Casper Shriners offer free medical screening

Shriners will offer free medical screening from 9a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Casper Shrine Club, on 39th Street behind the Sunrise Shopping Center. Shriners Hospitals for Children offers treatment for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate regardless of a patient's or family's ability to pay. Orthopedic surgeon Steven Orcutt, M.D., along with other medical personnel, will examine children from birth to age 18 to determine acceptance, which is based solely on a child's medical needs. For more information, call Bob Conley at 234-4404, or Bill Sullivan at 232-1211.

Shriners International Historic Preservation Project

Shriners International is in search of historic Shriner photographs to help promote our anniversary year in 2012. We encourage you to explore your temple's archives, storage room or even the attic of your home to see what treasures you might discover. Our greatest need is for photos from 1872 - 1962. It is preferred that photographs be submittd electronically to aflenghi@shrinenet.org. Please Let you PR Chairman know what you have sent and the story behind the pictures. If you have a large number of photos, please be sure to email them in a compressed folder. If you choose to physically mail your photos or a photo CD, send them to Shriners International Headquarters, Attention: Amanda Flenghi, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Please note that we will not be able to return physical photos to you. By emailing or sending us photographs, you acknowledge that you or your temple are the owner and that you consent to the reproduction or use of the images by Shriners International Headquarters. If you have trouble sending the pictures contact your PR Chairman/webmaster or the Imperial PR Regional Director.

Arizona DeMolay Honors Night

Reminder to all - The Arizona DeMolay Honors Night is this Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 7:00 PM at the Masonic Temple at 4th Ave and Monroe. Most Worshipful Brook Cunningham, Ill Sir Larry Kesselring and Ill Sir Leo Balthazor will be receiving the DeMolay Legion of Honor Award and Noble Guy Williams will be receiving the Chevalier Award. Please show your support for these very deserving Nobles and Arizona DeMolay.

History

Russellville and California Masons Help Latham School

On Sept. 23, 1882, members of the Masonic fraternity were granted permission to form a lodge in Russellville. On Dec. 26, 1885, three members of California Lodge #183 transferred their membership to the formation of Russellville Lodge #90. After 128 years of serving the Russellville area, Russellville Lodge consolidated with California Lodge #183, but its former members continue to serve the Cental Missouri area. After the fire at the Latham School, members of the former Russellville Lodge suggested some of the furnishing of their lodge be donated to the school. This idea was greeted with enthusiasm by the members of California Lodge and on Saturday, Feb. 26, members met with representatives of Latham School to offer them what they might be able to use in their efforts to rebuild the school.

ARIZONA DEMOLAY TO HONOR FIVE EL ZARIBAH SHRINERS

Arizona DeMolay will honor five El Zaribah Shriners this year in recognition for their contributions to the Arizona Masonic Family. The following individuals will receive the DeMolay Legion of Honor Award: Illustrious Sir Tom Calvin - Potentate (Investiture to be held on Oct 12, 2011 prior to the Shrine Stated Meeting at 5:45 PM) Most Worshipful D. Brook Cunningham - Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Arizona, F&AM Illustrious Sir Leo Balthazor - Potentate 2001 Illustrious Sir Larry Kesselring - Potentate 2004 The DeMolay Legion of Honor is presented to Senior DeMolays and Master Masons who have distinguished themselves in service to the community and the Masonic Family. This award represents a significant achievement and carries with it the responsibility to serve as mentors to our DeMolay young men. Noble Guy Williams will be receiving the Chevalier Award. This award is given to DeMolays who have distinguished themselves in service to DeMolay and also represents a significant accomplishment. The DeMolay Awards Night will be held on Oct 1, 2011 at the Masonic Temple at 4th Ave and Monroe at 7:30 PM. Due to a previous engagement, the Investiture of the DeMolay Legion of Honor will be presented to Ill Sir Tom Calvin at a special Investiture Ceremony prior to the Shrine Stated Meeting on Oct 12, 2011 at 5:45 PM. Please make an effort to attend one or both of these ceremonies to show your support for these highly deserving individuals and to show support for the Arizona DeMolay. Jim Miller

