You may have noticed a difference in this month's Highlighter. It's because we are using the new bulletin editor in DaCdb. We are switching over earlier than planned because we have been experiencing difficulties using the District 5300 email account service through EarthLink.com. Many of our emails have been blocked. Using the list through DaCdb will allow us to reach more of our members. If you received this at a different email address than you did in the past, that's because this is the email address we have on file in DaCdb. If you would like to change your preferred email address, be sure to log on to www.DaCdb.com and make changes online. We apologize if this causes you any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.

Several Montebello Rotary Club members attended an event held at the Ensenada General Hospital.  As Past President of the Montebello Rotary Club stated, “This is a dream come true for me.”  He was referring to the Rotary Foundation 5300 Matching Grant he and Past President Dr. Mario Troncoso of the Ensenada Centenaria Club applied for.  On Friday April 30, 2012 over fifty people including local TV and print media showed up to receive $35,000 worth of medical equipment slated for the Ensenada General Hospital.

In attendance were several hospital administrators, including Dr. Ernesto J. Martinez Palacio, Director of the Ensenada General Hospital.  Dr. Palacio commented that, “The equipment is much needed and will be put immediately to work.” He also noted that the equipment is of high quality.  This type of high tech monitoring equipment is highly desirable but rarely available.  The hospital will use the equipment in their Maternity Wing, which has a high demand for services and a real need for better equipment.  Dr. Palacio said, “This equipment will help save lives as we will have the capability to monitor expectant mothers and their unborn children. With this equipment we can monitor any changes and catch any problems earlier then we do now, which will result in lives saved.”

To help celebrate the day, several Montebello Rotarians and their family attended the event, Past President Robert Monzon and his wife Stephanie with his sister in law,Cathy Sena, along with Pete Adriance and his wife, Pilar, Assistant Governor Ted Jones, and his guest, Delia.  Included were Montebello Rotarians Fernando Cuevas, George Pacheco, and past member Jeff Solowitz.  Showing support and seeking to increase their already active involvement in Baja California were East Los Angeles Rotarians Rudy Salas, Joe Vara, and “Hal,” and from District 5280, AG Sal Bingham.

During the presentation Past President Dr. Mario Troncoso (known as Palito) was beaming when he spoke about the importance of the Rotary International Foundation and the work those resources do worldwide.  He thanked the Montebello Club and District 5300 for the help provided by the Matching Grant to his community hospital.  After the ceremony the entire group was given a tour of the remodeling being done at the hospital, including the new critical care wing for adults and infants.  The Ensenada Rotary Club then invited guests to Dr. Eloy’s house for a social gathering, Ensenada style.  Palito’s wife, Monica, treated everyone to her own special tortas she makes with her own recipe.  Past President Robert Monzon commented, “What a wonderful afternoon this was! I thank the Rotary Foundation for the work it does around the world and even in our own backyard.  I hope more Southern California Rotary Clubs find projects they can participate in here in Baja if they aren’t already doing so already.  There is a great need and all projects are worthwhile and have a great impact.”

Children residing at the Colegio Kolbe de la Immaculada Orphanage and Secondary School in Tijuana, Mexico can now do their school work in an environment conducive to good learning thanks to a donation of 35 classroom style computer desks and four computers by Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia.
“Prior to this donation, the children were forced to use make shift tables and chairs including wood crates as desk tops,” said Mt. Sierra College vice president and Arcadia Rotarian John Davis.  “We are pleased to partner with the Arcadia and Tijuana Rotary Clubs in making this donation happen.”
School director Sister Janitzia Ochoa was moved to tears when the desks and computers arrived.
“Finally the children will have the proper space and work area for their studies,” she said.  “We are most grateful to Mt. Sierra College and the Rotary club for this donation to benefit our children.”
“The Arcadia Rotary Club has a 34-year history of working with and helping the orphans and the disadvantaged in the Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada areas of Mexico,” said Dick Martinez, who spearheaded the project on behalf of the club.  “This is what Rotary is all about.”
“We are thrilled to be able to provide this much needed furniture to the students,” said Dr. Brad Miller, Arcadia Rotary Club president.  “We wish them much success with their studies.”
The Arcadia Rotary Club meets every Friday from noon to 1:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel located at 211 E Huntington Drive in Arcadia.

On Saturday April 7th, the Covina Sunrise Club participated in the Kommah Seray Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation  Walkathon at Irwindale Speedway. This event was a big success, attracting celebrities from KJLJ 102.3 FM along with many sponsors.  The Covina Sunrise Rotary members were joined by the Covina High School Interact Club and employees from Tin Frogs, a local collectible and gift store, for a total of over 40 people in our group alone. Afterwards the food trucks showed up and everyone had plenty of food to choose  from.

Caution – Accident Ahead. Danger! Minefield. Imagine not being able to read simple directions or road signs or warnings. 
Yet becoming literate, just learning to read and write, is not always easy. The economy in Las Vegas is suffering. School budgets are cut to the bone, particularly challenging for those schools serving our neediest populations.  Libraries are often among the first school services cut.
During Literacy Month, Rotary Summerlin collected new and very gently used children's books for McMillan Elementary School's library. President-Elect Gregg Townsend and Literacy Chair Betty Mahalik presented them to the school librarian, Amanda Gubler.  "Amanda was beyond delighted at the donation.  I didn’t count, but I’m guessing there were close to 100 new and gently used books," Betty commented.
Las Vegas Summerlin Rotary Club also took part in Nevada Reads' Pennies for Pages Read-A-Thon, sponsoring students to read as many pages as they could from their favorite books.  Thanks partly to Dennis Filangeri, who donated his raffle winnings, club contributions topped 20,000 pennies.
Summerlin Rotary definitely did its part for literacy this year. 

The Rotary Club of West Covina has been awarding Teachers’ Mini-Grants to teachers in their school district since 1985. On March 29, 2012, thirteen grants of up to $300 each were awarded to classroom teachers. The grants are awarded based upon applications which are judged by a panel of Rotarians, school district personnel, and community leaders. The teachers will use the money for projects that will further enrich and enhance the education of our students.