Vox Pop Influentials - November / December 2009

CENTRAL VALLEY’S VOICE OF THE PEOPLE - INNOVATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, INSIDE MAGAZINECENTRAL VALLEY’S VOICE OF THE PEOPLE - INNOVATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, INSIDE MAGAZINEVol. 4 Issue 6 November/December 2009 www.voxpopinfluentials.com US $3.50

FEATURE STORY: DAnnY GilmOREThe Only Republican to be Elected to the State Assembly last Term, Says Enough is Enough!

mackay’s moral: Don’t be afraid to make a decision.

Don’t overstuff yourself this Thanksgiving Day!

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2 VOX POP Influentials

When Vox Pop Influentials magazine was launched four years ago to date, we began a journey into the very competitive magazine business. Our goal then, as it is now, is to offer our readers something they never had before — a publication that was more than pretty pictures and canned editorial.

From day one Vox Pop Influentials was designed to be different. Our goal was to reach out to the business professionals out there - the doctors, lawyers, CPA’s, small mom and pop businesses, as well as those who enjoy reading and learning something new in the process. We wanted our magazine read from cover to cover.

Our featured “Influential” was chosen very carefully each issue. They all earned this recognition by living a life of hope and inspiration to others. I write and edit these stories each issue and each time I walk away from these interviews with a breadth of new knowledge about the world.

I have been fortunate to create national ad campaigns for a number of clients in my 25 years in the ad business. None of these clients ever gave me the same type of professional satisfaction that this job does.

So it is very important in this time of great economic hardship for all businesses, large and small, to stay the course and continue marketing and advertising. Unfortunately, for some, the first budget cut that is usually made in hard times is the advertising budget. This is unfortunate because it is advertising and marketing that is needed most in tough times. The general public continues to watch and observe who is still advertising on TV, in print and on the radio. You can rest assured that the advertisers who are advertising now will be the first to reap the rewards when the economy becomes robust again. It is because these are the businesses that will be top of mind with consumers.

At this special time of year I’d like to give thanks to all our clients on the ad agency side at Latronico Communications and those who are also reoccurring advertisers in Vox Pop Influentials. Together we will continue to work as true marketing partners, drawing upon each other’s strengths.

I am grateful for my very talented staff of writers as well as our gifted Creative Director, Jennifer Lingard. Our regular contributors: Kurt Eichsteadt, Alana Unger, and Dave Humerickhouse are all superb writers. They continually amaze me with every article they submit.

I am also fortunate to have a very organized Administrator, Stephanie Avila, as well as a great partner that handles our mailing — IDEA Printing. We also have one of the best commercial printers in the business, Jostens Printing. There are so many others behind the scenes, that I cannot mention them all.

How lucky we have been these past four years. In closing there is one more thing that I would like you all to consider. Please try to support and be loyal to our local businesses. Encourage others to do the same. This is so very important to our economic recovery.

Again, to our loyal readers and our advertisers — thank you! Without you both we would not be able to produce this wonderful publication. Thank you all for believing in what we do. Please keep the faith. Your faith comes from a higher source, and in that mysterious and beautiful truth lies more hope for the future than anything else could ever bring.

Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes to You and Yours!

R.J. Latronico, Publisher

[ FROm THE PUbLISHER’S DESK ]

PublisherR.J. Latronico

Creative DirectorJennifer Lingard

ContributorsAlana Unger, Harvey mackay, Kurt Eichsteadt,

David Humerickhouse, DDS,

Contact informationVOX POP Influentials

Volume 4 Issue No. 6 November/December 2009

Advertising SalesStephanie Avila

[email protected]

www.voxpopinfluentials.com

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CENTRAL VALLEY’S VOICE OF THE PEOPLE - INNOVATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, INSIDE MAGAZINE

A Season of Hope and a Time to be Thankful

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COnTEnTSnOvEmbER/DECEmbER 2009

From The Publisher’s Desk[2] Happy Holidays - Yes, it’s that time of year again.

Wealth & Finance[6] Harvey mackay’s business advice this month parallels a lesson learned from our cover story. Harvey shares with us the Three Snake Rule as outlined by the CEO of Netscape.

[9] Rich People Who made It and What They Did With It: Eli broad of Kaufman & broad (Kb Homes) started building homes in 1957 by borrowing $25,000 from his father-in-law. His ideas went against conventional wisdom, but he was able to turn that business into a huge moneymaker. He went on to do it again with another business as well. How’d he do it? Kurt Eichsteadt tells all.

Health & Wellness [12] Did you know that one Thanksgiving dinner can add up to a hefty 2,500 - 4,000 calories and over 200 grams of fat? Alana Unger explains how we can enjoy the holiday feast this year and can forget about being weighed down by colossal calories.

[29] Dr. David Humerickhouse is an avid runner - you can be one too! Jogging is a great way to keep healthy (as is brushing & flossing). Just don’t do it alone because there are a lot of people out there just waiting to team up and jog with you.

bon Appetite[11] Kurt Eichsteadt says you don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy a good bottle of wine with your holiday dinner. There’s even a wine for all you vegetarians out there.

Entertainment[28] Kurt Eichsteadt shares with us his best and worst DVD recommendations. We’re sure you’ve heard of these titles: Julie & Julia, Up & Groundhog Day to name a few!

FEATURE

Danny D. Gilmore: Assemblyman, 30th District

Danny Gilmore currently represents the fifth largest

voting district in the California State Assembly.

He represents a district over 5500 square miles

and four counties. When he was elected in 2008,

Danny was the only Republican to be elected to the

Assembly that year.

His first term in office was grueling. Danny is now

older and a lot wiser. At 60, this former marine and

California Highway Patrol veteran has a lot to say

about our sad system of state government. A lot

of what he says will surprise you. If you, or anyone

you know, has ever considered running for public

office, this exclusive VPI interview is a must read.

[20]

ON THE COVER


My favorite Peanuts character, Charlie Brown, is on the pitcher’s mound and saying to himself: “It’s the last of the ninth. The bases are loaded. There are two out, and the count is three and two on the batter. If I get him out, we win!” At this point, Charlie is surrounded by his friends and teammates who are shouting, “Throw him a fastball! Throw him a curve!” And so on. All alone on the pitcher’s mound, Charlie thinks to himself, “The world is filled with people who are anxious to serve in an advisory capacity.”

Anyone who has management responsibilities understands that decision-making can be precarious. Choose well, and you are a hero. Make a bad choice, and your career could be over. Is it any wonder that many people really struggle in making decisions?

Or as Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

After you’ve done all your homework, when making decisions, I’ve found that you have to trust your gut. Deep down, you know what’s right. If not, I always check with people I trust to

give me the knowledge on all sides. Psychologist Joyce Brothers advises, “Trust your hunches...they are usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.”

Sigmund Freud was once asked why it is so difficult for some people to make decisions. He shocked people when he said he asks them to toss a coin. He went on to explain: “I did not say you should follow blindly what the coin tells you. What I want you to do is to note what the coin indicates. Then look into your own reactions. Ask yourself: Am I pleased? Am I disappointed? That will help you to recognize how you really feel about the matter, deep down inside. With that as a basis, you’ll then be ready to make up your mind and come to the right decision.”

We grow by making decisions and assuming responsibility for them. You’re not going to be right all the time. In fact, President Harry Truman said, “Whenever I make a bum decision, I just go out and make another.”

Andrew Carnegie felt much the same way - that making decisions is a measure for success. He said: “It has been my experience that a man who cannot reach a decision promptly once he has all the necessary facts for the decision at hand, cannot be depended upon to carry through any decision he may make. I have also discovered that men who reach decisions promptly usually have the capacity to move with definiteness of purpose in other circumstances.”

