Rotary of Westlake names new offcers





PASSING THE TORCH—New Westlake Village Rotary Club President Edwin Velarde joins past presidents Ed Pope and Karen Quigley.

PASSING THE TORCH—New Westlake Village Rotary Club President Edwin Velarde joins past presidents Ed Pope and Karen Quigley.

The Rotary Club of Westlake Village, a service group, recently named new officers for the 2012-2013 year.

The club’s new president is Edwin Velarde, a software developer and technology consultant, and co-owner of Oak Park Family Dentistry. He joined the Rotary 18 years ago and is the 40th president for the local club, which was chartered in 1972.

“I am very excited and honored to start this year of service with the Rotary Club of Westlake Village. I feel very blessed to be amongst the most dedicated and very passionate Rotarians,” Velarde said.

Westlake Village Rotary members organize the annual Westlake 5K/ 10K Run/ Walk for Global Clean Water and the Community Street Festival.

Proceeds from these events support local charities such as the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Villa Esperanza, Hospice of the Conejo, Senior Concerns and Westminster Free Clinic, Velarde said.

This year the club is presenting and sponsoring the Oak Heart Country Music Festival with Borderline Bar & Grill and other local businesses.

The event will take place from 2 to 10 p.m. Sat., Aug. 18 at Conejo Creek Park South in Thousand Oaks, and will feature musicians James Wesley, Mark Wills, Jamie O’Neal and Rachele Lynae. Tickets are available at www.OakHeartCMF.com.

On the international front, the Rotary Club of Westlake Village has developed micro-credit and micro-finance projects in Indonesia, helped orphanages in Mexico, and developed and supported clean water projects in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Thailand and the Philippines.

The club is always looking for members, said Velarde, who joined the organization because it represents the people of the community and helps people in need locally and around the world.

During a recent Leadership Retreat at Cisco’s restaurant in Westlake Village, the club recognized its officers and leaders, including directors James Campbell, Jack Dwyer and Margie Tobin-True; and past presidents Charles Bloomquist and Karen Quigley.

“This year is filled with hope, prosperity and connections . . . to help others in need,” said club member and publicist Melinda Crown, who added that innovative tools and new ideas discussed at the Leadership Retreat will help the Rotarians of Westlake Village accomplish more than ever.


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