Bill Oberholzer ( Del Amo Rotarian)

Accepting the 2013 Golden book award from the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Los Angeles.

The prestigious Award is given for outstanding service and highest contributions,giving of themselves through service of exceptional length, intensity and continuity.

Only  300 awards have been given out since 1934. 

Congratulations Bill!

DEL AMO – TORRANCE ROTARY CLUB

Who ARE we? you ask.  And WHAT do we do?

We’re dentists, we’re lawyers and wine-makers too.

We’re classic car experts and doctors of sorts,

psychologists, teachers and great fans of sports.

We’re financial planners, a few CPA’s;

we’re business execs…blondes, dark haired and grays.

Both women and men compose our fine ranks.

As pros, they’re in real estate, jewelry and banks.

We’ve cemetery service and even a judge.

I’ll bet we have members who like to make fudge!

We’ve so many others with interests galore.

Our Club contains talent, broad vision and more.

Combined with that talent, there’s passion and daring

in fund-raising projects and hands-on deep caring.

We help to enhance lives of people in need

by giving in ways that provide a good deed.

We do this both here and in many a nation.

You see, we are part of a worldwide sensation.

Yes, our club’s just one throughout this wide world.

By Rotary’s deeds many minds have been swirled.

Its accomplishments make for a very full folio

beginning with eradication of polio.

From setting up systems for water that’s pure

to helping with medical stores we procure.

Our Del Amo club has been doing things great

ever since we were founded in Feb. ’68.

Each Tuesday at noon we’ve guest speaker and lunch.

It may be rewarding to visit our bunch.

We welcome your interest. Feel free to explore.

Just “google” as follows to learn a bit more.

“Del Amo IN ACTION” will lay it all out…

our Club’s many aspects and what they’re about.

google Del Amo Rotary

Del Amo Rotarian, marc frederic

2013

Good Bye Charlie,

You can shed tears
that he is gone.
Or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes and
pray that he will come back.
Or you can open your eyes and
see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because
you can't see him.
Or you can be full of the love
that you shared,
You can turn your back on
tomorrow and live for yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember him and
only that he is gone.
Or you can cherish his
memory and let it live on,
You can cry, close your mind,
be empty, and turn your back.
Or you can do what he would
have wanted, smile, open your
eyes, love and move on.

Charles Denby McDonough

June 3, 1919-March 17, 2012
Charles (Charlie) McDonough was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, the second oldest of four children to Helen Hardin McDonough and Joseph McDonough. After his family moved to Boston, Charlie attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School and Mission High School, where he played baseball, captained the debate team, and was valedictorian. Charlie started at Boston College before serving in the U.S. Air Force Weather Squadron. He was stationed in northern Africa, Egypt and Iraq. One favorite memory of Charlie's from this time was when he went with a group of soldiers to Rome and was honored to personally meet with Pope Pius XII. After the war, Charlie attended the University of Southern California, majoring in accounting and finance. He graduated with honors in 1949. Soon after, Charlie went into business for himself, eventually relocating his CPA firm to Torrance in 1967. He led his firm, Charles McDonough Accountancy Corporation, until last year, the firm continuing under the direction of his partner, Greg Wilson. Charlie had employees and clients who stayed with him for many years, and whom he considered family. In 1954, Charlie married Nancy Waters, originally from Minneapolis. They would have been married 58 years this September. Nancy and Charlie were long-term residents of Palos Verdes, having moved there in 1959. In addition to Nancy, Charlie is survived by his children, Cassie (Bill) Wilkins, Pamela (Eric Reichard) McDonough, Carolyn (John) Smith, and Scott McDonough; and grandchildren, Kate Wilkins; Nick and Cara Reichard; and Stephanie (Sam) Dyer, Hilary, Ellie, Abby, and Sophie Smith. Charlie was very involved with his church and many other professional and community organizations. A founding member of both St. John Fisher Parish and the Del Amo Rotary Club and the founder and first president of the Mesa Palos Verdes Homeowners Association, Charlie was also a planning commissioner for Rolling Hills Estates and vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation. He served on the Board for 17 years. He actively participated in the Rotary Club, holding many positions, including president, treasurer, and the long-standing chair of the Financial Oversight Committee. During his years at Saint John Fisher Church, Charlie felt particularly proud of his accomplishments as a member of the Finance Committee. Charlie was a long-time member of the South Bay Estate Planning Council. He also served as a director in the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Society of CPA's. Charlie loved sports. He hated to miss a Dodgers or Angels game and watched the Red Sox whenever he could. While only an occasional golfer, he got much pleasure from his one hole-in-one. He also loved the movies, and for years he and Nancy were avid moviegoers. He was a gentleman, always courteous to others and interested in hearing about their lives and interests. Charlie (Dad and Pop-Pop) was loved, honored, and admired by all his family. Nancy was devoted to him and he to her. His children (and sons-in-law) adored him and looked up to him for his intelligence, honesty, and sense of justice. His grandchildren, just now starting out, will remember him not only as a beloved and loving grandfather, but as an example of a life well-lived. A memorial Mass celebrating Charlie's life will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 5448 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, with Msgr. David A. Sork presiding. A reception with the family will follow in Barrett Hall, located on church grounds. In lieu of flowers, donations for the cause of polio eradication may be sent in Charlie's name to the Rotary Club of Del Amo, P.O. Box 3927, Torrance, CA 90510. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

