Special 8-page Pull-out Section
Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise
Tony Palermo, Ty Pennington, to be honored at annual Rotary Cultural Dinner This year’s theme is “Return to Italy”
On Thursday, October 15, 2015, the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation will hold its annual Cultural Dinner. This year’s theme is “Return to Italy” celebrating Rotary Italian style. The club’s first dinner was nine years ago and was Italian themed and the club decided this year to return to that beautiful warm country. The food will be catered by one of the top Italian Restaurants in the community, Cantalini’s, and there will be some very special entertainment. The dinner event is the largest fundraiser of the year which helps fund the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Foundation projects such as Teacher MiniGrants, Teacher Eddy Awards, Holiday AdoptA-Family program, the Santa Tour, Airport Marina Counseling Service, feeding the homeless, 4th of July Parade, Christmas party and toy giveaway for the McBride School for handicapped children, high school scholarships, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, support of local area firefighters, and clean water projects in third world countries, to name a few. Each year at the Cultural Dinner the club presents the Sunrise Community Service Award, to a person who has made a difference in the lives of
Welcome! Dear fellow community members, We of the Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise are part of 1,250,ooo Rotarians worldwide. We represent the 2010 merger of Playa Sunrise and the Venice Rotary Club. Since that time we have grown our ranks to over sixty members and climbing. Rotary directs its efforts in Avenues of Service, specifically Community Service, Youth Service, International Service and Vocational Service. Programs are developed and promoted to help those who are less fortunate.
Special Advertising Section
others, gives back to the community and lives their life by the Rotary 4-Way test. The recipient of this year’s Sunrise Community Service Award is Tony Palermo, owner of Tony P’s Dockside Grill and a Westchester resident. Tony has been a supporter of many, many organizations throughout the community and has generously given to our local schools with time, talents and donations. He has been very active with the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce and played a major role in the 4th of July Parade for many years. The club will also recognize longtime Venice resident Ty Pennington, who transformed the lives of hundreds of deserving families on the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Ty inspired tens of thousands of volunteers across the country,
Adopt a Family during the holiday season (community service,) the Santa Tour (youth service,) donating an ambulance to Ajajic Mexico (international service,) and teacher mini grants (vocational service,) these are just a few samples of our efforts We also fund donations to eradicate polio (only present in Afghanistan and Pakistan,) treat youngsters with cancer at St. Jude and give back to veterans through the Wounded Warrior project. It takes thousands of dollars to support the good works of Playa Venice. We have created a 501c3
as well as millions of television viewers worldwide, to give back to their communities… a cornerstone of the Rotary mission. The charismatic home-design guru first won national attention as the creative carpenter on the home improvement series Trading Spaces. But it has been his work as leader of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition phenomenon and his expanded community efforts with programs like the Sears American Dream campaign that have caused Ty to be recognized as a leader in the field of volunteerism. This very special event will be held at the Playa Vista CenterPointe Club beginning at 6:00 p.m. on October 15, 2015. The cost of an individual ticket is $85 which includes appetizers, dinner, hosted bar and entertainment. For information, please call u (310) 306-8525.
Thank you to the following sponsors of our 2015 Cultural Dinner: William Hannon Foundation Cantalini’s Restaurant Gail Goldstein & Rob Bird Marina del Rey Hospital LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce Loyola Marymount University Playa Vista
Plotkin Properties Rainbow Acres Natural Foods — Washington Blvd. Peter Smyth California Realty TWE Solutions Clement Partners Otis College of Art and Design
non-profit which supports our programs. Donations to fund raisers are tax deductable because of our charitable non-profit status. In the fall we have our cultural dinner, this year on October 15th it is Return to Italy. It will be a fun filled evening of good food and entertainment and great fellowship. We will honor community stalwart Tony Palermo of Tony P’s Dockside grill. In the spring we put on Luck O the Irish BingoFest. 2016 may see our expansion into the world of bocce ball. Playa Venice Rotarian are living examples of the Rotary motto of Service above Self. Let us know if you would like to learn more about what we do. u Sincerely, Tony Ciancimino, President October 1, 2015 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 19
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
Jet to Jetty Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary is a sponsor and supporter of Airport Counseling Services’ annual Jet to Jetty 5K/10K event. The club joined forces this year with Cantalini’s Restaurant and had the largest team in the race, 40-persons strong. Those Rotarians that didn’t walk or run covered the Rotary booth and passed out “Rotary” trail mix to all the participants. The club even had some representation in the young people’s Fun Run with Addison and Gabe O’Donoghue running in the kids’ u event.
