Most were in business in Del Mar, but in order to get enough to charter a club, they reached into Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe as well.
The Club received its charter at the Hotel Del Mar, current site of L’Auberge, on May 4, 1954. Over 200 people attended the chartering ceremony. Although the selection of officers is theoretically a democratic process in Rotary, for the next 20 years Stu Green wrote the script, choreographed and directed the whole operation. He handpicked the Board and the second President, Roger Woolley who was the Corporate Attorney at the time for NonLinear Systems. Roger was a good administrator and the Club prospered.
In the following year, Stu Green picked himself to be President. He was the joke and story teller of the period. With a captive audience of 30-40 Rotarians each week, he couldn’t resist the temptation to tell and retell his entire repertoire.
In attempting to carry out the object of Rotary, The Del Mar Club has participated widely in community affairs and contributed much time, effort and money on these projects. The most worthwhile projects in the first ten years were in the field of youth activities. The Club sponsored the Del Mar Scout Troup with Monty Woolley, Chuck Ayars, and Doc Wheelock serving as Institutional Representatives. The troop met at the Episcopal Church in Del Mar, where another member, Matt Curry was the Rector.
In the 1961-62 year when Don Barley was President, the Club sponsored two VISA students, Lilian Dluhosch of Brazil and Barbara Miselli of Milan, Italy, who attended Palomar College and resided in the homes of Eddie Read, Frank Strauss, Andy Kay and Guy Matthews, all Del Mar Rotarians at the time. Since then, the Club has sponsored an annual scholarship for a deserving college bound student from San Dieguito High School.
Over a period of years, our Rotarians had worked closely with the Del Mar Chamber of Commerce which has been led almost exclusively by member of our Club. We have also been prominent in the administration of the new Del Mar City government and John Mamaux, Mike Shoulders, Lou Leeger, and lately, Tom Pearson and Paul Zimmer.
One of the most enjoyable events has been the Rotary Day at the Races as guest of the Del Mar Turf Club, courtesy of Donald Smith, the General Manager of the Thoroughbred Club and Eddie Read, who was in charge of publicity.
MEETING VENUES FOR THE ROTARY CLUB OF DEL MAR:
1954-1955 Firepit, South end of Solana Beach
1955-1956 Hotel Del Mar(L’Auberge), 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
1956-1959 La Tienda (El Fuego), 1342 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
1960-1961 Knight’s Room (Poseidon), 1670 Coast Blvd, Del Mar
1961-1968 Namara Inn (Terraces Apts), 690 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
1969-1970 Firepit, Whispering Palms, Torrey Pines Inn, and Jolly Ox
1971-1993 Whispering Palms Country Club (Morgan Run Country Club), 5690 Concho de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe
1993-1995 Del Mar Hilton, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
1995-2001 Arena Room, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2620 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
2001-present St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 334 14th Street, Del Mar
Air Force Captain Robert McInturff explained the F-22, the trill of flying it and the missions the aircraft is designed to perform. His presentation was titled Life at the Pointy End of the Spear.
F-22 Air Force Pilot - CAPT Robert McInturff, USAF
Bessie Floyd received her Paul Harris plus 5 from John Baranowski, The Rotary Foundation Chair. President Tom Ryan announced the Board of Directors voted to make Bessie an Honorary Member for life. Congratulations! Bessie's husband Ron watched and took photos.
At our meeting March 30, six young ladies rehearsed their Model UN opening statements. Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored Torrey Pines High School Interact Club members consisted of Jacki Walker, Daisy Waters, Camryn McAllister, Hannah Newville, Eilee Shahid and Delaney Jacobs. The topics covered global warming and Brexit representing China, Sweden and Turkey. The team received suggestions for improvement and coaching. The Model UN will be held April 8 and 9.
Inspirational speaker Jeremy Poincenot discussed the positive aspects of losing his sight while attending SDSU at the age of 19 as a result of a genetic disorder. Jeremy reviewed how he became motivated and a year later winning the World Blind Golf Championship in England.
Dr. Jonah Cool from Organovo gave a technology laced presentation on 3D printing of human tissues. They create functional human tissues using 3 dimensional bioprinting technology. http://organovo.com/ And yes, it was very cool.
Guest speaker was Lesley Sagar, President, Hope Without Boundaries, a local organization formed in 2008 to provide financial aid and volunteer labor primarily in support of charitable organizations operating in the poorest parts of Tijuana, Mexico. The organization on the 2nd Saturday of each month feeds 300 people in Tijuana. They support the homeless, those in hospice, provide school uniforms, and supports community centers and Boys and Girls Clubs.http://www.hopewithoutboundaries.com/
On Saturday, March 4th, a number of Rotary Club of Del Mar and Interact Club members descended on Nativity Prep Academy for a community service project. For more photos click on the link. http://goo.gl/photos/6T1CcVYBmac5Dnz67
After 10 years in the planning, Ivan Alba took his wife and two preteen daughters on a "Rotary Year of Service" round the world journey. Hitting 24 countries, the family observed various Rotary projects around the world. His presentation challenged us to have more "sustainable " projects. Ones that change a community's behavior for the better for the future, not just a one-time donation. For more information go to his blog at http://www.albaworldtour.wordpress.com.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recognized The Rotary Foundation at the end of 2016 with it's annual Outstanding Foundation Award. The award honors organizations that show philanthropic commitment and leadership through financial support, innovation, encouragement of others and involvement in public affairs.
In an attempt to promote some additional ticket sales to this year's Soiree, several fellow Rotarians and I will be canvasing neighborhoods in Del Mar on March 23 inviting folks to the event. We would love to have a few more members tag along and it may be a good opportunity for some of the more junior members, myself included, to get to know the community better. Please contact either Paul Chunyk or me if you have even the slightest bit of interest in joining us. Rumor has it Paul's going to conclude our day on the streets with a pub crawl! Thanks in advance for your help and if you have any ideas on other ways to stimulate ticket sales, send 'em my way and I'll be happy to help.
Encinitas Fire Marshal, Anita Pupping, visited the club Thursday, February 16, 2017. She reviewed key essentials of fire safety for residential and commercial properties.
Susan Taylor from Scripps Health presented a wonderful talk on the various new gadgets and gizmos that can improve our collective health. Great presentation!!!
