THE FRIA FLYER VOLUME I 9794 W. Peoria Ave. Suite #2 Peoria, AZ 85345 623-937-7770 www.aawestphoenix.org December 2014 Issue 8 A Tiger Is Tamed It was a long trail for this hard-driving pilot-roustabout I GREW up in North Louisiana, first on a farm in a small town, then in a moderate-sized town, then in a city. After I had worked my way through high school and one year of college, I got flying fever and joined the Army Air Force on my eighteenth birthday, in 1942. I breezed through flying school in good shape, graduating as a second lieutenant in October 1943. My assignment to fighters fulfilled my fondest aspirations, and early in 1944 I went to China, where I flew the shark-nosed P40's of Chennault's Flying Tigers. This was my cup of tea; I loved to fly; and a fighter pilot in China came about as near as possible to being his own man. I liked it well enough to volunteer for a second tour of combat, but to my disgust the war ended just as I got back to China. After thinking it over, I accepted a reserve commission and set out to finish college. Thanks to the Veterans Administration and a facile intelligence, for which I take no credit, I managed to graduate on schedule. I immediately rejoined the Air Force, telling myself it was because I loved to fly. In retrospect, I think maybe it had more to do with the uniform, the ribbons, and the rank. A year later, I met and married a girl I considered, truly unique, and for once I was right. Very quickly, I was fighting in Korea. I survived, though narrowly, and broke into jets after my return. I also broke into an outfit that possessed a fine bunch of pilots. I had hardly got qualified in the F-84 when we were handed the top-secret mission of carrying and delivering A-bombs, the first fighter outfit assigned to do so. After a crash program of training and equipping, we moved to England to reduce the temperature of the Cold War. We were there more than three years. My drinking had begun in China, progressed sporadically until my senior year in college, and then settled down to a daily routine. It was easy to drink in England, and the good times were plentiful. Needless to say, I had no inkling that my behavior pattern was abnormal; but even then there were incidents that were less than creditable to an officer and a gentleman. I once test-hopped an F84 when I was too drunk to walk properly, an insane performance in which I took considerable pride at the time. The occasions when I flew with varying loads aboard were too numerous to detail, and if I ever complied with the Air Force regulation forbidding flying within twenty-four hours after drinking, it was accidental. There was no overt notice taken of my peccadilloes, but there was a mysterious development Cont. pp2 Steps, Traditions, and Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Concept XII: The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action. Steps, Traditions and Concepts reprinted with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc Alcoholics Anonymous “Responsibility Pledge” “I am responsible… When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that, I am responsible.” Reprinted from the Pamphlet P-1, This is A.A., Page 24, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. AA SUPER SOBER WEEKEND We are forming an AA Alcothon for Super Bowl XLIX. Kick Off will begin on January 31st, 2015 at 10 am and run through February 1st, 2015 10 pm Location of event will be Java the Hut 7021 N. 57th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 Committee will be meeting on November 1, 15, 29 at Freedom Hall, 4700 N. 12th St. Contact: Skidrow Greg [email protected] A Tiger Is Tamed…Continued from Page 1 – Part 2 A Tiger Is Tamed…Continued from Page 1 – Part 3 in my career that I never could explain: I applied twice for a Regular Air Force commission, and was rejected. or even mere comfort anywhere. There was simply no hope. I could not remember the last happy moment I had experienced, but I knew it was a long time gone. My thoughts turned, as they had many times before, toward the one alternative to continued torment. I had pretty well settled on bashing in the muffler on my car, in such a way as to vent the exhaust inside, and then simply going to sleep. This plan attracted me