Opening

President Carl Christensen was back from his vacation in the South Pacific looking tan and rested.  Jack Dawson was filling in for Ed Moulton and helped start our meeting with God Bless America.  We must have needed a vocal warm-up as voices were weak when we began.  Thanks to Tom Burroughs at the piano, we kept going and got stronger along the way.   The flag salute was led by Gigi Schlueter, and Mary Ann Berkuta read an inspirational poem.

Special Presentation

Mary Gant presented Howard Backer with a check for $350; this amount was donated by Mary and her business partner from the proceeds of their Art and Jewelry Sale at Mary's house last Friday.  The sale was very successful, and the La Canada Rose Float Association received a similar donation. 

Linda Magarian didn't know why Mary called her to the front, but it turned out Linda won the drawing at the Art and Jewelry Sale.  She received a beautiful pearl necklace worth $350.

Linda Magarian introduced new member Art Fernandez; his sponsor is Mary Gant.  Art will be formally inducted in a few weeks.  Linda presented Mary with a Bronze Key in recognition of her sponsorship of a new member this year.  (Two new members warrants a Silver Key and a Gold Key is awarded for sponsoring three new members.)

Guests:

Gigi Schlueter introduced the family of the speaker ... see the Program notes.

Newer member himself - Rolando Morales introduced Bryan Schwartz as a guest who has already submitted his application for membership.

 
Rolando and Brian

Diane Della Valle filled in for Pat Anderson and introduced Pat's guest, Brendon Ross.  Brendon is a financial planner and is also a friend of Al Perry Jr.

We gave all the guests a rousing welcome by singing Hi Neighbor.

Final September Officer Installation Details:

Belatedly, new pins were presented to Diane Della Valle as Past President, Carl Christensen as President, Bill Watts as Vice President, and Nick Berkuta as President-Elect.

 
Diane, Nick and Bill

 
President Carl passing out Past President Pin to Diane.jpg

Announcements;

Mike Leininger is Chairman of the Community Services Committee; he announced that holiday lights will be installed at Glenola Park on November 20.  Our Kiwanis work group will be there from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  If you can help, call Mike or just show up.

Rolando Morales invited all to attend the Chamber Mixer next week at Gilmore Bank.  The Mixer will be held on November 20.

Rolando also explained that the newspaper collection barrel is now being (graciously) maintained at Gilmore Bank.  Drop off your used newspaper - to be used by the non-profit center in Glendale for disabled adults.

Cory Stevens passed around a sign-up sheet for our annual Kiwanis Holiday Party on December 14.  Dinner is being catered by Chef Jeff.  Location is Carl Christensen's new workshop. 

Ellie Wildermuth reminded everyone that Thursday is the California Shake Out - an earthquake preparedness day.

Howard Backer encouraged contributions of green paper (money) in the Kiwanis Doctor Program tubs on our lunch tables.  This money is used to train doctors in the special treatment procedures needed for pediatric trauma.

Mary Gant suggested we could skip cooking at home two nights next week.  After the Chamber mixer on Thursday, the Tournament of Roses Happy Hour will be the next evening (Friday, November 21) at Jack Dawson's house.

Frosty Boyd gave us an SLA update.  Dick DeGrey and Hal Thomas are both still taking care of their wives and enjoy phone calls.  Tom Slaughter has a pinched nerve in his shoulder, and Ed Moulton sprained his back.

Happy & Sad Bucks:

Linda Magarian - a SB because she was rear-ended and her back bumper is now in her back seat; a HB because her son is getting married on June 26; and another HB for a wonderful trip to Guadalajara.

Ellie Wildermuth - not sure if she had a HB or a SB.  She has been a participant in a university study on longevity.  When she had to cut short a telephone interview to come to Kiwanis, the interviewer gave her so much praise she wasn't sure how to interpret the praise.

Mary Gant - HB for the successful Jewelry and Art Sale at her home last Friday, and a SB because UCLA showed up for the football game on Saturday.

Gigi Schlueter - HB for the amazing speaker we were about to hear.

Daryal Gant - HB because he didn't watch the UCLA game.

Jeb Long - HB for his own University of Texas that beat Baylor U and remains in position #4.

Nick Berkuta - HB for the great response to his InterClub email announcements.  The next InterClub is with the Sunland/Tujunga Kiwanis Club on November 25.

Carl Christensen - HB for his wonderful trip to French Polynesia.

Frosty Challenge:

Frosty was caught off guard and couldn't find his crib notes.  It might have been better if he hadn't finally found the joke.  Bill Watts remembered the punch line this week, and his peanut joke tickled everyone's funny bone.  Rolando Morales - young as he is - took up the challenge with another "old person" joke.  Carl declared Bill Watts the winner.

 
          Frosty                                                 Bill                                      Rolando

Program - Mothers Flying Solo:

Samantha Harwood started a non-profit organization to help young, single mothers who are on their own and without an extended support system.  The remarkable thing about Sami is that she started this non-profit 18 months ago when she was only thirteen years old.  Today she is fourteen and a freshman at Crescenta Valley High School.  Sami's parents helped her file all the paperwork to be a non-profit; her dad has to be the corporate president until Sami is eighteen years old, but Sami is the one who was inspired to start this organization and does all the work to raise funds and provide help to deserving young mothers.  Sami was inspired by her mother who worked at St Annes, a place where single mothers go for help.  Sami felt that once these young mother's leave St. Annes, they need help to get established on their own.  You can learn more about Mothers Flying Solo on the website that was designed by her brother. 

 
Samantha

Sami's parents, Cathy and James Harwood, and her grandparents, Erlene and Bob Lewis have all been extremely helpful and were all guests at our meeting today.  Sami has produced a cookbook of her mid-west family's dessert  recipes that is being sold to help fund Mothers Flying Solo.  Of course, donations are always accepted.  Here is Sami's contact information:

 
Samantha and her Father, Bob

            Samantha Harwood, Founder
            800-769-2084
            2629 Foothill Blvd., #299, La Crescenta CA  91214

            samantha@mothersflyingsolo.org
            www.mothersflyingsolo.org

Secret Greeter: Tom Burrows

THIS WEEKS EDITOR:  Melinda Thompson

This Week's Photographer:  Paul Westmoreland

Webmaster and Coordinator:  Jeb Long