The Rotary Club of Del Mar supported the North County San Diego Veterans Stand Down. The event occurred January 27, 28 and 29 at the Green Oak Ranch in Vista. Stand Down is a military term designating that a combat unit has temporarily moved out of the field and back to base camp for rest and rehabilitation. Homeless veterans are, in some ways, comparable to soldiers in a war zone – living exposed in the field, surviving by their wits with limited rations, and enduring extreme conditions.
Today, Stand Down refers to a time when our homeless veterans can remove themselves from the combat of the streets. Stand Down is designed to create a transformational community of participants, service providers and volunteers that is based on dignity, respect and empowerment. The three day intervention will bring a wide range of essential service to homeless veterans, while raising their morale and awakening their motivation. Stand Down will provide men, women and children with shelter, medical, dental, legal, clothing, showers, haircuts, food, counseling, and other needed services.
PDG Janice Kurth recognized PDG Marty and Mary Alice Peters as a new level 4 major donor for The Rotary Foundation. Level 4 major donors donate between $100,000 and $249,999 to TRF. Congratulation to Marty and Mary Alice on reaching this goal.
Above are photos from the 6-Way Meeting at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club with guest speaker Dr. Ramon Resa MD.
26 Rotary Club of Del Mar members attended the meeting. Dr. Resa talked about his rise from a child farm worker in the California Central Valley to becoming a pediatrician and Rotarian in Porterville. His book Out Of The Fields is available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ramon-Resa-MD/e/B007QHI7J6.
I was amazed at the outpouring of love and concern by many of our members last Thursday, January 12th. When I had announced that the International Committee had approved $1,000 for the refugees in Grozny, many of our members came up to me and slipped bills to me; no names but thanks to all who donated. I was handed some $440 in cash! As announced, I matched the donation up to $500. As a result we will give $1,880 to the incoming Governor of District 2220 Russia, Galina Lavrova, to take back to the Rotary Club of Grozny. Rotary is truly amazing. Thanks to all our members for your compassion and faith that Rotary really can make a difference!
Competing for a $300 scholarship was Ryan Torres from Sage Creek High School on the piano and Kana Shiotsu from Torrey Pines High School on the violin. The program was sponsored by Garrie Rhodes and Ed Siegel as judge.
Kana Shiotsu was the winner. She now moves on to the District level competition. Congratulations!
The Blood Bank of San Diego on January 12 brought one of their blood mobiles to the St. Peter' parking lot for the Rotary Club of Del Mar blood drive organized by Susan and Karl Wagner.
Charlotte Agostinelli from Voices for Children and our own Sharon Schendel discussed being a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in foster care. President Tom Ryan also spoke about being a CASA; he has volunteered for a number of years. To volunteer to become a CASA or to donate, please contact the local Voices for Children at http://www.speakupnow.org/.
The Rotary Foundation Chair, John Baranowski, was pleased to make 4 separate Paul Harris recognitions January 5th, 2017, starting The New Year off with a bang. Recognized was President Tom Ryan for his 4th PHF, Miles Fleming for his 3rd PHF and for their first PHF recognition was Chris Stewart and Barret Smith. Congratulations to all 4!
On December 16, the Rotary Club of Del Mar held its annual Holiday Party at St. Peter's. The event included collecting toys for Toys for Tots, Holiday Cookie Exchange, adult beverages and holiday carols.
The Community Service Committee coordinated volunteers at the Del Mar Race Track to make holiday baskets for the Community Resource Center to support families in need.
On December 8, 2016, the Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored and participated in a Holiday Party for local children at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach.
USS Midway Museum docents Brian Butler and Steve Walker presented an outstanding program on the history of the USS Midway and some of the major exhibits on the ship. To purchase tickets or for more information, check them out at http://www.midway.org/.
Rotarian and frequent guest, Nat Read was the guest speaker November 17, 2016. He discussed his 2 books and reviewed his America's Greatest Speeches performance with fascinating details on the back stories of the speeches. For more information on Nat's two books, Speed Bumps on the Yellow Brick Road and Don Benito Wilson, click on the link to his web site. http://www.natread.com/readcommunications
On November 9th, many Rotarians from District 5340 and others descended on the Boys and Girls Club, Griset Clubhouse, for a community service project. The project coordinator was Blake Johnson and involved hundred of volunteers including 150 Navy personnel from the CVN Roosevelt. Afterwards, a number met up at the Karl Strauss Tasting Room for fellowship and networking. This project was part of the West Coast Community Tour and District Service Project.
This week the RCDM presented Casa de Amistad with a $1000 check. Half the funds are from our club, the other from a District Grant. The money will help purchase books and educational material. Casa de Amistad is an after school tutoring program for low income families in Solana Beach. The RCDM supports the program both monetarily and has several members as tutors. Bob Sonnhalter and Don Johnson present Nicole Mione-Green our Rotary check.
Membership Chair, Matt Kurth, inducted Dan Austin with his sponsor Val Myers.
Dan Austin is sponsored by Val Meyers and Marty Peters. Dan is the publisher of the Del Mar Lifestyle magazine. He brings extensive experience in marketing and TV/radio management to his new endeavor. He loves outdoor activities, reading and traveling, among others.
Del Mar City Councilmember, Dwight Worden was the program speaker November 3, 2016. He provided an update on the Del Mar downtown area and the different initiatives to improve commercial activities and parking.
Rev. Carmen Warner Robbins, Executive Director, Welcome Home Ministry was the program speaker October 20, 2016. The mission of Welcome Home Ministries is to provide holistic faith-based, peer-driven supportive services for women in transition from incarceration into the community on an ongoing basis by renewing lives and restoring families. The rate of women returning to jail after being released nationally is 80%. The women in the Welcome Home program have a rate of only 13% by creating a Christ-centered program offering caring services through case management, referrals to Welcome Home community partners and a peer to peer mentoring model proven to work. One of their services is dental services provided at the St. Leo's Dental Clinic.
Manni Pacheco is the author and film producer of the Forgotten Hollywood describing important links between Hollywood and historical events including the March of Dimes and the search for the cure to polio that included Rotary International. Manni stayed behind to autograph his books. Check out his web site at: http://www.forgottenhollywood.com/
Alyssa Pardini is sponsored by Marty Peters and Jim Watkins. Alyssa is the marketing manager at L'Auberge Del Mar. Her wide ranging education and experiences has given her the outlook that “life is an adventure of both intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution”.
Vickie Barks is sponsored by Marty Peters. Vickie is a native Californian who now works at a local non-profit teaching kids to program in Java. The goal is to give each student a skill that allows them to go straight into the work force.
