As we move full speed ahead into March, I just want to pause and say how proud I am of each of you. The energy, the heart, and the willingness to step up for our community continues to inspire me.
A special acknowledgment to the nine members who participated in our recent humanitarian trip. You represented our club with compassion and dedication, bringing hope and hands-on support to communities in need. Your service reflects the very best of who we are.
We also had the joy of celebrating our club’s 70th birthday, what a milestone! Seventy years of service, fellowship, leadership, and impact in our community. The afternoon was filled with laughter, memories, some dancing, gratitude and a little Hula Hooping, But the surprise appearance of Jay and Ferne made it even more special! What a heartfelt reminder of how strong and lasting our Rotary family truly is.
From planning meaningful events to showing up in service for children and families who need us most, you truly embody Service Above Self. Our upcoming Gala is another beautiful example of what happens when we come together with purpose, every call made, every donation secured, every detail handled makes a difference.
Let’s continue to lean in, support one another, and finish strong. The impact we are making in Woodland Hills and beyond is real, and it matters.
Thank you for your dedication, your kindness, and your unwavering commitment to doing good in our community. I am grateful to serve alongside you.
Through a global grant, the club is proud to support the amazing Liceo Mauro Fernández Acuña School in San Juan, Costa Rica. This program will equip students from at-risk backgrounds with essential skills in tolerance and communication, opening doors to opportunity and a better life. The school aims to support students’ personal development and academic growth through a solid education grounded in humanistic principles and core values. It focuses on fostering well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society, cultural traditions, environmental care, and ethical behavior. Members visited the school during their recent District Humanitarian trip.
During the recent District Humanitarian Trip to Costa Rica, travelers paused their service work to celebrate a special occasion — the birthday of our First Lady, Judi Parajon. The evening was filled with joy as fellow Rotarians danced the night away to the lively rhythms of traditional cimarrona (often affectionately called “Maroon”) music.
Behind them were the vibrant “mantudos,” or festival clowns, whose playful mission is to chase everyone in sight — sparing no one! These larger-than-life figures are part of Costa Rica’s beloved masquerade tradition. Among the unforgettable characters are the Devil, Death, the Headless Father, and the famous Giganta, inspired by the elegantly dressed “plated” ladies of colonial Costa Rica.
These colorful clowns are central to the annual Masquerade Festival, held each year on October 31 — a celebration of folklore, culture, and community spirit that brings history to life in the most spirited way.
At the monthly dinner at the Mission, clients were treated to temporary skin art known as mehendi, created with henna on their hands. In Western cultures, mehendi is often called a “henna tattoo,” though it is not permanent. Mehendi is a traditional form of body art made from a paste derived from the powdered leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant. When applied to the skin, the paste leaves a stain that develops into shades of deep orange to rich reddish-brown. The design typically lasts one to three weeks before fading naturally. (Photos by John Willauer.)
Join your fellow Rotarians for the last District Breakfast of the 2025-26 Rotary year- led by the next generation and future leaders of Rotary! The speaker will be Jordan
Jerome Harrison, a Chicago native committed to strengthening communities locally and globally through service, leadership development, and purpose-driven action. A proud Rotarian since 2018, Jordan has been an active member of the Rotary Club of San Diego and has spoken at PETS, district conferences, and clubs around the world. He frequently serves as an emcee and facilitator at Rotary events, helping cultivate the next generation of service-oriented leaders and advancing Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.
The breakfast is at the Carson Community Center at 801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745. Regular tickets are $60/person
A preview of the '26/'27 President-elects who attended PELS, where Bryna Hornstein finalized her training and preparation for her new role in the club. Bryna is in the front row in the middle.
Join us for the second Rotary Means Business event of the year! We are excited to announce our first joint mixer with District 5300, taking place on Wednesday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Pasadena. General Admission: $25.
Blinn House Pasadena is at 160 North Oakland Avenue.
23527 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
Suite 1250
Calabasas, CA 9130391302 United States
NOTE MEETING DETAILS: We will meet on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month live, in-person at SAGEBRUSH CANTINA for a lunch meeting; it will also be on ZOOM. Meetings on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month will be on ZOOM only.
Frankie Cohen, executive director of Gigi's Playhouse in Simi Valley, will be the speaker at the March 4 Zoom Meeting. In 2020, two moms, concerned and hopeful, envisioned a social group for their children with Down syndrome, close to home. After brainstorming ideas, they discovered GiGi's Playhouse. Through word of mouth and Facebook groups, their duo expanded into a determined group of 12 moms. This dedicated team worked tirelessly for two years to build awareness in the community and fundraise for a GiGi's Playhouse in Simi Valley. Join the Zoom Meeting
Joe Andrews, founder of the Walk of Hearts, will the speaker at the March 11 Lunch Meeting. The Walk of Hearts® award was inspired by the hard work and dedication of his mother, who worked at one of the schools he attended, and the positive influence that certain teachers had during his formative years. Joe created the Walk of Hearts® as a way of bringing necessary recognition to those individuals who have the incredible ability to inspire, motivate and change a life, forever, in and out of the classroom. You can also join the meeting on Zoom.
Please join the Woodland Hills Rotary Foundation for an evening of connection, celebration and purpose. Guests will enjoy dinner, music, the award winning magic and mentalism of Ben B, and a silent auction, all in the spirit of doing good while having a great time. We are proud to honor Ken Craft, CEO of Hope the Mission, and Albert Hernandez, PDG of District 5280 and CEO of Home Again L.A. These 2 remarkable leaders have shaped countless young lives while providing essential support and pathways to success for children and families in need.
The event will be held on March 14 at the Porter Valley Country Club, 19216 Singing Hills Drive, in Northridge, and will start at 5:00 p.m. Spkonsorship and ticket information can be found at https://givebutter.com/c/rotaryhearts
If you have any questions, please call Christy Pinto at 626.482.4658 or Lois Koch at 818.857.7566.
George Poulakos, from the Seeds of Dignity, will be the speaker at the March 18 Zoom Meeting. The organization believes that people living in extreme poverty often need some strategic assistance and this is accomplished by creating partnerships with individuals and communities. Join the Zoom Meeting.
As we move full speed ahead into March, I just want to pause and say how proud I am of each of you. The energy, the heart, and the willingness to step up for our community continues to inspire me.
We also had the joy of celebrating our club’s 70th birthday, what a milestone! Seventy years of service, fellowship, leadership, and impact in our community. The afternoon was filled with laughter, memories, some dancing, gratitude and a little Hula Hooping, But the surprise appearance of Jay and Ferne made it even more special! What a heartfelt reminder of how strong and lasting our Rotary family truly is.
From planning meaningful events to showing up in service for children and families who need us most, you truly embody Service Above Self. Our upcoming Gala is another beautiful example of what happens when we come together with purpose, every call made, every donation secured, every detail handled makes a difference.
Through a global grant, the club is proud to support the amazing Liceo Mauro Fernández Acuña School in San Juan, Costa Rica. This program will equip students from at-risk backgrounds with essential skills in tolerance and communication, opening doors to opportunity and a better life. The school aims to support students’ personal development and academic growth through a solid education grounded in humanistic principles and core values. It focuses on fostering well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society, cultural traditions, environmental care, and ethical behavior. Members visited the school during their recent District Humanitarian trip.
Join your fellow Rotarians for the last District Breakfast of the 2025-26 Rotary year- led by the next generation and future leaders of Rotary! The speaker will be Jordan
Zoom Meeting
