Contents:
February Luncheon
"Puttin on the Ritz"
Member Anniversaries
The Executive Grapevine
Upcoming Luncheons and Board Meetings
Cannon Circle Schedule
WEC Mission Statement
Book Club
Women Empowering Women
Member Profile: Chris Guld
Mentorship Program
Greet Eat Meet

WEC Board of Directors
2003-2004

President -
Leigh Nickel

President Elect -
Dee Moustakas

VP Corporate Records -
Emily Rushin

VP Community Involvement -
Ronnie Karlin

VP Finance -
Jacqueline Powell

VP Internal Involvement Toby Manke

VP Membership -
Carolyn Ernest-Jones

Past President -
Joyce Shore

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.

Upcoming Luncheons

February 18, 2004
March 16, 2004
April 16, 2004
May 14, 2004
June 15, 2004

Upcoming Board Meetings

12 noon
Riverside Hotel

February 6, 2004
March 5, 2004
April 2, 2004
May 7, 2004
June 4, 2004

February Luncheon

Date: Wednesday February 18, 2004
Time: 11:30 Networking
12:00 Luncheon

The Riverside Hotel
620 East Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale

Guest Cost: $20.00 Members are responsible for all guest lunches

Program Topic: "Facial Rejuvenation - From Quick Fixes to Facelifts"

GUEST SPEAKER: WEC's very own Amy Arnold van Gent will be presenting a lecture complete with slides. Amy is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon in private solo practice and owner and President of the corporation (P.A.). She is also Medical Director of Precision Care Outpatient Surgery Center and Medical Director of Laserworks Hair Removal Center.

Menu:
Field Green Salad with Herb Red Wine Vinaigrette
Veal Fricassee –Tender veal simmered in a white wine and cream sauce garnished with pearl onions and sautéed mushrooms, served with rice pilaf and glazed carrots

Alternate: Grilled Vegetables over Pasta in Basil Sauce

Dessert: Key Lime Pie

RSVP to: Toby Manke by February 12th at 954-522-2200
or tsm@brinkleymcnerney.com

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“Puttin’ On The Ritz Gala

ONE MONTH TO GO!
It’s getting exciting! The menu is set and you’re going to LOVE it! The beer and wine are chilling. A trio (saxophone, keyboard and bass) is signed to fill the air with jazz. Extraordinary auction items are rolling in, including week-long stays at private homes in spectacular places, and sports and entertainment memorabilia.
But wait, there’s more! The Museum curator is polishing President Calvin Coolidge’s Town car to take six lucky guests for a ride the night of the event. And if you’re feeling lucky, you might want to try your hand at the Blackjack tables. We have great prizes in our Chinese auction for you to spend your chips on.
Outside, under the tent, be sure to check out the cars –– Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo –– our major event sponsor WARREN HENRY AUTOMOBILES will be featuring. Surprise entertainment is on the agenda, too.
However, the real stars of the evening besides you and your guests of course, are the dozens of mint condition Packards and memorabilia of the era displayed throughout the Museum.
So, grab your boa, stick a feather in your hair and get ready to party.

THE 1920s TIMELINE 1920
In the twenties, American culture was influenced by indigenous materials and forms of expressions. There was the birth of the Ford Motor Company. The United States census shows that in a total U.S. population of more than 100 million, there were 21,578,000 enrolled in public schools. College enrollment was 597,000. Fashion for men and woman was more youthful and more casual such as leather diving jackets, raccoon jackets, blue blazers, and casual but natty attire. The role of women went through radical changes.

1920
* Prohibition begins in USA.
* League of Nations has its first session.
* On August 26, the 19th amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote.
* Channel's pioneering jersey sweater and pleated skirt ensembles are now
accepted as easy wear.

1921
* Lenin introduces new economic policy in Russia.
* Canadian doctors isolate insulin, a hormone to treat diabetics.
* Charlie Chaplin stars in the silent motion picture "The Kid."
* Albert Einstein awarded Nobel Prize for physics;
* 16-year-old Margaret Gorman wins the first Miss America Pageant.
* Edwin Hubble discovers other galaxies in the universe.

1922
* First paid radio commercial aired.
* America's first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, represents Wyoming.
* USSR formed.
* Fleet Street newspaper in London.

1923
* Beef per pound 20 cents.
* Coffee per pound 16 cents.
* Man's wedding ring 14k gold medium-size $2.25.
* Progress in public health; tetanus and diphtheria introduced.
* Bobbed hair becomes the rage.
* President Harding dies in San Francisco.