Strong leaders have no problem making decisions. They are confident that their decisions are the best. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said, “My idea of a group decision is to look in the mirror.”

Abraham Lincoln faced some of the most diff icult decisions any president has encountered when he presided over a nation that was split down the middle on the issue of slavery.

In 1863 Lincoln, worried about the future of a nation breaking apart at the seams, made a bold decision to take charge, take risks and move ahead. He wrote one of the most profound statements about human rights of all time, the Emancipation Proclamation.

He took these ideas to his Cabinet, which then numbered only six. After reading the Proclamation to them, he asked for their consensus and support. The vote, including Lincoln’s, was two “ayes,” and five “nays.” Lincoln announced the vote as recorded, two “ayes,” five “nays.” And he said, “the ‘ayes’ have it.”

Few of us will ever have to make a decision that monumental, but as managers we will have to make plenty of smaller decisions that affect the lives and careers of our employees.

James Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape, was a charismatic manager whose maxims endeared him to his employees. One of his favorites was formulated at a management retreat soon after he took over Netscape. It’s known as his three-snake rule:

The first rule: If you see a snake, kill it. •Don’t set up a snake committee. Don’t set up a snake user group. Don’t write snake memos. Kill it.The second rule: Don’t play with dead •snakes. (Don’t revisit decisions.)The paradoxical third: All opportunities •start out looking like snakes.

Mackay’s Moral: Don’t be afraid to make a decision. Be afraid not to make a decision. n

Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 best seller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.”

Decision Making Defines the LeaDer

[ WEALTH AND FINANCE ]

COlUmniST HARVEY mACKAY


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Eli broad of Kaufman and broad made his fortune not once, but twice. He didn’t lose either one. Although his portfolio suffered a $1.5 billion loss recently, he’s still worth more than $5 billion.

As if creating two Fortune 500 companies wasn’t enough, broad started a third career as a philanthropist with an intensity and ferocity that would make your head spin. In the process, he created something called “venture philanthropy.”

Now he’s trying to change direction of the education system in this country. He’s still alive, but long after he’s gone he’ll be remembered for taking major steps toward changing and improving the educational system.

He’s Eli broad of Los Angeles.

bACkGROUnDHe was born of Lithuanian immigrants in the bronx, but was raised in Detroit. He started in pre-law in college, but came to the conclusion he didn’t want to be in school for six years. He graduated from michigan State cum laude with a degree in accounting in 1954, becoming the youngest CPA in the state’s history. His first job paid $67.40 a week. After two years, he went out on his own.

:

Three years later in 1957 he helped create Kaufman & broad by borrowing $25,000 from his father in law. Today, it’s known as Kb Home and is one of the largest home builders in the United States. The company succeeded because they were different, they went against the conventional wisdom.

broad started his company in Detroit, observing that everyone around him was building homes with basements. but in other cities, not too far away, there were no basements but instead carports and garages. broad’s conclusion was that basements were no longer necessary, since “no one needed to store coal in the basement to heat their homes.” His company built homes with no basements and garages or carports. These homes were cheaper than the competition

He expanded to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New mexico and Texas. His aim was to offer attractive and affordable homes for entry level and first time trade-up home buyers. Along the way he was the first home builder to go public. This was his first fortune.

broad made his second fortune in insurance and retirement planning. Knowing that home building was a cyclical business, he studied industries that did well during the great depression. Diversifying, he bought the Sun Life Insurance Company of America.

While he was selling people homes and insurance, he observed that there was a need for retirement planning. He expanded the company (now known as SunAmerica) into retirement planning assistance. SunAmerica offered a wide variety of retirement planning products including annuities, mutual funds, counseling and retirement trust services.

From 1990 to 1998, SunAmerica was the fastest growing stock on the New York Stock Exchange. Adjusted for splits, its value grew more than 10,000% during that time. Late in 1998, broad merged the

company with American International Group, in a deal that was valued at $18.5 billion in AIG Stock. He then stepped down as CEO and turned to philanthropy.

OOPSAIG was one of the biggest companies in the financial collapse in the fall of 2008, suffering a liquidity crisis. From a 52-week high of $70.13, its stock went to $1.25 in September of 2008. by may of 2009, the Federal Government had invested $85 billion in AIG. This obviously cost broad some significant money, but as we said earlier, he’s still worth more than $5 billion.

While making two Fortune Five Hundred Companies is enough to put anyone into history books, broad and his wife Edythe had created a family foundation in the 60s but it wasn’t until the 1999 merger with AIG that he moved into fulltime philanthropy. His foundations now have combined assets of $2.1 billion.

He calls his approach venture philanthropy, which he views as different from just writing a check. He sees it as investing and goes looking for good opportunities to “invest.” The mission of the broad Foundation is to improve public education, advance scientific and medical research, foster appreciation of contemporary art, and support major civic projects in Los Angeles.

His philanthropic activities are so wide ranging that it’s impossible to list all of them. Here are a few of his key philanthropic activities:

1991: Endowed the Eli broad College of business at his alma mater, michigan State University.

Rich People Who made It … and What They Did With It

[ WEALTH AND FINANCE ]

KURT EICHSTEADT COlUmniST

Eli bROAD: Once Was not Enough

Quote from Broad“I am not a patient person. my friends and colleagues will confirm this. but, frankly, we should all feel a little more impatient with the state of public education in America today.”


2003: Donated $100 million to mIT to start the broad Institute of mIT and Harvard.

2005: Donated $100 million to Harvard.

2006: $30 million to USC to help create a center for regenerative and stem cell research.

2007: $26 million for construction of the Eli and Edythe broad Art museum at michigan State.

2008: $400 million to the broad Institute of mIT and Harvard and $23.2 million to the broad Art Center at UCLA a

That’s in the neighborhood of $700 million if you’re keeping score. All important and some of them possibly life-changing for society.

EDUCATiOnbroad also will be remembered for what he did (or is trying to do)

in improving the education system in our country. He put his money where his mouth was and also tried to install some contemporary business techniques in schooling. He was credited with saying “the only thing that has changed in classrooms in the last 50 years is the use of white boards instead of chalkboards.”

The Eli and Edythe broad Foundation is focusing on improving K-12 public education through better governance, management, labor relations and competition.

They started with $100 million and have since increased it to $500 million.

It has four major initiatives:

1. A $2 billion broad Prize for Urban Education: more about that in a moment.

2. broad Superintendents Academy: a ten month executive management program to train working CEOs and other executives from business, nonprofit, military, government and education to lead urban school systems.

3. broad Residency in Urban Education: a two year program to train recent graduate students with some work experience and place them into management positions in the central operations of urban school districts.

4. broad Institute for School boards: This organization helps urban school board members and superintendents strengthen management oversight and improve learning opportunities for students.

bROAD PRiZE FOR URbAn EDUCATiOnIn 2002, the broad Prize for Urban Education was established.

According to its Web site “The broad Prize is awarded each year to honor urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement, while reducing achievement gaps among low-income and minority students.”

Districts cannot apply. Competitors are selected by the foundation and then narrowed to five finalists, which are visited. The winning district receives $1 million in scholarships and the other four finalists each receive $250,000 in scholarships. (See www.broadprize.org for more details.)

