Harry Kiesler

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

by

February seems to be a perfect time to look to filling out those 1040’s and trying to get as much money back from the government as possible.  Then our minds should turn to the mid-term elections and looking at the candidates vying for the different positions.  It is important to do our due diligence. Here’s a snapshot of candidates:

US Senate:  Alex Padilla (Incumbent) (D), Akeyemi Agbede (D), Brian Ainsworth (R), and James P. Bradley (R) are the first four of 27 candidates that will most likely be on the June primary ballot.  That’s a lot of candidates to research.

17th Congressional District:  So far, only Sarah Katz (D).

18th Congressional District:  Anna Eshoo (Incumbent) (D), Rishi Kumar (D), Peter Ohtaki (R), Ajwang Rading (D), Benjamin Solomon (R), and Greg Tanaka (D).  Again, this list is incomplete.

19th Congressional District:  No candidates yet.

Governor:  Laura Smith (R) and Major Williams (R) are so far, the only two candidates that are vying for the position.  They will be up against Governor Newsom in November, pending the primary.

In Washington:

The Build Back Better bill is still stuck in the Senate.  Again, no matter how you feel about this bill, please let your Senators know how you feel about this piece of legislation.  AARP is campaigning for the Rx drug pricing and the family and medical leave issues within the bill to be kept.  Senator Manchin is still opposing the bill, citing inflation as the reason he could no longer support the bill.  In the meantime, President Biden met with CEO’s from 10 different companies at the end of January, in hopes of keeping the bill alive.  All ten were purported to be BBB supporters.  Biden said he thought the climate portion of BBB might be able to pass the House and Senate on its own, without the social programs.

“I think we can break the package up, get as much as we can now and come back and fight for the rest of it,” he said at a White House event.

In Sacramento:

The Governor and California lawmakers reached a deal to bring back two weeks of paid sick leave for California workers after the last round of supplemental sick leave expired in September 2021.  The plan is to give workers 40 hours of paid sick leave if they themselves get COVID, and on top of that, an additional 40 hours to take care of a family member who gets COVID.  It goes back to January 1 of 2022, so there’s a gap from when the last program ended to when this one starts.  So, there won’t be coverage for October, November, and December of 2021.  Employees of companies that have over 25 workers are covered by this proposal.  Part-time workers qualifying hours are dependent on the number of hours worked.

Community Service … Marilyn Clough

by

In anticipation of 2022 and returning to Room Q80 in April, we will be able to have our Book Exchange thanks to (yay!) Sue Yeager.  There will not be a Treasure Chest as we do not have a chair for that position.

Sacred Heart Community Service is now accepting canned food (pull-tops a plus), clothing, and bedding.  The trick is going to be to not bury your committee chair with so many odd bags and boxes that her car will not be able to leave the parking lot.  Please don’t bring all your donations to our first meeting.  Think of my health!  And thank you to all who contributed to Sacred Heart during the holidays.  It is much appreciated; they are able to make donations of every sort go a long way.  Keep volunteering — it shows our community what senior power can accomplish!

Telephone Committee … Joy Walsh

by

TELEPHONE COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!
Two more wonderful volunteers are needed to call 7 – 10 AARP members weekly to check in with them, and also to remind them of upcoming meetings or any special announcements that our President needs to get to our members.  Perhaps you enjoy getting your calls from our cheerful volunteers and would like to help out and call some of our members yourself.  Please call Joy Walsh at 408-623-8002 or email at joywalsh1@comcast.net.  

Volunteer Hours … Leona Fails

by

In spite of all the challenges of COVID in 2021, our members were still able to service our communities.  This is just a sample of some of the projects taking place during the year — tutoring, fundraising, blood donations, caregiving, food bank help (that was a big one), phone calls, and many more important services.  Total volunteer hours 3,991.  You are so appreciated!

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

by

Happy Holidays to all whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or any of the other 26 religious or cultural holidays that occur between November 25th and January 6th.  Just enjoy the time and company.

At this point in time, we are looking forward to resuming in-person meetings in room Q 80 at the Campbell Community Center, # 1 West Campbell Avenue, on January 18th, 2022.  No coffee can be served as of this date.  Anyone entering the Community Center must wear a mask whether vaccinated or not.  We will update any changes to this information as we receive them.  Since our meetings must currently be limited to no more than 50 people, please sign up to attend prior to the meeting by calling Joy Walsh, Telephone Chair, or e-mailing her at joywalsh1@comcast.net.  Her phone number is in this Dispatch.  Your reservation should be made prior to January 17th, 2022.  If you do not sign up, you may not be able to attend, depending on numbers.

The Board will be discussing a slight increase in yearly dues at its next meeting.  The information will be in the next Dispatch as well as on our website.  As you know, we are spending more than we are taking in.  The cost of printing and postage has been rising for over 4 years and we can no longer subsidize the cost of sending the Dispatch.  If you can possibly receive your Dispatch via e-mail, please consider making that change on your renewal information.  I will also no longer bring copies of the Agenda to the General Meeting except for a few copies for new members.  We have been paying to print copies of the Agenda and then throwing them out after the meeting, which is a waste.  If you wish to have an Agenda in front of you at the meeting, please print and bring your own.

Our Annual Luncheon has been moved to March 15th.  More details will follow in the January Dispatch and at the General Meeting regarding place, menu, and cost.  Payment will be collected at the January and February meetings.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in person in January.

AARP December Meeting … Paul Levine

by

For our December 21, 2021 meeting, we will be entertained by Mark Wallace, a talented singer, guitarist, and songwriter who performed for us last year at Christmas time.  Mark was born in 1949 in 29 Palms, California and lived in the Bay Area for many years where he worked as a professional handyman.  (Jack-of-all-trades and Master-of-Many)  He was a long-time member of the San Jose Peace Chorale and entertained at many area weddings as well as at the Unity Temple, Moraga Concert Hall (Santa Cruz), and the Great Hall at Betty Peck’s (Saratoga).  About a year ago, he moved to Colorado to be with his childhood sweetheart Tori Palmer, a retired veterinarian.

For our program, Mark will be singing favorite and obscure seasonal songs of Joy and Praise that people can sing along with (as long as they are on mute).

Membership … Shelly Schwartz

by

Yes, we made it to December!  The new year of 2022 is right around the corner, so here’s a reminder for you.  If you have not yet sent in your dues for the new year, please take a moment, make out your check and mail it to me with your membership application.  All the information you need is on the application in this issue of the Dispatch.