From the East

Every year more than 500,000 people die from cancer in the U.S. and many researchers and specialists believe up to 60% of those deaths can be prevented if Americans slightly adapt their lifestyles.

By Your Side, Grand Master Bill Bray's 2010-2011 project, aims to raise awareness about oncology so as a part of February, National Cancer Prevention Month, join your lodge for a healthy meal with delicious anti-carcinogenic food and learn more about cancer prevention during the February stated meeting! Don't miss this event! I will try to invite a speaker who could talk something about this dreaded disease.

In the meantime, I encourage the members of our fraternity in general and of the brethren of our lodge in particular to look after one another and each other's families. We are reminded that we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle (by eating healthy foods and keeping a regular exercise), and to have a regular screening by a doctor in order for us to be more aware and be conscious of our physical condition. As the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure".

I appreciate the presence of our past masters last January: Worshipfuls Doug McDougall, Emmett Van Ness, Robert Reynolds, Frank Bustamante, Joey Aguilar, Steven Venadas, Alex Mancao and Eufrecenio Abad in our lodge and help us out in our degree conferrals. And of course to our District Inspector, the Worshipful Reuben Zari, our treasurer, Worshipful Celso Fueconcillo and our Officer's coach Bill Munda for their positive guidance and direction of our lodge. Unfortunately, Worshipfuls Dan McQuitty and Ned Chapman could not make it due to some conflicting schedule and some house guests respectively, but, they promised to be visible in our lodge this year (if time permits) and support us in our endeavors. Also Worshipful Oscar Moreno informed us that he will be visiting our lodge starting February. Thank you worshipful sirs for your effort and support. I hope more past masters will visit us.

In closing, may I remind our brethren about our upcoming Sweetheart's/Widows Night on 2/19/11. Our committee chaired by brother Eric Biscocho and co-chaired by brother Joey Narte, along with its members are well prepared for this special occasion. Our ladies are our treasures and guiding light of our lodge and I personally felt that it is but proper that we should treat them nicely with dignity and enthusiasm. This is the time that we should show them how much we appreciate their contribution to the success of our lodge. This event will be held at Port O'Call at 1199 Nagoya Way, Los Angeles Harbor Berth California 90731. We will have guests from four lodges and we will have 3 to 4 hours of line/ball room dancing.

Upon the Square,
Gilbert O. Cabrera, Master