LIONS CLUB OF UNION CITY NEWSLETTER
    NO. 4 an 5  November 1, 2004

 

 This newsletter reports on our activities in September and October.  I apologize for not sending out a newsletter in October.  I was away from the area for most of September and did not have material to report.  Thanks to Lion Helen Kennedy who filled me in on the events of September, I now can report to you about our Club's activities in both September and October.

 

SENIOR CITIZENS THANKSGIVING DINNER:
 On Friday, November 19, 2004, we will be serving a complete Thanksgiving turkey dinner to any senior citizen at no charge to the senior.  We also will provide an evening of entertainment.  The band is from the USS Hornet and plays swing music.  Our seniors love the music as it is their music.
 This is an "ALL HANDS" function for our club.  It takes every able bodied Lions Club member, Leos' Club member and countless friends of the club to make this function work.  It takes all of us to feed 250 to 300 senior citizens.
 The event will be at the Ruggieri Senior Citizens center in Union City next to City Hall.  Please arrive at 5:00 p.m. for your work assignment. We will need your help until we close down at about 10:00 p.m. This is our Clubs' signature service event for the year. Please help.

 

REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2004:
 This was our Club's first meeting at its new meeting site, eMocha Café in Union City.  We welcomed Lion Roy Panlilio who was sponsored by Lion Helen Kennedy. Nine Lions celebrated wedding anniversaries - Lions Joe Kimura, Conrad Preciado, Jim & Pam Navarro, Mark Tayo, Rick Sealana, Carol Dutra-Vernaci, and Don & Glo Watson.  Four Lions became a year older and a little poorer when they anted up for their birthday - Lions Carol Dutra-Vernaci, Roy Panlilio, Bruce Davis, and Helen Kennedy.
 Sad news was shared among our community.  The President of the Hercules Leos Club, Vanessa Serrano, passed away quite suddenly. Vanessa was a friend of our Leos, especially DVP Sarah Chang.
 Vic Artiga was our speaker who gave a very interesting first person account presentation about our troops in Iraq. He talked about his experience with military intelligence and Operation Rebuild Iraq. Vic is a member of the California National Guard and is a Captain with the Redwood City Police Department.
 
REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2004:
 Lion Larry Cheeves, who also is the City Manager for the City of Union City, was our guest speaker.  Lion Larry told us about the current state of the City's budget, and discussed some potential solutions to current funding challenges. Proposition 1A, the public safety parcel tax, and a 91 fee are all measures that could help alleviate the financial pressures on City government. Lion Larry reported on economic and redevelopment initiatives, such as the intermodal transit center, changes at Union Landing, residential development, and measures that will improve the business climate in the industrial areas of the City.

 

REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 2004:

 

 District Governor Sue Olin paid her official visit to our Club.  She was accompanied by her husband, PDG Bob Olin. Visiting us were Leos Sarah Chang, Amy Wang, and Roberta Lin.  Kathy Sealana was a guest of Lion President Rick. Other guests were Manjinder "Mac" Sandhu, the owner of eMocha, and Atul and Shobha Tandon, owners of the Neovison building near BART. 
 Lion DG Sue Olin is a ten year Lions member with the Walnut Creek Host Lions.  Her message for this year is "One vision, one goal". She told us about her experiences at the International Convention in Detroit, Michigan, where she received her training as an incoming District Governor.  Coretta Scott King was the keynote speaker at the convention and Debbie Reynolds entertained the convention.
 
REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2004:

 

 Many of our big mucky mucks were absent from this meeting so it was chaired by Lion Secretary Pam Navarro with not so welcome help from her husband, Past President Jim Navarro.  Lion Pam has her ankle in a cast and is not ver mobile.  Her trusted husband used this occasion to steal her gave from her during the meeting.  I hope that our tail twister reads this and collects retribution from Lion Jim at a future meeting.
 Our speaker was Todd Keitz, owner of Think Back Films.  He helps individuals and organizations preserve their memories, create historical film and do other meaningful things with their old film before it is lost.  He al so does personal histories and ethical wills. The theme of his presentation was "passing down legacies".

