Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show September 23 2010

T’is the Season of Politics.  The Political Season precedes the Thanksgiving Season, which precedes the Christmas Season.  Somewhere in there there is a Halloween Season, but I don't know when.  You know the song, "The ham bone is connected to the..."

It isn't often that we are visited by a standing state Senator.  Though it did not set a precedent, it is one of the perks of belonging to the Best Rotary Club in the World.  Just to show you how unusual this was, this Senator was not running for re-election.  Call me cynical but that does make it unusual. 

No matter what side of the fence (it used to be an aisle, but because of the great divide that it has become, let's call it what it is) you are on, about 10 days from now is a very important date.  While I am not nearly as politically charged as my wife, politics has really become interesting. 

Today's talk by Senator Joe Simitian centered around this great chasm that has developed in our country over the past number of years.  Personally I recall when trying to identify the difference between a "Republican" and a "Democrat" was difficult... Well, at least more difficult than it is today.  I also recall shortly after 9-11, that distinction (at least the vocalization of it) was minimized.  We were all Americans first.  In fact knowing on what side of the aisle wasn't important at all. 

NNow, it is "He's a big spender, a taker." "He's heartless, no regard for human welfare."  "He's a Capitalist."  BTW, when did that become a bad word?  Probably because of companies (or individuals running those companies) like Enron, Goldman Sachs, Charles Keating (see, I do have a long memory.)

The Senator is concerned about the unhealthy cynicism of the electorate (That's us, folks.). He said he is concerned that most don't trust public officials; that they think the government spends too much and doesn't solve problems.  He said that "most" feel congress is corrupt, self-serving, and wasteful.   He also thinks that events such as Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill have done nothing to assuage this thinking. He also feels that the 10-12% overall unemployment, 100 days late passing a budget have all added fuel to the fire. 

He said the approval rate for congress was hovering around 24% on a national level while this rating is at a whopping (my words not his) 16% at the state level.  Only 29% of voters are inclined to vote the same as last time in 2008 and 35% said they were inclined to look around.  br /> Simitian said that though many approved of the health care legislation that was passed, they were revolted by the process. 

So naturally, Senator Simitian asked the obvious:  "What can we (I assume he meant Congress, the legislators) do about it?"

He said we need to deliver results.  "Helping people solve problems." He said we are in the worst economic condition in the US since the Great Depression.  

The Senator liked the vote to have open primaries we voted on last year.  He also likes the idea of a simple majority to pass the budget.  (Prop 25).

Simitian feels that the lack of civil discourse is a problem.  He pointed to the 4 Way Test, as an example to be followed. 
He feels that we, the voters, have a responsibility too.  He pointed out the difference between: THE Government and OUR Government.  He reiterated the maxim, "Decisions are made by those who show up”.  (End of Senator Simitian's remarks)

My advice? (How can I give advice?  Because I am writing. If you want to give advice, we have several slots open for writers.)

1. Be informed.  Jay Leno pointed out on "Jay Walking", hardly a scientific poll, but none the less interesting:  More people could identify the winner of Dancing with the Stars or a picture of some member of Jersey Shores than a picture of the Vice President or Nancy Pelosi.
2. Vote. People in Iraq and Afghanistan braved bullets, bombs and death in order to have a say in their government.  Remember, you get the government you deserve.
3. When someone tells you not to vote for Meg Whitman because she hired an illegal, or not to vote for Jerry Brown because he was known as Mr. Moonbeam 30 years ago ask them what does each stand for?
   
   How do their differences in policies sway you into their camp?  Hard to do if you are not informed; Issues Baby!  There are enough issues to separate every candidate.  Know the issues.  There should not be “Republican issues”, and “Democrat issues”.  It’s the “California issues” that need our attention.  Know them and act according.

So, what else was going on at Rotary this week?   We have started our eight week smorgasbord (not literally) of food vendors.  This is a particularly important time to attend, between now and the end of the year.  Again, not to harp on the theme, but know the issues.  You can't vote for x if you don't eat their fare. 

Here's the schedule: 

• 10/21- Cafe Primavera Catering
• 10/28- Cafe Primavera Catering
• 11/4- Cafe Primavera Catering
• 11/11- Los Altos Country Club
• 11/18- Los Altos Country Club
• 11/25 DARK - Thanksgiving
• 12/2- Alottas Deli (Back at the Garden House!)
• 12/9- Four Season’s Catering - current caterer
• 12/16- Alottas Deli
• 12/23- Dark Christmas
• 12/30- Dark New Years (probably an ad hoc meeting at Chef Chu's)

During the two dark weeks, a new survey will be taken and the Board will make a decision on who will be our Caterer going forward.  If you would like to see the results of the survey that the board did several weeks ago, look at this PDF on our website. 

Gentle reminder:   November 11th we will meet at the Los Altos Country Club.  No makeup will be given if you go to the Garden House instead for lunch. 

However, one of the announcements made today by DAVID CASAS was that there will be a Veteran's Day celebration at Shoup Park on 11/11 at 11 am.  So, in reality, you should come here 11/11 to honor the veterans that will be there and thank them for their service and  their sacrifice in serving us.  We have the ability to vote because of members of the Armed Forces.  Drop in and show them your appreciation.  Then, be sure to head right on over to the Country Club for lunch beginning at 12:15 sharp.

