Rotary Club of Arcadia, CA

John Davis reminded us that our club will be meeting at the Arboretum on the 26th.

George Fasching, amidst bubbles aplenty, reminded us again of the fun times we’ll all have at the Pot of Gold on Saturday, April 10th, at the Arcadia Community Center.

Gil Stromsoe helped award Carl Chang (Son of Dong Chang), Joel Shawn, and Bob Daeo of their Paul Harris Awards.

Our St. Patrick’s day party is at Matt Denny’s on Sunday, March 14 (5:00 PM). If you’re reading this and are not there, it’s not too late to join the party.

The speaker for today was Alan Jackson, who was introduced by Eric Barter. Alan is a deputy district attorney of the Los Angeles County, and is a member of the major crimes unit, and has worked on such cases as the Phil Spector case, of which they got a second degree murder conviction. These are cases that have large amounts of defense money, and go on in court for a long time. Alan has been with the distict attorney office for fifteen years.

Some interesting information was that during times of prosperity there is more crimes taking place than during times of recession, such as we are feeling at this time. There are many reasons for this, and one of them does not seem to be the lack of jobs. There were many reasons not remembered by me.

In our state we are presently being told that many prisoners will be released into society shortly, with a worry  that there will be no jobs for them to fill. This would seem like they would go back to  crimes. Alan informed us that before they are released, they would have completed some  type of job education. Although, it is estimated, that even then probably as much as seventy percent of them will be back in jail in a short time. It is estimated that it cost approximately thirty thousand  dollars to give each one of them job training.

After hearing an seeing Alan, we can be very proud of the high quality of men that we have representing us in the courts. Thank you for an excellent program. (Art Killian)

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What happened at RYLA over the March 5-7, 2010 weekend?

Click here to see.

Next Friday for Arcadia Rotary’s off site meeting at the Santa Anita Golf course our speaker is Alan Jackson, Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County’s Major Crimes Unit.

Most of us are familiar with one of Los Angeles County’s riveting case revolving around two trials for Music Producer Phil Spector! Traditionally Los Angeles has had trouble convicting Celebrities. Think back to OJ, Robert Blake and many others. This time Alan Jackson and Co Deputy District Attorney Truc Do successfully prosecuted Phil Spector and received a conviction of second degree murder in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson.

Alan Jackson is responsible for handling high profile and extraordinary cases. He is a seasoned prosecutor who thrives on arguing cases in court. After receiving his J.D., he worked with a small firm doing civil legal work but his experience in private practice only fueled his desire to work as a prosecutor.

He spent more than five years in the Hardcore Gang Division before being promoted to the Major Crimes Division in 2004. This article could be many pages long but come this Friday and here it straight from Alan yourself!

By Eric Barter

Finemaster Dave McMonigle recognized Oregon Alum Eric Barter and fined him $25 for Oregon beating USC and UCLA, a move Eric was unable to “duck”.

He then introduced a new membership tool the “Introduction Video”. In the first installment a perspective member is shown building homemade fireworks which promptly blow up in his face. Classification: Pyromania

Now with the membership’s attention, he promptly fined Jim Rider $25 for a “flakey” performance as “Tony the Tiger” in front of the Interact Club. Actually it was the High School student’s idea and Jim flaked along.

Next, Dave called on the Honorable Bruce Marrs who is a Grandfather again and was fined the requisite $100. He also recognized the Judge for running unopposed in the upcoming election. Since he was saving money, Dave fined him another $100. The Judged then admonished Dave to be careful driving though Pomona! Watch out buddy, the Graybar Hotel waits.

He then recognized Carwash King George Fasching on the recent marriage of his son. Dave asked if the couple honeymooned at the carwash. George replied “the couple stayed in the vacuum suite”—to which Dave replied “that sucks”. I guess that makes it a clean marriage—fine $50.

In the end, this Finemaster and reporter called on Jack Pan to recognize him for a donation the Boy Scouts received from the Arcadia Board of Realtors. The donation was confirmed by Peggy Allison—both were fined $25 for the achievement.

 Join in the happy time celebration at Matt Denny’s Restaurant. March 14,2010 – 5:00 – 9:00 PM. $17.00 Per person for dinner, brews are on you. Let ‘em know at the club meeting, or let Irish Laura Freedman know you” be there (laurainsm@gmail.com).

Jack Pan reminded all that the Legend, Jerry West was scheduled to speak at the 2010 Sports Breakfast celebrating 100 Years of scouting.  Monday March 8,2010, 7-8:30 AM at the Annandale Golf Club (very nice!).

