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.
David Adishian, Chairman of the PVP Chamber of Commerce, opened the Forum. Colors were presented by the PVE Police Department Color Guard. Leading us in the flag salute was Teresa Scott the reigning Queen of the Hill. Our own Eileen Hupp, President and CEO of the Chamber, welcomed everyone and introduced all the distinguished guest. Amongst those was our own President, Les Fishman. Our own Julia Parton coordinated with PVGC for meal count. Premier Bank of Palos Verdes was a GOLD level Sponsor. Our own John Polen is President of the bank.
Allen Bond,James Morgan and Suzy Zimmerman serve on the Board of The Chamber.
Serena Josel, served as the moderator. Serena represented Kaiser Permanente, the presenting sponsor. She introduced the Distinguished Panelists:
THE HONORABLE TED W. LIEU
UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN, 33RD DISTRICT
THE HONORABLE BEN ALLEN
STATE SENATOR, 26TH DISTRICT
THE HONORABLE DAVID HADLEY
STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER, 66TH DISTRICT
Each of these individuals provided us a legislative update for the year in their prospective legislative body. Presentations were followed by a Q & A period.
The Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee is spearheaded by the talented and knowledgeable Sherry Kramer, Continental Development Corporation, and Charles Gale, Metropolitan Water District. Randy Bowers, CEO of the Malaga Bank, host the Committee’s monthly lunch meeting. Our own Sacha Ohara, will serve as Chairman Elect for 2016.
35 years of recognizing outstanding educators around the peninsula and the honorees continue to amaze and inspire. This year’s event was as well attended by Rotarians and community members as years previous, along with the normal representation from the elected officials, school board members, and PVPUSD’s esteemed new superintendent all joining together to recognize these superior educators.
The boy scouts started us off patriotically with the pledge of allegiance and the dinner was particularly inviting—I heard some nice comments about the avocado atop the chicken in particular. Sponsors were appropriately acknowledged and thanked for their generosity in supporting this most wonderful of programs that once again successfully raised significant funding to support the scholarship and education-related activities of the Club Foundation. Well done, Harry Kitter and the rest of the committee!
This year’s honorees were Kathryn Chin from Rancho Vista, Capt. William Francis from College for Officer Training, Deborah Wilcox from Peninsula Heritage, Chauntelle O’Loughlin from PV Intermediate, Ann Biedenweg from Chadwick, Patrick Webster from Marymount California, Rebecca Kandel-Scott from Rolling Hills Prep, Louis Harley from PV High, Kristyn Escobar-Sanhueza from Rolling Hills Country Day, Kristy Gradoville from St. John Fisher, and Cathy Rodriguez from Rancho Vista Elementary. Always inspiring, attendees were once again treated to the glowing introductory remarks from each honoree’s principal (or equivalent). Rancho Vista’s principal, Dr. Bill MacDonald was particularly humorous as he introduced not just one but TWO recipients from his elementary school. Many of the educators resonated emotionally with the audience, their passion and inspirations almost making the audience want to go into teaching themselves.
How amazing to be inspired to go into teaching by a child struggling with reading encountered in the early stages of your training-to be able to touch and be touched by a student at such an early stage of her career is truly remarkable. The raw emotion displayed by all of the educators was apparent, but perhaps not more than by Patrick Webster who wasn’t a popular professor until after marrying a popular professor, who then deserted the real profession of teaching to go to the dark side (administration). All of the stories of how each individual got from there to here were inspirational.
This event once again reminds us of the true heroes of our youth, the people in the trenches day in and day out, making a difference in future generations—showing genuine caring and love for their students and their students’ learning.
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.
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