Loloma - Keeping Paradise Healthy
Bob Sykes shared his story of finding paradise and then making it heaven on Earth. Bob co-founded the volunteer-based non-profit more than twenty years ago and he has been coordinating medical missions to the remote islands ever since.
President-elect Les Young plans to take his entire family for a medical mission with Bob in 2025.
My Rotary Destiny
The incoming club president, Les, wants to share his extraordinary Rotary narrative with the world. It’s written in the stars (and also on the skin).
Back in the Saddle Again (without masks!)
All of our members survived the devastating omicron surge through our community, and mask mandates have been relaxed throughout California. We are meeting in-person again at the Black Bear Diner after a two-month hiatus. Lakewood Rotary and Long Beach Rotary also resumed in-person meetings in the same week.
We appreciate each other’s company and our speaker Michael Savoy this morning, who briefed us on the current state and roles of the Board of Accountancy.
Homeless Count 2022
Les and Frank joined 250 volunteers to take a survey of the homeless population in Long Beach starting at 4:00 a.m. this morning.
The US census is unable to track the homeless cohort, and the pandemic had a significant impact on this vulnerable population. It’s up to the volunteers to document their need and allow appropriate allocation of resources to assist them.
Long Beach Post also featured a comprehensive report on the effort.
Shaken, not Stirred
Today's guest speaker was Jia Wang-Connelly, SE, CE & PMP Senior Structural Engineer with the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (California Governor's Office of Emergency Services). Jia shared the purpose and functions of the state commission, and interesting facts and figures about seismic safety and emergency services.
Remembering Dave
We lost Dave, a true friend, a true Bruin, and simply an incredible human being. He lived his life to the Rotary ideals, and he’s a role model for us all. He dedicated countless hours of his life to help others, whether it’s with his church or with the Rotary Club. His words were always thoughtful and kind, and he never hesitated to rise to the occasions when there’s work to be done.
He made annual humanitarian trips to Southeast Asia to better communities in remote parts of the world. He was a devoted UCLA fan, always styling the brightest Bruin spirit apparel. Even his wallet features the UCLA insignia. Of course, the Bruin flag flies proudly outside his house.
Les remembers that when he had eye surgery, Dave shared his personal experience with his own eye surgery at Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, which was immeasurably reassuring for Les during his recovery. When there was a Brown Bag shift to be filled, Dave stepped up in the last minute and got the job done. He counseled the club with his wisdom, and he’s always the go-to man when it comes to club protocols.
There will never be another like Dave. The universe misses him.
Memorial service will be held on March 26, 2022 at 11 am at St Peter's By-the-Sea Presbyterian Church.
16911 Bolsa Chica St #3570, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, USA
Service will be live-streamed on the church’s YouTube channel.
Lifting Spirt and Mind
Dreamz to Goals is a new non-profit organization that aims to empower underprivileged students with skills and tools that are necessary to succeed.
Les Young, the president-elect, already signed up as a science tutor for high school students, and he even recruited his own high school teacher, Mr. Zilkowski, to be a part of this project.
Please contribute to this project any way you can. The future of our community depends on your action today.
Long Beach Public Library Foundation
Thank you, Kimberly and Ryan, for elucidating us about the new resources and opportunities at the Long Beach public libraries. Thank you, also, for the persistent effort at keeping these programs going despite restrictions posed by the pandemic.
District 5320 President-Elect Training
Les has been attending the president-elect training sessions organized by Dan for District 5320. Wait for the tons of projects ideas that are about to get unleashed.
