Latest Stories

A Medevac in Vietnam. Two o'clock in the morning, a few days before Christmas 1969. The request reached our Air Support Radar Team at An Hoa, Vietnam. A Marine unit was pinned beneath triple-canopy jungle. Three men wounded. Darkness and weather ruled out a visual approach. Even if a helicopter found the unit, the crew couldn't see the ground through the canopy. I was a young Marine officer, second in command of the ASRT and, at 23, the second-oldest in the unit. Most of the

My grandson Emmett is eleven. He doesn’t really know what Rotary actually is. I've been a member for twenty-five years, and my father was a member when I was just a kid. I realized most of my answers would bore him to sleep. Committees. Districts. Grants. Membership. Process. blah, blah, blah. So I re-thought how to explain it. Here's what I’d say. Buddy, a long time ago — 1905 — a man named Paul Harris lived in Chicago. The city was enormous and getting bigger every day. Nob

RotaryStories just passed 100,000 impressions and 60,000 views on YouTube. That number isn't the point. You are. Every view means someone stopped scrolling long enough to watch a Rotarian show up for their community. Every share means you trusted these stories enough to pass them on. That trust is the whole reason this project exists. Rotary has been telling its own story for over a century. Our job is just to make sure people are still listening. Thank you for making that po

Rotary Moments is a series about the moment a person discovers meaning. Every Rotary member carries a story they can’t explain away. The one that turned a normal Rotary meeting into something they’d defend with their name. This is a series of brief, heartfelt moments built entirely from those stories — just voices describing the exact second when a service project stopped being a line on a resume and became something that wouldn’t let go. Something with true meaning. The Mome

SJC Rotarians are using a Rotary International Global Grant to supplement local funds. The Kenya Water Global Grant is in the planning stages. We've got most of the funds raised from San Juan Capistrano Rotary sponsors and member plus additional funds from Fullerton, Los Alamitos/Seal Beach/Cypress, and Coeur d' Alene, ID Rotary clubs. This $58k project will feature a borehole well with a solar powered pump filling water tanks. Water will be disbursed via a kiosk system and t

Hello, I wanted to personally introduce myself and express my sincere thanks for your continued support and participation in our annual Rotary charity golf tournament. You're cordially invited to join us for the 17th Annual Rotary Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the beautiful San Juan Hills Golf Club in San Juan Capistrano. This is always a fun day on the course, filled with great golf, friendly competition, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact

The response we've received to our series of Rotary videos have inspired us to create more of them. Here are the latest: The Skillset: https://youtu.be/drtmR5iFbG8 The Paradox: https://youtu.be/MwUgiD905hw The Muse: https://youtu.be/iAknKkH8z5w Service Above Self: https://youtu.be/9U2m8FY8pdA PolioPlus Kennel Klub: https://youtu.be/G2_DLIKW36c What You Care About: https://youtu.be/NaeHd66ZtKs Courage: https://youtu.be/XffCtXyYg-o We Know: https://youtu.be/hzBBjII-e5c The Stru

Oshkosh Air Show - The Christen Eagle my partner Tom "TJ" Wright and I owned that he built by hand. I learned to fly in the late 1960s, starting in a Cessna 150 at a small Southern California strip. That little two-seater taught me the fundamentals: straight-and-level, climbs, descents, turns — drilled until my hands and feet moved on instinct. From there I earned my private pilot certificate, built hours, upgraded to bigger airplanes, and eventually added a full instrument r

Most of San Juan Capistrano is still asleep at 3:30 in the morning. But on Saturday, March 21st, a handful of Rotarians are already pulling into a dark backyard at the Rotary Scout Hut, breath visible in the cold air, getting the coffee going. This is the Swallows Day Pancake Breakfast. And it starts long before anyone eats a thing. Weeks out, club members begin lining up food, supplies, equipment. On Friday, tents go up. Extra tables and chairs get delivered alongside propan

Rotary has always been a place for fun. People think Rotary is about meetings. It’s not. It’s about what happens around the table. Back in 1905, even Rotary founder Paul Harris and his crew weren’t exactly formal. They rotated meetings just to keep things interesting. Pulled pranks. Told stories. Built friendships first—and everything else followed. There’s something about sharing a meal. No titles. No posturing. Just people, breaking bread… and realizing they actually like e

