Opti- B –Bull 12-23-2010

Welcome all fourteen members and guests this morning.    Merry Christmas

The meeting opened with our flag salute and Wally’s invocation.  Followed by this day in history 1982, later for those interested.

No secret greeter this morning other than Pres. Alan, which could be considered a little sneaky. However it made for all to greet each other in true optimist style.

This morning’s raffle winner was Marv Doty.  Marv will receive $6 dead presidents next week.

Alan told of one of our members attending last week’s gift exchange that could not wait to raffle off his great prize while on a bike outing.  I understand it was a treasured item of high value. Alan, why did you tell on Bruce??

Our member Richard Hose, after his knee surgery, is recovering at home and Alan said he is doing well.  Hope to see you soon at breakfast, Richard.

This day in history, in 1982 the Missouri town of “Time Beach” was evacuated and demolished by order of the Missouri health department.  Why, you ask. Time Beach had dirt roads which became dusty at times - so the people sprayed chemical dioxin on the road to cut the dust, not knowing it was a health hazard.  The spray was furnished by waste-hauler at low price which gives the lesson, “Watch out what you buy.”  More to the story, you should have been there.

Speakers  this morning was Brian Reynolds the new troop 870 Scoutmaster and Joe Mueller the outgoing troop Scoutmaster.  Each reviewed the troops activities in the past and future coming events for troop 870.  Presently the troop has 42 members from  10 to 18 years of age.  This troop has a very active schedule through the year which keeps a very high interest in the troop.  Starting on January 1st they will be collecting Christmas trees from homes for grinding.  This will last for three weekends and is their major fund raiser.  All funds pay for their troop’s activities for the year.  Thanks Brian and Joe for joining us this morning.  Alan mentioned to Brian that he can have a paid Optimist membership if he would join us through the year.

Happy Holidays Everyone

Until then…

Opti- B – Bull 12-16-10

This morning we held our Christmas breakfast buffet and gift exchange.   As always we invited our spouses, neighbors, and friends. We even had one daughter and granddaughter.

The morning was opened with our flag salute followed by Wally’s invocation.

Prior to breakfast, we made a call to past Pres. Jim Cates in Silverton ( I think we woke him) to sing happy birthday.  I hope this met with your satisfaction Jim.  Happy birthday was on the 12^th.

Each year we order a breakfast buffet (which was great) but there was one thing missing, Pat’s wonderful cookie assortment. Yes Pat, we missed you.

Now on to the gift exchange.    As we entered with a gift we were given a number. As the numbers were called to select your gift at random, you had a choice to trade your ticket for a opened gift or select one from the table.  Simple and no confusion (wrong), some were hiding their gifts so they could not be traded.  All in all we always have a great time and it’s fun to see a full room.

In addition to the gift exchange we collected canned goods for the Sunshine Pantry.  And we added a collection for our server for such good service throughout the year.

Next week 12-23-10 our speakers are the outgoing and incoming scoutmasters of our troop we sponsor though the year. Please plan to attend and thanks to Bob Arneson for inviting them as speakers.

Our December 30^th meeting (if you can attend) will be open for sharing what wonderful gift and Christmas you had with your families.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!

Until then…

Monday we’ve scheduled a solar eclipse for your pleasure…the mgmt.

Opti- B-Bull December 9, 2010

Once again our meeting was opened on time (7:00 a.m.) by Pres. Alan.  Jack Franklin led us in the flag salute followed by the invocation by Wally Johnston.  (The year to remember is 1921). 

After the bell two folks arrived a little late.  It was great to see Barry and Joe dig for their coins.

Wally Johnston will be retiring from the Sherwood Police force as chaplain on December 10.  Congratulations Wally.

Gary Mahone was the winner of today’s raffle.  Let’s see, April, how much was the pot?  I believe it was around $50.00 so don’t let him tell you it was only $8.00.

This coming Monday is our Board Meeting.  The meeting is held at the Beaverton Resource Center – starting time is 6:30 p.m.  All club members are invited and the meeting lasts 1-1/2 hours.

