Project Vietnam 2026
Les returned from a week-long medical mission in Tra Vinh, a rural village in Vietnam. A Rotary International organization called Rotaplast is coordinating with Project Vietnam for future opportunities for collaboration.
A dozen doctors and dentists treated more than 600 patients daily for the entire week, providing desperately needed healthcare to this impoverished community.
A group of 46 students (high school, college, and medical school) also volunteered their time and talent to the effort while learning from the more experienced clinicians.
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Sonny and Chicago may look tough, but they have a heart of gold. These folks are dedicated to the children they sworn to protect, and they do so passionately.
Vanessa and Nate joined us as guests, and Vanessa shared her mission of serving children with special needs.
We met at a new meeting location this morning—Good Time Coffee. They serve up a killer breakfast burrito, and there’s a semi-enclosed corner with room for a projector. We are still determining our final meeting location, after Starbucks ousted the non-profits that used their conference room.
Welcome Nate!
Nate recently relocated from Oceanside to Signal Hill. Being a long-time Rotarian and a past president of the Rotary Club in Scottsdale, he naturally reached out to his new city, and we welcomed in like our family member. He is a retired airline pilot and navy pilot.
We all enjoyed the presentation by Frank’s two sons, who went to the Taipei Rotary International Convention last month. They also visited Japan and enjoyed the hospitality of a Rotary Club in Japan.
District Transition Dinner 2026
We celebrated another Rotary year, thanking our past leaders and welcoming our new ones. Thank you, Governor Craig, for such an enthusiastic support of our club and activities. We looking forward to another energetic year with Governor Monica.
Rotary in Hokkaido
After concluding the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Les joined his family in Hokkaido, but it was not all fun and games. Les attended the Rotary meeting of Sapporo Konan. Aided by his AI glasses, Les was able to understand every word of the meeting in Japanese, and he was able to make many new Rotary friends on the other side of the world. Such is the power of Rotary!
Taipei 2026
The Rotary International Convention in Taipei was a resounding success. There was plenty of opportunity for fellowship, service, learning, and most of all, fun. Frank took his sons and joined Les in participating in virtually all of the events at the convention, including the Rotary Youth Exchange pre-convention celebration.
Les also ran the 12.5K race to end polio. The weather almost miraculously cooperated at the last minute, having rained hard all night before an early start of the race at 5 am. Rotarians from District 5320 also met up with our Kenyan compatriots in Taipei, further extending our international connection and friendship.
Barcelona was picked as the location of our next convention in 2027. Les will definitely be there, but he’s looking to share the experience with a fellow Rotarian from Signal Hill. The international convention is one of the best part of Rotary. It’s a great reminder for all of us that Rotary is a global force for good.
Mental Health Walk
Signal Hill Rotary, working with Lakewood and Long Beach Rotary Club, reached out to the community to increase awareness and eliminate stigma regarding mental illness.
When we come together as one, we are less alone and more capable of conquering the collective psychiatric burden of our friends, family, and neighbors.
Taipei Pre-Convention Social
The Who is Who’s from District 5320 gathered at Brewery X in Anaheim to socialize and inspire each other before the Taipei International Convention that will take place in less than two weeks.
Governor Craig gave an rousing speech to encourage us to forge friendship and fellowship from Rotarians all over the world during the convention. We shared mochi, sun biscuits from Taiwan, local beer, and pizza while the sun sets over Orange County.
Charles and Social
Frank, Kiran, and Les visited Charles and May this evening prior to our monthly club social. We were joined by Kedra, Maleka, Ihor, and Sherry for the social, and we ran into Wayne Cheyne after dinner, who is a past member of our club.
Jamie the Beekeeper
Jamie, the founding president of the Beekeepers of Long Beach, divulged the secrets of the bees.
He helped Les relocate a colony of bees from the front porch last month, and he brought in a live colony to share with us.
