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The La Kawañian

July 23, 2003
Bill Watts, Editor
sparkywatts01@cs.com

OPENING: Martha motivated musical magic from the piano keys as she majestically moved from one key to the other while keeping Kiwanians entertained during whatever it was that was served for lunch. As you can't keep a good man down, Ed Moulton was up with a bounce as he pulled us through our rendition of "It's A Grand Old Flag."

HEAD TABLE & GUESTS: In the finest Naval tradition, Pat Flynn led the salute to our Flag; Jim Ackland gave the invocation which was excreted from those he heard at the International Convention in Indiana; on the other side of the head table we found Ed Moulton (program chairman of the day) and our speaker/entertainer Elsie Anderson. Guests included Olga Scileppi from the Kiwanis Club of North Shore L.P. in New York (she was presented with one of our banners); Harriett Hammons; A guest of Anthony Portantino was the new City Manager Of our town Mark Alexander; two guests from the Hollywood/Las Feliz Kiwanis Club were Margaret
Plotke & Hilda Goldsmith; a former Kiwanian and guest of Dr. Al Perry Sr. was Phil Wentworth; and of course our two piano players, Shirley DeGrey & Martha Crockett were introduced by their spouses. All were welcomed by "Hi Neighbor".

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pres Bob started the announcements with info on the Community Band Concert at the park this Sunday at 6 pm that is sponsored by Kiwanis; his next announcement was about the proposed monthly dues increase from $10 to $12 which will be presented to the Club for a vote in about 2 weeks (this increase is necessary as Kiwanis International has raised their dues to us due to increased costs.) Howard Backer subbed for Bachy Bachmayer in asking for bucks for the Children's Hospital tubs on the table; Daryal Gant told of upcoming programs; Diane DellaValle announced our Summer Social to be held on Sunday, August 10th, from 5 to 8 pm at the Toffel's mansion. It will be "pot luck" and each attendee is requested to bring something. You will be billed for the main entre. A sign up sheet will be passed around next week; Bill Watts announced that he is looking for one or more volunteers to write the Newsletter during the first two weeks of August, Barry Riedel & Matt Regan signed up; Ed Moulton told us about a memorial service for Bob Slattery that will be held after our meeting next week; Chuck Gulick praised Jack Dawson for replacing the Ed Moulton trust fund plack that disappeared.

We have two issues which must be agreed upon by the membership of the Club. These questions will be submitted to a vote of the membership at the regular meeting on August 6. The agreement of 2/3 of the members present is required for passage.

  1. Increase in Club Dues -- At the recent Kiwanis International Convention the delegates agreed to raise the members dues from the present $27 to the new $42 per year. This is the first dues increase in several years and is apparently needed to maintain the financial health of the organization. To meet the dues increase and an expected increase in the liability insurance premium, it is proposed that we raise our Club dues from $10 per month to $12 per month. 

  2. Update Club Bylaws  --The Bylaws of the Club are required to be maintained current with the Bylaws of Kiwanis International. Our Bylaws have not been modified in several years and are not current. It is proposed that we approve the updated bylaws and submit them to Kiwanis International. Note: copies of the updated bylaws will be available at next weeks meeting. 



BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, HAPPY OR OTHER BUCKS: (new member Sylvia Kerkorian was our Sgt at Arms) Howard Backer said it was an Arthur Anderson addition that somehow led him to pop in $100 for whatever he had happen which included a 23rd Anniversary; Glen Petit had a 20th wedding anniversary and quickly joined the Century Club; Bill Pickering was picked on by the Pres but don't know how that came out; Elizabeth Calciano Gorgeon celebrated a Birthday; Jack Dawson put in 2 bucks as guest & new city manager Mark Alexander solves problems and doesn't create them; Frosty Boyd was happy it was cooler today and zinged in an Irish-Scotch joke; Mary Gant had two happy bucks as both daughters were home at the same time and also that the Gants spent a week at the Lawrence Whelk resort (wonderful, wonderful, turn off the bubble machine); George Lutes spent some time in Santa Fe (New Mexico I assume) and had a very attentive waitress once she found out he was a Kiwanian (he had his pin on!); Barry Riedel had happy bucks but I missed what for? Dick DeGrey said his brother-in -law Hal Thomas had a melanoma removed and is doing O.K.;Ed Moulton put in a happy buck in advance as he knew the program would be good and also slipped in a joke; Al Perry sr's guest Phil Wentworth put in a buck as he was happy to be here with us; visiting members from the Hollywood/Las Feliz club also popped in with bucks. It's a good thing as we had no fines and no Secret Greeter. 

50/50 RAFFLE: NO! NOT AGAIN! Won by Diane DellaValle 


THE PROGRAM: Introduced by a happy Ed Moulton was Elsie Anderson a professional accordion player. She was a very petite lady with a very big accordion (it weighed 25 lbs.) Her first number of course was "Lady Of Spain". She played many songs and also told us a little about her instrument. "Mr. Music" Ed Moulton was so happy with the music he was salivating all through the program. Elsie ended her program with a musical tour of the 
United States, concluding with "California Here I Come". She received a standing ovation. And then accompanied Ed Moulton as he led us in "Hail Kiwanis".

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Live With Wolves And You Learn To Howl"
                                          ..Spanish Proverb 

The bulletin is usually mailed by bulk mail instead of first class to save money.  However, often times the bulk mail is as much as a week late.  We need to know if the majority of you want to read the bulletin on the web-site. The bulletin will be mailed to the rest of you by first class mail.  If you can read the bulletin on the web page and do not want it mailed to you, please notify Jeb Long by e-mail:  jeblong@earthlink.net.  Otherwise, your bulletin will be mailed to you.


UPCOMING PROGRAMS: 

  • July 23rd: Next Week: (July 30th) "A Woman's Life In Saudi Arabia - Brenda Gant
  • August 6th: "Current Law Enforcement Issues" -District Attorney Cooley - Al Restivo program chairman.

Board Meetings are the lst Thursday of the Month at Citibank, 7 p.m.  (JULY 10th for this month)

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