1924
* George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" is performed by Paul Whiteman's
orchestra
* The comic strip "Little Orphan Annie" follows the adventures of Annie; her dog, Sandy; and guardian, Daddy Warbucks.
* Cost of Baby Ruth is 5 cents.
* Eastman roll of film 68 cents.
* Cheese per pound 16.7 cents in New York.

1925
* Hitler's Mein Kampf published.
* New homes are being installed with electricity.
* Almost every teenager is doing the Charleston! It's a dance craze of the flappers!
* Margaret Mead traveled to Samoa in 1925 to describe Samoan customs and culture –– an unusual move for a young woman.

1926
* General strike in Britain.
* A.A. Milne writes Winnie the Pooh.
* More masculine elements enter female dress.
* Death of Rudolph Valentino.

1927
* Lindbergh makes first solo flight across the Atlantic.
* Red Army is set up in China.
* Patent leather shoes are the new rage.

1928
* 18-year-old Duke Ellington gives up classical music for jazz.
* Herbert Hoover becomes U.S. President.
* Mickey Mouse debuts in "Steamboat Willie."
* Hat brims return to fashion.
* Stalin exiles Leon Trotsky and wins control of the Soviet Union.

1929
* Wall Street crash.
* Nightclubs become popular.
* Gangsters commit the St. Valentine's Massacre in Chicago

Members celebrating anniversaries for 2003-2004

At the December’s luncheon the following members were awarded pins by President, Leigh Nickel. If you weren’t present to receive your pin, contact Leigh.

Membership:

The membership requirement is to attend a minimum of five (5) meetings every year in order to maintain regular membership. This is calculated on a fiscal year basis (i.e. August-June, not calendar year).

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Cannon Circle

Members get together in a more informal atmosphere during the year. These evening socials are called "Cannon Circles" and are hosted at members' homes. The Cannon Circle is named for Past President Shirley Cannon who was known for her gracious and uplifting spirit.

The next Cannon Circle will be March 10, 2004 hosted by Carol Jones.

WEC Cannon Circles

March 10, 2004 Carol Jones
April 28, 2004 Patty Camp, Debbie Rugg
May 26, 2004 Dr. Dora Vilk-Shapiro’s Office
(all dates are not confirmed)

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The Executive Grapevine

Dora Vilk-Shapiro: I'm finally ready to introduce my new website: www.dentalvisions.net It's still under construction so any words of wisdom on how to improve it, from my WEC colleagues is greatly appreciated.

Gloria Williams: To all my friends, and family: I can't believe how time has flown! The Paradise City Arts Festival is finally coming to the Broward Convention Center on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th, and I am one of the proud exhibitors! This is my biggest show (so far) and I have been working like crazy to make my booth the most spectacular one there. While the last few days have been hectic, it has been most gratifying to see the large stashes of kimono pieces and bolts of fabric be transformed to beautiful wearable art. I would like to thank all of you for being so supportive of my dreams and know what the Beatles meant by "I'll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends". A special thanks to my wonderful husband Rich for putting up with the factory-like clutter, special smooches to my loving puppies Sam and Annabelle for keeping me company as I worked late into the night, and the cadre of people who stood by my side while my work took on a somewhat frantic pace. Love to all of you, Gloria

Joni Rosenthal: THIS IS WHY I AM A MENTOR
On January 16, 2004, I met my Mentee, Danit Zanin and her Mom for lunch at La Crepe on Las Olas. Danit had emailed me about wishing to RENEW US, so that we could catch up, she with college, me with the goings on with my life. By the way, she is studying television and public relations. Our Mentoring made a big difference in her life.
I had met Danit's Mom when I went to the Ritter Knight’s Award last year at the Broward Performing Arts Center. She was so loving and thanked me for being such a strong part in her daughter's life.
As we parted, they gave me a tiny little bag with hearts, with a teddy bear sticking out (cry, cry) and a little book that blew my mind away. Let me have the honor of sharing this with you.
To me, this poem says it all. It is my Diamond!

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WEC BOOK CLUB:

In 2002, members of WEC who had a common desire for reading and discussions formed the WEC Book Club. The book for discussion is select by the majority and the gathering is held in a member’s home (munchies are always welcome). The meeting schedule varies according to the book and other circumstances. All members are welcome to participate.

Emily Rushin will host the next meeting of the WEC Book Club on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30, and the book chosen that evening was WEAVEWORLD by Clive Barker.

