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Blog Entry 1 of 3 Hello, from the heart of the Valley

There are so many stories to be told in the San Fernando Valley. I love hearing them and sharing them with others. There are the community heroes who volunteer countless hours to make the Valley a better place. There are brave souls who face adversity a great attitude. There are seniors who remember our history and have tips on how to not repeat the mistakes. With my blog, I want to let those folks say hello. They truly are the 'heart' of the Valley.

Blog Url: http://valleynews.com/~Hello

Bowling, laughing and singing for a good cause

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Contributed by: Mark Kellam/valleynews.com on 7/2/2007

The Tarzana Kiwanis Club was probably bowled over with the success of its recent fundraiser.

The event, coordinated by Club President Anthony Rinaldi, was an entire evening of activities at the Canoga Park Bowl.

The evening began with bowling. Half the lanes at Canoga Park Bowl were taken up with Kiwanians from throughout the Valley and their families and friends.

Among those bowling were Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Kenny Kobashigawa and immediate past Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Nick Montano. Larry Nye, a member of the Northridge Kiwanis Club, proved to be a power bowler, hurling the ball down the alley with impressive speed.

There was also lots of pizza and soda, as well as wine and beer to make missing those spares a little less disheartening.

After bowling, the evening moved to comedy, with several comedians entertaining the assembled Kiwanians.

The most popular was Mike Morino, who's New Jersey accent and demeanor (and digs at having to play a bowing alley) kept the group in stitches.

It was interesting because I had gone out to my car to get something and sawMorino coming in from the parking lot. We said hello to each other and it was funny how he was so mild and reserved - and didn't have a detectable accent.

When the took the stage - or as he called it the moat - the transformation to his brusk comic side was amazing.

Then, it was time for karaoke. Rinaldi kicked things off with "Touch Me" by the The Doors.

Sharone Rosen of the Northridge Kiwanis Club did a wonderful "Dancing in the Streets." Others joined in for duets, trios and quartets, singing the night away.

As a side blurb - On my way to the fundraiser, I saw black smoke billowing in the distance. Always a newspaper person, I drove a little south on Winnetka Avenue. Just past Victory Boulevard, a car was completely engulfed in flames. Of course, I had to take a picture, which is posted with this blog. No one was injured, but it look really scary. Fire crews extinguished the flames in a matter of seconds.

Now, back to Kiwanis - There are Kiwanis clubs that meet throughout the Valley. Kiwanians do great community projects including helping the less-fortunate, giving scholarships, placing American flags along certain streets and making improvements at schools.

I'm a member of Northridge Kiwanis Club. One of my favorite projects is taking children from Napa Street Elementary on a shopping spree to buy Christmas gifts for their families. Last December, I helped a 6-year-old named Mario buy gifts for his mom, dad, brothers and teacher. It was a terrific experience. We then helped the kids wrap the gifts. Mario had just mastered using tape, so he proudly put every piece of tape on every gift. It took awhile, but it was worth it.

The Tarzana Kiwanis Club, which meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at El Patron Mexican restaurant, 5545 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana.

For more information about other Kiwanis clubs, go to www.kiwanisinternational.com and click "Club Locator" in the upper, right part of the screen.

Here are five stories posted to valleynews.com about Kiwanis clubs:

Burbank Kiwanians hold 'Pause for the Pledge'

High school seniors receive Kiwanis scholarships

Greening Canoga Park the Kiwanis way

Kiwanis' district governor pays a visit

Burbank Kiwanians help Salvation Army

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