FALL 2015
Monarch Beach
SUNRISE ROTARY ON THE CALIFORNIA RIVIERA
President’s P id ’ M Message by Gary Maxwell
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES… We kicked off the New Year with a meeting to discuss what we, the club members would like to see in the coming year and the universal consensus was essentially that we all wanted to see more hands-on projects. Being a more hands-on club tends to stretch our accomplishments further than simple money donations can allow. So far this year, it has been very evident that all our committees are truly putting forth the effort to make this goal a reality. The 2015 Lobster Beach Fest made for the biggest hit yet. San Pedro’s Fish Market show and food quality truly raised the bar for future events that won’t want to be missed. This along with the improved atmosphere made for the most elegant and smoothly run event to date. Our International Service Committee is preparing for our first venture down to Mexico in many years to participate in a couple of local projects down there in conjunction with Thousand Smiles and another Rotary club. One of our most impactful events of the year, Vocational Day, is set just around the corner on Nov 20th. We’ve secured Robert Grant, Tina Aldatz, and Jim Madrid to attend and inspire the local youth with invaluable expertise and insight that will prove to be priceless takeaway for the high school seniors. This year we are nearly doubling the number of students attending by drawing on four schools instead of two so that we may maximize the positive impact of this event on the youth of our community. Being able to expand this event
Student of the Month by Nan Eide
The Student of the Month Program is one of long standing and favorite events of the club. In order to recognize and encourage high scholastic achievement as well as social responsibility to the community among young people, the club coordinates with Dana Hills High School to select and honor one boy and one girl each month of the school year. The school supplies the names and contact information of the nominees and their parents, and our scholarship committee leader arranges for them to attend one of our meetings. At the meeting, the students and their parents are introduced to the club members, and the young people are presented individually where they tell the membership about their scholastic achievements as well as their extracurricular activities, and future plans. We get to know them - a little. After receiving certificates, and posing for pictures, the students leave us. We remain behind with awe for their activities and grateful for their bright future.
continued on page 2 MBSR MEETS ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS AT 7AM AT THE LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT IN DANA POINT • MONARCHBEACHROTARY.COM
Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Party Time
by Rod Eide
by Nan Eide
April 28, 2015 was a beautiful day on the “California Riviera”, and therefore also at the Monarch Beach Golf Links where the 23rd MBSR Charities Golf Tournament was held. The weather was perfect, the Monarch Beach Links Golf course and the St Regis Hotel/Club Nineteen services were perfect, everyone had lots of Fun, and the Event “Netted” nearly $20,000 for MBSR Charities and Service Projects.
Our first party of the current Rotary year was a beach party! And at a very exclusive beach. New member Hayden Macurda lives in Monarch Bay, and he arranged for our club to use the facilities at Monarch Beach. So, on September 19, we had chairs set up in the sand around a bonfire pit, umbrellas over the chairs, barbeque set up, a water jug and tap, and lots of food brought in by the Rotarians. Of course we must not forget Mother Nature: a perfect day, beautiful Pacific ocean, and a setting sun. Indeed, it was sunny Southern California pictured in expensive magazines – and just for us.
Some of the highlights of the day included: 1-One of our thirteen sponsored Marine guests won the Opportunity Drawing First Prize--$2,000. 2-The “Woman’s” Long Drive prize was won by guest Marine Lady--Jennifer Antoine. 3-The First prize/Gross LOW score winners included the 4-some of Chris Lungo, Tyler Galleher, Ken Carter and Matt Castel. 4-The First prize for the “All-Women” 4-some went to a 4-some that actually included one Man. This unique situation was forgiven this one time! The 4-some included Cyndi Elders, Sharon Baltzell, Patti Short, and “Lucky” Gary Bridge. 5-And two outstandingly generous gifts from two of the “Opportunity Drawing winners. The $1,000 2nd Prize won by Ms Silvia Coffman and the $500 Prize won by Ms Marie Knowles. The Event was lead by a Golf Tournament Team of fourteen Club Members, who were supported by twelve more Members on Tournament Day. The Evening Dinner was attended by all of the Golfers, the Club Members, and many more who came to enjoy the end of this wonderful Day.
Presidents Message, continued from page 1
and reach students at schools that previously didn’t have any such programs is a remarkable achievement for our club and especially our Vocational Service Committee. Of course, with Thanksgiving on the horizon we also have our community service committee tirelessly working to arrange the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon whereupon a large number of interact youth members will be assisting us in serving lunch to over 200 seniors citizens. This is an event that not only feeds the stomachs but also the souls of so many, putting smiles on the faces of both the volunteers and community members alike. We’ve been off to a fantastic start this year and are taking great pleasure in the many projects that we have coming out of the pipeline. In a way, the year is just getting started in terms of our project offerings and our incredible group of tireless and enthusiastic members is making many positive changes to be in place for the years to come.
