Ushering in an era of hope and change

A peaceful transfer of power

The world watched Tuesday as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States ushering in a new era driven by the words "hope"and "change."

Obama, son of a white woman from the United States and a black man from Kenya in Africa, recited his oath of office in front of more than 1 million people present in Washington D.C. and countless others watching from around the world.

The United States once more, as it has in its long history, had a peaceful transfer of power. Peaceful and gracious, as former President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush welcomed the Obama family to the nation's capital over the last few weeks.

Obama brings a diverse background, young family and a drive to work towards a better America to the seat of government in Washington, D.C.

Local residents speak out

I spoke to some Patterson residents this week and most were ready to support their new leader.
Kristina Santos, president of the West Side Democratic Committee, said the group had an inauguration party Tuesday night at a local home.

"It was a wonderful day and it is a new America," Santos said. "There's a spirit of unity that was evident in all the people who came to Washington, D.C. to celebrate with joy. There's a new feeling of confidence and hope in our government that conditions in our country and our relationships around the world improve."

Retiree Sandy Mc Dowell got up early Tuesday morning to listen to all the "hoopla" as she called it.

"It was truly thrilling to see the crowds and realize some of the intense planning and preparation for this inauguration," McDowell said. "Seeing all those people — they were just so enthusiastic. They even showed 'clips' of people around the country and around the world."

Changes in our nation

Two local women of color have seen changes in our nation in the past few years.

“It was the second most historical moment that I can remember, " said Juanzette Hunter. "The first being Nov. 4 with him winning the election. And by getting the younger and older ones who never voted before the possibility of hope and change. It was a personal thing for me being from the South and seeing the changes in the world from a child till present. "

Hunter added the thought that now we all need to work together for a better future.

"If all the politicians and us common people work together, we probably could see a change quicker," Hunter said. "I’m very happy to be a part of history so I can tell my grandchildren one day. And my great-grandchildren because I’m going to be around then too."

Cerise Grice and her husband, Andre, took the day off from work so they could watch every moment of the inauguration. Cerise also made sure students in her children’s classrooms were watching. Daughter Simone toured the nation's capital this summer first hand through a leadership conference.

Simone, age 11, said President Obama is a great leader and a role model.

"He wants to help the economy by getting people back to work and keep them in their homes," Simone said. "He's inspired people to believe that our challenges will be met."

Her mother is also confident the nation will move on to brighter days.

"I have been supportive of his(Obama's ) campaign and his approach moving our country forward, " Grice said. "I’m a native of Chicago and I’ve known him since his appointment to the state senate of Illinois."

Grice said Obama has engaged youth in the political process and it transends all factions — beyond race, gender and religion.

"Even though my daughter is not of age to vote she understands our government leadership process," Grice said. "That's what I love about his speech, it was so encouraging reminding us we are one people and one nation."

Veterans support new leader

Retiree and war veteran Wade Norris watched the televised events.

"It was a great inauguration — attendance broke a world record," Norris said. "Barack Obama says he's for change. He's got a plate full. We all wish him luck. I believe he's going to make a good president."

Gene Carter, another war veteran, is willing to give Obama a chance.

"He did a very good job on his inauguration speech," Carter said "I think he's going to do a heck of a job as president."

Associated Press photos

A time to look ahead

Tomorrow a new U.S. President— Barack Obama — will take the oath of office in Washington, D.C.

People from throughout the world will watch, along with Americans, as our new leader begins his four-year journey.

Obama takes over from George Bush and will inherit the long litany of problems including war, economy, foreclosures, health care and the stock market — just to name a few.
The task ahead is massive as we have heard through television, radio, computer and newspapers.
As president-elect, Obama began work a few months ago and is ready to hit the ground running this week. Along with Joe Biden, his new vice-president, and with a new team of leaders, Obama will takle all the issues — all enormous.

One bright note is the White House will have a young family — Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama and Michelle's mother. Their news will focus on the every day — from what singers and entertainers they like to what puppy will live in the family home.

Every day distractions are welcome ones at that help balance the messages of doom and gloom we are bombarded with every day.

A new beginning

As we turn the pages of the calendar, we start a New Year and a new beginning. The year stretches ahead of us with hopes of better, healthier more prosperous times than in 2008.

We remain optimistic that 2009 will bring a stable economy, affordable home prices for all, food on the table for families and jobs for those who need them.

It is tough to stay optimistic when we turn on the TV and hear all about the doom and gloom throughout the globe. The stories from throughout the United States citing failing banks, businesses, corporations and needed bailouts have shaken consumer confidence. Stores closed and people lost their jobs.

Here in Patterson numerous individuals, businesses and clubs have stepped forth to help those less fortunate. A new group, named Project HOPE(Helping Our People Eat) has taken root. Organizers want to assure those folks who need it have food during the winter months. There's always a spike in giving at holiday time and it levels off the rest of the winter.

Project HOPE folks will start a food drive to fill the shelves of local food pantries in the next week or so. Hopefully, food collected will last the food pantries through the spring when job prospects should be much brighter.

When Project HOPE volunteers come knocking at your door please give generously. There will be drop off boxes stationed throughout businesses and one can leave the donations there also.

Let's all keep pulling together for those in need no matter what the season.

Gorilla in the wilderness

Historical research takes on many forms. Just ask Carolyn and Leonard Harr. The local couple were doing research and came across some interesting newspaper articles. They have shared the articles with me.

"The Wild Men of California" is a story about the a gorilla or wiild man seen in the area of in the mountains in Orestimba Creek. It was written Nov. 10, 1870 in the Titusville Morning Herald (The First Daily Paper in the Oil Regions). The newspaper is still in existence in Pennsylvania.

The writer tells his story that the wild man is not a myth.

"I know that it exists, and that there are at least two of them, having seen them both at once not a year ago. Their existence has been reported at times for the past twenty years, and I have heard it said that in the early days an ourang-outang escaped from ship on the southern coast; but the creature I have seen is not that animal, and it if is, where did he get his mate? Import her as the Web-foot did their wives?"

The hunter saw the tracks of enormous feet and decided to lay in wait for the visitor. A few hours later, he saw the wild man near his campfiire.

"The creature, whatever it was, stood full five feet high and disproportionately broad and square at the shoulders with arms of great length. The legs were very short, and the body long. The head was small compared with the rest of the creature and appeared to set upon his shoulders without a neck. The whole was covered with dark brown and cinnamon-colored hair, quite long on some parts, that on the head standing in a shock and growing close down to the eyes, like a Digger Indian. As I looked, he threw his head back and whistled again and then stooped and grasped a stick from the fire. This he swung round and round, until the fire on the end had gone out, when he repeated the manuevre. I was dumb, almost and could only look. "

Later, the wild man was joined by what the writer thought was female. Then they disappeared in to the brush.

An April 1871 story first appeared in the New York Times and was reprinted in The Petersburg Index( Petersburg, Virginia).

That paper said that over the ensuring time, the wild man appeared throughout the United States — then disappeared for a few months before resurfacing again. He eluded caputre wherever he went.

Theories on the sightings include the idea that the wild men were gorillas.

Ring in the holidays

The elections are over and thoughts turn to holiday time.
Thanksgiving is in three weeks and Christmas is seven weeks away!
For those fortunate enough to have the day after the Thanksgiving off from work, the four-day weekend can turn in to a time of eating, visiting or shopping with and for the family.
Or maybe everyone gets together to decorate the house Christmas.

But for many, sadly, the holidays will be skimpy this year.
Thousands of folks in the United States were been laid off when businesses took a downturn.
The economy is in a slump,the stock market tanked and housing market stalled.

Right here in Patterson clubs, individuals and organizations are heeding the call of helping others at holiday time. This year local groups are banning together to collect clothes and toys for more than 1,000 children and food for 370 families.

Everyone is struggling — we have all had to tighten the belt in some way.

But, no matter what the generosity of our community has always been paramount. The Patterson-Westley Chamber of Commerce, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Westside Food Pantry and so many others volunteer countless hours to make the holidays brighter for families who cannot afford the simple necessities.

Contact anyone in these groups or stop by U.S. Bank or Sacred Heart Church and pick a name of a child who needs clothes and wants a toy for Christmas.
Giving to others is what Christmas is all about.

The mud slinging elections

It's hard to believe we live in the "... land of the free and the home of the brave."
One would never know we are the home of the brave by looking at the national election race on television. Each candidate blasts the other.
Researchers look into family history and even pick apart, first, middle and last names. The jabs go back and forth.

Statewide and countywide the campaigns are no better. Television ads are attack pieces on candidates and even statewide propositions.
Why not tell us about the candidates, what they stand for and what they plan to do when they get into office?

On the county level, we have received in our mailbox fliers against political candidates. I call it hate mail

And, sadly, the mudslinging has reached the local level — the Patterson races for Mayor and City Council.
What is the purpose of each candidate tearing apart another?
People are talking on the street and on the Patterson Irrigator website. Is that what we want to be known for — a town torn apart?

As Americans we have the freedom to get out and vote.
First, we have to travel the long, hateful road to get there.
How sad for us.

Going on vacation

A New York wedding
It takes quite a bit of planning, organizing and packing to get on the road for a trip. Tom and I did just that leaving for New York at the beginning of the month.

Our road took us to Oakland airport and off into the skies for our trip East. Thanks to our friend Ed who saw us off safely.

The big occasion was My Sister Eileen's wedding on Oct. 4. Eileen, a single parent for more than 30 years, married Rich, a wonderful guy. At the wedding we danced, danced, danced and ate and had lots of fun. There was plenty of time to visit with guests and enjoy the music and singing.

That week of vacation was filled with wedding, family, dinners, visiting and enjoying each other's company.

My family lives on Long Island and my relatives and my husband's relatives are just a car's drive away. My mom, three brothers, three sisters and their families all live close to each other and there was a lot of visiting throughout the week.

We went to dinner and to lunch and had a lot of fun. (We ate a lot and talked a lot).

I got together with school friends, Liz and Ann and their families and we caught up on all the news. Tom's Aunt Ruth had us over for lunch one day and we saw her new, very beautiful apartment.

On Wednesday, I went to New York City with my Mom, my Aunt Ann and my sister, Connnie.

We saw the play " South Pacific " at Lincoln Center then went out to eat at a lovely restaurant. The next day, while I was visiting with school friends, Connie and Tom into New York City. They went to Ground Zero, The Firehouse Museum, Wall Street, Trinity Church among other sites. They had lunch at the historic Fraunces Tavern.

My mom was our hostess and the trip was perfect. Mom and Connie prepare a calendar of events for us for each day. Tom and I get up in the morning and follow the calendar schedule!

On the Friday before we left New York, my mom and all had a cake to observe our anniversary.

It was nice being all together at that special time.

Back to California on time for our 34th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12. Then on Monday it was back to work. The time went by way too fast!

Hope all of you enjoy those special times with those you love, too.