(Left to right) Rotary Assistant Governor Leeann Robinson, Jeff Lemen, Rene Rodman , Club President Perry Akins, District Governor Alex Parajon, Tamar Springer, Ryan Akins and Ali Ossayran were part of the new members ceremony at the Bel Air Bay Club.
The Four-Way Test is repeated at the end of every meeting.
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The organization is Rotary and this test, which was adopted by the organization in 1943, is a guide not only for the club, but also for individuals in their lives.
Wednesday, August 13 was an important meeting for the Palisades Rotary. “This is our first official meeting of the Rotary Club since the fire,” said President Perry Akins. The Palisades Fire not only destroyed members’ homes but also destroyed many of the places in the town where the Rotary has met in the past.
This meeting was held at the Bel Air Bay Club, and about 30 people were in attendance, as five new members were inducted and they included Tamar Springer, Jeff Lemen, Ryan Akins, Rene Rodman and Ali Ossayran.
President Akins told them, “Our club goes stronger. Thank you for saying ‘yes’ to Rotary. Each member received a certificate and a Rotary pin. The 5280 District Governor Alex Parajon also presented each with a special “super hero” pin. Also in attendance was District 5280 Assistant Governor Leann Robinson.
The organization has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, as well as supporting local schools, the community theater, the town’s clock (at the corner of Swarthmore and Sunset) and its newest area of focus, supporting the environment.
The Palisades Rotary has raised funds and supported programs at Palisades High School such as Virtual Enterprises, DECA and basketball. At this August meeting one of PaliHi’s ambassadors, junior Sam Schwartz, spoke as people enjoyed a Mexican-themed meal.
Sam Schwartz spoke to the Rotarians at its first public meeting since the Palisades Fire.
“In Virtual Enterprises we used the money to make a soundproof area for recording purposes,” he said. “We used various soundproofing materials to create a professional quiet area to record, and we are incredibly grateful.”
He spoke about the fire and the impact on his life. “I can say for sure that my choices led me to the right place. And that place is here in the community I grew up in. Despite an inferno ripping through our neighborhoods, the spirit of our special community was not lost. I still was able to go to the same school (although on-line and then at the Sears building), play for my same school and club volleyball teams, and remain in the Palisades Ambassadors program.”
He had just competed in first day of school for the 2025-2026 year and joked, “Despite our new school being a place where many teachers bought their washing machines, it feels like a school now.” The empty Sears Department store became the temporary Pali “South” campus.
He noted that many suspected that Pali would have no where to go, but “look were we are today, a stronger community in a temporary campus. Everything shows us that Pali is not a place, it’s the people that make Pali, Pali.”
Parajon said that the District had received money for fire victims, but they were discussing how the funds should be spent, perhaps for rental assistance or maybe for small businesses.
The Palisades Rotary was asked if they had received FireAid money and the answer was no, but the Altadena Rotary had received a donation.
As is the custom at Rotary meetings, a speaker addresses the group. New member Jeff Lemen, a 25-year realtor, compared pre- and post-fire market prices. “As of today, there are 209 lots for sale,” he said, and discussed how long it took for Woolsey Fire victims (November 2018) to recover. “To date about 75 percent have been rebuilt.”
He also then compared pre- and post-fire data. In some areas the difference in value is down 49 percent. Although prices in the Riveria and Rustic Canyon have gone up. Lemen concluded “The silver lining is, once properties are rebuilt, they will come back better than ever.”
The next meeting will be held on September 10 and will be a “demotion” meeting for Hagop Tchakerian, the past president. To find out more information about Rotary, contact: perry@perryakins.com
Lont-time Rotarians enjoyed the in-person August meeting.