The Death of Philanthropic Organizations

After 86 years of serving the people of the Hayward California community, the Hayward Lions Club has turned in its charter. Dwindling membership, ageing members and a lack of community interest led to the demise of this club. Through the years, many friendships were made, much fun was had working on a variety of projects, and a lot of money and assistance was donated to local, national and international organizations in need. The members have hosted foreign students in their homes and made friends all over the world. They have assisted hundreds of children in obtaining eye glasses, and other eye care through the University of California and the Lion Eye Foundations. Members have traveled throughout Mexico at their own expense bringing eyesight to hundreds of folks who otherwise would never have had that resource. As for remaining members, some will join neighboring Lions Clubs, some will move on to other organizations, but no matter where they go, but no matter where they go they will take with them the memories of camaraderie and good fellowship they have all experienced. The bottom line is when we lose philanthropic, humanitarian organizations like the Lions Clubs it is a loss for us all. Without organizations like the Lions Clubs, the Kiwanis, the Rotary, the Eagles, the Elks, etc. etc. etc. our humanity is in danger. We all have excuses for not joining a philanthropic organization or a non-profit club. We are too busy with work, kids, family, home, yoga classes, and more, but can you spare 2 hours a week to help someone else? Instead of writing a check, give your time. Do it as a family. Get off the couch, pull the kids away from the television and the computer. Ring bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas, feed the poor at a homeless shelter, join a philanthropic organization. As human beings, we have an obligation to help our fellow man. Try it and at the end of the day you will find that people helping people makes for a better world, a better country, a better community.

Who Cares About Kate Gosselin

Kate Gosselin, Dancing with the Stars, Drama, Drama, WAH, WAH, more Drama, Drama.

WHO CARES?

First it Was Cookie Monster, Now Ronald McDonald

I cannot believe that there is a movement afoot to do away with Ronald McDonald. According to consumer activist groups good old Ronald is responsible for hooking children on greasy, fattening, unhealthy food. They are blaming Ronald for childhood poor health and obesity. Hmmm, I don't think that Ronald McDonald is forcing greasy burgers and Chicken McNuggets down our kids throats. I do see the Ronald McDonald houses that are scattered across the world, helping families to stay near their critically ill children. The Ronald McDonald House Charities support many programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Local McDonald Restaurants generously fund portions of the operating costs of the Houses. It was about two years ago when we said goodbye to the Cookie Monster that we all knew and loved. Cookie bent to the pressure and gave up cookies for the better things in life, like vegetables. Ugh! I guess I am confused as to why people feel the need to lay the blame for obese children on anyone but the children's parents. I don't think an occasional meal at MCDonald's or a couple of cookies is going to make a kid fat, and whose fault is it if the child eats more than an occasional Happy Meal? At the end of the day parents need to step up and take responsibility for what their children are putting in their mouths and stomachs. Leave Ronald alone. Be a responsible parent, set limits on what your children eat. Stop the blame game and look in the mirror.

Spanx - A Scam - I Think So!

I received an e-mail from a friend telling me that Spanx by Sara Blakely was having a one day promotion. They were selling the Bra-llelujah $62 bras for only $4.95, the cost of shipping. It was an online offer. You were supposed to put the code "LaurieannBRA" in the code section when ordering your bra. Wow, what a deal. I e-mailed my 3 daughters and told them about this great deal, then I went online and ordered my bra. Sure enough, I paid with my debit card and my order for a $62 dollar bra for $4.95 went through. I got a confirmation and a thank you e-mail for my order. All was well until the next day, when I got an e-mail from Spanx thanking me for my order, but telling me that there was a mistake. The code, LaurieannBRA, was a private code to be used by the CEO of the company for her personal use, but the code leaked out and they could not fulfill all the orders for free bras that had come in, however, they would be happy to give me 30% off on my next order, as long as I ordered it by April 4th. Very disappointing and even worse, the $4.95 had been deducted from my debit account. Hmmmm - suspicious, a scam? Yes, I think so and even if this were a legitimate mistake, at the end of the day Spanx should have honored the orders. This was no fault of mine or any of the other people that ordered. It was the fault of sloppy management.

Banana Republic Outsourcing Local Retail Jobs

The unemployment rate in California is 12.5%, yet the San Francisco Banana Republic store hired outside the U.S. for Christmas help. Banana Republic is owned by The Gap Inc., who tells us they did not have enough applications from locals to staff the store during the Christmas season. 39 graduate students from all over the world were hired through an agency, that supplies international students with jobs in the United States, to work through the holidays at the SF Banana Republic store. If The Gap Inc. would rather hire foreign help than people from this country who are in need of work, I for one will not be shopping at any of The Gap stores including Old Navy and the Banana Republic. At the end of the day The Gap Inc should be ashamed of themselves.

Overwhelmed by the Spanish Language in the U.S.

I resent having the Spanish language pushed down my throat. It is on billboards, television commercials, political forms, product packaging on grocery shelves, business promotional materials, ads on the side of buses, in fast food restaurants, bank windows, and government offices such as the DMV and courthouses, and much, much more. English may not be the "official" national language of the United States, but it is and always has been the language that is spoken by the majority of the people who live here. All of a sudden, everything is written in English and Spanish. I resent having to bear the extra cost for this marketing, repackaging and rebranding. A countrys language is an important element in bringing about political and cultural unity among it's citizens. Historically, the American government has operated in English, I think it is time that English is officially declared our National Language. At the end of the day, I believe that a shared language would create a common bond among all the people of the United States of America.

Nobel Peace Prize - Honor or Folly

I have always held a great deal of respect for the idea behind the Nobel Peace Prize, until today. What in the world was the Nobel Peace Prize Committee thinking? To present this prestigious, meaningful award to President Barack Obama trivializes this honor. Past recipients include Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King and the 14th Dalai Lama, recipients who not only "talked the talk," but "walked the walk," a concept, that so far, has eluded Mr. Obama. Nobel Peace Prize winners are held to a higher standard. Individuals who have established themselves with their performance, not just with their promises. According to Alfred Nobel, the Peace Prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." At the end of the day, where does Mr. Obama fit within this criteria?