The newsletter for the active Venice-Marina Rotarian                                                          October 7, 2002

THE  MESH
From the desk of the president,
                Willie Hjorth
 

VINCE SMITH INDUCTED

Once again the Venice-Marina Rotary Club has become a “medium-size” club.  Phoebus “Mr. Vince” Smith was inducted into our club on October 3, 2002 by District Governor Rick Mendoza himself.  It was a happy formal moment as Dr. Gwen Hughes, Vince’s sponsor, pinned Vince into Rotary.  Dr. Gwendolyn’s mother was witness as well as Vince’s business partner, David Dearman.  Congratulations, Vince.  Welcome Aboard!! 

 

DISTRICT GOVERNOR ANNUAL VISIT

DG Rick, his wife Helen Mendoza and Assistant DG Janet Chabola (Culver City Rotarian) held court from 9:30 a.m. hearing about our Club from our officers and directors.   “District”  seemed impressed that we have been active at several projects and encouraged our efforts to make our name known in the Venice-Marina del Rey community,  thereby attracting new members.   Our VHS Jacket Awards program will be submitted to district for recognition.  Membership is number one goal as well as fulfilling the promise of RI to eradicate polio by February 23, 2005, Rotary’s 100th anniversary.  We will be receiving a “report card” in due time.

 

GUESTS

Following the invocation by Howard Pollack, guests from Culver City Rotary were introduced:  Chuck Perlmann and Bill Roscoe.  Eric Flexner, guest of Filomena, is from Boardwalk Realty.  Was wonderful to see George Swartz back.

 

FIRESIDE CHAT

On Tuesday, October 1st, JR and David Maxwell led a splendid Fireside Chat covering the Avenues of Service and RI Foundation requirements for all Rotarians.  Adiba, Winnie, Filomena, guest Simon Wolfe,

Tim and Kay, Mary Richert, Dr. Gwen, Vince Smith,  Grace Dzubak (and Nolan), and Willie attended.  A delicious light supper assortment was provided by Howard’s Rainbow Acres.  Besides all of us learning about important facts about Rotary, it was a time of close fellowship and friendship.  Kudos to JR, our dynamic Club Service Director, for hosting a terrific event!

 

ROTARY BOWL

VENICE HIGH SCHOOLWESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL ROTARY BOWL:  October 24 at Venice-Marina Rotary.  Save the Date!

 

JACKET AWARDS – SPONSORS WANTED

Venice High School Jacket Awards of Excellence program is now accepting sponsors.  Letters are being sent to local businesses as in past.   Our goal is to enlarge the sponsorship program to 50 sponsors.  Give JR or Steve Williamson your prospect’s name and address, and we will send an official invite letter.  We need the Club’s full support on this vital youth recognition project.  These students are our future leaders AND Rotarians! 

 

BABY SHOWER

OCTOBER 19, Saturday at 12 noon,  Carol Williamson will host a baby shower for NOLAN Dzubak at Joni Pollack’s house.  Please, please, RSVP to Carol so she can plan,  310-823-2458.

 

BRAGS & FINES

Our first Thursday of the month BRAGS & FINES $e$$ion hit new high ground probably because Mercury is going direct after being retrograde for several weeks!   In fact, we may need to put “Curbs” on, just like the stock market!  It all started with David Maxwell auctioning off the NO-FINE BADGE for a starting bid of $100.  Of course your lucky ticketed president had to reveal that she was one of two winners in the Culver City Rotary Club $10K opportunity drawing.  But new member Vince Smith duelled to success at $220, or close thereto.  Then Dr. Gwen bragged $100 for her new Rolls, and Peter Escobar got caught up in the $100 fever, too.  Your prez tried to fine David Voss BIG for 1) being late and 2) in recognition of  his brand new BMW roadster, but somehow he stayed in under $100…  that legal logic that makes David so good with words and avoidance of numbers (how fast will it go?  Oh, it’s new and I  can’t test it yet).     It was energetic fun and our Club Foundation got a big boost. 

 

 

Great thanks to Berto Yniguez for a variety of raffle prizes.  Steve W will have an update on the size of our growing Card Lotto.   There are two jokers left!

 

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

DG Rick Mendoza paid special recognition to Dr. Vince Scott, our perennial Rotary International Foundation chair for Dr. Scott’s careful and thorough leadership for our Club in its support of Paul Harris Fellowships.   All but three, now four, of our members are Paul Harris annual givers.  And with use of our “credits”,  our Club is within sight of being 100%!!   Way to go !

 

DG Rick also gave homage to our long-time Rotarian, JOEY BAKER.  Joey was elected to the Venice Marina Rotary Club Hall of Fame in recognition for his leadership as past president and supporter of many community projects.  The Argonaut newspaper of October 6, 2002 carried a color photo of Joey and Millie taken by Steven Portnoy at the last June Demotion/Installation Party.

