K I WA N I S C L U B O F WA R N E R C E N T E R VOLUME 19 - NUMBER 9 Week of Jan. 9, 2010 The 2003-2004 Kiwanis International Bulletin Contest Winner Kryer Staff Publisher: Howard Miereanu Editor: Sandy Miereanu Staff Writers: Linda Rice & Howard Miereanu Contributing Writers: Naomi Edelstein, Gloria Birnkrant Division 25 Lieutenant Governor Nick Montaño The Kiwanis Club Of Warner Center Meeting Place: Weiler’s Deli Restaurant Sherman Way at Shoup Ave. 7:10 A.M. Every Thursday 818-346-7004 KRYER CLUB RELAXED AND READY TO GO! J Reported by: Linda Rice and Howard Miereanu an. 7, 2010 —In our first meeting of 2010, we had a good turnout and everyone seemed very glad to be back together after the holidays. But, we also very much missed those who weren’t with us and want to send our best wishes for the new year to Arnie Abrams, Kathy Alonzo, Bobbi Barbera, Joan Barry (we are thinking of you and sending many positive thoughts your way, lady!), Jim Hagemeier (we hope you are well, Jim), Ric Ross (come on, it’s time to make a visit), and Kristin Thibedeau (who is vacationing in Chile). Also, we were saddened to learn that Catherine de Gama had submitted her resignation. We hate to lose someone with as much enthusiasm as Catherine seemed to have for community service. In any event, we had a roomful, including some guests. Shelly’s wife, Elaine, joined us with her cousin Lauren Schneider, LCSW, our speaker Please visit our web site: www.kiwaniswc.org Shelly and wife, Elaine, joined by her cousin and guest speaker Lauren Schneider and Lauren’s husband, Owen Husney. SE RV IN G TH E CHILDREN OF THE D RL WO this week, and Lauren’s husband, Owen Husney. It was especially good to have them at the meeting because they seemed to fit in so well. It looked like they enjoyed spending the morning with us as much as we enjoyed having them. President Pat asked Vic to lead the pledge and he didn’t forget any of the words. Peggy did the invocation and was appropriately pious. Quentin led us in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and kept us mostly on key. After the “opening ceremonies,” Pres. Pat reported that on Jan. 11 and 27, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. on KCET, the Leonis Adobe Museum will be featured on “Visiting… with Huell Howser”. To make this more Pres. Pat displays info about the party fun Huell Howser for Huell Howser and Leonis Adobe and the Leonis Adobe will host a premier kick-off party at Sagebrush Cantina on Monday, Jan. 11th starting at 6:30. Guests will enjoy refreshments and entertainment and order a “Huell Howser Special” off the menu. There is no charge for this event. Sandy presented Quentin with his prize for selling the most cookbooks between November and the holidays. He got one of the handcrafted wooden bowls that was donated to the Sandy presents Questin with his prize. Club. “Thank you very much. I really wanted to win this prize,” he said, “so I could give it to someone who is continuing to sell cookbooks. Robin Jaffe.” Classy, Quentin. Robin had been a little miffed as she thought she had until the end of December to compete for Easy come, easy go! Robin the top prize and was sure comes out a winner anyway! she would lead the pack in sales. (Cont. Next page) (Page Cont.) As Sandy pointed out, everyone needs to keep selling cookbooks. Even if you’ve sold your requisite five books, why not take one or two more and find them a good home? We still have over 140 books to sell and each one represents pure profit to the Club. We can always use the money. As of December 31, 2009, we had sold a total of 394 cookbooks, with gross income of $6,062 and net profit of $2,994. We can raise an additional $2,000 by selling all the remaining cookbooks. That isn’t chump change for a Club like ours. Do it for Gil! Sandy, our Fund Raising Chairperson, reminded everyone that it is time to start setting aside items for Sandy had a few items about fund raising our Garage Sale in May. Richard that may include a Baja Cruise. will make space available at Halsey Schools garage starting approximately a month before the sale. Sandy also said she had been approached by several members interested in doing another three-day “Snooze, Booze and Cruise”, something that has also been a money maker for the Club in years past. It would have to be on Carnival Cruise Lines this time around, but the possibility exists that she might be able to book another Murder Mystery Cruise in the fall. It appeared there was sufficient interest for her to start investigating. Jen had a lot to report as our liaison to the Community Police Advisory Board. She and other community volunteers were treated to a tour of the LAPD Communications Center, now located where the old Hughes plant used to be on Roscoe, west of Fallbrook. She described the experience as “unbelievable.” The facility is built to withstand an 8.2 earthquake and the communications staff is well-trained to take the 2.1 million calls they receive each year. Roughly half of the calls represent true “emergencies.” Jen reported that there has been an 18% drop in homicides in the City, the lowest since 1967. The Mayor and Police Chief aim to keep it that way, she assured us. As usual Jen had plenty of LAPD info! Jen also reported about the fact that LAPD will no longer be affiliated with the Boy Scout Explorer program. Citing the Boy Scouts’ policy of excluding