Sharing our Rotary Story at the Del Mar Foundation Community Picnic at Powerhouse Park
Thank you Lew, Charles, Sandy, Patricia, Suzanne, Bill, Jan & Paul
Everyone was happy to reflect on our wonderful LobsterFest last week where 100% of club members participated.
Charlotte updated us on current gross numbers which total aprox. $62,000, but are not yet final:
$33,750 sponsorships, $3,750 individual tickets, $8,000 donations, $3000 raffle tickets, $13,584 auction
Happy Birthday to Susheela for her Monday birthday
Patricia announced a change in venue for our October social on the 13th to Bush Fire in Del Mar instead of the Hilton and Paul reminded us to focus on Education/teachers which is the classification for the month. The Holiday party will be 12/4.
We got a wonderful presentation on our local geology and formation of our mountain ranges from Mike Thacker, who is a Senior Staff R&D Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Carlsbad. Though his knowledge in geology is self taught, it has served him well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the San Diego Archaelogical Center since 2017
President Susan presented Mike with a speakers certificate showing our support for OEF in El Salvador
Another fabulous LobsterFest
Thank you everyone who participated and contributed
Casa de Amistad helped at the registration table; hosts & hostesses welcomed all; we had lobsters helping with raffle and auction items; and while guests seemed to enjoy the tequila tasting, our fabulous guitarist James Clarkston attracted the ladies
We then sat down on the beautifully decorated patio and enjoyed a wonderful lobster tail dinner, baja style
President Susan & LobsterFest Chair Vicky thanked everyone for their help and recognized our distinguished Veterans, and our Major Beneficiaries from Casa de Amistad and Just In Time for Foster Youth. Herb then proceeded to auction off tonight's paintings by artist Heather Roddy
Everyone enjoyed the music of Hot Rocks San Diego, and danced the night away
Clink the link below for full set of pictures:
One day til LobsterFest 2022
Di helping Sandy with the lobster hat
Bill gave Steve a Rotary hat signed by Bob Marley (is it the truth?). The real one is available on our LobsterFest Auction site,
President Susan was seen and captured by The Del Mar Times supporting Del Mar Rotary's Sunset Soiree - and no, she is not married to our former DMSB Rotary President Kirk Collins, but to the wonderful Mark Hennenfent on the left
We were honored to have District Governor Chuck Pretto with us today, who handed out two Paul Harris Fellowship Awards: a PH+6 pin to Art and a PH+5 one to Vicky. Congratulations - well done!!
Chuck talked about how he joined Rotary to fill up his Rolodex but learned the true power of Rotary when he housed a Rotary foreign exchange student and learned how Rotary can create lasting changes in ourselves and the community. A top priority is adolescent mental health, and he has started a 5340 Mental Health Action Group along with Vista Hill and Rady Children's Hospital. Another goal is to put 30 Peace Polls in high schools throughout the county, for which Rotary International President Jennifer Jones will come and dedicate. Let's make it happen!! He ended by handing out the new Rotary pin which tells who we are.
Counting down to LobsterFest on the 17th - this is the week that matters!! 
