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Jim Bell Day

Posted by Bob Peterson

For the past fifty years or so at a meeting just before Christmas- our Hermosa Beach Rotary Club has been celebrating "Jim Bell Day" in memory of Colonel Bell from the Redondo Beach Salvation Army. This year the date is Tuesday, December 10. 2019.

This festive Tuesday meeting is open to guests as long as we know who is coming in advance. Entertainment will follow a delicious luncheon at 1 PM.

RSVP: Info@HermosaBeachRotary.org

Luncheon cost is $20

ALL ARE WELCOME

HVS Students of the Month

Please join us on Tuesday, December 17 for the Student Recognition Awards to honor Luke Kershaw and Jessica Cavanagh, Rotary's December honorees. HBCSD Assistant Principal Kim Taylor will make the introductions.

Buffet Luncheon is $20

Rotary Youth Clubhouse

2521 Valley Drive

12:15 pm

Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Schools

Thanks all who supported our holiday wine tasting to help us raise funds for Hermosa students!! The festivities on Tuesday, December 3 net proceeds will benefit the Angela Peterson Student Recognition Program for student leadership attributes including academic, artistic and community service achievements throughout the South Bay, honoring students from Hermosa Valley School, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Fusion Academy.

WELCOME New Member Victoria Mercer

Today is Victoria's presentation to the club - please join us for a delicious lunch and fellowship.

A Rotary Classification talk (casually referred to as a "Craft talk") is designed to be a brief overview of one's personal and professional life - just enough for the general membership to gain insight and share interests and questions.

November HVS Students of the Month

Please join us for the Angela Peterson Student Recognition Awards as we honor November's Hermosa 8th grade Students of the Month. All are welcome!

Buffet Luncheon is $20

Rotary Youth Clubhouse

2521 Valley Drive

12:15 pm

Free Parking

RI Districts Partner in Upcoming 2020 Humanitarian Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico 2020

District 5280's Brenda Jaramillo from the Latinos Unidos Rotary Club shared the plan for another spectacular humanitarian effort via Rotary International- this time to assist the magnificent, historic Oaxaca, Mexico that critically needs our help. Several districts will join in the hands-on projects.

Welcome District Governor, Melody St. John

The daughter of a Rotarian from South Dakota, Governor Melody St. John has been immersed in Rotary her whole life. Past President of the Rotary Club of Hollywood, St. John is involved in a number of Rotary District 5280 initiatives. In fact, she has immersed herself in Rotary's Youth Exchange for over 25 years hosting students from around the world.

The first service club ever, Rotary was founded in 1905 and rapidly expanded all over the world. Also a first for Hermosa Beach, our city forefathers formed the Hermosa Beach Rotary Club in 1931. The historic clubhouse was built by local Hermosa resident Rotarians, specifically constructed to benefit "youth" in the community. Centrally located, the clubhouse hosts community-friendly activities including theatrical events, meetings and/or educational classes and wellness. It's remarkable to note that the Hermosa Beach Rotary sponsors several local youth groups including Lady Mamba basketball, Venture Crew, Cub Scouts, Boy & Girl Scouts and the clubhouse is home base to Troop 860 with over 160 families throughout the South Bay area and an unprecedented number of Eagle Scouts have graduated here.

Find some time to wander the adjacent Valley Park and you'll discover details initially funded by this Rotary club including an ADA accessible playground as well as a botanical garden to preserve California Native flora in partnership with the City and local non-profit Friends of the Parks. The club also sponsors the Friday Farmers Market on Valley Drive, a uniquely certified organic produce market. Proceeds fund numerous charitable endeavors for local non-profits as well as global efforts including food and shelter, clean water and health.

Come join us for lunch one of these days. We'd love to meet you. And if you're too busy for lunch, we have an evening e-club for professionals who want to learn more.

Jim Bell Day

Posted by Bob Peterson

This festive Tuesday meeting is open to guests as long as we know who is coming in advance. Entertainment will follow a delicious luncheon at 1 PM.

RSVP: Info@HermosaBeachRotary.org

Luncheon cost is $20

ALL ARE WELCOME

HVS Students of the Month

Buffet Luncheon is $20

Rotary Youth Clubhouse

2521 Valley Drive

12:15 pm

Wine Tasting Fundraiser for Schools

November HVS Students of the Month

Please join us for the Angela Peterson Student Recognition Awards as we honor November's Hermosa 8th grade Students of the Month. All are welcome!

Buffet Luncheon is $20

Rotary Youth Clubhouse

2521 Valley Drive

12:15 pm

Free Parking

WELCOME New Member Victoria Mercer

Today is Victoria's presentation to the club - please join us for a delicious lunch and fellowship.