Program Speaker Peter Zahn reviewed a presentation titled From Paris to San Diego: Bringing Global Climate Action Home. Peter is the President of the Moxie Foundation and a member of the City Council of Solana Beach. http://www.moxiefoundation.org/
Troop 713 Eagle Scouts, Ajay Kumar, Robert Hou and Carter Gonzales reviewed their Eagle Scout projects. Troop 713 is supported by the Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Torrey Pines High School and Cathedral Catholic High School Interact members spoke to the membership about their Interact Clubs, Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) and leadership positions they have in school.
Thank you to Kate and Larry Cook and the Youth Services Committee for your leadership supporting youth activities and scholarships in our community.
Membership Chair, Matt Kurth, inducted Chris Stewart as our newest member. Kate and Larry Cook are Chris' mentors. Chris is the owner of Buns & Roses Baking Company in Vista.
CEO of the Century Club of San Diego, Peter Ripa, told our members how the Century Club plans and host the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines each year. He also provided information on how to be a volunteer at the event. For more information go to the link. http://www.farmersinsuranceopen.com/giving-back/century-club/
Author Stan Katz talked about how he came to write the novel, The Emperor and the Spy. The book is based on the career of Colonel Sidney Forester Mashbir. The author described how Colonel Mashbir's unprecedented personal relationship with Emperor Hirohito impacted World War II. The book also mentions how the two were connected through Rotary.
For more information, review the UT article from May 2016 at the link below.
Patrick Bruski received his red badge as a transfer from Key West, Florida. Membership Chair Matt Kurth inducted Patrick with sponsor Peggy Martin and Rotary mentor Miles Fleming watching. Patrick's transfer to California was to take charge of the Edward Jones Investment firm in Del Mar.
The membership sang Happy Birthday to Tom Woolsey as he turned 90 years old on September 1st.
The Program Speaker was John Ciullo, Executive Director of Nature & Culture International.
"We are unlike traditional conservation organizations in philosophy, efficiency and results. Our projects are diverse – spanning multiple countries and numerous ecosystems – and we are guided first and foremost by a deep respect for local communities and culture. We’re protecting the areas in South America and Mexico that contain the greatest biodiversity on the planet by collaborating with the people who depend upon the land for their survival." Check them out at http://natureandculture.org/about/why-nature-and-culture/
The Rotary Club of Del Mar supported the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito on August 28th for their annual Horseshoe & Cornhole Tournament at Del Mar North Dog Beach. Volunteers grilled burgers and performed sales and support activities. We also ate burgers and drank beer; someone had to do it.
Of course, tent shades could be obtained for a donation as did our PDG Marty Peters. Jan and Eric Nelte cooled their heels in the shade. The overcast weather provided an enjoyable event for all volunteers and contestants.
Here is a video produced by Del Mar Lifeguards covering the donation of specialized scuba gear to the Del Mar Lifeguard Rescue Drivers from the Rotary Club of Del Mar.
DG Marilyn sanderson Awarded 3 new Paul harris fellows
Rotary District 5340 Governor Marilyn Sanderson awarded Paul Harris Fellow recognitions to 3 outstanding professional women who are giving selflessly of their time and talents to bring success and purpose to the Club’s Global Grant ‘Saving Babies’ Lives’ in Ethiopia. Each continues to travel to Ethiopia on training trips and engages in the work-intensive program designed to train the medical personnel at Gondar University Hospital in the life-saving techniques of neonatal resuscitation and essential care of the newborn. These Paul Harris Fellow awards are Rotary’s way of acknowledging and saying thank you for “Service beyond Self” demonstrated by each of the ladies: Elisa Imonti, Kathy Johnson and Carole Leland.
Five Rotary Club of Del Mar Rotarians joined a hundred other District 5340 Rotarians assembling food packages for Feeding American. The Del Mar group gleaned 1,400 lbs. of pears in 2 hours.
President Tom Ryan awarded Carly Auerbach, a senior from Torrey Pines High School, a $4,000 college scholarship. She will attend in the fall Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a honors business major.
Past District Governor, Janice Kurth, reviewed her past year as Rotary District 5340 Governor. She chronicled the time from being nominated in 2012 to finishing her year June 30th. She reminisced visiting over 60 District clubs and experiencing all of the different locations, projects and enthusiast Rotarians. Janice answered questions from club members. Everyone found her experience every interesting.
Joe Harper, CEO Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, visited the club July 14 to review the many aspects of the upcoming racing season at Del Mar. Joe Harper, left, is with Bill Dougherty and Club Prez Tom Ryan, on the right. Tom seems to have a "head" for details.
Tom Ryan, the Rotary Club of Del Mar President for 2016-17, conducted his first meeting of the new Rotary year.
Congratulations!
President Tom Ryan introduced our Assistant District Governor Steve Weitzen. This is Steve's 2nd year as our ADG. Steve noted he attended and thoroughly enjoyed our Demotion Party.
The club was treated to a piano recital from the founder of Amateur Pianists, Glenn Kramer. His organization sponsors the San Diego International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs July 15th to 17th, 2016. The Rotary Club of Del Mar donated $1,000 which will be used to award 2nd place of the competition. http://amateurpianists.org/
District Governor Janice Kurth and Matt Kurth at the District Governor's Dinner where Janice was demoted to Past District Governor. Congratulations on a Great Year!!!
Congratulations to PDG Philippe Lamoise on receiving from DG Janice Kurth the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self Award.
Alison Fleming, wife of Rotarian Miles Fleming, gave an excellent presentation on the many aspects of long-term care. Alison is a Financial Advisor for Waddell & Reed. For more information contact the firm at http://www.ruchfleming.wrfa.com
President Eric recognized some of the Sunset Soiree organizers present at the meeting; Blake Johnson, Mark Matthess, Paul Chunyk, Kit Leeger, and Susan Wagner.
Tuesday night 32 fellow Rotarians met at Crepes and Corks for a Club Social and eat the special Spanish Night paella. The Club Service event was held at Crepes and Corks for their support of the Sunset Soiree. The food and fellowship was excellent. Many thanks go to Susan and Karl Wagner for coordinating the event.
Four members of the Rotary Club of Del Mar have been awarded their Paul Harris Fellows; Michael Wexler, Blake Johnson, Kevin Fitzpatrick and Brett Mattei by TRF Chair John Baranowski and Bill Rawlings. We are on our way to reaching The Rotary Foundation milestone of 100% membership as Paul Harris Fellows.
