Here we are at our THIRD school pre-screening for Vision To Learn.
We came to Baxter Elementary School today to pre-screen students.
Class by class we checked 291 students, hoping to give them a better chance to succeed. Nine were absent, 84 will be referred on to Vision To Learn. Caring Connection Case Worker, Armida Luevano,
will be combining our results with the result from the state mandated screenings and sending all that 'failed' a consent forms home to be signed by a parent/guardian. There were students that never had glasses, had glasses but they were broken, have older glasses and will have the opportunity to get a back-up pair! What a gift. One student has had the same glasses since he was 5 and he is now 9! Don't think he has been back to a doctor! New glasses will be a great improvement for him! Rotary and Vision To Learn - together, giving kids the chance to succeed.
Thank you to our GREAT Volunteer liaison to VTL, Nora MacLellan.
Rotary Club of Bellflower cares enough to give our very best to our children's future.
Today is St. Patrick's Day Meeting with Doug Easer.
You couldn't miss Dr. Mike or Jean Michael today.
Not to mention Dave in his Kilt.
We were lucky to have Doug update us on the state of affairs in Taiwan. He has a wonderful insight due in part to his lovely wife, Shu-Chi.
China regards Taiwan as a rebel region that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary.
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island as the Communists, under Mao Zedong, swept to power.
China insists that nations cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries. The US is Taiwan's most important friend and protector.
Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan has become one of Asia's big traders. It is considered to have achieved an economic miracle, becoming one of the world's top producers of computer technology.
Sixty-eight students at Bellflower Unified's Ramona Elementary School were given free glasses today.
This journey started last year when we partnered with Vision to Learn to provide all the exams and glasses the kids needed at the largest Title-1 school (Washington Elementary).
Well, today was the day, 68 smiling, laughing, ecstatic, wonderful kids got their much needed glasses at Ramona. They can now perform better in school and in other aspects of their life thanks to Rotary Club of Bellflower bringing Vision to Learn to another Bellflower School.
Ramona Elementary was next on the list that the seven title one schools in Bellflower have a great need for eye care.
What a wonderful journey it has been. With every-ones support we will to continue on to the other schools.
Shoes for underprivileged Bellflower Unified Students.
Case workers from Caring Connections selected children in need to participate in our "Payless Shoe Shopping Event." Encounter Church provided bus transportation for the children to and from the store.
Sixty-eight underprivileged Bellflower Unified Students were provided shoes and socks thanks to the Rotary Club of Bellflower. Our members helped the students shop for their new shoes and socks.
They finished up with milk, juice, and snacks. Then back on the bus for a final picture.
Don't we just love helping Bellflower Kids succeed!?!
Yes it was, a beautiful venue overlooking the Queen Mary and
the Long Beach Skyline.
Baseball Legend, Jay Johnston was very entertaining with many
great stories he acquired throughout his career.
It was wonderful to have so many District Leaders, Club Presidents,
Assembly Representatives, City Leaders, and friends.
We all had a wonderful evening and the celebration was a great
success. Thank You All!!!
Bernard Otis gave us a little insight into aging without loosing
the fun in life!
Bernard is from the Woodland Hill Club. While in his eighties, you
would not guess it. He cracked us up and is an inspiration to us all.
Bernie is NOT old!
We also had many wonderful guests. Hector Torres, President of
the South Gate Club, presented us with a plague for our anniversary.
Jennifer brought Anna Martinez, Fernando & Merced Ramirez.
Members voted to cancel having our last meeting of the month be
a dinner meeting. We will still meet for breakfast at the first
meeting of the month. All other weeks will be lunch. No more dinner meetings.
Connie has tickets for The Peking Acrobat Show at the La Mirada
Theater. Please call her to reserve seating. We will have dinner at
the Royal Garden in Cerritos afterwards.
