President’s Current Message

Welcome to September, although the weather still feels like August.  At least we have Labor Day as a three-day weekend and Grandparents’ Day on September 10^th to anticipate.  Let’s also remember that school is back in session, so drive carefully and be extra alert.

We have many upcoming events to look forward to.  The next Senior Safari at Happy Hollow will be on Thursday, September 28th.  Arrive between 9:00 and 9:55 a.m., and Admission and Parking are free.  In August, Ken and I saw two other Chapter 5151 members at the Picnic Basket where we happened to stop for a coffee break.  It’s worth the trip just to see the Giant Anteaters and to hear the zookeepers’ informative talks.

Saturday, September 30th, will be the next Lions Club glasses-sorting event. This takes place at the VISTA Center at 101 Bascom Ave. in San Jose near San Carlos. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 2:00 p.m. with a free lunch included.  It’s an easy way to earn 5 hours of volunteer activity.

We have received a grant from National AARP to reprint and update the trifold recruitment brochures.  We are working with ENCORE Printing in Campbell to get this accomplished.  Ken was the primary grant proposal writer for this project.  Thank you, Ken.

We are working on establishing a fundraising event with the Starbird Chicken Restaurant in the Pruneyard.  We should have more information in October.

Occasionally, we should brag about our Chapter’s accomplishments, so here goes.  So far in 2023, we have added 10 new members to our Chapter.  Over the past 3 years, 4 of our Volunteers of the Year have received awards from National AARP:  Thelma Bridges, Jeanne Ulrich, Harry Kiesler, and Mike Rose.  We are known by both State and National AARP organizations as one of the Chapters that actively contributes to our community.  Last year, our members put in over 4,000 hours of volunteer service.  Remember that every hour of service counts toward our total. We are also apparently known for the variety of programs we present to our members.  There is something for everyone!  Our speaker for September has presented programs to us in the past and she is always an interesting speaker. 

Happy 247^th Birthday to The United States of America as of July 4^th, 2023. It is the longest continuing democracy in the world, quite an achievement!

July 26^th marks the 33^rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.  It still amazes me that people with disabilities have only had basic Civil Rights, such as access to housing, education and public buildings, etc. for only 33 years.

On another note, on a recent National AARP zoom presentation call, physicians were mentioning that as we get older our internal thermostats don’t react as quickly as they once did, so on these hot days it is important that we stay hydrated.  Keep taking drinks before you actually feel thirsty.

Our July program will feature a speaker from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.  The Program is on Safety at Home for Seniors, especially on Fall Prevention.  Feel free to bring a friend. This is an important issue for all of us. Visitors are always welcome.

The next glasses sorting event with the Lions Club will be on Saturday, July 29th, at the VISTA Center at 101 North Bascom Ave., near San Carlos St.  The event lasts from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  Lunch is included.

Please remember that we have a Suggestion Box at each meeting.  If there is a particular topic that you would like us to explore, feel free to use the suggestion box.  If you have contact information for a particular speaker, include that with your suggestion.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!  See you at the July 18^th General Meeting. 

Here we are at the beginning of a month that supposedly comes “in like a lion,” but it feels more like a polar bear this year!  It is also Women’s History Month, so the best advice seems to be to stay warm and comfortable and watch some of the outstanding Women’s History Programs on PBS.

Speaking of Lions, our speakers for March will be talking about the Campbell-West San Jose Lions Club’s donated glasses program.  Some of our members will again participate in the glasses sorting event on Saturday, March 4^th from 9:00-1:00 at the VISTA center on Bascom Ave.  Lunch is provided.

On March 12^th, don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour for Daylight Savings Time.  After all, you wouldn’t want to be late for our Chapter meeting on the 21^st, not to mention any other exciting events you may want to attend.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17^th, several of Chapter 5151’s members will be singing in the annual fund-raising concert for Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.  The concert will be held at the Campbell United Methodist Church on Winchester at 7:30 P.M.  Tickets are $25.00 at the door.  If you have never attended this concert before, you are in for a treat.  Several local choruses combine to put on a great show to support this organization.  There is always a wonderful “massed chorus” finale.

I hope you all have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and that we’ll see you on the 21^st at our general meeting.

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 25^th and January 6^th.  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 18^th, 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 17^th, 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 15^th.  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.

Welcome to Fall, everyone.  There is a lot happening in the month of October.  The Campbell Octoberfest will be on October 16^th and 17^th in downtown Campbell.  Even if you are not a beer drinker, it’s lots of fun to be downtown and outdoors.  October 11^th is both Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day with celebrations to match and, of course, Halloween is on the 31^st. If you choose to come in costume to our general meeting, even if virtual, feel free to do so.

We still do not know when National AARP will give an okay for in-person group meetings.  I just keep getting told “until further notice” no meetings of more than five people indoors.  I will let you know as soon as I know.  I have asked for exemption because we are in a city that is over 90% vaccinated, and a county that is over 80% vaccinated, but cannot get an approval from National.  I’ll keep trying.

As promised, I did attend the meeting on Heat Stroke, Climate Change, and Seniors.  The greatest danger to older adults is not when we would think, but in the winter.  More seniors die of heat stroke when there is an unexpected heat surge in the winter because our bodies have not had a chance to acclimate to a warming up.  This used to be more common in Southern California, but with climate change the phenomenon is moving north as well.  Be aware that warming weather in January or February means drink more water and stay cool.

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 21^st.  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.

Here we are six months into 2021 with maybe some light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.

It looks as though we will be meeting on ZOOM for at least another four to five months as the Campbell Community Center does not expect to open for large groups before October.

In the meantime, Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers and grandfathers and all who are fulfilling a “father figure” role.  This is your month.

For those of you who are uncomfortable using Social Media, the Office of Volunteer Engagement has affiliated with Senior Planet for free technology sessions called Older Adults Technology Services (OATS).  You are invited to join Facebook Fridays for training.  Tech Tuesdays are also available for novice users and for training on hosting meetings.  Have fun!  For more information, contact Sharon Stewart at  sbinns@aarp.org.