Pictured below are the two Torrey Pines High School freshmen students, Madison Chandler and Daisy Waters, with Rotarian Mary Savoy, that the Rotary Club of Del Mar sponsored for Model United Nations. They represented Czech Republic and they did a fantastic job delivering their speeches. Maddie and Daisy could not thank the Del Mar Rotary enough for giving them this amazing opportunity! They hope to do it again next year!
IRC Executive Director, San Diego Office, David Murphy introduced the club members to the International Rescue Committee and it numerous international programs. The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. IRC teams provide health care, infrastructure, learning and economic support to people in more than 40 countries, with special programs designed for women and children. We resettle thousands of refugees each year in 26 U.S. cities.
Joanne Fink was inducted as a new member by President Elect Tom Ryan and District 5340 Assistant Governor Steve Weitzen. Joanne's sponsor was Lanh Tran.
New red badge members Garrie Rhodes and Jim Davies receive their blue badge. With Garrie is sponsor Ed Siegel and with Jim is his sponsor and wife Karin Davies. President Elect Tom Ryan and Assistant Governor Steve Weitzen over see the blue badge ceremony.
Marty Peters won the best dress contest. There were a lot less adult beverages at the end of the meeting than there was at the beginning. I wonder what happen to them?
Denise Levine was the program speaker February 3rd. She reviewed concepts behind personal organizing skills. For more information contact Denise at http://www.outsideinorganizer.com
The Rotary Club of Del Mar met at Seasalt Seafood and Bistro March 1st for a Club Service Social. More than 20 attended the event enjoying the food, drink and fellowship! Don't miss the next Club Social.
Kevin Fitzpatrick received his Red Badge from District Governor Janice Kurth. With him during the presentation was his wife, and his sponsor, Marty Peters.
The second speaker of the day was Don Fipps. He vividly recounted his experience of being a contestant on The Price is Right. There were lots of questions and the take home point was be prepared to pay taxes on any prizes won! He did not win the Tesla.
Susie Wagner was Rotarian of the month. She works hard every month to coordinate a Tuesday Happy Hour for our members to the various restaurants that support our Sunset Soirée. On March 1st we will be at Seasalt from 4:30-6:30. This is the first time for Seasalt to participate so we want to show them our Rotary support!
The first speaker of the meeting was Steve Hamann, our auctioneer for the Sunset Soirée. He gave us tips to get the most out of the silent auction. Consider alcohol; it always sells well be it wine, beer, or liquor. "Opportunities" sell well, especially if it is for a group of four or more people; think tours, excursions, parties, etc. Think of the items you would want. Our buyers are just like you. Remember that items only bring in 55-60 percent of actual value. Try not to spend money for your items, ASK for donations, be specific! Group no more than 4 items in a basket.
Thursday's lunch was extra special with red clothed tables decorated for Valentine's Day. The Rotary wine cellar was breached and a selection of wine was available for all. Lanh Tran, Rotarian of the Day, educated us about the Chinese New Year of the Monkey, along with its superstitions and provided handouts so all could find out what in which animal year they were born and corresponding characteristics.
Maureen Polmadei and Alex Macias from Second Chance presented a video and answered questions regarding their organization. Second Chance has a 4 week program to help their clients adjust to the "outside " world. Eighty percent of their clientele have recently been released from prison. They provide a lifetime of assistance in legal matters, housing, employment and anything that helps bring an individual to fit back into the local community.
Walter Ritter was the program speaker on February 4 talking about Write Out Loud. Walter gave several examples of the stories told by the actors in the organization. In the picture is a Japanese children story board as Walter described the scene. For more information, please visit their web site at the link below.
Christina Meeker was the program speaker on January 28 discussing the non profit organization Words Alive.
"We believe that if you value reading and understand its fundamental connection to all aspects of your life, you will thrive as a lifelong learner, ready to transform your community. Since 1999, we have focused on bridging the literacy gap among children from low-income households and at-risk youth—a gap in interest, access, and achievement. Beyond just putting a book in their hands, we help them understand that reading is a tool that opens doors in their future. Through Early Literacy Services, Teen Services, Community Programs and the addition of the Rolling Readers program, we serve 8,000 children, youth and families throughout San Diego County each month."
President Elect Tom Ryan presented 3 new club members with their full member "blue badges." In photo: sponsor Monty Woolley, Tom Ryan, Lanh Tran, Mary Savoy, sponsor Bob Fuchs, Dugan Moore and President Eric Nelte.
Six Rotary Clubs of District 5340 met at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club Monday, January 18th. Each club president gave a short overview of the club. The guest speaker was Ambassador John O'Keefe, Executive Director, Open World Leadership Center.
The Open World Leadership Center administers the Open World program, one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs for countries of the post-Soviet era. The program has enabled more than 24,000 current and future leaders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts. http://www.openworld.gov
John Baranowski presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Janine Wilson which was endowed by Past President Pat Dougherty in honor of her support during his presidential term.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar and the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation donated a total of $1,500 to the Del Mar Garden Club. Pictured below is Monty Wooley presenting the checks to a representative from the Del Mar Garden Club.
President Elect Tom Ryan inducted Tom Hagos and Blake Johnson. Participating was President Eric Nelte and sponsor Dugan Moore. Welcome Tom and Blake to the Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Master Gardner Paige Perkins discussed the class of insecticides called neonicotinoids that are the most widely used insecticide in the world but is fatal to bees. Paige suggested alternatives to neonicotinoids and to place pressure on local retailers of plants to stop purchasing neonictinoid treated plants.
Two new members, Kim and Chris McHugh were inducted January 7th by President Elect Tom Ryan and PDG and sponsor Marty Peters. Kim and Chris are doctors of chiropractic medicine and local business owners of RiverPath Chiropractic in Del Mar focusing on infants, children, children with behavioral and development disorders and pregnant mothers. Welcome Kim and Chris!!!!
Attorneys James Chodzko and Judith Copeland from the non profit West Coast Resolution Group discussed mediation, the different types, how to engage and select mediators and what we can expect from the process. The legal aspects of mediation were reviewed; it is legally enforceable and the rates are typically much less than fees related to litigation.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar was visited by the USD Rotaract Club. Our club sponsors the USD Rotaract Club. Haylea Minks and Marty Peters joined the club members for lunch.