This day in history, 1921, General Motors engineers discovered that if you blended lead into gasoline, car engines would run quieter – stops engine noise. See what you can learn by attending our breakfast meetings, and without a speaker of the day.

Coming up next week is our annual Christmas Breakfast and gift exchange.  Bring a wrapped gift and join in on the fun of trading and hiding.  Don’t forget, bring a guest.

Next up on December 23 we will have the new and old scoutmasters as our speaker.  This is a great time to be a part of the scout troop we have sponsored for years.

Birthdays:  Last week this writer missed announcing Alan Z’s birthday (retraction).  This week we honored two, Francis Mijo and Bob Primrose.  Thank you all for the great singing.  On December 12 there is another big birthday, Jim Cates.  It would really be nice if we could see Jim and Sharon at our Christmas party and we could sing to Jim.  (If the price is right)

Please try to join us each week.  This week as we did not have a speaker so there came the jokes. (one groaner)  So you see we do have a good time anyway.  See you next week.

Until then…..

Opti BeaBull November 11, 2010

Twelve stalwarts showed up on this Veterans Day for our morning meal. Marv T led us in the pledge to the flag and Bruce gave the invocation. Sheriff Steve did double duty as secret greeter fining Barry in what some viewed as revenge. Susan turned over last week’s raffle winnings to Bruce for children’s bike helmets and then promptly won this week’s raffle. We celebrated Jack’s 49^th anniversary on the 10^th which turned out to be the same day in 1871 when Stanley found Livingston in Africa. The US Marines were also organized on this day in 1775 by the Continental Congress. Sesame Street began broadcasting this same day in 1969. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 the guns on the western front fell silent and World War One was over. We celebrated Armistice Day and the war to end all wars was over. Today we call it Veterans Day and haven’t run out of veterans or wars yet.

We will meet again this Saturday at 8:30 AM in the Kmart Parking Lot to cleanup Murray Rd. Our last road party only took an hour. We discussed plans for our annual Christmas Party. The Board wanted directions as to whether we’d allow other members to run around grabbing the really good gifts we’d been lucky enough to unwrap. After a show of hands, we agreed again to allow this heartbreaking custom to continue and Bob Primrose to again arrange things. Mark your calendars for the 16^th of December as you begin searching your basement for appropriate gifts. That talking fish must be in a box somewhere? The question of a food barrel for the Sunshine Pantry also came up at our Board Meeting but our restaurant has already allowed a toy barrel to go in. We may have to find another location to collect food cans.

Wally wanted us to also remember the homeless children at Aloha High. Last week’s speaker, Jennifer Winquist left us a list of needs for these children. The Club has run out of Speaker Plaques so we (by we I mean Bob P) are exploring all possibilities including cups so we have something to give our speaker to remember us by. Marv T is proposing a golf tournament to fund our Dean Mitchell Scholarship program. Hillsboro had pretty good success with theirs last year and our funding from Intell through Commissioner Schouten has come to an end.

At the Board Meeting Monday we learned that Dusty will be dropping his membership for this year because he is traveling to South American so much and won’t be around. And Kyle Rogers hasn’t been around for a long time. In order to help members pay dues, the board discussed quarterly payments of $25 be allowed. Joe would like a $45 payment by mid December so we don’t have to drop any more members. The Club must pay OI and District and our Administrative account is low. Scott suggested we ask members to donate to the account. We will probably send a letter requesting help in bringing this account into a level of a balanced budget.

We discussed an evening meeting pot luck dinner for members and spouses and inviting friends and acquaintances we’d like to have join our club. Joan and Marv D will look for a place to hold this event.

Linda Sneddon from Beaverton Together was this morning’s speaker. It is a coalition of partners against substance abuse with the goal of reducing smoking and drinking among our school children. The partners include:

Beaverton School District
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District
Department of Human Services
Westside Police Activities League
Beaverton Police Department
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Jesuit High School
Washington County Commission on Children & Families
LifeWorks NW
Beaverton Valley Times

They sponsor Prom Perfect programs and have in the past been involved in getting the PAL Club off the ground and those big children’s parades over to the Park and Rec. District involving thousands of kids. They have compiled interesting statistics showing much lower involvement  in drinking and smoking than most people believe. And it has been dropping over the years. They will be partnering with a Cristmas tree farm this year to raise funds. There is a U-Cut farm out near the Mountaindale  exit off Hwy 26 and a tree lot at Oaks Park which includes a mini train ride with a tree purchase.

