Wednesday, March 31, 2010

We marched in March and now we March On!

Brother and Sister Emeralds,

This March was quite a month as we celebrated our Irish heritage throughout the month and, of course, on the the actual day itself , St. Patrick's Day!!!

This was a great month and I'd like to thank all of you who participated by volunteering your time, talents and efforts in so many ways showing so many who we are and what we represent! From the Irish Fair, to the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade/Block Party, the LA LIVE St. Patrick's Day Festival, Tam O' Shanters St Patrick's Day Celebration, the St. Patrick's Day Festival in Hollywood, and our Society Dinner Party Celebration at Maggies Restaurant it was just a whirlwind of activities and events! Each event had its own unique character and charm and I hope you all had some wonderful experiences, times and memories as I did!

March was the month for us to shine and did we ever! The feedback from the performance of our Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums on CSI New York and the accompanying news coverage on CBS 2 News at our March meeting was overwhelmingly positive! Add to that the news coverage of our performance at LA LIVE on St. Patrick's Day and you could say we hit the "Big Time". Indeed, more people than ever before in the Los Angeles area are hearing and seeing our name and they are getting it right! The benefits of this higher public profile should be obvious...increased awareness of our Society,law enforcement and Irish heritage and what it represents in the law enforcement and American Irish community can only have positive effects for us, our community at large, our heritage and our nation!

Our Emerald Society Pipers, drummers, and all of our members who carry an American flag, an Irish flag, our Society Banner and Standard forge a strong link in the chain that connects the heritage of those who came before us to those who will come after us...Our heritage lives in our hearts and in the hearts of those who saw us this during this last month...It is a proud heritage and I am proud of all of you for carrying it on and to be associated with you all!

God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!


MEETING DATE FOR APRIL is the 28th...It is a late meeting this month so please make a note of it! A reminder will be sent out.

That is all for now...until the next message...Be Well and Be Safe!
Steve Saletros
President
Los Angeles Police Emerald Society

Friday, March 19, 2010

A GREAT Day for the Irish

Brother and Sister Emeralds!

Hopefully you all had a wonderful and safe St. Patrick's Day celebrating our Irish heritage!

I'd first like to thank all who participated in the Hermosa Beach St Patrick's Day parade which was another great time with a record number of pipers participating and two bass drums! Thanks to all the Band for a great show and all the members carrying the American and Irish flags and our Emerald Society banners high and proudly! Special thanks to Bill Hallett who once again hosted the Block Party at his home with such a famous Irish hospitality! Thanks Bill!

Yesterday, St. Patrick's day itself, was a GREAT day for the Irish and our Society! Thanks to all the members who participated...the Band performance was very well received by an enthusiastic crowd ...We had a Society booth adjacent to the LAFD Historical Society (special thanks to George Carroll, Jerry O'Keefe,Patrick Devine, and Bill Donoghue for working the booth!). Thanks to all the Band members for another great performance which was seen by all sorts of domestic and foreign language media!

Tam O' Shanter, arranged by Treasurer Phil Bowater( Thanks Phil!) was another fun filled event and the crowd was just so full of positive energy I thought they would blow the tent down! Pipe Major/Sgt at Arms Scott Walton said it was one of the best performances the Band had ever played! Well done and thanks to Scott and all the Band members who played!

As LAPES President I get to hear all the positive comments and compliments about our Band performance and our Society ...I wish you could hear them all...We did ourselves proud and I thank all of you for all you did and continue to do to celebrate and perpetuate our law enforcement and Irish heritage in service to our nation.

Now, our big event party of our Irish heritage month is fast approaching, our St Patrick's Day Party at Maggies Restaurant in Santa Fe Springs on 3/27...This is the premiere party in Southern California ...a finer party or value you will not find. Treasurer Phil Bowater advises that we are on schedule with ticket sales but I'd like to see an even larger turnout than ast year...Tickets are going to be sold at the door...so that no one is turned away! Of course, prepurchased tickets is the preferred method of business...so if you havent gotten your orders in please do so forthwith...Your Society appreciates it!

There is more news and acknowledgements to follow so...Stay tuned! Stay Green and GO IRISH!!!

God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!
Steve Saletros
President
Los Angeles Police Emerald Society

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Emerald Brothers and Sisters,

Wishing you and yours a Happy St. Patrick's Day celebrating our Irish heritage and the contributions we have made to our great nation, America!

God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!
Steve Saletros
President
Los Angeles Police Emerald Society

Friday, March 12, 2010

LAPPL & Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band Ian Campbell Memorial Trophy

(click on image to enlarge)

The Los Angeles Police Protective League & Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band announce the return of the Ian Campbell Memorial Trophy.

This event will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at the Scottish Highland Games, Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa.

An award will be presented to the Best Aggregate Bag Piper in Grade 4 Solo Competition.

For more information contact Emerald Society member and League Delegate, Cliff Armas at: cliff3914@sbcglobal.net

Monday, March 8, 2010

A Couple of Up-coming Events

Michael De La Hunt's daughter and Celtic Gold dancers will be performing at Mary & Joseph Retreat 5300 Crest Road Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (310)377-4867. $25 per person. Sunday March 14th 1800hrs. There will be food, music and step dancing.

