EL SEGUNDO HERALD October 15, 2020 Page 5
The Plunge from front page
Chef Hannes from front page
The Rotary Club of El Segundo will mark historic
progress toward a polio-free world while urging the
community to help end the paralyzing disease
Event is among thousands to be held by Rotary clubs around the world on World Polio Day, 24 October
El Segundo, CA October 2020 — Rotary members in El Segundo are taking action on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds, and support
to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000
cases of polio in 125 countries every year. We’ve made great progress against the disease since then. Today,
polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild
poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end. .
With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach
every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease
could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raising
US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
“Today, we have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent, and just two countries
continue to report cases of wild poliovirus with your help we can eradicate it.”
–Valerie Smith, El Segundo Rotary Club President 2020 - 2021
Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over $25,000 donated
by the Rotary Club of El Segundo
About Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take
action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people
of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting
literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to
better the world. Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.
CONTACT: Valerie Smith • valerieannsmith46@gmail.com
endpolio.org
www.elsegundorotary.org
Virtual Raffle
WHAT: Virtual Raffle
WHO: Rotary Club of El Segundo
WHEN: On Going Through
October 24, 2020
WHERE: www.elsegundorotary.org
been working with him ever since. This was
back in 1998.”
Going through his history, Liberato has
been working at restaurants all over the South
Bay. Not only has he worked loyally with
Hannes, but he seems to be somewhat of a
hummingbird—flying to new opportunities
and bringing good fortune wherever he goes.
“So before Chef Hannes opened, Hannes ran
an Italian restaurant called De Luca Trattoria
over on Richmond St,” Liberato explains.
“At one point, I was the Executive Chef for
that location. But then Hannes opened up the
new spot on Main, so I moved over there and
worked as a waiter. At that point, I was working
at the coffee shop and at Chef Hannes. I’ve
learned so much from him by seeing him cook.
I learned how to develop his flavors and how
to build partnerships with other local places
for fresh ingredients.”
Liberato looks fondly on his time under
Hannes’s wing, but he also worked closely
with Chef Anne Conness—the Co-owner and
Head Chef of Sausal on Main St.“I actually
started working with her as a food runner
and expeditor,” says Liberato. “Then I told
her about my cooking experience—how I
graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. Once she
learned that, I started working at the Grove
at another location she owned called Jaffa,
which is Middle Eastern cuisine. Something
totally different. And from Jaffa, I eventually
came to Sausal. I’ve worked all over the place.”
Now, completely immersed at Chef Hannes,
Liberato says that he’s been enjoying the
experience. More than anything, he “loves
to cook” and “loves every challenge in the
kitchen.” All the different culinary knowledge
he’s acquired, it finally allows him to put
it toward good use and strengthen his own
abilities as a chef.
“Right now, I’m in charge of bringing the
restaurant back to life. We’ve been closed on
and off, and it’s been tough to stay afloat,” says
Liberato.“So I’m here to help Chef Hannes
implement a few changes, like launching new
hours of operation, cleaning up the restaurant,
and making the outdoor space appealing for
Chef Hannes Outdoor seating
Jesus Liberato
customers. Overall, I want people to know that
it’s not just a fine-dining place, but that anyone
can come here and enjoy themselves—to have
a glass of wine, relax and have fun.”
Chef Hannes is known for delicious meals
with a European flair that spans across several
different types of cuisine. “I’ll say it’s a
European mix—we have a lot of braises, beef
braises, a lot of seafood, and pasta dishes.
And something we’re eager to launch is our
new brunch menu that will feature homemade
pastries, French toast, and classic egg dishes.
We’re trying to develop new flavors with a
hint of old-school, fine dining.”
Despite the setbacks from COVID-19, Liberato
maintains the same attitude he always
has throughout his career: making the most
of new opportunities. “It’s interesting to be
outside, but I like it,” Liberato beams.“Although
I wish we could use the inside, the outdoor
atmosphere is still lovely. And you can really
make it your own. We’ve installed some planters
with fresh herbs that we use in our cooking.
We have fresh basil, thyme, rosemary…you
know, it’s pretty unique. You can really sell
it and make it your own.”
As of now, Chef Hannes is open for
dinner Tues. through Sat. 5 PM to 9 PM.
Lunch hours are Tues. through Fri. 11 AM
to 2 PM. Brunch hours are Sat. and Sun.
10 AM to 2 PM. For more info, visit
chefhannesrestaurant.com. •
money needs to be raised through private and
public grants.
The survey asked for feedback about what
features of The Plunge are most important,
including the water temperature and use of
locker rooms. And, the designers are curious
about whether any updates need to preserve
the historical significance of the city-run swim
venue. It’s possible when The Plunge reopens;
it could be a watery, enclosed play area for
children with water slides. For their parents
and caregivers, a cozy lounge could be added.
Other possibilities include individual changing
stations in the locker rooms and an automated
check-in system.
Before it closed for renovation, the swim
stadium was open to the public for lessons, team
practices, and rent to groups by the hour. While
the project’s cost remains unknown, the work
starts now, with community engagement and
ideas that Mithun says often reveal “opportunities
otherwise invisible to professionals.”
Mithun and its partners will draw ideas from
the survey results and create a list of priorities
based on the comments. The redesign will go way
beyond aesthetics. The pools, mechanical systems,
and ventilation within the building all need to be
re-evaluated. The survey raised the possibility
of changes to all three areas and the stadium
seating. The Plunge needs to become more userfriendly
and fit today’s needs and expectations;
the team says in its proposal outlining the steps
ahead. The survey results “will form the basis
of a blueprint to revitalize the facility and turn
it into the vital community asset it has been in
the past,” the Mithun proposal says. •