may 2011
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarians at Work by Cyndi Elders The 5th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling “rolled” into town on Sunday, May 1 and Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary’s club was out in force volunteering all day from sunrise at 6 a.m. to the races end at 6 p.m. As with the past four races, our club staffed the majority of the volunteers required at the race corners and intersections protecting the safety of the spectators and calling in accidents to the command post when medical attention was required. Patty Vogan and Terry Rifkin were stationed in the announcers booth and worked tirelessly all day, keeping the announcers organized and rounding up the winners for presentations and photo ops. The Dana Point Community Cycling Foundation partnered with Amgen Breakaway from Cancer this year to promote awareness and help raise funds for the Pacific Meso Center. The proceeds from the past race events have provided contributions to local charities including the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment, The Boys & Girls Club of Capo Valley, Ocean Institute, and Earth Ocean Society, just to name a few. The goal is to increase proceeds each year to allow contributions to even more charities. The numbers aren’t all in as yet, however indications are positive for considerable growth from this years event! The Dana Point Community Cycling Foundation promotes safety in cycling and is working closely with The Boys & Girls Club of Capo Valley to develop youth cycling programs in the community. The kids races brought record numbers to this years’ event and is always a highlight of the day. Awesome to see the streets filled with youngsters of all ages madly spinning their little bikes as more than a toy – safely racing to win medals. And every youngster received a medal! A quote from the President of the DPCC Foundation: “We pulled it off – whew! Landed that big heaving aircraft carrier on that tiny postage stamp bobbing in the Pacific, thanks to the coordinated and faithful work and efforts of a committed crew.” The little city of Dana Point now has a HUGE international event and Monarch Beach Rotary can be proud of their participation from day one! Thanks to all members of our club for providing “community service at it’s best”!
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
by James Littlejohn Among the many factors that make our club great are the outstanding speakers Kathy Flores arranges each Wednesday, many of whom remark that the enthusiasm, energy, and joy at MBSR is extraordinary. Not only is it extraordinary, one look at all of our activities proves that all that enthusiasm and energy is necessary just to keep up! In April & May alone, MBSR or individual members were instrumental in the following activities: Student of the Month awards given to four outstanding students from DHHS (thank you Zohreh!); Helped to organize and staff the 5th Marine Car Wash fundraiser (thank you, Terry!); Organize and coordinate more than 50 volunteers for the Dana Point Grand Prix (thank you, Cyndi!); Mentor and help organize the DHHS Interact Club (thank you, John Coffman!); Attend the District Conference and receive award rosettes for our website and newsletter (thank you Alan, Neil, and especially Rod, for putting it all together!); Parent the new Interact District Governor, A.J. Jackson! (thank you Mitch & Lisa!); Continue to organize, prepare for, and staff our continued on p.3
May-June, 2011
DHHS Interact Club Supports the Marines The DHHS Interact Club, sponsored by MBSR, adopted the Marine Care & Comfort campaign, which collects supplies needed by marines stationed in Afghanistan as their major community service project. Stationed at the entrances to Wal-Mart, Interactors handed shoppers a list and asked them to “shop for the Marines.” The students were astounded by the shoppers’ generosity. Many people bought one or two items, but some shoppers delivered full shopping carts to the students. At the end of the first collection day, they had filled up the back of an SUV and the trunk of another car. Wanting to personalize the shipments to the marines, the club provided crayons, colored pencils, and paper, and asked the shoppers’ children to make drawings and cards for the marines. The response was outstanding as the kids created very touching artwork, which was included in the shipments. Collecting the supplies was only half the project. An assembly line packing party took over 3 hours to pack, address, and ship almost 70 boxes, after which the Interactors were rewarded with a great dinner and pride in their achievement. In addition to a thank-you letter signed marines in Afghanistan, the club received personal thanks from Staff Sergeant Jeremy Martinez of Camp Pendleton at their weekly meeting. Needless to say, the Interactors were appreciative of the marines’ service and kind words, and expect to participate in the Care & Comfort Project each year.