George O’ Fasching and Bob Daggett entertained us with their usual titilating and informative announcement of the upcoming Pot O’ Gold. Save the date: April 10,2010.

LA COUNTY FAIR, MORE THAN JUST A FAIR      

        We learned this week that the Los Angeles County Fair (FAIRPLEX) is more than just a Fair, or place where annually there are races, exhibitions, and fun activities.  It is into education.  Our guest speaker, Jim Henwood, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Country Fair Association, which operates the Fair and grounds under a long term lease with the County of Los Angeles, explained that the mission of the Fair is more than entertainment and hosting a county fair.

        We were told that the foundation supports the educational programs of the Fairplex Child Development Center, the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts at Faiplex and all of the lifelong learning that takes place during the Fair and throughout the year.  These non-profit organizations raise money through special events, donations, grants, and planned gifts such as bequests, trusts gifts of stock and any other type of assets.  All gifts are tax deductible.

        Each of the Foundations has its own unique mission of improving and enhancing the educational opportunities at Fairplex and at the L. A. County Fair.  The Fairplex Child Development Foundations works to create youth educational opportunities as well as to expand education programs beyond the 23 days of the L.A. County Fair to a year round basis.  The Millard Sheets Center for the Arts presents post-Fair exhibits and operates on a year round basis to provide a major arts venue to the local community that present diverse, relevant and progressive exhibitions, offering  a personal connection to the past, present and future through art.

        The foundation recognizes that not all persons are candidates for a college education and strives to provide learning and training to more technical skilled jobs.

        As far as the Fair Grounds are concerned, the Fair has been operating at the present location since 1922.  It comprises 543 acres in both the City of Pomona and County of Los Angeles.  It is expected that the Gold Line will traverse a portion of the property and allow for construction of a multi-modal transportation center at the property.

        The Fair is still committed to Agriculture, but with the change from a rural to urban area, the opportunities in this area are not as great.  The Fair will continue to show animals and display agricultural products.

VIP LUNCHEON SET FOR APRIL 30TH

Laura Freedman has two speakers for the VIP luncheon, Richard N. Frank, Chairman of Lawry’s Restaurants, and Richard R. Frank, his son who is the President. Richard N. Frank is the son of the founder of Lawry’s, Laurence Frank. Lawrence and co-founder Walter Van de Kamp started the first restaurant in 1938. Everyone is encouraged to bring guests to this meeting where we will learn about a company that is an institution in Southern California. Laura would like us to submit the names of our guests to her and she will send out the invitations.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY SLATED FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 14TH

We will meet at Matt Denny’s from 5 to 9 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. If interested, let Laura know you will be coming and if you are bringing a guest.

POT O’ GOLD TABLE ASSIGNMENTS

The Pot O’ Gold party will be on Saturday, April 10, and Bob Daggett is taking table reservations. He explained that the tables would seat eight people comfortably, but could seat ten if necessary. A diagram, architecturally correct, of the table locations was available for everyone at the meeting, and many reservations were made. Please contact Bob if you would like to reserve a table.

(Dave Totten)

Introduced as the “Rock Star of Urology”, Dr. Monish Aron told his story of how he, along with a group of six other superstars, came from the respected Cleveland Clinic to head up the USC Institute of Urology.  It is now a combination of the USC University Hospital, The Norris Cancer Center, L.A. County Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.  What they have done and plan to do is nothing short of amazing in the world of surgeries, research and robotic and laparoscopic medicine.  With nine clinic centers, four specialty centers and five research laboratories the institute performs over 5000 surgeries (open/laparoscopic/robotic), 2500 bladder, 2500 kidney, 1000 partial nepherectomy surgeries annually.  It is also the largest pediatric kidney transplant center in the U.S.  Through its research the institute has developed such things as scar free kidney surgery  by making the incision through the belly button, image guided surgery (augmented reality) used for kidney and prostate surgery and organ sparing prostate surgery targeting only the cancer not the prostate gland.   The fascinating concept of image guided surgery involves an ultrasound probe optical tracker and a CATscan and when one is superimposed on the other the surgeon can guide the robotic arm to spare certain precise areas such as nerve endings and organs.   There are four areas where their research and leadership are proving to be successful: LESS (Lapro Endoscopic Single Site) Surgery, Advanced Robotic Surgery, Focal Therapy (MRI fused with scan) and Image Guided Surgery.  Dr. Aron and his team have made a significant difference by bringing surgical innovation to the USC Institute of Urology. 

