Success Through Teamwork 10/17/12

Dear Rotarians and friends, 

This week's speaker was Berto Solis, Communications Consultant from Loyola Marymount University's Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles.  It was very interesting to hear his perspective on looking back on the effect of the riots 20 years ago. We enjoyed having Berto with us. 

Gwen Vuchsas updated the Club on the status of Thursday night's Cultural Dinner themed on Rio's Carnival. Some members still have not gotten their $20 or $20 bottle of wine for the wine lot raffle at the dinner. If you have not yet responded to Anne Algaze, please do so ASAP. To date our RSVPs look very good as does the response to the call for silent auction items. Set up is planned for 3:00 PM Thursday and we still need more volunteers for breakdown. Everything is building up towards an incredibly successful evening, one could even call it "Success Through  Teamwork!" Thanks to all who have dedicated longs hours to making the Dinner turn out so well. 

We were joined this week by Special Guest Peter Smyth and visiting Rotarian and friend from Santa Monica, Larry Mortoff. Elsa Mendoza, principal at Venice High School also joined us. 
In addition a Rotarian in town from Connecticut saw our sign and joined us for breakfast. President Jim awarded Chip Marsh a Club banner to thank him for joining us. We hope to see Chip again.  

Alex Rosales advised the membership that the fourth annual Ultimate Wine Tasting will take place on November 9th at Control Printing starting at 6:00 PM in support of the McBride School.  Details are posted on the website.. He went on to advise the Club that Venice Chamber of Commerce will be adopting the Jackets of Excellence program at Venice High School. Mr. Generosity, Howard Pollack,  noted that he was in the process of making his last mortgage payment on his house after 42 years and many mortgages. He stood up to sponsor ten jackets. A few other Rotarians said they would sponsor jackets at the low Control Printing cost of $115 each. Contact Alex if you wish to participate as he will be heading the program as President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce. 

Last week Howard took the coin jar in support of St. Jude, Rotary Change for Rotary Changes, to count the change and convert it to bills. He rounded the total up to $100. Sincere thanks again Howard! The fund keeps growing. 

President Jim had been waiting some time for Alex to join us so he could ask if there had been a recent celebration at the Rosales' household. Alex proudly announced that his youngest son gad recently married and volunteered $50 to celebrate the marriage. Jim then asked Tom Dixon if there had been an event at the Marina del Rey Hospital recently. Tom announced that there had been a successful Health Fair. The Hospital will pay a $25 brag in support of the event. 

There was no 50/50 raffle winner this week so the total is now $995 for next week. 

Thanks to Judith Ciancimino for this week's photos.

Save the Date

October 18 Carnival Fund Raiser

October 27 Westchester Halloween Fair

October 27 Paul Harris Celebration

December 2 Midnight Mission Food Service

Be well.

Yours in Rotary service,

Tony