march - april 2011
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
Festival of Whales Once again MBSR was heavily involved in Dana Point’s 40th annual Festival of Whales. Held each year in early March at the height of whale watching season off the Dana Point coast, the Festival is a huge community event. A Festival of Whales parade kicked off this year’s event on Saturday, March 5th when a swarm of Malcolm Elementary pirates, led by Cap’n Jack Sparrow’s first mate, Lisa Wilson, ably supported by Martha Hoffmann (who deserves major fines for refusing to wear pirate gear), carried the MBSR banner down PCH. For the second year, MBSR created a Diamond Dig that attracted many happy buccaneers to dig in the sand at Baby Beach for buried treasure. Led by Cyndi Elders, MBSR not only created an afternoon of fun and prizes for many children, but also raised booty for the many fine children’s charities we support. Also raising funds for charity, Mike Killebrew and a host of MBSR supporters held a Whale of a BBQ all Sunday afternoon as Mike and his team turned out the food for hungry revelers and answered the hot question of the afternoon; no, we are not really barbecuing whale! Fun was had by all, and in the end the club had what promises to be the second largest fundraiser of the year. Congratulations to all who participated, and thanks for all your hard work.
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
Paul Harris Fellows at the Ritz
by James Littlejohn Big thanks to all of you for making my 2010/11 President year so very enjoyable and such a memorable experience! I can’t believe I only have 3 months left but there is still a lot to accomplish. Please don’t forget the District Conference is April 29 – May 1st. Thank you Ellen for spearheading the effort in getting our Rotarians involved especially with the Hospitality Night. OK, Monarch Beach let’s not let her down so please register for the conference. Big shout out and thanks to Blue Badgers Ricardo Beas owner of Ricardo’s Place in San Juan Capistrano and George Luhan owner of Luciana’s Italian Restaurant in Dana Point for letting us hold our meetings there. You both rock! LaVal is doing a great job making sure that our club is ready again for its Children’s Charities Second Annual Lobster Fest to be held on Saturday, June 25 at Doheny Beach in Dana Point! Members let’s all get behind and support LaVal again to help provide financial support for all the fine Children’s Charity organizations in our community. And let’s keep Japan and New Zealand in our prayers as they rebuild their countries and look forward to a brighter future. Support our International Service Committee in those efforts. Have a great month!
by Rod Eide The MBSR meeting on March 30th was a very special event recognizing fifteen members with new Paul Harris Fellow pins for reaching new contribution milestones, three other members for becoming first-time Paul Harris Fellows, and eighteen family members and friends who were awarded Paul Harris Fellow recognition—a very busy affair. The meeting opened with an invocation Paul Harris himself gave during the 1917 Rotary International Convention: “Rotary is interested in the larger values, in the invisible eternal things for which men are willing to die… Rotary, being invisible, spiritual, is intelligible to the higher order of things. Diamonds cannot comprehend Rotary, but friendship, sympathy, integrity, devotion idealism, can.” Family members recognized as Paul Harris Fellows included President James’ wife, husbands, daughters, sons, a brother, three grandsons, and a three month old grand nephew, the youngest ever of MBSR’s 160 PH Fellows. Friends recognized included the Principals of the Dana Hills High School and the John S. Malcolm Elementary School, the President of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, and the Commander of the 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, Col Willard Buhl. Everyone enjoyed the meeting, the opportunity for member recognition, and information relating to the work of the Rotary Foundation.
April, 2011
Birthdays & Anniversaries Apr 17 Apr 23 Apr 27 Apr 28
Paul Lehrich Al Soley Terry Rifkin Sharon Baltzell
Birthday Birthday Birthday Anniversary (Dean, 2007)
Party at Dana Point Lobsterfest June 25! by LaVal Brewer The Dana Point LobsterFest, presented by the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club to benefit local Children’s Charities, will once again be held at Doheny State Beach on Saturday, June 25, 2010 from 4 to 9pm! Last year the party sold out with over 300 people eating, drinking and dancing at the beach. This year’s party starts an hour earlier with an expanded silent auction, but the live auction has been eliminated to leave more time for dancing and partying with our friends. We anticipate more than 600 guests this year. The Dana Point LobsterFest is more than an all you can eat gourmet lobster and steak dinner prepared by world renowned Chef Louis Lepe (of St. Regis and Salt Creek Grill fame, to name a few). This is a fun beach party with music, dancing, silent auction, no host bar (yes, drinks at the beach) an iPAD raffle prize, and much, much more. All the proceeds benefit the many fine children’s charities organizations in our community.
Ramblings continued announced her resignation from the club. In a very short time, Tracey made a big impact on the club and we will miss her, but I’m certain she will be around to support MBSR for years to come. Zohreh celebrated her birthday on the same day Rotary celebrated its birthday, but Zohreh was quick to point out that it was not the same year. Congratulations to Patty Vogan chosen as the leader for this year’s District 5320 Group Study Exchange team headed to the Netherlands. We’re sure there could not have been a better choice and we’re looking forward to all those blond jokes…I mean pictures. Blond pictures!
So BUY TICKETS early and often! You may purchase them online now at www.DanaPointLobsterFest.org or call us at 949.945.3508 for more information. Bring your entire family and all your friends. They will thank you later.
John Bauman is looking snazzy in his new red corvette (wasn’t that a Prince song?) and there are a new pair of golddust twins, Sharon Baltzell & Martha Hoffmann with snazzy Mercedes’ sportscars!
Ramblings
Congratulations to John Hayden for being “fired” by his neurologist. He’s no longer an airhead!
by Neil Burns Ramblings has been missing in action for the last few months allowing a lot of MBSR gossip and gaffing to build up. Among the recent highlights has been John Hayden leading a retrospective of former President’s theme songs including Cyndi Elders doing a highly stylized version of Celebration, and no one should have missed LaVal rocking out to Three Dog Night’s Joy to the World, the theme Neil used during his year. John Coffman continues to do great work with Dana Hills HS’s Interact Club. In February, eleven of his charges collected 60 boxes of donations from WalMart customers to support the 5th Marines. Way to go John! On a sadder note, John’s top aide, Tracey Nicholson, Continued in next column
April 9-10 April 29-May 1 May 13-15 May 21-25 June 25
Young Singers Contest, Orange Coast College District Conference RYLA Rotary International Convention, New Orleans LobsterFest! in Dana Point
Finally, on a solemn note, but also in honor of the international nature of our club and Rotary in general, we have all been concerned for Mike Solomon’s family during the unrest in Egypt, Russ Kerr’s family during the serious earthquake in Christchurch, and all the many good people lost in the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Save these dates!
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?
i s I n t e r nat i o nal Co n v e n t i o n M o n t H may 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
You can reserve your hotel room through Experient at registration2.experient-inc.com/ showROT111. All housing inquiries must be made directly with Experient by 4 May.
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
Local Rotarians on the Host Organization Committee (HOC) have arranged several cultural excursions and host hospitality events to help visiting Rotarians enjoy their stay in New Orleans. Keep the good times rolling, and take a host-sponsored tour before or after the convention. Some of these events have limited capacities, so be sure to purchase your tickets early.
International Service..........Mitch Jackson
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
2011 RI Convention in New Orleans, LA 21-25 May Have you registered yet? Don’t miss the fun!
More information is available online at www.rotary.org/en/ Members/Events. Let the good times roll!
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