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The La Kawañian

JANUARY 29, 2002
Bill Watts, Editor
www.sparkywatts01@cs.com

OPENING: The Piano was talking to us over the din of voices as Shirley DeGrey gingerly joggled the ivories playing favorite show tunes. The only thing that was missing was Judy Garland as Shirley played "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Ed Moulton was back at full power and led us in " America".

HEAD TABLE & GUESTS: The Flag Salute was by Pat Flynn who asked that we honor our Flag, our Country, and our President. Howard Backer presented the invocation after a reading dedicated to Grandma's. Program Chairman Daryal Gant & our speaker Rody Stephenson joined Pres Bob at the head table. Guests included John Mc Cardy, guest of Jack Dawson, Vernon Chase, guest of Howard Backer, Mel Wilson's guest was Gary Stibal and Mary Gant's guests were John & Diane Landrum. Dick DeGrey introduced our pianist Shirley DeGrey.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Doris Horwith urged all committee chairman to get their reports in ASAP, Eileen Ferber said "we need money" and told us of an upcoming gourmet wine dinner on April 3rd at Brookside Country Club. This is a benefit for Kiwanis Foundation at a "tax deductibe" cost of $75 each. Send check to Eileen to insure your spot, invite your friends, these dinners are great. She also told us of an upcoming live auction and to plan now what you will donate such as a weekend at your desert condo, a sail to Catalina on your yacht or whatever you can offer. Proceeds from the event will go to the Kiwanis Foundation Youth Program. Daryal Gant reviewed future programs, Bachy Bachmeyer gave his weekly pitch for funds for the Children's Hospital. Guest Gary Stibal told us of the Emergency Response Team courses that are available free, with the next course starting February 6th from 8am to 5 pm sponsored by the City of LCF. Call 818-790-8880 to sign up to learn how to handle emergencies.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
* Kiwanis Mid-Winter Conference - February 8th-Ontario 
* Election Forum - February 12th- Flintridge Prep Auditorium
* Governor's Visit - March 9th - At our club meeting
* Total K Day - March 29th - (to be determined)
* Wine Dinner - April 3rd - Brookside Country Club 

HAPPY, SAD, BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY & OTHER BUCKS: The Pres tried to eek bucks out of Hal Arman for his January birthday which Hal said was in July, not January so change the @#*/*+ records. But he put in a buck just for the recognition. Bill Widerkehr was caught for his 44th wedding anniversary and popped up $20, and Patsy Christianson was hit up for her birthday. Paul Westmoreland (who turned out to be our "Secret Greeter") offered a happy & sad buck. Happy because he and Elaine are going to the Antarctica for 21 days but sad because he will miss all of the February meetings. Dick DeGrey offered bucks for the fine work that Barry Riedel did on last week's travelogue. Frosty Boyd gave a happy buck for many things that included a joke, of course. Jack Dawson, who gave a happy buck that his wife is not only back at doing housework after her operation, but now she can drive to do the grocery shopping too, (watch out for the wrath of the women Jack). Bachy Bachmeyer gave a most happy buck for after 52 1/2 years he is finally hooked up to sewers. Pres Bob gave a happy buck for the help of Ed Moulton and others who helped get an advisor for Builders Club at the middle school.

50/50 RAFFLE: Would you believe "Mr. Lucky", Daryal Gant, won again!

THE PROGRAM: A "Jack of all trades & things" and master at most, opera buff Jack Dawson introduced our speaker Rody Stephenson who is even more of an opera buff. Rody is a retired mechanical engineer at JPL (isn't everybody?) and manages to see over 40 operas a year. He gave out cards to get on the mailing list of the L.A. opera and told us of upcoming programs. His talk and video presentation today was on the "Barber of Seville". He told us that the composer wrote the opera in just 3 weeks and was paid only $5000, 

Daryal Gant and Our Speaker Rody Stephenson

which was less than some of the players. The "barber" was named Figaro (who had a big ego & needed a haircut) and besides being a "cut up" also delivered "love notes" and made arrangements for lovers to meet. The video he showed was a 1982 production and Rody enjoyed it as much as we did as he "rocked" to the music. There is an upcoming performance of the "Barber" at the L.A. opera in February and you'll have to hurry to get a ticket. "Figaro. Figaro, Figaro!

CLOSING: After so many "Figaro's" we still had breath to sing "On Kiwanis".

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

* February 5th (next week) - "Little things Mean a Lot" -Karl Johnson (Mr. Bonsai), will show and tell us how he keeps big plants so small.
* February 12th - "New Initatives Day"
* February 19th - Congressman Dreier
* February 26th - The Rose Queen & her court

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Spend Your Life Lifting People Up, Not Putting People Down".

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.