- We're now over $40,000 revenue
- The article in the paper got attention and Vicky helped two people register
- Charles' friend has donated $1000
- Jon signed up for another table
- Venky donated $500 since he cannot be with us
- Monday is the cutoff as we need to give the Hilton a count
- Check out more auction items
Susan updated us on the $9K District Grant we did with OEF in El Salvador, that helped change the lives of fifty-nine children living in extreme poverty. Dinorah & Dinorah joined us on zoom from El Salvador and shared a video they made with the children, showing us how the funds were used
Happy Rotarians were: Patricia for 36 days of hiking in Europe; Charlotte for their new tortoise; Bill because he only has a stuffed one; Paul as he met Katie's Rotary foreign exchange student; Ken for each year of Queen Elizabeth's rein
Malcolm did a fabulous job when fine-master Steve had him recite the 4-Way Test; Susan held the wheel as he spun to see how much Molly would pay in his place
Contact Paul to sign up to help at the Del Mar Foundation Community Picnic on 9/25 from 1:00-5:00 at Power House Park. This is a good opportunity to share Rotary and attract new members (as is LobsterFest)
Our speaker today was Yigal Adato who shared his experience as a leadership coach to help each person be more successful in business and life
Happy Rotarians included Jan for her church's upcoming 90th White Elephant sale; Molly for Riley's 1st day of a 2nd year of school; Charlotte for Leif's 1st day of 7th grade; Vicky for the fun Powerhouse Park concert; Bill for a great trip to the Canadian Rockies with Suzanne; Di for upcoming silent retreat; Charles (happy & sad) to report he & Alicia will be selling their home and moving to La Costa Glen; Steve for a wonderful Rotary meeting where he was honored with his picture on a cake & members paid homage to his Jewish heritage
It was great to have Nicole back from sabbatical and she updated us on activities with Casa de Amistad: they are very excited to be one of our major LobsterFest beneficiaries; they are meeting in person again after two years of being virtual due to the pandemic; they are extending activities to La Costa; and they are adding kindergarten & college prep assistance
LobsterFest Update: We are currently at $37,525 in sponsorships; we need to encourage bidding on our online auction (Charlotte confirmed the trips with Travel Pledge are great); Di thanked everyone for their raffle restaurant support and Paul helped pick our $200 raffle donation winner which, appropriately, was Vicky!!
Sandra Scheller, curator of the "RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust" museum in Chula Vista (which was named after her mother), shared pictures saved in a trunk by her mother and touching stories of survivors who live in southern San Diego County. Bill, as presiding president today, presented her with our OEF certificate for speaking.
We had another great turnout of visitors to hear 3rd generation San Diegan & County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer update us on what she and other representatives are doing about homelessness, the train tracks, human trafficking, rotating in/out of jails, vaccinations, and more
Charles' daughter Laura Robinson joined us, as did Paul's granddaughter Zulima Butler Litsey, Di's friends Kelly McCormack and Bill Paxton, Barbara Berkovich for the 3rd time, and Rosy from Casa de Amistad
Happy $$s came from Charlotte on her upcoming 18th wedding anniversary; Venky for 11 family members visiting; Nicole for swimming with the manta rays; George for his trip to Washing DC; and Jan for Malcolm & Charles Koll Jewelers fixing her dad's ski trophy from 1936 that she brought back from Seattle
Vicky presented Sushandra her first Paul Harris Fellow award for donating $1000 to The Rotary Foundation, and Art on zoom his PH+6 pin (a ruby) for donating over $7000 to The Foundation. Thank you & well done!!
Susan thanked everyone for helping with Casa de Amistad Back to School Registration & Math Festival (but fined herself for not wearing Rotary attire). We helped over 200 children & families with backpacks, school supplies, snacks/beverages, games, and books donated in loving memory of Patricia Case's son, Dan.
Sushandra talked about her non-profit in India, A View, that helps women who have mental heath issues, and auctioned off 3 beautiful quilts that they made
We had a great turnout for Visitor's Day, which included Catalina Beltran from Casa de Amistad, Ivan Chavez and Ryan Mancera from Just in Time, former Rotarian Kirk Collins, Susan's neighbor Barbara Berkovich, Paul's CPA Louis Tommasino, Lisa from Dan McAllister's office, David Opperman, Malcom's cousin visiting from So. Africa, and Mark Hennenfent on zoom
We had two birthdays last week - Paul turned 67 and Art hit 68. Happy Birthday to both!!
Other happy Rotarians were Charles for a clean bill of health, Steve for 97 years with his father-in-law who just passed away; Charlotte for a trip to Sequoia National Park; Suzanne for surviving 3 days at Disneyland with 4 grandkids; Vicky, for a wonderful trip to the Flathead Lake area of Montana, and Jan for her 6600 mile road trip, where she got a chance to visit with Trish in her beautiful "new" digs (grandmother's former home) in San Luis Obispo
Di with Community Service reminded us of the Casa de Amistad event this Thursday, 8/18, to bring gift cards for our LobsterFest raffle & to enter our drawing, and shared that we will be doing a $5K District Grant with the Nature Collective. Herb with International informed us that the Board approved funds to help a student in Malawi with tuition and board. Paul filling in as Social Chair passed around a signup for the concert in Powerhouse Park on 8/23. Vicky as LobsterFest Chair said we are at 52% of goal from sponsorships to date. Every member should bring in a sponsorship, raffle gift card, and auction item. The online auction will go live on 8/17.
