Celebrating Our Superheroesby Sue Vogl
Who is our superhero? Is it District Governor Alex Parajon, whose immigrant story is truly inspiring, or is it one of the many MB Rotarians who were honored by DG Parajon at our Monday meeting? I think it’s all of the above! And our breakfast crowd, including many celebrating the occasion with superhero t-shirts, agreed with applause and numerous standing ovations.
But first, new member Lisa Schlager led us in the pledge of allegiance and read her thought of the day, a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson about the purpose of life.
President Cedric Tuck-Sherman gave us a quick history lesson to recognize our club’s 75th year leading to another important 75th birthday, dedicated Rotarian Bill Bloomfield, visiting from Park City.
President Cedric also led off Happy Dollars, thanking the volunteers who made his President’s Reception such a successful event. Social Director Tarek Shaer organized the event and Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio’s Lido restaurant catered the delicious Caribbean-inspired dinner. Other Happy Dollar highlights included Shannon Ryan’s recently published book, Your Money Has Feelings; Kathleen Terry’s thanks for the women in the club who have volunteered at Restoration Services to help victims of sex trafficking; and the birth of Christina Pascucci’s baby boy Everest Austin.
It was then time to recognize our members. President Cedric presented recent college grad and AV volunteer Alex Bailey with a red badge and announced he would be paid $50 weekly. Others recognized – July Rotarian of the Month Walt Kasha, August Rotarian of the Month Christina Pascucci, and 50-year Rotarian Donn Ennis, who will get an engraved Rotary clock to recognize that achievement.
DG Parajon has a busy year ahead of him as he schedules visits to all 65 clubs in District 5280. His story started during the civil war in Nicaragua, when only holding his mother’s hand helped him endure the terror of gunfire. When the family left for safety in the U.S., they endured hardship including homelessness. Nevertheless, with his mother’s support, Alex graduated with degrees from Woodbury University, became an accountant, and, important to our story, joined Rotary in 2012. In keeping with this year’s theme for Rotary International – Unite for Good – Alex has three areas of particular interest – homelessness, mental health and organ donation awareness (his mother was an organ donor).
Then it was time for a steady stream of MB Rotarians to go to the podium as Alex handed out special awards: Superhero awards to President Cedric; Kathleen Terry, our Guiding Star; and Mark Maruyama, our Rising Star. Alex inducted two new members, Priscila Kasha (sponsored by John Acker) and Val Pagett (sponsored by Kathleen Terry). No time for handshakes as we moved on to honor Paul Harris Fellows: Sandesha Singh, Paul Harris Fellow; Rod Spackman, Paul Harris Fellow; Jim McFarland, Fellow +1; Nelson Gray, Fellow +5, Brad Koppel, Fellow +5, Cedric Tuck-Sherman, Fellow +5; Donn Ennis, Fellow +7; Norm Levin, Fellow +7.
Concluding the meeting, President Cedric presented Alex with $1,000 in his name to Donate Life America to support organ, eye and tissue donation registration in honor of his mother.
For more meeting photos, go to SmugMug. |
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Viva Puerto Ricoby Editor
President Cedric Tuck-Sherman and First Lady Gretchen Stipec hosted our annual President's Reception and, in honor of Gretchen's homeland, the theme was Viva Puerto Rico! More than a hundred Rotarians and guests sampled Mojitos and Palomas from Playa Hermosa as well as a Cuban-themed dinner catered by Lido restaurant, both from our talented restaurateur Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio. Social Director Tarek Shaer planned the event, which even included a cigar/rum bar provided by Papisiano Cigar Bars. President Cedric has told us that where there are Puerto Ricans, there is dancing, and this party was no exception. Guests lined up for salsa dancing taught by Fayad Garcia and moved back to the dance floor after dinner for more. It was a fitting tribute for our 76th president and a fun reunion for those of us who traveled to Puerto Rico in 2020 for a Rotary trip that combined service, culture and fun. |
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PS We Love Sand Artby Editor
Once again, Rotarians sponsored the Sand Art booth at the PS I Love You Day at the Beach. Community Service Directors Rita Crabtree-Kampe and Nancy Vrankovic rounded up 17 volunteers to staff morning and afternoon shifts at the popular attraction. If you haven't volunteered at this event, I urge you to do so. Whether you are a mentor to a child or you are helping kids create sand art ornaments, you cannot help but treasure this Rotary Moment. Special kudos to Norm Levin who got the boxes of sand (they are heavy!) down to the beach as well as all the other volunteers. |
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Today's ProgramsSeptember 15 - Scott Houston, Director, Division Four, West Basin Municipal Water District |
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Upcoming ProgramsSeptember 22 - Lindsay Horvath, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
September 29 - Brian Goldsmith, Founder of Scriber, Candidate for California State Senate
October 6 - Venice Family Clinic |
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Club Activities - Save the DateSeptember 9 - June 25, weekly tutoring at Richstone Family Center, 13634 Cordary Ave., Hawthorne, see email from Rita Crabtree-Kampe for details and sign up here.
September 14 - Rotary Club of San Pedro Open Water Swim, 8 pm, register here
September 20 - Shotgun shooting event, Vinny Fazzino contact, 9:05-12:30, 12651 Little3 Tujunga Canyon Blvd., Sylmar, sign up here
September 20 - District Dodger Night Fundraiser in support of youth programs, $75, sign up here
September 27 - Operation Teddy Bear, 12-3 pm, 432 4th St., Manhattan Beach, program delivers literacy school bags to 5,000 children in under-served school districts, register here
September 29 - Rotary Means Business, Hollywood Sports Complex, 4-7 pm, register here
September 30 - Fireside Chat, South Hills Church, 6-7:30 pm, gathering for new members, register here
September 30 - Board meeting, 7:30 pm
October 4 - Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Wine Garden, from wine pouring to registration, sign up here
October 4 - Camp Pendleton Collection, 9-12, see wish list here, contact David Henseler, dhenseler@socal.rr.com, 310/753-0929
October 5 - District Breakfast, Woodland Hills, 11-1, purchase tickets here
October 9 - MB Rotary Women & Wine, 6:30-8:30 pm, hosted by Shannon Ryan at her home plus Kathleen Terry and Martha Mansfield, see evite from Kathleen Terry and register here |
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