Success Through Teamwork 12/12/12

Dear Rotarians and friends,

As the year draws to an end our energies and activities continue too rise. This week's meeting saw several milestone for our Club.

We were able to share the gift of Rotary by inducting David Shapiro as our newest Rotarian. Governor Lew Bertrand honored us again by acting as our installing officer. David will carry a classification of Trust/Estates Law. I was pleased to serve as David's sponsor. Having previously sponsored President Elect Nominee Katie Litsey and our first corporate member, the Marina del Rey Hospital, I have high hopes for David and every expectation he will exceed them. Thanks again to Governor Lew for his support and a big welcome to David!

This weeks program more than lived up to its billing. We were joined by the Mark Twain Middle School Ringers. No these were not 7 ft. tall basketball players brought in from another town, but rather a very prestigious group of bell ringers with international acclaim. They performed at the London Olympics and have already gotten an invitation to the Rio games.We learned that one set of bells costs $37,000 and Mark Twain has five sets. To be in the group a student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first half of the year and a 3.5 GPA in the second half, so one can see they are academically gifted as well as musically.  They performed three songs for us and had the room in awe. They earned the standing ovation they received. They are a remarkable group of young people. As a small thanks President Jim Vuchsas presented their director with a donation to help fuel future efforts. We'd love to have them back next year. If you were not able to be with us to enjoy this performance we have posted a video, thanks to Tom Carson,  on the Homepage of our website, Playasunrise.org. Hopefully you have good speakers on your computer so that you can appreciate the beauty of the Ringers' music. 

This week's raffle prizes were given by traveling Dan Kolodziejski and as usual his generosity shown out. The first two of his three envelopes contained $20 and the third had a $100 bill in it (which Armando Diaz quickly pocketed.) The receipts for the raffle ($210) were high because of promotion for Dan's gifts and the pot for the 50/50 drawing which reached a total of $1930. With only 10 cards left Charles Rosenberg pulled the ace of spades and won the drawing. We hasten to remind Charles of the many good works of our Foundation, like Teacher Mini Grants etc., hint, hint!

President Jim threw the floor open to brags and fines. Tom Carson volunteered that he will be vacationing in Thailand for 16 days during the holidays. He assessed himself $50. The group was reminded that someone celebrated his 71st birthday on 12/11. President Jim confessed it was him and offered to pay a dollar a year.  

This year the Venice Chamber of Commerce took over the administration of the Venice High School Jackets of Excellence Program which the Rotary Club of Venice/Marina established. We were very pleased o hear that 26 jackets were recently awarded. Rotarian and Chamber President Alex Rosales reported that "the majority of the jackets were sponsored by Rotarians," so it is obvious that we still have a strong hand in keeping this program alive and successful. Congratulations Alex!

Speaking of Alex, hats off to he and his bride Nadine for once again heading up a very successful program in support of the McBride School for special needs students. On Tuesday they led a large group of Rotary elves who helped Santa, Tom Ryan, hand out backpacks with stuffed animals to the children. Whether you were a veteran attendee or a first time visitor, dry eyes were impossible. Once gain, we are reminded of our blessings and that Service Above Self often comes back as service to self.

Thanks to Don Culton and Judith Ciancimino for this week's photos.

Save the Date  

December 14 Holiday Gift Wrapping Party 

December 17 Santa Tour

December 26 No meeting, Club dark 

January 2 White Elephant Gift Exchange 

January 11 Teacher Mini Grants, food sponsored by Playa Vista (replaces 1/9 regular meeting) 

Be well.   

Yours in Rotary service,   

Tony