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The La Kawañian

February 18, 2004
Barry Riedel, Editor

Opening: Martha Crockett delighted us with her piano tunes and got a big hand from all of us. President Jim Ackland brought the meeting to order. Ed Moulton led us in "God Bless America". Tom Stafford led the pledge. Ed Moulton returned to lead us in a unison St. Francis of Assisi prayer followed by a desperate first verse of “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”.

Jim Ackland brought us up-to-date on the past board meeting. Jim asked for a hand of applause to Howard Backer who does a bang-up job as Treasurer. Hal Crockett told us at the board meeting about four agencies to which we are sending donations as part of International Understanding. One agency will get $60 extra for a Guatemalan for education and health care for one child for one year. Hal Crockett was thanked for his leadership in this field.

Jim Ackland told us about the Governor's Official Visit: Governor Les Wixon and First Lady Cheryl, Sunday, March 21, reception 12 noon, program and luncheon, 12:45PM at the La Cañada Country Club. $25 per person. Beef tenderloin, chicken picata or pasta primavera.

Howard Backer told us about the Mid-Year South Conference this Saturday February 21. We have 11 people going but we can take more since we paid for the club. Call Howard. It's in Burbank at the Hilton Airport, right across from the airport. Breakfast at 6:45AM. Let Howard know!

Clyde Hemphill told us about this afternoon's program at 3PM in room A there will be a joint meeting with the AM club to brainstorm a common project in order to foster togetherness and cooperation between the two clubs. The excellent facilitator Bob Wallace will be there to--well--facilitate.

Another announcement from the DCM meeting: The Sunland-Tujunga club has been active for about 70 years. They have previously sponsored a baseball game but have been taken financially out of the business. 400 kids participate in this baseball contest. Clyde Hemphill told us the Parks and Rec department is charging by the hour and that adds up to $20,000. They can't afford it.

Also: On the 25th at the LCHS cafeteria, there will be a Founder's Day dinner. This will be recognize people who are doing something for the youth of our community. 6:30 PM. Don’t miss this gourmet dinner at the cafeteria.

Guests: Doris Horwith introduced Frank Ragazzi originally from NY and now from California. A member in Colorado. Frank is from Parachute Colorado. You know where that is don't you? 600 people and a Kiwanis club.

Lt Governor Joe Thompson stood up to show us the pin on his collar. Joe with his wife Lynn were photographed by the Outlook doing a dance but Jim Ackland could not see any pin on his collar. Joe gave us some song-and-dance for not having his pin. Joe encouraged everyone to go to the Governor's Visit. Also Total K Day on March 20. And Mid-Year South Conference this Saturday.

Don Davidson introduced Don Graff of the AM Club.

Ed Moulton presented Bill Bodell who used to be a member 2-3 years ago and now is asking to come back again. He is president of the Montrose/La Crescenta club. He is in the insurance business--insurance of all kinds. He is married with three children. He is a licensed instructor in martial arts. We all welcomed Bill Bodell to the Club and sang a happy verse of Hi Neighbor.

Happy/Sad Bucks: Clyde Hemphill gave a sad buck for our poor reigning president who was supposed to be wearing the gavel around his neck but despite his promise made to all of us he was not wearing it.

Don Davidson gave for the sign he designed and that is on the front of the cover of the new LCF map. He explained that one problem of the Sunland/Tujunga club is that they don't have many members. They need help.

Dick DeGrey wanted to go to Idlewyld. He told us about a medical miracle that happened yesterday. Julia Thomas had a problem with her heart. She plopped down in a store in La Crescenta and ended up in the hospital. They let her go home and sent her to another hospital. She went in at 7, had the operation at 8:30 and fixed one of the nerves in her heart. A short in the nerve had caused her heart to fibullate. She went home at 4:30 of the same day. Julia is doing fine.

Hal Crockett introduced his lovely wife Martha Crockett and Shirley DeGrey and went on to give a happy buck for his granddaughter.

Joe Thompson gave an apology for not wearing his pin at the dance and threatened to cut off Jim Ackland’s subscription to the Outlook so he wouldn't get out the magnifying glass and look for Joe's pin.

Bob Wallace gave a sort-of sad buck cuz he can't go to the Winter Conference since his daughter is getting married. Al Restivo have a happy buck and mentioned that Bill Bodell was running for Congress and because he was sitting at the table with his favorite Democrat and his favorite Republican. Barry Riedel gave a couple of bucks for all the people who helped out at the recent Travel Adventures: Bill Scherkey, Melinda Thompson, Clyde Hemphill and of course Ed Moulton and Howard Backer. Anthony Portantino proclaimed "Life is Good". George Lutes gave for the fine Travel Adventure program last Saturday.

Frosty's Challenge: Although Frosty Boyd was absent, Howard Backer told one about a deaf woman. Karl Johnson challenged with a true story about getting in shape for a vacation and his outspoken 2 1/2 year daughter. Though it was hard to top, Bill Watts told one about a little child asking about God and Michael Jackson. After an overwhelming enthusiastic round of applause, Bill Watts won.

Sheila Cook told us about her anniversary on the 27th. She is going to Tahiti. She joined the Century Club for that!

Announcements: Pat Anderson told us about three things: 1) the new community maps are available; 2) the Mixer Thursday night at ERA Castle Realty just west of Ocean View on Foothill. Food, Music, good time. 5:30 Thursday. 3) the Chamber ambassadors have joined with the County Sheriff's Dept to learn how to recognize counterfeit money. Seminar 3/25 5:30-7PM at the Sheriff's station. RSVP to the Chamber.

Bob Wallace reminded us about Dining for Youth: An elegant evening of fine food and wine with a silent auction. Thursday April 2 6 PM, Brookside Country Club, $80 per person ($25.00 is tax deductible) to benefit the Key Club of Flintridge Prep, Key Club of LCHS, Builders Club of LCHS, K-Kids Club at PCE. Contact Bob Wallace.

Bachy Bachmayer thanked us for our continued support of the Childrens Hospital. Anthony Portantino told us about sewers: the council has voted to move forward with Districts 3A and 3B. Ballots in the mail in June. This is self-funded rather than waiting for Gov. Ahnold to respond.

Feb. 24 Tues. 12:00 Noon Lunch, Montrose-La Crescenta Club, Le Betulle Restaurant, 2383 Foothill

50/50 Raffle: Karl Johnson told us about the $115 pot in the 50/50 Drawing. Bob Wallace won and drew a white ball ("Uhhh.....") from the bag so the pot grows and grows.

Program: Sheila Cook told us that next time Ed Moulton will introduce Ed Bryant of the Christian Home and following that a we’ll hear a speaker from the Braille Institute.

Sheila introduced Mark Stainbrook, a major in the the Marine reservist and a sergeant in the LAPD. Mark told us about his time in Iraq.

Closing: After Jim Ackland was given back the gavel, Ed Mouton led us in "Hail Kiwanis".

Quote: “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” -- Henry J. Kaiser, saying

Thursday, February 19: Chamber Mixer, ERA Realty

Saturday, February 21 : Mid-Year South Conference

Wednesday, February 25: Founder’s Dinner, LCHS cafeteria 6:30 PM

Saturday, March 20: Total K Day

Sunday, March 21: Governor’s reception 12 Noon, La Cañada Country Club

Thursday April 1: Wine Dinner—“Dining for Youth”—at Brookside, social hour 6PM.

Saturday April 24: Dine-Around

Saturday May 29: Soap Box Derby