Local Legends: Honoring Our Hometown Heroes

These Local Legends go above and beyond the call of duty to keep us safe—and tonight, we celebrate their courage, compassion, and commitment.

Menu: Freid Chicken, potato salad, corn, focaccia, green salad, apple pie

MANDO Youth Development Group is a community-based organization committed to supporting youth, particularly those at risk of incarceration or reinvolvement in gang activity—through long-term mentorship, guidance, and social services. Originally focused on helping formerly incarcerated youth, MANDO has grown to serve young people of all backgrounds who benefit from consistent, meaningful support.

By collaborating with schools, law enforcement, counseling programs, and juvenile justice partners, MANDO provides holistic services including career and vocational planning, mental and behavioral health counseling, sports and fitness activities, and structured mentorship. Their mission is rooted in continuity, ensuring every young person knows they have someone in their corner, not just today, but for the long haul.

Menu: Chicken fajitas, beef taquitos, beans, rice, chips & salsa, green salad

Beer Fest Recap 

Menu: Beef Lasagna, garden salad, garlic bread 

Supervisor Janice Parvin proudly serves as the Ventura County Supervisor for the Fourth District, which includes the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and several vibrant communities across the region. With a deep-rooted commitment to public service and a background in small business, Supervisor Parvin brings both leadership and firsthand experience to the issues that matter most to local residents.

Before joining the Board of Supervisors, Janice was a successful business owner in Ventura County. This experience gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing local entrepreneurs and drives her focus on policies that support economic development and business vitality.

Her top priorities as Supervisor include strengthening public safety, fostering economic opportunity, and tackling critical regional issues such as wildfire preparedness and the impacts of power shutoffs. With a strong record of community engagement and a passion for serving others, Supervisor Parvin continues to champion initiatives that improve quality of life for all Ventura County residents.

Menu: Smoked Tri-Tip, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, green salad

Raider Central – Supporting Student Wellness and Basic Needs

Raider Central is a dedicated hub for student success, providing essential resources to ensure no Raider is left behind. As a comprehensive basic needs center, Raider Central offers free food, hygiene products, clothing, and diapers for student parents. More than just a resource center, Raider Central connects students with critical on-campus and community services to support their academic journey and overall well-being. Their mission is to promote wellness, remove barriers, and empower students to thrive in college and beyond.

Menu: Meatloaf and brown gravy, mixed garden veggies, mashed potatoes, focaccia, green salad

Hear from the owner of Bloodstone and Garnet Tattoo Studio, Gavin Hayes.

Dinner will be Mission burrito: Asada tacos, chicken tacos, rice, beans, garden salad, chips, and salsa 

Nick Frankle will be speaking on the Rotary Foundation.

Nick Frankle joined the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise in 2003 and served as Club President in 2006–07, leading the club to recognition as the best medium club in District 5240 and the best large service organization in Thousand Oaks. He was District 5240 Governor in 2016–17 and currently serves as District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair and advisor to the Peacebuilder Club program.

Nick is past president and current operations chair of the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development, helping Rotarians create sustainable economic improvements in underserved communities. He also mentors graduate students in Pepperdine University’s Master’s Program in Social Entrepreneurship and Change.

A retired software development and telecommunications executive, Nick is a Major Donor and member of the Bequest Society, the Paul Harris Society, and the Polio Plus Society. He has participated in service projects worldwide, believing that Rotarians change the world “one life at a time” — and are themselves changed in the process.

5th Tuesday offsite - Game Night at Darrell & Stephanie's

Mission Burrito  and B.Y.O.B.

Join Us for Our Club Assembly 

This is an important opportunity to hear directly from our Club Directors about the exciting year ahead. They will share updates on their areas of focus, upcoming projects, and how members can get involved.

This will be the first of our quarterly Club Assemblies, giving us a regular chance to align on priorities, celebrate progress, and collaborate across committees.

We encourage all members to attend, hope to see you there! 

Menu: Smoked Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork, Cole slaw, scalloped potatoes, cinnamon loaf

More details to come. 

Wade Nomura is involved in both local and international humanitarian causes, having worked on more than 200 charitable projects benefiting over 2 million people, including an NID to India, where he has a special passion, having had polio as a child.

He is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning and served as District Governor in 2011-2012. He is the Multidistrict PETS Alliance Executive Director, a Rotary Rose Parade Float Director and past 2 times chair, and a Rotary International Presidents’ Representative (13 times) including this year.

Wade is the Regions Coordinator for the Rotary Foundation Cadres of Technical Support globally and served on the Long-Term planning committee (Future Vision) for the Rotary Foundation. Wade also served as the Technical Coordinator of Cadres and as the Regional Organizer (North America) of Cadres globally. He is the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group’s (WASHRAG) Operations Chair and Projects Support Committee Chair for HANWASH (Haiti).

