THE BAD PENNIES
 

 

 

NEXT BAD PENNIES MEETING

 

Next Bad Pennies meeting will be on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 12 noon at the Annapolis Maritime Museum Walk in Annapolis, MD,  beginning at the Annapolis Athletic Club, 1031 Bay Ridge Avenue; Eastport, Md.  21401.

Directions:  ADVANCE \d 5

From US 50 East or West, exit at Route 665 (Aris T. Allen Blvd.). Pass both the Riva Road and Route 2 exits. Continue on Route 665. At first stop light, Route 665 will become Forest Drive. Continue to Texaco station on left and an Exxon station on the right. Turn left onto Bay Ridge Avenue. Continue to Eastport Shopping Center on the right.

 

              

 

  PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 

            We’ve had Adventures 42 and 43 since the last newsletter. Mary Beth’s review of Adventure 42 to Los Angeles follows, while Robert Gambert’s review of Adventure 43 to the IVV Olympiad will be in the next newsletter.  Personal thanks goes to AVA President Curt Myron for giving me the honor of carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies parade.

 

 

 

            Adventure 44 will be to the Chicago area September 5-7 with air most likely leaving from BWI.  Exact cost is currently being estimated.  If interested in going please send a $300 deposit to The Bad Pennies; P.O. Box 2393; Merrifield, Va 22116-2393.  Cost of airfare will depend on when you make your reservation.  Once again we share costs.

 

            Future Adventures will be to the Branson, Missouri  area, and in 2 years to the IVV Olympiad in Turkey.  This will include at least a day sightseeing in Istanbul.  Get ready to bargain for your carpets.

 

            Please let Matt know if you are interested in anything else.

 

            We are still offering a discount whenever you rent a car from AVIS.  Our Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number is Q050308.  If a lower rate is available at the time of reservation, you may choose that “over-the-counter” rate and enjoy a 5% discount on daily rates or a minimum of 10% off the weekly and weekend rates.

                         

            Please, please, please speak up as to where, when, how long, how expensive, how much road time, etc you want in your Adventures.  If you don’t speak up then I’ll only hear from the vocal people, and most of those do not participate in the Adventures.  Write, e-mail, or phone day (703) 312-3320, eve (703) 620-5892, cell (703) 980-0392,  e-mail matt@thebadpennies.org or  snail mail The Bad Pennies; P.O. Box 2393; Merrifield, Virginia 22116-2393.

 

If you have a new e-mail address, or home or work phone numbers, please let us know.

 

            We are also still looking to purchase small transportable gifts to give other clubs that help us by putting on walks and hosting us.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  We used the White House Christmas ornament as gifts on a previous Adventure.

 

            If you know that you haven’t pay your $10 dues in the last year, please do not procrastinate and mail them in to the P.O. Box.  We really do not want to lose you. Shortly an email will go out to those owing past dues.

 

            Starting with this  issue, we are sending you

your newsletter by e-mail.  This will save the club printing and postage costs,

and make the editor’s job a little easier. Also, you can see the photos in color.  Please ensure that I have your current and correct e-mail. Send it to matt@thebadpennies.org  If you do not have e-mail, we still will snail mail you a copy.

The following Achievement Awards

were recorded in the American Wanderer.

Congratulations to these

individuals on their achievements!

December 2008/January 2009

NAME DISTANCE EVENTS

Frank Kupres 19000 1600

Maureen Penta 17000

Linda LaFleur 10000

Alexander Estrin 6500 650

Judy Estrin 6500 650

Daniel Horne 5000

Sue Yun 4500

Linda Thompson 4500 450

Dayle Horne 3000

James Yun 3000

Heather Coxon 1000 125

Donald Wallace 1250

Dee Schrum 1100

Linda LaFleur 900

Paul Sullivan 375

Virginia Carey 325

February/March 2009

NAME DISTANCE EVENTS

Marie Kupres 14000 1300

John Kupyar 7500

Ruth Watkins 2500 250

Robert Lumbert 4200

Gale Waibel 1350

Carl Cordes 1250

Maureen Penta 1100

Shirley Ponse 1000

Karen Kinkaid 800

Hans Ponse 550

Linda Thompson 475

Lonnie Sherman 10

April/May 2009

NAME DISTANCE EVENTS

Kenneth Wilson 85000

Marshall Hansen 21000 1250

Gail Waibel 15000 Paul Sullivan 4000 400 Evalee Dumas 1050

Marubeth Evans 150

 

