by Lorine Parks "We’re not going to let them fall aside,” Mayor Rick Rodriguez said, and he meant the homeless. Mayor Rick gave the Club an update on City issues, and the Downey Patriot put this story on its front page… Downey, with its population of 113,000, has had from 200 to 300 homeless reported in recent counts. Downey has a household income, and home value, well above the average for many other cities in the state of California, and the City Council has been addressing the many faces of the homeless problem, include the elderly who have no income, and those who have been priced out of their homes; and victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. Mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse used to be blamed, but today’s lack of affordable housing has brought a new concern.
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Mr. Mayor - Rick Rodriguez
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2019-06-18 07:00:00Z |
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From Mid-June. this is a test
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Letter from the Editor
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Ray Brown
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2019-06-12 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks and Debbie Fox Gary Wright is Vice President in Charge of Operations with Williams Data Managemen and Joyce Yasamura of Desert Reign Assembly of God in Downey, where she is an Office Administrator.
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Craft Talks
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2019-02-26 08:00:00Z |
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BY LORINE PARKS “He’s the most involved person I know in Downey,” said Program Chair Jesse Vargas. Jessie was speaking of Darrell Jackson, once an intensely hot pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. A graduate of high school in Watts, "Sports was my way out of the ghetto,” he has said. “Growing up to play baseball was my dream of living happily ever after.”
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Darrell Jackson - 10-20 Club
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2018-10-30 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Whose house is this? Whose house is this?” was the question. And the answer came from the packed dining room, “Downey Rotary! “It happens in clubs, in this club,” District Governor Joe Vasquez told us, on his official visit to our club. “The Rotary moment.”
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Governor's Visit
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2018-09-25 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks What has Rotary done for you lately? 17 years ago – also a Tuesday – was 9/11, and fortunately it was Rotary meeting day. We all joined together, in confusion and deep concern. Glad for the presence of each other as emotional support.
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Remembering with Wayne Wilcox
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2018-09-18 07:00:00Z |
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Announcements, Fines and Craft Talks
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2018-09-18 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Our clients are treated with respect and dignity,” said Patrice Jinso-Springer, Executive Director of the Downey branch of Clothes the Deal. “When they come in we provide them with a shopping experience, a dressing room to change in. When they step out and look in the mirror, you can see the ‘Wow! Is that me?’ expression. And often tears come to their eyes.”
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Clothes the Deal
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2018-09-11 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “We’re going to travel at warp speed,” Past District Governor David Moyers told us. “We’ll cover 126 years of Rotary History in just a few minutes time, so buckle your seat belts.” We began with Paul Harris, as all Rotary history does, starting in 1891 when Paul graduated from Princeton with a law degree. Instead of applying himself to the law, Paul spent 5 years in what the English now call a “gap” year,” searching, David believes, for meaning in his life beyond the practice of the law.
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History of Rotary
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2017-12-19 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Dear Grandpa” – doesn’t mean what it used to. It’s now a come-on for illicit sex. What is the difference – between smuggling and sex trafficking? Smuggling denotes the transportation of illegal goods or humans; sex trafficking is the exploitation of humans, usually under-age young girls, for purposes of prostitution.
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Sex Trafficking
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2017-12-12 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “We administer polio drops only to children aged below five years, because after age five the cases drop off dramatically,” said Johrita Solari, just back from Nigeria on National Immunization Day (NID).
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National Immunization Day (NID) - Nigeria
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2017-12-05 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks We’re a ‘traditional” club”– “that means, we sing songs,” President Alex explained. But we have a surprisingly youthful contingent. How many other clubs can boast not only a Young Professional as President, but also two pregnant members, one of whom is the expectant President-Elect.
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Rotary - Young Professional
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2017-11-28 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks Wynne Ritch has a gift – for holding his audience spellbound while he recounts his history of collecting Norman Rockwell paintings, especially ones that feature the Boy Scouts of America.
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“Be Prepared to Give, To Get.”
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2017-11-21 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks In honor of the upcoming Veteran’s Day. Mario Guerra shared with us his experiences in becoming an Assistant Aide to the Secretary of the Army. “It’s been one of the biggest things in my life,” Mario said.
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Mario Guerra - Assistant Aide to the Secretary of the Army
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2017-11-14 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Layer by layer, we took baby steps,” said Linda Salomon-Saldana, the founder of Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities. “In this busy world, we asked ourselves, what could we do for our kids?”
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Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities
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2017-11-07 08:00:00Z |
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By Ray Brown Contributing Writer “A man has got to know his limitations.” I think that line was offered up by the Clint Eastwood character “Dirty Harry” in a movie by the same name. Or maybe it was Homer Simpson. Either way, I’m reminded of the time that I stepped way beyond my limitations, and in a very public venue.
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Ramblings from Ray
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2017-11-07 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “A Hometown Rivalry- remember this, because it is special,” said Dr. John Garcia, Superintendant of the Downey Unified School District. “I know, because I was there too.”
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Downey/Warren Spirit Day
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2017-10-31 07:00:00Z |
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WELCOME TO THE BUB’S NEWEST ADDITION: Ramblings from Ray by Ray Brown Contributing Writer Hello Rotarians! It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a chance to address the Downey club through the HubBub. Long time Rotarians may recall that I handled the publishing and content of our club newsletter back when paper and ink were the tools used to communicate. Intelligent Rotarians (both of them) were probably hoping there would be no further excuse to hear from me. Sadly, your luck has run out.
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Ramblings from Ray
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2017-10-24 07:00:00Z |
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By Lorine Parks “It’s been decaying for years. But Detroit is coming back.” Greg Welch has been to Detroit on a rebuilding mission, with his Calvary Chapel construction crew, and he had pictures to show us of the state of the Inner City. There were shattered neighborhoods, with vacant windows where all the glass had been knocked out, and peeling paint on the walls.
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Hope for the 8th Mile: Mission Detriot
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2017-10-24 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “One year equals one day,” said Darren Dunaway, Associate Director of Human Services Association in Bell Gardens, at 6800 Florence Avenue. “One year of services to one senior costs the same as just one day in the hospital,” Darren explained. And those services can include one hot meal daily, delivered by Meals on Wheels; recreational programs at the Senior Center; and Alzheimer Day Care at the Human Services headquarters.
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Human Services Association
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2017-10-17 07:00:00Z |
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MEET ONE OF OUR NEWEST ROTARIAN, DEBBIE FOX, the woman behind Dan, the man we’ve known for 33 years. Debbie Fox was born in 1954 in Sydney, Nebraska, in Cheyenne County, and her early family life followed her father’s fortunes. When Debbie was six, her father decided to attend Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa, the founding college of chiropractic and known as “The Fountainhead.” Established in 1898 by Daniel David Palmer, it was the first school of chiropractic in the world.
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Meet One of Our Newest Rotarians
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2017-10-10 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks Festive fall figures decorated our dining room for District Governor Cozette Vergari’s official visit. Greeter Donna Langley handed out Hershey bars at the door - your choice of dark chocolate or with almonds - and DG Cozette was impressed with the idea, because the candy comes in a specially printed sleeve with the 4-way Test and a reminder of our latest project.
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District Governor Cozette Vergari
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2017-10-10 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks When a Rotarian introduces someone as a “Special Guest,” we fellow Rotarians know that is code, for someone who is being proposed for membership. Judy Reynolds has been Jim’s Special Guest, and she is due to be inducted by District Governor Cosette Vergari as our club’s first member under the new category of “Spouse.”
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PROFILE OF OUR NEWEST ROTARIAN-TO-BE
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2017-10-03 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks ART IN THE DESERT We don’t burn something to destroy it, we burn it to protect it. It took Peter Mokler the full program time to explain this, and if he had explained it a dozen times more, each time this paradox would have a different meaning to each participant. At the Burning Man Celebration, participants escape from society and most of its demands (including cellphone reception), by building art in the desert only to burn much of it down.
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Burning Man
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2017-10-03 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “You can’t do STEM projects with disabled students.” That was a dare, thought Ben Dickow, and he always liked dares. Ben is the President and Executive Director for the City of Downey’s Columbia Memorial Space Center. And finding new approaches for STEM projects is just one of his innovative ways to put Downey on the map of Southern California. A map which, by the way, in his mind is in the shape of a bull’s eye, and the center is directly over Downey.
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Columbia Memorial Space Center
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2017-09-26 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks High in the pine trees on Apple Canyon Road in the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, lies a place dear to our guest speaker Elisabeth Davis’s heart. Having served as an activity counselor and a cabin counselor and volunteering at multiple sessions in a summer, Elisabeth says Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times is her favorite place on earth.
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Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
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2017-09-17 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “In the U.S. military’s euphemistic lexicon of nuclear warfare, there are four terms no one wants to hear.” A “dull sword” is a minor incident involving a nuclear weapon. A “bent spear” is a breach in the handling of a nuclear weapon. An “empty quiver” is a nuclear weapon that has been stolen or lost. And then there is a “broken arrow,” a nuclear weapon that has somehow gone awry, an accident that could result in the launching, firing, burning, detonation, theft or loss of a nuclear weapon.
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"Broken Arrow"
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2017-09-12 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks & Dan Fox In the same spirit of self-improvement, our second speaker for the afternoon, Steve Angel, gave us a short lesson in “drumming to read.”
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Drumming for Your Life
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2017-09-05 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks MADE is a novel summer program for juniors about to become seniors at Downey, Warren and Columbus High Schools, to prepare them for work readiness upon graduation. The process begins by teaching them how to showcase themselves when applying for a job.
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MADE
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2017-09-05 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “What are we doing here?” someone asked, as we entered the building, our off-site meeting place. “They invited us. To show us what they’ve got,” someone else said.
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The View - Affordable Housing at its Best.
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2017-08-29 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Wheels like the Rotary Wheel turn other wheels, when the cogs connect,” said Membership Chair Greg Welch, demonstrating a remarkable dexterity with his fingers and hands as he illustrated our familiar symbol in action.
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Rotary Membership
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2017-08-22 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Segerstrom Center for the Arts is thrilled to launch a new dance and music school for all kids with disablitiles!”
Doesn’t sound like a headline from the Segerstrom Center for the Arts? Expecting a symphony concert, or Tony Bennett? A video showed us the Center’s newest community outreach, as detailed by Jason Holland, Vice President in Charge of Community Engagement.
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Segerstrom Center
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2017-08-15 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “It felt like a horse had kicked me in the chest.” That’s how John Lemucchi described his 2015 heart attack. After waiting 203 days he was finally told he was eligible for the transplant of a totally artificial heart and he went to PIH Hospital in Whittier to receive it.
