1. society
2. welfare
3. healthcare
4. hospital

ASIYA SALAAM
The following article is excerpts from Illustrious Sir John Bermudez’s speech at the
Mass Installation, Sunday, January 11,
2015.
“I would like to thank all of the Nobles of
Asiya Shriners for placing their trust in me
as Potentate of Asiya Shrine. No one can do
this job alone, so having Nobles who are
willing to help is vital. But of even greater
significance are the Past Potentates of this Temple, who
have charted a steady and resolute course, sometimes
through calm seas, and at others, through seas that are
tempest-tossed. Accordingly, it is my distinct honor to
thank the Past Potentates of Asiya Temple for their lasting
contributions to our Temple and our Fraternity.
Illustrious Past Potentates, I thank you! Every Shriner in
the Asiya Thanks you! Every Shriner in North America
Thanks you! And most importantly of all, because you have
helped to preserve and promote our great fraternity and its
mission, Every Child helped in our Hospitals Thanks
You!
I would like to recognize the newly installed officers of the
Asiya Shrine, together with their Ladies. Their continued
support of our Temple, along with their forward and innovative thinking, truly makes this offices corps the envy
throughout all of Shrinedom. Thank you all. I can promise
you all that I will move heaven and earth to reflect honor on
you, Asiya, and the Shine of North America.
We have the Right Team – and we have them In Place and
ready to serve! We are all extremely enthusiastic, excited
and Eager – yes, Eager – to insure that your Next event at
Asiya will be Another Event to Remember … (remember
Fondly, instead of that other way!). To make that happen,
we need You to work with us. We need you to go to your
respective Units and Clubs and yes, Even to the Individual Noble and Inspire Them, Encourage Them, Invite
Them (even Beg Them, if necessary) to actively support and
participate in the activities of not only their Units and Clubs,
but of this Shrine, so that it can be truly said that the Shine is
Growing! The Shrine is Relevant! The Shrine is Having
Fun And Helping Kids! Without the Active efforts of the
members of Asiya Shrine, we are just an empty shell. So I
cajole you, I urge you, I implore you, I plead with you, I beg
you: not for me, not for any local Temple or even for the
Shrine, but for the kids that are our mission: Let us Build,
Let us Rebuild, Let us Always Be Proud to be Shriners
and Members of Asiya Shriners!”
In the sunshine of the Shrine,
John A. Bermudez
Potentate, Asiya Shrine
Potentate Message
2
Calendar of Events
3
Elected/Appointed Divan
4
Hospital Board
Nomads Message
5
2014 Asiya Annual Merit Awards
Rose Parade
6
New Marshal In Town
DUCS Meeting Announcement
7
Legion of Honor Messages
Around ASIYA Country
8
Special Unit & Club Messages
10
Chinese New Year Dinner & Parade
11
Imperial Photo Contest
2016 Calendar Meeting
Washington’s Birthday
12
Valentine’s Day History
2015 WSA
13
Asiya Ceremonial
Ankh Court #92 Announcement
14
Islam Temple #25 Announcement
Black Camel
15
Coming Events
Note: All announcements for events listed in the
Salaam are for the benefit of Asiya Shrine Center,
Units and Clubs. Payments are not deductible as
charitable contributions, unless otherwise stated.
2
Shrine Calendar of Events
February
1
Super Bowl & Crab Feed
4
Monterey County SC SM
“DON” Supreme Queen Official
Visit Grosvenor Hotel, SSF 5:30PM
9
Legion of Honor SM
Divan Mtg.
9
(Fall back- Spring Ahead)
9
Legion of Honor SM
Divan Mtg.
