1

The Mesh

The Venice Marina Rotary Club (PO Box 871, Venice, CA 90294) meets each

Thursday at 12:15PM, at Shanghai Red’s Restaurant, Marina Del Rey, CA, except

in the case of special meetings. If there are any questions or comments, call 310

995 1228. Rotarians are asked to send changes, modifications and additions in

their addresses, telephone numbers and email information to 310 745 3502.

"ROTARY is an organization of business and professional leaders united

worldwide who provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards in all

vocations, and help build good will and peace in the world. The general objectives

of Rotary Clubs in every country are the same: The development of fellowship and

understanding among the business and professional leaders in the community, the

promotion of community endeavors, and of high standards in business and

professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding,

goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal of service,

which is thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others.

Today there are over 31,149 Rotary Clubs with more than 1,188,492 members in

163 countries and geographical regions throughout the free world. Paul Harris

formed the first club in Chicago on February 23, 1905 with other three

businessmen. It was named Rotary because the members met in rotation at their

various places of business. The second club in San Francisco was founded in 1908

and the first overseas clubs were founded in Canada and Great Britain in 1912.".2

2003-2004 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 5280 CLUB DIRECTORY

PAGE 3.

As of August 25, 2003

ROTARIAN ADIBA SHABY STATUS REPORT

As of August 25, 2003, Adiba is still in ICU at Brotman Hospital on a ventilator.

She is holding her own, but the Doctors want to stabilize her to move her to UCLA

Hospital for another operation. The Doctors at Brotman are going to remove the

ventilator and oxygen tomorrow to see how she does. This past weekend the liner

of her heart was drained of fluid accumulation. She is fighting hard.

And once again when I entered the room, she immediately started writing about her

golf tournament and her students. She gave me directions about this and about that.

As I always said I was her chauffeur and proud to be that – she is still giving me

directions even in her condition - an amazing person. Her students are what, I

believe, are making her fight so hard to recover. Our Rotary card is on her room

wall. I told her that everyone was and is pulling for her and wants to see her out of

the hospital. We will keep her in our prayers.

NEW CLUB DIRECTORY

Thanks Tom Ryan for publishing the latest addition of addresses for the active

Venice Marina Rotarian. Please check the information for final correctness. We

and or mailed to members. Thanks to Gizelle for obtaining the information for Tom

to use. It is a typing and computer job to publish the document Tom produced. He

is a better or at least a more patient man than I. Once again HATS OFF TO TOM.

And Tom you can keep your hat on since your are light in the hair department just

as I am.

PROJECT AMIGOS MEXICO TRIP DATE CHANGE

Due to many conflicts that were occurring, the Club decided to change the date of

our trip to Mexico from October 17, 18 and 19 to October 24, 25 and 26. Rotarian.3

Joey (47 Years Perfect Attendance) Baker offered the use of his boat as a

refreshment rest stop in San Diego while driving to Mexico. Please note this

change. Let’s all go to Mexico

AUGUST 21, 2003 MEETING

This week’s meeting was slow starting. Once again the salad was on the tables at

12:15PM. However, we only had 8 members present at that time. President

Maxwell unwisely as it turned out start the meeting therefor 10 minutes late to have

more people present. Thanks to all you came late or not. Our restaurant has been

doing a fine job of having the food out on a timely basis.

Guests included Culver City Rotarian Chuck Perelman and two special guests –

Ginger Cables Urode and Judy Light, both sponsored by Tony Medley. Jeffrey

Solomon performed the Invocation, Tony Medley led the Pledge and Joey (47 years

Perfect Attendance) Baker showed us his voice talent again as he led the Club in a

song. Carmen Portnoy furnished the raffle prizes.

Announcements were made about health status of Adiba Shaby and Winnie

Northrup. Adiba is in grave condition at Brotman Hospital with an infection after

her gallbladder operation. Winnie is still in pain at her home where she is on home

rest. Winnie sent the club a beautiful card and message which was read to the club

thanking us for sending her the MESH by mail and also her Get Well card. We will

keep Winnie and Adiba in our thoughts and prayers.

Upcoming dates for our calendars included: District Breakfast Meeting 9-30, trip to

Mexico for our Project Amigos – now 10-24, 25 & 26, and a joint meeting with the

Culver City Rotary Club proposed for 9-20. Rotarian Peter Aprato announced that

a BLOOD DRIVE would be held at the Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital on

Wednesday, August 27. Call 310 8238911 Extension 4287 or 4288 to make an

appointment to donate your blood to help others. There was a nice article in this

past week’s "Argonaut" about our Rotarian tour of the hospital.

