Rotary Club of Altadena

OFF THE ROTARY WHEEL January 03, 2019 AN AWARD-WINNING NEWSLETTER

ThisThis WeekWeek Happy New Year/ Nick Santangelo Half Year Craft Talk very Happy New Year to all Altadena poem to say goodbye Rotarians and their loved ones! I to the past year. by Sarah Program Host: O’Brien, AAhope the holiday season has been a According to the President Mark Mariscal festive one and 2019 will be a year of health, Financial Times, Burns sent happiness and fulfi llment for all. to two publishers. The fi rst, James Johnson, This week, we We are halfway through our Rotary Year published it in 1796 with a Scottish melody have a craft talk and our Club Assembly is coming up. As Burns was not a fan of. Three years after from Nick Santan- we refl ect on programs and achievements Burns died, George Thompson published it gelo, one of our of the fi rst 6 months, we look ahead to and set it to the tune of “Sir Alexander Don’s newest members work still to be done, awards to be given, Strathspey.” (Strathspey is a type of dance.) He was born and much more… Our various Committees This is the same melody used to this day. in Garden Grove, will present reports and goals and invite The song became so popular in Scotland to parents from Scandinavian volunteers to get involved. All are welcome that Scottish immigrants sang it wherever and Spanish backgrounds. A few months to contribute ideas and suggestions! they went, spreading the song around the after his birth, he was adopted by Nick With each passing year comes continuity world. For example, during the famous and Gloria Santangelo, allowing him to and change. We honour the traditions that 1914 Christmas truce during World War grow up in a safe and typical Southern have endured and become the fabric of I, both British and German soldiers sang California life playing basketball, body- our Club ‘culture’, whilst at the same time “Auld Lang Syne.” In 1925, Charlie Chaplin surfi ng at the beach, and tossing frisbees embracing our newer members who have had characters sing “Auld Lang Syne” in endlessly. His parents signed him up for brought with them fresh insight, experience The Gold Rush, even though it was a silent organ lessons (there was one in the house) and enthusiasm for the vision we share - “of fi lm. In 1928, Lombardo and his band, the when he was 8, and he has been playing a world where people unite and take action Royal Canadians, played their fi rst New the organ ever since. to create lasting change – across the globe, Year’s Eve broadcast. The following year, Nick married in 1982, moved up to Los in our communities, and in ourselves”. they performed the fi rst ever nationwide Angeles, and grew to love the diversity, (Rotary International) broadcast from the Roosevelt Hotel and culture, art, and movies that LA had to On a lighter note, on New Year’s Eve, as performed live from the hotel every year offer. His musical involvement accelerated the clock strikes midnight and we turn from Please turn to In Tune p. 3 rapidly. one year to the next, many of us gather to Music was great, but he had to fi nd sing “Auld Lang Syne”. This is much older GreeterGreeter ofof thethe WeekWeek something solid to do to pay the mortgage. than any other popular song we sing during January 03 He was hired to work on the Red Line Boyd Hudson the holidays. It dates back to 1788, when subway and eventually was hired by the January 10 it was published by Scottish poet Robert Carpenters Union, which enabled him to Ed Jasnow Burns, who lived from 1759 to 1796. Over January 17 Please turn to This Week p. 4 220 years later, we’re still using the familiar Julius Johnson ProgramProgram ReviewReview

