09-11-07

It was Patriot's Day as we gathered.  George Maxe was at the ticket table.  Phuoc was practicing being

President, standing in for our Retread.  When the gong was sounded, Borden stepped forward and urged us to sing so well and so loud that a certain man hiding in the hills of Afghanistan or Pakistan might hear it.  And so we gave a full-bodied rendition of GBA.

Roberta gave an invocation, to bless the food to our bodies so that we could work, and work, and work, and work for the children of the world. 

We had guests from the Oakland Club, Pres. Joe Debro and Ken Hansen. 

Insurance was offered, none taken, and the Secret Greeter was asked to stand.  Confusion followed as two folks stood up.  Bettye and Ron Abbott (from Stockton).  It seems that both the program chair and the acting Pres. had appointed one.  Acting Pres. declared his to be the official one so Bettye gave her report.  We were a friendly club, with one HIGHLY UNUSUAL exception.  So Evie coughed up a fine.

Joe Lee, K family chair came to the podium to announce the first Circle K meeting of the year, tonight (Tue.) at Barrows Hall.  And I think we rounded up an interclub to attend and support our fantastically wonderful sponsored youth.

(Speaking of interclubs, we had a super one at Ed Levitch's installation as Lt. Gov./birthday party.)

Back to Circle K:  Joe announced :

• 6, count 'em, service projects going on this week-end
• K Family Dinner at House of Curries  on Durant near Bowditch.  Friday 9/14, 6 to 8.
• Their "garage" (parking lot?) sale raised about $1,200.—[didn't catch the exact amt.]

 

About this time Deborah came in late.  She was charged with a fine, but pleaded amnesty.  As long as she is on her current work assignment, she will not be able to get to meetings quite on time.  Wouldn't it be better for her to be here rather than skip and do a make-up or just skip?   His royalty, the Khing, showed mercy and agreed to grant a dispensation. 

Announcements:

• Meeting next week is in Tilden Park for a great steak feed.  Same place as the last two years—Indian Camp picnic area. (if you know where that is).  Our Secretary said go in the Spruce St gate, turn left on Central Park Drive.  It is north of the pony ride stables. You should be able to see it from the road.
• Phuoc's installation barbeque will now be October 6, 12 to 4 in Live Oak Park, near "the chimney", Shattuck near Berryman.
• We got a banner patch for Toys for Troops donation we gave last year.  We hope to be more involved this year.
• RIF (Reading is FUNdamental) distribution is coming up next week, but still don't have definite date(s).  We might be able to do it in one day.  Virginia will keep us posted.
• We sold about 48 Entertainment Books at the Solano Stroll, thanks to the generosity of Frank Bliss, who gave up his business' spot so Kiwanis could have a booth.  Jack told us how many, but I couldn't hear.  One thing is certain, though, we need to sell a lot more.  We've got to sell at least 160 of them this year.  So tell your friends and family what a good deal they are.

 

Happy$$ / Sad$$

L$  Bill Carpenter reported that after 112 years, Berkeley Ace Hardware suffered an Armed Robbery.  Fortunately, the employees were not seriously injured and the thieves were unable to break into the safe.  Instead they took the change fund and some kitchen accessories.  A good description by employee(s) and led to the quick arrest of the perpetrators, caught while still counting the cash.  [Thank you, Berkeley's Finest]

J$  Deborah was glad to be here

L$  Phuoc's Aunt passed away unexpectedly.  All thought she was getting better.

L$  Frank was sorry that he will be away and unable to attend Phuoc's installation.

K$  A hopeful and concerned $.  Ed Levitch will have back surgery tomorrow.  We all hope it will offer relief of pain.  (A card to wish a speedy recovery was circulated for signature.)

J$  John P will miss the next two meetings [L ] because he and Traudel will be in Europe.

J$  Jane is going off to New England for a family wedding.

L$  Bob's gym bag fell off on the way back from the gym and the "F" line ran over his gym pants, ruining them.

J$  Bob was happy that the bike is OK and for the help of good SF citizens who helped him pick up and recover the rest of his gym clothes. 

Our speaker was fellow Kiwanian Ron Abbott, from the Stockton Club.  His topic was Kiwanis Family House, located on the grounds of the UC Davis Medical Center.  Kiwanis House provides a place to stay, and support to families of patients of the Medical Center.  Unlike McDonald House, which limits stays to 30 days, family members can stay as long as needed.  This is particularly important to mothers of premature infants, who sometimes require months in Neonatal Intensive Care.  In addition to lodging, the House can provide clothing, (Some come to the Med Center by emergency helicopter flights in the middle of the night with no change of clothes, even in bathrobes.) canned goods, and, most importantly, the chance to talk to others in similar circumstances.  Residents of the House are referred there by the Medical Center.  Kiwanis House asks for $40 per night from the residents to offset the cost of staff and maintenance, but no one is turned away for lack of payment.

The "House" consists of a total of 32 units, grouped by eight, each eight-unit group has its own kitchen and laundry facilities.

There are many ways to support the Kiwanis Family House.  One thing our club could consider would be to become a sponsoring club.  This requires a minimum $500 initial contribution and an annual $100 per year thereafter.  Also, memorial bricks to pave the patio can be purchased for $100., or one can sponsor a family for a night by contributing $40.  Ron also mentioned scrip cards, but, unfortunately I didn't quite understand the process.  I've sent him an e-mail to find out more and will share what I find out at a later meeting.  Those of you with internet access can check out the House's web site at kiwanisfamilyhouse.org .