10 Arabians SM 6 PM
11 Rod & Gun Club SM
South Bay SC SM
12 Asiya Temple SM 6PM
10 Arabian SM 6PM
11 Rod & Gun Club SM
South Bay SC SM
14 St. Patrick’s Day Parade &
St. Patrick’s Day BBQ
15 South Bay Pancake Breakfast
14 Valentine’s Day
16 Section Crew SM
16 President’s Day
17 Los Gatos Camel Herders SM
Section Crew SM 5:30 PM
17 Los Gatos Camel Herders SM
Mounted Patrol SM
Mounted Patrol SM
San Benito SC SM
Twin Peaks SM
San Benito SC SM
18 Past Masters SC SM
Twin Peaks SC SM
19 Patrol SM
18 Past Maters SC SM
Santa Cruz SC Lunch 11 AM
20-22 Nomads Weekend
21 2016 Calendar Mtg. 9 AM
19 Patrol SM & Roll Call
23 Marshal’s Night
21 DUCS Meeting 9 AM
25 Clowns SM
22 Nileart Breakfast 8:30 AM
25 Clowns SM
Tri Shrine Yacht Club SM
26 Temple Greeters SM
Tri Shrine Yacht Club SM
26 Temple Greeters SM
28 SFBSRCLC Recognition Fundraiser
29 Easter Day Brunch
26-28 Nomads Crab Feed
March
4
Monterey County SC SM
7
Chinese New Year Parade
8
Daylight Savings Time
You can become a “Sultan of the Salaam” and have your name listed in
each 2015 issue of the Salaam for a
small donation of $25. Donations will
be used to improve the Salaam. Send
your check to “ASIYA Shrine” notation
SALAAM Supporter. Mail to ASIYA Center or call (650) 345-4300 with Credit
Card info.
Sultan of the Salaam
Charles Dodd
Adolph Gus Lopez
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ASIYA SALAAM
Elective Divan
John Bermudez, Potentate ………………….(650) 333-6823
Thomas Burkard, Jr., Chief Rabban ………..(415) 850-4858
Michael Dwyer, Assistant Rabban ………… (415) 271-2300
Ronan Erickson, High Priest & Prophet ……(415) 740-9563
John Anson, Oriental Guide ………………. .(831) 234-2310
Lawrence Leon, Treasurer ………………….(650) 345-4300
Sam Yee, Recorder …………………………(650) 345-4300
Appointed Divan
Howard Feinberg………….…...1st Ceremonial Master
Michael Castelan ………….…..2nd Ceremonial Master
George Terry …..……………....Marshal
Richard Modolo …………….…Executive Director
Floyd Sargent ……………….…Captain of the Guard
Greg Brown …………………...Outer Guard
Bill Fisher..………………….…Outer Guard
Issac Mejia……………….…….Outer Guard
John Conlan ……………….…..Outer Guard
Roberto Bradford………….…...Outer Guard
Paul Salamy …………………...Outer Guard
James Toy…… ………………..Chaplain
Ron Sickler …...……………….Orator
Kenneth N. Haukaas …………...Jr. Past Potentate
Hospital Board Members
from Asiya Shrine Center
Gordon W. Markley,
Chairman Human Resources
Howard Feinberg
Frank Kastl, PP
John “Jack” Kempf, Jr.
Richard “Dick” Stenstrom
Chairman of Building & Equipment
Mike Dwyer, Associate Member
Shriners Hospital for Children
(USPS 270-420) ISSN 1084-9726
Vol. 47 No. 2
Published Monthly except during July and August, as official news bulletin by Asiya Shriners,
1925 Elkhorn Court, San Mateo, CA 94403-1308,
(650) 345-4300. Outside local area call (800) 9534300. Annual Subscription estimated at $20.00
included in dues.
Periodicals Postage Paid at
San Mateo, California
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Salaam, 1925 Elkhorn Court,
San Mateo, CA 94403-1308
Editor …….…………………Adolph Gus Lopez, Noble
The name “SALAAM” is registered and no use of
this name can be reproduced unless permission
is granted from Asiya Shriners.
SALAAM DEADLINE SCHEDULE:
News items and photographs must be received
by the 5th of the month prior to each preceding
new month’s issue. All materials should be addressed to:
Asiya Shriners
Attn: Salaam Editor
Editor e-mail: glopez@netwiz.net
1925 Elkhorn Court
San Mateo, CA 94403-1308
Northern California
2425 Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95817
Tele: (916) 453-2000
4
Barrels of Toys for the Children
Hospital during the second week in
December.
