Whose going to get the the most trick or treaters this year? San Ramon (Dad's house) or Livermore (our house)? A tradition and a trophy we have passed (along with line graphs of peak times of treat or treaters) since 1998.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Let's Games Begin
Whose going to get the the most trick or treaters this year? San Ramon (Dad's house) or Livermore (our house)? A tradition and a trophy we have passed (along with line graphs of peak times of treat or treaters) since 1998.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
8 hours of Hope for the Library
So while I was able to briefly attend the City Council meeting last night, the City Council did approve to keep the Springtown Library open for 8 hours a week. We are grateful and hopeful that this does not mean complete closure in the future.
I offered during my speaking time to read during story time every few months. I even recommended have Civic library programs come to the lawn area of Springtown library in warmer weather and the Mayor said I was pushing it.
The Mayor's behavior and comments to the speakers were deplorable in my opinion. Instead of just listening, sometimes it was a battlefield and it did not need to be. To be honest, if City Council had done the right thing to begin with, the back peddling and repositioning by City Council and Staff would not have had to occur.
I have seen this happen on more than one occasion with City Council when it comes to North Livermore and ask how many times will it take the City Council to learn a lesson?
We, in North Livermore care, we care about our community. More importantly, we are voters. We vote in and we can vote out.
So thank you City Council. I am grateful. Perhaps the lesson in this for you as the seated council is do the right thing for North Livermore in the first place.
I offered during my speaking time to read during story time every few months. I even recommended have Civic library programs come to the lawn area of Springtown library in warmer weather and the Mayor said I was pushing it.
The Mayor's behavior and comments to the speakers were deplorable in my opinion. Instead of just listening, sometimes it was a battlefield and it did not need to be. To be honest, if City Council had done the right thing to begin with, the back peddling and repositioning by City Council and Staff would not have had to occur.
I have seen this happen on more than one occasion with City Council when it comes to North Livermore and ask how many times will it take the City Council to learn a lesson?
We, in North Livermore care, we care about our community. More importantly, we are voters. We vote in and we can vote out.
So thank you City Council. I am grateful. Perhaps the lesson in this for you as the seated council is do the right thing for North Livermore in the first place.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Library, the Springtown library
the library that the Livermore City Council has chosen to close because of budget cuts even though it represents only 4% of the annual operating budget for the Livermore Library system.
It boils my blood to think that City Council (or those present that night, the Mayor and John Marchand who were the majority on the vote and Doug Horner) made a decision to close a library.
I have heard that it was not just a budget decision but also a political payback for those of us in North Livermore who not always been in support of the City Council Plans. I truly hope that is not the case. However, after hearing from multiple parties from past city council and city librarians, I think there is just a little truth to this.
I also know that all John Marchand has a good heart and one of the first to reach out to our family when Clark got cancer, however if he runs for Mayor (and there seems to be some common consensus here), this vote might have just sunk him for me. If John and others find an option, however, to bring library services back to North Livermore that could change my voting position.
As a former council member said to me, just because John runs, does not mean you have to vote for him.
And let’s not even think about the Mayor going back on City Council as rumors have speculated when his current term ends.
The whole political game in North Livermore is so dynamic. In the last few weeks, I have told by people on how to run a political campaign to try and bring viable library options to North Livermore. As if I were to stop everything and plan a complete door to door rally (and if I could I would), but in reality the City has been told over and over again that the people did not want fire, police or library services cut in budget meetings all summer long. The City knows what the people want and did not listen.
According to the libraries own mission statement,
“Mission Statement: The Livermore Public Library encourages the development of a lifelong interest in reading and learning by youth and adults, provides materials and services of popular interest, supports the educational needs of the community, furnishes timely, accurate information and builds cultural awareness and enrichment.”
How is this possible once Springtown Library is closed to North Livermore? So by closing the library the City has gone against its own libraries mission statement. Going to Civic Center or Rincon libraries will be a burden to some who are physically or financially unable not counting the young, old and middle aged who loved the Springtown Library.
The Civic Center and Rincon are two sites that are not easy to get to from North Livermore. There is an 8 lane freeway and 2 overpasses where biking and walking is ill advised. With the closure of this library, the City Council left a bad legacy behind.
It boils my blood to think that City Council (or those present that night, the Mayor and John Marchand who were the majority on the vote and Doug Horner) made a decision to close a library.
I have heard that it was not just a budget decision but also a political payback for those of us in North Livermore who not always been in support of the City Council Plans. I truly hope that is not the case. However, after hearing from multiple parties from past city council and city librarians, I think there is just a little truth to this.
I also know that all John Marchand has a good heart and one of the first to reach out to our family when Clark got cancer, however if he runs for Mayor (and there seems to be some common consensus here), this vote might have just sunk him for me. If John and others find an option, however, to bring library services back to North Livermore that could change my voting position.
As a former council member said to me, just because John runs, does not mean you have to vote for him.
And let’s not even think about the Mayor going back on City Council as rumors have speculated when his current term ends.
The whole political game in North Livermore is so dynamic. In the last few weeks, I have told by people on how to run a political campaign to try and bring viable library options to North Livermore. As if I were to stop everything and plan a complete door to door rally (and if I could I would), but in reality the City has been told over and over again that the people did not want fire, police or library services cut in budget meetings all summer long. The City knows what the people want and did not listen.
According to the libraries own mission statement,
“Mission Statement: The Livermore Public Library encourages the development of a lifelong interest in reading and learning by youth and adults, provides materials and services of popular interest, supports the educational needs of the community, furnishes timely, accurate information and builds cultural awareness and enrichment.”
How is this possible once Springtown Library is closed to North Livermore? So by closing the library the City has gone against its own libraries mission statement. Going to Civic Center or Rincon libraries will be a burden to some who are physically or financially unable not counting the young, old and middle aged who loved the Springtown Library.
The Civic Center and Rincon are two sites that are not easy to get to from North Livermore. There is an 8 lane freeway and 2 overpasses where biking and walking is ill advised. With the closure of this library, the City Council left a bad legacy behind.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunol Chili Cook off and Bed Races
Clark, Papa, Emma and I went to the Sunol Chili Cook off and Bed Races. Well really we go for the bed races. We had a really good time even in the rain!
Emma and I have been rained on twice in one week-today and last Sunday in Oahu and it feels/felt so good. Welcome Fall!
This was Emma hamming it up for the camera Saturday night at home.
Emma and I have been rained on twice in one week-today and last Sunday in Oahu and it feels/felt so good. Welcome Fall!
This was Emma hamming it up for the camera Saturday night at home.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A day at Lake Del Valle
Over the weekend, Clark, Emma and I went on a canoe together at Del Valle. It was a fantastic day and we are already planning on when we can do it again.
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