Pasadena

Hey Howdy,

Well, it's done.

After years of fear, anxiety, capillary popping anger and general dumbfoundedness, we can finally relax a little bit and feel pretty darn certain that our administration is actually working with our best interests at heart.

Not to say that we can't kick back with a drink and yammer on about how asinine the Republicans and Main Stream Media are being. There's always something to complain about.

Come on by and join in the fun.

Drinking Liberally Pasadena
Every Tuesday, 7:30-10ish
Madeleine's Wine Bistro, 1030 E. Green St

Cheers to all,
Patrick

Hey Howdy,

It's a done deal folks. Are you feeling the joy yet? I certainly am.

Please come on down and join Pasadena Drinking Liberally and Madeleine's Restaurant in celebrating this historic day.

Inauguration Party with Drinking Liberally
TONIGHT
7:00 pm - ???

Madeleine's Restaurant and Wine Bistro - Banquet Room
1030 E. Green St, Pasadena

Cheers to all
Patrick

Howdy all,

If you work or live in the San Fernando Valley, particularly in the vicinity of Sherman Oaks, we have good news for you...

Drinking Liberally - San Fernando Valley is back ... and better than ever.

When: Wednesday, January 14 (and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month thereafter), 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Where: Pineapple Hill Saloon & Grill, 4454 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks (at Moorpark and Van Nuys)

Congrats!

Cheers to all
Patrick

Hey Hey Hey,

As we all know, because we're all counting the days, Tuesday January 20th is In-aug-u-ra-tion-Day. YeeeHaaaaah!

After 9am local time, Barack Obama will be our new President. It's going to feel real good to officially say "President Obama."

It is a time to celebrate. And celebrate we will. The members have spoken. Of those that come regularly, the general consensus is Let's Party!

We have reserved the Banquet Room at Madeleine's so that we can spread out and stretch our legs. We'll have a stereo pumping out the tunes and a bunch of very happy people keeping the energy flowing. We may even have some balloons. It will be very festive. ;^)

So, get decked out in your favorite feel-good, joyous, get-down-and-boogy type clothing and join us for a night of happy revelry.

As an added incentive, I have just finished producing a new "Hammer of Productive Governing" for the occasion. It's a sleeker companion to the "Democracy Wrinkle Remover" that I gave away on Election night. I'll be raffling it off at 9 pm.

Inauguration Party with Drinking Liberally
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
7:30pm - ???
Madeleine's Restaurant and Wine Bistro - Banquet Room
1030 E. Green St, Pasadena

Cheers to all
Patrick

Last Friday, at 78 years old, after a long illness, Esther Cardall passed away. I didn't know her as well as I had hoped to, but I knew she had a good heart and mind, and I was proud to be a part of Drinking Liberally with her. Her presence is missed.

Esther's daughter, Beth, is also a member of our chapter and has been kind enough to touch on key points of her life to help us all get to know Esther a little better.

Esther Ann Kathleen (McDonnell) Cardall, born 1930 in Sprague WA. Her father worked for Standard Oil and Mother worked in banks until they both retired in the 1960s. She grew up moving often to smallish towns throughout Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

Esther refused to go to the all-girl Roman Catholic High School and rebelliously attended the local public (co-ed) school near Portland Oregon, graduating in 1948.

In 1951, after attending college for 2 years, she traded in her snow skies for the use of a friend's wedding dress, got married and moved to San Diego. Divorced in 1958 with two infant children, she worked full-time and attended classes part-time at San Diego State University. In 1969 she graduated with a Masters in Social Work.

In the mid 70's Esther retired from her position as District Chief for Dependent Children in the County of San Diego Department of Public Welfare.

Since then she has been busy...

- Worked as a church organist.
- Sold Rogers' electronic church organs.
- Worked as a Civilian Family Advocate for the Navy (long enough to collect another pension and make a personal apology to some enlisted men for her use of inappropriate language).
- Operated a small business with a friend.
- Learned to quilt and made and sold many items.
- Worked at the Pasadena Recovery Center for the past 6 years as the licensed social worker on staff.
- Board President for YWCA in San Diego.
- Director of Urban League in San Diego.
- Served as Church Board President in 2 congregations.
- Took thousands of photos of her favorite grandson and her cats.

Esther and her daughter Beth still have their ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) bracelets from the 1970-80s. She taught her children inclusion and that ALL people (regardless of skin color or sexual orientation) deserve the same level of respect and consideration.

She taught Beth (by example) that swearing at airline employees in Mexico may land one in jail and that bargaining at shops in Tijuana involves much eye-batting and flirtation, which is all a game to be innocently enjoyed. Her bathroom decorating style was best called "Early American Bordello." She always walked quickly and wore loud colors.

Services for Esther Cardall
3:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2009

Celebration of Life for Esther Cardall
Throop Unitarian Universalist Church
300 S. Los Robles Ave.
Pasadena, CA 90010

Aloha wear encouraged, especially orange (Esther's favorite color for everything). If you have a story to share about Esther, please bring a written copy for inclusion into a memory book. Reception immediately following in Throop Hall, adjacent to the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Esther's honor to Throop Unitarian Universalist Church, Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee CA 92071). Or to Haven House. (Haven House, P.O. Box 50007, Pasadena, CA 91115, 501(c)(3) #95-6119485)

Hey Howdy,

Blah blah blah. Yadda yadda yadda.

Perhaps I will have something more coherent to say tonight.

Drinking Liberally Pasadena
Every Tuesday, 7:30-10ish
Madeleine's Wine Bistro, 1030 E. Green St

Cheers to all,
Patrick