Sounds of the Sixties

Don Jung of Manhattan Beach is our program speaker for Tuesday, October 29.

https://easyreadernews.com/sounds-of-change/

RI Districts Partner in Upcoming 2020 Humanitarian Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico 2020

Welcome October HVS Students of the Month

October 22 marked the first luncheon of the school year in which we host 8th grade student honorees from Hermosa Valley School, selected by their teachers as exemplary of the Rotary principles of truth, fairness and goodwill.

Motivator Montoya at the District Breakfast

South Bay MAMBAS Basketball Club

The Los Angeles Sparks’ youth basketball program’s Mission is to have a positive impact on young players, particularly girls by exposing them to transferable life principles and values such as discipline, confidence and hard work while having fun and developing the fundamentals of basketball through LA Sparks engagements. Via the LA Sparks Adopt-a-Team Program, Hermosa Beach Rotary is a proud sponsor of a budding youth team called the South Bay Lady Mambas!

2019-2020 President of the Hermosa Beach Rotary

President Steve Peterson called the club to order at his first meeting in July while learning the art of banging the gavel. His mantra for his term is to be vibrant and engaged. To that end, he has instituted fun new fines as well as a challenge to all members: who can we partner with to expand our reach?

Welcome District Governor, Melody St. John

Hermosa Beach Rotary partners with the LA SPARKS

The Rotary Club of Hermosa partners with the LA Sparks to empower young girls to play basketball. The club is sponsoring Inglewood’s girls youth basketball team- the fabulous South Bay Lady Mambas!

Rotary International announces the 2019-2020 Theme

RI President-elect Mark Daniel Maloney, a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA, unveiled the 2019-20 presidential theme, Rotary Connects the World.

Past President Dean Nota Presides

Mick Felder

Sadly and painfully Hermosa Beach has lost a local legend, Alonso "Mick" Felder, Past President of Hermosa Beach Rotary and founder of Felder's Autobody and Frame Shop, an iconic business here on PCH for 50 years.

Rotary's OLG Students of the Year

2018 Students of the Year from Our Lady of Guadalupe, Shane Hagerman and Viveca Henry, recipients of The Angela Peterson Student Recognition Program, which acknowledges academic, artistic, and community service achievements among Hermosa's students.

Welcome Todd Saks

Posted on Jun 10, 2018

Meet Todd Saks, realtor from Vista Sotheby's Manhattan Beach, our neighbor and newest friend of Rotary, sponsored by honorary Rotarian, Dave Garrett!! Todd's induction June 26.

Rotary District 5280 Peace Initiatives

Posted by district email pickup

Our District is entering the 5^th year of formally creating a District Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution position, placing this area of focus into prominence and supporting the concept that the five other areas of focus, Water and Sanitation, Economic Development and Community, Child and Maternal Health, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Education and Literacy all contribute to Peace building.

Jewel Price is the new Peace Chair for the District and praised the work of District 5280 Peace Chairs, Mark Ameli, Steve Goldsmith, Manisha Javeri, and Vicki Radel. "Their vision and leadership has created a climate in our District to be people of action in the work of peace building and promotion."

In the spirit of District Governor, Joe Vasquez whose theme for the year is “It’s All About the Clubs” Ms. Price hopes that clubs will make PEACE the cornerstone of their club’s activities this year. Training and education are an integral part of this area of focus and mediation training, webinars, forums, events are planned for this year.

To quote the words of Past Rotary International President, Sakuji Tanaka, “And so I ask you all to put Peace Through Service at the forefront of your Rotary work this year, and to commit to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.”

The Beachcomber Bulletin - February 2018

Project Touch Still Strong After 40+ Years

Project Touch Still Strong After 40+ Years

Dorothy Forba was quick to point out that “at-risk” teens doesn’t necessarily mean gang-bangers when she addressed the club about Project Touch.

“We’re talking about teens who lack judgment and impulse control, — and they’re everywhere, even here in quiet Hermosa Beach,” she noted.

Working with schools and local law enforcement, her staff counsels about 1,200 teens a year.

Key issues these days: social media bullying, school work and addiction.

February 2016 Angela Peterson Student Recognition Award Recipients

Posted on Feb 24, 2016

Raymund Avenido and Audtrey Vo, February’s recipients of the Angela Peterson Student Recognition Award, have not only traveled all over Asia and North America, but they’ve regularly performed service in countries like Vietnam and The Philippines!

Well-travelled Students Epitomize 4-Way Test

Raymund, whose family provides books, food and clothing for the needy in The Philippines, was quick to note that he plans to specialize in cardiovascular medicine or neurology. He’s well on his way: he already medaled in the annual Science Olympiad, where he demonstrated how to create and read weather maps. His father notes that the family has instilled in Raymund values like “understanding the queue” and responding to crises when needed (Raymund was just 10 when he helped his physician dad deliver a baby). Action movies are his favorite, but he loves to play chess and study karate.