Wade has received Rotary International’s highest individual award, the Service Above Self award and Rotary Foundation’s Meritorious Service award and their highest individual award, the Distinguished Service award. 

Wade is the former two-time Mayor and current City Council member for the City of Carpinteria and holds the record for the most votes in an election.

He and his wife Debbie produced and hosted the TV shows Rotary, Serving Our Community (www.WeAreRotary.TV) and the award winning Carpinteria Living TV show.

Wade was a multiple BMX National Champion, World Champion, Hall of Famer and designer of the Nomura Racing bike, an icon among the avid BMX collectors.

Recently Wade coauthored his biography Creating Destiny, with his wife Debbie Nomura, who is also a Rotarian.

Michael Christie, conductor

Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history.  Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score performed live by the New West Symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen.

Bring the family and come dressed in your Halloween best!

MISSION STATEMENT

The Simi Valley Police Foundation provides financial and other assistance in support of the Simi Valley Police Department for unfunded programs, services, training and technology to promote public safety and encourage citizen participation.

My passion for wrestling began at age 8 where I started wrestling Freestyle and Greco in Clovis, California. At a young age I understood the value of hard work, determination, and grit that this sport takes to be successful. Throughout the years I have won multiple state championships and regional championships. My most influential coach is Steve Terapelli, I trained under him in junior high and high school. Wrestling was the corner stone in my coordination and athletic development. Throughout high school, I was a multi varsity sport athlete playing baseball, football, and wrestling. In college, I was a 4 year starter playing football at California Lutheran University.

Lessons I have learned from wrestling translated into my military and professional career. I served in the United States Marine Corps and am currently the lead training instructor for the Department of Homeland Security in Southern California. I am passionate about coaching and teaching youth about the beautiful sport of wrestling. I know the lessons that I have learned from wrestling help molded me into the person I am today.

Project 8 seeks to help young athletes become more capable, coordinated, athletic, and mentally tough. My goal for all the kids I coach is to be able to deal with adversity on and off the mat. I know the life skills they learn in the room will translate into their everyday lives.

At Project 8, we have athletes of all ages and skill levels. We provide a safe, fun, and hardworking environment for all of our athletes to thrive in. Esprit de Corps is our motto, as one, we are a team and a family.

Mike Dutra – A Life of Service, Leadership, and Community

Mike Dutra joined the Rotary Club of Westlake Village in 2017 and quickly became an integral part of the club’s leadership. He served as Club President in 2021–2022—leading the club to earn the prestigious Gold Award—and currently serves a second term as President. Over the years, Mike has held various leadership roles, including Vocational Service Chair, Membership Chair, and Marketing Chair. He also serves as District 5240’s Interact Chair, helping to inspire and guide the next generation of Rotarians. Among his Rotary accomplishments, Mike is a proud Paul Harris Fellow and a Master PRLS graduate.

Deeply committed to community service beyond Rotary, Mike has served on the board of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA for over 15 years and is a three-year board member of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Within the Chamber, he co-leads the Spark Networking Group and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2019.

Professionally, Mike is the owner of Candu Graphics in Westlake Village and brings more than 35 years of experience in the printing industry, holding positions ranging from Graphic Artist to General Manager. While he initially joined Rotary to promote his business, service has since become his true calling.

Mike’s passion for giving back is rooted in personal experience. Raised in Venice, California, as an “at-risk” youth in a single-parent household, he was positively shaped by the support of organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, the LAPD Youth Foundation, and caring mentors, teachers, and coaches. Later in life, as a single father of three, organizations like the YMCA played a vital role in supporting his family. These life-changing experiences have inspired a lifelong dedication to serving others.

Mike and his wife Cindy live in Newbury Park, CA, and share a blended family of five adult children (ages 30–33) and two energetic grandchildren. When he’s not working or volunteering, Mike enjoys playing golf, traveling, and cracking jokes—whether they land or not.

Congratulations, Mike, on your continued leadership. We look forward to hearng from you as our Rotary District 5240 Governor 2025–26.

Thanksgiving Holiday - No Meeting!!!!

What began as a summer job at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College has evolved into a 30-year adventure for Zoo Development Coordinator Mara Rodriguez.

“In 1992, I started my career at the Zoo. I established the Junior Safari Summer Camp and was the one and only counselor that first year of camp,” Mara says. “They hired me the week after graduating from the Exotic Animal Training and Management [EATM] program. When summer camp ended, I transitioned into working as a zoo instructional aide.”

Her devotion to the Zoo and the college’s EATM program have earned Mara a dual honor: She has been named Ventura County Community College District 2022 Classified Employee of the Year and Moorpark College’s.

“A lot of people think it is crazy that I have worked here my whole life,” she says. I think it’s crazy too, and I love it!”

