The best part of being President is you the club members. I have learned much about your passion for doing good in the world. Outside the Rotary world most people have their one or two causes and they are dedicated to them. The Rotary way is obviously different. We embrace many different worthy endeavors even if we have our own “pet projects.” I have been meeting with some worthy nonprofits and when I give them a run down on some of our clubs projects and grant recipients they are simply blown away. I have watched and learned about many of you, the passion and dedication in your hearts to make this world a better place. I have been inspired by my club.
We have a few exciting events lined up. The Clergy Panel on March 11 is a very important community service project that promotes peace in our neighborhoods and the entire world. Last year when someone asked the police officer in attendance “what can we do about the hate in the community?” He said, “This is it, you’re doing it!” we need help with getting attendees for this special event.
The second event is our joint fundraiser with the Calabasas Club. It’s a Casino Poker Gala fundraiser on June 3 at the Canyon Club. We are splitting the net proceeds with the Canyon Club and District 5280 special project to help eradicate human trafficking. DG Cozette Vergari is the honoree and this is a cause that is near and dear to her heart. Over the next few weeks we will be asking different club members to help us on this event.
My thank you for this month goes out to the entireclub. Losing my mother-in-law recently was very difficult for my entire family. She played a very prominent role in our lives and especially, the grandchildren. As a club you were there for Dale and I. We appreciated your attendance at the service, the Shiva and when you saw me at the next meeting and gave me a hug. It meant a lot to me.
My condolences go out toPaul Lawler, who recently lost his mother-in-law as well. May her memory be for a blessing.
I will be leaving for the District Humanitarian Trip on March 21 and I look forward to coming back and telling you all about it! In the meantime the club will be in the very capable hands of our President-elect Dale Barnes.
I want to welcome our most recent new members Basil Averyand Joyce Pearsonto the club. We look forward to your participation in all the good that we do.
Yours in Rotary service,
President Paul
Peace Committee: Preparations for the Clergy Panel
The February 20 Peace Committee meeting focused on dialogue facilitation at the March 11 Interfaith Council meeting at the West Valley and Warner Center Chamber of Commerce.
We discussed what makes a great facilitator and the ground rules and guidelines for participants so that members of the Peace Committee can volunteer and serve as facilitators. The Peace Committee members from the Woodland Hills and Calabasas Peace Committees are invited to attend and participate. Please sign up online now for the event. The website is www.clergypanel.org. Please advise me if you are planning to attend, and are willing to facilitate.
We also want you to post the event on your social media pages. Call at least 10 people: friends, neighbors and relatives and invite them along with their friends and family. Sponsor opportunities are available and you might want to mention this to them as well.
In addition, invite your clergy and their members. Check into opportunities for public service announcements, particularly at Cal State University, Northridge and Pierce College.
The Buddy Bench project is ongoing. They're continuing to lock down administrators at schools who will make a commitment to installing them.
We are looking forward to supporting the Ramadan Dinner in the spring at the West Valley Islamic Society Center. We have participated for the past two years.
There will be a second San Fernando Valley Walk for Peace in the fall. That is being led by Soraya Deen, who will be speaking at a future club meeting.
Fleet Street Schedule
Fleet Street is in need of support. Mark your calendars:
March 3: Bob Blumenfeld Community Bike Ride (time TBA)
March 31: Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council Spring Event Shadow Ranch Park (in planning)
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
Stories
Posted by Jeff Stern
Celebrity Poker Las Vegas Night Fundraiser - June 24
We are only six weeks away from our Second Annual Texas "Hold-Em" Poker Tournament. We need our members to fill at least two tables as WELIFTLA, our cosponsor, has already filled more than five tables! A "sign up" sheet will be passed around at our meetings. I want to THANK Dale, Tom L., Barry, Arturo, Matt, Lynn and Sheri for signing up. A Big Thank You to Lonnie, Surinder, Gwen, and Paul L. for their sponsorships.
