The Prez sez . . .

On this beautiful Spring day, we gathered to hear a presentation of “The State of they City” my our Mayor, Anthony Portantino.

The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.
                                                                                     Robert Frost

Prior to our usual beginning, however, there appeared blue balloons (with the promise of cake later) to celebrate the birthday of ‘Mr Kiwanis”, our own Ed Moulton ,.now 90 years old.  Jack Dawson led our singing the  “Happy Birthday” song.   Ed said he couldn’t find any ninety dollar bill so he contributed $100 to the club., becoming a “Century Club” member.  Ed promptly welcomed his wife, Connie,  adding the  joyous remark of their having been married for 65 years.

90 Year Old Ed Moulton

FLAG SALUTE:  Mary Gant

INVOCATION:   Bill Scherkey

GUESTS: 

On a special day such as this, we welcomed many guests:  President Paul Westmoreland’s guests were Eloise Alexander, Pat Hutchins, and Otis Hutchins.  Bill Hacket represented Assemblywoman Carol Liu.  Lloyd Welch introduced his wife, Irene, while Dick Barley, President of the Kiwanis A.M. Club, was introduced.  From the SEC, we welcomed Christine McLee and Mary Goytie Steniss.  Representing our Key Club, President Candice Young and Fricka Yu were acknowledged with the president offering a brief report on  Key Club activities.  From the City of La Cañada, we met Councilwoman Laura Ohasso and Ann Wilson, while from the Chamber of Commerce, there were Star Frazier and Stephanie Brasneos.  Carl Alameda, an intern with the City of LCF came in as Hal Crockett presented his wife, Martha.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MIKE LEININGER, of the Community Service Committee, requested help for the Muscular Dystrophy Association next Monday which needs Golf Tournament volunteers.

CLYDE HEMPHILL reminded us of the next TRAVELOG, “Wonders of the Southeast Seaboard”.

NICK BERKUTA referred to cards on the tables and made a request stressing the need for cars for “VIP’s” in our Memorial Day Parade.

DIANE DellaValle informed us of the next program to be given by HAL CROCKETT’S

daughter, CAROLYN, entitled “Monkeying Around on Three Continents.”

“BACHY” BACHMAYER requested our donations to the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

HARRIET SIMMONS asked for volunteers to help take books for our ‘Books to Schools” project.

OUR PROGRAM:

Program Chairwoman DIANE DellaValle, “with respect and admiration”, presented the Mayor of La Canada Flintridge, ANTHONY PORTANTINO, who with several from the City Staff, reviewed the ‘STATE OF THE CITY’.  Known for his positivism, (“Life is good!”), the Mayor stated that the City was “in outstanding financial health”; solvent with an $8.8 million budget and with fiscal stability…partly due to having dollars stay local.” He referred to  excellent city and school cooperation, highlighting work done by the City with input from school authorities,  Superintendent JIM STRATTON working with City Manager MARK ALEXANDER,  both in  our club, we happily note!).  Improvements in Lanterman Auditorium, repairs in the athletic fields, as well as mentioning the good performance of our Sheriffs Department, were noted along with the presence of an Emergency Response Team with concern for safety.  Various property regulations and patterns were discussed along with the offerings by the City with “Dial A Ride” trips as well as relations with MTA involving different routes considered in the Sports Chalet area.  Progress in building sewers has reached District #5, with the Mayor noting a need for further analysis.  A continued outline of projects and accomplishments by Mayor PORTANTINO was given with a happy attitude reflecting the accomplishment of a staff  which he expressed both gratitude and pride.

Anthony and his home made Kiwanis Badge

Check out the La Cañada – Flintridge web page by clicking on:
 http://www.lacanadaflintridge.com/

HAPPY AND SAD BUCKS:

 … Happy   A happy buck paid by CLYDE HEMPHILL noting the ingenious Kiwanis pin which Mayor PORTANTINO had created.

….Happy    Another happy dollar from ELIZABETH GEORGEON who managed to stop a girl

from putting a dirty diaper in our KIWANIS RECYCLING BOX just before the meeting.

