1. Starting out in a light drizzle, PC Wiz ferried the Northern Band to the appointed rendezvous at the Hoffman House at a respectable 11:22 AM. Geronimo, in a dazzling display of uncanny precision, arrived at exactly 11:27 AM for the third time. Led by Deliberator, we entered the premises to the greetings of the staff at the bar. HVBS Official Waitress Erin escorted us to our familiar debating table. Deliberator found his chair quite unsteady, wondering if it was the chair or the floor. Geronimo's use of a sugar envelope did not help so Waitress Erin lofted a replacement chair from the end of the table. Finding it was not the chair, Deliberator proceeded to rock the table! Erin commented that nothing could be done with the floor and with Deliberator's foot firmly on the table leg, we ordered our drinks which were as varied as our group. Geronimo opted for a Killian's Red, Deliberator a cabernet, PC Wiz ordered a merlot and Shadow requested a Pepsi.
2. PC Wiz proposed the toast, joined by Shadow and Deliberator, to Geronimo's new grandson - Max Keita Anagnos who was born 2 1/2 weeks early. Geronimo said he had no idea how the name was chosen but that it was not a shortened Maxwell (or Shadow's offered Maximillian). Since the Japanese have no middle names, Max Keita (who has dual citizenship automatically) will be the single name on his Japanese passport. Shadow, with Associate Member Shirley, attended grandson Alex's graduation at the Hampton Roads Academy in Virginia from middle school to high school. PC Wiz, who also went on the trip, described the ceremony which had a nicely made wooden "bridge" in the center. The students shook hands in farewell with their Middle School Head Mrs. Swain, crossed over the bridge, and shook hands with their new principal, Upper School Head Mr. Hill: very impressive.
3. Deliberator updated us on grandson Ryan's educational plans. Although he has not yet told his school bowling coach at Mohawk Valley who is counting on Ryan in his final year to anchor the team, considering his sterling performance in the recent Wichita tournament, Ryan is going to transfer to Schenectady County Community College, majoring in hotel management. PC Wiz said he believed the college had an excellent reputation for education in that field and that their chef's school was well respected. Ryan is presently working at Dunkin' Donuts; brother Mark is doing fine also. Deliberator mentioned that Ryan, at his urging, has signed up for a health plan called "Healthy New York" for young people over 19 years of age. It costs $178 a month, comparable to Mark's insurance payment as an employee with fringe benefits.
4. Relating to an item at our last meeting, Geronimo updated HVBS members on son Dan's career situation. The Belgian based holding company that owns many subsidiaries, including Boston Acoustics, may send him to Indianapolis, Indiana as the head of research and development. Members wish much success for Dan. Geronimo, Shadow and Deliberator ruminated on the different routes and finally settled on the best highway route (and mileage) to Indianapolis for Geronimo and Kay to visit Dan, Chaco and Max Keita if the move comes to pass. Shadow asked how Associate Member Kay is doing since her extensive tests (and new doctor). Geronimo said "about the same"; they are awaiting serious surgery in the future. Our meeting was informed by Shadow that Fritzi the Schnauzer has an appointment on the 5^th with an animal ophthalmologist in Latham for an eye examination. He is evidencing some blindness, especially in dim light. There is a possibility of a cataract operation which has a success rate of 85-90 per cent. Which led to Geronimo asking if there is a "dog park" in the Charlton area; Shadow answered in the affirmative and that owners are supposed to clean up after their pets. It seems that the Town of LaGrange wants to construct one. Geronimo opposes it since most homes are on large lots and they don't need a park for their pets at public expense. Geronimo quipped, "What's next: a cat park?".
5. HVBS Official Waitress Erin arrived with the ordered luncheon items: French dip for Shadow, Fish and chips for PC Wiz, London broil for Deliberator and the Hoffman House's scrumptious Reuben for Geronimo. During the meal Geronimo regaled us with a joke concerning a tape worm, bananas, cookies and a hammer. Absolutely hilarious! We slipped into our news portion when Geronimo, referring to the political situation, announced he was considering moving to Nova Scotia. PC Wiz obtusely remarked that he had worked with someone from Prince Edward Island; that the climate is quite moderate and the area very attractive (if you are not a fisherman). Geronimo clarified the remark by saying Obama is "one rotten apple". Shadow is of the opinion that Obama should change his first name back to the original (Baraka: Arabic meaning "blessed" in a quote from the Koran). Note: Snopes says, while Arabic, it is a Swahili word adapted from Arabic influence. Shadow also opined that it is imperative McCain select a younger VP.
6. In Tech Topics Shadow related his experiences with their new Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard, praising the ease of installation compared to their previous Hewlett-Packard mouse and keyboard (which took almost a week to make work properly and with the fabulous disappearing key letters). The new software also gives an indication of battery life - very handy. To Geronimo's question, Shadow said there is no dock with their choice and that the sales person said the docks were not dependable in charging - evidently Geronimo's experience with his dock. Geronimo asked if members found their machines slower since ZoneAlarm updates; PC Wiz confirmed the observation, noting that the software keeps getting bigger and slower. Deliberator admitted that he is the last hold-out in installing AVG 8.0, waiting for other members to try it out first (and stoutly insisting that he does not have the time to install it). PC Wiz and Geronimo pointed out that their will be no "virus definition" updates and it is imperative he install the new version as Associate Member Shirley recently did.
7. In Sports HVBS members are disappointed in the NY Yankees performance so far. Geronimo stated that he was "done with the Yankees". He and Deliberator agreed that they have the "worst relief pitching in the league" except for Rivera, who is holding his own. Shadow stated that Farnsworth "stinks" and that the Yankees really needed Santana (6-2) who went to the Mets. Geronimo opined that Arod is a good player but a bad team player and wondered if Joe Girardi is hampered by the fact that he played with the team and can't instruct them properly. Deliberator also criticized the coaching staff - with the people Joe Torre took with him to LA and the loss of Mel Stottlemyre to the Seattle Mariners in his home town. Shadow related that he had asked son Randy to get a pair of courtesy tickets from one of his vendors to a NY Ranger game for them to attend. When he heard the price of the tickets, $300 to $400 a seat, he felt the tickets too expensive to ask for. Geronimo agreed that is too expensive for families to afford.
8. Waitress Erin took our orders for our final coffees and desserts. PC Wiz went for his usual cheesecake (strawberry) and, surprise, Deliberator ordered chocolate ice cream. Erin asked "with" and Deliberator added "apple cobbler"! HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator then proposed Wednesday July 16, 2008 for our next meeting. It was adopted and we adjourned.

Thanks to Shadow, Deliberator and Geronimo for their review of this record.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

June 13, 2008