Bryan and Ivan with Just in Time updated us on their activities out in the community during Covid helping over 1200 youth. 98% of their funding is from non-governmental entities.
Dan McAllister, San Diego County Tax Collector gave an informative, often humorous talk about how the County uses the $14.5B investment pool serving 200 agencies including schools districts (42), fire, and water. SD has a 99.1% collection rate, was the 1st county to use recycled paper for it's bills, uses public feedback to simplify & make clear the bills (which Charlotte said are the best of any county), and decided again using a penguin (Taxi) as a mascot (the county owns the zoo).
Susan presented Dan with our new speaker certificate that shows our support of OEF in El Salvador.
And this just in from Switzerland on the wedding today of Rotarian Kevin Cahill & Sibylle Sticher, and attended by Patricia Case. Congratulations!! You all look fabulous!
It was our second attempt at an outdoor meeting, we out found that a sunny morning and switching indoors for the presentations, is more challenging than an overcast morning without a presentation. 
Our speaker Annela Flores, a music therapist, got us off to a fun start with her Good Morning song, which ended with a lot of laughter, as we found out how musically challenged and uncoordinated some of us are. I was laughing too much to take a picture although a video would have been better.
After a 2 year hiatus, the Del Mar - Solana Beach Rotary club was back handing out ice cold water to the participants and volunteers at Stand Down. A big Thank You to Bill Sutton for organizing and persevering through all of the staff and location changes, to make this a meaningful community service project for our club members and friends. We are honored to serve our homeless veterans.
Rotarians enjoyed a nice tour of the Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas, we learned about sustainable farming, how the farm supports the local community and purchased fresh vegetables at the "Pay what you Can" Farm stand.
Rotarians cheer on the Loyal soccer team, who gave to our LobsterFest auction last year. It was a fun night, even though they lost. Thanks for arranging, Charles.
Susan kicked off her first meeting showing the new banner Imagine, that represents the seven areas of service around the circle. Rotary International's 1st woman President Jennifer Jones, wants us to imagine all the ways we can make a difference to transform the world
Susan then introduced our new Officers & Chairs
President: Susan Hennenfent
Past President/Foundation/Fund Raising: Vicky Mallett
VP: Bill Sutton
Treasurer: Charlotte Jones
Secretary: Suzanne Sutton
Community Service: Di Shimkus
International: Herb Liberman
Youth: Nicole Mione-Green
Membership: Paul Butler & Molly Fleming
Programs: Jon Fish, Sandy LeVine, Lew Williamson
Public Relations: Jan Parsons
Sergeant-At-Arms: George Sousa
Care Bear: Bev Liberman
Vicky gave happy dollars for her retirement and was fined for no longer being President; Charlotte joined us from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with family. Vicky also updated us on LobsterFest which now has open online sponsorships with $11,000 committed. The goal this year is $84,000 with 30% reached by August 1.