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Mended Hearts
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2017-08-08 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “An old drug gets a new price: $89,000 every month, to combat DMD.” A outrageous price tag like this is just one of the challenges Matt Kinley faces, in trying to help his son Ryan get as much out of life as possible after being stricken with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. It is a disease that does not get any better. And only the symptoms can be treated, until a cure is found.
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Matt Kinley - “A Superior Life’s Journey”
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2017-08-01 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “I had the pleasure of going on this train trip with 43 Rotary Youth Exchange teen-agers and four other chaperones.”
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Rotary Youth Exchange Train Trip
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2017-07-25 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks New President Alex Lopez introduced his Board for the coming year, saying Rotary would be bigger and better than ever. “More participation,” is his goal, and there will be more social events to encourage everyone to get to know each other.
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Club Assembly
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2017-07-18 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Park Rotary Club of Downey gathered at Furman Parks for the last meeting of the year, and spouses and children attended to make it a family occasion. In his brief remarks, outgoing president Russell Skersick said that his takeaway from being president is that he has gotten to know everyone better. Thanks for an outstanding year, Russell.
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Picnic in the Park
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2017-07-04 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Russell saved me for his last meeting,” said Steve Roberson, as he took out his guitar. “I don’t know if that’s an honor, or he was scraping the bottom of the barrel.” We knew we were in for a good time.
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Writiing a Song with Steve Roberson
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2017-06-27 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “If we could only make one change, what should it be?” That was Superintendant of the Downey Unified School District John Garcia’s question to Downey, as he made his annual State of the Schools Report to our club.
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State of the Schools
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2017-06-20 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “I’ve got something for everyone in this room. And you can’t use it alone.”
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Del Rio Lanes with Mike Cammarata
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2017-06-13 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks What one sentence could you utter, and have it remembered forever? How about, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Speaker Sanford Kahn proceeded to give us life lessons gleaned from the study of economics. Author of “Confessions of a Rogue-Raged Economist,” and “Economics Made Easy,” Kahn, who now lives in Long Beach, has been a business author and professional speaker for over 35 years to both the corporate and business and professional association markets.
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Sanford Kahn - Economist
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2017-06-06 07:00:00Z |
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Sanford Kahn - Economist
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2017-05-30 07:00:00Z |
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by Wayne Wilcox Many of our Rotary friends grow more precious to us because they have weathered the test of time. Look around you Tuesday; there are some patriarchs and matriarchs we shake and hug as we mumble the first 10 or 16 words to the Welcome Song. Hooray for the sturdy ones.
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Rotary Friends
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2017-05-30 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks Join the Snapshot Field trip to Guatemala next February, as part of the Rotary-sponsored Guatemala Literacy Project, the GLP.
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Guatemala Literacy Project
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2017-05-30 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks The Rotary Club of Downey was “taken over” and today’s program was seamlessly run by Warren Interact Club.
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Warren High Interact Takeover Day
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2017-05-23 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Being a cop won’t make you rich, but you can provide for your family. And it’s rewarding and different every day.”
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Downey Police Department - Lt. Murray
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2017-05-09 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks There’s a New Look on the campus at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehab Center, Executive Director of the Rancho Foundation Deborah Arroyo, told us. Pretty soon the iconic white Harriman building will be the only structure left to remind passers-by of former days.
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Rancho Los Amigos Foundation
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2017-05-02 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Half the population over 72 aren’t having any fun.” That’s the conclusion Jim Harrison, DPT, owner of Western Physical Therapy in Downey, draws from the fact that 50% of the people over 72 have to have assisted living.
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Jim Harrison, DPT - Western Physical Therapy
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2017-04-25 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “This is the biggest event of the year for us,” said Fire Chief Mark Gillispie. The occasion was the Recognition Luncheon for the Downey Police and Fire Department Memorial Trust Foundation, which meets yearly to honor their best and bravest.
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Downey Police and Fire Foundation Recognitation
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2017-04-18 07:00:00Z |
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By Lorine Parks “This is my favorite program of the year,” Mike Pohlen said in his Invocation. One look around the room at the elementary school children and their principals seated among us, would tell you why. It’s our annual “Rotary Recognizes Readers” celebration.
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Rotary Recognizes Readers - 2017
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2017-04-11 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “How to use my skills as a nurse?” That’s the question Diane Davis asked Melodie St. John, president of the Hollywood Club and our District Governor-Elect for 2019-20.
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Thousand Smiles - Ensenada, Mexico
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2017-04-04 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks Special Olympics athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities who are like other athletes – they love to train, compete and do their best, whether they win or lose.
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Special Olympics
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2017-03-28 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks “Three poverty-busting weapons: Tools, Training and Program” Applying these three to the specific problem of illiteracy means success. The Guatemala Literacy Project, or GLP, uses all three, according to Christopher Bailey, our speaker. Chris works for Co-Ed, or Cooperative for Education, and it is this partnership which has allowed Rotary International to make a difference in the lives of young Guatemalans.
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Guatemala Literacy Project
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2017-03-21 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Before you think of all you want that you don’t have, think of all you don’t have that you don’t want.”
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Straight Talk with Art Levine
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2017-03-14 07:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Some of life’s greatest lessons can be found in children’s books, but most of us realize this only after we are kids. For Downey Rotary Club members, a glance over our weekly Downey City Library book offers a second chance.
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Downey City Library
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2017-03-07 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Where in the world – do summertime temps spike at a high of 10 degrees below zero? And winter days average 40 degrees below? Antarctica, a desert landscape, because it receives an average annual precipitation of less than 10 inches.
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Antarctic Expedition with the Kolars
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2017-02-28 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What service is most requested by needy school children in Downey? Is it food, shoes, eye glasses?
The answer, according to Luz Perez of TLC, is counseling.
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TLC - True Lasting Connections
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2017-02-21 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“The dangers of not teaching personal finance to kids,” was the theme of Michelle Decker, senior Southern California representative of EverFi.
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Everfi - Financial Education
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2017-02-14 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
The market takes the stairs going up, but the elevator down.” “In a bull market, everybody’s a genius.”
“My favorite client has two rules. Rule #1, don’t lose money. Rule #2, see rule # 1.”
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Searchlight Financial
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2017-02-07 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
HOW DOWNEY WORKS TOGETHER IS WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
“Other school districts in California are looking for worthy local projects: the Downey Unified School District already has this.”
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PTA H.E.L.P.S.
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2017-01-31 08:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“You guys have known me my whole life,” said Alex Lopez, adding he felt he had been “born and raised in Downey Rotary.” In opening his Craft Talk Alex remembered, “My father brought me to meetings as soon as I could stand on a chair and wave. But I only came for the ice cream.”
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Craft Talks
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2017-01-24 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Wondering what a Club Assembly is? President Russell Skersick made the occasion a chance for members of the Board of Directors to report on what their job is, and what they have done so far, in the first half of his year.
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Club Assembly
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2017-01-17 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
We had our first useful rains last week, after five years of drought. Slow and easy showers, about an inch in all, that took their time coming down and were absorbed into the earth, rather than the pelting tempo of hard winter storms, that run off into the ocean.
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December rains: thoughts from southern California
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2017-01-03 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
The one meeting guaranteed to send us out with a smile on our faces: our lunch with the children when Santa comes.
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Children's Christmas Party
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2016-12-24 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
We had such a good time tracking down the elusive last marble, and dinging our water glasses to the tune of Jungle Bells, that not much time was left for the program. Two young women came as a follow-up to an earlier program about the Wesley Health Centers.
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Wesley Health Centers
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2016-12-20 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Things can change. There is hope”
That is the optimistic creed of Teen Challenge.
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Teen Challenge
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2016-12-13 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Ray Brown gave us a Rotary Foundation-focused course in Polio 101, in which we also learned fascinating facts about immunology. Don’t look now, but you are a member of a herd.
First, how our organization works: Paul Harris begat Rotary, which begat the Rotary Foundation, which begat Polio Plus, and many other humanitarian programs.
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Rotary Foundation with Ray Brown
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2016-12-06 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“It’s not about us - it’s about what we do for others.”
With these words, Greg Welch showed us pictures and told stories about his humanitarian trip with Downey Calvary Chapel to Haiti last March.
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Mission Trip to Haiti with Greg Welch
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2016-11-22 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
If you Google justdogood.org, you will discover a site with a simple Biblical injunction, Love Thy Neighbor.
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The Compton Initiative
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2016-11-15 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Welcome back to Anne Ullstrom, who had not only returned after recovering from surgery, but put on the day’s program for us, about the Downey Family YMCA.
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Downey YMCA
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2016-11-08 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Downey votes on November 8. It’s true, that in Rotary politics are not discussed. It’s a relief to come to a place where the baggage is left at the doorstep and lunch can by enjoyed with friends, where one can raise one’s fork without also raising one’s blood pressure.
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What's On Your Ballot
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2016-11-01 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Electricity in the air; passion, tension, loyalty. Viking Nation! Bear Cave!
It must be Spirit Week in Downey, heading for the football rivalry match that somehow has made the City of Downey special. Even when great rivalries are named: Lakers - Celtics, USC- UCLA: the Downey - Warren game gives us a special touch of class. In other towns, rivalries may be bitter and hateful. Here they are no less deeply felt, but friendships extend between the two schools, and after the game, it’s all one big happy town again.
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Downey - Warren Rivalry
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2016-10-24 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
If you want to maintain the high quality of living in Downey, then vote yes on November 8 for Measure S.
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Measure S
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2016-10-17 00:00:00Z |
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The Pohlen Road Trip - End of the Road
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2016-10-11 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What are our Past Presidents up to today? In two craft talks, we learned the answer: they’re keeping busy and they’re still on the scene.
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Craft Talks
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2016-10-11 00:00:00Z |
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Rotary Friends
“Friendship multiplies happiness
And divides sorrows.”
This Rotary friend makes you smile; he’s been doing it two ways for more years than you have on your driver’s license. He’s certainly been around the block in providing happiness and he refuses to stop, despite holding a nonagenarian title. (Ask Mary Stauffer what that means – she’s been there!)
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Rotary Friends - Dr. Bob Flynn
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2016-10-04 00:00:00Z |
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By Lorine Parks
Remember the March of Dimes? And the President’s Birthday Ball, every January 30th? Because Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes to fight polio in 1938, the dime was chosen to honor him. The Roosevelt dime was issued in 1946, on what would have been the president's 64th birthday.
