Newsletter 122110

We had a very small crowd today, but lots of enthusiasm, noise, and fun!!!  Luckily there was a break in the nasty weather, and we were able to wander in without umbrellas, heavy jackets or dripping heads!!  J. Piercy greeted us at the ticket table, took our money and turned over lunch tickets.  Our President rang the bell a minute or so after 12:30!  Our songleader, P. Khong, led us in a great rendition of GBA.  We sing great even with just a few present!!  Rev. Bliss gave a short invocation, and we had a guest take around the fine box (more on that later!!).      

      

Circle K was represented by 0 and a report for them was given by no one.  You were missed, Circle K.  We hope you are having a good holiday vacation, and come back soon. 'cause we miss you bunches!

 

We had GUESTS!!  Scholarship winner Madeline Miller-Bottome, now a sophmore at Sarah Lawrence in NY came with her mom, Elise.  She is majoring in clinical psychology, has a 4.0 grade point average, loves school, and just spent the past semester here UCBerkeley and states the two schools are totally different!  SL has only about 1400 students!  Melia Ungson,

 

 

scholarship winner from this past year was also visiting with her Dad and our member, Chris.  She is loving Yale, is not able to declare a major till her sophomore year, and says (when asked by VC!) the boys are cute.

 

Also with us was Elsa Jennie Bliss who is back to teaching so unable to get to lunch most of the time.  We were delighted to see her!!  

 

Committee Reports were short and sweet!

1.     VC gave a report on our annual Holiday Auction.  Our net will be just above 5K (yes, that's $5,000.)  The event itself was a great success with many interclubs, lots of enthusiasm, the talents of our two adored auctioneers, and the superb HELP of our Circle K members.

2.      B. Carpenter reported on the lack of interclubs by BK this week.

3.      F. Bliss reported on the work project at the Senior Center this past Friday.  D. Haughin, S. Hearn, F. & R Bliss, J. Rosano, B. Barnwell & B. Lowman were there to serve lunch and visit.  VC brought grandson Natty, but was only able to stay about 20 minutes.  Food was great, and plates were huge!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

4.      D Haughin reported that YEAH will be Jan 2^nd, the first Sunday- Cooking for the young adults 6-8pm.  S. Hearn will be looking for one or two volunteers, and E.J. Bliss will be filling one of those spots!!

5.      B. Barnwell would like for us to wear aprons to our events more often for visibility, and he will research that in more detail.       

 

JLJLJLJLJLJL$$$$

We always have many JL$ and today was no exception.  B. Barnwell gave a weather report on rainfall in various areas.  J. Piercy was delighted to see our two scholarship winners, and happy for the upcoming visit of his son and family.  His grandson will be at the Jr. Olympic qualification event in a few days.  J. Rosano has lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks, and his son is on the mend.  P. Khong L he has not been to Reno in 3 weeks.  C. Ungson J all his kids are home for the holidays.  F. Bliss L that he and R. were here instead of in Tahoe.  B. Carpenter hopeful that son and family make it over the pass today as they head for Idaho.  R. Bliss delighted that Elsa Jennie is here for lunch.  E. J. Bliss happy to be here and L nephews not here.  J. Piercy told a joke and bought R. Bliss's holiday cookies.  VC J for a quiet house for the week!!      

   

SPEAKER?????

 

VC was the speaker and provided a Holiday Quiz.  The thing I notice about something like this is that it gets groups of people talking and sharing information.  Those present filled two tables, and everyone won a prize- which turned out to be packets of Holiday decorated Kleenex.  Pres. Denise was grateful for the prize as she was not feeling well.  While the quiz was going on three folks were cutting tennis balls.  It goes to show that we can have a lot of fun no matter the number of participants!

 

 

 

 

 

Now, for the IMPORTANT stuff. 

1.     No meeting at the Berkeley City Club

     next week, Dec. 28^th.

2.     There will be a Round Table lunch on

     DEC 28^th at:     Bobby G's

                          2074 University Ave.

       (across street from MacDonalds corner of

         Shattuck and University.  You can park in

         the ACE lot, let us know which car is

         yours so we don't boot you!

3.     At the first meeting in January we will

     "pass the hat" for our servers to honor

       them for their fine service in 2010!!

Bring money!!!

4.     January DCM will be Jan. 13^th. at

     Brennans in Berkeley.  6:00pm

5.     Berkeley Board meeting will be at S.  

     Hearn's home on Jan. 20^th.  5:30pm

6.     Two birthdays this week, and neither

was here.  We were thinking of you,

L. Iodice and B. Lowman!!

 

    Editor:  VC

 

 

ENJOY THE SEASON!

