Yep, it IS November already. Have YOU started your Christmas shopping yet! (Me neither!) Planning for your Holiday Auction is well underway. Last week VC was flogging the "split-the-pot" drawing and today it was sheets of 8 lunch tickets that we need to sell to our friends, relations, neighbors, and anyone else we can get to come and spend money. It would be nice if a majority of the net came from the public (and we want to include other Kiwanis Club members in that group). Do you remember that December 11 is the date!! Next week that will be less than a month away. Bring in those "treasures" that you want auctioned (silent or live) and take advantage of VC's offer to provide free transportation and storage.
Khing Khong was right on the ball today; he tried to open the meeting on the dot of 12:30, but failed to ring the bell so was behind as soon as he started. But, things got better – or at least what seemed better as things went along.
Bettye had all the chores assigned although the ticket-seller was probably an unscheduled (but appreciated) Evie. Bob, accompanied by Frank, led a spirited GBA (why does it always sound better in key when Borden is not present?); Grouchy gave his brief invocation; Bettye took over the fine box and away we went – well, sort of.
Ed Levitch introduced his "gal Friday" from work and proceeded to announce that she will be applying for membership. That was news to her!! And I didn't know Ed paid his employees enough to afford this Club. He did "take out papers", for her, though. On a more positive note, he didn't seem to be favoring his aching back quite so much and reports that the best thing going for his back seems to acupuncture.
Lt Guv Ed also encouraged everyone to attend his DCM (Division Council Meeting) this Thursday evening at 6 PM (that's 1800 hours for you National Guard folks) in the conference room at his office complex. Enter from the Heinz St. side, not from 10th Street. He promises an upbeat and important meeting.
Bill C. reported on 3 interclubs this past week. Circle K (4 attendees), Richmond (4 attendees) and the Circle K Fall Training Conference (4 attendees). Bill, VC, Evie, Gimpy, Frank, Roberta, Phuoc, Tony Ng (TONY NG!!!), and Jane were the attendees. And Jane even made it to lunch today (Tony didn't!). Jane reports that it was the biggest Fall Training Conference yet,
and her last since she is already training her replacement on the District level position. Will Jane miss the Circle K more that they will miss her?? It might be a toss-up.
Pres. Phuoc announced 4 birthday celebrants for November, but only Denise was present, so although we supposedly sang HB to them all, it was really for Denise. Gotta be present to have it sung to you! (Oops, will that discourage folks from attending?)
Jeff and Jane were each presented with 6 year perfect attendance recognition. I suspect Jack did his usual and got their 5 year tags back – saves money, you know!
Roberta was asked to explain why she wasn't wearing her meeting badge. There was some discussion of her "loosing" it when she took it home after a meeting. (Now, that's a fineable action in itself!) But even worse, she let it slide off the car seat and into the seat adjustment mechanism which "did a job" on it. She had snuck around using an old regular badge but finally turned in both the badges (the old and the mangled) and asked for a replacement. As a Life Member Roberta has one of those special badges, and of course they are in short supply and quite valuable. Since she had "confessed" it didn't seem that the Pres could be too tough on her, but something green was added to the "Fine" card box.
There were a fair number of H$ deposited in that card box, but only a few got recorded. As usual, I was having too much fun. Duane has graduated from his "in the REAL water" rowing class and now is qualified to do it on his own. Hope he doesn't go out under the Bay Bridge! There were lots of H$ for our now active web site (www.berkeleykiwanis.org ) and if you haven't reviewed it, you should. Just remember, it gets changed daily since it is still in the forming stage. Send your comments to the webmaster (Debra).
Bettye introduced our speaker, Eva Garcia, the acting Director of the West Berkeley Senior Center (Hearst & 6th Streets). Eva has been "acting" Director for 6 months and is currently on the short list to become THE Director. She told us a bit about "her" Center and the programs it offers, including a hot lunch five days a week. There is a fee for the lunch, but most of the activities are supported by the City. The target population is low income Seniors, but all Seniors are welcome. (Maybe we should meet there!!! Most of us qualify.) Line dancing, holistic fitness, computer operation, Food and Nutrition are some of the many activities/classes offered and there are even a couple of pool tables available for you sharks. Eva mentioned a "story-telling" class – that should be right up our alley. They are having a pre-holiday lunch party on Nov 16 (Friday) and would welcome some volunteer help to set up, serve and clean up. Nothing was said about helping cook! Bettye will probably show up next week with a sign-up sheet.
Eva was pretty brief, and after she answered questions there were still 10 minutes left. So, Khing Khong made a bigggg mistake, and asked if anyone had a story to tell. JP and Denise both jumped up, and both paid. You needed to be there – well, maybe not!
Joe led the Pledge right after Bettye admitted she is still working on next week's program.
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