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Easterseals
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2016-10-04 00:00:00Z |
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Announcements & Fines & Wrap-Up of Mike Pohlen's Road Trip
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2016-10-04 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
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Induction of New Members
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2016-09-20 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
See that dark blue passport with all the red ink stamps and the pictures pasted in it?
No, it’s not a U. S. Passport, issued by the State Department. That one now costs $110 and calls for two pictures and your birth certificate. This one is a National Parks document, issued by the Department of the Interior, and it’s been in existence for years. And originally it didn’t cost a red cent or a thin dime. Now there’s a $10 fee, but it’s worth it.
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Road Trip USA with Mike Pohlen - Part 1
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2016-09-20 00:00:00Z |
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Rotary Friends
By Wayne Wilcox
“Friendship multiplies happiness
and divides sorrows.”
This Rotary Friend came to our club in 1993 at the behest of his boss, Lanny Gertler. Being a wise boss, and a son of a Rotarian himself, Irving Gertler, a long-time member of this club, Lanny insisted that our friend come in under the flag and generous shadow of Angelo Cardono (No one does a smoother, jewel-like induction than Angelo.)
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Rotary Friends
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2016-09-13 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“How much is your life worth?” A twenty dollar bill?
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The Inspiration of John Coutis
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2016-09-12 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“My father taught me that your work is your life. And my mother taught me to have respect for everything,” so I feel that way for each patient, no matter who they are. If someone walks in with a bloody head and needs to go to the Emergency Room, at Wesley I can help them get there.”
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Westley Health Centers
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2016-09-06 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
WHAT moves without legs, crawls like a caterpillar, and is more fun than a Bumper Car Ride at Disneyland? It’s # 5851, Downey High School’s First Robotics Club entry in a Robotic Tournament
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Downey High Robotics Team
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2016-08-30 00:00:00Z |
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Rotary Friends - Manny Castro
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2016-08-23 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Jerry West was a class act.”
So said Vahid Babaeian, a class act himself, as he explained his interest in the
sports memorabilia which decorates his dental office. Fellow members listened intently as he continued his Craft Talk, a Rotary tradition.
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Craft Talks
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2016-08-23 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
For hands-on service and a cultural experience, the newest hot ticket is Merida, Mexico, District 5280’s International Humanitarian Trip, slated for January 25-30, 2017.
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5280’s International Humanitarian Trip
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2016-08-16 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
We were lucky to get as a last minute speaker Eric Pierce, who has in his portfolio being Editor of The Downy Patriot, President of the morning Kiwanis and up and coming Realtor in Downey.
But it is as Past President of G.O.O.D that Eric spoke to us. And the remarkable thing about this program, Gangs Out Of Downey, is how well it has become embedded in our civic consciousness. When Eric invited the club to contribute as he spoke, he had plenty of help from our involved and concerned members.
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G.O.O.D. (Gangs Out Of Downey)
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2016-08-09 00:00:00Z |
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Rotary Friends
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2016-08-02 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
If our club wants to attract members and continue to grow, and we do, then we need to look into recruiting the category of the Young Professional.
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District Membership
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2016-08-02 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Where can children with cancer go and play silly balloon games under towering pine trees, wear wildly colorful tee shirts, sing songs, swim, eat as many hamburgers and fries as they want? At Camp Ronald MacDonald for Good Times, on Apple Canyon Road in the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, that’s where.
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Camp Ronald McDonald
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2016-07-26 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
One of the best programs we have is the archaically named “Craft Talk,” when members introduce themselves to us in some depth without fear of getting fined for “advertising.”
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Craft Talks
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2016-07-19 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What’s new, and who’s in charge? Our Club Assembly gave us some previews of President Russell Skersick’s year-to-come.
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Club Assembly
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2016-07-12 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Word mentioned by emcee Ray Brown: “ coronation”
Décor: feathers, colored lights
Greeters at door: 2 statuesque samba dancers in authentic costumes and headdresses
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Demotion Dinner 2016
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2016-07-05 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Our annual farewell Picnic in the Park. No program, nor announcements, no songs, just the club as a family, spouses, children (outgoing president Will Medina’s wife and two children), and grandchildren if you have them (Dan Fox had his daughter and three granddaughters there). Incoming president Russell Skersick greeting us at the curb. An informal way to wind down the presidential year.
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Picnic in the Park
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2016-07-05 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Who were these four young people, wearing black tee shirts with the bright green letters, R Y L A? Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (Assembly) participants, that’s who, and the Y on the shirts was not really a letter but a figure raising outstretched arms.
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Rotary Youth Leadship Awards
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2016-06-28 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Deep blue tablecloths and gold and white “R” initialed napery, on tables sprinkled with Paul Harris-blue sapphires, greeted us on our Past Presidents Day Celebration. Rio Hondo went all out with their biggest gold rimmed service plates, and Patricia Megallon had set white hydrangeas in the table’s center, and a blue-bow-tied program at every place. We can’t do enough for those who have served us so well. Twenty-one of our past leaders were in attendance.
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Past Presidents Day
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2016-06-21 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“How many of you own your own business?” our speaker asked. Many hands were raised.
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Data Lifecycle Management™
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2016-06-14 00:00:00Z |
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“We are blessed,” President Will Medina then said, “to have two programs today.” He introduced Rich Strayer, who with his wife Gloria, explained the Guatemala Literacy Project in which they participated this year.
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Guatemala Litercy Project
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2016-06-07 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Today was “Take-Over” Day by the Warren High School Interact Club. President Camella and her cohorts were at the door to greet us, and to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Interact Takeover - Warren High School
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2016-06-07 00:00:00Z |
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The latest of Craft Talks came to us from Sam Espinoza and Raul Lopez. These talks were more than Craft Talks but an insight of the personal side of these two Rotarians.
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Craft Talks
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2016-05-31 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
How to make Downey’s Columbia Memorial Space Center relevant for the 21st century: that has been Director Ben Dickow’s self-set goal.
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Columbia Memorial Space Center
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2016-05-24 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
One reason the recidivism rate for crimes is high is because convicted persons usually have no place to go when they get out of prison.
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Living Word Harvest
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2016-05-16 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Our club was called to order by a very well prepared Interact Club’s president, Isabella Rodriguez. Much smaller than the podium but mighty, Isabella, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School’s Interact Club, led us through the opening ceremonies. Then we walked through the Welcome Song with hand shaking and the occasional hug, enjoying having the meeting room to ourselves for the first time in three weeks.
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Takeover Day - OLPH Interact
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2016-05-10 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
For the second straight Tuesday, our regular meeting was pre-empted by larger matters. Today Alex Saab, the Mayor of Downey, gave the State of the City address. Hosted by the Downey Chamber of Commerce, the event filled the Bob Winningham Banquet Room to capacity.
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State of the City with Mayor Alex Saab
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2016-05-03 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
The more you READ
The more things you will KNOW
The more you LEARN
The more places you will GO
GOOD JOB, READERS!
Downey Rotary is Proud of You!
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Rotary Recognizes Readers
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2016-04-12 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
When immigration is done right, everyone benefits and prospers. But the three generations of an Italian immigrant family living here in Downey, was the last thing on Rotarian Bill Kirkwood’s mind. He was attending a Rotary “happy hour” mixer and struck up a conversation with “special guest” and soon-to-be member Nathan Mahony, at a Downey Rotary social. Just by chance Bill mentioned that Nathan’s induction was going to be administered by a very special Rotarian. Angelo Cardono is a Downey treasure, with 68 years of perfect attendance with the club. His category is manufacturer of precious jewelry and he is president of Jewels by Angelo.
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Deep Rotary Connections
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2016-04-05 00:00:00Z |
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Investing for a Lifetime
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2016-04-05 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What does Utopia look like to you? Do you imagine a paradise where cyclists glide carefree on smooth streets, and pedestrians walk on grassy paths?
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“Kidslavia”
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2016-03-29 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“A small school, with big benefits,” that’s how Principal Erick Rubalcava described St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy in Downey.
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St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy
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2016-03-22 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Our Dr. John Garcia gave us a carefully reasoned explanation of the vision and mission of the Downey Unified School District, statements so well thought out that Dr. John spent fifteen minutes on the one-sentence vision statement, and ten minutes more on the single paragraph mission.
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Vision and Mission of Our Downey Schools
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2016-03-15 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Introduced with the friendly comment by Mario Guerra as the man “fast on his way to becoming the third most popular Downey mayor, after Roger Brossmer and myself,” the current Mayor of Downey, Alex Saab gave us a State of the City report.
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Mayor of Downey - Alex Saab
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2016-03-08 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Great students can be made, not born.” That is Phil Davis’s mission, as Director of the CTE program for the Downey Unified School District: “Career in Technology Education.” “To instill work force skills for all and to prepare middle and high school students to be competitive globally in the future marketplace,” is this goal of the program.
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Career in Technology Education
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2016-03-01 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What do we think of when we hear the name St. John Bosco? Football, of course. But we also should know that St. John Bosco School elevates the glorification of education, not of football. The goal is to form human beings.
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St. John Bosco
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2016-02-23 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
When you think of Downey, think new businesses. From the old Sam’s Club location to the new Promenade where Rockwell was, retail endeavors abound.
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Downey Business Development
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2016-02-16 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Mario Guerra introduced TLC as ‘One if the finest programs we’ve got going in Downey.’ And Luz Perez, Director of TLC, returned the compliment, by saying they could not exist without the generosity of organizations like Downey Rotary.
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True Lasting Connections
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2016-02-09 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
At the end of a long life, if you could change one thing, what would it be? According to speaker Bernard Otis, it should be, spend more time making friends.
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How To Prepare for Old Age and Still Have Fun
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2016-02-02 00:00:00Z |
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What’s almost as tall as the Empire State Building and almost as wide as the 405 Freeway, all lanes? It’s the super-large cargo container ships that dock in the Port of Long Beach, practically next door to Downey, give or take twenty miles.
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Long Beach Harbor
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2016-01-26 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
If we’re sleeping, stacked like cordwood in native hammocks and it’s ten more uncomfortable hours by dilapidated boat to our destination, we must be with Greg Welch again, on a mission of mercy.
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Greg Welch - Amazon Mission Trip
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2016-01-19 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
When you think of a flower bed, next time think dollars and cents in donations.
That’s the novel project of the Rotaract at Tulare University, sponsored by the Rotary Club of New Orleans Riverbend, where they have turned delphinium into dollars.
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Rotaract, Mama Maji and Community Gardens
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2016-01-12 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Welcome to our first annual USC/UCLA Spirit Week,” President Will Medina proclaimed. We shared our Thanksgiving turkey feast with members of four other Downey service clubs: the two Kiwanis groups, who concentrate on serving youth; Soroptimist International, whose mission is helping women and girls; and the Lions, whose best known project is fighting blindness.