September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness: Prevention Begins with Awareness There are 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury in the U.S., each year; approximately 10 percent affect children under the age of 16. Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a leader in pediatric spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, provides important educational information for families through the Prevention Begins with Awareness campaign. The pediatric health care system is committed to raising awareness and helping prevent these types of injuries and encourages families, caregivers, community leaders and medical professionals to visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Education/SCIAwareness.aspx to learn more about spinal cord injury prevention and download free educational materials. Here are more facts: At least 30 people sustain a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis every day in the U.S. Approximately 50 percent of spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical region (neck), affecting the ability to breathe as well as upper and lower body function. The other 50 percent of this type of injury occur to the thoracic region (back), affecting upper and lower body functions. Between 1,500- 2,000 new spinal cord injuries affect children and adolescents each year in the U.S. Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in children and adolescents include motor vehicle accidents, diving accidents, trampolines and falls. Shriners Hospitals for Children was the first health care system in the country to develop spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers specifically for children. The programs available at Shriners Hospitals for Children provide a complete range of services designed to ensure children and teens with spinal cord injuries recover to the greatest extent possible. Learn more at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/CareAndTreatment/SpinalCord.aspx

New Oasis Lodge U.D.

Thursday, September 15 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm Al Malaikah Shrine auditorium 665 W. Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles, California For Greater Los Angeles Masonic Network More Info All Masons, their families and friends are cordially invited to attend the Institution Ceremony formally opening a new Masonic Lodge in our community. A dispensation has been issued by the Grand Master to allow a new Masonic Lodge, to be named Oasis Lodge U.D., to be formed in Los Angeles. It will be meeting at the Al Malaikah Shrine Center, and it hopes to attract potential Masons from the central city and USC areas. The current Potentate of Al Malaikah Shrine, Sam Pitassi, has been selected to be installed as its first Master. The Ceremony is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on September 15th, in the Al Malaikah Shrine Center, with Grand Master William J. Bray III in charge. Refreshments will follow the ceremony. Parking is available in the West Lot. The members of the new Lodge ask for your support and help in welcoming their new Lodge in our community.

Masons reach out to Big Bear

KATHY PORTIE/Big Bear Grizzly Big Bear Mason Jim Weyant takes visitors on a tour of the Masonic Lodge. The Masons don’t have anything to hide. The Big Bear Masonic Lodge hosted an open house Sept. 12 to prove it. John Wells, junior warden with the Big Bear Masonic Lodge, introduced guest speaker Mark Gibson, a past master of the Palm Springs Lodge, to a crowd of about 25 people at the lodge in Big Bear Lake. Gibson gave a brief history of the organization, which has its roots in the medieval stone mason guilds of England and Scotland. “They formed lodges or guilds where they could meet, receive their pay and train apprentices,” Gibson said. Guild members used handshakes and passwords as a form of identification, serving the same purpose as a modern I.D. card, he said. In modern times, the Masons’ ancient rituals and symbols take on metaphorical significance. “It is an intricate brotherhood accepting every religion, creed and ethnicity,” Gibson said. “The symbols are not designed to conceal secrets, they are designed in a way to reveal meaning in a person’s life.” As a Fraternal organization, the Masons do not accept women as members, but other organizations under the Masonic umbrella do, including Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls and the Eastern Star. There is a short list of requirements for membership—observe rules and regulations, regularly attend meetings and functions, and belief in a Supreme being and life after death. Worship is left to each individual. The Masons believe in building a foundation of values including ethics, truth, integrity and honor. Following Gibson’s presentation, local member Jim Weyant gave the visitors a tour of the facility including the meeting room. The furniture used for meetings was built by one of the founding members, Bill Knickerbocker. Members are not recruited. Prospective members must approach the Masons and ask to join the group. Big Bear’s Masonic Lodge 617 is the oldest fraternal organization in the Valley. The Big Bear Masonic Lodge is at 385 S. Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake. For more information, visit the website www.bigbearmasons.com. For full article & Pix go to http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/news/article_49624460-de80-11e0-8912-001cc4c03286.html