The Rotary Club of Del Amo is excited to announce that Brad Garrett has agreed to be the host, auctioneer, and hand select the acts for our 2012 Night of Comedy!

The 2012 Night of Comedy will benefit the 1736 Family Crisis Center.

Some background on Brad;

Garrett madehis foray into the world of television with roles on shows including “Rosanne,”“Mad About You” and “Seinfeld,” though he is best known for his role as RayRomano's big brother Robert on the hit CBS series “Everybody Loves Raymond.” In2002, 2003 and 2005 he garnered Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor ina Comedy Series. Also in 2002, Garrett played Jackie Gleason in the criticallyacclaimed telefilm “Gleason,” for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination anda Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Movie orMiniseries.

Thank you to everyone who attended this years holiday party at the Coser's beautiful home.  The food was delicious as usual and the setting was very elegant. Thank you Russ and Julie for hosting a truly wonderful evening. Happy holidays from Del Amo Rotary!

Master Marine Architect Russ Coser carefully shapes the hull of the SS Del Amo Dragon. Russ has spent countless hours designing and building this naval marvel for our entry in the upcoming "Rotary International Card Board Boat Championships" GO DEL AMO!

Thursday Kicks: Torrance AYSO pioneer honored and more

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By Nick Green on August 18, 2011 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | ShareThis

AYSO pioneer: Dick Smisek was honored at Tuesday's Torrance City Council meeting for his contributions to the development of AYSO, which began in Torrance. He's pictured here with Mayor Frank Scotto, left, and Carl Kaemerle, right, president of the Rotary Club of Del Amo, which also recognized Smisek earlier in the day at the new AYSO headquarters in Harbor Gateway. (Photo courtesy city of Torrance).

Long-time Torrance resident Dick Smisek has received a proclamation from the city of Torrance for his role in growing the American Youth Soccer Organization during its humble beginnings in Torrance.