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The USC/UCLA Rivalry
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2015-12-01 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
We were walked through the Financial Statement of the Club’s First Quarter with Treasurer Paul Mathys. As we went through each item step by step, Paul assured us that were in good shape, financially.
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State of the Club
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2015-11-24 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
We had a visit from the Interact Clubs of both Downey High School and Warren High School.
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Interact Clubs
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2015-11-10 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Impressions: two thousand miles of granite peaks, rain and flooding, dripping boots, rocks, rocks, rocks, bears, wild horses, water everywhere. Low hanging mists in the Smokies, pink arbutus criss-crossing the Skyline Drive in Virginia. Fields, meadows, pastures and stiles, miles and miles of rock, beautiful vistas but expect heavy clouds and haze. The Alleghenies, the Catskills, the Housatonic River, seeing longhorn cows, and being sopping wet.
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Appalachian Trail Trek
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2015-11-03 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Lovers of high school football, lovers of Downey, lovers of Downey Rotary – this program was for you.
“My favorite meeting, before the big rivalry game this Friday. Go Bears!” That’s how President Will Medina described our annual Spirit Week Luncheon program. “Thank you Downey head coach Jack Williams and Warren head coach Raul Lara for the great build- up,” Will added.
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Downey Warren Spirit Week
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2015-10-26 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
GLP – what is it, and why?
GLP, the Guatemala Literacy Project seeks to break the cycle of poverty by teaching the children of Guatemala how to read. Dick Anderson, National Coordinator for GLP, and a member of the Rotary Club of LA Quinta, came to tell our club about the great need and great achievements.
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Guatemala Literacy Project
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2015-10-20 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
World Record Set! Shortest Speech Ever by Visiting District Governor!
District Governor D. J. Sun made his stop at our club on his round of District 5280, and managed to say hail and farewell and set a few goals for membership, in less than 5 minutes. Visiting two-time Governor Doug Baker was impressed.
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Visit from the District Governor
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2015-10-13 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
If your house catches fire, how long will response time be? The twelve square mile City of Downey is divided into four quadrants, with a fire station in each, so response time to a call is under 5 minutes, Downey Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie told us.
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Downey Fire Department
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2015-10-06 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Most of the club remembered we were meeting at the Arc, and those who came were treated to a generous Mexican fiesta lunch, complete with big brownies for dessert. The Director of the Culinary Arts program acted as Chef for the day, and she and her staff were introduced and took bows when they brought out the coffee urns.
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The Arc
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2015-09-22 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Youth Protection is a much a concern to Rotary as it is to the Church, the Boy Scouts and to School Districts.
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Youth Protection, Awareness and Training
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2015-09-15 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Who trims 8,000 trees a year, replaces 380 street lights, and keeps all the fire hydrants painted yellow? Your Downey Public Works Department, that’s who.
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Downey Public Works
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2015-09-05 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
What do Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands in Micronesia, and the jungles on the Caribbean side of Panama, have in common?
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YWAM
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2015-08-18 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
So near, and yet, so far away. Sikre, Nepal, is only twenty miles from the international airport in Katmandu. Yet to took Greg Welch’s humanitarian team three hours to get there after landing. Roads were not only damaged in the recent 7.8 earthquake in Nepal, they were also blocked by huge rockslides.
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Mission: Nepal
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2015-08-03 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
The first thing we teach our children is, “If you see something wrong, tell someone.”
Rick Rodriguez, new president of Downey’s own innovative G.O.O.D. Program, told us this. The acronym stands for Gangs Out Of Downey, and the program is constantly moving to keep up with the changing nature and threat of gangs.
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Gangs Out Of Downey (GOOD)
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2015-07-28 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
Israel and Diana Gamez had been married for four years and had three children. Through lack of exercise and constant eating of food they had brought themselves to a point of disaster in their lives. After gaining too much with her pregnancies she weighted over 250, on a petite frame. He topped the scales at over 350. This is their story...
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Total Transformation
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2015-07-21 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
President Will Medina began his new term by promising us that he intends to put Rotary in the public eye, locally. “We’ll show them out there,” he said, “what we do, and then we’ll do even more.”
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And We're Off and Running
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2015-07-14 00:00:00Z |
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Question Corner - Bass Clef
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2015-07-14 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“Fantastic! Fantastic year!”, is what Exiting-President Larry Garces was saying from his perch atop a picnic table.
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It's a Wrap
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2015-07-06 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
“If the client suspects the spouse is cheating, then it’s been my experience that 99% of the time, the client is right.”
Private Investigator David Kale, a long-time Downey resident, told us about life of a P. I. “Not like you see on TV,” he said. It’s boring. Ten hours sitting in a car in one hundred degrees heat, is not glamorous. Still, it’s a job and somebody has got to do it. The club listened, spellbound.
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Private Eye (Very Interesting)
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2015-06-30 00:00:00Z |
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by Lorine Parks
The Downey PTA Foundation is the umbrella organization for all the Downey individual school PTA’s, said Linda Saldana who is President of the Price Elementary School PTA.
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Downey PTA
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2015-06-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Apr 27, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Mouth-watering chocolate cupcakes on a white pedestal and a tray of chocolate chip cookies greeted Rotarians when they entered the dining room, enticements for an auction to be put on by the Downey High School Interact Club.
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DHS Interact Takeover Day
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Lorine Parks
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2015-04-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Apr 27, 2015
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Request Corner
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Lorine Parks
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2015-04-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 20, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Terrorism – it’s right here. Al Shabaab which means “youth” in Arabic is an Islamic terrorist group linked to al Qa’ida and operating here in Southern California. As an example, Nima Ali Yusuf, 24, was recently indicted with four others in San Diego on charges of conspiracy to provide material support for terrorist. In short, they are terrorist financiers.
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Federal Bureau of Investigastion
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Dan Fox
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2015-04-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 13, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“Be a good ancestor.” That is your most important responsibility, said our speaker, Craig MacDonald. “You are the continuation of all the ancestors inside you,” so remember and preserve the spark and spirit of history.
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Revolutionary Ancestory
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Dan Fox
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2015-04-14 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 06, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Chocolate chip cookies and a dozen dainty cupcakes with fiesta frosting: these were the focus as the Warren High School Interact Club put on its annual fundraising program with us.
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Warren High Interact Takeover
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Dan Fox
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2015-04-07 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 30, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“These boys and girls will remember this day for the rest of their lives.” So said Downey Superintendant of Schools Dr. John Garcia, and from the smiles on the children’s faces you could see he was right.
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Rotary Recognizes Readers
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Dan Fox
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2015-03-31 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 23, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“It’s all about the music!” When you go to a symphony concert, Mark Artusio explained, you hear live musicians making music, live. By comparison, when you go to a movie you may also hear music of symphonic quality played by studio musicians who are highly skilled professionals. But the sound they produce is only background for the action.
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Downey Symphony
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Dan Fox
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2015-03-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 16, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Our March 10 meeting: where? The Arc facility in Downey. Why? The Arc (formerly Association of Retarded Citizens) has long been a special concern for Downey Rotary.
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Meeting at the Arc
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Dan Fox
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2015-03-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 09, 2015
by Lorine Parks
And the winner is . . .Our Rotary Club put on oratory and poetry contests, and the winners go on to the District level, for money prizes and honors to come.
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Art & Speech Contest
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Dan Fox
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2015-03-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 02, 2015
by Lorine Parks
The biggest blackest most adorable “program” ever, walked through the room and casually sat down on the floor. All eyes were on Abbey, a Newfoundland therapy dog. Abbey’s owner-handler Fred Froom explained that Abbey was wearing a bib, because “big dogs drool,” and a red kerchief, because that identifies her as a therapy dog (Service dogs, who aid the blind and the hearing impaired, wear a vest, he said).
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Abbey the Therapy Dog
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Dan Fox
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2015-03-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 23, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“Miracles happen every day” is the way Deborah Arroyo opened her talk to us about Rancho Los Amigos, the world renowned Rehabilitation Center right here in south Downey.
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Rancho Los Amigos Hospital
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Dan Fox
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2015-02-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 16, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Even Paradise has problems. So mused our speaker, Greg Welch, as he swam in the crystal tropical waters of the Philippines where his church mission group was cleaning up after Hurricane Yolanda.
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Mission to Phillippines with Greg Welch
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Dan Fox
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2015-02-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 09, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“Who are we, and where do we fit?”
These are questions teen-agers often ask themselves. The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey is now six years old, but in museum-years it could be considered to be in its adolescent stage. These are questions it is asking too.
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Columbia Memorial Space and Learning Center
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Dan Fox
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2015-02-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 02, 2015
by Lorine Parks
What is a slender blond white woman, an only child from a small family in America, doing in middle of the vast southwest Pacific, living with a large extended native family in the Kingdom of Tonga?
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Peace Corp
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Dan Fox
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2015-02-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 26, 2015
by Lorine Parks
SEAACA – what is it, and why is that cute little dog at the speaker’s table?
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SEAACA - Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
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Dan Fox
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2015-01-27 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 19, 2015
by Lorine Parks
Make a lifetime difference for a child. That’s a tall order, but that’s what CASA does. CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocate, a volunteer organization dedicated to seeing that the lives of foster children do not fall into the cracks and loopholes of the legal system.
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CASA - Court-Appointed Special Advocate
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Dan Fox
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2015-01-20 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 12, 2015
by Lorine Parks
“Not a word, about how it’s good for your health. And don’t mention the word exercise.” Thus our Speaker Lars Clutterham was challenged, when he was invited to talk about Bicycling in Downey.
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Bicycling Downey
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Dan Fox
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2015-01-13 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 22, 2014
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Merry Christmas
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Dan Fox
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2014-12-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 15, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Santa was stuck in the chimney and his appearance was delayed longer than usual this year, but we Rotarians stuck it out longer and our reward was hearing the jingle of bells from down the corridor and then the excited cries of the children who had joined us for our annual Christmas luncheon. It was the jolly old Elf himself!
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Chirldren's Christmas
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Dan Fox
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2014-12-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 08, 2014
by Lorine Parks
This week at our traditional Children’s Christmas Party, first and second graders in Downey schools will get Barbie Dolls and Hot Cars packaged by our members’ own hands. A few eager wrappers had to go back to the supply table, to be sure they had bright blue paper for the boy’s present, and pink for the girls, but we managed to wrap all the gifts our Christmas Party Committee members had provided. Thanks for doing a great job.