I'm asking everyone right to commit to either the $75 Casino and Dinner ticket or the $150 Poker, Casino and Dinner ticket unless you want to commit one of the Table Sponsor levels. REMEMBER that you can win the $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 in cash prizes for the top three finishers and there will be other great prizes for All the Final Table Finishers. PLEASE invite your relatives, neighbors, friends, and coworkers to this FUN event. Many Great Celebrities have already committed!
Click on the Picture to Access Additional Information on Sponsor Opportunities and to RSVP
Fleet Street's Bike Valet - May 21
Fleet Street has been contracted to do bike valet for the final stage of the Amgen Tour of California. The ride is California’s version of the Tour de France (which lasts 21 days) but is this one is only seven days. It began in Northern California and Stage 4 is from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita (passing near Ojai); Stage 5 is from Ontario to Mt Baldy; Stage 6 is around Big Bear Lake. Most important, STAGE 7 on May 20 starts at Mountain High Ski Resort and ends at the Pasadena Convention Center. American cyclist Coryn Rivera, who won the Tour of Flanders last month, is among the favorites, along with Alexander Kristoff and WORLD CHAMPION Peter Sagan. These riders and teams are truly world class.
Fleet Street will be located about 25 yards from the finish line where there is a "festival"...food, vendors, etc. Load in is at 8 a.m. (we try to get there a little earlier). The festival starts at 10 and the riders will arrive between 12:30 and 1 p.m. We should be done about 2:30. We will provide lunch and arrange car pools. No special experience is necessary. We need people to sign participants in, move/rack the bikes, and return the bikes to the cyclists. We have done this before and are very organized.
Other Stories...
The Vocational Service Committee is looking for a large turn out of our members to honor the seven educators who are being awarded bronze plaques on the Walk of Hearts in Woodland Hills. We meet on Sunday, May 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the Crate and Barrel parking lot on the corner of Victory and Topanga Canyon for the ceremony. Two teachers nominated by the committee are being honored. Matt Schaaf will be unveiling these plaques. It is recommended that you reserve your free ticket online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-walk-of-hearts-celebration-at-the-village-at-westfield-topanga-tickets-33326098257 Joe Andrews, who founded the Walk of Hearts is pictured at left.
The Rotary International Foundation (TRF) was recognized as the “World’s Outstanding Foundation for 2016” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). This is an exceptional honor for TRF because AFP represents more than 30,000 members in over 230 chapters – worldwide! AFP works to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession.
The award was presented during AFP’s 2017 International Conference in San Francisco with more than 3,400 senior-level fundraising professionals from 33 countries looking on. It was my privilege to accept the award on behalf of TRF – and Rotarians worldwide – and the 2016-17 Trustees Chair Kalyan Banerjee.
Harvey Tapper has Polysystic Kidneys with 4% renal function. He is in need of a kidney transplant. If anyone knows of someone who is willing to donate a kidney for him, please contact his nephrologist:
Dr. Lawrence Guziel
7230 Medical Center Dr., Suite 205
West Hills, CA 91307
(818) 345-0664
When you call Dr. Guziel's office, let them know that you want to be tested to see if you're a donor match for Harvey Tapper. His blood type is A+.
Following our Rotarian of the Day Michael Turner’s second week in a row leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and 4 Way Test our Club was treated to the a fascinating program by the award winning famed father and daughter team of Fiona and Craig Huxley, who are leading a Save the Elephants movement.
They took us on a whirlwind journey through a clip from their documentary about the plight of elephants and how they are being decimated by ivory poachers. Craig and Fiona are working diligently to bring awareness of this issue to the public. There was extreme interest shown by members and guests because of their questions to them.
Around the Club Photos by Chief Photographer Neal Goldman
Michael Turner ► editor ► bearsworth@earthlink.net
Neal Goldman ► Club Photographer
P.O. Box 144 ► Woodland Hills, CA 91365 ► (818) 344-5776
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ur Rotarian of the Day Michael Turner’s second week in a row leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and 4 Way Test our Club was treated to the a fascinating program by the award winning famed father and daughter team of Fiona and Craig Huxley, who are leading a 
