“The Heart of Rotary” Hospitality Night at the District Conference

Thanks to Cisca Stellhorn for leading the charge once again for our booth at the District Conference’s Hospitality Night! With the help of Luana, Stella, Cynthia, Toni T, Tony M, Barry, Ed, and Dale, our booth (serving wings and beer) was a great success! "King Mody" definitely added to the spirit of the evening!

The event was well attended, with many clubs having a booth – serving everything from British “Bangers and Mash” to chocolate dipped strawberries and margaritas! Music and dancing added to the jollity – and I am told a lot more partying went on well into the night for those that stayed over.

The breakfast on Saturday morning was well attended, and awards were given to the “unsung heroes” from 3 Rotary clubs (these were awarded at every meal throughout the Conference). Winners of the District Singing and Speech contest (from local high schools) performed excellently, and a great presentation was given on the plight and needs of the “motel children” in Orange County. Thanks to District Governor Johrita Solari for highlighting this needy group, for whom many of us brought toiletries and other necessities.

Emergency Medical Care for Libya

Dr. Tarek Tumiya, a trauma surgeon from Libya, gave us a deeper insight into the situation in Libya, and events leading up to their current turmoil.

He recounted his personal experiences growing up there, including being imprisoned for three years for trying to save the life of a fellow student being hanged during his university’s annual “cleansing” to encourage students not to combat the Ghaddafi regime.

After his release, he was able to leave Libya and move to the US where he happily practices trauma surgery and lives with his (Libyan physician) wife and two children. He recently returned to Libya as a volunteer to help treat the devastating injuries inflicted by the extreme “shoot to kill” weaponry being used. As a humanitarian, he was dedicated to providing the best medical care for all of the wounded, regardless of their tribal affiliation – the spirit of Rotary indeed!

Ensenada Dental Clinic

Members of Irvine Spectrum Rotary, along with Rotarians from Club Rotario Ensenada Calafia and a dental team from Dental Care for Children and USC Dental School, visited a school in the hills behind Ensenada to provide free dental services for school children.

While the dental team was treating 52 children, the Rotarians assisted, planted a vegetable garden and helped paint the school.

Over $26,000 worth of services were given away in the one-day event. After a quick-clean up the team we hosted to a fantastic carne asada dinner at the home of the Ensenada club's President-Elect.

BGSA Spring Carnival

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana partnered with the Irvine Rotary Club to host the Spring Spectacular Carnival on April 8, 2011 from 2-5 PM. The carnival was open to all BGCSA members in the community and featured carnival games, activities, a bounce house, prizes, food and more for children under the age of 18.

The Irvine Rotary Club members provided 15 volunteers for the carnival. The volunteers assisted with the set-up of the event and ran activities and games throughout the day. With the Irvine Rotary Club's support, the carnival was able to raise $250 for the Club's Keystone Teen program.

The Spring Spectacular Carnival was hosted during the Santa Ana Unified School District Spring Break in an effort to promote positive activities during after-school hours and school holidays.

The Voyage of the Traveler

Our guest speaker this week was Captain Michael Lawler. Born in Newport Beach, he started racing sabots when he was 8 years old. He was a member of the USC Sailing Team and raced in over a dozen Newport To Ensenada Races and sailed in the ’03, ’05 and ’07 Transpacs (Los Angeles Harbor to Hawaii). He also holds a United States Coast Guard 100-ton Captain’s License.

When he is not cruising around the world, he makes his living as an estate planning attorney in Newport Beach, and is the past president of the Orange County Bar Association’s Trust and Estates Section. He also served as President Reagan’s Finance Director for the Inaugural Ball Committee.

Off the water, he also has a Private Pilot’s License, ran the New York City Marathon, has climbed the Matterhorn in Switzerland, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. He is also a three-time past president of the South Coast Metro Rotary Club.

This past summer he completed a three-year circumnavigation of the world, departing from Newport Harbor on his own sailboat, “Traveler.” The Voyage of Traveler took him and his crew to 61 countries on six continents, cruising 31,145 nautical miles.

Michael showed a video of the trip which recounted rescuing the crew of a fishing boat, a brush with pirates and even becoming the King of an island in the South Pacific. As king, he knighted Rick Topping as his nation's Chief Inspector.



He also presented Mody with a whale tooth (for virility and to aid in attracting women).



Did somebody yell “100% testosterone”?