Also, if you need gift cards for the following restaurants:
Roy's Restaurant, Macaroni Grill, Outback/Flemings, Benihana,
or Lucille's, please call Connie for these as well. The club
will receive 30% of the value of the gift cards you buy from her. This coming Tuesday, December 17, will be the Angel Step 2
Christmas Party. The event will start at 4:30 PM. Please come
and join us celebrating Christmas with the families.
Thank you!
We were honored to have District Governor DJ Sun visit
our club today.
DJ, Governor Assistant - Cozette Vergari, and Our Assistant
Governor - Kathleen Terry helped us celebrate special moments
in our club.
Governor Sun spoke to us encouraging us to promote member
networking. He finished by telling us to please remember that
Community impact projects are a great way to promote Rotary!
Then it was time to recognize some members and for DJ to
induct three new members into our club. Geraldine Hardy,
Isela Buenabad, and Jennifer Beech are now on the pathway
to being immersed into the full measure of Rotary.
Our first breakfast meeting speaker was Rosa Gutierrez from Hub International.
Our Meeting times have changed. The first Thursday of every month is a Breakfast Meeting. We meet at Rosewood's at 7:30 AM. The last Thursday of every month is a Dinner Meeting. We meet at Rosewood's at 6:00 PM. The other meetings are Thursday Lunch Meetings as before.
Today Rosa Gutierrez, who is an Account Executive for Hub International, spoke to us on the "Affordable Care Act". She spoke about reporting responsibilities of individuals and employers. Then a bit about penalties for not reporting. Finally getting to what is and what is not covered. Her hand outs were concise and informative.
Our Golf Tournament is next weekend so see you all there. We got as many shirt orders in as possible by Wednesday night so the order was placed. We should have them by the tournament anyway.
Joint Meeting with Paramount next Tuesday at their location. Should be a great meeting with JPL and props.
I know everyone who can will help at Kmart on the 19th for Back To School Shopping!
Our First Evening Social Meeting at A'Roma Restaurant was great!
We had friends, family, and guests at our first social evening meeting of the year. Ken Hall's group did a great job arranging it all for us. Everyone had a good time.
We look forward to seeing our guests back to our events and meetings.
We had two visitors and possibly prospective Rotarians come to our meeting today.
Tracy Mc Sparren from the Bellflower Unified School District and Jennifer Beech
from Berkshire Hathaway.
Both ladies introduced themselves to our club. We tried to share information about our Club, District, and Rotary International in the short time we had. They are long time residents of the area and family oriented.
We honored Dr. Roger Rabanera with A four Sapphire Paul Harris Pin signifying his 4th level commitment to the Foundation.
Mike Lundgren chose to spin the wheel for his happy marriage anniversary donation. Turned out to be $96.00.
Linda Nesst picked the Queen of Hearts to win $725.00. So it's back to fifty-two cards in our game.
Ken Chong from LA5 is our speaker next week. He is a brilliant speaker who will speak on member recruitment and retention with emphasis on millennials (born 1980-94).
The Paramount and Bellflower Rotary Clubs met at Paramount for a joint meeting today.
Club President, Dean Mouren-Laurens welcomed us. He spoke of the definition of Rotary. Cubs bring together dedicated individuals to exchange ideas, build relationships, and make positive impacts. With the help of our Greater LA District, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation we work to make lasting improvements in our communities and around the world.
Jean Seruntine from the Bellflower Club lead us in song.
This week’s speaker was to be from JPL, however due to a scheduling conflict forced them to reschedule. George Josephs of the Paramount Club gave a craft talk on his experiences as a F4 Phantom Fighter Pilot.
George began by showing a picture of the F4 Phantom and explaining that it is still used as the standard jet fighter in many parts of the world. It was originally designed to intercept anything trying to attack an aircraft carrier from the air. It was found to be pretty good in “dog fighting” and had the capabilities to drop bombs. Therefore the Phantom became the go to jet for Air to Ground, Air to Air as well as Intercept.
George explained that “dog fighting” has not changed since World War I. This type of fighting relies on speed and maintaining speed during cornering which is hard to do in a Phantom but is crucial because once a jet loses speed they are a perfect target for the opponent.
