At the February 4, Meeting members and guests heard a presentation from Rowland Becerra, organizer and curator for The Lynwood Union. Mr. Becerra previously was a speaker about the collection of historic photographs, art works and various memorabilia that represents the history of Lynwood.

Rowland talked about recent and coming community art activities and programs within Lynwood. In particular, he described the start of a monthly art event the last Friday of each month, at a new Lynwood restaurant, named Balam Tacos on Long Beach Blvd. Rowland said in January at this gourmet tacos restaurant there were over 100 attendees for local art and music, to include bands and an open mic. He said the atmosphere was like they were in Silverlake!

Rowland mentioned three coming art-related events at the Lynwood Library on Tuesdays from 5:30 – 8:00 pm: Feb 23, History, Photography, Art, Old Signs, maps and video; Mar 29, Felix Quintana Gallery (Local Artist), and April 26, Lynwood Art Academy / Leaving a Mark Gallery, a display by students. There also will be on Mar, 5 from 11am – 2pm an Art Walk at the Linear Park that will include performances, art and a drum circle. (Corner of Fernwood Ave. & Gertrude Dr.) Also the Lynwood High School Arts Festival will be on Sat, May 21 from 10am to 2pm. This is the third annual event and is planned to be bigger and better! Organized by the student art clubs, Lynwood Art Academy and the club, Leaving a Mark! Rowland also described the Utility Art Box project. The artwork is done by students and sponsors are needed to pay for the costs of the art supplies. Rowland also mentioned the planned Ciclavia bicyle event for Sunday, May 15. This is the first time a Ciclavia event will extend into Lynwood.

Rowland brought four guests relating to the Lynwood art world. Hector Jimenez and Rolando Mora are involved in producing films. Also two Lynwood High School teachers who teach art and who each sponsor an art related club for students: Luis Vega (the Art Academy) and Francisco Huesca (Leaving a Mark)

Before the speaker's presentation, Club President Martina Rodriguez mentioned that on a coming Wed. at 8:00 am Rotary District 5280 will have one of the District's Breakfast meetings with a speaker. The location will be the usual Century Blvd. Hotel near LAX. Martina encouraged at least one other Rotary member to join her. Also coming soon is a District International Peace Conference in Ontario.

Club Secretary Lulu said there will be a new date set for the Relay For Life organization at a Lynwood City Council Meeting to commend all the participants in the Relay Event held in Lynwood Park in June 2015. The Lynwood Rotary was well-represented at this event last June, and it would be good for the Rotary participants to attend the City Council meeting to be recognized.

Maria Garcia, a parent of one of the Youthact members at Roosevelt ES, mentioned the planned participation of Youthact members and some of their parents from Roosevelt and Helen Keller ES to help feed the homeless at a warehouse location in Long Beach. For several years this has been a Youthact event on one Saturday in the winter. Food is provided by the Youthact organizers through the leadership of Tila and Fernando Millan. Enough food is brought to serve 300 people who are brought by buses to be fed and sleep for the night (during the winter months).

Maria also mentioned that on Sat, Feb 13, Youthact members and a few parents will car pool at 6am from Roosevelt ES to the LA Convention Center, to help with the registration process for the LA Marathon, which takes place on Sun, Feb 14. Youthact members have participated in this event for several years. Daniel said he would attend Senator Ricardo Lara's Fifth Annual Gospel Luncheon in honor of the Annual Black History Month to be held at Bateman Hall, and he encouraged other Rotary members to attend. Daniel also mentioned the annual Sunday luncheon for children with special needs on Sunday Feb 28.

Daniel Miller / Omar Franco

Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club