geo xmas party 08.indd - Evening Optimist Club of Gardena

G E O OPTIPINION T H E Volume 45 Issue 2 www.gardenaoptimist.org November 2008 A MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE GARDENA EVENING OPTIMIST CLUB ZONE 2 – PACIFIC SOUTHWEST DISTRICT OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL _______ President’s Message — Hello to all Geo members. October went by so quickly it's scary. Halloween is here and all the little ghouls and goblins come out to share a little fright. So many little teeth for dentists to look after. Our GEO Basketball League is going right along with some of the best people you can count on. the best people you can count on. The
Basketball Committee has worked hard to provide this activity for our youth. I commend them for working so diligently on such a program and making it successful. I also heard from Ron Shintani that the toy and canned food drive that the basketball kids shared in collected a substantial amount for the needy. Their good deeds today will come back to them tenfold. I believe in good Karma. The Clambake is always a good time sharing good food and sportsmanship. We started the weekend by setting up camp at Carpinteria State Beach Friday night. Then we had a little wine tasting to start, and finished with cooking everyone a great meal. The weather was a little windy, but subsided a bit for our Saturday games. Everyone, from the young to us elders participated and had lots of fun. I am looking forward to our Youth Appreciation night coming up soon. This will be on November 18 th at the Sea Empress Restaurant in Gardena. We will be honoring some of our young people in the community, those that have worked harder than most, and shared their extra time to better our community. This December 7 th , a Sunday, mark your calendars for our annual Christmas party at the JCI. We will provide all the food, so come and share the fun. We will be having a member’s dinner meeting this November 4 th (Election Night­be sure you vote first) at the El Pollo Inka Restaurant in Gardena. We will want an update on all the events going on. Thank You all for participating and the sharing of yourselves. Sincerely, Deryck.
2 THE OPTIPINION Clambake October 10, 11, 12, 2008 Carpenteria State Beach. This was our new president Deryck Koga’s first event, and it was a great success. Over 80 GEO members, friends and family enjoyed a wonderful weekend. A recap of the events is noted below. Thursday: Zee & Sid picked up the truck and met members at the JCI to pack up for the weekend. Friday morning GEO headed north on 101 to the campsites. Some members enjoyed a round of golf at River Ridge. Set up camp, start cooking dinner. After dinner we told stories around the campfire. Jim Carroll also held a wine tasting contest and had 10 entries. The winner was Justin Carroll with a new red blended vintage called Isosceles from, would you believe, “Justin” wineries. It got a little windy later that night and our kitchen canopy started to fly away. Saturday: A beautiful day, started with a hearty breakfast. The horseshoe competition started at 11am. Many members enjoyed horseshoes including Sue Hayden, who was quite the competitor. The final match: Bill Coonce & Les Ito vs. Jim & Anthony Carroll. Jim & Anthony won a very tough, close and intense game. The kids also enjoyed games and the piñata done by Jun & Michelle Goeku. The activities continued with bingo. Stacy Z was the big winner in “black out.” After this, it was time to eat again, and I cannot over emphasize how great the food was. Clam chowder, Tri tip, carne Asada, salmon, sushi and many other great items. I must acknowledge the Boy Scouts for their great “peach cobbler” It was right on time and the perfect ending to dinner. Sunday: Cook breakfast, pack up and head down the 101 south to home. A big THANK YOU to the entire committee. A special thank you and shout out to the Zimmer family: Zee, Stacy, Jun, Michelle. You’re the best! Zee & Dave Chairpersons Youth Appreciation How do we thank thee? Let us count the ways! Optimist Clubs recognize local youth for their efforts in the arts, athletics, academics and community service work. Youth Appreciation is the perfect opportunity for us to make a difference in our community and demonstrate the Optimists' commitment to young people. Youth Appreciation projects are intended to make children feel important and highlight their positive contributions to society. Since 1956, this program has given Optimist Clubs the occasion to work with youth toward the common goals of education, career development, physical well­being and community service. Youth Appreciation is designed to encourage a greater exchange of ideas between young people and adults. Youth Appreciation offers Optimist Clubs the opportunity to make a community impact by holding one or more worthwhile, fun events that involve both adults and children. Enhancement of the Annual Youth Appreciation Banquet will come from our members who can attend and support our youth volunteers, their families, and to promote their accomplishments. Please make every effort to be there. Your presence will be deeply appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you on November 18th. ­Dennis Watanabe Youth Appreciation Chair
