Inspiration
-by Jim Hallett
 
It was Monday, February 22, 2021, and President Tim Hageman called upon Steve Murillo to lead the Pledge, after which he quoted Maya Angelou reminding us that, above all, people will never forget how we made them feel…..Thus inspired, President Tim took inspiration to a historically high level with a video honoring the 41st anniversary of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey victory over the Soviet Union.  Messages included:  You don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone (i.e., work harder).   And: The name on the front of your jersey (i.e., USA) is more important than your name on the back……Rich Montgomery told us that high school athletics (except volleyball for some unknown reason) are close to reopening, and that closing off part of downtown for outdoor dining has been successful (but, as I write this, it has ended)……Vinny Fazzino shared photos of the Mexico project he and Lincoln Stone have worked on, creating restrooms for a Baja orphanage.  March 27 is the next construction trip.  They need $4,000 (Debby Arnold has already chipped in).
 
Happy Dollars
Wade Austin is a new grandfather…..Deb Robertson thanked Nina Patel for connecting her daughter to a job…..Norm Levin was relieved to learn that his son-in-law’s deployment to Fort Worth, Texas has not deprived the family of water and electricity despite the Texas Freeze….Not to be outdone by Wade Austin’s grandchild, Barbara Matles is now a great-grandmother…..Ed Kushins is still gushing over his hole-in-one…..Bob Stephenson and Susan Adams have, after 26 months, at last moved into their finished home….. Hilary Mahan happily reported Grades 3-5 return to their Manhattan Beach schoolrooms March 1…..Ingo Werk introduced his RI Convention companion, Howard Pollock of the Playa Sunrise Club…..Bruce Greenspon brought his son to the meeting to celebrate his return to school.
 
Mystery Rotarian
She trekked in Vietnam.  She joined a drinking club with a running problem.  Her father was a Rotarian in Illinois and her uncle was a Rotarian in Montreal.  Her favorite colors?  Cream and crimson (Indiana) and cardinal and gold (I’ll let you sort that one out).  Sue Vogl was born in Ontario, Canada.  Her family moved to Danville, Illinois.  She’s a big Hoosier basketball fan.  She studied journalism and worked for the Indianapolis Star News, then moved to L.A. and corporate work, then on to Long Beach State, finally landing at USC for 28 years (her daughter Shannon is a Trojan alum).  She retired but is still active in USC affairs.  She hikes.  She gardens.  She loves family.  And she of course focuses on Rotary (Kathleen Terry recruited  her to Rotary after they met in Leadership Manhattan Beach).
 
Beyond Meat
Jim Schlager introduced his friend Brent Taylor, co-founder (with Ethan Brown) and now CEO of Beyond Meat as well as a new company, Perennial (a plant-based protein drink for the handful of us over age 50, all of whom by now have gone to Jim’s home to get free samples).  Brent is a UCLA grad with an MBA from Wharton.  He is a Manhattan Beach native now living here with his wife Kirby.  Beyond Meat started in 2010 in El Segundo, providing an alternative to animal protein, benefitting human health, climate change, global resources, and animal welfare (he started with Beyond Chicken and moved on).  Bill Gates featured and supported the company in 2013, and they skyrocketed, promoted by major news outlets, television shows, and athletes, all resulting in more major investors.  But, cautions Brent, the emotional and physical toll of entrepreneurship has been tough.  But worth it.  The U.S. population is aging, and the over-65s (like I said, just a handful of us) are active and want to stay that way.  His products address that.
 
Small World
President Tim especially enjoyed seeing Brent Taylor in this small world of Manhattan Beach.  Tim recognized Brent on the Zoom screen as the son of Tim’s friend Joe Taylor, a retired firefighter (not that Tim is retired or over 50 or anything like that).  Tim taught DARE and remembers that Brent’s leadership style stood out even then.   It was a nice reunion for them both, even as we got to watch Brent push formerly young DARE officer Tim into becoming a Perennial.