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Announcements Did you miss Sara's Demotion Party on June 26? Or you went, and want to relive the memories? The photo album is now posted for your viewing enjoyment! Be sure to check out Photo Albums for pictures of the Corazon "super build" in Tecate, Baja California, on May 15, 2010!

3 South Pasadena, El Sereno Seniors

Earn Rotary Club Scholarships

South Pasadena Rotary Club President Sara Munshin made a fast dash across town on June 9 to present scholarships to students at both South Pasadena High School and Wilson High School in El Sereno during concurrent awards ceremonies.

 Two of the $1,000 scholarships went to SPHS seniors. The Wagner Family Scholarship, which emphasizes interest in fine arts and community service, was awarded to Megan Henderson. Bound for Cal State Los Angeles in the fall, Henderson plans to major in fine arts with the goal of becoming a character designer in the fast-growing field of video games.

 Her classmate Janet Chu received the Wollacott Community Service Award. Most of her service was performed at the South Pasadena Public Library’s summer reading program. The future University of Chicago freshman plans to double major in economics and psychology, and ultimately contribute to the study of consumer behavior.

 Berkeley-bound Raymundo Martinez of Wilson High School received his $1,000 scholarship based on his strong volunteerism with a program that supports children in Uganda, as well as spending time at USC Medical Center as an orderly and at a local elementary school helping students with their homework. Martinez plans to major in mechanical engineering and aspires to a career at NASA.

The Scholarship Committee is chaired by Carl von Bibra and includes Steve Fjeldsted, Julie Griffith, Linda Hunt and Robert Kemp.

Rotary Club of South Pasadena Honored

at District 5300 Conference

The Rotary Club of South Pasadena received seven prestigious honors at the District 5300 Conference, held June 10-13 in Henderson, Nevada. Club President Sara Munshin was on hand to accept the awards, presented by District Governor Tom Novotny. Incoming President Linda Hunt and members Robert Kemp and George Rigney were also in attendance.

• 2009-10 Presidential Citation “for strengthening Rotary’s future through exemplary action and service.”
• District 5300 Literacy Award “for your dedication and commitment to a literary project during this 2010-2011 year. You have greatly contributed toward a more literate world whereby people have gained dignity and self worth.” This year’s literacy project was the funding of books for children ages 5-18 for the library of Barrio Action Youth and Family Center in El Sereno.
• Membership – 100 Percent Retention.
• Exemplary Community Service – for technical and volunteer support for the 4^th of July firework show at the Festival of Balloons, for financial and volunteer support of the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float, for volunteer support of the Eclectic Music Festival, and for the Recognition Dinner.
• Exemplary International Service – for the Tecate house building project and Jesus Maria medical clinic building project.
• Exemplary Public Relations for the ongoing publication of Rotary-related articles in the South Pasadena Review and for the Polio Plus efforts in the club and community.
• Exemplary Youth Services – for TLC RYLA participation, as well as for the Interact Club at South Pasadena High School and Junior Interact Club at South Pasadena Middle School.

Congratulations, South Pasadena Rotarians!

John Vandercook and Joseph Loo

John Vandercook, Chinese-American Club honored by

Rotary Community Awards

John Vandercook, longtime South Pasadena resident and owner of Reimagine Your Home, and the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club were honored with South Pasadena Rotary Club "Service Above Self" Awards, presented May 22 at Almansor Court in Alhambra. Mr. Vandercook, active in the Tournament of Roses Committee, is receiving the individual award for outstanding service to the community, and the Chinese-American Club is receiving the organization award for its stellar community service of 20 years (President Joseph Loo is pictured above). The well-attended event, which also featured both silent and live auctions, raised approximately $23,000 to help fund South Pasadena Rotary Club's community projects.

Junior Interact’s Inaugural Event

Raises $700 for Pasadena Humane Society

The South Pasadena Junior Interact Club, which is based on Rotary International principles of giving to the community and the world, raised $700 after expenses in a Movie Night at South Pasadena Middle School, to donate to the Pasadena Humane Society. It was the first fundraiser for South Pasadena Junior Interact Club, which is sponsored by South Pasadena Rotary Club.

