El Segundo Rotary Bulletin of 1-17-13 "Fire Chief Avoids Embarassing Moment -- Temporarily" by Jack Weber, Cub Reporter

The sage who usually writes this column predicted that Kevin would not show up at the meeting on as it was going to be presented by a manners expert and most of it would be directed at Kevin’s table manners. As it turns out, Kevin did come to the meeting but the date for the manners presentation was
changed to this week (how did Kevin find that out??). I wonder if he’ll come. Our Supreme Commander announced that he has purchased a Prius Hybrid. This column gives the opportunity to congratulate him for coming over to the right side; err, excuse me the left side. He is now
environmentally conscientious. He told me that he was really happy with the car – instead of paying $125 dollars for the roundtrip to Big Bear, he’s doing it for about $25.00. The gas guzzling Dodge is retired until the boys get their licenses. But then --- they won’t drive far because they will not be able to
buy much fuel. Nancy and I plan on congratulating him Tom by putting an “Obama-Biden” sticker on the bumper and giving him a year’s membership in the League of Conservation Voters. Wow, what a change for him!!

1. Neil Perkey attended (the landlord for the building in which Barrister Reimann has his office). Hmmm, I wonder what the other tenants are like. This was the third visit for Neil. I hope he indicates to Dean that he wants to join us. Dave was right – Neil is a really good guy.

2. Sammy Pyon (Dr. Pyon’s Chiropractic practice is located at 100 West Imperial Ave., Suite N) brought us up to date on his plans for a Community Wellness Day. It is the 2nd annual Community Wellness Day organized by him. This year it is scheduled for June 1 st, 2013 from 10
am to 2 pm. He has obtained permission to use the front lawn of the ES High School which is a primo spot. He is lining up sponsors and participants now and has asked us to join him. Tom will bring the matter up to the Board and/or general meeting. We were a sponsor last year.

3. Our loveable SUPREME COMMANDER exercised (and flexed his muscles) appointing himself, Jeami Duncan and Jack Weber as tri-platoon leaders to tackle the Mad March annual project. We will be starting the planning this next week and if there are any volunteers, please let us
know what you would like to do. Otherwise you get conscripted.

4. Kevin Smith asked for our urgent attention to the Blood Drive. There is a shortage of blood and it is approaching a major crisis. Kevin said the shortage has become dangerously critical. The blood drive Is on January 31st from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1, 314 Main St. Walk ins
are welcome. Appointments can be made by emailing Kevin at ksmith@elsegundo.org and he will take it from there. You know, we sometimes kid Kevin but he is one of the kindest people I know. He is our BEST Fire Chief. We love you man!!

Our speaker du jour was our own Eng Teoh-Szetho. She is the owner and President of Team Handling Services, Inc. They are import-export Customs brokers acting for and serving as advisors to importers regarding in the sequencing of custom formalities and requirement. They perform the details that are critical to the speedy and legal exporting and importing of goods. Eng is the licensed import-export broker in her firm. She explained some of the intricacies of her
work. One of the surprises for some of us was that a Customs broker does inspect the goods. A Customs broker relies on the paperwork presented to them. The US Customs Service does the inspections. Eng described some of the kinds of materials that will be seized by Customs (e.g. trademark violations). Eng mentioned that her brother is a freight forwarder which allows door to door transportation under the same roof. Toward the end of her talk she said the pass rate on the Customs broker examination is about 20%. Tougher than graduating from medical school!! Eng’s business is located at 310 E. Imperial, Suite B, El Segundo and her office number is 310-615-0267. Thanks Eng for a really interesting presentation.

Next meeting is this Thursday at the Hacienda. Usual time with thanks to Joe and his staff for the excellent food and service they give us.

Jack Weber, Cub Reporter