Jim Sickman was our lunchtime speaker this week. He is an independent playwright living in the San Diego area. He outlined the trials and tribulations of getting a play produced, whether on Broadway, Off Broadway, or Off Off Broadway. It was a very interesting presentation. He is presently trying to get his play "Rope" into the production machination.
Mary Savoy and Sharon Schendel were given their first Paul Harris Fellow recognition by John Baranowski and Bob Fuchs received his third Paul Harris Fellow. Congratulations!!!!
During our meeting November 5th, 3 members gave short presentations on their profession as part of Vocational Services. Don Johnson - travel consultant, Klaus Gubernator - business owner of eMolecules, and Michael Wexler - attorney & tax law.
Program speaker Dr. Lim discussed the basics of a whole food plant based diet. His personal experience took him off prescribed drugs and alleviated his gout. The diet also has improved, and even reversed "modern day" diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Foundation Chair John Baranowski awards Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Bill Dougherty reaching Diamond level (10) contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
Bill Dougherty Awarded Paul Harris Fellow with Diamond
The Millions for Hope Gala at the Mission Tower Ballroom, The Del Mar Fairgrounds celebrated with Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran the raising of $31 million for The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to the planning committee from the Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Janice and Matt Kurth were awarded the Arch C. Klumph Society award as a major donor to The Rotary Foundation by Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran during the Millions for Hope Gala.
The Rotary Foundation Chair John Baranowski presents Bob Sonnhalter his Paul Harris Plus 2 in remembrance of a dear friend. Karin Davies received her Paul Harris Plus 5 recognition. Congratulations to both!!!!
Our member architect, Kit Leeger, gave our lunch crowd a very interesting and comprehensive overview of the expansion of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. With limited space available for the church's many needs, Kit has created a very comprehensive and beautiful plan for the future St. Peter's. Good work!
Brett Mateo, the guest of Marty Peters, related a short inspirational story how the Rotary Club of Del Mar changed his life. There were three decision points where one of our members provided Brett with an opportunity; as a teenager, in college, and in his career. He expressed his extreme thanks.....KUDOS Del Mar Rotary!
Members of the Rotary Club of Del Mar conducted a Community Service project at St. Leo's Medical and Dental Clinic painting the remaining 3 exam rooms, restroom and hallway. Members participating Don and Donna Fipps, Klaus Gubernator, Bob Sonnhalter, Prez Eric Nelte, and Walt Strangman.
Dr. Patricia Pardo-Olmos, Vice President, Community Engagement spoke to the membership about the history, development and goals of California State University San Marcos.
The Rotary Foundation Chair, John Baranowski recognizes Miles Fleming and Max Busch with their first Paul Harris Fellow. Sharyn Daly was recognized as a new Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations!!!
Kaye Kelly from the Community Resource Center was the guest speaker September 17. The Rotary Club of Del Mar has purchased a table at the CRC's October 3rd California Dreamin' Gala 2015 at the Paddock Green, Del Mar Fairgrounds. Seats are still available . Contact Prez Eric or Bob Sonnhalter for more information or tickets. Proceeds benefit the activities of the CRC in the community including victims of domestic violence, sexual violence prevention, feeding the hungry, and holiday baskets serving 3,700 children.
We have five new applicants who you have been meeting at recent Club meetings, and who have completed the initial processing and been approved by the Board of Directors for membership. The last step in the processing is this notice to you as a member of our Club. If anyone has an objection to our inviting any of these candidates into membership, you are requested to respond within the next seven days giving reason. Otherwise, we assume you agree with the action of the Board to move forward toward induction.
The applicants are:
Matt Kurth, MD, PhD., sponsored by wife Janice, his classification is Pharmaceutical Medicine. Matt lists hiking, traveling and wine tasting as his hobbies/interests .... and we all know his keen interest in Rotary as well.
Dugan Moore, sponsored by her close friend Philippe, shows her classification as Theater Investments. Among hobbies/interests are art and traveling.
Sharon Schendel, PhD., sponsored by Katie Nielsen, lists Scientist-Advisor - Graduate Education Specialist as her classification with interests being golf, bowling, cycling and Hardanger embroidery!
Lanh Tran (pronounced ‘Lawn’), sponsored by Peggy Martin has the classification of Banker and lists traveling, foodie, spending time with their dog, going to the beach, hiking, yoga and working out as her special activities ... She’ll be married next month in Hawaii to Bill Nguyen.
Mary Savoy, sponsored by Bob Fuchs, is a registered nurse with the classification of healthcare technology - clinical marketing. She lists cooking, hiking and traveling among her activities with volunteering on medical missions as a special interest.
As Rotary International's West Coast representative for major gifts, Mike Dunlap discussed how gifts to The Rotary Foundation can be made to support Rotary and to benefit individual estate goals.
Ivana Grahovac, Executive Director, Transforming Youth Recovery, talked to the membership about supporting youth recovering from addiction. See her web site for more information or to make a donation. www.transformingyouthrecovery.org
Marlene Gotz presented the Eric Scott Sorensen Service Above Self Award to Torrey Pines High School student Tess Cimino. Tess was accompanied by her parents Jim and Carey Cimino and her brother James. Congratulations!!!!!!
Tess Cimino Recipient of Eric Scott Sorenson Award
Lejla Voloder, Resettlement Program Manager, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego spoke to the membership July 16 about the challenges of being a refugee.
District 5340 Governor Janice Kurth addressed the Rotary Club of Del Mar on how she became a Rotarian and her path to District Governor. She accepted a Rotary luncheon invitation, rather reluctantly, from her neighbor. She instantly realized Rotarians were her kind of people, actively trying to make the world a better place. Her Rotary trip to Africa had a deep impact on her and still with her today. She has made long term friendships. By giving her efforts to humanitarian projects, giving a "gift" to the world, as it were, she always receives a "gift" in return. From the first Rotary luncheon, to becoming District Governor, Janice is "all in" Rotary.
Be a Gift to the World - Rotary International Theme for 2015-16
Rotary Club of Del Mar members attend the 2015 Governor's Award Dinner in force to see Janice Kurth sworn in as our new District Governor.
Seen below is the Pinning Ceremony and Flag Exchange for the new District Governor, Janice Kurth. Then our own Eric Nelte was sworn in by our new District Governor as the President, Rotary Club of Del Mar.
Congratulations Janice and Eric. We wish you the best this coming year!!!!
Rotarians took a break from painting today to officially donate a brand new EKG machine to St. Leo's Medical Clinic. Community Service Chair, Bob Sonnhalter and Klaus Gubernator presented the new device to Kathy Templin.