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Gift Wrapping
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Dan Fox
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2014-12-09 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 01, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Ronnie Fernandez has been working as a clinical psychologist for ten years with disadvantaged children and their families.
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Ronnie Fernandez - Clinical Psychologist
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Dan Fox
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2014-12-02 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 24, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Brian Jones could have been talking about Downey and what used to be called The Stonewood Shopping Center, when he outlined the sociology of the post-WWII phenomenon, the Mall.
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Development of a Town Center
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Dan Fox
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2014-11-25 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 17, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Any speaker’s hardest task? Making the statistics for an old subject sound as suspenseful as a Super Bowl, and the history as appealing as Mom’s stuffing with turkey and pumpkin pie. Ray Brown, our favorite Foundation Chair, proved up to the job.
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Rotary Foundation
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Dan Fox
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2014-11-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 10, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Where do sharks go at night? If you’re a grey-tipped reef shark or a lemon shark in Tahiti, after feeding in the ocean by day, you return at night to the warm shallows of your tropical home lagoon.
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CSULB Mobile Science Lab
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Dan Fox
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2014-11-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 03, 2014
by Lorine Parks
An American who volunteered to go to Uganda, Trent Fuenmayor not only lives with the people of Northern Uganda, he has become a member of the Rotary Club of Kitgumi.
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Irene Gleeson Foundation
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Dan Fox
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2014-11-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 27, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Beware of casket salesmen who try to “up the casket.” If you haven’t pre-planned your own funeral and left explicit instructions, your grieving family may become the prey of mercenary corporate intentions.
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Risher Mortuary and Cremation Services
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Dan Fox
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2014-10-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 20, 2014
by Lorine Parks
The Legend Continues.
When does a cross-town rivalry become a win-win situation, no matter who takes the game ball? When it’s the 50 year old Downey-Warren High School football game, one of the most respected in the nation.
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Spirit Week - Downey vs Warren
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Dan Fox
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2014-10-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 13, 2014
by Lorine Parks
What were your goals when you entered High School as a teenager? Can you remember what you hoped you would get out of those important years?
Our own Dr. John Garcia told us what today’s School Board is trying to give the students. Garcia, Superintendant of Schools for the Downey Unified School District, also encapsuled the students’ aims. They coincided but also differed in several important places. And they focused on issues none of us had to face before, namely, being prepared to compete in the 21st century.
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State of the Schools
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Dan Fox
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2014-10-14 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 06, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Into a mountainous countryside of farm lands and steeply terraced river valleys, where women wash clothes in the mountain streams and carry water back home in colorful jars balanced on their heads – into this Third World culture two years ago came Dr. Wayne Wilcox and his wife DeeDee, bringing dental care and hygiene to the people of Guatemala.
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Guatemala with Wayne and DeeDee Wilcox
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Dan Fox
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2014-10-07 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 29, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Kaiser Permanente Hospital is the second largest employer in Downey (surpassed only by Coca Cola), and we heard from two of its top administrators.
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Kaiser Permanente
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Dan Fox
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2014-09-30 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 22, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Stephanie Felix, now an AmeriCorps Vista member, holds the distinction of being the last Rotary Ambassador Scholar from Los Angeles, in 2012-13.
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Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
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Dan Fox
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2014-09-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 15, 2014
by Lorine Parks
If you live to be one hundred years old, you can look forward to seeing your picture in the Downey Patriot and a feature story about you too.
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The Downey Patriot
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Dan Fox
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2014-09-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 08, 2014
by Lorine Parks
“Give me a V! Give me an I!” So District Governor Elsa Gillham began her official visit to us, with an acronym to outline her ambitions for her Rotary Year and District 5280.
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Governor's Visit 2014
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Dan Fox
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2014-09-09 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 01, 2014
by Lorine Parks
How to break the cycle that leads to alcohol and drug abuse? Today’s speaker produced convincing statistics to show that a home without a father figure seemed to be a common denominator for persons who end up in poverty, violent crimes, domestic abuse and mental disease.
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Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
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Dan Fox
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2014-09-02 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 25, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Want to do good and also do well? Here’s Rotary District 5280’s Humanitarian Trip for 2015, to Guatemala, for $1600 per person, all-inclusive, even the air! Dates are Feb 5-9, climate is spring-like, and it’s the travel bargain of the year.
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Rotary District 5280’s Humanitarian Trip for 2015
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Dan Fox
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2014-08-26 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 18, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Calling all small businesses! Goldman Sachs has a growth plan for you, and a no-charge consultation if you qualify.
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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business
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Dan Fox
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2014-08-19 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 11, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Genetically speaking, what makes you? Your genome, that’s what.
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Your Genome
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Dan Fox
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2014-08-12 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 04, 2014
by Lorine Parks
There are dogs for the blind and dogs for the deaf, and today we met London, a handsome red Vizsla (Hungarian hunting dog), who is a disabled vet’s service assistance dog, trained by 4 Paws 4 Patriots.
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4 Paws 4 Patriots
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Dan Fox
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2014-08-05 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 28, 2014
by Lorine Parks
With Make Music Downey, our town joins hundreds of cities all over the world who celebrate the pleasures of music every June.
Started in 1982 in Paris as La Fete de la Musique, when music was played simultaneously all over the world on the summer solstice, this joyful event has spread as far as Copenhagen, London, New York, Chicago, Pasadena and finally in 2012 it came to Downey. Carol Kearns and Bea Romano, co-organizers of this festive event, came to tell us about it.
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Make Music Downey
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-29 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 21, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Next month marks the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s bill to end the war on poverty. LBJ signed the landmark Economic Opportunity Act, known as The War on Poverty, on August 20, 1964. But despite efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, we as a nation still have a long way to go.
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War on Poverty
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 14, 2014
by Lorine Parks
A “Club Meeting” is a special event, offering an open forum for suggestions from all the members. President Larry Garces convened one today, calling for ideas for special projects the Club could undertake during this coming year. President Larry would like us to show our presence in Downey in some memorable way.
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Club Meeting
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 07, 2014
by Lorine Parks and Dan Fox
Franchising is the practice of leasing, for a period of time, a firm’s successful business model and brand. The franchisor is a supplier who allows an operator, for a fee, to use the supplier’s trademark and distribute the supplier’s goods. Thirty-three countries, as our speaker Tom Birney told us, including the United States and Australia, have laws that regulate and have a direct impact on franchising.
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Franchising - The Jiffy Lube Story
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 07, 2014
by Dan Fox
The annual induction of officers was preceded by brief history of the “Famous People” (and Infamous People) of Downey Rotary presented by Angelo Cardono.
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Demotion Celebration
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 07, 2014
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Picnic in the Park
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Dan Fox
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2014-07-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 23, 2014
by Lorine Parks
“I love being in the fire service” Mark Gillaspie said, “it truly is a calling for me. I like helping people.” Mark Gillaspie is Downey’s newly designated Fire Chief, and he came to speak to Rotary to introduce himself to us.
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Meet the New Fire Chief
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Dan Fox
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2014-06-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 16, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Two of the most enthusiastic teachers in the world, who hold what many would regard as one of the world’s most depressing jobs, spoke to us today. Nina Denson and Kathy Estvez, two teachers from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall School told us about their heart-warming achievements.
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Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall School
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Dan Fox
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2014-06-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 09, 2014
by Lorine Parks.
“Here’s your chance to cheer or boo,” said President Paul Velasco. The occasion? The much-looked-forward-to Club Assembly, with year-end reports from every Board member.
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Club Assembly
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Dan Fox
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2014-06-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 02, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Our participation in the Rotary Student Exchange stands at: one here, one ready to go. The one here is Paula Mena, our year-long visitor from Valencia, Spain. This is Paula’s second presentation to the club and it was a pleasure to see how fluid in English she has become, and how comfortable addressing an audience. Dressed in fashionably faded jeans and a turquoise logo’ed tee shirt, her standard Rotary Exchange Student navy blazer was covered with pins she has acquired from local clubs and places.
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Rotary Youth Exchange
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Dan Fox
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2014-06-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 26, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Shared stories of Rotary in years past, plus a cake big enough to feed 60 members and their guests. What a way to celebrate the 90th birthday of our club. In addition, President Paul Velasquez showed us three new things produced for the occasion: a new club flag (controversial); a new club pin (did anyone get one?); and the cake – delicious.
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Celebrating 90 Years as a Club
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Dan Fox
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2014-05-27 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 19, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Who knew? The Rotary Club of Duarte was the one to send seismic shocks through Rotary International. It was 1976, and the local Superintendant of Schools and his Assistant (those educators are always making trouble), brought in a person eminently qualified by profession and by cooperative community spirit, to be a Rotarian. And yet that nomination for membership was declined, on the national organization level.
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First Woman in Rotary
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Dan Fox
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2014-05-20 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 12, 2014
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Los Angeles Vector Control
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Dan Fox
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2014-05-13 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 05, 2014
by Lorine Parks
“I’d like to be under the sea” sang the Beatles and thanks to the visit from Past District Governor Rick Mendoza, 1993-4, that’s where we were last week.
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Underwater Photography by PGD Rick Mendoza
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Dan Fox
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2014-05-06 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 28, 2014
By Lorine Parks
In an unexpected walk down Memory Lane, the Club was treated to a video showing the Club’s history. Unexpected, because this was a video made some twenty-six years ago, and narrated by a handsome brown-haired and brown-bearded Bill Kirkwood, then the Club Historian.
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Rotary Club of Downey History
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Dan Fox
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2014-04-29 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 21, 2014
by LORINE PARKS
Compton community activist and one-time child star of commercials Rodney Allen Rippy gave our club an inside look at his life of growing up comic.
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The Rodney Allen Rippy Story
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Dan Fox
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2014-04-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 14, 2014
By Lorine Parks
The Club was presented with a Certificate of appreciation from the Downey Library, for being a major donor to the Library’s Literacy Programs. Our Club supplies the funding for 52 brand new children’s books every year, one for each program meeting we have. Our program speaker is asked to sign the book, which is then donated to the Library in recognition of their appearance with us. Everybody wins.
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Downey High Interact Takeover
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Dan Fox
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2014-04-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 07, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Downey Fire Department Requires Evacuation of Rio Hondo Events Center During Rotary Club Meeting!! So said President Paul Velasco, and then he announced – “April Fool.” Wow, that was a close one.
The real excitement at our Club Meeting was the awarding of prizes for super achievement in reading by third and fifth graders. Dr. John Garcia, Superintendent of the Downey Unified School District, introduced Leslie Jones, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, and she did the honors for the program.
