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Community Outreach
Attending Rotarians delighted in the glorious sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures as we gathered for what would be an opportunity to reflect, update our calendars and learn more about one of the treasured resources in our community—the Salvation Army.
We were greeted by newer members Dora de la Rosa and Marcie Guttierez, followed by President Suzy Zimmerman calling the meeting to order at 12:20 pm. Bruce Attig offered a thoughtful invocation, and Jim Morgan led us in the flag salute. Paul Rubicam bravely selected a patriotic song that honored bravery—The Star Spangled Banner—which was carried off quite well by the group.
Keith Deisenroth had the pleasure of introducing our guests, which notably included a contingent of visitors from the San Pedro Rotary Club. Rica Vola introduced several of her Club members present, and extended a warm invitation for our Club Members to attend any of their upcoming meetings of our choosing. The San Pedro Club meets on Thursday mornings at 7:15 am. Other visitors treated to our infamous Welcome Song as led by Julia Parton included Tim Foley’s wife Cindy.
President Suzy came prepared to share quite a list of acknowledgements and calendar alerts. Apparently there was no shortage of trash talk last weekend, as we learned that Paul Rubicam’s Crenshaw Pick-Up weekend was wildly successful and generated tons of litter. Rotary volunteers that day were pleasantly surprised to recover antique jewelry, mistakenly discarded winning lottery tickets and gold coins—among the usual rusty beer cans and things best left unmentioned (just kidding!).
Next, Suzy reminded us that the annual directory delivery event is coming up for those interested in volunteering, and the Sunset Rotary is organizing a Chinese New Year celebration. Also, April 12 is designated as the Rotary Day of Service, and Suzy asks us to come forward with ideas and suggestions to identify a worthy project that we can work on in conjunction with another club or public agency. Please mark your calendars for the District Conference in Indian Wells set for May 15 through 18 this year.
Next, Phyllis Pelezzare stepped forward to share a heartfelt letter of thanks from Harbor Interfaith Board of Directors for our Club’s donations of food and toy distribution over the holidays. An estimated 18,000 homeless and other underprivileged people were served. Thank you, Phyllis, for bringing such a rewarding opportunity for us to give back to the community!
 
Allan Colman brought us up to date on Foundation developments. Programs coming up include our Club’s sponsorship of a production of Shrek by the children’s group at the Norris Theater—Megan Lyne, Director of Services. Also, we will be congratulating our $3,000 scholarship recipient—a student at Marymount California University and her Marymount Vice President of Development Brenda Solomon.
 
Thanks to the efforts of Bob Gulcher a few weeks ago, our Rotary members were advised on their status of achieving the Paul Harris Fellow designation. As a result of the encouragement, we welcomed three more of our members into the honorary status: Steve Day, Hal Lazar and Alan Bond completed their contribution levels.
And we cannot forget the Three Amigos! Greg O’Brien, Greg Sparkman and Keith Deisenroth stepped forward to reveal the top choices for Rotary excursions as voted by our members. Members were most enthusiastic about a trip to Catalina with supper at the Blue Water Grill; followed by an evening of entertainment at the Hollywood Bowl; a journey on the Wine Train through the tasting rooms of Santa Barbara, and a magical evening at the Magic Castle. Can’t wait!
Our speaker program featured Tim Foley and his wife Cindy, who are amazingly dedicated training officers of the Salvation Army, Western Region. Their introductory remarks about SA officer uniforms giving them the appearance of an airline pilot or doorman added levity to what quickly became apparent—that the Salvation Army is a most impressive group of trained professionals first organized in the mid-1800’s to assist in time of need.
Tim Foley has been in service since 1978 and has his Master’s Degree in Theology, while currently pursuing a doctorate degree. He was first exposed to the SA in his early days as a trained actor! Tim and Cindy explained that the Salvation Army can be counted on to respond to disasters throughout the world, and they shared a riveting story about the 2004 tsunami in southern India—where today you can find a monument to the heroic joint efforts of Rotary and Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army administers to the dying, and the organization has helped in missing persons searches—for a total of approximately 209,000 searches. The SA provides substance abuse recovery programs (we learned where the expression “on the wagon” came from) and our donations of cash and furniture/clothing go to support the Adult Rehab Center in Long Beach.
All these contributions are made by the thousands of dedicated individuals that make up the Salvation Army in devoted service to God.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm.
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Live From Italy: Its Was Wednesday Night Live
It was Wed Night Live at Restaurant Avenue Italia at The Golden Cove - live it was!
Rotarians, spouses, friends and potential Rotarians met for a couple of hours to talk, eat and drink together.
The Hors D's were delicious, generous and equalled a light supper and wine and water never stopped being poured. The enclosed patio was festive and just right for cosy temperature on this slightly chilly January evening.
Since a picture tells more than a hundred words I have chosen a few photos from this active, interactive gathering. I thought of adding captions to each person, but I decided you can actually read the faces and hear the captions. 
PVP Rotary Club has an exceptional high level of genuine friendship and I believe that in itself is a source of energy - and possibilities. This deep friendliness includes spouses, families and friends and it was reflected in the many engaging talks during Wed Night Live.
Since I had the privilege and duty to be the reporter of the night I asked questions and learnt there were no scandals or bad news. When eavesdropping I heard hot conversations about what Rotarians can do internationally and locally. At the end of March the news of the next territory for global activities will be revealed and for local community work, we might want to do another Crenshaw before it is needed, because we had such fun doing it on Jan 11. 
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Education the Excites
Guest:
Dick Moe – Norris Theater
John Jacks – Restaurants
Welcome song: Chris Stillians
Announcements:
Suzie Zimmerman:

Harmony concert will be in the late afternoon April 27, 2014. See Jim Morgan if you would like a business card ad in the directory.
 