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!

 

 

Newsletter 120710

Opening

Phuoc really has GBA down pat!  With a room full we sounded very fine.  Bill Carpenter invocated the tender mercies made famous by our late Bill Hearn. 

Holiday Auction December 14!

Be there.  We've made our reservations.  Plan to join us for a fun and energetic auction next week. 
Circle K Banquet

This is what a fun interclub looks like!  Well, Joe almost belongs to Berkeley Kiwanis.  Look, Cheriz was there too!  She reported to the secretary that Vijay is doing lots of service in L.A. Photo Credit: JonAmir.  www.facebook.com/jonamir

Phuoc reported about the Circle K Banquet with his mouth full, so no one understood what he said.  It did appear to be a huge amount of fun, with energy, short skirts, fancy dresses, handsome men (Virginia will attest to that!) and a cool slide show.  Great bunch, those Circle K'ers! 

Mark Your Calendar :

Dec 11 Service Social at Bliss Home 1-5pm

            Cookie making, Card making, Tennis Ball     cutting

Dec 14 Auction, Berkeley City Club

Dec 17 Berkeley Senior Center 12-4pm

            2939 Ellis Street $5 per person

            Wear Kiwanis aprons, hats, pins

TBA    Bell ringing

Dec 28 No meeting

Birthdays

Neither Secretary Bliss nor President Haughin had the birthday list.  Bill Fay volunteered that he is 87 on December 11.  Sandy Hearn did not volunteer that hers is on Dec 13.  Maybe next week?  Virginia particularly with a few others sang the HB with great enthusiasm. 

Service!
Socks and deoderant are needed for YEAH.  Contact Sandy.

Secret Greeter!

Circle K exempt.  VC felt guilty that everyone was so nice, so she contributed $ as Secret Greeter

 

Happy/Sad $

Josh: Friend in hospital

Jack: Didn't fully use minister Fay in his recent hospital stay

Phuoc:  For Jack,  Circle K and winnings

Duane: $50 for five years at same weight

Bill C: $74 to foundation…one for each year

Sandy: Sad missing Banquet. Happy YEAH

John Moore: Barnes & Noble, Banquet, Kiwanians

Bill Fay: Forgot why happy

Denise: Better week next week & Holiday Auction

 

Program

 

Making cards for kids.  A great holiday tradition at Berkeley Kiwanis.  Thanks, Virginia, for keeping this nice activity going each year.

 

Newsletter 113010

Phuoc led us in…."The Star Spangled Banner".  With his melodious tones and superb conducting, we should have been on key.  We should have been on key.  We weren't.  But what sour notes we hit were quickly forgotten because of our enthusiasm.  Thank you Evie for collecting our money and giving us food tickets.  Duane was pleased to be given the Fine Fine Collector Box and mischievously collected our hard-earned money.  Virginia and Bill brought their accountant, Lee Cordon, to join in our festivities. 

 

Shera and her CircleK'ers have been busy, as usual.  Over Thanksgiving Break:  furniture organizing at Uhuru Furniture for low income families, beach cleanup in So Cal, CAL volleyball concession stand fundraiser.  And coming up:  Hands on Science, Chaparral House, Oakland Holiday

Parade, cooking at the Yeah Shelter, Fall Banquet (December 5 6-9PM) at the Alumni House Toll Room.

 

PrezDenise noted the festivities at Washington School last Tuesday—the kids singing, the yummy lunch, the superintendent attending.  "It was a fabulous day for the school and a fabulous day for Berkeley Kiwanis" Denise noted and then suggested we all "drive by" to admire our

 

 

work.  Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this project.

 

Our Berkeley Marina project, according to JohnP who was quoting Ed, is under design, 60% done.

 

Will there be Bell Ringing?  Who is in charge?  About the only known point is it

will be on a Saturday, in December, in front of a certain Ace Hardware.  Details will be firmed up and we will know more next week.

 

December birthdays were celebrated:  Happy Birthday to Jack (and thank you for your generous contribution to the Foundation) and Happy Birthday to BillC (and thank you for your generous contribution that you promise to give next week).  Despite their pleas, we did sing (sing is probably not the right word) a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday".

 

Interclub to Richmond on Wednesday December 1, followed by a visit to Allen Coe.

 

December 5 is a Yeah Sunday.  Sandy is asking for volunteers.  Contact her if you are available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11 (in the late afternoon into dinner) Roberta is hosting a Making, Baking, Decorating Cookies Event.