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Rotary Recognizes Readers
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Dan Fox
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2014-04-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 31, 2014
by Lorine Parks
The most Hawaiian thing about the Warren High School Interact Club was the pineapple upside down cake they brought to auction off to our club members. “Wear your Aloha shirts,” we were warned, because the Warren High School Interact Club was taking over the meeting today.
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Warren High Interact Takeover
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Dan Fox
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2014-04-01 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 24, 2014
by Lorine Parks
This reporter made a visit to Gracie Eshilian in the Woodruff Convalescent Center, and found her sitting comfortably in the new wheelchair that our Rotary Gracie Fund bought for her. Wheeled by Johnny Croshaw and escorted by Rich Strayer, Gracie and I went out onto the airy front porch for some pictures.
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Meeting at the Arc
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Dan Fox
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2014-03-25 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 17, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Downey’s Chief of Police, Carl Charles, paid us a visit and gave us a State of the Police Department Report. Chief Charles has been with the department for 24 years, so he is well qualified to tell us about its history.
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Chief of Police Carl Charles
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Dan Fox
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2014-03-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 10, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Our own Downey School District Superintendent Dr. John Garcia introduced Dr. Robert Jagelski, who directs an important adjunct to the workings of the District, TLC, or True Loving Connections.
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True Lasting Connections
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Dan Fox
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2014-03-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 03, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Dan Rooker from the Downey City Library presented a timely program about the problems veterans face when returning to integrate into their communities.
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Downey City Library
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Dan Fox
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2014-03-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 24, 2014
by Lorine Parks
District Governor Nominee Greg O’Brien of the Palos Verdes Club began his remarks by saying, when asked to join Rotary, one comes to a meeting asking oneself, “Would I like to be a member of this club?” To him, our club is a model in desirabilty, starting with Johnny Croshaw’s lively musical warm-up. Chris said he would like to invite Johnny to provide the singing for a mock Rotary meeting presentation the District will offer.
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Vocational Training Teams
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Dan Fox
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2014-02-25 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 17, 2014
By Lorine Parks
Cupcakes with fanciful toppings, chocolate candy, bottles of wine and bouquets of roses; whatever your Valentine fancied, this was your chance to buy it at Downey Rotary. Just in time for the sentimental holiday, the Interact Club at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, with a little help from Diane Davis, put on an auction of goodies.
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OLPH Interact Takeover
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Dan Fox
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2014-02-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 10, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Our Club was asked to act as judges for the Art and Oratory Contests, which Rotary sponsors in high schools each year. We were treated to an exhibit by artists from Downey and Warren High Schools, and asked to choose the winners, who will go on as finalists, to our Rotary District level.
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Rotary Art & Speech Contests
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Dan Fox
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2014-02-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 03, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Lisa Peacock is the Founder of The Peacock Foundation and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also Past President of Studio City/Sherman Oaks Rotary.
The Peacock Foundation logo looks like the spread-out tail of a peacock, but instead of being eponymous because of Lisa’s last name, it is actually the extended ten fingers of two hands joined at the wrists in a supporting gesture. The colors blue and green at first suggest the plumed bird too, but that is part of the design’s eye-catching appeal.
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Animal Assisted Therapy
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Dan Fox
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2014-02-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 27, 2014
by Lorine Parks
Keith Hall, Ed D, explained the way to Strength Leadership, a philosophy that helps you gain perspective on your strong points and then develop them.
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Strength Based Leadership
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Dan Fox
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2014-01-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 20, 2014
By Lorine Parks
Put a little fun in your life, and adopt a foreign exchange student. That was the message of Warren Bobrow, of the Westchester Club, District 5280’s Youth Exchange Officer.
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Rotary Youth Exchange 2014
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Dan Fox
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2014-01-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 13, 2014
By Lorine Parks
When personal trainer and physiologist Greg Welch last spoke to this club on the subject of conditioning, he stressed the fact that skeletal muscle is the most adaptable tissue in the human body. Although aging mediates cellular changes in muscle, decreasing the actual muscle mass, the detrimental effects of aging on muscle have been shown be restrained or even reversed with regular resistance exercise.
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Flex & Turn
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Dan Fox
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2014-01-14 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 23, 2013
By Lorine Parks
What a lovely setting for our last meeting of the year - - the Fireside Grill at Embassy Suites. We sat in the plush chairs and gazed through lush foliage at the fountain on the plaza in front of the Theatre, while enjoying the delicious buffet… Thanks to Maurice Sasuas for hosting us so elegantly on such short notice, and Dahlya McDonald for arranging it AND notifying everyone after Joseph’s Restaurant had a malfunction and could not keep their commitment. Sometime good things come when least expected.
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Merry Christmas to All...
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Dan Fox
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2013-12-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 16, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Santa Claus came to Downey Rotary, under bright sunny skies and amid the excited anticipation of our guests, 2nd grade school children from all of Downey’s elementary schools. Doctor Ed Potter came and played Christmas music before luncheon.
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Children's Christmas Party
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Dan Fox
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2013-12-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 09, 2013
By Lorine Parks
It’s a wrap! No, we’re not making movies. That was our hands-on program for the day. We wrapped the presents to be given to the less-fortunate school children, who will be our guests for our annual Luncheon With Santa on December 10.
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Engage Rotary - Change Lives by Wrapping Gifts
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Dan Fox
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2013-12-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 02, 2013
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, as we munched on the chicken (not turkey) lunch that Rio Hondo gave us, our speaker Nick Holst told us about Feeding Children Everywhere.
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Feeding Children Everywhere
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Dan Fox
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2013-12-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 25, 2013
When is 99% not enough? And why does that missing 1%, now matter so much?
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End Polio Now
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Dan Fox
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2013-11-26 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 18, 2013
A big shout-out to program chair Dahlya McDonald for her Veteran’s Day club project. First she passed out a thank-you card and envelope to each person. Then she told us that after writing a thanksgiving note to an anonymous service person, we were to pack a small CARE package to send with the notes.
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Packages for Veterans
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Dan Fox
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2013-11-19 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 11, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Today, Diane Davis told us, marked Interact Week. In recognition of that, officers of four of the school clubs that Downey Rotary sponsors were our guests for their induction ceremony.
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Interact Inductions.
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Dan Fox
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2013-11-12 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 04, 2013
by Lorine Parks
A sea of pearls and white ribbons greeted District Governor Doug Baker when he made his visit to his Home Club on Tuesday. First Lady Connie was with him too, and their daughter Kelley. Doug and his family sat at the center front table and greeted everyone who came up to welcome them home. Connie showed this reporter her own delicate pearl earrings and intricate pearl ring.
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Governor's Visit
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Dan Fox
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2013-11-05 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 28, 2013
by Lorine Parks
“Getting in shape” does not just mean losing weight, Greg Welch told us. It means rearranging the molecules, exchanging fat for muscle. Free weights work better than weight machines, but either one serves to generate and regenerate muscle fiber, while building calcium and giving the heart a work-out too.
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Learn It, Lose It, Before You Earn
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Dan Fox
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2013-10-29 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 21, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Take Downey High and Warren High, put them together in a football game that is one of most intense rivalries in the state of California, and what do you have? You have Spirit Week, and a great community event. In keeping with long-standing tradition, our Downey Club hosted visitors from both schools who brought us a, well, a spirited program.
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Spirit Week
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Dan Fox
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2013-10-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 14, 2013
Our speaker was introduced as a man who needs no introduction, and accordingly, he received none. Our own member Mario Guerra, gave a detailed look at the city during his recent year as Mayor. His secretary Shirley, and Gil Livas’s secretary, came as guests of the club to hear the boss.
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Message from the Mayor
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Dan Fox
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2013-10-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 07, 2013
We’ve heard of Flying Doctors and Doctors Without Borders. Now Ben LaBrot came to tell us about the smaller-scale program he founded and operates, Floating Doctors. Modeled after Medecins Sans Frontieres, the humanitarian secular non-governmental Nobel Peace Winning organization, Floating Doctors is a 501©3 non-profit medical relief team dedicated to reducing the burden of disease in developing communities.
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Floating Doctors
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Dan Fox
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2013-10-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 30, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Elizabeth Tilkian told our club about her involvement with DEBO, a group organized to help her fellow Ethiopians in rural villages. Elizabeth came to the United States in 1971, when she completed high school and college, and became a U. S. citizen. A revolution prevented her from returning to her country then.
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DEBO Helps Ethiopians
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Dan Fox
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2013-10-01 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 23, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Membership was the subject of the club program, and President Paul Velasco began by describing the historic arc of Rotary membership. After Paul Harris founded the Club, Rotary doubled in numbers for the first decade. Rotarians from Chicago came out to the west coast, and clubs in San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles sprang up, and then a sixth in New York, a seventh in Boston. “L A Five” is the fifth club to be chartered in Rotary history.
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Rotary Membership
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Dan Fox
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2013-09-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 16, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Dahlya McDonald presented the program, an explanation of how the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, will affect us when it goes into effect January 1, 2014.
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Affordable Care Act
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Dan Fox
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2013-09-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 09, 2013
by Lorine Parks
We welcomed David Weidman, CEO of Celenese Corp., a Fortune 500 Business company, which manufactures cellulose products for use in diverse industries. Headquartered in Houston, it competes on a global scale. David used China as an example of competition our country, and his company, face.
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Levels of Business
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Dan Fox
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2013-09-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 02, 2013
by Lorine Parks
The FBI paid a visit to our club in the person of COS (Case Operation Specialist) Diana Gonzalez, who has served 48 years with the Bureau. She came to warn us of the latest developments in Identity Theft.
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Identity Theft
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Dan Fox
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2013-09-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 26, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Roy van Broekhuizen and his wife were asked to head up a Tsunami Relief Project for Indonesia in 2005 and have never looked back.
Roy showed us a short video of the tsunami, beginning with a simple wave with people running down the street before it, and becoming rapidly a two-stories high river, tossing automobiles and personal belongings into a killer debris-filled flood.
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Tsunami Relief
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Dan Fox
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2013-08-27 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 19, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Did you ever see a man stand right in front of you, and watch his head grow two sizes bigger in a few minutes? And then watch it shrink, smaller it seems than when he began?
Magic? Well, an optical illusion, and very well done, with obligatory patter, by visiting magician Les Cooper. When you combine the expectation that magic is about to happen, and concentration on a concentrically spinning spiral wheel, you can get blown away.