Sunday (as I write this) is World AIDS Awareness Day, and there is a great celebration going on right now, I assume in the rain, bringing attention to a World problem our club, thanks to many many members of our club, knows all about:  AIDS.

PP TRACIE MURRAY brought up her patented wine glass to the podium to talk about Asanté.  Asanté is an annual fundraiser that helps fund our Rotacare Clinic.  There are five Rotary clubs in the area that support the Rotacare Clinic at El Camino Hospital.  Check out the Asante website  for more information about the Asante Fundraiser, or Look at the Rotacare website for more information about Rotacare at El Camino Hospital, Rotacare in the Bay Area, or Rotacare Nationally.

And speaking of Rotacare Clinic, and what's in it for me, PP SAM PESNER announced that the Rotacare Clinic would be at our meeting in two weeks on Nov 4th to administer flu shots.  Make checks out in the amount of $25 to the Rotacare Clinic to get your shot. 

Our Secretary, KENDRA GJERSETH is in charge of the holiday party this year.  Save Wednesday, December 15th for that Gala event.  More on that later.  BUT mark your calendars. 

KAREN GREGURAS brought up the need for tutors through the direction of Partners for New Generations. (PNG). 

This spreadsheet will be filled in and updated as necessary on the PNG Website.

Karen was followed by PP CINDY LUEDTKE , saying that she (CINDY) has been appointed Co-Chair of Marketing and Recruitment for PNG. So EXPECT her call. Essentially, she spoke about the tremendous need for tutors and mentors this year. 

This is the time that teachers become aware of the kids falling through the cracks.  Tutoring and Mentoring is meant to help those kids develop skills that will allow them to succeed and be part of the American Dream.  With our help, they become an asset not a liability.  Check out the PNG website to see how you can be part of this very important service.    In addition to the above needs in the elementary schools, we have 37 high school students who have asked for and are waiting for a mentor.

If you have ever considered becoming a tutor or mentor, now is the time.   Please consider any friends, co-workers, and neighbors who may be interested in this rewarding experience.   There will be an informational meeting for interested volunteers to learn more about these opportunities on November 9th from 6PM to 7PM at the MVLA District Offices Board Room, 1299 Bryant Avenue in Mountain View.

CINDY also has a number of PNG recruitment posters that would look great in any public areas where you think people will notice them.  Please see her if you have a potential location. 

FRANK VERLOT reminded us about the WCS (World Community Service) meeting this coming Tuesday (10/26) at 8 am.  Discussion will be about the Haiti homeless project (and probably the cholera epidemic as well.)  Red Badgers are strongly encouraged to attend. 

DAN O'DONNELL passed around the November and December signup sheet for delivering food to the workers at Rotacare.  In case you are new, it is THE most popular service you can possibly do at LARC.  The signup sheet always fills up.  So if you get a chance, do it.  By next week it will be full for the rest of the year. 

PP STEVE ANDERSON (usually not a whiner) complained about not having the proper documentation to do his job as Fine Master.  However, armed with a 10 year old handbook, he did quite well.  He did have a theme, but he had 10 people volunteer some interesting things for a buck or two.  Steve finely got to his theme, baseball, (wonder why that?) and then asked some obscure questions about baseball in the late 1800's or something.  That set off a fire storm of "Well, I can top that!  Who was the pitcher who...."  yata yata yata.  

Unfortunately this writer is just not a baseball fan.  In Little League it is my kid against your kid, the pitcher against the batter, the runner against the baseman, just not interesting. And, not something kids should be doing as they approach puberty. 

Yeah I am glad the Giants won the ...whatever they won.  And I am glad they are in the "World Series."  Don't get me started about the US being the only country in the World Series.  Maybe that's what the Taliban is all mad about.  Maybe if we were more inclusive they wouldn't be so mad.

See you Thursday.

THIS THURSDAY'S PROGRAM:
TAMARA K. LOPEZ  is a member of the Office of the County Counsel, Santa Clara County.
She is currently assigned to the Health and Human Services Division which provides legal services to the Health and Hospital System/Valley Medical Center, and to the Social Services Agency for probate and mental health conservatorship matters. As speaker, she has presented on topics such as “The Non-Compliant TB Patient,” “Public Guardian Responsibilities Concerning HIV Positive Conservatees,” “The Absconded Elder,”  “Nuts and Bolts of Real Property Sales,” and others.

She has been active in public service as a founding member of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and Past President, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, founding member of the La Raza Lawyers Scholarship Charitable Foundation, and the Child Abuse Prevention Center.

She has also served the Santa Clara County Superior Court as a “Judge Pro Tem” and as a court appointed arbitrator. Her community service background includes Santa Clara County Medical Association “Mini-Internship” Program for Community Leaders.
Her areas of experience include Americans with Disabilities Act, disability retirements, personnel, juvenile dependency and appeals, public health, probate conservatorships, probate litigation and appeals, elder abuse, decedent estates, Public Records Act, general government and contract law.