BeaBull from 11-5

A quick reminder that our Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 PM in Beaverton's Resource Center where the PAL Club is located. And I'd like to thank Secretary Bob for compiling Thursday morning's meeting minutes so quickly which I'm sure you've all read under the caption "Newsletter"on our Internet web site at: http://beavertonoptimist.webs.com/index.htm.

I also wanted to remind everyone about our Murray Rd. cleanup scheduled Saturday Nov. 13th. We'll meet in the Kmart parking lot at 8:30 AM. Thanks again to Gene and Marv who made the arrangements.

There was a misunderstanding during our Thursday meeting where my instructions to Barry, our secret greeter, were taken out of context. In a concern for his health due to the prevalence of flu and colds, and the fact my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren are sick with these bugs, I mentioned to him that he needn't go around shaking everyone's hand. This was mischaracterized as sneaky! My only motive was to protect the health of our Essay Contest Chairman. (Glad I could clear this up.)

Jenn Wenquist

Barry did get a chance to explain to our speaker, Jenn Winquist, about the $2,500 first prize towards college. This year's topic is: "How my education is the key to a successful future." As an Aloha High School counselor, she can help us spread the word around about the scholarship.

Again, I don't want to beat up on dead horses but, a nice picture of Jenn with Wally's arm about her because he's known her since she was 12, appears on our web site located at: www.Beavertonoptimist.webs.com.
Speaking of pictures, our newest member Joan invited her friend, Marcia Paige, to visit us Thursday so I hope everyone shook her hand and made her feel welcome. Her picture can also be seen on our web site conveniently located under the caption, "Photo Gallery." That album is titled Aloha's Homeless Kids because that is what Jenn spoke about. You may also look at the other albums if you want. Marcia sat next to Susan who won this weeks raffle and was probably surprised at Susan's little victory dance over her win. At least Susan was more gracious than Joe who insisted upon being paid his winnings from the week before last which I accidentally forgot because of our celebration of Vern's 90th birthday what with the cake and all.
Vern thanked everyone and was pleased to report that the balloons were still flying. Dick had to sing happy birthday to himself and Marv made everyone sing to him and I think they were a little disappointed about the lack of balloons for them.

Dick seemed very pleased last night at the CPO 6 meeting where it was announced that Washington County was the only county in Oregon to be awarded $2,000,000 by the federal departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and will also get funds from Metro to study and come up with plans for the economic development of our Aloha-Reedville area. It will be a three year project with the Town Center on 185th and TV Hwy coordinating with Hillsboro on transportation and housing and BIKE paths and this is Commissioner Dicks area. This was just approved two days or so ago and the County staff is already swinging into action. They need lots of community input.

If you were to be uncertain about upcoming events, did I mention the helpful Calendar section on our Club's web site maintained by Wally located at www.Beavertonoptimist.webs.com.  You can even look up info on the club's Essay Contest on that very same web site.

Jenn brought a list of needs for the homeless students at Aloha High which I'll attach as a PDF file if my printer cooperates. To reach her to offer help with supplies or perhaps as a tutor her email is jennifer_winquist@beaverton.k12.or.us.

Happy Birthday Vern!

What a wonderful celebration we had today in honor of Vern Williams's 90th birthday. Vern is a charter member of the Beaverton Optimist Club and has been with us since February 2, 1967. Please enjoy our slideshow of the party.  Slideshow courtesy of Alan Zehntbauer.  

A busy Saturday in pictures

Will & Jeannie Moton and Joan Andersen-Wells ran our food booth at the Farmer's Market today.

Proceeds are donated to the Candlelighters to benefit children with cancer. 