We all tend to assume that somehow the toys will be donated and
will get to the hospital. That is all
well and good, but I ask a question: Are you assuming that someone else will do the donating, and
that you and your club or unit
would rather not be bothered?
Under the leadership of the Asiya Nomads, the San Benito Shrine Club has
consistently been collecting barrels of
Christmas toys for the Sacramento Hospital, ear after year.
This year we hit a record and had barrels
located in three Lodges (Texas Lodge,
San Benito Lodge, and South Valley
Lodge). Also stores in Hollister, Gilroy
and Morgan Hill, for a total of 9-55 gallon Barrels. When collected, some were
overflowing with gifts, some were low,
but it all balanced out in the end.
That being said, please ask yourself: what did your club or unit donate for the toy campaign this past year?
Not only what did your club or unite
donate: but what did you personally donate? A $10 toy or game can make a big
impact on a child at the hospital.
This is food for thought: We need you
as a part of Asiya Team, not as a bystander watching the world go by. Incidentally, the hospital gives toys and
games to children year round, not just at
Christmas time: gifts at any time of the
year are appreciated.
We initiated the barrel distribution in W.R Blakley
early September, then did the collection
in early December, and delivered the Asiya Nomads & San Benito Shrine
nine barrels to the Stockton Avenue Club
2014 ASIYA MERIT AWARDS
Mario Esquivel, PP
receiving an addition to his Asiya
Medal of Honor.
Captain Barry Gwin receiving the
Unit of the Year Award for the Patrol
as members look on.
Richard Modolo, PP is
receiving the Club of
the Year award on behalf of the Rod & Gun
5
ASIYA SALAAM
Thanks to my
Southern California
Ambassador
and Brother Jeff
Haukaas, Stephanie
and I were able to
end my year as Potentate decorating
the Shriners Hospital for Children
Rose Bowl Parade Float. This was a
terrific experience to be a part of! Not
only did it give the Asiya Shrine Center great exposure, it gave us a chance
to meet again with the Imperial Potentate Dale Stauss and the Imperial First
Lady Cheryl, Al Maliakah’s 2014 Illustrious Potentate Fred Bernhardt and
their First Lady Paula, Al Maliakah’s
2015 Potentate Elect. Lynn Georgeson
and his lady Carolyn, the 2014-2015
Patient Ambassadors Joe and Katie,
and other patients and their families
from the Los Angeles Hospital, as
well as others. This was an amazing
experience! We brought flowers to
our work area, glued tea leaves to the
float, cut flowers and put large tooth
Born and raised
in San Francisco. Upon graduating
from
High School, he
entered the Job
Corps in Idaho.
picks in them, and finally by the end
of the night or, should I say, early in
the morning, we were able to actually
stick roses onto the float. We put in a
total of eight hours decorating the
float, and it was worth every minute of
it! I would also like to thank my parents Noble Norm and Jan Haukaas, for
their help on the float! It was fun to
be able to share this experience with
my family! Stephanie and I are looking forward to doing this again next
year and would love to share this experience with other Nobles and their
ladies from Asiya!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
home theirs as well.
He began in 2002 his Masonic journey in
2002 by joining California Lodge No. 1.
He later joined the York Rite, the Scottish
Rite and the Shrine. He has held the position of officer in nearly every organization, such as Deacon, Tyler, Treasurer,
After attempt- Director, Chief Aide, and Illustrious Masing a career in ter, just to name a few.
several different fields, George settled on
His passion is mainly cooking in the
owning a business, he opened a bar in Los
kitchen and serving in the bar, but you’ll
Angeles.
find him near the BBQ or in the hospitaliEventually left Los Angeles, and headed ty room too. He also characterizes himself
for Sacramento where he met his soul- as a team player and hard worker.
mate Kim, the love of his life on a blind
Finally, he asks that you not do not hesidate. They moved back to San Francisco
tate to come up and say hello as he would
and started life anew, and have been together for 34 years. They have 4 beauti- like to get to know everyone.
ful children, along with many nieces and
nephews, all of which have called their
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Special Announcement & Reminder
DUCS MEETING
Saturday, February 21,2015
All Asiya Unit & Club Leaders Expected
Asiya Legion of Honor
We want to thank our Commander for the last two years,
Warren Jory, for a great job! – Well Done and Thank You!
