Month: August 2021

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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Happy birthday to the United States Coast Guard (founded 1790).  That’s about the most significant event that occurred in the “Dog Days” of August.

At this time, we believe we will be able to begin in-person meetings in Room Q 80 of the Campbell Community Center on September 21st.  As we know, all information regarding COVID-19 is subject to change.  As of now, all participants will be required to wear a mask, both those who have been vaccinated and those who have not, at all indoor meetings.  We are unsure as to whether or not we can have coffee yet.  I expect to have more information from the Adult Center as we approach the date.

Many, many thanks to the telephone committee and to our ZOOM participants and officers who have held our chapter together during these past difficult 18 months!

I am including important information regarding a Virtual Lobbying Day on Aug. 18th for the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. bill for nursing home reform.  Please read the information in the box below and register for training if you want to get involved.

President’s Message – Virtual Lobbying Opportunity … Margaret Schieck

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Greetings AARP California Volunteer,

AARP California will host a Virtual Lobby Day on Wednesday, August 18th, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT to help pass six critical nursing home reform bills.  This package of bills is known as the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. plan or Prioritize Responsible Ownership, Treatment, Equity, and Corporate Transparency Plan.  As cosponsors of Senate Bill 650 (Stern), the keystone bill in the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Plan, we need your help to make this bill into law.

Our lobby day will start with a virtual rally on our nursing home reform bills at 9:00 AM and conclude with a debriefing of our meetings with legislative offices at 4:30 PM.  Between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM, volunteers will meet with members of the legislature or their staffs to help get the votes necessary for SB 650 to advance to the Governor’s desk.  Additionally, volunteers will also advocate for the five remaining P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Plan bills; AB 279, AB 323, AB 749, AB 849, and AB 1042.

TO PARTICPATE IN VIRTUAL LOBBY DAY TAKE THESE TWO ACTIONS:

  1. Register to participate in Virtual Lobby Day on Wednesday, August 18th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT here: (https://aarp.cvent.com/VLD)
  2. If registering for Virtual Lobby Day, you will also be required to attend one of three advocacy trainings listed below. Please register for one of the following trainings:

Materials such as talking points, legislator information, and leave-behinds will be provided to you during your training.

We especially encourage volunteers from Assembly Districts 2, 4, 22, 27, 31, 34, 36, 38, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 53, 57, 59, 63, 64, 66, 71, 75, 76, 78, 80; and Senate Districts 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35, 36, and 39 to participate. If you are unsure of what district you reside in use the link below.

District lookup: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the disparities that exist in nursing homes and the time is NOW to advocate for change.  We need your support and hope you can join us on Wednesday, August 18th, to advance the P.R.O.T.E.C.T Plan and reform nursing homes.

For questions regarding Virtual Lobby Day, please contact Christian Landaverde at clandaverde@aarp.org.

AARP August Meeting … Paul Levine, and Kathy Mattingly

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The speaker for our Aug 17, 2021 meeting will be Rovina Nimbalkar, the Executive Director of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Santa Clara County.  Her presentation will cover the mission of, and services provided by, NAMI-SCC.  Rovina brings expertise in nonprofit leadership and a passion for mental health advocacy.

Before coming to NAMI, Rovina led diverse non-profit organizations that worked with vulnerable women, children, and families from different religious, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds. She has focused her career on issues related to the impact of trauma on women, children, and young adults from underserved communities.

She has over 10 years’ experience in fundraising, community relations, marketing, outreach, financial management, and strategic planning.  She is passionate about mental health issues and is an advocate for people whose lives have been affected by mental health conditions.

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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So far, it’s been a good year, budget-wise. We got most of our funding asks, so the programs for which we advocated will do well for the rest of the year.

In Washington D.C., we are still working on H.R.2062 – Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021 (POWADA).  As of 6/24/2021 – it has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  Let our Senators know that we still want this to go through, and are thankful for their support. 

Also, the Credit for Caring Act (S. 1670/H.R. 3321) has been stuck in committee since May 24th; the House bill is in the Ways and Means Committee and the Senate bill is in the Finance Committee.  This bill would provide a new, nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 annually for eligible working family caregivers, help address the financial challenges of caregiving, and help working family caregivers remain employed.

Please thank Representative Ro Khanna and Senator Feinstein for signing on as co-sponsors.  Also, please urge Senator Padilla and your local Member of Congress to support and co-sponsor these bills.

State Legislature:  We are still advocating for SB 650 (see page 2) and need your continued help.  This is the Nursing Home Transparency bill and is now in the Assembly and would increase corporate transparency requirements for nursing homes.  So far, it has gone back and forth between the Committee on Health and the Appropriations Committee, with several amendments from each.  Please urge our Assembly members to support this bill.

Earthquake Safety While Driving … Barb Robinson

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Pull over to the shoulder of the road as soon as you can safely.  Be mindful of other drivers who may panic and become distracted.  Avoid parking under trees, tall building, power lines, and overpasses; or on bridges and within tunnels.  Turn off your engine, set your parking brake, and keep your seat belt on.  Wait out the quake and possible aftershocks, then proceed cautiously when it’s safe to do so.

Some Funnies

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…Shelly Schwartz

Before setting off on a business trip to Tulsa, I called the hotel where I’d be staying to see if they had a gym. The hotel receptionist’s sigh had a tinge of exasperation in it when she answered.

“We have over 300 guests at this facility,” she said. “Does this ‘Jim’ have a last name?”

 … Shelly Schwartz

The salesman at the furniture store told me, “This sofa will seat 5 people without any problems.”

I said, “Where the hell am I going to find 5 people without any problems?”

          … Angie Jaggars

My mind works like lightning, one brilliant flash, and it is gone!

         … Lynda Martinez

I Believe –

That we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.

            That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.  Same goes for true love.

            That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.