The club welcomed its newest members, Peter Aprato (who served as the raffle

salesperson - $63) and Emmanuel Murekezi and recognized our two special guests.4

– Ginger and Judy. The President also announced that David Escobar (who

attended our Hot August Nights Event and the Marina Hospital meeting) was

unable to attend this day, but that he wants to join our Rotary Club.

President Elect Carmen Portnoy then assumed the President’s gavel to do the brags

and fines. Jeffrey Solomon bragged $25 about his carrer change and in honor of

Howard Pollack for helping him to see the light. Joey Baker bragged $100 – he

brought two flags back to our club from Chicago One and Rhode Island. Joey

attended the First Rotary Club in Chicago – he said that it has over 700 members!

Thanks for the report on this club, Joey. Jim Bovee bragged $25 for his trip to

Germany-he visited the famous German bridge where he fought as a WWII soldier.

Alex bragged $25 for his recent trip to Chicago to visit his daughter. Tony Medley

bragged $25. President Maxwell bragged $100 for his two August anniversaries –

decision to open a satellite office of NovaStar Mortgage Company on the Westside.

It was a good day for our treasury coffers. And Howard Pl;lack donated a raffle

ticket drawing cylinder which he has purchased at an auction for $27.50.

Carmen then introduced our speaker, Emmanuel Murekezi who then talked about

himself, his life and his current vocation. To say that this presentation was

interesting is an understatement. I must admit that I did not take any notes that do

justitice to his speak.

Emmanuel talked about this life in Rwanda and the tragedy that occurred there.

Emmanule survived, but 52 out of 54 of his relatives that remained behind when his

father and mother escaped to a neighboring country with their children did not. He

now runs Champagne Bakery, corner of national and Barrington. He wants to open

a store on the Westside in Playa Visit Marina del Rey area. Married with 2

children, he lives with his family in Manhatten Beach.

Emmanuel works with the children in Rwanda supporting library and orphanages.

He is part of a US 501C3 Foundation named "FRIENDS OF RWANDA

FOUNDATION". Emmanuel has arranged for children to come to America to

attend school. Joey Baker was so moved and touched by Emmanel’s story about

Rwanda he contributed $100 to Friend of Rwanda Foundation. He gave us the

history of the people in Rwanda and also talked about its mountain gorillas. He.5

answered many questions. He started working in a school in Rwanda and then

worked in the cafeteria, which led him to the restaurant business and where he is

now. This man lived through a time period that saw over one million Rwandans

killed. We are truly blessed to have him as a part of our club and our Club

President is seeing what can be done by Rotary to assist in helping the children still

in Rwanda. How can one write to do justice to the story of the death of One

Million Rwandians. Each of the people present were touched by his speech and

presentation. I would submit that Emmanuel would make an excellent speaker

about his country to any group. THANKS EMMANUEL FOR YOUR SHARING

WITH US. WELCOME TO OUR ROTARY CLUB.

AUGUST 28 MEETING SPEAKER

Wilshire Club Rotarian Scot Clifford, District 5280 Director International Service

2003-2004, is speaking this Thursday. Please come to hear what our District and

what International does and is doing on an International Level.

Our Club has received its information for the upcoming November 1, 2003 PAUL

HARRIS FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING EVENT. You will be hearing more

about this from our Club Foundation Director, Dr.Vince Scott. The motto is:

EVERY PERSON EVERY YEAR. This ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

FOUNDATION raises its money to be spent on many helpful activities. It is

sustained by donations from each of its members. We would like to see each club

member contribute what they are able to this Foundation per its fundraising

activities. Once again the District will have a raffle. Each member has access to

sell raffle tickets totaling $100. Let’s try to put our morning coffee money in a cup

between now and October 18 to see what each of us can do. The goal is a $100

contribution per member. I will be happy if each of us makes a contribution no

matter what the amount is. THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU

ARE ABLE TO DO. Think of how many lives have been touched by Rotary

International in its many activities such as Polio Eradication, literacy improvement

and operations for those who need but have no money and/or access to surgeons..6

MESH VOLUNTEERS

The Club is seeking a few good people to volunteer for taking notes and writing

about club meeting(s) and/or event(s) on a per occurrence or time based period.

Please contact Tom Ryan or David Maxwell to volunteer. THANKS.

Yours in Rotary,

DAVID B. MAXWELL,

Club President

__________________________________________

Letters to the Editor:

Read more reviews in The Larchmont Chronicle and at www.hanthonymedley.com.

To be removed from this list, reply to this message with the word "remove" in subject line.