Brady's Newsletter (Mar 24, 2020)

Dear Playa Venice Rotarians & Friends,

Warning: long newsletter! Tomorrow morning’s meeting Zoom link is at the very bottom.

First, an update on one of our most respected and adored members...

Gail Goldstein wants you all to know that last Wednesday, right after our first Zoom meeting, she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Yesterday, after a successful surgery, Gail is already on her way to recovery with no prospects of chemo. Yet another testament to early detection through regular check-ups. Please send your best virtual wishes to Gail and Rob, and please have regular check-ups! Get well asap, Gail!!

It’s amazing that just 13 days ago we had our regular weekly meeting at Whiskey Red’s, with a full room, and Rick Billups and Sam Martinuzzi from St. Bernard High School. Since then, our community, our country, and the world, has been upended.

Given that we are a hands-on volunteer club, I think we are all feeling somewhat powerless because it’s difficult to physically help under our new constraints. Here are a few ways to consider leading the way as a PVS Rotarian in your neighborhood...

Check out https://www.alltogether.la and click on “Want to Volunteer?” It’s a group of community members who are trying to match eager volunteers with those who need a helping hand. You can also call them at 323-310-0411.
Ways we can help SPY – Safe Place for Youth (thanks, Tony): Gift cards to restaurants such as McDonald’s, Subway, Starbucks, and Jack in the Box. These are teens in our own backyard who need help with their next meal. You can always donate here to help with SPY’s ability to provide gift cards. Also new socks and underwear are always needed.
LA Works is sponsoring something called the #MillionMaskChallenge. Even though handmade masks are not recommended for medical use, it’s suggested they are definitely better than nothing for normal use, and they free up the better masks for medical use. If you can obtain materials, and/or know how to sew, it could become very important! The drop off location is in Marina del Rey. https://www.laworks.com/opportunity/a0C3l00000hoDNAEA2
There is a Covid-19 volunteer response list on the Mayor’s site: https://volunteer.lamayor.org
Office of the Governor’s volunteer site: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/getinvolved/covid-19/

If anyone is in the high-risk vulnerable category, and exhibiting symptoms for Covid-19... to find out if you are eligible for a test, go to http://Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing

Tomorrow, Wednesday 3/25/20, during our second weekly Zoom club meeting (by the way, I think we were the first in the district last week), you're all invited to share with each other... how you’re doing, information you think is valuable, ways you’ve heard we can help the community... anything that you feel would be important for your fellow Rotarians to hear. Glenn Hemanes will give us some specific tips on staying sane in isolation, and I will have an update on club dues. Members will begin to “gather” at 7:30a, Gwen will lead the Pledge and provide words of inspiration at 8:00a sharp, and we’ll have another “free raffle.” Plus, we will be joined this week by District Governor-elect, Bette Hall.

Just like a regular meeting, you are welcome to invite guests to our Zoom meetings. We still want you to introduce good people to the club! Go ahead and forward them the Zoom link, and give Juliet (membership) and me a heads up that they will be joining. Have them sign in to Zoom no later than 7:45a so we can say Hi to them before the meeting starts.

Craft talks are on hold for now. We’ll revisit the idea of craft talks via Zoom in a few weeks. In the meantime, we’re taking ideas for themed meetings (Pajama Party next week?). Also, if you haven’t already heard/assumed, all Rotary events are either postponed or canceled until further notice... that includes the district conference and the Rotary International convention in Hawaii. I will keep you informed as events eventually get rescheduled.

However, this Monday night at 7:00, we’re having our first Zoom social event! Tracey Thompson Busa is organizing a self-pay Zoom dinner with Cantalini’s take-out, and an evening of entertainment! Music, comedy, and maybe even a little Shakespeare?! Let’s give Lisa Schwab and Cantalini’s some PVS love. Tracey will send out a separate email with details. Don’t forget your Quarantini with dinner!

Final report on Bingofest...thanks to everyone’s hard work and participation, we raised over $15,000 for the foundation. This is the most we’ve ever raised from Bingofest, and everyone deserves a standing ovation. Both of our fundraisers broke records this year. As you know, this was my primary goal for this Rotary year, so I am deeply appreciative that everyone made it a priority. I’m also extremely grateful that we were able to hold Bingofest before the Coronavirus transformed our calendar. Thankfully, our foundation is on solid ground for the rest of the year thanks to you all.

To join the Wednesday morning Zoom club meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/753725112

Call-in details below...

In Rotary service,

Brady

“Have Fun and Get It Done!”

Zoom meeting details:

Meeting ID: 753 725 112

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,753725112# US (San Jose)

+13462487799,,753725112# US (Houston)

Dial by your location