Newsletter 112409

What a gorgeous fall day, with breezes brisk and sunshine warm, thoughts of turkey and pumpkin pie, a time to be thankful for all our blessings, a time for giving of ourselves.  What a delight to be a part of this wonderful world!

           

Not a full house today, but we did have a lot of fun!  VC greeted you at the ticket table, F.Bliss lead us in song, D. Haughin gave a thoughful invocation with "at our house we hold hands"- and we all did & J. Egeberg walked around quite a bit collecting $$$ for various reasons.  ½ Pres. T.Paradis led the meeting; it is interesting to come just to see which ½ Pres. will be in charge!!  Each has her individual style- and they are working so well TOGETHER!!

           

COMMITTEE REPORTS OF IMPORTANCE

 

1.      Interclubs took place at the Albany/EC club with B. Skrak (and Joyce), D. Haughin, B. Lowman, J. Rosano & V & B Carpenter.   Later that evening E. Goodman, F & B Bliss and V & B Carpenter attended Hayward/CV.

2.      P. Khong informed us that things are "quiet" with the Key Club groups.  Take-overs of BK are being planned!

 

 

 

3.      D. Haughin promoted her Sees Candy sales and there were some after the meeting.  As

well, a new sign (yet to be painted) announcing the BK Store was unveiled by

½ Pres. R. Bliss.  There will be goodies available every meeting!

4.      The Spiritual Aims "committee" headed up by Rev. Fay was off to see Dr. Coe after lunch.  And..C. Fitch, we do miss your happy smile each week!  How are you?

5.      There was discussion on both YEAH and the upcoming Holiday Auction.  Both will be discussed at an early meeting next week-

Come early next week- 11:30- if you are interested in participating.

 

SPONSORED YOUTH STUFF

 

Our Circle K was represented by K. Family Chair Diane and friends.!!  We always have a great group visit us each week!  Monica and Diane (both K. family chairs) raised $200 at the Friday evening Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Carpenters.  Whoever raised the least would be pied… and that was Diane.  We are still waiting to see pictures!!  That was 2 hours of just plain fun!!  15 Circle Kers packed Thanksgiving bags this morning, (think D. Haughin, T. Paradis and P. Khong were there also).  Fall banquet is Dec 7^th, $22 at Barrows- 5:30-10:00pm.  The theme is Old Hollywood.    

 

          

 

 

Several notes of interest coming along for you to enter into your BRAIN!!

Dec. 2: LTG official visit to Richmond- interclub???

Dec. 7:  Oakland Holiday Auction, Park Plaza Hotel- (8 of us have signed up to go- we want to win the case of wine for most in an interclub so that we can put it into our holiday auction!)

Dec. 15: Berkeley Holiday Auction, BCC.  Please start getting auction items!!!

Jan.6:  LTG official visit to Alameda- interclub please?!

Jan. 16:  Governor's Visit- 9:00-1:30 on a Saturday.  More information to come.

Jan 16:  San Leandro Crab Feed fundraiser.  In the evening.  Let's interclub!!

Jan 23:  Alameda Chili Cook Off- Let's interclub!!

 

JJJJJJJJJJLL$$$$ were numerous, as usual!

E. Levitch J to be here for the third week in a row.  P. Khong J for Cal and for K family dinner at the Carpenters.  B. Barnwell Lfor rolling can of spray paint and J for a nursing mother- both on a Muni bus.  E. Goodman J for a speaker at the Richmond Club.  B. Fay J for Cal and L for something (this editor did not hear).  J. Rosano J for his daughter's, D. Haughin, birthday and his own upcoming birthday and a $120 donation to the BK foundation in honor of their combined years here on earth!  D. Haughin in turn gave $$$ for the age she would like to be!     

 

When asked about service we might have done during the past week(s):  P. Khong shared about the Booster's Thanksgiving packing early this morning.  J. Rosano assisting Albany High swine flu vaccine clinic – 1300 doses given out.  F. Bliss gave a recital at the Senior Center in Alameda and to students at Albany High.  V. C. makes cookies and goodies for the Marines at the Berkeley Marine recruiting center each week- a favorite weekly event for her that she has been doing for about two years now!  

 

SPEAKER NEWS:

 

Holidays and celebrations are a fun time, and our speaker today entertained us with a Thanksgiving history and turkey quiz.  There are some interesting facts about different aspects of this holiday.  The turkey really treated us to some laughs:

1.What sound does a FEMALE turkey make?  Cluck

2.How many feathers does a mature turkey have?  3500

3.How fast can wild turkeys run?  25 miles per hour

4.Can wild turkeys fly?  Yes   How fast?  Up to 55 mph

5.Which country consumes the most turkey per year per capita?  Israel

 

 

 

And historically:

1.What percentage of pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower survived to celebrate Thanksgiving?  50%

2.Who was the first president to pardon a turkey from Thanksgiving during?  Truman

3.What was the name of the Indian chief that helped the pilgrims survive the winter?  Massasoit

4.What vegetable did the pilgrims have available but did not use because they thought it was poisonous?  Potato

And…

1.How high must a cranberry bounce before it can be harvested???  4 inches!!!

