1. For our sixth HVBS meeting of 2009, PC Wiz arrived at Meeting Central (Deliberator's home) bearing the meals and a bottle of wine from Villa Appalachia in Virginia (procured during a recent taste-test session). Shadow had been waiting in his parked company Chrysler to help PC Wiz due to the rather heavy rain. Upon entering the house, PC Wiz made an unfortunate remark that they were entering the living room by the "back" way (remarking that previously he had always entered through the kitchen). Shadow, being helpful, pointed to the door leading to Deliberator's deck as the "back door". Asked about his health, Deliberator stated that his pulmonologist said it was "bad, not better but not worst". He also mentioned being "on the list" for the H1N1 flu shot although he cannot take the live-virus nasal type. Geronimo said that 13,000 people die each year from the normal seasonal influenza.
2. After we were seated, PC Wiz opened the Cabernet Franc wine from the Villa Appalachia winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia recently visited by he, Shadow and Associate Member Shirley, and Geronimo dispensed the select beers he brought. HVBS members toasted to Shadow's 75^th birthday and to Deliberator's health. PC Wiz passed out a copy of an ABC News article about the Yuengling Brewery in Pottstown, Pennsylvania - the oldest American brewery (1829) still owned by the founding family. Geronimo volunteered that, actually, Poughkeepsie had the oldest brewery, making Vassar Beer. Shadow emphasized "still in production" and Geronimo conceded the point. PC Wiz noted that most cities had breweries in the past, notably Albany with multiple breweries.
3. As the conversation turned to sports, Shadow complained about people being priced out of sports events such as NASCAR, baseball, etc. Deliberator replied that Ryan had been present for one of the Yankee-Angel games. He had managed to buy the tickets on-line for $55.00. Members agreed that it was not a bad price and the seats were in a good area. Geronimo predicted a "tough series" between the Yankees and Phillies with the Bronx Bombers prevailing after 6 games. Deliberator thought the Yankees in 6 or 7 games while Shadow, weighing the team match-ups, anticipated the Phillies would win in 6. PC Wiz, as usual, came up the rear with the Yankees in 7. Reviewing the playoffs, Shadow lamented the Dodger failure, blaming it on errors. Turning to the football schedule, Shadow remarked that the Jets are now "back to earth" and made his forecast of the Giant season as 11-5. In downhill order, Geronimo predicted 10-6 while Deliberator's crystal ball came up with a final 9-7. To PC Wiz's question as to whether the Giants would return to Albany for the pre-season - with practice facilities in the new stadium - Shadow noted that the location is determined by the politicians in Albany and didn't see any change. He commented that the new stadium was built for the revenue from the 217 new sky-boxes.
4. Geronimo went with his son Dan to explore the Walkway Over the Hudson, reporting that an elevator to access the walkway just North of Waryas Park on the East side of the River is in the planning stage and not yet built. Dave has a slide show of the Walkway on Picasa.Google. Geronimo, complaining of "slow booting" of his Dell (PC Wiz sympathized, saying he also is suffering from very slow booting) recently suffered a "crash" that he could not recover from himself. Luckily Geronimo has a resident computer guru and, after some intricate manipulation, Dan restored the computer to working order. However, his expert advice was that the machine is quite old (in computer terms) and a new one would be in order. Geronimo then informed us that he has a new Dell XPS desktop with an Intel quad-core processor on order. A feature he especially liked is the new keyboard will be lighted for better visibility. Sounds like a good idea.
5. Reporting a rocking toilet problem and a loose seat, Geronimo was advised by Shadow to be sure to get a new Toto Japanese seat like he has at home. It lowers itself automatically - no more crashing seats. Geronimo said he would take it under advisement with his plumber. Incidentally, with his house guests, Geronimo is now consuming a jumbo roll of toilet paper a day and his electrical bills are up 50%! He also finds the interior of his refrigerator has changed with more unfamiliar foods (Japanese) on the shelves. Shadow, speaking about the current recession, mentioned a problem Associate Member Shirley's Broughton Foundation is having. They were partially invested in bonds, purchased from Schwab, of CitiBank that lost their rating - going from AAA to CCC (value going from $1000 face to $850). The bonds were mis-rated by insurance companies such as AIG and guaranteed by insurance that couldn't cover the losses. Shadow is convinced it was a fraud and Geronimo advised making out a complaint to NYS Attorney General Cuomo.
6. Members divided up the desserts brought by PC Wiz. The two cherry pie slices went to Deliberator and Shadow. Remaining was a slice of pumpkin pie and a piece of chocolate cake. Geronimo suggested sharing the two desserts and we all had coffee brewed by Deliberator. Ryan entered the house and Shadow asked him how his bowling was coming along. Ryan stayed for a time and members had a pleasant conversation. He said he is presently in three leagues and maintains a 240 average. Shadow was impressed, saying his high was 256. He continued by explaining to Ryan why he had given up bowling, a game he had much pleasure in playing - competing in regional tournaments, etc. The other bowlers smoked and the second-hand smoke was so bad he had to make the decision to quit his much-loved sport. Ryan said that is no problem anymore because of the no-smoking rules. Deliberator noted that he had achieved a life-time high score of 717 in a match game (carrying an average of 186) in his bowling career. Concerning his culinary studies, Ryan said he enjoys cooking and is doing well. Deliberator informed us Ryan is still working at the golf course restaurant but, because of slow business, had no work recently. Shadow suggested trying the Glen Sanders Mansion who are quite busy. Ryan told us a fellow student had a job there as a busboy - good for experience in the business.
7. With our meeting concluded, HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator suggested either the first or second Wednesday of December (on checking his calendar at home Geronimo found he could not attend on December 2). So the date of the final HVBS meeting of 2009 is scheduled for December 9, 2009, weather permitting. The meeting then adjourned and we found it was still raining heavily.

Thanks to Geronimo for his corrections and Deliberator for his review.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz