Weekly eBulletin, April 16, 2014 Luncheon
eBulletin written by Bill Paul
REDONDO BEACH, CA) April 16, 2014 -- President Karen welcomed members to today's luncheon. Among her announcement was that we would have two craft talks from new members Seth Stodder and Nicholas Sandoval at today's luncheon. So let's start today's club newsletter there.
The first craft talk was by Seth Stodder who grew up in the South Bay and now has three children. He is an attorney who worked in the Bush Administration and later the Obama Administration. His introduction to 
federal employment was jolting, to say the least. "I arrived at 8:25 a.m. for my first day on the job, a trip to New York City. There I was one of the last people to see the Twin Towers standing. I watched as they collapsed to the ground."
In both administrations Stodder worked on border security, immigration issues and trade issues. Now back in Southern California he is a partner in a law firm and an adjunct professor at USC teaching constitutional law, criminal defense and immigration law.
"Now, he said, "I'm running for the California State Senate in District 26. I'm running as an Independent against seven Democrat candidates. No republicans have announced for this seat. This race will be a test of the open primary system. I want to forge cross party alliances."
Our second craft talk was by Nicholas Sandoval, a business consultant. "I've helped Whole Foods Markets save $3.5 million in electric rates," he said. A snowboarder who has traveled the world in pursuit of his love of sports, Nick said that in the last five years he has spent 75% of his time doing volunteer work.
"Two years ago I joined the Corazon de Vida Foundation in Mexico that supports 800 children in orphanages throughout Baja, Mexico, including 36 university students. We tell our story in social media. I hope to see 
an end to child homelessness in Baja in my life," he said. Corazon de Vida sponsors busloads of volunteers on day-long Orphanage Trips to Tijuana in support of the foundation, once or twice per month. Nicholas invited the Redondo Beach Rotary Club to go along on one of the trips. He noted the Mexican government provides no social support services to homeless children.
"We don't want things that people through away," he said. "We prefer new items. We want the kids to open new stuff. We need toilet paper, Pine sol, diapers and other items in support of orphanages."
Following Nick's passionate presentation the club took him up on his offer. We are now planning a bus trip to Tijuana on May 24th. Click below for other club business.
Chantel King was our greeter, PDG Chuck Anderson provided the invocation, and Laura Fields led us in the flag salute.
Today's guests included Gordon Shurtleff from Torrey Pines Rotary, his wife Penny Shurtleff from the LaJolla Rotary Club, Rotarian Marci Beatty from the Taos Milagro Rotary Club, and visitor Toni Whaley
Meals on Wheels – Jim Chen & Scott Fellows handled the duties this week.
Announcements:
April 12 Saturday greenbelt planting – "We had great teamwork," said President Karen Weigel. "Thank you Galina Gilman for finding and organizing project. Jeff Melodia and Larry Hashimoto were strong men on the shovels, Jean Scully and Marna Smeltzer provided skilled labor removing plants from pots and old roots to promote new growth, and Omid, our house guest assisted with soil hand scoopers to cover the plants. David, who is the Redondo Union Interact VP and Scott Fellows finished on the shovels when Jeff and Larry got tired. We completed the project in 1 and ½ hours."
Karen also acknowledged Karina Garcia for her "great job building the Interact Club." There was an Interact Social Event on Saturday with Luau cookout by Karina, Laura and Bart Fields, and First Dude Jeff Weigel..
Former club member Ali Adham reports that he is "extremely busy, setting up our buildings here. I'm amazed how easy it has been to conduct my loan business in California from here. One of the new things we have to get used to is the fact that a few times a day, as we drive thru the city, is waiting for draw bridges to go back down after large yachts go by thru rivers and canals zig zag all over the city. Fort Lauderdale is called Venice of U.S. for this reason." He added, "I have joined the main down town Rotary and they have well over 150 members." Good show Ali, we are glad to hear you've landed and are doing well in Florida!
Rotarian Scott Fellows will lead our Go Kart Grand Prix team in Carson on April 23rd. The annual event is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Race team members are Scott, Jim Chen, Bruce Logan, Terry Bichlmeier, Ernie O'Dell and his son This is always a fun event to race in or watch. All members are invited.
Our last Evening Meeting of this year is scheduled for April 30th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in the Promenade Room. Cost is $10. There will be appetizers and Happy Hour drink prices. Plus $10 validated self parking. The club will award five $1,000 scholarships to deserving RUHS graduating seniors. Interact Members and parents are invited, and members are encouraged to bring guests and spouses.
The District Assembly is set for May 10 at the Carson Community Center from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All members are invited.
Past President Proud Moments.
Although he wasn't president of a Redondo Beach Rotary Club at the time, club member David Whitehead talked about his proudest moments as President of the Westwood Village Rotary Club in 1988-89. "We had 
an aggressive fund raising effort and raised $125,000 for the Polio Plus program. Plus we had fun," he said. Among the activities of his club that year were monthly trips to Magic Castle, Dodger games, a tennis tournament, a golf tournament, a ski trip to Mammoth, a harbor cruise in Marina Del Rey, and a boat ride to the Channel Islands. "We won the "Best Large Club Award" from the district that year, he said.
But the highlight of Dave's year was an event that isn't normally on any Rotary Club agenda of likely events. "The district governor that year, Bill Goodwin, suggested I hold my wedding ceremony to my fiancé Karen at a regular club meeting. Karen agreed and that's what we did. Last week we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary."
Raffle Ticket - Walter Campbell's ticket was selected but he didn't draw the green marble. $10 to you, Walter. Better luck next time.
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