2.Do turkeys have heart attacks?  Yes- proved when the Air Force was trying to break the sound barrier- and a whole field of turkeys dropped dead from heart attacks.

 

 

 

I leave you with the following

SAQOTW

 

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say "thank-you"?

William Ward

 

 

 

 

 

WISHING YOU

A LOVELY

THANKSGIVING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE!!!

IF YOU HAVE WONDERFUL DONATIONS FOR OUR DECEMBER HOLIDAY LIVE OR SILENT AUCTION, PLEASE BRING THEM TO OUR MEETINGS.  CONTACT VC  OR DH (DENISE) WITH ANY INFO OR HELP YOU MIGHT GIVE!!!

 

SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY

Editor:  VC

Newsletter 11/17/09

Well, yes,  he was present again today!  That's two weeks in a row for Mr. Levitch.   It's

easy to spot him with his snow white beard as he roams around the room visiting

with everyone.   Good to see you, Ed.

With Gail taking the $$, Tammy opened the meeting with a big smile and her Peruvian

tan!   Mr. "song-man" led us in the anthem and Jack had us reflecting.

We had a nice crowd attending today thanks to a few visitors:  Bruce , Ken & their

Pres. from the Oakland Club (selling tix, of course!) and………..none other than our

Past Pres. (1998) Carol Schilling.  Good to see you, Carol.  Today's honoree at the

head table was none other than our own Phuoc Khong.

 

Lots of Reports:

1.      New member application coming in from Elsa-Jennie Bliss.  Welcome Ms. Bliss.

2.     Family Chair Diane rattled on about many things happening with Circle K. 

     a) The bowling/dine-out was a huge success last Friday night.

     b) Their Fall Banquet is scheduled for Dec. 7^th.  Time & place TBA.

c)  and there was lots more, but!!!!!!!!

3.  We continue to have our "Club Store",  where you can purchase candy, jam, books, etc.

4.   Bettye is continuing with our tradition of  b'day  cakes for the Senior Ctr.  and

      diapers for the Vern Casey House.

5.   Our very special Holiday Auction coming up on Dec.15^th.

      a)  Oakland Auction is slated for Dec. 7^th at the Park Hotel on Hegenberger Dr.  Let's

           do a big interclub and get our case of wine again.

 

Other Happenings:

1.      Turkey Basket filling w/BPD on Nov. 24^th at 6:30 am.  They do this on the

 lawn by the Public Safety Bldg. on MLK Blvd.

2.      We will staff the YEAH kitchen on Dec. 7^th from 6 to 8 pm.

3.      BK Board meeting coming up on Thurs. at 5:15 pm at the Bliss' home.

 

 

 

 

4.       Bob & Joyce Skrak are off on another cruise next week via the Panama Canal!

a)      Will this be a program someday soon?

 

 

BK provided 124 hrs of service last month!!!!   A big hoorah for us.

 

 

 

Sad note:---Carolynn Stewart is laid up recuperating from a tussle with a pit

bull.  A "get well" card is on the way.  Our best to you Carolynn.

 

Wednesday is Frank's birthday, so we made a stab at the birthday song!

 

Many, many happy dollars.  Some for Cal's victory,  some for the weather and

some for just being happy!

 

Rev. Fay introduced our speaker for today:

Ms. Susan Reynolds

Photographer/Writer

 

She presented  a very colorful power point program entitled "Understanding Native

American People", with loud pow-wow drums in the  back-ground.  (good but loud!)

There were many pictures of  different tribes on different Reservations throughout

Montana & South Dakota and their various activities.  She shared with us her insight

into the life of a Native American in today's world.  She explained how they are

getting back to their roots and cultures now that they can legally do so.

It seems "pow-wows"  (tribal gatherings) are getting more and more popular

throughout the US.  Stanford University host one every year, as does Cal.

Our own Rev. Fay with his wife Margie, spent many years as a Chaplain on a

Reservation.  This was a very informative program.  You missed a good one!!

 

 

 

This missive was brought to you from the office of you ex Secretary—JR

 

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Newsletter 110309

It was only a single whammy today.  We had a half quart of President.  Pint 1 is or was somewhere in South America and Roberta was the sole President.  The meeting started out normal (more or less) with Frank at the ticket table, Bob Rice leading GBA and Bettye giving the Invocation.  But then we were instructed to refer to the sheet music on the tables (who can read those funny squiggles?) and sing HAIL KIWANIS.  Words by Walter Barber, Music by Clinton R. Morse and arranged by Gene Sullivan.  Not sure anyone in the audience had ever heard of any of them OR the song, but we made a "valiant" effort and hope we are not required to repeat the performance – it will probably only get worse in time. 