This year the Commander is Gary Shweid and we all know
that he will do a great job as well. Gary has a way to bring
in new members. You can reach him at 650/32-4639 or
by e-mail at gary@gbsassoc.com.
This year the Legion of Honor will be hosting at the Shrine
Center, a speaker on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
with the public being invited. Of course the hope is that
there will be a lot of Shriners and their wives in attendance
as well.
The date is November 14th, 2015. I know this is letting you
know early, but save the date. I believe this speaker will be very enjoyable. More information on time and
cost will be in the Salaam’s future publications, but you can look forward to a light supper.
Looking forward to seeing all of you this upcoming year.
Dennis E. Griffin, PP
1st Lt. Commander
Asiya Legion of Honor
Veterans Day Appreciation Dinner Successful
On November 16th, we held the Commander Warren Jory presented Col. Brown with an
Veterans Day Appreciation Dinner award following his talk.
at the Basque Cultural Center in
South San Francisco. We had a
special guest speaker, Lt. Col. Richard Brown, an Asiya Noble, who
served in the US Army on some
very interesting assignments.
He gave us a fascinating talk about
his tour of duty behind the Berlin Wall. The dinner was
wonderful & the wine flowed.
7
ASIYA SALAAM
8
9
ASIYA SALAAM
Save the Date!
New Day, same time, same
place, more fun!
Monday, March 23rd 6PM
Marshal’s Night
$20.00 per Noble
Hosted by
The Section Crew
10
Chinese New Year’s Dinner
And Parade Watching
it
to
big flat
if
Club.
at
is
to
GLmasson@pacbell.net
Wah Ying
727 Clay St., San Francisco
4:30 pm Embalming begins
7:00 pm until: Buffet Dinner
Only $5.00 per person
Deadline for reservations: Tuesday, March 3
Go to: Asiyashriners.com for reservations or call the Asiya office.
Asiya Shriners, 1925 Elkhorn Court, San Mateo, CA 94403
(650-345-4300)
March 21, 2015
2016 Calendar Meeting
8:30 AM Donuts
9:00 AM Meeting
If you have programs you want
included in 2016 this is the time to
bring them up.
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ASIYA SALAAM
WASINGTON’S BIRTHDAY— FEBRUARY 22
The federal holiday Washington's
Birthday honors the accomplishments of the man known as "The
Father of his Country". Celebrated for his leadership in the
founding of the nation, he was
the Electoral College's unanimous choice to become the first
President; he was seen as a unifying force for the new republic
and set an example for future holders of the office.
The holiday is also a tribute to the general who created the first military badge of merit for the common soldier. Revived on Washington's 200th birthday in 1932, the Purple Heart medal (which bears
Washington's image) is awarded to soldiers who
are injured in battle. As with Memorial Day and
Veterans Day, Washington's Birthday offers another opportunity to honor the country's veterans.
continues its annual "George Fest" celebration begun in 1902. In Denver, Colorado there is a society
dedicated to observing the day. At the George
Washington Birthplace National Monument in
Westmoreland County, Virginia, and at Mount
Vernon, visitors are treated to birthday celebrations
throughout the federal holiday weekend and
through February 22.
In 2007 the country celebrated both Washington's
275th birthday and the 75th anniversary of the rebirth of the Purple Heart medal.
Since 1862 there has been a tradition in the United
States Senate that George Washington's Farewell
Address be read on his birthday. Citizens had asked
that this be done in light of the approaching Civil
War. The annual tradition continues with the reading of the address on or near Washington's Birthday.
Community celebrations often display a lengthy
heritage. Washington's hometown of historic Alexandria, Virginia, hosts a month-long tribute, including the longest running George Washington Birthday parade, while the community of Eustis, Florida,
Saint Valentine's Day, also
known as Valentine's Day or the
Feast of Saint Valentine, is a holiday observed on February 14
each year. It is celebrated in
many countries around the world,
although it is not a holiday in
most of them.