Los Angeles

February 13 - 16, 2009

 

L.A. – Toured N.Y. Minute Style

                                                       by Maribeth Evans

 

It rained when we arrived & it rained when we departed but sandwiched in between was a 48+ hour whirlwind tour of several prominent L.A. sights.  And for anyone who has booked a trip/adventure with Matt in the past, you know how it all went down J

 

Carolyn & I arrived at LAX just before noon & we schlepped ourselves & our bags from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 to wait for Matt, Virginia & Nina’s flight.  It was there that we met Gary & Lael who had arrived earlier from Salem, Oregon; making seven on the trip.  About an hour later, Matt & his party arrived; Matt & I immediately went to rental shuttle pickup & it didn’t come & it didn’t come & it didn’t come.  Matt went back to baggage area to use courtesy phone & the shuttle arrived but Matt wasn’t there – luckily, another shuttle was right behind this one.  So we all boarded & rode the shuttle to the rental pickup…this saved coming back to airport for pickup of the other walkers.

 

So in the rain & on LA freeways during rush hour, we made our way to the hotel – no wrong exits taken & no wrong turns made – sweet.  We had ten minutes to get to our rooms, unload & get back down to the lobby to take a short walk for a late lunch.  Just down the street was Langers which Matt promised had the best pastrami sandwiches in the world & he was right!!  We ate; it stopped raining; we walked back to the van & made our way to Bel Air.  Even with getting a late start, we were able to walk a good portion of the Bel Air 10k; part of it through the UCLA campus…we cut short the area touring some of the residential area – couldn’t see much in the dark anyway.

 

Next it was a short drive to a Farmers’ Market somewhere in Hollywood, I think.  Most of us had crepes for dinner & luckily, we found seating near a ceiling heater – dining was outdoors & there was definitely a chill in the air.  After dinner & after some brief exploring, it was back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

 

Saturday, the next day, a dizzying pace was set.  Around 8 am it was back to Bel Air to visit the Westwood Village Memorial Park where numerous well-known personalities lay to rest.  This was part of the walk from Friday night that we missed & it was something we definitely didn’t want to miss.  A small cemetery surrounded by a thriving commercial area of Bel Air but yet a serene, tranquil atmosphere is maintained.

 

Then it was off to Beverly Hills to walk Hollywood Hills (first, need to find parking).  Parked near Beverly Hills Hotel, used the restrooms, this was FREE & gave us a good look at the posh interior.  After walking the Hills & seeing many celebrity homes, we left Beverly Hills to eat at Jack ‘n the Box; no complaints, they had the best grilled cheese on sourdough that I ever tasted.  From here it was down to Venice Canals & Venice Beach…such a treat to sights & sounds.  Egrets, ducks & flora & unique homes on the canal and drums & dancers & a gathering of some unforgettable characters on the beach & some good ice cream, too.

 

On the road again for a quick visit to the Getty Museum; enjoyed the museum & the tram ride up & down the hillside – great evening views of the surrounding area.  Around 8:30, it was time to leave & drive to hotel where the Footsore Fiends POC was staying to get books stamped.  Had to wait a while, since they were at dinner & there are no quick shortcuts in getting around in L.A.  So around, 9:45 or so, we headed to Chinatown for dinner (first, need to find parking); luckily, restaurant closed around 4 am J  We were seated to eat around 10:30, were served quickly & were out the door around midnight; back at the hotel & in bed by 1 am.

 

Sunday, the next day, was a bit more leisurely – we left for Beverly Hills at 8:30 am.  This time it was the Hollywood Flats – a nice walk; few hills; nice homes.  It was a great day for doing a great walk.  We happened upon the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market & enjoyed free samples from several of the vendors – got my first look of blood orange & it lives up to its name.  On Rodeo Drive, we explored a few of the upscale shops.  After leaving Rodeo, we found a quaint Deli/Grill on Brighton Way and enjoyed a reasonably priced lunch which included soup or salad, half sandwich & a side – this with a drink was under $10.  Not a bad price & only a block or two from luxurious Rodeo.

 

It was back to the hotel & we had an hour to get ready for dinner at the Magic Castle.

We did it !!  On the road again to Hollywood for a night of slight of hand entertainment.

