After Paul put together the Car Show video we decided it was time to put these video is a more centralized [...]]]> The Order of Elks has been around a lot longer than TV and video – and at the lodge we’ve finally gotten our own YouTube channel.

After Paul put together the Car Show video we decided it was time to put these video is a more centralized location so when you have the opportunity – check it out and feel free to comment away!

OH – and here’s the Car Show just to show you all how much fun we had that day! (double click on the video to see a larger screen)

The burger was just a “taste” of things to come during the Lodge Picnic coming up 9/25! Stay tuned to be a part of the [...]]]> It was a great night for burgers down at the lodge on Wednesday night and if you missed it – just take a look at this picture that Paul put together!

The burger was just a “taste” of things to come during the Lodge Picnic coming up 9/25! Stay tuned to be a part of the fun.

Monster Burgers at the Elks lodge #2477

In the Conejo Valley Manna was started in 1971 by a few concerned citizens who decided to help their neighbors by gathering food items in [...]]]> In the Bible Manna is defined as the miraculous food which sustained the Israelites in the wilderness.

In the Conejo Valley Manna was started in 1971 by a few concerned citizens who decided to help their neighbors by gathering food items in one location for distribution due to, in part, the many families affected by layoffs in the aerospace industry.

Often during one or more of our activities we hold a 50/50 drawing for a charity that we support and the other Friday night – was NO exception!

On Friday August 20th, Heather Polanski held a 50/50 drawing for Manna and new member Bro. Tom Fay along with Manna were the winners.

As an Elk it is a privileged and a responsibility to help others as the need OR opportunity arises. To that end we’re thankful for members like Heather and Tom – and the rest – who make these contributions possible!

Picture courtesy of Jerry Serota

Tom and Heather

August has been no exception. With a number of potential new members waiting in the wings August saw the lodge privileged to welcome in 2 new members, Tom Fay and Jesse Garcia. Shown [...]]]> While summer in Southern California is a time for surf, sun, vacations and and more – the Elks continue to grow and serve.

August has been no exception. With a number of potential new members waiting in the wings August saw the lodge privileged to welcome in 2 new members, Tom Fay and Jesse Garcia. Shown below with their sponsors Ed Lucas and Leo Rodriguez please be sure to take a moment and say hello the next time you see him down at the lodge!

Hugh is a native and resident of Glendale, California where he attended Glendale, Rio Hondo and UCLA. Majoring in art history as an [...]]]> It’s August 6th and Thousand Oaks Lodge #2477 is awash with Elks from all around the state of California. The occasion? CHEA State President Hugh Scanlon along with his entourage were in attendance.

Hugh is a native and resident of Glendale, California where he attended Glendale, Rio Hondo and UCLA. Majoring in art history as an under grad Hugh is also a proud member of the University of Chicago Alumni Association where he has a graduate certificate in Egyptian hieroglyphs.

As a member of the United States Army’s elite Special Forces “Green Berets” Hugh is a Veteran and was a paratrooper serving in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge Hugh was employed at the Marshal’s Department in 1969 and transferred to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department completing a 36 year career in Law Enforcement.

Among the Vice-Presidents and their families accompanying Hugh were: Brad Smith ~ Modesto Lodge No. 1282, Leroy Bostick ~ Kern River Valley Lodge No. 2358, Bob Bowers ~ Glendale Lodge No. 1289, Steve Marada ~ Paradise Lodge No. 2026, Michael Mathers ~ Fullerton Lodge No. 1993, Billy Watson ~ Indio Lodge No. 1643, Bob Johnson ~ Downey Lodge No. 2020, Raymond G. Beers ~ Santa Monica Lodge No. 906, Dr. Carroll “Bud” Hall ~ Monterey Lodge No. 1285, and our own WCCD DDGER Sander Moss ~ Simi Valley Lodge No.2492.