A Lifetime of Feminism and Activism

hat’s what our of an institution called Willowbrook State newest mem- School. This was a truly horrifi c place where TTber, Jennifer children with Down’s Syndrome, and other Hall Lee, revealed mental issues were treated with unspeakable to us in her craft talk. Raised in Staten cruelty. Jennifer’s mother, a social worker Island — the least known borough in New at the school, tried to get the media to do a York City — one of her early memories is story on Willowbrook, and fi nally succeed- ed in getting Geraldo Rivera to interview Sparks is published 48 weeks a year and is the her, and all hell broke loose. offi cial publication of the Rotary Club of Altadena. Lee recalled that there was a Town Hall The deadline for submission of articles is Friday at 6p to current editor email, fax, or delivery. meeting at Holy Family Church to discuss Rotary Club of Altadena - #7183 her mother’s efforts to start a group home Chartered: February 14, 1949 P.O. Box 414, Altadena, CA 91003 for children with Down’s Syndrome. The www.altadenarotary.com meeting was packed, and everyone said Meets: Thursday, 12:10p Altadena Town & Country Club terrible things about her efforts. The priest 2290 Country Club Drive • Altadena, CA did nothing to intervene. This caused Lee’s 626-794-7163 Rotary Int. Pres...... Ian H.S. Riseley mother to leave the Catholic Church forever. journey, crossing into Mexico at Brownsville, Dist 5300 Gov...... John Chase Subsequently, her mother decided it was Texas. They made it to Mexico City, where Offi cers Sarah O’Brien, Pres...... Bus. 626-796-5000 time to leave Staten Island. So, the two of they were advised not to continue to Costa Mark Mariscal, Pres. Elec...... Bus. 310-902-6547 them packed up their Volkswagen Beetle Rica. They continued on to Puebla, south Steve Kerekes, V. Pres...... Bus. 626-351-8815 Jim Gorton, Sec...... Bus. 323-816-6713 and set off for Costa Rica, the place her of Mexico City, where they decided to drive Mike Noll, Trea...... Bus. 626-683-0515 mother decided she wanted to go. While up to the top of a volcano. When they were Directors Mark Mariscal • Ed Jasnow driving riving through the South, Jennifer’s ready to leave, the car wouldn’t start. After John Frykenberg • Dennis Mehringer mother backed into a ditch (apparently be- giving them a scare, the car fi nally started, David Campbell • Sarah O’Brien • Mike Zoeller Chairmen cause Jennifer stopped backseat driving.) and they proceeded down a road alongside Mark Mariscal ...... Administration Four African-American men stopped to a steep cliff. David Smith ...... Foundation Please turn to Program, p. 3 Charlie Wilson ...... Asst. Foundation help, and lifted the car out of the ditch. They Frank Cunningham ...... Membership refused to accept any payment. Jacque Foreman ...... Public Awareness Congratulations Jacque Foreman ...... Acting Publicity The two of them continued on their Jacque Foreman ...... Sparks/Website Birthdays Mike Zoeller ...... Club Projects 7 - Helen Zivkoviche (M. Hill) Doug Collifl ower ...... Community January David Smith ...... International Vocational Service 16 - Sarah O’Brien To be Announced ...... Asst. International Program Chair: To be Announced 27 - Ann Rider Hill Tony Hill ...... Youth Contests/Awards 03 - Nick Santangelo, Craft Talk Anniversaries Mike Zoeller ...... Youth Projects 10 - Mid-Year Club Assembly John Frykenberg ...... Vocational 03 - Jim & Karen Gorton Editor, Design & Typesetting ...... Foreman Graphics 17 - To be Announced 04 - Mike & Carol Zoeller Photography ...... Jacque Foreman 24 - To be Announced 22 - John & Joan Frykenberg

2 Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter Program hairmen’shairmen’s CCornerorner brought to you by Mark Mariscal for David Smith, International Chair Being International means We do Things Locally