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Socitey of American Magicians
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Dan Fox
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2013-08-20 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 12, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Thanks to our old friend and former member Dr. Jordan Phillips, our club was already vitally interested in the subject for the day’s program, organ donation. When the speaker from Donate Life California asked how many were actually already organ donors, a forest of hands shot up. “Holy canoli,” she exclaimed, obviously impressed and pleased.
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Donate Life California
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Dan Fox
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2013-08-13 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 05, 2013
by Lorine Parks
“O Colombia, the gem of the ocean.” Colombia the country, spelled with an o not a u, is known for its precious gemstone, the emerald, and a World Heritage City like Medellin, where the season is always spring. A country of 45 million people and the destination of Rotary District 5280’s annual Humanitarian Trip in March 2014.
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2014 Rotary District 5280-4271 Humanitarian Trip to Colombia
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Dan Fox
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2013-08-06 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 29, 2013
by Lorine Parks
(The following copy was approved by DG Doug Baker who had the opportunity to review this story.)
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Or so it would seem, as Doug Baker told us of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with being District Governor.
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District Governor: Candidly
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Dan Fox
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2013-07-30 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 22, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Open in the spring, summer and fall, and surrounded by large oak trees near the Santa Ana river and nearby Jenks Lake, this camp boasts serene beauty in a traditional camp setting. YMCA Camp Round Meadow offers recently remodeled intimate rustic cabins.
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Downey Y Summer Camp
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Dan Fox
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2013-07-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 15, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Cassie Hoag represents a consulting firm for business management called Vital Factors Solutions, whose company is unique in that all its employees are either former CEO’s or business owners. They have handled over 15,000 clients, helping them to achieve employee accountability and motivation.
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Vital Factors Solutions
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Dan Fox
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2013-07-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 08, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Our speaker, Air Force Staff Sergeant Jack Hall, explained to us how military cyber-intelligence works. Information is gathered from sources all around us, and accessible to anyone, not just a spy master. Phone calls, cell calls, beepers, tweets, links, the Internet, etc., can be intercepted, decoded and filed, by Cryptologist Support Teams (CSTs).
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Cryptologist Support Teams (CSTs)
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Dan Fox
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2013-07-09 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 29, 2013
A poem written by our own Lorine Parks about the last picture of the year.
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The Last Picture
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-30 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 24, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Today President Ray Andazola took stock of his year as president, in a State of the Club Program. He thanked the club for the honor and pleasure of leading them.
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Club Assembly
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-25 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 17, 2013
by Lorine Parks
“Don’t wind up on the six o’clock news.” That was our guest speaker Gerry Beck warning to us, as he began a fascinating program about basic survival techniques.
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Survival Tips
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 10, 2013
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Council on Legislation 2013
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 10, 2013
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RYLA 2013
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jun 03, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Fellow Rotarian Greg Welch gave us a story of his life combined with a craft talk that has lots of Rotarian associations.
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Craft Talk by Greg Welch
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Dan Fox
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2013-06-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 27, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Bob Flynn introduced today’s speaker, Sister Teresa who spoke to us on the situation of juveniles who are tried as adults for crimes. Sister Teresa started teaching in 1958 in the Valley, and she became Chaplain in 1976.
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Sister Teresa of Our Own
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Dan Fox
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2013-05-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 20, 2013
by Lorine Parks
May fourteenth was one of those defining days, when we in our Club pause to take stock of ourselves. We had a membership induction ceremony unlike most of our others, not too short and, though it was the entire program, not too long.
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Rotary Club of Downey's Legacy Lives On
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Dan Fox
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2013-05-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 13, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Heather Conwell graciously welcomed us to the Downey Regional Medical Center for a delicious steak luncheon. After our meal, speaker Rob Fuller welcomed us to Hospital-land and proceeded with his speech. First, he gave us the good news. The clock has been started and papers filed for transfer of ownership of Downey Regional Medical Center, and in the fall, 90 days from now, DMRC should have a new name: PIH Downey (PIH = Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital). It will be a sister to PIH Whittier.
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Downey Regional Medical Center
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Dan Fox
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2013-05-14 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 06, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Carol Kearns and Bea Romano from the Downey Arts Coalition announced Downey’s newest exciting event, Make Music Downey. If they had composed a want ad, it would look like this:
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Make Music Downey
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Dan Fox
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2013-05-07 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 29, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Today we learned that the pleasures of being a collector lie not only in finding that certain item, but also in making friends in strange places, learning the generosity of strangers and finding out a little more about the world wherever you go.
Bill Held, a fellow Rotarian from the South Gate club, showed us a fraction of his extensive collection of All Things Snoopy, which is a branch, but a mighty one, of collectibles of anything by Charles Schultz, the man who drew Peanuts. Held has over 2,000 items and he says when he goes through the boxes, it’s like discovering new pieces for his collection all over again.
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Scoopy Collection
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-30 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 22, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Calvin Chan from LA Five presented Rotary International’s inspiring multi-district project, “Water for Myanmar’s Orphanages.” Led by our District 5280 and LA Five, this project began in 2006 to give orphans clear water for their health. Founded by J. T. Warring, its supporters have now worked at over 200 orphanages. Warring was present with Chang and helped explain the work.
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Water Treatment Project
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 15, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Roy Shabla, from the Downey Arts Coalition, told us about the first time ever Downey State of the Arts Show which Roy is curating on Sunday April 28. Roy is a poet, teacher, and primarily an artist, specializing in abstract expressionist “pour” paintings (as different from “drip” paintings).
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Downey Arts Coalition
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 15, 2013
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District Conference Highlights
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 08, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Past president Diane Davis has found a way for our club to be even more generous toward Downey organizations that help children, and need every little bit of help they can get. Our program featured the presentation of Mini Awards, $250 each for the top ten of the seventeen agencies that answered our call for applications.
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Rotary Mini Grant Awards
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-09 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 01, 2013
by Lorine Parks
When we arrived at the dining room doorway, members of Downey High Interact met us at the door to greet us. Their club presented the program, which began with a slide show and ended with a cup cake challenge.
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Downey High Interact Takeover
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Dan Fox
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2013-04-02 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 25, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Outstanding young readers who have significantly improved their grade level in reading, were presented awards for excellence.
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Rotary Recognizes Readers
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Dan Fox
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2013-03-26 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 18, 2013
by Lorine Parks
The Arc of Downey graciously hosted us for luncheon and several clients of the Arc were on hand in the parking lot to greet us. One smiling young woman told this reporter about the coming Arc walk, and said she was looking forward to walking the three mile course (There is also a less taxing one mile course). Kevin MacDonald greeted everyone as we approached the line for the fabulous Mexican buffet.
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Field Trip to the Arc
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Dan Fox
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2013-03-19 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 18, 2013
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A Letter from President Ray
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Dan Fox
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2013-03-19 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 11, 2013
The program this week was two crafts by fellow Rotarians Gabriel Orozco (pictured on the left) and Larry Garces (pictured on the right).
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Craft Talk III
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Dan Fox
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2013-03-12 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 04, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Warren High Interact presented the program today, so they also greeted us at the door and conducted the opening ceremonies. After one of their officers sang the little-known verse to the opening song, we all did a rousing chorus of “We will rock you,” and then went into the Welcome Song greeting festivities.
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Warren High Interact Take Over
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Dan Fox
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2013-03-05 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 25, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Greg Watson, Director of The Rancho Foundation, told us about new developments and projects. The Foundation is the fund-raising arm for Rancho Los Amigos Hospital that raises private funds to go directly into programs for patients, that the Hospital cannot fund itself.
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The Rancho Foundation
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Dan Fox
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2013-02-26 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 25, 2013
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New Member Induction
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Dan Fox
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2013-02-26 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 18, 2013
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Craft Talk II
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Dan Fox
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2013-02-19 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 11, 2013
by Lorine Parks
The Rotary International Group Exchange Group, just back from a four-week visit to Japan, spoke to us. The purpose of the program is professional exchange and development, member Jewel Price explained to us. Not only did the group sample work experiences in their fields, but they were treated to cultural treats and natural beauty as well.
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GSE Team Japan Visit
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Dan Fox
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2013-02-12 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Feb 04, 2013
by Lorine Parks
The program turned out to be our club’s actual participation in two District events, the high school art and speech contests, orchestrated by Lorraine Neal.
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Art & Speech Contest
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Dan Fox
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2013-02-05 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 28, 2013
by Lorine Parks
CRAFT TALKS are a Rotary tradition, whereby we get to learn about one of our members professionally, and even more, know that member more personally too. Both Shirley Johnson and Kirk Cartozian took the podium, and there was a surprising similarity in the way their current careers were shaped.
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Craft Talks
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-29 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 28, 2013
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Doug Baker DG Again
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-29 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 21, 2013
by Lorine Parks
Then the Honorable Philip Mautino, Judge of the Superior Court and our own Rotarian at Los Padrinos Juvenile Court in Downey, gave us a fascinating account of the fiscal crisis in the judicial system in Los Angeles County.
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Honorable Philip Mautino
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 21, 2013
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Angelo Cardono Sworen In
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 14, 2013
by Lorine Parks
We were treated to a fascinating overview of the cultural and spiritual battle taking place today in China, by Dr. Shizhong Chen, an expatriate Chinese, and president of the Conscience Foundation, who also has a degree in molecular biology from UC San Diego. He is the spokesperson for the Falun Gong Human Rights Working Group (FGHRWG) and his story explains what Falun Gong is, and why the world is protesting China for civil abuses against it.
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Shen Yun and Chinese Culture
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jan 14, 2013
by Lorine Parks
We celebrated our last meeting of the year by sharing a Christmas party luncheon with needy first and second graders from the Downey schools. As Kevin MacDonald said in his invocation, after the events last week in Connecticut, these children are even more precious to us now, and we all felt a special connection by sharing this hour with them.
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Children's Christmas Party
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Dan Fox
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2013-01-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 17, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Elaine Held was our speaker, and she told of the two books she has written. One is Calvin Many Wolves Potter, and the other is Alaska Our Way. First she gave us a run-down on how to publish your own book of memoirs or family history.
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How to Publish Your Book
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Dan Fox
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2012-12-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 10, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our speaker today was Beth Anderson from the Palos Verdes Sunrise Club and the Public Relations and Marketing Representative for the Rotary Rose Parade Float.
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Rotary Rose Parade Float
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Dan Fox
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2012-12-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Dec 03, 2012
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Gift Wrapping
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Dan Fox
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2012-12-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 26, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Today was Club Assembly, and President Ray Andazola presided and also signed the book for the Library at the end. Ray emphasized how smoothly the club was running, with the transfer of power from one generation to another. Past President Diane Davis has taken a strong interest in helping guide the club through the year. Ray wants us to be the most progressive and innovative club in District 5280.
