Dennis Keith is a native Arizonan who spent 22 years as a law officer with the Phoenix Police Department. He devoted 7 ? years as an investigator and supervisor with the homicide unit. During that tenure as a cop (1965-87), Dennis had a hand in investigating 438 murders and may be the only Arizona police officer, at the time, to have testified in front of the United States Supreme Court (1974).

For much of his career, Dennis supervised police investigations of fatality accidents, as grim as that can be.

After leaving the police department in 1987, he became an associate realtor with Re/Max Elite Realty where he helped people with the sale and exchange of real estate, primarily residential. Dennis would also serve on the professional standards panel of the Southeast Valley Association of Realtors. He still is involved in policing. Today, Dennis and wife Kay are brokers and owners of Dennis and Kay Keith Metro Realty Professionals, 4701 S Lakeshore Dr., Ste 102, Tempe.

Ralph Packer sponsored Dennis into Club membership in July 2008. They have served together for decades at First Congregational (United Church of Christ) of Tempe where Dennis has been an elder and the church's moderator.

Dennis came to KCOT with deep family roots in Kiwanis. He is the son-in-law of the late Harold Andrews, an early member of KCOT and the mayor of Tempe, 1963-64, and a council member 1960-63. Dennis' uncle was the late Robert "Bob" Williams, KCOT's sixth president (1957) and former longtime club secretary-treasurer. In addition, Dennis' grandfather, George Irvine, was a Tempe Kiwanian.

Born Jan. 22, 1944, in Phoenix, Dennis went on to attend Arizona State University, 1962-65, and the Traffic Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1969. Dennis and his wife, Kathryn "Kay" Keith both graduated from Tempe High School in 1962 and were married in Aug. 5, 1965, and bought a home at 1100 S. Mill Ave. Their son Dennis II, a veterinary radiologist, and wife Marsi live in Chandler, and their daughter Kristin, office manager of Waddell and Reed Financial Planning and a part-time florist and photographer, and her husband Erin Schwartz reside in Tempe. There are four grandsons.

Dennis' hobbies include golf, camping, church and family.

INDUCTION DINNER
The Annual Meeting/Induction Dinner will be 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at Bridgeview Condominiums Club Room, 140 E. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe. This is the same place we used last year. We are trying to work out some parking issues, however, so this is subject to change. We will firm it up and work out those details when Cheryl Hornyan (the Bridgeview maven) returns from her vacation in Russia. Both out-going President Corey and incoming President Kerry have approved this date. It would be good for people to "save the date."

Quarterly billings have been sent
The 3rd quarter (April-June 2010) invoices were e-mailed to those KCOT members with e-mail access on July 19th. Members without e-mail access will receive the statement in the mail as usual. If you did not receive your e-mailed invoice, send your best e-mail address to mjennings2020@gmail.com. Also, reminder invoices were mailed out via US Mail last week to KCOT members with a past due balance. -- Mike Jennings, KCOT Treasurer

Emma Gully has a notable history in charitable work
This is the 63rd in a series of profiles of KCOT members

Emma Gully is a true Tempe product. She was born just across the border at Desert Samaritan (now Banner Desert) Medical Center in Mesa on Nov. 27, 1976, and would graduate from McClintock High School.

"I grew up in Tempe and my parents still live down the street," she said.

Emma joined KCOT in March 2008 and was sponsored by Shana Ellis. She is manager of marketing and resources for Tempe Community Council, where she began working in the fall of 2007. She is responsible for fund-raising, marketing, communications, public relations and special events.

In 1999, she received a B.A. degree in English literature from Arizona State University. She has a post-baccalaureate certificate in elementary education from Ottawa University.

Emma taught for elementary school for a short time in Gilbert and has done a lot of work with developmentally delayed children, particularly those with autism. She has served on the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, where she has also been a volunteer 'big sister.'"

"I joined TCC from Big Brothers Big Sisters where I ran their development and marketing department," she said. "Prior to that, I was living and working in New York City doing public relations, communications and charitable contributions for L'Oreal USA, the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company. My experience there taught me the importance of giving back."

Emma has volunteered with her church. While growing up, she took part in many volunteer ventures and civic involvements. She has also been a volunteer for "Girls for a Change," a national organization that empowers thousands of teen girls to create and lead social change.

A graduate of Tempe Leadership class XXIV, Emma and her class created the Hope Garden at McKemy Middle School. She now serves on the Program Committee to help plan issue days for the incoming classes. She served as a beer captain during the 4th of July, has volunteered at the Easter Egg Hunt and Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving Dinner.

Through her work with Tempe Community Council, she is involved with numerous community and civic activities including, the Tempe Community Foundation, Don Carlos Humanitarian Awards, Mayor's Run, Cinderella Affair, Earned Income Tax Credit Program, Communities in Schools of Tempe and Kyrene, Tempe Neighbor's Helping Neighbor's and Project 85281.

"I went to school and knew Pat Tillman," the ex-ASU and NFL football star killed in Afghanistan. "I was living in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, and watched how that event changed the city and the world." Emma moved back to the Valley in 2002. Emma's hobbies include travel, skiing, reading, cooking, spending time with family and her beloved dog Daisy. She completed her second half marathon this year and has another one planned in the fall.

Her heroes are her two grandmothers, one whom just passed at age 104. "They taught me the importance of believing in yourself and were two women far ahead of their time; well-educated, independent and adventurous."

Emma's favorite moments with KCOT: "I love serving the Thanksgiving dinner at the Boys and Girls Club every year. Being around those kids and their families kicks off the holiday season for me in a way nothing else can."

CHECK OUT SOUTHWEST DISTRICT'S NEW WEB SITE:
This week, the Southwest District unveiled its new web site. It is clean, distinct, easily negotiable. It is easy to find and remember: Kiwanis-southwest.org.

It includes a link to KCOT's web site: kcot.org

In addition, the July issue of the Southwest District's online magazine. "Kiwanis Southwest" was posted. You can most easily find it by click on "District Publications" on the homepage of Kiwanis-southwest.org. The direct link is

http://kiwanis-southwest.org/Files/Districts/6/Documents/July%202010%20District%20Newsletter.pdf

CLUB LEADERSHIP EDUCATION FOR CLUB OFFICERS FOR 2010-11
Dear 2010-2011 Kiwanis Club Officers,

I'm pleased to announce Club Leadership Education (CLE) Training for 2010-2011 Officers is right around the corner! We're scheduled for Saturday July 17th from 10:00 to 3:00 at the Tempe Family YMCA - the attached announcement has all of the details. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The training is aimed at the 2010-2011 President and Secretary.

• A check for $25 per Officer attending must be paid in advance (either through the mail or on-site before training begins). The check is made payable to "SW District Kiwanis" and this covers supplies, lunch and refreshments.
• The location is the Suns Room at the Tempe Family YMCA, 7070 S. Rural Road in Tempe (on the West side of Rural beside the canal, directly between Guadalupe and Elliot).
• The training class will include Club Officers from Divisions 10 and 18.
• We will make every effort to start and end on time!

Sincerely,

Dave Wochner, Lt. Governor - Designate, Division 10

Club secretary Cheryl Hornyan founded 'The Cinderella Affair'
This is the 61st in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

When you think of gorgeous prom dresses and what they mean to teenage girls, you should know that Cheryl Hornyan is a Tempe hero. "I have been involved in many service activities, but the one I am most proud of is the creation of The Cinderella Affair," Cheryl noted when she joined the Kiwanis Club of Tempe in May 2006.

"It is a prom dress project that has grown to serve students from the entire Valley and beyond," she said. The magic is simple: Round up more than 3,000 donated new and used prom dresses and put them on racks in a "boutique setting" at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center and invite junior and senior girls, before their prom each spring, to come take their pick, saving them $100 to $300. They also get accessories. Since 2002, the Cinderella Affair has met a huge need. In 2006, the project won the Arizona Parks and Recreation Partner Award. The program that Cheryl co-launched is now a partnership between Tempe Community Council, East Valley Women's League, Pyle Adult Rec Center and Tempe Parks. She and the co-founder, Gloria Fox, also earned the East Valley Volunteers of the Year for that work one year.

Cheryl was sponsored by Shana Ellis when she joined KCOT in May 2006. At the time, Cheryl was in her eighth year on the staff of Tempe Community Council where she was events coordinator.

She has served on the Kyrene Middle School Site Council and is a founding member of the East Valley National Charity League. She was a member of Class XXI of Tempe Leadership. Cheryl was on the Tempe Governors Board for four years and is past secretary and president of The Graystone HOA. She was formerly a member of the Tempe Rotary Club.

Born March 11, 1958, in Flint, Mich., Cheryl has lived in Las Vegas and Tucson. She moved to the Valley in 1980 from Tucson.

In 2008, Cheryl earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Arizona State University.

She was appointed by the KCOT Board as the Club's secretary in February 2009, succeeding Robert Kizere. Cheryl describes herself as "resigned/retired from non-profit world." She had perfect attendance in KCOT during 2009. Her hobbies are reading and travel.

She and her husband, Robert, were married Oct. 16, 1982. They have two daughters, Holly (1984), a graduate from the University of Southern California, and Kate (1987), George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Her favorite memories of KCOT: "I really enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt - I love watching kids in all their excitement."

His job is the reason Y Lance Gray gets up daily
This is the 62nd in a series of profile of KCOT members.

Lance Gray is the face of the YMCA in Tempe. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe since 2007, Lance was elected vice president-designate in May, which puts him on course to be the Club's 64th president in 2012-2013.

Last December, Lance moved from membership director to operations director of the Tempe Y, following reorganization. He is in his seventh year at the Y. "We really feel our place in the community makes us unique," he told the Wrangler News in April. "Since the YMCA started, no kid has ever been turned away for an inability to pay. The money we make goes back into our community, not some office somewhere."

He calls the Y a place for "improving the health and well-being of every life I touch."

The bond between Tempe Kiwanis and the YMCA has been strong since the Y was organized nearly 30 years ago with many Kiwanians providing impetus, force and financing to get it started and a site developed and opened.

Lance was a frequent visitor for over a year and guest of Vinny Mirizio to KCOT before joining more than three years ago. He, in fact, listed Vinny as "My Living Hero" in the application information.

He began serving on the KCOT Board of Directors on Oct. 1, 2008. He has coordinated volunteers for the 4th of July Fireworks Show and employs his considerable organizational skills each year for the show as a trouble-shooter and go-to guy.

Born on Flag Day, June 14, 1970, in Binghamton, N.Y., he earned a degree in construction management from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1993. He moved in 1998 to the Valley from Los Angeles. He once managed the George & Dragon English Restaurant and Pub on North Central Avenue in Phoenix. He and wife Lenna, who works in physical therapy, were married Feb. 22, 2000. Lance was a member of Tempe Leadership Class XX, has been chairman of the Ambassadors with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and had been retreat chairman for the Tempe Youth Leadership program, coordinated by the Y. His hobbies are working out, remodeling homes and motorcycle riding.

KCOT and Tempe are all ready for fireworks
On Thursday, with a new month at hand, Kiwanis got their last instructions, updates and advice for the 59^th annual "CBS5 Tempe Town Lake 4^th of July Festival" on Sunday. General Chairman and Past President Mike Cryer said that with a lot of planning behind, the show is ready to go, perhaps in only 104- to 106-degree heat - or less than the what it's been days before.

Mike announced there had been 40 entries to the annual "Star-Spangled Idol," who would sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the start of the show. Winning the honor were Maycee and Sierra Ruiz, ages 12 and 14, respectively. They will get to sing the National Anthem in front of 50,000 attendees. The had auditioned at Westside Community Center and won by just 0.1 point. They are featured on page 32 of the 50-page 4^th of July program produced for the show by AZ Integrated Media and the College Times. It is a dandy magazine with a nice spread on KCOT on pages 14-15, including pictures of projects and a "How to Become a Member" section.

Mike said volunteers met Monday to sort and stuff materials and T-shirts for the organizations providing volunteers on Sunday.

TV-5 has been running lots of promotional ads, and KCOT President Corey Woods appeared on the 6:30 a.m. news on Thursday to talk about the show.

Volunteers are reminded to be to the volunteer booth by 3 p.m. Gates for the public open at 4 p.m. Dress to be comfortable Fireworks go off at 9:10 p.m. We expect a strong crowd.

The Passing of Former District Governor Mike Pratt
Mike Pratt, the governor of the Southwest District in 1983-84, while a member of the Kiwanis Club of Cottonwood, has died. Mike later joined KCOT and was a member in 1986-87 while living in Tempe. Except for Alfred Thomas Jr., who was elected Southwest District governor for 1959 while a member of KCOT, Mike Pratt is the only other Southwest District Governor to be a KCOT member. The district grew by 319 members during his year, and among the 10 new clubs formed was the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes.

Mike's memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday July 10 at the Saguaro Christian Church, 8302 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, 85710 (520-296-5901).

Vinny Mirizio - witty, passionate, a man who will ëleave a legacy'
This is the 60^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Vinny Mirizio characterizes that old Ragu spaghetti sauce commercial with the memorable phrase, "Now that's Italian!" The guy wears his heritage on his sleeve. Probably none of the 61 men and women who have been Kiwanis Club of Tempe presidents has shown more outward passion, gusto, ardor or intensity than Vinny - that smiling Vinny.

We laughed through that year, 2000-2001, when this 52nd Club president reminded us again and again of his year's theme, "Life is short, so live, love, learn and leave a legacy." His year was also famous for his turning the meeting room around, putting the podium where the coffee/ice tea table is now located.

From the get-go in the fall of 1996, Vinny staked out a seat right beside the door of the Shalimar meeting room. His profile in the Bulletin for Dec. 19, said Vinny "smiles compulsively and his enthusiasm for the Club is clear. He was so proud to join KCOT that he asked his father to see him inducted last week. That says something. Vinny is a real people person, professionally and informally."

He was sponsored by Judy Todd and, at the time, was regional vice president of ADECCO - The Employment People.

His year as president was marked by the national tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Vinny immediately led a Club effort to raise money for the victims. "The emotion and involvement from the Club was awesome," Vinny remembers. "We made a difference." Over the years, Vinny has served as the colorful, joking auctioneer for the annual post-Christmas "white elephant sale" when members bring their offbeat and bizarre stuff to sell.

Vincent G. Mirizio was born July 13, 1962, in East Orange, N.J. He moved with his family to the Valley in 1975. He graduated from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, the same school where his brother, Frank Mirizio, is the principal today. Frank was a member of KCOT for a couple years. Vinny attended Mesa Community College and Arizona School of Real Estate. He is an alumnus of Tempe Leadership Class XIV.

During the past 29 years, Vinny was vice president of the aforementioned staffing company, then became the executive director of the Tempe Family YMCA. Today he is a development officer for Catholic Healthcare West. Officially it is the CHW - East Valley Foundation. For a time, he was a youth minister for a Tempe parish. He once met Pope John Paul II.

Vinny and wife Gina were married March 22, 1986. Their children are Francesca, 21, a speech pathology major at Northern Arizona University; Nicole, 20, a sophomore at a college in Providence, R.I.; and Isabella, 11, who is "a lover of horses."

He would serve seven years on the KCOT board. He co-chaired Jobs for Arizona Graduates and spent 12 years on its board. He has served on the Tempe Sports Authority board, is an 8-year member of Tempe Diablos and has spent five years on the Phoenix Air National Guard board. He took part in Tempe Cares. Vinny is a past member of the City of Tempe RRC, Tempe Community Council and the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish religious education team.

He traveled to Switzerland to receive the ADECCO Outstanding Commitment to Community 2000 Award and is the recipient of the Jobs for Arizona Graduates Leader Award in 2003.

His hobbies are golf and music.

Vinny's favorite memories are a whirl of things: 9/11 and fund-raising; serving as chairman of the 4^th of July Committee, when it was a two-day event; "working with my staff and families over eight 4^th of July events; raising money for a teacher's (Matt Luke) family when he died of a brain tumor at the age of 31; representing the Club in Taiwan for the International Convention; Boys and Girls Club's back-to-school shopping days; and having more than 75 people at meetings and corn roasts. I have many happy memories of Kiwanis and many friends that I still have today. I was lucky that a friend named Judy Todd invited me to come to this Club. I was happy to have sponsored more than eight people to join the Club."

Added Vinny, "Life is a circle of giving and receiving. I have of my time, and I received appreciation. I was blessed to be a part of the greatest Kiwanis Club in Arizona, and I felt the Club was also blessed to have me. Thank you, Kiwanis Club of Tempe."

95^th Annual Kiwanis International Convention Report
Three members of KCOT attended the 95^th annual Kiwanis International Convention June 23-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. President-Elect Kerry Fetherston and Secretary Cheryl Hornyan represented the Club, while member Lawn Griffiths, lieutenant governor for Division 10, officially represented the Kiwanis Club of Mesa-Dobson Ranch, which had no delegates there. There were just over 6,000 Kiwanians and guests registered, with 4,042 of them being delegates. There were 766 delegates at-large and 2,086 clubs represented. It was the best attended ICON in seven years. Cost to stage was $1.5 million.

The major event came at the opening session on Thursday when the next World Service Project was announced. Actress Tea Leoni, whose grandmother had championed UNICEF projects, officially announced that Kiwanis and UNICEF were partnering to "Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus" (MNT). It is being called simply "The Eliminate Project."

"Kiwanis believes that no baby or mother should have to suffer the devastating effects of MNT," said Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo. "Kiwanis will mobilize its nearly 600,000 family members to become tireless advocates for these children and raise needed funds to defeat this deadly disease." MNT is easily prevented by a series of three vaccinations to women of childbearing age, costing roughly $1.80. The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal/neonatal tetanus will raise US$110 million over the next five years to fill the funding gap required to provide an estimated 387 million doses of the vaccine. The Eliminate Project will deliver life saving vaccines to the most vulnerable women and children in the world: those in remote and difficult to reach areas; conflict zones; and with little access to healthcare.

Delegates heard a powerful talk by former U.S. Secretary of State and Four-Star Gen. Colin Powell as he advocated for children and discussed how "America's Promise," which he founded with his wife and others, have worked on many fronts to help children and youth develop and excel. Some of us heard icon comedian Jay Leno on Friday night, or Jerry Mathers (of "Leave It to Beaver" Fame) at a Saturday breakfast, or a Cirque de Soleil show.

At a marathon Friday afternoon session for delegates, 14 amendments to international bylaws were brought forward, although three were withdrawn before discussion and one failed to be brought up for lack of a motion. The remaining 10 went to a vote, many with their new amendments. Seven were OK'd and three were defeated.

The defeats were especially noteworthy: 1) 89 percent no to the proposal to allow Kiwanians at the convention, but not official delegates, to sit on the floor with delegates. It was seen as a logistical problem. 2) 82 percent no to a proposal to allow shortened and succinct paraphrases of the six Objects of Kiwanis, penned 80 years ago, such as "Aim High" as a way of saying, "To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business and professional standards." It was seen as tinkering with veritable Kiwanis scripture and leading to disuse of the sacrosanct Objects. 3) 57 approval (when two-thirds was needed) to do away with International Convention registration fees and assess Kiwanis Clubs $200 for the International convention, allowing Clubs to send as many Kiwanians as they wanted to the convention for training and indoctrination, although official delegate count would stay at two.

Approved were amendments that required criminal history background checks on top leaders and district governors; allowing districts to elect vice-governors-elect to give people an additional year to prepare to ultimately be governor; changing the KI's CEO title to executive director; a small wording change for discipline provision for international officers; changing Kiwanis global regions from numbers to names; allowing a Norwegian district to meet inside the 20-day window of the International Convention; and broadening terminology on "official publications" to include online communications.

Two International Board members waged aggressive campaigns for International Vice President, putting the winner in line to be Kiwanis president in 2012-13. Tom DeJulio of Bronxville, N.Y., a Kiwanian since 1973, won over Randy Delay of Houston, Texas, a Kiwanian since 1982 and the brother of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas. Three U.S. region International Trustees were selected out of four candidates: Susan Petrisin of Michigan, Oscar Knight of California and Johnny Johnson of Georgia.

At the district caucus, former S.W. District Governor Jim Jennings of Green Valley, AZ, who now sites on the International Board, announced he will be running next year for vice president and expected it to be very competitive. Only one SW District candidate has ever served in the top elected job in Kiwanis, Merle Tucker, who was governor in 1953 and International President in 1962-63.

The next Kiwanis International President, Sylvester Neal of Auburn, Wash., gave a rousing speech to close the convention. The retired Alaska state fire marshal said it will be "The Year of the Fire." "Let's light the fire and carry the torch of Kiwanis International," he said. On cue, people on the floor snapped on glow sticks and waved them in the darkness. He called on Kiwanis to get out of its rut of just 20 percent of Kiwanians being women. And he called for strong support for the effort to end tetanus. "We are going to set the world on fire with our Eliminate Project," he said.

A strong and varied offering of workshops filled the three days, and delegates were urged to break the rule that "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas." They were urged to take all their new-found knowledge and ideas back to their clubs. Former KCOT member Lanton Lee, now a regional trainer for Kiwanis, led a number workshop including a well-attended three-hour session on Club Excellence. His wife and former KCOT president, Lori Annala Lee (KCOT president 1999-2000), was on hand with the two Lee children. Also spotted at the Convention was Rachael Jake, ASU Circle K Club president, who was a volunteered.

At the Southwest District Dinner on June 25, KCOT was named as one of the Club in the District that has shown membership growth. All Clubs are being strongly encouraged to follow up on invitees to meetings the past year and bring them into their Clubs membership by Sept. 30. Division 10 is pushing to eliminate its 7-member decline since last Oct. 1.

- Lawn Griffiths, Div. 10 Lieutenant Governor

NEW SOUTHWEST DISTRICT WEB SITE:
On July 1, the Southwest District unveiled its Web Site. Check it out. It is bright, easily negotiated and helpful. Kiwanis-southwest.org

KCOT INSTALLATION DINNER AND AWARDS:
Put Monday night Sept. 27 on your calendar to attend the KCOT Installation and Awards Celebration at 6 p.m. at Bridgeview on Tempe Town Lake. President Corey Woods will be turning the reigns over to President-Elect Kerry Fetherston; other officers and board members will be installed; Kiwanian of the Year and the new George F. Hixson Award winner will be named and more.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT KIWANIS CONVENTION COULDN'T BE CLOSER:
You don't have to be an officer or board member to attend a Kiwanis Convention. Consider registering for the 92nd Annual Southwest District Convention at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel on Friday and Saturday Aug. 6-7. Registration for the program, classes, Friday dinner, Saturday luncheon and Saturday night dinner is $115 if registered by July 16; $130 from July 17 to Aug. 4; and $145 after that. For more information on the convention and registration form, go to: Kiwanis-southwest.org. Click on District Convention link.

A bang-up Sunday night at Town Lake for KCOT fireworks
The Kiwanis Club of Tempe's 4^th of July Fireworks Show at Tempe Town Lake is a week away.

Things are falling into place, and volunteers are getting the last instructions for the Sunday night event.

Remember the volunteer check-in tent is at the northwest corner of the Town Lake fenced area. Free parking for volunteers is at the city parking near the Tempe Arts Center along Rio Salado Parkway west of the site. Consider taking the light rail to the site.

Training for volunteers and stuffing giveaway bags will be at the Tempe Family YMCA, 7070 S. Rural Road, at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June. 28. Help if you can. A training for captains on the logistics and operations will follow at 5:30 a.m. Mike and other will review the overall plan and show things on the map. Shirts and parking passes will be distributed then.

We thank these KCOT members or spouses/offspring. Our 11 captains and their responsibilities are: Mike Cryer, Volunteer/ Radio Check-In; Art Tate, Front Gate Sales; Lawn Griffiths, Front Gate Ticket-Taking; Neil Fisch, SunCor East Gate Sales; Linda Spears, Sponsor VIP Garden; Joel Navarro, Sponsor VIP Garden Bussers; Beer Garden, Emma Gully, East Captain; Mike Jennings, West Captain; Mark Richwine, Administration; Sharon Kausal, Finance; and Lance Gray, Kids Identification.

Also taking roles are KCOT members or spouses Dave Summers, Fred Amberg, Curt Ritland, Sharon Doyle, Cheryl Hornyan, Jayne Lewis, Janet Tate, Pam Goronkin, Beth Fiorenza, Kathy Stevens, Adriene Richwine, Cole Richwine, Russ Plieseis, Judy Aldrich and Linda Wegener. Others helpers thus far are Gary Johnson, Joanne Johnson and Sandy Jones, all with the YMCA, and Laura Leopardi, CPA.

In addition, Mike has a number of white Kiwanis shirts with logos in various sizes, available for $20. Any questions, call Mike (480) 897-1267.

Lawn Griffiths has been arranging words for 47 years in world of writing
This is the 59^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Lawn Griffiths quickly noticed in grade school no other kid had the bizarre name of "Lawn," and he still has yet to find another one to share it with. But it's made a unique byline name across the 47 years that he has been writing for publication. The second of a set of twin boys, Lawn's Iowa farmer father loaded him up on chores and jobs as a young kid. He was assigned to milk 20-25 cows morning and night throughout junior and senior high. Where were child labor watchdogs those hot summers he slaved in hay mows?

Lawn found himself the go-to guy in school, three straight years on Student Council, freshman and junior class president, tuba player in band, yearbook staff (only male) and school choruses. Valedictorian of his small class of 47, he went on to Iowa State University where he founded a residence hall magazine while a freshman, wrote for a bunch of publications, took part in 32 campus groups, including founding president of a 2,400-member residence hall system and earned Iowa State's highest male student honorary award, Cardinal Key. He received a journalism degree in 1968. Lawn spent one college summer in Uruguay and wrote a daily column for a Spanish language newspaper in Ecuador for six weeks the following summer. He served six months in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, a duty cut short when the U.S. Army drafted him as the Vietnam War raged. Lawn served two years at Fort Polk, La., coming out as a specialist E-5, acting sergeant. His typing and administrative skills were enough to get him pulled from infantry duty.

With the GI Bill, he earned a master's degree in journalism in 1972 from Northwestern University, which included three months of study and writing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., including an interview with Shirley Temple Black and a reporting focus on Latin America.

For 12 years, he worked for the Waterloo (Iowa) Courier as a courthouse and police reporter, farm editor, state editor and longtime columnist. He wrote hundreds of feature stories about codgers and characters across 15 counties of Northeast Iowa and wrote a weekly farm column for eight years. He served as president of a 255-home historic neighborhood in Waterloo.

In 1984, Lawn was hired as city editor for the Tempe Daily News and moved his wife, Patty, and two children to Tempe. In 1985, he was named managing editor. In 1987, he moved to the sister publication, the Mesa Tribune, where he was a columnist for three dailies and religion writer. Over his almost 25 years with those newspapers, he spent 17 as religion editor and 4 ‡ years as a daily columnist, the Town Crier, which, at one time, appeared in five Tribune newspapers. From 1985 to 1987 and 1991 to 1994, he wrote twice-weekly columns about Tempe.

During his Iowa years, he was once newsletter editor simultaneously for six organizations, including the weekly bulletin for his service club, the Waterloo Exchange Club (1981-84), which named him "Exchangite of the Year." In Arizona, he joined the Tempe Exchange Club (later East Valley Exchange Club) and was its newsletter editor and treasurer, before it folded in 1986. Its most colorful member was long-bearded Josh Mitchell, an early Arizona highway patrolman and uncle of Harry Mitchell and great uncle of Mark Mitchell.

On May 15, 1986, Lawn joined the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, sponsored by the Rev. Ken Falk. A year later, he was chosen KCOT's president-elect. Lawn was a KCOT delegate at the Kiwanis International Convention in July 1987 when the organization voted to admit women. He was president of KCOT in 1988-89, and during his tenure, the Club was asked to vacate Tempe Holiday Inn because it "tied down" their meeting room. The move to Shalimar came in January 1989. During his term, he wrote the text for the KCOT Bulletin and was named its editor in January 1990. He has now been producing the weekly Bulletin 20-plus years. It has been selected top Bulletin for middle-size Clubs of the Southwest District in 17 of the past 19 years, and it won first-place worldwide in 1995 and was runner-up in 1991 and 1996.

Lawn was selected Kiwanian of the Year four times, 1990, 1992, 1996 and 2009. He was the second in the Club to receive the George F. Hixson Award (1996). He has 24 years of perfect attendance. Currently, he serves as the Kiwanis Division 10 lieutenant governor, overseeing a cluster of nine Kiwanis Club.

He has earned more than 75 writing or service awards. Most notable are Tempe's Don Carlos Humanitarian Award (1995); Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award from Tempe Leadership (1992); Tempe Historical Society's "Living Legends Award" (2004); Arizona Interfaith Movement's Golden Rule Award (Media) (2008); Arizona Ecumenical Council's "Gold Cross Award" (2003); Clara Barton Award from Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross (1989); and A.T. Still University's Crystal Award for Media (2007). Lawn has been president of Tempe Community Council, chairman of the Tempe Community Action Agency Board, chairman of Tempe Salvation Army Advisory Board, chair of Tempe Red Cross Advisory Board, president of PSA Behavior Health Board of Directors (on which he has served 22 years), chairman of Tempe Union High School District's Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program and five years secretary of the Tempe Leadership Board. He has held dozens of church roles at various levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has been an ordained elder since 1974.

An unapologetic liberal, fostered primarily from thousands of news interviews and listening to life stories, plus wide reading and travel, Lawn today writes two blogs, one produced since April 2004 on the Tribune website: http://eastvalleytribune.com/blogs/spiritual_life/ and "Lawn Cares - Someone Has To Say It" at tempelawn.wordpress.com. He believes the quest for social justice lies at the heart of a life well-lived. He is currently writing a history in book-form of KCOT's epic story.

One very old Kiwanis Bulletin carried this profound statement, "Criticism is something you can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing and being nothing." Lawn believes we must draw from the well of experience and life's gifts, then go ahead with courage to expose injustice, tyranny and greed. More than 5,000 columns, blogs and commentaries behind him, Lawn is still finds things to write about. Currently, he is a freelance writer for the Arizona Republic and writes projects for other publications.

He and his wife of 37 years, Patty, have two grown children, Eric Griffiths of Tulsa, Okla., who works as a financial advisor in collections, and Ashley Nuesse, a kindergarten teacher in Avondale. They have four grandchildren.

Lawn's favorite memories of Kiwanis have been seeing new members catch fire in service, to see them be faithful to their commitments to truly answer the call to help others through the Kiwanis movement.

Financial planner Bob Polley is not in Kansas anymore, knows there's an Easter bunny
This is the 58^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

He's a scuba diver from the prairies of Kansas. Professionally, Robert "Bob" Polley is a financial adviser and the president of his own firm, Polley Financial Group, LLC, 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive, #347, Tempe.

Bob joined KCOT in April 2008 and had been referred to the Club by Vinny Mirizio. He was co-chairman of the 2009 4^th of July Show and serving as chairman for volunteers

Born in Manhattan, Kan., on a Dec. 12, he went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in business (finance) from Kansas State University in Manhattan. Bob moved to the Valley 19 years on the very day that Desert Storm war began in the Middle East. There, he opened his firm which handles everything from health, life and disability insurance to various investment options to financial planning. "I enjoy counseling people in financial areas where I can help them feel more comfortable and secure," Bob says.

Speaking of other timing, "I was deep sea fishing off the coast of Mexico on an overnight trip on 9-11-2001," he said. "It's scary to be outside of the United States when something like that happens. We had no television, only a radio to give us details on what happened." Besides scuba diving, he enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He spent many years with the Jaycees in Kansas and has been active in his church.

He and his wife Becky were married Jan. 7, 1995. They have two daughters, Tyler (1989) and Madison (1995).

His favorite moments with KCOT were filling in, and wearing the suit, of the Easter Bunny for the KCOT Tempe Easter Egg Hunt in 2009 in the rain at Kiwanis Park; and "seeing the fireworks begin after weeks and months of worry and work to make it happen."

Volunteers for 4^th of July get instructions, training June 28 at Y
The Kiwanis Club of Tempe's 4^th of July Fireworks Show at Tempe Town Lake is just two weekends away. Things are falling into place, and volunteers are getting the last instructions for the Sunday night event. Chairman Mike Cryer, on Thursday, said there is some bad news, PMT, the ambulance company, has decided it cannot be a sponsor at the $10,000 level after all because of other charitable commitments. That leaves total sponsorships at about $35,000 - far lower than in previous years. We will really have to rely on strong, strong gate and ticket receipts to cover costs and still have something to return to the community.

Mike announced that the training for volunteers and stuffing giveaway bags will be at the Tempe Family YMCA, 7070 S. Rural Road, at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June. 28. Help if you can. A training for captains on the logistics and operations will follow at 5:30 a.m. Mike and other will review the overall plan and show things on the map.

We thank these KCOT members or spouses/offspring. Our 11 captains and their responsibilities are: Mike Cryer, Volunteer/ Radio Check-In; Art Tate, Front Gate Sales; Lawn Griffiths, Front Gate Ticket-Taking; Neil Fisch, SunCor East Gate Sales; Linda Spears, Sponsor VIP Garden; Joel Navarro, Sponsor VIP Garden Bussers; Beer Garden, Emma Gully, East Captain; Mike Jennings, West Captain; Mark Richwine, Administration; Sharon Kausal, Finance; and Lance Gray, Kids Identification.

Also taking roles are KCOT members or spouses Dave Summers, Fred Amberg, Curt Ritland, Sharon Doyle, Cheryl Hornyan, Jayne Lewis, Janet Tate, Pam Goronkin, Beth Fiorenza, Kathy Stevens, Adriene Richwine, Cole Richwine, Russ Plieseis, Judy Aldrich and Linda Wegener. Others helpers thus far are Gary Johnson, Joanne Johnson and Sandy Jones, all with the YMCA, and Laura Leopardi, CPA.

In addition, Mike has a number of white Kiwanis shirts with logos in various sizes, available for $20. Any questions, call Mike (480) 897-1267.

Penny Pease hunts for speakers like a Wolverine
This is the 57^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Penny Pease has been helping to line up the speakers for Kiwanis much of the past year. She says it is a job she really enjoys. Penny explains that it gives her something to think about in those odd moments when her mind wanders.

Dr. Bruce Merrill commented on her tenacity regarding getting him behind the podium when he said, "She just kept coming after me. I had to say, ëYes'." Penny hopes getting interesting speakers for weekly KCOT meetings will boost attendance and encourage new membership.

Speakers she has scheduled for the remainder of the year include: Dr. Christine Kajikawa Wilkinson, senior vice president of ASU; Johnny Bashas, the leadership team from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Ms. Lee Corning of Tempe Police Forensics; and "Dave" The Garden Guy. Penny, Chris Rosner and Joe Schmoker welcome speaker ideas and are happy to have more members involved in the speaker-selection process.

Penny, who was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, joined KCOT in October 1995 and was sponsored by her neighbor at the time, Dr. Roger Boylan. When she joined, she described herself as "an advocate for children, education and healthy athletics for kids." Her twin, Pam Schuldt, lives in Mesa and has been involved in the Kiwanis Club of Carefree.

Penny has been the secretary/treasurer for the family business, Pease Dental Clinics for 35 years. The business has been in continuous operation in Arizona (without missing a payroll) since 1924. Dr. Edgar Pease established the business in Ajo and Phoenix. Dr. Paul Pease has been the owner since 1976 and now son, Dr. Erik Pease is in transition to take over the operation of their offices.

Penny is a graduate in political science from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she met her husband, Paul. Penny was the alumni academic recruiter in Arizona for 30 years. During that period, she interacted with many Arizona students who went on to graduate from Michigan. Many of the students remain close friends today. Penny also has a second undergraduate degree in interior design, and she attended Boston University Graduate School where she studied economics. While in Boston, Penny worked as an interior designer specializing in historic renovation.

Penny is active with international exchange students in Arizona, too.

Rescue A Golden (Retriever) also holds a place in her heart. Being a member on the board of directors of her Circle G Ranch homeowners association is a job she hopes to pass on to another "unlikely victim." She has been a precinct committeeman for her political party. On the zany side, she was once the first person to visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., right after a bomb threat. "I was then threatened with arrest for (presumably) attempting to blow it up!" she recalls.

Penny has spent a lifetime in service helping under-served children, seniors and animals, a passion she plans to continue.

For several years, with Diane Schans, Penny oversaw the decorating of the "gingerbread house" for the Kiwanis float in the Fantasy of Lights Parade.

Her favorite memories of Kiwanis are the moments when the club's float rounded the corner from the staging lot to the throngs of wide-eyed children. Those memories, she explains, are "my Frank Kapra moments."

Longtime Tempe accountant Dennis Ederer joins KCOT
Dennis Ederer, a veteran certified public accountant, is the newest member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. He is sponsored Richard Neuheisel, who says Dennis was a student for a law course that Dick taught in the 1970s at Arizona State University.

He earned his B.S. degree in accounting from ASU in 1973 and an M.B.A., from there in 1977. He owns the firm of Dennis Ederer, CPA, a comprehensive financial planning and certified public accounting firm that he began in 1991.

Born March 5, 1952, in Richland Center, Wis., Dennis permanently moved to the Valley in August 1969. He has been a volunteer with Tempe Sister Cities, including its treasurer.

Dennis and his wife Olivia Valdez have been married 19 years. He has two stepdaughters, Jonette, who lives in Tucson, and Jenelle, who resides in Oro Valley.

His hobbies are swimming, bicycling and photography. "I've purchased and owned more bicycles than automobiles," he says. His "living hero" is iconic actor-director Clint Eastwood. Valley rock legend Alice Cooper is the most famous person he has met.

Dennis said he wanted to join Kiwanis for "the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends outside my practice, the opportunity to become involved in community social and outreach events and the opportunity to give back to the community."

What he didn't know about Kiwanis was "all the local sponsored Kiwanis projects."

MEMBERSHIP STATEMENTS SENT
KCOT Treasurer Mike Jennings told members that all members who have emails received their billings online on May 27. Others not online were billed by mail. If you didn't get one or have questions, call Mike (602) 791-5322 or mjennings2020@gmail.com. And, course, all members are urged to keep their dues/meals current with the Club.

NEXT WEEK'S RAFFLE:
Besides the regular 50/50 drawing next week, Penny Pease secured 2 sets of 2 free adult tickets to Sea Life Arizona Aquarium, which was the program on Thursday. Tickets are valued at $18.50 (walk-up) or $17.50 (on-line); $10.50 ($9.50), children; and $15.50 (14.50) for those 65 years old and older.

14 Amendments to be voted on during Kiwanis Int'l Convention in Las Vegas
When three members of KCOT go to the 95^th annual Kiwanis International Convention June 24-27 in Las Vegas, they will participate as the House of Delegates that Friday to vote on 14 amendments that will change some of how Kiwanis operates. The first seven below were submitted by the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees. Seven came from clubs around the world. Of the seven not originated by the board, the trustees backed only one, No. 8. Kerry Fetherston and Cheryl Hornyan are KCOT's delegates and Lawn Griffiths, as lieutenant governor, will go as a stand-in delegate for the Kiwanis Club of Dobson Ranch.

Here quickly are what the 13 issues are:

1. Drop Roman numerals for the seven world regions; just call them "Africa" or "Europe" or "United States," etc.
2. Clear up ambiguity on disciplining international officers for not performing duties properly and preventing them from serving in other roles in Kiwanis.
3. Requiring criminal history background checks for all incumbents and candidates for International office, including those running for district governor.
4. Changing the title of the top post in Kiwanis International back to "executive director," from the current chief executive officer (CEO).
5. All districts allowed to add a new post in the succession to governor( i.e. vice governor), who would have two years to prepare, moving on to governor-elect and then governor.
6. Essentially drop International convention registration fees by spreading convention costs on all the clubs worldwide, thereby making is financially possible for more Kiwanians to go to conventions.
7. Change verbage regarding Kiwanis publications to include websites and emerging technology.
8. Making exceptions to the rule that no district or federation conventions can be held within 20 days of the international convention.
9. Reducing the six Objectives of Kiwanis from what some say is wordy and unwieldy to succinct, memorable words like "Build Friendship Through Service" or "Aim High" or Reflect Wholesome Values."
10. Barring Clubs less than a year after chartering from having a vote at district convention or division conferences.
11. Letting districts determine how many delegates their clubs may send to conventions, based on club membership.
12. All club members who aren't official delegates to be allowed to sit with delegates in the House of Delegates, rather than the adjacent areas of seating.
13. To reduce dues for Kiwanians age 65 or older by 50 percent because of their being on fixed incomes.

Key assignments made for 4^th of July show
Mike Cryer, who is chairing the 4^th of July Fireworks Show, has sent KCOT members, via the Yahoogroup email, their assignments for the event on the first Sunday of July at Tempe Town Lake.

Twenty-six of the 31 slots are filled by KCOT members or spouses/offspring. Our 11 captains and their responsibilities are: Mike Cryer, Volunteer/ Radio Check-In; Art Tate, Front Gate Sales; Lawn Griffiths, Front Gate Ticket-Taking; Neil Fisch, SunCor East Gate Sales; Linda Spears, Sponsor VIP Garden; Joel Navarro, Sponsor VIP Garden Bussers; Beer Garden, Emma Gully, East Captain; Mike Jennings, West Captain; Mark Richwine, Administration; Sharon Kausal, Finance; and Lance Gray, Kids Identification.

Also taking roles are KCOT members or spouses Dave Summers, Fred Amberg, Curt Ritland, Sharon Doyle, Cheryl Hornyan, Janet Tate, Pam Goronkin, Beth Fiorenza, Kathy Stevens, Adriene Richwine, Cole Richwine, Russ Plieseis, Judy Aldrich and Linda Wegener. Others helpers thus far are Gary Johnson, Joanne Johnson and Sandy Jones, all with the YMCA, and Laura Leopardi, CPA.

T-Shirts will be provided and Kiwanians are encouraged to display Kiwanis in shirts, caps, etc.

Mike announce that two separate $2,500 sponsorships were recently secured: Chapman Chevrolet and Dave and Busters. Thanks to the work of Judi Yates and Amy in beating the bushes for financial support. Still we have only about a quarter of the sponsorships in dollars as in the past. CBS-TV 5 has been promoting it well.

The contest for the singer of the Start Spangled Banner to kick off the event will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday June 19 at the West Side Multigenerational Center, with the finals held there on June 26. Mike said he is seeking other Kiwanians to join him in the judging. Reach him at cryerjm@yahoo.com.

Member Profiles in Last Stages:
Since the spring of 2009, the KCOT Bulletin has been carrying a weekly profile on one of the members of our Club. Our goal is that each of the more than 70 members of our Club is showcased with a bio. We are down to about 20 members to feature. Many of you never returned biographical information of themselves after provided with a form, some with repeated nudging. The Bulletin editor is going to do another mailing to them for that basic information. Failing a response, we will write the bios from available, albeit sketchy, information. Thanks to all who have faithfully cooperated to date. Bios will be published in the KCOT History book that is also well on its way.

LOOKING FOR A VAN:
Lon Lawrenz, secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo, is working with the principal of Tempe Accelerated High School to secure a low-priced, used 12 to 15-passenger van to transport students on trips, including the Key Club that Nuevo sponsors there. Principal Myron Hammond and Key Club Advisor Kirsten Peters say the van could be donated to them because they are a 501 c-3 organization. Said Myron, "The van can be donated to the American Charter Schools Foundation which is a 501C3 and direct the donation to TAHS. Mr. Ted Fredrick works with the foundation and he can be reached at 602-953-2933. Just ask for Ted and they will transfer you."

KCOT treasurer Mike Jennings has 'corner' on everything ASU
This is the 56^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

In his three years as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Mike Jennings has been a dedicated, engaging Kiwanian. Last spring, he was elected treasurer in a special election to fill a vacancy, and, in May, he was elected to a full, one-year term of treasurer that begins Oct. 1.

Mike was sponsored by Pam Goronkin when he joined the Club in July 2007. He owns and manages the two Campus Corner shops - 603 S. Mill Avenue and 712 S. College Avenue in Tempe. (www.campuscorneraz.com). They carry a full line of ASU merchandise including Sun Devil gifts, clothing, caps, and children's items.

Born Aug. 7, 1962, at Camp LeJeune, N.C., Mike grew up in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn where he became a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. He earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University in1987. He moved to Arizona in 1989 from Urbana, Ill. His parents still live in Glen Ellyn. He has two brothers, one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Flagstaff.

Since then he has been chairman of the board of directors of Downtown Tempe Community, has been a member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, has been a coach for the Tempe Rio Salado Little League and is a member of Tempe Community Council. While Mike was chairman of the DTC, he organized a search committee that ultimately hired Pam Goronkin, who subsequently was the president and executive director of the DTC for several years.

Most recently, he has been a member of the Tempe Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Mike was a member of Tempe Leadership Class XXIII and has been involved in the Mill Avenue Merchants Association and other Tempe business activities.

Mike is the father of a son,Tyler, who will be a junior at McClintock High School next fall and who takes part in three choirs plus class plays. Tyler lives with Mike at their home on La Corta Drive in Tempe.

Mike has been co-chairman of the KCOT Tempe Easter Egg Hunt and began serving on the KCOT Board of Directors, beginning Oct. 1, 2008, then to the treasurer post.

His hobbies are biking, running, ASU sports and community involvement.

His favorite moments in KCOT: "Driving a Mustang convertible in the 2008 Fantasy of Lights Parade. And the 2010 Easter Egg Hunt."

3 from KCOT soon headed to Kiwanis International Convention
The 95^th Annual Kiwanis International Convention will be Wednesday June 23 to Saturday June 26 in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. On the theme "Live Big," it will be highlighted by the announcement of the next Worldwide Service Project on June 24. On twist of the city's famous expression, Kiwanis wants what members learn in Vegas NOT to stay in Vegas but come back to enrich the Clubs themselves.

KCOT President-Elect Kerry Fetherston and Secretary Cheryl Hornyan will officially represent KCOT, with member and Div. 10 Lt. Governor Lawn Griffiths, accompanied by wife, Patty, also attending. Other highlights include remarks by former Secretary of State Colin Powell at the opening session, many training workshops, Southwest District meetings and special entertainment by such celebrities as Jay Leno, Jerry "The Beaver" Mathers and others.

The 2011 International Convention will be in Geneva, Switzerland. Typically once a decade, it is moved across the ocean. The last two were in France in 1993 (Linda Spears and Kathleen Harris) and Taipei, Taiwan (Dave Wochner, VInny Mirzio and Shana Elis).

Dave Wochner going to Kamp Kiwanis for Lt. Gov. training
Past KCOT President David Wochner headed to Kamp Kiwanis southwest of Gallup, N.M., on Friday for a weekend training and orientation as the next lieutenant governor for Division 10 of the Southwest District of Kiwanis. Led by Bruce "B.K." Knappenberger, retired Phoenix police officer, who become Southwest District Governor on Oct. 1, he will be joined by current Governor Ron Smith of Fountain Hills and SW District Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson of Mesa. The district, made up of Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, is divided into 18 divisions, each with a lieutenant governor to work with the Kiwanis clubs within those boundaries. Dave will oversee the nine Club of our division for a year, and KCOT will retain the Home Club Banner of the Lieutenant Governor for another year.

INNER CIRCLE COMPLETED:
The Inner Circle is complete. On Tuesday morning, five members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe ventured to Sun Lakes as an Interclub group and took part in the meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes, led by President Harvey Boyd. Going were Interclub Chairman Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Dee Harkins, Ralph Packer and Lawn Griffiths. With that Interclub, our Club has sent members to all the other eight Kiwanis Clubs within out Division 10 the past year, and the Club qualifies for an Inner Circle Patch from the Southwest District, as the Club has accomplished for many years.

Tireless Tempe volunteer leader Sharon Doyle lives her passions
This is the 55^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Does is seem like Sharon Doyle is everywhere in Tempe? Gregarious and thoughtful, she is engaged seemingly in everything that matters.

For an "Air Force brat" who got to live in a lot of places, the Phoenix-born lady came home to the Valley in 1974 and pretty much stayed here to ply her talents.

For 30 years, Sharon worked in the Tempe Union High School District where she developed the district's Speech and Language program, worked as a speech pathologist and as a chairman of the Special Education Department at Marcos de Niza. She retired in 2005. Sharon holds a master of education degree in guidance and counseling from Arizona State University in 1982 and a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology from the University of Alabama (Crimson Tide is the reigning NCAA football champion) where everyone believed (coach) Bear Bryant walked on water.

Sharon joined KCOT in May 2008, sponsored by Mark Richwine. Shortly before that, Tempe Leadership presented her one of the community highest honors, the 2008 Outstanding Tempe Community Leadership Award. She has served simultaneously on as many as 16 boards and committees. Here is a partial rundown: A member Tempe Leadership Class XVI, Sharon went on to serve on the TL Board of Directors. She has been president of the Tempe Union High School Foundation Board, vice president of Tempe Impact Education (TIE) for the Tempe Elementary School District, several years as president of Tempe/Kyrene Communities in Schools, a member of the Arizona Education Association's Foundation for Teaching and Learning and the TD3 Preschool Funding Advisory Commission. Sharon has served as president of the Tempe Parks and Recreation Board and served on the Tempe Design Review Board. Sharon serves on the Tempe Sister Cities board and Executive Board of Assistance League of East Valley.

More recently, she was chairman of the Rio Salado/Papago Park Ad Hoc Committee that spent more than a year doing long-range visioning for that area of north Tempe. She also serves on the Tempe City Council's Education Education Partnerships Council Committee, TUHSD's Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program advisory committee and Tempe Rio Salado Advisory Commission.

When she received the Leadership Award, Kathleen Clark noted in the Republic, "What's outstanding is her belief in not just serving on one board but being involved in multiple organizations," Clark said. "She tries to make connections so each group can leverage what they have. She is taking what each organization can do separately and multiplying it for the good of Tempe."

In that article, Sharon said, "I see it as a big circle. You help kids, the community and parks, and we make this a better community, which brings more business into town, which brings a higher quality of life," she said.

"Educational issues are my passion, along with politics. I love Tempe with all its diverse population, challenges and history," she said.

Sharon would live in Norway, Germany, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia and Washington, D.C., much of that moving about with her father's Air Force career.

"I had a great marriage before my husband died in 1999," Sharon notes "and now I'm with Steve Rich, a former TUHSD Board member I used to do battle with for the teacher's association." Her son, Chad Doyle, divides time between Westcliffe, Colo., and Mesa. She has homes in rural Colorado at an altitude of 8,000 feet and Rocky Point.

Her hobbies include travel. She recently traveled to China, and especially spending time near water and on the beaches of Rocky Point, Kauai and La Jolla. She's an avid Suns fan, enjoys playing black jack, Pai Gow poker, Bunco, cribbage and backgammon. "I'm very competitive with a ëtake no prisoners' attitude," she says.