 

Just as ½ Pres Roberta was trying to get guests introduced, Zalman Sher of the Alameda Club strolled in (he's still regularly late!).  Roberta was interrupted while talking about the Christmas Auction.  Zalman was sorry that he wouldn't be in town on Dec 15 but wheedled Grumpy into agreeing to bid on some home-made caramels for him.

 

Anyway, it's time to dig out the auction items for Sharon and Jack to sell on that occasion and plan to be there early and stay late.

 

 

 

 

Diane of Circle K fame introduced her interclub (Josh, Ben and Tammy) and gave us a run-down on the past week's activities, included a contingent at Cazadero on Sunday.  We were invited to their meeting tonight (Tuesday) at 126 Barrows Hall.  Since it's a bit late when you read this, why not mark your calendar for next Tuesday and visit with them.

 

There will be a Circle K evening of bowling and the regular Berkeley Kiwanis "Dining Out" on the same Friday evening, 15 November, at the Albany Bowl.  Plan to attend and knock down a few  pins demonstrating just how rusty you are.

 

A contingent of Berkeley Kiwanians plus Nick Haughin and 15 Circle Kers helped at the Halloween Extravaganza "Imagine That" party at Oakland's Lakeside Center Saturday and a group of the same 2 clubs were up at Cazadero Arts Camp on Sunday to get ready for the winter rains.

 

The week before was "Paint Salvation Army Kettles" day at Denise's shop and about half the kettles were made to look new.  No, Nick wasn't there, but he stayed home and cooked dinner.  What a guy!  This next Sunday will be the second of two such efforts and should finish the job.  One was in my car today and it looked great.

 

 

 

On Nov. 20, a Friday at 4 PM, the South and West Berkeley Senior Centers will have their "Holiday Celebration" and we are invited to attend and try some of the cake we supply.  That will be at the West Center on the SW corner of Hearst and 6^th Streets.

 

Our RIF distributions went to about 350 Head Start kids last month in support of 9 sites.  Reportedly all went well, but the staffing was a bit light.

 

Denise still has some of that delicious See's candy for sale so plan to buy some to favor your sweet tooth (or sweetie) next week.

 

Back to the Holiday Auction on Dec 15.  If you buy your lunch ticket in advance it will be $15 as usual, but they will cost more at the door.  There will be a 50/50 auction again, and those tickets should be available next week.  Get yours while the supply lasts.

 

Denise has volunteered to store auction (live and silent) items you wish to donate, so call her at work to make an appointment.  PLEASE try to get your donations in early so we don't have such a panic that morning.

 

The DCM will be Thursday, 12 Nov at the Aiken Senior Center in Castro Valley in conjunction with that club's Home Made Pasta Feed.  All are welcome; see or call the LtGov (that's VC, you know) for tickets.

 

Speaking of VC; she reported on the status of the Carpenter weight loss contest.  Bill is ahead, being down 9 pounds with VC close behind at -8.  Atta way to go, Bill.

 

Early Thanksgiving will be celebrated at the Carpenters' in Piedmont (not at the store!) on Nov 20.  All Kiwanians and Circle Kers are invited – you just need to make a reservation with VC.

 

Next week we will hear from Susan Reynolds whose subject is "Indian Reservations".

 

Sandy had the YPSO season tickets with her again today, but bemoaned that fact that she had sold none.  That changed, but not by a huge number.  First concert is Saturday, 14 Nov, so you have only one chance more.

 

There were happy and sad dollars, but the only one I recorded was Fruit Bob.  He is being appointed to the Re-entry Council in San Francisco.  That's "re-entry into society after incarceration".  Sounds like SF has more appointed jobs than even Berkeley.

 

Bettye introduced our speaker for the day, Marge Essel.  Marge found her "calling" many years ago and became credentialed as a teacher, not only of children but also of adults.  She has concentrated on Intergenerational Education and has been directing that at the North Berkeley Senior Center for some 25 years.  And just so you'll understand that multi-syllable title – it's pretty simple: getting young children to interact with seniors so they both learn.  First the kids learn that the Seniors don't live at the senior center and get to know them and then the Seniors provide the one-on-one tutoring that's so vital to these young people.

 

Marge was a salaried (part-time) employee but this year's budget problems have taken away all funding for her program.  So, she's still doing it (now for free) and doesn't even have money for books or other training materials.  Not even funds for stipends to the volunteer Seniors.  She's looking for more volunteers to get to know the kids and read to them for a while; then the kids draw pictures of what was read to them.  A session runs from the noon period to about 3 PM, but I didn't catch what days.

 

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.                          jp