Birthdays & Anniversaries May 2 May 5 May 11 May 13 May 15 May 15 May 17
Paul Lehrich Anniversary (Jaleh, 1968) Darrell Cavanaugh Anniversary (Debbie, 1979) Al Soley Anniversary (Shideh, 1989) Barbara Meglen Birthday Mark Cruz Birthday Jorge Luhan II Birthday LaVal Brewer Birthday
May 27 Jun 10 Jun 12 Jun 17 Jun 24 Jun 24 Jun 25
Darrell Cavanaugh John Hayden Bill Peverill Gary Spencer John Baumann Bonnie Myers Julie Lungo
Birthday Birthday Anniversary (Jan, 1955) Anniversary (Mary Earl, 1966) Birthday Birthday Birthday
Simplified Grant Funds - Serra’s Pantry by Margarita Martin MBSR participated in a Simplified Grant to help Mission Outreach, a joint venture between Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, and Mission Basilica, located on the campus of the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Mission Outreach collects food donated by the community and delivers the food to Serra Pantry which then provides it to the working poor and homeless of our community. Mission Outreach needed three large carts to transport the food to Serra Pantry. MBSR applied for a Simplified Grant from RI Foundation funds overseen and distributed by District 5320. MBSR contributed $675, which was matched by the funds from the Simplified Grant, to purchase the carts. Last Christmas, with the help of Mission Outreach, Serra’s Pantry provided a turkey and toys to 677 families in the community, and MBSR is honored to support their continuing efforts. President’s Message, continued biggest fundraiser, the 2nd annual MBSR LobsterFest which, by the way, has been featured in the Dana Point Times and on the District’s website (thank you LaVal!) Organize and provide volunteers for the American Veteran’s Traveling Tribute to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial May 11th – 16th (thank you Terry!); Introduce many local residents to MBSR and induct several new members (thank you Linda!); and Participate in the Headland’s Walk, develop a shared involvement with Water for Sudan, prepare articles for the Rotarian Digital Magazine, purchase and present Digital Readers for the Malcolm Elementary School, and on and on, too numerous to name. Thank you for all your hard work and caring, and for continuing to help our local communities and international world become better places. We do make a difference, we do make an impact!
Rotarians Get Sudsy to Support Our Marines by Terry Rifkin On May 7th, Rotarians turned out to volunteer at the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group Car Wash to help raise money for our soon-to-be deployed 5th Marines. Our adopted Company will be leaving for Afghanistan in August and raising funds to send goody boxes and assist with family needs at home conveys our love and support while they put their lives on the line. It was especially nice to have the participation of our Dana Hills Interactors whose energetic efforts on Crown Valley Parkway drew customers into the Car Wash. The kids from Don Juan Avila Elementary School made huge profits for the Support Group as their Student Council representatives manned the Regimental Company Store. Our event was hugely successful and our residents turned out for the opportunity to say “Thank You” in a number of different ways for all our Marines do in service to our Country.
combat
GOL F Monday, June 13 Marine Memorial Golf Course Camp Pendleton Registration 9:00am Tournament begins 10:30am For more information, visit DanaPoint5thMarines.com
Save these dates!
May 13-15
RYLA
May 21-25
Rotary International Convention, New Orleans
June 13
Combat Golf, Marine Memorial Golf Course, Camp Pendleton
June 25
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?
i s r otary fe llows h i p M o n t H june 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
A member since January, Jorge Luhan II owns the award winning Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point, as well as the Paradigm Restaurant Group Inc.
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
Jorge’s personal interests include traveling, triathlon, cycling, wine, and food.
Children’s Charities........... LaVal Brewer
7:00pm, Coto De Caza/RSM
International Service..........Mitch Jackson
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
New Member Spotlight Jorge Luhan II by Linda Hess
Jorge joined Rotary because it is an opportunity to give back to the community that his given him so much. He joined MBSR because our meeting location and morning meetings fit his schedule perfectly, and he really likes our members. Jorge looks forward to supporting all Rotary club committees, but more specifically International, Community, and Club Service. He is interested in learning more about our club’s inner workings, developing relationships, and seeing where he can best use his talents for the benefit of our club and members.
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
Thursday 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