DON CARLOS AWARD NOMINATIONS:
Emma Gully, KCOT member who coordinates the Don Carlos Humanitarian Awards process for the Tempe Community Council, announced Thursday that nominations have opened up for the 27^th annual Award to be presented this fall. Nominations close July 30. It goes to an "individual or couple who has given exceptional service to the community over an extended period of time, has benefitted the less fortunate in lasting ways and, in doing so, has made Tempe a better place to live. The nominee must be a current or former resident of Tempe or work in Tempe." For a nomination form, go to TCC office, 34 E. 7^th Street or on-line to www.tempe.gov/tcc. KCOT itself has had five of its members (two with spouses) honored with the prestigious award: Mac & Mimi Bohlman, 1991; Pat Hatton, 1994; Lawn Griffiths, 1995; Dick & Jane Neuheisel, 2005; and Linda Spears, 2007.

July 4th Fireworks show continues in planning mode
Mike Cryer, chairman of the 4th of July Fireworks Show, said contrary to some talk he hears, KCOT is still staging the show on that Sunday holiday afternoon. It is being called "The CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival" at Tempe Beach Park. While it has been a struggle to find the kind of corporate sponsorships of past years, so far it's expect to break even, with ticket sales and vendor revenues. But Mike said any help to find financial supporters and sponsors would be welcome.

Mike said the City will be cutting back its security detail by about 20 uniformed police. If sponsorships are what they are now, it will mean a small amount to be able to give out to community organizations as in the past.

We urge our Kiwanis members to commit to serving as volunteers today and to be high-visibility reps for the show.

The May City of Tempe Water Bill's "Tempe Today" had all the important information on page 2. "Gates will open at 4 p.m. There will be live local entertainment, a splash zone where you can stay cool, kids activities and games, rock climbing walls, face painters and the annual fireworks spectacular. Advance tickets will be sold beginning June 4 at Fry's and Fry's Marketplace for $6 and at several City of Temp facilities for $5. At the gate, tickets are $8 or $15 for two. Children under 12 and under are free. The event benefits local charities."

Meanwhile the Tribune carried this item on finding the singer of the Star-Spangled banner to open the show:

Amateur singers of all ages are invited to compete for a chance to become "Tempe's Star-Spangled Idol." Auditions will be at 10:30 a.m. June 19 at the Westside Community Center on Hardy Drive and Fifth Street in Tempe.

A winner will be chosen to sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" center stage at the CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. The winner will also receive a prize package that includes VIP passes to the festival. Radio personalities from Mix 96.9 will host the auditions and finals. Interested singers must submit an application no later than June 14. Applications are available at www.tempe4th.com/idol.asp.

PAST PRESIDENTS BOARD IS FULL:
On Thursday, we affixed the brass name plate of Mike Cryer to the large, wooden Kiwanis Club of Tempe Past Presidents wall plaque that hangs in the lobby of Shalimar Country Club. Mike, who served as president in 2008-09 was the 60th person to serve as KCOT president since 1952. But his name plate is the last one that can fit on that plaque - 15 rows of four names. In four months, Corey Woods will join the ranks, and down the line there will be Kerry Fetherston, Kathy Stevens and Lance Gray. What to do? The board will need to determine whether to buy another and if one can be found to reasonably match it. Currently 20 of our past presidents are still active in KCOT.

Members invited to write letters for F-35 training at Luke
On Thursday, KCOT program co-chairman Penny Pease urged members to follow up on the May 20 speaker/program whereby Rusty Mitchell, director of the Community Initiatives Team, 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, explained the compelling need to get Arizonans to help make the case for the Pentagon to choose Luke as the primary training base for the new F-35 Lightning II fighter planes. He said it appears Luke and a New Mexico site are closest contenders for the much-sought training center.

It was determined to ask members to write letters and bring them next Thursday to give to Penny who will mail them on to Rusty to help build the case. (info below).

Luke Air Force Base is currently the largest active-duty F-16 training base in the world and the Air Force is beginning to replace its fleet of F-16s with the new F-35 Lightning II. The Air Force is expected to make its final F-35 base decision in early 2011.

Through the Luke Forward campaign, state and local government and business leaders plan to generate support from citizens living in every city and town in Arizona in order to position the state as a strong supporter of the F-35 training mission with the nation's decision makers in Washington, D.C. "Luke is the ideal location for this advanced strike fighter, but we need to continue working closely with our federal delegation, the Department of Defense and the Pentagon to demonstrate our state's preparedness and commitment to continue this partnership with the Air Force," said Gov Jan Brewer.

It is all explained at www.lukeforward.com, where residents are being encouraged to register their support of the F-35 training mission at Luke.

Letters can be addressed to

Luke Forward F-35 Campaign
13960 Eagle Street
Glendale Luke AFB, AZ 85309-1426

FALL INDUCTION BANQUET DATE SET
Kiwanians are urged to put Monday Sept. 27, 2010, on their calendars to plan to attend the KCOT Annual Induction Banquet and Awards Night. It will be at Bridgeview Condominiums community room at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, same site as last year. It will feature the installation of Kerry Fetherston as President, Kathy Stevens as President-Elect and Lance Gray as Vice President. Please put it on your calendar and plan to attend.

LAST INTERCLUB PLANNED
A group of five KCOT members will be traveling to the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes this coming Tuesday, June 1, for the last Interclub to complete the Inner-Circle for the Club. Planning to take part are Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Ralph Packer, Dee Harkins and Lawn Griffiths.

Past President and Col. Mike Cryer has stepped up again and again for Kiwanis
Colonel (USAFR, Ret) James M. "Mike" Cryer has a commanding style. We have seen that at the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. The retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves is in his last four months as Immediate Past President of the Club and recently was elected to a two-year term on the board of directors, beginning Oct. 1.

When he completes that, he will have had six consecutive years as an officer or director on the board, starting in 2006 when he was first elected to the board to fill out the term of Tom Bourdo who resigned part-way through his term. Mike experienced a much quicker-than-normal rise to the presidency because of the resignation of the president-elect in the spring of 2008 and the vice president not immediately able to serve. Mike was plucked from an unexpired board seat that May to begin that fall as president - not having to move successively through the vice president and president-elect chairs.

"Growth Through Service" was the theme of his presidential year, 2008-2009. He was the Club's 60th president since its founding. Mike joined KCOT in January 2006 and was sponsored by Tom Sands.

President Mark Richwine named Mike "Kiwanian of the Year" for the 2007-08 year for his outstanding leadership for the 4th of July Fireworks Show, a chairmanship Mike has held for a number of years, including the current year. Those fireworks shows represent his favorite moments of KCOT membership.

A man who has a fun and diverse range of interests, Mike is a diehard Ohio State Buckeyes fan.

Born on Feb. 25, 1945, in Findlay, Ohio, Mike was selected for the United States Air Force Academy after one year in Columbus at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Engineering Science in 1968. After completing pilot training at Randolph AFB, Texas he flew the OV-10 as a Forward Air Controller stationed at Pleiku, RVN. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice and received 11 Air Medals for his missions over Laos. He spent 29 years with the Air Force, 12 on active duty and 17 in the Reserves. "It was the smartest thing I did for retirement," Mike says.

He and Linda were married July 5, 1969, and have two children, Nicole (1970) and Michael (1973). "Linda is an ASU RN graduate and a living legend in the Labor and Delivery community starting at Mesa Lutheran and continuing at Good Samaritan and Desert Samaritan hospitals for over 20 years," her proud husband says.

Nicole and Michael graduated from Marcos De Niza and the University of Arizona. Nicole is working on a Masters Degree in speech pathology and was recently hired to work in the Chandler School District in that capacity. Michael is a Master of Fine Arts and a poet who is currently teaching English and creative writing at the ASU School of Journalism.

In 1976, Mike earned a master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Arizona State University, plus a MBA in 1998 from ASU. They moved back to Arizona in 1980 from Dayton, Ohio. He was a T-38 Instructor pilot at Williams AFB from 1971 t0 1975.

Mike worked as business manager at Honeywell, and its previous companies, Allied Signal and Garrett for over 25 years. He retired in 2005 after holding several business management roles with the company.

He has long been active on the board of the Tempe Family YMCA, where he has been board member and chairman. He was active in the Indian Guides and Princesses as well as coaching soccer for 6 years. He has been a member and president of the local Industrial Engineering Chapter; and a charter member and president of the Tempe Union High School District Foundation.

His hobbies are golf, skiing, fly fishing, gardening and reading. Mike has also produced award-winning salsa recipes. Since retiring, he spends weekends pruning and plucking dead blooms from the rose bushes in the Veterans Garden at Mesa Community College.

That robust KCOT meeting Thursday shows what great turnout does
Now that was a Kiwanis meeting!!! Thursdayís gathering at Shalimar was a humdinger with all the energy and chemistry one could ever want in a Kiwanis meeting. Why?

For starters, the turnout of members was significant - especially those among us who are gregarious, compelling storytellers, adventurers, and even a little crazy. Consider this: Bill Harvey was back after many months, with wife Nancy, sharing his stories of unsinkability and survival from health battles. Then there was former Kiwanis member and livewire Judy Todd, one-time owner/publisher of Tempe Magazine and mom of film and TV actor/comic David Spade. Ever-laughing and zany Judy picked up where she left off a decade and a half ago.

Dick Neuheisel gave a spontaneous monologue on his South Dakota discoveries on an Ambassadors trip demonstrating how one man never gets tired of witnessing what every spot on the planet offers. Then there were a litany of rich, thoughtful tributes to the late Tempe former vice mayor and councilman Len Copple. Linda Spears told us about the book of Tempe photography that is going to press. Neil Giuliano, who led the Proposition 401 .2-cent campaign for Tempe, celebrated the decisive victory with treats.

Capping it all off was our speaker, Rusty Mitchell, who delivered a wonderful report on Luke Air Force Base and especially how important it is to thank our volunteer men and women in uniform as they serve selflessly for our nation. It was a feel-good and informative talk, as Lukeís supporters work to ensure it is chosen for the next generation of Air Force plans, the F-35.

A great Kiwanis meeting relies on turnout, participation, stories, relationships, great speaker. Thank you, Kiwanians, for sharing yourselves in every way on Thursday.

CLARIFYING TERMS FOR NEXT YEARíS BOARD
President Corey Woods Thursday clarified a couple things related to the May 13 Club elections. Two of the four elected to the KCOT Board of Directors for two-year terms that begin on Oct. 1 will have slightly varied terms. We had incorrectly announced that there were three two-year terms and the partial term (4 1/2 months of Mike Jennings, now treasurer) to be filled. In fact there were four two-year terms to be filled because Mike Jenningsí term was going to be expiring anyway. So members, in fact, voted on the expiring terms of Pam Goronkin, Carol Balk, Lance Gray and Mike Jennings.

Re-elected was Pam Goronkin, with Neil Fisch and Mike Crier the next highest finishers. Allison Walters finished fourth. It wasnít realized until later that there were four full terms to be filled, so Pam, Neil, Mike and Allison all get full terms, with Neil asked to step in to start immediately with the 4 1/2 months that is vacant and continue Oct. 1 with a full term. Last week, we said Allison would serve just the partial term, but she would not have been able to do a partial term because she will be in Florida all summer in her job. Southwest District Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson was consulted and said such assignments of terms was OK as long as all were duly elected by members and there was transparency with the Club.

Board Meets Tuesday
The May meeting of the KCOT Board of Directors will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center, 655 E. Southern Ave. Any Club member may attend and participate, just not vote. New members get their lapel pin and permanent button after attending that and an orientation.

4TH OF JULY UPDATE:
Mike Cryer said Tuesdayís passage of Proposition 401 in Tempe to add 0.2 cent sales tax will assure the City of Tempe can step up to the plate to help KCOT carry out the 4th of July Fireworks at Tempe Town Lake. He said he has lined up 21 Kiwanians to help with the show and more can help, too. He said he has just the job for Joel Navarro, too.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT CKI ADMINISTRATOR PASSES AWAY
C.K. Liu on Thursday reported the death of Dick Misch of Tucson, who until recently was the Southwest District Circle K Club administrator. (Kiwanis Gov. Ron Smith had recently taken over that role). Dick fell at the Mid-Winter Conference in Prescott in January and never recovered. His wife, Betty Misch, is the Division 9 lieutenant governor. A memorial mervice with a Marine Honor Guard will be held this Saturday, May 22 at the Casas Adobes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 6801 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85704. Donations to the Dick Misch Memorial CKI Scholarship Fund. Cards may be sent to Betty at 6329 N Willowbrook Dr, Tucson, AZ 85704. Dick had served as a Kiwanis governor in the Midwest.

INTERCLUB PLANNED TO SUN LAKES:
Dean Plainer, Interclub chairman, is organizing the last Interclub needed for Intercircle honors in Division 10 for the 2009-2010 year. It will be to the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes on Tuesday June 1. During the summer months, that Club meets at 7:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays in the Arizona Room of Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd. We need at least 4 for the Interclub.

SCOUT TROOP 474 APPLIES FUNDS TO CAMP GERONIMO
Tom Sands reports that Boy Scout Troop 474, sponsored by KCOT for many years, recently used grant money given by our Club last year for a service project at Boy Scout Camp Geronimo north of Payson. They repaired and enhanced the Outdoor Skills building, built originally in 1958 by the Kiwanis Club of Phoenix.

"We replaced the old sink at the Outdoor Skills Lodge," he said. ".... We also purchased a 40-gallon electric hot water heater which will be installed this week. We also plumbed the outside for the heater so, for the first time, they will have hot water in the sink at the lodge! We also dug drainage around the building to prevent flooding of the north side patio area during monsoon season. It was a great project and a good time was had by all attending. Thanks to KCOT, we were able to purchase the sink, new faucet, hot water heater, and all needed plumbing supplies for the job." It helps get the camp ready for 2010 summer camp where more than 4,000 youth will go to learn many skills and experience camping life. Scoutmaster is Don Crance. The Troop will once again be parking cars for the 4th of July show.

Rec director and Past President Mark Richwine always had a day in the park
This is the 53rd in a series of profiles on KCOT members

Sometime there should be a "Richwine Park" in Tempe. Why not? Mark Richwine retires in June after 31 years in his field. It would recognize a kind of family dynasty in parks and recreation management and Tempeís reputation in premier programs and rec sites. For years, he reigned over our own beloved Kiwanis Park.

We have to go back to 1976 when Ron Pies was parks director in Tempe when the city won the Gold Medal Award from the Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. One of the other few winners was Kettering, Ohio, whose parks director was Bill Richwine. A few months later, Bill Richwine was moving his family to Tempe, so that Bill could take a new job as the Maricopa County assistant parks and recreation director. They chose to live in Tempe because Bill knew the cityís programs, parks and facilities were prize-winning. Billís wife, Janet, would begin a 20-year career as assistant to financial officers for Tempe Union High School District.

Meanwhile, their sons, Mark and Dirk, found their way in their fatherís work. Mark worked part-time summers for the parks, trimming trees and bushes, mowing grass and cleaning up graffiti at Diablo Stadium, as well as parks and Ken McDonald Golf Course. Dirk was a lifeguard and eventually became pool manager for both the Escalante and McClintock pools.

While Mark was getting a degree in leisure studies at Arizona State, he supervised adult softball, flag football, soccer and summer ball programs. He was the first male employee to coach girls how to play softball in the pigtail-ponytail program. Mark and Dirk often performed as parks security guys turning on lights for user groups and locking up restrooms.

Today Dirk, who earned his B.S. degree from ASU, is assistant director of parks and recreation for the City of Henderson, Nev. Mark went on to earn a master of public administration degree. In 1985, he was hired as Tempeís recreation coordinator. In 1995, he was administrative assistant to Duane Dawson, and a year later, he was named Tempe parks and recreation director. Mark and his wife, Adrienne, met when she interned in the 1980s in the department. They were married Aug. 6, 1988, and have two children, Megan (1991); and Cole (1997). Today Adrienne directs the City of Tempe cultural programs and the Tempe Public Library.

During Markís tenure, Tempe won No. 2 and 3 national "Gold Medal Awards" for parks excellence, 1995 and 2006.

Mark was born Nov. 29, 1960 in Latrobe, Pa., home of legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. Mark was in the Key Club at McClintock High School, 1977-79. He joined KCOT in 2002 and was sponsored by Bill Regner. He was elected KCOT vice president in May 2006 but because of resignations, he quickly rose to take over as the 59th president in October 2007. "Our Future is In Our Past" was the theme of his year leading KCOT.

His favorite Kiwanis moments have been the annual 4th of July shows and "seeing thousands of satisfied parents and children enjoying the best fireworks display in the Southwest." Markís interests are golf, reading and going to kids activities. Now he is retiring at age 49. He can put his "leisure studies" to work in an all new way.

FALL INDUCTION BANQUET DATE SET
Kiwanians are urged to put Monday Sept. 27, 2010, on their calendars to plan to attend the KCOT Annual Induction Banquet and Awards Night. It will be at Bridgeview Condominiums community room at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, same site as last year. It will feature the installation of Kerry Fetherston as President, Kathy Stevens as President-Elect and Lance Gray as Vice President. Please put it on your calendar and plan to attend.

Board seats go to Cryer, Goronkin, Fisch & A. Walters
It will be Fetherston, Stevens, Gray to lead KCOT

Three past presidents of Kiwanis clubs were among the four elected to the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Board of Directors on Thursday. And the fourth person was re-elected to a second three-year term on the board.

Kiwanians attended the Annual Meeting and Elections and heard five campaign speeches from among the six candidates. Neil Fisch had given his talk two weeks before because he would be gone on election day. Linda Spears spoke on behalf of Allison Walters, who had to be in Dallas, Texas, Thursday for a meeting.

With none of the four officers seats contested, and two of them moving up chairs, it was determined they would not give speeches. All were elected: Kerry Fetherston, president for 2010-2011; Kathy Stevens, president-elect; Lance Gray, vice president; and Mike Jennings, current treasurer completing a partial term and elected to a full one-year term as treasurer.

So what happened in the contested board races? Six candidates were seeking the four seats, including the 4 ‡ months left on Mike Jennings' term. Elected decisively for two two-year terms was Immediate Past President Mike Cryer, who will continue on the board next fall; and Pam Goronkin, an incumbent member and longtime Membership and Development Committee leader, who was given another two-year term. There was a tie for the third full-term, with the loser taken the partial term. Tied were Neil Fisch and Allison Walters. A blank ballot was handed out and members were told to write their choice.

Neil Fisch was declared winner of the full term, with Allison Walters, KCOT president in 2003-2004, named to begin serving on the board immediately and until Sept. 30. The same year Allison led KCOT, Neil was president of the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, N.J., the state's largest Kiwanis Club in that state.

Thanks to Emma Gully Bordner and Jessica Wegener for running for the board.

We thank the Nominations and Election Committee members Past Presdient Sharon Kausal, who chaired it. Helping were other past presidents, Chris Rosner, Shana Ellis, Mark Richwine, Karl Wochner and Lawn Griffiths. Secretary Cheryl Hornyan will certify the results with Southwest District Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson.

Dave Summers, First Methodist of Tempe pastor, pioneers work for needy
This is the 52nd in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

The Rev. Dr. David Summers, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Tempe, has been a member of KCOT since December 2003. He actually sees part of his parish when he comes to meetings, what with a number of parishioners there, too. Among them is Karl Wochner, who sponsored him to KCOT. He joined the Club soon after moving to Tempe from the California Bay area that year.

The third-generation clergyman's grandparents were missionaries in Borneo in the 1930s. His grandfather died in a Japanese POW camp, five days before the Allies liberated it.

Dave maintains a non-stop schedule as the minister for the downtown Tempe church surrounded by Arizona State University with its challenges and opportunities. Dave is the architect of Tempe's highly regarded Interfaith Hospitality Emergency Lodging Program, or I-HELP, in which about 25 Tempe churches collaborate in providing overnight stays and dinner/breakfast for homeless men and women. Previously in Salinas, Calif., he had been involved in establishing a similar program. Dave has led First United Methodist to be the leader in the faith community through its providing a shower and breakfast program and longtime hosting "Homeless Connect" in which a host of Valley social services come together regularly to provide a smorgasbord of help. For that, the Arizona Republic, in 2008, named Dave one of "Tempe Five Who Matter." (KCOT President Corey Woods as also one of the five).

Born in Phoenix on Nov. 25, 1956, Dave would find his way to Boston University to earn a divinity degree and earn his Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University. He had spent 17 years as a United Methodist pastor, then five years on special assignment as president of the United Way of Monterey County, California. There he also worked on a violence prevention project, funded with $10 million of federal. Dave also served as president of the disaster relief organization after the 1989 earthquake that rocked the San Francisco Bay area.

He has been chair of the Tempe Emergency Assistance Ministry (TEAM), is on the board of Directors for the Tempe Community Council, Boston University School of Theology Board of Overseers and chair of Covenant Council of the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church.

An engaging, passionate speaker, Dave has done several KCOT programs on such topics as Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" and Christmas themes. He also sings and plays a mean guitar.

He and his wife Kim, married May 16, 1998, have four grown children, scattered around the country: Danielle (who lives and works in Mesa); Marc, who is joining the Air Force; Lindsey, who is graduating with a Master's Degree in Theological Studies in mid-May from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; and Andrew, who worked after college as a missionary to the Congo for two years teaching English, doing refugee relief and prison ministries and is now seeking work in retail management,

Among Dave's hobbies are playing guitar, gardening and making fiery chili. When he moved back to Arizona, he hauled 70 potted plants with him. Dave once hiked the rainforests of Borneo and has been a consultant on strategic planning for Fortune 500 companies.

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL GIFT
Dear Friends, We owe you a great debt of gratitude, fellow Kiwanians. On behalf of the Kiwanis International Foundation, our thanks to you and the more than 500 clubs who made the New Beginning Campaign such a huge success.

Your generosity of spirit and resources, through funding almost 300 Hixsons, many Tablets of Honor, Skip-A-Meal contributions ($86,500) and more than 4,000 personal gifts, helped KIF to surpass the $750,000 goal prior to April 30th. Isn't that something? We did it!

And, now, with your encouragement, the 60 percent of Kiwanis clubs who have not yet provided their annual club gifts will hopefully do so in the next few months. We know that many clubs host special fundraising projects throughout the fiscal year in order to provide for the ACGs, and this is deeply appreciated.

Perhaps you are wondering how the annual club gifts are used. Well, totaling almost $900,000 annually, your pooled, significant philanthropic support helps the foundation function, make grants back to clubs for special projects helping children, and match your scholarships.

With the market downturn, staff turnover, and other issues, last year was tough financially. But, our numbers now are much better, as you soon will see from the online KIF Form 990, and the more than $1.5 million garnered from the New Beginning Campaign will help the bottom line immensely. It is a new day at the Kiwanis International Foundation!

please let us know if you have questions or if we can assist you in any way. Please watch for the next issue of the Kiwanis International magazine to learn more about what's happening at KI and KIF.We are grateful for all that you do to strengthen and support Kiwanis.

Linda Brimmer, MBA, CFRE

THIS AND THAT:

• -- Speaking of elections, be sure to vote (if you haven't done it by mail) in next Tuesday's Proposition 100, a 1-cent sales tax increase for 3 years dedicated to Education and Public Safety. Moreover there is Proposition 401 for Tempe to raises sale taxes from 1.8 to 2 cents for quality of life issues to last three years. A host of city services, some affecting our 4th of July fireworks show, is at stake.
• Our president Corey Woods and Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths were among seven from Division 10 who attended the Valley-area Kiwanis Membership Summit in Phoenix on May 8. It was led by trainer Jim Courtright. Our division had the largest turnout. It was organized by Chung-Kai "C.K." Liu. Excellent material shared. Getting it to members is the challenge.
• If you move, make sure you get your address to the Bulletin editor to keep it going to the right place and save the Club from being billed for misspent mail.
• Thanks to Kiwanians who have collected aluminum poptops for Arizona State University Circle K. Sharon Kausal, Mike Jennings and Lawn Griffiths combined to provide a fat stash for President Rachael Jake. Keep collecting them over the summer, and they'll get them in the early fall.
• Let's strive to get to Kiwanis regularly this summer. The food, programs, fellowship, etc., don't take a vacation. We encourage you to bring back auction items from the places you visit during the summer.
• If you love Las Vegas and want to go to one Kiwanis International Convention in your lifetime, this is the year to do it. It won't be this close in a long time. While three members of KCOT are officially going, all Kiwanians are welcome. The 95th annual convention will be June 23-26. Registration is $250 through May 25 and $300 after that. http://sites.kiwanis.org/VegasICON2010/registration.aspx

Kiwanis elections are Thursday - Help shape future
All KCOT members are highly encouraged to be on hand next Thursday, May 13, for the Club's Annual Meeting and Elections. Candidates for offices and board seats will be asked to speak briefly to their candidacies. That had been initially planned to take place on Thursday (May 6) but the nominations committee felt that with so many candidates not in attendance, it should be moved to next week. Neil Fisch had already given his talk for a board seat at the April 27 because of an impending absence.

Meanwhile, final nominations from the floor were made Thursday. Ralph Lingerfelt nominated Pam Goronkin for a new two-year term, while Linda Spears nominated past president Allison Walters for a seat. That brings to six the number of candidates for four seats on the board - three two-year terms and the remaining 4 ‡ month term of Mike Jennings, who gave up the board seat to become Club treasurer on March 4.

Plans call for the fourth highest vote-getting to take the short, uncompleted term immediately and serve until it expires Sept.30. The three top vote-getters will begin their two-year terms on Oct. 1.

The six board candidates are (alphabetically) Emma Bordner, Mike Cryer, Neil Fisch, Pam Goronkin, Allison Walters and Jessica Wegener. (Previously we reported information that Mike Cryer was a candidate for the unexpired term. The Nominating Committee said, instead, that seat will simply go to the 4th highest vote-getter.)

None of the four officer posts is challenged. President-Elect Kerry Fetherston is on the ballot for President; current vice president Kathy Stevens for President-Elect; and board member Lance Gray for Vice President. Mike Jennings, who recently was elected to fill out the treasurer's role for the rest of the administrative year, will run for a full one-year term. The secretary position, held by Cheryl Hornyan, is appointed by the board.

Candidates will be given time to speak Thursday, paper ballots will be distributed, tallied and announced. Write-ins are permitted. You have to be present to vote. Below is the list as they will appear on the ballot.

President:   Kerry Fetherston           President-Elect:   Kathy Stevens           Vice President:   Lance Gray           Treasurer:   Mike Jennings       BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (Vote for no more than 4: top 3 vote-getters take 2-year terms Oct. 1;4th top finisher takes seat immediately that expires Sept. 30)     Emma Bordner     Mike Cryer     Neil Fisch     Pam Goronkin     Allison Walters     Jessica Wegener

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS:
Thanks to Karl Wochner for again coordinating the annual KCOT Scholarships ($100) to an outstanding girl and boy graduating for Tempe middle schools this spring. He recruited Vic Cordts to do the Gililland Middle School Awards Assembly; Ralph Lingerfelt, Mckemy Middle School; and Dave Summers, Connolly Middle School. He had not yet found someone for Kyrene Middle School, while no contact could be made with Fees Middle School, which had canceled the awards assembly in 2009. inches.

SHANA ELLIS WIN NATIONAL HOUSING HONOR:
Tempe City Councilman and Vice Mayor Shana Ellis, past KCOT president, has been named the "2010 Councilmember of the Year Award" from the Pacific Southwest Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). She received the honor May 2 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas for her "passion for helping people find save, affordable housing." Shana serves on the Tempe City Council Housing Committee along with its chair, Councilman Corey Woods. She also chairs the Maricopa Association of Government's Regional Council on Homelessness.

KEEP COLLECTING TABS:
The Arizona State University Circle K Club is taking its summer hiatus, but Kiwanians are encouraged to continue to collect tabs from soda, tea or beer cans for their fund-raising project. They may be put into Baggies and brought back in the fall for Rachael Jake, club president.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT BULLETIN ON-LINE:
The May issue of the Kiwanis Southwest District bimonthly online newsletter can now be found on the district Web site: http://kiwanis-southwest.org. It features a page about KCOT's Easter Egg hunt plus 29 other pages of important need-to-know information. There is also a schedule for the Southwest District Convention Aug. 5-8 at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.

Mark Mitchell is ëinherently political' with deep roots in the Tempe community
This is the 51st in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Mark Mitchell rolls off the tongue the way it is supposed to for established elected public officials. Few Tempeans can remember when a Mitchell wasn't in elected office in these parts. Actually in the past 40 years - it was only 1994-1998 when neither his father, Harry, nor Mark was holding an elected office.

A third-generation Arizonan, Mark is half-way through his third four-year term on the Tempe City Council. He was first elected in 2000 and has been twice re-elected. He was Tempe vice mayor from July 2004 to June 2006. His father, Harry, served from 1970 to 1994 on the City Council, including 16 years as mayor (1978-94). Harry served 1998-2006 in the Arizona State Senate and is in his second term as U.S. Congressman from District 5. Harry was also chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Mark's Uncle Bob Mitchell, who served many years as president of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Grande, was that city's mayor 1993 to 2001, then served three more years on its city council. Mark's great-grandfather, W.W. Mitchell, was an Arizona state legislature. Only the Haydens compete with the Mitchells as a political force in Tempe history.

With the retirement soon of Ben Arredondo from the City Council, Mark becomes the most veteran member.

Born June 17, 1969, in Mesa, Mark lived almost his entire life in Tempe, with the exception of several years in Hermosa Beach, Calif. He graduated from McClintock High School and graduated in 1993 from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in political science. Early on, he was a member of Tempe Sister Cities (co-founded by his father and Dick Neuheisel), was member of the City of Tempe Human Relations Commission, Tempe Leadership Class XV, and Tempe Impact Education (TIE) Foundation. He has long been active on the board of the Tempe Family YMCA, is past chairman of the University Community Caucus for the National League of Cities, has been chairman of the City Futures Community and Regional Development Panel and a board member of the University Communities Council for the National League of Cities.

Currently, Mark is chairman of the Tourism and Recreation Committee and serves on the Finance, Economy & Veterans Committee and the Central City Development Committee of the Whole.

He joined KCOT in early 1999 and was sponsored by former KCOT president and deputy City Manager Dave Brown. Mark served on the KCOT Board of Directors, 2002-2004, and chaired KCOT golf tournaments, besides providing leadership to the 4th of July fireworks show.

Mark and Debra were married April 20, 1996, and they have two daughters, Allyson (1999) and Sophia (2002). He has worked in two stints for TDC Interiors and currently is director of business development. He strives to be at all their soccer games and school activities.

Mark's hobbies are golf, reading, skiing, baseball, sports and politics. His favorite moments with KCOT have been July 4th at Tempe Diablo Stadium and the first 4th of July show at Tempe Town Lake. "I always enjoyed the back-to-school shopping spree at Mervyn's for the Boys and Girls Club," he said.

At only 40, one can only speculate what other political adventures await the natural-born public servant.

KCOT candidates to speak Thursday; voting will be on May 13
Things are shaping up for the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Annual Meeting and Elections on Thursday, May 13, during the regular Club meeting.

Past President Sharon Kausal of the Nominations Committee announced at the last meeting what people have consented to run for offices and board seats, with all terms beginning on Oct. 1. Thus far, President-Elect Kerry Fetherston will be on the ballot for President; current vice president Kathy Stevens for President-Elect; and board member Lance Gray for Vice President. Mike Jennings, who recently was elected to fill out the treasurer's role for the rest of the administrative year, will run for a full one-year term.

Three have been nominated for three two-year terms: Neil Fisch, Jessica Wagner and Emma Bordner. Immediate Past President Mike Cryer is running for the remaining 4 ‡ -month in the board term created when Mike Jennings was recently elected to fill out the treasurer's term.

Unlike in past years where candidates gave their speeches moments before members voted, this year their talk will come a week earlier, or this Thursday, May 6. Neil Fisch gave his talk the past Thursday, noting he would be gone this coming Thursday. The floor will be opened for nominations for all seats this Thursday before the final ballot is set and names of nominees are published in the Bulletin.

Members of the nominations committee are Sharon Kausal, Shana Ellis, Mark Richwine and Chris Rosner.

We urged all our members to be on hand at the next two Thursdays to hear the candidates and then voting the following week.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS PLANNED:
Karl Wochner thanked Ralph Lingerfelt, Dave Summers, and Vic Cordts in advance for attending the middle school awards assemblies to give out the U.S. Savings Bonds that KCOT gives out each year to a boy and girl graducating from each of the Tempe middle schools. So far someone is need for the graduation at Kyrene Middle School. Let Karl know whether you can do that savings bonds. One other volunteer is needed for a Kyrene school. Call Karl if you can help out, (480) 820-2520

KCOT CORN ROAST CANCELLED
-- It has to wait another year. A low response to expected attendance prompted the Membership and Development Committee to cancel the 2010 KCOT Korn Roast, which had been scheduled for Sunday, May 2, at Circle G Ranch Park. An email was sent out from committee chairman Linda Spears: "Based on feedback, it appears that the poor economy and competing events in the community have caused very reduced interest this year. Even a reschedule of our event has not produced a good potential turn-out.

"Given the logistical complications of the Corn Roast and the level of effort required to produce it, we will instead redouble our efforts for a well-attended event in 2011. "Thank You" to those who few who did sign up. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to broader participation next year." In hindsight, the fierce winds and cloudy chill made the decision even better in hindsight.

HOUSE COMMITTEE HELP NEEDED:
Dr. Roger Boylan and Ralph Lingerfelt, longtime House Committee members, who set up and tear down the meeting room at Shalimar for our weekly meetings, need a third member to not only help them weekly but to cover when they have to be absent. If you can show up by 11:15 a.m. or so to help out weekly, even if you can't each week, we can use you. Let President Corey Woods know of your willingness to help.

Rob Kubasko lends expertise to politicos and has long history in Kiwanis family
This is the 50th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Think of Robert J. "Rob" Kubasko Jr. and you think of a political junkie who's made politics a career without running for public office himself.

He has seen so much on the inside of American politics, the sides of politicians the rest of the public don't see. Rob wears an impish, mischievous look of a Cheshire cat when pressed to candidly talk about that world. A couple times a year, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe members sit in rapt attention as Rob opens the curtain a little and tells the oh-my-gawd stories of his adventures in the rarified air and dank trenches of political machinations and maneuvering. He has been a hired gun for politicians some of us can only groan about. But he has done it professionally because they write him a check. Over the years, Rob has worked on U.S. presidential campaigns and for political parties, including the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004 and the John McCain for President campaign in 2008. He has observed the pols up close, as well as their handlers and their family members and seemingly has stayed sane.

He has been both a paid and pro bono political consultant, with emphasis on providing Internet support and resources for campaigns.

Rob is the president and owner of Iguana, Inc., which is a "full-service, persuasive design, media, internet and direct mail consultancy" that specializes in "providing high impact designs and message for campaigns, organizations and corporations." He started his company in 1995. "Our company began as an internet consultant firm for political campaigns," he said. "Our first client was Bob Dole's presidential campaign. Today we provide all sorts of campaign consulting to candidates at the local, state, and national levels.

His web site, iguana.net notes "Think of Us As Your Creative Life Preserver," which is "Celebrating fifteen years of saving clients from political boredom."

Rob, who was sponsored by Linda Spears for membership in KCOT in July 2003, goes far back in Kiwanis family history. Born July 27, 1972, in Wilkes Barre, Pa., he grew up in Wyoming, Pa., where he was active in Key Club, 1987-90. He served as a Key Club lieutenant governor and governor. While attending Arizona State University as a Leadership Scholar (1990-97), Rob was active in Circle K International (1990-96) and became the Circle K International governor for the Southwest District and went on to be an International Trustee. He was immediate past Key Club Governor at the same time he was Circle K Governor.

Rob developed the kcot.org web site for our Kiwanis Club and oversees its upgrading and maintenance.

Rob and his wife Margie were married Jan. 19, 2001. Their daughter, Morgan, is 7. His hobbies include music and movies, collecting toys and Legos, Star Wars and any Apple products. "I can carry a decent tune and I try to paint when I can," he notes.

Rob's favorite moments in KCOT have been the Fantasy of Lights Parade, Easter egg hunt and the corn roasts.

Now is time for all good Kiwanians to Run For/Vote in Club Elections
The Annual Meeting and Elections of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe will be Thursday, May 13. On Thursday, President-Elect Kerry Fetherston announced that the Nominating Committee is developing a list of potential candidates and there will be nominations from the floor next Thursday, April 29, with a ballot to be developed and nominees to be listed in the subsequent Bulletins in advance of the election.

This year, the membership will vote on four officers (two of them traditional "move-up" candidates - Kerry Fetherston from president-elect to president and Kathy Stevens for vice president to president-elect). The person elected as vice president will be in line to be the Clubís president in 2012-13. The office of treasurer (a one-year term) will be voted on. Mike Jennings is the incumbent. Kiwanians additionally will fill three two-year terms. Seats expiring are those of Carol Balk, Pam Goronkin and Lance Gray. They are eligible for re-election. In addition, there will be election of someone to serve out the seven-month open seat previously held by Mike Jennings, who was elected treasurer. Candidates will be asked to speak to their candidacy before the May 13 election. Members of the Nominating Committee are past presidents Shana Ellis, Mark Richwine, Chris Rosner, Sharon Kausal and Mike Cryer.

KCOT Korn Roast is May 2 at Circle G Ranch Park - and itís for families
The annual Kiwanis Korn Roast is Sunday, May 2, at 2pm at the Circle G park on Warner Road west of Price Road. The cost is $5 per person and families are encouraged to attend. Hamburgers, hotdogs and corn on the cob will be provided. You're asked to bring your own beverage, a side dish to share and a pie for the pie contest. Please respond asap to this email if you didn't sign up at the meeting Thursday.today. This is an experiment to see if a Sunday afternoon family event better suits the membership. Games for the family will be played and playground equipment is available at the park.

This is a good event to introduce potential new members to our group. Bring your friends or anyone you think might enjoy the community camaraderie that is KCOT. If you plan to attend, please indicate the number of guests and if you'll be entering the pie contest! Hope to see you all on Sunday, May 2! lindaspears1@cox.net

BOARD MEETING CHANGE:
The KCOT Board of Directors has moved the May meeting to May 25^th, due to the City of Tempe's budget meeting being held on the same night as our regularly scheduled meeting. Please let me know if you have any questions.

- Cheryl Hornyan, Secretary

INTERCLUB COMPLETED TO MESA DOBSON RANCH
Six members of KCOT visited the Kiwanis Club of Mesa - Dobson Ranch on Monday, April 19, at Cocoís Restaurant in Mesa. Taking part were Linda Wegener, Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Ralph Packer, Dee Harkins and Lawn Griffiths, accompanied by his 2-year-old grandson Ezra Nuesse. The only other Division 10 Club yet to be visited is the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes. Dean will be organizing that soon.

KIWANIS SOUTHWEST MEMBERSHIP SUMMIT IS MAY 8
All Kiwanis Clubs in the greater Phoenix area are invited to send their leaders and especially membership committee chairmen and others to a "Membership Summit" that will be 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday May 8 at AmeriTech, 5501 N. 19^th Ave., Phoenix. Training will be led by Jim Courtright and Harry Shapiro, who will share Kiwanis Internationalís latest strategies and ideas for recruitment, retention and Club growth. Div. 11 Lt. Gov. C.K. Liu secured the place for the meeting. Itn is very close to the end of the light rail station and near I-17 exit and also the Bethany Home Road exit off SR-51. It is adjacent to the light rail parking lot (park & ride). Let President Corey Woods if you wish to take part. It is free.

Vic Cordts champions all his kids of the Ladmo Boys and Girls Club
This it the 48^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Victorio "Vic" Cordts is the face of the Tempe Ladmo Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe since January 2003, he was sponsored by Judy Aldrich, who has sat many years on the Boys and Girls Club Board. Vic, who manages the Ladmo Branch, has been the latest of a series of branch managers who have been KCOT members. Vic was first hired as the youth development director there in 2002. He keeps especially busy with hundreds of children age 6 and older after school and during the summer, focusing on youth development and nurturing in the atmosphere of the Westside Multigenerational Center.

Vic has paid many happy dollars to tout his Clubís outstanding kids and has brought some of them to KCOT meetings. He frequently sings praises for KCOTís interactions with the Club through such projects as the Thanksgiving dinner for B&G Club families, the annual Childrenís Charity Grant and past back-to-school shopping projects.

Born in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 12, 1969, Vic would live in El Paso, Texas; Globe and San Carlos, Ariz., and Giessen and Ansbach, Germany, where he was stationed in the U.S. Army as a 24T10 Patriot Operator/Mechanic.

He moved to the Valley from Globe in 1979. "At that point, I started attending the Boys & Girls Club, but at that time it was just BOYíS Club. Aside from military and college, Iíve been involved with the Club every since then."

"Iím proud to be a half-blooded San Carlos Apache Tribal member," he says.

Many will remember how Vic let his hair grow down to his shoulders and then vowed again and again that itíd be cut by "next week," but, well.......he and the barber just couldnít connect.

Vic earned a bachelor of science degree from Arizona State University in 1998 in exercise science and physical education.

"I didnít do much after the army and during college," he says. "I did an internship at the Texas Mental Health Center in El Paso. Iíve worked in several different capacities with Boys & Girls Club that includes my first regular job as a Junior Staff member at the Club, a work study at the Guadalupe branch, and Health & physical education director at the Gilbert branch"

He and his wife Kimberly were married Sept. 2, 1995. Their children are Hunter (2003) and Tanner (2005). They live in Chandler. Vicís son, Victorio Loren King, 17, lives in Madrid, Spain where his mom is an Air Force major on staff at the U.S. Embassy. Vicís hobbies are sports and music. His favorite memories of Kiwanis are "all the Mervynís Childspree events and the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade in 2005, and the great people he has had the privilege to meet, volunteer with, and work with.

Dee Harkins, ex-KCOT secy./treas. returns as member
This is 49^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

The Kiwanis Club of Tempe welcomes back one of the giants of the Clubís past, Dee X. Harkins, CPA. After more than 20 years absence, Dee has rejoined KCOT.

Dee was a KCOT member 1975 to 1989, serving 13 consecutive years as the Clubís secretary-treasurer (1976-89). Dee handled the double duties of BOTH secretary and treasurer in those days and managed it admirably. For a time, he was also in charge of compiling the information for the KCOT Bulletin, which was subsequently typeset and mailed by a Tempe printing company.

Dee is married to Sharon Packer Harkins, the daughter of longtime KCOT member Ralph Packer. The tall Tempe native first joined KCOT on Sept. 25, 1975, sponsored by Ralph.

When Dee gave up the secretary-treasurerís post at the end of the 1988-89 Kiwanis administrative year, he was honored on Sept. 21, 1989, at Shalimar with "Dee Day!" The Dee Day Roast of Dee Harkins featured nine speakers: Lawn Griffiths on "The Power of dee Press"; Jim Yount, with "Original Music for the Occasion" (Jim sang that blistering song recently to the Club); Adrienne and Ralph Packer, "A Family Affair"; Mark Weaver, "Mark Xís the Spot"; Robert Lizardi, "A Public Financial Wizard Advises Another"; Dale Messmer, "One Ex-Tempe High Key Clubber to Another on ëCrunchiní Numbers"; Mac Bohlman on "A Judge Prosecutes: Mac to the Dee Fence"; and Dee Harkins, "What Can I Say?" An article about Deeís work appeared with his picture on Sept. 27, 1989, in the Tempe Daily News Tribune. The Club presented him with a clock.

Dee served 13 years and 14 club presidents. After his retirement from KCOT because of job conflicts, the club split the job and Mary Frances Lewis took over Oct. 1, 1989, as secretary, while Charles "Chuck" Barber, served as treasurer.

Dee was born in 1943, in the Cotter Maternity Home in Tempe and went through the Tempe school system. Heís an alumnus of Tempe High School where he was a member of the Key Club (1959-60). He then attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. He and Sharon, a pediatrics nurse practitioner, were married 46 years ago, and, for a time, they lived in Tucson. They moved to San Diego where Dee served as a San Diego police officer and completed his bachelor degree studies in accounting at San Diego State University. There, their two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie, were born. Jennifer is an electrical engineer with Rockwell Collins. Her husband, Patrick, is a mechanical engineer and works for Honeywell Flight Systems. They live in Portland, Ore. Stephanie has a masterís degree in immunology and works at Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. Dee and Sharon have three grandchildren.

The Harkins moved in 1970 to Tempe where Dee worked for Ernst and Ernst. After several jobs as a private industry controller, Dee began working for Arizona State University, serving with the Board of Regents. He later managed internal auditors for two Arizona Indian tribes. He finished out his auditing career after more than two years with the Arizona Department of Transportation. He is now retired with 25 years service with the State of Arizona.

Today, the Harkins live in Chandler. His half-brother, Dan, is the owner of the Harkins Theatres chain. Dee is an amateur astronomer with two telescopes. His other hobbies include travel and photography. The late Senator Barry Goldwater was the most famous person he met. We welcome back Dee, now in senior member status.

Tempe Y gets a room paint job, a fort in Kiwanis One Day
We thank these Kiwanians, family members, friends and others who helped on Saturday for Kiwanis One-Day at the Tempe Family YMCA where a recreation room was fully painted and a large outdoor wooden fort was rebuilt in the playground area of the Y.

Lance Gray and Kerry Fetherston were exceptional in their hospitality, direction and leadership. Thanks also to Puckett's Flooring, Dixon Painting, Curtis Builders and Laura Porkorney for making it possible with highly generous donations. Special Thanks to Norm Killip, who brought all the painting supplies and tools and supervised the painting project.

These are the 26 volunteers:

Kiwanians/family members: Lance Gray, Kerry and Jack Fetherston, Kathy Stevens, Mike Jennings, Joe Schmoker, Linda Spears, Pam Goronkin, Shana Ellis and Amaya, Lawn Griffiths, Mark Mitchell, Corey Woods, Bob Polley, Tracy Scott. Other volunteers: Norm Killip, Val Killip, Judy Summers, Lisa Smith, Genny Hann, Michelle Gonzales-Angle, Brandon Barenbaum, Jaren Elton, Henry Williams, Ted Brown and Jason Janssen.

INTERCLUB REPORT
Dean Plainer, Inter-club chair, announced that he is organizing an Interclub meeting for next Monday, April 19 at the Kiwanis Club of Mesa - Dobson Ranch. It begins at 7 a.m. at Cocoís Restaurant, 1863 W. Baseline Road (just east of Dobson Road - NE corner).on. Please call Dean to let him know you will be attending, (480) 899-2370.

CONGRATULATIONS, ART TATE:
Dr. Art Tate, superintendent of Tempe Elementary School District 3, was recently named the "Outstanding Administrator" by the Arizona Unit of The Council for Exceptional Children, a national organization. He will be honored April 27. CEC calls itself the voice and vision of special education.

PROGRAM RECAP
Thursdayís program featured a presentation by Dr. Amy Douglass on the new renovations at the Tempe History Museum (note the name change from Historical to History). The Tempe History Museum has a new logo. The Tempe Bridge is still on the logo but in a more contemporary design. The statement, "Explore the past, discover the community" describes the renovated museum.

The money for the museum renovation came from a $4.2 million bond passed by Tempe citizens. The main focus of the renovations was to:

1. Extend the entry and make the entrance visible.
2. Enhance the exhibit hall so that it was made flexible
3. Integrate technology into the exhibits
4. Build a new multipurpose community room
5. Make exhibits interactive

1. Surviving in the desert. What were the challenges early inhabitants faced? This theme evolves into the question - Can the desert survive urbanization and todayís inhabitants. How can we sustain the desert?
2. City History. How did Tempe develop?
3. College Town. What is unique about being a university town?
4. Living Together. This theme explores the diversity of Tempeís population and cultures. The diverse community stories are told by representatives of each community.

Champion of the arts Kathy Stevens in line to be KCOT president in 2011
This is the 47th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Kathy Stevens, a member of KCOT since June 2005, is poised to become the Clubís 63rd president in 2011-2012. The 25-year employee of Salt River Project, Kathy is one of those Tempeans who can be found in the center of community service projects. Her volunteerism spans numerous organizations.

Kathy was sponsored by Shana Ellis. In 2006, Kathy was elected to the KCOT board of directors and has served on it since.

She is the political action committee (PAC) administrator for SRP and its representative for special projects. With SRP, she had been president of the Employees Boosters Association for the United Way campaign, 2001-2002; has been a volunteer with Komen Race for a Cure, Habitat for Humanity, Pappas School mentor, and other projects. She is also part of the SRP Speakers Bureau.

Born on an April 19 in Phoenix, Kathy graduate for Coronado High School in Scottsdale. She earned a degree in organizational communications in 1996 from Arizona State University. Kathy has a certificate in Global Leadership from Thunderbird American Graduate School in 1997, and sheís a 2003 graduate of the Influence of Phoenix program. Kathy is especially identified with the Tempe Center for the Arts. She is most proud of helping create a 501 c-3 Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts entity and all that followed. "I was the boardís first secretary and was involved in the formation of the group from the very beginning." She went on to be a key leader of the Tempe Municipal Arts Commission. Kathy was on its board 1998-2004, and was its vice-chair 2001 and 2003 and chairman in 2002 and 2004. Kathy was a driving force in creating a strategic plan that led to the public vote that OKíed the building on the award-winning, eye-pleasing Tempe Arts Center along Town Lake. She is now a board member of the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts and a member of Tempe Impact Education (TIE) Foundation that supports children and staff of the Tempe Elementary School District.

A graduate of Tempe Leadership Class XIII and a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XXV, Kathy serves on the Tempe Leadership Board. She serves on the board of Tempe Community Council. Kathy has been a board member of Papago Salado Association, serves on the citizenís advisory review panel for the Tempe Police Department and chaired the Tempe Sponsorship Review Committee, 2003-2005.

Kathy was a participant in Tempe Diversity Dialogues, a board member of Tempe YMCA 2001-2002, a member of the selection panel of Tempe Beautification Awards, 1999 to 2004; and president of the Wood Elementary School PTSA, 2005-2005.

Her daughter Kimberly and family live with Kathy at their home on Watson Drive, and she is Granny to Nathan,16; Brandon, 11. and Caitlyn, who turns 6 omn April 18, for whom she has paid many "happy dollars."

Kathyís hobbies are volunteer work, gardening, reading, "promoting the arts in any way I can" and "activities with my three grandchildren." Among her favorite Kiwanis memories are a convention in San Antonio, Texas, the Easter Egg hunts, Kiwanis spring training baseball game outings and the Mervynís back-to-school clothing projects with the Boys and Girls Club kids.

Club elections are set for May 13
The Club's Annual Meeting and Elections are about a month away - Thursday May 13 - and the Elections Committee has been formed to encourage and elicit candidates to ensure KCOT remains the "Club of Clubs" for the years to come. That committee consists of Shana Ellis, Mike Cryer, Sharon Kausal, Chris Rosner and Mark Richwine, all ex-presidents from the past decade. Members are urged to make their interest in offices and board seats known or to take your suggestions for others to run. (Some amazing Kiwanians are overdue for top officer posts.) The office of vice president and three two-year board terms and a five-month term on the board of directors are of key focus. There will a vote on president, president-elect and treasurer as well. Candidates will be asked to speak briefly about their nomination. Final nominations from the floor will be made May 6, and the final ballot set. Likely we won't have "happy dollars" that day because State Treasurer Dean Martin speaks that day, too.