 

December 14.  Auction, Auction, Auction.  Remember to get your "basket items" turned in.  And remember to bring guests, neighbors, friends, family.

 

December 17: the Senior's Holiday Party.  Bettye has the details.

 

Oktober 8 2011 is the Oktoberfest.  Get that date on your calendars!

 

Leo Iodice broke his hip.  He is home and let's call him and send him cards.

 

Happy and Sad…

--Phuoc:  Sad, so sad for CAL.  Happy for 3 Thanksgiving meals.

--Jack:  Sad for Leo.

--Josh:  Happy for his family who volunteered at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving.

--BillC:  Happy for Jack's birthday and Happy he (Bill) is younger.

--NewBob:  Reminding us he had "Safety Tips" brochures.

--Lee (Carpenter's guest):  Happy for a free lunch, even if he had to come all the way from Idaho to get it.

--Ed:  Sad for Leo, Happy for a special Thanksgiving.

--RevBill:  Happy for Thanksgiving and a grand-daughter's visit.

--Denise:  Happy for a vacation at Collins Lake and a Motor Home that keeps out the rain.

--Jack:  Happy for a yummy lemon pie (baked by you know who) for Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

Our speaker was Captain Keith Turro:  Commanding Officer of the Base Support Unit Alameda (aka the Coast Guard). 

 

He started by complimenting Prez Denise on a great meeting.  His job is to drive a desk:  make sure the lights are on, the toilets flush, the grass is cut, etc. etc. to keep 4 Admirals

(Pacific Area Command, The 11^th Coast Guard Command, Forces Ready Command) happy!

 

We think of the Coast Guard as guarding the coast & inland waters and search & rescue.  But it has a diverse mission:  maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, ice patrol, aids to navigation, noting migrant folks.  They have 5 Cutters on site (2 new ones just arrived).

 

He noted that folks are staying in the service these days and they are "full up" for one year and have a two year waiting list.

 

The Coast Guard is now under Homeland Security, but has been under various other departments (e.g. Treasury, Transportation) over the years.  The Coast Guard was formed in 1915 out of Light House and Life Saving groups.

 

We learned so much about the Coast Guard and their current duties (including enforcing international law), their thoughts (the importance of communication) and some of their small un-noticed achievements (turning old light houses successfully over to stewards who would take care of them).

 

What an interesting and informative and delightful speaker!                     (Scribe tjp)

Newsletter 111610

^{KIWANIS  CLUB      u       Hands of Service      u      BERKELEY,  CA}

 

We had a pretty good crowd today with Frank taking care of the tix and Oscar

serving up the chicken and veggies.

Don't know why but Madam Pres got

the meeting off to a late start.  Phuoc took

care of the singing with a very good tempo

(for us!).    With Bettye blessing everyone

in existence, we were off and running.

 

Lots of reports:

INTERCLUBS—

We had two this past week, Hayward/CV

on 11/9 and DCM on 11/10 at Brennans.

We'll be at Richmond on Wed. next and

maybe Davis on 1/13.   We'll go any place to get some interclub credit!!!!!

 

RIF—

We've got four (4) sections slated for Wed. & Thurs.  11/17 & 11/18.  If you've got a little time, Virginia could use your help.  845-0410.  This a fun way to spend half a day!!

 

MEETINGS—

Our monthly Bd. of  Directors meeting is

scheduled for Wed. 11/17 at S. Hearn's home at 5:30 pm.  Another fun way to spend

an evening!!

 

 

 

 

NOTE—

Next week's meeting 11/23 will be at Washington School at 11:45.  After lunch

we will join school personnel to dedicate

the newly built "Kiwanis Arbor".  This is your chance to see the craftsmanship and

labor provided by several of our members.

No meeting at the City Club next week!

Got it,  Ed?

 

UPCOMING EVENTS—

Two guests from the Oakland Club were present to announce their Holiday Auction

on 12/6 at the Park Plaza Hotel.

Berkeley's Holiday Auction is, of course,

a week later on 12/14 at the BCC, as usual.

There will be, as usual, a guest auctioneer.

 

TODAY'S PROGRAM—

Our own Kiwanis Int'l  Trustee, Roberta

Bliss,  presented us with a slide production describing " What is a Trustee".  Unfortunately,  there are some of us who aren't really sure, yet.  It is going to take a few years for all this to come to fruition.

This has been depicted as a "money saver",

with the likes of less travel, less meeting,

etc.

 

Have a good one, my friends.  jr