April 9, 2014 Weely Luncheon eBulltin
eBulletin written by Scott Fellows
(REDONDO BEACH, CA) Greeter – New Rotarian Nancy Langdon & With Her Camera, close beside her.
Invocation/Inspiration – First Dude, Jeff Weigel read a very inspirational and well-written note to personal responsibility. It was originally delivered at the Youth District (5280) Breakfast by an Interact member.
Flag Salute – Well done by Wayne Bradshaw, who appropriately mentioned that American is the greatest country on this planet, and we should be thankful we live here.
Guests – Mayor Gilberto Hirata and his support team, Peter Lattey of Downtown Rotary who mentioned the opportunities all Rotarians have to support each other’s charities and fundraising efforts. Roger Schamp from Palos Verdes Sunset Rotary announced summer concerts up on the Hill. They’re free, but donations gratefully accepted.
Meals on Wheels – Delivered by First Dude, Jeff and new Rotarian Walter Campbell.
District Youth Breakfast – 16 Redondo Rotarians along with 6 high school Interact members attended this quarterly District gathering. The speaker was most interesting and accomplished and was an outstanding motivational presenter. There are a couple of wrinkles in his story: Prophet Walker (his actual name) spent 6 years in prison. While there he obtained his GED, pushed for a college degree program and was the first graduate receiving an AA degree while still incarcerated. He talked his way into Loyola Marymount and into the Engineering Department the day after being released from prison. Now a successful businessman, he is running for the 64th California District Assembly, and still in his 30’s, proves anything that you want for yourself is possible. (Click HERE for more details about his inspirational story.)
Saturday, April 12th – District 5280 Community Work Day. Redondo Beach Rotary is helping with “Greenbelt Planting” on Rindge Lane, just north of 190th St. From 7:30 to 12noon (give or take a coupla hours) we will be helping to clean up and beautify this neighborhood. Members are asked to wear work clothes, bring gloves, spades, shovels, etc. to make this job even more fun than you can imagine. Your humble narrator will be there with work clothes on and handy wipes nearby.
RUHS Interact – District 5280 Social Event. We need two volunteers to set up from 3 to 5 at Perry Park at the Teen Center. The party runs from 5 to 8pm.
April 30th – Last Evening Meeting. At the Crowne Plaza, with Redondo Rotarian Michael Payton serving as both Host and General Manager. The Mixer starts at 5:30pm and runs through to 7:30pm or so. Nifty appetizers, Happy Hour prices on drinks, PLUS scholarship presentations to five deserving Redondo Union High School seniors. Interact members and their parents are invited to the evening mixer. Members are encouraged to bring guests (or spouses) to this evening meeting.
Speaker – Mayor Gilbert Hirata, Ensenada – Baja California Norte. The Honorable Senor Hirata was elected mayor of Ensenada last July under the coalition “Commitment to Baja California,” and his presentation to Redondo 
Rotary, through a translator, emphasized public safety and economic development in all areas of Mexico. This highly educated civil servant wants economic improvement in and around the Ensenada region and also wants to develop the ports and highways in the whole Baja region. He also noted that Father Junipero Serra started the Catholic church outreach over 200 years ago when he and his band of followers started north from what is now Cabo San Lucas and started the building of Missions all along the coast of Baja and what is now the United States of America, specifically the state of California. The missions were originally planned as spiritual and economic development for local residents and they were to be located at “walking distance” of one day between each mission. It must be noted that the walking speed of this austere group would have amazed well-conditioned runners as it is hard for your humble narrator to imagine walking a distance of 30 to 40 miles wearing slipper like shoes instead of an expensive, arch supporting, running shoe.
Raffle Ticket – ex prez Steve Scerra won the consolation pot of $10.