And on to the Beaverton Parade. Gene Grosse was color guard and Cmdr. Marv Doty and his American Legion led today's Beaverton Parade.

Vern Williams drove Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten in Vern's classic car.  Oh, and Conner Moton marched as part of the Beaverton High School Band. 

Photos by Alan Zehntbauer. 

BeaBull from August 26

After our Pledge of Allegiance, Chaplain Wally gave our invocation and wondered what happened on this day in 1939? He mentioned something about sports. Sheriff Steve ran our raffle and Joan won and will collect $7.00 next Thursday. Bob Arneson claims everyone shook his hand. What’s the point in having secret greeters in this overly friendly club? Wally also seeks our blood for his blood drive.

I accidentally looked over the shoulder of this gal in the grocery checkout and she was viewing this picture in a magazine of two apparently naked people covered in blood. I couldn’t stand it and asked what was going on and found out we were dealing with vampires. Sorry Wally, but this picture may stay with me for some time. Anyway…back to history.

My radio reminded me that only five years ago Katrina wiped out New Orleans. Ninety years ago today, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was signed, granting women everywhere, in the states, the right to vote. So what did Wally pick to remind us about in 1939 you might ask? Television that’s what! A baseball game was broadcast to someone for the first time who must have had a set. (I’m thinking an older fat man who owned his own ball club perhaps?)

Since we’re talking history here: Beaverton History Center

Located at 12412 SW Broadway, our new
center will open its doors on July 31st.
Hours are noon to 4pm Tues, Thurs & Sat.
Our first exhibit is about the Atfalati-Kalapuya natives who were here a long time before Augustus Fanno and Lawrence Hall arrived in 1847. Learn about how they lived, what they ate and see some of the stone tools and hand woven baskets that they made. All this and more are on display.

Lillian has arranged for Washington County’s Sheriff to come talk next Thursday probably about our upcoming levy to have patrols drive thru our neighborhood. Bob Primrose announced he was on the way to the hospital to welcome a new granddaughter this morning. I tried to match him with my granddaughter due on the 31^st.

Henry Truax drove up from Albany to share our impressions of the Pacific NW District Optimist Convention. He had agreed to be our delegate so we could vote for the Governor Elect.  Bill French from our own Zone 4 Hillsboro Club won on the first vote. He had traveled around and met with 75% of our Clubs to ask for their vote. It is a four year commitment. Gay Enyeart did a masterful job of putting his name in contention for the job. And she agreed to visit Beaverton and help motivate us a bit and share her knowledge as a Past Governor.

We showed Governor Linda the brochure which Jeannie Moton designed for our Club. She would like to have Jeannie send her a copy in a format which other clubs could borrow and use as an information handout and publicity piece. International Vice President Mark Weinsoff sends his greetings to Jeannie and says they are still providing a bag of goodies to the children who have cancer at the hospital which Jeannie put together in California.

We learned that, as of the moment, we are the number one District in the West. Our Governor to be, Ed Murphy has developed a strategic plan for the District which includes forming  an under 40 years old advisory board to mitigate all the grey hair he sees and to get young blood committed to revitalizing the organization. Danny Rogers, OI’s International President got a video camera to play with and there is a 5 minute You Tube tape of the Convention available. There are also pictures of Meriwether Lewis in uniform and other notables who attended the costume breakfast and evening barbeque in the park along the Columbia River.

PNW District Convention fun

Pictures from the District Convention taken by Lt. Governor and Beaverton Optimist Club Member Alan Zehntbauer

Opti BeaBull July 29, 2010

Facing an empty podium and missing leader, Marv D stepped up to the challenge and led us in a flag salute and invocation. Now we could eat! Since there was no speaker, I was selected to pick a raffle winner because of being too cheap to enter. I lost my concentration and selected Joe Coss as the $5.50 winner. Sheriff Steve handed Treasurer Joe the entire pot of money which he promptly stuck in his pocket. This still doesn’t seem right to me? The rest of the meeting was comprised of announcements and info sharing.

Bob Arneson reported 27 of our Scouts were over at Camp Meriwether with seven adults. There are now about 42 boys in the group and a new Scout Leader is taking over as our last Scout Master’s son earned his Eagle and is headed of to college I suppose.

