Feb. 4, 2021
President Alex opened the meeting precisely at 11 a.m. Greg Bohart led us in the pledge. Then Gary Saks led us in a new version of our Welcome Song, sung to the tune of The Beverly Hills TV theme song. It was so well received by the members. Thank you Gary!
Alex thanked Mike Fuqua for setting up the Zoom Meeting, Karen Stelman covered for Sonny as scribe and Bill Angus as our ever faithful Newsletter editor.
Alan Turners' daughter, Christine Testa, a speech therapist at Valley Elementary School, joined us to thank us for our usual $1,000 donation to their school and then announced that our club raised an additional $5,000 to sweeten the pot! She was joined by Dolores Cavizales with Poway Unified School District. The money was put to good use by their purchase of "hot spots" for better communication during these virtual learning times. Students were having a great deal of trouble with their on line learning and the new technology improved communication greatly, especially for homeless children. What a wonderful and appreciated gift. Pat yourselves on the back Rotarians! Please see more details in our most recent article.
Alex announced that PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) was delayed one month due to the pandemic. Althenea is our incoming president for next year so she and her husband are the only ones affected by this change. More time to study up!!
Arilla reported that there was no more information on Bob Barr's funeral arrangements so she had a card and flowers sent to his wife from our club. I know she will appreciate the thought. He was a great Rotarian in our club and he will be greatly missed.
Our "Illustrious Fine Master", John O'Neill, had lots of Happy Bucks today. There were a few fines and lots of announcements, but Jim Hyldahl ran away with people donating in his name for all the wonderful BBQ he cooks up for those who order his fine cuisine. He even had to buy a new "cooker" as the current one was all used up! We are so grateful for all his hard work to help raise money for our club. TOTAL fines and Happy Bucks collected was $638.00!
Cathy Glover announced that anyone who ordered gift cards through Sees Candy will not get credit for those purchases as Sees doesn't count them in the fund raiser rewards.
Dan Barrios reported that our club is currently #1 in the District for per capita donations. Let's close the gap after everyone else makes their donation to Rotary International to benefit our club and those that get help from those funds. He also awarded Rick Bramble a Foundation pin with 3 stones representing his $4,000 contribution and Diane Remick was given a pin with 2 stones representing a $3,000 contribution. Congratulations!
Poway On Stage will be preforming a Virtual Presentation...check their web site for details.
Our club is celebrating Black History Month this February.
Jim Reid introduced our guest speaker, Wesley Quach, elected first council member to the newly formed Asian Pacific American Coalition in 2010-11. He area is Kearny Mesa and Mira Mesa in the new City Council District 6 representing the 33% Asian Pacific Islander population. They formed the Convoy District Partnership in 2013 and dealt with issues big and small. They started having street fairs that benefited both the booths and restaurants adjacent to the fair and it turned out to be a win-win for all. Some wondered if Kearny Mesa would become the next "Little Italy"!
They rezoned Kearny Mesa, updated Convoy St. and added 200 more sparking spaces.
In 1990 they formed the Asian Business Association, a 501c3 Foundation, and the
Strategic Alliance, San Diego Ethnic Chamber of Commerce. The Rotary Club of Kearny Mesa has been extremely helpful in supporting all of their efforts.
He spent 21 years performing the famous Lion (Line?)Dance where several people got "inside" a long costume that looks like a dragon, and then they danced around whatever venue they performed at, be it parades like the Rose Bowl Parade or Disneyland Parade.
When Mr. Quach opened up the floor for questions, our member, Terry Heck, asked him where he went to middle school. He replied and then Terry said, "I was your middle school teacher!" We all had a good laugh at that and both of them were leading the pack! What a coincidence!! Then Terry proceeded to present him with our speakers gift , a book dedicated to the BH Middle School.
Next weeks meeting is our evening meeting. Russ Haskell will run the "Speaker" portion of our meeting by hosting the 4 Way Speech Contest virtually with local students. Meeting starts at 5:30 but "Happy Hour" will start about 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Stelman
