Contents

September Luncheon

Speaker: Barbara Stein, Actors' Playhouse

From the President

Special Events

Photos from last Luncheon

Grapevine: News and Notes about WEC Members

Business Attire Donations

Cannon Circle

Book Club

WEC Board of Directors

Luncheons and Board Meetings

September Luncheon

Program

Barbara Stein, co-founder and Executive Producing Director, Actor’s Playhouse of Coral Gables

In 1988 Barbara co-founded Actors’ Playhouse Productions, with husband Dr. Lawrence E. Stein, with a $250,000 budget. Eighteen years later the theatre is going strong with a $4 million dollar plus operational budget. It is one of only eight major regional professional state theatres and one of twenty major cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County.

Over the 18 years the organization completed a $7 million restoration and renovation of the historic Wometco showcase movie house into a three-stage performing arts center in the heart of Coral Gables. The theatre’s development was the major catalyst for the revitalization of the downtown Gables business district.
Under the stewardship of Barbara Stein, Actors’ Playhouse has grown into an organization with a national reputation producing a six-show Mainstage and 5-show Children’s Theatre season, a Theatre Conservatory, an annual National Children’s Theatre Festival, while also managing the Miracle Theatre for rentals to outside groups. The theatre is regarded as the South Florida musical theatre powerhouse with its seven Carbonell Awards for “Best Production of a Musical,” most recently for its 2005 production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida.
In addition to her tremendous leadership of the theatre Barbara is the mother of 2 accomplished daughters Elaine and Stephanie.
Barbara was recently honored by the South Florida Business Journal and by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce both of whom named her as a Business Woman of the Year in 2006.

From the President

We began the WEC new year with a very well attended August lunch. Our speaker Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff spoke about why she decided to run for elected office and how she has enjoyed the opportunity in the Florida House of Representatives to influence issues that she is passionate about. She encouraged all of the WEC attendees to consider running for office or at the very least to get involved in their communities in the issues that they consider important.

In addition to our very stimulating speaker, Pam Dearden our V.P. Events asked everyone to participate in a 10 minute Table Top Talk. You will see the results below including the good news that many members volunteered to help with Pam’s Special Events committee. If you did not attend the August lunch but would like to join Pam’s committee please contact her directly.

Also in August we had our first Cannon Circle of the year co-hosted by Ronnie Karlin and Jan Mayer-Rodriguez that was a big success. Details of that event and the next Cannon Circle are below.

In September we look forward to welcoming our speaker Barbara Stein of the Actor’s Playhouse in Coral Gables and to a Cannon Circle and Book Club meeting. We have lots going on so I hope that every member will find at least one event that they are able to attend in September.

Last but not least we are all thankful that Ernesto did not develop into a Hurricane as predicted. It is very encouraging to hear that the National Hurricane Center has reduced their forecast for the number of possible storms and hurricanes that are expected to reach South Florida this year. Hopefully it will not be necessary for me to unpack my bright yellow rain slicker again this year!

I look forward to seeing all of you at our September events. Thanks, Vivien

Special Events

Thank you to those who participated in our Tabletop Talk at the August luncheon.  Many of you volunteered to be on the Special Events committee and I thank you for your willingness to help.

The results of our Tabletop Talk survey indicated that a majority of the members still want us to have one main fundraising event that would include spouses/significant others on a weekend evening as well as several smaller activities such as after-work Happy Hours. Most indicated that we should have a Progressive Dinner type event – perhaps this could be our main event – and about 50% wanted to participate in a cultural activity as well.  With this information in hand, our committee will plan a couple of Happy Hours, a cultural outing and a fundraiser.  We’ll do our best not to conflict with any of the Cannon Circles or Book Club evenings.  Again, thanks for your input and I’ll be contacting those of you that have volunteered to help.
Pam Dearden
Special Events

Photos from August Lunch

Thanx to our photographer, Joni Rosenthal!

The Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members. (send them email by clicking on their name)

Diane Brucks-McDonald writes: I have been re-elected to the Board of Directors for the Swimwear Association of Florida. SAF holds the largest swimwear trade show in the world held in Miami Beach every July.
At our first board meeting I was elected Prsident.

We would like to announce our upcoming 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, “PUTTing Kids First”.  The tournament will be held on Friday, October 13th 2006 at the Palm Aire Country Club and Resort in Pompano Beach.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, as well as player registration.  Proceeds go towards helping the thousands of underprivileged children and families we serve for the holidays in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami Dade Counties.

For more information, contact Mary Monahan, Community Affairs Coordinator, mmonahan@familycentral.org or 954-724-3859.
Thank you!

