december 2011
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
MBSR’s 22nd Vocational Day by Gary Maxwell
On November 16 MBSR held its 22nd Annual Vocational Day at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. The program provided 143 high school students a job shadowing experience in their vocation of choice. An early breakfast was followed by a special program featuring 16 year old Taylor Carol singing “To Dream the Impossible Dream” from “The Man of La Mancha.” A leukemia survivor, Taylor has used his incredible voice to raise over six million dollars for pediatric oncology, a shining example of “service above self.” DG Greg Owen followed Taylor’s brilliant performance with a moving speech on how Rotary changed and enhanced his life, and invited the students to consider joining the Rotary family. The program’s featured speaker, The Honorable Cormac Carney, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, followed with yet another heartfelt story recalling his journey from high school “C” student to federal district judge, with stops along the way at the Air Force Academy, All-American UCLA wide receiver, professional football player, and turning down a contract to play alongside San Francisco’s Jerry Rice in order to attend law school at Harvard, where Judge Carney met his future wife and used skills he’d learned in football to succeed in the classroom. Judge Carney’s speech about integrity, truth, and persistent hard work warmed and touched each generation in the room. After the program, 34 different companies or government agencies hosted the students for job shadowing, giving each student a chance to experience their chosen career, and learn if it matches their dreams. Shadowing activities included witnessing courtroom procedures, meeting judges, riding on a Sheriff Department’s patrol, designing graphics, and collecting marine information from an Ocean Institute boat. Vocational Day provides guidance to young adults at one of life’s most difficult times, while they are transitioning from childhood, where decisions are made for them, to independence, where they must make, and live with, their own decisions. Any guidance Rotary provides is an investment in their future, and ours. Pictured: MBSR Vocational Day; bottom: DHHS Students of the month Gillian Slee (second from left) and Shane Djokovich (second from right). 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 Al Soley Many join this great global organization out of idealistic motives, but for me, twenty years ago, Rotary was a place to meet people with the time and means to be involved in their community. At that time, I lived in Laguna Niguel and had a small print shop in Lake Forest. I liked the beach and the Ritz, the sound of crashing waves, the glitter of sunshine on the never ending ripples of ocean, and the glamour of the ritzy building on the cliff. So, I came without knowing anyone; I showed up week after week, listened quietly and watched. Although everyone was polite and kind, it was difficult to be accepted, or to become acquainted with the members. I waited patiently and enjoyed every moment of being there. Eventually Barbara Speare took me under her wing and sponsored my induction. But it took a much longer time to form friendships, both because of shyness and a lack of belonging. What kept me going were both the degree of sincerity and the unlimited sense of giving that the members of the club displayed. I admired the members’ honesty and willingness to serve wherever it was needed. I still see, and seek, those values in Rotary: a place to belong, readiness to offer a helping hand and genuinely kind, honest people. Little by little, I have come to feel I belong — that continued in next column
Dec 2011 - Jan 2012
Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon by Sharon Baltzell
The holidays were officially kicked off at the MBSR Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon. Once again it was a very successful event. Rave reviews were heard on how delicious the food was! This year our cooking staff was very lucky to have Ricardo (of Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant in San Juan), his wife Rosa and his chef Jesus, to assist our own George Rendon on the food preparation. Having these professionals certainly helped with the ease of carving 11 cooked turkeys and preparation of 60 pounds of potatoes, along with stuffing and vegetables. This year we served 140 seniors, plus 23 shut-ins as well as lunch for our entire volunteer staff. In addition to our Rotary volunteer servers, we were also helped greatly by the Dana Hills Interact Club. They were busy in the kitchen, assisting with the table decorations, serving the food as well as helping with the clean up! A terrific help and very much appreciated by all. And this year we were pleased to add our youngest server, Brandon Cruz, Mark’s son, who could not wait to help carry the plates of food and pies out to all the seniors … a Rotarian in the making? I know those of us who have volunteered at this event know how it really is a great opportunity to provide service above self and spread good will. And that truly is the best feeling of all!
President’s Message, continued from previous column service above self molds us and bonds us. And yes, in the meantime I also enjoy glorious glimpses of ocean. I try now to host, to mentor, and to be the supporting Rotarian friend of new members and club visitors, yet still wonder if I do enough. I believe the first step in being a Rotarian is to care, value, and genuinely love fellow Rotarians, and to display that warmth to new, and prospective members. To me, that is the beginning of service above self.