because it was painless, fairly certain, and not too obviously suicide. It was not unusual for me to sleep in the car, and there was always the chance that a rock could have damaged the muffler by accident. I didn't really give much of a damn what anybody thought, but the faint vestige of a conscience I had left urged me to spare my family the disgrace. I had pretty well missed the boat for a successful military career. Things were piling up on me; the "incidents" were getting uglier and the happy times scarcer. I quit the service, less than six years from retirement age, and started at the bottom as an oil-field service engineer. For a while, it seemed that the combination of a new career and a geographical change had solved all my problems. I liked the work and took great pride in the prestige of my company. I started off like a ball of fire, despite being a little old for a beginner in that line, but all too soon the world started picking on me again. The money was pretty good, but it took all there was and a little more to keep me in martinis and vodka (the latter to carry in my car, in the happy delusion that it was undetectable). Somehow another idea crept into my mind: Why not give the medics a chance? I had no real hope that they could help; my case was obviously like no other. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try. I transferred to offshore work, which meant more money, but also long stretches in the Gulf of Mexico, far from my sources of supply. Even with the enforced abstinence on the job, my increased income failed to keep up with my thirst. After a year or so, I was desperate, and I applied for transfer to Canada. Not as a cure for my drinking, mind you; I just needed a new challenge! I made it to Rock Springs, Wyo., instead, and once again the geographical cure seemed to work magic. My wife and kids liked the new, big country, and the work was different enough to divert me from drinking for appreciable spells. Well, I tried. By the grace of God, the doctor I went to sent me to AA, and by that time I was too limp to resist. To my surprise, I met a dozen alcoholics just like me, only soberer, and I read about hundreds more in the AA literature. After fighting it off through a long, nasty slip, I finally got it through my head that I was just a member of the human race, and not such a hot one at that. I'm not out of the woods entirely; even now, I sit here thinking what a crackerjack piece this is, and how impressed everybody will be when you print it. My motive is not merely to see my immortal words in print, though that may enter in. Part of it is simply my need to put my feelings into words, to remind myself once more how close I am, and always will be, to utter ruin. And maybe a little of it is genuine hope that my very typical story will make the way easier for someone else. But, inevitably, the monstrous spiral tightened. The joys faded out of my life; my debts began to mount; my boss's tolerance was wearing thin; and my wife actually had the gall to tell me it was all because of my drinking! She had plenty of reason to leave me, but there was never enough money to get her out of town. Worst of all was my mental condition. All motivation had vanished, except the desperate urge to drink. D. R. Rock Springs, Wyoming I knew by now that I was drinking too much, but I also knew I couldn't cut down, because I had tried it, using all the pitiful little schemes. I wasn't willing even to consider cutting it out entirely; I couldn't visualize living without drinking. I had tried that, too, for a month or so, and had been utterly miserable the whole time. Whatever affection I had for my wife and family was totally immolated in my frantic pursuit of alcohol. My job and my company were meaningless to me except as a necessary source of drinking money. Reprinted with permission from Grapevine Archives. <1970> SATURDAY OFFICE COVERAGE Each month your Home Group can volunteer, at our Intergroup Office, to cover the phones and walk in business from 9 AM to 1 PM. Groups find that this service opportunity keeps them connected to each other and our AA Community! Finally, one January day in 1965, I stopped my car on a snowy hillside just outside the town, and thought. I wasn't sober; in fact, I