Super experience hearing 'Superstar's' Ted Neeley
The joy and special "inside honors" of being a member of KCOT were proven Thursday when members were treated to a program by actor/singer Ted Neeley, the veteran performer of Jesus in the production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," the phenomenal Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera. Ted, who has performed Christ more than 5,000 times during three long stage tours and in the 1973 film was generous Thursday when he spoke for 40 minutes about his nearly 50 years in music, much of the last 40 with 'Superstar.' Kudos to program co-chairman Penny Pease for pulling this off. Those attending got vouchers for a free ticket to the production now through Sunday night (April 11) at Gammage.

KIWANIS ONE-DAY THIS SATURDAY AT TEMPE Y
Lance Gray gave the final instructions Thursday to Kiwanians taking part in the worldwide "Kiwanis One-Day." KCOT would be descending on the Tempe Family YMCA on Rural Road at 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, April 10, for painting and some basic renovations. There will be coffee and bagels. He lauded a couple companies that have done building and flooring as pure donations. We will list the volunteers next week.

EASTER EGG HUNT GREAT SERVICE PROJECT
The whole concept of Kiwanis doing a community service project was exemplified and came together on April 3 when our Club members turned out in great order to stage the third annual KCOT Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park. The weather was perfect. It took place at our namesake park. We had 39 Kiwanians, Circle K and family members to scatter the eggs and give out prizes. Our president, Corey Woods, was his usual funny, personable and engaging leader with the crowd of kids and parents. We had Tempe's Mayor Hugh Hallman concealed as the big white Easter bunny talking to the kids and posing for pictures. The Tempe Fire Department gave a lot of kids a chance to climb aboard a fire truck. The 6,000 eggs gave all the kids a chance for a batch of eggs, and the prizes were fun and ample. Families were able to have fun in the Kiwanis Park playground and walk around the lake before and after the hunt. Parking was not any issue with the big lot nearby. We estimated that about 400 folks turned out. Special thanks and congratulations to Nick Miner and Mike Jennings who again co-chaired the event. It was a pure service project with lots of fun, smiles and happy times for families. Thank you to all who helped:

Nick and Tiffany Miner & Jacob; Judy Aldrich; Rod Johnson; Pam and Herb Goronkin; Kathy Stevens; Chad Holmes; Joel Navarro; Linsa Spears; Sharan and Richard Kausal; Mike Jennings; Lawn Griffiths; Mike Cryer; Corey Woods; Tracy Scott; Emma Bordner; Jessica Wegener; Shawn Partridge; Jayne Lewis; Lance Gray; Kerry and Jack Fetherston; Shana Ellis; Mark Richwine; Linda Wegener; Curt Ritland; Cheryl Hornyan; Sonia Filan; Bob Polley; and Tom Sands. CIRCLE K: Erin Lin, Rachel Austin, Brittany Lenart; Adam Al Haroon; Elena Rice-Hernandez; and Eysar Mogharbel.

In Memoriam: Sue Vaughn
Our Kiwanis Club of Tempe family sends our love and condolences to 44-year KCOT member Jerry Vaughn, whose wife of 57 years, Sue Vaughn, died about 9 a.m. Tuesday (April 6) while being looked after in Hospice care. Sue had been battling deteriorating health in recent years. Sue, a native of Colorado Springs, was the mother of three daughters, Pam, Terry and Valerie and grandmother to six, and she had one great-grandchild.

Jerry said this morning that he is holding up well. He had been devoted to Sue, even during the time after he had broken his back in a fall. Her funeral will be 10 a.m. Monday, April 12, at Carr-Tenney Mortuary. (Her obituary is scheduled for Friday and Saturday April 9-10 in the Arizona Republic). Keep the Vaughn Family in your thoughts and prayers. Cards can be sent to:

Jerry Vaughn, 1329 E. Whaler Way, Tempe AZ 85283-2149

Seven Kiwanians take in ASU CKI meeting
Neil Fisch organized a Kiwanis Club of Tempe Interclub visit on April 5 to a meeting of the ASU Circle K Club at the Memorial Union. Attending were Dean Plainer, Sharon Kausal, Judy Aldrich, Karl Wochner, Neil Giuliano, Neil Fisch and Lawn Griffiths. Attendees took part in an informative, well-agendized meeting led by CKI President Rachael Jake. Reports and discussion were followed by an online game of knowledge. Said Neil Fisch: "For me, it was great to see the agenda and list of upcoming projects. It was a good meeting. They are a dedicated and busy group and could be an inspiration to us. I also liked the root beer floats." Neil Giuliano proudly told the CKI members that he was founding president of ASU CKI in 1975 or 35 years ago. Of course, he went on to be president of Circle K International and was also president of the student body at ASU, with KCOT presidency (1986-87) and Tempe City Council (1990-94) and Mayor. Meetings are weekly on Mondays in room 302 of the MU.

ANNUAL KCOT CORN-ROAST IS SUNDAY MAY 2
Kerry Fetherston told Kiwanians to set aside Sunday afternoon May 2 for the annual KCOT Corn Roast, one of the oldest traditions of the Club. It will be about 2 p.m. at the Circle G Ranch park, just south of Warner Road west of Price Road.

More details as they become available. This is a family event (bring your kids) and sign-ups will begin next Thursday.

GOVERNOR'S BALL IS APRIL 24:
Tom Sands reports: As a member of an East Valley organization called The Governors, I help raise money for the Banner Children's Hospital, (now named the Cardon Children's Center) in Mesa. It's the huge new 7-story addition on the north side of Banner Desert Hospital. You are invited to attend our 24^th Annual Governors' Ball on Saturday April 24^th in Scottsdale, but if you can't make it, please consider helping by purchasing one or more raffle tickets to win a nice cruise vacation package. The cruise has been donated, so every dollar raised on the raffle ticket goes straight to the Children's Hospital. This year's proceeds go to their pediatric oncology unit.

Right now, the odds of winning are very good, as fewer than 200 tickets (177 as of Thursday) have been sold, with only two weeks to go. They are $25 or 5 for $100. Two years ago, my wife won an Alaskan vacation package for our family. It was fantastic! I'll bring raffle tickets to our KCOT meeting on Thursday. Checks should be made out to "The Governors" which is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization. P.S. If you want to learn more about The Governors, check out our website at www.thegovernors.org.

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament:
Judy Aldrich is promoting the annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament 5:30 to 11 p.m. April 24 at Bogie's Clubhouse of Ken McDonald Golf Course, 800 E. Divot Drive. It benefits the Ladmo Branch - Tempe and the Thunderbird Branch - Guadalupe - of the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley. $40 per seat; prizes to told 3 finishers ($750 in scratcher tickets; $250 tickets for 1st and 2nd place finishers). Tickets from Judy, (480) 961-3576.

FOURTH OF JULY APPEAL:
Mike Cryer put out a call Thursday for Kiwanians to plan to take roles and assignments on the 2010 Tempe 4^th of July celebration. The Sunday show will seek to give much higher visibility to Kiwanis and Kiwanians. A strong push for volunteer. The City's May bond vote is vital to allow the city to be the partner it has been in the past for this signature Kiwanis event.

HOW ABOUT TEMPE!!
Chris Rosner points out The Corcoran Group real estate company report from New York City on "Five Amazing Places to Live the Rest of Your Life." Tempe is one of the five. It noted "WHO: Outdoor types and people who like to volunteer." Sunny weather, Town Lake, bike paths and second-career opportunities are mentioned. Read Lawn Griffiths' "Lawn Cares" blog about the city's notable distinction: www.tempelawn.wordpress.com.

Tom Sands treks Arizona on a mission of water as SRP engineer, outdoorsman
This is 46^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Old-timers will remember the 1950s singing heart-throb Tommy Sands. He's mostly forgotten, but not Tom Sands, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe since 1994. He's that water guru from Salt River Project whose tales of the Arizona outdoors are legend. He knows from whence the water comes in the high country of the Grand Canyon State and has tramped up trails and down canyons to behold as much of Arizona's natural grandeur as anyone.

The Arizona native and water resources engineer has long established himself as one of the state's go-to guys when it comes to expert analysis of water and water delivery in Arizona.

Tom, who graduated in 1974 from Arizona State University with a B.S. degree in Engineering, has more than 35 years of experience in managing and conducting numerous water resource, hydraulic, hydrologic and civil engineering studies and projects. He has a long history of providing both technical and tactical leadership for corporate water issues for SRP. Tom is a past national chairman of two ASCE technical committees: Water Resource Planning and Urban Water Resources. He is also co-founder and past chairman of the Arizona Society of Civil Engineers' Water Resources Technical Committee. He has done post-graduate work in hydrology and hydraulic engineering.

He has been SRP's Project Manager for overseeing the operation and maintenance of Tempe Town Lake since 1999.

In 2000, the Senior Principal Engineer in SRP's Water Group, was elected by his local and national engineering peers to the level of "Fellow" membership within the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), one of the profession's highest honors. In 2004/05, Tom served on Gov. Janet Napolitano's Governor's Drought Task Force.

Since then, Tom's SRP work has centered on rehabilitating and converting the 45-year old Blue Ridge Reservoir and water transfer system on the Mogollon Rim near Clint's Well into a municipal water supply for the Town of Payson. When completed next year, the Blue Ridge Project will nearly triple the amount of water Payson has available for its current needs and future growth.

Linda Spears sponsored Tom's membership in KCOT. He served on the KCOT Board of Directors 1996 to 2000; the 4^th of July Committee, 1996-2006; Program Committee, 1996-1998; and KCOT's representative to Boy Scout Troop 474 since 1997. He has had perfect attendance for seven years.

Born Dec. 14, 1950, in Phoenix, Tom was a member of Tempe Leadership Class VII, a distinguished class that also included Linda Spears, Joseph Lewis, John Kane, Gail Fisher and Todd Marshall. He is a longtime member of the Tempe Governors, who organize and host the Governors Ball, a black-tie affair that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for East Valley health programs. He's also a Trustee for the St. Luke's Health Initiatives which helps build healthy families and communities using the income from the $100 million St. Luke's Charitable Health Trust.

Tom has been a member of the Intel Citizens Advisory Board; a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 175; a member of the American Cancer Society's Tempe Toast of Life Committee; member of the Audit Committee of the SRP Federal Credit Union; and member of SRP's Speakers Bureau on water topics, such as water quality, Roosevelt Dam, Tempe Town Lake, drought, and water demand. He is past president of the Warner Ranch Homeowners Association, serves on the Endowment Committee at University Presbyterian Church and is an Arizona Registered Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor.

Tom and his wife, Debbie, have been married since 1983. The three Sands sons have all earned the rank of Eagle Scout. They are Preston (b. 1977); Ryan (b. 1993); and Alan (b. 1995), whose Court of Honor will occur this spring.

His hobbies include backpacking (he has logged more than 30 trips below the rim of the Grand Canyon covering more than 600 miles and counting), river rafting (he's rafted the Grand Canyon three times and once in Alaska), dirt bike riding on Arizona's remote back roads, and Boy Scouts (he's the Outdoor Committee Chair of Alan's scout troop).

Tom also likes motorsports. While in college, he raced and later became the Race Director at Beeline Raceway in the 1970's and then Firebird International Raceway in the 1980's. He once had a beer with Jimmy Carter's colorful brother Billy Carter at Beeline.

His favorite moments with KCOT have included participating in the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parades; being involved in moving the 4^th of July shows to Tempe Town Lake; listening to politicians at our luncheon meetings; attending Thanksgiving Kiwanis meetings at Friendship Village; and participating in Tempe Cares projects.

Volunteers needed for April 10
Kiwanis One-Day Project - Tempe Y 'makeover'

The clubs of Kiwanis International will spend Saturday April 10 in its annual "Kiwanis One Day" when Kiwanians will gather in communities across the world to carry out important service and projects-all in one single day. The Kiwanis Club of Tempe has adopted the project of an "Extreme Makeover" at the Tempe Family YMCA Teen Center. It will be a 4-hour blitz of work of teams painting and working on a clubhouse building. Lance Gray, KCOT board member, and operations manager for the Y, said that one of the Y's board members who has been battling cancer has been the impetus to leave a legacy of the makeover. Outside vendors will be redoing the floor and more technical things, paint has been donated and other things have been provided. But Kiwanians will do basic work on April 10.

The Y's preschool, which had been closed for low attendance, will have its room converted into an after-school room that is being expanded with new paint, flooring and playground items. "We will clean, tape, paint and assemble while we laugh, joke and get to know each other better," Lance said. Bring your gloves and friends. Food and beverage will be provided. If you need a little wake-up before working, a "free boot camp workout" will be conducted at 7 a.m. for those interested. A sign-up sheet was circulated Thursday or email Kerry Fetherston at knfetherston@yosymca.org or ltgray@vosymca.org or call (602) 212-6052.

FREE 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR' TICKETS IF YOU'RE AT MEETING THURSDAY
Gammage Auditorium staff has informed program co-chairman Penny Pease that everyone who comes to the KCOT meeting on Thursday April 8 to see and hear "Jesus Christ Superstar" actor Ted Neeley will be given a certificate for a free tickets to see one of the remaining shows of "Jesus Christ Superstar." It opens on April 6 and runs through Sunday April 11, so six of the eight dates will lie ahead. Bring your spouse or guest to the meeting and they will get a ticket, too. You cannot get a certificate for someone not present, however. Ted will be the speaker that day.

Penny said she would like to know whether you and guests will be there on April 8 so a reasonably correct number of certificates will be brought by the Gammage representative. You can e-mail that to penny at pennypz@aol.com by Tuesday, April 6, will be there including you. As many as 60 certificates for tickets will be given out.

Penny wants members to know that Ted, who has been starring as Christ in the musical since the 1970s (more than 5,000 times) and that the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (made into a megafilm by the same time) transcends all religions and has a compelling message for people of any faith or no faith. Google "Jesus Christ Superstar" for a wealth on information on the show, Neeley and more.

Shows from Thursday on are 7:30 p.m. April 8-10; 7 p.m. April 11; and 2 p.m. April 10 and 11. Earlier shows are 7:30 p.m. April 6-7. Additional tickets are $23.50 to $63.50.

ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTIONS MAY 13:
The Club's Annual Meeting and Elections have been set for Thursday May 13. It's time for Kiwanians to consider stepping up to run for an office or the board of directors. The office of vice president and three two-year terms and a five-month term on the board of directors will be of particular focus. President, president-elect and treasurer positions will be voted on, as well, but typically are endorsements of people previously chosen to move up.

Look for the Nominating Committee to be announcing its call for nominees. Suggest people or offer yourself. Some of you will be asked to run. KCOT's nearly 60 years of success and reputation have hinged on people willing to step up and dedicate to one, two or more years of service of leadership.

KIWANIANS TO ASU CIRCLE K CLUB MONDAY
Neil Fisch has organized a KCOT outing this Monday night to the ASU Circle K Club meeting. Planning to attend are Neil, Dean Plainer, Judy Aldrich, Neil Giuliano, Sharon Kausal and Lawn Griffiths. More are invited. ASU CKI has really stepped forward to share their projects and activities at KCOT meetings, and they're service projects have been tremendous. Come see the CKI'ers in their meeting setting at 8 p.m. Monday April 5 in room 302 of the Memorial Union. Join in if you can. For more information, call Neil F., (480) 656-2707

SODA/BEER CAN TABS FOR CIRCLE K:
The ASU Circle K guests Thursday distributed Zip-Top Bags marked "CKI Pop-Tops for Community Service." They are inviting Kiwanians to pop off the tabs from aluminum cans from soda, tea and beer and save them for CKI. With aluminum selling for 75 cents per pound, the market is reasonably good. They'll also take whole aluminum cans. Bags can be given to Rachael Jake or Rachel Austin or Erin Lin or other CKI members at a Thursday meeting.

PERMANENT BADGES EARNED:
Two of our newest members, Tracy Scott and Jessica Wagner, were presented their permanent plastic Kiwanis badges on Thursday for completion of orientation and for attending a KCOT board meeting.

Linda Wegener, a microbiologist and civic leader
This is the 45^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

In her nearly five years in the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Linda Wegener has established herself as the teller of fascinating stories of travels, nature and science and her grown children's interesting lives.

A microbiologist, who is deeply into Tempe community life and civic work, Linda heads Wegener & Associates, which does consulting in microbiology, including science education, biotech literacy and laboratory curriculum. It also specializes in facilitating strategic plan development. She is also president of Wegener Properties LLC, a real estate investment company.

Linda, who moved from Florida to Arizona in August 1978, was an biology instructor and administrator at Mesa Community College. During her 17 years at MCC , she was chairman of the Life Sciences Department. She specialized in enzymes. For a time, Linda was acting associate dean of math, science and physical education before she retired from MCC in May 2001. She was also the college's primary representative during the construction of the new Life Science classroom and laboratory building, the coordinator of the MESA initiative to encourage minority and female involvement in math and science and a representative for curriculum articulation in science with ASU. She was also active in the bio-industry cluster initiative. She remains involved on the MCC Commission of Excellence.

Born on a Feb. 26 in Alva, Okla., she earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1972 from Oklahoma State University. Linda got her master of science degree in microbiology in 1983 from Arizona State University. She and her husband Steve were married Aug. 14, 1971, and are parents of Nic Wegener, who lives in California and is an actor, stand-up comic and scriptwriter for television series including "Criminal Minds" and "Romantically Challenged," which debuts April 12. Their daughter, Jessica Wegener, who has been a member of KCOT since October 2008, is completing her master's degree in business administration this spring from ASU. Steve is president and CEO of Nammo Talley Co. in Mesa, a major company in the design, development, and production of propellant-based products.

Sponsored by Curt Ritland and Pam Goronkin, Linda joined KCOT in August 2005. She was in Class XVII of Tempe Leadership; later program chairman and secretary of the Board of Tempe Leadership; vice chairman of Government and Community Relations and vice chair of Chamber of Affiliates while sitting on the Tempe Chamber Board of Directors and Executive Board; and vice chairman of Chamber Affiliates and on its public policy committee. She was Precinct Committeeman for Legislative District 20 and a candidate in 2004 for the Arizona House of Representatives. Linda is a member of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Public Policy committee. She serves on the Covance Community Advisory Panel; is past president of the Tempe branch of the American Association of University Women; a member of the Centers for Habilitation Board of Directors; and has served as a member and chair of the City of Tempe Parks and Recreation Board.

Linda's father-in-law was a Kiwanian. Her hobbies have included travel, visiting art galleries, collecting insects, gardening, golf and mosaics. Through Steve and Nic, she has delighted in meeting military generals and politicians and many "Hollywood types." She enjoys studying the dynamics of several ecosystems and working on her real estate business.

Egg hunt April 3 is moved to north soccer field at Kiwanis Park
The third annual Kiwanis Club of Tempe Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday April 3, beginning at 9 a.m. at the north Soccer Field at Kiwanis Park. The field is just south of the park's entrance on Baseline Road near the boat rental and concession area, said Mike Jennings, who is co-chairing the event with Nick Miner. The change of sites was necessitated by city renovations to the ball diamonds and other soccer fields being booked.

Volunteers are needed 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to scatter the eggs, marking off areas and work with children and families to have their fun. Our Easter bunny for the second of three years is none other than Mayor Hugh Hallman, but kids aren't to know that. Taking part on Wednesday in an egg-stuffing task at Linda Spears' offices on Wednesday were Shana Ellis, Linda Spears, Jayne Lewis, Chad Gammage, Mike Jennings, Kathy Stevens and Nick/Tiffany/Jacob Miner. The finished stuff the eggs and held a brief meeting to finalize details.

Once the project is over about 10:30 a.m. volunteers are invited to a dutch treat breakfast at Mac's, 6430 W. McClintock Drive. Bring your kids and grandkids and friends' kids. The Tempe water bill this month has more details.

ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS MAY 13:
The KCOT Board has scheduled the official Annual Meeting and election of officers for Thursday May 13. Please plan to be on hand for the election of four officers and four board seats and have a direct role in shaping our club's future. Traditionally, the election of the vice president, who will ascend to the presidency two years later, is a key vote. That person will serve as president in 2012-13. On the ballot will be the two officers who typically face no opposition and move up: current President-Elect Kerry Fetherston for President; and Vice President Kathy Stevens for President-Elect. The office of treasurer, held by newly elected Mike Jennings, will be voted on. Six months remain on the two-year board term of Mike Jennings, and three two-year terms, held now by Carol Balk, Pam Goronkin and Lance Gray, expired Sept. 30. All are eligible for re-election. Strong continuity in our Club comes about by committed KCOT members stepping forward to run for these seats. A nominating committee will develop a slate to be announced a week before the election, or May 6. Candidates will be invited to speak to the membership before the election on May 13.

INTERCLUB COMPLETED TO TEMPE SUNRISE:
KCOT sent six members Thursday morning as an Interclub to the meeting of the Tempe Sunrise Kiwanis Club at Bogey's at Ken McDonald Golf Course. Attending were Interclub Chairman Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Ralph Packer, Judy Aldrich, Sharon Kausal and Lawn Griffiths. Dean reports there are only a couple more Clubs to visit to complete the requirements for Interclubs in the 2009-2010 year, which isn't quite half over.

Neil Fisch is exploring recruiting Kiwanians to go on an Interclub to one of the Arizona State University Circle K Club weekly meetings. They meet at 8 p.m. Mondays in room 302 the the Memorial Union.

PRAYER BREAKFAST DREW 52
Thanks to all Kiwanians who turned out on March 19 at King of Glory Lutheran Church for the annual Divisions 10/18 Prayer Breakfast. We counted 52 people on hand, with the Amigos of Tempe Nuevo Kiwanis organizing the meal and arrangements, and Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths and Nuevo secretary Lon Lawrenz setting up the program. It included remarks by Lon and S.W. District Governor-Elect Bruce "B.K." Knappenberger. There was a delightfully humorous talk by the Rev. Steve Holm of Desert Cross Lutheran Church and violin music by Doris Gazda of the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village were key highlights.

TYING THE KNOT:
Erin Lin, the K-Family Relations Chair, with Arizona State University Circle K, recently produced the third issue of "Tying the Knot," a well-designed electronic newsletter aimed at increasing interaction between KCOT and CKI. It was forwarded to all KCOT members of the Yahoo.group. CKI President Rachael Jake did a great job spelling out the remarkable Spring Break service work. "This was ASU's first ever Spring Break of Service. We had an awesome time this break participating in 16 different events around the Valley!" she wrote. "We got to work with numerous organizations such as Make A Wish Foundation, City of Tempe, Paz de Cristo, Phoenix Philanthropists, St Mary's Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen and Habitat for Humanity Mesa ReStore. This event was an awesome way to come together as a Kiwanis Family... We ended the week of service with over 130 hours of community service. I am sooo proud of all our volunteers." Rachael said the goal is 200 hours next year.

Dave Wochner, mortgage man, led KCOT during 50^th anniversary
This is 44^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Dave Wochner is a guy with a captivating smile and an easy skill at telling stories - like how he became "popular" with his sixth grade classmates for running over their sack lunches with his unicycle everyday before school. Or how, as a teen, he was paid to pick up the dog droppings in the backyard, helping him to pay off his first vehicle.

We know him as Dave, the only KCOT member to serve as Club president and to have had his father also be a Club president. Dave, who joined the Club in 1994, was president in 2001-02. His father, Karl Wochner, a KCOT member since 1972, was president 1996-97. Dave was president of the Club during its 50^th anniversary year, and the theme of his year was "The Next 50 Years."

Dave currently is the Lieutenant Governor-Designate for Division 10 and will become Lieutenant Governor on Oct. 1, overseeing nine Kiwanis Clubs in the division. For the past 18 years, Dave has been a mortgage loan officer, handling prime lending. He is general manager of T. W. Lewis Mortgage and has been a commercial landlord for about 16 years.

Born in Mesa on Jan. 19, 1969, Dave earned the name "Cal Worthington" from his fifth-grade teacher "either because I wore a cowboy hat to school or because I reminded him of a used-car salesman."

"I didn't learn until later in childhood that my father wasn't a real barber - he just practiced on me," Dave recalls.

During his baseball play at Corona del Sol High School, Dave was hit by more pitches than anyone on the team. He starred in Aztecs basketball. "My biggest thrill and my biggest blessing both occurred on the basketball court. My biggest thrill was advancing to the Arizona High Schools state championship game at the ASU Activity Center during my senior year - yet we were picked to finish last in our conference before the season began," Dave said. "I love being the underdog. The biggest blessing in disguise occurred three years later when my knee gave out during the first game of my junior season at Linfield College in Oregon. At first, it was frustrating to know that basketball was over for me, but, at the same time, I was thankful to have had the opportunity to play at that level."

"I learned the hard way that the quickest way to get carsick is to sit on the floor of a van, facing the back and study as you travel across the hills of Oregon before a big game."

"During my junior year in college, in a futile attempt to display my frustration for a lack of playing time, I ordered a pizza to be delivered during the 4^th quarter to the end of the bench - precisely where I had spent the two previous games." Dave once won a kissing contest in an establishment in Scottsdale.

He served as the KCOT treasurer in 1996-98 and was adviser to Tempe High School Key Club in 1995-97. He was on the board of directors 1998-99, vice president in 1999-2000, followed by terms as president-elect, president and past president. He received the Service to Youth Award in 1996 and has an MBA degree from Arizona State University

Dave and his wife of 10 years, Melinda, have three children, Jessica (1994), Grace (2000) and Ryan (2003). His hobbies are reading, family time and working on the yard.

David's favorite moments in KCOT were going to Taipei, Taiwan, with Vinny Mirizio and Shana Ellis for a Kiwanis International Convention; going to New Orleans with Shana and Beth for another convention; learning to cook corn in the "old style" from Jim Yount and Dick Flynn ("working with fire and the desert heat was not among my favorite moments"); inheriting Jim Yount's Kiwanis bolla tie; and sharing the KCOT experience with Dad."

We're egging you on to help KCOT Easter Egg Hunt April 3
Let the Egg-Times Roll. Let's hope for sunny weather on Saturday April 3 when Kiwanians again scatter colorful plastic Easter eggs, with prizes inside, in a sectioned-off part of Kiwanis Park. The City has informed KCOT that ball diamond renovations and other parts of the park, including soccer fields, being prior booked, it is uncertain where the hunt will be. We have two weeks.

Mike Jennings, chairman of the third annual KCOT Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park, said he needs volunteers from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. The hunt begins at 9 a.m. Volunteers will set up the field markers, scatter the eggs and direct kids. A sign-up sheet is being circulated for Kiwanians to help that morning. In addition, an egg-stuffing work evening will be 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the CPA offices of Linda Spears, 522 W. First St. Tempe. Refreshments provided.

Mike also noted that the Egg Hunt got great advance publicity in the City of Tempe's latest "water bill" newsletter. This is a service project for children, the essence of the core purpose of Kiwanis. Please be part of this. Word has it that Hizzoner, the Mayor of Tempe, will secret himself into the big bunny suit and wile away the morning indulging the children of his city.

Bill Regner top vote-getter for Clarksdale Town Council
Former KCOT President Bill Regner, who moved with Janet to Clarkdale several ago and became very active in the community, reports that, on March 9, he was the top vote-getter in a three-way race for two seats on the Clarkdale Town Council. He did better than the incumbent who also won. Here is his e-mail: "I received 669 votes or 68.4 percent of the ballots cast. I needed 50 percent plus 1 to win. The other winner was the incumbent (532) with 54.4 percent. Since we both got over the 50 percent plus 1, there will not be a run-off. "So I was the top vote-getter even though we've only lived here a little less than three years. I knocked on a lot of doors and made a lot of telephone calls to introduce myself to the Clarkdale voters. It was a tremendous learning experience that will be invaluable as I serve for the next four years. Clarkdale is a great community. I look forward to working with the present mayor and council on behalf of the people of the Clarkdale community and the Verde Valley."

CLUB BILLINGS BY INTERNET:
New Club Secretary Mike Jennings announced that he was instituting a new process whereby members with e-mail addresses will begin getting their Club quarterly billing statements by e-mail, rather than by mail. But those not on-line will continue to get them by mail. On Thursday, Mike circulated a new membership list for members to see to ensure accuracy. Look soon for a billing for the first quarter of the Kiwanis year, October-December, soon.

JAYNE LEWIS COMPLETES REQUIREMENTS:
Jayne Lewis, who joined KCOT last summer, has completed two final requirements to be fully a Club member, Pam Goronkin of the Membership and Development Committee announced Thursday. She will get her permanent pin and meeting badge for going through new member orientation and attending a board meeting, which she did Tuesday.

PRAYER BREAKFAST FRIDAY:
Lawn Griffiths, Div. 10 lieutenant governor, announced that about 55 would be on hand Friday, March 19, for the annual Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast, including 8 people associated with KCOT. Ralph Packer would lead "God Bless America." He invited more to join.

4^TH OF JULY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR SOUGHT:
4^th of July Fireworks Chairman Mike Cryer announced he sorely needs a 2010 Volunteers Coordinator, who will be responsible for recruiting and placing primarily KCOT and K-Family volunteers in roles for the show. He noted that the professional event director, Judi Yates, and staff will be lining up volunteers from Valley organizations to fill a lot of duties, like gate ticket-takers, water delivery and show set-up folks. The Kiwanis volunteer coordinator works primarily within the club to fill the various captain and money positions from among Kiwanis volunteers. We will strive to give higher visibility to Kiwanis on hand by having KCOT volunteers wear their Kiwanis shirts (except money runners), if they have them, instead of event T-shirts. Mike adds, "We will also encourage members to be roving Ambassadors and pitch in where needed." Please, KCOT members, put Sunday night July 4 on your calendar to be there representing your Club and helping the Club out in its biggest activity of the year.

Past President Allison Walters wears hard hat, is ëMom' and more
This is the 43red in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Allison Walters was at the center of an effort to take KCOT into the 21st Century in its role in the community. She stepped up to chair the 4^th of July Fireworks Show at Tempe Town Lake as it was still developing a new relationship with the City of Tempe. Her tenacity and interpersonal relations skills served the Club well, especially in nurturing relationships with event sponsors.

A member of KCOT since 1996, she served as KCOT's 55^th president in 2003-2004. "Partnerships, Relationships and Service" was the theme for her year. During the night of her installation, Allison said she would begin naming a "Kiwanian of the Month" and make it a year when Kiwanians would be urged to share their personal stories. She borrowed words from her motivational speaker brother, Jason Walters: "Be in the now, look around the room and speak from your heart."

Hers was the year when KCOT fielded a team in the first Dragon Boat races on Tempe Town Lake, organized by Marcie Greenberg. The Club gave out $85,000 to community groups, and Mayor Neil Giuliano closed out his 10 years at the city's helm.

Allison sponsored her father, Ron Walters, into membership into KCOT, the only father/daughter pairing the Club has had.

Allison works as the major accounts manager for CLP Resources Inc., the nation's leading provider of skilled tradespeople and one of the top 10 employers in North America. They work with more than 100 of the ENR 400 companies as well as thousands of contractors nationwide. "I travel and meet with major construction companies in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico," she says. "I put on my hard hat, construction boots and safety vest, and I walk on job sites all over the country and meet with vice presidents and owners."

Tall, engaging, friendly and loyal to her many girlfriends, Allison always makes time to go across the country for a friend's birthday or for ladies' getaways to Vegas.

Born Oct. 8, 1969, in Steubenville, Ohio, she didn't flinch at turning 40 the past year.

She came to Tempe in 1972 and grew up here. "My dad had enough of the steel mills in Steubenville and moved my family to Tempe, and we've never left." Allison went to Corona del Sol High School and then to Arizona State University. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1992 in Travel/Tourism and Spanish. She lived six months in Spain and backpacked in Europe fro three months. Allison has bungee-jumped several times.

"I am fluent in Spanish and use it all the time in my job at CLP."

Allison served on the KCOT board before going through the top officer chairs. She was the Kiwanian of the Year in 2001. She has been active in the Fantasy of Lights Committee, chairman of the KCOT Corn Roast, chairman of the Membership and Development Committee and maintained perfect attendance for several years.

Allison was on the board of directors of Friends of Ballet Arizona and was a member of the Junior League of Phoenix. She has been a board member for the Tempe Family YMCA and her Parent-Teacher Organization.

She has two children, Alexander, who is a sixth grader at Kyrene Middle School, and Isabella, a fifth-grader who enjoys hip hop dance and jazz. She has been dating James Teichert for more than 2 ‡ years.

Her hobbies are travel, spending time with her family and friends, cooking and good wine.

Allison lists her favorite moments in KCOT: "I loved watching the 4^th of July event grow and evolve into a community event that now gives back tons of dollars to the community. I enjoyed my year as president because I learned so much about all the members and what Kiwanis does on a national level. I loved traveling with Shana (Ellis), Linda (Spears) and Sharon (Kausal) to Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a district convention."

Fun, rich Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast March 19
COLORFUL PARISHIONERS YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE:

The annual Division 10 & 18 Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast is next Friday, March 19, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. It will 7 to 8:30 a.m. and included a full breakfast prepared by the Amigos of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo, breakfast co-sponsors. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or signing up next week.

The speaker will be the Rev. Steve Holm, pastor of Desert Cross Lutheran Church (ELCA) of Tempe, with a light talk on the imaginary, mythical "Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church" where the parishioners are eccentric but lovable (a take-off on the folks from Lake Wobegon in NPRís "A Prairie Home Companion"). Violin music will be by composer, arranger, retired longtime music teacher Doris Gazda, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village. Lon Lawrenz, secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo and District Human and Spiritual Values chairman, will give a homily, and there will be remarks by Southwest District Governor-Elect B.K. Knappenberger of Phoenix. At the end all will stand, join in a circle and sing the traditional ending song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me." The 16 clubs of the two divisions are especially invited. The public may attend. Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths will be emcee. For more information, call him at (480) 894-1557.

Easter Egg Hunt April 3 Needs Volunteers
Mike Jennings, chairman of the third annual KCOT Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park, said he needs volunteers for Saturday April 3 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. The hunt begins at 9 a.m. Volunteers will set up the field markers, scatter the plastic eggs and direct kids. A sign-up sheet is being circulated. In addition, an egg-stuffing work evening will be 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the CPA offices of Linda Spears, 522 W. First St. Tempe.

Mike also noted that the Egg Hunt got great advance publicity in the City of Tempeís latest "water bill" newsletter. This is a service project for children, the essence of the core purpose of Kiwanis. Please be part of this.

Shana Ellis re-elected to Tempe City Council
Congratulations to Tempe Vice Mayor Shana Ellis, KCOT president in 2002-2003, on her re-election to a new four-year term on the Tempe City Council on Tuesday. She led the field of four candidates with 65 percent of the vote (8,667). Three seats were up for election. The other two winners were incumbent Onnie Shekerjian, 62 percent (8,284); and newcomer Robin Arredondo-Savage, 61 percent (8,199). Mark Ortiz trailed with 44 percent (5,882). Shanaís re-election ensures KCOT will continue to have three of the seven council seats. The others are Corey Woods and Joel Navarro. Someone who would be, was or is a Kiwanian has continually served on the Tempe City Council since 1932, even though the Club wasnít founded until 1952. That totals 21 men and women from KCOT.

Dr. Art Tate is the tireless Tempe school superintendent
This is the 42nd in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Dr. Arthur W. Tate has perhaps the most important job in all of Tempe. His daunting responsibility as superintendent of Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 includes leading a district of 24 schools, about 12,800 students and about 1,800 teachers, administrators and classified staff. Pre-schoolers through 8^th graders learn and grow under his auspices.

He has balanced a long career in the military and in education administration. He has been TD#3 superintendent since July 1, 2005. He had previously been the superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools in Haverhill, Mass. He brought to KCOT previous Kiwanis membership (Hillsboro Kiwanis 1993-95). He joined KCOT soon after taking his Tempe post and was sponsored by Bill Wagner.

Born In Miami, Fla., on Aug. 8, 1939, Art earned a bachelorís degree in 1961 from the University of Miami; a master of arts degree in international relations in 1971 from Boston University; a master of science degree in mathematical statistics from Texas Tech in 1979; a master of arts degree in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island in 1979; and his doctorate in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Art was in ROTC at both the high school and college levels. He would serve as superintendent for four school districts.

Art served three one-year tours of duty in Vietnam and retired in 1987 from the U.S. Army after 26 years. He was an associate professor of mathematics at West Point (1975-78) and later a professor of military science at two colleges. He was teaching high school math in Florida before becoming the 10^th superintendent of the New York Military Academy in Cornwall, N.Y., in July 1989. He helped the school mark its 100^th anniversary months after taking over. He introduced karate as a cadet activity because he believed it was an excellent way to develop kids both physically and mentally. He moved on in 1992 to the Haverhill post.

During his tenure in Tempe, he as overseen the reconstruction of about a half-dozen schools, creating state-of-the art facilities. They include Holdeman, Broadmor, Scales and Thew schools.

Art and his wife, Janet, were married Aug. 11, 1979. They have three sons, Sean (1981); Chris (1983); and Andy (1987). He has five grandchildren. His hobbies include Native American crafts, dance, cultures, Tae Kwon Do, jewelry-making, cycling and hiking. The Tates live in Apache Junction.

KIWANIANS OF TEMPE CARES PAINT AN ENTIRE BUILDING
Kiwanians turned out in strong number on Saturday March 6 for the 20^th annual Tempe Cares Project. Joe Schmoker once again was the commander for the KCOT crew of workers who were assigned to paint the main building of the Tempe Salvation Army, erected in 1938. It was designed by the noted late Tempe architect Kemper Goodwin, who designed many Tempe schools. The building is considered by a city historical survey as one of the last and finest example of English Tudor construction. A team of volunteers also painted the waiting room of the Salvation Armyís social services building.

Tempe Cares, sponsored by Tempe Leadership, carried out three other projects on Saturday.

Here are all the Kiwanians known to have turned out somewhere in the network of projects: Mike Jennings, Emma Bordner, Curt Ritland, Mike Cryer, Joe Schmoker, Lawn Griffiths, Beth Fiorenza, Shana Ellis, Neil Fisch, Corey Woods and Sharon Doyle. There were also former Kiwanian Jim Cummings and Chung-Kai "C.K." Liu, Div. 11 Lieutenant Governor and always a part of KCOT projects. CKI member Adam Alharoon was on hand, along with his friend and ASU student Paul. Also helping were Mark Richwineís daughter Megan Richwine and her friend Hillary Perkins; Shana Ellisí son Kade Stout; Joe Schmokerís son, Graham. Tempe Leadership Class 25 provided helpers at our project: Nancy Berg, Sandra Keeme, Tanya Chavez, David Felix, Eric Bergman, and Linda and Zach Huber. Other volunteers with us were Lisa Roach and Seth Banrus.

PUT 4^TH OF JULY VOLUNTARISM ON YOUR SCHEDULE
Fourth of July Fireworks Chairman Mike Cryer said Thursday that he had the second in a series of meetings with the City of Tempe regarding the show. He noted that the May 18 General Election will include a raising of the City of Tempe sales tax from 1.8 to 2 percent, and, if it passes, it will help the city be better able to do its part in the complex logistics for the show. Mike said volunteers are needed for a lot of roles on that Sunday evening. Please make it possible so we can count on your help and talents in our Club largest fund-raiser.

Mike called on members to help find financial sponsors, even it is your rich uncle. Sponsors go a long, long way in ensuring the Club pulls off the show, can pay the showís expenses and have the funds to support youth-benefitting groups in the community. If you have leads, please let Mike know.

INTERCLUB TO SUN LAKES NEXT TUESDAY
Dean Plainer announced Thursday that an Interclub trip will be to the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes next Tuesday, March 16. They meet at 7:15 a.m. at the Sun Lakes Country Club. A car pool down is planned. Let Dean know if you want to take part, (480) 899-2370.

A GRAND NIGHT FOR TEMPE LEADERSHIPíS 25^TH ANNIVERSARY
Curt Ritland, on Thursday, appealed to the dozens in KCOT who have been part of Tempe Leadership classes and board to set aside the night of Friday April 9 for "Tempe Leadershipís 25^th Anniversary Celebration" 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts. A "Conversations in Leadership" panel will include Congressman Harry Mitchell, former Mayor Neil Giuliano (Tempe Leadership Class I) and Mary Jane Crist of St. Josephís Hospital. Tempe Leadership is currently recruiting for Class XXVI, with applications due by April 23 to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce.

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND TALENT SHOW
The Kiwanis Club of Mesa-Dobson Ranch will hold a "Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show" at 6:30 p.m. Saturday April 10 at La Casita Community Center, 2719 S. Reyes, Mesa. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. The meal includes spaghetti and meatball sauce, garlic bread and dessert. Great food, great fun and enjoy great local talent from the community for entertainment. Proceeds will go toward assisting program for children in the community. The event qualifies as a 501 C-3 tax-deductible fundraiser. Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths has tickets if you are interested.

TEMPE CARES & Kiwanians paint Salvation Army:
Joe Schmoker announced Thursday that nearly two dozen KCOT members, family members and friends were the Kiwanis team that would go to work on Saturday, March 6, to make major improvements to the Tempe Salvation Army Corps campus. They would largely be doing inside and outside painting. Kiwanians would be joining hundreds of community volunteers at 7 a.m. at Benedict Park, get breakfast, free T-shirts and instructions, then head north to the Corps near University Drive and Mill Avenue. Tempe Cares, sponsored by Tempe Leadership, has dispatched about 300 volunteers on community neighborhoods each spring since 1991. This will be the 20^th Tempe Cares. KCOT has been a partner each of those years.

Mike Jennings is elected to fill treasurer seat
A special election was held Thursday to fill the remaining nearly seven months of the term of KCOT treasurer. Mike Jennings, a current board member and owners of the Campus Corner stores in downtown Tempe, was elected. He had been nominated the previous week. President Corey Woods said that the KCOT Board will determine when a special election will be held for someone to ser the remaining seven months of Mike's. The regular annual meeting to elect 2010-2011 officers and board members is only about five weeks away - late April or early May.

DAVID WOCHNER IS THE NEW LT. GOV.-DESIGNATE:
David Wochner, a 16-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe and the Club's past treasurer and later president in 2001-2002, was nominated and elected Thursday night to be the lieutenant governor-designate of Division 10 for the 2009-2010. He was elected by representatives of the nine clubs of the Division at the bimonthly Division Council meeting at Coco's Restaurant in Mesa. Dave will succeed Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths on Oct. 1. Congratulations, Dave!

Financial planner Neil Fisch is a Kiwanian transplanted from the Jersey Shore
This is the 41st in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Neil Fisch brought strong Kiwanis experience to KCOT when he joined the Club in June 2006. He had served as the president of the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, New Jersey, in 2003-2004. He had been a member of the Cape May Club from 1995 until his move to the Valley. He served on their board of directors from 1999 to 2005.

Neil joked that he recalls his Cape May Kiwanis project work as a situation where "I was the chief, but now at KCOT I want to be an Indian."

Neil was sponsored to KCOT members by Bill Regner after getting a referral to the Club by District Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson. Neil is a certified financial planner, "helping people put together the pieces of the retirement puzzle - financial planning, legacy planning, investments, insurance and retirement income planning." (www.lpl.com/neil.fisch)

Born May 21, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pa., Neil takes pride in the fact that "my one youthful accomplishment of which I am particularly proud is that I am an Eagle Scout with bronze palm."

He earned his B.A. degree in 1972 from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa., just southwest of Philly. "I taught English at Beverly Hills H.S. (of "90210" TV series fame) after college for three years. I ran away to sea for a few years on oil tankers," Neil reports. "I sailed from Texas to Philly and Philly to Long Beach via the Panama Canal." He also traveled up the Pacific Coast from California to Washington state to Valdez, Alaska.

Neil moved to Cape May in 1981 and married Betsy on Sept. 12. They bought a little farm and started HVAC Contracting. In 1993, Neil started work with Dean Witter in Atlantic City and was trained at the World Trade Center in New York City. In 2001, he left Dean Witter to become an independent financial planner. Neil served on many boards. He was in the Mid-Jersey Rotary Club, Cape May County United Way, the Wildwood Jaycees, Vo-Tech School Advisory Board and the Private Industry Council.

"When we moved to Arizona in March 2006, I stuck to my convictions and did not buy a home. I followed my own advice," he said. His family lives in Chandler.

They have a son, Max, 27, a commercial loan originator and MBA candidate in Cape May, and a daughter, Naomi, 26, a graduate gemologist and manager of GoldBuyers of American at the Fiesta Mall in Mesa.

His hobbies are hiking, backpacking, reading, fishing, gardening and food/wine. Rosemary Clooney and Debbie Boone are among the most famous people he has met. Neil helped KCOT in the new Kiwanis Club development in Maricopa in the summer of 2006.

"My favorite moment in KCOT is the last project we worked on together," he notes.

ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST IS MARCH 19
Division 10 Lieutenant Governor Lawn Griffiths, on Thursday, started sign-ups for the annual Div. 10 and 18 Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast. It will be 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday March 19 at King of Glory Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave. The 16 clubs in the two divisions are invited to send members and guests for the breakfast, which the Amigos of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo are preparing in connection with their co-sponsorship. Tickets are $10. Speaker is the Rev. Steve Holm of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe whose sermons often are about the fictional and distinct parishioners of the mythical Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church. He is reminiscent of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon" of NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion." Doris Gazda, violinist and president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village, will play three songs. Kiwanis Southwest District Ron Smith will also be hand and speak.

BANNER PATCH FOR INTERCLUBS:
Ray Devine of Tempe Nuevo Kiwanis, who was Div. 10 lieutenant governor last year, returned to KCOT Thursday to present a Dare to Care Circle Award for the Club's completing its Inner Circle (sending teams of at least four members to meetings of the other 8 clubs in the Division during 2008-2009). Kudos to Interclub Chairman Dean Plainer and Karl Wochner for leading that effort.

INNER CLUB TO CASA GRANDE COMPLETED:
Four from KCOT went to the 7 a.m. breakfast meeting Thursday (March 4) of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Grande, led by President Jerry Stein. Taking part were Inner Club Chairman Dean Plainer, Past Inner Club Chairman Ralph Packer, Judy Aldrich and Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths.

Dean tentatively is organizing another Inner Club meeting for next Tuesday, March 9 at the Kiwanis Club of Sun Lakes. It begins at 7:15 a.m. at Sun Lakes Country Club Friendship Room, 25601 S Sun Lakes Blvd. Let Dean Plainer know if you can attend and want to carpool. (480) 899-2370.

JIMS YOUNT & HARELSON AMONG DISTRICT'S 'ENDURING KIWANIANS'
Check Out the March issue of the Kiwanis Southwest District newsletter (http://kiwanis-southwest.org/Newsletter/0310newsletter.pdf), which replaced "The Buildup" several years. The 36-page online newsletter is chocked with good material. One page lists all the known Legion of Honor members in the District with at least 50 years of membership. KCOT has two who are in the Top 10 for longevity: Jim Harelson and Dr. Jim Yount (No. 8 and 9), who both joined KCOT in 1952. Both are past presidents. Two KCOT members just missed the list (1960 or earlier): Ralph Lingerfelt and Ralph Packer who both joined in 1961.

EASTER EGG HUNT APRIL 3:
Mike Jennings reports that things are taking shape for the third annual KCOT Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park on Saturday April 3, beginning at 9 a.m. About 6,000 stuffed eggs will be scattered on the ground. Hizzoner Hugh Hallman, Tempe mayor, will go undercover inside the Easter Bunny suit. (Don't tell the kids, though). Be ready to help volunteer for duties that morning.

BABY JACOB MINER CONTEST:
We closed out the contest Thursday on guessing the date of birth of Jacob Lee Miner, son of Tiffany and Nick Miner. Jacob was born Feb. 20, with Allison Walters coming within 7 hours and winning half the guess pot of $123. On Thursday, Nick was back for the first time and came forward to receive $62.50 in cash for Jacob's college fund - along with the sign-ups sheets showing all the Kiwanians' assorted guesses.

OUT TO THE BALLGAME:
About a dozen KCOT members, including the three who serve on the Tempe City Council, were on hand Thursday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium for the kick-off of the 2010 Cactus League season, with the Los Angles Angels at Anaheim and the Chicago White Sox ending a 9-inning game in a 4-4 tie. Thanks to Linda Spears for organizing the annual event under beautiful sunshine. During the pregame, Vic Cordts, director of the Ladmo Branch of the Boys and Girls Club, was presented a $70,000 check for the Club from the Tempe Diablos Charities and Angels president/CEO Arte Moreno.

MEETING AND BASEBALL NEXT THURSDAY:
About a dozen KCOT members have signed up so far for the annual KCOT Day at the Ballpark. Next Thursday - March 4 - about an hour after the Club meeting at Shalimar, Kiwanians will carpool or drive themselves to Tempe Diablo Stadium for the inaugural game of the 2010 Cactus League season at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim will play the Chicago White Sox with a 3:05 p.m. start. The month-long spring training season gets under way that day. Linda Spears has organized the afternoon as she has in years past. Tickets are a mere $5. There will be carpooling 2:15 p.m. from Shalimar. If you want to get on the list, call Linda (480) 966-6648 or lindaspears1@cox.net.

ELECTION FOR A TREASURER:
Next Thursday, KCOT members will pause at the meeting to elect a new treasurer for the remainder of the administrative year, or through September. Mike Jennings, a current board member, has been nominated for that role. On Thursday, Linda Spears of the nominating committee said Mike had stepped forward as a candidate. President Corey Woods asked for other nominations from the floor. There were none, and nominations ceased. Please be on hand to vote Thursday. Should Mike be elected, there will be an opening on the board to fill. Mikeís board term expires Sept. 30.

TEMPE CARES IS MARCH 6:
As of Thursday, 24 Kiwanians and friends or family members had signed up for the KCOT project as part of the annual Tempe Cares on Saturday March 6. KCOT, which has been a partner in the Tempe Leadership-sponsored community improvement blitz since its start in 1993, has been assigned interior and exterior painting at the Tempe Salvation Army campus, 40 E. University Drive.

Joe Schmoker will circulate the clipboard again next Thursday for anyone else. Kiwanians are asked to show up at 7 a.m. that morning at Benedict Park, Kyrene and Guadalupe roads, for orientation, pep talk, free T-shirts and breakfast. Then groups fan out to their projects.

ANOTHER INTERCLUB COMPLETED:
On Feb. 23, four KCOT members attended a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee. Making up the Interclub were Judy Aldrich, Ralph Packer, Dean Plainer and Karl Wochner.

Interclub Chair Dean said Thursday that he is organizing an Interclub for next Thursday morning, March 4, at 7 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Casa Grande where the Kiwanis Club of Casa Grande meets. Dean and Lawn Griffiths were among the first four committed to go. The group will leave about 6:15 a.m. from the Good Egg on Ray Road. Let Dean know if you are interested: (480) 899-2370.

ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST IS MARCH 19
Division 10 Lieutenant Governor Lawn Griffiths, on Thursday, gave more details on the annual Div. 10 and 18 Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast. It will be 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday March 19 at King of Glory Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave. The 16 clubs in the two divisions are invited to send members and guests for the breakfast, which the Amigos of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo are preparing in connection with their co-sponsorship. Tickets are $10. Speaker is the Rev. Steve Holm of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe whose sermons often are about the fictional and distinct parishioners of the mythical Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church. He is reminiscent of Garrison Keillorís "Lake Wobegon" of NPRís "A Prairie Home Companion."

BABY JACOB MINER, WELCOME TO THE WORLD:
Baby Jacob is here! Congratulations to Tiffany and Nick Miner. The guessing game is over. Who won the KCOT contest on closest guess to the time of the birth of Jacob Lee Miner? Three people made four Feb. 20 guesses: Fred Amberg at midnight, Fred Amberg at 2 a.m., Pat Hatton at 6 a.m. and Allison Walters at noon. Allison Walters is the winner -- 7 hours off the mark. Linda Wegener (8 a.m. Sunday) was 13 hours off.

Baby Jacob and Allison split the $123 pot -- so each gets $61.50. Allison took her prize Thursday and said it would help pay for Alexís new braces. Thanks to all who participated in the contest -- 48 guesses altogether.

Diane Schans has sung at corn roasts, organized float decorating, served on board
This is the 40^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Diane Schans had worked for Heritage Bank for six years when she joined KCOT in March 2001. The bank manager was aware of Kiwanis because the Clubís bank account was there. It had been established at Heritage by her boss at the time, Kathleen Harris, who had been KCOT president in 1993-94. By then, Diane had worked 20 years in banking, starting as a bookkeeper, then moving up through management.

Today she works as a recruiter for Grand Canyon University.

Born Oct. 19, 1955, in Denver, Colo., she lived in the Denver and Greeley areas of Colorado, as well as San Diego, Calif. She and her family moved to the Valley from Parker, Colo., in February 1995. She studied economics and American business at the University of Northern Colorado and English and psychology at a community college in Greeley. In the Valley, she has worked additionally as the community association administrator for City Property Management. Later, she had several roles at the attorneyís office of fellow KCOT member Dick Neuheisel.

Diane and her husband, Cliff, were married Feb. 6, 1982, and live in Chandler. They have two grown sons, Brandon (1984), an architect in Seattle, Wash., and Justin (1988).

Since joining KCOT, Diane has served on the KCOT Board, 2007-09, and has been chairman or co-chairman of the KCOT float project for the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade. She has served on the Tempe Family YMCA Board of Directors and has been an elder and a deacon at University Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir. She was also chairman of the churchís Fellowship Committee. She was a Boy Scout committee chair and held three terms on the boards of homeowner associations. Diane has sung at KCOT corn roasts, including duets in Club talent shows. She has taken part in Tempe Cares and worked with Friends of the Tempe Butte.

Her hobbies include travel, music, reading, church activities, theology and volunteering.

Kiwanis Day at the Ballpark for Cactus League game is March 4
Linda Spears announced Thursday that the annual KCOT Day at the Ballpark for Cactus League Baseball will be Friday, March 4. The Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim have a 3:05 p.m. game start against the Chicago White Sox to kick off its Spring Training season. Linda said she will have ticket prices (usually $10) and other specifics next week. In past years, Spike Lawrenceís bus, which went to the Tempe YMCA, hauled Kiwanians to the ballpark for a great pre-game tailgating. That wonít be available this year. So put the game on our schedule, bring family and friends. Tickets will be ordered in advance.

Club will elect a new treasurer on March 4
Our Club treasurer, Bill Wagner, has resigned. The Club has set the date for election of a new treasurer for Thursday, March 4, during the regular Club meeting. During the next Thursday, Feb. 18, nominations will be taken from the floor, and candidates will be announced and published in the Bulletin in advance of the March 4 election. Past President Linda Spears, on Thursday, announced that board member Mike Jennings has stated he is interested in seeking that important office.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR KIWANIS EGG HUNT ON APRIL 3
Mayor Hugh Hallman has agreed for the second time in three years to be the "Easter Bunny" when KCOT stages its third annual "Tempe Easter Egg Hunt" at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, the day before Easter at Kiwanis Park. Chairman Mike Jennings, on Thursday, said he is recruiting volunteers for a committee to carry out duties. Let Mike know if you can help out. It draws hundreds of children. Started in 2008 to a great response, the hunt was virtually canceled last year because of heavy rains, although Shana Ellis had heavy Channel 12 airtime luring families to come out and get their treats anyway.

Mike Jennings can be reached at (602) 791-5322

Or mjennings2@qwest.net.

Pam Goronkin, native Valley gal, served City Council, led DTC, now director on KCOT Board
This is the 39^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Pam Goronkin is one of those people who seem to effortlessly achieve excellence. What she accomplishes looks easy, but it is not. Competence, character, common sense and thoughtfulness are qualities that come to mind.

Pam was born on a June 10 in Phoenix and has witnessed the regionís incredible growth and development from the perspective of someone who grew up here when the entire metropolitan area was comprised of about 350,000. She has a history of neighborhood activism and community leadership in Tempe where she moved in 1969, from Phoenix, to raise her family.

Sponsored to KCOT by Bill Regner in July 2001, Pam would chair the Membership and Development Committee from 2003 through 2007 where she still serves. She developed and implemented a New Member Orientation Program. Pam was elected to a two-year term on the KCOT Board of Directors in 2008. That term runs through September 2010.

While president and executive director of Downtown Tempe Community, Pam was the voice of Mill Avenue District landholders and developers, leading the vision and strategic planning process for downtown Tempe and encouraging policies that support the ability of Mill Avenue District and Tempe Town Lake to develop to their fullest potential for the benefit of the community.

She was a small business owner, 1996-2000, and had a corporate career with Motorola Government Electronics Division for 14 years prior to that.

Pam served on the Tempe City Council from 2002 to 2006. While on the City Council, Pam was a champion for economic development, partnering with Arizona State University to grow Arizonaís knowledge economy, embracing residential development in downtown Tempe as a strategy to stabilize the local economy and leading the Council to adopt an initiative to create a "best in class" customer-oriented process in Tempe on the board of East Valley Partnership, initiated a role for Tempe on the BioScience Roadmap Steering Committee and also served on the Community and Economic Development Steering Committee for the National League of Cities.

Pam, who has a BSBA from the University of Phoenix, has been an etiquette consultant. She founded and owned Abbey Gardens Tea Parlor in Mesa, teaching etiquette to those ages 8 to 22. She is a graduate of Tempe Leadership (Class XV), has hiked the Grand Canyon several times, is one-quarter Cherokee, and has traveled to many countries, and both of her daughters have been very successful as singers and members of bands.

Pam and her husband, Herb Goronkin, a noted nanotechnologist, blended their family of six children when they were married Oct. 4, 1980. Now grandparents to 10, they live in south Tempe.

She has worked on the Corn Roast committee, advocating to reverting to roast the corn under ground. Her hobbies are entertaining, cooking, wine, reading, current events, history, urban design and politics.

Her favorite Kiwanis moments: "Anytime I get to spend it with Jim Yount and Ralph Lingerfelt, and the happy dollars every week."

TEMPE CARES IS MARCH 6
While there was no additional circulating of a sign-up sheet Thursday, members are reminded that their help is sought for the annual Tempe Cares project 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 6. KCOT has been assigned to do exterior and interior painting at the Tempe Salvation Army in downtown Tempe.

Joe Schmoker is handling sign-ups.

BABY JACOB MINER FUNDS SOON TO BE DISBURSED
Lawn Griffiths announced that the Baby Jacob Miner Birth Day Guessing Contest continues. As of Thursday, Jacob had not been born (due date was Wednesday Feb. 17). KCOT member Nick Miner said Tiffany had been to the hospital four or five times in the week with labor pains, then sent home, but she would be going back on Saturday (Feb. 20) with her own doctor there and the possibility of inducing the birth. The Miners are all fatigued. Meanwhile, Lawn announced that most of the guessed days/times had passed. Left were 14 of the 48 total guesses ($3 a guess or $5 for two). As of Thursday, Fred Amberg, Tom Sands, Penny Pease and Allison Walters each had 2 guesses alive. With one live guess were Joel Navarro, Pam Goronkin, Mike Cryer and Linda Wegener. Fred, Allison and Pat Hatton were closest to Saturdayís possible induced time. We will send out an email when we hear. Prayers go with the Miners.

ASU LEGENDARY COACH BILL KAJIKAWA WAS AN EARLY KIWANIAN
One of our early KCOT members and a legend in coaching at ASU, Bill Kajikawa, died Monday, Feb. 15. Bill joined KCOT in 1952 -- just short of being on the charter list but still in time to attend Charter Night. Among committees that Bill was on was chairing New Club Building. He left the Club about 1961.

Bill came occasionally to Kiwanis long after he left KCOT, including at our 50^th anniversary celebration in 2002. Bill and his late wife, Margaret, were the third recipients of Tempe's Don Carlos Humanitarian Award in 1986. Here is some of the Republic's first story on it.

William (Bill) "Kaji" Kajikawa, a legendary former football, basketball and baseball coach at Arizona State, passed away Monday at 97. Kajikawa, who began his coaching career at Arizona State in 1937 and retired from ASU in 1978, was honored April 6, 1995, in a ceremony that named the Sun Devil football practice field The Bill Kajikawa Practice Facility.

Kajikawa served as head basketball coach from 1948-57, and he was head coach of ASU's club baseball team from 1947-57. He was inducted into the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968 and the ASU Hall of Distinction in 1982. During World War II, Kajikawa took his only hiatus from ASU to serve with distinction in the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd, manned entirely by Japanese Americans, was the Army's most decorated combat unit. Kajikawa is survived by two daughters, Dr. Christine Kajikawa Wilkinson, Senior Vice President and Secretary of the University and President of the ASU Alumni Association, and Carol O'Connell of Mission Viejo, Calif. Christine served as the Interim Director of Athletics at ASU in 1995-96 and again in 2000.

PRAYER BREAKFAST IS MARCH 19 AT KING OF GLORY
Div. 10 Lt. Governor Lawn Griffiths announced Thursday that he is putting together this yearís Divisions 10 and 18 Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 19 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. Speaker with be Pastor Steve Holm of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe. He offers humorist, offbeat sermons about the mythical "Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church" and the peopleís goings-on --- much like the folks of Lake Wobegon in the radio show "Prairie Home Companion," featuring Garrison Keillor. Tickets will be $10. A musician is also being lined up.

MANY KCOT MEMBERS TO PAINT FOR TEMPE CARES
Joe Schmoker, KCOTís longtime coordinator of The Tempe Cares project, gave additional details Thursday about what KCOT members will be doing when they volunteer for the annual Tempe Cares project, slated for Saturday March 6. Members will be assigned to the Tempe Salvation Army campus at 40 E. University Drive, where they will do both exterior and interior painting on what is a 72-year-old building that was the original church of what is now the Lakeshore Bible Church, 6415 S. Lakeshore Drive. Salvation Army bought the building in the 1970s and has used it for both a church and social services building. Its church component has moved to a campus on Hardy Drive. This is what the Tempe Historical Society says of the English Tudor-Style building of the Salvation Army:

FROM THE TEMPE HISTORIC SURVEY (1980-81) DESCRIPTION: The Church of God has a long history in Tempe, starting in 1892 when Mr. and Mrs. Christian A. Saylor arrived in town. Devoted church members from Kansas, the couple induced John Foore to become the first minister. The first meetings were held in the Jordon School House. From 1900 to 1928, meetings were held in family houses. Starting in 1928, the members met in the Odd Fellow Hall. This building was completed in 1938, and was the first true church building for the members. The building was designed by prominent Tempe architect Kemper Goodwin. The denomination was known as the "Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith." In 1969 its name was changed to the "Bible Church of God." In 1973, the church opened a new building at Lakeshore Drive and Guadalupe Road, known as the Lakeshore Church of God. The original building is still used for church purposes. This building represents a good example of the use of Tudor detailing in a church building, i.e., high-pitch gable roofs. This building is a prominent structure along University east of Mill Ave. It is one of few intact historic structures along University Drive east of Mill Avenue.

So far 17 Kiwanians have signed up and Div. 11 Lt. Gov. C.K. Liu has indicated plans to bring some volunteers along. All volunteers will first meet at 7 a.m. at Benedict Park, 490 W. Guadalupe Road (By TUHS offices). There they will get free T-shirts and breakfast and travel to the Salvation Army campus downtown. Lunch will also be free. All tools will be provided. We hope to get information about parking (maybe the city will wave fees and we can park in the underground garage just north of there).

Chad Gammage, an entrepreneur, outdoorsman, ex-motorcylist, now in personal ID security work
This is the 38^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

We first met Chad Gammage when he came to KCOT in 1995 as owner of Gammage Vending Services and was offering the Club an opportunity be a partner/sponsor to generate income by being a non-profit listed on candy machines scattered around the Valley in business places.

The Club took him up on it, and KCOT raised money for the Community Projects fund. He was inducted June 20, 1996, and was sponsored by Alan Whitehead. At the time, Chad said, "I joined the Kiwanis Club of Tempe because I want to participate in my community and to become one of "the Great Ones, A Kiwanian."

Although he has a famous Tempe name - Gammage - he may only be related distantly to the late ASU president.

Born May 5, 1967, in Flint, Mich., he moved to the Valley from Michigan in1983. He studied at Mesa Community College, Scottsdale Community College and Arizona State University. He graduated from ASU in 1994. His hobbies have been skiing, motorcycles and being outdoors.

Chad has been an insurance broker, towing company manager, a real estate broker and entrepreneur.

He resigned his position as a commercial insurance broker in September 2009 and started a company, idSafeUSA.com. "It is the latest and greatest in personal identity theft protection and is already proving to be the best value in consumer protection," Chad says. "idSafeUSA.com is a web-based business that is patent-pending and offers affordable, easy and 100 percent secure personal identity theft protection for every American." His direct commercial message is this: "Donít believe everything you hear on the radio or see on TV. Get protection for yourself and your family because once youíre a victim, youíre always a victim."

Chad is serving a two-year term on the KCOT Board of Directors, which began Oct. 1, 2009. He has also been part of the House Committee and has taken part in many, many Club projects in his 14 years of membership. Chad recently moved to Cave Creek and sold his chopper "because it was always breaking and costing a small fortune."

"My blue Queensland healer, Sadie, is 14 this year, my black lab Raven will be 7 and my new $70K knee is feeling great!," he reports.

Chadís fondest memories of KCOT have been "the happy dollars, seeing new members join, successful events and the appreciation received from the community."

THE 4^th OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW PLANNING UNDER WAY
Mike Cryer announced Thursday that he and Russ Plieseis will be co-chairing the 4^th of July Firework Show. They held their first planning meeting on Tuesday Feb. 9 with city officials, who informed them that the cityís severe budgeting issues will have some impact on what the city can do and provide. But Mike said the show will go on, and he and Russ are making an early appeal to all KCOT members to be involved, provide their labors and skills and minimize the need for outside help. Remember July 4 is a Sunday so work should be no issue. Hope to see you on the list of volunteers we publish in the Bulletin the following week.

ANOTHER INTERCLUB DOWN, AHWATUKEE IS NEXT
Interclub Chairman Dean Plainer announced Thursday that four members made an Interclub trip to the Kiwanis Club of Maricopa on Wednesday, Feb. 10: Dean, Ralph Packer, Karl Wochner and Lawn Griffiths. He noted that on arrival, Karl had a spill when he stumbled on a concrete parking barrier, fell to the pavement and suffered nasty scrapes on his face, lip and hands, and bent his glasses. He was able to continue to the meeting.

The next Interclub trip will be 7:15 a.m. Tuesday Feb. 23 to the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee which meets at Crackers & Co. Restaurant, 1265 W. Elliot Road, Tempe. We like to see different KCOT faces at these meetings so more can see how other Clubs work. Let Dean know if you can make it. (480) 899-2370 or tplainer@cox.net.

BULLETIN DELIVERY:
Make sure you make Bulletin Editor Lawn Griffiths aware of any changes of address, any problems in getting your Bulletin or other issues. Lately, there has been erratic delivery - as early as Saturday and as late as Wednesday - despite consistent delivery of each weekís Bulletins to the Post Office on Friday mornings. Some membersí Bulletins have been returned even though their addresses remain correct and unchanged.

INTERCLUB TRAVELERS:
Seven members of KCOT took part in an Interclub on Tuesday, Feb. 2, to the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo at Shalimar. They heard a fascinating talk from the Arizona Diamondbacksí vice president of finance and how income streams are measured in millions. Taking part were Dr. Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Ralph Packer, Shana Ellis, Judy Aldrich, Pat Hatton and Lawn Griffiths.

The next Interclub will be this coming Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 7 a.m. at the Kiwanis Club of Maricopa, which meets at the All-State Insurance Office. Signed up so far are Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Lawn Griffiths and Ralph Packer. The group will ride together, leaving for a site to be determined.

THE PASSING OF JERRY DILLON
We note the death of former KCOT member Jerry Dillon, 80, who was active in KCOT from March 1959 until the late 1960s. A one-time basketball star, who was nicknamed "Matt Dillon," Jerry was Interclub chairman and chairman of Interclub Relations in those years and served on the KCOT Board of Directors. At the time, he was Arizona Public Service's residential sales representative. He later was active in Thunderbird Kiwanis. The Al Thomas history, published in 1977, contains frequent reference to him and his contributions to the Club. He died Jan. 28 and his services were Thursday at Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley. Here is the obituary from today's Republic:

Dillon, Jerome (Jerry) L.
(1929 - 2010) - Jerry was the son of Leon Dillon and Altah Dillon (formerly Chenowith). He was born and raised in Phoenix and played basketball at Phoenix Union High School where he earned all state honors in basketball. He then went to Tucson and was the starting center for the University of Arizona from 1950-1952 on a team that played in both the NIT and NCAA tournament and finished in the top 10 in the country. Following his time at the U of A he played briefly in the NBA followed by joining the U.S. Air Force, and played on the all Air Force team that toured all over the world. He then continued to play for teams in Italy before returning to Arizona. He worked for APS for 33 years after his basketball career and was enjoying retirement by being active in Thunderbird Kiwanis, the Phoenix Garden Club, the APS retirement organization, and the local senior center. Jerry passed away on January 28, 2010 and leaves behind his son Mike and his three grandson's Ryan, Jake, and Reed. He also leaves behind his fiance Emma Hedlund. Visitation will be at Hansen Mortuary 8314 N. 7^th St. on Wednesday, 2/3/10 from 4:00-7:00pm. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, 2/4/10 at 10:00am at Palo Christi Presbyterian Church followed by the burial at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery and a reception at Garcia's on 35^th Avenue and Encanto. Donations can be made in Jerry's name to the Arizona Humane Society, Palo Christi Presbyterian Church, or Hospice of the Valley.

TEMPE CARES SIGN-UPS BEGIN
Joe Schmoker, KCOTís longtime coordinator of The Tempe Cares project, announced Thursday that our Clubís volunteers on Tempe Cares 2010 on Saturday March 6 will paint buildings at the Tempe Salvation Army Corps, 40 E. University Drive. Many KCOT members have taken part in the 25+ years of Tempe Leadership, which founded and sponsors Tempe Cares, a one-day community improvement blitz in neighborhoods and other locations. Volunteers will be asked to arrive at a set-up site at 7 a.m., get breakfast, instructions and tools and go to work. Lunch (and probably a free T-shirt) come with it. Sign-ups and more details will come.

TEMPE LEADERSHIP IS RECRUITING FOR NEW CLASS
Curt Ritland on Thursday announced that Tempe Leadership will hold its annual Leadership Recruitment Reception 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 23 at Heidiís Events and Catering, 2095 W. 15^th Street, Tempe. Recruits for Class 26 are sought. Typically about 20 people are chosen for the nine-month program. Since 1985, more than 400 men and women - nearly 40 from KCOT - have graduated from the Tempe Leadership program. Each class consists of a diverse group of individuals from the business community, the City of Tempe, community volunteers and non-profit organizations. Tempe Leadership identifies emerging leaders and fosters leadership skills through education, experiences, exposure and service to the community in order to sustain qualified citizens, employees and leaders for the future of the Tempe community. It is a program that teaches participants about strengths, needs and challenges facing Tempe. Kiwanians are urged to encourage people they who fit these characteristics to apply.

JACOB MINER BABY FUND CLOSED - NOW WE WAIT
KCOT members made 48 guesses in the contest to guess the day and hour of the birth of Jacob Miner, expectant son of Nick and Tiffany Miner, who is officially due on Feb. 17. There were $123 collected, and, with members not choosing to guess the last two weeks, we closing the contest. So $61.50 will go to Jacobís college fund and the same amount to the closest guesser. The guesses ranged from 6 a.m. Feb. 3 (Joe Schmoker) to noon Feb. 25 (Mike Cryer). There are six guesses on Feb. 17. We will declare the winner in the days ahead.

Sonia Filan oversees a sea of Mesa Community College operations, with more to come
This is the 37^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Sonia Filan is a busy leader at Mesa Community College where she serves as the Director of the Office of Institutional Advancement. Her professional career there spans 17 years where she first was named the coordinator of special events. After nine years, she took a position as coordinator of marketing and public relations and served in this capacity for five years. As director of the Office of Institutional Advancement, she oversees the marketing, media relations, alumni, special events, public relations, graphic design, web services and communication efforts to promote the collegeís educational opportunities. Come July 1, the Video Production Office will also be part of Institutional Advancement.

Sonia has served on several committees including the City of Mesaís Marketing Task Force, Latino Town Hall, and Mesa United Way. She has been a board member for the Association for Supportive Child Care and the Phoenix Childrenís Hospital Water Watcher Drowning Prevention Committee.

Sponsored by Linda Wegener, Sonia joined KCOT in November 2006. When she joined, she said she wanted an opportunity to network and give back to her community.

Born in Casa Grande on Nov. 20, 1968, Sonia has always lived in Arizona. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Arizona State University and a master of education degree from Northern Arizona University.

Sonia has been married since Oct. 12, 1996, to Gary Filan, and they live in Tempe. Gary is the executive director of The Chair Academy, which does worldwide leadership training for post-secondary education leaders and is based in Mesa.

The Filans have two children, Taylor (1998) and Ryan (2001). Her hobbies are skiing, hiking and biking. She has been recognized by MCC for leadership excellence for working with such organizations as Paz de Cristo homes food kitchen in Mesa and the American Red Cross.

KCOT INTERCLUB TO TEMPE NUEVO TUESDAY
Interclub Chairman Dr. Dean Plainer announced Thursday he was organizing an Interclub for next Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo, which also meets at Shalimar. They start at noon and conclude by 1 p.m. Their program will be Craig Bradley, vice president for finance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, which is gearing up for a new season. If you want to join the Interclub, contact Dean, (480) 899-2370. Participants pick up their own meal cost.

KIWANIS ONE DAY IS APRIL 10
KCOT will join in Kiwanis One Day by asking Club members to sign up to help sort medical items for overseas at Project CURE in Tempe on Saturday April 10. Kiwanis members work in their communities all year long. But for one day in April each year, the entire Kiwanis family-Kiwanis Kids, Builders Club, Key Club, Circle K, Aktion Club and Kiwanis clubs-comes together for a day of hands-on community service that is felt around the world. Project CUREís directors have twice spoken to KCOT to tell their power story on how surplus items from hospitals, clinics and medical supply outlets in the Valley are donated but have to be sorted for shipment.

TEMPE LEADERSHIP IS RECRUITING FOR NEW CLASS
Sharon Doyle on Thursday announced that Tempe Leadership will hold its annual Leadership Recruitment Reception 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 23 at Heidiís Events and Catering, 2095 W. 15^th Street, Tempe. Recruits for Class 26 recruits are sought. Typically about 20 people are chosen for the nine-month program. Since 1985, more than 400 men and women - nearly 40 from KCOT - have graduated from the Tempe Leadership program. Each class consists of a diverse group of individuals from the business community, the City of Tempe, community volunteers and non-profit organizations. Tempe Leadership identifies emerging leaders and fosters leadership skills through education, experiences, exposure and service to the community in order to sustain qualified citizens, employees and leaders for the future of the Tempe community. It is a program that teaches participants about strengths, needs and challenges facing Tempe.

Ron Walters - Working his ëBucket Listí topped by enjoying all that is family joy
This is the 36^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

When Allison Walters sponsored her father, Ron Walters, into membership in November 2000, it was the first time KCOT had a daughter-and-father team in the Club. At the time, her father was her boss with Precept, a Tempe printing company, which he managed and had owned for 30 years as Freedom Print Management Co. Ron sold it in 1997 to Precept Business Management.

Born Aug. 7, 1943, in Steubenville, Ohio, he and Jan were married June 4, 1966. They had two children, Allison (1969), sales account manager in the construction labor industry, and Jason (1971), a motivational speaker.

The Walters moved to Tempe in 1973. Ron was involved with the Tempe YMCA Board and nurtured the growth of community soccer programs. While building the Tempe YMCA Soccer program to be the largest in the USA, Ron owned "The Arizona Soccer Camp" where he met Pele, the famous Brazilian soccer superstar. Ron and his family were even in a movie with Pele.

Ron is a one-time Rotarian and became a "Paul Harris Fellow," comparable to Kiwanisí George F. Hixson Award. In both, the "Fellow" title is conferred for gifts of $1,000 or more in their names.

Ron and Jan are regularly helping on KCOT projects as their schedules and travels allow. Ron has done volunteer church duties and has interests in politics, children, sports and community affairs.

Family comes first with Ron, and he says he is extremely proud of his daughter and son. Ron has three grandchildren, Alex and Bella with Allison and Emma with son Jason who is now living in San Diego and working with Lexus.

Ron was a leader in sales and management with three different Fortune 500 Companies prior to owning two successful companies, Total Forms Management and Freedom Print Management. Ron was very active in politics in Ohio prior to moving to Tempe. "Talk about strange bedfellows," he said. "I was Ohio campaign manager for President Richard Nixon and my two favorite presidents were JFK whom he once met and Ronald Reagan!"

Ron lost an election in Ohio by 13 votes and picked up seven votes in a recount. That loss helped him become a successful businessman and move to Tempe where he is now is an Independent voter and, laughingly says, "supports all of our fellow Kiwanians." Ron and Jan love to travel. They have a large "Bucket List." A month in Italy for their 43rd anniversary was a highlight along with several trips to Hawaii, London, Liverpool and Mexico. With each new travel adventure, they add more destinations to their Bucket List.

"When I joined," he said. "I loved telling the story how Vinny Mirizio, president at that time, used to babysit Allison. Her election to president was a proud moment."

Ron, forever an entrepreneur, is now selling timeshares in San Diego and figuring out how to live in both of his favorite cities -- Tempe and Pacific Beach.

Los Angeles Angels donate team-signed ball to KCOT
The Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim, a Major League baseball team (formerly known as the California Angels), has informed Penny Pease that in lieu of providing a speaker for KCOT, will send a signed 2010 team ball to be auctioned off.

The Angels do their spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium. KCOT has a annual tradition of supporting the Angels with a Kiwanis group outing organized by Angels fan, Linda Spears. The team is managed by Mike Scioscia and includes star players such a Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera. The Angels, founded in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels, had a very successful year in 2009, winning the Western Division championship, but sadly losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. 2010 promises to be a fantastic.

Spring training begins March 4 and extends through the month of March.

The Tennessee Hard-Thrower, Ralph Lingerfelt
When ASU interim baseball coach Tim Esmay spoke Thursday, he donated an Devils cap and a baseball, signed by all the players on the roster, to be auctioned. Judy Aldrich bought it for $25 and immediately gave it to Ralph Lingerfelt who has been a Devils baseball fan since he came to ASU as a student in 1947 from his native Tennessee. In high school, Ralph had a .410 batting average as a centerfielder and spent two months in a Brooklyn Dodgers camp. Joining Ralph was Armando Flores, director of operations and community affairs.

LETíS TALK TEMPE:
The month of Januaryís "Letís Talk Tempe" moves from the Pyle Center to ASU Memorial Union. And it wonít be at 7 a.m. It will be 10 a.m. Tuesday Jan. 26 in the Ventana Ballroom, second floor. Mayor Hugh Hallman and the city council will host a discussion on the "2010 U.S. Census and Its Impact on Tempe." Speaking to the Mayor will be Ed Valenzuela and Don Cassano, Tempe Complete Count Committee Co-Chairs. They will be joined by Al Nieto, local census officer manager. It will be followed by a discussion on student involvement in the community: Brendan OíKelly and Rudi OíKeefe-Zelman, undergraduate student government leaders at ASU. Parking is available in Structure 1 and Structure 4.

KIWANIS AT 95:
Thursday marked the precise 95^th anniversary of the founding of Kiwanis International. There was no official observance at the meeting as previously advertised. Congratulations to our service organization that has had a presence in Tempe for 58 of those years.

MID-WINTER CONFERENCE WELL-REPRESENTED:
The Southwest Districtís Mid-Winter Conference the past Friday and Saturday was a valuable experience for our Clubsí representatives - President Corey Wood, Secretary Cheryl Hornyan and Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths. Div. 10 was represented by our Ahwatukee, Casa Grande, Mesa Dobson Ranch, Friendship Village, Tempe Nuevo and Tempe clubs - six of the nine clubs Nuevoís secretary Lon Lawrenz, the Districtís Human and Spiritual Values chairman, had the whole room in rapt attention as the keynote speaker for the Saturday breakfast. His motivational speech was a powerful message on positive attitude and being a "can" and not a "cannot" person. Lawn Griffiths gave the invocation.

During the Saturday luncheon, awards were handed out. Four of our Clubs were recognized with patches for 2008-2009 achievements:

• Interclub Inner Circle: Friendship Village; Mesa-Dobson Ranch; Sun Lakes; Tempe (KCOT); and Tempe Nuevo - Inner and Middle.
• Five-Star Award (For members getting to five major events): Friendship Village; and Tempe Nuevo.
• Distinguished Club Award (making president and secretaries "distinguished" officers as well): Friendship Village and Mesa-Dobson Ranch.

CLUBS ARE BEING OFFERED HELP TO GROW
Did you know our Division 10 clubs of the Southwest Distict is the second largest, by membership, of the 18 divisions. At the start of the administrative year, we had 316 members. Div. 11, which includes Carefree (258 members) which is the 4^th largest club in Kiwanis International, had 525 members - the largest division in our district. KCOT current stands at 73 members, second behind Friendship Village.

As of Dec. 31, Division 10 had two fewer members, or 314, compared to Oct. 1. Div. 11 (north Valley), which has gained 22 members, is up to 547. Meanwhile, Division 11 has gained five members and is only two members behind Div. 10. Across the district, there have been a loss 49 members overall (3,568 to 3,519).

The District has launched a host of new initiatives to get us growing - with a goal to get up back to 4,000 members. Club members are urged to "close the deal" on those people who have been on "potential members" list and bring them in. Secondly, the District has set up a team of outstanding Kiwanians, led by Harry Shapiro and Jim Courtright, who are ready to consult with district clubs that need help, ideas, counsel and an ear. They will be doing that in the months leading up to February. At the Board of Directors meeting on Sunday morning, I presented a three-page analysis of our Clubs that will help them determine where to put their focus and time.

Third, the District has declared February to May as a time for a New Member Drive where clubs are asked to be intentional in stepping up all its efforts to bring new members into Clubs, as well as work at retention. The month May itself is Kiwanisí "Membership Month."

The Valley will be host to a Kiwanis "Club Excellence Summit" in a Saturday in May, and we hope KCOT can send MAD Committee and other Club leaders.

Also informally called "The Growth Road Show," it will last about 3 ‡ hours. Very do-able. It is one of four scheduled across the Southwest District. We want to get together as many as 200 Club leaders from our area clubs, including Membership chairmen, to focus on means and strategies and best practices to recruit new Kiwanians. They will bring the latest methods and ideas to grow our Clubs. A site for it is being found by CK Liu.

-- Lawn Griffiths, Lt. Governor

Nick Miner, a Harley rider, realty broker, is about to become a father
This is 35^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Commercial real estate broker Nicholas "Nick" Miner joined KCOT in January 2008 and was sponsored by Mike Jennings and Robert Kizere, classmates of Nickís in Tempe Leadership 23.

He is with Eagle Commercial in Phoenix, where he has worked for about 4 ‡ years. He helps "businesses and investors buy and sell commercial property." Nick has been doing it for more than a decade.

Born Feb. 23, 1978, in Wichita, Kan., he went on to earn a bachelorís of science degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. There he specialized in accounting, real estate, land use and economics. Nick moved to the Valley from Omaha in October 2001. He is a member of the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) Institute in Chicago, where he has been on the board of directors. He is also a member of Central Arizona CCIM.

He and Tiffany were married Jan. 20, 2007. They were expecting their first child, a son, who is expected around Feb. 17, 2010. His name is Jacob. They have golden retrievers.

Besides Tempe Leadership and KCOT, Nick has been a board member of Newtown Community Development Corporation. He also serves on the Tempe Community Council. He was co-chair of the 2009 KCOT Easter Egg Hunt. He ran in the 2005 P.F. Chang Rock ëní Roll Marathon, as well as half-marathons. His hobbies are riding his Harley-Davidson, hanging out with family and friends, working out at the gym and running.

Nickís favorite KCOT moments have been the Easter egg hunt, working on Tempe Cares projects and being there every Thursday for Kiwanis.

ANTHEM CLUB IS CHARTERED
Congratulations to Chung-Kai "C.K." Liu, Div. 11 lieutenant governor, on his helping lead to the organizing a new Kiwanis Club in Anthem: The Anthem Young Professional Kiwanis Club . The Charter Night and Inducting of 33 members took place Wednesday night, Jan. 13, at an Anthem country club. Southwest District Governor Ron Smith and Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson led the ceremonies. CKís Downtown Scottsdale Young Professionals Club was one of the sponsors. Div. 10 Lt. Governor Lawn Griffiths attended the dinner.

OFF TO MID-WINTER CONFERENCE:
Three KCOT members were headed Friday to the Southwest District Midwinter Conference at the Prescott Resort and Conference Center in Prescott. Main activities are Saturday, with a District Board meeting Sunday morning. Going are KCOT President Corey Woods, Secretary Cheryl Hornyan and Div. 10 Lt Governor Lawn Griffiths.

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL TURNS 95
Be on hand next Thursday, Jan. 21, when Kiwanis International celebrates its precise 95^th birthday. President Corey Woods is planning to lead the event with a special cake for dessert.

On Jan. 21, 1915, the Kiwanis Charter was signed and recorded by the Secretary of State of Michigan, making it the official birthday of Kiwanis. The names of 60 recruits were obtained for the chartering group for the first Kiwanis Club, led by Allen Browne.

FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE MARKING THREE MILESTONES:
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village is holding a "95/30/29" Celebration. At its 11:30 a.m. meeting, it will celebrate Kiwanisí 95^th birthday, Friendship Village Retirement Centerís 30^th birthday and its Kiwanis Clubís 29^th birthday (Nov. 6, 1980). One of their special guests will be KCOTís own Dr. Roger Boylan, who was the Villageís visiting physician in the first years. The Clubís president, David Nye, will lead the event.

BABY MINER GUESSING CONTEST:
Looks like the members who want to guess when Tiffany Miner will deliver young Jacob Miner are largely done guessing. We have plateaued at $123 and will give it a rest for several weeks. Guesses are $3 each or $5 for two guesses, with the pot split between he winner and Jacobís college fund. Tiffany and Nick expect his arrival on or about Feb. 17. On Thursday, Nick said that Tiffany would just as well deliver now.

TEMPE DIVERSITY AWARDS
As part of the annual Martin Luther King Civil Rights Day, Tempe Human Relations Commission will host its annual Diversity Awards at a brunch at The Buttes Resort at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18. The free event is limited to 5,000 guests, but all seats have been taken. KCOTís own Neil Giuliano, former Tempe mayor and former GLAAD director, will give the keynote address.

Erudite Chris Rosner is mortgage/realty expert, children behaviorist on the side
This is 34^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members

Christopher A. "Chris" Rosner is a man of many dimensions - all distinct, all fascinating. With a man-for-all-seasons character, Chris is a methods leader, an insightful commentator on fatherhood, an erudite reader, a mortgage broker, a steady force in the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.

He was the Clubís president in 2004-2005. He was a patient and steady leader of five 4^th of July Fireworks Shows 1997 through 2001. His last was the final two-day celebration at Tempe Town Lake and was the 50^th anniversary show.

The mortgage broker for Renaissance Lending Group LLC has been married to Kim, an attorney, since Jan. 3, 1986. They have three children, Sheridan, Alex and Spenser.

Sheridan attends Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix and is a member of the crew team. Alex attends Brophy College Preparatory and is a member of the football and lacrosse teams. Spenser attends Chandler Prep and loves cheerleading and tumbling.

The Rosner had lived two blocks east of Corona del Sol High School for more than 18 years.

Born March 7, 1963, in Peoria, Ill., his family moved from Indiana to Arizona in 1969. Chris graduated from McClintock High School in 1981. He studied a year at the University of San Diego and transferred to Arizona State. He graduated from there in 1985 with a degree in finance. He earned his master of business administration from there in 1991. He has been working in marketing, realty and mortgages since that time.

He joined KCOT in 1992 and in 2003, when the vice president announced he would not continue in the three-seat progression to president, Chris ran for president-elect and had just one year to prepare to be the 56^th president, starting in 2004. He is the 2009 recipient of the Clubís highest honor, the George F. Hixson Fellow Award.

For years, Chris has been a programs co-chairman, working with Joe Schmoker, and now Penny Pease, to recruit and schedule speakers for the weekly luncheons.

He once mentored a Little Brother in the Valley Big Brother program and watched him evolve into a purposeful young man. "Ben Waggener is now married to Shawna (now pregnant) and is attending ASU to become a nurse," Chris reports. "They have a 1-year-old daughter, Teagan. Benís family and his mother, Marta, are full involved in our family. I feel somewhat like a grandfather to Teagan."

Chris has coached football for son Alexís team and has kept the Club apprised of the antics and sociology of adolescent boys.

Chrisí interests are reading, travel and fitness.

A graduate of Tempe Leadership, Chris has often shared his passion for books, great thinkers and historyís great masters. He once listed 18 roles models that included St. Thomas Aquinas, Abraham Lincoln, St. Ignatius, Thomas Jefferson and Winston Churchill. Chrisí favorite authors are Victor Hugo, Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens.

Part of his personal statement reads, "I may not reach all my goals, but I try to live a balanced life, balancing my family, physical fitness endeavors, intellectual pursuits and professional life. I try to pursue the virtues of honesty, objectivity, justice and integrity while maintaining a compassionate outlook..."

Chris serves on the Tempe Sister Cities and Tempe Industrial Bond Authority boards. He will soon be on the Options Board, related to a new school on Southern Avenue in Tempe. Besides Kiwanis, he has been on the boards of Centers for Habilitation, Tempe Leadership, Tempe YMCA and South East Valley Football.

Chrisí favorite moments with KCOT have been the weekly lunches and the transition of the fireworks from Tempe Diablo Stadium to Tempe Town Lake during his leadership tenure. "My children have fond memories of working at the fireworks show, the parade and Oktoberfest events," Chris said.

When adults acted like bubbly kids buying white elephant items
Ripping Christmas wrap, shrieks of oooo! And wow! And so went Thursdayís KCOT meeting when all the seriousness was put aside and grownups acted like kids for the traditional KCOT White Elephant Sale that typically comes on the first meeting after Christmas. Members brought their holiday "returns" to Kiwanis - wrapped and unwrapped - for President and Auctioneer Corey Woods to peddle to the highest bidders.

In all, 20 packages showed up on the front table. Rather than a speaker, the program was a nicely paced auction where the bidders who became buyers took time to open their wrapped gifts for the entertainment of the members and guests. A few overbid for mystery packages. Some got bargains.

In the end, the exercise put $165 into the Club treasury. It ended up being the lowest total in white elephant sales since 2002. (It should be noted that the international queen of shopping, Linda Spears, was not on hand Thursday.) Here is what recent post-Christmas auctions have brought in the past: 2009 ($183); 2008 ($220); 2007 ($289); 2006 ($374); 2005 ($214.50); 2004 ($177); 2003 ($242); 2002 ($134); 2001 ($152); 2000 ($122.50); and 1999 ($68.50).

On Thursday, these were the successful buyers: Bob Polley, large box of Christmas chocolates ($7); Judy Aldirch, Santa salt/pepper set, ($6); Linda Wegener, plant watering kit ($10); Kathy Stevens, complete brownies mix in a jar from Debbie Sands ($5); Joel Navarro, cup with horizontal hole ($5); Kerry Fetherston, Puerto Rico T-shirt donated by Neil Giuliano ($3); Kerry Fetherston, 24 percent lead crystal glass sleigh to hold wine bottle ($7); Neil Giuliano, mystery bag (chocolates), ($5); Bob Polley, bath lotions/soap set, ($6); Lawn Griffiths, electric golf putting system ($10); Mike Jennings, Elvis Presley musical thingamajig, ($10); Jayne Lewis, candy milk chocolates ($8); Beth Fiorenza, green box, (item not recorded), $6; Lawn Griffiths, sleek glass carafe, $10; Neil Giuliano, Merry Christmas pillow ($6); Sharon Kausal, Santa coasters, ($8); Ralph Lingerfelt, hot chocolate late night kit, ($10); Allison Walters, straw deer and ceramic Christmas tree, ($7); Mac Bohlman, stick doll chair set, $7; Tom Sands, a Zen garden kit ($7); Kathy Stevens, silver hot/cold cup ($7); Judy Aldrich, lighted snowman in fanciest, evocative wrapping ($13).

Three headed to KCOT Mid-Winter Conference
KCOT President Corey Woods, Secretary Cheryl Hornyan and Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths will be attending the Kiwanis Southwest District Midwinter Conference next weekend Jan. 15-17 at the Prescott Resort Conference Center and Casino in Prescott. There will be 25 workshops offered across five hours, the traditional banquet and a Sunday morning SW District board meeting.

KIWANIS AT 95:
When KCOT meets on Thursday, Jan. 21, it will be gathering on the 95^th birthday of Kiwanis International. Our service organization was founded Jan. 21, 1915, in Detroit, Mich. Maybe our Club can pay special note of it that day.

NEW KIWANIS CLUB FOR ANTHEM:
Congratulations to our friend Chung-Kai "CK" Liu of the Downtown Scottsdale Young Professionals Club and Division 11 lieutenant governor, along with SW District Gov. Ron Smith, and others in their work to develop the new Anthem Young Professionals Kiwanis Club. Their induction dinner will be next Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Anthem Golf and Country Clubís Ironwood Clubhouse, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Div. 10 Lt. Governor Lawn Griffiths will represent the division.

Work continues for starting the Kiwanis Club of Papago in north Tempe, south Scottsdale and east Phoenix. A meet-and-greet is 8:15 a.m. this Saturday (Jan. 9) at the Hampton Inn, 1429 N. Scottsdale Road. KCOT and Tempe Nuevo are the two clubs co-sponsoring the effort. So far there are 13 paid up new members and a half dozen strong prospects. Twenty-five are needed to charter.

ITALIAN DINNER:
The Scottsdale-McCormick Kiwanis Club is promoting a fund-raiser, an Italian dinner "a New York bistro with the best of Italian food" 4-7 p.m. Jan. 17. Tickets are $35 . Raffle tickets for gift baskets; $25 per ticket for chance to win a 40-inch HD TV. Contact: Don Nordlund, (480) 946-8026 or dnordlund@cox.net.

Beth Fiorenza leads key Tempe agency for help as TCAA executive director
This is the 33rd in a series of profiles on KCOT members.

Beth Fiorenza is one of Tempeís key leaders in ensuring the ever-important "safety net" stretches across the community. She holds the strategic position of executive director of Tempe Community Action Agency, the historic "Community Action Program (CAP) that was created out of the 1960s War on Povertyís federal legislation to help alleviate want in America.

Beth oversees a staff that runs a series of programs and outreaches, including nutrition programs, food boxes for the needy and homeless, senior meals and socialization programs, immunization clinics, health fairs and more. Over the decades, KCOT has supported many TCAA efforts, through back-to-school drives, adopt-a-family, Toy Shoppe, and grants from 4^th of July funds.

Born on a Sept. 16 in Marlton, N.J, Beth earned a bachelorís degree in political science in 1993 and a master of public administration in 1997, both from Arizona State University. She spent a month living with a family in Spain. At one time she lived in Tempeís Hayden Square. She went to work in early 1998 at Tempe Community Council as a management assistant. For years, she worked with Tempeís non-profits, including being the TCC professional in the cityís meticulous "agency review" process. TCAA was one agency whose operations she tracked long before the executive position opened up for her in August 2004.

She moved to the Valley in 1990 from New Jersey. She and Ivan Araktingi were married in 2000, and they have a son, Luke, born Nov. 13, 2008.

Beth joined the Kiwanis Club of Tempe in 1998. She served on the KCOT board 2000-2002; was Club treasurer, 2002-2003; was vice president, 2005-2006; and president-elect 2006-2007. Because of professional and family demands, she had to relinquish her near-ascendancy to presidency of the Club, and Mark Richwine moved up to the role in 2007.

Beth was Kiwanian of the Year in 2001.

She has been involved in the Fantasy of Lights Parade, Halloween Carnival, food drives, holiday service projects and the KCOT house for Tempe Cares.

Beth was a member of Class XVI of Tempe Leadership and later was president of the Tempe Leadership Board. She served on the City of Tempe Transportation Commission. In addition, she has served on the board of the Arizona Community Action Association to strategize ways to alleviate poverty throughout the state.

Her hobbies are horses, hiking, skiing, fishing and family. Among her favorite moments with KCOT were working with Tempe Music Festival with Chung-Kai "CK" Liu selling Coke, and "not many people were drinking Coke that night." Other favorites were going to New Orleans with Shana Ellis for a Kiwanis convention. "Letís not say it was one of the best trips," she notes. Another highlight was working until 2 a.m. in the finance tent, counting money after a 4^th of July fireworks show.

BILL REGNER RUNNING FOR CLARKSDALE COUNCIL:
He calls Clarksdale "the best kept secret in the Upper Verde Valley" and now Past KCOT President Bill Regner wants to serve on its City Council. Founded in 1912, Clarksdale thrived as copper mining town until the smelter shut down in 1953. Bill writes, "Shortly after moving here in July of 2007, I was asked to apply for a seat on the Planning Commission. I am currently the vice-chairman. As part of the General Plan update process, I have participated in some of the focus groups on various aspects of how we plan for the next ten years. I also sit on the Greater Verde Valley Chapter of the Yavapai College Foundation Board. Yavapai College has a campus in Clarkdale that sits on the border we share with Cottonwood.

"My participation on the Planning Commission led to some encouragement to run for an open seat on the Town Council. The primary election will be on March 9^th. There are three candidates running for two positions. It is a four-year term. The issues we face are common to most cities in towns in Arizona today. The state legislature is attempting to balance its budget by passing over the responsibility to the local communities the tab for services that previously were paid for by state shared revenues. Clarkdale has some very bright leaders who saw a lot of this coming and began to scale down a couple years ago. It is still a very challenging proposition that will get worse before it gets better."

BABY MINER GUESSING CONTEST:
With roughly six weeks before the doctor forecast birth of Jacob Miner (Feb. 17), the guessing continues. The list was passed around Thursday and some new guesses were entered. The fund is up $123, with half the final total going to Jacobís college fund and the other to the guesser closest to the time, before or after.

Santa gets mail
On Saturday, Dec. 12, at Tempe Beach Park, hundreds of children dropped by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe tables where they found paper, craft items, special pens, stickers, ribbons and all the trappings to write letters to Santa Claus and decorate them in creative ways. They could then put their letters into a big sack to send to the North Pole.

On Thursday, Kiwanians arrived at Shalimar to see the tables decorated with many of those attractive letters. Linda Spears organized the 7-hour activity Saturday as part of the APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade on Tempe Town Lake and the 10^th anniversary celebration of Town Lake. Linda said the letters the kids wrote ranged from just saying "Hi, Santa" on paper to some thoughtful comments. One heartwarming card said, "I hope everyone else will have a very good Christmas."

Thanks to Linda and her famous minions for carrying this service project out and joining other Tempe organizations in Beach Park. (Nice turnout of the community where restaurants baked special creative 10^th anniversary cakes that were judged by City Councilmen and others, with the public allowed to eat them for a donation).

Forty-one hours of service were tallied by 10 volunteers: Mike Cryer, 4; Jamie Bogash, 3; Kerry Fetherston, 7; Linda Spears, 7; Shana Ellis, 7; Chad Gammage, 3; Lawn Griffiths, 3; Beth Fiorenza, 3; Cheryl Hornyan, 3; and Allison Walters, 1. And happy birthday to Town Lake - a gem that the likes of KCOT members like Neil Giuliano, Joseph Lewis, Linda Spears, Tom Sands and others had some role in bring to fruition.

Santas Jim and Judy deliver:
On Thursday, Drs. Jim Yount and Judy Aldrich put on their Santa hats and delivered the items, purchased by KCOT members, to a man and his teenage sister who were enrolled in Homeward Bound. During recent weeks, Kiwanians had taken tags off a small Christmas tree that Judy had put up and purchased the requested items. Judy said they were "very practical things" that were needed and purchased.

READ TO EXCEED PROGRAM REINVENTING:
Past President Mike Cryer spoke Thursday and noted the KCOT Board had decided to discontinue the Read to Exceed Project over the cost of the purchase of books to give each child in Head Start during each visit at our three sites. However, because he and a core group of KCOT members who want the project to continue (without book giveaways), volunteers will regroup after the first the year and plan to read to the children regularly, with KCOT hopefully willing to purchase a single book for each reading. Mike, Penny Pease, Sharon Kausal, Lawn Griffiths and several others will seek to continue Read to Exceed under the aegis of KCOT. If others want to take part, let any of them know.

Bill Harvey is as tough as his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the 32nd in a series on profiles of KCOT members
William R. "Bill" Harvey probably set the record for regularly driving the farthest each week to KCOT meetings.

In 2005, he and Nancy sold their home in the Pepperwood Town Home neighborhood in central Tempe and moved to Surprise to be near Nancyís daughter and grandchildren.

Bill faithfully drove weekly to Kiwanis meetings - 43 miles one way in about 52 minutes on a good day. Often he made the trip in his zippy convertible. Those trips ended in March 2009 when he suffered mini-strokes and could no longer regularly drive on his own. He became dependent on Nancy for getting around, and they still get to KCOT from time to time.

