The LA Marathon has just reached it's conclusion, the Mayor's race is coming down to the wire on Tuesday, and a competitive spirit is in the air. We here at Toastmasters are also dashing to the finish line with uplifting oratory and dynamic declamation at the Marriott this Thursday, March 10th. Seize the opportunity to participate in the first phase of the Toastmasters' International Speech Contest and Tall Tales, and vote for your favorite speaker. The winners this Thursday move to area and then division contests. 

In the midst of this speech tournament, Warner Center Toastmasters is also celebrating our 22nd Anniversary with special foods and special fun. Some of our long lost members will drift back into the fold to see what's new and good with us, so this will be a very special reunion celebration. 

Though there are lots of other terrific Toastmaster clubs in our area, we like to think that WCTM with it's evening meetings is one of the very best. Founded in 1983 by  DTM and active member Rose Lane, our club has been meeting at the prestigious Warner Center Marriott since 1999. 

Before moving to the Marriott, WCTM occupied a variety of venues over the years, including the Holiday Inn on Ventura, Summer House, Warner Center Deli, Casa De Carlos, Numero Uno, and Tod's.  

At our last February rendezvous in Salons G and H, led by Dave DeFore CTM, Rita Van Dyke and Shelly Bright delivered Icebreakers as fresh and vital as any in recent memory. Arnold Goldman hammered our audience with his speech number 2, "Deterring Juvenile Crime",  and topicmaster Carolyn Goldman served up "pet" table topics which revealed more about the human than animal side of the word. 

Monitors Lois Coburn and Jackie Goldberg imposed discipline at our last meeting, diligently documenting our technical faux pas with an amusing but slightly fascist enthusiasm. 

So make a beeline to the Marriott this Thursday, and settle in for an entertaining evening of competition speechmaking to be led by long time WCTM member Maya DeBus, CTM. Family members are welcome! 

And for a side show, topicmaster John Graves, CTM will take us on a richly rewarding trip through something called "Personal Nostalgia", asking evocative questions such as these: 

"You're at a high school reunion. Give a toast to one of your favorite teachers who is now deceased." or

"What advice would you give to yourself when you were ten years old?

To view the full Toaster's Choice in your browser click here.