November 29, 2023 Bench Press
Lions Curt and Rick manage the BB Lions social media platforms. They shared information about the BB Lions social media presence. Check out the club’s website: www.boisebenchlions.org. There is lots of information to answer all your questions about our club including the financials. You will need to login for the financial information.
November 15, 2023 Bench Press
Col. JR “Apollo” Williams is the commander of the 124th Operations Group at Gowen Field. Gowen Field was built in 1940 and named after 1st Lt. Paul Gowen, a Caldwell native who died in an aircraft crash in 1938. He was a Medal of Honor recipient. Throughout World War II, the Army Air Forces used the field to train B-17 and B-24 aircrews for duty. After the war, the war department gave Gowen Field to the City of Boise. In 1946, the Air National Guard started without planes. In 1947, the P51’s arrived. Since 1946, Gowen has been home to 9 different fighter jets. There is a federal mission funded by federal dollars to defend our nation for deterrence and security. And there is a state mission, to provide soldiers and airmen trained and ready to assist the citizens of ID during emergencies and disasters. There are about 5,000 employees at Gowen, both ci-vilian and military. There are not any drone pilots in ID. They last deployed in 2020 to Afghanistan, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. ID is Fighter Country. Daily access to the best operational airspace in the USAF! There is ramp space for 70+ fighters, 44 acres. They are ready for follow-on mis-sions and have hosted multiple F-15/16/35 units. In the next 5 years, Gowen Field will be moving to F-16’s as the A-10’s are being retired. Check out imd.idaho.gov
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November 8, 2023 Bench Press
Jim Findley from the ID Mountain Search and Rescue Unit shared some great stories and information about this unit. They have been serving the people of ID since 1960. They are a volunteer organization dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue and mountain safety education. For the complete story, and all the other news in our 11/7/23 newsletter, please click on the link below:
https://e-clubhouse.org/userfiles/647/file/BB%20Newsletter%2011-7-23.pdf
October 25, 2023 Bench Press
Bob Batista has been the general manager for the Western ID Fair
for the last 24 yrs. He oversees 240 acres, the horse races stopped in
2016. They have removed the horse stables and plans have started to
build a park on that land. Port Authority out of Pennsylvania won the
bid. The EXPO bldg. is the workhorse of the property. They rent the 3
connected bldgs. throughout the year so they keep it updated with new
roofs, wiring and HVAC systems. They build a little city the week before
the fair then it all comes together. The concerts have grown
from buying tickets, to hard chairs to just fair admission to attend.
They are still working on what to do with Lady Bird Park which runs along
Chinden. The Park at EXPO ID will try to recapture what the area
looked like back in 1951. 720 trees in the project, soccer and baseball
fields. They hope to be done by December 2026. See the pictures of
now and the schematic design for the future on page 3. Go to idahofair.
com, click get info, recent news for more information about the new park.
download the newsletter here for all the news fit to print
All the news you need to know on October 18, 2023
WE SERVE
Boise Bench Lions Club Meeting Noon Wednesdays
Casa Mexico, 10332 W Fairview, Boise
October 18, 2023
During the 2022-2023 year, Lions Envision Sight provided 13 sight restoring surgeries, recycled 61,536 pairs of eyeglasses, performed 149 full eye exams, and provided eye glasses at reduced cost based on income. The Eye Bank supported 353 corneas for transplant throughout Idaho and around the world. Vision and Hearing screenings at local schools are supported by Envision and a hearing aid program is also part of the operation. Lions clubs throughout Idaho and Oregon and worldwide perform vision and hearing screenings and work with deaf and hard of hearing individuals through many other programs.
He discussed the merits of eye screening for 6 months to 6-year-olds with the Plusoptix screeners to detect Amblyopia, aka lazy eye. Detection at an early age will make a huge difference in correcting this condition and have a lasting impact on an individual’s life. Envision is encouraging Lions Clubs to contact day care organizations and offering to conduct screenings for their children.
Esteban gave an overview of vision screening with the Plusoptix electronic vision screeners. Several points to be aware of are: no direct sunlight, hold the machine about 3 feet from the subject and move as needed to bring the eyes into focus, the results are Pass or Refer, test children with eyeglasses on to verify the prescription.
The Boise Valley Lions Team raised $1370 for the Walk toEnd Alzheimer’s and had a great turnout despite the cold, rainy weather
String packs and grab and go bags were delivered to RMDH. after Octoberfest Convention
Eight bags and boxes of warm clothing and blanket delivery to Interfaith Sanctuary on Oct 19 thank you Lions
Next Week
October 25, 2023
noon
$13.25 for optional lunch
Casa Mexico
speaker is Bob Batista, Director of the Western Idaho Fair
October 30 to November 2
Vision and Hearing Screenings at Anser Charter School
Bench Board meeting
November 07, 2023
6 pm
Zoom
send agenda items to Lion LaDawn or Lynne
Boise bench Newsletter, October 11, 2023
Abby Barzee is the marketing and communications director for the El-Ada Community Action Partnership. El-Ada was established in 1967 during LBJ’s term. This was his war on poverty program. They are a nonprofit who serves Elmore, ADA and Owyhee counties. They are a community service block grant recipient who helps low-income individuals achieve self-sufficiency. Their Veteran services program helped 90% of their Vets exit into permanent housing last year. In FY2022, El-Ada weatherized 153 homes in these counties who qualified by income. Their Energy assistance program helped 6,120 households. They have community services like zoo passes, garden seeds, bus passes, water bill assistance, personal care items, household goods and referrals. Their Harm Reduction program provides HIV and HEP C testing, overdose protection, syringe exchange, and contraceptives. Their Emergency Food Assistance Program provides food boxes to income eligible households. Check out their website: www.eladacap.org. They need volunteers in all of their programs. Reach out to Abby: abbyb@eladacap.org. For the complete newsletter, click the following link: https://e-clubhouse.org/userfiles/647/file/BB%20Newsletter%2010-11-23(1).pdf
Boise Bench Newsletter October 4, 2023
At our meeting, Lion Dan shared the basis of the USA/Canada Forum was about membership growth. He attended the social media seminar where he learned if you comment on a FB page, it makes the page grow in popularity. He learned about Hope to Walk. There are 35-40 million amputees in the world. This website hopetowalk.org has developed a new type of prosthetic that costs around $250. Lion Patty shared her favorite quotes from Striker Corbin whose seminar she attended, and he was our last night of the forum speaker. What you focus on expands. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Lion Dennis shared his favorite quotes: Lions are like puzzles; you need all the pieces to be whole to complete the project. You either win or you learn from the experience. Lion Larry shared about his Environment seminar. Repurposing, recycling, cleaning highways and roadways, create and maintain parks, plant trees, beach and river cleanups. He also went to the LCIF seminar where he learned how impactful LCIF is around the world. Lion LaDawn shared her Burnout Self test and her Accountabilla-buddies. Make sure you have someone in your life that keeps you accountable. Download the complete newsletter here: https://e-clubhouse.org/userfiles/647/file/BB%20Newsletter%2010-4-23.pdf
Bench Press September 20, 2023
Bench Lion Curt Kelley presented the trip to Newfoundland and Labrador that he and Pat took in July. The population of St Johns, Newfoundland was up to 40% Irish as they began migrating there to find work and improve their overall circumstances, so there are a lot of Irish Pubs in the city. The first wireless transatlantic transmission was received on Signal Hill in 1927 and other fun facts about the city were shared. Cape Spear is a short distance away and is the easternmost point in North America. A boat tour took us through a humpback and minke whale feeding ground and is also the site of the largest Puffin rookery in North America. Screech In was a fun experience involving a Newfie saying, kissing a cod and a shot of Screech Rum, we are now honorary Newfies. A lot of territory and history was covered, including icebergs, Vikings, cod fishing, and Basque whalers from the Brittany region of France over 400 years ago.
There were 22 Lions in attendance
Lion Gayle won the attendance drawing, but she missed last week, so no money for her.
Lion Angel sold some of her lumpy pumpkins to a friend who donated $100 to the club project fund.
Lion Angel had some questions about Idaho facts. What is the state gem-Star Garnet. Highest mountain-Mt Borah at 12662 feet, and several other tidbits.
October 10th is the date for the Idaho Food Bank, more information to sign in or call and time and date is on our website www.boisebenchlions.com
The BB Lions are sponsoring the Boise Valley Lions Team, Walk to End Alzheimer’s which is September 30th at Kleiner Park in Meridian. The walk is open to all Lions and friends of Lions and is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against this disease. The event is free, donations are accepted. The opening ceremony is at 11 and the walk begins at 11:30. Wear your vests or Lions shirts to show support. Team captains Lions Curt and Larry K. can answer any questions. Use the email boisbenchlions@gmail.com. Copy this link into your browser to sign up: http://act.alz.org/goto/BoiseValleyLions
Lion Rick hiked a trail Rockaway Beach, Oregon and found a project that local Lions had supported. You just never know what is around the corner.
For the rest of the story download the complete newsletter here