3 THE OPTIPINION 5 Cool Ideas There are two ways to keep finances in order. Make more or spend less. I make a good living helping companies and people increase revenue through sales and leadership training, but this newsletter has 5 Cool Ideas for controlling expenses. The GEO Essay Contest Committee is now seeking entries for the Optimist International 2008­2009 Essay Contest. The contest affords young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person's personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity win a college scholarship of up to $6,000! Topic: “The Power of Youth” When: Club Deadline Jan. 31, 2009 Who: Youth under age 19 as of 12/31/08 The Optimist International Essay Contest was first sponsored in 1983. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $650 college scholarship. Each District winner is automatically entered into the International Essay contest where a panel of judges selects the top three essays. Scholarships are awarded as follows: first place­ $6,000; second place­$3,750; and third place­$2,250. Students interested in entering our club’s Essay Contest may go to http://www.gardenaoptimist.org/08­ 09_ESSAY_APPLICATION.pdf for the official rules and an entry form, or they may contact Jim Carroll, Essay Chair, at (310) 415­0196 for more information. Entry forms are to be mailed to: Gardena Evening Optimist Club P.O. Box 2132 Gardena, CA 90247 Attn: Essay Chair Or emailed to: info@gardenaoptimist.org 1. Trade dollars for elbow grease. Attend trade shows and business functions even during budget cuts by offering to work the registration desk or giving a presentation. Workers and presenters often receive complimentary registration and lodging. Heck, some people volunteer just for the networking opps. 2. Debit cards aren't always better than credit cards. Say one day you use your debit card for a $10 car wash, then $30 worth of books and then $100 in supplies. Then, you realize you only had $90 in your account. This could result in three overdraft fees instead of one because many banks, often rearrange daily purchases from largest to smallest 3. Good news is never found in the fine print. Investment guru Wayne Titus reminds me of the fairly new concept of "universal default." If you are more than 30 days late on a payment to a creditor even once, credit card companies can raise your interest rates. 4. Convenience often has hidden inconven­ ience. If you pay for a hotel or rental car with your debit card, the vendor can put a hold on your money for the length of your entire trip. 5. Don't be distracted by verbal sleight­of­ hand. Trading in your SUV? Always negotiate the price of the car before whittling away at other aspects of the deal. The monthly payment, dealer financing and even the value of the trade­in will confuse the issue. My name is Michael Michael Angelo Caruso, author of the 5 Cool Ideas series A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ­ Herm Albright
Gardena Evening Optimist Club Youth Appreciation Dinner Join us as we recognize and honor young adults that give their time and services volunteering in our community. Honorees from our 2007 Youth Appreciation Dinner Norbert Sales, Troop 683, Ada Guzman, GPD Explorer Post
Kurt Ikeda and Cory Nakashima, JCI, Sarah Anazawa and Ashley
Arikawa, South Bay Keiro Nursing Home
7:00 pm, Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sea Empress Restaurant
Pacific Square
1636 W. Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena CA
For more information, contact Dennis Watanabe (310)305­9514
or Jeanette Mena (661)259­5350
GEO Christmas Party
It’s time again for the GEO Annual Christmas Party. So gather
up the kids and grandkids and come out and join in the fun.
This year the party is planned for Sunday, December 7th from
5:00 pm till approximately 8:30 pm at the Nisei Veterans Hall
at the JCI at 162nd Street and Gramercy Pl.
Festivities will start with a craft activity for the kids from 5:00
pm to 6:00 pm. This will be followed by a great meal of turkey,
ham and all the trimmings, cooked by our great GEO Chefs.
There will be some Hawaiian Style entertainment by Puniwai
Hula Halau, along with sing-alongs of everyone’s favorite Christmas Carols, while waiting for a visit from Santa Claus.
Be sure to bring a wrapped gift with your child’s name permanently attached for Santa to pass out. Maximum cost of the
gift should be $10.00.
As always, kids are free. All adults will be asked to donate
$5.00 to help defray the cost.
Mark your calendar now! It should be a fun! Fun! Evening as
always.
We will also be having a Food and Toy Drive for the Gardena
Food Pantry. You may drop off non-perishable food items and
unwrapped toys from 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the JCI.
For more information or to HELP, contact Emily Lopez, Jeanette
Mena, or Deryck Koga.
See you there,
Emily Lopez
and the Christmas Party Committee
6 THE OPTIPINION OFFICERS THE OPTIMIST CREED President ............................................ Deryck Koga President Elect ................................... Jeanette Mena Vice President ........................................Dave Allen Vice President .......................................Bill Coonce Secretary ............................................Brian Hayden Treasurer .............................................Sid Halushka IPP ...................................................... Ron Shintani BOARD OF DIRECTORS First Year Members Robin Arakaki Justin Carroll Emily Lopez Eric Takaki Stacy Zimmer Second Year Members Richard Arakaki Jeanette Mena Eric Nielsen Terry Terauchi Ryan Yahata EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Jim Carroll­Chairman Ed Kambe­Assistant Robin Arakaki Sid Halushka Brian Hayden THE OPTIPINION P.O. BOX 2132 GARDENA, CA 90247
PROMISE YOURSELF: To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. —Christian D. Larson November 2008
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Youth Appreciation
Dinner. See flyer
23 GEO Member,
Dear
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In our continuing effort to save the trees and reduce greenhouse gases, we
are asking That any members who wish to receive their Optipinion by email
only contact either Ed Kambe, edkambe@gmail.com or Jim Carroll,
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jtcar316@gmail.com and simply ask that we remove your name from our
current mailing list.
Sincerely, Your editorial staff