Walking his way up the West Coast

JIM DE BOOM

In honor of Rotary International’s centennial celebration, Rotarian

Nathan Auerbach will embark on a 2,200-mile trek from Tijuana,

Mexico, to Vancouver, Canada, in order to raise $1 million for

PolioPlus.

Auerbach, 26, will be walking through Newport Beach on May 6 at 9

a.m., escorted by Rotarians from Newport-Balboa, Newport Beach

Sunrise and Newport Irvine Clubs, and continue into Huntington Beach,

according to Kim Kassell, Newport Balboa president.

The West Coast Walk is themed “We’re Walking Because They Can’t.”

Since 1988, more than a million Rotarians around the world have

contributed $500 million and their time to provide polio vaccines to

more than two billion children under the age of 5 around the world,

according to Kassell. Still, more needs to be done, she said.

Auerbach, a resident of Coto de Caza, will begin his journey in

Tijuana, Mexico on May 1 and walk about 25 miles per day. A

mathematical economics graduate of the University of Birmingham,

former flight officer in the Royal Navy, and the 2003 record-breaking

winner of the British Indoor Crew Marathon, he said he plans to make

“giving back” his life’s work.

“I feel strongly that a person like me, with all of the advantages

I have been given, should do his best to make a difference in the

lives of children,” Auerbach said. “Children are the innocent victims

of this devastating disease and so many of them need help. It is my

goal to join Rotary in doing everything I can to provide them the

help they so desperately need.”

Auerbach is training six days a week in preparation for the

physical challenges the walk will present. His training regimen

includes walking between 20 and 30 miles four days per week, as well

as cardiovascular, muscle endurance, muscle strength and flexibility

training.

To be a part of West Coast Walk, or to make a contribution to the

Rotary PolioPlus fund to eradicate polio, visit https://www.west

coastwalk.com, or contact Michael Wagner at (949) 888-4606 or

rotary@westcoast walk.com.

EXCHANGE HONORS STUDENTS

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor honored some outstanding high

school students at a recent meeting. They were recommended by

teachers, then counselors and approved by the administration,

according to Larry Root, Exchange Club coordinator.

Newport Harbor counselor Dave Brant introduced America Arias and

Dave Manchester, while Estancia counselor Michelle Geracitano

introduced students Shane Thompson and Jessica Kasper. Root

introduced Costa Mesa High School students Jeff Waldron and Jenny

Sparks and Corona del Mar students Ahlia Kattan and Devon Ahearn. It

was an impressive group of students, according to club president John

Fornes.

REMODEL OR NEW, THAT IS THE QUESTION

At the Speak Up Newport program on May 11, Newport Beach City

Manager Homer Bludau will present an overview of current planning for

a possible new or remodeled City Hall. The talk will be followed by a

discussion by community activist Dolores Otting and real estate

consultant Susan Taylor of the pros and cons of the options under

consideration.

The meeting will be held at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099

Bayside Drive, starting at 5 p.m. with appetizers and a cash bar,

followed by the program at 6 p.m. Additional information is available

at (949) 224-2266.

A GATHERING OF FRIENDS

A Gathering of Friends, a benefit for Adult Day Services of Orange

County, will be held 5:30-9 p.m. May 9 at Village Crean in Newport

Beach, according to event chair Eve Thompson.

The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and

live auctions and entertainment as the event raises funds for the

organization, which provides day care services to adults struggling

with Alzheimer’s and related impairments.

Michael Stephens, president and chief executive officer of Hoag

Hospital, is serving as the honorary chair for the event. Serving

with Thompson on the event committee are Monica Bush, Karen Johnson,

Joan Lund, Carle Ann Nero, Cindy Picquelle, Joanne Spagle, Jack and

Jan Stephenson, and Mark Vitug.

Tickets at $150 per person are available by calling Adult Day

Services of Orange County at (714) 593-9630.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for Today, provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport

Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council: “There is little difference in

people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little

difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive

or negative.”

-- W. CLEMENT STONE

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Help your community and the world through a service club. For

many, service club membership is an extension of our religious

beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week

to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy

your first meal for you as you get acquainted.

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club will meet at the Costa Mesa

Country Club. Speakers will include Dan Worthington and Norm

MacKenzie, a candidate in District 4 L4 for vice governor.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 48-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets

at the Five Crowns restaurant to hear Betty Frantz discuss travel

(https://www.newportbeach sunriserotary.org).

Noon: The Rotary Club of Costa Mesa, now with 12 members, meets at

the Holiday Inn.

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at the

Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the

University Athletic Club.

Noon: The Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The 50-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the

Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on Newport Beach helicopter

pilots (https://www.newport balboa.org).

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at

Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday

Inn (https://www.kiwanis.org/club/ costamesa); the 50-member Kiwanis

Club of Newport Beach/Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian

Yacht Club; the 85-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at

the Nautical Museum for a business meeting (https://www.nh

exchangeclub.com); the 100-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets

at the Radisson Hotel (https://www.nirotary.org).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655

or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.