Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Date: November 19, 2009

President Jeanne Smith opened the meeting and guest speaker Pam Browning led us in the pledge, and visitor and a former member Stephanie McCabe led us in singing God Bless America.  Reverend John Walker gave the prayer. It was great to see Stephanie again and Jeanne noted that there were 8 Kiwanians who attended the Veteran's Day service on November 11 in very cold and biting rain.  Bob Cressy and Dick Ruprecht are to be congratulated on a very successful event.  Jeanne proudly wore her Key Club shirt and said there were over 75 members at the Blair Key Club.  She really needs some help with the meetings.

Announcements:

 

                    be Veronique Marier and Mark Evans of Washington Gas and Energy Services.

                   http://www.turkeychase.com/26th_2008/information.htm

                (Contact Pat Tiede before December 1 for reservations.  Pay by check at door)

                Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street - Tickets $6 in advance/$7 at door. 

                Second Leadership Training  @ 9:30 AM

                Bethesda-Chevy-Chase Regional Services Center.

Tracy Miller announced that they expect over 10,000 people in the race on Thanksgiving Day.  It's not too late to sign up to volunteer.  

Happy Dollars:

Pat Tiede HD for Stephanie and our speaker Pam Browning and she's happy that her 24 year old granddaughter, Cyndi, will be spending Christmas with her.  (She's a S/Sgt. in the U.S. Army).  Tracy Miller HD for a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  Stephanie McCabe HD for being back again.  Stephanie is now the Finance and Program Manager at the B-CC Chamber of Commerce.  She also asked for prayers for her son-in-law who is back in Afghanistan.  Bob Cressy had  5 HD for the successful Veteran's Day Ceremony, for the success of the Lobster Sale which netted the club a nice profit while having fun getting everyone involved, and he announced that he is the new secretary of the Potomac Club.

Speaker:

Jeanne Smith introduced our speaker Pam Browning who is the volunteer organizer of Save the Trail Coalition comprised of fifteen community groups with over 18,000 petition signers who are urging public officials not to build the Purple Line along the Capital Crescent Trail. Over 10,000 users a week walk, run, and bike along the trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring.  The trail gives a sense of community and is a free, healthy, and invigorating way to exercise.  The proposed Purple Line Tunnel which can be seen when you go to movies at Bethesda Row, currently goes under Wisconsin Avenue and proceeds to Silver Spring.  Proponents of the Purple Line (MTA) would bulldoze over 17 acres of the Capital Crescent Trail and run light rail trains (with overhead trolley wires) going 50 mph at six minute intervals on two train tracks that in some areas  would be less than 20 feet of residences.  Many irreplaceable Beech and Sycamore trees would be destroyed.  The trees also provide an important buffer between commercial downtown Bethesda and adjoining residential neighborhoods.  They filter air and noise pollution and provide a visual screen.  Pam stated that trail supporters would like the natural Capital Crescent Trail preserved as a beautiful park.  We hope to have Pam return again and speak to more Kiwanians.

 

  

The Purple Line will Bulldoze the Trail and all the Surrounding Trees and Run Trains Less than 10' From the new "trail."

Secretary Pat Tiede, President Jeanne Smith with Pam Browning, who spoke on SAVE THE TRAIL."

Tracy Miller won the 50/50 and returned it to the club.

 

Pat Tiede, Editor for the day.

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Editor - GEORGE PATTERSON (301-652-7061, geopatersn@aol.com)
Website Editor - PAT TIEDE (301-493-6937, patriciatiede@comcast.net)

Website Advisor - BEN SCHLESINGER (301-951-7266, bschles@bsaenergy.com)