RYLA participants from Torrey Pines High School : Derek Yee, Hayley Pogue, Jackie Weinrich and senior Parnia Lvafaei visited the Club and talked about their life altering experiences at RYLA.
Kathlyn Mead, President and CEO of the San Diego Foundation discussed the organization and its goals.The mission of The San Diego Foundation is to improve the quality of life in all of our communities by providing leadership for effective philanthropy that builds enduring assets and by promoting community solutions through research, convenings and actions that advance the common good.
Rotary Foundation Chair, John Baranowski awarded Don Fipps his PH+3, Donna Fipps her first Paul Harris and plus 1 and Paul Chunyk was awarded first Paul Harris Fellow.
Miles Fleming was given his club blue badge after completing the requirements for full membership by President Elect Eric Nelte and sponsor Don Johnson.
Rotary Night at Petco Park was April 14, 2015. District 5340 filled a section on the floor level, first base side with enthusiastic Rotarians from various clubs in the district. Several Rotarians were introduced before the game, and the Rotary Flag was hoisted up the flagpole. The Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks. A great time was had by all.
Katie Anderson, Executive Director, Survivors of Torture International
Survivors of Torture, International is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for survivors of politically motivated torture and their families who live in San Diego County.
Since 1997, SURVIVORS has helped survivors to recover from their traumas through a holistic program including medical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, and social services.
SURVIVORS empowers torture survivors to reclaim the strength and vitality that were stolen from them by brutal dictators and governments. The specialized care SURVIVORS provides these vulnerable individuals helps them to become self-sufficient and healthy members of their families and of our community. For more information go to: http://www.notorture.org/
Del Mar Rotarian Dr. Karin Davies Leads Medical Training Team to Ethiopia
On April 2, 2015, Dr. Karin Davies presented Rotary’s efforts in Ethiopia. During a three-week visit to the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences in Gondar, Ethiopia, a five member Vocational Training Team taught local health care providers (including pediatricians, obstetricians, general practitioners, midwives and nurses) to become instructors, and practitioners, of modern neonatal resuscitation methods.
The traditional exchange of Rotary Club flags between the Rotary Club of Del Mar and the Rotary Club of Grozny. Participating is PDG Marty Peters, Host Coordinator, Khava Edilbekovna, President Elect, Rotary Club of Grozny and President Bill Rawlings. The team from the Grozny was sponsored through Rotary International and Open World Leadership Center. They were visiting the area March 27 through April 4th.
Club member Dr. Ed Siegel discussed his passion and experiences in his chosen field of psychiatry. Ed usually serenades the club with his musical talents which is greatly appreciated by the membership.
Project Angkor is an ongoing humanitarian mission serving the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Our mission is to enhance the health of the under-served by providing free health care. Lasting relationships are built with local doctors, nurses, clinics, and hospitals. Free education and training are provided to local health care professionals and students to prepare them for the difficulties of serving in a challenging environment.
Katie Nielsen Rang the Bell with a $100 donation to Rotary International Foundation in honor of her recent selection as Big Sister of the Year by Big Brothers and Sisters. Katie was selected for the recognition at the County and at the State level. She is now under consideration for the recognition at the national level.
Marty Peters hosted the Rotary Club of Del Mar’s Fireside Chat February 24th in Solana Beach. This meeting is to have a discussion with new members about Rotary International and how the club operates. Attending a Fireside Chat is a requirement for obtaining a blue badge. Food, wine, beer and dessert were enjoyed by all.
Club Treasurer Katie Nielsen was named Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Year for San Diego and also for the State of California! From here, she’ll compete with 300 other Big Sisters from other states for the title of Big Sister for the United States. She was interviewed on KUSI News on Sunday morning and related how rewarding this experience has been throughout the 9 years of Saturdays she has spent with young Candra as her Big Sister. Candra has applied to Purdue University for her continuing education – hmm, wonder if that’s because Katie studied there .... Congratulations, Katie, for your wonderful commitment and gift of yourself. This is another exemplary example of Rotary's motto, "service above self".
President Bill oversaw the gifting of some humorous Valentine Day gifts. Victor wasn’t sure if he was going to keep his, or exchange it for another unknown one. Klaus’ Valentine surprise gift was a naughty nurse’s outfit. He opted to keep it! Keep an eye out to see what Dagmar wears to our next event!
Mike Wexler, taxation attorney, received his blue badge as he is a transfer from the Rotary Club of Miramar from Membership Chair Eric Nelte. President Bill was Mike’s sponsor.
Our auctioneer for the Soiree, Steve Hamann, gave our members suggestions of what items are best sellers at either a silent or verbal auction. “Booze” sells the best! San Diego is known for its craft beer industry. “Growlers”, those large amber refillable bottles, are very popular with breweries. They bring the customer back again and again to refill the bottles. Wine is a good seller too. “Opportunity” is a good item that doesn’t cost much to give. If you have season tickets or special access to something, consider putting it up for auction. In conjunction with this idea, hosting a party is great. For example, an auction item could be several sports tickets to include a gourmet tailgate party or a catered dinner at a spectacular location. Steve even mentioned a party at a new surgical suite went for big money. Guests got surgical gown, caps, booties, etc to enhance the event. Try not to spend money for the item you donate as typically it only gets a return of less than 50% at an auction.
San Diego County Sheriff Captain Theresa Adams-Hydar was the program speaker January 29th.She talked about the present law enforcement status of the North County. She has been here one year, tweeking the system here and there. Crime statistics have dropped. She also explained how the new enforcement laws are affecting incarcerations, etc.
Rotary Club of Del Mar had a Social at Samurai Japanese Restaurant in Solana Beach January 27. There were approximately 25 members present. All had a very good time and had some great sushi.
On January 22nd, retired meteorologist and local television personality, John Coleman gave his perspective on climate change and the impact of humans on global warming.
Past District Governor Steve Brown gave his presentation on Rotarians Partnering to Help in Afghanistan during the 7-Way Rotary lunch meeting. For more information visit his web site at http://www.stevebrownrotary.com/
Our speaker January 8th was really a “hands on” woman! Toni Torquato is a Holistic Health Practitioner. She led our group in self massage, concentrating on the eyes, jaw, and neck. Everyone had a great time as we pushed and pulled to muscle relaxation.