Subject: Who knows what a Rotarian does? Rotarians have two legs and big hearts so they run a lot. They run fundraisers to help local and international charities. They run charitable projects in Third World counties and run a major a push to eradicate polio from the face of the Earth. Rotarians give their time, knowledge, energy and financial support to improve our
Holiday Activities
Rotarians Brady Connell and Rob DeCou at the recent Jet to Jetty race event.
Kathrine Russell,CFP®
Financial Advisor • Assistant Vice President Investments CA Insurance Lic#0C0144 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC is a registered brokerdealer and separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Insurance products are offered through our affiliated non-bank insurance agencies.
Wealth Brokerage Services
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Office: 310-285-5834 Fax: 310-285-5890 Toll Free: 888-819-4219
kathrine.m.russell@wellsfargo.com • www.kathrinerussell.wfadv.com
Specialists in Luxury Estates
The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club will be gearing up very soon for its traditional holiday activities with their Family Adoption program, Christmas Party at the McBride School for handicapped children, Santa Tour and a special visit from the world famous Mark Twain Bell Ringers. The Bell Ringers will visit the club at its regular meeting at Whiskey Red’s Restaurant on December 16, 2015.
world. Just about every country in the world has Rotary Clubs and Rotarians are recognized and honored when traveling for living up to the motto of “Service Above Self”. And they have fun while doing all this good stuff because they enjoy being with people who share the same sense of giving. The Playa Venice Rotary Club welcomes visitors who want to check us out. We meet every Wednesday morning, 7:15 a.m. at Whiskey Red’s Restaurant, 13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. Feel free to visit our website: u playasunrise.org. The club will once again adopt 5 or 6 very needy local area families to bring a special holiday celebration to their home, set up a special visit from Santa to the McBride School and join forces with LAPD and LAFD for the annual Santa Tour around the Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista neighborhoods. The Rotarian elves are busily planning to make the 2015 holiday season a special time for u those in need.
The club meets every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Whiskey Red’s Restaurant, 13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. We look forward to serving the community with you. For more information about Rotary or how you can help support a local project, please visit our website, www.playasunrise.org, contact our Director of Membership John Marcato (310) 740-6469 or visit us at a weekly breakfast meeting.
FI T —
F LO W — F LY
+ Concierge Services for the Discerning Sales & Property Management Professionals
Peter Smyth 310.916.3648 DRE Lic #00787796
petersmythbroker@gmail.com
calrealtyservices.com CALIFORNIA REALTY INC.
Peter Smyth, Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise, President-elect, 2016
B RYC E YO G A Thanks Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise
Briohnysmyth.com www.facebook.com/yogawithbriohny www.instagram.com/Briohny_dice www.twitter.com/briohny_dice
10 million hits on YouTube! PAGE 20 THE ARGONAUT October 1, 2015
Special Advertising Section
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
Front Row left to right: Jim Vuchsas, Gail Goldstein, Gwen Vuchsas, Tom Carson, Katie Litsey, Tony Ciancimino, Peter Smyth, Kathrine Russell, Howard Pollack. Second Row left to right: Sam Innes, Monica Trepany, Rob Bird, Liz Hall, Sharma Henderson, Sandy Launius, Judith Ciancimino, Constance Couvillon, Charles Rosenberg, Monica Trepany, Margaret Kubiak, Michael Warren, Lisa Schwab. Capt. Joe Stephens. Third Row left to right: Tom Ryan, Jeff Kim, Rachel Sunday, Andy O’Reilly, Jerry Jen, David Voss, Tore Knos, David Shapiro, Armando Diaz, Kristen Hemanes, Glenn Hemanes
Looking for a new home for your prescriptions?