The document reads:

WHEREAS, the City of Torrance recognizes with great pride, Dick Smisek, who from 1969-1970 volunteered to be the Chief Referee in the South Bay in an effort to help build the American Youth Soccer Organization (A.Y.S.O.): and

WHEREAS, in 1964, AYSO began operations with nine teams, four teams in Torrance and five teams in Culver City. Under the guidance and vision of Dick Smisek as the Boys (ages 6-9) Commissioner from 1970 -1971; and

WHEREAS, in 1971 Dick was responsible for helping to establish AYSO Region 14, the West Torrance Area and was the Region 14 Commissioner from 1971-1973: and

WHEREAS, Dick expanded Region 14 as the Commissioner from 25 teams to 69 teams in one year, and assisted in getting at least one soccer field in every public school in West Torrance: and

WHEREAS,1975-1977 Dick was Vice President of Organization in AYSO where Dick went to cities through out California making presentations to encourage soccer through AYSO and

WHEREAS, Dick was an AYSO referee in the South Bay from 1970-1990; and

WHEREAS, thanks to its pioneers like Dick, AYSO has more than 50,000 teams, more than 650,000 players and is supported by more than 250,000 parents across the nation, who passionately dedicate their time and talents as coaches, referees, team parents, administrators and sponsors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FRANK SCOTTO, as Mayor of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby honor, commend and express sincere appreciation to Dick Smisek for his outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the youth of the community. Dick Smisek has made a positive and lasting impact on many lives and serves as an inspiration for all citizens.

In other soccer news this morning:

*Staff Writer Phil Collin wraps up the comings and goings at the Galaxy and Chivas USA in the dead tree edition for those of you who missed the posts at this blog yesterday.

*Loyola Marymount senior Roger Downes, last year's WCC defender of the year, was one of 42 players named to the 2011 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List watch list, the second time in three years an LMU men's soccer player has been named to the short list honoring the nation's best male college player. UCLA sophomore midfielder Kelyn Rowe, who has had trials recently with European clubs and was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year was also named to the list.

*UCLA's Sydney Leroux, the program's leading scorer the past two years, was named as one of 42 players named to the corresponding list for the women's award.

*The USC women kick off their season at 3 p.m. Friday at McAlister Field against Long Beach State, then hosts San Diego at 1 p.m. Sunday. The 49ers host Sacramento State in their 1 p.m. Sunday home opener.

*The Cal State Northridge men kick off the 2011 season with an exhibition against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 7 p.m. Saturday at Matador Soccer Field. Admission is free.

Its that time of the year again. DEMOTION!! President Rob will be roasted, I mean demoted  on June 25th  at 6:00 PM at The Depot. All members and their guests are welcome to attend to this free event.  Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to a bumpy ride!

 click http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Events/EventDetails.aspx?accountid=2514&eid=149271&tid=1   for more info

SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWLY DISCOVERED INCRMINATING PHOTOS OF PRESIDENT ROB!!!

6/22/11 UPDATE - MORE PHOTOS HAVE BEEN EMAILED TO "DEL AMO DEEP THROAT" & HAVE BEEN ACCORDINGLY POSTED

Jim Olds lead the Del Amo Destroyers to a fourth place finish at the 2011 Rotary Grand Prix International Championships!

The Rotary Club of Del Amo

Proudly Presents ...

A NIGHT OF COMEDY ... AND CHARITY

Friday, April 8, 2011

Proceeds Benefit

Sharefest Community Development, Inc.

ShareFest's vision is to create an imprint of lasting positive change in our community. ShareFest accomplishes this through mentoring youth, fostering volunteerism through service projects and establishing working coalitions made up of city leaders, schools, businesses and the faith community.  A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ShareFest is located in Torrance and was founded in 2006.

THE COMEDY & MAGIC CLUB

Hosted Reception and Silent Auction begins 6:00 p.m.

Reception, Auctions, Dinner and Show Ticket - $80    50/50 Raffle Ticket - $50

All reservations made by form and check payable to Rotary Club of Del Amo

Send to John Pollaro: McDowell, Dillon & Hunter, 21311 Hawthorne Bl., Ste. 320, Torrance 90503

All members contribute auction item or cash with $150 min. value for the event.

Submit auction items to Past President Bill Oberholzer.

Your participation and support are much appreciated.  

Del Amo has supported Feed the Children Vallarta for several years. Our own member, Peggy has personally delivered our donations and provided hands on assistance to the children. Below is an update.

