IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, November 30, 2011
By Janet Chabola
Well here it is the end of November and it has literally "gone with the wind!" We had quite the gathering Wednesday, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and recoveries. On a sad note, we observed
the passing of Kussum Parekh, the widow of beloved Rotarian Nandlal Parekh.
The usual pre-meeting rituals were led by Carmela, Ernie, Clint and Dannie.
The word was that our new Rotarian, Grizelda will be "sworn in" at the Bill Winn Luncheon!
The news of the day highlighted our annual Bill Winn Holiday luncheon on December 14th at the American Legion Hall. Be sure to invite guests, buy raffle tickets and contribute to the door prizes. This event is a big deal as it is an opportunity to tell the community about OUR CLUB!
The focal point of this year's event will be our Toy Drive for our squad from Camp Pendleton. There are 173 kids that we need to help out and we need to be there for them! Encourage friends and family to contribute toys. They will feel so good knowing that their gift will be appreciated. Let's overwhelm our Marines with generosity!
Other great news comes from our Sister Club down-under. Manningham has chosen two young men to come for our exchange around December 27th. The exact date and time is still to be determined. Free up days to spend time with them during January. Culver City's Sister City, Lethbridge, Canada will be hosting a contingent of young people the end of December, too. Maybe we can plan to share some events with that group.
The speaker for the day was Dr. Shizhong Chen. He is a molecular biologist with a biotech startup business in San Diego. He wasn't with us to share his vocation. He came to share his passion with us. He and many other Chinese ex-pats are working diligently to restore Chinese tradition, cultivation and values to their homeland. The Chinese government has spent 62 years destroying over 5,000 years of their civilization, including their ethics and values. Dr. Chen invited us to attend an outstanding performance of top classical
artists from throughout the world to be held at the Dorothy Chandler Jan 13 & 14, and at the Segestrom Center for the Arts, Jan 11-12th. I made arrangements to reserve 20 tickets at $100 each for the performance on January 14 at 7:30pm. 10% of the cost will be refunded to the Club for our other projects. Please let me know ASAP how many tickets you want.
We will be dark next Wednesday, so that everyone can prepare for the Club Christmas Party to be held at the Culver Hotel on Sunday, December 11th. Be sure that you have RSVP'd for the party.
Greetings to all of our Rotarians near and far (especially Red and Kit).
Have a great week Rotarians!
Health Updates
Announcements
Australian Student Exchange
From Craig Ferre.
Attention Rotarians-
The Maningham Rotary Club has selected two young men for the student exchange. No firm dates have been chosen yet but I believe it will most likely be Dec. 27th when the boys will land on US soil. Hopefully we can show them how Americans embrace the holiday spirit and show them a good time during their visit.
Be expecting an e-mail concerning signing up for day hosting and please get involved. Anyone who can do some home hosting please contact me ASAP. These exchanges are life changing events for the students.
Contact exchange committee co-chairs Craig Ferré (310) 210-5996 or craig.ferre@verizon.net) & Joe Davidson (310) 390-5907 or joeadav@yahoo.com.
Here is the info I got from our Aussie friend, Alan McKinnon...
"The student exchange committee has selected 2 young fellows for the forthcoming exchange.
Ben Woolnough, the grand son of Keith Woolnough, Northcote/ Manningham's longest serving member and Stephen Ryan, a nephew of Pauline Nolan. Pauline has been involved with the Culver City exchange since 1993.
They are both interested in sport and I am sure they will be very good ambassador's for Australia and the Rotary Club of Manningham.
I will send you full details shortly."
Craig
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Holiday Party at the Culver Hotel
Sunday, December 11 th is the Annual Holiday Party which will be held this year at the Culver Hotel beginning at 6:00 pm. Please get your RSVP's sent to Ann as soon as possible so that we can get a head count for the hotel.
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Holiday Dinner at Rotary Plaza
Please mark your calendars for the annual Holiday Dinner at Rotary Plaza on December 15th. We will need to volunteers that night for setting up, serving, and clean up. Also, we
need two or three hams or turkeys for the event. Please contact Lyn Caron for more information.
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Theatre Palisades
Dieter Holberg wrote to remind us that Moonlight and Magnolias, a comedy will be at Theatre Palisades though December 4th. A screen writer and a director have just 5 days to write the script for Gone With the Wind, which results in the funniest, most maniacal brainstorming session ever witnessed on stage.
More information can be found on the TheatrePalisades.org website.
Also, TP will screen the full 4-hour (with intermission) movie Gone With the Wind on Sunday, December 11, at 6:pm. As this is expected to sell out, reservations at 310-454-1970 are required.
Requested donation is $10.
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District 5280 eYellow Pages
Take advantage of posting your business information and searching for other businesses on the Rotary eYellow Pages. It's simple and free! Click on the Rotary eYellow Pages link on the District Web site or go to
www.yp5280.org .