Message to Family – The kitchen closed for the summer

This past Saturday, I had been in the office all morning, and left about 2:00 pm on a series of errands, a trip to the hairdresser, when I received a phone call from Aidan. “Mom, there is no food in the house – what's for dinner?” Does this sound familiar? Tell me you get this question at home. I proceeded to instruct Aidan to turn around and look at the cabinet in our kitchen where all the nourishment is stored. “Aidan, tell me what you see in the cabinet?” “What do you mean Mom?” “Aidan, just tell me what food items are you staring at?”

“Pasta, bread, tuna, cereal, crackers, peanut butter, etc.” Alright Aidan, now open the fridge and tell me what you see?” “I get your point Mom – so when will you be home and what's for dinner?” So at 6:30 pm on Saturday night, I headed into Wegmans did a quick shop for dinner, and raced home, only to pass one in the driveway heading out. “Claire, where are you going?” With a slight expiration in her voice, I heard, “Mom, I told you I have a pool party at Ben's tonight!” “What about dinner,” I asked. “Don't worry Mom; there will be food at the party – bye!”

Entering the house moments later, I practically collided into Brian and Aidan, also on their way out. Aidan knew he was in for it as he tried to avoid eye contact with me. But I was quick. “Aidan, don't tell me you are going out after you just sent me, overcome with guilt into Wegmans to get food for you?” With a bit of a smirk on his beautiful face, he responds, “Oh, yeah, sorry Mom. But I have to go now because Brian and I are catching up with our friends – so we can eat your dinner tomorrow, right Mom.” His older brother chuckling, I received a quick kiss from both, and they too were gone. Saturday night's dinner became Sunday's lunch.

So last night over Father's Day dinner, I declared the kitchen closed for the summer!! They are still trying to determine if I am serious or kidding?! And frankly, so am I. After putting it out there, the concept of a “closed kitchen” is growing in appeal.

Accolades All Around

With the installation Dinner only days away, the staff is very busy putting the finishing touches on this premier event. As we do each year, part of the installation tradition is celebrating your colleagues that are being recognized for their achievements during this bar year. Join us in celebrating: Diana Irizarry, recipient of the President's Award for Professionalism, for her long term dedication to the Lawyers for Learning Program; the Honorable Thomas Klonick, recipient of the President's Award for Professionalism, in recognition of his recent appointment as the Chairman of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct; and Michael Schnittman, the President's Award, for his exemplary work as a dedicated trustee this year and his ability to show up and suit up in support of the Bar.

In addition, we are delighted to be awarding the Raymond J. Pauley Award this year to Don Twietmeyer. The Pauley Award is presented to a member that has demonstrated their commitment to the education of the profession. Don was the force behind the resurrection of the MCBA's Tax Section and the return of the all day Tax Institute.

And because we can't sing his praises enough, our good friend, Ed Nowak, is to receive the Charles F. Crimi Memorial Award. I must admit, I was floored when I learned that he had not received this award anytime during his 30+ years as Public Defender. Ed received a special resolution of the MCBA Board of Trustees at Law Day, but the Crimi Award is a very special award that celebrates the legendary Charlie Crimi, and all that he stood for as a lawyer in the defense of the people he represented. Ed Nowak clearly personifies all that Charlie Crimi did from everything I have heard about him.

We will honor our outgoing president, Tom Smith; we will celebrate your colleagues for their achievements; we will celebrate the honor of having The Honorable Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge for New York State, with us for almost two days; and finally, we will celebrate the historic installation of T. Andrew Brown, as our 113 th President and our first African American president. What an extraordinary evening it promises to be. So join us this Thursday, June 19 th , for a very special evening. Cocktails begin at 5:30 pm, so come early and enjoy seeing your friends and colleagues.

Celebrating the Young Artists of School #29 – LFL Silent Auction

On the evening of the Installation Dinner, we will be holding a silent auction of 10 beautifully framed pieces of art from the very talented children at School #29, home of the award winning, Lawyers for Learning Program. Plan to stop by on your way into the cocktail party, and place your bid on these precious pieces of beautiful art by this incredible group of young artist. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Lawyers for Learning Program. Over the summer, we will be constructing a permanent LFL Young Artist Gallery in the bar offices, and each year will rotate new pieces of art that will be collected throughout the year, and will reappear at the installation dinner in time for the next silent auction. Bring your checkbook, or we can simply invoice you, but come ready to bid and bid high. If you are not currently a mentor at School #29, this is one way you can support this wonderful program.

2008-09 MCBA Membership Renewal

More than 600 of you have renewed your MCBA membership, and in time for the June 30 th deadline.

•  DelMonte Spa Package Drawing -- As in past years, sign up by the end of June, and be eligible for the Spa Package, to be raffled off to any members that have renewed by that date.

•  Free CLE for Committees & Sections – For the first time, members of committees and sections can plan to deliver up to 2 hours of free CLEs in their meetings, if they meet all the criteria required for the certification.

•  Discount Card for DocuLegal Technology Center – With the new DocuLegal Technology Center now open on the 3 rd Floor of the Telesca Center for Justice, you will be receiving a Member Discount Card worth 15% off any walk-in business.

•  And not to be minimized – The value of meeting new people and networking – PRICELESS!!

$5.00 for Coyne O'Brien

Last week at the Annual Dinner of the Past Presidents of the MCBA, I warned them ahead of time that they better arrive with a $5 bill, and ready to hand it over to their cherished colleague Coyne O'Brien. In exchange for the $5, they would receive a copy of latest Reminiscing Volume III, a collection of wonderful stories told to Coyne by so many of you, and retold by Coyne in his own words. With the generosity of Canandaigua National Bank, that matches every book sold with another $5, Coyne has raised close to $5,000 for the Foundation since the first volume was published almost 4 years ago. The the more senior attorneys, you will not want to miss some of the stories of your colleagues; and to some of the younger attorneys, it is worth purchasing a copy to read about the extraordinary history of this legal community, and to give you some ideas for antics in the future. Watch for Coyne at Thursday's installation dinner. For $10, he will autograph your copy. Thank you Coyne for your dedication to preserving this priceless piece of our history.

Foundation Makes Gifts of $30,000

Last week the Foundation Board, chaired by Don Twietmeyer, presided over the meeting that awarded $30,000 in grants to a variety of programs. The grants approved are as follows: DEAFund, $2,000; the Sydney Rubin Mock Trial Program, $2,000; Judicial & Sitting Judge Evaluations, $2,000; the “How to Choose a Lawyer” Campaign, $2,000; the Law Practice Continuity Registry, $2,000; a position to be funded in the Minority Clerkship Program, $9,500. In addition, the Foundation awarded $9,000, to the Teen Court Program, managed by the very talented, Cookie Waller. This wonderful program was nearly put out of business until it was rescued by the Center for Youth, managed by MCBA member, Elaine Spaull.

Special thanks to Lisa Reagan and her dedicated Grant Committee for their thoughtful work on this annual grant process that delivers great results.

Thanks to all,