Fall 2003

      Holidays are already here! It also means we have to do a lot of shopping and attending fun parties, including our annual holiday brunch at Castaway Restaurant on December 20th!

      More and more deaf people are shopping for Sidekick (or T-Mobile pagers), especially at Deaf Expo last November. It amazes me to reflect on our non-pager days, probably not even ten years ago, when we thought technology was already at its best. What's next?!?

      As we already know, several fires crept up the mountains in Southern California. Fortunately, most of our members' houses went untouched; however, many of us experienced inhaling smoke and fine-thin ashes in the air. It is so nice to be able to breathe fresh air once again!

      The turnout at our card tournament on Sept. 20th at GLAD was marvelous! The profit of approximately 400 dollars will be deposited towards our 2004 FAAD softball tournament fund. The exciting softball tournament will take place in Glendale this coming August.

      Joe DeVita had a double bypass surgery and is now back home and recovering. We look forward to seeing him again at our next monthly social gathering. Speedy recovery, Joe!

      Good news: we formed a new women's basketball team of our own with Carlos Valencia as our coach! The next FAAD basketball tournament will be from March 11 through 14 in Riverside. Perhaps, someday we can also have a men's basketball team as well?

      More good news: Joan Gleicher beamed with pride of her new granddaughter, Rayzele Allene Booth. Rayzele was weighted exactly 3 pounds and 14 ½ inches long and was born early due to toxemia and pre-eclampsia complications. Becca, Joan's daughter, had an emergency C-section but is doing fine now. The baby is getting better but will stay in hospital until she gains some more pounds before going home with her parents. Both Becca and Stan, the baby's father, have been visiting her daily at the hospital. There was a surprise baby shower for her at Pilgrim Towers where she received plenty of nice gifts. Many LACD members, along with Stan's parents and Pat Zinkovich from the Bay Area, showed up but Mary Brown from Las Vegas was the surprise guest Her husband, Lon, was one of our past presidents.

      It is with regret to let you know that Mona Clarke, a GLAD resident, passed away recently. The funeral service was held in Whittier. She was one of the loyal LACD Bank Night attendees and will be sorely missed.

      Mary Greenstone excitedly snatched $130 at one of our events, the Bank Night, last September. Hey Mary, what did you do with the money? Unfortunately for Dennis Wiley and Joe Banks, they would also have gotten the money, but they were not with us at that night when their names were called. Darn, maybe next time?

      Believe it or not, but 2004 is already getting closer and it is time for you guys to renew your membership dues. You can mail your money to Marilyn Castaline, or even better, meet her in person at our upcoming monthly social gathering where you will also have fun mingling with others as well! If you need another membership form, feel free to go to www.lacd.org/member.html and make a printout before giving it to Marilyn. See you at the Holiday Brunch!

Etta