ACTiviTiES in THE WORlD OF ART WORlDEli and Edythe Created the broad Art Foundation (1984)

to support the efforts of spreading art education. Their own art collection was recently appraised at $1.5 billion. There are two collections: the broad Art Foundation’s and their personal collection. Over time, they have lent portions of their collection to more than 400 museums and university galleries around the world. broad has been a tireless supporter of the City of Los Angeles and helped fund the spectacular Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gerry. For a time, broad was part of owner of the Sacramento Kings of the NbA.

COnClUSiOnWhat a marvelous man! He made two fortunes without stepping

on people and eventually turned his business intensity to creating a better world through art, through substantial bequests for scientific research and through education. The latter was a gift that keeps on giving, since education can help create people who, in turn, can continue to make the world a better place. n

www.voxpopinfluentials.comwww.voxpopinfluentials.comwww.voxpopinfluentials.com 111111

Wines for the HolidaysKURT A. EICHSTEADT

[ bON APPETITE ]

Nothing compliments a holiday dinner like wine. And here are some suggestions for conventional dinners as well as for those going the vegetarian route.well as for those going the vegetarian route.

The traditional Christmas dinner has a wonderful variety The traditional Christmas dinner has a wonderful variety of contrasting tastes – appetizers, white and dark meat, of contrasting tastes – appetizers, white and dark meat, herb-filled stuffing, cranberry relish, pickles, mashed and sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pie. Traditionalists say that the best wines are light to medium body with lower tannin levels and less complexity.

Food and wine pairings are a matter of personal preference (always drink what you like) but experts make the following recommendations.

If you want to stick with one wine, the best choices are sparkling, Champagne, Rosé or Sherry.

If you want to mix things up, try these whites. Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and earthy and works especially well with turkey and stuffing. Viognier is another good light white, while Rieslings work with dishes that may be spicy. Gewürztraminer, which may be either dry or sweet, also works with spicy dishes and goes well with desserts.

Reds move away from the traditional match-ups but many people enjoy them at Christmas. Pinot Noirs are considered “easy going,” which means they complement almost anything. Zinfandels are a step up in intensity and are a good choice for something heartier. Syrahs are a good choice that works well with all the different tastes in a Thanksgiving dinner.

While ham is not quite as traditional as turkey, it is popular for the holiday.

A ham combines sweet glaze and salt cure. Whites cut through the saltiness: dry Alsatian Riesling, a French Chablis or a Prosecco. Sweeter whites and fruitier reds complement the glaze and serve as a counterpoint to the salt: sweet Gewurztraminers, Syrahs, Zinfandels or Pinot Noirs.

If you’re going vegetarian, here are some suggestions. Avoid tannic reds, and go with lighter reds and whites and rosés. Pastas go with Zinfandels or Barberas. Richer pastas with cream and cheese work with and pair up nicely with a lighter Chardonnay.

A mushroom risotto is a rich dish that will go with a strong Cabernet Sauvignon. n

One Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner costs Americans, on average, a hefty 2,500 – 4,000 calories and over 200 grams of fat. Most of us don’t need 2,500 calories in an entire day, much less in just one meal. And let’s not forget the chips, dips, other miscellaneous hors d’oeuvres, and candy munched down on top of this meal. One slice of pecan pie can pack on over 500 calories alone. Enjoy the holiday festivities and feasts without being weighed down by the colossal calories. Try these simple strategies and recipes to deck the halls and ditch the calories.

Don’t skip meals before the big feast.Have a light breakfast and/or lunch to avoid feeling ravenous at the holiday dinner. If you’re starving when you come to the table, you’re sure to over-stuff with stuffing and all the fixings.

Bring a dish.If you’re spending the holiday at the home of a friend or family member, bring a healthy low-fat dish to share. This will guarantee that you have at least one healthy option taking space on your plate.

Drink lots of water. Drinking water throughout the day will help take the edge off your hunger and help control mindless munching.

Start small and choose wisely.When it comes to holiday meals, the concerns are WHAT you’re eating and HOW MUCH. Enjoy favorite family recipes (don’t waist your calories on an every-day salad smothered in dressing) with small portions of high-calorie foods such as casseroles and desserts. Fill up on lighter fare such as vegetables and lean turkey.

Talk turkey.Turkey is a great source of lean protein if you skip the skin and eat the white meat. If you prefer the dark meat, mix and match dark and white meat to get a little extra flavor without adding too much fat.

Take your time. Slow down, savor your food, and enjoy your family and friends. Put down your fork every time you take a bite, and don’t pick it up until you swallow. Give yourself a chance to feel full and satisfied.

Get moving!Round up the family for a game of

touch football, go for a long walk, play in the fall leaves - anything

that gets the heart pumping and calories burning!

Turkey Heat oven to 3501. .Take 7-9 lb turkey, thawed: Remove all items from cavity. Rinse 2.inside and out and drain well, patting skin dry. Spray outside surface with cooking spray. Toss 1 Tbsp flour in oven bag to coat inside. Place turkey in bag, 3.breast side up, and close. Cut small 1 inch slits in top of bag. Place meat thermometer (piercing bag) into lower part of thigh meat on side of turkey- do not touch bone.Roast 1 1/2 -2 1/2 hours until mercury hits 1804. . Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before opening bag. Slice and place on serving platter.

Keep it healthy by choosing breast meat in about a 3 oz serving (size of a deck of cards).

Per serving: 114 calories, 25 gm protein, 0 gm carbohydrates, .5 gm fat

Mashed Potatoes Supreme8 medium-large Yukon gold potatoes (about 3 1/4 lbs)1/3-1/2 cup skim milk1/4 cup reduced-fat margarine1/3-1/2 cup fat free sour creampepper, garlic and salt sub to taste

Cut potatoes into eighths with skin on. Place in pot and cover 1.completely with water. Bring to boil and cook 15-20 minutes or until tender (pierced easily with fork).

Drain potatoes. Add margarine, 1/3 cup milk, and 1/3 cup sour 2.cream and mix with electric mixer until very smooth. Add more milk/sour cream as needed. Flavor to taste.

Makes eight 1 cup servings. Per serving: 123 calories, 3 gm protein, 21gm carbohydrates, 2.8 gm fat

ALANA UNGER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN COlUmniST

[ HEALTH AND WELLNESS ]

Ditch the Calories When Decking the Halls at Your Holiday Feast

Holiday Recipes

Get moving!Round up the family for a game of

touch football, go for a long walk, play in the fall leaves - anything

that gets the heart pumping and calories burning!

Savory Stuffing1 16-oz package stuffing dry mix3 Tbsp sodium free herb seasonings3 1/2 to 3 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth1 cup celery, diced1 cup onion, chopped1 Tbsp garlic, minced1 Tbsp non-hydrogenated margarine

Add up to 3 cups of one or more of these (optional):mushrooms, cranberries (dried or fresh), dried cherries, figs or apricots, raisins or dates, chopped nuts of choice, chopped apple or orange

Preheat oven to 3501. .Saute celery, onion, and garlic with margarine until barely crisp.2.In bowl, mix stuffing mix, seasonings, sauted vegetables and 3.chicken broth. Toss lightly until moist (add extra broth if appears dry)

Add optional ingredients if desired, toss.4.Bake in 9”x13” pan about 30 minutes. 5.

Makes 8-10 1 cup servings. Per serving: 179 calories, 6 gm protein, 32 gm carbohydrates, 3 gm fat

Green Beans and Mushrooms2 lb fresh green beans, cleaned and ends snipped1 6-oz package mushrooms, sliced or cut in chunks3 Tbsp cooking wine2 Tbsp Bacon Bits (optional)

Place beans in microwave bowl with 1/8 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until crisp/tender (oven times will vary - try 10 minutes to start).

Saute mushrooms in wine until tender. Mix with cooked beans and Bacon Bits. Spray with nonfat butter spray.