ll of us are most critical and widespread humanitarian each area and suggests how Rotary clubs aware that needs, and Rotary has a proven record of and districts and their service partners AARotary is an success in addressing them: can address these needs both locally and international orga- • Peace and confl ict prevention/resolution internationally. It is titled Rotary’s Areas nization. However, • Disease prevention and treatment of Focus . In order to locate the document, the work of Rotary • Water and sanitation you must go to and at the top of the webpage go to munity, and every • Basic education and literacy My Rotary and sign in. If you have not community has its • Economic and community development done that before, please ask for assistance. own unique needs Rotary members planning new service The document can only be accessed by and concerns. While projects are encouraged to consider these members. Rotary serves in areas and the many opportunities for inno- However, if you also want to share with countless ways, I’ve listed the efforts in six vative projects within them. non-rotarians similar information, that can key areas to help you understand the impact. On the Rotary International website, be found at the link . Program In Tune Continued from p. 2 Continued from p. 1 Lee attended an integrated school in University of Islamabad in Pakistan. Brave- until 1954. They switched to the Waldorf Athens, Georgia. When she moved to ly, she went there alone, and the fi lm was Astoria Hotel, and continued performing Atlanta, she frequented a bookstore — that screened successfully before 300 women. ever year until 1976. Lombardo, who died still exists — that was fi lled with all kinds of Subsequently, a contingent of Pakistani in November 1977, became known as “Mr. feminist literature. She worked for Quakers women came to . She made the New Year’s Eve.” The song also became while in Atlanta. most of this opportunity to meet and speak popular in Southeast Asia and Japanese She then decided to go into fi lm pro- with them, and drove them around the area. department stores use it to let customers duction. She made a fi lm about a female Lee is the recipient of a Fulbright Schol- know they are closing for the day. In Japan, architect. She also worked on the fi lms Back arship, and is re-applying to another country, the tune of Auld Lang Syne is set to the folk To The Future - 2 , Forest Gump , and sev- since Pakistan declined to host her. Continu- song Hotaru no Hikari. eral other popular fi lms. She noticed early ing her tradition of activism, she currently In Scotland, where Burns is considered on that newspapers had two employment serves on the Altadena Town Council, and is the national poet, singing “Auld Lang Syne” sections, male and female. Gender discrim- head of fundraising for Eliot Magnet School, is part of celebrations. Hogman- ination wasn’t called out in the law. Finally, where her daughter is a student. ay is the Scottish word for the last day of this oversight was corrected. Jennifer Hall Lee is a great addition to the year. It’s tradition in Scotland to sing Lee then made a fi lm about feminism. our club, and we welcome and support all “Auld Lang Syne” while in a circle, holding She was invited to screen this fi lm at the her efforts. Ed Jasnow Please turn to In Tune p. 4 Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter 3 This Week Continued from p. 1 buy a house in Mount Washington. way to help facilitate that, providing a way Santangelo says, “It is nice to be able to He and his wife travelled to London in to make a monetary donation go further. make a difference here in Altadena as well. 1985 — selling what they could to make He and his wife had always been involved Rotary does good work, and is proactive the trip. At the time, he was dropping off in local organizations like the Los Angeles in the community. Plus, there are a lot of demo tapes to all the major studios (no luck Conservancy, LASPCA, Friends of the LA dedicated, friendly people to hang out with. with that, though he received some lovely River, Big Brothers, LA Food Bank, etc. What could be better?” turn-down letters in return). They took a st niece and a friend to London and Rome $41 in honor of our 41 President in 2000. In 2006 and 2011, he travelled to by Sue Applegate Istanbul, meeting friends he stays in contact As a long time member and treasurer of cate the with today. our club’s foundation known as Altadena f u n d s In late 2006, he and his wife learned Rotary Charities (ARC), it is always nice to simi- that she had cancer, and their life changed receive donations to ARC for various rea- lar to a completely. sons. During the meeting last week, while program Her sister, who has a nursing back- collecting Happy Bucks , Mark Mariscal, that the ground, moved in with them, and they could in addition to his happy bucks donation, 1 , 0 0 0 not have dealt with the chemo, radiation, made a commitment to donate 41 dollars p o i n t s appointments, and emotional toll without in honor of the death of Past US President of light her. Thankfully, his wife was granted a clean George H.W. Bush. Mariscal said that, al- foun- bill of health in late 2007. Sadly, her cancer though he did not vote for Bush, it was an d a t i o n returned in 2014, and her sister retired and honor to donate to a cause that helps make normal- moved back in with them. a difference within a community. That is ly funds but within our own community? His wife passed in 2017. It was her illness what our club’s ARC Foundation does. I So, if any other member wishes to do- that spurred their move to Altadena. Their was so moved by the gesture, that I, along nate to ARC before the end of the calendar LA home was wonderful, but getting up and with Nick Santangelo, also agreed to donate year, feel free to write a check payable to down steps and accessing the house had $41 to ARC. Altadena Rotary Charities and bring it to the become problematic. Wouldn’t it be great if 5, 10 or 15 other next meeting or mail it to me at 3567 No. While browsing Altadena area listings, club members donated $41 and we allo- Glenrose Ave. Altadena CA 91001. the Santangelos found their future home that, believe it or not, had a garage that In Tune had been converted to a recording studio! Continued from p. 3 It just needed to be rewired, and now he is hands. When the crowd reaches the last old acquaintances. The song is really meant slowly getting to where he has the time and verse, which begins with “And there’s a hand to be about “preserving old friendships and inclination to use it. my trusty friend,” ev- looking back over About 20 years ago, Santangelo became eryone crosses their the events of the a Los Angeles Big Brother to Osvaldo Gar- arms so the right year.” So, if you cia. They are still close to this day, in fact, hand reaches out to do forget about Garcia is staying with Santangelo while their neighbor’s left old acquaintances, pursuing his career goal of working as a hand. At the end of you can look back landscape architect. the song, one rushes on the year and Santangelo’s wife was a writer and he into the center and remember them. thought a fund or scholarship for promising turns, so that when (Facts courtesy of young writers might be a good way to pay everyone leaves the center they are facing Auld Lang Syne - Facts You Need to Know tribute to her, as well as help a kid or two. outwards. by Daniel S Levine in Heavy.com) This is when Rotary came to mind as a Burns didn’t suggest that we should forget HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! 4 Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter al risc Ma rk Ma Bringing Life & Color to the by 2019 Rotary Float

