Well our old beer & wine cooler finally died. Our new cooler is in place and working great - after it got plugged in.

We tried something different with a Family Style dinner and it was great! Thanks Terry and Rosie.

We're going to start having tacos on Friday nights along with Tate's music. Come down and try one of Linda's tacos.

With all the good things come the bad with the loss of some special members. Life's not fair sometimes.

Bill Hicks, 2^nd Vice Commander

Member Reid Olzak of Cardiff passed away on 30 March 2009. A celebration of life was held at the Cardiff Shanty Tuesday 7 April. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family and friends.

Member Gregory A. Lawrence Jr. Recently passed away in Carlsbad. Our sympathies are extended to his loving wife, family and friends.

Friend, Brother Mason and long time member of Post 416 Ariel "Whitey" Oberg passed away April 10, 2009. He was 87. Memorial service held Saturday 25 April at 2:30 PM at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Dr., Encinitas. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Oberg family and friends.

"Whitey" Mettam, husband of Auxiliary member Dolly and father of longtime member of Post 416 David Mettam passed away on 15 April 2009. A celebration of life to take place at Cap'n Keno's restaurant on Highway 101 at a date to be determined and announced by the family. Sincere sympathies are extended to the Mettam family and friends.

Good old buddy John Kentera is hanging in there and is residing at the old family house in back of the Leucadian bar. When driving around Leucadia, stop by and wish him well.

If you become aware of any of our members or members of their immediate family being ill, or hospitalized, or passing on, please do not hesitate to contact me at 760-753-4839.

Perry Comeau, Chaplain

Adjutant's Report -

EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES: 04-01-09

The meeting was called to order by Commander Terry at 6:30 p.m. A quorum was present

The Commander announced that the financial accounts of the Post are in order.

Commander Terry discussed the final revisions of the Post By-Laws and 2nd Vice Bill read those portions which members had questions concerning such as $2,500 emergency fund which can be spent to address emergency situations as they occur at the Post, and the obtaining of local bids for insurance prior to going outside of this area for such bids.

Commander Terry also noted that we may be eligible for certain community Grants (up to $5,000) which are being offered by the City of Encinitas. Commander Terry will pursue further information regarding these grants and our eligibility for same.

Nominations were held for the coming year. The following individuals were nominated and accepted such nomination or have previously indicated they would accept such nomination.

John Noonan - Executive Board
William Wetzell - Executive Board

A listing of all members running for office was then read as follows:

Commander: Bill Steinauer
1st Vice: Shirley Reeves
2nd Vice: Bill Hicks
Finance: Terry Sisson
E-Bd: Darrell Hill (3 year term)
E-Bd: Don Tennille (3 year term)
E-Bd: Perry Comeau (2 year term)
E-Bd: Bob Wilson (2 year term)
E-Bd: Don Reeves (1 year term)
E-Bd Linda Piere (1 year term)

1st vice Shirley presented the following individuals for membership 1) Dan Jobes, U.S. Army, new member, and 2) Anthony Sullen, transfer. Both individuals were unanimously accepted as our newest members.

2nd Vice Bill noted that our cooler in the Post area was on its last leg. He and the Commander have been reviewing the cost of obtaining a replacement. A motion was made by Bill Steinauer to authorize the sum of $2,200 to spend on the purchase of a new cooler. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Bill also brought up the fact that Flag Day, June 14th, is being considered as a new date to hold our traditional flag retirement ceremony. It was decided that further discussion needed to be held before confirming this date.

Past Commander Bob informed that the date of June 7, at 8:00 a.m. has been selected to hold a golf tournament at Lomas Santa Fe golf course. A total of 52 slots have been requested. The cost to the Post will be $35 per player, which includes a cart. Discussion was held regarding the Post charging $50 per player. A $100 deposit is required by Lomas Santa Fe.

Chaplain Perry noted the passing of member Reid Olsak.
1st Vice Shirley also noted the passing of Gregory Lawrence.

Discussion was held regarding the Encinitas Street Faire which is to be held the weekend of April 25 ^ 26. The SALS have indicated they will be staging an outdoor Bar-B-Que in our parking lot on those dates. The Auxiliary will also donate items to the Bar-B-Que. This being the case, it was decided that the Post will not sponsor a Saturday night dinner nor a Sunday breakfast on that weekend.