Makes about eight 3/4 cup servings. 36 calories, 2 gm protein, 5 gm carbohydrates, .5 gm fat

Citrus Cranberry Relish1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries1 medium navel orange, peeled, chopped, seeded1 medium tangerine, peeled, chopped, seeded1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup reduced-calorie pancake syrup1/2 cup sugar free orange marmalade1/2 cup orange juice2 tsp ground allspice

Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat. 1.Reduce heat and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, 2.stirring occasionally.

Cover and refrigerate four hours or overnight. 3.

Makes about nine 1/4 cup servings. Per serving: 75 calories; .7 gm protein; 19 gm carbohydrates; .2 gm fat

Sweet PotatoesMicrowave five cups cubed sweet potatoes on high for 15-25 minutes. Top with fat free butter spray and cinnamon sprinkles.

Serves eight. Per serving: 63 calories; .5 gm protein; 12 gm carbohydrates; 0 gm fat

Pumpkin Pie1 15-oz can pumpkin8 ounces skim milk3 egg whites2-3 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp sea salt1/2-3/4 cup Splenda granular1 unbaked pie crust (see recipe below) (optional)1 Tbsp each serving low fat whipped topping (optional)

Heat oven to 4251. .In bowl, combine all filling ingredients and mix well.2.Pour mix into pie pan (or unbaked pie shell in pan) and bake 3.15 minutes.

Turn oven down to 3504. and bake additional 35+ minutes. Pie and bake additional 35+ minutes. Pie is done when knife comes out clean from center Let cool before cutting. Serve with whipped topping if desired.

Makes 8 servings. Per serving: 105 calories; 3 gm protein; 19 gm carbohydrate; 0 gm fat (with topping, but no crust)

Low Fat Pie Crust

1 1/3 cup flour1/4 tsp sea salt1/3 cup canola oil3 Tbsp nonfat milk

Combine until clumps form. 1.Use lightly floured hands to press into ball and flatten to 2.5-6 inch circle. Roll between wax paper, remove top paper and flip into pan, remove bottom paper. Lightly press and mold into pan/around edges.3.

Use with recipe above or for any pie. (To prevent soft/soggy crust, brush with egg white before filling or baking.)

8 servings. Per serving: 158 calories; 2 gm protein;16 gm carbohydrates; n

8 servings. Per serving: 158 calories; 2 gm protein;16 gm carbohydrates; 9 gm fat n


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California Politics: It Has Never Been Like This - Ever!

– Interview by R.J. Latronico

“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession in the world, but I’ve come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.”

This quote from President Ronald Reagan says a lot about the reputation of many career politicians – people who have been in the business of politics way too long.

When I asked Danny Gilmore, a Republican what it was like

to be in Sacramento in the State Assembly, where the majority rule was by the Democratic party, he told me it was unlike anything he ever imagined or experienced in his life.

We can all learn something from his story and I guarantee that what you learn you will never read in any history book.

Too bad there aren’t more people in government like Danny Gilmore. If he is as smart as I think he is, he won’t bother to seek a second term as the Assemblyman from the 30th District. Here is a true, zany story of the state of our State.

R.J. Latronico:How large is the 30th District that you represent?

DANNY GILMORE: It is the fifth largest district in the state. It is roughly 5500 square miles, four counties: all of Kings County a portion of Tulare, Kern and Fresno County as well.

Can you give our readers an idea of the type of welcome you received after you won this seat? What was said to you after you were sworn in?(Editors Note: Danny Gilmore’s Assembly seat was previously held by a Democrat. He is a Republican.)

I was sworn in on December 1st and I was told later that day, from someone on the other side of the aisle, that any of my bills would be D.O.A. (Dead on Arrival).

Let’s back track a bit. Your Assembly race win in 2008 was a pretty close one. Before this victory you ran in 2006, and lost to Nicole Parra, a Democrat, right?

Yes, the 2008 victory was very close. I won by 1,317 votes to be exact.

So, the stage was set and anything you tried to do there would fail (be D.O.A). Yes that was my warm reception. I was actually the only republican pick up in the Assembly. The GOP actually lost three republican seats. As you know the democrats in this district have quite the advantage. I believe it is about a 10-point advantage.

So we learned a lot in my first race in 2006. We worked really, really hard in 2008 and it paid off, but the reception was really lukewarm at the capitol.

I heard that they placed you in a palatial office when you arrived, too. I believe it is referred to as the doghouse?

Yes, it’s called the doghouse, but that was pretty well expected. People told me that I was going to be in the smallest office in the Capitol building. I had expected it. In fact, the actual office space there was larger than my office when I was an Assistant Chief on the California Highway Patrol. My three staff members were the ones that really suffered. They were cramped in a very small space. I looked on the bright side and said that I had a roof over my head, heating and air conditioning. I knew a lot of my constituents didn’t even have that.

All this has changed now, correct? They moved you about a month ago?

That is correct. They moved me to Assembly member Connie Conway’s old office on the second floor in the Capitol. I was really okay with the doghouse office, but what really bothered me was that I could not have a second office in Bakersfield, the largest city I represent.

Was the reason that you were denied the Bakersfield office due to budget constraints?

Yes, but historically everyone that has held this Assembly seat always had two offices. Nicole Parra had two and her staff was quite larger than mine, as well. I believe Cathleen Galgiani an Assembly member up north, with a much smaller district than mine, has three district offices. So, for me it was a budgetary constraint. Realistically, we were looking at about $1200 a month in rent. So, I don’t quite buy that.

You are definitely not a career politician. Tell us about your previous career.

I was with the Highway Patrol for 31 years and the Marine Corps prior to that.

Your father was in the Air Force, right?

Yes, for 30 years.

Did your military experiences prepare you at all for what you are going through now?

Nothing can prepare you for this, at least as far as I see it. I’ve said publicly, and I think most Californians would agree with me, that our state legislature is dysfunctional. When I arrived here after a career with the highway patrol and the Marine Corps that was very mission-oriented, you soon realize that the Capitol doesn’t work like that at all.

So you were in for a big surprise and your first term was a little rough. Did you at all expect the big budget battle this year?

No, I really didn’t. I talked to a lot of people about it, some of them who have been doing budgets for 30-35 years. They tell me that California has never faced anything like this, even when compared to the dot com bust. This is much worse.

[ FEATURED STORY ]

DAnnY GilmORE


From the unemployment perspective this has been really tough – not only in California, but globally as well. We have a lot of challenges here in terms of the fiscal crisis we are now facing. 2009 was a really tough year – the government grew so much. Back in 1999-2000 we had roughly an $80 billion budget. We now have grown to $138 billion. It’s a monster and now the economy’s in the tank because of our tax structure. As a result a lot of painful cuts had to come about.

What would you say is the largest hurdle in Sacramento right now, outside of the budget battle? What really needs to change?

I do hope to see some change come about when we re-district. And I am really glad to see that politicians have their fingers out of the proposal on how we are going to do this. We may actually have a chance for some reasonable districts to come about. I do think that will help.

Let’s talk about taxes for a moment. Do you think the move to change the two-thirds majority rule vote to raise taxes will ever happen?

I hope that it does not happen. For some in the Capitol the answer is always taxes, taxes, taxes and fees. What we really need is fiscal responsibility to curb our spending habits, that’s what we need. I feel very strongly about that, and quite frankly if the roles were reversed and the Republicans were the majority party and the Democrats were in the minority, I don’t believe they would want to be put in that position either.

