President's Message

Sharon Schendel

I'm honored to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Del Mar. For most of my life, I was content to be in the background, taking direction from others. The people of the Rotary Club of Del Mar and the projects they spearhead inspired me to take a leadership role. This is a special year for Rotarians: Jennifer Jones is the first woman to be President of Rotary International. She chose "Imagine Rotary" as her theme and challenged members to dream big and work together to make dreams into reality.  Every day, members of Rotary Club of Del Mar imagine how they might make the world a better place. Please take a moment to watch this video to see how our club's projects are helping enhance our own community, and communities around the world. 
Come join us!
 
 
 
 

What’s Rotary?
 
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.
Club Stories
Book Club Reading “Being Heumann” June 6
Posted on Apr 08, 2023
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.  
Back to the Bench
Posted on Jun 03, 2023
Suzy Wagner working on the latest round of bench care
 

Our new club motto could be: we sand and stain anything! Bill Rawlings is leading the effort for our latest round of Del Mar village bench refurbishment. Bill will lead teams starting Thursday June 8 at 8:30 AM. We need about 4-5 people each week. Meet at the Rotary Clock on the west corner of 15th and Camino Del Mar (across from the Del Mar Plaza, near L’Auberge) and wear your Rotary at Work shirts.

Demotion Party Sunday June 25
Posted on Jun 03, 2023

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). Email Suzy Wagner with any questions. 

Governor's Dinner Monday June 26
Posted on Jun 03, 2023
Scenes from the 2022 Governor's Dinner
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.
 
 
Suggest a Speaker
Posted on Jun 03, 2023
 
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. 
Supporting Young Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Posted on Jun 04, 2023
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 award at 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.  
Skating, Playing, Belonging
Posted on Jun 04, 2023
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.     
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute Field Trip
Posted on Jun 03, 2023
 

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.  

Chili & Quackers Rough Seas
Posted on May 21, 2023
 
 
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, Jayden Schaffer, 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.    
Club Social: Koi Zen Cellars
 
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.
Nativity Prep Academy Rotary at Work Day
Posted on May 08, 2023
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.
 
Millennium Falcons Fly at National Competition
Posted on May 08, 2023
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.
 
Paul Harris Plus!
Posted on May 08, 2023
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.
Area 4 7-Way Meeting
 
Posted on Apr 23, 2023
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. 
Workshop for Warriors Spring Graduation
 
Posted on Apr 23, 2023
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.
Woman of Distinction
Posted on Apr 23, 2023
Janice and Matt Kurth at Salvation Army Women of Distinction event (photo credit: Luis Carranza)
 
Congratulations to Janice Hall Kurth for being recognized as one of the Salvation Army San Diego Women of Dedication for 2023. Janice is a past president and was Rotary District 5340 District 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.
RYLA Returns
Posted on Apr 23, 2023
Naval Academy painting their family flag
 
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. 
Visit from Rotary Club of Tirupur
 
Posted on Apr 23, 2023
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.  
Model United Nations Debates Hunger and Space
Posted on Apr 08, 2023
 
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 HERE to watch a video of scenes from the day.
 
Trauma Intervention Program: Preventing the “Second Injury”
Posted on Apr 08, 2023
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.
Granting Wishes Growing Hope
Posted on Apr 08, 2023
 
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.  
Buzzing at Beeside
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.
Guatemala Literacy Project Gives the Gift of Education
 
Posted on Mar 26, 2023
 
Philippe and Dugan Lamoise, as well as Bill and Mary Rawlings joined other Rotarians on a service trip in early February to Guatemala to visit schools and students helped by the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP). The group saw elementary, middle and high schools that receive services from the three main GLP projects:  Spark reading program (K-6th grade); Computer Centers Program (7th and 8th grade) and Rise Youth Development (7th through high school). Group members also enjoyed to Antigua and other areas of interest in Guatemala. Click HERE to see a video with some photos of the trip. 
 
Write Out Loud Fulfills the Need to Hear Stories
 
Posted on Mar 26, 2023
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.
District Training Assembly
Posted on Mar 26, 2023
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.
Red Badge Conversions
Posted on Mar 26, 2023
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.
Ramping Up Reading With the San Diego Council on Literacy
 
Posted on Mar 19, 2023
 
 
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. 
Welcome New Member: Richa Garg
Posted on Mar 19, 2023
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.
Badge Conversion: Clay Sheffrey
Posted on Mar 19, 2023
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.  
Disaster Relief USA:  Rebuilding with Rotary
 
Posted on Mar 18, 2023
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.  
Visiting San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club
 
Posted on Mar 17, 2023
Visiting San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club (l to r): Susan Hennenfent (President Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club), Maryzella Jimenez de Juarez-Uribe (President, San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club), Patricia Velásquez (President-Elect, San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club), Maria Fernanda Torres Garcia (President, Rotary Club of San Diego Coastal)
 
Assistant District Governor (and District 5340 Governor Nominee Designate) Luis Carranza encourages all the Area 4 presidents to visit other clubs. On March 2, many of the Area 4 presidents attended our meeting, and on March 8, Sharon Schendel and Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club president Susan Hennenfent took the trolley downtown to repay the favor for San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club. At just over 4 years-old, this club is the newest in District 5340. In 2022 they earned the award for best small club in the district. At the meeting, Rodulfo Figueroa of the Tijuana Boys & Girls Club presented on the challenges they face after the government of Mexico stopped all funding to non-profit organizations. With that decision, BGC Tijuana lost one-third of its funding and must serve fewer children. They expressed their gratitude to our club for our support of BGC Tijuana. 
Honor Flight San Diego
Posted on Mar 05, 2023
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.
Pacifica Del Mar Lunch Pre-Orders and Parking
 
Posted on Mar 05, 2023
 
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. 
Three More Gallons for San Diego Blood Bank
 
Posted on Mar 05, 2023
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.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is a registered 501c4 non-profit organization.

Weekly Meeting

Thursdays

12:00 Noon

At Pacifica Del Mar, Del Mar Plaza, 

Del Mar

Speakers
(Click on the Speaker for More Information)
Fred Salas, Live Like Jack Foundation
Jun 08, 2023
Live Like Jack Foundation
David Rivera, Cristo Rey High School
Jun 15, 2023
Cristo Rey High School
John Conover, Tidelines
Jun 22, 2023
Beach Erosion/Replacement
Khea Pollard, Jewish Family Services
Jul 13, 2023
Guaranteed Income
Steve Weitzen
Jul 27, 2023
Human Trafficking
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Upcoming Events
Club Executives, Directors & Committee Chairs
President
Sharon Schendel
President Elect
Matt Kurth
Past President
Susan Wagner
Vice President
Toni Mecaro
Secretary
Donna Fipps
Treasurer
Kathleen Reed
Director, International Service
Patti Kurtz
Director, Youth Service
Chris Stewart
Director, Membership
Dee House
Director, Program
Beth Westburg
Director, Sergeant-at-Arms
Jim Davies
Director
Bill Rawlings
Chair, Foundation (TRF)
Janice Kurth
Click to Donate to The Rotary Foundation
 
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Rotary Service Committee Meetings are held at 11:15 am every month:

1st Thursday: Youth Service
2nd Thursday: International Service
3rd Thursday: Community Service
4th Thursday: Vocational Service

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