Audrey’s list of community service reads like a Rotary blog: held bakes sales to help veterans and victims of the Nepal earthquake; pays for holiday gifts for needy families; contributes to orphanages in her parents’ native Vietnam.

Her tennis coach says she’s so good because she’s so focused and her mom added that she’s brimming with curiosity. Audrey loves math and science, citing Mrs. Eichenlaub as her favorite HVS teacher. “I love studying atoms,” she notes, but she’s equally interested in culinary classes.

President Jody remarked that our future is in good hands with the likes of Raymund and Audrey.

“The Power of One” Can Be Awesome

When Eli Gauna began his tale about a young Mexican-American boy who went to school in the Los Angeles barrio, your editor still hadn’t caught on that the fellow in the touching story was actually him.

Eli readily admitted that after being humiliated by a junior high school teacher (whose name he still remembers), he became a bully so others couldn’t hurt him first. At that point, he was told, “you’re going nowhere. . . .”

Enter Sister Rachel, who taught at the newly opened Catholic high school nearby. “Instead of chastising me for my accent, she actually praised me by asking me to teach the other kids Spanish!” This was the turning point for Eli, who equates Sister Rachel’s act of kindness with the type of work we in Rotary perform.

“Let’s think about what we as an organization have accomplished,” Eli implored. “There are children who will never endure the ravages of polio. . .because we exist. There are whole communities around the world who drink potable water. . .because we exist. There are abandoned kids in Tijuana who are being educated. . .because we exist. The list is endless.”

Eli left off with this homily: make a kindness, make a difference.

Hermosa Beach Rotary to Spearhead Special Olympics Host Town

The Hermosa Beach City Council announced on Thursday, November 13, 2014 that Hermosa Beach will be a Host Town for the 2015 Special Olympics World games this Summer! The Hermosa Beach Rotary will spearhead the Host Town project.

On November 4, 2014, Laura Leventhal, Director of the Host Town Program for World Games, provided our club an overview of the Special Olympics & explained how Hermosa — and our Rotary club in particular — might be able to participate.

Athletes from 170 countries will converge on Los Angeles in mid-July next year, prepping for, then participating in, the Games.

“Imagine all of the language and logistical issues,” Laura remarked.

Our specific assignment, along with approximately 100 other host cities, would be to provide lodging, meals and cultural interaction with the athletes assigned to our town.

Los Angeles is set to welcome more than 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to compete in 25 Olympic- type sports. It's a world stage for our athletes to demonstrate on the playing field their courage, determination and spirit of sportsmanship.

Last held in Athens, Greece, the sporting activities range from aquatics to volleyball: badminton, bocce, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, soccer and softball, among many.

The Los Angeles Games will also provide a venue for global discussions and action on the impact Special Olympics can have on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. More than 200 million people worldwide have an intellectual disability, making it the largest disability group worldwide. Intellectual disability crosses racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic lines, and can occur in any family.

Other interesting facts:

· The Games are scheduled for July 25 to August 2,  2015  

· LA 2015 will mark the first World Summer  Games held in the U.S. in 16 years.  Major sponsors include Procter & Gamble, Safeway, UNICEF and Microsoft, which for the first time is helping athletes, coaches and families with key information management tools such as scores, personal bests and health/ nutrition facts.  

Surfing Blind? You Betcha, Dude!

Whoever said “it can’t be done” has never met Patrick Murphy and his band of dedicated surf instructors or their eager students: blind children who were determined to surf. On waves. In the Pacific Ocean.

Pat, an avowed adventurer who lists high-level skiing and zip lining as his “normal” sports activities, is an avid surfer. In fact, he’s surfed all over the world and has many friends who are profession- al surf instructors.

So, 12 years ago, working with the Los Angeles County Braille Institute, he got the wild idea to create classes to teach blind kids to surf. The Institute helps him identify kids with various sight levels who want the experience of riding a wave.

Each surfer is paired with a sighted volunteer — most with extensive safety training — to then attend five sessions at 45th Street in El Porto.

“The volunteer is not just there to stand by the student in the water,” explained Patrick. “We are there to stabilize the boards teach them to time the waves and, of course, pull them to safety if they fall in the drink.”

After several morning hours in the water, the kids enjoy a free meal from a local restaurant (shout out to Sharkeez!) and then have the option of hitting the waves again in the afternoon.

Watching Patrick’s video of these kids experiencing the sound of the surf, the smell of ocean and the ultimate thrill of standing up on the board was truly inspiring.

And that’s how Patrick and his crew feel every summer, especially when they get letters like this:

“Without you guys, I would never have fallen in love with the sea.”