Wednesday,  March 19, 2008

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

Upcoming Events

March 25, 2008 Russ Guiney - LACo Director of Parks and Recreation Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso March 26, 2008 Russ Guiney - LACo Director of Parks and Recreation Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso April 2, 2008 Hal Protter,  CWTV - Transition to Digital TV from Analog Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso April 5, 2008 Kiwanis One Day April 9, 2008 Deputy Sheriff Lisa Walter - L. A. County Sheriff's Office Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso April 12, 2008 Play It Safe - Verdugo Hills Hospital - Cooking Hamburgers April 12, 2008 Travelogue - Monty & Marsha Brown - La Manche - The English Channel April 16, 2008 Bill Jensen - Survival Wednesday Lunch Meeting @ Van de Kamp Hall in Descanso   Click on the following button to view the long term calendar

Opening...

Ed Moulton sang us in with “God Bless America.”  The flag salute was given by Don Voss.  Gigi Schlueter’s inspirational piece turned our thoughts from war and hatred to peace, love, brotherhood, harmony, and happiness.  Tom Burrows was gratefully acknowledged for his piano playing.

The Prez sez ...

1.   Complete and submit our club assessment.  More blanks are available.

2.   A two-weekend Key Club event encouraging service and leadership in youth.

3.   Rancho Cucamonga collection.

4.   Fun Day on April 5.  Volunteers invited for plantings at Descanzo and Lanterman House.

5.      Welcome to the City Council and City Staff. 

Special Presentation:

Formal induction of Mary Ann Berkuta by Past President Steve Hagerty.  Mary Ann was sponsored by her husband Nick.  Ed Moulton led the Kiwanis in a welcome song.

Steve, Mary Ann, and Nick

Club Announcements:

            1. Pam Feterl invited to the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce March Mixer, on Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Pam announced  that the new and improved business directory will be mailed soon for zip codes 91011 to 91012.

            2. Nick Berkuta reviewed the Habitat Build on Thursday March 13 and announced another build on Thursday March 27.  He will email information upon request.  Nick also announced an upcoming emergency expo by the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, May 3.  Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served.

            3.  Buckets for the Kiwanis’ doctor program.

            4. Travelogue.  Learn a lot at this exciting program: The White Cliffs of Dover in England.

            5. Illnesses: Dick DeGray still unwell.  Diane’s cancer is under control.  Pete Palermo’s hip injury is improved enough for him to attend today’s meeting; however, he is now on blood thinner because of clots.  Linda Margarian experienced heart problems after last meeting.  She is currently doing fine at Verdugo Hills hospital.

 
Pete Palermo

Fundraising:

1.      Kiwanis Pins.

2.      Secret Greeter was Carl Christensen.

3.      Happy Bucks: 

a.       “Ellie” for UCLA winning NCAA.

b.  Jack Dawson for sharing a vertical bed with Sheree Ingram.

c.  Paul Westmoreland for traveling to India, Burma, Singapore.

d.   Pat Anderson of Chamber of Commerce for election of new Mayor of the City Council.     

 
Pat Anderson

Celebrations:

1.   Ed led us in singing “Happy Birthday” to Pam Feterl (March 11).  Pam obliged in managing the cash box.

2.   Chuck Gulick’s Anniversary (March 12).

Guest Introductions:

Mark Alexander brought Ann Wilson, Andrew Erlichman, and Laura Olhasso.  Nick Berkuta brought Mary Ann Berkuta.  Fred Schooler brought L.C. Montgomery.  Pat Anderson brought Katherine Mark Graf, Tesa Riggs, Stan Frazier, and Olivia Brown.  Don Corbett was also present. Fred Schooler introduced Bonnie Montgomery, JPL Director of Safety. 

Ann Wilson

Laura Olhasso & Greg Brown

Fred Schooley's guest LC Montgomery

Pat Anderson's guests from the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce

Frosty Challenge:

Frosty’s “grandma/granddaughter” joke was challenged by Bill Watts’s “flashers behind a car”; Mel Wilson’s “not wearing a seatbelt”; and by Kathryne Mark Graf, whose winning joke she recorded as follows: A minister stopped by the home of a new family, who had just moved into town.  The minister rang the doorbell and a five-year-old boy answered the door.  He was dressed in a silk smoking jacket and held a lit cigar in one hand and a scotch and soda in the other.  The minister asked, “Are your Mom and Dad home?”  The boy responded, “What do you think?”

Raffle Drawing:

            Jim Reynolds won the 50/50 pot for the second week running.  He is to come early next week to sell tickets.

SPEAKER:

Nick Burkuta introduced Mayor Dave Spence, the father of two sons, Andy and Steve.  Mayor Spence aims to improve the quality of life for the residents of La Cañada.  In his  state-of-the-city address, Mayor Spence mentioned Gregory Brown, Laura Olhasso, Donald Voss, Stephen Del Guercio, and City Manager, Mark Alexander, saying that they all contribute immensely to the fact that the city is in great shape.  Mayor Spence presented video reviews of city work, such as budget revenues and expenses; public safety; public works; sewer construction; solid waste diversion; requests for service; and building projects such as La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Route 710 Tunnel, Lanterman House roof construction and Mayor’s Discovery Park which was supported by donations from Kiwanians, among others.

 
Dave Spence

This Weeks photographer:  Paul Westmoreland.

Webmaster and Coordinator:  Jeb Long.