HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
John Bartlett, VP of Committees for our Club was the presiding officer last Friday and he wore many hats as he also reported on our Club’s service project, “Movember”. Bill Chillingworth won the mustache contest. Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones’, Imagine Rotary pins were awarded to seven Rotarians who moved over 100 miles in the “Movember Project” in November. The recipients included: Greg “The Beast” Hargrave, Bret “Paul Harris”Carter, Mitch “Still No Stache” Kraus, Bill “Big Chill” Chillingworth, John “PT God” Dravillas and Kathy “Woo Hoo!” Shepard, and a pin for Karin “Polish Sister” Wallerstein for doing over 60 miles and being the highest ranked new member on the list. The RCSM contributed $1,000.00 in matching funds to the project.
Emily Parker, Heal the Bay’s Coastal and Marine Scientist, works to keep our oceans and marine ecosystems healthy and clean by advocating for strong legislation and enforcement both locally and statewide. She focuses on plastic pollution, marine protected areas, or MPAs, sustainable fisheries, and climate change related issues. In her role, she co-founded and now co-leads the Reusable LA Coalition and has helped pass numerous plastic pollution reduction laws, both here in Los Angeles and across the state of California.
Emily gave an energetic, passionate, and educational overview on how plastics have had a negative impact on our oceans. Her talk was very well received by our members with many staying after the meeting to ask questions.
Timur Berberoglu announced that our Club is restarting the Rotary Foreign Exchange Program, and we need two host families to host one student each of high school age next year for 30 to 90 days. Students will typically be a junior or senior. Any member wishing to help please email Timur at [email protected]. Past President, Tom Larmore announced the Boys and Girls Club Annual Holiday Heroes event which is scheduled for December 9th. Past President, Dee Menzies thanked all our members who provided service above self by serving a Thanksgiving meal to our on-duty Santa Monica Police Officers and un-sworn personnel. Gary Ogden reminded all about First Tuesday (12/6) at Solidarity Restaurant for an authentic Polish experience. Myles Pritchard informed the Club Members that our annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Day is coming up and we are looking for volunteers to ring the bell and contribute on-line or in person. Contact Myles for more information [email protected] . Karin Wallerstein announced the winner of the committees’ basket contest, and The Wine Festival Committee was the winner, all baskets will be available to bid on or purchase at our Wine and Food Festival on March 4, 2023.
Vice President John Bartlett’s closing motivational quote: “”mmorality is to live your life doing
good things and leaving your mark behind”. (Brandon Lee)