Thank you to Liz and Dan Fitzgerald for hosting the first co-ed poker event last month.
 
Thank you to Carolyn Lehr for hosting the Avenue Italy Wednesday Night Live and for sponsoring the beverages.
 
Wednesday Night Live for March will be held at Martin Chevrolet.
 
2/8 will be Palos Verdes Directory delivery. Volunteers are still needed.
 
2/22 Sunset Club’s 16th Annual Chinese New Year Gala. The gala will be held at Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. There will be a 10 course dinner and entertainment. A chartered bus leaves at 4 pm from Norris Theater/Cox parking lot and returns around 9 pm. For information contact Angi Ma Wong at (310) 541-8818 or amawong@att.net or co-chair Astrid Naviaux at (310) 292-0457 or astrid@aol.com (Information taken from internet).
4/12: Rotary Day of Service: We will join the Sunset Club and San Pedro Rotary to make improvements to the 15th Street Elementary School in San Pedro.
 
5/15 – 5/18: District conference.
 
5/10: District Assembly.
 
Raffle: Christine Barnicki donated 2 tickets to The 39th Step being performed at the Norris Theater.
 
Winners: Les Fishman, Dick Moe, Jim Morgan.
 
Jim Hartman introduced the speaker.
 
Greg O’brien announced that Myanmar and Vietnam could soon have Rotary charters.
 
Speaker 1:
Marymount California University
Brenda Solomon
Marymount is now a 4 year university
Scholarship winner: Ebony Perry
Ebony came up through Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club’s College Bound program and went to Mary Star High School.
Community service is required at Marymount University
This year they have 450 freshmen.
Ebony thanked Rotary. She said she is very grateful for the support.
Speaker 2:
Megan Lyne
Masters from CSULB – Opera
Director of Education – Norris Theater
  • Musical Director
  • Youth and adult
  • Produced Godspell
  • Produced Annie
  • Produced 42nd Street
Teaches artists for Los Angeles Opera
From the Midwest
Parents music teachers
Mom- Country Day School teacher. In Wisconsin she taught inner city schools. Music teacher.
Dad – Coral director. Masters classes and St. Petersburg Conservatory
Megan taught voice but had passion for musical theater.
Norris Theater:
  • Founded Sept. 1983
  • 1997 – Norris Education Department formed so children could learn performing arts.
  • Negri Learning Center
  • Served kids 5 -18
  • Became leader in the area.
  • Students range in age from 5 – 83
  • At 3, children can start taking beginning dance and performance classes.
  • 120 classes each year; 3 terms.
  • Dance, acting and voice
  • Acrobat and tumbling classes will be added soon.
  • 3 summer camps – Camp Curtain Call
  • Professional Master class.
  • 4 Performing groups:
    • 1st Class Act;
    • Headliners;
    • Time Square Kids;
    • Stage One Stars.
  • New full-time center for education – 27525 Norris Center Drive.
  • Shrek – February 21 – March 2, 2014
  • Average age of performers 12.5
  • Make up done by Disney
  • 2nd most expensive show. 1st was Spiderman.
  • Singing in the Rain: July 18 – 20 and July 25-27
  • Charlotte’s Web: August 15 -17
  • Talk back 3/1 at 3:45pm
    • Come ask questions of cast members.
  • Performing Groups:
    • Stage 1 Stars: Age 6+ non-audition group;
    • Time Square Kids: Elementary age kids;
    • Headliners: Middle school and high school;
    • First Class Act: High shool.
  • Community performances:
    • Adia: Homes for the elderly. Group sang at 6 different homes.
  • Financial assistance for children programs plus grants and other funding.
  • Ready, Willing and Able (RWA):
    • Dance training for students with special needs;
    • Performance training for students with special needs;
    • Helps students prepare to participate in social dances;
    • 4 – 5 pm  Monday;
    • Peer mentors from local high schools;
    • Family fitness program;
    • Jazzy tappers.
  • Sponsor Rancho Vista Roadrunners
    • School board cut funding for the arts;
    • 500 students
    • Teach music and performing arts.
  • Norris relies on sponsorship and gifts.
Handed out posters for Shrek to be placed in community.
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Speakers
Jun 06, 2014
 
Jun 13, 2014
 
Jun 14, 2014
 
Jun 20, 2014
 
Jun 27, 2014
 
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Suzy Zimmerman Demotion Party
In Invitation
Jun 14, 2014 <br /> 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Greg Sparkman
June 15
 
James Hartman
June 21
 
Greg O'Brien
June 22
 
Paul Rubincam
June 24
 
Spouse Birthdays
Kix
June 2
 
Anniversaries
David Rowe
Carole Rowe
June 13
 
Susan Seamans
Dick
June 13
 
Tim Foley
Cindy Foley
June 15
 
John Schuricht
Kix
June 24
 
Robert Johnson
Gail
June 29
 
Join Date
Tim Foley
June 3, 2011
3 years
 
Hang Up Moon
June 7, 2008
6 years
 
Derald Sidler
June 15, 2009
5 years
 
Bulletin Editor
Inga Liden