hadn't been sober for more than a year; but I was perhaps more lucid than usual. December Band of Brothers January Altering Attitudes February Tuesday Night Hope March Gooddale Men’s Stag April Primary Purpose The things I thought about were not pleasant. I sought a reason, just one solitary reason, why I ought to go on home. I couldn't think of one. I knew there was no hope of finding pleasure or satisfaction or gratitude Ask your Intergroup Representative to get your Group on the calendar soon! Cont. next column  2 AFI BULLETIN BOARD Service Calendar December 1, 2014 Sub District 08-801 West Valley Fellowship 919 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale December 2, 2014 AFI Business Meeting New Life Community Church 8155 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria December 2, 2014 Sub District 08-800 AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave. #2, Peoria December 9, 2014 Sub District 08-806/807/808 AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave, #2 Peoria December 10, 2014 Valley-wide H&I Community Bridges (Bill Wilson Hall) 2770 E Van Buren St, Phoenix December 11, 2014 Sub District 08-802/803/804 St. Helen’s Church 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale December 16, 2014 MCSM/DCM Meeting Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 3539 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise Valley December 18, 2014 AFI Steering Committee AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave, #2 Peoria December 23, 2014 Valley PI/CPC Committee SRI Office 3215 E Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix December 25, 2014 Valleywide Bridging the Gap Committee Meeting Denny's on 35th Ave. and Bethany Home Rd FOOD FUN AND FELLOWSHIP 1st Saturday Glendale Appreciation Group Potluck 5:15 PM First United Methodist Church 7102 N. 58th Drive, Glendale AZ 6 PM to 8 PM 2nd Thursday Tonopah Fresh Start Group Tonopah Valley Baptist Church 37702 W. Indian School 6:30 pm before 7:30 meeting 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 2nd Friday Sobriety Trudgers Potluck The Southwest Indian School 14202 N. 73rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 7:00 PM 6:30 PM before 7 PM Meeting 3rd Saturday Happy Valley Group Potluck 7:00 PM Foothills Christian Church 3951 West Happy Valley Rd (39th Ave & Happy Valley) 6 PM Speaker at 7 PM 6:30 PM 3rd Saturday West Valley Pot Luck Speaker Panel All Saints of the Desert Episcopal Church 9502 W. Hutton Dr., Sun City 7:00 PM Bring Your Favorite Dish! Social from 6:00-7:00 7:00 PM Panel Speakers 7 PM 6:30 PM Last Friday Friday Night Fighters Cake and a Speaker Crossroads West 7523 N. 35th Ave, Phoenix AZ 7 PM 7:00 PM (Join us early to eat d inner @ 6:00 if you’d like!) Last Saturday Downunder Group Potluck First Evangelic Church 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear AZ 5 pm-7 pm UNITY 3 On the Road Again! Where t o Send Cont ribut ions: Gas up your car and join us on the Road to Happy Destiny at events around Town and Arizona General Service Office PO Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163-0459 Agua Fria Intergroup, Inc. 9794 W. Peoria Ave., Ste 2 Peoria, AZ 85345 Western Area Conference of Young People in A.A. Area 03 Committee PO Box 1907 Phoenix, AZ 85001-1907 December 18-21, 2014 Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel 62 Kauna’oa Dr., Kamuela, HI District 08 Treasurer PO Box 45066 Phoenix, AZ 85064 Agua Fria Intergroup Christmas Alcothon Wed., Dec. 24th, 2014 @ 12:00 noon through Thurs., Dec. 25th, 2014 @ 12:00 noon Comfort Suites 9824 W. Camelback Rd, Glendale, AZ Sub-District 08-800 PO Box 671 El Mirage, AZ 85335 Sub-District 08-801 c/o Denise Ruble PO Box 274 Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 New Years Eve Celebration New Beginnings December 31, 2014, 6:30 p.m.-when the dancing ends The Glendale Adult Center 5970 W. Brown St. Glendale, AZ Sub Districts 08-806-807-808-816 c/o Tom White PO Box 364 Waddell, AZ 85335 Sub-Districts 08-802-803-804 PO Box 621 Youngtown, AZ 85363 25th The Joy of Living Anniversary River Roundup January 15-18, 2015 Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino Laughlin, NV Valley Wide Hospitals & Institutions Committee PO Box 80126 Phoenix, AZ 85060 Fellowship of the Spirit Bridging the GAP PO Box 716 Peoria, AZ 85382 January 23-25, 2015 Poco Diablo Resort Sedona, AZ www.fotsaz H & I Monthly Big Book Drive Valley Wide Hospitals and Institutions. 