Shriners Hospital for Children -- Honolulu new Dental Clinic

Henry Schein Celebrates Opening of the Dr. Gary I. Kondo Suite at Shriners Hospital for Children -- Honolulu Henry Schein Cares donates dental chair and equipment to support dental clinic that will enhance access to oral health care for underserved children in Hawaii and the Pacific Rim HENRY SCHEIN, INC. DR. KONDO Henry Schein Dental donated a Midmark Dental Chair and Unit, as well as Nomad mobile X- ray technology to the Dr. Gary I. Kondo Dental Suite through Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program. Pictured from L to R: Kevin Kondo; Gene Bracewell, Treasurer for Shriners Hospital for Children; Mary Kondo; Brian Brady, Henry Schein Dental Hawaii Regional Manager; Gary Young, Director of Operations, Hawaii Family Dental Centers. (PRNewsFoto/Henry Schein, Inc.) MELVILLE, NY UNITED STATES MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein Dental, the U.S. dental division of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, celebrated the opening of the Dr. Gary I. Kondo Dental Suite at the Shriners Hospital for Children located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Henry Schein Dental donated a Midmark Dental Chair and Unit, as well as Nomad mobile X-ray technology to the Dr. Gary I. Kondo Dental Suite through Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program. The dental operatory is the first of its kind for the Shriners Hospital for Children system, which includes 22 hospitals nationwide. The dental clinic will serve children from the State of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, regardless of their ability to pay. Dentists and staff from around the State of Hawaii have already begun to offer their volunteer time and services to the new dental clinic. "Henry Schein Dental is proud to partner with Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu, one of the most admired and well respected hospitals in the world, to enhance access to care for children in need from Hawaii and the Pacific Rim," said Brian Brady, Hawaii Regional Manager, Henry Schein Dental. "It is inspiring to see the vision of the late Dr. Gary I. Kondo realized in this new operatory, and to know that his legacy will carry on for years to come through the countless children who will be treated at this state-of-the-art dental suite."

Loss

Many of you may not have heard, we lost Imp. Sir Ken Smith on Thursday 9/1 2 p.m. I received the obituary that was in their local newspaper about services. The services will be this coming Thursday at their Church in West Vancouver... He was a 57 yr. Mason and 48 yr. Shriner and in many, many related organizations including Jesters, etc. Actually it was a very short time after they found the cancer and could not do any additional treatments. They ask for donations to Gizeh Shriners Patient Transportation Fund in the newspaper article.....He was 78 yrs. young. Shirley has been terrific as caregiver and helping her children and grandchildren w/the loss. Continues to work diligently for our organizations through it all.

Freemasons Celebrate 60th Anniversary of North Hollywood Temple

It's one of the most striking, unique and bizarre structures in North Hollywood. By Craig Clough R.J. Comer - Senior Warden of the North Hollywood Freemasons Suzanne Toyryla, the president of the North Hollywood Rotary Club (L), City Councilman Tom LaBonge and Alice Roth, LaBonge's deputy Deputy District Director for North Hollywood / Toluca Lake, listen as Armen Mardirousi, the current Master of the North Hollywood Masonic Lodge #542, speaks on the evening of its 60th anniversary, Sept. 1, 2011. It's one of the most striking, unique and bizarre structures in North Hollywood, if not all of the San Fernando Valley. It's architectural style has been described as "neo-Mayan," and for 60 years it has towered over pedestrians on Tujunga Avenue and visitors to the southern end of North Hollywood Park. On Sept. 1, the Freemasons of the North Hollywood Lodge #542 celebrated the 60th anniversary of the building with a public dinner and congratulatory speeches from Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge and Suzanne Toyryla, the president of the North Hollywood Rotary Club. Lodge #542 started in the 1920s back when North Hollywood was still called Lankershim, according to Armen Mardirousi, the current Master of the North Hollywood Lodge Freemasons. The members rented a building until a movement got underway in the 1940s to build their own temple. "Tonight, basically we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the building by the Grand Master of all Masons in California in 1951," Mardirousi told Patch. The North Hollywood Lodge has a deep connection to the Golden Era of the film industry. Former heads of some of the nearby movie studios were members, as were some famous actors, most notably Audie Murphy, the film star who was also the most decorated solider of WWII. Murphy lived nearby in Toluca Lake and an upstairs room in the lodge, the Audie Murphy Lounge, is dedicated to his memory. Many of his metals and other artifacts are displayed, as is his application to join the Masons. (See the attached photos for a full tour of the lodge). No celebrities were spotted Thursday night, but Mardirousi said that a very large number of its current members work in the entertainment industry as writers, producers, musicians and as other behind-the-scenes personnel. "A lot of studio heads and studio employees lived in this area and joined lodges where they lived, and we just happened to be in their neighborhood," said Mardirousi. "It's a temple-type of design, which unfortunately is kind of rare nowadays. A lot of the old buildings are being sold. Nowadays its very difficult to build anything resembling this anywhere. They won't let you. There's only a handful of temples in Southern California that are temple-style and still used as Masonic temples, the way they are situated and the directions they are facing, things of that nature." The temple was designed by two architects, Robert Benjamin Stacy-Judd (1884-1975) and John Aleck Murrey (1989-1957), according to Richard Hilton of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Hilton leads the museum's Historic Walking Tour of the NoHo Arts District. The temple is one of the stops, and a tour is being given this Saturday. Murrey was a North Hollywood local, and also a Mason and president of the Architects of the San Fernando Valley. He designed the 1801 New Hampshire Apartments near Griffith Park and another Masonic temple upstate not unlike the North Hollywood design, according to Hilton. Stacy-Judd, by all accounts, was a bit of an eccentric character who also designed the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia (1925), the First Baptist Church in Ventura, the Philosophical Research Center in Los Feliz, the North Hollywood Hospital (now gone) and many Spanish-style homes around L.A., according to Hilton. As was detailed in a profile on Monrovia Patch, Stacy-Judd once wrote a stage adaptation of Dracula, worked on the Spruce Goose with Howard Hughes and spent his later years trying to prove the existence of the mythical civilization of Atlantis. He began to wear Maya garb to Hollywood parties and claimed that Maya-themed projects would reinvigorate American architecture. But his knowledge of Mayan and other South American cultures was flawed, according to many. "He has been described as a 'kookie self-promoter,'" said Hilton in an email to Patch. "His academic understanding of the Mayans is deeply flawed, awed as he was by the culture. He did design costumes and sets for a Mayan movie which never saw the light of film. He dabbled in radio and had relationships with Hollywood personalities such as Bette Davis." (Make sure to read Monrovia Patch's great profile of Stacy-Judd for the full story.) The temple was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake and had to undergo extensive renovations. Support pillars that extend through the first two floors were added and all the windows that used to exist on the first floor were removed. But one of the biggest blows wasn't to the structure itself, but its records. According to Mardirousi, part of the roof was ripped open and a room that held many of the lodge's old documents was exposed to the elements, destroying them. The Freemasons are a fraternal order that dates back to the 1800s. The group's meetings are closed to the public, and what the order is exactly and what happens at their meetings remains a secret. Much has been written and speculated about the Freemasons, too much to cover here, and with the evening being about the building, Patch kept its questions mostly limited to the structure itself. But it was still difficult not to ask what the Masons are all about. Mardirousi said the Masons "make good men better." Another Mason said they were about "bettering themselves, bettering their fellow Masons and bettering their community." Indeed, one of the things Masons are known for publicly is charity. Mardirousi said the lodge has adopted nearby Lankershim Elementary and has held several book drives for it. Thursday's dinner was also a book drive, the third dedicated to helping the school. The Masons also send over mentors that help the kids and read to them. "People drive by, they look at the building, and if you listen to all the stuff that you hear out there, there is a lot of mystique and a lot of mystery, I guess, behind the fraternity," said Mardirousi. "One of the main things we do as far as the community is concerned is to reach out. And then, it being a fraternity, obviously the same type of friendship is available within the brothers themselves." The lodge holds a regular meeting for members the first Thursday of every month and is preceded by a dinner that is open to non-members. "Typically, we use it to invite in guests that are interested in the fraternity. This is an opportunity to come and meet us, for us to meet them and get to know what we're about and for us to get to know what they're about," said Mardirousi. "This being the anniversary of the dedication of the building, we decided to recognize that fact at this dinner. But the dinners happen every month." Mardirousi said the lodge currently has around 170 members, or Master Masons, and many others going through the process of joining. For one who only knows of the Masons through documentaries on the History Channel, one of the first notable aspects about the North Hollywood Lodge is how many young members it has. Both LaBonge and Toyryla referenced this in their speeches. Young men in their early 20s, some with dyed hair who looked like they could be the bass player in a rock band playing on the Sunset Strip, are among the members. "Good evening everybody. I want to congratulate you, you all look good for being 60 years old," LaBonge joked to the group when he began his short speech before presenting the lodge with an accommodation certificate. Toyryla also talked about the youth movement at the lodge. "I noticed the councilman made a joke about all of you being 60, and I want to say how delighted I am to see so many young gentlemen here as part of this organization to help keep its standards and traditions going forward. I wish you a happy anniversary on your 60th anniversary," said Toyryla in her remarks. The North Hollywood Lodge #542 is located at 5122 Tujunga Avenue, next to the YMCA and across the street from North Hollywood Park.

Shriners Yakima clinic for kids who need orthopedic help

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Masada Shriners of Yakima is hosting a free clinic Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. The clinic is open to area residents to identify children who can benefit from pediatric orthopedic experts from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Spokane. The clinic is open to all families. The university is at 111 University Parkway in Terrace Heights. For more information, call 509-452-2810 or 509-952-1519

Shriners Hospital thanks Carlene Hosea

REMARKABLE VOLUNTEER RECOGNIZED: Alan Anderson, Director of Development, Shriners Hospital, recently sent a letter to Carlene A. Hosea of Placerville, thanking her for her gift of 121 pounds of pull tabs. For the last 14 years, Carlene has been collecting bottles, cans and pull tabs, along the local roadways. All the money received from these efforts has benefited the Shriners Hospital. Incidentally, Carlene is a young 81-year-old and still a very active volunteer. Carlene, thank you for all your volunteer efforts for the children at the hospital and for our community, also.

Back to School: Backpack Safety

As parents flood the stores to prepare for the new school year, new backpacks for their children are likely on many shopping lists. There are many factors to consider when choosing the most appropriate one.

When shopping for a backpack it is important to find one that is no wider than the child’s chest, has adjustable and padded straps, includes a waist strap, is made of lightweight material and has several compartments. “A backpack that is adjustable helps bring the weight closer to the upper part of the back, where the body can more efficiently carry the load with larger muscles of the back,” said Robert Cho, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Los Angeles. “A waist strap helps to distribute the load to the lower body and legs so that the shoulders do not bear all of the weight.”

It is also helpful to make sure a child is only packing what is necessary for the day and to distribute these items evenly throughout the compartments, with the heaviest objects placed closest to the child’s back. It is recommended that kids carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their bodyweight in their backpacks.

“Too much weight in a child’s backpack can lead to muscular strain and back pain, which can limit physical functioning and can even lead to poorer overall health,” said Dr. Cho. “I recommend either minimizing the amount of textbooks carried in a backpack, or using a rolling backpack, if allowed by the child’s school.”

Placement of the backpack is also important. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best place to carry a backpack is between the neck and curve of the lower back – not far below the waist, as is often popular among the kids.

“College Football’s 10 Most Promising Newcomers for 2011”

Onlinedegreeshub.com. , “College Football’s 10 Most Promising Newcomers for 2011”. It tackles the same kind of issues you often discuss on your blog. we’d love to keep the discussion going. http://www.onlinedegreeshub.com/blog/2011/college-footballs-10-most-promising-newcomers-for-2011

Tehama Shriners Golf

Shriners golf tourney to benefit children

The Tehama County Shrine Club proudly presents its 2nd Annual Shriners Golf Tournament at Sevillano Links Golf Course in Corning Saturday, Sept. 17.

The event will again honor police, firefighters, military and veterans. All tournament proceeds from this event will benefit the Shriners Children's Hospitals. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m. Lunch and awards will be at 2 p.m.

Cost is $90 per person and teams are made up of four players.

No family has ever paid for the care a child has received at a Shriners Hospital. In order for this to continue, Shriners hold events like this tournament throughout the United States, and other countries.

With local merchant support local residents contributing to the cause, Shriners can continue to treat kids at the Shriners Children's Hospitals.

For more information, send an email to President Bob Conatser at bobconatser@charter.net or call 527-4906.

Tehama County Shrine Club Red Bluff,Ca.

Shriners golf tourney to benefit children

The Tehama County Shrine Club proudly presents its 2nd Annual Shriners Golf Tournament at Sevillano Links Golf Course in Corning Saturday, Sept. 17.

The event will again honor police, firefighters, military and veterans. All tournament proceeds from this event will benefit the Shriners Children's Hospitals. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 9 a.m. Lunch and awards will be at 2 p.m.

Cost is $90 per person and teams are made up of four players.

No family has ever paid for the care a child has received at a Shriners Hospital. In order for this to continue, Shriners hold events like this tournament throughout the United States, and other countries.

With local merchant support local residents contributing to the cause, Shriners can continue to treat kids at the Shriners Children's Hospitals.

For more information, send an email to President Bob Conatser at bobconatser@charter.net or call 527-4906.

Dine for a Cause BJ's is donating 15% on Sept.8th

Dine for a Cause with Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Summerlin, Sept. 8

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is donating 15 percent of food and non-alcoholic beverage sales for the evening to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in celebration of the upcoming Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Guests will enjoy the delectable fare and entertaining atmosphere while supporting the healthcare system's mission to provide specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Tickets for the tournament will also be available for purchase, including weekly passes to tournament grounds and the Hill, TPC Summerlin's hospitality venue overlooking the 16th, 17th and 18th greens.



The BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Summerlin is located at 10840 W. Charleston Blvd. Guests must present the fundraiser event flyer to server to use for dine-in or take-out from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For call ahead seating or additional information, call 702.852.2300.

Thank you for supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children!