A freshman on the other side of the aisle actually said to me “You guys are treated horribly in this building. So, is it that surprising that everyone gets upset when it comes time for a budget and it’s very hard for you guys to vote for certain things? We just treat you horribly throughout the year.” I think there is probably a lot to be said for that statement.

I do believe that changing the two-thirds rule would be a mistake. It is a check and balance system and if we didn’t have that right now, believe me the taxes would be there and the fees would be there, and I don’t think that’s the way we need to go.

I know that the governor just had a task force look at the tax structure for California. We desperately need a change in that too. I personally believe in a spending cap and a rainy day fund after my first year there. I strongly believe we have got to do that especially after seeing how things are going.

Eventually, California will come out of this recession (hopefully sooner rather than later), but we will do this all over again sometime in the future, trust me. If there’s no spending cap in place and no rainy day fund, we will repeat our mistake when the tax dollars start to roll in. This is something that we definitely need to reform.

While we are on the subject let’s talk about some of the other ideas that are floating around out there, ideas like changing to a part time legislature and splitting the state.

I am not going to be in agreement with a lot of the people in the legislature here, so I do want to state that my Republican caucus has been absolutely outstanding to me. I have been able to vote the way I want to vote and they treat me great, but I personally think that we do need a part time legislature. That probably is not going to set well with some others in the building. Texas, for example, has a part time legislature. They also have a different tax structure that’s doing pretty darn well.

Again, this may be a bit biased, especially coming from the number one target in the state, but the work I do in my district is much more enjoyable than being in Sacramento. Quite frankly, when you’re in your district at a town hall gathering or a meeting over coffee, you get to hear from constituents. They all tell you that you need to spend more time in the district, addressing issues for the people that elected you, rather than in the Capitol passing, lord knows how many bills, in a session.

If the State of California were to be split in half, how would that be a political benefit? Could Assembly Bills be passed easier?

That’s possible. My hope really lies with the people, those who are not politically tied to the building. Look at what I was up against when I ran against Assemblywoman Parra. She was pretty popular; I won in 3 counties there, but still lost that race by a slim margin. If we can redraw these districts and make them a little more fair and more reflective of the constituents, I think that would help.

Is the jury still out on whether or not you will seek another term?

The jury is still out on that. If I had to make that decision today, the answer would be no. I have some time left. As I said earlier, 2010 is going to be a really tough year. It’s not like I haven’t served my country, and my state with my years in the highway patrol and the Marine Corps.

If you chose not to run, then we’d have to choose between Nicole Parra’s father and Dean Florez’s mother, right?

Right, that would be quite a primary. Depending on my final decision, whoever the democratic candidate is, they will face a formidible republican candidate.

That is another thing that caught my attention. Because of term limits there are a lot of spouses seeking office. Is that becoming more common?

“All in the family” relationships are kind of different, and you do see it in the building. There are husbands and wives, brothers, fathers and sons, and in my last race there could have been a mother/son combination had I not been successful.

[ FEATURED STORY ]

DAnnY GilmORE

Danny Gilmore at a Natural Resources Committee meeting.


So things are different up there in Sacramento than you really thought they would be?

Absolutely! 100 percent.

What exactly is the mindset up there? How would you describe the status quo?

It is all about partisanship up there, really. The feeling is how can we accomplish what we want to do. Party differences are very evident in the building. One side believes that taxes and fees are the way to go – our coffers are down, so by golly we have to charge taxes and fees. The other side basically says – hey, we have to control the spending.

2010 is going to be a huge challenge for us. We made some huge cuts and the revenues still aren’t there, so it’s going to be a tough year. We made these cuts and we still are expected to hold our government together, keep the public safe and all the essential services intact. My own personal feeling is that it is going to be a tough year.

How do you propose that faith be restored in our government? Is it even possible?

I think that we can all agree that the United States of America and our democracy is a beautiful thing. It has its shortcomings and I think our democracy and our country are being tested. I am a Christian and I am very proud of that. Some of the things that are happening in our government are hard to believe. Lets face it, what happens when you take prayer out of schools, and you want to remove God from just about everything that is important? That is what this country was founded on.

I get letters and emails all the time from people saying that they are praying for me. That is very important to me. I appreciate that because I do draw my strength from God. I draw my strength from others that share my beliefs. My church has been very supportive. That helps a lot and it is a real comfort to me.

It must not be easy to pass a bill or complete a legislative task realizing that a win- win situation is not always possible.

One of the toughest times I had was when two single moms came into my office with their two kids. One little fellow was in a wheel chair and couldn’t even lift his head up. The other child had autism. At that time we were considering budget cuts to in-home health services. And here are these moms sitting there on my sofa with tears running down their face. When they left my office I told a reporter at the time that I shut my door and I balled. At the time I wish I hadn’t said that, but the fact of the matter was that I did.

That experience touched me deeply, and I knew from that point forward, that things were going to be very unpleasant. Those are people, exactly the kind of people that government should be helping. Those kids need their mother at home, they are single moms and if that doesn’t touch your heart, then you have a heart of stone as I see it. We are faced with only tough choices where no one wins.

Would you say that your job as a politician is more demanding than your job was at the California Highway Patrol?

Normally, on December 1st they swear you into office and then you go home for a month. This time we started right in on the very first day with the budget.

For 30 years on the Highway Patrol I saw just about every miserable thing you could see. Every horrible scene imaginable, while dealing with things that most people just read about in the newspaper.

In the Capitol when I am not on the floor voting or on a committee hearing bills, then every twenty to thirty minutes there are people lined up in the hall because of the budget, begging don’t cut this don’t cut that. Our state is in crisis mode both agencies are demanding physically, emotionally & spiritually.

Your job for three decades was very black and white, now that line is gray. Is that hard for you to deal with at times?

My rebublican colleagues in Sacramento have been absolutely wonderful to me. I really haven’t received any pressure from them relative to my votes. I can tell you that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don’t get that same sort of treatment.

The person who held the office before me was actually kicked right out of the building. I think Juan Arambula at one time was moved to the doghouse because of the water issue. They play hardball up there. I’m talking about locks being changed on your doors, and all the other little games that should have been left at home when you were in high school. They are still being played in the building.

When you cross that fine line and you don’t do what the party says you are supposed to do, you get in the middle of a difficult situation. I commend anyone that can stand by his or her beliefs and vote their conscience regardless of the consequences and say this is not for me. Please tell me again what committees do you serve on?

I am the Vice Chair of Natural Resources committee, Veteran’s committee and Public Safety. Those are my three committees, and each one is very interesting. I love the Veteran’s committee; it’s a great committee. That committee represents how the entire building should be. They always come together on issues and there’s really not any partisanship there. People come together for the Vet’s and that is great. I thoroughly enjoy that.

[ FEATURED STORY ]

DAnnY GilmORE

Assemblyman Gilmore Speaks on a bill during the 2009 legislative session in the California State Assembly.


[ FEATURED STORY ]

One bill that you successfully sponsored was AB691. It had to do with the Alpaugh School District. Can you explain what that was about for our readers?

Yes. Alpaugh is a very small town. The Superintendent of Schools there, Mr. Hudson approached me because he was having a difficult time recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. His idea was to implement an alternate workweek to attract teachers. There are about ten other schools in the state located in rural counties that had done that successfully. That poor guy drove up and back to Sacramento I don’t know how many times during the course of the proceedings.

It was an interesting experience when we finally brought the bill to committee. There was another colleague of mine, Mr. Perez, who represents a district out in the desert, who had an identical bill. When I presented my bill to the Education committee first I must have been drilled for at least 30 - 45 minutes on it. When Mr. Perez went in a couple bills after mine, he was done in about a minute. I told him afterward that he should have presented first, so I could breeze through like he did. It was kind of comical.

