The August 19, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm     Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter District Governor Johrita Solari Visits Today's meeting opened with an invocation by Bryan Nash.  Pete Moriarty led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a rousing version of Anchors Aweigh!!.  Bryan then led us in the reading of the Rotary Four Way Test.   Guests: Johrita Solari- District Governor Bruce Solari Mariane Kopenick- 2nd Visit- saw the article in Villa Park Magazine and came to check us out. Marsha Leeg- visiting from the mountains of Nevada Sofia Galliardi- Lesslie Giacobbi's granddaughter Lea Bowsher- candidate for member... 08/20/2010

The August 12, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm     Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   Our meeting began today with an invocation by Bob Bell.  Jay Lieberman led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and our song was the Air Force Song, forcefully sung by Teri Brooks and the rest of the  ensemble.  Bryan Nash led us in the reading of the Rotary Four Way Test.   Guests: Kim DeBroux- President of Costa Mesa Rotary Club Rick Barnett-  Marine Thanksgiving Coordinator. Jim Smith- Former OC Superior Court Judge and today's speaker Marianne Kepnick- guest who read about us in Villa Park Magazine Tom Brundy- guest of Steven Pollack   Birt... 08/13/2010

In Supervisor Bill Campbell's report he says that Villa Park will get some street improvements! Lemon Street Recreation Trail and Bike Trail Improvements Project Update- The City of Villa Park was awarded $182,700 in Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds from OCTA for the improvement of the Lemon Street Recreation and Bike Trail. The funds were to be expended by June 30th of this year. The City was not able to expend the funds by that date due to delays in securing the California Department of Transportation's approval of the project. Caltrans' approval is required because the project is being funded by federal and state funds in addition to OCTA's TDA funds. On Monday, the Board approved a five-month extension for the City to expend the funds so that the Lemon Street project can ... 08/13/2010

  Don't miss seeing this terrific home nestled on a cul-de-sac with just one other home on one of Villa Park's finest private streets! Situated on a half-acre of land, there's plenty of room to roam! This wonderful family compound features 6 BR and 4 baths amid the approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of living area which also includes a huge upstair game room and retreat.  The gourmet kitchen overlooks a resort-like back yard with a gorgeous newer pool and spa. Priced at just $1,199,000, with plenty of financing available for qualified buyers!   Visit this home on Sunday, Aug 9th, from 12:30 to 4:00 PM..See you there!   www.MichaelSebastianHomes.com Michael Sebastian, Realtor Certified Short Sale and Properties in Foreclosure Specialist Villa Park, CA Orange, CA Serrano Heights   08/06/2010

The July 1, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm     Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   New Beginnings... Greg Mills Takes The Helm Jay Applebaum Named Rotarian of the Year   Last Sunday's Demotion party lived up to its reputation- great food and lots of fun.  We knew that Teri Brooks was a total ham, but who knew that our own Eric Sense was so talented as he did his best Jack Webb impersonation as "Sergeant Sense, Eric Sense".   Outgoing President Joe Brand was royally roasted in true VP Rotary style, providing lots of belly laughs, especially when Teri Brooks dressed as a hooker sent her regards to Judge Bill McDonald and Pas... 07/07/2010

OPEN HOUSE TODAY, 12:30 - 4:00 PM   Don't miss this terrific home, located on a private cul-de-sac, shared with just 1 other home!  This luxurious home is a spacious 4,000 sq. ft. and sits on an oversized 1/2 acre lot!  You'll love the sparkling pool, the upstairs game room with view of the surrounding hills!  Priced at just $1,199,000, this home is sure to please! This wonderful home is located at 9491 Sandra Cir., Villa Park, CA  92861.  From Villa Park Rd, take Center St north to Pamela, turn left to Sandra Cir. 07/03/2010

