Kicking Off Valentine's Week

by Jim McFarland

John Hugunin lead our flag salute and word of the day where he inspired us to think about making this a Valentine's Week. 
  1. Rose Day: Monday
  2. Propose Day: Tuesday
  3. Chocolate Day: Wednesday
  4. Teddy Day: Thursday
  5. Promise Day: Friday
  6. Hug Day: Saturday
  7. Kiss Day: Sunday
  8. Valentine’s Day: Monday
Next week will be our last Zoom meeting. We are dark for Presidents’ Day on the 21st, so back to the Westdrift on the 28th.
Guests:  Shiela Fowler from our district joined.
 
Casa Esperanza Update
Vinny Fazzino updated us on the Casa Esperanza Orphanage bathroom project, where they are nearing the completion of 11 stalls.  All that is left is electrical and doors. 90% done!!    
 
Mira Costa Rotaract renamed to Beach Cities Rotaract!  They are meeting once a month and have about 20 members.
 
President Jordan Holbert announced February birthdays and anniversaries plus Rotary anniversaries: Loli Ramezani, 8 years; Dan Saks, 17 years; Shannon Ryan, 11 years; Wayne Nelson, 20 years; Lincoln Stone, 20 years.
 
Celebrating Our Activities
Celebrate Manhattan has its first sponsor Wells Fargo/Shannon Ryan: Paddle Sponsor. Sponsor categories: Lifeguard $20,000, Surfer $10,000, Paddle $5,000, Beach 
Baby $1,500.  Tom Jeffry is co-director of the Celebrate Manhattan Committee.
 
Kelly Stroman, Vocational Chair, announced the MB school music awards on March 21st at the Westdrift.
 
Spring Dine Arounds were announced.  We had about 100 participants last time. We need about 14 hosts to make sure we can accommodate everyone. 
 
Athletic Facilities in Carson
Our speaker for today was Tamala Lewis, Senior Director of Community Affairs for AEG’s Dignity Health Sports Park. She also is the Senior Director of the Foundation. In this position she oversees public/community service, charity events, and the summer concert series for the venue.  She has been there for almost 19 years.  She spoke about all of the facilities at the park.  The main stadium, soccer, rugby, and former football site.  The tennis venue where the US tennis team trains and boxing matches are held is a big draw there.  The velodrome will be highlighted at the 2028 Summer Olympics.  Parking for this weeks’ Superbowl will be there as the parking is limited at SoFi.  She will organize a tour for us.  
 
See y’all next week!!