Also, The Irish News USA ask that you be reminded that the The Fenians will be performing at PECHANGA CASINO, (No address was given) March 17!! NEW CONTEST!! St. Patrick's Day Events.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Retirement Dinner for Chief McDonnell

Brothers and Sisters,

Attached is the retirement flyer for our Brother Chief Jim McDonnell...
If those of you who would like to attend would like to have our own table please let me know...and we will make that happen.

Brother George Carroll has volunteered to coordinate an Emerald Society booth at the Irish Fair this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, at the Pomona Fairgrounds...However, he cant do it alone and so this is a last call for volunteers to staff a booth...The latest word from Pipe Major Scott Walton is that the Band will still be at the Fair but they will be busy playing and cant be tasked with maintaining a presence at the Booth but will help out as they can....So this is it folks, we need volunteers or we will not be there with a booth.

More info to follow...

GO IRISH!
Steve Saletros

(Click on flyer to enlarge)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Our Time Has Arrived!

Brother and Sister Emeralds!

March has arrived! While we remember, celebrate and honor our Irish and law enforcement heritage throughout the year, March is OUR Irish heritage month! Throughout this entire month, with the high point being of course, Saint Patrick's Day, we will show the world how proud we are of our Irish heritage and what a contribution we have made to our beloved America!

Here are a few items of information and interest.

1. Our February meeting featuring our very own distinguished Brother and Giant of law enforcement, Chief Jim McDonnell, was one of our best meetings ever! We thank Chief McDonnell for his wonderful presentation and the treasure the time he spent with us all, sharing with us his compelling personal story and vast knowledge of our profession of policing! We congratulate Chief McDonnell as the newly appointed Chief of Police of Long Beach and wish him all the best in his future endeavors! Brother Tom Keleher of Long Beach PD and a director with Long Beach Police Officers Association, and I are already in the early stages of planning a summer Emerald Society meeting in Long Beach...more details will follow..but I can assure you of this...it will be a fantastic event /meeting as I know from past experience that our Brothers in Long Beach know how to throw an event! Nuff said for now!

2. The Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums will be at the Irish Fair at the Pomona Fair Grounds on March 6/7 so come out and share all the Irish atmosphere and excitement!

3. Our Emerald Society general meeting will be on March 10th! The Honorary Consul of Ireland Finbar Hill will be our special guest speaker! If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Finbar Hill speak on Ireland you dont know what you are missing. His presentations always combine great eloquence and candor as he speaks on the current situation of Ireland in all its aspects! Having Finbar Hill speak at our March meeting has become an Emerald Society tradition and we thank him for continuing to honor us with his presence and presentation!

4. Our Hermosa Beach St Patrick's Day Parade will take place on March 13th to be followed by a St Patrick's Day Block Party at the house and on the block of Brother Bill Hallett. Those of you who have attended this event in the past know how great it is with the wonderful hospitality of the Hallett family, the food, the music and Irish festive atmosphere! Another message will provide the exact details of the day but put that day aside for a Hermosa Beach Irish celebration! Thanks Bill Hallett, family and neighbors!

5. St. Patrick's Day...No Virginia, there is no St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Los Angeles this year. After last minute efforts to resuscitate the victim, Los Angeles City budget cuts and considerations were given for the reason there is no parade this year in Downtown Los Angeles...frown...However, there will be a St Patrick's Day Irish festival at LA Live which is the venue just north of Staples Center and is an entertainment complex. There will be a stage and a concert featuring Ken O'Malley and the Twilight Lords and there will be an actual festival taking place. Our Los Angeles Police Pipe and Drum Band will play at the venue and there is enough room to march around the entertainment complex. All are invited to attend and participate! We will be meeting at the Los Angeles Police Academy and taking a bus to the venue. Time to be announced... but the event goes on from 1100-1400 Hrs. Our group will then be going over to Tam O' Shanters restaurant in Los Feliz to continue the St. Patrick's Day celebration with our Band playing and everyone enjoying the celebration into the night! It's a fantastic time!

6. Our Emerald Society St. Patrick's Day Party at Maggies Restaurant in Santa Fe Springs will be on March 27th! Yes, we are using the whoooole month to celebrate! This is probably the best St. Patrick's Day Party anywhere and last year we had record attendance! With the Pipes and Drums, Irish step dancing, great food, great music, door prizes..where does it end? We do need volunteers to help with the event monitoring the door and other tasks...Please take a big Irish step dance forward and help out...Many of you did last year and we know who you are and are very grateful! Tickets can be purchased at the March meeting! More details to follow!

7. I know this has been a long message and I thank you for taking the time to read it..there will be following messages almost every day this month ...but hey...ITS OUR MONTH!

I may have forgotten something or there may be a question or concern that you need addressed right away...please contact me here or at 213 253-5966...I will do the best I can to get back to you as soon as possible...if the mail box is full call back..it will be cleared..and if that doesnt work for you call or text 213 503-7322.

So, lets have a Great month! It's OUR month! For our ancestors and our heritage Be Irish and Be Proud!

God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!

GO IRISH!

Steve Saletros
President
Los Angeles Police Emerald Society