Of all the ridiculous, easy decisions NOT to make, this one is beyond reasonable explanation. The effort to extend the June 30 closing deadline for the $8000 tax credit for buyers with executed contracts by April 30 appears unlikely to succeed. Short sales and FHA loans are particularly problematic because they require extra time and in the case of short sales, third-party approvals.  It will be interesting to see how many sales will fall through if they don't close by Wednesay. Even more interesting will be the people and institutions blamed and held responsible for costing buyers $8000. Why not save the legal fees and allow extension? 95% of the delays are likely caused by the lenders processes and approval timelines.   06/29/2010

The June 24, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm   Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   "Building Communities Bridging Continents" Rotary 2010-2011   Incoming President Greg Mills returned from the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada all fired up and ready to go.   This year's Demotion Party will be this Sunday from 5-8:30 at the home of Joe & Pam Brand- 9502 Florence Circle, Villa Park.    Today's meeting began with an invocation by Millie Alexander who quoted Paul Harris on  his concept of Rotary's role in the local and global communities.  Stan Van Den Berg  led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Greg Mills re... 06/25/2010

The June 10, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm     Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   State of the City Report; the Kids are Allright!!   The month of June is upon us and with it comes change and renewal.  On June 27th at 5PM we will celebrate the accomplishments of the club during the 2009-2010 fiscal year under President Joe Brand  and ring in the new with the induction of incoming President Greg Mills and his board.  The Demotion party will be at the home of Joe and Pam Brand and will feature a Mexican Dinner and the usual club antics by the "Unready For Prime Time Ensemble".   This week's meeting began with an invocation... 06/16/2010

The June 3, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm       Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   Getting to Know Bryan Nash... the Man Behind Orange County's Camp to Belong   Its one of life's little ironies that you can know someone and  still not truly knows what shaped them to be the person they ultimately become.  Today we learned a lot more about our own Bryan Nash and everyone came away from the experience feeling proud to know him and have him in our club.   The day opened with an invocation by Steven Pollack who appealed to our sense of responsibility to live our lives by Rotary's Four Way Test.  MIllie Alexander led us in the... 06/04/2010

There are a series of free CERT classes coming up in June held in City Hall, and the City would greatly appreciate it if you could spread the word about these free CERT classes to your members. Thank you! There will be a round of free CERT classes held on the following dates and times: - Friday, June 18th @ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Saturday, June 19th @ 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Friday, June 25th @ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Saturday, June 26th @ 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM All of these classes will be held at the Villa Park City Hall. We encourage you, your family members, and anyone else who might be interested to attend these CERT classes. If you have any questions, then please feel free to contact Jorge Garcia, CERT Coordinator, at (714) 998-1500. Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you at these meet... 05/26/2010

The May 22, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm       Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   MacAloney Receives Business of the Year Award Today we learned from our speaker Usa Jain how our stories and the stories we grow up hearing can shape our lives and impact the lives of others.  President Joe Brand was nursing a sore neck so Jay Applebaum stood in to lead the meeting. Greg Mills delivered our invocation, Jane McDonald led the Pledge of Allegiance and Teri Brooks led us in the singing the Army Hymn in honor of our guest Sgt Michael Camarena who just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. Greg Mills then led us in reciting the ... 05/25/2010

The May 6, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm       Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   Thank You Villa Park Rotary For A Job Well Done!!!   Good Morning everyone we opened our meeting with an invocation by Paul Hudson, who talked about the success of our basketball fundraiser and the good feelings and positive energy  it evoked in the club and community, LInda Bartrom-Olsen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Teri Brooks led us in the singing of God Bless America. Joe Brand then finished our opening exercises with a group reading of the Rotary Four Way Test.    Guests: Marsha Leeg- visiting from Nevada Brian Lochrie- our g... 05/12/2010

The April 22, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm       Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter "The Thrilla in the Villa" ...  Be There!! Saturday May 1st  7PM   Good Day Everyone.  We've got our big fundraiser coming up next Saturday evening and the word is on the street that this is going to be one incredible evening for our club and community.  Ticket sales are picking up and many of our very generous Villa Park Friends have generously donated tickets so that some of the kids in local foster care programs can attend the game and have a night of fun with a stay in school and anti drug message. We are going to show Villa Park how t... 04/26/2010