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

November 8, 2004: Board of Directors meeting at City Hall.  7:00 p.m.
November 13, 2004: Winterfest at Ruggieri Senior Center from 6pm to 9pm.
November 19, 2004: Thanksgiving dinner for Senior Citizens. At Ruggieri Senior Center from 5:00 p.m. to close.
November 25, 2004: No meeting. Thanksgiving.
December 3, 2004: Toys for Tots mixer (with the Chamber) at eMocha. 5pm to 8pm. Bring a toy.
December 9, 2004: Christmas party in lieu of regular meeting.  Evening. Location is TBD.
December 13, 2004: Board of Directors meeting at City Hall.
December 23, 2004: No meeting.  Holidays.
January 10, 2005: Board of Directors meeting at City Hall.  7:00 p.m.
January 14, 2005: Regular DINNER meeting. 7pm at eMocha. 
January 20-23, 2005: Lions in Sight clinic at Los Cabos, Baja, California, Mexico.
January 27, 2005: Regular LUNCH meeting. NOON at eMocha.
February 26, 2005: Lions BBQ fund raiser. Details TBD.
May 12, 2005: Wine and Dine joint event with the Chamber of Commerce. Detals TBD.

MEMBERSHIP:
 Thanks for the many Lions who attended or helped coordinate the Lions New/Prospective Member Orientation on October 7.  We'll hold another orientation in 2005 for those who could not attend. The Lions also had a booth at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on October 14 to give us exposure in the community and an opportunity to recruit new members. Several people expressed interest and two have already attended a meeting. 
 COUNTDOWN: We have three new members installed as of this year. There are currently five more who are seriously considering joining. We only need TEN new members and Lion Tony will attend a meeting dressed as a woman. Do we really want to see Lion Tony dressed as a woman?  
 Remember that the club will treat a prospective new member to their first lunch or dinner as our guest.  This gives people an opportunity to visit us and see if they have an interest in our club without incurring any financial obligation.  You also get to invite a friend to lunch and have that lunch paid for by the club.  Such a deal.

 

WINTERFEST:
 Lion Jahan "Johny" Tahirkheli and Lion Colleen Hernandiz are in charge of the Lions entry for the November 13 Winterfest at Ruggieri Senior Center. Winterfest is an annual event sponsored by the City's Leisure Services Department and is a venue for many non-profit organizations to raise money for their programs. We will be donating a holiday tree that will be auctioned to the highest bidder. We also have the opportunity to raise funds through the sale of event tickets.  Tickets are $10, and you can get them from Lion Johny.

 

TOYS FOR TOTS MIXER:
 The Lions Club is co-sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive on December 3, 2004, from 5pm to 8pm. It will take place at eMocha and we are partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for this event. Please tell your friends and ask them to donate an unwrapped new toy for a child in need. The US Marine Corps Color Guard will be on hand for the festivities. Admission is free. If you can volunteer to work at the Lions information table, please contact lion Helen Kennedy. Thanks to Lions Jim Navarro and Ken Buffum for volunteering early! 

 

LIONS IN SIGHT - MEXICO CLINIC VISIT:
 The final six Lions have all booked their flights and are preparing for the trip to Los Cabos. Mexico, where they will dispense eyeglasses to people in need. Dr. David Boniface will be heading up the team of eye doctors on the trip. Our Lion Technicians will arrive in Mexico on January 20 and will spend two days assisting with eye exams and fitting people with eyeglasses. About 300 people will receive the gift of sight each day. Lions Tony Acosta, Ida Gueco, Jaime Jaramillo, Helen Kennedy, Rick Sealana, and Gloria Watson are all busily updating their passports and getting their shots in preparation for the service project.
 
SUNSHINE REPORT:
 Lion Collen Hernandiz needs a lot of tender loving care form all.  She was on a camping trip with her family when a large tree fell on her tent.  She got out with many scrapes and bruises.  When she returned home a water main burst outside of her place of business causing water damage.
 Lion Conrad Preciado is home after his experience at Stanford Hospital.  He says that he will be at the Thanksgiving Dinner at his usual post which is that of a carver of turkeys.
 Lion Pam Navarro is limping around in a cast and being good because she can't be bad.

 

See you soon.     

 

Lion Ed Xavier