Bill joined KCOT in December 1996 and was sponsored by Dave Wochner. He was inducted the same day as Vinny Mirizio and Honorary Kiwanian Florence Shook. Bill had already been president of a Kiwanis Club -- The Kiwanis Club of Connellsville, Pa. in 1982-83. He loved to manage the food booth at the Fayette County Fair, the clubís major money-maker.

He was born April 3, 1932, in Dunbar, Pa., a town 45 miles southeast Pittsburgh - the source of his shameless passion for the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers. He graduated form Dunbar High School in 1949. He worked at Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. from 1951 to 1984, except for two years during the Korean Conflict, when he was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., with the U.S. Army. In 1954, Bill was in an honor guard for a visit to Fort Knox by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Bill retired from Anchor Hocking in 1984. That year, he and his first wife, Betty, moved to Tempe. Betty passed away in 1992. Later Bill met Nancy, president of the Pepperwood Townhouse Association. They were married Sept. 3, 1994. Together, they have had nine children and 12 grandchildren. He worked until 1994 as a security officer for ITT Courier (Alcatel). Bill worked in loss prevention for Incredible Universe, 1994-96.

From 1996 to 2004, Bill held the job of bus driver for Tempe Elementary School District No. 3. He famously paid happy dollars regularly to tell the stories of his beloved Bus No. 30. His anecdotes, adventures with children, mechanical breakdowns and surprises were regular fodder for Kiwanis stories. Eventually the bus got too old and had to be replaced, but the next bus he got was still No. 30 in his heart. Early release at his schools often meant Bill having to depart Kiwanis meetings early.

Bill was also affiliated with the Connellsville and Tempe Elks Clubs plus the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies are sports. He once got to meet Pirates Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. His favorite KCOT memories have been the corn roasts, the fireworks show and beer sales during the Mill Avenue Merchants Association.

These days, Bill is lamenting how his Steelers have faltered this season after making him so proud last February.

Kiwanis helps Tempe Town Lake mark 10^th anniversary - KCOT Help kids Write Letters To S.C.
Linda Spears announced Thursday that Kiwanis Club of Tempe would have a strong presence at the 10^th Anniversary Birthday Party of Tempe Town Lake at Tempe Beach Park this Saturday, Dec. 12. The "Tempe Town Lake Turns 10" celebration begin at 2 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. with the parade finishing out the day. As many as 50 boats will be decked out in colorful lights as part of the annual APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade on the Lake.

Kiwanis Club of Tempe was putting up a display showcasing our work related to the 4^th of July Fireworks show from 3 to 7 p.m. Our banner would be displayed and KCOT members would have tables where children could write letters to Santa Claus. We thank the volunteers, working two shifts 3-5 and 5-7 and will acknowledge them next week.

KCOT is also raffling off a diamond necklace donated by Linda Spears. Chances are $5 for one raffle ticket of five for $20. We encourage Kiwanians to come down to the event that may expect 60,000 people. See the Republicís story about it: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/holiday1/articles/2009/12/03/20091203apsboatparade.html.

A dozen member ring bells for Tempe Salvation Army
We thank 12 members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe who took turns last Saturday, Dec. 5, in a service project ringing bells for the Tempe Salvation Army red kettle outside of the Frys store. Captain Robyn Bridgeo reports that when the kettle receipts were added up, there was $324.13 collected. It will go to help needy families in the community. Bell-ringer volunteers worked in this order: Joe Schmoker, Nick Miner, Ralph Packer, Cheryl Hornyan, Kathy Stevens, Lawn Griffiths, Pat Hatton, Dick Neuheisel, Carol Balk, Linda Spears, Shana Ellis and Kerry Fetherston.

Call for toys and gifts for Homeward Bound, TCAA families

Judy Aldrich thanked Kiwanians who have been taking tags from the mini-Christmas tree at the back of the room and purchasing items for the man and his teenage sister who are getting back onto their feet with Homeward Bound. Items have been practical and going directly to living needs. All items listed on the tags needed to be returned no later than Thursday, Dec. 17, (unwrapped) so that Judy Aldrich and Dr. Jim "Santa Claus" Yount can get them to the family.

Judy also reminded Kiwanians anew that they are asked to purchase new toys for the Tempe Community Agency Agencyís Toy Shoppe in which a wide range of toys simple to elaborate are laid out in a "store" and needy parents can come and purchase the toys inexpensively. They may choose a certain number of toys in a range of groupings. Those unwrapped toys are needed by next Thursday. Beth Fiorenza, executive directory of TCAA and KCOT member, is coordinating it.

Ed Ableser serves Tempe in the Arizona House of Representatives
This is the 31st in a series of profiles of KCOT members.
Whether heís "Ed," "Eddie" or Representative Ableser,hereís a man whose intellect and skills to articulate have taken him far, always belying his boyish looks.

Much has happened to Ed since he joined KCOT in June 2004 at age 26, sponsored by Tom Bourdo. He would often quote the late KCOT member Carol Valentine for believing in him and nurturing his political courage and dreams. He began campaigning in August 2003 for a House seat but lost that race in November 2004.

Fast forward to March 29, 2006, when the Republican-dominated Maricopa County Board of Supervisors chose him, 5-0, to serve out the remaining nine months of the Arizona District 17 Senate seat held by Harry Mitchell, who had declared his candidacy for Congress. "Iím obviously thrilled and honored to serve Harryís final months, but Iím also shocked," he would say. "Iím going to be a smart rookie and come in and understand that everybody around me knows a whole lot more than I do and watch and learn everything I can."

He would finish the Senate stint and then run for a House seat for a second time that November. Ed won handily. He was re-elected easily in 2008 to a second District 17 term. Ed has regularly shared legislative update and his observations and frustrations at being a minority Democrat.

The lanky guy has seemingly always been out of breath maneuvering between his obligations as a school behavioral health counselor to at-risk students in Phoenix schools, a lawmaker, a volunteer on Valley boards, a Kiwanian and now a husband.

He is currently a community-based licensed mental health counselor in the Laveen School District. Ed has been in the process of starting up his own counseling firm this year to reach the needs of Tempe's troubled youth community

The progressive Democrat created a buzz when it was announced he was marrying the daughter of a conservative United States Congressman from Nevadaís Second District. He and Hilary Heller were married July 11, 2009, in Lake Tahoe. Her father, Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., is in his second term in Congress.

Born March 16, 1978, in Los Angeles, Ed graduated from high school in Ann Arbor, Mich., and moved to Tempe in 1996 to study political science and Chinese at Arizona State University. He was a 1996 C-Span Scholar. Ed got his degree in 2000 and learned Chinese along the way. He earned his masterís degree in counseling from ASU in 2004. He would volunteer for refugee resettlement, was a homeless youth outreach coordinator, took part in Leadership 2000 at ASU and led diversity discussion groups through the Intergroup Relations Center at ASU. He was founder and president of a social activist group called Vanguard Front to educate the public on social issues. In 2005, he won the Kelly Maxwell ASU Graduate Student of the Year award.

His current doctoral program is the School of Justice and Social Inquiry. He has finished his course work and working on my dissertation and teaching two courses each semester on Justice Theories.

Ed has been a Tempe/ASU city affairs coordinator and was an assistant pastor of a church in Tempe. He was a City of Tempe Interfaith Council representative

He graduated from Tempe Leadership in 2005. At ASU, he taught courses in multicultural education and policy and in academic excellence. In January 2004, Ed earned a City of Tempe Diversity Award for his work with the homeless and impoverished communities, an effort called "Tunnel of Oppression." He has been working toward a doctorate in public administration and justice studies at ASU.

Ed served on the KCOT Board of Directors 2005 to 2007, as well as on the board of the Tempe Boys and Girls Club.

When Ed announced candidacy for public office for the first time, he said, "I am currently 25 years old, but will be turning 26 this March, so hopefully that makes me sound a little older than 25. However, I feel my age is, in no way, a hindrance. Many people want a young, energetic and passionate representative - especially not one tainted by special interests and/or big business."

Ed has served on: CIS (Community in Schools), Childsplay, Rio Salado College President's Advisory Council, and most recently the National Working Group of State Legislators on Energy and Climate Change.

"I served on Education, Government and Appropriations Committees when I was in the Senate. I served on Higher Education, Transportation and am the current Ranking Member of the Environment Committee. Currently I am still the Ranking member on that committee and I serve on the Health and Human Services Committee," he said.

BABY MINER GUESSING CONTEST
The contest to best guess when Jacob Miner will be born continues. After a month, we have $117 in the baby pool. Jacob, expectant son of Tiffany and Nick Miner, is officially due Feb. 17. Half of the final purse will go to his fund and the other to the winner coming closest either before or after the time. There are six guesses post on Feb. 17, with four on Feb. 16 and three the day after and most of them scattered further out.

INSIGHT BOWL FUND-RAISER FOR TEMPE DIABLOS
Rich Antonio of the Tempe Diablos and husband of KCOT member Shana Ellis was on hand Thursday to promote the packages offered for the Dec. 31 Insight Bowl on Thursday night Dec. 31 at Sun Devil Stadium. It pits the Iowa State Cyclones vs. Minnesota Golden Golphers. Proceeds benefit Tempe Diablos Charities, 1923 E. Drake Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283.

Package 1: Four lower-level tickets (section 12) , plus one parking pass and four tickets to the Diablos Pregame tailgate party. Cost: $318.

Package 2: Six tickets in lower level (section 32), two parking passes; and six admissions to the Diablos Pregame Tailgate Party/

The packages include open bar at the tailgate and a catered meal. Game is 4 p.m. Dec. 31. For tickets, call Rich (602) 859-3833 or richard.antonio@us.issworld.com.

GAME TICKETS AUCTIONED:
Thanks to Dave Tillson, vice president of the Renaissance Industries and president of the Fiesta Bowl Committee, who spoke to Kiwanis Thursday about both the Fiesta and Insight Bowl games and for his donation of two Insight Bowl game packages with parking passes and Block Party tickets. The packages were put up for auction. The first one sold for Linda Wegener for $60. The second package was sold to Bill Wagner for $70. Combined the donation and almost a $400 value.

ARIZONA NUGGETS BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR GIFTS:
KCOT Treasurer Bill Wagner announced that that he had gotten a resupply of the book, "Arizona Nuggets" by Dean Smith, who lives at Friendship Village and who has made the book available to Kiwanis as a fund-raiser. Bill said the books sell for $10, with KCOT getting part of it. Contact Bill for books, great holiday gifts.

WHAT A PARADE! No Fantasy. A real parade for the ages
KCOT and Downtown Tempe Community delivered to the folks along Mill Avenue a fabulous parade on Friday night, Nov. 27. Congratulations to Russ Plieseis and his team for the logistics and coordination for the 15^th annual APS Fantasy of Lights Parade. We had more than 35 entries - each distinct and filled with folks happy to parade down the street, give out candy and waves.

Thanks to those who drove the politicians in convertibles, to the parade marshals who worked with groups of entries and those given special assignments, including the nonperishable food collections.

The KCOT float, the redecorated Gingerbread House, came out of storage. Linda Spears headed up a crew that cleaned it up, replaced strings of lights and obtained bags and bags of candy to be tossed out. Thanks to Penny Pease for dropping off candy canes. The dazzling float got about 5 seconds of air time when ABC Sports showed highlights of the parade during its broadcast of the ASU/UA football game the next day. Thanks to Jim Yount, Lance Gray and Kerry Fetherston for doing the initial electrical wiring work and prepping the float. Here is the list of volunteers as we could compile it.

Thanks to those who brought family members: Judy Aldrich; Jamie Bogash and nephew Kyle - with Keegan on the float; Randy and Debra Caves, with kids; Mike Cryer; Mike DiDomenico; Sharon Doyle; Shana Ellis and son Kade, with daughter Amaya on the float; Kerry Fetherston; Beth Fiorenza; Pam Goronkin; Lance Gray; Lawn Griffiths; Mike Jennings; Sharon Kausal; Rob Kubasko, with Morgan on the float; Joseph Lewis, accomapanied by daughter Ari, with son Josh on the float; Mark Mitchell - daughtgers Allison & Sophia, on the float; Ralph Packer; Russ Plieseis; Bob Polley; Mark Richwine; Curt and Linda Ritland; Linda Spears, with sister Rita Spears; Kathy Stevens; Dave and Melinda Wochner and kids; Corey Woods and Dr. Jim Yount. Chung-Kai "CK" Liu of Downtown Scottsdale Young Professional Club and Div. 11 lieutenant governor, was on hand. We thank these Kiwanians whose kids or grandkids rode the float: Dave Wochner, Curt Ritland, Shana Ellis, Randy Caves, Jamie Bogash and Joseph Lewis. Let us know if we missed anyone.

Boys and Girls Club families treated to sumptuous turkey feast
Congratulations to our own Judy Aldrich, who is president of the board of the Ladmo Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley. She commandeered a fantastic annual "Turkey Feed" for the kids and their families of the Club on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

It has annually become a well-oiled event with KCOT members the major team of volunteers serving the meal. Judy said Thursday that 375 to 400 were served in the gym at the Club. The Stockyards prepared the meal, and it was served from the kitchen in the Westside Multigenerational Center that hosts the Boys and Girls Club.

Judy took a moment Thursday to call Sharon Doyle forward and she presented a framed award to Sharon: "The Blue, Black and Red Knees Award" for sacrificing her body delivering food to tables. Seems Sharon was dutifully delivering desserts to tables, when she slipped on the floors protective covering and went down. Besides her pride, the only other loss was some whipped-cream capped pieces of pumpkin pie.

We acknowledge these volunteers connected with Kiwanis: Judy Aldrich; Sharon & Dick Kausal; Mike Cryer; Lawn Griffiths; Linda Spears; Tracy Scott; Kerry Fetherston; Shana Ellis, with son Kade; Linda Wegener; Dave Wochner; Mark Richwine; Sharon Doyle with Steve Rich; Emma Bordner; Mike Jennings; Rod Johnson; Jessica Wegener; Curt & Linda Ritland; and Chung-Kai "CK" Liu. Thanks to these folks who donated food and paper/plastic products: Pat Hatton, Pam Goronkin, Penny Peae, Beth Fiorenza, Mike Cryer, Kerry Fetherston, Shana Ellis, Sharon Kausal, Kathy Stevens, Sharon Doyle, Rod Johnson, Lawn Griffiths, and Judy Aldrich.

HOMEWARD BOUND:
Judy Aldrich thanked Kiwanians who had taken tags from a tree on Nov.19 and had already returned holiday gift items for this yearís Homeward Bound family, a 22-year-old man and his 15-year-old sister, who are from another country. More tags, listing needed items, were on the mini-tree Thursday. All items should be returned by Thursday, Dec. 17. Judy and Santa Jim Yount will deliver them.

TOY SHOPPE FOR TCAA: Kiwanians are being asked to purchase a new toy(s) for Tempe Community Action Agencyís annual Toy Shoppe, where we and other groups purchase toys for a mini-store where parents with low income can shop for their children. Bring them by next week -- unwrapped.

BABY MINER GUESSING:
KCOT members continued Thursday to getting into the Birth Date Guessing Pool for Jacob Miner, who is officially supposed to be born on Feb. 17. Guesses are $3 or two guesses for $5. Half of the final total goes to Jacobís college fund and the other half to the best guesser. So far, there have been 47 day/hour guesses for a total of $112. They are as early as Feb. 3 (Joe Schmoker) to as late as Feb. 25 (Mike Cryer). Thirteen are within a day of, or on, Feb. 17. Guessing continues until Jacob comes forth.

TOWN LAKE EVENT:
KCOT will have a booth at Tempe Town Lake on Saturday Dec. 12, when the City of Tempe will celebrate the Lakeís 10^th anniversary and hold the annual lighted boat parade. People are needed to set things up 2-3 p.m. Others are needed to help out at KCOTís information table and a place where kids can write letters to Santa. Kiwanians are needed to help them on that 3-5 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. There has also been a diamond necklace donated for a fund raiser: $5 a chance or five for $20.

Signs-up began Thursday and will continue next week or call Linda, (480) 966-6648.

SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGING: Thanks to these Kiwanians ringing Salvation Army bells for the kettle at Frys, Rural and Southern, this Saturday (Dec. 5): 9 a.m., Joe Schmoker; 10 a.m., Nick Miner; 11 a.m., Ralph Packer; noon, Cheryl Hornyan/Kathy Stevens; 1 p.m., Lawn Griffiths; 2 p.m., Pat Hatton/Dick Neuheisel; 3 p.m., Carol Balk; 4-6 p.m., Linda Spears, Shana Ellis and Kerry Fetherston.

Marcie Greenberg: Trailblazer, dragon race guru, who spent 25 years at SRP
This is the 30^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members

She forever will be connected to dragon boat races on Tempe Town Lake. For all the things that Marcie Greenberg has done in Tempe over the years, Kiwanians connect her with introducing the Club to the Dragon Boat races on the Lake. The founder and first president of the Arizona Dragon Boat Association (2003) stirred KCOT to field its own rowing team in the spring of 2004 for the first annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival.

On March 21, The Big Kahuna entry, with 25 paddlers from KCOT plus friends, finished third, missing by four seconds of winning the championship round. Roy Schiefferís drum-beating was credited for the good finish. She was thrilled to have 1,500 paddlers, 8,000 spectators and 100 entertainers for the first event. In 2005, the races earned the 7^th annual Tempe Diversity Award their inaugural year. Funds raised have benefited Valley students and children.

Marcie worked for Salt River Project for 25 years and retired in March 2009. She held many roles: senior permitting engineer and later principal engineer in the Fuels Department; principal permitting engineer in the environmental department; EIS project engineer for the Mohave Generating station. Her last role was manager for Business Account Managements and Commercial Customer Services. In 2004, she earned SRPís Karl Abel Award for Volunteerism.

Now she is consulting on a U.S. Agency for International Development project for the Central America Free Trade Act, which will ultimately produce Environmental Impact Statement guidelines for metals, non-metals and sand and gravel mines.

Born July 13, 1952, in Buffalo, N.Y., Marcie would live in Albuquerque, Tucson and Denver before coming to the Valley in February 1984 to go to work for SRP. She had earned a degree in 1976 from the University of Arizona in geosciences and a second UA degree in 1977 in geological engineering. Marcie was the first female to graduate in the geological engineering program in 40 years. In 1990, she earned a masterís degree in business administration (MBA) degree from ASU. She has graduate hours in hazardous waste management from ASU. Marcie was the first woman geologist that the Duval Compnay hired and one of the first two female mining engineers that Peabody Coal hired. Both are large international mining companies. "I was the second female professional that John T Boyd Co. (mining consultants) hired. I was the first woman president of the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, founded 98 years ago."

She and her husband, Tony Potucek, were married Nov. 4, 1979. They have three grown children, Rachel Potucek (1981), Chuck Potucek (1983) and Deborah Potucek (1985). Marcie is also a grandmother.

Her hobbies have been rowing, bicycling, hiking, golf, scuba diving, bird watching, quilting, dragon boat racing, international travel and volunteerism.

Marcie was a member of Tempe Leadership Class XVI and later served on the TL board, served on the SRP Credit Union Board, was a member of the Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission, was a member of the Society of Mining Engineers, board member of Temple Emanuel, and a member of the Asian Island Pacific Americans for Advancement.

She was volunteering on KCOT projects well before she joined.

Marcie was chair of the Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission for two years. She served on the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Board, where she also served as treasurer and vice president, along with work on many committees. "I'm really proud of being able to make Tempe a better place for residents and businesses," she said.

"I've considered myself a trailblazer for women in general," Marcie said. "It was accidental and really not by design. But, according to Rabbi Andrew Straus I was probably the first girl who, in fact, to read out of the Torah in a conservative Jewish sect in the U.S. He was stunned by my age when I told him I got to do that when I was 13." That took place in Albuquerque, N.M.

Marcie was one of three finalists from Tempe Chamber of Commerceís Business Woman of the Year. Her hobbies include hiking, biking, bird-watching, scuba, rowing, dragon boat racing, international travel, quilting and golf.

Fantasy of Parade instructions for volunteers are issued
The 15^th annual Arizona Public Service Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade will consume Mill Avenue on the night of Friday, Nov. 27. Founded by KCOT, through the leadership of Linda Spears, the parade has grown to be a festive spectacle of vehicle and walking units wrapped in a bazillion colorful lights. While Downtown Tempe Community now produces the parade, KCOT volunteers continue to handle logistics, organize the units in the parade, provide parade marshals and drivers.

The KCOT board has reversed itself and will have the gingerbread house float in the parade. Linda was signing up volunteers to be on hand at 4:30 p.m. parade day to help. Also if you have connection to children who would like to ride the float, let Linda know and have adults walking beside the parade entry.

Russ Plieseis again is leading the parade organization itslef

As of Wednesday, he had recruited six drivers of convertibles: Ralph Packer, Judy Aldrich, Mike Cryer, Sharon Kausal, Sharon Doyle and Linda Spears.

Drivers may pick up the cars as they have in the past and leave their cars at Earnhardt's the day of the parade as early as 9 A.M. from 7300 West Orchid Lane, Chandler. Drivers, you may wish to call ahead of time and inform Dustin what time your are picking up cars. Arrive at the staging area no later than 5:15 p.m. Return cars following the parade and you will then check back in with the security that evening at Earnhardt's to retrieve your personal cars.

As of Thursday, there were about 10 parade marshals lined up with a a few more needed. They are Lawn Griffiths, Kathy Stevens, Pam Goronkin, Mike Jennings, Jamie Bogash and nephew, Chung-Kai "CK" Liu; Linda and Rita Spears; and Mark Richwine (tentative).

Parade marshals are told arriving early can be a tremendous help. Check in at the staging area no later than 5:15 p.m. to receive instruction as to which parade units one is responsible for. Parade participants look to the marshals for reassurance and direction that evening. For first-time marshals, review the information in the DTC email with detailed explanation about the parade concerning line up and pacing.

There are four lots available for food collection, and we have the Boy Scouts manning all four lots, with Beth Fiorenza coordinating at the staging area to collect at the end of the evening. As of Wednesday, there were 37 parade units. As always, it is a very exciting night. Thanks for everyone's help. Russ Pleiseis, (602) 206-4547 (M)

The parade begins in the Hayden Square West Surface Parking Lot, where marshals will provide instructions for further staging.

Check-in for the parade is in the north end of the lot, which is on the southeast corner of 3rd Street and Ash Avenue. Enter the lot from Ash, between 3rd and 5^th Streets.

4:30 p.m. Assembly - All units and participants must be on-site, finished with all unit and costume preparation, and be ready for staging. Staging will be set up along Ash, going north on Ash to 3rd Street and will proceed with staging on 3rd Street, going East on 3rd Street to Mill Avenue.

6:30 p.m. -- Parade Step-Off Time The parade starts at 3rd Street and Mill Avenue, going South on Mill Avenue. At 7th Street, the parade turns west to Maple. At Maple, the parade goes north to 5th Street, which is the end of the parade route.

The disband route, at the end of the parade, goes from 5th and Maple back to the original staging area at Hayden Square West surface parking lot, making a complete circle.

Parade Pacing - The pace of the parade will be determined by the number of parade units and other factors designed to provide the maximum entertainment value to spectators on the street. Parade Marshals will set a slow stroll as the pace and will vary in speed as to parade conditions and events. NO UNITS MAY STOP TO PERFORM, as this causes large gaps in the flow of the parade. Parade Marshals - Each marshal is assigned to a set of several display units. Marshals can be identified as those wearing Kiwanis Club Shirts and/or orange safety vests. They will introduce themselves to each unit for which they are responsible. These marshals are your on-site contacts and will address individual needs and challenges for your group. They have full authority over the conduct of the parade. Parade Duration - The entire parade duration should be under one hour. (From step-off to disband). DO NOT disband until you have completed the route and returned to the disband area to check out.

Kerry Fetherston - Veteran community events planner will lead KCOT next year
This is the 29th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.

Kerry Fetherston, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, has spent much of her adulthood at weekend events. She is the guru of special events. She has fussed about weather, delivery of rental tables and canopies, settled exhibitors' disputes and weighed how much to spend for advertising and promotion.

Owner of Marathon Productions LLC, Kerry started it after leaving the Mill Avenue Merchants Association where she was the executive director. "I started doing a few projects for Select Artists, and before I knew it, I was completely consumed with SAA projects," she said. For a time she contracted exclusively, doing sports and entertainment productions.

Marathon focuses on special events, fund-raising and marketing.

It was Kerry who invited KCOT to handle the sales from a batch of beer trucks at the spring and fall arts festivals, netting some hefty funds for the Club's project fund.

She first joined KCOT in 1994 when she was Kerry Nolen, boss of MAMA (1994-96). She left the Club in December 1998. Kerry worked for the City of Phoenix Special Events and the Madison (Wis.) Convention Bureau.

Born July 27, 1961, in Yuma, Ariz., Kerry earned a B.S. degree in 1984 from Brigham Young University and a master's degree from Arizona State University in 1987, both in recreational administration.

Her family owns a cattle ranch in Nebraska. It is called "6-K," and is named for the six girls in Kerry's family. All their names begin with "K." There were no boys. She skied on a freestyle ski team in high school and later in college. Kerry has run in numerous marathons.

She met her husband Jack at the Phoenix Open with tickets given to her by KCOT member Mike DiDomenico. They were married Dec. 27, 1997. They have two grown sons, Jeremy, and Richard "Rit." They have four grandchildren. Kerry enjoys running, skiing, travel, lots of family activities and reading. She once met Jay Leno.

She rejoined the Club in the summer of 2001.

Kerry served on the KCOT Board of Directors 1995 to 1997, 2004-2006 and 2008 to present. Kerry has been on the July 4th sponsorship committee, Membership and Development Committee and Corn Roast Committee. She is in line to be KCOT president for 2010-2011 - the club's 62nd president.

She was a member of Tempe Leadership Class XI. She has been a member of the board of Arizona Senior Olympics and volunteered for the Area Agency on Aging. She has worked for the Tempe Family YMCA

Her favorite moments with KCOT have been the "happy dollar stories from Judy Todd, plus selling beer at community events and the 'frog dance" at corn roasts."

Interclub next Wednesday to Friendship Village
Dean Plainer and Karl Wochner will lead KCOT's traditional Thanksgiving Eve Interclub to the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village next Wednesday, Nov. 25. There were eight signed up as of Thursday. All should be there by 11:30 a.m. The bell will be run at 11:40. All participants will pay for their own meals. Signed up were Tom Sands, Lawn Griffiths, Dean Plainer, Karl Wochner, Linda Spears, Pam Goronkin, Ralph Lingerfelt, and Roger Boylan.

KCOT IS SERVING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB DINNER
Judy Aldrich told the Club Thursday that all seems ready for KCOT and other groups to serve the annual Thanksgiving family feast to families of the Ladmo Branch - Tempe Boys and Girls Club at the Westside Multigenerational Center. The Stockyards are cooking the meal. Judy said volunteers should be on hand by about 5:30 p.m. to serve. We have volunteers to clean-up and set-up. If you signed up for special items or foods, be sure to get those there on time.

HOMEWARD BOUND FAMILY
A mini-Christmas tree was set up Thursday at the back table. It had nifty tags listing items needed by the family needing help. Judy Aldrich said this year is a 22-year-old man and his 15 year-old sister They are ÈmigrÈs from another country with lots of challenges. Please take a tag in the coming weeks and get the items back by our Dec. 17 meeting.

TCAA's 5^th ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY SHOPPE
KCOT member Beth Fiorenza, executive director of Tempe Community Action Agency, invited Kiwanians Thurdays to again take part in TCAA's 5^th Annual Holiday Toy Shoppe, sponsored by IKEA of Tempe. Kiwanians are invited to purchase toys and leave them unwrapped. Bring them to Kiwanis to get to IKEA by Dec. 10-12. The toy store will be open Dec. 15-17 for families will limited income to shop for their children and take home the toys that the public donates. You can donate gift cards, wrapping paper and help as a volunteer. For more information, see Beth or called Monica Tegg, (480) 3 50-5879 or monicac@tempeaction.org.

BABY MINER BIRTH DATE GUESSING CONTEST CONTINUES
We passed around the sheets again Thursday for Kiwanians to guess when they think Nick and Tiffany Miner's son Jacob will be born. He is due Feb. 17, 2010. So far $97 has been collected, with half of the ultimate amount going to Jake's college fund and the other half to the person guessing closest tot the actual birth. One guess is $3 or two guesses for $5. So far 41 days/hour times have been chosen.

ORIENTATION COMPLETED
Pam Goronkin, on Thursday, reported that Joe Navarro had undergone his official orientation before the meeting. Now he just has to get to a KCOT board meeting to get his permanent pin. He will indicated which committees he will help. Meanwhile, Jayne Lewis has completed her orientation and has volunteered to take part in the Easter egg hunt, the Boys/Girls Club back-to-school shopping spree.

Tempe Salvation Army Kettle Bell Ringing
Kiwanians will take part in a service project on Saturday Dec. 5 when they take all the hour slots to ring bells for the holiday kettles of the Tempe Salvation Army. They will do it at the Fry's market, 3255 S. Rural Road (Southern and Rural). Volunteers and their times are: Joe Schmoker, 9 a.m.; Nick Miner, 10 a.m.; Ralph Packer, 11 a.m.; Cheryl Hornyan/Kathy Stevens, noon; Lawn Griffiths, 1 p.m.; Pam Goronkin, 2 p.m.; Carol Balk, 3 p.m.; and Linda Spears, Shana Ellis and Kerry Fetherston, 4 to 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Emma Bordner will volunteer with Lawn Griffiths and advisory board members of the Tempe Salvation Army at Fry's on Dec. 19.

INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE:
Tempe congregations will join together for the annual Community Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at 7 p.m. Nov. 25, with faith leaders from a dozen faith communities, taking part and a combined choir singing. It will be at 7 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church, 139 E. Alameda Drive. It is sponsored by TEAM - the Tempe Emergency Assistant Ministry.

Kiwanians help build Tempe playground
"KaBoom!" is a term the typical comes from our mouths to portend something ominous happening. But for some in Tempe, "KaBoom" will always remind us of a charity that knows the joy, exercise and wholesome fun of a childís playground. Some from KCOT took part in a great service project the past week in constructing a model kidsí playground on the new campus of the Tempe Salvation Army, 1619 S. Hardy Drive. The spacious playground, with state-of-art equipment and surprises, was the effort of more than $60,000 in charitable support by Mutual of Omaha Foundation and KaBoom! Valley Partnership donated a labyrinth of huge tires that were painted and set into the sand. KCOTís Bob Polley, with Mutual of Omaha, recruited Kiwanians. Besides him, there were Linda Spears, Judy Aldrich, Kerry Fetherston, Lance Gray, Lawn Griffiths and Emma Bordner. Lawn, who like Linda, is a Salvation Army board member, worked for nine hours on Tuesday sawing boards for benches and tables in preparation for Thursday. Several hundred volunteer came Thursday for the main work, much of it laying mulch for a safe surface around swings, slides and special features, and a lot of it putting equipment together or planning shrubbery. It is one of 7 playgrounds that Mutual of Omaha is doing this year in its "Great Places to Play Tour." Since April, theyíve been built in Omaha (two), Dallas, Denver, Omaha, St. Louis, Tampa and Tempe. The playground will be open to the neighborhood. Work was completed on Thursday to donate it. KaBoom! Has put nearly 1,600 playgrounds in communities across America.

Volunteers are still needed for Fantasy of Light Parade Nov. 27
Russ Plieseis announced today that he needs one more parade marshal and two more convertible drivers for the 15^th annual Arizona Public Service Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade on Mill Avenue on Friday night Nov. 27. The parade, presented now by Downtown Tempe Community with support by DTC< will begin about 6:30 p.m. and move through downtown. entries have to be ready to go at 5:30 p.m. or so.

As many as 45,000 people descend on Mill each year for the parade. Russ Plieseis, chairman, announced Thursday that he needs two more to drive convertibles transporting the members of the Tempe City Council and another parade marshal to take charge of a specified group of parade entries and get them into the lineup. Groups begin setting up and lighting their entries at the parking lot at Ash & Third Street, starting at 4 p.m. The KCOT Board determined it would not have a float this year because of the costs needed to get the gingerbread house up to quality.

Four parking lots have been set aside for special parking and they will have food collection points. Volunteers are needed for each of those collection points. (It was moved from its traditional Saturday date to Friday because of the ASU/UA football game on Nov. 29). Russ said Thursday, there were as many as 31 entries lined up. To volunteer, email Russ at russplieseis@cox.net or (602) 206-4547 (cell).

Volunteers need for serving Thanksgiving dinner and B&G Club
Sign-ups continued Thursday to help serve the annual Family Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday Nov. 24 at the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, 715 W. Fifth St., Tempe. It is one of KCOTís regular service projects. Meals will be served to about 350 boys and girls and their families. Those volunteers should arrive by 5:30 to 5:45 p.m. Judyís sign up called for 25 servers. Another sheet calls for desserts - especially pies. Also needed are donations of canned corn, canned beans, dinner rolls, butter tubs or packets; desserts, plastic silverware, paper plates and napkins. The sign-ups will continue next week. Or e-mail Judy at jaldrich9@cox.net or (480) 694-6515.

PUT KIWANIS INTO YOUR THANKSGIVING WEEK - VISIT THE VILLAGE
Interclub Co-Chairman Dean Plainer put out a call Thursday for Kiwanians to take part in the traditional KCOT Interclub meeting at Friendship Village Kiwanis because our Club does not meet on Thanksgiving. A sign-up of attendees began. The meeting will begin at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 25 in the Skirm Auditorium dining room. Members pay at the door. Bring money for their annual Seeís Candy sales for the holidays. Sign up by Thursday.

CARDS FOR SERVICEMEN:
Thanks to all the KCOT members who wrote Christmas cards for U.S. servicemen in a project that Penny Pease organized in connection with Veterans Day. On Thursday, she collected some already-written cards and gave out more cards and asked Kiwanians to bring them back next week. Also Thursday, Vice President Kathy Stevens, who ran the meeting, invited all KCOT members who had served in the military to stand and briefly shared when and where they served: Those who stood and shared were Randy Caves, Dick Neuheisel, Dean Plainer, Jim Harelson, Ralph Lingerfelt, Art Tate, Jim Yount, Lawn Griffiths and Roger Boylan. (NOTE: In Dean Plainerís profile published last week, we had a typo on a year: Dean transferred from the Army to the Navy in 1960, not 1980).

BABY MINER BIRTH DAY POOL:
The second week of guessing when Tiffany Miner will deliver "Baby Miner," a.k.a. Jacob Miner, was Thursday. People may guess one day and hour for $3 or two guesses for $5. The official due date is Feb. 17. So far there have been 35 guesses and $81 dollars collected. Jacobís dad is KCOT member Nick Miner.

U.S. Air Force Band of the West to Perform in Mesa:
Dean Plainer shared information that Mesa Arts Centerís Iketa Theater hosts a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 of the U.S. Air Force Band of the West. It gives 300 performances to military and civilian audiences, and they cover all genres of music from marches to mambo to country.

Letís Talk Tempe:
The November edition of "Letís Talk Tempe" will be this Tuesday, Nov. 17, beginning at 7 a.m. at Pyle Adult Recreation Center, 655 S. Southern Ave. Speakers are John Junker, president of the Fiesta/Insight Bowl and Julie Jones, marketing for Insight. The discussion will be on "Insight Bowl" at Sun Devil Stadium. Refreshments provided by Heidiís Events and Catering. Mayor Hugh Hallman and the City Council hosts it.

Spike Lawrence -builder, ASU zealot, ex-KCOT prexy
This is the 28^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.
Charles "Spike" Lawrence was the 50^th president of KCOT. He joined the Club in December 1992 and served as KCOT president in 1998-99. Since then, his passion has been building projects - and the ASU Sun Devils.

Lawrence & Geyser Development touts itself as a company out to change the urban landscape far and wide. Check out Tempe public TV Channel 11, and Charles "Spike" Lawrence may be among those on hand seeking city approval of an ambitious mixed-use project.

He may be as famous as a diehard ASU Sun Devils fan and booster. In 1989, he founded "The Devilís Tale," newspaper. The short-lived publication was targeted to ASU fans to ready them and psyche them up for the forthcoming games. His ASU tailgating is infamous. For four years, he had a customized school bus, "The Sparky Bus," which was parked outside Sun Devil Stadium for his parties. These days, Spike has established a beer tent in collaboration with Mike DiDomenico, with proceeds shared with KCOT. That is near his companyís offices in University Towers at College and 5^th Street. Their pregame group is called "The Sol Devils."

Active in golf and athletics at ASU, Spike first visited KCOT in August 1989 as guest of Dale Messmer, who was helping develop "The Devilís Tale." At the time, he was chairman of the board of Leading Edge Publications. After graduation with a degree in history in August 1993, Spike went to work for a stockbroker. In 1994, he and his longtime friend, Jeff Geyser, started Lawrence & Geyser, which has done development, acquisitions, dispositions and leasing. They have developed and redeveloped more than 40 projects worth more than $80 million.

His wife Tinaís family had purchased Tempe Magazine from former KCOT member Judy Todd and renamed it East Valley Magazine. They are no longer in the publication business.

Spike, a product of the Kyrene schools, was just 24 when Neil Giuliano sponsored him into membership in December 1992. "I joined Kiwanis Club because Neil Giuliano told me," he would write in the profile with his application. "I love Tempe and I want to serve the community."

Spikeís year as president was playful. There were a strong number of sports speakers, about $6,000 was made from a golf tournament and the 4^th of July show netted $15,000.

He and Tina were married in 1995. They have two children, Lindsay, 10, and Tori, 7.

When he and Tina lived next door to Shalimar, he hosted once a year, "Picnic at Spikeís," with food provided by Shalimar and golf challenges on the putting green just outside. For a number of years, the Club annual Sweet Corn Roast was held in the sprawling yard behind the Lawrence home.

Spike has been active in the Phoenix Thunderbirds and The President's Club of ASU. He is a board member of First Fidelity Bank and The Masters of Real Estate Development Program at Arizona State University. The family lives in Chandler.

Time for Kiwanians to step up for Fantasy of Lights parade roles
The 15^th annual Arizona Public Service Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade will move down Mill Avenue on Friday night Nov. 27. Founded by KCOTís own Linda Spears in 1995, our Club has handled the organization and logistics of it - and it take a strong contingent of KCOT volunteers to pull it off. The parade will begin about 6 p.m. and move through downtown. Entries have to be ready to go at 5:30 p.m.

As many as 45,000 people descend on Mill each year for the parade. Russ Plieseis, chairman, announced Thursday that he needs six people to drive convertibles transporting the members of the Tempe City Council and 8 people to be parade marshals who take charge of a specified group of parade entries and get them into the lineup. Groups begin setting up and lighting their entries at the parking lot at Ash & Third Street, starting at 4 p.m. KCOT will have its traditional lighted Gingerbread float with Penny Pease and Bill Wagner leading that effort.

Four parking lots have been set aside for special parking and they will have food collection points. Volunteers are needed for each of those collection points. This is one of KCOTís proud events. (It was moved from its traditional Saturday date to Friday because of the ASU/UA football game on Nov. 29). If you know groups interested in having an entry, the fee is $25 and entries are due Nov. 15. Applications are at http://www.downtowntempe.com/assets/pdf/FOL-ParadeAppl.pdf

To volunteer, email Russ at russplieseis@cox.net or (602) 206-4547 (cell).

Thanks to all volunteers of Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park
The kids came in ever more expensive, creative and anything-goes styles this year at the 32nd annual Tempe Family Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park last Saturday night, Oct. 31. Thanks go to Randy Caves and Corey Woods for getting it organized. Corey said the number of volunteers was the highest he has seen. We games of bowling, beanbag tosses, Velcro ball toss and basketball shooting. We will learn later how much the city will be paying KCOT @ 25 cents per ticket turned in by kids playing the games and buying popcorn in KCOTís booths. We thank these KCOT members, ASU Circle K members plus friends and family members: Randy Caves, Corey Woods, Lawn Griffiths, Jamie Bogash, Sharon Kausal, Judy Aldrich, Kathy Stevens, Mike Jennings, Nick and Tiffany Miner, Jayne Lewis, Dennis Keith, Dave and Kim Summers, Meggi Wan, Erin Lin, Tian "Zoe" Zeng, Grace Filson, Rachael Jake, Carly Campbell, Matt Sweeten, Amanda Rogers and Rachel Austin. (If missed you, let us know). We had two popcorn machines working this year, but they still couldnít keep up with the demand.

Kiwanians to help serve Thanksgiving feast at B&G Club
Judy Aldrich Thursday began signing up Kiwanians for roles in the serving the annual Family Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday Nov. 24 at the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, 715 W. Fifth St., Tempe. It is one of KCOTís regular service projects. Penny Pease has once again recruited members of the Young Republicans Club at Corona de Sol High to do the set-up work in the gym, beginning at 4 p.m. KCOT volunteers and others will dish up plates and serve meals to about 350 boys and girls and their families. Those volunteers should arrive by 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.

Judyís sign up called for 25 servers. Another sheet calls for desserts - especially pies. Also needed are donations of canned corn, canned beans, dinner rolls, butter tubs or packets; desserts, plastic silverware, paper plates and napkins. The sign-ups will continue the next two weeks. Or e-mail Judy at jaldrich9@cox.net or (480) 694-6515.

PLAYGROUND PROJECT IS THURSDAY:
KaBoom Playgrounds in collaboration with Mutual of Omaha Foundation will build a community playground next Thursday, Nov. 12, at the newly purchased Tempe Salvation Army property at 1617 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe. Bob Polley has recruited at least eight KCOT members to be part of group of 200 to 250 volunteers who will do a building blitz. The more than $50,000 project will be all day, starting at 8 a.m.

HOLIDAY CARDS FOR SERVICEMEN:
Penny Pease has announced a voluntary project for next Thursday. She previously circulated a packet of assorted Christmas cards and envelope, asking Kiwanians to use them or their own cards from home. They are asked to write a friendly holiday message to an anonymous serviceman in Iraq or Afghanistan. Penny urged participants to put some character and personality into the comments, such as any personal military experiences or life stories. All cards will be collected by Penny and given to our Nov. 12 speaker, Lt. Col Fred Shirley of the Joe Foss Institute, who has the means to get them to servicemen.

CALL FOR ALL GIís
Itís a longtime tradition for all members of KCOT who have served in uniform in the U.S. military to stand together and be recognized at the meeting nearest Veterans Day. That will be next week.

THANKSGIVING WEEK INTERCLUB TO FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE:
Interclub co-chairman Dean Plainer has announced KCOT can take as many Kiwanians as it wishes to Friendship Village Kiwanis for our traditional pre-Thanksgiving luncheon and Interclub. But KCOT must give a count of how many are coming by the week before. Dean will start a sign-up. This typical represents the Clubís annual Interclub visit to Friendship Village Kiwanis, whose meetings begin promptly at 11:40 a.m. in the Skirm Auditorium dining room, 2645 E. Southern Ave.

GUESSING CONTEST BEGINS FOR JACOB:
As announced the previous week, the guessing contest began Thursday for the day and time when Tiffany Miner will deliver her son Jacob. Tiffany, wife of KCOT member Nick Miner, is scheduled to deliver Feb. 17, 2010. For $3 a guess or two guesses for $5, members began their prognostications. Lawn Griffiths, who is organizing he contest , issued the sheets with times, every two hours, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 28. Members may pick as many times as they wish and pay for them in advance. We will continue circulating the sheets up young Jacobís birth with him getting half the pot and best guesser getting the rest. Nick will give updates on the pregnancy from time to time. In the first week, $53 were collected.

SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGING:
Thanks to all who signed up to ring kettle bells for the Tempe Salvation Army on Saturday Dec. 5 at the Fryís store at the N.E. corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road: 9 a.m., Joe Schmoker; 10 a.m. Nick Miner; 11 a.m. Ralph Packer; Noon, Cheryl Hornyan and Kathy Stevens; 1 p.m., Lawn Griffiths; 2 p.m. Pam Goronkin; 3 p.m., Carol Balk; 4-6 p.m., Linda Spears, Shana Ellis and Kerry Fetherston. Nuevo Tempe Kiwanis wants to challenge KCOT to another bell-ringing challenge on Dec. 12 if that could be organized, possible at Fryís Electronics.

BREAKFAST FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
- Linda Wegener is recruiting KCOT members to join her for a breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13 for St. Vincent de Paul Society where Kiwanians can learn about their work with and support of people in need. She said those going could carpool. So far planning on going are Darlene Pany, Linda Wegener, Tom Sands, Sonia Filan and Neil Fisch. If interested, call Linda, (480) 213-7997.

SUNRISE KIWANIS PANCAKE DAY IS DEC. 5
A Tempe tradition is headed back to McKemy Middle School. The Tempe Sunrise Kiwanis Club will have its annual Pancake Day back on its own. It will be 7 a.m. to noon Saturday Dec. 5 at McKemy Middle School, 2250 S. College Ave., Tempe. Tickets are $3 and available at the Tempe Schools Credit Union or from Sunrise members. Or at the door. Proceeds will go toward buying tons of rice and beans for the Tempe schools. Sunrise also uses funds for back-to-school clothing for children; sponsorship of a high school Key Club; supporting International Leadership Camp; supporting International Children Projects; supporting scholarships for elementary students; raising community civic awareness; promoting citizenship objectives for youth; supporting "Connecting with Kids." (480) 940-0958.

JOIN NEW PAPAGO KIWANIS PROSPECTS ON THURSDAY:
Organizers for the proposed Kiwanis Club of Papago in north Tempe and south Scottsdale are inviting existing Kiwanians from Division 10 to be at the North Tempe Multigenerational Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath Drive (next to Laird Elmentary School) 5:15 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, as all the newly signed up Kiwanians and prospects are invited to see what community work goes on their. One of the new members is Tim Barber, president of the board of the Boys and Girls Club at that center. Come mingle with future Kiwanians about the merits of service work in Kiwanis. KCOT and Nuevo Tempe are co-sponsoring the new Club. Past Southwest Governor Dick Caley, past Div. 10 Lt. Governor Ray Devine and current Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths are among the team working to get the new club up and going with 25 members.

NO HOLIDAY MEETINGS:
At its October meeting, the KCOT Board of Directors explored whether to hold its regular meetings on Christimas Eve day and New Years Eve day.

The consensus was that members would be in a rush to get things done for Christmas and would not show up. Last year, Christmas and New Years fell on Thursdays and meeting were canceled there, too.

So expect another three-week break between meetings this holiday. The last meeting will be Dec. 17 and the first of the new year will be Jan 7. We will try to keep the membership up to date on anything with emails.

If you think you have not been getting emails from the KCOT Yahoo Group, your email may not be on the list. If so, send a request to be on this list to Club Secretary Cheryl Hornyan: cheryl_hornyan@cox.net

Ophthalmologist Dr. Dean Plainer came back to Kiwanis for his 2nd wind
This is the 27^th in a series of profile of KCOT members.
Dr. Dean Plainer, now in his second term on the KCOT Board of Directors, has been active in the Club during two stints. He joined in 1967 and remained until early 1980. He visited the Club on its 50^th anniversary celebration in February 2002 and soon returned to active membership where he has taken a lead in organizing and carrying out Interclubs.

The native Californian has had a distinguished career as an ophthalmologist, with national credentials.

Born in Los Angeles on a Valentineís Day, Feb. 14, 1934, ("I was the butt of jokes in school," he said), Dean grew up in Studio City, Calif., the home of Republic Pictures where most of the western films were made. "The entrance to the studio was a half-block from my grammar school, so Roy Rogers and other such famous western movie characters, whom most wouldnít remember, were seen regularly on their way to work, waving at the kids in our school yard. The town had a very western atmosphere, with movie extras wearing their gun belts regularly around town. We sometimes rode horseback around Studio City."

Dean believes his values were influenced by the atmosphere there during World War II and the Lockheed plant nearby making warplanes. "That meant fighter aircraft (P-38s) off the assembly line, being tested overhead. I spent hours after school lying on my back on the front lawn watching these planes put through air aerobatics," he said. The community had camouflaged buildings, air-raid practices, air-raid block wardens for the populace and the stocking at home and school of emergency foods.

"We lined up to buy war bond stamps at school every morning for 10 cents each," he said. "Rationing was a part of our lives. Doing without was what we learned to cope with.

After Dean enrolled in Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., in 1952, he "discovered the wonders of chemistry." Then in his junior year, he was business manager of student publications and discovered the satisfaction in working with people. He was counseled to direct his scientific interests in the study of medicine. He enrolled at Stanford University School of Medicine in 1956. Dean had been in ROTC at Pomona and was in the U.S. Army Reserves. He used that to pursue training as a military aviator if he were to become a Navy flight surgeon.

In 1960, Dean transferred from the Army to the Navy and applied for a U.S. Navy rotating internship. He was flight surgeon until 1964. Because aviation medicine was "heavy on eye and visual medicine, Dean said he found it "natural for me to decide on ophthalmology as a career medical specialty."

After three years of ophthalmology residency at UCLA, "I decided to leave the California rat race and open my office to practice in Tempe in January 1967."

Dean would serve as president of the Phoenix Ophthalmology Society and the Arizona Ophthalmology Society. In 1980-81, Dean was the organizer and first chairman of the ophthalmology section at what is not Banner Desert Medical Center. "My practice grew into four ophthalmologists and two office practices." He joined the Air Force Reserves and reached the rank of Colonel while working as a part-time reserve ophthalmologist at Williams Air Force Base. Dean resigned when the base closed.

"In 1990, I merged my practice into another one in Mesa and became medical director to what grew into a statewide practice with 22 offices and the same number of physicians," he said. Dean would receive a masterís degree medical management from the University of Texas at Dallas. He retired from full-time work in 1999.

Since that time, he has been a busy ophthalmology consultant for the Arizona Medical Board. He would travel the country as a national accreditation surveyor for the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Dean was on the organizing board of the Tempe Family YMCA.

Dean and his second wife, Jan, have five married daughters and 11 grandchildren.

He has experience in ranching, cotton farming, apple growing, banking and management of medical buildings and real estate ventures in Arizona and California. Hobbies include gardening, wood and metal working, pistol shooting.

Besides Kiwanis, Dean has been involved in the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, the board of his homeowners association and Banner Desert Ethics Committee.

SHALIMAR MENU FOR NOVEMBER

• Nov. 5 - Homemade beef stew with cheddar biscuits and assorted salads.
• Nov. 12 - Hamburgers, bratwurst and chicken breasts, with all the fixins.
• Nov. 19 - Roast pork loin with apricot glaze with baby red potatoes, vegetables and assorted salads
• Nov. 26 - - Happy Thanksgiving - No Meeting - We are thankful for your loyal patronage.

VOLUNTEERS COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK FOR CARNIVAL:
Halloween Carnival chairman Randy Caves gave final instructions Thursday to the team of KCOT volunteers who would be converging at Kiwanis Park on Halloween night (ASU homecoming and World Series notwithstanding) for the 32nd annual Family Halloween Carnival. Volunteers were asked to sign up online. As of Thursday there were 21 volunteers - 12 in the first shift (5-7 p.m. and nine in the second shift (7 to 9:30 p.m.). They would lead kids in simple games and sell popcon. President Corey Woods, who had chaired a string of recent carnivals, said he was transporting four volunteers from Scottsdale that C.K. Liu recruited. We will list all the volunteers next week. Thanks to all who are helping out and helping us continue one of our longtime community service projects. KCOT gets 25 cents for every ticket received.

KIWANIANS TO HELP BUILD PLAYGROUND:
KCOT is going to help build a childrenís playground in west Tempe. Bob Polley has recruited eight Kiwanians so far for the service project on the new campus of the church of Tempe Salvation Army, 1619 S. Hardy Drive (Between Broadway and 13th Street), Tempe. The Mutual of Omaha Foundation and the KaBoom playground company, plan to put in a playground on Nov. 12. The value of the project will be $50,000 to $60,000. KaBoom has installed 1,500 playgrounds around the U.S., and Mutual of Omaha has pledged to do seven playgrounds. About 200 to 250 volunteers are sought for the work day. As of Thursday about 30 more were needed. The effort will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Darell Hammond of KaBoom is on a mission to get playgrounds into neighborhoods across America. Signed up so far to help are Joe Schmoker, Judy Aldrich, Cheryl Hornyan, Lawn Griffiths, Kerry Fetherston, Linda Spears, Blake Simms and Emma Bordner. Lawn, Salvation Army board secretary, was helping Bob on the prep day on Nov. 10.

RINGING SALVATION ARMY BELLS DEC. 5:
Two more Kiwanians are needed to complete the roster of KCOT volunteers to spend an hour on Saturday Dec. 5 ringing a Salvation Army bell for the kettle to be outside the Fryís store at the NE corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road. It requires wearing a red apron, maybe a Santa hat and shaking the bell as people pass by. You donít have to say a thing except to thank donors and wishing them "Merry Christmas." One thing is certain, youíll encounter friends and neighbors. Funds collected go to social services help for low-income families. (Itís a popular project of service clubs across the U.S. to have members ring bells for the Salvation Army. Every volunteer saves the Tempe Corps about $8 per hour to otherwise hire people to ring bells). Signed up so far: 9 a.m., Joe Schmoker; 10 a.m. Nick Miner; 11 a.m._________; noon________; 1 p.m. Lawn Griffiths; 2 p.m. Pam Goronkin; 3 p.m. Carol Balk; 4 p.m. Linda Spears; 5 p.m. Kerry Fetherston. If interested in a slot, call Lawn (480) 894-1557 or tempelawn@msn.com.

BABY MINER BIRTH DATE CONTEST:
Itís been a few years since KCOT has sponsored a "Baby Guessing Contest." Some of the babies are going to school now, like Shana Ellisí daughter Amaya. So we have a great chance: Itís "The Baby Miner Day of His Birth Contest." Nick and Tiffany Miner are expecting their first baby, a son, Jacob, on or about Feb. 17, 2010. But we all know how first babies can be early or late. We will offer guesses for $3 each or two guesses for $5. We will have a times sheet - every two hours before and after Feb. 17. The paid-out winner closest to the time of birth gets half of the pot and the other half goes to Jacobís fund. (The winning time can be closest before or after the birth). Sign-ups begin next week. Lawn Griffiths will collect money and circulate the sheet. Nick will give any updates. They think Jacob will weigh 10 pounds, if that is any hint.

YOGURT FUND-RAISER FOR ASU CIRCLE K
Arizona State Circle K Club will benefit from proceeds from another in its series of "Yogurtini Percentage Nights" 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, at the northeast corner of Rural Road and University Drive in Tempe, next to ASU. Purchase yogurt and tell the clerk and the proceeds of the sale (about $4) will go directly to the college service and leadership organization.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR 2008-2009:
On Thursday, President Corey Woods gave out the Perfect Attendance pins for members who maintain perfect meeting attendance, which includes regular meetings, board meetings, interclubs, official Kiwanis events and service projects totaling the equivalent of weekly attendance. Thirteen Kiwanians met the test, many for consecutive years: Mike Jennings, 1 year; Cheryl Hornyan, 1 year; Ralph Lingerfelt, 2 years; Mark Richwine, 3 years; Mike Cryer, 3 years; Kerry Fetherston, 3 years; Pam Goronkin, 5 years; Bill Wagner, 5 years; Judy Aldrich, 9 years; Shana Ellis, 12 years; Linda Spears, 19 years; Lawn Griffiths, 23 years; and Karl Wochner, 28 years. High attendance not only keeps members engaged and informed on the life of the church, but it feeds excitement among club members and visitors. Each of us is part of the chemistry.

ORIENTATION COMPLETED:
Pam Goronkin, speaking for the Membership and Development Committee, said three new KCOT members successfully completed their Club orientation Thursday - Jayne Lewis, Blake Simms and Tracey Scott. They complete the first of two steps to get their permanent button. The other half is attending a regular Club board of directors meeting.

No ëlittle-known factí: Sharon Kausal was one fine KCOT president
What do Sharon Kausal and Ernest Hemingway have in common? Both were born in Oak Park, Ill.

Sharon, who joined KCOT in 2000, served as the Clubís 58th president in 2006-2007 when her yearís theme was "Working Together, Making It Better." She announced that at each Club meeting, she would share "little known facts" about a Kiwanian and the membership was asked to guess who it was for a prize. It proved to be a fun exercise at each weekís meeting. If no one guessed, the Kiwanian for who everyone was guessing would get the prize.

Among high point of Sharonís year was the receipt of $75,000 sponsorship from America West Airlines for the Fireworks Show, brokered by Robert Kizere. The 4th of July show took part on a 115-degree day. When bills were paid, KCOT was able to distribute $76,000 to 23 organizations. KCOT helped charter a new Kiwanis Club in Maricopa. Linda Spears won Tempeís Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, and KCOT was one of the Tempe clubs hosting the Southwest District Convention at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Sharon is famous for her stories about home disasters, dogs, golfing and her travels.

A senior key account manager for Salt River Project, Sharon has been responsible for selling electricity and electric services for SRP to grocery and convenience stores. It focuses on "one-stop shopping" for her customers and talking to customers about electrical industry issues such as deregulation.

Born on a May 27 in Illinois, Sharon lived on a farm and showed horses in competition. She went on to earn a bachelorís degree at the University of Illinois in May 1980. Sharon appeared with country-western singer Jimmy Dean in the 1980 Farm Progress Show. At the time, she was selling tractors, combines and other farm equipment. She hosted an agricultural minister from Hungary to her childhood home to witness a "typical, working Midwest farm." Sharon has lived in such places as Newark, Champaign, Moline and Rock Island, Ill.; Iowa Falls and Bettendorf, Iowa; Canoga Park, Calif., and St. Louis, Mo.

She and her husband, Richard, were married in 1982. They moved to the Valley in 1986. Richard may hold the prize for a Kiwanis spouse joining in on projects and events.

Sharon played in the 1999 LPGA Pro-AM tournament, but finished out of the money. They still won first-place and her team got a huge Kachina with their names engraved on it. Sharon calls it a high point of her life and certainly of her golfing career.

She is a member of Tempe Leadership XV, was an active fund-raiser for the Tempe Leadership Board, is active in the Tempe Leadership Alumni Association and served seven years on the Pecan Groves Homeowner Association.

Allison Walters was her sponsor in the Club. In Kiwanis, she has been involved in such projects as the Halloween carnivals (with Judy Aldrich as her co-chairman) and a service day at Project C.U.R.E.

Her hobbies are boating, cooking and home decorating. Sharonís favorite moment with KCOT have been "learning about my fellow Kiwanians," especially through the exercise of "little-known facts." Others include the Easter Egg hunt with little kids, with Read to Exceed coming in a close second place.

Two of the most famous people she met were Jay Leon and George Foreman.

KCOT TO CHARTER A NEW BUILDERS CLUB AT MCKEMY
At its Tuesday board meeting, the Board of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, approved a proposal to start a Builders Club at McKemy Middle School in Tempe, after preliminary talks with the principal and faculty. Thanks to Bill Wagner for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling and making the connections.

The board committed the funds (about $1,500), and on Thursday, Bill took the podium to announce the decision and to get a formally OK. On a motion by Past President Mike Cryer and a second by Lawn Griffiths, members voted unanimously to start the new Builders Club.

So what's a "Builders Club"? It allows middle school and junior high students to contribute service to their schools and communities. There are currently are such clubs on more than 1,200 campuses in 17 nations. Leadership development and guidance at that critical stage of a youngster's personal development makes Builders Club an effective contributor to any service-learning curriculum. Internationally, Builders Clubs have been especially encouraged to support a service focus supporting children's hospitals. It takes the Kiwanis experience to the junior high level.

McKemy is the oldest of our middle schools and two of our past presidents, Ralph Lingerfelt and the late Bob Curry, were principals there, and some of our members were students at McKemy. Let's get behind Bill and his team in making the new Club a real force in the K Family in Tempe.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION NEXT THURSDAY:
Pam Goronkin announced Thursday that the Membership and Development Committee will hold a Club orientation meeting for our new members at 11:30 a.m. next Thursday, Oct. 29, in a side room at Shalimar. Orientations are a requirement for new members to ensure they are fully briefed on the Club and how they can be engaged in the work of the Club. New members Joel Navarro, Tracy Scott, Jayne Lewis and Blake Simms are encouraged to be on hand. They will then qualify for their membership pins.

HELP SERVE A THANKSGIVING FEAST:
Judy Aldrich announced that KCOT members will soon be recruited to help serve the annual Thanksgiving feast for the members of the Tempe Boys and Girls Club and their family. Again it will be the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving or Nov. 24. A sign-up sheet will be circulated for workers from about 4 to 7 p.m. Volunteers will help fill plates, deliver meals to tables, cut pies, etc. More details to come.

HALLOWEEN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED:
About four more volunteers are still needed for each of two shifts for KCOT's booths for the City of Tempe's 32nd Annual Halloween Family Halloween Family Carnival at Kiwanis Park 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. There will be three games booths where kids give a ticket worth 25 cents to play games. KCOT will also have two popcorn machines working to keep up with the big demand in a fourth tent. Shifts are 5-7 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. As of Thursday, there were five signed up for the first shift (Judy Aldrich, Kathy Stevens, Nick and Tiffany Miner and Jayne Lewis) and four for the last shift (Lawn Griffiths, Jamie Bogash, Sharon Kausal and Dennis Keith). We can do better than that. Go to http://doodle.com/92fhwawgzv549abx. For more information, contact Randy Caves at randy@westernpilot.com or Corey Woods at coreywoods7@yahoo.com. This is a longtime KCOT service project that goes to the core of our mission of serving children.

SOUTHWEST KIWANIS GOVERNOR'S VISIT COMPLETED:
Kathy Stevens represented KCOT at the annual Official Visit to Division 10 of the Southwest District Governor of Kiwanis International. Gov. Ron Smith met with Kiwanians from all nine Clubs on Oct. 16 at Monti's La Casa Vieja. A Division Council preceded the dinner, and Kathy reported on the projects, activities and membership of KCOT. Our Club donated a package of four popular DVD movies for the silent auction. They were purchased for $15. The $140 made in the auction helped offset costs beyond meals for the dinner. Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths officiated at the event attended by 38.

BREAKFAST FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
- Linda Wegener is recruiting KCOT members to join her for a breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13 for St. Vincent de Paul Society where Kiwanians can learn about their work with and support of people in need. She said those going could carpool. So far planning on going are Darlene Pany, Linda Wegener, Tom Sands, Sonia Filan and Neil Fisch. If interested, call Linda, (480) 213-7997.

SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGERS SOUGHT
- At its meeting Tuesday, the KCOT Board gave the OK to recruit Kiwanians for a one-day ringing of bells at a Salvation Army site during the holidays. Lawn Griffiths, secretary of the Tempe Salvation Army Corps Advisory Board, made the request and will coordinate it. A sign-up sheet began Thursday for Kiwanians, who were asked to indicate preferred Saturday (Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 12 or Dec. 19). Shifts would be one or two hours depending on the number signed up. Shifts would likely be 9-11, 11-1, 1-3 and 3-5 and 5-6, if they are two hours at a time. Volunteers don't have to do anything more than continuously ring a bell and thank people who put money into the kettle. We are hoping to get the Fry's store at Southern and Rural where many of us know customers particularly well. Mac Bohlman and Linda Spears are longtime board members, as well. Salvation Army is striving to get many community groups providing ringers so it won't need to hire ringers for $9 per hour. All money from kettles goes directly to helping low-income people.

Fred Amberg mixes financial services work with his adventures in the Arizona outdoors
This is the 25th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.
Fred Amberg was inducted as a member KCOT on June 5, 2003. He was sponsored by Mark Mitchell. He is an adviser for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. His focus has been financial services on the corporate side, mainly dealing with retirement planning, especially large corporate retirement plans. His out-of-state clients have kept him hopping in business travel.

Born July 6, 1969, in Flagstaff, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arizona in 1991 and a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University in June 1993. He has lived for 11 years in the Valley.

"In a previous life, I worked as an assistant athletic director at Louisiana State University for four years and was responsible for coordinating sponsorship activities for all 26 LSU sports," Fred said. "The LSU Band and cheerleaders were also under my department. I often traveled to away game with the varsity teams and was responsible for coordinating the band and cheerleaders at these events. Nikki and I met while I was working at LSU."

"One of my greatest experiences was completing a 23-day Colorado Outward Bound mountaineering class. This included fasting on water only -- for three days -- and going 23 days without at shower."

"The Grand Canyon holds a special place in my heart," Fred said. "I decided where I would attend college and spent the Millennium changeover there. I have also celebrated several birthdays in the Grand Canyon, river rafted the entire length and have backpacked on many of the unmaintained trails on the South Rim."

"I am currently working on the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business."

Fred and Nikki were married July 27, 1996, and they have two children, Tyler Diane (2002) and Jessica (2007). Nikki, who recently served as the chief of staff for Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, is at home with their children. Nikki has been active in community work, including serving on Tempe Community Council.

Fred has chaired a KCOT Golf Tournament and earned Kiwanian of the Month distinction. He has been a volunteer for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and has worked on numerous political campaigns in Tempe, legislative districts and statewide.

Fred's hobbies include travel, kite boarding, yard work and skiing. He has climbed Yosemite's Half-Dome twice, has done a lot of foreign travel and owns a pair of Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves.

His favorite moments in Kiwanis have been "all the various fantastic speakers through the years."

Be a boooootiful Halloween volunteer: Help at the carnival
Six to eight volunteers are still needed for KCOT's booths for the City of Tempe 32^nd Annual Halloween Family Carnival at Kiwanis Park 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31. President Corey Woods said six had signed up for the early shift and four for the late shift. About four more for sure needed to cover all the roles for the evening shift. (All-American Way entrance). There will be three game booths where kids give a ticket worth 25 cents to play games. KCOT will also have two popcorn machines working to keep up with the big demand.

The shifts are:

1. 5:00 -- 7:00 p.m.
2. 7:00 -- 9:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Randy Caves at randy@westernpilot.com or Corey Woods at coreywoods7@yahoo.com. This is a longtime KCOT service project that goes to the core of our mission of serving children.

Longtime Kiwanian Mike DiDomenico knows what's proper about property
This is the 24th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.
Except for those who have been on the Tempe City Council, Mike DiDomenico may have more Channel 11 TV on-air time than any other member of KCOT. Here is a man in the field of commercial real estate who thrives on the intricacies of building design and codes. Chairman of the Development Review Committee, he is one of the final gatekeepers who accepts, rejects or alters developers' or individual's projects in Tempe. He's as assiduous as a voluntary public servant service could be discussing the nuances of paint color, sign-lettering or setbacks.

Mike's years in development, property acquisition and management have equipped him to shape what will and will not be on the Tempe landscape.

The 1983 accounting graduate of storied University of Notre Dame joined KCOT in November 1995 when he was the vice president for commercial real estate services for VenWest Properties in Phoenix. Mike was sponsored by Neil Giuliano. He was one of the recruit during the presidency of Tony Tang.

He would be president of Rubin Companies and moved on to be president of Wessex Service Companies, Arizona MaintenancePro. One of his most daunting projects was the takeover of the former Tri-City Mall at Main Street and Dobson Road in Mesa and then turning it around.

Through the years, Mike has been a strong behind-the-scenes supporter of KCOT through such offbeat efforts as the Spike and Mike's Twisted Tarts Invitational Bunco Tournament at the Tempe YMCA that raised $6,600 alone in August 2009. They followed that up with a Spike and Mike's beer tent for tailgaters outside of Sun Devil Stadium for football games, with proceeds benefitting KCOT. Mike served on the KCOT Board of Directors 1997-99 and was elected vice president in 2003. He served in that role but later determined he could not continue up through the officer chairs and resigned. He maintained perfect attendance for four years.

Born July 18, 1961, in Chicago, Mike would move to the Valley in 1969 with his family. He returned after his Notre Dame studies and embarked in his commercial real estate industry. He would be an officer of the Scottsdale 20/30 Club; on the executive board member of COMPAS; chairman of Culture Shock in 1993; treasurer of the committee to elect a state legislator; and a coach and board member of Tempe National Little League. He was a member of Tempe Leadership XI.

He once performed in a variety show with comedian Dick Van Dyke.

Mike and Ann Lynn were married May 21, 1983. They have three sons, Kevin (1987); Matt (1990) and Brian (1998). Mike's hobbies are running and snow skiing. His favorite moments in KCOT were the corn roasts in the desert and annual of July fireworks production.

ARIZONA NUGGETS BOOKS FOR SALE
KCOT Treasurer Bill Wagner announced he has been selling copies of Dean Smith's "Arizona Nuggets," a collection of the fascinating and zany bits of state history. The book is being sold for $10 as a Kiwanis fund-raiser for Friendship Village Kiwanis. KCOT keeps $4 for every book purchased. Contact Bill (480) 831-9977 for books.

SUNRISE KIWANIS PANCAKE DAY IS DEC. 5
A Tempe tradition is headed back to McKemy Middle School. The Tempe Sunrise Kiwanis Club will have its annual Pancake Day back on its own. It will be 7 a.m. to noon Saturday Dec. 5 at McKemy Middle School, 2250 S. College Ave., Tempe. Tickets are $3 and available at the Tempe Schools Credit Union or from Sunrise members. Or at the door. Proceeds will go toward buy tons of rice and beans for the Tempe schools. Sunrise also uses funds for back-to-school clothing for children; sponsorship of a high school Key Club; supporting International Leadership Camp; supporting International Children Projects; supporting scholarships for elementary students; raising community civic awareness; promoting citizenship objectives for youth; supporting "Connecting with Kids." (480) 940-0958.

LET'S TALK TEMPE ON OCT. 27
After a summer break, the monthly "Let's Talk Tempe," hosted by Mayor Hugh Hallman and members of the City Council, will resume at 7 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 27 at Pyle Adult Recreation Center, 655 E. Southern Ave. This month's speakers will be Nancy Hormann, Downtown Tempe Community executive director, and Chris Salomone, Tempe Community Development Manager. Their topic: "New Businesses Coming to Tempe." Company representatives will be on hand with displays and information. Doors open at 7 a.m., with the program at 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Refreshments by Heidi's Events and Catering. (480) 350-8940.

Won't conflict with ASU/UA Football
LIGHTS PARADE MOVED TO A DAY EARLY - FRIDAY NOV. 27

Due to uncertainties about the start for the ASU Sun Devils vs. UA Wildcats football game on Nov. 28 at Sun Devil Stadium and potential conflicts, the City of Tempe has announced it has moved the Fantasy of Lights Parade from Saturday to Friday, Nov. 27. The parade, sponsored by KCOT, had been originally slated for Saturday night, Nov. 28.

KCOT parade chairman Russ Plieseis reports he got a memo from the city announcing the change. It read, in part, -This change is due to the fact that the ASU/UA game may be televised with a kick-off of 1:30 pm, or if it is not televised, kick-off would be at 3:30 pm. TV game times are announced 6 to 12 days prior to game day. If it is a 1:30 game, it would mean the game ends and fans exit around 5:00 p.m. or so. While we are very capable of managing traffic and crowds, it does create a situation where football traffic would be exiting downtown, while parade goers would likely be entering. The uncertainty of kick-off time and traffic management does complicate the matter. As a result, to best accommodate Parade-goers, game-goers and bring two days worth of crowds downtown, the parade date is moved. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

- Jeff Kluga, Tempe Assistant City Manager

15 volunteers needed for KCOT booths for Halloween Carnival
The Kiwanis Club of Tempe will again hold down four tents during Tempe's 32nd Annual Family Halloween Carnival on Saturday Oct. 31 at Kiwanis Park. Randy Caves is the chairman of the project. President Corey Woods said on Thursday that the carnival will be 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Two teams of volunteers - about 8 per shift are needed for the four tents. Shifts are roughly 4:30 p.m. (set-up) to 7 and 7 to 9:30 p.m. (including tear-down). Again, there will be simple games of skill, mostly toss games for one ticket a contest. Families buy rolls of tickets. KCOT is reimburse 25 cents for each ticket given by a child playing a game or for popcorn.

Besides the popcorn machine that KCOT usually uses, a second machine has been loaned by former Division 10 Lt. Governor Ray Devine. The two machines should sharply reduced the lines for popcorn in the past.

Sign-ups for volunteers will begin next Thursday.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT'S GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO TEMPE OCT. 16:
The annual official visit to Division 10 of the Governor of the Southwest District, Ron Smith of Fountain Hills, will be Friday, Oct. 16, at Monti's La Casa Vieja restaurant in Tempe. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the governor meeting with officers of the clubs as a Division Council, followed at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, dinner and then guitarist Ted Gibson's children songs. Remarks from the governor will follow. Having Club representatives there is a requirement for the Five-Star Award. Tickets are $30. Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths is host for the gathering.

ARIZONA NUGGETS BOOK FULL OF STATE HISTORY
Thursday's speaker was retired Arizona Director of Publications Dean Smith of Friendship Village, who discussed his book of short stories on Arizona history, titled "Arizona Nuggets." So far it has raised $5,000 for Friendship Village Kiwanis, and KCOT bought 100 copies for the Tempe schools' libraries. Other Clubs are selling them for $10 and keeping $4 for themselves. Dean shared some of the 85 zany, offbeat and compelling stories in the book. At the end of the meeting, members purchased 15 copies for $10 each. Members may sign up for books as well. See Corey Woods, Bill Wagner or Ralph Lingerfelt for books.

Ex-KCOT President Bill Regner has developed a new life in Clarkdale
"Positioning for the Future" was the theme for Bill Regner's term as president of KCOT, 2005-2006. He would say that he believed he was a "thoughtful president who believed that KCOT belonged to all of the membership rather than the few and took a passionate stand on commitment to participation in club-sponsored activities and the treatment of fellow members with dignity and respect."

At the 54^th annual installation and awards banquet Sept. 26, 2005, at John Henry's Restaurant, Bill asked each member to help make decisions to best position the Club to confront its challenges to serve its mission and ensure the good health of the Club. "We have entered in partnership with outside entities for our major projects," he said. "Those agreements open us to a new kind of scrutiny from outside. We must protect our Club and those projects for the future. We will do what is necessary."

It was during his term that the board sought out "best practices" which resulted in a conflict of interest policy for board members, more defined procedures for July 4^th funding awards, a financial oversight committee, and a risk management committee. He said the board and the club were challenged to take a hard look at the major projects to determine whether they made sense and in what form they should exist, moving into the future. The board authorized a re-examination of weekly meeting sites. When the vote was taken, staying at Shalimar was the choice over moving back to the Holiday Inn, 37-31.

Bill joined KCOT June 2, 1994. He was sponsored by Linda Spears. At the time, he was a program director for Prehab of Arizona (now New Leaf), with responsibility for three East Valley youth crisis centers. A fierce follower of the University of Arizona Wildcats, he quickly became the anchor for everything blue and red at KCOT. He dished out jabs and took barbs from Sun Devil fans.

When he joined, he was a Democratic candidate for Tempe Justice of the Peace, but lost. He was a founding co-chairman of Meyer Park Neighborhood Association and was a Democratic precinct, district and state committeeman. Bill was a member of Tempe Leadership Class VIII (1992-93) and then served on the Tempe Leadership board, 1994-2001. Bill was the coordinator of Tempe Cares project, 1996-2007, sponsored by Tempe Leadership. Often referred to as "Mr. Tempe Cares," those efforts were central to his receiving the Outstanding Community Leadership Award from Tempe Leadership for 2002. He served on the Tempe Union High School District Business Advisory Council. Bill was on the Tempe Ad Hoc Rental Housing Task Force and the Tempe Salvation Army advisory board, 1997-2007. He was on the City of Tempe Design and Review Board, 1994-2001. He volunteered for Tempe Sister Cities, 1994-2007. Bill served two years on the Tempe Chamber's governmental relations committee.

Born in LaGrande, Ore., and raised as an Army brat, Bill moved to Arizona in 1968. He enrolled at UA and graduated in 1972 with a degree in political science, with a minor in psychology. He has 21 graduate-level hours with the University of Phoenix. In 1972, Bill was a congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. He managed small businesses in Mesa and Denver, Colo., and was a commissioned salesman in the Arizona construction industry.

He and Janet were married May 7, 1977, in Mesa. Janet, an attorney is a partner with Husk Partners and is a public affairs consultant.

In the spring of 1995, he left the behavioral health field and launched Warelooms to market fine china, stoneware, silver flatware and more. He later worked for an Ace hardware in Tempe and led its community outreach and marketing. Later he became a sales representative with Adecco, the Employment People. He took a career change and trained as a hypnotherapist. He opened a practice in Tempe, Regner Hypnotherapy (www. Azhypnosis.com). Bill is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, having completed more than 500 hours of classroom training in hypnosis theory and practice. He is accredited through the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.

In 2001, he and Janet purchased land in Clarkdale for a future home site. The property sits atop a bluff overlooking the Verde River and looks across at Tuzigoot National Monument. Year by year, the Regners developed the site, then moved to Clarkdale in July 2007. The home was completed a year ago. They continue to own their Tempe home.

They have two grown sons, Jonathan, who is a fireman for the Salt River-Pima Indian Community and Doug who is the innovation manager for Fisher Investments in Woodside, California near San Francisco.

Bill has become active with the Town of Clarkdale Planning Commission since 2007, Town of Clarkdale 20 General Plan focus groups and the Greater Verde Valley Chapter of the Yavapai College Foundation Board.

Corey Woods takes over as KCOT president and calls for "Back to Basics"
"Back to Basics" were the resounding words of Corey Woods on Monday night when he officially took the helm of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe and announced that those three words would be the theme for his next year. He said the 57-year-old club has a solid foundation, strong tradition, a clear mission. Given the challenges of the economy and changing forces, it can be a time for the Club to ensure it retains its strong place in the community by doing the basic things well, including our longtime service projects and fund-raising efforts. Nevertheless, Corey noted that it would be a year of innovation and trying some new things. He invited members to be open to changes and see how they work out.

During the 58th annual Officers Induction and Awards event at Bridgeview Condos community room, President Mike Cryer officially turned over the gavel -- and the responsibilities that go with it -- to Corey. Forty-two Kiwanians, spouses and friends were on hand. The Membership and Development Committee planned and carried it out. Special thanks to Linda Spears, Shana Ellis, Kerry Fetherston, Pam Goronkin, Allison Walters, Chad Gammage, Vinny Mirizio and Mike DiDomenico for the work and organization. The caterer was Santa Barbara Catering, the Tempe Family YMCA supplied the magnificent cake, and Hensley company furnished beer. Cheryl Hornyan, as resident of Bridgeview Condos, was hostess.

Mike Cryer noted that the theme for his year as president was "Growth Through Service." He went month by month in listing the Clubís undertakings and projects from Read to Exceed, the Halloween Carnival, Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving meal, Fantasy of Lights Parade, Easter Egg hunt in the rain, corn roast, and the incredible 4th of July Fireworks show led by Lance Gray. He noted that at the start of the year, membership stood at 75, but got as low as 68, but thanks to the efforts of several, especially on MADCOM, it bounced back to 74 by the end of the administrative year. Mike thanked his board members individually and presented several awards. He noted the Immediate Past President Mark Richwine had given so much in leadership and counsel and would be one of the few to leave the board.

Pam Goronkin received the Ruby K award for bringing five new members into KCOT. Two members were named "Legion of Honor" recipients: Dr. Roger Boylan for 45 years and Herbert "Mac" Bohlman for 40 years. Neither was on hand, and they will receive their certificates at Club meetings.

Mike gave the annual Kiwanian of the Year award to Lawn Griffiths, citing his 4th of July fireworks show main gate captain work for several years, taking part in many Club activities, weekly invocations and doing the weekly Bulletin. Judy Aldrich made the presentation of the George F. Hixson Award to Chris Rosner (see sidebar).

Incoming Division 10 Lt. Governor Lawn Griffiths paid tribute individually to last yearís KCOT Board and officers and the incoming team. Cited for completing service as directors were Diane Schans and Kathy Stevens. Recognized for completing a two-year term as starting a new one was Dean Plainer. Four directors returning to complete the second year of their two-year terms were Lance Gray, Carol Balk, Palm Goronkin and Mike Jennings. Besides Dean Plainer, inducted for two-year director terms were Jamie Bogash and Chad Gammage.

The change in officers was minimal. Bill Wagner continues a third one-year term as treasurer; Cheryl Hornyan completes a partial year as secretary and starts a full one-year term; Kathy Stevens moves from a board seat to vice president; Kerry Fetherston advances to president-elect; and Corey Woods from president-elect to presidency. Mark Richwine completed his work as immediate past president and yielded that role to Mike Cryer. It was noted that while 21 Kiwanians have served on the Tempe City Council, Corey becomes the sixth to serve as KCOT president (Kincaid, Sears, Giuliano, Spears and Ellis). We went back and checked and found that Tom Kincaid (1971-72) and Gene Sears (1976-77) were, in fact, on the council when they were KCOT presidents, contrary was Lawn announced at the dinner.

We wish the best to Corey and his team as they take on the work of the new administrative year.

Chris Rosner named 2009 Hixson winner
By Judy Aldrich

2005 Hixson Award Winner

Each year, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe makes a donation to Kiwanis International and honors one member of the Club to be the recipient of the George F. Hixson Award. The award was begun to honor Hixson who was a two-time international president and contributed over 50 years of service to Kiwanis. Our club gives the award to the Kiwanian who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the club.

The selection is made each fall by the previous recipients of the Hixson Award who are current KCOT members. Currently, the club has ten members who have received the award from the club. They are Lawn Griffiths, Neil Giuliano, Linda Spears, Jim Yount, Ralph Lingerfelt, Jim Harelson, Judy Aldrich, Carol Balk, Roger Boylan, and Ralph Packer. Other previous recipients were the late Alfred Thomas Jr., the late Bob Williams, and former member Alan Whitehead. Members receiving the honor from other clubs and individuals include the late Matt Landers, the late Ken Shook, Florence Shook, and Karl Wochner.

This yearís recipient has been a respected member of KCOT for 17 years. During these years, he has served several terms on the Board, arranged for countless programs for our Thursday meetings, participated in numerous activities for the club and most significantly, led the July 4th celebration from 1997 through 2001. Under his leadership, our strong bonds with the city for this event were formed and they continue to this day. He served as our President in 2004-2005.

Our Hixson winner graduated from ASU with degrees in finance and business administration. He has worked in marketing, real estate, and mortgages since leaving college. He is an alum of Tempe Leadership and mentored a young man for the Big Brothers Program. He has a passion for great literature and history. Among his role models are St. Thomas Aquinas, Ayn Rand, Michelangelo, Thomas Jefferson and Winston Churchill.

He has been married to his wife Kim since 1986 and has three children whose adventures and misadventures he often shares with us on during our meetings on Thursdays. He has stated that his goal is to "live a balanced life, balancing my family, physical fitness endeavors, intellectual pursuits, and professional life." I think he is achieving his goal. Will you join me in congratulating Chris Rosner who is our 2009 Hixson recipient.

Update on Club funds from the Treasurer

Dear Members

As we start another year it is time to give you some bank balances so you know what money we have on hand. I will give you the balances and than some details that may help understand these figures. You are always welcome to ask me questions.

• Admin Fund (day to day chapter operations) .. $6,103.03
• Project Account .. $16,835.02
• Money Market Account ..$15,133.04
• Special Projects ...$10,000.00
• Tempe Childrenís Charity Fund ...$10,569.49
• Administrative Fund. About $5,000 of the account is left at this time of year untouched in order to pay the K.I. bill for membership early in 2010 ($6,000+) and to keep money in the account to pay bills while wait for members to pay their quarterly dues. Even though money is due with in a couple of weeks of receiving invoices, members pay throughout the 90-day period before the next billing cycle.
• Project Account is funded for the coming year. This money is only spent on Projects and can not be transferred to pay expenses of the Admin Account.
• Special Projects keeps a $10,000 balance as start up money. This account is currently used for the 4th of July project.
• TCCF account is money that is available for donations that may come to the board for consideration.

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Wagner, Treasurer.

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR BOOTHS
President Corey Woods announced Thursday that Randy Caves has volunteered, for a second year in a row, to be chairman/coordinator of the KCOT booths for the annual City of Tempe Family Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park.

It will be Saturday night Oct. 31 at Kiwanis Park, with volunteers needed for the early (5 to 7 p.m.) or the late shift (7 to 9:30 p.m.) The first shift will do set-up and start the three game booths, while the second shift will finish games with kids and dismantle booths. One booth will pop and give out popcorn for tickets. Corey, who chaired the booth project three years, noted that the borrowed popcorn machine never keeps up with demand. That prompted Ray Devine, immediate past lieutenant governor, to report that he also has a popcorn machine and would lend it for the KCOT booth.

Look for a volunteer sign-up sheet next week.

TRANSFER OF LT. GOVERNORíS BANNER
Ray Devine of the Tempe Nuevo Club, immediate past Div. 10 lieutenant governor, and Bill OíConnor, president of Tempe Nuevo, visited KCOT Thursday to officially transfer the "Home Club" banner from their Club to KCOT, as it commonly done in Kiwanis clubs around the world with the start of the administrative year. On Oct. 1, Lawn Griffiths took over as Div. 10 lieutenant governor, and the banner will hang with other club banners for a year. It has been more than 10 years since KCOT has had a lieutenant governor (Alan Whitehead 1997-98).

BEER TENT OUTSIDE ASU STADIUM HELPS KCOT
Kerry Fetherston reported KCOT has the potential to earn excellent money from a beer tent that has been set up for the 7 ASU home football games on the site of the former Armory at Stadium and College Avenue across from Sun Devil Stadium. Mike DiDomenico and Spike Lawrence have made it possible, through filing for a liquor license through KCOT. Entrance is free, but for $10 there come four drinks and food.

East Valley Solís Fiesta Del Sol IV
Twenty organizations will benefit from the proceeds of East Valley Sol 6 p.m. to whenever Saturday Oct. 10 Tempe Diablo Stadium, with live music, food, casino, drinks, raffles, auction, catered meal by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets are $40. Register on-line at eastvalleysol.org.

NUEVO GOLF TOURNEY SET:
Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo will host a Charity Golf Tournament Saturday Oct. 17 at Club West Golf Club, 16400 S. 14th Ave., Phoenix. A shotgun start is 7:30 a.m. Mulligans are 5 for $20 or $5 each. Raffles: Tickets are 5 for $20. First 40 entrants receive 2 raffle tickets.

Lots of special prizes. Registration at 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Start: 7:30 a.m. Awads and lunch: noon to 1:30 p.m. Golf is $100 or $400 for foursome. $100 for hole sponsorship. $475 for foursome and hole sponsorship. Information, (480) 838-0091 or llawrenzdds@juno.com

CHANGING OF THE GUARD FOR KCOT THIS MONDAY
Last minute reminder that the Kiwanis Club of Tempe has a changing of the guard at a reception with heavy hors ëoeuvres 6-8 p.m. this Monday (Sept. 28) at Bridgeview Condominiums, 140 E. Rio Salado, Tempe. It will not be a sit-down event. Corey Woods takes over from Mike Cryer as president and officers and board members will be sworn in. The Kiwanian of the Year and the annual Hixson awards lead honors. Previous Bulletin had instructions on parking.

Strong youth focus in Clubís $50,000 + allocations from 4^th of July
The KCOT Board of Directors has allocated more than $50,000 raised from the 2009 Tempe 4th of July Fireworks Show. On Thursday, President Mike Cryer, officiating at his final meeting of the 2008-2009 administrative year, announced how the major part of those proceeds were disbursed. He called forth representatives from the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, Tempe Family YMCA, Tempe Community Action Agency, and Tempe Impact Education (TIE) Foundation.

Then he handed out checks to them. There were great cheers as the letter were handed out and amounts announced: $20,000 to the Ladmo Branch -Tempe Boys and Girls Club; $20,000 to Tempe Family YMCA; $5,000 to TIE Foundation; and $4,000 to Tempe Community Action Agency. "Our focus was on the youth of Tempe," Mike said. "We distributed to key programs to help youth," he said, adding that smaller amounts were provided to the longtime Sponsored Youth groups, Arizona State University Circle K, Tempe High Key Club and the Boy Scout Troop 475 that KCOT has long sponsored. Also funds have been set aside for such service projects as outfitting kids in $100 worth of clothing for back to school, the Halloween Carnival, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.

Per the arrangement from the City of Tempe, KCOT is required to disburse its profits back to the community in about 90 days after they are received.

KC0T TO PUT ëNUGGETSí BOOK INTO LIBRARIES
At the recent KCOT Board of Directors meeting, the board voted to spend $600 to purchase 100 copies of the book "Arizona Nuggets" by Dean Smith of the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village. KCOT will work with Superintendent Dr. Art Tate and get the books put into the Tempe Elementary School District libraries, so they can be used by 4th and 8th graders especially as they study Arizona history. The book, with a forward by Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble, shows that "history can be intriguing and fun." Each page in Deanís book is a separate fascinating, often little-known, piece of state folklore and history. We hope to get Dean to speak to KCOT and sell copies of the book to members interested in it. Some Kiwanis Clubs are selling it as a fund-raiser for $10 and keeping $4 of it.

KIWANIS CLUB OF PAPAGO WORK CONTINUES
While it falls on the same night as the KCOT Awards and Induction Reception (Monday Sept. 28), the next happy hour and greet-and-meet for the impending Kiwanis Club of Papago for north Tempe and south Scottsdale will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 1429 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe. So far about 6 have committed to join and a larger group seem to be ready to join. The goal is to get a minimum of 25 people to charter the new club by November. If you can help or can attend for part of it, youíd be welcome. Contact Div. 10 Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths with questions (480) 894-1557.

Dick Neuheisel proves world is his oyster and life is limitless
This is 22nd in a series of profiles on members of KCOT.

Dick Neuheisel has been like a modern-day Ben Franklin - a man integrally engaged in countless things. There are so many angles and ways to start a conversation about the multi-tasked Tempe ambassador and globetrotter. Dickís accomplishments span so many sectors that we find ourselves rattling off random things about him: prominent Valley attorney and one-time ASU law professor, a constant international traveler who has been to more than 110 countries, who has, met so many famous people and guided the U.S. Sister Cities programs after founding its premier Sister Cities operation in Tempe in 1970 with none other than Tempe councilman-turned-mayor-turned-state-lawmaker-turned congressman Harry Mitchell.

The team of "Dick and Jane" owns Shalimar Country Club and Restaurant, host for KCOT since January 1989. Dick, a former Tempe councilman and vice mayor, barely missed being elected Tempe mayor, was founder of the annual Gene Autry Courage In Sports Awards program and is past president of in The Tempe Sports Authority that worked hard for an NFL football stadium, for Cactus League baseball stadiums and always Tempeís place at the table in Valley sports.

When heís not intimately involved in all things Sister Cities - including taking his tribe of Tempe exchange teens and their international sisters and brothers to meet the City Council each summer - Dick has been on the sidelines of an NCAA or NFL game. There heís watching son Rick Neuheisel coaching his heart out for such teams as the Colorado Buffaloes, Washington Huskies, Baltimore Ravens and now the UCLA Bruins, where his college adventure began 30 years ago. The golden-haired coach, still with his boyish looks, has emerged as one of the best-known, gutsy football coaches. He has quickly developed a legend and legacy that began as an All-State quarterback at McClintock High in the late 70s. It continued for Rick as the 1984 Rose Bowl game-winning start quarterback for UCLA. He would play in the United States Football League and the National Football League before embarking on coaching. He earned a law law degree along the way.

Dick, a member of KCOT since 1966, was born June 6, 1936, in LaCrosse, Wis. He grew up in tiny Cashton, Wis., with 711 people. Dick used to joke that "every time a girl got pregnant, a guy left town."

His passion for sports came early. In 1954, Dick led the state of Wisconsin in points scored on the basketball court. He set the stateís high school career scoring record in basketball with 1,752 points, but, alas, it was soon broken.. His first car was a 1936 Olds. Dick was sports editor of both high school and college newspapers, including The Daily at the University of Wisconsin. He has been a loyal Wisconsin alum. Dick and Jane were kindergarten classmates. Both went to the University of Wisconsin, where they got degrees in 1958. Dick earned a law degree from there in 1961 and served two years as a captain in the U.S. Armyís Judge Advocate Generalís Corps.

Dick and Jane, who hold a degree in journalism and political science, were married Sept. 6, 1958, and have four children: Rick, 1961; Nancy, 1962; Kate, 1965; and Deborah, 1970. There are nine grandchildren. They moved to Tempe in 1963 where Dick began teaching at ASU and opened his law practice. He taught until 1977. He ran in 1968 for City Council, won and served until 1972. He was vice mayor. In 1972, he failed by 20 votes to win the mayor seat (5,764 for Dale Shumway to 5,744 for him). He tried again in 1974 against Dr. Bill Lopiano, but lost 4,602 to 3,626. Dick is past chairman of the Tempe Board of Adjustment and served on boards of the Tempe Boys and Girls Club and Tempe Chamber of Commerce.

He was named an "Outstanding Young Man in Tempe" and "Outstanding Young Men in America." He was a founding member of the Tempe Diablos, founding member of Tempe Sports Authority and served as vice chairman of Maricopa County Sports Authority. He served on the Super Bowl Committee and has been active in Tempe Elks Lodge, Tempe City Association and the American Legion. In 2002, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce chose the Neuheisels for the Spirit of Tempe Award. In 2005, Dick and Jane were recipients of the 2006 Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, presented by Tempe Community Council.

The Neuheisels collaborated with Harry Mitchell to start Tempe Sister Cities in 1970. That, of course, evolved into one of the best programs, with Tempe now matched with eight cities, and a Friendship City in Iraq. In 1986, he was invited to the Oval Office to meet President Ronald Reagan to honor the U.S. Sister Cities program on its 30 anniversary. Dick served as its president and board chairman for many years.

Dick has been a dynamo for recruiting members for KCOT. In several tenures, he has been program chairman and has provided legal work for Kiwanis beyond the Club level. He is a 40-year Legion of Honor member. "Sister Cities has been my passion," he said. Favorite moments with KCOT: 1) bringing my children to obtain their Ladmo Bags; 2) sponsoring the first six women into the Club; 3) assisting in naming "Kiwanis Park."

"During my 43 years in Kiwanis, my top three all-time members are: 1) Neil Giuliano; 2) Linda Spears; and 3) Lawn Griffiths. The ëmost funí members were Don Gulley, Ralph Lingerfelt and Jim Yount. The best comedy team: Ted Bredehoft and Stan Brown.

"The purpose of Club attendance, in order of importance: 1) renewing friendships weekly; 2) raising funds for youth projects; 3) hearing good speakers; 4) the food is not bad; 5) listening to Lawnís informative invocations; and 6) bringing spoons from around the world for Dorothy Gulley."

By Lawn Griffiths

UPCOMING THINGS

• Awards and Induction of Officers Reception, Sept. 28
• SW District Gov. Ron Smithís Official Visit to Div. 10. Montiís La Cas Vieja Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 16.
• Tempe Halloween Carnival, Kiwanis Park, Oct. 31.
• Fantasy of Lights Parade, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Downtown.

MOVINí ON TO A NEW KIWANIS YEAR:
Installation Reception is set for Monday Sept. 28 At Bridgeview Condos on Town Lake

Dear Fellow Kiwanians:

We hope you can attend the annual KCOT Installation Reception on Monday, September 28^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Bridgeview Condominiums, 140 E. Rio Salado, Tempe. Please come to hear the words of outgoing President Mike Cryer, and incoming President Corey Woods, along with the awarding of the Hixson and Kiwanian of the Year.

This year's format will be a little less formal. In these economic times, we felt bringing down the cost was important, so instead of a plated dinner, it will be a reception...but still just as delicious! The cost will be $25/person (this includes heavy appetizers, drinks and desserts).

Please RSVP to Shana (shana_ellis@cox.net) or Linda (lindaspears1@cox.net), or you can sign up at the meeting on Thursday. Space is limited, so we hope to hear from you soon! Guests are welcome (as long as you RSVP for them).

Directions: Take Rio Salado to just east of Mill. Enter the driveway on the north side (this area may be known to you as the SunCor Buildings or Hayden Ferry Lakeside). Park in the parking garage to the left. The condos will be on your right. Bridgeview is the condo tower on the east side of the property (look for the signs...and the 140 on the building). Kiwanians will be in the lobby to direct you to the reception.

Dr. Jamie Bogash, walking medical encyclopedia, man who loves extreme sports
This is 21^st in a series of profiles of KCOT members
Think Jamie Bogash, and it conjures a fearless man always on the move. Since joining KCOT in April 1998, Jamie has entertained the Club with his extreme sports adventures, the anecdotes and accidents of his dogs and his non-stop delights as a father.

We have watched a man right out of the National College of Chiropractic steadfastly develop a practice from scratch in Mesa. His endless curiosity and research into medications, supplements and how the body uses and reacts to what goes into it have made Jamie a regular speaker at KCOT luncheon meetings. He has freely given dozens of talks across the Valley on health. He is quick to ask KCOT members individually how they are doing physically after bouts of this or that.

Through the years, he has talked about leading groups in paint-ball combat, kickboxing, fight promoting, motorcycling, his experiences in martial arts and accompanying a son for boys camping. He has discussed ambitious home backyard projects, keeping a menagerie of puppies and grown dogs that have wreaked havoc on the home front.

Jamie graduated in 1991 from the University of Illinois in Chicago and from the National University of Health Sciences in December 1997. He opened Lifecare Chiropractic on Guadalupe Road in Mesa and later relocated it to Alma School Road and brought in an associate.

Jamie gives talks on such topics as disease prevention, nutrition, podiatry, dermatology, audiology, health snacks, in-home care, health insurance and more. He has been a speaker for the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society and has taken part in health fairs.

He was sponsored by Alan Whitehead to KCOT. He served on the KCOT Board 2000 to 2002. He currently sits on the board of the Arizona Association of Chiropractic and serves on a provider advisory panel with United Healthcare. He typically flies once a quarter to Minneapolis, Minn., to discuss issues as they relate to the chiropractic profession.

Born March 28, 1969, in Chicago, he has lived in the Valley 11 years. His son Keegan will be 4 in December.

Jamieís favorite memories of KCOT are participating in the 4^th of July when they were temporarily moved to the Diablos practice fields. "Driving a golf care made me feel important," he said.

TEMPE DON CARLOS AWARD TO SUE RINGLER
Congratulations to Susan "Sue" Ringler, the 2009 recipient of Tempeís prestigious Don Carlos Humanitarian Award. The Tempe Community Council will honor Sue on Wednesday night, Nov. 4, at the Tempe Historical Museum. Currently a faculty associate with the West Campus of Arizona State University School of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Sue, for many years, was the manager of Paz de Cristo food kitchen in Mesa after it began in 1988. She had to battle the not-in-my-backyard folks as Paz sought to find permanent location to feed homeless of the street. She would manage the store for Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit fair trade shop that sells crafts made in third world countries and sends the profits directly back to the artists, Later, she held the No. 2 position at Tempe Community Action Agency and was instrumental in the development of I-HELP, the Interfaith Hospitality Emergency Lodging Program where Tempe churches take turns housing and feeding homeless people, along with the development of Tempe Homeless Connect. Sue is also a priest of the Independent Catholic Church of the West (ICCW). She is currently the pastor of Guardian Angels Catholic Community. Sue resides in Tempe with Gary her husband of 30 years. They have three grown children, Leslie, Alex and Katie.

FANTASY OF LIGHTS PARADE FLOAT TO BE REWIRED
Penny Pease announced Thursday that the Clubís Gingerbread House that is mounted on a hayrack and lighted in dazzling splendor for the KCOT-sponsored annual APS Fantasy of Lights Parade the weekend after Thanksgiving will be rewired. She said that Bill Wagner has volunteered to undertake the daunting task of rewiring it. Penny and Diane Schans, known as the "Parade Princess," will again do the main decorating for the float for the parade slated for 6:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 28 in downtown Tempe. (The ASU-UA game is also slated for Nov. 28 - and there will be a collision of events, if the parade is not rescheduled or time of day of the game??) The paradeís theme will be "Home for the Holidays." About 45,000 watch the parade annually. If you know organizations, community groups, churches, commercial or municipal groups whoís like to take part in a float or walking unit, they can get an application from http://www.downtowntempe.com/assets/pdf/FOL-ParadeAppl.pdf. The fee is $25 and applications are due by Nov. 15. Anyone will to help should call Penny (480) 839-3095.

KIWANIS CLUB OF PAPAGO SEEDS ARE PLANTED
Thanks to Mike Cryer, Linda Spears, Kerry Fetherston and Mac Bohlman for joining Lawn Griffiths, Dick Caley, Ray Devine and Southwest Governor-Elect Ron Smith in the first meet-and-greet happy hour Thursday night to meet people who have shown interest in the new Kiwanis Club under development in north Tempe, South Scottsdale and east Phoenix to be called the Kiwanis Club of Papago. There has been good interest and about six commitments to date. (Twenty-five will be needed for a chartered club and the goal is to reach that by November). Thanks to Mac Bohlman and Chung-Kai "CK" Liu in traveling with our teams during the past week to talk to business people. They have included George Nash Of Mesa Dobson-Ranch, SW District Executive Rose Ann Dodson, Leroy Tapia of Chandler Kiwanis, and Bill Wade of Tempe Nuevo along with Ray, Dick, Lawn and Ron. More work will be done in the coming weeks and if anyone wants to join for a half day, let Lawn know.

ëREAD TO EXCEEDí WITH HEADSTART BEGINS
Kiwanians started bringing delight and laughter to children at the three morning and afternoon Early Head Start centers in Tempe this week. Penny Pease and Sharon Kausal got the boxes and bags and books to volunteers to deliver to North Tempe Multigenerational Center, Westside Multigenerational Center and Curry Elementary School - then began the first of monthly sessions of reading a book to each class and sending children home with their own books. Thanks to their Read to Exceed leadership and our volunteers. We will give updates from time to time and credit the volunteers and total the hours at the end the school year. Contact Penny for more information, (480) 839-3095.