Vice President Eric presented Karin Davies with her BLUE badge. Karin has been instrumental in getting a large international grant to train Ethiopians in the care of newborn babies. Peggy Martin received a Rotary pin for bringing in her second member to our club in 2014.
Cindi Phallen provided an overview of the industry of non-profits. She reviewed her book Impact Triangle and her company Create Possibility. http://www.possibility-cp.com/about/
The District Foundation Seminar was held November 22nd in the Great Hall at UCSD. Beginning with an hour of fellowship out on the terrace while enjoying an abundant breakfast buffet, the overflow attendance represented multiple members from all Clubs in our District. During the 3-hour Seminar, project presentations were given and awards were presented to those Clubs who had been active during the year in contributions and in Paul Harris Fellowships. John Baranowski accepted 2 awards given our Rotary Club of Del Mar: one banner represented our 100% participation in EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year – giving to the Rotary Foundation) ... and a banner for our being one of the Clubs contributing more that $1500 to Polio Plus this past year. Janice Kurth told about the Japanese Vocational Training Team experience during their 2 weeks with us in April this year, and Peggy Martin gave a moving presentation on the tremendous impact our Global Grant project in Ethiopia will have on saving lives of thousands of newborns. Attending the seminar were Haylea Minks and Miles Fleming fulfilling one their new member requirements.
Becky Scott was our Program Speaker on December 4th, 2014. Her topic was Personal & Professional Use of Social Media: An Introduction. We learned about social media; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.
Kathy Templin reviewed St. James/St. Leo Medical Program as the program speaker November 20, 2014. Our Rotary Club recently purchased a $7000 digital dental scanner for the dental clinic with a matching grant. She went over the general operation on the clinics and the costs involved. She specifically outlined the costs related to treating diabetes. This medical program is offered to patients with absolutely no charge. Volunteer medical personnel are always in need; especially a urologist, neurologist, psychiatrist and rheumatologist. As we have learned in previous luncheon talks, people can donate “time, talent, and/or treasure”.
spoke to the club about the Court Appointed Special Advocate program called Voices for Children.
Voices for Children transforms the lives of abused children in San Diego County by providing them with volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).
They believe that every child deserves a safe and permanent home, and to that end, will review and monitor every court file in the system, provide a CASA to every child in the foster care system who needs one, and advocate to improve the lives of San Diego County’s foster children. In addition, Voices for Children increases awareness about the foster care system, and advocates for legal policies and practices that enhance the quality of life for foster children. http://www.speakupnow.org/
Program Speakers Novebmer 13 - Voices for Children
Bell Ringers are needed to raise funds for the Salvation Army on December 13th at Ralph's in the Del Mar Heights shopping center. Last year we collected over $1,000. DMRC will cover the morning shifts until 2 pm. Contact Bob Sonnhalhter or Betsy Jones from the Community Service Committee for more information.
Don Fipps “Rang the Bell” and donated $100 to The Rotary Foundation in celebration of his recent promotion at UC San Diego Health System. He went on to challenge all club members to “Ring the Bell” to donate to The Rotary Foundation or the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation for significant celebrations when Happy Bucks do not really cover the celebration like a birth of child, grandchild, graduation, promotion, etc.
Chad Brown, no stranger to the Rotary Club of Del Mar, was re-inducted into the club November 13, 2014 with his girls Ella and Maia by his side. Also pictured are membership chair Eric Nelte, sponsor Mark Matthess and President Bill.
All Turkey Tickets at $10 each have been sold raising $1,000. Turkey Tickets feeds 4 people for 4 days - either Thanksgiving or Christmas. All families are local, low-income working families who are pre-qualified (using Federal income rating). Betsy Jones
The world has different levels of poverty. Deepa Willingham (pictured on the left) explained the differences and focused on the lowest level of extreme poverty. Education, especially of the world's women, would be a stepping stone to reducing the lower levels of poverty. Kristine Pedersen (shown at right) showed us photos of the Piyali Learning Center in Kolkata, India. It is focused on the education of girls as a way to increase standards of living.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar was pleased to present Monty Woolley his Paul Harris Fellow +3, and to Ken Paulovich his Paul Harris Fellow +5. John Baranowski presented the pins.
Our newest member Miles Fleming was inducted into the Rotary Club of Del Mar November 6. Miles is an insurance associate with Waddell & Reed, Inc., his classification will be Financial Services - Long-term Care.
For those who have St. Peters parking passes, please check the date. Some of you have new ones that go thru 2015. If your pass is from 2013-2014, please see Mark Matthess who will give you a new one. Don't throw your old one away as the new one will adhere over the old date. We won't be back to St. Peters for awhile so there is plenty of time to get your new pass.
Sergeant of Arms Mark Matthess has changed the format of the opportunity drawings. The jackpot will be $1000 each week!!!!! Depending how the wind is blowing...Mark will decide to put more than one joker in the deck. The odds are only better than before!! Be sure to buy lots of tickets when you check in, for your chance at the $1000.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar held its Ethical Business Award luncheon on October 30, 2014, at the Del Mar Racetrack in the Turf Club Equus Room. More than 120 participants enjoyed live music, a superb lunch and video presentation. The speakers included club member John Sorensen, Sheryl Reichert of the Better Business Bureau, and the keynote speaker was County Supervisor Dave Roberts. The grand recipient of the EBA was Hammer Prep. Andrew Hemmerich was given a beautiful balance beam scale trophy.
Marty Peters was recognized for his donation of 2 Paul Harris Fellows in the name of his granddaughter, Devyn Cardiff McHugh. October 16, 2014. According to Marty, this is why it is great to donate money to Rotary International; the internal rate of return is 400 to 500% and the infinite rate of return is Global and never ending.
Here are pictures of club member Kira Rubel and her new baby girl Dylan Shae Sanders. Kira asked me to let everyone know she and the baby are in perfect health and doing great!
Rotary Club of Del Mar and Host Partner Rotary Club of Gronzny, Chechnya, Russia along with the Women's Resource Center, Laram, Grozny, Chechnya, Russia spent $2,000 January 7, 2014 to January 9, 2014 purchasing basic living necessities such as winter coats and shoes.
Our own Rotary Club of Del Mar member Haylea Minks presented an outstanding overview of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), otherwise known as Obamacare, a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
Haylea is a broker for Health Savings Associates Insurance Services, Inc. She discussed the insurance options for individuals, small and large business along with tax implications and impact.
Contact Haylea at halea@thehsateam.com or 858.461.5113.