When the bill went to the Senate side, Gloria Romero who was the Chairperson for the Senate liked the bill so much she wanted to co-author it. It probably might not have gotten out of the Senate if it hadn’t been for her. She sealed the deal on it. Overall, it was a good deal for attracting new teachers because it offered an opportunity to teach the same instruction time, but only four days a week.

I have co-authored other bills and even joined people on the other side of the aisle to get things accomplished, but AB691 was my bill and I was very proud of it. It was good for the Alpaugh teachers and the kids. That was my claim to fame!

Do you have a mentor in Sacramento, someone that you look up to?

I have the utmost respect for Michael Villines. He is a very bright man. There are a number of people in my caucus that are really, really impressive, but Mike really helped me out in my first race in 2006. Of course he was the Republican caucus leader, and he did take a lot of flack on the budget when he was in that leadership position. Mike has a wonderful family. His wife, Chris, and his children are very supportive. Not only does he understand the politics of it all, he also enjoys the policy end. I am his seatmate now in the Assembly. Mike worked for Governor Wilson and Governor Deukmejian. His mother was somewhat of a pioneer on Proposition 13. When he was a boy Mike would accompany her when she was gathering signatures.

Because Mike grew up in politics he has a healthy approach to the job. I wish I was wired that way, but I am not. I have a great deal of respect for him. There are others that I think highly of, but as far as a mentor or a person that I have a great deal of respect for it’s Mike Villines.

Did you learn anything more about Governor Schwarzenegger while being up there? Something that you didn’t know before?

It’s kind of odd, but people ask me all the time how often do I see the governor. Actually, he’s never been to our caucus in the year that I’ve been there. I’ve seen him at news conferences, and he always is very pleasant. Since the California Highway Patrol provides protection services for him when I do see him I tease him by asking if those CHP guys are taking care of him. He is a pleasant man, but I don’t see him often.

Senator Dave Cogdill recently announced that he would not seek re-election. There are also rumors that he might be our next Lieutenant Governor. How do you feel about him stepping down from office?

The senator would be the best person to ask about that. He is another individual that I have a great deal of respect for. Being in the political arena, and being a cop and a marine, I am used to people taking care of you. When I would get into the patrol car I could always rely on the person in the seat next to me. I knew that person would lay down their life for me.

In the world of politics it’s different. These two gentlemen caught a lot of heat from our party on the budget vote. I understand that, but I don’t think a lot of the people on the outside did. Mike Villines and Dave Cogdill are both fiscal conservatives. They were not championing for more taxes, this is something that they just didn’t do. Both of these gentlemen are in leadership positions, and I believe in my heart of hearts, as difficult as it was to put that all together, I believe they saw it as a temporary tax. That was the deal they went with. I was taken back by how people treated both of these fine men.

A lot of people don’t have a clue of the sacrifices that the families of legislators endure. Their treatment was a turning point for me. I was so offended by how these fine men and their families were treated. That’s not something that I am accustomed to. I found it so distasteful to see how they were treated. It just didn’t sit well with me at all.

Although I didn’t vote for the tax increase, I talked earlier about a rainy day fund and a spending cap. That’s one thing I have learned in politics, there is always compromise, not necessarily on personal beliefs, but to get things done there is giving and taking, and that is tough up there – especially when there are 51 Democrats and 29 Republicans. Often times we become kind of insignificant at that point.

How long did it take to reach an agreement on the budget?

I don’t know how many all-night sessions we had, but everyone said we were setting records. The first time we did it, I looked at my wife and said I thought that my graveyard days were over. Where are the donuts? (Laughter).

DAnnY GilmORE

Danny speaks to members of the Latino Water Coalition and other water advocacy groups in front of Fresno City Hall (Wednesday Jul 1st, 2009)


They were just long days. When I was sworn in I was on a budget subcommittee. That’s when I knew there were going to be ten and twelve hour days. The committee rooms would be filled with people in wheelchairs and veterans on oxygen. I remember thinking then that this was going to be ugly, and it was. There were a lot of sleepless nights.

I will be 60 years old in a few more weeks. When you’re older and you wake up at two o’clock in the morning sometimes it’s tough to go back to sleep. I remember the other day I was walking in the Capitol mall, looking at all the faces there and thinking how 121 people in the Capitol were making decisions that affect 38 million lives. It’s an awesome responsibility, and I take it very seriously. It’s an honor to be there, but I do believe there are times where the politics really get in the way of what we should be doing. We should be working more for the good of the people. That’s my own personal feeling.

Let’s talk about your family a bit. How long have you been married now?

39 years on December 19th.

How many children do you have?

I have two children. My son is a Lieutenant in the California Highway Patrol in Visalia. My daughter’s husband was a Deputy Sheriff. When they where engaged I told him that if he wanted to marry my daughter he had to become a Highway Patrolman. So now he is a sergeant over in Coalinga. (Laughter)

All my kids live here in Hanford. I also have six grandkids. I have a wonderful family.

Can you tell our readers about the unusual transportation arrangement that you worked out with your wife while the Legislature was in session?

Sure. Having grown up in a military family, I love to travel, so when I first retired from the Highway Patrol I had a 40’ Monaco Diesel motor home built. After my retirement from the highway patrol, my wife and I traveled all over the country. We love the motor home. So I decided to take the coach up to Sacramento when we are in session. I leave it there in a mobile home park about eight miles from the Capitol. We both stay in that.

My wife is a champion. We have a lot of events to attend and she accompanies me to most of them. She also attends events in the district with me, bless her heart.

When I’m at the Capitol she stays with me in the motor home. She does get in some shopping time, but you can only shop so much. She’s a real trooper, a great lady.

I can imagine if you didn’t do that you would have to spend a lot of time apart from one another. Is that what a lot of the representatives do?

Yes they do. You know that’s another side of this. On the Highway Patrol when you are promoted, by the way, you usually have to move. At the park where we stay in Sacramento there are two highway patrolmen living there in their R.V.’s. On the Highway Patrol we call that living in a shoebox. It’s a tough deal.

We have some young legislators in the Assembly with young children. Nathan Fletcher, is one of them. He’s a 31-year-old Marine veteran who served in Iraq. He has a brand new child and his family lives in San Diego. That is a tough, tough sacrifice on a family. Mike Villines has three small children, and Dave Cogdill has grandkids.

It’s a tough deal, and it’s very hard. You don’t realize how hard it is. Even if your wife is there, you put in a lot of hours and that’s not just in the Capitol building. There are many events that you go to at night as well.

Lets talk about the recent passage of the water legislation. That’s one issue that has been unresolved for a long time. Tell me about your personal experience with this.

I remember that one went all the way to 5:00 a.m. Around one o’clock in the morning and I asked Mike Villines, “When do you think we will get out of here?” He said, “about five o’clock.” As it turned out it was two or three minutes before five. He called it right on. When we did our first vote at 3:25 a.m., I said, “your wrong Mike.” He looked up at the board and commented, “We still need 54 votes.” He was right.

He did say to me something I’ll never forget, “Danny we are making history this morning, this is a historical thing, something that you will be proud of at the end of the day.” And I was very proud. We have a long way to go, given the fiscal crisis California and our nation are facing right now, so the water bond is a big deal.

We voted for the water bond, and now the people of California have to approve it in November 2010. Let’s face it; it’s going to be an uphill battle. Some folks are already asking me why did I vote for it, why did I support it? My response is that there are people in Sacramento that have been working on budgets for 30–35 years and there are others who have worked on a water bill for 20 years without a resolution. I say it is just unbelievable now how this all came together.

