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President Elect Benjamin Fisher (for reasons unknown) presided over the meeting (while Pres Steve watched) and began by indicating the Rotary theme this year is “Create Hope in the World.” April 25th is National DNA Day when James Watson and Francis Crick formally announced the discovery of DNA.
Steve Day read the 4-way test.
President Elect Benjamin thanked Janet Schwartz for greeting and PP Diane Good for leading the pledge.
Michael Newman shared the thought for the day using the following quotes on running a marathon including: “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon” by Emil Zatopek and “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny by C.S. Lewis.
Past President Ed Gauld led the singing of “The Army Goes Rolling Along” while wearing an antique helmet.
Visiting Rotarians included last year’s District 5280 Rotarian of the Year, Shirin Mosavi-Nejad of the Van Nuys club who later introduced Angel Fuentes, UCLA Rotaract and Makiko Nakasone our District 5280 Governor.
Guests of Rotarians included two of our favorite spouses, Frank Smith (PP Diane’s better half) and, Marsha Day (for sure the better half) to President Steve.
Today’s first speaker was our own Past President Diane Good on her recent trip to Paris France to participate in the annual city-wide Marathon after 5 years of planning as a member of the LA Leggers. This was PP Diane’s 9th marathon and first outside of the US. The whole city shuts down during the running and walking of the Marathon because the route goes through every part of the city. PP Diane shared a 4D video of the route for the Marathon through the city center and outlying areas exhausting those watching. Paris is preparing for Taylor Swift concerts in early May, the French Open in late May early June and, the Summer Olympic Games in July. So, the city is more exciting than usual right now looking forward to being on the International Stage for the next four months.
For her efforts and success in the Paris marathon, PP Diane was presented with the new Westwood Village Rotary Club wine glasses by President Steve Day.
The second speaker was UCLA Rotaract and Student Angel Fuentes who participated in this year’s humanitarian trip to Quito Ecuador from April 2 – 9, 2024. After arriving he experienced a city tour including the old town. Pacemakers were distributed to people in the country in need. Schools were visited where backpacks were distributed, and networking occurred. Emphasis was also placed on clean water projects. Visits with indigenous people in the mountains was included as part of the trip. For Angel it was personally educational because he had never traveled outside of the USA. He was moved by the kindness shown by those from Ecuador and was appreciative of the native dances and celebratory programs they provided.
DG Makiko on ZOOM, also spoke of her gratitude to the WVRC for sponsoring two students for the Humanitarian trip. She was very impressed with both of the UCLA Rotaracts and their enthusiasm and hard work on the trip.
Janet Schwartz shared a short presentation on “The meaning of Passover” based upon events described in the Bible and upon tradition. Passover is the commemoration of freedom from slavery and the flight of the Israelites from Egypt described in the Old Testament book of Exodus. A plague of the death of a first-born child passed over the Jewish households because they spread the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their home doorposts. Passover is celebrated for 7 days in Israel and 8 days in the Diaspora. A Passover Seder is a lengthy meal which involves recounting the story of the Exodus practiced in Jewish households during Passover.
Past President Steve Day shared the fire at the Persian Gulf restaurant on Tuesday owned by club member Roozbeh Farahanipour started outside of the restaurant in an electrical box and spread through the roof which will have to be replaced.
Dave Stover gave a summary of the past Saturday Westwood cleanup. 5 club members participated. The area cleaned was from Wilshire south to Santa Monica and Westwood Blvd west to Sepulveda.
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