Greetings from the San Diego Firefighters’ Emerald Society;
 
We are pleased to invite you and your Agency to attend the 29th Annual San Diego Saint Patrick’s Breakfast, Parade and Family Festival which will be held on Saturday March 14th 2009.  This years’ parade theme is “Celebrating Children’s Services: Adoption – Fostering – Mentoring”.  This annual event is organized by the Irish Congress of Southern California whom honors our service each year by appointing Firefighters to lead-off the parade.  Attached to this email are Flyers for you to post in your respective Firehouse(s).  We urge you to also share these Flyers with all of your friends and families.
 
A Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is more than just a community event.  It is a well deserved opportunity to meet and celebrate with family, friends and our neighbors.  Some say the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day by the Fire Service has been a tradition dating back to the early 1800's.  The Emerald Society encourages you to share with us this time honored tradition with a day of fellowship and celebration.  As always the Fire Service participation in the Parade consists of both a marching component and rolling stock.  This year the Irish Congress has respectfully requested we begin keeping track of Agency’s that participate so they can more formally communicate thanks for your support and participation.
 
Please complete the attached 2009 St Patrick’s Day Fire Service Parade Entry Form for your Marching and Apparatus entries.  Parade entries are due back to the Emerald Society no later than February 28th, 2009.  Once we receive your Parade Entry you will be contacted back with further details as well as provided a Staging Plan.  If you have any questions please feel contact us at clanchief@clanfiodhnach.com  -or- (858) 603-9538.
 

~ Parade Day Agenda ~
 
0600 – 1000    Annual Emerald Society Firefighters’ Breakfast
Kick-off parade day with a traditional Irish Breakfast at the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company Firehouse Museum.  This popular annual event features a festive and family friendly social atmosphere complete with Irish Music & Dancers; the Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Unit, and; of course good food and libations.  The Fire House Museum is located at 1572 Columbia Street, San Diego (in Little Italy).  Bus transportation from the Museum to the Parade Staging Area will be provided courtesy of the San Diego Fire Rescue Department.
 
1000 – 1200    29th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Plan to come out and march in the parade with the “Fir Na' Tine” Firefighters Marching Unit.  Marching Attire will be Class A or B Uniform.  Staging location is located at 6th Street (between Juniper & Ivy).  The Fire Service Division Staging will start at 10:00 AM with the Parade kicking off promptly at 11:00 AM.  Staging Plans will be provided by the Emerald Society in advance of the event.
 
1130 – 1700    Saint Patrick’s Day Family Festival
After the parade stick around Balboa Park and enjoy an old fashioned Irish Family Festival.  There will be live Irish music and dance on two stages; vendors providing a wide range of food and refreshments, crafts and merchandise; a special Kid's Zone with games and rides; a Celtic Village demonstrating the ways of old, and; a display by WORLD MEMORIAL 9/11 Memorial and Tribute.
 
For additional information on the Parade and Family Festival; or if you would like to volunteer to assist please contact us at clanchief@clanfiodhnach.com  -or- (858) 603-9538..  The Emerald Society looks forward to seeing you on Saturday March 14th 2008.
 
 
Sláinte-
 
On behalf of…
The San Diego Firefighters’ Emerald Society

Dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends of the San Diego Firefighters' Emerald Society,
 
Please support the Emerald Society and the San Diego Pioneer Hook & Ladder Firehouse Museum as they collaborate to bring together ‘ALL’ Fire Service agencies from throughout San Diego County in a friendly competition between Fire & Police.  The annual “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive is coordinated by the American Red Cross where Fire Service and Law Enforcement agencies from throughout Southern California generate as many blood donations as possible to help make up for the blood supply shortage typically experienced at this time of year.
 
The Red Cross said of the event: “The Battle of the Badges blood drive is an opportunity for all badge carrying personnel, including friends and family, to positively impact our community by competing in a friendly competition to see who can donate the most blood, and; ultimately save the most lives.  We are happy to have San Diego Fire Service agencies’ represented this year, and thank all Southern California’s Fire Service and Law Enforcement agencies’ for their commitment to saving lives”.
 
The Emerald Society and Firehouse Museum call on the competitive spirit of 'ALL' active, retired and reserve Fire Service personnel, Fire Service families, and; civilian “Friends of the Fire Service" to come out and support our community!
 
Please forward this Invitation to the widest audience and encourage everyone you know to come out and make a donation!
 

Battle of the Badges America Red Cross Blood Drive :
Date :
2/5/2009 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Location :
Pioneer Hook & Ladder Firehouse Museum
1572 Columbia Street in Little Italy)

San Diego, CA 92101
Make an Appointment :
Click Here
Directions and Notes :
Donors will receive admission to the Firehouse Museum, and the American Red Cross is providing a certificate for an appetizer at Mimi’s Café, a Battle of the Badges T-Shirt, and; entry to win a regional Spa Package Drawing.

 
 
What do I have to do :
Making an appointment is easy.

Click on the link above or below. Once you get to the website enter your email address and date of birth. If you have used the online appointment system before your information will display for your approval. If you have not used our online system before you can fill out the form with some basic information that the blood bank will need.