Switch to us and you will be treated like Family. 1. We COMPOUND ( customize) medications...Also for pets! 2. Flu shots: No appointment needed 3. We are Medicare experts! Check
if we can save you as much as $1000 per year! 4. Nutritionist on site: Call for an appointment. Large selection of herbs, whole food supplements and homeopathy.
We accept most Medicare prescription plans.
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY
(310) 823-4500 | PLAYAPHARMACY.COM 8131 W. MANCHESTER AVE | PLAYA DEL REY 90293 Special Advertising Section
October 1, 2015 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 21
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
Feeding the Homeless on Skid Row Rotarians Triple Scholarship The Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise is committed to feeding the homeAwards in 2015 less at the Midnight Mission on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. The club makes three or four trips a year to the Mission to feed the homeless and bring food and much needed supplies including water, toiletries, clothing and shoes. The Mission was founded in 1914 and celebrating 100 years! They have many programs including emergency services, alcohol and addiction recovery and transition and training for jobs including a simple thing such as providing mail service for the homeless who send out resumes and need a place to receive responses. One of the club members noticed there was never any dessert provided at the meal servings and when the Mission was asked, they said they must concentrate on basic food and they would be happy to serve dessert if someone donated it. The next trip the volunteers from Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club showed up with 3,000 cookies in hand. Family members of Playa Venice club members have joined in this worthwhile project to feed, serve and clean up for the homeless and handicapped who depend on the Mission to survive their life on the Rotarians at Midnight Mission (front left) Peter Smyth, Kristen Hemanes, u streets. second row left: Gail Goldstein, Jean Davis, Joe Chehade, Michael
Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club has always been committed to providing scholarship opportunities in the community. However in May of this year, the Club was thrilled to triple the number of scholarships offered and fill nine scholarships to deserving high school graduates. Following the review (left) Sevia Lemus with daughter and scholarship recipient Arline Lemus of Westchester High School, Rotarians Gwen Vuchsas and Gail of over 75 scholarGoldstein ship applications, Memorial Scholarship and Sibyl Rotarians presented Buchanan Honorary Scholarship. nine $1,000 Rotary scholarships to The scholarships were presented at amazing students from local area a special Rotary Breakfast Meeting high schools: Venice, Animo Venice for the recipients and their parents. Charter, Westchester, Culver City The winning students shared their and St. Bernard. The scholarships future plans with the club members included an Interact Scholarship, whether a university, community colLeadership Scholarship, Exceptional lege or trade school. The Rotary Achievement Scholarship, “Service Club believes all students are desAbove Self” Scholarship, Tony tined for continued success and that Steinhart Scholarship for a deservthe Rotary Club has played a role in ing LAPD cadet, Carol Goldstein supporting their efforts. It has been a Memorial Scholarship, Trudy Bird very rewarding scholarship program! Memorial Scholarship, Don Culton
Warren, Gwen Vuchsas.
VOSS, SILVERMAN & BRAYBROOKE LLP VOTED “BEST LAW FIRM”
Argonaut newspaper’s Best of the Westside 2013, 2014 and 2015
We Look at the Bigger Picture Business and litigation: David Voss primarily handles business formation, lease negotiation, real estate acquisition, harassment claims, and dissolution. Family law team: Rachel Silverman leads the divorce and custody matters legal team. Civil Litigation: Scott Braybrooke specializes in personal injury, premises liability, and insurance bad faith.
