Newsletter 020910

Here's to another somewhat warmer day amidst the crazy, wet and cold days we have had these past weeks.  The first sign of great things to come was that we were directed upstairs to our former dining room, always a cozy and friendly place.  We were greeted at the check-in table by J. Rosano, led in a WONDERFUL rendition of GBA by B. Rice and invocated by J. Piercy who asked for blessings for our great work, fabulous comraderie and this great weather.

 

Trying to bring us all under control was ½ Pres. T. Paradis, whilst the other ½ Pres. and her daughter are in ??? doing service.  So far, dad F. Bliss has heard they are hauling bricks.  T.P. called on our lovely B. Lowman to fill up that fine box!  And… there was a Secret Greeter in the person of E. Goodman, who could not catch anyone having missed shaking her hand.  Some still did pay insurance!

 

T.P. honored B. Barnwell by asking him to join her at the front table.  He earned the seat of honor for all his service hours in San Francisco and the quiet things he does for the Berkeley Club.  Round of applause for Bob!  Other guests included Esther, loving wife of B. Rice, and Karen Euston, president of the Albany/EC Kiwanis Club who brought along a friend Sharon.  (I missed the last name!)                 

 

THEN:  Circle K family chair Diane introduced her male followers- Peter, Kenneth and John- so that's an interclub!  She shared info about service projects including St. Vincent de Paul and a Baking Party

 

 

for sending cookies to our service members overseas.  They also had a bowling social event and chocolate Valentine roses are now for sale as a fundraiser.  They are always doing something!!!   

 

There were reports from various committees:

 

DINE OUT NIGHT is this Friday the 12^th.  Join the fun at Barneys located at Shattuck and Cedar.

5:30pm… 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE is busy, and they are chasing people.  They are looking for some of us to step up to be on the board.

CAZADERO  reconnoiter is sometime next week I think we heard. (I spelled it correctly!!)

BK FOUNDATION has received a donation to the foundation from the family of Charlie Fitch.  J. Piercy also mentioned that donations have come in for Haiti relief, and he will be sending off a check for that in the next few days.  Contributions through the foundation will be matched.  Also, a letter was received from one of our scholarship recipients who is attending Brown.  She is having a fabulous time and is so very grateful for our support.   

COMMUNITY SERVICES will be taking diapers to Vera Casey and cakes to the South Berkeley Senior Center.  And we may do another serving night at YEAH this month!!! 

RIF will be in March.

SECRETARY Bliss requested any hours of service be turned in for his report due tomorrow!

SUNSHINE:  S. Hearn reported that she heard via Vivian Coe that Ruth Iodice is in the hospital.  J. Rosano stated that Nick Haughin had another TIA while at work this morning and Denise was with him at the hospital.   

 

 

There were plenty of JLJLJL$$$  

B. Barnwell very very L re: a recent break-in at an after school program site, and the theft of so many of the things these programs need.  P. Khong L for the funeral of his uncle and J to have heard from our member Chino who is now in Japan and due to start teaching next week.  She misses us!!  And we miss you, Chino!!  VC J to bring remaining caramels to F. Bliss who must be hungry!!  B. Skrak L that he had to come home from Hawaii.  J. Rosano JJ for his guests.  S. Hearn very L to hear about Ruth Iodice.  B. Rice very J his wife Esther joined us for lunch.  K. Euston gave a "startled" $ for a falling fence from across the street at her house (read further on in this rag for more info on this!).  Sharon gave JJ for the scholarship that BK gave her daughter many years back.  B. Rice also J for an upcoming science fair.

 

And then there was THE SPEAKER….        

The Berkeley Unified School District's Superintendent Bill Huyett had been with the city for two years now.  He has two children, both of whom have benefited from the public school system from kindergarten through university.  He feels that the Berkeley school system has very dedicated and very bright, talented teachers and principals.  Many of them come from the UC system and have a mindset of the importance of education in the city.

In spite of reports you might hear, performance is on the rise and there is the continued desire to teach the "whole child".  We still have good arts and academic programs that include college prep tracks.

 

There is concern about the continued loss of funds.  Because of GREAT financial management within the school district Berkeley has been able to keep many things that other districts have had to forgo due to lack of financial planning (we still have monies to stretch out).  However, the time has come that even our libraries for example are going to have to "peel away".  Mr. Huyett is worried about the charter school movement that is given huge amounts of monies.  And, because of lack of planning in the state of California, he is concerned that the 2011-2012 year will be the worst time as tax support and stimulus monies will end and charter schools may take much more of any available funds.  He truly feels that public education as we know it now will not exist in the future.  Thank you, Mr. Huyett, for your honest insights!           .    

 

 

We leave you now with a SAQOTW:

 

 

A LICK AND A PROMISE

Does mail still have value?  Well, are you pleased to receive and unexpected letter from a friend?  Are you eager to open some news you've been anticipating?  Then it should come as no surprise to you that the inscription on the cornice of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum (the former U.S. Post Office in Washington, D.C.) reads:

            Messenger of sympathy and love,

            Servant of parted friends,

            Consoler of the lonely,

            Bond of the scattered family,

            Enlarger of the common life,

            Carrier of news and knowledge,

            Instrument of trade and industry,

            Promoter of mutual acquaintance,

            Of peace and of goodwill among men

            and nations.

 

Please do enjoy this issue of the

Berkeley Kiwanis Kollegiate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is nothing like sealing a letter to inspire a fresh thought.

Al Bernstein

DON'T FORGET DINEOUT AT

BARNEYS THIS FRIDAY!!

                       

Editor:  vc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!!

BRING A FRIEND!!!

 

                EDITOR:  VC