Then click the "Continue and View Blood Drives" button. You will see our blood drive. If you went to the site without using the link and don't see our drive enter badge where it asks for the sponsor code. Click the circle to the left of the day you would like your appointment. On the next page, pick a time. Then you will receive an email confirming your appointment.

Click Here now to make your appointment! You are going to save a life!

Questions and Comments :
Site Coordinator :
The San Diego Firefighters' Emerald Society

(858) 603-9538
clanchief@clanfiodhnach.com

 

Brothers and Sisters,
 
The Smiling Irishman Contest was last night... and what a night it was… the beer and whiskey flowed… your Band played… the crowd cheered… and the Emerald Society made history by breaking one of San Diego’s longest winning streaks supplanting consummate Champs "The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick"... with one of our own as Champion.
 
Firefighter Nate Boyle-Underhill is San Diego’s 25th Annual Smiling Irishman!
 
Before Round 1 the Emerald Society had pre-paid for 27 Fire Department personnel's entry into the event and by Round 2 we had better than triple that in attendance.  The games began with SDFD Engine 201 and the Band escorting Nate into the ring followed by round-after-round of combat.  In between rounds the Band entertained the crowd, and songs were sung by Doc Lamar, Barbara McCarty and and our own Matt Carr.  With good strategic fight management provided by Scott Dodge (of the ICSC), Woody was able to tactically manage the Emerald Society's assets and in the end our enthusiasm was so infectious that all Fireman, the Irish Congress, the House of Ireland and many other factions were earnestly voting for Nate... and everyone reached deep into their hearts (and pockets) for a resounding Fire Department victory!
 
Check out the Pictures from last night at the Emerald Society MySpace page at:  www.myspace.com/sdffemeraldsociety
 
Great job Nate and Thank you all!
 
The next Emerald Society events are:
 
3rd Annual Super Bowl Party (February 1st) at the PH&L Firehouse Museum
 
Battle of the Badges ARC Blood Drive (February 5th) at the PH&L Firehouse Museum
 
Firehouse World Reception Party (February 18th) at the PH&L Firehouse Museum
 
Emerald Isle ~ Tower After Hours (February 26th) at the Museum of Man, Balboa Park
 
St Patrick’s Day Breakfast, Parade and Festival (March 14th)  at the PH&L Firehouse Museum & Balboa Park
 
 
Don't forget to renew your Membership and feel free to give Woody a call if you need any information for upcoming events.
 
 
Slan'
 
 
Mark Woody
Secretary
San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society

The San Diego Emerald Society hoisted another successful Christmas Ball December sixth at the Handlery Hotel. Emerald Society members and guests were dressed in their finest, guys in their Class “A”s and ladies in their best outfits. First there were formal Christmas pictures to mark the occasion . followed by hors De Voures and drinks while a video of Emerald Society band performances set the tone. Then with a sound of the “pipes” the band “piped in” the guests to a the banquet/ball room. The color guard made the occasion more formal with a presentation of the colors and followed by an acapella  performance of “The Star Spangled Banner”. That got us off to a great start but was immediately followed by a rousing performance by “The Emerald society Band’ playing several lively tunes that had people on their feet and cheering. An invocation was given  by Joe Davis, [Sheriff Department Chaplin]and  Our host and Master of Ceremony [the ever gracious and charming Monica Zech got things going and kept it lively with her quick witted commentary and humor.  The raffle was held and thousands of dollars of prizes were raffled off .  The Emerald Society Band made a second appearance and performed as, as only they can with lively and rousing songs that kept people clapping .The ladies and many couples lined up for pictures with Santa .l  Mark  Shitno filled in and entertained with his D.J. skills to add to a constant flow of music and entertainment. Before you knew it the “ Aerodrive” Band was firing up and people were dancing. The dance floor was filled until closing attesting to the popularity of the music and the festive occasion. All the different events and on the agenda drew  accolades from the guests with everyone having a great time and enjoying the evening. Over [150 one hundred and fifty people attended  from all over the county. Firefighters and guests from as far away as Germany and South Africa  attended and all had a great time. In addition to having a great time and providing a venue for a county-wide Christmas ball we raised a lot of money for our Band. As you may or may not know each band member can have a thousand dollars tied up in their instrument and uniform. And pay for their own training and gasoline to get them to all the different occasions at which they  perform . The money raised goes to defray those expenses.
The Emerald Society Christmas Ball Committee would like to thank all those that attended and hope you had a great time. We are looking forward to seeing you again next year.
The emerald Society Christmas  Ball Committee would like to thank the following people and companies for their donations of time and money, without which this would not have been possible.
Monica Zech , who volunteered not only her time but acquired and donated most of the raffle items
The firehouse brew company,[ who always support our every Endeavour with their wonderful generosity]
Barbara Ardilla, Donovan’s in La Jolla
Cindy Petretta , Sea World
Chuck Hansen, Viejas
Mychael McNeely, San Diego Zoo
Andy Martin, Home Depot
Chris Boyer, KGB radio
Ben Jolly, Yellow Coyote Restaurant
Thank you
 Randall Plese [member at large]