Family Law • Civil Law • Business Litigation • Full-service Law Firm • vsbllp.com • (310) 306-0515 • law@vsbllp.com
Building a Financial Legacy— Ours and Yours Since 2004, Westside Investment Management has gained a reputation for providing personal service and innovative financial guidance to clients. The firm’s financial consultants have a strong commitment to the local community. With extensive experience developing comprehensive strategies for individual investors, families and business owners, they are well-equipped to help you plan for the unexpected and prepare a legacy for future generations.
Discover more about Westside Investment Management and the firm’s commitment to excellence at www.westsideim.com. The financial consultants of Westside Investment Management are also registered representatives with and securities offered through
Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. TheLPL financial consultants of Westside Investment Management are also registered representatives with and securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.
PAGE 22 THE ARGONAUT October 1, 2015
Special Advertising Section
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
SISTER CITY CLUB – AJIJIC, MEXICO
turnouts, helmets and boots valued at approximately $50,000. The assistance did not stop there and again with the help of the Los Angeles Fire Department Station No. 5 and the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club secured a much needed ambulance for the Ajijic/Lake With sister club in Ajijic, Mexico, Rotary Club of Playa Venice Sunrise Chapala region. The secures an ambulance club repaired and certified the ambulance, Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club furnished it with medical supplies under the leadership of Rotarian Jim through the efforts of member Marina Vuchsas initiated a project this past del Rey Hospital. In a joint effort with year to renovate and refurbish the Fire LAFD, a press conference was held Department of Ajijic/Chapala in the this past spring at which time the Mexican State of Jalisco. They have stocked ambulance was turned over sixteen (16) firefighters who get paid to to Fire Chief Lorenzo Salazar who minimal wages, have limited training proudly drove it back to Mexico. and no budget for equipment. The This was a great International projRotary Club of Ajijic is the sister club ect as it demonstrated the power of of Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. people working together and accomThe club successfully recruited plishing a project that will provide “Los Bomberos”, a Latin Club of Los emergency services to Angeles firefighters, to assist in this a community of approximately 44,000 mission. Los Angeles firefighter and people who do not have President of Los Bomberos, Roger the resources to provide such Rubio traveled to Mexico with Playa u services. Venice Sunrise Rotarian and presented
$18,000 awarded in Teacher Mini-Grants The Teacher Mini-Grant Program is one of the largest and most successful programs of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation. The program is in its 20th year and has grown from a first year distribution of $1800 in funding to $18,000 last year. The purpose of the program is to fund creative and innovative projects for the classroom teacher. The grants range from $75 to $400 and are awarded annually for teachers in all grades for both public and private schools in the local community. Over the years the projects have ranged from planting and growing vegetable gardens, making book bags, computer software, special literacy programs to outdoor education and basic simple needs
such as a classroom whiteboard. The teachers very often pay for these types of projects or basic needs out of their own pockets and can now apply for funding through the Rotary Teacher Mini-Grants program. Each year over 150 grant applications are received and approximately 50% of them are funded through the program with the partnership and donations from other organizations such as the Playa Vista, the Jim Bunch Charity Fund, Los Angeles Commercial Realtors Association (LACRA), LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, Rainbow Acres on Washington Boulevard and private donations from individuals and businesses in the local community. u
School Supply Prgram Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation created a new program several years ago through the generous donation of LACRA members. The local area schools are asked to submit “Wish Lists” and the items are purchased through the funding from LACRA and distributed to the schools at the Teacher Mini-Grant Awards Breakfast, to be held on January 13, 2016. Education is a priority of the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club. In addition to the thousands of dollars given to teachers for these worthwhile projects through these grants, the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club proudly supports education through a book donation program, as well as a sponsor of the Chamber’s very successful Teacher Eddy Awards and awarding of numerous u high school scholarships.
