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2019 Chili and Quakers Challenge

October 12, 2019

Noon to 4 PM

Powerhouse Del Mar

Ducky Derby for Prizes

Chili Cook-off

For information, to buy ducks, wine & beer and chili tastes

Click Here

Download the Chili Cook-off Entry Form Here!!!

Summer Delight at Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito Youth of the Year Celebration

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 18, 2019

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.

Partner with Rotary E-Club of San Diego Global to Support Guatemalan Girls

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 18, 2019

IDM technical high school team in Guatemala

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.

Day at the Races

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 18, 2019

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.

Diplomatic Security Service: Uncle Sam's Swiss Army Knife

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

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.

August Club Social at Shimbashi Izakaya

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

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.

District 5340 Membership Seminar

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

Learning about membership best practices at the membership seminar (Photo credit: Rotary Club Chula Vista Eastlake)

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.

Community Service Committee Update

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

In the recent club satisfaction survey, members expressed a desire to undertake more community service projects. New Community Service Committee Chair Tony Villasenor will do his best to help fulfill that desire. In addition to our continued involvement with the CRC Holiday Baskets, San Diego Blood Bank blood drives, Rotarian at Work projects at the San Dieguito River Park and Nativity Prep Academy, supporting the Del Mar Lifeguard surf rescue team, and the holiday party at the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito La Colonia Branch, we’ll explore new options such as volunteering with the Casa de Amistad academic programs, the Del Mar Art Center Gallery (newly located on the Coast Highway at 11^th street), and partnering with the Del Mar Foundation to serve at their community events.

Welcome Guests

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

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.

Happy Dollars

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 11, 2019

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.

Canine Companions for Independence Golf Invitational

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 04, 2019

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.

Welcome Back to Katie Nielsen

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 04, 2019

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.

Rotarian of the Month for June: Philippe Lamoise

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 04, 2019

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!

Alan Mindell- Claiming Victories at the Track

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Aug 04, 2019

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!

Welcome Guests

Beth Westburg, Vickie and Thea Barks

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- Bob and 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.

Switchfoot Bro-Am

Del Mar Rotarians were on hand to volunteer at the 15^th annual Switchfoot Bro-Am beach fest- an event attended by over 15,000 people who come to Del Mar to enjoy a day of surf, food, and live music. Switch Food Bro-Am raises funds to support several local organizations, including: A Step Beyond, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Feeding San Diego, Rob Machado Foundation, Stand Up for Kids, VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

Demotion Party

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.

Passing the Presidency

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.

Del Mar Community Connections Connects with SDG&E Energy Efficiency Program

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.

Club Banner Displays

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.

Rookie of the Year: Ryan Riell

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.

Libraries Are Our Future

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Jun 17, 2019

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!

Rotarian of the Year: Karin Davies

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Jun 17, 2019

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.

Increasing the Stability of the Del Mar Bluffs

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 4^th 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.

Ella Chambers Awarded Rotary Club of Del Mar Scholarship

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Jun 10, 2019

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.

Rotarian of the Month: Val Myers

Posted by Sharon Schendel on Jun 10, 2019

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.

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