The April 15, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm               Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter "One small person can accomplish  a lot" This was the message of today's speaker Dr. Susan Njemanze who spoke to us about a charity she began in her HIV-AIDS ravaged village in Kenya. She used the metaphor of what one pesky mosquito can do in an evening.  Apparently the mosquitoes in her home village are the size of a Volkswagen and are quite hungry.   We were treated today with a serenade outside the city hall council chambers from Major Chuck Jay and an ensemble of Villa Park Band members clad in feather caps.  This was to remind... 04/20/2010

The March 11, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm   Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   Teacher Mini-Grants   Today's meeting was our annual Teacher Mini-Grant Awards Day.  Our evaluation team led by Jill Kuli and assisted by grant readers Bob & Fran Kreisberg, Eddie Nash, Greg Mills and Linda Bartrom-Olsen received 22 grant requests.  They each read ,reviewed and rated each request and the results were tabulated independently by Dennis Kuli; 12 grants were awarded totalling $4000.    Our opening ceremonies  started off with an invocation by George Poulos, the Pledge of Allegiance by Steven Pollack and the song "Zippity Do Dah"... 04/20/2010

  Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   The Speed of Trust...The One Thing That Changes Everything Our meeting began with an invocation by Millie Alexander, the Flag Salute led by Steve Stern, the Rotary Four Way Test led by Eric Sense and watching a silent Kate Smith mouth God Bless America as we gave it our best shot.   Birthdays: Jeannie Hankins Brad Reese- who celebrated his birthday Monday with a routine day at work and a nice family dinner Guests: The manager of the Bank of America- sorry I missed his name while helping set up Anita's talk   Announcements: Steven Pollack- encouraged us to update our Rotary District Online Roster at www.rotary5320.org by clicking on the red area that says "District 5320 Online Roster"   For new members log in using your last name as the User name ... 03/26/2010

Have you been looking at homes and avoiding short sales? Or perhaps, you've pursued a short sale, only to get beat out by another buyer's offer? Or maybe, your offer was submitted and for some reason the short sale did not get approved or the seller backed out? We had a seller declare bankruptcy a day before we were supposed to close last year and stop the short sale. That may have been a good decision for the seller, but I'm sure you can imagine the frustration and monetary loss to the buyer. Any way you dice it, the current process for buying (and selling) a short sale is not for the faint of heart . I typically write about how the system can be easily improved, saving everyone time and money, and leading us to a faster recovery. But as the saying goes, it is what it is, so let's talk... 03/15/2010

The March 4, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm       Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter Club Assembly Today's meeting was an opportunity for the club members to see everything that our club has accomplished in our areas of service and  expenditures  in the first half of the year to date.  We saw some incredible presentations particularly by Vocational Service Chair  Linda Bartrom-Olsen, and International Service Chair Jane McDonald- both with very comprehensive Powerpoint presentations.  President Joe Brand apologized for the delay in having this special meeting and promised a second Club Assembly later in the new year.   We o... 03/05/2010

The February 25, 2010 Newsletter has been published to the Villa Park Rotary website. A copy has been included below. You may also read it on-line by visiting http://www.RotaryClubofVillaPark.org/Newsletter.cfm         Rotary Club of Villa Park Newsletter   Building Communities---Bridging Continents President Elect Greg Mills came back from PETS(President-elect Training Seminars)that took place at the LAX Marriott last weekend, all fired up about Rotary. He revealed that incoming Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith's (from Kirksville,  Missouri) new theme for the 2010-2011 year will be Building Communities---Bridging Continents.  Greg was totally impressed with the speakers and training he received over the  PETS weekend and he's hoping to get everyone fired up about our up... 02/26/2010