Kim Serra-Rivera writes:
On Friday, August 18, 2006, I was recognized as one of 12 Hispanic Women of Distinction.  The event was the 5th Annual Charity Luncheon at Signature Grand in Davie, Florida.  The attendance for the luncheon was about 500 and the luncheon proudly benefitted the March of Dimes and the Light of the World Clinic.  We officially unveiled the Viva Broward! Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar of Events for 2006.  It was my pleasure to be  honored with the following outstanding Latinas: Madeleine Arritola, Milin Espino, Joselyne Perez-Gago, Mercedes Hanabergh, Mayra Hernandez, Ely Melchor, Linda Malave-Rasche, Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Ellie Tavarez and Margarita Portela Wiegandt.

Geri Trodick writes:
Our Open House was a great success. We had over 100 people attending. We had plenty of food and drinks, and gave a tour
of our operation. If you were not able to attend, just stop by any day between 9-5, and you’ll get a free gift. We are on the North side of McNab one block West of Dixie Highway. (831 West McNab Road)  Hope to see you soon.

Susie King will be honored at a luncheon on October 18th at the Signature Grand as one of the 2006 First Ladies of Broward.

Business Attire Donations

I recently received a call from a woman looking for a place to donate her business clothes. I sent an email to all our members and received at least a dozen responses. I also received email from members who wanted to know the answer to that question. So, I compiled the information I received and am sharing it with all of you.

1. Women In Distress.  They collect clothes for women to wear on job interviews.  jstewart@womenindistress.org 
2. Norma Rossoff at Work Force One (Welfare to Work).  She can be reached at 954-677-5555 xt 1529 as well as nrossoff@wf1broward.com
3. Dress for Success on West Oakland Park Blvd.
4. Family Central, 954-720-1000.
5. Susan B. Anthony Women's Center
6. Sheridan House.
7. Women's Alliance helps women in welfare and poverty by ensuring they have the professional attire and career skills coaching they need to make the right impression on job interviews and to succeed in the workplace. Contact Linda Peterson at 305-733-1008.
8. Broward Partnership for the Homeless
    
   Thanks for taking the time to respond.
   Dee

Book Club

The next book club meeting is 9/20/06 at 6:30pm @ the home of:

Jan Mayer-Rodriguez
3401 NW 122 Ave
Sunrise,  33323
home- 954.748.3182
cell-    954.804.7502

BOOK:  Where The Heart Is   AUTHOR:  Billie Letts

Please RSVP to Jan @ JanMayerRodrigue@aol.com if you are able to join us.
NOTE:  The email address does NOT have the letter Z at the end

Cannon Circle

AUGUST CANNON CIRCLE 

We celebrated the new WEC year with our first Cannon Circle at Jan Mayer-Rodriguez’ lovely home.  Going west was no deterrent; sixteen of us gathered for food (with a Spanish flair), drink and friendly conversation!   Jan’s husband, Miguel contributed his famous chicken, shrimp and rice dish before being shooed out of the house with their two teenage daughters.  Geri Trodick stayed in theme and shared pictures of how she spent her summer vacation.  A great time was had by all!

SEPTEMBER CANNON CIRCLE

Patti Archibaud and Vanessa Koutalidis are hosting Cannon Circle on
Tuesday, Sept. 26
2524 NE 21st Court Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305  
RSVP: 954-566-7171

The September Cannon Circle will have a "Tahitian" theme. Suggest that everyone come in casual and colorful dress. We will have fun. 
Directions: Home of Patti Archibaud, 2524 NE 21 Court, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33305
954-566-7171 
From East Sunrise(Galleria Shopping Center), turn north on Bayview Dr, at 21st Court turn west, 3rd house on left.

WEC Board of Directors
2006-2007

President, Vivien Godfrey

Past President, Ronnie Karlin
Nominating Committee
Canon Circles
Business Showcases

VP Finance, Dorothy Eisenberg
Budget
Dues collection

VP Corporate Records, Cynthia Hardy
Corporate Records
Historian
By-Laws Committee

VP Internal Involvement, Joanne Dee
Programs Committee
Greetings Committee
Newsletter
Book Club

VP Membership, Marilynn Obrig
Membership Committee
Membership Luncheon
Directory
Webmaster

All contact information is available for WEC members on our Members Only website. If you are a member and you don't have a name and password, you can contact Chris Guld for more information.

2006-07 Luncheon Dates

September 19th Tuesday
October 17th Tuesday
November 15th Wednesday
December 15th Friday
January 18 Thursday
February 14 Tuesday
March 21 Wednesday
April 26 Thursday
May 15 Tuesday
June 19 Tuesday

Board Meetings

9/12/06 at 8.45am at Marilynn Obrig's office

Membership Attendance: