This coming Wednesday, November 4th, at the PV Golf Club we will host our Club's Signature Event, EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR. There is no charge for a member. Guest, spouses, etc. are $40.
Jim Hartman polled all members who were present at the meeting last Friday (October 23rd) and turned that list into Julia Parton. It is a sit down dinner, so we need an accurate head count. If you have not registered or have doubts, you should contact Julia by this Friday, October 30th. The event begins at 5:45PM for social time and dinner is served at 6:30PM.
If you would like to assist with set-up or clean-up, please contact Joan Behrens.
There has been a change in the date for the holiday party this year. Please mark your calendar for December 17, 2015 at the PVGC rather than December 12th. It's a Thursday night rather than a Saturday night but I know you all will be able to handle it!
If you have not already take a moment to meet Lauren Spiglanin, John Eberhard, Stacey Dubowitch please take a moment to introduce yourself. Each of the three has applied for membership. Please submit any comments or questions to Eileen Hupp.
It was a pleasure for all to be Rotarily greeted by Marc Mazorow. If you haven’t been a greeter lately, find out how you can experience the privilege too!
With what appeared to be a fully attended Friday noon meeting in the annex room, Jim Hartman provided us with an invocation with great spirit, while Inga Liden, celebrating her 2nd anniversary of citizenship of our boundless nation, led us in the flag salute, which was then followed by Gary Tossell’s favorite song, but with updated lyrics, My Country ‘Tis of Thee.
After enjoying some delicious lunch, Kelly Curtis Intagliata did an awesome job introducing our Rotarian guests, including Past District Governor Pat Cushin and David Whitehead, both members of Redondo Beach Rotary. With the accompaniment of Juliett DeMoss on Piano, Keith Deisenroth led the PVP Rotarians in the infamous Welcome Song. All prospective members then got up and left, never to be seen again.
President Les Fishman reported on the District Breakfast, where there was a tableful of PVP Rotarians, and where Mary Jane Schoenheider was awarded for bringing in a new member, although MJ’s comment was, “I don’t think that’s right.” It shall remain a mystery. Les also made a plea that all new members and their sponsors attend the February 11th District Breakfast.
Jim and Joan then announced that 11 schools, including St John Fisher this year, have provided wonderful educators to be honored, congratulated and thanked at the Educator of the Year ceremony on November 4th.
Speaking first about the Rotary Beer and Wine Festival, Inga invited members to join her and members from the Redondo and South Bay clubs to join the Wine selection committee. Could there ever be a better committee to serve on? She also gave homage to the Myanmar Water Project which has produced 42 wells in locations with extremely restricted water resources. With her diverse life, Inga spoke about her involvement with the Peninsula Symphony.
Winners of the wine were H U Moon and guest David Whitehead. Craft talks given by Sacha Ohara and Marc Mazorow. They both gave intriguing insights into their lives. Here are a few highlights. I’ll bullet point them so you can easily remember and slip them in during your next conversation.
Sacha Ohara
Born at Kaiser in Harbor City
Dad is So Cal surfer dude and Mother is from Alsace, France. They met at the Thrifty on PCH & Crenshaw (where you could buy a .05 ice cream cone.)
She enrolled in ballet, tap and Jazz classes at age 6 and quickly realized Disco, scratch that, Ballet was for her.
She is about to perform in her 35th Nutcracker.
After stints at Harbor College and UC San Diego and graduated from UC Irvine as Dance major.
Received her teaching credential after a 4 hour test instead of a 2 year extension in school
Taught English and Dance at North High in Torrance for 2 years, then “followed a boy” to Northern Cal and taught at Mt Diablo HS in Concord for another 2 years, then 2 years at Peninsula High followed by 2 years at the new PV High.
Had worked summers and vacations at Malaga Bank before and after college and when she felt her time was up in the teaching profession, she reconnected with Malaga Bank and after 8 years currently is Senior Vice President in charge of Retail Banking
Met Michael (Mikey) at a wine bar and married in 2010 on the island of Kauai. The wedding officiant was the proprietor of the wine bar. That’s one bartender to whom you better not say, “I’ll have another”
Had daughter Kailani Amaya in 2013, Sacha’s “most amazing accomplishment.”
Marc Mazorow
Opened with originally wondering what he was going to talk about because he’s really not that into “Crafts.”
Age 58, born in Cleveland and has a brother 1 year younger.
Moved to California at age 4 and age at 6 his parents divorced, always a difficult thing for a kid
Moved to Huntington Beach in 7th grade and not long after moved back to Ohio, where he surprisingly enjoyed his time there in Cincinnati. Recently went to 40th HS reunion and had a great time with old friends who also graduated in the top 75th percentile of his class.
Attended Cal State LA and then taught at Poly High for 2 years in early 80’s
Father was a contractor and they worked together for 7 years
Decided it was time for a new direction, and with the encouragement of his father, went to Whittier College to earn a law degree.
Advice: work for someone else for 5 years, then with the knowledge and many mistakes to learn from, go out on your own.
Worked in litigation downtown for 7 years then decided to start fresh, and with some sacrifice, started his own firm in Torrance.
17 years later he is happy doing what he’s doing, helping people with their estate planning, trusts, conservatorships and the like
“Looks forward to going to work every day” That’s a true success story.