gays, atheists and agnostics from its ranks as its reason for the parting of the ways, the LAPD is revamping the program and will continue to work with youth interested in law enforcement, but in an environment that does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or religion. Finally, Jen reported that WHKC member John Fisher had broken his neck over the holidays. He was on a bicycle with his dog, who apparently ran in front of him causing a crash. John fractured his first cervical disk, an injury that often results in total paralysis from the chest down. Fortunately for John, he did not injure his spinal cord and is expected to make a full recovery. If you’d like to drop him a card, his address is 22652 Berdon St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Gil announced that the next Ronald McDonald House Sunday Night Dinner will take place on Feb. 7, 2010. If you sign up for “Give a Day, Get a Day” with Disney, you may qualify for a free pass to Disneyland if by helping out on February 7th. Here is an e-mail link to the web site you will want to visit for details: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/ en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-DaySearch&CMP=EMC-DVAFY10Q1GDGDD000 Dominique was fairly glowing with pride about the El Camino Key Club, members who turned out in force to decorate the Kiwanis float, “Above the Rest,” which won the Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony through floral use. Howard reminded everyone to collect used toner cartridges (nothing bigger than you can hold in your hand), old cell phones, CD’s, etc., for him to redeem to earn money for our Club. It’s just $50 here and there, but it adds up. He just sent in 2 boxes filled with items and needs more to fill empty cartons. Eva announced that the My Stuff project will take place next Tuesday. If you are interested in joining her intrepid group of volunteers, give her a call. They’d love to have a new face join them for this very worthwhile and fun project. Ron was our fine master again this week. He seems to have the fix in on the raffle as this is a job he’s had a number of times in the past couple of months. Of course, he does it well and makes it a lot of fun. This week, the questions were literary. How far did the narrator in Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” have to go to get home? Miles. Who said, “Out damned spot,” and wasn’t yelling at a dog at the time? Lady McBeth. What were the names of the feuding families in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet?” The Capulets and the Montagues. Nice work, Ron. Very high brow when compared to questions like, “How many times does a male fruit FineMaster Ron asks and Shelly did better than most with his answer. fly mate in the course of its lifetime?” There were lots of happy dollars this week. I’m sure I’ve missed some, so forgive me if yours doesn’t show up: Gloria had a happy dollar because she had an emergency appendectomy on December 21st. Now, this ordinarily wouldn’t be considered a happy dollar event, but she was thrilled with the care she got and her recovery, so we’re glad it wasn’t a sad dollar. Jen had a happy dollar that John Fisher is on the mend. Linda had a happy dollar because her grandson, Maddox, turned one today. Shelly had a happy dollar because, after re-piping their home, the water coming out of the shower was no longer yellow. Yuck. Elaine contributed a happy dollar because her Lauren and Owen were at the meeting. Owen responded with a happy dollar for being at the meeting. It was a virtual love Woodland Hills’ John Fisher is on the mend after fest. (Cont. Next page) breaking his neck in a freak bike/dog accident (Page Cont.) Sylvain had a happy dollar for surviving the new airport security screening at Charles DeGaulle Airport. In typical Sylvain fashion, he gave us too much information about the guard who had a cold when he screened him. You don’t want to know any more than that, believe me. Ron had a happy dollar because his son in Denver had an interview with the Dish network and thought it went very well. We’ll keep our fingers crossed, Ron. Shelly introduced our Guest Speaker, Lauren Schneider, LCSW. Lauren, he told us, is the Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Programs for “Our House Grief Support Center.” She is an expert in the field of childhood bereavement and lectures nationally on the topic. Lauren trains and supervises Our House volunteers group leaders and conducts continuing education workshops for rabbinic students, social workers, therapists and medical professionals. She also maintains a private practice as a clinical social worker in Encino and West Los Angeles. “Imagine, for a moment,” Lauren began, “that you are seven year old. When you arrive home from school, your grandmother meets you at the door and says, ‘I have some bad news. We lost your father today. Now be a good little boy. Go to your room and do your homework.’ You are puzzled and wonder is someone is out looking for your daddy and when he will return home. You hear someone crying in another room and it sounds like your mother. What do you do? How do you feel? Whom can you talk to about what happened?” These are issues that children Guest Speaker, Lauren Schneider talks who lose a parent often face. Our about “Our House Grief Support Center.” House is an organization that helps children and adults navigate the grieving process that is a natural part of such an experience. Founded sixteen years ago by a woman working in hospice, Our House brings together like groups of children and adults. The experience of a 30-year old widow at the loss of a spouse will be different than that of an 85-year old, so grouping those with similar experience is important to the healing process. Groups generally meet once every two weeks and are led by volunteers trained by Lauren and the other professionals on Our House’s paid staff. Payment for services is calculated on a sliding scale - from $30 to $1, based on ability to pay. In 1997, Our House started working in schools, to reach out to those who otherwise might not have access to its services. Today, they are a presence in five school districts, including LAUSD, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Culver City and Hawthorne. For the first time this year, Our House partnered with Philadelphia Phillies, Jamie Moyer, his wife, Karen, and their Moyer Foundation to sponsor 50 children to attend Camp Erin, a three-day bereavement camp, in Simi Valley. Our House is hoping to expand this program in the years to come. An individual or group can sponsor a child for just $150. Lauren struck me as someone who is the perfect person for her chosen profession. If you know of anyone who could use the services of Our House, put them in touch with Lauren at the Woodland Hills office (818-222-3344). You just know she will take good care of them. Most of us have suffered a loss and struggled through the grieving process, relying only on family and friends to help. If you’ve been through that - at any age - you know how difficult and lonely it can be. Thanks, Shelly and Elaine, for introducing us to Lauren and Owen. We hope to see them again at a meeting or one of our events. Gloria won the raffle and will fine for us next week. January Board Meeting ADMINISTRATIVE: Gil & Naomi made a special appearance at the January Board meeting. Gil reported on the status of the cookbooks and reported we had netted almost $3,000, with 140 plus books remaining to be sold for an anticipated profit of $2,100. Naomi encouraged the Board to consider making a donation to the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Center, where she has been volunteering. She is going to bring us a speaker from the Center and the Board is anxious to help. Treasurer Willy reported that the Administrative account has a balance of $6,117.71 and is reasonably current. There was some discussion about membership concerns and the need to keep growing the Club - by recruiting new members and doing a better job of holding onto the ones we have. Fund Raising Chair Sandy discussed the possibility of doing another three-night Mexican cruise. The last one she put together earned the Club about $1,100, with approximately 30 people participating. Sandy also reported that she would be meeting with Vic and Janet to come up with some other fund raising activities. Pat suggested that we do another dinner out in February at one of the restaurants who will make a donation back to the Club. Sandy will come back with a proposal for this soon. Membership Chair Linda reminded everyone that the Special Guest Day is set for March 25th. She will distribute forms for members to fill in identifying prospective new members and expects each current member to submit two to three names. Her committee will do the rest. She will set the first meeting of the Membership Committee to take place sometime before the February Board meeting so the Board can discuss what, if any, financial incentive we want to offer potential new members who join the Club. Kryer Publisher Howard is still ruminating about including advertising in the Kryer and has been somewhat stymied by the fact that he has been unable to get a complete Division roster of email addresses. He feels, and probably rightly so, that until the Kryer is regularly distributed to a critical mass of people, it is unlikely there will be much interest in advertising in it. When asked to report, Lt. Governor Advisor Sylvain said Nick hasn’t asked for any advice recently. The next DCM will take place on January 18th at Los Toros. There will be a discussion of whether the District governance should be changed from a group of Trustees to the sitting Lt. Governors. It should be interesting - if you’re into that kind of thing. The Governor’s Visit Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 24th. Ron, Sylvain, Pat and Linda volunteered to attend so we would make out out-of-Division InterClub. The International Convention will be held this year in Las Vegas from June 24th to the 27th. CAL-NEV-HA will be staying at Bally’s where rooms will cost $109 per night. Registration before January 31st will cost you $195; after that, it will be $250. The last time the International Convention was in Vegas, we had lots of members attend and everyone had a great time. Consider making this weekend a fun get-away that just happens to also include Kiwanis. The Administrative meeting was adjourned at 8:20. FOUNDATION: The meeting included a report by Willy that we have $23,129.88 in our Foundation account, which made everyone smile since he has paid all of the expenses associated with the Equestrian Event. The Foundation meeting was adjourned at 8:35 or so. The $2.99 