Everyone had too much fun to take pictures but a good time was had by all

 

 

 

 

 

President Susan Hennenfent, Vicky Mallett, Steve Weitzen, Di Shimkus, James Morrison

 

 

 

 

 

Our speaker today was Pam Maher, a Research Professor in the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory at the  Salk Institute. Her research focus and talk was on Alzheimer's disease and factors that can contribute to the disease. She emphasized paying attention to the lifestyle factors which we can control. 

 

President Susan presented Pam with our OEF certificate and explained how we are helping the children in El Salvador with health, education, and nutritional needs and have been involved with this organization for over 15 years

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great day in Rotary as we inducted three new members -  Felix Singh, brought to us by Elena of the Santee Rotary club; and Monica Stuck and Yolanda Silva with the Hilton Corporate Membership, joining Joe Kuhn. WELCOME!!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Art on his new home purchase, with Paul's help, and Vicky's help with insurance; and to Barbara on her closing of Double B Ranch in the Columbia River Gorge area

 

Welcome back to Venky who went to Iceland to see the Northern Lights and to Susan who was visiting Rotary Headquarters in Evanston, IL and her sister in Michigan

 

Here she is "shaking the hand" of founder Paul Harris and with Mark and 4 Past RI Presidents

 

Charlotte enjoyed lunch at Viewpoint Brewery with  friends visiting from Norway after a fun hike; Nicole was grateful for apple Care after her phone landed in the water; and we were happy to hear that Patricia has an ablation scheduled next week to relieve back pain 

 

Vicky reminded members to contribute to Rotary International Annual Fund by April 30 and shared pictures from our first project in El Salvador as a result of funds available through a Foundation Grant - building a school and vocational center. 

 

 

And where we continue to help 15 years later

 

 

 

Vicky was recognized by Susan with an Imagine Rotary pin for all her contributions to the club

 

 

Art is our new auctioneer extraordinaire as he collected $360 for 3 Ukraine Rotary pins - thank you Venky, Jan & Herb

 

 

Please visit our  Upcoming Events for more information and to signup for Feeding San Diego and Rotarians At Work Day and our 7-Way Meeting on April 19 (we will be dark on the 21st)

 

Jordan Karney Chaim, an art historian and Curator for the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego, gave an interesting, informative talk about this institution that is in Balboa Park and Encinitas. Their mission is to present experimental art and learning with a mission to question everything - and their focus next year will be on the interface of art and science using human data. They also have a sculpture trail overlooking the San Elijo Lagoon that is inspired by the coastal landscape.  A good time to visit ICS North will be on April 29 at Casa de Amistad Gala

 

 

 

President Susan presenting Jordan with our OEF certificate for speaking with us today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor's Day was a huge success with over 12 guests to see the great work that Rotary and our club does

 

One of the highlights was inducting Charles Koll as a new member - the third generation of Kolls as Rotarians!! Proud dad, Malcolm pinned him, Paul as Membership Chair read the induction, and President Susan handed him his red badge, and then the club gave him a standing ovation. 

 

 

We were also pleased to learn that Joe Kuhn and the Hilton will be joining us as Corporate Members. Welcome all!!!

 

Herb connected us with Chikondi Dyson in Malawi who we are helping attend college and got an update on his activities

 

 

 Vicky showed a video and updated us on the status of the Rotary Foundation's  End Polio Now campaign and reminded us of their pledge of $50MM pledge toward this goal, which is matched 2x1 by the Gates Foundation. Herb shared that they have also made 300,000 grants totaling $15MM to Ukraine

 

 

John van Cleef, the CEO of the Community Resource Center and Encinitas Rotarian,  was our speaker today and updated us on the long range plans of  this wonderful non-profit that started as a bread truck in 1979. Susan showed some old photos of our 15+ year support  of the CRC, including the Holiday Food Baskets program 

 

 

 

 

Di, as Community Service Chair,  presented John two checks from our club: $500 for their Capital Campaign and $1000 for their Mental Health program. President Susan thanked him for being our speaker by presenting him with a certificate showing our support of OEF in El Salvador with the emphasis on children's education, health, and development

 

 

We hope we will see all our guests at our social next Thursday, 3/16 at Bushfire Kitchen in Del Mar starting at 5:30, which will take the place of Friday's meeting. Also mark your calendars for the 7-Way Meeting on April 19 at the Hilton

 

 

 

 

It was a great day as Susan recognized George for all the wonderful things he has done for Rotary, his family, the community, and the world

 

 

We faced a beautiful picture of San Diego & snow capped mountains from 1989 - which it looks like today after our recent storms, as Steve reviewed Rotaries 7 areas of  focus: Peacebuilding, Disease Prevention, Sanitation, Child Health, Education, Economic Development, & Environment

 

 