St. Valentine's Day began as a
liturgical celebration one or more
early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later
martyrologies. A popular hagiographical account of
Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned
for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who
were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According
to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the
daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to
this story states that before his execution he wrote her
a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell. Today,
Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the
Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran
Church.
The day was first associated with romantic love in the
circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages,
when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18thcentury England, it evolved into an occasion in which
lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). In Europe, Saint
Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic
symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart",
as well as to children, in order to ward off Saint Valentine's Malady. Valentine's Day symbols that are
used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves,
and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th
century, handwritten valentines have given way to
mass-produced greeting cards.
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Viva Las Vegas,
Via, Via Las Vegas!
April 22—April 26, 2015
Westgate Las Vegas Hotel & Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Room Reservations: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/WSA2015
Or 1-800-635-7711 Convention Code: WSA2015
Schedule of Events and Registration coming soon at:
www.el-zaribah.org/WSA2015
“Shriners are not made they are Created”
Petitions for the Ceremonial are in the office or online
Shrine Ceremonial is $225.00*
Includes meals for both candidate and significant other, Fez, Dues
Card and fellowship. There will be a special event for the ladies.
13
ASIYA SALAAM
The Ladies’
Oriental
Shrine of
North America (LOSNA)
was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia in
1903, when the Ladies
of Osiris Shriners were
invited to attend the
social events and festivities of a Spring Ceremonial. The
Shriners
departed for their Initiation Ceremony, the
Ladies were having so
much fun, they didn't’
want to stop. They surveyed the McClure Hotel and in a joyous
mood, began to parade
through the halls. They
eventually arrived at
one of the hotel’s con-
ference rooms.
The
doors were closed, a
guard was set, and
within that room, with
dignity and sincerity,
and the first session of
the Ladies’ Oriental
Shrine of North America
was held and Isis Court
No. 1. The LOSNA is
not an auxiliary of the
Ancient Arabic Order of
the Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. They are a separate and distinct Order.
Today, the LOSNA has
over 16,000 members
in 76 Courts across
North America.
Islam Temple No. 25
Daughters of the Nile
Daughters of the Nile is an international fraternal
organization that has prospered as a social and
charitable organization since 1913. Our members:
Contribute more than 1.7 million dollars annually to the Shriners Hospitals for Children®
Volunteer and sew garments, quilts, and other necessary items
Support over 139 Daughters of the Nile Organizations in the United States and Canada
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BLACK CAMEL
In Memoriam
Robert P. Chappell
Pastor P. Feliciano
Bertram Z. Mutnick
Gilroy
Carrollton, VA
Los Gatos
36 yrs.
47 yrs.
20 yrs.
For membership call :
(408) 832-1233
Also there will be some exciting changes to the website and very soon we will have updates to our Asiya
Shriners smartphone app.
Ladies, Nobility and Friends,
Dear
Our Movie Nights are coming back to the Club
Room on Thursdays. Please check your emails and
our Facebook page for movie announcements. We
are also planning to do some bigger movie marathons at the Dining Room later this year. We will
keep you posted.
Very soon please look for some brief surveys for our
Shrine Center, website, social media and events. We
are looking forward to hear from you!
If you have any suggestion/comments or need information (including the Movie Nights) please email us
at: contact@asiyashriners.com
Sincerely,
- Business Administrator
“Coming Events”
March 7-Chinese New Year Parade Viewing & Banquet
March 14—St. Patrick’s Day Parade & BBQ
March 21– 2016 Calendar Meeting
March 23– Marshal’s Night 6PM
March 28– SFBCLC Recognition Fundraiser & Banquet
March 29—Easter Brunch w/Easter Bunny
April 22—26 WSA Las Vegas
April 29– May 3 R&G Shasta Trip
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Periodicals Postage
Postage Paid
San Mateo, CA
Asiya Shriners
International No. 15
1925 Elkhorn Court
San Mateo, CA 94403-1308
Postmaster
Send Address changes to:
Asiya Shriners, Recorder
1925 Elkhorn Court
San Mateo, CA 94403-1308
ASIYA SHRINERS
1. Cut along dotted line
2. Sign
With All My Love
Your Name here:
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