Tuesday, August 31, 2010

In memory: Bruce D. Ackerman

We are saddened by the loss of Bruce D. Ackerman, President and CEO of the Valley Economic Alliance, who passed away on August 26 after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Ackerman was a well loved civic leader and long time supporter of the Exploring Program. In 2007, Mr. Ackerman was the inaugural recipient of our Leaders of Character Award.

Monday, August 30, 2010

September 11, 2010 - 9/11 ceremony

We remember...
2,976 reasons to never forget

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Honor the lives lost on 9/11/01, pay tribute to our first responders, and support the brave men and women of our United States armed forces.

10 am - 1 pm
Reading of Names flag ceremony
Veterans Memorial Park
24275 Walnut Street
Santa Clarita, California

Luncheon immediately following the memorial to benefit
The Iraq Star Foundation
American Legion Post 507
24527 Spruce Street
Newhall, California

Suggested donation for lunch is $5



Hello, all Scouts and fellow Scouters

The Office of Congressman McKeon had come to me and requested some Eagle and Life Scouts to perform the Color Guard/Flag Ceremony at this event.

Cub Scouts are also requested to help plant the American flags on the grounds of the park as the names of the 2,976 veterans are called. This is a good way for the young Scouts to show their love of their country!

The venue is really close to our SCV Scout office.

I also need Scouts 15 years of age and older to help as volunteers (miscellaneous/traffic flow) for this day.

I will also like to request a couple of adult leaders to help me organize the volunteers for this event and be present on Sept. 11th as I am unable to be there - I am bringing a group of 800 guests to the Walking With Dinosaurs event at the Staples Center on the same day.

Please RSVP to jreyes98@aol.com if you are interested in helping out on this event.

Thanks!

Jocelyn Reyes

Friday, August 27, 2010

September 11, 2010 - Las Colinas Carnival of Training

Las Colinas Carnival of Training

Presented by the Las Colinas District

Saturday, September 11th, 2010
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
at Pinecrest School, Woodland Hills
5975 Shoup Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(Corner of Shoup Ave and Oxnard St)

Who should attend: Scout Leaders, Troop/Pack Committee Members, Cub Scout Leaders, Venture Leaders, Unit Commissioners

Courses offered:

  • This Is Scouting (replacement for New Leader Essentials) - 8:00 to 11:30 am
  • Cub Leader Specific - 1:00 to 4:30 pm
  • Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific - 1:00 to 5:00 pm
  • Venture Leader Specific - 1:00 to 4:30 pm
  • Commissioner Training - 8:00 am to 11:30 am - contact Mike Henderson at mkhende@aol.com or (714) 330-2986

Cost:  $5.00 per course

Wear your Class A uniform if you have one - come anyway if you don't.

Please pre-register no later than Wednesday, September 8, 2010!
If not, register at the training.

Questions: John Overton at john.overton@pwr.utc.com or (818) 620-1001

September 14, 2010 - The Little Red Wagon Foundation

I'm a Scouter from Northern Indiana, LaSalle Council. I have been in contact with an amazing 12 year old young man named Zach Bonner. You may have heard of him because he has had some national news media attention. Since December 25, 2009, Zach has been walking from the East Coast of Florida across the country to the West Coast to raise awareness of the plight of homeless and needy kids and to raise money to help them. He will have walked a total of 2,478 miles when he finishes his walk. He started The Little Red Wagon Foundation to tell his story and provide a way for people to help kids.  You can find out more about Zach and his mission by checking out http://littleredwagonfoundation.com/ and you can check his progress at: http://zachtracker.com/.  Zach plans to complete his walk on Tuesday, September 14th, at Santa Monica Pier in California. Zach is not a Scout, but his effort to help others in need is an inspiration and outstanding example for Scouts and everyone.

When I talked to Zach and told him I was a Scout leader, he suggested I could help out by contacting Scout units in the Santa Monica or Los Angeles area and tell them about what he's doing so they can meet him at Santa Monica Pier when he finishes his walk. Zach plans to prepare 1,000 backpacks to distribute to needy kids at the end of his walk, so he may need Scouts to help with that, and with some other things at Santa Monica Pier. I'm sorry I don't have more specific information right now. I don't think Zach's plans for the end of his walk are complete yet.  If you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me at dennis@michiana.org. You will also be able to find out more about Zach's plans by checking his website, and there's also information there on how to contact him directly. This could be a good opportunity for a service project for either individual Scouts or Scout troops.

I'm trying to inform other Scout units and Order of the Arrow lodges about Zach and this service project opportunity if I can find email addresses for them, but I would appreciate it if you could also pass this information on to other Scout leaders and units in your area.

Yours in Scouting,

Dennis Laffin,
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 555, Granger, IN
Vigil member OA, Sakima Lodge, LaSalle Council

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

January 15, 2011 - BSA / NRA / Panorama Youth Shooting Day

Update:  Due to rain, the event has been rescheduled for January 15, 2011.  Everyone who has made a reservation will still be on the list for that day unless we are otherwise informed.

Thank you to everyone that made our BSA youth day at the range on August 21, 2010 so successful. Our volunteers enjoyed every minute of the day with the Scouts as well. We thank you all for your patience and participation last Saturday, as it was a hot and jammed packed day. As many of you who were there know, the crowd was very big. We had more than 150 Scouts from more than 18 different Troops.

In order to help make the next scheduled Panorama / BSA / NRA day on December 18th, 2010 even better, I would like to encourage those adults and Scoutmasters to forward comments and suggestions to me at mfcohen@sbcglobal.net. We will be doing our part to continue to make these shooting days better and better. As participation in this event has been growing at such a fast rate, increasing by at least 1/3 each time, we will be having more instructors and counselors there.

If any of the people who were there taking pictures would be kind enough to email them to me at the above address, I would appreciate that as well.

Once again, thank you all, and I hope to see you in December.

Mark Cohen
Panorama Sportsman's Club Youth Director
NRA Youth Coordinator Southern California
RSO, Pistol, Shotgun Instructor

In memory: Velma Horvath

The family of long time Scouting member and advocate Velma Horvath sadly announce her passing last week. Her most beloved memories were of Wood Badge, helping numerous young scouts achieve their Ad Altari Dei ribbon, her son Ken's rise through the Scouting ranks to Eagle Scout, her daughters Annette and Michele's accomplishments in Explorer/Venturing Scouts, and her support for her husband Bill's accomplishments such as Acting District Commissioner. She was awarded the St. George Medal and Silver Beaver for her tireless support of Scouting and her Scouting legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren.

Donations in Velma's remembrance may be made to The Boy Scouts of America or The American Cancer Society.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

September 12, 2010 - Troop 92 family picnic

Hi everyone!

Troop 92 invites everyone to come out and enjoy the day with your scout(s) and family on Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Placerita Canyon Park.

Mr. Soski is planning a morning hike for the scouts.

Because the park does not take reservations, we need some parent volunteers to help with saving a spot, and setting up for the picnic and games.

It would be fun if we could form a committee to help with planning of game, activities, and food as well.

The park does not allow any charcoal BBQ's, but does allow cooking by propane stove, and grill. There are also no water balloons or helium balloons allowed.

Placerita Canyon has a nature center, gift shop, 7 hiking trails, shaded oak groves, picnic areas with cement picnic tables, and plenty of space for games and activities.

Please contact me if you are interested in being part of the planning committee.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Susanne Engelking
(818) 904-0747 (home)
(818) 383-4911 (cell)

Friday, August 20, 2010

September 12, 2010 - Blood drive

St. Catherine of Siena blood drive
sponsored by Scouts of Troop 328 and Pack 328

Sunday, September 12, 2010
8:00 am to 2:00 pm

at St. Catherine of Siena Church
18115 Sherman Way
Reseda, CA 91335
Bloodmobile in parking lot

All participants will receive 2 Laugh Factory tickets, a Mimi's Cafe free appetizer, and can enter a drawing to win a $1,500 American Express gift card.

Appointments get priority, so make your appointment today!

Sign up after services or at the Parish Office.
For more information contact Manny Gallegos at (818) 257-1762 or manuelng@att.net

If you have been told previously by the American Red Cross or another blood center that you should never donate blood, please disregard this message. If you recently made a blood donation, or if you have already scheduled an appointment to donate blood, please accept our thanks on behalf of the patients whose lives you may have touched. You may not give blood if you have received a Red Cross notification asking you not to do so.

American Red Cross National Headquarters
2025 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

December 11, 2010 - Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Rockettes
Nokia Theater LA Live
Saturday - December 11, 2010
Ticket distribution at 11:00am (will announce meeting place as we get closer to show date)

I have rear side loge seats at $28.00 per guest. All seats are reserved under my name. These will not be sold via Ticketmaster.

I can also sell discounted rear side orchestra and rear side loge seats at $40.00 per guest. However, these are on live inventory (meaning, I have to call in each time someone pays for these seats)


Plus you don't pay the the fees through me (order, facility, convenience, processing, handling... etc.)

Everyone in my group will get the 2010 Rockettes commemorative patch

However - these prices are only good through September 15th.  No extension will be granted.

RSVP by emailing me so I can send Paypal payment instructions...

I am loving this - holiday in summertime! Ho ho ho!

-Jocelyn

August 29, 2010 - Derek Fortin's retirement party

Come one, come all!
to an evening honoring Derek Fortin
on the occasion of his retirement from the Western Los Angeles County Council
and 43 years of professional service to the Boy Scouts of America

What:   A retirement gathering, including dinner and program to wish Derek well!
When:  Sunday, August 29, 2010 (see timetable below)
Where:  Northridge Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA  (between Plummer and Lassen)
Coordinated by:   Janice Druez (and other thankful volunteers)

Timetable:
  • 4 - 6 p.m. - Gathering and fellowship (please bring any pictures you would like to share)
  • 6:00 - Dinner served
  • 6:30 - 8 p.m. - Program - A friendly roast

How to register:  Please respond to Janice Druez

  • Let us know you're coming (so we can plan food!)
  • Let us know you'd like to contribute to a gift for Derek (from the volunteers)
  • Let us know you'd like to participate in the dinner program

Can't make it, but want to wish Derek well anyway?  Cards and letters in sealed envelopes may be mailed  to or dropped off in any of our service centers.  They will be collected and delivered to Derek at the party.

Questions?  jjdruez@aol.com or cmedina@bsa-la.org

August 26, 2010 - Troop 360 blood drive

Community blood drive
Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 360

Thursday, August 26, 2010
11 am - 5 pm

Location:
Shaarey Zedek Congregation
12800 Chandler Blvd.
Valley Village, CA 91607

All participants will receive a t-shirt and enter a region wide drawing for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card.

To make your livesaving appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: boyscoutstroop360
or contact Moshe De L'Herbe at mdelherbe314@yahoo.com

Donor identification is required prior to donating blood.
Learn more about the blood donation process and donor eligibility at www.HelpSaveALife.org

Sunday, August 1, 2010

August 28, 2010 - Caitlin Bryan's Gold Award project

Blood Drive and Health and Safety Fair
Family Friendly Event

When:
Saturday, August 28th
9 am - 2 pm

Where:
LDS Church
15555 Saticoy Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406

This event is open to all family members - come out and take part in this fair. Booths will include topics on health, illness prevention, nutrition, and exercise. Booths on earthquake preparedness will be set up to help prepare our homes for earthquakes. For those that can, please donate your blood - those who donate will get an AMC movie ticket.

Bring a Boy Scout Troop, Cub Pack or Venture Crew.  Bring your family and friends.  Everyone is welcome.

Requirements for blood donation: You must be 17 (or 16 with parent consent), and you must be at least 110  pounds.  We are required to have 40 people donate, but my goal is 100 people. Please sign-up today.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout can earn.

For more information please contact Caitlin by email at Irishxbaby92@aol.com