Pat Dolphin

I was at the RYLA’s parent/student orientation meeting this week. The high school students and the parents were so excited about going to a 3 day weekend at Idyllwild with many other high school students to learn about leadership. The alternative students were very anxious to be picked up to go to this event although not knowing that until the morning of the trip. In 1987 our own member John Fee originally started this program in District 5300 when John was a 5300 District Governor. The Rotary is giving a great foundation of youth leadership which is tremendous for young people’s life and the future.

The program has grown to become one of the largest budgeted items of the program of the Rotary year. We thank all the Arcadia Rotarians who are part of RYLA program this year. It is the one of the most important things our District does each year. Youth are our future, the Rotary gives an open doors for the opportunities for youth in many areas.

I hope we continue to touch the young people through the Rotary way.

Red Badger meeting minutes

February 18, 2010

Our red badger meeting started off with introductions followed by our liaison, John Murphy, who spoke about his role and duties. He then opened up the floor to questions about Rotary.  We went into detail about procedures on make-ups and went through the red badger checklist.  Rob Post went on to speak about his experience with a make-up at the KeriKeri Rotary club in New Zealand.

Next meeting we will be focusing on our social events calendar and the meeting will be held at Alireza Khosroabady’s office on March 16^{th at} 6:30pm.  His office is located at 20 East Huntington Drive in Arcadia.

Students of the Month

The honoree for Performing Arts is Israel Coleman (17). Israel has a GPA of 3.3 and was a Drum Major of Foothills Middle School and a Senior Men and Women Historian. He was the Sophomore Representative to the Band, the Junior Representative to the Band, and the Band President. He has been the Clarinet Section Leader for two years and a member of Varsity Percussion World Line, and a member of the Symphony Orchestra. He received an award for Outstanding Freshmen and the Marching Band Gold Line Award. Israel enjoys running, free time activities and staying fit. He plans to attend Pasadena City College, majoring in Music Business and Business Occupation. One day he will be the CEO of the Disney Corporation.

The honoree for Academics is Timofey Semenov (17).  Timofey has a GPA of 4.0 and belongs to the Senior Men and Women club and is a member of the Constitution Team. He is on the Junior Varsity soccer team, and was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member for SCF, and a Scholar Athlete. His hobbies include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, guitar, and ping-pong. He hopes to attend Stanford, majoring in Political Science, with a possible career as a lawyer. He is proud to say that the Arcadia Constitution Team is going to nationals for the first time in 13 years this year.

The Dynamic Duo was not so much a duo, but rather Batman flying solo:efficiently and expeditiously levelling the following fines…

 Joel Shawn:  AHS Constitution Team Wins State!!!  Joel, being “so happy!”, was fined $50

 Rich Hutton: “Super Lawyer Magazine” named our Rich as 1 of 3 Super Lawyers in the category “Criminal Defense DUI/DWI”.  He didn’t even have to purchase an ad to buy this acknowledgement in both the OC and LA.  Fined $25.

 Bob Harbicht: Brown Bag Lunch Talks and nearly 25 years of public service in our City Council.  Odd day… $0 fine

 Richard Schulhof: The Arboretum is “a-buzz” with something but even Batman couldn’t get it out of Richard.  Plants and trees are blooming, the peacocks are active, commercials are being filmed….. $50

While away in New Zealand I received an e-mail from Steve Pellitier with the link to the article in the Northland Age before anyone in New Zealand told me the article had been published. I notified Kerikeri Rotary also before they knew it had been published!

The well written article  ”A True Meeting of Cultures” can we found by clicking on the following link.

Pa Tate, Distinguished Rotarians, Members of Motuti Marae, Fellow Rotarians, members of my family and friends:

Those assembled here, and many that could not attend from near and far celebrate with you.

Kia mau ki Maoritanga – hold fast to your Maori culture

Please allow me to explore the connection of Rotary to the events about to unfold tomorrow.

Each year the Rotary International President picks a theme to inspire the 1.2 million Rotarian members worldwide.  The 2007-8 theme was “Rotary Shares”. In October of 2007 when I spoke to Jean Kapea about the need for carving equipment, I coincidentally shared that the organization of Rotary might be able to help.

In 2008-9 the RI theme, chosen by the next RI President was “Make Dreams Real.  Bob Novell, our District 5300 Foundation Chair in the U.S. suggested the vocational project that has become the Carving Center.  We did not know at the time that it had been a dream of others including Dame Whina Cooper and Pa Tate Henare.

