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The La Kawañian

November 20, 2002
Bill Watts, Editor
www.sparkywatts01@cs.com

OPENING: Magically manipulated mood music was miraculously performed by Shirley DeGrey at the "not so grand" piano. Maestro Ed Moulton professionally postulated us through "God Bless America".

HEAD TABLE & GUESTS: Ceremoniously honored was the Flag of our country led by Phil Anderson. Presenting our invocation was the other side of the Anderson family Pat Anderson. Our speaker (whose chair was empty until 12:59 pm), Suzanne Reed, Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Carol Liu, and Diane DellaValle who was either just adding beauty to the head table or waiting to fill in if the speaker didn't show. Guests included Sofia Portantino daughter of Kiwanian with same last name, Shirley DeGrey, wife of Kiwanian with same last name and Key Club members Felica Chen & Jean Rao (VP & Club Secretary) introduced by their leader Ken Lowe.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Christmas Party on December 6th again announced by Pat Anderson.  Matt Regan who handed out member pledge forms for cash to buy toys expounded upon the La Cañada Kiwanis Toy Drive. Karl Johnson announced a "sticker program" that you can put on the seats of your car to alert emergency people in case of an accident and the passengers are unable to communicate re: doctor to call or medical alert problems (these stickers are now available). Pat Anderson gave two Chamber of Commerce announcements. Mr. Children's Hospital Bachy Bachmayer reminded us to "kick in" for the Children's Hospital pot on your table. Jim Ackland spoke of the wonderful time they had at the inter-club meeting of the Sunland-Tujunga Kiwanis Club on Tuesday. The next inter-club is with the Flintridge Prep Key Club on December 5th at 2:30pm. Your attendance would be most appreciated. Sign up with Jim. Bob Holtz carried a heavy box to the podium to show that members are bringing used eye glasses and computer ink cartridges to the club each week, be sure to bring yours.

HAPPY, SAD, GLAD, MAD OR WHATEVER BUCKS: Sgt. At Arms Karl Anderson was asked by the Pres to collect a couple of bucks from Pat Anderson for "advertising" for the Chamber. Frosty Boyd put in a buck for this beautiful day, which allowed him to of course to tell a joke. In the middle of all this the Pres fined all those without pins a buck and also said to pony up a buck if you didn't shake hands with the Secret Greeter who was Frank Williams. And then the bucks continued with Ed Moulton putting in bucks for the unsung workers of our club who he proudly introduced. Clyde Hemphill put in a buck to praise Bill Watts for the good job he's doing with the newsletter and for bringing in a "phantom" member George Lucas.
Doris Horwith put in happy bucks for one of her granddaughter's who was a star basketball player in high school and got a scholarship to Clemson and has now been picked up by a Danish basketball pro team and is on her way (or already there) in Denmark. Anthony Portantino said that Hal Arman is out of the hospital and is O.K.

50/50 DRAWING: After calling out the winning number several times Diane DellaValle (who must have been antiquing in her head) announced she had the winning ticket.

THE PROGRAM: Our speaker was introduced by program chairman Daryl Gant., Suzanne Reed, Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Carol Liu. She has a long and distinguished service record with over 30 years in Government and among her many accomplishments holds a Masters Degree from Yale. She told (& showed) us how easily your identity could be stolen. There are over 500,00 identity's stolen each year with many stolen by gangs in the southern California area. This can go undetected for years and once you do it can take 16 months or longer to correct. She outlined several methods to protect your identity including getting an annual copy of your credit report, do all your mailing at the post office, not in your mail box, guard your social security number, tear up all receipts that have your credit card number on them, etc. A lively question & answer period followed


Thank You To Our Club: A recent letter from the Youth Leadership Conference & The Character & Ethics Project thanked our club for our continued support. They reported that this year's conference was tremendously successful and how valuable this has been to the students.

WE MISS YOU!! DEPT: Of perfect attendance you may not boast, but at our club it's YOU we'd like to host. See YOU soon!

Answer to Question Of The Week: The original name of Kiwanis was B.O.B., which stood for the Benevolent Order of Brothers.

Is it True? Department: Is it true that a "Builders Club" is an association of general contractor?


Board Meetings are the lst Thursday of the Month at Cal-Fed, 7 p.m.

District Council Meetings are the 3rd Monday of the month at Verdugo Hills Hospital cafeteria - 7 p.m.