Valet parking, no need to find parking first.  Hostess checked our reservation and after uttering "open sesame" to the owl – the wall opened & we were ushered into an evening of delightful shows beginning with Irma, the piano-playing ghost that could play most requests.  We had dinner first before taking in the performers at the Palace of Mystery – very good show.  Next stop was the Parlour of Prestidigitation – seating is first come first serve & there were many trying to squeeze in.  A few of us on Matt’s trip didn’t get a seat so it was down to the bar for dessert & other niceties.

 

It was getting late & we had a fairly early flight so it was back to the hotel to finish packing & in bed around midnight & a wake up call before 4 am.  No rain before falling asleep but plenty of it when we awoke…just a few short hours later.  Traffic was relatively light heading back to LAX; got on the shuttle with no problem & we’re at the airport.  A major storm was hitting the west coast.  Our flight was delayed but according to the pilot, there were good tailwinds so we would reach the DC area 30 minutes early.  We’re in the air around 8:15 (about a 45 minute delay) & landed at Dulles before 3 pm…no rain.

 

In L.A. Friday afternoon & back on home turf Monday afternoon…hectic schedule but memories, sights & sounds that won’t be forgotten any time soon…pictures galore.  Hoping to do another Bad Pennies Adventure in the near future.

 

 

CLUB OFFICERS

Matt Pernick

President

703-620-5892

matt@thebadpennies.org

Vice President

Francine York

703-971-4486

fyork@erols.com

Secretary

vacant

Treasurer

Claudette Chandonia

claudett@aol.com

Editor

Dee Schrum

(804) 768-0055

dschrum4@comcast.net

Club website

http://thebadpennies.org

 

 

 

 

DEADLINES IN 2009

The following AVA special programs will end in 2009. Be sure to finish your books

and mail them in promptly.

US Presidents, Jul 4, postmark books by July 31

Great Lakes, Dec 31

Walking Courthouses,

Dec 31

Walking Europe in the US, Dec 31

Walking State Parks, Dec 31

REMINDER - ORDER YOUR BOOKS NOW FOR NEW SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

The Following AVA Special Programs begin in 2009. Check the AVA web-site, www.ava.org , for criteria for each program, cost and ordering information.

Liberty Bell Program, begins July 4, 2009

 

Hooray For Hollywood,

Begins July 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

A MESSAGE

FROM YOUR EDITOR

Well, here we are, June already and school almost out. Now is a good time to get some local year-round events done.

You will find attached the account of The Bad Pennies trip to LA in February. A great time was had by all.

Annette and I had intended to meet up with the group and do some walks together. As it happened, we never did connect.

We arrived in LA about noon Friday, just before the rain started. When it became apparent it was not going to stop, we decided to drive to San Diego, still raining. We had dinner at Hard Rock Café, (I never miss one), and returned to LA for the night.

On Saturday, the weather was beautiful. First we walked the Hollywood Hills walk, taking a long time for pictures of stars homes. Then we did the Hollywood Flats walk, still taking pictures. By the time we got to Rodeo Drive, the stores were closed, but we looked in a lot of windows. Did you see the chandelier in that one store??? Thankfully, that walk was rated 1, since we walked 10 hours that day.

Sunday was just as busy, beginning with the Bel Air

Walk. Wonderful walk. We spent a lot of time at the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery looking for specific gravestones. After lunch, we walked Griffith Park.

That evening we had dinner with my sister, Linda, my nephew and his friend. That was the first time I was able to visit with them in CA. We had a nice visit.

Monday; it rained again! It rained so much our flight was late arriving; we were late departing, so we missed our connecting flight in Las Vegas. The next available flight out was the next day, so we decided to extend the trip till the following day; we flew home Wednesday.

If you’re gonna get stuck someplace, Vegas is a good place to be stuck. And, they have a Hard Rock Café, too.

We walked two events, Las Vegas-East Strip, and Las Vegas-West Strip. Each took a full day, so much to see. So many shows to see-we settled on A Tribute to Neil Diamond. Good choice!

Never had time for gambling, Annette played the penny slots while we waited for the show to start.

I know we all had a great time in Ca. Wasn’t it great that the weather cooperated Saturday and Sunday?

Attached is a narrative with photos written by Maribeth Evans on the Bad Pennies LA trip.

Now that we are all home again, there are many walks in our own area to take advantage of, regular events, year-round events, and seasonals. Work on that state park book, finish it before the end of the year. That’s my next goal.

Have a great summer and see you on the trail!

Dee

_______________________