Molly gave Sandy LeVine his blue badge today, as he has fulfilled all his requirements with the help of his mentor, Herb Liberman
Matt Wechter, Dep. Public Defender for SD County, joined us to explain how the Homeless Court at Stand Down helps veterans & families clear fines and tickets. Sign up with Bill to hand out water for Stand Down on July 29-31
It was so nice to have Ildiko Tesak from El Salvador with us today who said even though she is not always with us in person, we are always in her heart. She updated us on the current harsh and difficult situation in El Salvador
Laura Mello, Rotarian & 3rd generation San Diegan, who is the Director of Gift Planning at Rady's Children Hospital, talked with us about how strategic planning uses wealth instead of income to help one's charity of choice
Another fun night at the Padres
Susan & Mark joined other District 5340 Rotarians
The Governor's Dinner with a sold out crowd wrapped up a successful year
We are so proud of our own Susan Hennenfent who was presented a People of Action Award by Outgoing District Governor Dan Gensler, before being sworn in as our new Club President
A lovely evening was enjoyed by Paul, Mark, Susan, Jan, Steve, Beverly, Herb, (and missing from this picture) Bill, Charles & Alicia, and Vicky
Thank you to our hosts, Alicia & Charles, for a wonderful Demotion Party,
and to the planners, Patricia & Suzanne
After drinks and dinner, members Herb, Bill , and Charles thanked Vicky for a fabulous year and shared how successful & fun her LobsterFest idea proved to be as our new fundraiser
Then the roasting began with the lobster theme relevant all night. Patricia presented Vicky with a stuffed lobster to cuddle and lobster sandals
Susan then surprised Vicky with a giant lobster that she could bring to the next LobsterFest and/or use in the pool
Kevin and Sibylle passed out champagne and Patricia led us in a toast to Vicky and the club
Vicky took to heart the warning to keep her remarks brief, before thanking her Board for a great, successful year and honoring Beverly and Herb as Rotarians of the Year
She did a stalwart job of holding on to her gavel all year, but unfortunately it disappeared at the Demotion Party. Bill felt sorry for her and so gave up his last golden gavel
Just as she despaired of not having a gavel to pass on to Incoming President, Susan, Kevin came rushing out with a pot - could it be a gavel lobster pot? Yes!!!!
The evening was saved and Vicky presented George with patriotic beads to thank him for his service to the Country and to us for his years as Sergeant at Arms. And then the real celebration began!!!
Happy Rotarians included George for having his two sons, Jim & Bill, with us today; Susheela for Venky's successful knee surgery; Lew for his and Sue's 51st Wedding Anniversary on Sunday; Jon for his 78th Birthday on Sunday
George Kamau Karuku, President-Elect of the Ruiru-Nairobi Rotary Club is visiting from Kenya where we are doing a global grant for an orphanage called Praisegate
Paul, in his last duties as Foundation Chair, presented Lew with his Paul Harris plus 3 pin for contributions over $4000 to the Foundation. He also reported we are again at 100% for donations by all members thus fulfilling the goal of EREY: Every Rotarian Every Year
Bob Brewer, Special Ops Ranger shot down during the Vietnam War, talked about the Vietnam Veteran; gave us a chronological history that led up to our involvement in Vietnam; and shared the disillusionment with the war as it progressed due to lies told to the public by the government. He encouraged everyone to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC and remember the National Vietnam War Veterans Day each year on March 29. As he said, the best words a returning vet can hear is "Welcome Home".
We had a great day at Petco Park with Del Mar Rotarians
- especially since the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 10-4
We signed cards that Bill got for 14 graduates of Solutions for Change which included a $50 gift card. Congratulations for a job well done!!
