Greetings Friends. I hope you all had a great summer! According to Costco, Christmas is right around the corner, but first let's enjoy fall. For TLARGIans, that means we're starting up many of our annual activities. Join me as I review the upcoming slate of events.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the GLTPC Scholarship Golf Tournament which took place on September 16th at the Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills. GLTPC is the main fundraiser of TLARGI's Undergraduate Scholarship Fund. We appreciate the efforts of the honorable members of the Grand Lodge of TLARGI Past Chairmen.

The "Basic Rubber Technology Course" started September 5th and will last 20 weeks. This is always highly anticipated and well attended each year. The course will be presented by Rick Ziebell and Matt Rogers of RDAbbott. The course consists of in-class instruction, as well as factory tours of many manufacturers in the industry. Many of us have attended this historic class and continue to benefit from its curriculum.

We're also looking forward to the annual Technical Conference, Oktoberfest and Mini Expo. This is scheduled for October 1st at the Phoenix Club, starting with the Technical Conference at 1 pm. Dr. Ragin Amrutiya currently has five papers scheduled, so it should be a very informative afternoon. The conference will be followed by the Mini Expo in the courtyard and we're bringing back the " Most Outstanding Booth" contest since it was such a success last year. (See all the details below.) After the Expo we'll enjoy traditional German Oktoberfest faire under the big top.

Elections for the Board of Directors will be taking place in November. The current board has put together a ballot of candidates who have experience and/or have expressed an interest in participating.  If YOU are interested in being placed on the ballot, it's not too late. We are happily taking write-ins which only need to be supported by ten signatures. Positions accepting write-ins are Secretary, Treasurer, and Two-Year Director.

The next event after our Oktoberfest meeting will be the Christmas Party. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. Deena Campana, Cindy LeClair, and the Christmas Party Committee are finalizing the details of this much anticipated event. In fact, be on the lookout for them at the Mini Expo on October 1st as they will be running a special promotion that includes an exclusive early-bird rate, plus some raffle tickets. For more details, see the Christmas Party section in this newsletter.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support of TLARGI and encourage you consider a donation before the end of the year. We're still accepting donations to the Scholarship Fund, which assists worthy college students, as well as the Prize Fund which goes toward the Christmas Party and the Summer Conference. Please see the payment options below.

Sincerely,

2019 TLARGI Chairman

If you are interested in donating to the TLARGI Scholarship Fund, you may pay by credit card or check. To donate by credit card, click the "Donate to Scholarship Fund" link below. Checks should be payable to TLARGI Scholarship and sent to this address and contact: TLARGI Scholarship Committee c/o Keith Thomas 16511 Carmenita Road Cerritos, CA 90703	If you are interested in donating to the TLARGI Prize Fund, you may pay by credit card or check. To donate by credit card, click the "Donate to Prize Fund" link below. Checks should be payable to TLARGI and sent to this address and contact: TLARGI Prize Committee c/o Marilyn Stein 16511 Carmenita Road Cerritos, CA 90703