St Patrick's Day meeting piano entertainment was provided by Martha Crockett who delighted us with her inimitable style and she was rewarded by club members and guests gave her a thunderous applause.

Ed Moulton led the assembled with a rousing ‘God Bless America. President Jim then asked Lloyd Welsh to lead us in the flag salute. This was followed by Hal Crockett who informed us of the passing of long time member Dr. Bill Pickering. Hal gave some of Bill’s illustrious background and this was followed with a moment of silence. It was noted that Bill was preceded in death by only a day or two of his son’s passing of heart complications. Hal then gave a delightful background on St. Patrick and that was followed by an invocation.

President Ackland asked Anthony Portantino for words of wisdom and Anthony declared that, "Life is good!"

Guests were introduced and Bea Cirar introduced her brother Zak Zakarian who was with us for his 2nd visit, hmmmmmmm doesn’t that qualify him for membership?! Almost overlooked in the introduction department but never overlooked was the lovely Connie Moulton who accompanied her husband, Ed. Ed then led us in "Hi Neighbor."

Pat Anderson then took the mike and introduced four "Terrific Kids" from La Cañada Elementary School. First was Megan Koebrer who was accompanied by her parents Doug and Pam. Megan is on the Student Council, is an ‘A’ student and plays on the soccer team. Next was Ryan Lau and his parents Cathy and Stanley. Ryan is on the Rose Bowl Swim Team, plays clarinet and is on the 6th Grade Student Council. Nicholaus Mizrahi was introduced next and he had his parents Ron and Tonya and his Grandpa Mizrahi. Another Student Council member, he plays baseball and is a member of the International Safari Club, and he loves to read. Mary Jo Scott was introduced as the fourth Terrific Kid from her family! Congratulations to mom, Jill and dad, Bill who accompanied her at today’s meeting. Mary Joe is in Girl Scouts another clarinet and soccer player as well as 6th Grade Council member and belongs to a Buddy Group who assists teachers with younger students.

Terrific Kids and Their Pare3nts

Jack Dawson was decked out in green and advised that anyone not wearing green be fined $1 each -- wha’ hoppened? This reporter did not notice anyone ponying up the bucks!!

Birthdays were noted beginning with Diane DellaValle who is going to a Rod Stewart concert, she insists he’s doing this concert just for her. To celebrate Diane donated $63, one for each lovely year. Again this week Ed Moulton fessed up that he is going to be the same in years as there are piano keys. Happy 88th Birthday, Ed.

Happy/Sad Bucks, Ken Lowe was the first happy dollar and this reporter was distracted and did not note what it was for. O.k., o.k. I’ll give a dollar next week. Hal Crockett says he participated in the French wine boycott and is starting one for Spanish wines. Gosh I do hope California supports President Bush in Iraq or we are going to be a dry club. Lloyd Welsh gave $ for his first granddaughter getting her acceptance at USC, an institution that Grandpa just retired from. Don Corbett gave for wife, Marilyn’s, birthday because that makes her one year older than Don, he can enjoy that status for a short while.

Frosty’s challenge was appropriately about two Irishmen, but alas, he lost again to a true story this time! Lloyd Welsh’s challenge was regarding son-in-law’s jewelry business and Macy’s security who got the wrong man! And the poor guy was even handcuffed.

Announcements: Joel Smith stated that if you want to volunteer, always volunteer for clean-up because then you don’t have to attend all the planning meetings. He is asking for volunteers for the Soap Box Derby and assures that all jobs will be one-on-one training and meeting attendance will not be required. The whole club needs to be out on May 29th as there are so many jobs for such a rewarding event. Daryal Gant reported on a bus trip to Laughlin, Nevada with Lt. Gov. Joe Thompson on June 4, 5, 6. It will be lots of fun with lots of folks taking a special bus there and several planned events. Only $100 per person and all reservations are made for you. Bachy Bachmayer reminded all to put those $’s in the plastic tub on the table for the Children’s Hospital. Bob Wallace reminded all about the April 1st event at Brookside Country Club, "Dining for Youth", our 2nd annual dinner that will feature special wines for each course with the chef preparing a memorial repast. Clyde Hemphill reminded everyone to sign-up for Special K Day this Saturday to work at Glenhaven Park. Also, remember our travelogue Saturday, "Israel Today" a very exciting offering. Karl Johnson thanked everyone for all the empty printer cartridges, and reminded us that he also collects pull-tabs and old eye glasses. These bring in the $$’s to help support our many projects.

Ed Moulton was the program chair today and introduced Morgan Browning who presented a program on ‘Drum and Bugle Corps". Morgan is a graduate of La Cañada High School and CSSLO. He was a tuba player and Major Domo at both schools.

Morgan asked how many of us were members of the American Legion and were participants during their school years in school bands. A number of our members raised their hands. He says this is the basis for Drum and Bugle Corps. Morgan specifically told about the San Francisco Renegades of which he is a member. There is a World Championship competition of these corps every August in Philadelphia where there will be 20,000 participants and audience combined. The SF group was started in 1997 with seven members and there are now 130 members. They placed 4th at the world competition in 2003. They are judged on visual movement and sound. There is lots of pageantry, tall flags, fake rifles and additional instruments in each of the corps who compete. We were entertained with a 12-minute video that featured the San Francisco group in competition. A delightful program and at the end Ed Moulton revealed that Morgan is his grandson.

Interclubs:

March 24--Wednesday--7:30 AM La Cañada AM Club, Church of the Lighted Window, 1200 Foothill Blvd, LCF

March 16--Tuesday--6:45 PM, dinner. Sunland-Tujunga Club, Mario's Sterling Restaurant, 8737 Fenwick, Sunland

April 7—Wednesday, 12 Noon West Glendale Gateway Club—Masonic Lodge, 244 N. Maryland, Glendale.

April 12—Monday, 6:30 PM, Dinner, Verdugo Hills Club—American Red Cross Bldg, 1501 S. Brand, Glendale

April 28—Wednesday, 7:30 AM, La Cañada AM Club, Church of the Lighted Window, 1200 Foothill, LCF

Soap Box Derby: The 5th annual annual Greater Los Angeles Soap Box Derby sponsored by our club will be on Saturday, May 29th this year. This is a service project that had 58 racers last year and we expect at least that amount this year. This project is great one to help with. It does take a Saturday, but is usually rewarding in seeing the excited kids during the race. Committee chairmen will be asking for help. This is a great activity to support.

 

^{DATES TO REMEMBER:}

Program March 24th: Flights of Life, a volunteer pilot program who fly people to hospitals.

Program March 31st: Mayor of LCF, Steve Del Guercio

Saturday, March 20: Total K Day: Glenhaven Park: 8:30-Noon

Saturday Night, March 20: Kiwanis Travel Adventures "Israel Today"

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

^{Sunday September 12: Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting}