Book Club and Munch N' Mingle

There will be a discussion for the book The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton at Carol Viernes house this Thursday June 30th at 7pm. You are welcome to join even if you have not finshed the book and just want to dicuss it.

Munch N' Mingle for July is canceled. There are a lot of activities going on this month with the Fourth of July Flag ceremony & Pioneer Day. We will start up again in August.

Munch N' Mingle

Wednesday, July 6 - 6:30pm

Come enjoy good food and company. If you can, please bring a dish to share, but if time doesn't allow we'd love to have you there anyway!

Room Available

Pat Neser has a room available for rent. If you know of anyone who needs to rent a room please call Pat Neser for more details at 818-346-8629.

Blood Donation Needed and Free Piano

Blood Donation Needed
Sister Katzky needs 2 pints of blood to be donated at Kaiser to replace the 2 pints she used from their blood bank.  If you would be willing to donate, please call Cula Katzky at 818-346-7389.

Free Upright Piano
Sister Jeanette Brown has an upright piano she is no longer using and would like to give to someone. If you are interested, please call Jeanette Brown at 818-999-3956.

Book Club Postponed till Next Month

Just wanted to make sure everyone knows that Book Club has been postponed till next month - June 16th.  This should give everyone plenty of time to finish The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton so we can have a good discussion.

Munch 'n Mingle and Potluck Party Reminder

Munch 'n Mingle
Wednesday, May 4 - 6:30pm
Come enjoy good food and company.  If you can, please bring a dish to share, but if time doesn't allow we'd love to have you there anyway!!  After dinner we will be assembling hygiene kits for the Grossman Burn Center.

Elder's Quorum/Goodbye Potluck Party
Friday, May 6 - 5:00pm
As requested, here is a reminder with all the details for the Elder's Quorum/Goodbye to Raicharts Potluck Party that the Van Slooten's are hosting at their home (23019 Oxnard St.).  The Van Slooten's will be providing paper goods and drinks.

New Book Club Selection and Mormon Helping Hands Reminder

Book Club Selection
The voting poll has closed and the new book selection is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  

Mormon Helping Hands
Saturday, April 30 - 9am-12pm (check in at 8:30am)
United Cerebral Palsy Spastic Children's Foundation
11051 Old Susana Pass Rd., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Painting, weeding, gutter cleaning, ditch digging, and sweeping
Picnic lunch provided

Book Club: Vote For New Selection

Book Club last night was a lot of fun with some great discussion.  I know many of you read the book and wanted to attend but couldn't for various reasons.  We hope you can make it next month.  It is time to vote for a new book.  Click on the books below to see a synopsis and vote for your favorite on the poll to the right of this post.  Note: poll closes Monday night.

Reminder and Upcoming Events

Book Club
Thursday, April 21 - 7pm
Book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Location: Caroline Viernes' home - 5077 Topanga Canyon
Come enjoy good company, good conversation, and yummy treats!  All are welcome, even if you haven't finished the book.  Bring ideas for our next book selection.

Primary Easter Party
Saturday, April 23 - 10am sharp (if you want any easter eggs)
All primary children and their families are invited to an easter egg hunt this Saturday at the ward building.  Please bring a brunch item to share.

Mormon Helping Hands
Saturday, April 30 - 9am-12pm (check in at 8:30am)
United Cerebral Palsy Spastic Children's Foundation
11051 Old Santa Susana Pass Rd., Chatsworth, CA 91311.
Painting, weeding, water sealing fences, cleaning gutters, and digging a 20-30 foot trench.
Picnic lunch provided.

Emergency Prep Video, Club, and More

Emergency Preparedness Class
If you missed the very motivating and informative Emergency Preparedness Class or any part of it, Debbie Kent (the speaker) has videos of many of her classes on her website. Here is the link to the class she presented to us - Building Your Ark Class Video. The video is about 1 hour. I also have more copies of the handouts if anyone is interested - I can send them to you or give them to you on Sunday.

Mark Van Slooten has access to free 55 gallon water barrels if anyone is interested. He can get 1 or 2 each week. In some cases they don't have the small plug in the lid so you may have to order those separate. Let me know if you would like one.

Emergency Prep Club
A few of us were talking about starting an Emergency Prep Club to help keep us motivated and not so overwhelmed as we build our food storage and gather preparedness materials. The club would meet once a month - we would set individual goals for each month and report back to each other. Some activities may include - watching Debbie Kent's class videos and learning new skills like dehydrating food, canning, gardening, solar cooking, cooking with food storage(recipes), water filtration and storage, making bread, etc.; field trips to Bishop's storehouse for canning; assigning and reporting food storage research topics and best priced items; canning, assembling and sharing food storage recipes; and much more. If you are interested please leave a comment or sign up on Sunday.

Sister in need of a room for rent
Hannah Barlow - a sister from the Reseda Ward - needs a room to rent in Woodland Hills beginning May 1st.  She works long hours taking care of an elderly person in the area and would like to find a place to rent close to work.  Please let me know if you have a room to rent or are aware of any such opportunity.

Emergency Preparedness

With Debbie Kent

Come get motivated, learn something new,

and get some great resources

Wednesday, April 6^th-7pm

(Munch ‘n Mingle potluck @6:30pm)
babysitting provided

Woodland Hills Ward Bldg:4501 Deseret Dr.

About the Speaker:

Debbie Kent lives in the Southern California.  She has been married for 30 years.  She and her husband are the proud parents of 6 beautiful children, and grandparents of 3.  She has been an advocate of food storage and emergency preparedness since her early teen age years.  She enjoys giving emergency preparedness lessons each month at her church.  Much of the resources found on  her website are the culmination of hours of preparation for these lessons.  http://www.peaceofpreparedness.com/

To Help You Stay Informed...

Book Club
It appears that many have not finished reading our current selection, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, but would really like to participate fully in the group discussion.  That being said, we are pushing back the date for our book club meeting.  In an effort to keep it simple and since we have a busy month with the Stake - Celebration for Sisterhood activity and the Stake Day at the Temple we will just skip meeting this month and we'll meet next month, Thursday, April 21, 7pm.  That should give everyone plenty of time to finish reading so our discussion will be more enriching and interesting.

Celebration of Sisterhood - Within Sacred Walls
Saturday, March 19-10am-Stake Center (Luncheon to follow)
Service Project: bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for local food pantry
Babysitting Provided - please pack a sack lunch for your child

Stake Day at the Temple
Thursday, March 24 - 7:30am-5:30pm (Lunch provided)


Emergency Preparedness/Munch 'n Mingle
Wednesday, April 6 - Potluck @6:30pm - Class @7pm
In light of the recent disaster in Japan - we are yet again reminded of the importance of being prepared.  This is a Munch 'n Mingle you don't want to miss!  Debbie Kent is coming to speak to us and has some excellent resources and great new ideas.  Come and bring some food to share or just come and learn.  We really want everyone to be there!!! Babysitting provided.

2-yr.-old Husky needs a home
contact: Toni Stapley - 818-887-9736
Toni Stapley works with a family that has a beautiful rescued 2-yr-old Husky that needs a home.  The dog has all its shots and a microchip.  Only cost is $40 to change microchip into your name and cost for license.  If interested please contact Toni Stapley.

Reminder and a Few Announcements

Reminder
Tomorrow night, Wed., 6:30pm is our Munch 'n Mingle activity at the ward building. 
Service Project: We will be writing letters to our new missionaries, Elder Waldman and Elder Hanson.  Come enjoy good food and company.  If you can, bring a dish to share - if you can't, come any way!

Dates to hold on your calendar
Temple Closed 2/28-3/15

Blood Drive - 3/8 - 2:30-8pm at the Stake Center

Celebration of Sisterhood: Within Sacred Walls - 3/19 - 10am (lunch to follow) at the Stake Center
Service Project:  Support the local food pantry by bringing non-perishable food items and toiletries
Babysitting provided

Bishop Storehouse Assignment- 3/22 - 9am-12:30pm at the Sylmar Storehouse.  6 people needed
(Leave a comment if you would like to volunteer.  Sign-up will also be going around)

Stake Day at the Temple - 3/24- 7:30am-5:30pm (lunch provided by the Stake)
Look for the schedule on Sunday - sign-ups will be going around to make sure we have enough people for each scheduled ordinance. 

A Full-Day Business Seminar for Women Only (sponsored by LDS Employment Resource Services)
3/26 9am-4pm at the Glendale Ward Building.  RSVP required - wel-ec-losangeles@ldschurch.org or 323-264-1964.  Look for flyer on Sunday or let me know if interested and I can forward flyer to you.

Book Club: Feedback and New Selection

Many of you were very excited about the idea of a Book Club, yet only 4 attended the first meeting.  I am looking for some feedback as we try again this next month.  An activity is only worth having if it meets a need for those attending - a fun social activity, a chance to get out of the house and talk to adults, an opportunity to share ideas, etc. - if it just becomes another stress inducing "to do" then it's not worth having, which is fine!  Please use the anonymous poll to the right to provide some honest feedback.

The new selection is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.  Carol Viernes has reserved a few copies at the Woodland Hills Library for your convenience.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 17 - however, the book is long so we will reassess the group's reading progress as we near the date and adjust accordingly.

Thanks for your honest feedback and happy reading!

Just A Few Things

Thank you to everyone that made the Linger Longer on Sunday a success.  Thanks to all that brought delicious food and for those that helped set up and clean up!  Our ward is always so generous and eager to serve and we really appreciate the help!

Update on Melony Gingrich:
Melony has been moved to St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.  She is in the North Tower, 5th Floor #2501. She is in a rehabilitation program and the prognosis is good at this point.  Please continue to pray for Melony's continued progress and healing.

Susan Smith:
Susan has been battling a really bad episode with her Fibromyalgia the past 2 weeks and could really use our prayers as she is in a lot of pain.

Job Opportunity:
Linden Weatherford's boss recently had a baby and is looking for a full-time or a few part-time people to take care of her child so she can go back to work.  The child care would take place at the family's home where the father works from home.  If you are interested or know anyone that may be interested in this position, please let me know.

Reminder:
Book Club meets this Thursday, 2/17, 7:00pm at Carol Viernes' home - 5077 Topanga Canyon Blvd. (between Celes and Lopez St.)

Update on Melony

Melony has been moved from the Tarzana ICU to room 509A and can now have visitors.  She is beginning to feel sensations on her left side which continue to get stronger every day.  Her CAT scan and MRI came back clear and her prognosis is good.  Thank you for keeping her in your prayers and please continue to pray for more progress and healing.

Reminder: Clayton Glennemeier's baptism is tomorrow, Saturday, February 12th at 11:00am at the Stake Center

Sunday Update

The lesson this week was from General Conference, October 2010 - "Courageous Parenting" by Larry R. Lawrence, presented by Jan Jorgenson.  Here are some highlights from Jan's inspiring lesson:

• Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid."
• "If your spouse doesn't feel good about something, show respect for those feelings."
• "There is a great deal of wisdom displayed when parents stay up and wait for their children to return home.  Young men and women make far better choices when they know their parents are waiting up to hear about their evening and to kiss them good night."
• "As a bishop, I discovered that too many youth violated the Word of Wisdom or the law of chastity for the first time as part of a sleepover."
• "Five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, regular one-on-one interviews with each child."
• "Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up."  

If you were fortunate enough to get one of Jan's fabulous cupcakes, you will agree with me that the frosting was delectable.  Jan graciously shared her recipe:

Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1-2 tsp. half and half

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until well blended.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Add half and half 1 teaspoon at a time until frosting is desired consistency.
Mix on high speed for 2-3 minutes or until frosting is smooth and shiny.


Non-Calendar Announcements:
Linger Longer - February 13 after ward conference

A sign up was passed around, but we still need a few more volunteers.  If you would like to bring something you can either sign up in the comments or I will pass around the sign up in primary/nursery/yw on Sunday.

Finger Sandwiches - 3 people needed
Cut up Fruit - 5 people needed
Veggie Platter - 2 people needed
Finger Desserts - 3 people needed

Reminder:

Munch 'n Mingle- Wed, Feb 2 -6:30pm.

Followed by a mini class on Tips, tricks, and good habits to keeping a clean, organized home led by Michelle Konold and Lisa Tippetts.

Announcements and Book Club Update

Munch 'n Mingle- Wed, Feb 2 -6:30pm.
Followed by a mini class on Tips, tricks, and good habits to keeping a clean, organized home led by Michelle Konold and Lisa Tippetts.

Special Stake Day at the Temple - Thurs, March 24


Book Club - Thurs, Feb 17 - 7pm, Carol Viernes' home
Thank you all for voting.  Book Club will be held monthly on the 3rd Thursday. Since it is already the end of the month, we have decided to read the runner up this month -                    The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho because it is a shorter book (176 pages).  


As you read, please focus on the following as discussion topics:

1. The price we pay to fulfill a dream or meet a goal; are these prices sometimes too high?

2. The most crucial lesson Santiago needed to learn to pursue his Personal Legend.

3. Do you agree with the crystal merchant that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it?

4. The meaning of two dead hawks and the falcon in the oasis.

5. Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the pyramids?                    

Book Club

A successful book club usually consists of selections that span a variety of topics, issues, and genres. We intend to take suggestions from all participants and vote on selections.  For our first selection, we are voting from the three suggested books shown below.  Click on the book to see a brief summary.  Then vote for your favorite selection in the poll below.