VENICE HIGH SCHOOL • Ranked by the 2015 US News and World Report as one of California’s top High Schools • Expansive Advanced Placement course offerings • Numerous Dual Enrollment course offerings from Santa Monica Community College and West Los Angeles Community College where students earn both high school and college credit, courses taught by college professors • 5 Academies offing students individualized and unique learning experiences: Earth Justice Academy Media, Arts, and Technology Academy STEMM Magnet Sports Medicine Academy World Languages and Global Studies Magnet • School for Advanced Studies and GATE courses across all five Academies • Over 57 clubs and extra-curricular activities • Champion Sports Teams • Community Garden and “Farm to Fork” Culinary Arts and Entrepreneurship pathway sponsored and taught with Gjelina • Fine Arts including: Theatre, Large Ensemble Orchestra, Marching Band, Honor Choir, Graphic Arts Oryla Wiedoeft, Ed.D., Principal
Venice High School • 13000 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066 • (310) 577-4200
Special Advertising Section
October 1, 2015 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 23
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
Rotary Career Day The club held a very successful Career Day under the direction of Rotarian Dr. Sharma Henderson, President/ CEO of CO-OP, a Community Outreach & Opportunity Program. Approximately 40 students from local area high schools spent a Saturday morning and afternoon with Playa Venice Sunrise Rotarians to learn and discuss possible career choices and options. It was a very rewarding day for the Rotarians who participated to meet so many bright, interesting and motivated students who want to make a difu ference with their lives.
Congratulations!
Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club 310.822.9344 Mare Co SailS 4030 del Rey Avenue Marina del Rey 90292
CUSTOM • REPAIR • SHADE SAILS • AWNINGS • MESH/SUNBRELLA
Voted as “One of the Best Child Care Centers” in the “Best of the Westside.” Carousel School on Born to Talk Radio Show www.ustream.tv/recorded/73814897
PAGE 24 THE ARGONAUT October 1, 2015
Otis College is excited and grateful to invest in our local community
2015 BEST OF THE
WESTSIDE
Specializing in divorce, child cuStody, pre-nupS and domeStic relationS The Law Offices of Charles Rosenberg | Your Legal Guide in the Pursuit of Happiness. 11500 West Olympic Blvd. Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064 | 310-391-5839 | charles@rosenberg-law.net
Special Advertising Section
Rotary Club of playa venice sunrise
25 Bears for Children at USC County Hospital One of the unique projects of the Playa Venice Rotary Club is the Charity Build-ABear event. Once a year the club members meet at a local Build-A-Bear facility and build bears for the children of USC County Hospital. There are usually 25 bears built covering a wide range of children’s favorites, princesses, police officers, Lakers, Dodgers, football players, bunnies, monkeys, etc. The members write personal notes to go with each bear and the bears are delivered to the hospital for distribution to the sick children as needed. Charity Build-ABear is a club favorite and an activity that Rotarian families can join in on.
Playa Venice Rotary Club members build bears for the children of USC County Hospital
To Friends, Clients and Community: Thank you for voting RAINBOW ACRES The Area’s BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE Howard Pollack Club Member 22 years in Rotary
Family owned and operated - Three generations working
• Juice Bar / Salad Bar • Grab n’ Go Food • Our Produce Department is 95% Organic
Special Advertising Section
Howard Pollack, Founder of:
October 1, 2015 THE ARGONAUT PAGE 25
Marina Del Rey Hospital
Proudly serving Marina del Rey since 1969 Architectural drawing of Marina Del Rey Hospital. Originally known as Marina Mercy Hospital underwent construction in 1969. Later the name was changed to Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital. In April 2008 the hospital was renamed Marina Del Rey Hospital
Historical photo of fund raising efforts to add a hospital emergency department.
Hospital circa 1972
With world-class physicians and nurses, we serve the Westside coastal communities with our commitment to patient-centered care, minimal delays, and attentive emergency services. Our high-quality, personalized medical professionals are ready to serve you 24/7. Now with Fast Track. To find your physician call 888-600-5600 • marinahospital.com We are looking for talented and compassionate nurses to join our team. Contact Frances Ram, Recruiter at (310) 448-5293 or apply at www.marinahospital.com Marina Del Rey Hospital is now a Proud Affiliate of the Cedars-Sinai Health System.
PAGE 26 THE ARGONAUT October 1, 2015
Special Advertising Section