Individual Rotarians on both sides of the Pacific joined together to make the dreams real with the support of Rotary International.

The 2009-10 theme is “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.”  With their hands Jock Hodgson and his team worked together.  When the wind blew their work away, they returned… with their hands, to make the dream real.

The 2010-11 theme is “Building Communities – Bridging Continents.”  I am grateful that the organization of Rotary has allowed us to bridge the continents – there is 8000 miles of ocean between us. I am grateful that Rotary has provided the opportunity to contribute to this community… and enriched our lives with new friends.

Waihoi i te toipoto – let us keep close together

Kaua i te toiroa- not wide apart

Ten of us left on February 2nd.  We landed 12 hours later in perfect weather in Auckland New Zealand.  After a day “resting” including a tour around the city and a sail on America’s Cup training boats we headed north in two vans for about 5  hours… and time slowed.

The Hokianga Harbor on the west side of north of the North Island is almost untouched by development, left to the various Maori tribes that inhabited the area for the last 1000 years.  On Friday afternoon, February 5th the first step to the opening ceremonies began – The powhiri or welcoming ceremony.  Historically Maori tribes fight most of the time, steal from each other and must remain vigilant for attack.

Hilltop pahs, lookouts fortified with palisades were  the last line of defenses though long since gone.  However the protocol established ways for tribes to visit safely and the powhiri protocol is the first step.  We were called in to the carved meeting house by a senior woman of the tribe.  We walked together down a long pathway as she sang to us in Maori, took our shoes off, were shepherded to the back wall to honor our ancestors, were given descriptions of how the weaving and carving tell part of their local history, and eventually sat in rows facing our hosts.

The protocol involves three speeches and three songs each. Pa Tate Henare, a 14th generation direct descendant of the founders of the tribe spoke for our hosts.  Our first speaker was Owen Smith, Kerikeri Rotary President.  His speech was in Maori and carefully followed protocol.  The second speech was by PDG Merv Huxford who was essential to finding a local sponsor club for the project and supporting the project to completion.  The third speech, considered the most honored, was by V.P. of our Club, Brad Miller. (text of the speech).

After the speeches all the visitors greet the hosts by handshake and touching of noses.  Shortly thereafter we adjourned for dinner in the social hall.   There was an hour of light left and Pa Tate, the honored elder, suggested we drive to a lookout site so he could explain the history of the area.

Our spartan accommodations, traditional for visitors, was the floor of the meeting house with beds lined up against the walls.  In our  spare time we mingled with the visitors that included numerous Kerikeri Rotarians amd Brad’s Mother, Brother, Uncle and Aunt.

A special treat was a walk down a long boardwalk over the mangrove swamp where it is hoped to have tourist arrivals in the future.

The next morning after breakfast the Opening Ceremonies were conducted.  With the doors closed a prayer and song were conducted. Past President Lian Brott of Kerikeri Rotary outdid herself leading the songs in the Welcoming Ceremony and the opening.  Gail Jensen cut the ribbon.

Tradition has it that there cannot be carving done for practice inside the building until the dedication ceremony which asks and answers two questions:

Q: What is the name of the building A: Motuti Carving Center

Q: For whom will it benefit? A: For all

Holy water was sprinkled in the building from six leafy fronds  mostly by our group.  All the visitors followed in a spiral until the building, set to train 8 carvers was full of 70 people!  Speeches were from the District Governor  Georges Giovanelli (from New Calendonia) and PDG Ernie Jensen. Brad Miller presented the Proclamation from our Arcadia Mayor, John Wuo, a certificate from our DG Tom Novotny and congratulatory letter from President Imy.   Jock Hodgson, project coordinator from Kerikeri Rotary thanked his team. DG George conducted the very first carving (which was picked up by the local paper to illustrate their article)

An outside sign and an indoor plaque was unveiled – the plaque commemorates the involvement of both clubs.

Jean Kapea who coordinated the project for the Marae and Robert Paparoa who is the lead carver  both spoke and unveiled gifts for the Rotary clubs. The ceremony closed with a group of Marae women singing a soulful harmonized rendition of America the Beautiful in a Maori translation and in English.

We were fed a hangi lunch, cooked in the ground on hot rocks but reflective of the modern era – in foil boxes.  A brief Departure Ceremony followed where individuals offered words of thanks and appreciation.  Traditionally the visitors are only allowed on the Marae for the purpose of their visit.