….Sad   City Manager MARK ALEXANDER unhappy that the Mayor did not shake his hand as he was the “Secret Greeter.”

…Sad    A sad note from HARRIET SIMMONS that Treasurer HOWARD BACKER was not present as he was in Florida for the funeral of his brother.… Happy   MARY GANT congratulated CLYDE HEMPHILL and JOEL SMITH for getting $1000. grant money for our  SOAP BOX DERBY.

… Happy   NICK BERKUTA thanked PAT ANDERSON, STEPHANIE BRASNEOS and

STAR FRAZIER for their help .

… Happy…And MAYOR PORTANTINO gave $5 thanking five on his staff.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MARY GANT FOR PROVIDING THE BALLOONS

AND TO HARRIETT HAMMONS FOR  GETTING US THE BIRTHDAY CAKE

FACTS AND FICTION

Music:  piano tunes by TOM BURROWS

 
Piano Tunes by Tom Burrows

Guest Editor:  Bob Martin

OFFICERS for 2005-2006

President – Paul Westmoreland  ~  President-Elect – Steve Hagerty

Vice President – Diane DellaValle  ~  Secretary – Bill Scherkey  ~  Treasurer – Howard Backer

Immediate Past President – Daryal Gant

DIRECTORS for 2005-2006

Nick Berkuta   ~   Carl Christensen   ~   Clyde Hemphill   ~   Mike Leininger

Jeb Long   ~   George Lutes  ~   Linda Magarian   ~   Melinda Thompson   ~   Lloyd Welch

CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN & ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS for 2005-2006

Attendance – George Lutes   ~   Finance & Investment – Karl Johnson   ~   Historian – Bob Martin Hospitality & Welfare – Frosty Boyd   ~   House – Mel Wilson   ~   InterClubs – Steve Hagerty

New Member Acquisition and Retention – Jim Ackland   ~   Membership Records – Bob Wallace

Music – Ed Moulton   ~   Newsletter – Melinda Thompson   ~   Parliamentarian – Clyde Hemphill

Programs – Diane DellaValle   ~   Publicity – Open   ~   Sick-Lame-Ailing - Frosty Boyd

Social – Harriet Hammons   ~   Spiritual Aims and Human Understanding – Charles Broberg

Web-site – Jeb Long

FOUNDATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN for 2005-2006

Children’s Literacy Project – Harriet Hammons   ~   Community Services – Mike Leininger

Fund Raising – Open   ~   International Understanding – Hal Crockett

Soap Box Derby – Joel Smith   ~   Travel Adventures – Bob Wallace

Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting – Open   ~   Youth Services – Bachy Bachmayer

- Sponsored Youth -

LCHS Key Club – Ken Lowe   ~   Flintridge Prep Key Club – Joan Peters   ~   Builders Club – Open

K-Kids – George Lutes & Steve Hagerty  ~  Terrific Kids – Pat Flynn and Deborah Weirick

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada meets every Wednesday at Noon

Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens – 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, CA  91011

P.O. Box 33, La Cañada, CA  91012

Website:  http://lacanadakiwanis.org

LONG-TERM CALENDAR

Mar. 25       Sat. Evening  -  Travel Adventure:  Natural Wonders of the SE Seabord

Mar. 29       Wed. Lunch Meeting  -  Monkeying Around on Three Continents

Apr. 6          Thu. Evening  -  Board Meeting

Apr. 11        Tue. Evening  -  InterClub with Jewel City Kiwanis

Apr. 12        Wed. Lunch Meeting  -  Mission to Fiji

Apr. 19        Wed. Lunch Meeting  -  Construction of the Disney Concert Hall by Gil Garcetti

Apr. 29        Sat. Evening  -  Travel Adventure:  Italy

May 3          Wed. Lunch Meeting  -  LCHS Key Club "Take Over" Day 

May 4          Thu. Evening  -  Board Meeting

May 13        Sat.  -  Soap Box Derby Clinic

May 27        Sat.  -  Soap Box Derby