2015 Lobster Fest Beach Party - A Yummy Success! by Stephanie McMcormick
Nearly 500 attendees packed Doheny State Park on a very hot August 15th for the annual Lobster Fest Beach party! This year’s highlight was without a doubt, San Pedro Fish Company who brought quite the “lobster show” to the party! The lobster was flown in the day before the event, arrived live and were cooked fresh as attendees looked on. The lobsters were emptied out of the baskets, traveled down a conveyor belt where they were then spilt and cracked by volunteers and landed perfectly on the plate! The most frequent comment heard throughout the night, “This year’s lobster was some of the best I have ever had.” Guests enjoyed music by The Beach Buzzards and Calafia Stones along with a silent auction, specialty cocktails and a chance to purchase a key that might even open a special treasure chest filled with nearly $2,000 of experiences and gift cards! Special thanks to the Lobster Fest Committee, all of the incredible sponsors, DSBIA and to the City of Dana Point for all of their on-going support.
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?
Something New by Nan Eide At the start of this year, 2015-2016, President Gary inaugurated a new event. At each weekly meeting, 2 names were to be drawn, and these two members were to have a “Rotary Date”. They were to have lunch, exchange some personal information, and report on these items of interest at the next weekly meeting. These reports have been entertaining, and in some cases, enlightening. For instance, who would have guessed that Ricardo Beas loves to Tango! Terry Rifkin and Laura Reilly discovered that both of them had early lives in Philadelphia. And not too many members are aware that Terry, and her husband, former member Chris Hawn were probably one of the first Rotarian couples to marry. Did anyone know that Terry is interested in serial killers? Zoreh, an immigrant from Iran and a former public defender in immigration law, has learned to say “hello” in 37 different languages. Carl Linhardt, another immigrant, was born in Germany, and came to America as a child with his parents. We are lucky to have a number of immigrants in our club. John Coffman, as ex oil man, spent 5 years in Indonesia, and it became his favorite place in the world. Two of our members have young children: David Owns has a little girl, who is the light of his life, and Alison has a young son who is very close in age to David’s little girl. Needless to say, these kids keep their parents very active and involved in their lives. Penny and Stephanie had a blast at their meeting, and really got to know each other. Penny is one of our founding members, and ran our first club fundraiser. Before that, when she was younger, she was Home Coming Queen, and Song Leader. This architect also teaches architecture, a real love of hers. Stephanie, like Penny, was also a cheerleader and a lover of music. She also plays the trumpet. Stephanie has always been attracted to nonprofit entities, and has served as Director of Communications for United Way, and is now President & CEO of Make A Wish, Orange County and the Inland Empire. She is also a great fund raiser chair. More of these revelations to come.
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Officers & Directors 2015/16
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Make-Up Locations
President............................ Gary Maxwell Vice President ....................David Owens Secretary ............................Car;los Olvera Treasurer ..................................John Rose President Elect ............ Margarita Martin Imm. Past President ..........John Coffman
TUESDAY
DIRECTORS: Club Service ............... Margarita Martin Community Service ....... Anita Houston Foundation Support .............. Lisa Sakai International Service .M. Martin/B. Wise Membership Dev ......Jere Bright/Hayden Macurda New Generations Service: John Coffman Vocational Serv. Stephanie McMcormick
7:30 AM Newport Sunrise Five Crowns, PCH
CLUB SERVICE COMMITTEE LEADERS: Attendance ..................... Mike Soloman Club Bulletin.............................Nan Eide Fellowship ....................... Penny DiCaro Fine Master ......................... Lisa Wilson Fundraiser, Children’s Charity Russ Kerr Fundraisers, Golf ..................... Rod Eide Fundraisers, Lobster Fest ........... Russ Kerr Info & Orientation ................. Rod Eide Photographer....................... Terry Rifkin Programs .................... Jonathon Jenkins Public Relations .......... Alan Wickstrom Scholarships .............. Zohreh Behbehani Sergeant of Arms ................ Paul Lehrich Social .................................. Mary Jeffries Song Leader ..................... John Hayden Website ....................... Alan Wickstrom LEADERSHIP: RI President ................... Ravi Ravindran District Governor............... Kevin Padilla
7:10 AM Mission Viejo Casta del Sol Golf Club House 7:15 AM San Clemente Sunrise Talega Country Club Heritage Grill
12 NOON Laguna Niguel El Niguel Country Club
WEDNESDAY 7:00 AM Coto De Caza/RSM Del Sol RSM Bell Tower 6:15 PM Newport-Balboa Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club 6:15 PM 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 MONARCHBEACHROTARY.COM
FOR MORE DETAILS.
MBSR MEETS ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS AT 7AM AT THE LAGUNA CLIFFS MARRIOTT IN DANA POINT • MONARCHBEACHROTARY.COM