With a wonderful dinner consisting of Prime Rib, Salmon, potatoes, vegetables, ice cream and carrot cake by PER Tom Ryder and his crew (including PER Chet Kozlowski and new member Sam Frankle) here’s a glimpse of some of the fun we had last night!

Pictures courtesy of Jerry Serota and Paul Wagner

Depending on the other activities scheduled at [...]]]> The Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge #2477 has begun to expand their activities with seminars designed to enhance the value of membership. Under the umbrella called the “3-E” Seminars – these presentations are so called because they must provide two, if not all three, of the following Entertainment, Education and Enlightenment.

Depending on the other activities scheduled at the lodge we try to have at least one a month and recently we were thrilled to have Rick Herrera, currently serving as our Chaplain, give the members and their families an opportunity to learn how to create beautiful bud vase floral arrangements.

As a horticultural teacher and professional landscaper Rick is well qualified to provide the education and his personality, well seated with a sense of humor, fulfills the entertainment aspect of the 3-E Seminars. As to the enlightenment – that was left up to the attendees to decide for themselves. Personally – creating a floral arrangement and having it bind almost all of the senses, sight, touch, smell and hearing in the single activity demonstrated the enlightenment aspect as well. (the hearing was the laughter enjoyed by the group and I skipped the “taste” as I’ve not eaten flowers in many years:).

Rick will be doing another seminar closer to the holidays as he teaches and helps the attendees create a holiday table centerpiece. Be sure to check the calendar and look for the “3-E”!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner

It’s been said if you want something done give the task to a busy person and as such [...]]]> Jim Kellogg was born on September 20, 1919 in the city of Los Angeles and proposed for membership in the BPOE by Sherwood McDonald on August 18, 1993 during the time that Jim Wallace was the Exalted Ruler.

It’s been said if you want something done give the task to a busy person and as such Jim was “busy” personified.

Jim was an engineer and retired as an Aerospace Consultant having served as the president of the society of aerospace Materials and Process Engineers, involved with Automotive Engineers Society, the aircraft Industries Association and a member of the Masons.

A Navy man and stationed at Pearl Harbor he was given an early discharge due to the end of the war, however he never forgot our Veterans.

The Elks say that as long as there are Veterans in our hospitals they will never be forgotten and taking that to heart Jim worked with our Veterans committee for many years going to the V.A. facility in Sepulveda to play Bingo and bring snacks for our Veterans. He saw to it that the Veterans were invited to our yearly Veterans remembrance brunch that the Lodge held and still holds every November.

Brother Jim Kellogg passed away June 24^th at 90 years of age and we will be having a memorial service on July 22.

We shall meet, but we shall miss him,
There will be the vacant chair, 
But though we no more possess him, 
Still our hearts his memory bear, 
But a while ago we gathered, 
Friendship beaming in each eye, 
Now the golden cord is severed, 
He has passed to realms on high.

The memorial for Jim was held at the Conejo Creek North Park on Janss Road in Thousand Oaks on July 22, 2010 with military honors and reading by the lodge officers. Shown below is the Veteran’s Memorial that was donated, in part, by the Elks Lodge #2477.

Last night saw a wonderful turnout as the PER’s joined forces to create an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. While members [...]]]> Every year Thousand Oaks Lodge #2477 welcomes Elks from all over the WCCD (West Central Coast District) as we send the district’s Exalted Rulers off to the national convention and this year was no exception.

Last night saw a wonderful turnout as the PER’s joined forces to create an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. While members and their guests were delighted with ghoulish greetings in the “Haunted Mansion”, special entertainment was provided by Catherine Koeritz, Terry Gicking and David Naccaratto. The ghostly trio served as an enhancement to a scrumptious dinner of tender barbecued ribs and chicken by Tom Ryder and his crew. The 50/50 pot and ghost races were dominated by Simi Valley as they claimed the pot as well as two out of the three races! Talk about neighborly kindness!

Here are a few of the pictures and we hope to bring you more soon. If you missed it this year – put it on the calendar for next year and be sure to claim your seat.