Welcome to the PVSR Weekly Newsletter
2025 - 2026 Vol. 18

Music is in the air and so is the spirit of
community. From Halloween fun at the
Block Party to a spectacular Evening In
Havana
at our Cultural Dinner, joy and
service came together in unforgettable
ways. These events reminded us how
powerful it is when we gather —
celebrating, serving, and supporting
others together.

___________________________________

Jacket of Excellence Program

Joining us this Wednesday will be Karin
Wallerstein
, President of the Venice Chamber
of Commerce, and Chantel Hunter-Mah, Chair
of the Chamber’s Education Committee. We
will be presenting them with PVSR’s pledge
in support of the Jackets of Excellence
Program
at Venice High School.

The “Jackets of Excellence” award honors
Venice students who exemplify academic
excellence and the finest qualities of a
true Gondo.

___________________________________

Bring A Friend To Rotary Day
The Voice of the Rams - Sam Laganà

We are excited and honored to welcome
this week’s speaker, Sam Laganà!

Sam is a Pacific Palisades native and respected
leader in sports, education, and community
service. He has served as National Chairman
of the John R. Wooden Award
since 2010 and
is in his 10th season as the stadium voice of
the Los Angeles Rams
. He spent 20 years in
pro beach volleyball leadership and was
inducted into the Beach Volleyball Hall of
Fame in 2023. In 2025, he received the
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
Humanitarian Award.

We encourage you to attend our
breakfast meeting this Wednesday
and bring along a friend!
 

___________________________________


 

Special Recognition

Exciting news—and a tribute to all the
outstanding work contributed by our
club. Congratulations, Rotarians!

The Club was voted
BEST COMMUNITY/SOCIAL CLUB

by The Argonaut

Read the Article: argonautnews.com

___________________________________

A Night in Havana - A Vibrant Success!

Our Night in Havana Cultural Dinner was an
absolute hit! We’ve received rave reviews
describing the evening as fun, interactive,
colorful, and deeply engaging. The energy in
the room was unforgettable, and it’s all thanks
to the collective effort of those who planned, participated, and supported this event.

We invite you to enjoy the photos below
and relive some of the magical moments.

This spectacular evening was made possible
by the dedication, creativity, and generosity
of so many.

 

 

Special recognition to:

• Gwen Vuchsas, Chairman – for her
outstanding leadership and seamless
coordination of every detail.

• Lisa Schwab – for her creative vision
that brought décor and entertainment
to life.

• Rob Bird – for connecting with donors,
securing an incredible variety of auction
items, and lending his hands-on support
with décor.

• Gail Goldstein – for her financial
generosity and the crowd-favorite
guava empanadas.

• Linda Soto – whose balloon artistry
added charm and atmosphere.

• Stephanie Rondeau – for capturing
the magic of the night through media
and communications.

• Committee & Volunteers – for all the
work behind the scenes - before, during,
and after our amazing event.

A heart felt thanks to our Team: Racquel,
Natalie, Becky, Bobbie, Debbie, Martha,
Courtney, Iris, Jan, Matthew, Dave, Dean,
Susan, Lucy, John Francis, Kathrine, Martha 

and Nora. Your generosity, time, energy,
and teamwork made this event possible.
 
• Our donors and Supporters —
for the financial gifts and auction item
contributions and to the spirited participation
in the silent and live auctions — thank you.
Your generosity directly supports our Teacher
Mini Grants, student scholarships, and many
of our other programs.
 

 

 

 

It takes a village to put on an event of this
caliber. This spectacular evening was only
made possible by the dedication, creativity,
and generosity of so many of you.
In gratitude, 
we celebrate each of you
whose spirit of service and fellowship
turned vision into reality.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
___________________________________

A Great Day at Dave and 
Evan's Block Party!

What a fantastic event put on by Dave and
Evan. Huge thanks to all the Rotarians who
worked tirelessly to serve 271 sundaes and
scoop through 8 gallons of ice cream—
no small feat!

Special appreciation to Matthew, Rob, and
Gail
. And kudos to Jan, Iris, Gwen, Susan,
Martha, 
and Dean! 

Thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm,
and Rotary spirit!

We even captured a great photo of
Councilwoman Traci Park enjoying
her sundae
—she loved it!

 

 

 

 ___________________________________

Brady Connell

Such an exciting moment at the recent Zone
26/27 Institute as the District celebrated
Rotary District Governor-Elect Brady Connell’s graduation from the intensive two-year DG
training program
alongside fellow leaders
from District 5280. No small feat—
congratulations, Brady!

___________________________________

Rotarians Around Town

Our very own Rotarian, Dean Reuter, was
honored at this year’s Big Brothers Big
Sisters Fundraising Event
. His dedication
to changing lives was celebrated through a
heartfelt tribute from Nick Rolston the
young man whose life was deeply impacted
by Dean and the Big Brother program. Nick
shared how Dean’s over 40 years mentorship
has made a lasting difference in his journey—
a true testament to the power of service
and connection. Congratulations, Dean!

___________________________________

 

Events This Week

Bring a Friend to Rotary Day! 

October 29th

📍Wednesday Club Meeting

⏰ 7:30 AM - 9 AM

Sam Lagana will be our main speaker on
October 29th. This is a not-to-be missed
event. Join us and bring a friend!

___________________________________

Rotary Foundation Celebration

November 1st

📍Battleship USS Iowa
San Pedro, CA

⏰ See event poster for details

___________________________________

Events Coming Up

Official Visit of District
Governor Alex Parajon
 

November 5th  

📍Wednesday Club Meeting

⏰ 7:30 AM - 9 AM

We are honored to welcome District Governor
Alex
to our club on November 5. We encourage
all members to attend this important visit and
show our club’s support.

This is also a wonderful opportunity to invite prospective members and guests to hear
Governor Alex share his Rotary inspiration
and message of service and leadership.

___________________________________

Happy Hour 

November 6th

📍Del Rey Yacth Club

⏰ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

 
___________________________________
 
 
 
WE’RE PROUD TO BE PLAYA
VENICE ROTARIANS
 
“LET’S GROW - LET’S GLOW!”
 
 
___________________________________
 
 
 
___________________________________

 
 

 

___________________________________

PLAYA VENICE SUNRISE ROTARY

Serving our Community since 2005

 Rotary Four-Way Test:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and
BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 
___________________________________  
 

ZOOM LINK
For Wednesday's meeting
 
 Join Zoom Meeting
 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84665527450?pwd=03PsKYqiEKY6SvRTtbXROV717ybMZU.1

 Meeting ID: 846 6552 7450
 Passcode: 970093

 One tap mobile
 +16694449171,,84665527450#,,,,*970093# US
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
White Elephant Fun!
Whiskey Red’s Restaurant
Jan. 07, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
 
Teacher Mini-Grant Awards Meeting
Whiskey Red's Restaurant
Jan. 14, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
 
Habitat for Humanity Kick-Off
Jan. 17, 2026
 
View entire list
Speakers
Dec 24, 2025
Dec 31, 2025
Jan 07, 2026
Gift Exchange
View entire list
December Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Diane Barretti
December 6
 
Jim Vuchsas
December 11
 
Lucy Wegner
December 11
 
Jamie Altshule
December 14
 
Shosh Wambaa
December 31
 
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