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New Rotarian - Welcome!

Welcome, Kate Kousser — DMSB Rotary's Newest Member!

September 25, 2026 - DMSB Rotary is thrilled to welcome Kate Kousser as our newest member! Kate currently serves as Director of Development for Casa de Amistad, where she channels her talent and passion into supporting the organization's mission and expanding its reach in the community. With more than 20 years of experience spanning the government and nonprofit sectors, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and hands-on expertise to our club. Her career reflects a deep and lasting commitment to public service and community impact — values that align perfectly with the heart of Rotary. Kate holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College, a combination of academic rigor and real-world experience that makes her a tremendous asset to our chapter. Beyond her professional accomplishments, what truly stands out about Kate is her genuine passion for service and her drive to make a difference. We have no doubt she'll bring fresh energy, insight, and enthusiasm to everything we do together.

Please join us in giving Kate a warm welcome to the DMSB Rotary family. We are so excited to see the impact she'll make as a fellow Rotarian and look forward to working alongside her in service to our community!

Pictured below from left to right: Jeb Bakke - Rotary Club District Governor, Susan Hennenfent - Membership Director, Kate Kousser -New Rotarian and Vicky Mallet - Director of Community Service.

September Social

Rotary Amore at the Hacienda! 🍷🧀

What a wonderful turnout for our September monthly social, hosted at the Baumgartner home. Fellow Rotarians gathered for good conversation and a spread of homemade delectable delicious lasagnas! Appetizers kept things lively with cantaloupe, mozzarella and prosciutto, plus a burrata caprese with tomato and pesto. Italian beers and wines rounded things out nicely, because no Rotary gathering is complete without a proper toast or two.

Thank you to our fellow Rotarians for making it such a memorable evening — great food, great company, and a reminder of why these socials are always worth the calories.

Halloween Costume drive

Featured are fellow Rotarians; left to right - Jan Parsons, Kevin Cahill and Patricia Case

DMSB Rotary & StepUSA Halloween Costume Drive

Calling all superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, and that one kid who insists on being a taco three years running — we need new and gently used costumes!

DMSB Rotary, in conjunction with StepUSA, is organizing a Halloween Costume Drive to make sure the children of our local active-duty and veteran military families have something amazing to wear this October 31st. Because let's be honest, nothing says "thank you for your service" quite like helping a five-year-old become a fire-breathing dragon for one glorious night.

Collection dates: September 14th – October 15th

All costumes, all sizes welcome — from tiny infants who will have no memory of being a pumpkin, to adults who absolutely will remember. New or gently used, we'll take it all (yes, even that costume from three Halloweens ago still hiding in the back of your closet).

Let's put smiles on some faces and create happy memories for the families who give so much for all of us.

For more information, contact Vicky Mallet at 858-245-7968.

Thank you, and Happy Halloween!

New Rotarians And Their "Who Am I?" 's

New DMSB Rotary Members Grigory Key and Jojo Baumgartner Survive "Who Am I?".

Friday morning, September 11, Grigory Key and Jojo Baumgartner bravely stood before a room full of Rotarians armed with strong coffee, a hearty breakfast and their life stories — and lived to tell about it!

First up was Grigory, a former pole vaulter for the California Golden Bears who once cleared 16'1.25" — which, for those of us whose personal best vertical achievement is getting out of a recliner, is genuinely impressive. A UC Berkeley grad and clearly a man who peaked early and often, Grigory has since traded the pole vault pit for the golf course, where by all accounts his handicap is still working very hard to catch up to his hops.

Next up was Jojo, who has apparently spent years on a noble and highly Instagrammable quest: finding the world's best turquoise water. Her journey took her from the Netherlands to Southeast Asia to Australia before finally landing in San Diego — proof that all roads (and all good beaches) eventually lead here. We like to think she took one look at our coastline and said, "yep, that'll do."

Welcome to the club, Grigory and Jojo! Great performances both — may no future "Who Am I?" ever top them (no pressure).