The Phantom’s cornering velocity is at 420 knots which is a very quick and very tight turn. At this speed with the after burners on, you are burning a lot of fuel and G-force is high. As a pilot, the way you learn the speed of your machine is by sound and feel. The sound of the wind going over the cockpit glass is an indicator of speed as well as how the stick feels in your hand. The faster the jet flies the easier it is to maneuver. The stick actually is loser the faster it goes so a pilot will steer with just their fingertips.
The problem Phantoms had in “dog fights” is that the tighter the turn the more it bleeds speed (slows down and loses fuel). Thus the Russian Migs have an advantage over the Phantoms because of their turning capabilities. So the Phantoms key factor in “dog fight” engagement was if by 90⁰ of a turn, if you have not killed anyone get out with a pitch back.
Lastly, due to increased throttle needed during combat that kicked in the afterburners,
“Flame Out” (run out of gas) was common during some of the tight air to air combats.
George did a great job “flying by the seat of his pants” to step in at the last minute.
Announcements:
Nigeria has had no cases of Polio for one year!
The District Breakfast had a wonderful presentation on Operation Smile. To learn more visit their website: http://www.operationsmile.org/
We wanted you all to have a good time on our way out.
We welcomed a Visiting Rotarian, John Cabrera from Gaithersberg, Maryland. John brought his son, John Philip II who has never been to California. I think they enjoyed themselves.
We let the FUN begin...
It's been a GREAT Year! Thank You All !!!
Now let's get behind YOUR Club and Connie and make 2015-16 the BEST year EVER!!!
*Remember Our NEW Meeting Spot is Rosewood's Restaurant*
Well, today was the day, 103 smiling, laughing, ecstatic, wonderful kids got their much needed glasses.
They can now perform better in school and in other aspects of their life thanks to Rotary Club of Bellflower bringing Vision to Learn to Bellflower.
This journey started last year when I saw a need at a Caring Connections Meeting. Several eye exams and glasses were offered by another service organization if any counselors needed them. All of the counselors raised their hands. I stayed after and talked to them. It turns out that the seven title one schools in Bellflower have a great need for eye care.
Upon exploring the problem further, I found that Rotary has a program called Vision to Learn. We explored this and found out that they could bring their service to our city if we could raise the funds. We picked the largest Title One School (Washington Elementary), did the pre-screening, had 140 kids for Vision to Learn to screen. They found 103 kids in need of glasses.
One girl exclaimed, "I can see, I can see!" Another said, "Now my eyes won't hurt."
What a wonderful journey it has been. Just a start though, with the communities help, we hope to continue with the other Title 1 schools in Bellflower.
We had to show off Jean Seruntine's Grandson, Clay. We'll show him the picture on His Induction day!
District 5280's Chief of Staff - Melody St. Johns came to induct our two new members today.
Melody is the spark plug of our District. That's not surprising since she was the Social Chair all four years in her Sorority at ASU. She is famous for her love of Salad Dressing Shots (you had to be there).
Today Melody inducted Insurance Professional, Linda Nesst and Bookkeeping Professional, Didi Davis into our club. These two dedicated women will make Rotary very proud.
Thank you to our many guests present today.
Jon Matson brought six of Our Scholarship Students to tell us where they will be going and what their field of studies will be. We presented them with checks to the institutions they have chosen. It's a wonderful thing we do in this area to promote the future of this Great Country!
We had a great time at District Conference this past week. Strawberries were a success again at Hospitality Night. This year they were joined with some "Light Up Rotary" Decorations.
Rotary International and District 5280 awarded us a 2014-15 VIBRANT Club Award.
This week, one of our two soon to be new members Linda Nesst, allowed us to share an interesting brief walk up her road in life.
Linda told us how she was born in Sheboygan (Bratwurst Capital of the World), Wisconsin on Lake Michigan.