FEED THE CHILDREN VALLARTA CONTINUES ALL PROGRAMS IN 2011

  All of the programs of Feed the Children Vallarta (Desayunos Para Los Niños de Vallarta A.C.) began the new year with great anticipation.  We hope that Norte Americanos will return to Vallarta this year like they did in the past; great numbers, great enthusiasm and a generous attitude towards the less fortunate in the area.

  The Fire Fly Program

continues to feed about 300 children each evening by the shacks along side the dump.

   The Day Care Program

continues with 5 day care centers open, serving about 125 to 150 children ages 3 months to 3 years each week day.

  And the School of Champions

opened with about 200 students in the morning and afternoons sessions and another 100 in the Volcanes Primary School where we teach English to grade 5 and

6 students.

   The School Feeding Program

continued with the opening of the public schools, and is now feeding about 1,200 children in the schools surrounding the dump, including 140 students in the Mojoneras Secondaria School.

The School of Championsis still waiting for the CFE (Federal Electricl

Commission) to install the new transformer that was donated last year.  Without that transformer, we cannot conduct computer classes because of the extreme surges in power that we are currently experiencing.  CFE has promised to complete the installation at no cost to the school.  The work should begin any day now.  We are hoping to have computer classes up and running in the next few weeks.

When we start the computer classes, we will return to our normal schedule, which will free up some English teachers. We then hope to expand our after school program to include Volcanes students and grade 7 and 8 students from our local secondary school.  However, we do not have enough computers (laptops) for this expansion.  We are looking for donations to fund the purchase of 25 laptop computers, each costing around $400 US.

  MEET OUR SPONSORS

Periodically, we would like to introduce you to, and remind you of our key sponsors.

Senior Fox of CAFÉ ROMAbegan his relationship with the School of Champions about

3 years ago.  He called us and said he wanted to help the kids. How we asked? He

suggested that we bring a bus load of kids to the Café Roma for free pizza and

drinks. So basically every week during the school year, we take a load of kids

to Sr. Fox's place for pizza.  To date he has served over 2,700 kids a free

pizza and drink.

In addition, he gently assaults the patrons in his restaurant and asks that they

deposit money in the special container for the School of Champions.  And to add

to the contributions to the school, he and his companions, Einstien and Jim,

perform at 3 fundraisers during the summer and fall to raise money for the

school.  All in all the money they raise is the major contributor to the yearly

budget at the school.

You can see all the details of his involvement with the Schoolof Championsat his

web site www.kids.romamexico.com and you can learn about his restaurant, the

fabulous meals there and the "Welcome home" atmosphere that he and his staff

give to all of his customers.

Project Shoe

By Jerry Cohen

For the last 2 years, the Del Amo, Torrance Rotary, has worked in conjunction with Bruce Sogoohi (the regional manager of Payless Shoes), and Carol Iniguez, (a family service specialist with Volunteers of America and the early Head Start program), to put on a project where kids in need are  given shoes, socks, entertainment , food and lots of fun. The kid's ages range from 3 years to 8 years old.

           The morning starts out with giving the kid's cookies and punch while having their face painted and getting stickers. We also have a magician that gives a fascinating performance that is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

With the assistance of the Payless Shoe staff, the Rotarians take a child and fit them with a great pair of shoes. While spending time with the kid's on the way out we give them a pair of socks a goody bag and a hug to show that we really care . To see these kid's faces are priceless.

The result of this project goes far beyond what can be measured for the kids, the Rotarians and the community. The children come away with feeling a sense of caring and belonging. Being a good role model, you never know how you may influence a child towards the positive.

For me as a Rotarian the warmth I have inside that I did something good adds nourishment to my soul and bring tears to my eyes. I hope all volunteers get a sense of blessings of what they have in their own lives and knowing that they did a good deed. The whole community benefits from this kind of intercity contact and helps to fill gaps that exist for the needy in our own backyard. 