On Wednesday, December 26, club receives NO FUNDING from the members Julius Johnson, Dawn Digrius Rotary International organiza- and Paula and I went out to Irwindale in tion. Monies are raised from the Districts, Clubs and m e m b e r donations. W e s p e n t 5 h o u r s w o r k i n g inside a big industrial b u i l d i n g operated Dawn Digrius (l) and Paula Mariscal decorating the bottom by Phoenix of the fl oat Float Dec- o r a t i n g . There were at least 10 other fl oats be- ing built and dec- orated while we were there. Julius helped cut vege- tables that were being placed on the fl oat (brussel sprouts and fi gs) Upper (l to r) Robert Smith (Fiance of Dawn), Erica Julius Johnson (center) with four unidentifi ed fl oat while Dawn and from Walnut Rotary Club, Celeste Novak (she and her workers my wife, Paula, mom are friends of mine and helped the club) and then me. Lower (l to r) Dawn Digrius, Ann Novak, and the late afternoon to work on the Rotary worked down below glueing Paula Mariscal International Float. The opportunity came as parsley that was very finely place the parsley. The task was challenging part of the invitation from the Rotary Float diced onto the body of the huge crocodile but we all did our part. Committee as part of their annual appeal to (you won’t miss it going down Colorado A shout out to two local Altadena Districts, Clubs and Rotary members from Blvd. on Tuesday). Dawn’s fi ance Robert and friends who helped out — Ann Novak and around the world to help participate in this I climbed high up on the scaffolding and her daughter Celeste (10 years old). Celeste Marketing Opportunity to promote what glued the same material on the upper body has told me that she cannot wait for school Rotary is all about. of the fl oat. At times, we had to lay on our to start back so she can share her terrifi c Let me remind you that this organization stomachs and bend down to glue and then experiences with her classmates.

Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter 5 Bikes Delivered December 13

It was approximately 8 am on December handle bars of the rows and rows of bicy- when I had to leave to get to my Rotary 13 when I pulled into the parking lot at cles. (Remember, we had assembled 250 meeting.

the Salvation Army’s 960 Walnut building. bicycles back in November.) As usual, There was already a long line of families I didn’t see Frank Cunningham Cox found waiting to pick up their bikes. come in, but suddenly he was there. himself re- T h e pairing bi- volun- cycles that t e e r s had prob- w e r e lems or had paired up n o t b e e n in teams assembled of two — p r o p e r l y. one to get But this year the bicy- new mem- cle(s) and b e r A m y o n e t o was helping walk the him. There Rene Amy and Craig Cox were already recipient outside and down to the w a s o n e inside, and there was a lot of activity. Some door where the bicycle would be received. bike that was refusing to be assembled. Before the bi- There was a problem with the handlebars cycle could be not seating properly. Try as they might, they handed off to couldn’t get the handle bar assembly to lock the family, it’s se- in. They fi nally had to conclude that there rial number was was a manufacturer error and leave the bike recorded, and unassembled, waiting for a new part to be the bicycle is ordered. given a license As I was number. preparing to leave, I saw that Presi- dent Sarah and Isabel had arrived. of the volunteers were fi lling bags with a I told those in I apologize if helmet and a bicycle lock while others were charge that I could I missed see- taking the bags and hanging them on the stay until 11:30, ing and mentioning any one there. 6 Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter 7 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Deputy Program

Back in the 1800s, the Sheriff would look to the community to form a posse and deputize citizens to assist him in the apprehension of horse thieves, murderers, or other criminals. Thankfully, we have thousands of full-time deputies to perform those duties today, but, in 2018, just like the 1800s, the Sheriff is looking to the community to fi nd citizens to volunteer and help by becoming reserve deputy sheriffs. Reserve deputies undergo the same training and background checks that full-time deputies receive. It’s a year-long process, but, after graduation, reserve deputies can perform a wide array of duties and service to the community. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Program is one of the largest in the country, with over 600 all-volunteer sworn reserve deputy sheriffs. Last year they worked 182,000 hours keeping the citizens of Los Angeles County safe. Those 182,000 hours represent millions of dollars in savings to taxpayers. Patrolling our communities is only one of many functions performed by reserve deputies. Lifesaving search and rescue missions are performed every week by reserves as part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Search and Rescue Program. Last year reserve deputy sheriffs performed 684 missions throughout the county, saving countless lives. Another opportunity for reserve deputy sheriffs to serve is by becoming a member of the Sheriff’s Department’s Posse. Posse members work patrolling trails and various community events on horseback. Reserve deputies also help solve crimes by working in many of the Sheriff’s Department’s detective units, such as Homicide Bureau, Narcotics Bureau, Fraud and Cyber Crime Bureau, and Special Victims Bureau. We also have reserves who ride street and off-road motorcycles for the Department. Reserve deputies come from all walks of life and from a wide variety of professions. The common thread of all is a burning desire to give back to their community and assist their fellow citizens. If you are interested in signing up — just like citizens did over a 150 years ago — there is a reserve deputy academy scheduled to start in February 2019. Please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Forces Detail at 323-526-5100 and ask for Assistant Director Mike Leum to get started.

8 Sparks - Altadena Rotary Club Newsletter