The Answer to Classic Rock is playing at the SJC Classic Car Show this Saturday. Enjoy a day filled with classic cars, music, and fun. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a great time, this event is perfect for everyone! Bring the kids, dogs, blankets, lawn chairs. Food trucks and beverages galore. Kids under 12 are FREE! ​​ Performances by "The Answer" Southern California's premier classic rock experience. ​​ Saturday, February 7 9:00am to 2:00pm ​ Rancho Mis

The San Juan Capistrano Rotary Car Show is coming February 7th Calling all Cars! Car Show Registration Deadline is SUNDAY! Sunday last day to register your car for the annual SJC Rotary Car Show! "The Answer to Classic Rock" Playing at the SJC Car Show Mission Viejo Riding Park 30753 Avenida La Pata Mission Viejo, CA 92675 February 7th | 9:00am - 2:00pm These guys have been doing this since 1964. They've opened for Journey , Foreigner , Pat Benatar , Blue Oyster Cult , and C

"The Answer to Classic Rock" Playing at the SJC Car Show Mission Viejo Riding Park 30753 Avenida La Pata Mission Viejo, CA 92675 February 7th | 9:00am - 2:00pm These guys have been doing this since 1964. They've opened for Journey , Foreigner , Pat Benatar , Blue Oyster Cult , and Cheap Trick . Their lead singer performed on Broadway and sings the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium. They don't just play classic rock—they nail it. Festival style. Bring your lawn chairs, blanke

The SJC Rotary Car Show - February 7th. The car show is coming! Discounts are going fast. It's going to be a blast! Cars, Hot Rods, Trucks, Vans, Classics, Exotics, New and Old, Food Trucks, Vendors, Exhibits Beer and Wine February 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park 30753 La Pata Road San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Cars - $55 (Only $45 until the discount expires.) Adults $10 Kids under 12 FREE DOG FRIENDLY Register now! Discounts Expiring Soon!

Car people know this feeling. A new year. A fresh calendar. And the first great excuse to get the car out, gather your friends, and make a day of it. February 7th is the Day! The 22nd Annual San Juan Capistrano Rotary Car Show is the first major show of the year—and it’s shaping up to be one of the best we’ve ever done. This year we’re at a brand-new venue with room to spread out . Real space. Bring your car club together. Set up pop-ups. Drop the lawn chairs. Make it a day,

Same Great Car Show. Better Venue. Bigger Experience The San Juan Capistrano Rotary Car Show is moving to a larger, more beautiful venue — the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park — and tickets are on sale NOW ! WHERE : Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park - The same location as our wildly popular Adventure Van Expo! 30753 Avenida La Pata, Mission Viejo, CA 92675. Performances by "The Answer" - Southern California's premier classic rock experience. This is the same outstanding loc

Don’t Miss Out! The Discounts are Disappearing Fast! Welcome to the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Classic Car Show! WHEN : February 7th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm (show car entry at 7:00am). WHERE : Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park - The same location as our wildly popular Adventure Van Expo! 30753 Avenida La Pata, Mission Viejo, CA 92675. Join us for a day filled with classic cars, music, and fun ! Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a great time, this event is perf

This Thanksgiving, we pause to acknowledge the people who give San Juan Capistrano Rotary its heart. To every member who shows up, leads, lifts, and quietly makes good things happen—you are the reason our community trusts us, and the reason hope grows here. Your dedication turns service into something meaningful, real and lasting. To our sponsors and partners, thank you for believing in what we do and choosing to stand with us. Your support fuels the projects that change live

Marines loading a truckload of food for enlisted Marine families. 80 Enlisted Marine families received all of the ingredients for their Thanksgiving feast from SJC Rotary. This is another great Community Service project of the the club. SJC Rotary's Interact clubs did most of the "heavy lifting" . Our newest Annual Sponsor, Laguna Niguel Hyundai showed up to participate in this great event. General Manager Demetrio Miller helped assemble the bags of groceries and deliver the

Registrations are now open! Discounts for the first 200 cars that register. Welcome to the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Classic Car Show! By popular demand, we're back on grass and entry will be fast! WHEN : February 7th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm (show car entry at 7:00am). WHERE : Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park - The same location as our wildly popular Adventure Van Expo! 30753 Avenida La Pata, Mission Viejo, CA 92675. Join us for a day filled with classic cars, music, and fun