Autism spectrum disorder was explained by author and autism expert Chantal Sicile-Kira on September 25th. For more information on autism and the author see her web site at http://autismcollege.com/ Her son Jeremy's paintings can be seen at www.jeremysvision.com. He is able to translate the emotions of people into colorful portraits.
On September 21, 2014, the club conducted a Community Service Project to collect litter on the Del Mar beach. Many club members turned out for the "hands on service project." President Bill Rawlings showing good form while looking for litter. Click on the article title to see more photos.
Program Speaker, Bill Protzmann was able to get the club membership to stand and play kazoos during the club's meeting September 11th. Bill is a man on a mission: to raise awareness of the power of music as self care. Check out his web site at www.musiccare.net
Please see the article in Del Mar Times cover the restoration of the Rotary Town Clock. Please join us on Thursdays. For more information, contact Marty Peters at 858-755-0201.
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Rotary District 5340 Governor Marilyn Sanderson awarded Paul Harris Fellow recognitions to 3 outstanding professional women who are giving selflessly of their time and talents to bring success and purpose to the Club’s Global Grant ‘Saving Babies’ Lives’ in Ethiopia. Each continues to travel to Ethiopia on training trips and engages in the work-intensive program designed to train the medical personnel at Gondar University Hospital in the life-saving techniques of neonatal resuscitation and essential care of the newborn. These Paul Harris Fellow awards are Rotary’s way of acknowledging and saying thank you for “Service beyond Self” demonstrated by each of the ladies: Elisa Imonti, Kathy Johnson and Carole Leland.
Five Rotary Club of Del Mar Rotarians joined a hundred other District 5340 Rotarians assembling food packages for Feeding American. The Del Mar group gleaned 1,400 lbs. of pears in 2 hours.
President Tom Ryan awarded Carly Auerbach, a senior from Torrey Pines High School, a $4,000 college scholarship. She will attend in the fall Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a honors business major.
Past District Governor, Janice Kurth, reviewed her past year as Rotary District 5340 Governor. She chronicled the time from being nominated in 2012 to finishing her year June 30th. She reminisced visiting over 60 District clubs and experiencing all of the different locations, projects and enthusiast Rotarians. Janice answered questions from club members. Everyone found her experience every interesting. 
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Lejla Voloder, Resettlement Program Manager, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego spoke to the membership July 16 about the challenges of being a refugee.
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Rotarians took a break from painting today to officially donate a brand new EKG machine to St. Leo's Medical Clinic. Community Service Chair, Bob Sonnhalter and Klaus Gubernator presented the new device to Kathy Templin.
Katie Anderson, Executive Director, Survivors of Torture International
under-served by providing free health care. Lasting relationships are built with local doctors, nurses, clinics, and hospitals. Free education and training are provided to local health care professionals and students to prepare them for the difficulties of serving in a challenging environment.
Club Treasurer Katie Nielsen was named Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Year for San Diego and also for the State of California! From here, she’ll compete with 300 other Big Sisters from other states for the title of Big Sister for the United States. She was interviewed on KUSI News on Sunday morning and related how rewarding this experience has been throughout the 9 years of Saturdays she has spent with young Candra as her Big Sister. Candra has applied to Purdue University for her continuing education – hmm, wonder if that’s because Katie studied there .... Congratulations, Katie, for your wonderful commitment and gift of yourself. This is another exemplary example of Rotary's motto, "service above self".
Rotary International Chair John Baranowski presents John Matthews his Paul Harris Fellow plus 3 recognition. 
Kathy Templin reviewed St. James/St. Leo Medical Program as the program speaker November 20, 2014. Our Rotary Club recently purchased a $7000 digital dental scanner for the dental clinic with a matching grant. She went over the general operation on the clinics and the costs involved. She specifically outlined the costs related to treating diabetes. This medical program is offered to patients with absolutely no charge. Volunteer medical personnel are always in need; especially a urologist, neurologist, psychiatrist and rheumatologist. As we have learned in previous luncheon talks, people can donate “time, talent, and/or treasure”. 
Peggy Martin received a Special Recognition for her membership efforts from Eric Nelte and club president Bill Rawlings. 
Don Fipps “Rang the Bell” and donated $100 to The Rotary Foundation in celebration of his recent promotion at UC San Diego Health System. He went on to challenge all club members to “Ring the Bell” to donate to The Rotary Foundation or the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation for significant celebrations when Happy Bucks do not really cover the celebration like a birth of child, grandchild, graduation, promotion, etc.
Chad Brown, no stranger to the Rotary Club of Del Mar, was re-inducted into the club November 13, 2014 with his girls Ella and Maia by his side. Also pictured are membership chair Eric Nelte, sponsor Mark Matthess and President Bill. 
he world has different levels of poverty. Deepa Willingham 
(pictured on the left) explained the differences and focused on the lowest level of extreme poverty. Education, especially of the world's women, would be a stepping stone to reducing the lower levels of poverty. Kristine Pedersen (shown at right) showed us photos of the Piyali Learning Center in Kolkata, India. It is focused on the education of girls as a way to increase standards of living. 
Our newest member Miles Fleming was inducted into the Rotary Club of Del Mar November 6. Miles is an insurance associate with Waddell & Reed, Inc., his classification will be Financial Services - Long-term Care.
For those who have St. Peters parking passes, please check the date. Some of you have new ones that go thru 2015. If your pass is from 2013-2014, please see Mark Matthess who will give you a new one. Don't throw your old one away as the new one will adhere over the old date. We won't be back to St. Peters for awhile so there is plenty of time to get your new pass.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar held its Ethical Business Award luncheon on October 30, 2014, at the Del Mar Racetrack in the Turf Club Equus Room. More than 120 participants enjoyed live music, a superb lunch and video presentation. The speakers included club member John Sorensen, Sheryl Reichert of the Better Business Bureau, and the keynote speaker was County Supervisor Dave Roberts. The grand recipient of the EBA was Hammer Prep. Andrew Hemmerich was given a beautiful balance beam scale trophy. 
with Sergeant of Arms Mark Matthess and President Bill Rawlings.
Kira asked me to let everyone know she and the baby are in perfect health and doing great!
along with the Women's Resource Center, Laram, Grozny, Chechnya, Russia s
Nina.
overview of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), otherwise known as Obamacare, a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
Autism spectrum disorder was explained by author and autism expert Chantal Sicile-Kira on September 25th. For more information on autism and the author see her web site at 