Concessions that Republicans have been asking for years, even decades, were made on building dams and surface water storage. Quite frankly, up to 72 hours before passage, we were all thinking it was going to fall apart again.

Literally, we went back and forth, that’s why it took us so long to come together. Next year I plan to get out and tout the passing of this bond, but that’s going to be hard. We already know that some of the employee unions are going to try to defeat this thing. I don’t think that is an over statement, either, I really don’t. I talked to someone yesterday at West Hills College and they said if this bond doesn’t pass, it could be the death nail for agriculture in California.

We have not addressed our water infrastructure problems for decades. The system was designed for 19 million, now there are 38 million people in California. As we continue to grow so will our demand for water. We just don’t lack the water;

[ FEATURED STORY ]

DAnnY GilmORE


we lack the plumbing, so to speak, to retain it. It’s going to be a major deal to make this all come about.

On the policy side of things, I didn’t support some of the issues, it was a mixed bag. Some of the agricultural people liked it, others didn’t. As far as the policy is concerned, there is probably something there for everyone to dislike. But the bond is a must.

I understand the bond totals $11.1 billion, with $3 billion earmarked for above ground water storage. The remainder is to be used for conveyance, restoration and protection of ground water, correct?

That is correct. The surface water storage is under CalFed. I think that this is important for people to understand. We are looking at three basic water storage sights: Temperance Flat, Sites itself and Los Vaqueros. The language in the bonds says that these sights must help maintain and restore the health of the Delta. Those sights are the only ones that really will help do that. The specific language of the bill identifies those 3 locations.

I remember a couple of gentlemen on the other side of the aisle, months back, were talking about water and conservation. One stood on the floor of the Assembly and remarked, “Hey if you had told me a year ago that I was going to support surface water storage I would have told you that you were nuts.”

So people have to look at this whole issue, understanding that yes, it is a lot of money and the State is now deep in debt, but we’ve got to follow through with this, we have to do it. Going back to my faith, I just pray that it gets done. I see this as an issue much bigger than agricultural. This is for businesses, too. If we want to continue to build new homes, water is the lifeblood of all life.

The Water Bill doesn’t specify that there will be a peripheral canal built, does it?

You’re correct, it does not specify that, but it does open the pathway to doing it, if you will. By the way, the surface water storage issue, the peripheral canal itself, the dual exchange facilities, all that will probably be litigated. I know it will be challenged. This is just a beginning, but it was a historical come together, if you will, that one early morning that it all happened. That bill’s passage showed that we could do it. Anything can be done, but we have to come together as a state to do it.

There will always be divisions on this issue. Water is a very devisive issue. Californians have to come together on this and fix the problem. Our economy depends on it.

This was a historical coming-together. Something that had not occurred in at least 20 years, correct?

Absolutely. When I was talking with Senator Cogdill about this his face was beaming. What an accomplishment. Last year they were close to a deal, but continuous appropriations and a couple of other things, made that attempt fall apart. Some members wanted to start again at the table exactly where we were when things fell apart, but it just doesn’t work that way. So now we have some farmers upset about the environmentalists involved and some environmentalists upset with one thing or another. There’s going to be a battle for sure, and it’s going to be a huge one.

Was it true that it was a Los Angeles contingent that came in at the eleventh hour and threw in another billion for conservation?

Yes, at the very end. You know the bond really grew. Talk about water, it was as fluid as water itself. We were trying to hold out to get it to no more than $9 billion. In the last 24 hours it grew by another billion. I think there’s a little Christmas tree ornament in there for everybody.

That by the way was a huge learning experience for me. I was happy to have experienced it. It was odd in a way to see it all coming together in the last hour and a half. It was an amazing experience for me.

Any advice for incoming freshmen?

I have nothing other than my experience to draw upon. I was recruited to run for this position, so I did. Anyone that considers running for a political office really needs to look at the job. If you want to run for the Assembly, the Senate, or a statewide office, go to Sacramento and try to shadow someone already doing the job. Preferably, do it at the beginning of a session to see how the process works and how chaotic it can be. Go to the committee meetings get into the nightlife, too. I don’t drink at all, but people need to experience the nightlife as well. See how all that takes place, because this is the arena you will be in.

I didn’t do that, and in retrospect I wish that I had. If I did I probably wouldn’t have entered into it to begin with. I do want to make it really clear, however, that I am truly honored to represent the 30th Assembly District.

Not very many people have this kind of opportunity, so I am very honored. If someone new is looking into running, they really need to look at what the job is really all about. A lot of people look at the job of an Assemblyman as being glamorous, it is not, it is really a hard job and we are just regular people.

I have read a couple of articles about one person who said that I am a naïve type guy that went to Sacramento and just got chewed up. Let me set the record straight, I was a highway patrolman, I have been spit on and have been called every name in the book. I was also in the Marine Corps. I am a mission-oriented and goal-oriented person. As an elected official in that legislature we need to come together and work together for the good of the people of California. That’s what it should be all about.

If you decide not to pursue another term what will you do? Will you take the motor home and travel some more?

Quite frankly I haven’t really given it a lot of thought. I do love traveling. I don’t think I could ever get tired of traveling. There is a lot to see in this country and I have met some wonderful people in my travels – a lot of ordinary down-to-earth people, and I like that. I like just being a regular guy, and I’m blessed to be an American. n

[ FEATURED STORY ]

DAnnY GilmORE

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Influentials28 VOX POP Influentials

This is the holiday edition of DVD Diary, which means there are lots of new videos available for purchase or downloading. More doesn’t necessarily mean better, but this holiday season there are plenty of good choices for giving, or just watching.

FUNNY PEOPLE, with Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan, Leslie Mann. Director writer Judd Apatow assembles some of the usual suspects in an attempt to tell a serious story while keeping the laughs going. Sandler is a successful stand-up comic who is given less than a year to live. He takes up with a struggling comedian (Rogan). They bond and then Sandler’s disease goes into remission, causing him to revaluate his life. The movie was not a success at the box office. People either liked it or hated it, with no middle ground. It is worth seeing for fine acting. The little kids in the movie are Apatow’s own, acting with their mother (and Apatow’s wife) Leslie Mann. The film is a thought provoking look at the larger issues in life like family and loyalty. 146 minutes. Rated R for language and crude sexual humor and some sexuality.

JULIE & JULIA with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. Script by Nora Ephron who also directed. It’s two JULIE & JULIA with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. Script by Nora Ephron who also directed. It’s two JULIE & JULIAstories, artfully blended into one enjoyable tale. Julia Child (Streep) is one of the people who changed the way America cooks. Julie Powell (Adams) decides to give her life some focus and cook every recipe in Child’s definitive book in one year and blog about it. The other story is Child learning French cooking in France while her husband does diplomatic service. By the way, watch this one on a full stomach because dishes created in the movie are sumptuous. 123 minutes. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sensuality.

UP Animated. Voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plumber, Delroy Lindo. This wonderful movie from Disney Pixar is animated, but it’s really a buddy movie. Seventy-eight-year-old Carl Frederickson sets off on a trip to return to South America by levitating his home with helium balloons (it’s animated, remember.) Only he’s not alone. A Boy Scout type-youth accidentally stowed away and the two are off for trip through the wilds of South America. It’s exciting and funny and scary all at the same time as they encounter a giant bird, a talking dog and a disgraced world-famous adventure. Not to be missed. 96 minutes. Rated PG for some peril and action.