Her career flourished, and Mara continued to accomplish professional goals. Six years after earning her associate degree, she became a lab technician, working closely with some of the Zoo’s more famous four-legged inhabitants, including Ira the Lion and Bengal tigers Neil and Karma.

Two years ago, Mara began her most recent role, where she raises funds for the Zoo and its animals. Her coworkers admire her enduring commitment to the Zoo’s mission, animals, high standards and others.

She believes her personal relationships as well as her encounters with animals will benefit her in her job. These interactions—coupled with her innate curiosity—clearly drive her success.

Her colleagues and her work’s creative aspects also inspire her to prevail and bring her immense gratification.

Jeff Devoll is the executive director of StudentReach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the potential of students worldwide. He has spoken to over 1,000,000 people from 40 states and 40 countries, engaging in various capacities such as speaker, trainer, facilitator, and mentor. Devoll's work includes organizing expeditions to assist schools and needy individuals globally, mentoring over 3,000 students through mentoring and coaching programs, and leading more than 50 construction projects. His expertise extends to exploitation prevention programs, collaborating with the FBI, NFL, local law enforcement, and national NGOs. Devoll is also the author of "21 Days - A Student's Guide to Becoming Awesome" and co-creator of the CONNECTED Life Coaching program, which focuses on cognitive, social, physical, and directional health as essential for life success.

CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY AT THE EOR.

Christmas and Hanukkah Holiday - No Meeting

New Years Eve Holida - Dark No meeting

Join Us for Our Club Assembly 

This is an important opportunity to hear directly from our Club Directors about the exciting year ahead. They will share updates on their areas of focus, upcoming projects, and how members can get involved.

This will be the first of our quarterly Club Assemblies, giving us a regular chance to align on priorities, celebrate progress, and collaborate across committees.

We encourage all members to attend, hope to see you there! 

Dena Jenson has 27 years of experience in executive leadership positions in the nonprofit sector and frequently serves as a speaker on leadership development, organizational capacity and business development needs.  She now has the great honor of serving as the Director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) at California Lutheran University.  Once an initiative of the Ventura County Community Foundation, where it was founded in 1991, the Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides training, technical assistance, and access to resources that reflect its, strengthening the leadership of nonprofit organization serving the region.

She most recently served as an independent consultant specializing in organizational development, interim executive leadership, transition management, performance assessment, strategic planning, board development, nonprofit governance and leadership development at the staff and board levels.

For ten years, Dena served as the Vice-President and Director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) at the Ventura County Community Foundation. The Center produced over 200 workshops, seminars and technical assistance events annually, providing critical support and capacity-building opportunities for the board and staff members of Ventura County nonprofits.

Prior to joining VCCF in 2005, Dena served as program and public policy director at the Perinatal Advisory Council, a nonprofit, maternal and child health organization that provides education, technical assistance and support to hospitals and health care organizations in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. With specialized training in public policy from the University of Southern California (USC), she has experience directing policy and advocacy activities including navigating the legislative and budgetary processes as well as conducting mission-aligned bill monitoring and analysis.

She has an MPP from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach.

Dena has served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara / Ventura Counties Chapter and California Association of Nonprofits (CAN).  She lives in Ventura with her husband Jim.

Sheriff James “Jim” Fryhoff grew up in Pasadena, California.  Jim was a police cadet with the Pasadena Police Department prior to moving to Ventura County. Jim relocated to Ventura County when he joined the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in 1990.

Jim has worked a variety of assignments with the Sheriff’s Office, including detention services, patrol, special enforcement, investigations, and crime prevention.

He also served as the Adjutant for two sitting Sheriffs. He was the Assistant Chief in Thousand Oaks, Chief of Police of Ojai and area Captain for the Ojai Valley, Thousand Oaks Chief of Police, and Operations Commander for Detention Services Division which oversees the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, Todd Road Jail, Court Services Bureau, Juvenile Justice Center, and the East Valley Courthouse and Jail.

In addition to Jim’s primary assignments listed, he has worked in numerous collateral assignments. Collateral assignments are duties that exist within the Sheriff’s Office but do not require a full-time position. It is through collateral assignments that Sheriff’s Office members can accomplish so much and give back to the agency and support their community. Jim was a bicycle patrol officer, air unit crew chief, press information officer, explorer advisor, reserve deputy coordinator, field training officer, and served as the manager for our peer support team.

Jim is married to his wife, Traci. They have two daughters, Vanessa and Savannah.  Jim received his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in Vocational Education with an emphasis on adult learning theory, a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Administrative Leadership, and graduated from the FBI National Academy Session 261 in September of 2015. Jim is a two-time Deputy of the Year recipient and received the Medal of Valor in 1997.

Jim is excited to usher in a new energy to the Office of the Sheriff and is excited to lead the over 1300 employees and numerous volunteers within the Sheriff’s Office.