Guest Speaker - Phil Blair

DMSB Welcomes Back Phil Blair, Director of the Del Mar Fairgrounds

We were honored to welcome back Phil Blair, who once again joined us as a guest speaker to share his expertise and insight into the rich history of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Phil was appointed to the Board of Directors in March 2024, where he helps guide the fairgrounds' master plan, business strategy, and community engagement initiatives.

For a bit of history: the Del Mar Fairgrounds opened in 1936 on a 340-acre site in Del Mar. Hollywood legend Bing Crosby helped found the property and established its now-famous racetrack in 1937. Just a year later, in 1938, the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit won a historic match race at the track, cementing its place in national sports history.

Today, the fairgrounds are best known for hosting the Del Mar Fair each June, one of the region's biggest annual events and a major source of revenue for the property. The fairgrounds currently employ 90 permanent staff, supplemented by approximately 1,200 seasonal workers during peak periods.

Thank you, Phil, for once again taking time out of your busy schedule to share your knowledge with us during a truly memorable Friday morning meeting.

Welcome to our Club!

Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Fridays at 7:00 a.m.

Hilton Del Mar

15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

Tijuana House Build
Oct. 17, 2026
STEP USA Halloween Costume Distribution
8320 Juniper Creek Ln

Oct. 17, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Jeb Bakke

Sep 25, 2026

Rotary Club Club District Director, with news and outlook

Katie Banville

Oct 02, 2026

Cygnet Theatre, histroy and news

Robert Logan

Oct 09, 2026

San Diego Fire Dept

Ray Ellis

Oct 23, 2026

Balboa Forever

Ron Swaisgood, PhD

Oct 30, 2026

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Kaitlyn Elliott-Norgrove

Nov 06, 2026

San Diego Lagoon

Terry Kraft

Nov 13, 2026

USS Midway Museum

Jennifer Bright

Dec 04, 2026

Nature Collective

View entire list...

September 2026

Jason Strayer

jason.strayer@scoutenv.com

425-876-0413

Discover the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club – Where Service and Fellowship Flourish!

Since our inception in 1992, the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club has been dedicated to making a difference in our community and beyond. As part of Rotary District 5340, encompassing 67 clubs in San Diego and Imperial Counties, we're driven by a passion for service and a commitment to meaningful impact.

Why Rotary?

As the world's pioneer service club, Rotary International has a rich history dating back to 1905. With 34,000 clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, Rotary leverages collective resources to tackle global challenges, from eradicating polio to promoting education and fostering peace.

What do we do?

At our club, you'll experience the joy of service while building lasting friendships. Whether it's through our weekly Friday morning meetings, engaging in fellowship activities, or participating in our signature event, Lobsterfest, there's always an opportunity to have fun while making a difference.

Who do we serve?

We're deeply involved in a diverse range of projects, from supporting local initiatives like Just in Time for Foster Youth and Casa de Amistad to international efforts such as the El Salvador Preschool and Community Center and India Women’s Home for Mental Health Care. Through educational, humanitarian, and cultural programs, we touch lives and create positive change, both locally and globally.

Ready to join us?

Visit our website to learn more about our club and how you can get involved. Or better yet, stop by for a complimentary breakfast at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel every Friday morning. Experience firsthand the warmth of our community and the impact we're making together. Come be a part of something truly special – join the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club today!

Join us!

Contact Susan Hennenfent

shennenf@gmail.com

1-619-890-2623

DMSB Rotary

P.O. Box 1115

Solana Beach, CA 92075

DMSB Facebook Page

_______________________________

Past President

President

President Elect

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Membership

Public Relations

Fundraising

Board Member at Large

Molly Fleming

Foundation (TRF)

Kellen Bonnafoux

Community Service

Vicky Mallett

International Service

Herbert Liberman

Next Generation Chair

Nicole Mione-Green

‘One simple word’

Leaders highlight the power of gratitude at The Rotary Foundation Donor Summit

Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton

The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.

A safe transition beyond the wire

A Rotary club in Kansas helps women break the cycle of incarceration and elude dangers on the outside

Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

Food as medicine for TB recovery

Rediscovering a weapon against the deadliest infectious disease, TB advocates look to better nutrition

https://www.facebook.com/dmsbrotary