A few quotes from the back of the book: "Barker puts in strands of Joyce, Poe, Tolkein, and King himself, and emerges with the one ingredient that all good rugmakers and storytellers have in common: an irresistible yarn." Time "A powerfully imagined, fully executed fantasy. A book of dreams recalling William Blake instead of Lewis Carroll...Barker borrows a great many themes from literature, folklore and religion, and makes it completely his own. He writes with a lyrical intensity that transforms some passages from prose to poetry. He infuses his villains and horrors with such venom that they are overwhelming. And he informs everything with an imagination so powerful that it creates its own reality." Cincinnati Post

Note that the book is available in paperback, mine is marked $14.95, and it's not new, so you might find it used on Amazon or Ebay's Halfbooks.com. Now for the groans, my paperback edition is 648 pages long BUT I can ALMOST promise you that you will hate to see it end! You have over three months to read it. Happy reading! Emily

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Women Empowering Women Program

The "Women Empowering Women" (WEW) program, started in 1996, provides financial assistance and member services support to females in the workplace who need help to further their education.

Do You Know ... someone who is re-entering the workforce? . . . trying to advance in her career? . . . could use a “leg up”?

Our Women Empowering Women (WEW) program provides scholarships and mentoring to women who are either going to work after staying at home for a period of time or who want to transition from an hourly position to management. If you meet Kim, our current scholarship recipient, you’ll see a bright woman working on her Masters in communication. Kim has the promise and drive to be an executive. We’re helping her do that through financial and moral support!

Please help us identify someone. It can be a family member, co-worker, friend, or friend of a friend. Call (954-344-9892) or email (ann@ileadershipsolutions.com) Ann Meacham with ideas or questions

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Special FX Mentor Program

NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN JANUARY
After surveying the membership last year regarding the Mentor Program, it was evident that we are ready to try something new. So, Ronnie Karlin and her committee have been hard at work transforming our old way of mentoring into a new, exciting program designed to be more satisfying and meaningful to all involved.

Read January’s newsletter or contact Ronnie Karlin for more information or to volunteer for this exciting new adventure.

GEM “Great Eat Meet” Program

Formed in November 2002, members of WEC who choose to get together for an informal meeting are selected at random in small groups to great, eat and meet. A Lead person is selected to set a time and place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or what ever. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. It is great fun!

Member Profile: Chris Guld

I got my passion for travel and freedom from my parents. When I was a little girl, we lived in Alaska. We had a small plane on floats that my Dad would fly. One summer, we flew up above the Arctic Circle and lived in a tent for 3 months while we panned for gold! Another year, we drove a truck/camper from Alaska to Guatemala and back. We lived in the camper for 6 months. I spent my high school years here in Fort Lauderdale, graduating from Nova High in 1971.

When I graduated from High School, you can bet I wanted to try my own wings! After a couple years at Florida State, I packed up my car and headed north. I ran out of money around Calgary – so I got a work visa and stayed there for 6 months. I ended up in Berkeley California and I went to Law School. I loved Law School … my passion for travel is actually a subset of my passion for learning. Practicing law was not as fun. So, when my Mom suggested I come back to Fort Lauderdale in 1983 to start a computer training business with her, I jumped at the chance.

That was the start of a whole new life. I loved learning computers, teaching computers and running a computer training business. I joined WEC that year as well as many other organizations in order to promote my business. I became so identified with my business that people hardly knew my last name – I was ‘Chris at Computer Savvy’, or even ‘the computer lady’. And, Computer Savvy was my life. I met my husband, Jim, there, and that is when life started to change again. We were both consumed with Computer Savvy for a few years, but, when it was obvious that we were both getting burned out and not having fun anymore, I sold the company. That was in 1996.

I gradually dropped all my organization memberships except WEC. I love WEC. It helped me grow my business, and it helped me remember that there is life outside of business too. I’ve worked with, partied with, and traveled with, many of the members of WEC. And, as I now embark on another lifestyle, you can bet I’m going to stay connected to WEC. Last year, Jim and I sold our house and bought a motorhome. Our life plan is to be completely free, ‘Home is where we park it!’ Our business plan is to travel to RV parks around the country and set them up with WiFi (wireless Internet services). We also have our own Internet connection wherever we go because of a special Satellite dish on the roof of our RV. We’re parked in the backyard of a friend in Davie right now, and I’m using our Satellite Internet connection to post this newsletter on the Web! You can always see where we are and what we’re doing by viewing our Weblog. Go to www.jimandchris.com and click on the link to Weblog.
Relax and Enjoy!
Chris Guld

WEC MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Women's Executive Club is to give executives the opportunity of fellowship with their peers in diverse fields; to promote the image of the woman executive; to further the interrelationships of such executives and to promote the general welfare of their businesses and community.

February Luncheon
Wednesday, February 18
RSVP to: Toby Manke

Words of Wisdom:

Our source of Happiness and Joy is within our hearts, ….and to get it we must give it away.