jan - feb 2011
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
Marines Join MBSR for the 19th Annual Golf Tournament by Terry Rifken & Neil Burns
MBSR held its 19th annual Children’s Charities Golf Tournament January 12 at San Juan Hills Golf Club. New to the event this year was the addition of 32 Marines from the Corps’ most highly decorated 5th Regiment. The Marines, sponsored either by their civilian host or by the donations of MBSR’s family of supporters, enjoyed meeting their sponsors while they drove, chipped, and putted on a beautiful, warm day shortly before deploying to colder climes. In all, 87 golfers competed for awards, all for the benefit of fine children’s organizations in the community. A static display of two Humvees and a Marine Guard on the grass outside the registration area greeted golfers upon their arrival at the course. The Marines had landed! Some of the Marines were new to the sport, including first timers who had never driven a golf cart, and seven Marines were each given a set of golf clubs by the Dana Point Support Group. Clearly, a generous community looked forward to the opportunity to thank Marines for their service. Colonel Willard Buhl, HQ Commander, made a special appearance, arriving as the golfers returned for lunch. He shook many hands and met many golfers, and in a poignant moment when old Air Force Vet and great MBSR supporter Robin Clark admired his USMC hat, the Colonel gave him the hat off his head! During the awards ceremony, Col. Buhl thanked MBSR for its special relationship, supporting the regiment with volunteers, hundreds of goodie boxes shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than $40K in donations. Col. Buhl presented President James Littlejohn with a Certificate of Appreciation with warm words of thanks and some history of the regiment dating from 1917 at Belleau Wood all the way to the present in Afghanistan. continued on page 2
M B S R m e e t s o n W e d n e s d a y m o r n i n g s a t 7 a m a t t h e R i t z - C a r l t o n L a g u n a N i g u e l • www . m o n a rc h b e a c h r o t a r y.c o m
President’s Message
Holiday Party
by James Littlejohn Happy New Year Everyone! I can’t believe I have only six months left of my Presidency. I guess I should get to work! First and foremost I want to thank our Golf Chair Nan Edie for putting together another successful Golf Tournament for us. Great job Nan! Also a big shout out to the great golf committee Nan put together to assist her; you all made it work! Linda Hess, our Membership Chair, has our club on a roll with two more new members Jorge Luhan, owner of Luciana’s Ristorante, and Ricardo Beas, owner of Ricardo’s Place Mexican Restaurant who just joined this month. Both Jorge and Ricardo jumped immediately into the Rotary spirit by offering the Club use of their restaurants when the Ritz is unavailable. Thanks guys, and let’s keep the membership momentum going! Ellen Turnbull has also stepped forward to be our contact person for the District Conference and I know she will do a great job in rallying our members to attend this year’s conference. This year’s theme for the conference is “Celebrate The Heart Of Rotary”. The conference will be held at the Hilton in Irvine from April 29th to May 1st. Ellen and I will be attending the District Conference Preview on
by Terry Rifkin
continued on next page
February, 2011
A beautiful holiday party was hosted by Marty and Julie Lungo. Thank you for opening your home and making our Rotary party so festive. Thanks also to Sharon Baltzell for her party “savoir faire.”
Golf Tournament, continued from page 1
Among the afternoon’s big winners were Cyndi Elders and husband Bob whose foursomes each won their respective divisions for the second year running. Joined by Dean Baltzell, Ed Meenahan, and Bill Cline, Bob’s team shot a sizzling 51 to win first place in the Open Division. Cyndi, joined by Patti Short, Gary Bridge and Neal Pilon, won the Mixed Division, and the team of Jeanne Adams, Connie Chauser, Sherry McCrossen, and Corporal Joshua Blanding (even without his skirt!) won the Women’s Division. Committee chair Nan Eide offered thanks to all the participants and the Golf Committee for the tournament’s success, but the addition of the Marines and Col. Buhl’s presentation made for perhaps the best tournament MBSR has ever had.
Birthdays & Anniversaries Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 14 Feb 14
Penny DiCaro Dennis Gabrick Tim McMahon Tracey Nicholson John Baumann Nancy Baumann
Birthday Birthday Anniversary (Carol, 1974) Birthday Anniversary (Nancy, 1966) Anniversary (John, 1966)
Feb 17 Feb 24 Feb 24 Feb 26 Feb 28
Rod Eide Birthday Zohreh Behbehani Birthday MBSR Anniversary, 1988 Alan Wickstrom Birthday Bill Palmer Birthday
New Member Spotlight – Bill Palmer by Linda Hess Bill Palmer, who joined MBSR last month, lives in San Juan Capistrano. He is a Master Tax Advisor/Enrolled Agent and the franchise owner of H&R Block’s Dana Point office. For approximately 10 years, Bill did tax and financial planning and then, for 14 years with his wife, published Costa D’Oro, a general interest magazine that focused on the art, history, and elegant living on the south Orange County Gold Coast. Bill found many interesting things, especially our local history; however, Fall 2008 was their last issue – cancer took its toll and his wife passed shortly thereafter. Bill was a member of the Diamond Bar Rotary Club for about five years prior to starting the magazine. He enjoyed the fellowship and service, but Costa D’Oro’s travel requirements made it difficult to continue his Rotary membership. What attracted Bill to MBSR was ‘morning meetings at a nice place (Ritz-Carlton) that leave the entire day free and a great bunch of friendly people.’ A former Marine (’67-’70), Bill is proud to help the Marines through Rotary and looks forward to finding new ways to contribute to our community. He shared that when previously a member, Rotary had just started the project to eradicate polio. “It’s amazing to come back and see it almost accomplished.”