Her Great Grandfather is credited with inventing the Ice Cream Sunday in 1881. He owned an Ice Cream Parlor. One day he was asked to top a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce (only used to make chocolate sodas). He only offered the concoction on Sunday, i.e. Ice Cream Sunday. She saw the effects of Polio first hand when two girls in the grade above her came down with the dread decease. She watched as their books, clothing, desks, and anything else they may have come in contact with were burned in the school yard. Linda played many instruments and was Battleship Champion at the local playground. Met Steve Litzinger in the 70's while working at an insurance company in Bellflower. He came in soliciting donations for the Y.M.C.A. Linda and her pups would take a road trip every summer back to Wisconsin to visit her folks. Rest stops and junk food was fine for Linda and sometimes friends. In later years, when Steve went with, it was real food and motels.
Linda's hobbies are needle work, wood working, and reading. She loves animals (dogs) and Green Bay Packers, is a card caring member of the NRA, and is a master SNIPE Hunter.
Remember; Thursday, May 28, from 6 - 9 PM is our fun change-up evening meeting social for us. Bring your family and guests. Club will pay for you since it will replace our lunch meeting. You will pay $15 only for family and guests. Location will be:
South Street Grill, 10769 South St., Cerritos, CA 90703
Today Mike Lundgren brought in three enlightened students that we sent to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly). What a joy and honor it is to be able to do this for our young and hopefully future leaders. We heard from Alfredo (Freddie) Molina,
then Itzel garcia,
and finally Isamar Fletes.
All great kids moved out of their comfort zones with some new formed skills. They all brought back with them the RYLA four C's: Cooperation, Creativity, Communication, and Compassion. Like all the other kids we have sent before them, never have they experienced anything like the RYLA. They can't wait to try new found tools and experiences in their world.
*After meeting today the Board meet to consider two new members that I proposed. Those being: Linda Nesst and Didi Davis. Both were approved and await the Club's approval May 21, 2015.
Taylor Morgan who runs the Neighborhood Watch Program for the City of Bellflower was our speaker this week. He had a lot of information on the Nixle.com and Nextdoor.com programs. He can be contacted at: Taylor Morgan at (562) 925-0124.
We were all blessed once again to have the 1999 California Teacher of the Year - Mister Lyn Thompson from Bellflower High School speak to us today. He spoke to us about ternary and the power of one among other things. This is his last year teaching. Bellflower will miss him dearly.
Pallavi Ridout from ICANN presided over our joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Lakewood today.
Today we were joined by our friends from the Rotary Club of Lakewood for a joint meeting. We did some catch up and had a good lunch. Pallavi immersed us in topic of the day, "is the Great Generational Divide Slowing Down Rotary Success?" She walked us through the Generational handed out. It was very interesting. She then talked to us about how to stay relevant. She explained that relevance does not involve compromise. The valves, priorities, and commitment of Rotary should never change. Any organization that is willing to compromise its DNA in order to stay relevant never lasts. We then got a sheet that asked us to list "Three things that are not working in your club" and to list "Three NEW things your club should try." I Emailed those forms to you. I would like them back now PLEASE?!> I should be able to collect 6 ideas per person which I will debrief and present back to the club a meaningful summary. Sound good? Thank You!
More than 140 Bellflower Unified Students Received Free Eye Exams Through The Rotary Club of Bellflower.
The Rotary Club of Bellflower saw the need for vision care in our low-income communities and began to address it. With our Partners, Vision to Learn (a nonprofit organization providing vision services to children in low-income communities) and Caring Connections (a nonprofit dedicated to helping meet the needs of children and families in the BUSD), we selected the largest Title 1 school in the Bellflower Unified School District (Washington Elementary). We jointly pre-screened the children. Our Club then donated the money to bring VTL to Bellflower.
During the Week of March 30th, 2015, One of Vision to Learn's Mobil Labs and staff came to Washington. They examined 146 children and prescribed to 103 kids! That is over 100 children whose lives are going to be forever changed!