DOBSON RANCH CLUB PLANNING SERVICE PROJECTS THAT OFFER OTHER CLUBS INTERCLUBING OPTIONS
With the new Kiwanis administrative year comes the call from incoming Governor Ron Smith for clubs of the Southwest District to intentionally invite and include other Clubs in the divisions in service projects. This comes from George Nash of the Kiwanis Club of Mesa-Dobson Ranch.

"Gov. Ron Smith has provided that our interclubs be connected to service projects. Our club plans its inaugural "5-K Walk For Kids and Health Expo" in Laguna Park in Dobson Ranch in Mesa. We would welcome any volunteers from the clubs in the area. We would certainly welcome any walkers from your group to participate.

"The second item for your consideration is for a new service project for us with the Junior Achievement organization in Tempe. I am committed to be one of 20 volunteers for the first Junior Achievement Biz Town at their Southern Avenue facility in Tempe on Wednesday Nov. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Schools bring the kids to participate in running mythical businesses. Volunteers will be placed at the different businesses they have set up in "Biz Town" to show the kids how to run the businesses wisely and profitably.

"If you want more information on this, I'll get it for you. Again let me know if you are interested and can provide help for this."

George Nash, president, Dobson Ranch Club, 1527 W. Posada Ave Mesa, AZ 85202 or george.nash@cox.net

FIRST CRUSH CHARITY GALA
Beth Fiorenza, executive director of Tempe Community Action Agency, touted the "First Crush Charity Gala" 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday Oct. 16 at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, 80 E. Rio Salado Parkway (outdoor near the fountain) featuring an amazing spread of foods (lobster and rice, linguini with fresh clams, citrus salad, lemon and orange-glazed veggies and so much more). Alice Tatum and the Alice Tatum Band will perform. The fund-raiser benefits TCAA and the theme is "Combating Poverty - Empowering People." Tickets are $75. Outdoor casual dress. Silent auction 5:30 to 8 p.m. Jerry Norton and Bob Ramsey and PMT Ambulance, along with Santa Barbara Catering are the "Homeless Champions" leads. More information at tempaction.org (click on donate now).

EAST VALLEY SOL CHARITIES TO BENEFIT TEMPE FAMILY YMCA
Twenty organizations, including the Tempe Family YMCA, will be beneficiaries of "Fiesta Del Sol IV" 6 p.m. to past 11 p.m. Saturday Oct. 10 at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Dinner catered by Outback Steakhouse, drinks by Budweiser, with live music, auctions, raffles, a casino and more. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. East Valley Sol was founded in 2006 when a friendís 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with are rare form of bone cancer. With a block party and other charities, $50,000 was raised. On Thursday, Lance Gray, KCOT member from the Y, gave a special invitation to all KCOT members to join in. Register at eastvalleysol.org. It is for those 21 and over.

This and That:
Dee Harkins, a former longtime KCOT member, who served as KCOTís secretary-treasurer, 1976 to 1989, has retired at age 65 from accountant/CPA/financials with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Indian Nation. He had worked many years before that with the Arizona. His wife, Sharon Harkins, daughter of Ralph Packer and a registered nurse recently retired from here work with a nine-doctor pediatrics office.

NEIL GIULIANO TO LECTURE AT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LIBRARY IN LITTLE ROCK
Neil Giuliano announced that he has been invited to be a Distinguished Lecturer at the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark., during the first week of October. He thought it will Oct. 6 and 7. He said one lecture has to be to a private audience and one to a public audience. Here is the first paragraph of the letter of the invitation: "Dear Mr. Giuliano: On behalf of the Bill Clinton School of Public Service and the Clinton Library, I would like to invite you to speak as a William J. Clinton Distinguished Lecturer. We would be honored if you would visit the newest presidential school in the fall of 2009 to speak about your distinguished career in public service, the great work of GLAAD and the critical issues facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

NEW KIWANIS YEAR BEGINS - INDUCTION/AWARDS ON SEPT. 28
Early October not only brings a new term of the United States Supreme Court and the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series, it marks the change of leadership for Kiwanis International. Many a Club president in our club, and those across the planet, has yearned for the day, while incoming presidents have quaked in their shoes, gulped and plunged into the year as president.

We urge Kiwanians and their significant others have their calendar marked for "Kiwanis Awards/Induction" for Monday night Sept. 28. It's a gathering that has been held at numerous locations around Tempe over the years, from the University Club at ASU to John Henry's Restaurant to Riazzi's Italian Restaurant to the Depot Cantina to several sites of Nello's Pizza to the now gone Holiday Inn to Heidi's Catering to the Clubhouse at the Lakes

Kiwanis Club of Tempe's 58^th annual Officers Induction and Awards Banquet is set for Monday night, Sept. 28, in the Bridgeview Condos clubroom at Hayden Ferry Lakes, 140 E. Rio Salado Parkway. It begins at 6 p.m. Catering by Santa Barbara. Heavy appetizers and refreshments. There is limited parking in the guest garage of the building but parking in the parking structures in front of 80 E. Rio Salado is free after 6 p.m. All visitors have to check in at the desk in the south lobby. The concierge will send guests up to the clubroom. No cost information has been announced. Look for sign-ups soon.

KCOT Secretary Cheryl Hornyan lives in the high-rise condos and will be host. Awards will follow the meal.

Current President Mike Cryer will officially turn over Club leadership to current President-Elect Corey Woods, certainly one of the youngest new club presidents in the Club's history. The Tempe City Councilman will announce his theme for the year and share his goals and hopes for the year.

He will lead a team that includes Kerry Fetherston, president-elect; Kathy Stevens, vice president; Bill Wagner, treasurer; Cheryl Hornyan, secretary; and Mike Cryer, immediate past president. Corey's board members will be Carol Balk, Pam Goronkin, Lance Gray and Mike Jennings, beginning the second year of two-year terms; and Jamie Bogash, Chad Gammage and Dean Plainer, beginning two-year terms. Dean was re-elected in April and will be starting a second full term.

Mark Richwine completes his work as immediate past president, while Diane Schans and Kathy Stevens join Dean in finishing two-year terms. A Kiwanian of the Year will be named, and past Hixsons will announce what KCOT member will be tapped at the 2009 George F. Hixson Award recipient. Committee chairs and outstanding volunteerism will be recognized.

Lend 3 Hours to Help launch new Papago Kiwanis Club
KCOT members are encouraged to step up and help in the prospecting for new Kiwanians in north Tempe and south Scottsdale in the coming week (Monday Sept. 14 to Thursday Sept. 17). Just a half day of about three volunteers hours is sought: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

The New Club Development, tentatively to be called the Kiwanis Club of Papago, is led by Past Southwest District Gov. Dick Caley of the Tempe Nuevo Kiwanis Club, Division 10 Lieutenant Governor Ray Devine, Lawn Griffiths, incoming Division 10 lieutenant governor, Rose Ann Dodson, Southwest District executive director, George Nash of the Mesa Dobson Ranch Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis International club developer Jim Courtright of Glendale. The group sent 266 hand-addressed letters to businesses in the area telling about the need and value of a Kiwanis Club in the area from 48^th Street on the west, McDowell Road on the north, Hayden/McClintock on the east and Rio Salado Parkway on the south.

It is a distinct area with many prospects in the businesses along Washington and Scottsdale Road. Teams of two are following up their letter by talking to people in offices and buildings about Kiwanis, following a prepared talk that has proven to be effective elsewhere.

The event will be capped at 5 p.m. next Thursday (Sept. 17) with an event at a watering hole on Washington.

Things start with an orientation at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Denny's on West University Drive and the Hohokam Freeway in northwest Tempe. If you want to help build Kiwanis, join in. KCOT would get credit for a new start. Call Lawn for details, (480) 894-1557.

Russ Plieseis - expressive Kiwanian who'll take on the tough project leader roles
If KCOT had a poet laureate, it would be Russ Plieseis. Anytime Russ has a special occasion for speaking, he pours out precise phrases. Every Christmas newsletter is thoughtfully crafted with turned phrases, poetry and well-chosen words, awash in humor and irony. One could easily expect to see Russ in medieval garb at the Renaissance Festival, gushing praises of damsels and lifting a goblet of mead.

After Kiwanis International changed its bylaws to allow transfers, Russ was the first Kiwanian to transfer into KCOT. He came from the Glendale Kiwanis Club in early 1996. He had joined the Glendale club in 1991. At the time, he was general manager of the then-new Hooters restaurant in downtown Tempe.

During those years, he served with a number of community groups, The Centers for Habilitation, Tempe Community Action Agency, Boys and Girls Club, Junior Achievement, Mill Avenue Merchants Association and others. He frequently catered meals and helped plan events. Then his work took him to Tucson for several years.

Russ rejoined KCOT in 2003 and quickly took on assignments. He served two consecutive terms on the KCOT Board of Directors (2004-2008). He was chairman of the 4^th of July Show in 2005, which raised nearly $70,000 for the community. President Chris Rosner named Russ "Kiwanian of the Year" for the 2004-2005 year. He would go on to direct the Fantasy of Lights Parade. He was a member of Tempe Leadership Class XIII.

Born Dec. 31, 1966, in Minneapolis, Minn., (sharing his birthday with his mother), he earned an associate degree from Colorado State University. He moved to the Valley in 1991. His son Conner was born Nov. 9, 2006. Today Russ is a financial advisor for Professional Planning Associates.

Russ' hobbies are reading, writing and diving. He explained why he loves diving so much. "With the number of senses that are taken away or dulled, it teaches you to ëfeel' what is going on around you. I have always been an observer of people, things and moments. God gave me a talent for expressing it to others, that I too rarely take advantage of it. Nonetheless, writing is something that I enjoy. In high school, I won countless awards as poet laureate. Even as early as second grade, I had been recognized for a short piece that I had written ironically about diving for treasure." Russ noted that that, in itself, was strange with him being so young and living in Minnesota. Even with "10,000 lakes, we did not swim a lot. It was too cold most of the time."

Russ noted his favorite times with KCOT. "My moments have always been when I have stopped to enjoy the moment or the fruits of everyone's labor. I love to walk behind the very last float as it leaves the staging area and follow the parade. I love looking at all the people as they clap, wave, smile and enjoy such a simple thing as a parade. My favorite is to walk with Conner. It gives me a great sense of pride to watch him wave and smile back at everyone, with him thinking it is all for him. And, in many ways, my little part is for him."

"After the 4^th of July, after the long hours, blistering heat, running money and loss of voice, I love to just sit behind the stage along the lake wall with many thousands of people just 100 yards away. I can just sit almost by myself and look up and watch the amazing display and reflect on the day."

Read to Exceed is Off and Running:
Read to Exceed, a reading program with Early Head Start children, resumes the week of Sept. 14 for the school year at three sites in Tempe. KCOT members and friends will be in eight classes to read. Volunteers will read for one week each month to stimulate kids' minds and encourage reading.

Penny Pease, co-chairman said more volunteer readers are needed for what is about a maximum of 20 minutes in a classroom, plus drive time. Books are provided and already in the classrooms.

Volunteer readers so far are: Sharon Kausal and friend, Linda Zamora; Art Tate; Judy Aldrich; Neil Fisch; Beth Fiorenza; Lawn Griffiths; Mike Cryer; Vic Cordts;

Penny Pease; and new this year from the ASU Circle K Club, Erin Linn, former Michigan District Key Club Governor. We still need to fill more reading slots, contact Penny Pease (480) 839-3095.

'READ TO EXCEED' RESUMES SEPT. 15
KCOT's popular Headstart reading program will resume on Sept. 15. The teachers at Headstart have assured us that the kids are clamoring for a few "good reads."

This year's program will be headed up by Sharon Kausal and Penny Pease. Penny and former member Robert Kizere recently shopped for books at the annual Scholastic Books Warehouse Sale to fulfill the eager 4-year-olds wishes. The program continues to encourage literacy and while building an in home library. This year we will be again visit the Early Headstart programs at Curry Elementary School and Tempe Westside Multigenerational Center, both with two classes, and Tempe Northside Multigenerational Center, which has three classes. Each site has morning and afternoon programs. KCOT will make a total of 56 visits from September through April to read and hand out gift books to the students.

There will be a total of eight visits to seven classes (1 per month September to April),or 56 reading sessions. Volunteers will be handing out about 1,030 books to the children and teachers. The budget of $1,500 equals $1.45 per book for books that sell for $3 to $6 at retail.

So, We need volunteers. The time commitment is minimal; each visit takes about 20 minutes. As of Thursday seven people - Sharon Kausal, Art Tate, Judy Aldrich, Linda Zamora, Beth Fiorenza, Lawn Griffiths, Mike Cryer - had committed to 37 visits. There are 27 slots left.

"The program is wildly popular with Headstart; they adore it," Penny said. "The Headstart teachers are very open to rescheduling or even making your own schedule. The benefit to the children is enormous."

"I also like to involve as many men as possible, as so many of these children have no men in their lives," Penny reports.

Please contact Penny Pease to sign up for a "read." She promises you that this will be your "best read" in years. The read comes complete with hugs from adoring four year olds. PLEASE VOLUNTEER: (480) 839-3095 or pennypz@aol.com.

Bob Lizardi - the ever jovial school finance guru, ex-prez
The 19^th in a series of profiles on KCOT members.
Bob Lizardi has brought enormous laughs to the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. He demonstrates that each time he makes his too infrequent visits to Club meetings with his story-telling and memories. Longtime members know how he was typically in the center of Club pranks and jokes during his earlier years with the Club. His impish smile comes just before he unloads with a funny story about another Kiwanian.

Over the years, his rich black hair has been styled in every way from a big Afro-like bush to shaggy hippie to flattop and beyond.

The 32-year KCOT member was Club president in 1984. When President David Gower took a leave of absence in February 1984 because of work and "board burnout," Bob, then president-elect, filled in. Dave resigned officially in May, and Bob served out the remaining four months as the 35^th club president. Bob had been named Kiwanian of the Year for the 1983-84 year for chairing the most ambitious 4^th of July fireworks show up to that time - a fireworks extravaganza in Sun Devil Stadium featuring the Osmonds. Bob liked to say how he had the task of picking up Donny Osmond at Sky Harbor Airport and expected he would have to fend off clutching fans and play bodyguard. Yet they strolled through the airport without anyone batting an eye. He almost had to point out Donny to strangers to get someone to pay notice.

Bob has received the Legion of Honor from Kiwanis for 25- and 30-year Kiwanis membership.

Born April 5, 1948, in Williams, Ariz., he arrived in the Valley when he was 10. He would devote his life to school administration, rising to assistant superintendent/business manager for Tempe Elementary School District 3 and served under such superintendents as Ralph Goitia, Augie Orci and Mary Ann Lawson. In 1985, Bob earned The Hat Award from the Arizona Association of School Business Officials.

After his job was eliminated in the early 1990s, Bob became a school finance consultant who helped many school districts and private schools across Arizona and beyond in fiscal management and planning. It was called Arizona Benefit Solutions, Inc.

He married Lynette in 1986, and they have two children and five grandchildren. They live in Gilbert. Lynette has spent decades in school administration, most recently at McKemy Middle School in Tempe.

Bob has been a member of Tempe Diplomats and the treasurer of the Tempe Schools Credit Union. His hobbies are golf, bowling, boating and grandchildren. He lists his favorite moments in Kiwanis as 1) participating in the annual KCOT Corn Roasts deep in the desert, which called for digging a pit to roast the corn and 200 folks hanging out under the starry Arizona skies; 2) chairing the first KCOT 4^th of July fireworks show in Sun Devil Stadium; and 3) "my association with great Kiwanians like Bob Curry, Al Thomas, Bob Williams, Harl Chamberlain, Dick Flynn, Ralph Lingerfelt, Jim Yount and Ken Shook."

AWARDS/INDUCTION EVENT SEPT. 28
Mark your calendar and plan to bring yourself and your significant other to the 58^th annual Kiwanis Club of Tempe Officers Induction and Awards event in the Clubroom of the Bridgeview Condos at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, 140 E. Rio Salado Parkway.

It will be Monday, Sept. 28, beginning with cocktails at 6 p.m. Catering will be by Santa Barbara, with ample appetizers and refreshments, rather that a tradition full-course dinner. The arrangements have been made by KCOT Secretary Cheryl Hornyan, who lives at Bridgeview. Parking is limited in the building's garage but ample space is next-door at 80 E. Rio Salado. Check into the desk first in the lobby.

Sign-ups will begin on Thursday.

The event will feature the installation of the new Club officers for 2009-2010, led by President Corey Woods, President-Elect Kerry Fetherston and Vice President Kathy Stevens.

A Kiwanian of the Year will be named, and a new person will be inducted in the George F. Hixson Fellow group. More information as it becomes available.

SOL DEVILS BEER TENT AT ASU GAMES AIDS KCOT
Kerry Fetherston announced Thursday that KCOT an easy fund-raising opportunity with details being worked out. KCOT would apply for a Tempe special event liquor license for the past president Spike Lawrence and Mike DiDomenico to set up their Sol Devils beer tent across the road from Sun Devil Stadium for tail-gaiting before all the ASU's home football games this fall. Proceeds would be split between KCOT and ASU Sun Devil Club. It would be set up on Fifth Street and College Avenue, where the National Guard Armory used to be, for the seven home games. The take could be as much as $10,000, she said. No volunteers from KCOT will be needed, but Kiwanians are invited to partake. The first game would be this Saturday (Sept. 5) vs. Idaho State.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL VISIT
KCOT will be urged to send its officers and a strong Interclub group to Monti's La Casa Vieja Restaurant on Friday night, Oct. 16, for the annual Official Visit to Division 10 of the Southwest Kiwanis Governor Ron Smith, who begins his term Oct. 1. It will begin with a Division Council meeting with Ron at 5:30 p.m., followed at 6:30 p.m. with reception, meal and remarks. Tickets are $30. Each of the nine clubs in Division 10 will be encouraged to send representatives and a silent auction item. Lawn Griffiths, who takes over as the division's lieutenant governor in the new year, will emcee the evening's activities.

ASU CIRCLE K Benefits from Yogurt sales Monday
Jessica Wegener, KCOT's advisor to the Arizona State University Circle K Club, reminds us CKI's first fund-raiser will be 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, (Labor Day) at Yogurtini at University Drive and Rural Road. KCOT members are urged to stop by and purchase yogurt. If you mention CKI at ASU before you pay, the CKI club will get a percentage of the sales. Regular ASU CKI meetings will be 8 p.m. Mondays in room 302 at the Memorial Union.

WALK FOR POP SEPT. 19
Former Tempe Mayor and Current District 5 U.S. Congressman Harry Mitchell, a prostate cancer survivor, is honorary chairman of the "Walk for Pop" at Kiwanis Park on Saturday, Sept. 19. Harry will join with his son, Tempe Councilman and KCOT member Mark Mitchell, in leading thousands of Arizonans in the first "Walk for Pop." It will be a festive, educational walk to highlight National Prostate Cancer Month.

The walk will raise awareness of the importance of early detection of prostate cancer, the second most diagnosed cancer in men. They have a 1 in 5 chance of developing the cancer in their lifetimes and more than 4,000 will be so diagnosed this year. But with early detection, survival can be 100 percent. There will be free on-site prostate screenings. Registration fee for the walk is $20 or $15 for those under 12. Registration is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the walk 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. around Kiwanis Park. A celebration begins at 10:30 a.m.

KCOT AWARDS/INDUCTION EVENT SEPT 28 AT BRIDGEVIEW
The Kiwanis Club of Tempe is about to change its leadership.

The 58^th annual Officers Induction and Awards Banquet is set for Monday night Sept. 28 in the Bridgeview Condos clubroom at Hayden Ferry Lakeside. 140 E. Rio Salado Parkway. It begins at 6 p.m. Catering by Santa Barbara. Heavy appetizers and cocktails. There is limited parking in the guest garage of the building but parking in the parking structure in front of 80 E. Rio Salado is free after 6 pm. All visitors have to check in at the desk in the south lobby. The concierge will send guests up to the clubroom. No cost information was available.

KCOT Secretary Cheryl Hornyan lives in the high-rise condos and will be host. Awards will follow the meal.

Current President Mike Cryer will officially turn over Club authority to current President-Elect Corey Woods, certainly one of the youngest new club presidents in the Club's history. The Tempe City Councilman will announce his theme for the year and share his goals and hopes for the year.

He will lead a team that includes Kerry Fetherston, president-elect; Kathy Stevens, vice president; Bill Wagner, treasurer; Cheryl Hornyan, secretary; and Mike Cryer, immediate past president. Corey's board members will be Carol Balk, Pam Goronkin, Lance Gray and Mike Jennings, beginning the second year of two-year terms; and Jamie Bogash, Chad Gammage and Dean Plainer, beginning two-year terms. Dean was re-elected in April and will be starting a second full term.

Mark Richwine completes his work as immediate past president, while Diane Schans and Kathy Stevens join Dean in finishing two-year terms. A Kiwanian of the Year will be named, and past Hixsons will announce what KCOT member will be tapped at the 2009 George F. Hixson Award recipient. Committee chairs and outstanding volunteerism will be recognized.

Ward O'Connell coached the art of collegiate diving
Former KCOT member and noted swimming and diving coach Ward O'Connell died Aug. 25 at his home in Shalimar, just a few doors from the country club. He was 77 and had suffered from Alzheimer's disease in recent years. Ward joined KCOT in April 2006 and was active for slightly more than a year before his health forced him to leave the Club. Dick Neuheisel had sponsored him.

Ward had been the dean of Pacific 10 diving coaches and the senior coach at ASU when he retired in 1997. He spent 22 years as head coach of the men's and women's diving teams. He took over in the ASU program in 1974 and guided the program to great success including the construction of the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. He coached 10 Pac-10 Champion teams, plus three Western Athletic Conference champions, one Pacific West Conference winner and one Western Collegiate Athletic Association champ. When he retired, then-ASU associate athletic director Herman Frazier noted, "Ward O'Connell has represented ASU in an outstanding manner and the diving program is one of the more elite programs in the country." In 1994, Ward was the Pac-10 Women's Diving Coach of the Year. He as also respected on the international diving scene as well. Ward was founding vice-president of the American Diving Coaches Association. He served as the U.S. coach at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and coached a U.S. team at an 18-team competition in the former Soviet Union. He earned the highest award for diving coaches in the U.S., the Fred A Cady Memorial Coaches Perpetual Trophy.

His wife Joel Dina, a 10-time national diving champion (they were called "The Diving Duo"), was at Ward's side when he died. They were married Dec. 16, 1961, and were together more than 48 years.

Born March 10, 1932, in New Haven , Conn., Ward earned degrees from the University of Miami and Yale. He would teach in public schools and universities for 47 years, including at Yale University where he coached. He found "teaching and working with young people" an enormous experience. The O'Connells came from California to the Valley in 1969. His work as a U.S. diving coach took him to Japan, Russian, Yugoslavia and Brazil. He would coach 11 All-Americans.

Joel informed the neighborhood that "my dear husband, Ward, passed into eternal life on August 25^th in the early evening with me and his faithful diver, Theresa, at his side. He was very peaceful. Ward was a victim of dementia for the last years of his life and he lived at home with me, and this made him very happy. ... I am thankful that he never had any major physical ailments...All of you have been such an enriching part of Ward's life. I would hope that you remember Ward in your own special way and feel happiness that your paths crossed."

Joel asked for privacy, including no phone calls. There would be no service, but later a gathering of Ward's closest friends to celebrate his life. Donations in Ward's name may be made to: Hospice of the East Valley, 1550 S. Alma School Road, Suite 102, Mesa AZ 85210.

True Kiwanis service: Reading to preschoolers in Read to Exceed
It is probably the most widespread service project conducted by Kiwanians across the world --- reading to children. It is most commonly called Kiwanis Read Around the World Early Literacy Program.

At KCOT, we called it "Read to Exceed." It was coined by former KCOT member Robert Kizere, who continues to be involved in the program with co-chairs Penny Pease and Sharon Kausal.

Last year, KCOT held 60 reading sessions at Early Head Start centers in Tempe during the school year. Volunteers left behind 1,440 books for the children to further their love of reading. We had 15 regular volunteer readers, but we can surely spread the experience around more this year.

Won't you join in and pick up where these volunteers left off last year?: Penny Pease, Judy Aldrich, Linda Spears, Sharon Kausal, Lawn Griffiths, Mike Cryer, Vic Cordts, Rob Kubasko, Shawn Ward, C.K. Liu, Lance Gray, Corey Woods, Curt Ritland, Marcie Greenberg and Linda Wegener. The time commitment on site is about 15-20 minutes at most, plus your drive time.

The readings this year are on the third Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at three Head Start locations: Tempe, Westside Multi-Generational Center, North Tempe Multi-Generational Center; and Curry Elementary School. Penny and Robert have purchased the books with KCOT funds and batches of 18 of each title will be at the Head Start sites for the visits. Typically readers don't finish the entire story, to leave the kids expecting more and can hear the rest with a parent, guardian or sibling at home.

Penny reports that Mike Cryer, Sharon Kausal and Lawn Griffiths

have committed to 8 Tuesdays each (both morning and afternoons) at one site, and Judy Aldrich to two Tuesdays. Penny has 22 Tuesdays (morning and afternoon) yet to fill.

"The program is wildly popular with Headstart; they adore it," Penny said. "The Headstart teachers are very open to rescheduling or even making your own schedule. The benefit to the children is enormous."

"I also like to involve as many men as possible, as so many of these children have no men in their lives," Penny reports. If you can help, please call Penny Pease, (480) 839-3095.

You'll see smiles, enjoy the charming stories by some of America's finest writers of children's books and help the next generation grasp the value of written words and experience imagination itself.

ASU CIRCLE K STARTS NEW YEAR
Jessica Wegener, KCOT's advisor to the Arizona State University Circle K Club, reports CKI had its first meeting of the fall semester at 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 21) in room 302 of the Memorial Union. The group's first fund-raiser will be 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, (Labor Day) at Yogurtini at University Drive and Rural Road. KCOT members are urged to stop by and purchase yogurt. If you mention CKI at ASU before you pay, the CKI club will get a percentage of the sales.

A member of ASU CKI serves this year as the Governor of the Southwest District of Circle K. He is Andrew Berger, a student from Oregon (Anthony.berger@asu.edu).

KCOT BULLETIN WINS EXCELLENCE CONTEST AT CONVENTION
Three KCOT members represented the Club at the 91st Annual Kiwanis Southwest District Convention Aug. 21-23 at the Aquarius Resort & Casino in Laughlin, Nev. Lawn Griffiths (accompanied by wife Patty) was able to be on hand for the full time and was officially sworn in as the 2009-2010 Division 10 Lieutenant Governor, one of 17 taking office in the 18 divisions. Division 10 includes nine Clubs: four in Tempe, plus a club each in Ahwatukee, Sun Lakes, Maricopa, Casa Grande and Mesa Dobson Ranch. Tempe City Council business delayed President-Elect Corey Woods and Secretary Cheryl Hornyan from arriving until Friday night.

At the Saturday afternoon delegate session, it was announced that the "KCOT Bulletin" again was chosen top club bulletin for excellence in the category for clubs with membership of 71 to 100 members. Editor Lawn Griffiths received the traditional white banner patch. Also during that session, a brief memorial service was held for Kiwanians who had died the past year. The 31 included the late Kenneth Shook of KCOT. (Days later, Lawn presented the Memorial program to Florence Shook at her home).

During the convention, Governor Jim Lee of Portales, N.M., summarized his year, in which one new Kiwanis Club, the Chandler Young Professionals Kiwanis Club, was chartered (on Aug. 29). Membership in the district declined by 118 members (Division 10 was unchanged with 328 members). The district started the year with 3,773 and ended with 3,642. New members totaled 414. District Executive Director Rose Ann Dodson reported there were 122 active clubs, of which 63 were below "charter strength" of 25 members. Four charters of clubs were revoked during the year. There are 5 active Circle K Clubs in the district, with 159 members (as of the summer); 118 active high school Key Clubs with 4,412 members; and 37 Builders Club (539 children) at the junior high level.

During the previous year, district Kiwanis clubs performed a combined 69,800 service hours on 4,747 projects. That was worth $510,000. Southwest District's giving to the Kiwanis International Foundation surpassed $6 per Kiwanian putting the district the fifth best of 50 districts worldwide and second best in North America. Meanwhile, during the convention, checks were presented for the Southwest District Foundation totaling $97,400. A check for $90,000 came from the Carefree Kiwanis Club via an estate. Monies will go toward operations/upgrades at Kamp Kiwanis, which needs major water well and water storage work. Talks are ongoing to raise at least $12,000 annually to lease camp land for a cell tower.

Delegates elected, without challengers, Ron Smith of Fountain Hills for 2009-2010 Southwest District governor, to succeed Jim Lee. Chosen Governor-Elect for the following year was Bruce "B.K." Knappenberger of Phoenix Kiwanis Club. Ron emphazed that the big push for his year will be on starting new Kiwanis clubs, impressing on Clubs to perform more service projects that directly work with children and enhancing the Kiwanis experience among members. Too many Kiwanians are on the outside looking in at Club life - not being engaged, not being led to get involved in Kiwanis service. So too often new members fade away. Ron is calling on service projects to use Interclubs as service projects rather than traditional meetings and that some otherwise regular Club meetings be turned into service outings, especially with kids. "The kids are looking for us! Don't make them wait any longer."

The theme for the year is "Make Time to Make A Difference."

The convention had 326 K-Family registered and 44 guests.

The Mid-Winter Conference will be Jan. 15-16 in Prescott. Next summer Kiwanis International Convention will be June 24-27 in Las Vegas (with comedian Jay Leno entertaining). The 92nd Kiwanis Souhwest District Convention will be at Tempe Mission Palms on Aug. 5-8. KCOT is helping develop a new Kiwanis Club of Papago, which will center on north Tempe (Washington Street and North Scottsdale Road and Skysong corridors). The legwork will be the week of Sept. 14-18 and two-person teams will visit hundreds of offices and shops in quest of new Kiwanians. If you can help out for a half day, please led Lawn Griffiths know (480) 894-1557.

WALK FOR POP SEPT. 19
Former Tempe Mayor and Current District 5 U.S. Congressman Harry Mitchell is a prostate cancer survivor. On Saturday, Sept. 19, Harry will join with his son, Tempe Councilman and KCOT member Mark Mitchell, in leading thousands of Arizonans in the first "Walk for Pop." Harry will be honorary chairman for the event, a festive, educational walk to highlight National Prostate Cancer Month. The walk will raise awareness of the importance of early detection of prostate cancer, the second most diagnosed cancer in men. They have a 1 in 5 chance of developing the cancer in their lifetimes and more than 4,000 will be so diagnosed this year. But with early detection, survival can be 100 percent. There will be free on-site prostate screenings. Registration fee for the walk is $20 or $15 for those under 12. Registration is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the walk 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. around Kiwanis Park. A celebration begins at 10:30 a.m.

PAST PRESIDENTS RECOGNIZED
On Aug. 20, the 57 ‡-year birthday of KCOT, the plaque of past Kiwanis Club of Tempe, in the Shalimar Restaurant foyer, was rededicated. Four recent past presidents had their name plates added (Chris Rosner, Bill Regner, Sharon Kausal and Mark Richwine). With Mike Cryer's name, the board of 60 past presidents will be full, and a new one will have to be added to the wall. Lawn Griffiths and Chris Rosner led the rededication program and 11 past presidents on hand shared rich stories of their presidential years: Ralph Lingerfelt, Bob Lizardi, Lawn Griffiths, Linda Spears, Karl Wochner, Dave Wochner, Shana Ellis,Chris Rosner, Sharon Kausal, Mark Richwine, Mike Cryer. Lawn noted that since charter president Harry Burger, the Club has had 54 male presidents and 6 female presidents. Linda Spears broke the gender barrier in 1992-93. Today 20 of our 60 presidents remain on the rolls. We have had three Browns as president and one father-son team (Karl and Dave Wochner, five years apart. Five from KCOT had been Tempe mayors, but only one KCOT president, Neil Giuliano. Twenty-one Kiwanians have served on the city council - a consecutive KCOT presence since 1932 because future Kiwanians were serving then, particularly Sam Burkhard and Harold Nevitt. Past presidents Dave Brown and Bill Regner both send their regrets for not being able to be there for it.

MEMBERS URGED TO STEP UP ATTENDANCE:
Whether it's the economy or summer, there has been a major and noticeable drop in meeting attendance. It is not only costing the Club money for uneaten meals (we have a minimal tally of 25 with Shalimar), but the meeting atmosphere is sharply impacted by the change of chemistry and loss of the robust environment of the past. We have an inordinate number of members with senior status who sometimes minimally attend once a month and only pay for meals eaten, unlike those not seniors who forfeit paid meals if they are not on hand. Guest speakers don't like to look out on empty tables, and it can be embarrassing to the Club. Continuity is lost for members who attend only occasionally. So, members are urged to come regularly if they are in town and add their great personalities to the Club chemistry and better get plugged into the Club's service work.

Rededication of Leaders' Plaque
Thursday salute to KCOT's past club presidents set
A special meeting will be held at the luncheon on Thursday when as many of the past KCOT presidents as can be found are being invited back for Club salute to them and to rededicate the plaque of past presidents that has been on the wall of the lobby of Shalimar. That plaque contains long medal plates of the KCOT's 59 past leaders going back to 1952.

Recently Carol Balk, Mike Cryer and Lawn Griffiths brought it up to date by adding the metal plates of the four most recent presidents: Chris Rosner, Bill Regner, Sharon Kausal and Mark Richwine. Plans are for Past President Chris Rosner to read the names of the presidents and years of their presidency and allow past presidents to share a few highlights about their year at the helm. Twenty of the 60 presidents are still active in KCOT.

The ones furthest back in time to most recent are Jim Harelson, Jim Yount, Ralph Lingerfelt, Bob Lizardi, Warren Fry, Neil Giuliano, Lawn Griffiths, Rod Johnson, Linda Spears, Karl Wochner, Spike Lawrence, Vinny Mirizio, David Wochner, Shana Ellis, Allison Walters, Chris Rosner, Bill Regner Sharon Kausal, Mark Richwine and Mike Cryer. With Mike's tag, this wooden 22 by 29-inch plaque will be full.

We invite all those presidents to be on hand and to invite any other past presidents no longer active but still in the community, maybe living in their neighborhoods or in their churches.

A group picture will be taken. At right is the full follows:

Presidents
Kiwanis Club of Tempe
1952-2009

• Harry Burger, 1952
• Alfred Thomas Jr., 1953
• Malcolm A. Clark, 1954
• James E. Harelson, 1955
• Dean Drake, 1956
• Robert B. Williams, 1957
• C.M. Lindsten, 1958
• Arnold H. Bullock, 1959
• Dr. Kenneth J. Fuller, 1960
• Ray A. Wells, 1961
• Wilbur L. Johnson, 1962
• Robert P. Curry, 1963
• Dr. James Yount, 1964
• Ed Schledorn, 1965
• Edward H. "Ed" Busch, 1966
• James K. Brigham, 1967
• Dr. George S. Calderwood, 1968
• Ted C. Bredehoft, 1969
• Stanley Brown, 1970
• Everett Brown, 1971
• Ralph Lingerfelt, 1971
• Thomas E. Kincaid Jr., 1971-72
• Dale Stephens, 1972-73
• Harl R. Chamberlain, 1973-74
• Donald R. Robinson, 1974-75
• Marlin "Red" Miller, 1975-76
• Gene Sears, 1976-77
• Raymond Clark, 1977-78
• William Foy, 1978-79
• Ed Cathcart, 1979-80
• David Caves, 1980-81
• John Tierney, 1981-82
• Denis Kigin, 1982-83
• Dave Gower, 1983-84
• Robert Lizardi, 1984
• Warren Fry, 1984-85
• John "Jay" Corey, 1985-86
• Neil Giuliano, 1986-87
• Jeffrey Romaine, 1987-88
• Lawn Griffiths, 1988-89
• Adolf "Al" Blum, 1989-90
• James Lakin, 1990-91
• Christian "Rod" Johnson, 1991-92
• Linda Spears, 1992-93
• Kathleen Harris, 1993-94
• Tony Tang, 1994-95
• Alan Whitehead, 1995-96
• Karl Wochner, 1996-97
• David Brown, 1997-98
• Charles "Spike" Lawrence, 1998-99
• Lori Annala Lee, 1999-2000
• Vincent "Vinny" Mirizio, 2000-01
• David Wochner, 2001-02
• Shana Ellis, 2002-2003
• Allison Walters (Aguilar), 2003-04
• Christopher Rosner, 2004-05
• William Regner, 2005-2006
• Sharon Kausal, 2006-2007
• Mark Richwine, 2007-08
• James "Mike" Cryer, 2008-09

Shana Ellis is that Tempe vice mayor who spins around town in a red, 1965 Mustang
This is the 18th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.
Shana Ellis fell into Kiwanis hands at the start. The doctor who delivered her was veteran Tempe physician Dr. Richard Flynn, who had been a KCOT member since 1954.

Born in Mesa on Nov. 17, 1970, Shana arrived into the family of Frankie Jo and Bob Ellis, fully engaged community folks who would nurture her civic predilection in the decades that followed. Bob managed KAET-TV Channel 8, and public affairs were basic to her world. Shana worked phone banks for KAET pledge drives and rang her bell if she got a big-dollar pledge.

She played the cymbals in the Buffalo Marching Band at Tempe High School. That band went to the state finals of the Pepsi Hotshot Contest. Shana launched her Tempe Community Council career early "I began at TCC in September 1986. I was 15 and a junior in high school," she said. "I think my title was ëoffice assistant.' Then the next year, I was enrolled in Marianne Mitchell's Cooperative Office Education class (at Tempe High), and got a new title. I got credit for working and was graded on it."

Shana's time at TCC would span 19 years, until 2005, when she quit to run for Tempe City Council. At the time, she held TCC's No. 2 spot - Assistant Director.

After graduating from Tempe High School in 1988, she went to Arizona State University. She graduated in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in business/computer information systems. She earned a master's degree in public administration in 1997.

Shana was a product of Tempe Leadership Class XIII, then went on to serve six years of Tempe Leadership's board, including a year as president. She organized TL benefit fund-raisers, did a lot with Tempe Cares, served on the Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program board, and represented TCC throughout the Valley. She serves on the Valley Metro Board.

Shana won her City Council seat outright in the March 2006 primary election and was sworn in to a four-year term in July. She credited "a broad spectrum of the community" for the support to win and said affordable housing would be her major focus. She earned a state award last year for her work, In July 2008, Shana was chosen to a two-year term as Tempe Vice Mayor.

She and Rich Antonio were married in 2002. They have a daughter, Amaya, born in 2003. Shana's son Kadence "Kade" Stout was born in 1993 and attends Marco de Niza High School. He has been a regular at KCOT meetings, typically carrying around the fine box for happy dollars.

Shana was sponsored to KCOT by Mike DiDomenico in March 1997. She immediately served two one-year terms as Club treasurer (1998-2000). In 2000, Shana was elected vice president and moved through the chairs to be KCOT president in 2002-2003. Theme for her presidential year was "Grow to Serve ... Serve to Grow." She was designated Distinguished Club President. She did six straight years on the board as an officer. She earned a Ruby K for recruiting five new members, was active in the Corn Roasts, Supplies for Students and sponsorships for the 4th of July. Shana has maintained 11 years of perfect attendance.

And then there's that classy red Mustang, a trademark of Shana of Tempe: "It is 1965. My dad bought it new in March of 1965 (before I was born)," Shana explains. It was officially mine on my 16th birthday, when I got my license, but I figured it out a few months before that when my dad bought himself a new car and had the Mustang painted red. (He is color blind, so why would he care about the color? It had been off-white for 15 years). Hey, I don't have to go buy a midlife crisis car, because I already own one!"

Her hobbies include scuba diving and wine-tasting.

Obscure fact: Back in the 1930s, Shana's mom's house was broken into by Winnie Ruth Judd, Arizona's famous "Trunk Murderess," who supposedly shipped a body and parts of another in trunks before her capture.

The highlight of Shana's KCOT experiences was attending the Kiwanis International Convention in Taiwan in 2001 with Vinny Mirizio and Dave Wochner.

- Lawn Griffiths

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT CONVENTION SET FOR LAUGHLIN
KCOT will be represented next Friday and Saturday at the Kiwanis Southwest District Convention at the Aquarius Resort and Casino in Laughlin, Nev. It will mark the swearing in of next year's district governor, Ron Smith of Fountain Hills, who will be succeeding Dr. Jim Lee of Portales, N.M. At the Saturday night dinner, KCOT Past President Lawn Griffiths will be installed as the lieutenant governor for Division 10 clubs, succeeding Ray Devine of Tempe Nuevo Oct. 1.

GOVERNOR TO VISIT DIVISION 10
The annual Governor's Visit to the clubs of Division 10 has been scheduled for Friday night Oct. 16 at Michael Monti's La Casa Vieja in downtown Tempe. All nine Clubs in the division are expected to especially send their officer teams and/or have an Interclub on hand. It begins at 6:30 p.m. with a no-host bar and dinner at 7 p.m. Gov. Ron Smith will address Kiwanians. A silent auction is planned. Each club is to bring at least one door prize. Tickets are $30. Spouses are welcome. Lt. Gov. Lawn Griffiths will host and emcee the event.

STILL AWAITING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON THESE MEMBERS
Profiles on all KCOT members who have submitted information have been compiled for the Bulletin series and for the forthcoming book of Kiwanis' history. We are getting closer to a deadline and need these people to respond or we will write profiles from available information, not necessarily up to date.

We want to hear from: Ableser, Amberg, Bordner, Caves, DiDomenico, Doyle, Filan, Gray, Greenberg, Harvey, Hornyan, Jefferson, Keith, Lawence, Joseph Lewis, Lizardi, Mirizio, Moeur, Neuheisel, Regner, Schans, Schmoker, Stout, Summers, Tate, Allison Walters, Ron Walters, Linda Wegener, Wilson, Dave Wochner, Corey Woods. Please help get this task completed. Forms/info be returned to Lawn Griffiths by mail or e-mail (Tempe lawn@msn.com) We want photos of all members as well.

BUNCO WAS A BIG SUCCESS
Linda Spears announced that last Saturday's Spike and Mike's Twisted Tarts Invitational Bunco Tournament at the Tempe YMCA was a roaring success. She thanked all who attended. The group raised $6,600. It will be distributed between three charities, The Tempe Family YMCA, Tempe Boys and Girls Club and the Tempe Community Foundation. Linda said that Bob Polley was her astute partner in the game night. Thanks to all who contributed to the success. There were 48 players - Corey Woods, Shana Ellis, Kerry Fetherston, Allison Walters, Bob Polley, Vinnie Mirizio, Mike DiDomenico, Sharon Doyle, Kathy Stevens and I Linda played. Mike and Spike are major sponsors. Mark Mitchell, Corey Woods & Jamie Bogash were table sponsors. Vinnie won $75 for most baby buncos.

PAST PRESIDENTS TO BE SALUTED
No date has been set, but some Thursday in the coming weeks, the program will be devoted to paying tribute to Past KCOT presidents and the rededication of the Past Presidents Plaque in the Shalimar lobby, which contains medal tags of KCOTís 59 past leaders going back to 1952. Recently Carol Balk, Mike Cryer and Lawn Griffiths brought it up to date by adding the metal plates of the four most recent presidents: Chris Rosner, Bill Regner, Sharon Kausal and Mark Richwine. Plans are to read the names of the presidents and years of their presidency and allow past presidents to share a few highlights of their year at the helm. Twenty of the 60 presidents are still active in KCOT.

The ones furthest back in time to most recent are Jim Harelson, Jim Yount, Ralph Lingerfelt, Bob Lizardi, Warren Fry, Neil Giuliano, Lawn Griffiths, Rod Johnson, Linda Spears, Karl Wochner, Spike Lawrence, Vinny Mirizio, David Wochner, Shana Ellis, Allison Walters, Chris Rosner, Bill Regner Sharon Kausal, Mark Richwine and Mike Cryer. With Mikeís tag, this wooden 22 by 29-inch plaque will be full.

We invite all those presidents to be on hand and to invite any other past presidents no longer active but still in the community. A group picture will be taken. Look for the date when this is scheduled.

SUMMER FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES
August is the third and final month of the Kiwanis Summer Food Drive benefiting three of the three major food pantries serving the East Valley. Nuevo Tempe Kiwanis organized the drive with other Clubs, including KCOT. Tempe Salvation Army was the beneficiary for June; Tempe Community Action Agency the July recipient; and St. Vincent de Paul the September pantry getting food brought in weekly by Kiwanians. Bill OíConnor, Nuevo secretary, is coordinating. Food banks need to be replenished, especially with the struggling economy and people out of work. Here is the breakdown for remaining weeks in August: Aug. 13 - beans, dried and canned; Aug. 20, canned tomatoes; and Aug. 27, canned vegetables, anything but tomatoes.

4^th of July fireworks show nets $60,000 for community
The 2009 Tempe 4^th of July Fireworks Show, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe for the 57^th year netted about $60,000 for the Clubís Project Fund and will be largely redistributed this fall to community organizations, especially those serving children. President Mike Cryer made the announcement Thursday. Congratulations to general chairman Lance Gray, volunteer chairman Bob Polley and professional manager Judi Yates, along with the Club who supported the effort. Mike noted that KCOT reaped wonderful results from professional publicist work. The College Timesí excellent souvenir program, chock-full of advertising and information was a major help. Mike said he has a stack of maybe 1,000 of those programs and said they could be very useful as recruitment tools for members and sponsors for next yearís show.

Mike lauded the City of Tempe staff members who collaborated with KCOT in the months of planning and the wise decisions that allowed for trimming expenses for the operations.

BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT COMPLETED:
The annual August KCOT service project, the back-to-school shopping spree with kids from the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, took place on Saturday Aug. 1 at the Target store at Longmore and Southern in Mesa. KCOT member and Ladmo branch manager Vic Cordts coordinated the effort that altogether involved 50 children. KCOT paid $2,000 to outfit 20 kids from the Boys and Girls Club, with KCOT members, spouses and friends showing up to accompany the kids, with a size list, as they walked through aisles and picked up $100+ worth of clothing and school supplies. It went quickly, and the kids all got backpacks and were treated with breakfast and goodies.

Thanks to these Kiwanians, spouses or friends who accompanied kids shopping: Ed Ableser and wife Hilary, Judy Aldrich (KCOT coordinator), Vic Cordts (overall coordinator), Mike Cryer, Sharon Doyle, Steve Rich, Lawn Griffiths, Mike Jennings, Sharon and Richard Kausal, Mark Mitchell, Nick and Tiffany Miner, Joel Navarro, Mark Richwine, Linda Spears, Kathy Stevens and Corey Woods. If you get a chance, thank Target for hosting it. Their staff was very helpful and accommodating.

Linda Spears leads loyal minions for Tempe betterment
This is the 17^th in a series of profiles of KCOT members.
Linda Spears was a KCOT trail-blazer at KCOT from the start. The Feb. 1, 1990, Bulletin carried her photo and profile. Itís believed to be the first time a photo would appear in a KCOT Bulletin.

The real understatement was her quote about to why she was joining the Club: "I want to become more active in Tempe." And did she ever! Sponsored by Mark Weaver, Linda had begun visiting the Club in late 1989. Twenty years ago, she was building her career as an accountant and restaurant consultant. The 1972 ASU accounting graduate was president, at the time, of a non-profit organization working for domestic violence prevention.

By May, in just three months of membership, Linda was elected Club treasurer for 1990-91, but she assumed that job early -- in July, when the treasurer quit. She became Kiwanian of the Year in 1991 under President Jim Lakinís tenure. It was her first full administrative year as a member, one in which she was then chosen president-elect. And Linda made KCOT history in May 1992, when she was elected the first female president of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. During her presidency (1992-93), this veritable "community organizer" came up with significant community service projects, such as the Nelloís Pizza Italian Party fund-raisers to pay medical costs for young children. That quickly morphed into KCOTís foundation, the Tempe Childrenís Charity Fund, which she designed.

Linda beheld Tempe Butte and envisioned luminaries being laid along the pathway to the top. The KCOT Luminaria Walk was a community service project just before Christmas for five seasons. Then it gave way to a better Linda idea, a holiday light parade.

Linda was a member of Class VII of Tempe Leadership (1991-92). During her Club presidency the next year, she led KCOT into being part of Tempe Cares, sponsored by Tempe Leadership, in its inaugural project of Tempe neighborhood improvements. That KCOT partnership has continued for each spring since 1993.

Never shrinking from the zany, Linda created a fund-raiser out of the Valley premier of the film "The Coneheads" in 1993, starring David Spade, son of former KCOT member Judy Todd. Linda was featured in a Tribune photo wearing a rubber "conehead" to promote the event at the Harkins Centerpoint theaters to benefit the Childrenís Charity Fund.

Her "Lines from Linda" presidentís column in each weekís Bulletin turned out to be a task none of her successors would follow. She initiated the 50/50 fund to raise extra money for the Kiwanis International Convention that year in Nice, France. She would later earn "Distinguished Club President" honors from Kiwanis International for her year as president.

No sooner was she immediate Past President than Linda ran for and won a seat on the Tempe City Council (1994-98), taking office the same day that another past KCOT president, Neil Giuliano, was sworn in as Tempe Mayor. By November 1995, the Linda Idea Machine crafted and launched the "Electric Light Parade," later renamed Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade." Typically held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in downtown Tempe, it has grown into the cityís largest parade. She launched a "Mile of Quarters" project to raise funds for children during the Mill Avenue Arts Fair about 1993.

She started the KCOT spring tradition of Kiwanians at Tempe Diablo Stadium for Cactus League season kickoff. She spontaneously developed countless quick turnaround projects to help hundreds in Tempe. It was once observed in the Bulletin, "that Linda Spears seems to always be in the middle of every one of our worthy projects." Whether itís cleaning up Rio Salado, a special food drive, being adviser to the ASU Circle K Club for years or throwing a Christmas party for La Mesita, Linda never hesitates.

Her Pied Piper qualities led to the coining of the term "Lindaís Minions," those devoted followers who confidently join in her surefire projects.

Linda has maintained perfect attendance with KCOT since she was inducted despite her extensive traveling.

In 1995, her sister Rita joined KCOT, creating the first "Sister Act" in KCOT membership.

Lindaís community involvements have piled up: Tempe Community Council, Boys and Girls Club (for which she earned a Distinguished Service Award for 20 years of work); Newtown CDC, Tempe Salvation Army, Tempe Arts Center, Tempe Chamber of Commerce board, Tempe Sister Cities, Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau, Arizona Town Hall, Rio Salado Committee, Industrial Development Authority, TIE Foundation and The Centers for Habilitation, and a founder of Tempe Tarts. Linda co-chaired the Tempe 2030 vision planning. She served anew in recent years on the KCOT Board of Directors.

