COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Brainerd is chosen as Rotary district governor

Corona del Mar resident and attorney John Brainerd became governor of Rotary District 5320 on July 1, replacing Costa Mesa resident Lane Calvert whose term expired June 30.

Brainerd will preside over District 5320, which includes 50 Rotary clubs in southern Los Angeles and Orange counties with 2,300 members, 45 high school Interact Clubs and six college Rotaract Clubs.

Brainerd, a fourth-generation Californian, received his undergraduate degree at UCLA and a law degree from USC. He and his wife Pat were married in 1971 and settled in Pacific Palisades, where John became a partner with Coopers & Lybrand and joined the Century City Rotary Club in 1978. They moved to Orange County in 1980 when he became Partner In Charge of Taxes for Coopers’ Newport Beach Office. He also joined the Newport-Irvine Rotary Club, and he and Pat raised their two daughters, Kristin and Kathy.

John left Coopers in 1986 to become a senior vice president of Zenith Insurance, and a few years later he established his own law practice in Newport Beach. He continues the practice while also teaching for the California CPA Continuing Education Foundation.

John was president of the Newport Irvine Club during 1999-2000, a year when the club won many awards, including Best Club.

On the District level, in 1997 to 1998, John assisted in the creation of and was first chairman of the finance committee. In 1998 and ’99 he assisted in organizing the Charitable Foundation.

From 2001 through 2004 John was the district membership director, and in 2004 to ’05 he was district club service director. He and Pat have attended five international conventions, in Nice, Singapore, San Antonio, Chicago and Salt Lake City.

Through their participation in Rotary Club, district and international activities, house exchange and student exchange, the Brainerds have a deeply felt appreciation for the Rotary principles of service, peace and understanding.

ROTARY FUNDRAISER AT CREAN ESTATE

Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary will hold its major yearly fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 18, at the elegant Village Crean on the Newport Back Bay.

Last year the club exceeded its goal of raising $50,000 and this year is aspiring to exceed that. Proceeds are used for community charitable activities, according to club President JoAnne DeBlis.

This year’s event is entitled “Carnival” and will feature a full complimentary bar and superb feast with grilled Cajun shrimp, filet mignon and Jamaican chicken, as well as bananas foster among other desserts. Entertainment will be provided by Eddie Banuelos and his orchestra under the stars at this magnificent setting.

Auction items include a week in Cabo San Lucas at the five-star Club Cascadas de Baja resort on the main beach, sapphire and diamond earrings and golfing adventures. The opportunity tickets have three prizes: a Palm Desert getaway at a villa at the Marriott Desert Springs resort, a seven-night stay at the five-star Ocho Cascadas resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as well as an 18-carat white gold ladies ring with blue tanzanite and white diamonds.

For raffle tickets ($10 each, or 11 for $100) for these drawings or for tickets to the dinner, contact Laura Dietz at (949) 721-8035.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council.

“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”

— Vince Lombardi