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ANNUAL BUSINESS ETHICS AWARDS

One of the key pillars of Rotary is Service Above Self, which can be carried out in a number of ways, including through one’s vocation. Recently, Camarillo Rotary hosted its annual Business Ethics Awards, recognizing and celebrating individuals and businesses in our community who have exemplified service to others and have operated under the highest ethics.

Shown left to right are Mark Gingereaux and Terri Terrin (Termar Inc.), Sally Mojabi (Sally's Residential Care), Tom Van Gundy (Van Gundy Diamonds), Angela Sanchez (Camarillo Rotary Vocational Chair), and Roberto Martinez (Camarillo Rotary President, 2019-20). Not able to attend but honored separately were Flavio and Eny Toc (Flavio's Tailoring). Congratulations to all of our winners!

ANOTHER GREAT VIVA LA COMIDA

Our 50th Annual Viva La Comida on Monday, January 27th was well attended and a big success. Thanks to the community for supporting this traditional event.

Viva La Comida began in 1971. Chuck Welch, Camarillo Rotary President, and Mike Loza, then owner of El Tecolote restaurant, began the dinner to help raise funds for the Boys Club of Camarillo. A Monday night was originally chosen for the event because Mike’s restaurant was closed on Mondays, allowing he and his staff to work with club members in preparing the food. Since 1971, more than 35,000 meals have been served at Viva La Comida. In addition to the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, the event benefits other community nonprofit organizations through the Camarillo Rotary Foundation.

See you next year for our 51st Viva La Comida!

ANOTHER GREAT TRACK MEET

Our annual Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet on May 12th was a big success, with great weather, hardworking volunteers, a couple of new records and great participation from kids, coaches and parents. Thanks to all! For complete results, click here.

The Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet is the oldest community service project of the Camarillo Rotary Club. The Meet began in 1960, when a group of local Rotarians created an organized track and field competition for Camarillo boys and girls at the elementary and junior high school levels. There were only a few schools then, and not too many entrants, but over the years, the Meet has grown to keep pace with the community. The Meet was named the Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet in 1988, in honor of the late Rotarian Hap Rapp, who devoted so much of his time and talents to the event over the years.

CAMARILLO ROTARY PLANTS TREES AT OAK GROVE PARK

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Camarillo Rotarians planted 19 Live Oak trees at Camarillo's Oak Grove Park, helping to replace trees destroyed by the devastating Hill fire. Each tree was donated in honor of or in memory of a friend or family member. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District assisted with the planting project, which was originated by Rotarian Jay Berger, shown here with his wife Joni planting a tree dedicated to their grandchildren.

FOUR-WAY TEST ESSAY CONTEST

Each year, our club holds an essay contest for local students, asking them to explain how Rotary's "Four-Way Test" relates to their lives and daily activities. This year, we asked students to tell us how the Test can be applied to conflict resolution.

Shown here are (left to right) Hazel Villapando (3rd place, Las Colinas Middle School); Ryan Weber (2nd place, Pleasant Valley Christian School); Glen McClellan (1st place, Rancho Campaña High School); Dr. Angélica Ramsey, Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent (and Camarillo Rotarian), and Kathy Long, Camarillo Rotary President. Dr. Ramsey supervised this year's contest.

Here is the Rotary Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

27TH ANNUAL KIDS HOLIDAY PARTY BRINGS JOY

On December 20, 2018, the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club was transformed into a holiday wonderland as the Camarillo Rotary Club put on its 27th Annual Kids Holiday Party with Santa, pizza, magicians (thank you, Paul Dwork), balloon animals, Christmas carols and wrapped presents. The event began in 1989, said Chair Mike Andonian, who was club president at the time. He asked members for community-service ideas, and Hank Crockett, the publisher of the Camarillo Daily News, came up with the idea. "He did it the first year, and I've done it every year since," Andonian said.