In 1999, she earned the Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award from Tempe Leadership. In 2000, Linda was named recipient of the George F. Hixson Fellow Award for sustained service to KCOT and the community. She was chosen Kiwanian of the Year a second time in 2004. Linda earned Tempeís most prestigious award, the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, in 2007 for an incredible body of community work.

Along the way, Linda and Rita honored a dying friendís request to adopt her two daughters, Bobbi and Kristi, in 1996. The Spears finished raising the two girls, who are now in the 20s. Their poignant story was told in McCallís magazine in August 1998.

On the 20^th anniversary of Kiwanisí by-laws change permitting female membership, Linda was one of the outstanding Kiwanis International women featured in stories in print and online.

Born on a Feb. 4 in Tucson, she grew up in Tacna and was valedictorian of her Antelope Union High School class of 40 students. She was editor of her junior high newspaper, "Braves Pow Wow" at Mohawk Valley School in Yuma, chock-full of jokes like, "Cannibal husband to wife, ëWhatís for dinner?í Wifeís answer: "Baked beings?" Linda was a national officer of the Future Homemakers of America and president of her Spanish Club. She played the role of "Cinderella" in high school.

Her hobbies today includes gonzo shopping, photography, jewelry making (beading), cooking, eating and community service. Her favorite moments in KCOT have been "getting to know ëOld Tempeí - Al Thomas, Bob Curry, Ross Rice, John Moeur, etc, and making lifetime friends; attending conventions with Judy Aldrich, Rod Johnson, Jim Lakin, Kathleen Harris, Kay Gianapoulis and Tony Tang."

Said Linda, "Membership is an experience over time - people come and go, but the moments have shaped my life."

SPIKE & MIKE'S TWISTED TARTS INVITATIONAL BUNCO TOURNAMENT AUG. 8
The Tempe Tarts, a nearly famous group of famous Tempe women who mix chick friendships with fund-raising and service, are sponsoring the annual Spike and Mike's Twisted Tarts Invitational Bunco Tournament on Saturday Aug. 8, beginning at 6 p.m. a the Tempe Family YMCA, 7070 S. Rural Road.

It will be "Coed Bunco" with raffles, silent auction and cash prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Tempe Family YMCA, East Valley Boys and Girls Club and the Tempe Community Foundation. It is named for Spike Lawrence and Mike DiDomenico, KCOT members, whose respective companies Lawrence & Geyser Development and Wessex Service Company, are sponsors.

Registration is $50 per person and $100 for a table sponsor. Fees include hors d'oerves and wine. For information, call organizers Linda Spears, (480 966-6638, lindaspears1@cox.net or Shana Ellis, (480) 390-8216 or shana_ellis@cox.net. Those attending are urged to support Tempe Community Action Agency by bringing nonperishable foods and enter a drawing for "a fabulous prize."

15-year board member Carol Balk is mom of 4 sons
This is the 16^th in a series of profiles on members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.
When Carol Balk arrived on the KCOT scene in 1993, she was absorbed in the work of the Tempe Children's Center. As chairman of its board, she would say, "It is more than a hobby. It's my second job - unpaid, of course." The child care center with the Tempe name was actually on Dobson Road near University Dreive in Mesa. She came to Kiwanis a mom with four boys, ages 2-8, and a full-time job as the business manager for ASU Fiscal Service Department.

Carol quickly engaged with KCOT, developing its First Steps program in cooperation with the East Valley Child Crisis Center. By that fall, Carol was serving on the KCOT Board as a director, being chosen to three two-year terms, then being elected Club secretary. Carol served consecutive one-year terms as secretary until the summer of 2008. Altogether, she spent 15 straight years on the KCOT board and became its institutional memory. Carol was the Kiwanian of the Year for 1993-94 and earned the George F. Hixson Fellow award in 2006.

Born June 16, 1952, in Watertown, N.Y., Carol grew up on a farm and was very active in 4-H. She and Mike were married in 1974. "I arrived in Arizona on Sept. 14, 1974, with a pickup truck, a new husband, a dog and a cashier's check for about $500, which was supposed to be enough to set up in a new life. It was not," Carol said. "After living briefly in Mesa, then Phoenix, it became clear that Tempe was the place where we wanted to settle."

Carol took an entry-level job with ASU in 1975. It was a task to manually post students loan payments on thousands of ledger cards. "We looked forward to the day when, it was rumored, we would be able to swipe a student ID card in a magical device and read everything about that student on a TV screen," she said. "We had seen such futuristic possibilities on 'Star Trek,' so we knew it could be done. In 1979, Carol received a bachelor's degree in accounting and continued to work as an accountant and systems analyst until 2007.

"Our four sons - David, Jay, Ben and Sam - were born between 1984 and 1990," she said. "The next 15 years are something of a blur. During that time, I became very interested in early childhood education and joined KCOT, where I was pleased to work toward making things better in the lives of kids. In KCOT, I also made some dear friends who have enriched my life beyond measure."

In December 2007, Carol took early retirement from ASU and became business manager of the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts. "It feeds my passions for kids, music and travel, making me very happy, busy person," said Carol, who travels the U.S. with the Tempe-based drum and bugle corps for concerts and competition.

Carol's hobbies are kids, music, music teaching, drum corps, travel and gardening when there is time. Her favorite memories include delivering good boxes, Christmas presents and holiday meals to families, or school supplies to kids or baby supplies to new parents. Her early work with First Steps provided support and education for new parents to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The Oct. 21, 1993, issue of the KCOT Bulletin contained a one-time column, "Sold in Balk: Mother Carol Knows Best." They included "time-savings tips for working moms." Here were a few of them: "1) Make the kids sleep in their clothes: The time this saves n the morning could make the difference between getting up at the crack of dawn or getting up before the crack of dawn. Shoes are optional. The kids may even like it a first. 2) Clean out your car at least four times a year. Make two of those times during the month of December, just before and after Christmas. Between cleanings, warn the occasional adult passenger to watch where they sit. I once drove a colleague to a funeral and he got out of my car with a raisin stuck to his bottom; 3) Acquaint the children with common household appliances. A kid who can program the VCR can operate a washing machine...4) Cook only once a month and freeze it to serve later. Twelve gallons of spaghetti sauce will go a long way. Do not freeze salad....6) Be a good community volunteer. This will enhance your self-esteem, give you a good, warm and fuzzy feeling, and it often gets you out of the house on weekends when the kids are home..."

-- Lawn Griffiths

KCOT's back-to-school shopping spree with B&G Club kids Aug. 1
It is a new era in KCOT's longstanding back-to-school service projects with the Tempe Boys and Girls Club. With the demise of the Mervyn's stores in the East Valley, the project of accompanying kids through the clothing aisles to find them $100 of new duds to wear back to school this fall has moved to Target. Judy Aldrich announced Thursday that KCOT members and friends will gather at 6:45 a.m. Saturday Aug. 1 at the Target store at Longmore and Southern in Tempe (just east of Mesa Community College). The store will be open early for Boys and Girls Clubs children, who will be brought there. Soon after 7 a.m., we will pair up with the kids and help them choose shirts, slacks, blouses, dresses, shoes, socks, underwear, shorts, etc., up to but not exceeding $100. Judy noted that Target won't be quite as accommodating if we run over in purchases. So keep that in mind and bring a calculator. Volunteers should be done by 9 a.m. Judy, along with Vic Cordts, signed up 12 workers Thursday and more will be needed. If you can help, call Judy, (480) 694-6515 or email: jadrich@cox.net

Mary Fran Lewis served longest on TUHS governing board
This is the 15^th in a series of profiles on members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.
Mary Frances Lewis has been called "Tempe's Champion of Education" and "Mrs. Public Education in Tempe." None of the other 68 who have served on the governing board of Tempe Union High School District served longer. She was there 25 ‡ years.

Elected to her first term in November 1978 and seated Jan. 1, 1979, she served through Dec. 31, 2002, when she was unseated. She ran again in 2004 and began a new four-year term on Jan. 1, 2005 and served 1‡ years. She left June 30, 2006, citing displeasure with increased restrictions on elected office holders, including being denied, as a governing board member, authority to sit in on interviews for candidates for high school principal posts or have access to information on them. She also cited a desire to spend more time with family. Only W. A. Moeur Jr., governing board member 1935-1959, or 24 years, comes close. (His father W. A. Moeur had served 10 years). Mary Fran was elected seven times, and served numerous one-year terms as board president, vice president and clerk.

When she missed re-election in '02 at age 62, she told a reporter she was taking defeat gracefully. She noted she had missed a lot of birthdays, anniversaries and even a bridal shower for one of her daughters because of governing board meetings. "That's your commitment, your promise you make for service, and you have to keep it," she said.

Mary Fran was part of history making at KCOT 22 years ago. On Sept. 24, 1987, during the final meeting of the presidency of Neil Guiliano -- a day when Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham spoke to the Club -- Dick Neuheisel sponsored the first five women to join the Club and they were inducted. The action came after Kiwanis International had removed gender restrictions from its bylaws at the summer convention in Washington, D.C. Inducted that day were Mary Frances Lewis, Pat Hatton, Judy Todd, Bonnie Waite and Sandy Schmidt.

Mary Fran would serve as a director of the KCOT Board in 1988-89, then two years as board secretary (1989-91). Because of the demands of providing care at home for her foster children and TUHS responsibilities, it was a daunting challenge for her to get to Kiwanis meetings. The board subsequently voted her honorary membership in the mid-1990s.

Born in Maryland, Mary Fran grew up on a farm. She remembers getting lost in a cornfield where she found a watermelon half her size. She was told that if she ever got lost again in the corn, she should stay on the same row and walk to the end of the field where she would find civilization again. In sixth grade, she was voted "The Wittiest." She said her father referred to her as an agitator. In fact, she kept looking into the washing machine to figure out the true meaning of life. She drove a tractor solo at age 5 and by age 12, she was dual-shifting a 1 ‡-ton truck. She worked on the farm, went to a country school and, in the days when she took a bus to school, she never missed it lest she'd spend the day having to work on the farm.

She married Dr. William E. "Bill" Lewis, her high school sweetheart, Nov. 29, 1958. Bill would serve Arizona State University for 42 years in many roles. He was the founding chairman of the Computer Science Department and was Vice Provost for Information Technology. It included 30 years on the faculty of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The Lewises have been avid Sun Devil fans.

Mary Fran says her school board work "was almost my greatest community service. What tops my community service, by far, I believe it was being a foster parent (probably about 30 children overall - most with special needs) for over 25 years and adopting Clint and continuing as Derek's guardian when he turned 18 and left foster care. Derek has been with us for 31 years." The other Lewis children are John, Angela, MarySusan, Rob and Amy. There are 11 grandchildren.

She enjoys gardening, family and sewing for her granddaughters. She was named one of Tempe's "Women of Distinction" by Tempe St. Luke's Hospital.

Mary Fran served on state foster care boards and was a driving force to get the Arizona Legislature to require mandatory warning signs and labels regarding pregnant women drinking alcoholic beverages, thus causing alcohol syndrome in newborns.

She would proudly tell a reporter, "From being a Bluebird leader to Pop Warner cheerleader coach to a foster parent to a Sunday school teacher, everything I ever did was (for) children. So for me, one of the best focuses of your community effort was indeed the school board." She said she hoped patrons would remember her as someone who "was honest, a person of integrity and that I enjoyed their trust."

--Lawn Griffiths

KEEP BRINGING SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Linda Spears, on Thursday, urged Kiwanians to visit stores and scarp up basic school supplies to equip needy Tempe students as they go back to school. It is sponsored by the Communities in Schools and Tempe Community Council. Needed are new school supplies, clothing or shoes in a project called "Helping Kids Stay in Schools and Prepare for Life." The last day to bring them is Thursday. Stores like Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Target, etc., have great specials on school supplies, and the same for the various "dollar stores." Items may also be left at the Pyle Center, TCC office or other locations.

Volunteers needed for Fantasy of Lights Parade
Russ Plieseis, chairman of the 17^th annual Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade in downtown Tempe, made his first request for volunteers on Thursday. As always, it will be the first Saturday night after Thanksgiving or Nov. 28 on Mill Avenue. Because Downtown Tempe Community (DTC) has faced budget cuts, it cannot handle all the roles of the past related to Tempe's largest annual parade.

He said he needs lots of Kiwanians to step up for these roles: 10 to 15 parade marshals to supervise groups of entries and units in the parade assembly area; six drivers of convertibles for City Council members; people to handle the collection of food from the public for food pantries; and volunteers to recruit units in such areas as musical, school groups, church floats, etc. The goal is to kick up the number of entries. If you can help, look for the sign-up again at upcoming meetings or email Russ: russplieseis@cox.net or (602) 206-4547.

CANNED VEGETABLES NEEDED:
If you haven't done it so far this summer, how about bringing some food this Thursday for the Tempe Kiwanis Clubs' summer food drive for the pantries at Tempe Community Action Agency and Tempe Salvation Army. It will be the final collection for the drive spearheaded by the Nuevo Tempe Kiwanis Club. Mike Cryer has been transferring food to that Club. Needed for Thursday (July 30), the final day, are canned vegetables.

Karl Wochner: A look at a seasoned Kiwanian
This is the 14^th in a series of profiles of members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe
Some have said that Karl Wochnerís year as president of KCOT, 1996-97, was the Clubís most robust because it added 18 new members, the Memorial Grove was planted at Kiwanis Park, service projects abounded and so many things clicked. The Tempe Daily News, that year, had taken notice and declared KCOT the communityís "Club of Clubs." Karl brought 25 years of KCOT membership experience to the office of president - and it really showed.

In his talks at the installation and awards banquet at the start and end of his year, Karl used a very effective metaphoric image of "The Kiwanis Bus" in which he had been the driver, who had taken the Club on a new route. He called on Kiwanians to some day return to the north end of the lake at Kiwanis Park and behold the now-taller jacaranda trees and say, "I helped make this happen."

A longtime Tempe attorney, a gifted church singer, a supreme joke teller and a keeper of all things that may someday have value, Karl has been a fixture on so many fronts. As the long-time organizer and coordinator of Interclub outings, along with Ralph Packer and Dean Plainer, Karl is as well-known in the other Clubs of the division as any KCOT member. He holds the most consecutive chain of years of perfect attendance in the Club, helped in great part by his Interclub make-ups.

He was chairman of KCOTís 4^th of July Fireworks Show in the Bicentennial year of 1976 and almost got comedian Bob Hope to come to Tempe for it. For many years, he has chaired and organized the KCOT Tempe Middle School Scholarships project.

Karl has shared his "My Three Sons" stories, his hard-luck accounts of his vehicle breakdowns and delayed repairs and so many anecdotes about "just weird" experiences along the highway of life.

His oldest son, David Wochner, would join KCOT in 1994 and become the Clubís president in 2001-2002. They are the only father-son pair to both serve as KCOT presidents.

Karl was born Jan. 22, 1943, in Oxford, Neb., and he spent his early years in a number of states. It took 10 days for his family to move from Connecticut to Arizona in 1952. He said their 1937 Ford truck was packed 14-feet high. They had to adjust things to make it through the 13 ‡-foot high tunnel Queen Creek Tunnel on U.S. 60/70 near Superior. Going down the center of the road helped. His father, Ray Wochner, had taken a job as an education professor at Arizona State University. Karl began and ended his formal education on the ASU campus. He began in 4^th grade in 1952 at the now-gone Payne Training School. "I never realized at the time that it would be 1970 before I finished my education at ASU." He would be student body president at both Tempe High School (1960-61) and Arizona State University (1964-65). He was named an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1973.

He was a member of Tempe High Key Club, helped KCOT in its Christmas tree sales and visited Kiwanis meetings. "I was impressed by occupations, professions and otherwise didnít distinguish one member from the other," Karl would say. "I hoped that someday I would be a member of KCOT. Thanks to Jerry Vaughn and Ray Clark, that came true (on Feb. 15, 1972) after I completed law school" as part of ASUís first graduating law class.

After graduating from Tempe High in 1961, he enrolled at ASU and was there 1961-65, but did not earn a degree. He move to Oregon State University and earned a degree in chemistry in 1967. He additionally met the requirements for dental school. Just before he was to graduate, he learned about the new law school being developed at ASU. He applied for and was received into the first class. Karl drove to Salem, Ore., to take the law school admissions test. He scored well, returned to Tempe and became a law student. With his doctor of law degree in 1970, Karl passed the State Bar exam and joined the Tempe City Attorneyís office, where he has previously done summer work as a law clerk writing tax briefs.

Karl was one of two assistant city attorneys, and his duties included prosecution, sales tax, zoning and civil work. He also started his own law practice. After graduation, he signed four lawyers to leases for a new building that was completed in January 1971 at 2530 S. Rural Road, and, in April, he moved into is own suite. At one time, he was in practice with Jeffrey Romaine, who would later join KCOT and would be the Clubís 39^th president (1987-88). Until 1981, Karl divided his time between private practice (zoning, wills, estate planning, business and corporate law) and assistant city attorney work under City Attorney Dave Merkel. He moved entirely to private practice that year after a decade with the city.

Over the years, Karl, 48^th KCOT president, has been a member of Tempe Diablos, past president of the ASU Alumni Association (1978-79) and the ASU Law Alumni Association (1971-72), a member of the Tempe All-City Association board, a founding member of the Tempe YMCA and Tempe St. Lukeís Hospital board of directors.

On April 21, 2005, Karl learned that an anonymous donor sent $1,000 to Kiwanis International for him to be named a George F. Hixson Fellow for his long work in Kiwanis. On April 21, Karl was presented the honor as a surprise.

Karl and his first wife, Kathy, had three sons, David, John and Mike. "I have cheered them through basketball, baseball, football and school elections," Karl would say.

In 1994, when a "Secret Kiwanian" profile was done in the Bulletin on Karl, he offered these: 1) "I used to sleep listening to a homemade crystal radio made in a cigar box and made in Boy Scouts"; 2) the first time he won the KCOT door prize was in the late 1950s as a Tempe High Key Club guest when KCOT met at Montiís La Casa Vieja restaurant; 3) he got lost in the Phoenix city dump on his first college date with an ASU pompom girl; 4) he used to shop at Rundleís Market when it was known for good food instead of its adult magazines and alcoholic offerings; 5) he used to deliver the Tempe Daily News; 6) he spent several weeks during lunch hour in high school under the supervision of two teachers, practicing how to kiss for his lead in two musicals, "Showboat" and "Oklahoma"; 7) Karl was the leading scorer on his eighth grade basketball team; 8) he got involved in only one fight in high school, but they were with two Golden Glove boxing champions; 9) for a fireworks promotion photo for the Tempe Daily News in 1976, Karl posed with a really long firecracker between his legs and took a lot wisecracks forever after, but the show made $16,000; and 10) Karl wore a "Goldwater for President" tie tack when he was invited to the White House to meet President Lyndon Johnson. LBJ responded with some unprintable words. (LBJ stomped Goldwater in November 1964).

Karl and Shar were married in August 1992. Shar has worked in merchandising and sales for the Tiffany Company for 10 years.

Karl has said, "The greatest lesson I have learned thus far in life is that there are always others around us with greater problems and greater disappointments, so I donít like to complain about anything. Life is full of successes, problems and disappointments. Everybody has his or her share of each. The proportions just vary from time to time." Karl doesnít mind the incessant "lawyer jokes," and calls it healthy to laugh at himself. "Some of my most successful appellate court briefs and arguments before the Arizona Supreme Court contained a touch of humor."

-- Lawn Griffiths

NEW MEMBER:
We welcome the Clubís newest member, Jayne Lewis, development manager for the Papago Park Center, with offices in north Tempe. We will profile her in the Bulletin in the coming weeks.

HIXSON COMMITTEE MEETS THURSDAY:
The 12 current George F. Hixson Fellows in KCOT are invited to a meeting at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in the Shalimar bar to decide which KCOT member will be the 2009 Hixson. The Club donates $1,000 to Kiwanis International in that personís name for sustained service to the Club, and it is announced at the fall induction banquet. The Club Hixsons in order of presentation: Lawn Griffiths, Florence Shook, Neil Giuliano, Linda Spears, Jim Yount, Ralph Lingerfelt, Jim Harelson, Karl Wochner, Judy Aldrich, Carol Balk, Roger Boylan and Ralph Packer. Several other past Hixson recipients are deceased or have left the Club, including Alfred Thomas Jr., Robert Williams, Lori and Lanton Lee, Matt Landers, Alan Whitehead and Ken Shook.

CLUB LEADERSHIP EDUCATION
Division 10, which includes KCOT and 8 other area Clubs, will hold its annual Club Leadership Education (CLE) Saturday Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pyle Adult Education Center, 655 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. Bobbi Caley is the trainer. Besides incoming presidents, presidents-elect and secretaries expected to attend, it is highly advised for all Club officers take advantage of it. Cost is $25. If interested, contact Lt. Governor-Designate Lawn Griffiths, (480) 894-1557 or tempelawn@msn.com. Division 18 will be joining Division 10 leaders for the training.

On Thursday, Chung-Kai "CK" Liu reported that he, as a lieutenant governor-designate for Division 11, had 12 attend his divisioís Club Leadership Education session on July 11 and he urged any officers or board members to take advantage of it.

LAST TWO WEEKS TO BRING FOOD
Kiwanis clubs in Tempe continue to collect basic staple foods for Tempe Community Action Agency and Tempe Salvation Army during the summer. Each week the focus is on kind of food. Needed for the remaining weeks of July (for TCAA) are July 23, canned tomatoes; and July 30 (canned vegetables, anything but tomatoes).

SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS:
KCOT is joining Tempe Community Council and Communities in Schools for their annual back-to-school project, "Supplies 4 Students." It runs through July 30. Help students get off on the right track this school year by bring NEW school supplies, clothing or shoes. Bring them to KCOT and Emma Bordner will collect them for distribution to pupils of families in need. CISís slogan is "Helping Kids Stay in School and Prepare for Life." Such items may also be taken to the Pyle Center, TCC office or other locations.

SHOPPING SPREE AT TARGET:
Judy Aldrich announced Thursday that with the closing of the Mervynís stores, where KCOT had accompanied Boys and Girls Club kids every year to buy back-to-schools clothing, arrangements have been worked out with Target. The effort will be likely in the early morning of Saturday Aug. 1, with Kiwanians taking B&G Club kids through departments for $100 worth of new duds. As of Thursday, the store was not known. Sign-ups for volunteers will begin next Thursday. If you are free that morning, please make time for this wonderful, tradition KCOT service project. Past President Vinny Mirizio calls it one of the most heart-warming, uplifting things we do as Kiwanians - and it is so fulfills out role of "serving the children of the world."

VOTE TEMPE FOR TENNIS EXCELLENCE
- Tennis fanatic Judy Aldrich and Mark Richwine, director of Tempe Parks and Recreation, called on Kiwanians to help Tempe win $100,000 and the title of "Best Tennis Town." The champion city will be determined by the number on online votes received by Sunday July 26. It appeared one can only vote once at www.BestTennisTown.com. Make sure you watch the very informative video on Tempeís tennis resources and opportunities. The 10 cities in the competition for $100,000 first prize, $50,000 second prize or $25,000 third prize are Tempe, Baton Rouge, La.; Cary, N.C.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Independence, Mo.; Ojai, Calif.; Hickory, N.C.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Midland, Mich.; and Springfield, Mo. If Tempe wins money, it will be reinvested into the community to expand after-school tennis programs and provide free tennis lessons for new and experience players. So we encourage you to VOTE FOR TEMPE at www.BestTennisTown.com.

FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE BOOK PROJECT - ARIZONA NUGGETS
The Kiwanis Club of Friendship Village will soon be selling the book "Arizona Nuggets" written by Dean Smith, veteran Arizona State University information officer and author of many Arizona books, who lives at Friendship Village. Soon copies of the 110-page book will be coming to KCOT to buy and sell. The book contains one-page histories of Arizona towns and places with lots of lore and color. It is geared especially for the stateís 4^th and 8^th grades when state history is part of the regular yearís curriculum.

The Friendship Village board has agreed to pay the initial production costs of just over $700 for the printing of second edition on the book that already is for sale on Amazon.com for $13.95. Production will be $2.52 per copy and the book price will be only in the area of $4. KCOT will have an opportunity to obtain books and resell them or buy them as gifts, etc. Ralph Lingerfelt, KCOT member, who lives at Friendship Village, is working with David Nye, a Club officer, on the plan. The book has a foreword by the official Arizona Historian Marshal Trimble.

Look for more information on the book.

Pat Hatton spent 16 years on Tempe City Council, decades more in service to others
This is the 13^th in a series of profiles of members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.
Few people around Tempe can say there's a public building named after them. "Hatton Hall," a handsome community meeting room building just west of the Gov. B.B. Moeur House, 634 S. Myrtle, was formally named for Patricia "Pat" Hatton in a ceremony on May 20 1993. The Moeur House next door is home to the Tempe Community Council.

It has been heavily used by government, clubs, organizations and non-profit agencies in Tempe. A plaque outside the hall notes it was dedicated to Pat for her many years of devoted service to the citizens of Tempe. More than 300 were on hand the day Hatton Hall was dedicated, and KCOT member and former Tempe Mayor John Moeur, grandson of the former governor, planted a crabapple tree on the spot where his grandmother's tree had been. Pat's passion for gardens led her and her garden club to tend plants in a dedicated area near the hall.

For that dedication, Lawn Griffiths, a past Tempe Community Council president, wrote, "What makes Pat Hatton incredibly special is her easy, engaging nature. She lacks pretense. She is informed and thoughtful, without sounding elitist or disinterested. Pat is disarming. She has an unthreatening manner and is so refreshingly forthcoming, accessible and inclusive to others.

"All of us think of Pat as a hands-on Tempean with both eyes squarely looking at the problem and asking everyone around, 'Now, what are we going to do about it?' Pat's splendid ëstreet smarts' from knowing the machinations and dynamics of countless organizations, government agencies and departments and leaders gave her savvy," Lawn wrote. "Eminently trustworthy, so balanced in her views, Pat has known how to be a force by being just there and caring. Ö Pat has that look-in-your-eye manner that allows us to see her character as well. Her instincts, her tenacity to fight for what's right for Tempe long after she left the council and her support of so many people seeking to improve our community are qualities we should want in all who are involved in their towns. But we would short-change Pat Hatton is we didn't' salute for her common sense. She has practiced it as an art. Practical, solid as an Ohio buckeye and so grounded, Pat Hatton on Manhatton Drive has left a legacy that we can only partially honor with the naming of Hatton Hall in her name and using it in the best traditions of Tempe."

Just as it's been 16 years since Hatton Hall's dedication, it was also 16 years that Pat served on the Tempe City Council (1976-1992), almost all of it with Mayor Harry Mitchell. She was only the third female to be on the council. It was said Pat served "during Tempe's most transforming years" and that she "served to break ground and open doors. From being vice mayor to chairing the variety of City Council committees, she left a lasting mark on Tempe government, delivery of service and public policy."

Pat made history on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1987, when she was one of the first five women inducted into the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. It took place at the Holiday Inn meeting room at a meeting also remembered for the speaker being the then-embattled Arizona Governor Evan Mecham and for being the final meeting in the term of KCOT President Neil Giuliano. The five inductees were sponsored by Dick Neuheisel.

In 1994, Pat became the 14^th Tempean to receive the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award from Tempe Community Council at its 11^th annual awards event. Pat served on the Community Council and boards of Desert Samaritan Hospital, United Food Bank, League of Woman Voters, Tempe Sister Cites, Tempe Garden Club, Tempe Leadership, Maricopa Association of Governments Human Services Committee and East Valley Partnership. She has been active in PEO Sisterhood and a book club.

Pat served on the KCOT Board of Directors, 1991-93, and regularly participated in Club projects.

Born Jan. 8, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio, Pat graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. degree in science from the School of Social Medicine. She was a Camp Fire Girls representative at the Ohio State Fair when she was 16 and later was executive director of Columbus Camp Fire Girls of America. She would first come to the Valley in 1953. She and Roger were married in 1954. For a time she worked for a settlement house in East Los Angeles, Calif. Officially, Pat was a social worker. The Hattons returned permanently to Tempe in 1964 and have amassed 48 years here. She later worked for the Phoenix YWCA. Gardening and reading are her main hobbies. During the summers, Roger and Pat live at their second home in Pinetop. They have three grown children, Cheryl Fencl, Gary Hatton and Annette Clawson, plus five grandchildren.

Pat lists her favorite aspects of KCOT as "enjoying the fellowship and helping with projects, of which I've not been able to do much lately."

-- Lawn Griffiths

KEEP BRINGING CANNED GOODS
Kiwanis clubs in Tempe continue to collect basic staple foods for Tempe Community Action Agency and Tempe Salvation Army during the summer. Each week the focus is on kind of food. Needed for the remaining weeks of July (for TCAA) are July 16 (beans, dried and canned); July 23, canned tomatoes; and July 30 (canned vegetables, anything but tomatoes).

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT NEWSLETTER POSTED:
KCOT Secretary Cheryl Hornyan announces that the latest issue of the Southwest District on-line newsletter has just been posted. Most of you know it has replaced the newspaper, The Build-Up, which came for so many decades to members. See the newsletter at www.kiwanis-southwest.org.

CHARITY BABY SHOWER FOR ESTABROOKS SUCCESS
KCOT thanks Linda Spears and the Membership and Development Committee for hosting a charity baby shower on Monday night at Linda's Shalimar home. It was for Morgan and Ryne Estabook of Charlottesville, Va., who are expecting their first child in October. Morgan was very active with ASU Circle K and later was Southwest District Circle K governor. Ryne is working on his doctorate at the U. of Virginia.

Linda notes, "Thanks for attending Morgan and Ryne's baby shower. We collected 970 diapers for TCAA's Health Start program. On hand were Linda Spears, Sharon Kausal, Shana Ellis, Cheryl Hornyan, Judy Aldrich, Kerry Fetherson, Allison Walters, Lawn Griffiths, Debbie Mitchell, CK Liu and former CKI Governor Jill Schiefelbein. Pam Goronkin, Tom Sands and Beth Fiorenza could not attend but sent contributions. "It was great seeing Morgan and Ryne again who were CKI members with Jill and CK. Because this was a KCOT event, all get attendance credit. This service project included 6 service hours and no club funds expended."

Rockets red glare lights up Town Lake for 4^th of July
It is a great, great day in Kiwanis when we can throw the biggest summer event in Tempe and get the attention of 200,000 paying and non-paying people to stop their lives to watch a fiery sky for 40 minutes. And to have it come off so successfully, even if we have been at this for 58 years.

By all accounts, the 4^th of July Tempe Town Lake Festival was a grand blowout - with moderate weather for a July night, a breathtaking and spectacular fireworks show precisely coordinated to music and a jaw-dropping finale, and the best publicity yet, especially from The College Times and CBS-5 TV. We were equipped with the finest leadership - Lance Gray as general coordinator, Bob Polley as volunteer coordinator, Mike Cryer in his Club president roles and Judi Yates and Susan Brow, our professional events coordinators. The countless other logistics were properly carried out. And like they say in the "Field of Dreams" film, "Build it and they will come." Put on a great show one year and they come back year after year.

At the Club's meeting Thursday, Lance and Bob went to the podium to thank everyone who had a part in the show. It was an intricate operation and all the parts came together. He said captains and key leaders had already compiled their evaluations and listed issues for area of improvement and the first debriefing meeting will be Aug. 6. Any suggestions should be sent to Lance at ltgray@vosymca.org or Judi Yates at jdysya@cox.net.

Mike presented Lance and Bob with little stuffed brown bears to hug and stirring words of famous people, including Teddy Roosevelt, which were beautifully framed.

Bob then gave a talk that followed up on his TOP TEN THINGS HE LEARNED SINCE BECOMING VOLUNTEER CHAIRMAN. This time it was "The Top Five Commercial Slogans" tailored for KCOT: 1)"Just Do It," (never a moment when the K gang shrunk from meeting the challenges and always had a good attitude); 2) Calgon bath products "Take Me Away." No, Bob and Lance never bathed together, but they shared a Corona beer, so it's "Corona, Take Me Away." 3) Verizon, "Can You're Hear Me Now?" We had some hand-held radios fail, need to fix that next year; 4) NBC's "Must See TV" - The fireworks were so spectacular that one just had to get on down to the lake to see them.; 5) JFK's galvanizing words of "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You. Ask What You Can Do For Your Country" were turned around the Kiwanians: "Ask now what Kiwanis can do for you, ask what you can do for Kiwanis.

Seventeen of our 76 active, senior and honorary members were on hand as volunteers: Mike Cryer, Lance Gray, Bob Polley, Art Tate, Linda Spears, Lawn Griffiths, Neil Fisch, Emma Bordner, Kerry Fetherston, Dave Summers, Pam Goronkin, Mike Jennings, Mark Richwine, Beth Fiorenza, Vinny Mirizio, Shana Ellis, Tom Sands. We appreciate these volunteers who were family members: Jan Tate, Becky Polley, Adrienne Richwine, Cole Richwine, Andrew Summers, Madison Polley, Clay Breeden and Justin Harris. Of course, there were many volunteers from groups that were paid to provide workers. We thank our Kiwanis friend Chung-Kai "CK" Liu and a colleague from Downtown Scottsdale Young Professionals Club.

3 report on K International convention
President-Elect Corey Woods and Vice President Kerry Fetherston were the official delegates for the Kiwanis Club of Tempe at the 94th annual Kiwanis International Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Past President Linda Spears accompanied them as a visitor to the confab, but noted some frustration in tight security that kept non-delegate Kiwanians away from action.

The three gave a report Thursdays on their trip to Music City. Kerry noted that Kiwanis successfully completed its IDD - Iodine Deficiency Disorder - Worldwide service project by raising about $100 million to produce idodized salt that has been distributed to many countries where such salt was not available, virtually eradicating disorders. Now Kiwanis International has put out a call for suggestions to develop a new Worldwide Service Project to be announced at the next convention in 2010 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Proposals, due by Oct. 1, 2009, are invited from members, organizations, agencies and institutions. Project criteria include:

• Involve a child-focused issue or problem.
• Be compelling and relevant.
• Involve both a global and a local level of participation and impact.
• Include hands-on service and fundraising.
• Address a virtually solvable problem or issue.
• Support Kiwanis membership growth.
• Lead to life-changing experiences.

• Describe your project and how it matches the criteria (500 words or less)
• How does the project align with Kiwanis' mission? (200 words or less)
• How can youth participate in the project? (200 words or less)
• What percentage of the project involves hands-on service? (100 words or less)
• What percentage of the project involves fundraising? (100 words or less)

Corey noted that, for the first time, the delegates used hand-held gadgets to do their voting. He said it took three hours of speeches, voting and new speeches to settle elections. He said 90 percent of the decision made jibed with their decision.

Linda, who had never been to Nashville and especially wanted to see the Country Music capital, told about challenges of getting around town, venturing into some dangerous parts of town and the discomfort of riding a Kiwanis shuttle bus from the convention center to their hotel near Vanderbilt University where the driver was loudly and openly wishing for national leaders to meet untimely deaths. She said the Kiwanis trade show has moved to greater general (non-Kiwanis) merchandise, probably to better fund the convention. Linda saw Karl Kohlhoff of Mesa, former SW District governor, who will be a Club president again.

She said there seemed to 70 percent female Kiwanians on hand and maybe 30 percent under age 40.

They went to the Grand Old Opry, which was being taped for radio and the show kept stopping for commercials. Ironically, they were entertained by "Little Jimmy Dickens," who is still performing at age 88 and stands 4-foot-11.

The trio brought back items to auction on a convention banner patch.

BABY SHOWER FOR ESTABROOKS:
Linda Spears was hosting a baby shower for Morgan and Ryne Estabrook 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this Monday, July 6, at Linda's home in her Shalimar neighborhood -- 2016 E. Cairo Drive (just north of Shalimar off Country Club Way). They are expecting their first child in October. They are making a service project of the baby shower. Kiwanians are invited to purchase and donate any size of diapers, wipes, etc., and drop them by. They will go to "babies in need in Tempe." Morgan and Ryne are registered with Target and Amazon.com. There will be a piggy bank for cash contributions for those who wish to give, although gifts are optional. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Linda at (480) 966-6648 or lindaspears@cox.net. Many Kiwanians will recall Morgan as a dynamo with ASU Circle K Club in a few years back. She was Southwest District Governor and CKI trustee. She was Morgan Westman in those days and was a regular at KCOT meetings. She cemented a close relationship between CKI and KCOT. She and Ryne were married after ASU and headed to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where Ryne has been working on a doctorate. Morgan had also belonged for a time with the oldest Kiwanis Club in Charlottesville where she was elected the first female president. She later left the Club because she felt it was woefully sexist and inflexible to change.

4TH OF JULY NOTES:
At Thursdayís meeting, last details were given for the 58th annual 4th of July Show at Tempe Town Lake. Lance Gray, Bob Polley and Mike Cryer said they were very pleased by the many outlets for publicity, including Mayor Hugh Hallman showing up at 6 a.m. for a Channel 5 interview. Passed around were copies of the 44-page magazine, the official program, for the 4th of July produced by College Times. It was stuffed into this weekís issue and featured page after page about the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, where funds go and what service projects are done. It also had photos and bios of Club officers and Kiwanis International Officers.

Bob Polley, chairman of volunteers, provided his TOP TEN LIST OF "Things I Have Learned Since Becoming Volunteers Chairman." Among them:

10. 4th of July is on Saturday this year.
    
8. KCOT has a long tradition of presenting the 4th of July fireworks since 1952.
6. The Star-Spangled Banner singing competition was fierce. The winner beat out an 8-year-old who can really sing.
5. A Blackberry holds far more messages than he ever imagined.
4. Judi Yates and her promotions and management team are very professional.
3. Lance Gray and Mike Cryer have provided incredible leadership for the 4th.
2. Donít ever miss a 4th of July Planning Meeting because more stuff is piled on you including being chairman of volunteers.
1. He learned he made the right decision a couple years ago to join KCOT after being convinced by Vinny Mirizo when he encountered him at Bashas and Vinny said it would be the best Kiwanis group to join,.

BETH MAUREEN KIZERE:
We sent a KCOT.org Yahoo Groups email recently about the sudden death of Beth Maureen Kizere, the 24-year-old daughter of former KCOT secretary Robert Kizere. On June 13, Beth was admitted to a hospital in Sacramento, Calif., with what was diagnosed as pneumonia. Two days later she was put on life supports. On June 20, after numerous tests and exams, Beth was diagnosed with H1N1 virus (swine flu), not pneumonia. She quickly was pronounced brain dead and permission was given for turning off life supports. She died June 23. The CDC had to do an autopsy. Robert planned to bring friends together at his home on the evening of July 11, with barbecue, to remember Beth and her life. There were a lot of media stories about Beth. Check out one by the Sacramento Bee: www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1973678.html

KEEP BRINGING CANNED GOODS
Kiwanis Clubs in Tempe continue collect basic staple foods for Tempe Community Action Agency and Tempe Salvation Army during the summer. Each week the focus is on kind of food. For the remaining weeks of July (for TCAA) are July 9 (baby cereals and baby foods); July 16 (beans, dried and canned); July 23, canned tomatoes; and July 30 (canned vegetables, anything but tomatoes).

Rod Johnson lives his avocational passions
This is the 12th in a series of profile of members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.
Rod Johnson is the epitome of a man who knows how to enjoy what he enjoys. Over his years in the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, the guy has joyfully stood to pay happy dollars to tell about his latest combinations of adventures - piloting private planes across the Southwest, snow skiing, tennis, running his model railroad, golfing and travel.

Who else do you know has been born in Rugby, North Dakota? And to make that even odder, Rod played rugby in intramural sports while he was attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. On his rugby team, Rod was a "scrum half," and in that role, he claims to have invented the "scrum reverse." As a "scrum half," he played the counterpart to the quarterback in the game of football. Rod has spent his post-Academy lifetime explaining that he came up with the "scrum reverse" as a kind of reverse play that artfully led to a "tri" or touchdown. Rod probably still has scars to show for it.

He would fly fast jets and some of the best air machines of the early 1960s. He graduated from the Academy in 1963 with 499 in his class. Two of his roommates were killed in war, but some in his class rose to be multi-star generals.

Christian Rod Johnson was born March 11, 1939, in the Peace State. His hometown of Rugby happens to be the geographical center of North America. Early each year, Rod makes pledges that the stagecoaches have left Fargo for Arizona, bearing beautiful and colorful North Dakota calendars to be sold at auction to KCOT. Yet their impending arrival is commonly delayed by the exigencies of the overland trip, but the mail gets through and someone in KCOT gets to display the scenes of land of red wheat and floods on the north-flowing Red River..

Rod is retired as sales engineer and professional engineer for Goble Sampson Associates, a water and wastewater treatment company. He traveled to many small communities helping them solve the problems of treating and disposing of sewage and industrial waste. He moved to Tempe in 1983.

Rod joined KCOT in 1984 and was sponsored by Warren Fry, who was his regular flying partner. He was the organizer and leader of KCOTís Phoenix Cardinals food-stand concessions fund-raisers when the team arrived in the Valley in 1988. Rod led the effort until the project was dropped after the 1990 season because of dwindling participation by KCOT members. He was the leader several years of KCOTís Tempe Butte Luminaria Walk in early December.

Rod was the 43rd president of KCOT (1990-91). During his term, KCOT marked its 40th anniversary, and a historic decision was made in the fall of 1990 to end its the fund-raiser of selling Christmas trees to the public because of wide commercial competition.

Rod served as the Club Secretary in 1993-95 and was named a Distinguished Secretary by the district. He has been a member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Committee.

Rod married Penny in 1964 and they have two grown children, Jennifer Johnson, born in 1969, and Kristen Young, born in 1972.

Several years ago, the Johnsons sold their home on East Laguna in Tempe and moved to Sun Lakes where they spend their winters. Their summer home is in Sandy, Utah.

--Lawn Griffiths

FIREWORKS SHOW JUST DAYS AWAY:
Weíre down to one week of delivering "The 58th Annual CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival, Produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe."

The Saturday event hopefully will feature the moderate temperatures that have weíve had in June. Lance Gray, Bob Polley, Mike Cryer and their team, working promoter Judi Yates, are about ready turn it loose to the public. Kiwanians are urged to be on hand on Thursday, July 2, for our luncheon meeting to get last instructions, get parking passes and T-Shirts and get the lay of the land. CBS 5 has been promoting the show regularly (with clear mention of "Kiwanis Club of Tempe." The City of Tempe Water Bill has given it a good ride.

We have collected $55,000 of the sponsorships, $20,000 from vendors and $6,000 in VIP tickets as for June 24.

The official program, produced by the College Times, for patrons will feature pictures and bios of current KCOT officers and a strong rundown on the Clubís projects and programs, some history, the Clubís mission statement, The Objects of Kiwanis International, a letter from both President Mike Cryer and Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman, information on the Star-Spangled Banner "idol singer," a map of the grounds and more.

May we get a good turnout of all our volunteers, the weather cooperate and the skies light up to amazing colors to wow every child and old folk.

Funny lady, educator, Kiwanian to the core --Dr. Judy Aldrich
This is the 11th in a series of profiles on members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.
By Lawn Griffiths
Bulletin Editor
Beyond her enthusiasm and wit, Dr. Judy Aldrich is one of those Kiwanians who is always doiní somethun. And she is usually there when the Club calls for volunteers. Her fingerprints are all over the Clubís business and activities since she joined KCOT in 1989. Her years on the board and intense involvement have made Judy one of the leading authorities on anything KCOT.

More than 40 years as an educator, Judy is still teaching when she could be out more often pursuing some of her many other passions, including tennis, travel and community work. Today, she teaches English courses at Chandler-Gilbert Community Colleges and is quick to say she loves her students. She has a compact schedule that allows her to take on her adventures.

She joined KCOT in 1989, served as Club treasurer 1990-94 and was a director on the KCOT Board 2001-2007. She was the 2002 Kiwanian of the Year and the Clubís 2005 recipient of the George F. Hixson Award. She has led the volunteer coordination for 4th of July, chaired the Clubís Halloween Carnival booth projects, driven convertibles in the Fantasy of Light Parade, been involved in Club golf tournaments, has taken leadership of Homeward Bound and has been a regular participant in Interclubs during her 20 years as a member.

Born Oct. 15, 1944, in Fort Riley, Kan., Judy earned her B.A. degree in English from the University of South Dakota in 1966 and her masters in English from there in 1968. She received her doctorate in educational administration in 1994 from ASU, doing her dissertation on "A Critical Analysis of the Arizona State University Cadre Program."

While in grad school at U of South Dakota, Judy was director of the University Student Union, responsible for leadership and coordination of all student activities and coordination of all student activities and programs.

For two decades - 1968 to 1988 -- Judy held numerous teaching and administrative roles in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas - junior high English teacher, high school dean of students, administrator of the adult education campus program, assistant principal and then principal for middle schools and finally the director of the Nevada Assessment Center, which was responsible for professional development.

During those days she was a United States Tennis Association professional umpire, a member of Soroptomists International (treasurer in 1985), a regular judge for "I Speak for Democracy" student contests, and a member of numerous professional organizations, including two terms as president if Delta Kappa Gamma educators honorary, the Nevada Administrators Association and Phi Delta Kappa.

Judy made a midlife change in 1988 when she came to Tempe. She was hired as assistant superintendent for personnel of Tempe Elementary School District, responsible for all personnel functions for a district with 1,600 employees. She remained there until 1994. Her job was eliminated in major district restructuring, and Judy moved north to the Deer Valley School District as associate superintendent for educational services in a district of 26,000 students.

In 2000, she took her current job as adjunct professor at Chandler-Gilbert, teaching English 101 and 102. She got that districtís Seatbelt Award in 2007. Judy has maintained membership in a slew of professional groups. For 30 years, Judy has been given numerous education presentations to professional groups, taught seminars and done consultant work on such areas as management skills, employee selection, sexual harassment in the workplace, assessment and legal background checks. Sheís a veritable guru on all dimensions of public education.

Her Valley community activities have been extensive: Tempe Boys and Girls Club Board, 2001 to the present, holding roles as secretary, vice president and project chairman; service on four City of Tempe entities: chairman of the Personnel Merit Board; both Police and Fire Public Safety personnel retirement boards; and Judicial Review Board. She was co-chairman North Valley Partnership Parade in 1999 and 2000.

Judy received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ladmo Branch, Boys and Girls Club, in 2003.

Judyís interests include "tennis, movies, people-watching and volunteering." She lists her favorite moments "all July 4ths." She quips that her old Kiwanis friend and one-time colleague at TD3, Bob Lizardi, who sponsored her with the Club "indicated that I was a ëlush with questionable morals and a gambling problem.í"

But in 20 years at KCOT, we know the truth.

Neil Giuliano is Tempeís consummate leader
Tenth in a series of biographical profiles of KCOT members.
It can be said that Neil Giuliano is as complete a Kiwanis member as this Club ever has had.

An earnest Key Club member who became founder of an outstanding Circle K Club at the collegiate level, and Circle K Internationalís president. And then he became a Kiwanian in 1981. In 1985, he was Kiwanian of the Year. The next year, at age 30, Neil was president of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.

Student body president of Arizona State University. Member of Class I of Tempe Leadership. A faculty associate at ASU where he created and taught a course on leadership. Interim director of the ASU Alumni Association. Director of Federal and Community Relations for ASU. Then, of course, he was elected to the Tempe City Council on his first try in 1990 and was vice-mayor two years later. In 1994, Neil was elected mayor of Tempe in a tough three-candidate field on the theme "Bridging to the Future" and kicked off his campaign on the then dry, ugly Salt Riverbed. He would be the first new mayor in 16 years, following the epic Harry Mitchell tenure.

Neil served as mayor from 1994 to 2004. Those were the years when the Rio Salado Project and Tempe Town Lake started and came into being. Transportation initiatives were launched that gave Tempe the most developed neighborhood, 7-day bus system, and Tempe almost landed the Arizona Cardinals stadium in a fierce, complicated battle. Approval was given to the Tempe Art Center during his tenure. Neil would be the 14th member of KCOT to serve on the City Council and the fifth and longest of them to serve as mayor. Elected at 38, he became Tempeís youngest mayor. Re-elected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, he fended off a recall election decided the same day as the tragedies of 9/11/2001.

Upon his retirement as mayor, the City of Tempe named the south bank of Tempe Town Lake "The Neil G. Giuliano Lakefront Park."

His Honor, the Mayor, crowned his decade by advocating for and chairing the U.S. Presidential Debate Commissionís last debate. It was held at Gammage Auditorium in October 2004 between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry. As an ASU student, he was instrumental in bringing President Ronald Reagan to speak at ASU in 1989.

Articulate, focused, personable, Neil has led a breathtaking odyssey through life. His mastery of leadership and clarity of speech have often made it look simple. He responded to a dizzying schedule of speaking requests and was always generous to hosting CKI groups at his successive homes in Shalimar, for example.

On Sept. 1, 2005, Neil took over as national president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. He traveled widely educating media, fund-raising, issuing responses to events, comments or actions, meeting and working with dozens of famous entertainers, politicians and celebrities and seeking to be a role model in a nation still trying to grow up and mature in issues of sexuality. He resigned from that post last spring and his final day with GLAAD was June 12. He appeared on many news programs, both network and cable, articulating and passionately speaking for diversity and inclusion. "I have met some amazing people the last nearly four years and experiences I never would have imagined." he said. "I am taking the summer off to consider what I might do next in life, see family, travel and write."

He has drawn public attention, of late, for switching political parties and exploring a run for Arizona governor as a Democrat.

For Tempe Leadership, Neil was the veritable "poster child," exemplifying what one can do from the experience. At recruitment breakfasts, Neil was there challenging prospective class members to take the plunge and be forever transformed by the TL experience.

Neil was born Oct. 26, 1956, in Bloomfield, N.J. His father was a member of the city council there. His credo was "always remain approachable to the people you are serving." Active in the high school Key Club there (1972-74), Neil moved, at age 17, to Tempe to attend Arizona State University in 1974.

He organized the ASU Circle K Club that was chartered on May 12, 1975. It was sponsored, from the beginning, by KCOT. As a sophomore, Neil distinguished himself as Div. I lieutenant governor and then served as Southwest District CKI Governor. In 1977-78, he was International President of CKI. He spent four years in CKI. But for decades, he was the volunteer producer for the CKI convention wherever it was held around the U.S. each year.

Neil earned his bachelorís degree in communication in 1983 from what is today called the Hugh Downs School of Communication.

He enrolled in grad school and quickly became campaign manager for a student senate candidate embroiled in the issue of whether student funds should be used to show the X-rated film "Deep Throat" on campus. (Neilís candidate opposed it). That led to Neil successfully being elected ASU student body president in 1982. In 1983, he got a master of education degree in higher education administration. He w