Marv D and Franklin are talking about hooking up a flatbed to Jack’s new truck and entering this in Beaverton’s Parade as an Optimist float. Now all we need is PAL Club kids and Scouts and lots of candy to throw and perhaps a Commissioner or two with lots of signage.

Speaking of Commissioners, Dick has located enough helpers to man his bridge and keep traffic flowing during Bridge Pedal on Aug. 8^th. Joe Coss raised his hand several meetings ago so expect to see him as you pedal by.

Dusty says they have over 100 cars entered in the T-Hills Classic at the Rec. Center and Gary is polishing up his MG to be one of them I think.

Gary also briefed us on his second love, miniature airplanes. The Oregon Miniature Aircraft Squadron (OMAS)  will be putting on an airshow off Kansas Rd at the Lewis Farms on Sat. & Sun. There is also a pond so there will be radio controlled boats as well. He will be selling his plane do to his problem with his legs.

We adjourned a bit early.

Opti BeaBull July 15, 2010

After our pledge to the flag, Wally led the invocation. Then he wanted to know what happened this day in 1903? Steve collected $5.00 for winning last week’s raffle and Dave Chrisman won today and will collect $6.50 next week. Jocelyn from the PAL Club came to thank us for our donation. Bruce reminded us that on Sept. 25th our Installation Banquet is scheduled. Hopefully we’ll have volunteers who accept the challenge of leading our group to “bring out the best in kids.”

Bob P brought blank Committee Budget Submission Requests which will determine next year’s projects we want to get involved in supporting children. If there is a project you feel we need to be doing, now is the time to write it up and submit your idea. Scott Thompson and Marv Doty volunteered to help Primrose audit the books for next year.

Alan invited everyone to attend the Pacific NW Optimist Convention in Richland Washington Aug 19th – 21st. Danny Rogers, the International President will be there. For more information posted by our Governor got to: http://www.pnwdistrictoptimist.com/

This was definitely a week for birthdays! Susan Nordstrom, Barry Baxter, Tony Montez and Jackie Pasciak all had them but only Tony made it to the meeting and sang to us. Perhaps that was because he also presented the program? Tom & Megan Baxter dropped by with their daughter, probably to sing to Barry? Tony had a reconstructed video of the plane hitting birds and ditching in the Hudson which was interesting. He also tapped into Wikileaks with footage of the helicopters killing the journalists reporting in Iraq. The TV camera was mistaken for some sort of RPG launcher. Oh well…

Last week’s birthday boy was Gary Mahone and he treated us with a rendition of happy birthday on his Jew’s harp. We also learned the Vern’s 92 year old sister passed away last week. Today Bruce left early to arrange for bike helmets for children whose moms are on the WIC Program. Next week Steve Crowthers is expecting a birthday cake.

Wally and the Public Safety Chaplains invited us to an Appreciation Dessert at the Hillsboro Comfort Inn Thursday, July 22nd, 7-8:30 pm. RSVP 503-643-8686. His Chaplains are also selling tickets to the Safeway Classic LPGA golf tournament which raises money for charities. Last year’s program donated $1,000,000 for local Portland charities. It is scheduled Aug 16th thru Aug 22nd. Wally is also offering a class on communication.

Back to July 15, 1903, Franklin would have been delighted because the Ford Motor Company took its first order from a Chicago dentist for an $850 Model A with a two-cylinder, eight-horsepower engine which was the most powerful to be found in a passenger car. I thought model T’s came first!?

by Alan Zehntbauer

Photos: Top - Jocelyn from PAL says thank you. Bottom - Tom and megan Baxter and daughter.