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November;
All the rest have thirty-one,
Excepting February alone
Which hath but twenty-eight, in fine,
Till leap year gives it twenty-nine.

Fulfillment in the New Year

Here's to the outgoing year, 2010:
May the good times live on in our memories,
and may we learn lessons from the troubling times
that will make us stronger and better than ever.

Here's to 2011:
For each and every one of you,
may it be filled with significant steps
toward the fulfillment of your fondest wishes.

In this coming new year,
let us focus on our goals and work toward our dreams,
and yet
let's all try to go with the flow a little more
and stress a little less.

And most important,
here's to all of you.
Appreciate yourselves and each other in the new year
as I appreciate all of you now.
Let's focus on each other's good points
and choose to overlook minor annoyances
to create mutual happiness and contentment in 2011.

Here's to 2011: Enjoy the journey!

I ain't much good at prayin', and You may not know me, Lord--
I ain't much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word,

But You may have observed me out here on the lonely plains,
A-lookin' after cattle, feelin' thankful when it rains,

Admirin' Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass,
Aware of Thy kind Spirit in the way it comes to pass

That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night and know we've got a Friend.



So here's ol' Christmas comin' on, remindin' us again
Of Him whose comin' brought goodwill into the hearts of men

A cowboy ain't no preacher, Lord, but if You'll hear my prayer,
I'll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.

Don't let no hearts be bitter, Lord; don't let no child be cold.
Make easy beds for them that's sick, and them that's weak and old.

Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we're after,
And sorta keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter.



I've seen old cows a-starvin', and it ain't no pretty sight:
Please don't leave no one hungry, Lord, On Thy good Christmas night--

No man, no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet--
I'll aim to do my best to help You find 'em chuck to eat.

I'm just a sinful cowpoke, Lord,--ain't got no business prayin'--
But still I hope You'll ketch a word or two of what I'm a-sayin':

We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord--I reckon You'll agree
There ain't no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain't free.

So one thing more I'll ask You, Lord: just help us what You can
To save some seeds of freedom for the future sons of man!

           A BLAST WAS HAD BY ALL AT THE DISTRICT PICNIC

On Sunday September 13th approximately over 500 Rotarians and family attended the annual District picnic; the largest family picnic yet. The food was great, the camaraderie was fun and the cardboard boat races were fabulous.  It was Del Amo Rotary's first participation in this event, however a mighty try it was.  Unfortunately, after qualifying for the finals, Del Amo failed to finish in the top three.

Click on "more" below to see more pictures.

Before receiving their wheelchairs through our partners in the Philippines, Operation Blessing and Rotary Club, the de la Cruz brothers were unable to enjoy the things they loved the most, like going to the beach to wait for the sun to set or watching a basketball game at the plaza. Born with muscular dystrophy, the boys had learned to get around on small carts called karitos, but their lives were limited.Their father despaired until the day three wheelchairs provided an answer to prayer. "Words can not express how thankful I am!"

President Rob Van Lingen updated club members on the status of the Free Wheelchair Mission:   

Rotary Club of Del Amo will be donating 50 wheelchairs as a Club this year. Individuals can also donate wheelchairs. Past President Stu Levy donated two wheelchairs on 07/06/10. Thank you all for living the Rotary International motto of "Building Communities & Bridging Continents."  

Below is a heart wrenching description of the of the first distribution of wheelchairs in East Uganda.

DEMOTION PARTY FOR PRESIDENT RALPH SEIFER

On Saturday, June 19th, a Demotion Party was held for President Ralph Seifer at the Depot Restaurant in Old Torrance.  The food was good and fun was had by all.  Below is a picture of Ralph and New President Rob Van Lingen:

            CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE EVENT.

           http://picasaweb.google.com/netreal1/2010DemotionParty1?feat=directlink

                        2010 TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD 
  
For seven years now Rotary Club of Del Amo has awarded a Torrance Outstanding Teachers Award in memoriam to Dr. Arnold Plank past Superintendent of the Torrance Unified School District.  At the June 8th luncheon meeting Carl Kaemerle introduced Dr. Sharon Harris, special education teacher at South High in Torrance, this year's awardee.