25th Annual West Valley Roundup Language of the Heart H & I provides literature for the confined alcoholic H & I is looking for new or used Big Books, any 12 Step literature or any AA related books that can be taken to Treatment Centers or Jails. Please bring any literature you’d like to donate to the H & I Business Meeting held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Bill Wilson Hall. 2770 E. Van Buren St, Phoenix. You may also call Abby P. at 602.329.0781 to make other arrangement for Pick up or Delivery of your donation. March 20-22, 2015 Lake Pleasant Regional Park Peoria, AZ 4 Agua Fria Intergroup Business Meeting Minutes October 7, 2014 Dave E opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the Serenity Prayer. The 12 Traditions were read by James A New AFI Groups: None New AFI Representatives: Joe – Youngtown, John – Mustard Seed, Marianne – Unshakable Foundation. Introduction of Steering Committee Members: Dave E (Chair), Raena Q (Co-Chair), Mike E (Office Manager), Leanne S (Secretary), Larry T (Treasurer), Jocelyn W, Dick F, Jen R and Nik B. 7th Tradition: Collected – $52.95 Roll Call: 28 IGR’s in attendance including the 3 new representatives. Approval of the September AFI Business Meeting Minutes: Dave asked for a motion to approve the September 2014 Business Meeting minutes. Evan motioned to accept the minutes with corrections and Nora seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Office Manager’s Report: (Mike E 623-570-1875 or [email protected].) – Mike presented his written report (See attached.) Chairperson’s Report: (Dave E 602-725-7335) – Dave thanked everyone for their attendance and assistance at the 31 st AFI Anniversary event. Vice-Chairperson’s Report: (Raena Q 602-361-0631) – 1. Raena announced that Diane needs a co-chairperson for the Thanksgiving Event. Jocelyn W volunteered to be Diane’s co-chair. 2. The 2015 Day in the Park event needs a new chairperson. 3. Carolina and Jim, respective chairpersons for Christmas and NYE are present and will give their reports. Treasurer’s Report: (Larry T 469-263-5398) – 1. Larry presented a written report (See attached.) 2. Pat L asked if the Steering Committee has addressed the checking account balance. A general discussion was held and there are projects under consideration by the Intergroup where considerable funds will be required; such as new office flooring, if approved, and replacing the back-stock inventory shelving, which the Intergroup had previously approved. In addition, mid fiscal year 2014 we hired a part time office assistant. Also, the office and Steering Committee need to see how the AA World Services price increase (October 1, 2014) will affect not only gross profit on sales but also group donations. 3. Pat L motioned to accept the report and Jerry R seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Archivist’s Report: (Kelli C 602-573-0960) – Kelli reported that she is currently working on a display for the AFI Office of the supplies which had been purchased for the Archives Display at the anniversary event last month. Area Liaison: (Pat L 623-734-0151) – In addition to Pat’s written report (see attached), he asked for a group conscious on an All Panel Topic to be addressed at the November Area Assembly. This topic is whether to suggest AA World Services develop a pamphlet on Group Safety. The vote was (1) in favor and remainder (27) felt there was no need for any action. H&I Liaison: (Brett C 602-663-3921) - H&I is presenting “Afternoon in the Park”, November 16 th, 11 am – 6 pm, at Tempe Kiwanis Park. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of H&I: Who they are and what they do. Brett has made flyers available. Steering Committee: (Nik B) – Nik recapped the September Steering Committee meeting. In addition to the reports by officers: the Steering Committee reviewed the previous month’s Business Meeting minutes, approved next month’s Business Meeting agenda, approved last month’s Steering Committee meeting minutes, reviewed the Treasurer’s report, checked in with the ad-hoc committee on flooring. Committee Reports: Telephone: (Deb K 623-326-0406) – Deb was absent, Mike talked with her and reported there are still openings on the ‘Voice of Attraction’ (VOA) calendar to cover nights and weekends which can be done on either home or cell phone. The sobriety requirement is one year. The committee is still updating the 12–Step Call List. Newsletter: (Jerry M 602-320-9799) – Jerry thanked the volunteers who folded the October Newsletter. Also he still needs our local personal stories, funnies, etc. and encourages members to send in their stories to him online at [email protected]. Unity: (George R 623-337-0061) – George reported that the Unity Committee still has four ‘official’ members, and have added one newbie. Just doing what Unity does…visiting groups, informing them about WHOM, WHAT, WHERE AND WHY, in addition to helping to update the 12-Step List. Call him if interested in joining the Unity committee. Their next meeting will be at 7:30 October 22, at George’s Unity Cave. PI/CPC: (John Z 602-390-6739) – John was absent and Susan gave the report: 1. In the upcoming months PI/CPC will be giving a Spanish presentation in addition to the Nov 4th presentation for GCU Nursing. 2. PI/CPC (Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional Community) needs weekday presenters; the only requirement is participation in one of their quarterly workshops. 3. The new PI/CPC power point presentation on ‘who we are, what we do, and why we do what we do’ is complete, thanks to the combined efforts of AA World Services, AFI, SRI and EVI. 5 4. PI/CPC meets monthly at SRI on the 4th Tuesday every month at 6 pm. For more information contact John Z or Susan at [email protected]. The next quarterly workshop will also be on the 4th Tuesday in November at SRI. Website: (Bill M 602-361-2938) – Bill was absent; Mike E presented Bill’s written report (see attached.) Recently the committee met to discuss using Google as website host. Their goal is to have new hosting provider by the end of this calendar year. In addition, the committee applied for and received non-profit status, which allows the Intergroup to purchase the service at a reduced price. Call Bill if you have any questions about the website. Special Events: Day in the Park: ( ) – Need new committee chair. Family Campout and Fishing Derby: (JJ O 602-481-4875) – No report. AFI Anniversary: (Kay F 623-587-9898/ Dave E 602-725-7335) – Dave announced great time had by everyone. The final report on the event will be available at November’s Business Meeting. Thanksgiving: (Diane P 602-999-2699/Jocelyn W 602-448-6059) – Diane was absent. Jocelyn, as co-chair, provided the report. The committee is in need of food and/or cash donations. Jocelyn asked that the reps take a sign-up sheet to their groups for volunteer donations and return it to the committee at the November business meeting. The list should include the volunteer’s name, phone number and item(s) donated. Remember Turkeys, Hams, etc. need to arrive precooked unless prior arrangements have been made with Kari (602-518-2068) the food chairperson. Christmas: (Carolina G 602-402-4248) – 1. Christmas Alcathon to be held at Comfort Suites at 99th & Camelback 2. The next committee meeting will be 11/9 at 4:30 pm, located just off 43rd Ave and Missouri, call Carolina if interested in volunteering or chairing a meeting during the event. The committee still needs a secretary and a co-chair. 3. Brad, the marathon meeting chair, will be at November’s business meeting with a signup sheet or groups can call Carolina. 4. The event will also feature a Young People’s meeting in the evening and a Spanish speaking meeting. New Year’s Eve: (Jim W 480-734-4585) – Jim has Dinner/Dance tickets for the event at a cost of $35. Doors open at 6:30. Dinner will start at 7 (catered by Classic Catering). This year’s speaker is Patty O and there will also be an Alanon speaker, in addition to the dance. Dance admission only will be available at the door for $10. The committee meets at AFI the 1st Saturday of the month. Old Business: AFI Office Flooring Ad Hoc Committee – Jen R Jen reported that the committee met on 9/24. They looked at samples, discussed 1 st bid (Est. cost is $3/sq. ft.). A second bid is expected soon. And