Suzanne gave happy $$s for her Birthday today; Paul gave for having his granddaughter with them; Molly is happy they will be doing a family road trip to Tahoe; Herb was happy the Warriors won another NBA Championship; Vicky gave funds for her wonderful trip to Spain
The Del Mar Rotary sent us a thank you for the use of our popups at their Chili & Quackers event
Vicky led our Celebration of Service with our LobsterFest video where we netted $28,000 to fund our projects throughout the year; and Herb with International shared a slide presentation about our $9000 grant in El Salvador to help needy children
Other presenters included Jon as Treasurer who shared that after giving away $49,000, we still have $106,530 on deposit; Paul as Foundation Chair reported we have given $379,366 to the Rotary Foundation over the life of our club; Di, Bill, and Charles reported for Community Service and reminded of some of the events/organizations we helped: Feeding San Diego, SD Blood Bank, Nature Collective, SD Food Bank, CRC, Hope Without Boundaries, Casa de Amistad, Stand Down/Veterans Village, Solutions for Change; and Kevin shared our Youth contributions to Model UN and Cristo Rey scholarship
We remembered Lou Oberman for all his contributions to Rotary & Veterans, and Herb suggested naming the LobsterFest Auction in his honor as he was the one who introduced us to Travel Pledge
A big thank you went out to Jon who is stepping down as Treasurer after 12 years and Paul who is leaving his post of Foundation Chair after 6 years
We ended the meeting with a fine to Sandy from Vicky for meeting his last blue badge requirement by being at the board meeting on zoom (but they never saw his face); and Malcolm fining Charlotte for making us all tired watching her on the treadmill; Nicole for her & Peter's 15th Anniversary; and Venky for his and Meera's 52nd Anniversary. He shared Venky singing a love song to Meera (click on link below to hear)
Thank you Vicky and club members for a great year
Steve reported on the Convention in Houston which he attended, along with 10,000-11,000 other Rotarians - half the number of previous attendees with Asia & Europe underrepresented. One of the largest breakout sessions was on human trafficking with many countries interested in finding ways to prevent it. He also reported over $50 million have been raised by Rotary to eradicate polio
Join Kevin & Patricia in donating new or slightly used shoes for Nova Ukraine all of June
Malcolm generously gave many more than six 6-packs of specially crafted Lager for Ukraine which Viewpoint created to raise funds to help the people of Ukraine, but they went fast
Happy Rotarians were Charles who attended his school reunion & for Loyal Soccer Team tickets supporting last year's LobsterFest; Charlotte for Lief's graduation from 4th grade; Paul for his trip to Arizona to visit mom and son; Jan for the opportunity to join Parkland school shooting survivors' March For Our Lives in San Diego tomorrow at the Admin Building from 10:00-12:00 (join her at the Nobel Trolley Station at 9:00am if you'd like to participate)
and we surprised Suzanne a week early with a birthday card signed by club members for her June 17 Birthday
Di shared our long term commitment to The Nature Collective where we & the Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club will be doing a District Grant, before introducing Jennifer Bright, Associate Director and Elayna Flanders, Volunteer Director. Jennifer updated us on the completion of their lagoon restoration project and Elayna talked about various volunteer opportunities.
Bill, acting President today, gave them our Joshua Orphan Care certificate along with a six pack of Lager for Ukraine
George started us off with a Patriotic "Proud to be an American" video in honor of Memorial Day
Happy Birthday to Charlotte on her birthday today
Happy dollars came from Venky for a wonderful trip to India to visit family, Art for a great trip with Ildiko to Nova Scotia to see rock formations and the highest tide swings; George for son Rick visiting us today, Bill for his and Suzanne's fabulous trip to Morocco, Susan for the Hilton parking meter machine; Ken for his and Bebe's 18th Anniversary on the 22nd
Bill reminded us of Stand Down which will be July 29-31, where we will again hand out water. Bring used clothes next Friday for needy Veterans which Bill will deliver
Bring shoes for Nova Ukraine that Kevin will collect, which are bought and donated to needy countries with the proceeds given to help Ukraine (And Viewpoint will give a 6-pack of its special brew to the first 6 donors)
Charlotte updated us on LobsterFest, September 17, 5-8
- Thank you to Foster & Friends who will be a Premier Sponsor, and to CaliFino & Viewpoint who will provide libations
- Website is up and will go live for sponsorships shortly which include: Presidential Premier - $6200; Premier - $5000'; VIP - $1500; Friends (table of 8) - $1250, Individual - $150
- We are promising a plated lobster tail dinner
- Major beneficiaries are Just In Time for Foster Youth & Casa de Amistad
Susan presented the Slate of Officers for next year that the Board approved and we voted on
We need a Program Director (to be divided by 3 people for 3 months starting in October), and help with zoom so we can continue with hybrid meetings
In lieu of a speaker, Trish talked about the program
which allows participants to experience the San Dieguito River Valley, to follow its path from mountain to sea, to encounter plant, animal and human inhabitants, and to connect to the River Valley with heart and mind
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Service Above Self
Del Mar, CA 92014
United States of America