Opti BeaBull July 1, 2010

Noel led our flag pledge and Wally gave the invocation. Dick S. won the raffle. So things started out normal but we had no speaker so we turned on ourselves. It was reported that Bob P missed the last meeting because he slept in. Apparently he slept all day because he didn’t make the evening get together either. He attempted to avoid a fine by telling us about the glories of night golf at Kilarney. You hit a ball which lights up and aim it at a hole illuminated by a glow stick with the course sort of outlined by these sticks. Meanwhile, he drives around on a golf cart trying to sell you beer. You are desperately watching your ball while not walking into the lake and hoping you can get to it before it goes dark. We ignored his story and fined him anyway. He plans on bringing budgeting sheets next meeting to get even and so we can plan for next year.

Wally asked what happen on this day in 1863? Many knew because Schouten talked about visiting Gettysburg after picking up Marijke, his youngest daughter, from Cornell College. She has passed her first round of Foreign Service exams. Her older sister, Erika, is working on her master’s degree while working at a paid internship at Holly Cross Hospital in Washington DC. The parents took pity on the two girls and helped get some furnishings for their apartment.

Wally has tickets to women’s golf which the Chaplains are selling to raise money. He says the Teen Center in Sherwood is interested in our Optimist Internet Safety Program so we’ll explore together whether it will work for them. And Wally will review our web site situation and help decide whether to go with the Governor’s kind offer or muddle thru on our current site.

Patsy Ackley was able to visit this morning. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen her. Besides working overtime, she has been caring for parents and visiting the Golden Crown a known hangout for Karaoke.

Scott Thompson returned from Maui and an impending round of baseball and soccer with the kids. There was a report on Richard Hose who has joined Dusty for Poker Evenings and is getting shots in his ailing knee and perhaps has accepted a full time job where he works. Does this mean no more afternoon golf or biking with the Senior Rollers?

Jack reports hearing from Steve Wabnitz who has landed a job as a GSA looking after 40 buildings and his wife Jennifer is teaching. Jack is nostalgic for the old days when we helped run the Beaverton Parade and wants us to reserve a place in it throwing out candy to the kids with Commissioner Schouten waving and poor Vern having to get his old convertible out and driving these clowns around. Vern seemed a bit uncertain!? Anyway, it is an idea with a little polishing to get the Optimists out in the public. Now if Marv can march his Veterans of Foreign Wars behind the car…

Gary read us the Declaration of Independence or at least told us about his copies and Lillian mentioned blood drives and led us in the Creed.

by Alan Zehntbauer

Evening meeting supports PAL

The evening meeting on June 24 at Chevy's to support the Police Activities League (PAL) was a lot of fun. PAL received 25% of all food revenue every time PAL was mentioned.  Nice fundraiser!

Club Bulletin - June 24, 2010

Bruce & Wally handle meeting formalities and I failed to win the raffle again. I was so disappointed I forgot who did. Sheriff Steve announced that today is his two month anniversary of his remarriage to Dixie. Chaplain Wally wondered what happened on this day in 1948? He also announced that on this Saturday if you eat at the Panda Express in Sherwood from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM, 20% of your purchase will be donated to the Public Safety Chaplaincy! Let's support Wally and bring our flyers. It's located by the Target Store south of 99W just off of Tualatin Sherwood Road. (21155 SW Baier Way #113)

 

Lori Buffington stepped up and did the calligraphy on Joan's new member certificate so now she can be official. Now if only Bruce remembers to bring it to this evening's meeting? Tony reported that the six year old David for whom he is riding in Candlelighters has been moved to hospice and won't make it to the Sep. ride. Tony still needs donations to help the other families who have children struggling with cancer.

Gary M arranged a martial art demonstration for us this morning on the art of taekwondo, the Korean amalgamation of fighting with feet and fist. We watched Jeremy, his grandson, break wood slabs with his foot as well as spar and practice various patterns with his trainer, Master Jim Null. Jeremy has achieved 2nd degree level black belt and Jim is a level 6 black belt. The 25th of June in 1950 was the beginning of the Korean War so this was an appropriate topic this morning.

Wally wondered what happened on the 24th in 1948. The Russians blockaded Berlin cutting off rail and road access to the part of the city occupied by the western powers. This lead to the Berlin Airlift to bring in food and supplies with over 200,000 flights carrying 13,000 tons of daily necessities. It was one of the 1st major international crises. June is a tough month.