Birthdays & Anniversaries Dec 12 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30
John Rose Neil Burns Barbara Meglen Patty Vogan
Birthday Birthday Anniversary (Joe, 1983) Birthday
Jan 4 Jan13 Jan 22 Jan 22
Lilith Sanchez Lisa Wilson Nan Eide Rod Eide
Anniversary (Joemar, 1985) Birthday Anniversary (Rod, 1966) Anniversary (Nan, 1966)
Children’s Charities Golf Tournament MBSR will hold its 21st annual Children’s Charities Golf Tournament on Monday January 23, 2012 at the beautiful Coto de Caza Golf Club. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Coto de Caza has long been admired by knowing golfers as one of Orange County’s finest. Over the years, the Children’s Charities’ Golf Tournament has raised more than $250,000 in support of some of our community’s finest childoriented organizations, including The Boys & Girls’ Club of Capistrano Valley, The South Coast YMCA, The Ocean Institute, The South Orange County School of the Arts, Dana Hills High School, and many more. In addition, this year the tournament will play host to more than 20 Wounded Warriors and Marines from Camp Pendleton’s 5th Marine Regiment, giving them an opportunity to enjoy a fun day of golf and dining, and giving MBSR and the surrounding community a chance to show our gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice. The cost to play in this year’s tournament will be $175. Come join us for a great day of golf and service, or if you are unavailable this year, please consider one of many sponsorship opportunities in support of Children’s Charities, or helping to sponsor a Marine or Wounded Warrior, as proceeds from Marine sponsorships will provide direct support to our Servicemen and their families. Registration forms and information are available on the MBSR website atmonarchbeachrotary.com or on the MBSR Facebook page.
MBSR Holiday Party MBSR celebrated the holiday season with a potluck dinner party at the home of Neil Burns and Martha Hoffmann the first Saturday of December. Nearly 50 partygoers filled the home with wine, bread, and song. Food was in plentiful supply with something special for every palate and from most every corner of the world including Italian lasagna, Greek salad, an entire roasted turkey from Gary Maxwell, and a myriad of appetizers and desserts. Everyone enjoyed several hours of stimulating conversations, but the highlight of the evening was the traditional singing of Christmas carols led by John Hayden and his accordion, and the offkey enthusiasm of Neil Burns and Dennis Gabrick. Although the singing was probably not fit for prime time, the fun was infectious. Kathy Flores brought her mom and both added their voices and (knowledge of some of the less well known verses of popular carols) to that of Mary Jeffries and a host of others. Social Chair Sharon Baltzell pronounced the festivities a great success, and all who attended left with the glow of Christmas in their hearts.
Save these dates! Mon, Jan 23, 2012 20th Annual Golf Tournament at Coto de Caza Apr 27 - 29, 2012 RYLA Camp May 6 - 9, 2012 RI Convention, Bangkok, Thailand Jun 1 - 3, 2012 District 5320 Conference Sat June 30, 2012 3rd Annual LobsterFest
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?
december i s MBSR Plays Santa for the Marines
Once again MBSR played Santa for US Marines, collecting goodies to fill 92 boxes, an all-time record. The boxes were packed before an early morning club meeting and shipped to Afghanistan the same day. As always, the project was a full club effort with nearly every member contributing goodies, helping pack them up, or organizing other efforts. Special thanks go to John Coffman and the Dana Hills High Interact Club led by AJ Jackson who spent a full day at Wal-Mart, soliciting and collecting donations. Also thanks to Nancy Baumann and Penny DiCaro for preparing and completing all the customs declarations prior to the packing party, and to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group who provided both packing muscle and paid for all the considerable postage. MBSR hopes all of our Marines, Sailors, and their families have a safe and warm holiday season and feel our gratitude for their service. Merry Christmas to all!
fa m i ly M o n t h
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary
President...................................... Al Soley Vice President............... Alan Wickstrom Secretary............................ John Coffman Treasurer....................................Rod Eide President Elect ................ Ellen Turnbull Imm. Past President........James Littlejohn Club Service Committee Leaders: Scholarship Program...........Bonnie Myers Golf Tournament......................Rod Eide & Neil Burns International Service.....Margarita Martin Vocational Service................... Linda Hess Community Service.......Nancy Baumann & Nan Eide Club Service..................... Ellen Turnbull Youth Service.....................John Coffman Membership....................Marsha Prentice Foundation Support..................Rod Eide Website ........................ Alan Wickstrom Club Bulletin.......................... Neil Burns Programs ............................. Kathy Flores Song Leader ...................... John Hayden Fine Master ......................... Mary Jeffries Attendance............................... John Rose Public Relations............ Alan Wickstrom Photography..........................Terry Rifkin Info & Orientation....................Rod Eide Social................................ Sharon Baltzell Fellowship......................... Penny DiCaro Sergeant at Arms ................. Paul Lehrich RI President.................Kalyan Banerjee District Governor................. Greg Owen
Tuesday
Officers & Directors 11/12
Make-Up Locations
7:10am, Mission Viejo Casta del Sol Golf Club House 7:15am, San Clemente Sunrise Talega Country Club Heritage Grill 7:30am, Newport Sunrise Five Crowns, PCH 12 noon, Laguna Niguel Savannah Chop House
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
Friday 12 noon, Laguna Beach Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course
Go to monarchbeachrotary.com for more details.
MBSR Honored at District Foundation Dinner Rotary District 5320 held its annual Rotary Foundation support banquet on Saturday, November 19th at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. District Governor Greg Owen announced that the RI Foundation has raised an astonishing $192M toward meeting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s challenge grant of $200M. The Gates’ challenge will help RI continue the fight to eradicate polio worldwide. MBSR was represented by a table of ten at the banquet including Mitch Jackson & Lisa Wilson, and Rod & Nan Eide, both couples being honored for having contributed more than $10,000 to the Foundation. Congratulations to all four, and thanks for your continuing support of the world’s finest private foundation.
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