There being no further business the Commander adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.


GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MINUTES: 04-08-09
The meeting was called to order by Commander Terry at 6:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Motion was made by Bill Steinauer and 2nd by William Wetzell that the Minutes of the previous meeting be approved as posted. Motion was unanimously passed.

Commander Terry distributed the financial report for the Post. Jim Crowley made a motion which was unanimously passed that the report be approved subject to audit.

Nominations for officers for the 2009 - 2010 Legion year were held. Lowell Grimaud was nominated for Executive Board. It was announced that Don Reeves was withdrawing his nomination to the Executive Board. Nominations were then closed. The current ballot for election is as follows:

Commander, Bill Steinauer; 1st Vice, Shirley Reeves; 2nd Vice, Bill Hicks; Finance, Terry Sisson; Executive Board, Darrell Hill, Don Tennille, John Noonan, William Wetzell, Perry Comeau, Bob Wilson, Linda Piere, and Lowell Grimaud.

Voting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at the Post from 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. You must show a current membership card to be eligible to vote. Results of the voting will be announced at the General Membership meeting to be held that evening at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Vice Bill reported on his continuing efforts to secure a new cooler for our clubroom. Bill also announced that Post 416 has been selected as a polling place for the upcoming May 19th election. If you wish to earn some extra money by working at the poll that day, contact Bill immediately.

A motion was made by Perry Comeau and unanimously passed to approve the revised By-Laws and submit them to Department for approval. Commander Terry made special mention of the time and effort expended by Darrell Hill and Bill Hicks in revising the By-Laws.

Shirley Reeves reported on Children & Youth activities and made special mention of two active duty families which the Auxiliary has been assisting. Perry Comeau made a motion which was unanimously passed that $100 from the Children & Youth be donated to be utilized by the Auxiliary for these families.

Jim Crowley called attention to an organization which labels itself as the Associated Community Services, affiliated with the navy Veterans Association, which contacted him for donations for care packages for our Veterans who are stationed overseas. Upon questioning by Jim, it turns out that this organization sets aside 80% of every dollar received for administrative costs, with only 20 cents actually being used for our Veterans. BE SURE WHO YOU ARE DONATING TO. THERE ARE TOO MANY SCAM ARTISTS OUT THERE.

Special guests include Mark Stephenson and our District E-Board representative, Frank Zugaj. Frank spoke of the need for individuals who wished to run for District office. The next District meeting will be held at Post 282, La Mesa, on June 7, at 9:00 a.m. Frank also noted that the next Past Commander’s Club meeting will be held on May 30, 9:00 a.m., at Larry E. Bennett Post 255, National City.

Frank also noted that this year the annual Stand Down will occur on the third weekend in July. As usual, the American legion will prepare the food for our homeless Veterans and families on Friday, July 17. As always, volunteers are needed for lunch and dinner.

Frank also thanked Shirley Reeves who represented our Post at the recent naturalization ceremony in which 42 members of the American Armed Forces received their citizenship.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Dennis McGrory, Acting Adjutant

SAL NEWS

Tate Sanderson, Commander

President's Report -

The year is winding down and I want to thank all who have made it newsworthy. Our election is going to be at the May Meeting so be sure to come and make your wishes known. We had a E-board meeting on April 23 and were advised that our standing rules were in conflict with the National By-laws so they will NOT be in effect for this election and will be redone when the new president takes office. This is democracy at work.

Girls State Tea will be on Sunday May 3, Anyone who would like to attend, please contact Betsy Schreiber. If you would like to contribute to the refreshments, please call Merry.

Our volunteer appreciation party will be on May 23. Please attend and you will be appreciated on our RED CARPET. Sounds like fun. PARTY WITH THE STARS and that includes our Auxiliary Member of the year. Prizes & Surprises ----

I want to thank the family of Dolly Mettam who helped me with the POPPIES for the naturalization ceremony last month. We had real Texans as well as Whitey's Grand-daughter jump in for the task. Our hearts go out to Dolly during this time of sadness so give her a call.
Thank you Bill for your help with the monthly newsletter and to all you gals who help fold and mail it. You too Shirley!

Merry Culhane, President

2nd Vice President's Report -