Carl related some of Doctor Harris' activities at South High, where she has been involved for some 37 years. These include counseling special need students, writing grants, resulting in the acquisition of equipment used by students, and more recently co-writing the renewal accreditation application for South High. In addition to a plaque, the award comes with a check in the amount of $ 1,000.  Congradulation Dr. Harris!!! 
 
  
 

Rotary Club of Del Amo presented their annual academic and vocational scholarships to students from West High School, North High School and Sherry High School at their June 7th luncheon meeting.  Each student was awarded $1,000.  Guests at meeting included principals, teachers, counselors, and parents.  We are very please to honor these exceptional young people.

Click on "more" below to see all of recipients.

    DEL AMO ROTARY JOINS WEST HIGH INTERACT IN LUNCHEON MEETING

The Rotary Club of Del Amo, sponsor of the West Torrance Interact Club, joined the West High School Interact students for a joint meeting and lunch.  The Interact Club is the 2^nd largest club at West High School with 247 members and performs a host of charitable activities. They were the 2009/10 Club of the Year and are very active at the Rotary District level.

President Ralph Seifer with Interact President Kim Chang, the daughter of a proud Del Amo Rotary Club member, Steven Chang.

Mike Delaney, our Youth Services Director, was honoured for the time and effort he gave to the Interact Club during the last year.

 ROTARY CLUB OF DEL AMO COLLECT TOYS AND GOODS FOR HAITI

CLICK ON "MORE" BELOW AND SEE LOTS MORE WORKER BEES.

NEW INDUCTEES INTO ROTARY CLUB OF DEL AMO

              Noriko Oakland                                Amy Tsao

          Torrey Pines Bank                    31 Flavors Ice Cream

ROTARY CLUB OF DEL AMO HONORS   BOY SCOUTS  OF AMERICA

Victor Zuniga, an executive with the Boy Scouts, is presented with a check from Ralph Seifer, President of the Rotary Club of Del Amo, in commemoration of the 100th aniversary of the Boy Scouts of American on February 8th.

What a great organization!!!

Good Time for All at Bonaventure

to Honor RI President John Kenny   

Del Amo Rotarians join in the fun ...

Drums, Bagpipes and Kilts ...

Haggis and Single Malt ...

President Kenny enjoying the pomp and ceremony in L.A.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FLOAT

Click "more" below to see pictures of Torrance Float

 ECUADOR'S CONSUL GENERAL

VISITS ROTARY CLUB OF DEL AMO

District Governor Susanne Sundberg (center) joins in with President Ralph Seifer (far left) and other Del Amo Rotarians, Lindsay Walker (second from left) and Wilson Benitez (far right)  to wecome the Honorable Eddie Bedon, General Consul of Ecuador (second from right), to their weekly meeting. The Rotary Club of Del Amo is working on the District 5280 International Project--Ecuador 2010.

In the spring of next year, five Del Amo Rotarians and their spouses will travel on another humanitarian visit, this time delivering hearing aid equipment for youth to the town of Ambato in Ecuador among other projects.  

Consul General Bedon was extremely thankful for Rotary's humanitarian efforts in his home country of Ecuador. He was excited about the upcoming Rotary International projects when Rotarians will deliver medical equipment and work on service projects among other social causes for those in need.

Mr. Bedon was particularly touched by the past Rotary wheel chair project. He could easily relate to those who need wheel chairs as the Vice-President of Ecuador was disabled due to a shooting incident.

       NEW INDUCTEE INTO ROTARY CLUB OF DEL AMO

                                  NED STROMME

Ned Stromme (center) is pictured with Steve Wolowicz (left) and President Ralph Seifer (right) after being inducted into the Rotary Club of Del Amo - Torrance.  Ned is in the commercial banking business.