President’s Message, continued from page 2
Saturday, February 5th at 1:00 pm. Also a big thanks to Ellen for attending this month’s President meeting with me! Other dates you should have on your calendar are: March 5th – District Assembly at Chapman University; March 19th – Youth Protection Training; April 9th & 10th – Young Singers Contest at Orange Coast College; May 13th-May 15th – RYLA, May 21st-25th – Rotary International Convention in New Orleans and of course our Lobsterfest on June 25th! This should keep me busy for the next six months!
March 5 March 6 March 19 April 9-10
District Assembly, Chapman University Diamond Dig, Dana Point Festival of Whales Youth Protection Training Young Singers Contest, Orange Coast College
Apr 29-May 1 May 13-15 May 21-25 June 25
Operation Care & Comfort
Mission Accomplished! by Terry Rifkin Thanks to students from the Dana Hills Interact Club and Student Council Officers from Don Juan Avila School, MBSR completed the fastest and most efficient packing party ever, packing 60 boxes in a record 40 minutes and shipping them to Afghanistan just in time for Christmas. What a great opportunity for these students to participate in this remarkable service project and a wonderful end of the year “feel good” holiday giving for all of the MBSR Rotarians. Special thanks to Penny DiCaro who completed our customs declarations prior to the meeting and thanks to everyone who wrote a card or had their children’s classes write cards bringing Holiday warmth and cheer to the Marines as they open their boxes! I personally appreciate the participation of everyone in the club. It’s nice when we can all get behind something and “get our hands” dirty in a service project together. The fellowship was fabulous and the result was just over the top. So, a big OOOH-Rah to MBSR!
Save these dates! District Conference RYLA Rotary International Convention, New Orleans LobsterFest! in Dana Point
The 4-way test of things we think, say or do… Is it the truth? • Is it fair to all concerned? • Will it build goodwill and friendships? • Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Literacy Month & World Rotaract Week march
Interact Meeting
Interact clubs give young people, ages 14-18, an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. Interact is an international organization that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship and promotes international understanding and peace. Each year, Interact clubs complete at least one community service project and at least one project that furthers international understanding and goodwill. Interactors develop a worldwide network of friendships through exchanges with local and overseas clubs. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends. Below are pictures from our most recent Interact meeting.
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary
President..........................James Littlejohn
Tuesday
Vice President................... Ellen Turnbull
7:10am, Mission Viejo
Secretary....................... Margarita Martin
Casta del Sol Golf Club House
Treasurer....................................Rod Eide
7:15am, San Clemente Sunrise
President Elect ........................... Al Soley
Talega Country Club Heritage Grill
Imm. Past President...............Russell Kerr
7:30am, Newport Sunrise
Club Service Committee Leaders:
Five Crowns, PCH
Scholarship Program...........Bonnie Myers
12 noon, Laguna Niguel
Golf Tournament......................Nan Eide
Savannah Chop House
Children’s Charities........... LaVal Brewer
7:00pm, Coto De Caza/RSM
International Service..........Mitch Jackson
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
Officers & Directors 10/11
Vocational Service............Nancy Bauman Student of Month.......Zohreh Behbehani Community Service............... Lisa Wilson Club Service................................ Al Soley Youth Service.....................John Coffman Membership............................ Linda Hess Rotary Foundation Chair..........Rod Eide Website ........................ Alan Wickstrom Club Bulletin.......................... Neil Burns Programs ............................. Kathy Flores Song Leader ...................... John Hayden Fine Master ........................ Cyndi Elders Attendance............................... John Rose Public Relations............ Alan Wickstrom
Make-Up Locations
Wednesday 7:00am, Coto De Caza/RSM Del Sol RSM Bell Tower 6:15pm, Newport-Balboa Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club 6:15pm, San Juan Capistrano Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot
Thu rsday 12 noon, Newport-Irvine University Club @ UCI 12 noon, San Clemente Iron in the Fire Restaurant
Photographer.........................Terry Rifkin
Friday
Info & Orientation....................Rod Eide
12 noon, Laguna Beach
Social................................ Sharon Baltzell
Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course
Fellowship............................. Kelly White Sergeant at Arms ................. Paul Lehrich RI President................. Ray Klinginsmith District Governor............... Johrita Solari
Visit us at www.monarchbeachrotary.com for more details.
M B S R me e ts o n We d n e s d ay m o r n in g s at 7am at the R itz - Ca rl ton La gu na Nigu el • www.mona rc hbeachrot ary.com