The La Kiwanian The Weekly Bulletin of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club Serving the Children of the World
Wednesday,  October 18, 2006
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada meets every Wednesday at Noon Visitors Welcome Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, CA  91011

Upcoming Events

October 25, 2006 CHINA'S 3 GORGES DAM  - Carl Christensen Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens November 1, 2006 POLITICAL IMPERSONATIONS - Peter Small Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens November 2, 2006 CLUB AND FOUNDATION BOARD MEETINGS 7:30 PM on Thursday Evening @ CitiBank in La Cañada November 8, 2006 THE WAY TO HAPPINESS - Lance Miller Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens November 15, 2006 TO BE ANNOUNCED Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens November 18, 2006 TRAVEL ADVENTURE Cruising the Orient on the QE2 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Flintridge Prep School Auditorium November 22, 2006 L.A. OPERA "HANSEL AND GRETEL" - Rody Stephensen Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens November 29, 2006 UPDATE ON DESCANSO GARDENS - David Brown Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens December 10, 2006 Kiwanis Holiday/Christmas Party Bill & Margaret Watts Home – 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sign up before December 4th   Click on the following button to view the long term calendar

 

The Prez sez . . .

The Prez sez . . .

Prez Steve received an e-mail from Joan Peters who has been laid up after leg surgery.  Joan was thrilled that this year's Flintridge Prep Key Club president is the new Rose Queen.  Joan said the Rose Queen and will be quite capable of handling both jobs!

Today's Honorable Kiwaniain is Carl Christensen who is our new VP but has missed two out of the first three meetings of this new Kiwanis year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pat Anderson reminded us of the Chamber Mixer this Thursday evening and a Chamber Business Breakfast next Tuesday morning at the Dish.  The topic of the Tuesday morning meeting is Business Survival during a Disaster.

Diane DellaValle is looking for volunteers for an InterClub on October 31.

Anthony Rinaldi encouraged us to share in an evening of fun and good entertainment for a worthy cause.  His Tarzana Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a fundraiser for the non-profit organization that handles all Children's Assault cases in the greater LA area - including Glendale and La Cañada.  The fundraiser is a Casino Night on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m.  There will be dancing, real casino games, food and drinks, and live entertainment by "The Murmaids" who had a number of hits in the 60's and 70's.

Bachy reminded us to support Children's Hospital.

FROSTY’S SLA REPORT

Connie Moulton fell and broker her ankle but is already beginning to feel better.

THE PROGRAM

Karl Johnson presented a most thoughtful and thought provoking talk about how we think about Wealth and leaving a Legacy.  Karl related that he was the youngest of six children born in Michigan.  When he was four year's old his parent's got the wanderlust and moved to Central America where Karl grew up.  His parent's did very well financially and he lived in luxury - including personal bodyguards.  His older siblings were all sent back to the U.S. to attend college and all their financial needs were taken care of.  When Karl graduated from high school his parents had a severe financial reversal, and Karl reached the U.S. by bus with only $200 in his pocket.  He was broke in a short time, but read a book about acquiring wealth that made a huge impression on him.  Karl put himself through college but began saving 10% of whatever he earned even then.  He invested wisely and by the time he was in his mid thirties and his daughter was born he was able to retire.  Karl only stayed retired for a year or two, but during that time he thought a lot about what money really means in a person's life.  He asked himself what he would say was important about his life if he was 95 years old.  The stuff that money can buy was not on the list.  Karl decided the relationships he had with his wife, family and friends would be one of the most important things about his life.  Another would be what kind of a legacy would he leave.  For Karl, the legacy will have something to do with leaving money to help fund a non-profit organization that will have many similar goals to Kiwanis. 

HAPPY & SAD BUCKS

Pat Anderson had five Happy Bucks from Star Frazier, who works for Pat.  Star sent one Happy Buck for each of our city councilmen who worked so hard on Monday night and made some great decisions supporting home owners.  Pat had her own Happy Buck for the City Council and a Sad Buck because there has been another delay on the repair of the Foothill wall.

Dave Spence had a Happy Buck for the great support the city gets from Pat Anderson and a Sad Buck because he showed up at noon three weeks ago when we had the evening installation at Oakmont.

Pat Flynn had a Sad Buck because Navy lost to New Jersey.

Tom Burrows had six Happy Bucks for the 6-0 USC football record.

Ellie Wildermuth had a Happy Buck/Happy Question.  Ohio State won again, and Ellie wondered why we don't get excited.  Apparently in Ohio everyone in the state heads into town on Saturdays for the Ohio State football games.  Many of the churches serve spaghetti dinners on Saturday evenings to the fans traveling back home again.

Jack Dawson had a Happy Buck because two years in a row Bill Scherkey won the Silent Auction bid at the Wine and Gourmet Food Tasting for two hours of Jack's time for plumbing help.  Jack has helped install a new water pressure pump in Bill's tiny basement.  The Sad Buck was for the overtime (nine hours on the job) and there are still/only a few leaks.

Daryal Gant had a Sad Buck in advance for the day when Rutgers plays the Dinuba High School football team.

Elizabeth Calciano was able to spend last weekend with her son, and had a Happy Buck because they attended the Cal - Oregon game in Berkley.  Elizabeth warned that USC better watch out for Cal.

Diane DellaValle had two Happy Bucks for Paul Westmoreland's help in making an InterClub Chart  which includes a picture of every club member.

Mary Gant had a Sad Buck for UCLA, but a Happy Buck because her grandson played his first  water polo game and made a goal.

Fred Schooley had a Happy Buck for the Cal Bears.

FACTS AND FICTION

Music:  piano tunes by Tom Burrows and Ed Moulton leading us in Grand Old Flag, Welcome Back, Hi Neighbor, and On Kiwanis

Opening: flag salute by John Parady and inspiration by Ken Lowe

Guests:  Diane Del Valle introduced Anthony Rinaldi, a member of the Northridge Kiwanis Club and President of the Tarzana Kiwanis Club.  Anthony presented our lunch program a few month's ago.  Bachy Bachmayer re-introduced Norm Johnson; this was Norm's third visit and he has submitted his application to join our Club.  Ken Lowe brought a bright group of ninth grade Key Clubbers:  Denny Choi, Derek Kim, Ryan Lau and Elizabeth Koleong.  Each Key Clubber told us about their recent activities - including helping at the Aids Walk.  They are looking forward to Halloween when they Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

Master of the Cash Box:  Bill Scherkey grabbed the cash box without being asked.  Bill said he saw Al Perry Sr. with $20 in his hand,  and he didn't want the opportunity to pass.    

Fines:  The Secret Greeter was Mel Wilson and more than a few people had to pony up.

Frosty Challenge:  Prez Steve caught Frosty off-guard when he started The Challenge before Happy/Sad Bucks or fines or guest introductions.  Frosty had to use his joke "reference book."  Bill Watts, Al Perry Sr., and Paul Westmoreland took the Challenge, and Bill definitely received the most applause.     

We Have Missed You:  Pete Palermo's $20 were because he showed up for the lunch time meeting three weeks - and it was Installation Evening at Oakmont.  Pete recently enjoyed a great trip to the wine country; that's why we haven't seen him recently.  Carlos Cortez was happy to be back; he has been tied up with Wednesday lunch meetings with a group of Boy Scout fundraisers but couldn't stay away any longer.

This Week's Editor:  Melinda Thompson

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