they are also entertaining outside bids. In addition, the committee also looked into staining the cement floor; however, it appears that option would be cost prohibitive at $4.50 - $6 per sq. ft. New Business: None. Office Volunteers: October – Meeting in Print November – YaYa Belles December – Band of Brothers January – Altering Attitudes February – Tuesday Night Hope March – Gooddale Men’s Stag Announcements: 1. Raena will give a 10 minute orientation after the meeting for new IGRs. 2. Please help clean up and put the tables & chairs back. Motion to Close: Ray motioned to close the meeting. Jeff B seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Dave E closed the meeting at 8:10 pm with the Responsibility Statement. Call for Personal Stories from Local A.A. Members Here at the Fria Flier it is a tradition to publish the personal stories of local A.A.s. We would very much like to continue that tradition. About 2 pages, at a font size of 10 – 12, is perfect. Longer stories will be accepted, but will have to be edited for space constraints. Please send your stories to: [email protected] 6 Group Donations for October ‘14 Fiscal Year 2015 Fiscal Year Begins September 1. 11th Steppers 0.00 100.00 Awakening 507.70 507.70 Bagnaasty 0.00 250.00 Big Book 164 AA 0.00 100.00 40.13 40.13 0.00 100.00 50.00 50.00 Deer Valley West Group 100.00 100.00 Goodale Mens Stag 169.59 169.59 Happy Valley Group 54.11 54.11 1,000.00 1,000.00 0.00 33.00 141.50 141.50 0.00 70.00 300.00 300.00 Saturday Sobriety 25.00 25.00 Seniors in Sobriety Sunflower 95.00 95.00 0.00 79.78 50.00 100.00 0.00 233.06 Black Canyon City Group Bone Dry Group Cactus Capers Group Hope For Today How it Works TODAY Last House Group Mens Gut Level Stag Over 50 Group Sobriety "R" Us Sobriety Trudgers Stepping Stones Group Sun City Living Sober 195.00 195.00 Sunday Night Discussion 0.00 39.00 Sunday Night Newcomers 0.00 345.00 140.80 140.80 82.00 82.00 120.00 120.00 56.00 56.00 We Are Not Saints 170.00 170.00 West of the Sun Group 303.49 303.49 West Side Winners 100.00 100.00 West Valley Recovery Group 78.04 78.04 Wings of Sobriety WOMEN'S STEP MEETING IN VERRADO 50.00 50.00 95.00 95.00 3,923.36 5,323.20 Surprise Womens Group The Promises Group SCW Tonopah Fresh Start Verrado Turning Point TOTAL : www.aawestphoenix.org Agua Fria Intergroup find meetings service opportunities news events order literature Job Opening Office Manager Position for Agua Fria Intergroup, Inc. (Part Time) Applications for the position as Office Manager for AFI will be taken during the month of December 2014. If interested, please see the requirements and Job Description, that is posted in the office or the flyers handed out at the AFI Business Meeting December 2nd 2014. All interested applicants should submit a Resume no later than December 30th, 2014 by 5:00 PM. Interviews of potentially qualified applicants will begin in January 2015. Thank You!!! Job Opening 7 AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP 9794 W. Peoria Ave. Suite #2 Peoria, AZ 85345 KEEP INFORMED ON WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP! If you or your Group would like to receive this newsletter, simply fill out this form and return it to the AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP office. Or call 623.937.7836. Although this newsletter is a free publication of the Agua Fria Intergroup, Inc., there are certain costs involved in printing and mailing. A $10.00 subscription, per year, for individuals or 10 copies per month for $20.00 for a Group subscription will help defray the costs of this monthly newsletter or Free Newsletter by e-mail. If you wish to include a donation, simply attach your check or money order payable to Agua Fria Intergroup Newsletter. Mail to: Agua Fria Intergroup, 9794 W Peoria Ave. Ste #2 Peoria, AZ 85345. All donations are appreciated. NAME or GROUP _________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP _________________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail ______________________________________________ Please Circle - How to Receive Agua Fria Newsletter: NAME Free by E-mail Address or Postal Mail Service Individual $10.00 or Group $20.00 New Subscription: ____ Renewal: _____ Donation: ____ Address Change: _____ 8