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Club Assembly
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Dan Fox
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2012-11-27 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 19, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Paul Velasco gave a clear and detailed program on what estate planning means, and why everyone should give it some thought. If one doesn’t plan properly, then much of one’s estate may be lost to the state and to attorney fees.
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Estate Planning
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Dan Fox
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2012-11-20 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 12, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Ray Brown presented a program on the Rotary Foundation. First, he wanted us to be sure we knew that Rotary International is not the same thing as the Rotary Foundation. Rotary International is the organization of all the clubs and the members. The Foundation is the gift-giving part of Rotary International.
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Rotary Foundation
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Dan Fox
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2012-11-13 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Nov 05, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our program was the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, presented by Warren Bobrow.
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Rotary Youth Exchange
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Dan Fox
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2012-11-06 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 29, 2012
by Lorine Parks
October 24 was World Polio Day, and Shirley Giltzow from the Lawndale Rotary Club came to update us on Rotary’s amazing progress with its main international project, eradicating polio worldwide. When you consider that in 1996 there were 336,000 cases reported in 126 different countries, and so far this year of 2012, only 160 cases from just three countries, you can see that this scourge of children and adults as well, is almost gone.
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End Polio Now
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Dan Fox
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2012-10-30 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 22, 2012
by Lorine Parks
An enthusiastic Byron Nash told us about “Camp To Belong” in Orange Country. It is a one-week sleep-away camp experience for foster children who have been separated by “The System” from their siblings, and a chance to reunite with them at the brand-new Outdoor Educational Center in Irvine Regional Park.
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Camp To Belong
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Dan Fox
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2012-10-23 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 15, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Robert Piccioni, PhD from Stanford and author of the book, Everyone’s Guide to Atoms, Albert Einstein and the Universe
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Robert Piccioni, PhD
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Dan Fox
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2012-10-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Ray Andazola on Oct 15, 2012
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President Ray's First Quarter Report
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Ray Andazola
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2012-10-16 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 08, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our Club celebrated Spirit Day, the Tuesday before the football game between our two high schools, with our traditional enthusiasm. The principals of Downey and Warren High, football coaches, senior players, activity directors, cheer leaders and pep squads were our guests for lunch and they presented their spirited program.
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Spirit Day
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Dan Fox
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2012-10-09 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Oct 01, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Rotary Club of Downey saluted District Governor Lew Bertrand on his official visit with us...,
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Governor's Visit
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Dan Fox
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2012-10-02 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 24, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our speaker was Julie Gibson who owns and operates a restaurant, R & J’s, in Downey where the southern tip of Downey touches Bellflower, at 8852 Rosecrans, Avenue, Downey 90242. It’s just west of Lakewood.
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Julie Gibson - R & J's Southern Homecooking
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Dan Fox
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2012-09-25 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 17, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Today was a day that could have only happened in Downey. Rotary met at the Columbia Space Center and had a delicious box lunch in the presence of a host of space-themed exhibits — including two test Apollo spacecraft — and a Challenger Learning Center.
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Columbia Memorial Space Center Field Trip
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Dan Fox
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2012-09-18 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 10, 2012
by Lorine Parks
CASA of Los Angeles is the acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate, an organization that would like to recruit more volunteers from Downey, as our speaker told us.
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CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocate
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Dan Fox
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2012-09-11 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Sep 03, 2012
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Rotary Membership
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Dan Fox
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2012-09-04 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 27, 2012
by Lorrine Parks
Downey Rotary went on a virtual tour of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens with Zoo Docent Diane Jamieson. At the Entry Plaza is the California sea life exhibit of the harbor seal and sea lion, to welcome us. Here is also the animal rescue and care center, featuring the California Condor.
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LA Zoo Vitual Tour
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Dan Fox
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2012-08-28 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 20, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Guest Speaker Melissa Goldman from the Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter, brought us a new focus on Alzheimer’s: taking care of the care givers. This chapter’s mission is, in part, to provide and enhance support for all affected, to educate family and caregivers on how to deal with patients with the disease. It also gives the care-givers support by helping arrange time away from the patient, to continue to live their own lives. Sometimes the patient outlives the care giver.
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Alzheimer's Association
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Dan Fox
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2012-08-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 13, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Rotarians were treated to the thrills and perils of growing up in Toad Suck, Arkansas, as John “J Dub” Black, former president of the Culver City Rotary Club, regaled us with stories from his book, Tales from Toad Suck: Adventures of a Boy Who Lived a Life Different from Other People His Age. It’s a story of survival and love.
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Tales from Toad Suck: Adventures of a Boy Who Lived a Life Different from Other People His Age
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Dan Fox
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2012-08-14 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Aug 06, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Dr Knos, a fellow Rotarian, spoke to us about Disaster Aid USA, a world-wide disaster relief group, administered by Rotarians, which originated with the Bladensburg, MD Rotary Club. Their mission is to bring the four basics of survival, water, shelter, food and warmth, to help displaced families and persons rebuild their shattered lives with dignity and hope.
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Disaster Aid USA
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Dan Fox
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2012-08-07 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 30, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Chick-fil-A Franchise, anyone? The company that has made a specialty of serving chicken breast sandwiches since 1946 is considering opening a free-standing restaurant in Downey, and for a five thousand dollar fee and few other considerations, the franchiser could be you.
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Chick-fil-A Franchise
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Dan Fox
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2012-07-31 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 23, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our program was an account by Fernando Marquet of the invasion of Cuba by the United States on April 17, 1961, in what is known as the Bay of Pigs.
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Fernando Marquet - Bay of Pigs Survivor and Cuban refugee
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Dan Fox
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2012-07-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 16, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Tommy Hawkins makes a terrific front man for poetry. He reads it powerfully, he writes it, and he has made himself a new career with a beautifully illustrated book of his own poems, Poetry for the People.
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Tommy Hawkins - Poetry for the People
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Dan Fox
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2012-07-17 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 09, 2012
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4th of July Fines with Alex
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Dan Fox
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2012-07-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Jul 09, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Did you know that 18% of the homeless in Los Angeles are veterans? That’s what Sergeant Joe Leal told us. He has founded an organization to be an advocate for these homeless heroes, Vet Hunters. Many people do not believe that vets are homeless, yet Sgt. Joe called them the MIAs, “Missing in America.”
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The Vet Hunters Project
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Dan Fox
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2012-07-10 00:00:00Z |
0
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Jul 02, 2012
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sort of a sonnet in praise of President Diane
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Lorine Parks
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2012-07-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 21, 2012
Arc Consumers and Downey Rotarians team up for a great day of fishing at Wilderness Park.
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Arc/Rotary Fishing Derby
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 21, 2012
The 10K Dinner and Drawing is always a good time.
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10K Dinner
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 21, 2012
Dinner to celebrate the publication of Lorine Parks’s 1st book, “Catalina Eddy”
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Lorine Park's Publishes Book of Poetry titled "Catalina Eddy"
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 21, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Have no fear, Gustavo Dudamel. The next great conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is not going to come from the Downey Rotary Club.
Sharon Lavrey, Music Director of the Downey Symphony gave us a lesson in the history of conducting, climaxing in a tangle of club members with their own arms and elbows when she attempted to show us how to conduct.
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Downey Symphony
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-22 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 14, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our speaker, fellow Rotarian John Quigliani from Downey Post 270 presented a program about the national volunteer organization, The American Legion, which has about 140 members locally.
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American Legion
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-15 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 07, 2012
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Women in Rotary
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on May 07, 2012
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Warren Interact Takes Over
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-08 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 30, 2012
by Lorine Parks
For his much looked-forward-to program on trends in jewelry, Angelo Cardono discussed an often over-looked product, the home-grown American gem stones found right in the United States.
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Jewels by Angelo
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Dan Fox
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2012-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 23, 2012
by Lorine Parks
Our young guests from India, part of the Group Study Exchange, presented themselves as our program. In their thirties, they are a lively group, who take an interest in helping the world around them. They come from Chennai, also known as Madras, Rotary District 3230, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Madru.
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GSE Team from India
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Dan Fox
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2012-04-24 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 09, 2012
by Lorine Parks
While some of our fellow Rotarians were giving blood in the Bloodmobile, Roger Torres, a senior field manager for the American Red Cross gave us some information on the local need for blood.
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American Red Cross
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Dan Fox
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2012-04-10 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Apr 02, 2012
Written by Lorine Parks
Fellow Rotarian and Mayor of Downey Roger Brossmer delivered his State of the City program for us; the good, the bad and the ugly.
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State of the City
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Dan Fox
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2012-04-03 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 31, 2012
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March 3, 2012
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District Interact leaders orchestrated a successful bowling tournament
in Downey, California (Del Rio Lanes)- over 170 fellow Interactors and
Rotarians showed up and enjoyed bowling,
pizza & soda. In less than two hours and after paying the bill, they are proud to donate $1,640 to End Polio Now. These are the leaders of our District Interact and Future of Rotary! Way to go! |
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Interact Bowling Night a Huge Success!
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Dan Fox
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2012-04-01 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 26, 2012
Written by Lorine Parks
Our fellow Rotarian Dr. Wendy Doty, with well deserved pride, presided over our Program, presenting for recognition the children in our elementary schools who have improved the most in reading in this year. Improvement is measured by the number of grade levels they have moved up in reading.
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Rotary Recognizes Readers
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Dan Fox
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2012-03-27 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Mar 19, 2012
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Field Trip to The Arc
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Lorine Parks
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2012-03-20 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox on Mar 05, 2012
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Interact End Polio Now Bowling Tournament
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Dan Fox
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2012-03-06 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Mar 05, 2012
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New Interact Club at Downey High School
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Lorine Parks
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2012-03-06 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Lorine Parks on Feb 20, 2012
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End Polio Now Bake Sale/Auction
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Lorine Parks
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2012-02-21 00:00:00Z |
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Posted by Dan Fox
Ed Potter supplying the music for Rotarians and their guests of teachers and children from Downey Unified School District. All enjoyed lunch together and had a special visit from…Santa Claus. Who brought each child a gift and some treats to enjoy. It was a wonderful afternoon that warmed the hearts of all in attendance.
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Children's Christmas Party
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Dan Fox
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Posted by Ingrid Martin
Many Rotarians came out in force to join in the Walk for Independence.
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Arc Walk - Rotary a Proud Sponsor
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Ingrid Martin
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Posted by Ingrid Martin
What a good looking group of Rotarians!
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Rotary Club of Downey
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Ingrid Martin
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