"I was very shocked by the outcome. I didn't expect so much to be earned in just the couple months of the club,” said Junior Interact Club President Hee Jin Yim, “along with the number of people who came to the movie night. I thank them for coming and also hope the money helps the Pasadena Humane Society."

She and the 70 other members of the club helped to choose the movie (Marley and Me), and organized a raffle as well as a barbecue and bake sale. The Movie Night was Friday, May 14^th, and featured the K9 Unit of the South Pasadena Police Department as well as the Pasadena Humane Society's Mobile Outreach Unit. Families picnicked on the South Pasadena Middle School Field and about 250 people were in attendance.

"While I would love to take credit for the success of our first fund raiser, the credit really should go to our student volunteers,” said Club Advisor Ron Buranasakorn, a social studies teacher at the school. “They helped to organize and work the event so it could become a reality.  Also, a big thank you should go out to the South Pasadena Rotary Club for all of its support, the police department for bringing its K-9 Unit, and the Pasadena Humane Society for coming out with its Mobile Outreach Unit.  We look forward to seeing you all again the next time we do this!"

To donate to Haiti relief efforts,

link to

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASPIRW6uQqQUZGYydjUyNjhfNmZmeG1udmM4&hl=en.

Playful Rotary Club Members Serve Lunch to

South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Volunteers 

As its last volunteer effort of the year, on Dec. 31, the Rotary Club of South Pasadena served lunch to the volunteers who were laboring to complete the city-sponsored float before it was judged around noon. Head chef Doug Brandt put the lunch together with the help of many from the Rotary family. Thanks to Steve Fjeldsted for taking the picture above and for the use of his truck to haul the grills from Oneonta to the War Memorial Building. George and Alice Rigney and their daughter purchased the supplies and helped with the setup. Carl von Bibra also helped with the grills. In the picture are others who helped with the serving. From the left are Walt Simmons, Jack Wear, Linda Hunt, Dan Evans, Sara Munshin, Julie Griffith, and Doug Brandt. Once again Rotarians were of service to the community, and all look forward to continuing hands-on involvement during 2010.

Posada 2009: A joyous celebration at the Barrio Action Center with staff and Rotarians (including Robert Kemp, Sara Munshin, Lilian Myers, and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Ross). See the Photo Album for more pictures.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Barrio Action Youth and Family Center in

El Sereno. Los Angeles Councilmember Jose Huizar and his wife Richelle are serving on the right. South Pasadena Rotary Club President Sara Munshin is in green, serving in the middle.

Membership Chair David Morales and the

Pasadena Tournament of Roses Court

Service Above Self: Rotarians place a small-scale model of a home that will be built for a family in Mexico, in front of the reception area for the fundraiser that helped to make building their special home possible. The model was built by Tom Lake.

Chili Cook-Off a Great Success!

Dave Crawford won the Cook-Off (pictured with President Sara Munshin)

The Chili Cook-Off of October 17, 2009 raised funds to help a family in Tecate, Mexico to have a home of their own. The Rotary Club of South Pasadena is preparing to work with the nonprofit Corazon on May 15, 2010, to build the special home. To work on the build, contact Dan Watson at DanielBWatson@aol.com. To donate, send your kind contribution to

The Rotary Club of South Pasadena, P.O. Box 362, South Pasadena, CA 91031.

Please note the Corazon Project.

Sara Munshin (left) with speakers at the

South Pasadena Rotary Club

Welcome to the Rotary Club of South Pasadena web site.  We invite you to take a look around our site to find out more about our Club and about Rotary International.

Yours in Rotary,

Sara Munshin

President, Rotary Club of South Pasadena, California

 Our Vision:

To improve the quality of community life both locally and globally through volunteer service and projects.

Our Mission Statement:

Together we are a united fellowship of men and women gathered in South Pasadena who contribute time, talent and leadership to enhance health, welfare and education in our community and beyond. We are committed to being catalysts for effective humanitarian action and a more peaceful world.

Our Motto:

Service Above Self

Rotary Theme 2010-2011: Building Communities Bridging Continents Ray Klinginsmith - President, Rotary International Thomas B. Novotny - District Governor, District 5300 Sara Munshin - President, South Pasadena Rotary Club Linda Hunt - President-Elect, South Pasadena Rotary Club