 

 

 

 

DG Rick, Helen and Janet Chabola received a Venice-Marina Rotary Club “cup runneth over” mememto of their visit.

 

 

 

 

 

PROJECT AMIGOS

It appears that we do not have enough core workers available on the weekend scheduled.  David Voss will be giving a final call on the project this week.  In any event, we will take clothing, kitchenware, blankets, toys, shoes, etc. down to the Mission.  Please gather as many items as you can.  The Dinghy magazine carried an article directing donations to be dropped off at Mare Co. Sails, 4030 del Rey Avenue, Marina del Rey.    

 

Bring items to Thursday Rotary if more convenient.

 

 

 

 It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Darien Murray, editor and publisher of the Dinghy.   Darien served the Marina del Rey community for over 30 years.  Services are pending.


 

From the desk of the vice president,    

        David Maxwell

 

DISTRICT GOVERNOR RICK MENDOZA’s CLUB VISIT 10-3-02

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS President WILLIE!  Hurrah!! You survived the District Governor’s visit in flying colors.  The Venice Marina Rotary Club, the Friendliest Club in District 5280, is very proud of you, your efforts and your leadership.

 

Annually the District Governor meets with our Club membership and its officers to support us in our Club projects, activities and endeavors.  On October 3, at 9:30AM, President Willie, Vice President/President Elect David Maxwell and Treasurer Steve Williamson met with Assistant District Governor Janet Chabola (from Culver City Club).  She works in the District; she has several other Rotary Clubs in our District that she coordinates with.  The officers presented Chabola with the Club’s budget and financial report, copies of the MESH (kudos to Tom Ryan), Club activities and our program/meeting calendar for the year.  They also answered her questions.  Chabola’s comment was that our Club is in the best shape of any of the Clubs she oversees.  Venice-Marina may not be better than other such clubs, but we are at least as good in our performance and paperwork.  MANY THANKS to Club Secretary Sibyl Buchanan and to Treasurer Steve Williamson for their long hours of work.  The Club is very fortunate to have Steve step in to become Treasurer in place of Bob Miller after his sudden and unexpected illness.  We are current in all our paperwork to District and International and we are current in our financial obligations to District and to International!!!!!

 

At 10:30AM, other committee members arrived including Jan Davis (Youth), JR Dzubak (Community and Service), Adiba Shaby (International) and Sibyl Buchanan.  District Governor Rick Mendoza and his wife Helen arrived at this time.  Rotarian Adiba brought a tasty coffee cake, which was enjoyed by all present (except for this writer who is trying to limit his fuel intake).  Each committee member presented their reports and discussed the club activities.  District governor Rick was impressed with our reports and complimented each and every Committee Chair for their work.  Due to work matters, Rotarian David Maxwell said a few words about our Web Site for Tim Waud who was giving a test at Venice High School for military admission and about our membership drive for Howard Pollack.

 

This meeting lasted from 10:30AM to noon.  Then our Club had its regular meeting with District Governor Mendoza as its Program Speaker.  Fellowship and fun were truly present during the entire morning and the meeting.  DG Rick swore in new member Vince Smith.  President Willie revealed that she won one-half of the $10,000 Culver City Rotary Club Raffle drawing. Rotarian Peter Escobar announced that he was opening two (2) new restaurants in Malibu and Las Vegas.  WAY TO GO PETER!!!!!  President Willie made sure the club knew that late arriving David Voss was the proud owner of a new RED CAR!!

 

Our Club should be and is proud of its record.  We now embark on finding new members in the community that can share in our activities and fellowship.  The VENCIE MARINA Rotary Club does make a difference in our community.

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

DAVID MAXWELL


 

NEW!
2ND EARLY BIRDDRAWING!
October 9th!

The results of the 1st Early Bird Drawing were so outstanding
that the committee has added a 2nd Drawing

Dear Willie,

You and your fellow club members who submit the money and Drawing ticket
stubs to Dennis Benko by October 9th will have the opportunity to
participate in a 2nd Early Bird drawing. The prize will be:

Prize of October 9th drawing:

*         Complimentary Two-Night stay at the District Conference, at
the new Pachanga Resort & Casino and one FULL meal package.

When you submit the ticket stubs for the 2nd Early Bird drawing by
October 9th, the stubs will also be put back into the drum for the other
major prizes at the Paul Harris Foundation Celebration on November 2nd.
You will also receive credit for the Drawing Ticket Sales toward your
Sustaining Member or Paul Harris Fellow recognition.

Proceeds from this major fundraiser go directly to the RI Foundation,
the major funding source for all Rotary International programs.

I am asking that you get your tickets stubs and contributions for the
drawing to Dennis Benko, 1765 W. 27th St. San Pedro 90732-4617, on or
before October 9th.

Yours in Rotary,

Rick Mendoza,
District 5280 Governor 2002-2003