NEWS TODAY

WESTWOOD VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB

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Everyone arrived at 12:00noon today at Guido’s and had plenty of time to meet and greet and start their meal. At precisely 12:30, President Chris Gaynor, sharply rang the ship’s bell and we headed out into the rough sea I call Financial Advisors’ Predictions Day.

PP, AP Diane (the) Good led us briskly through the Flag Pledge, PP Ron Lyster shared some of his favorite investing quotes: (Buffet) Be Greedy when others are Fearful, and vice versa; Good investing is like watching paint dry; Many investors can tell you the Price of everything and the Value of nothing and, PP Admiral Edwin Gauld donned a German helmet of WWI vintage to lead us in his only Army Song: The Caissons go Rolling Along. Though a few of us served in the Army, none could remember ever singing that one. Sadly, the lyrics of the marching songs we did learn are all unprintable, though stirring.

PP Steve Scherer was called forward to direct our Predictions Day, but began with announcing, sadly, that PP Robert Wessling had passed on New Year’s Day. He was 85. Our thoughts go out to his family as we wait to hear about arrangements. 

PP Steve then remembered the first WVRC Prediction Day in 1989, back when the Dow was 2700 (now 34,000). More recently, the Dow averaged over 9% growth annually for 10 years ending 2019; the S & P 500 11% annually; the Nasdaq Index an average of 12% the past four years (even through 2 bear markets, a War in Europe, and Covid-19). All these numbers were not balm enough for the “Train Wreck of ‘22” just experienced., however.  Knowing we’re not Quitters, Steve quickly polled our members’ estimates for the rest of ’23. WRVC felt, on average, that the Dow and & P 500 would gain 5% and the Nasdaq another 10% on top of their ample January growth.

PP Steve than summoned Jim Crane, me, PP Nancy McCready, and John O’Keefe to share predictions for 12/31/23. These, are below:

Advisor S&P 500 Nasdaq 1yrTBill   10yr TBill

Jim         11%           20%       4.25%       4.0%

Dwight    10%          20%       4.9%         3.5%

Nancy       9%          20%        4.7%      4.0%

John          6%           4%         4.0%      3.75%

Steve       15%         15%      4.25%     3.9%

Each Advisor also was charged to pick their best “Divided Congress Stock.”

Jim:        Halliburton

Dwight:  XAR-the Defense and Aerospace ETF

Nancy:   LVMUY-Louis Vuitton

John:     EIX-Edison International, which

owns Southern California Edison

Steve:    Qualcomm-QCOM

The WVRC Foundation gives a big Thank You to Benjamin Fisher for his $100 donation for becoming a grandfather to Noey and, PP Ron Lyster’s $100 donation for purchasing a new vehicle (Tesla no less)!!

President Chris reminded us that we meet again at Guido’s next week (2/9) and at UCLA Hillel at 574 Hilgard Avenue the following Thursday (2/16). Going forward, we will have in-person meetings the first 3 Thursdays each month with a ZOOM meeting the 4th Thursday.

PP Dwight

• This Thursday's WVRC meeting, February 9th, 2023, will be back at Guido's beginning with social hour at noon followed by a presentation by award winning Director and Documentation Mobolaji Olambiwonu on his movie "Ferguson Rises". If you can view the movie before Thursday, it is strongly encouraged, you do so. It is available on Amazon and iTunes at https://fergusonrises.com/

• The concert series called "Second Saturdays" at the Westwood Village Library will have its first concert February 11th beginning at 3:30pm in the alcove by the balcony while the library is open. This is a great opportunity to introduce your kids (grandkids) to live classical music in a casual, safe, familiar setting. The library is located at 1246 Glendon Avenue, in Westwood Village and has parking available.

• Rotary Means Business Happy Hour is back and scheduled for February 23rd from 6-8pm at the Beverly Bar on 434 N. Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. This is an opportunity to network and, socialize with the District Governor. Cost is $25 and you can register at https://rotary5280.org/event/rotary-means-business-district-mixer-1/

Volunteer Opportunity

• Music Mends Mind February 11, 2023, Valentine's Concert, "Celebrate Love in Rhythm and Song" at Brentwood Presbyterian Church from 2-4pm. Volunteers are needed and should arrive at church by 1pm wearing a grey t-shirt and black pants/shoes. If unable to volunteer, then plan to attend and by very entertained!!

• The VA Heroes Golf Course is having a "Heroes" jam session on March 1st, 2023 from 12-1:30pm for all veteran musicians. This is sponsored by Music Mends Minds and, Westwood Village Rotary. WVRC will be sponsoring the lunch following the jam session and needs volunteers to help set up the instruments pre-jam session and then serve the food afterwards! Please contact PP Diane Good if interested in helping out.

• Pageant of the Arts is back in person and WVRC judges are needed. Judging will be at University High School on March 9th immediately after school at approximately 4pm. Please contact PP Diane Good if interested in being a judge!!

• WVRC needs 20 volunteers (Rotaracts welcomed) to do yard work at Tongva Gabrielino Springs on the University High School campus March 11th at 10am. Please contact Aaron Donahue at AaronDonahue@ymcala.org if interested in volunteering!

WVRC 2022/2023 Leadership Team