And it was nice to see Sibylle with Kevin, Charles Koll back for his 4th time,  and Jerry, a visitor from Atlanta. Patricia and Susan gave huge accolades to Barbara, Barbara (Fish), and Molly for taking all the items from our locker. Let Susan know if you can store 4 bins of lobsterfest items. And thank you to Bill & Suzanne who will host the demotion party on June 11

 

Patricia gave a touching update on Shelter Box and showed the major countries where they are helping the 85 million people who are displaced due to violence or turmoil in the world: Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Pakistan, Mozambique

 

Molly reminded everyone that next Friday's meeting will be a membership day, so invite your friends, colleagues, acquaintances to hear John Van Cleef, CEO of the CRC

 

 

Di clarified that Rotarians at Work Day will be on April 29 from 9-1 which we will be doing with the Solana Beach Eco Club and Encinitas Rotary

 

 

We had a great update on happenings in Solana Beach from Lesa Heebner, Mayor, which could also be viewed live on facebook.  SB is the 2nd smallest region in the area with 3.4sq miles and faces the same issues as Del Mar - affordable housing and issues with multi-property dwellings. The third phase of the $7MM government grant Corridor Improvement Project is underway to make street more user-friendly and safe. Susan let Lesa know that we will be making a donation in her name for speaking with us, to OEF, a non-profit we support in El Salvador that focuses on children's health and education. 

 

 

And some were fortunate to hear Kevin's beautiful playing as we left the Hilton for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great turnout today - a reflection of the great job Susan is doing as President

 

We welcomed visitors Mark Hennenfent, Barbara's guest Lola, Charles Koll from Viewpoint Brewery, and Evan Bridgham from Country Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer's office who mentioned the $500/month rental subsidy for qualifying seniors (contact their office for more info)

 

 

Vicky shared a Rotary Foundation video and highlighted the seven areas of focus

 

 

Susan recognized Di Shimkus with an Imagine Rotary pin in recognition of all the great work she does with Community Service for our club, her work, and her personal life

 

 

Social at Bushfire Kitchen next Thursday, 2/16 from 5:30-7:00 and dark on Friday

Nature Walk led by Di after our 2/24 meeting

 

Patricia invited Rotarians to an upcoming Shelterbox online event on 2/28 at 9:00am which will give a briefing on their humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine

 

 

Our speaker today, Chris Khoury, MD has been recognized for his many environmental contributions by the State of California, County of San Diego, Cities of San Diego & Escondido, and the San Dieguito River Park. He shared that the climate crisis is real and as Jonas Salk said "We have no greater responsibility than to strive to be good ancestors". Visit https://citizensclimatelobby.org for more information. 

 

Susan presented Dr. Khoury with our OEF Certificate showing our help to children in El Salvador

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on this link to watch a video of some of their activities: https://youtu.be/6byI_FPdLiE

 

 

 

 

We were happy to have the Mayor of Del Mar, Tracey Martinez speak with us this morning. This female, Latino, nurse has been on the City Council for three years and will be serving in this rotating term as mayor for one year.  She feels that one of the most difficult tasks ahead is meeting the affordable housing requirements and dealing with ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and SP9 expansion issues. On a happier note, the City will receive $300 million to do an environment study on moving the train tracks off the bluff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malcom reminded us that today is

 

 

And on a lighter note, they celebrate  Ginuary all month in the UK

 

 

 

 

 

We wish Herb a speedy recovery from Covid

 

A new banner greeted members as they entered the meeting room

 

 

Steve reminded us that Arch Klumph started the Society named after him in 1927 to recognize donors who have contributed  $250,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation. Recent new members Susan & Mark Hennenfent will be going next March to the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois to watch as their portrait is placed in the Arch Klumph Society Gallery. 

 

Vicky shared a touching Foundation video and awarded Jan her Paul Harris +3 pin (with 3 rubies) in recognition of her contributions to the Rotary Foundation

 

 

Susan encouraged all to attend The Membership Seminar - How to attract & engage with young professionals which will be via  zoom next Saturday, 1/21 from 9-10:30am. We are all part of Membership, and need to grow our club

 

or join Kevin & Nicole at the Model UN training session the same day - 8:00am-1:00pm, Del Mar City Hall.  They also need Advisors for the Model UN students

 

Patricia invited all to see the King Tut immersive experience at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on February 2 at 11:30 before heading over to Viewpoint for lunch

 

Di shared that Feeding San Diego desperately  needs volunteers to help  sort to keep their vital operation functional. She will be heading up more work parties and encouraged members to contact them directly for other times to assist

 

We are looking for additional donations to reach our goal of $2200 continue our work helping children in El Salvador through OEF.  Let Herb or Susan know if you'd like to contribute. 

 

 

Nicole Mione-Green, club member and Executive Director of Casa de Amistad shared with us  how their volunteers and mentors help young people form  developmental relationships, which change their lives. These relationships help them discover who they are, cultivates abilities to be successful and thrive, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them.  

 

 

After a wonderful presentation, Susan presented Nicole with our certificate showing our support for OEF in El Salvador