Special Submitted by Naomi Edelstein If you are a senior you will understand this one, if you deal with seniors this should help you understand them a little better, and if you are not a senior yet… God willing, someday you will be! We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the “seniors’ special” was juice, two eggs, bacon, grilled tomato, hash browns, and toast, tea or coffee for $2.99. “Sounds good,” my wife said. “But I don’t want the eggs.” “Then, I’ll have to charge you three dollars and fort y-nine cents because you’re ordering a la carte,” the waitress warned her. “You mean I’d have to pay for not taking the eggs?” my wife asked incredulously. “YES!!” stated the waitress. “I’ll take the special then,” my wife said. “How do you want your eggs?” the waitress asked. “Raw and in the shell,” my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and baked a cake. DON’T MESS WITH SENIORS!!! WE’VE been around the block more than once! And they pay these people millions of $$$,$$$,$$$ Why Athletes can’t have regular jobs… Submitted by Gloria Birnkrant • Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: “I wan’ all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan’ all the kids to copulate me.” • New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: “I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first.” • And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the ‘Skin’s say: “I’d run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl,” Matt Millen of the Raiders said: “To win, I’d run over Joe’s Mom, too.” • Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: “He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings..” • Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann: “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” • Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: “You guys line up alphabetically by height.” And, “You guys pair up in groups of three, and then line up in a circle.” • Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson going to prison: “Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton .” • Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: “That’s so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes.” • Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: “He’s a guy who gets up at six o’clock in the morning, regardless of what time it is.” • Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: “I told him, ‘Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?’ He said, ‘Coach, I don’t know and I don’t care.’” • In the words of NC State great Charles Shackelford, “I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious.” Look who our next speaker will be! Do you have your? Jan. 14 - Gloria Birnkrant - Doug Lasken “Growing up in Woodland Hills” Jan. 21 - Tom Birnkrant - Michael Zuk “Medical Marijuana: Up in Smoke?” Jan. 28 - Dominique Cavelier - Andrew Graham: Degreed Interior Designer and Founder of Affirmative Color. Feb. 4 - Gail Conway Feb. 11 - Speaker to be announced! Feb. 18 - Gil Edelstein - Lester Wood “Will Rogers Ranch” Feb. 25 - Naomi Edelstein Mar. 4 - Dwight Elrich Mar. 11 - Peggy Fera Mar. 18 - Vic Fera Mar. 25 - Sylvain Fribourg Apr. 1 - Pat Goldstein CLUB EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDAR Wed., Jan. 11 - Huell Howser @ Sagebrush Sun., Jan. 24 - Governor’s Visit Luncheon Sun., Feb. 7- Ronald McDonald House Thurs., Mar. 25 - Special Guest Day Sun., April 11 - Ronald McDonald House Sat., May 15th - WCKC Garage Sale Sun., May 22, Shane’s in Westwood Sun., June 13 - Ronald McDonald House Thurs.- Sun., June 24-27, KI Conv. Las Vegas Sun., Aug. 8 - Ronald McDonald House Sun., Sept. 26 - 2010 KECSA Sun., Oct. 10 - Ronald McDonald House Sun., Dec., 12 - Ronald McDonald House You CAN make up that missed meeting! TUESDAY CALABASAS/AGOURA - Sagebrush Cantina., Old Calabasas Road. 12:00 Noon CANOGA PARK/RESEDA - Weiler’s Deli Restaurant- Sherman Way At Shoup Ave. - 6:10-P.M. CHATSWORTH - Los Toros Restaurant - 21743 Devonshire St. 7:00 P.M.. WEDNESDAY WOODLAND HILLS - 1st & 3rd Wed. Holiday Inn, 21301 Ventura Blvd.12:00 Noon. THURSDAY WARNER CENTER - Weiler’s Deli Restaurant- Sherman Way at Shoup Ave.- 7:10 A.M. NORTHRIDGE - Orange Grove Bistro, CSUN Campus, 12:00 Noon MID VALLEY/VAN NUYS - Airtel Plaza Hotel - 7277 Valjean Ave. 12:00 Noon KIWANIS CLUB OF WARNER CENTER CALENDAR JANUARY 2010 SUN 27 MON 28 Peggy & Vic Fera - 50th Anniversary TUES 29 WED 30 Naomi Edelstein Birthday THURS FRI 31 NO MEETING NEW YEARS EVE 1 NEW YEARS DAY SAT 2 Happy Mew Year for Cats Day KWANZAA Ends today. 3 Joan Barry Birthday 4 5 6 11 Huell Howser & Leonis Adobe party at Sagebrush Cantina 17 12 Governor’s Visit Luncheon 31 Sandy Miereanu Birthday Macintosh Computer Day 14 Club Meeting 7:10 AM 15 9 Natl. Fruitcake Toss Day 16 Gloria Birnkrant (Doug Lasken Growing up in Woodland Hills) King Day 25 13 Rubber Duckie Day 18 19 Martin Luther 24 8 Shelly Bern Lauren Schneider Our House Grief Support Center. Natl. Chocolate Covered Cherry Day 10 7 Club Meeting 7:10 AM 26 Kathy Alonzo Birthday 20 Dominique Cavelier Birthday 27 International Holocaust Memorial Day 21 Club Meeting 7:10 AM 22 23 Natl. Pie Day Tom Birnkrant Michael Zuk “Medical Marijuana: Up in Smoke?” 28 29 Fun At Work Club Meeting Day 7:10 AM Dominique Cavelier - Andrew Graham: Degreed Interior Designer and Founder of Affirmative Color. 30