Join Rotary Club of Bellflower...Be A Part of 1.2 million Folks Changing Lives Into Tomorrow!!!
Couldn't show all the folks we shared Our GREAT "Day of Service"
with at Bel Tooren Villa Convalescent Hospital in Bellflower.
Our Day of Service went wonderfully at Bel Tooren. We bought oils, puzzle books & pens, lap blankets, luminaries, nonslip socks, cologne & perfume, yes...even a Cowboy Hat, used as prizes and gifts for about twenty folks. We played games, talked, and listened. Their Care Nurse, Edna said they never had so much fun or had prizes given at game time before. It finally came time for them to go. We gave them gifts they could use and said so-long for now. I can't express the joy we had giving of ourselves to others today.We will be back to fulfill some special requests and get to know these folks even better.
Today was our Joint Meeting with the Rotary Club of Lakewood.
Pallavi Ridout led our program.
We had many honored guests with us today. Linda Zastrow with her niece Billie Jean, President Valarie Frost with many members from the Rotary Club of Lakewood, and Pallavi Ridout.
We presented Linda with a Plaque to Memorialize the $1000.00 Perpetual Scholarship Fund we set up in Bill Zastrow's name. What a great Rotarian with almost forty-seven years of perfect attendance. We will miss him dearly.
Pallavi Ridout engaged us in a program entitled: "Is the Great Generational Divide Slowing Down Rotary Success?" Pallavi gave us nuggets about genders and generations while pointing out what it looks like to get stuck in the past. She then asked us to step out of our "boundaries boxes" and come up with new ideas our club should try. I am tasked with scanning them into the computer and getting them out to both Her and Valarie. We will debrief them and discuss the results with our clubs.
Vocational Service Director Dave Romberg looks on as our
Art Contestant Jordan Jennings displays his photo art.
Jordan and our other Art Contestant Jazmin Goodinez(who could not be present today) are both from Bellflower High School. We had four Speech Contestants: Elaine Yau from Bellflower High School, Sydney Herman, Rosa Chavez, and Eduardo Torres, all from Mayfair High School. Lyn Thompson, Mike Herman, Teri Smith, and Letonia Jennings were here with the students.
The Art Contest was close between Jordan's Thought Provoking Picture and Jazmin's Beautiful Collage. In the end it was Jordan who won the $250.00 and a trip to compete at the district.
Speech was very difficult to judge. All four speakers were so different in delivery and content. By the closest of margins it was Elaine Yau that won the $250.00 and her trip to compete at the district.
One of the premier events that link Rotarians with high school students is this Art, Dance, Music, and Speech Contest. This year Loyola Marymount University will be hosting the 5280 District Event.
"The Rebel Reverend: American Revolution Hero James Caldwell"
That true story was our meeting today!
Craig MacDonald eloquently related this story to us. The great-great-great-great grandson of Rev. James and Hannah Caldwell. Craig is the author of many historical novels including this, his latest. Download the recording if you were not there.
Jessie Alejandre demonstrated and told us about
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Co.
Jessie told us how Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Co. started in the
home of Herbert Hyman in 1963. Great customer service and
product quality were his hallmarks. She brought us samples of
four very different teas to sample. We had a great Q&A and
came away with new knowledge about coffee and teas.
Today Nichole McGahey and Renett Banagas told us about a
Wonderful Organization - Caring Connections!
Caring Connections brings together many service organizations to help
families in need.
Some of the services provided include:
Academic Support Programs
Mental Health Services
Basic Needs (such as food and clothing)
Vision, Dental, and Health Services
Health Insurance Enrollment
Transportation Assistance
Parenting Education
And Special Programs
Last school year, Caring Connections touched
the lives of over 11200 families. More than
4,000 individual services were provided to
students and families.
148 Academic Support Services
407 Mental Health Services
109 Vision Service
800 Food and Clothing Needs
582 Holiday Food Baskets
429 Backpacks
457 Easter Baskets
We are lucky to have such a great organization to work with!
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