FROm THE vAUvAUv lTlTl

GROUNDHOG DAY (2003) is the story of a weatherman who is forced to live Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, GROUNDHOG DAY (2003) is the story of a weatherman who is forced to live Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, GROUNDHOG DAYPennsylvania over and over. This is a charming movie, with the sweetness and warmth of Andie MacDowell working very nicely against the edginess of Bill Murray as the cynical weatherman who turns into a much nicer person. Directed by Harold Ramis, who co-wrote the script. Rated PG for some thematic elements

DvD DOn’T

ALL ABOUT STEVE Sandra Bullock starred in one of the most entertaining successfully movies of the year, The Proposal, The Proposal, The Proposaland followed it up with this. What were they thinking? It’s a comedy about a stalker. Pass.

DvD Diary

[ ENTERTAINmENT ]

DvD DiARY kURT A. EiCHSTEADT


Whether or not you believe in – or are even concerned with resolutions, this is

a good time to reassess where you are with regard to the things you consider significant in your life.

Last year about this time, I discussed the link between your body’s cardiovascular health, arterial plaques, and the general health of your teeth and, in particular, your gums. We all know that brushing your teeth at least two times per day and flossing once a day are the minimum for dental health home care. However, it’s more than the health of your teeth at stake – studies continue to show that it’s also the health of your body. Dentists are learning of the inextricable link between the health of the teeth and gums and the health of the human body. You should know of it too.

A topic that nearly everybody considers at this time of year is weight loss. Most of us have considered some plan to lose weight. Am I right? This process may lead to all the missed opportunities during the past year, to do what we know we should do, for the health of our body.

“…there’s an inextricable link between the health of the teeth and gums and the health of the human body.”

One of the most common resolutions at this time of year isn’t better brushing and flossing habits (oh, I wish!), so I’ll share some things that have worked well for me, and several of my friends and patients.

First, decide what you want from a workout program. To get started, try to get an idea of a short-term goal for yourself. Don’t make it too difficult. Perhaps you’d like to lose ten pounds or one clothing size. You want achieving your goal to be attainable but a bit of a challenge. Therefore, keep track of your incremental successes toward your goal and celebrate them – but not with food!

Then, figure out what you’d like to do for an activity. If you’re a swimmer, and that’s what you like to do, locate a pool you can use. If you want to go to a gym, then look into one that has the fitness machines and facilities that suit you best. There are a lot of memberships being offered at discounts this time of year. Check around, you might find some real bargains. If you’d like to start walking or running, hook up with some friends or people to help provide mutual support and accountability. It isn’t always easy to find a group, and it may take some time and boldness, but your perseverance will be aptly rewarded.

You’ve now put together the first two of Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people – 1) Be proactive and 2) Begin with the end in mind. The third habit is, Put first things first” This means that you set priorities, make a schedule, and follow a plan. You can become disciplined and organized. Most of us could use some help with this habit. However, having a support system of like-minded people can help make this habit much easier to keep on a regular basis. Consider the following.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Visalia Runners club. Their motto is to promote fun, fitness, and fellowship

through the sport of running. I have noticed that for most people to be successful in their long-term health fitness routine, they need to include these three attributes. Here are some real life examples.

“I tried to run and I couldn’t even complete one lap around the track.”- Mary

Mary, who has young children, describes how she began a fitness program in February this year. She explains, “I began by coming out to the track and walking. I tried to run and I couldn’t even complete one lap around the track.” Mary began walking and running some with a friend. On the track she met more friends and received a lot of encouragement from them. Gradually, she increased her fitness and recently Mary ran her first 10K race. I asked Mary, “What keeps you going?” She notes that her increased fitness and appearance is important, but that as a mother 24-7 she refers to the time away from home as, “The only ‘Me’ time that I really have.”

Time doing a physical activity combined with supportive friends seems to be a common theme. Andrea of Tulare tells of her group from Evolutions that runs Monday through Friday along Tulare’s Santa Fe Trail. “It provides a kind of therapy session,” she explained. “Most of us were formerly in education. We often talk about our families and

DAVID HUmERICKHOUSE, DDS COlUmniST


A Resolution to Run for Fun!



COlUmniST DAVID HUmERICKHOUSE, DDS

children while we run along the trail—but the topic could be anything.” When I asked how long she plans to keep this up, she replied, “That’s funny. We were just talking about that the other day.” Andrea related that somebody in their group said, “Can you imagine us doing this into our 60’s and 70’s?” “I hope so!” Andrea replied. “I really enjoy the time we all spend together running.”

“Can you imagine us doing this into our 60’s and 70’s?”

Anneke, another Tularean, says she uses the nearby canal banks as her exercise platform. “I run the canal banks around the dairy. Sometimes my kids come out and join me but they’re usually driving the golf cart along behind me!” Canal banks seem to be a regular place to walk and run out in the county ag areas. Randy, a local dairyman, also says that he trains along the canal banks near Tulare. Additionally, he joins a group for long runs around Rocky Hill, Yokohl Valley, and maybe even the high Sierras on the weekend. Randy is a talented athlete. A few days during the week, he also drives over to participate in our structured workouts around Visalia while he challenges us with his formidable speed as our “rabbit.”

A group of “Mavericks,” so called because their origin began at Maverick’s coffee shop in Visalia, run in different locations around the town. Actually, several groups of people meet here to not only run but also to cycle along various routes throughout the area. A group of people with varying abilities meet at the

COS track on Tuesday mornings at 5 a.m. and at other locations around town on other mornings. Raul started running after he began helping coach the Fairview Flyers, a cross country team at Fairview school. “We meet in different places and we all start off together. People naturally group together because of their different speeds and abilities.” Raul said, “We meet together, end together, and in between we share stories and company.”

Yvonne lives between Hanford and Kingsburg. She travels early in the morning to Visalia to run and train with a group of friends. “I used to run cross country in high school and when I began to run again I would run the canal banks and roads around where I lived by myself. I later trained for and ran my first marathon by myself. It was lonely.” A nearby neighbor who learned of what she was doing suggested that Yvonne become involved with a running group over in Visalia to help support her training, goals, and provide some additional camaraderie. “Bob encouraged me to go to one of the Visalia Runners’ meetings. I met people—it wasn’t always easy, but I started training with them, and then I started going to Visalia more and more.”

Yvonne is now part of a subgroup of the Visalia Runners that meets at Starbucks at Akers and Goshen. On their runs, they have fun sharing stories or events. It could be about anything – work, family, or last night’s TV show. The point is, it’s fun to be with these people and just as importantly, we hold each other accountable, in a friendly way, during our fitness and training. I try not to take such friends and the opportunity they present for granted.

“Synergize”

Stephen Covey’s habit #6 is “Synergize.” It states that you value other people’s strengths and learn from them. You get along well with others – even people who are different than you. You work well in groups and also seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems. This is because you know that by teaming with others you all can create better solutions than any one person alone.

I believe the motto of Visalia Runners, perhaps unknowingly, embodies this habit. The group of friends I run with share a desire and a passion to improve physical fitness through running. We all participate in building a knowledge base of training and accountability that makes us better than we would likely be alone. And part of the “glue” that keeps us showing up day-after-day is the fellowship and fun that we have while we’re together. It’s social – there’s no question about it. It occurs during workouts together, and sometimes later over a cup of coffee. The varied conversation, ribbing, and humorous stories have come to change something that I know I should do, into something that is change something that I know I should do, into something that is now simply a way of life.

No matter what your activity is, I hope that you can find a niche group of friends to help keep you motivated and improving. Don’t give up. There are similar friends out there waiting for you to discover them too. n

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Vox Pop Influentials - November / December 2009