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What’s Rotary?

We’re a leadership organization of local business, professional and civic leaders.

We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and through that, we’re able to get things done in this community.

Children’s Christmas Party at La Colonia Branch of Boys & Girls Club San Dieguito

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 16, 2018

Lots of soccer balls got pumped up

Kathy Reed's decorated pine cone station

Patti Kurtz helps with the fused bead ornaments

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.

Holiday Party 2018

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 16, 2018

The party filled Parish Hall

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.

CRC Holiday Basket Packing

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 16, 2018

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.

Welcome Guests

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 16, 2018

Yasser Tahboub with Monty Woolley

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.

Rotarian of the Day: Karl Wagner

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.

Taking Action to Help Stop Child Abuse

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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.

Community Resource Center Holiday Baskets December 11

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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.

La Colonia Children's Christmas Party DATE CHANGE

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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 email Klaus Gubernator to volunteer.

Save a Life- Give Blood December 6 at the Del Mar Civic Center

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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 10^th and 11^th streets. If that time doesn’t work for you, visit the Blood Bank’s website to schedule a donation appointment.

Rotarian of the Day: Kathy Reed

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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.

Welcome Guests

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Dec 02, 2018

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.

Dan Blacker- Trainer of Winning Thoroughbreds

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 18, 2018

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.

Rotarian of the Day: Ryan Riell

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 18, 2018

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.

Holiday Poinsettias to Benefit Encinitas YMCA

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 18, 2018

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.

An Ambitious Climate Action Plan for Del Mar

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 10, 2018

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 9^th and 15^th 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.

November Social at Americana

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 10, 2018

Gathering on the patio outside Americana

Philippe Lamoise and Scott MacDonald

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.

Rotarian of the Day: Joel Candib

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 10, 2018

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 signed on with New York Life where he specializes in life insurance, and long-term care policies. Joel said that he is very excited to be a member of the club, and we’re delighted to have him!

Interfaith Shelter at St. Peter's December 9-23

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 10, 2018

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 32^nd 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.

Del Mar Foundation Creates Community Connections

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 03, 2018

Bob Gans, Del Mar Foundation Board President

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.

Rose Parade Rotary Float

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Nov 03, 2018

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.

Rotarian of the Day: Bob Sonnhalter

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!

Plans for Del Mar Resort

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.

Chili & Quackers a Quacking Success

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.

Congratulations to New Member Joel Candib

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.

Rotarian of the Day: Karin Davies

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!

The Rotary Club of Del Mar is a registered 501c4 non-profit organization.