PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! This is the beginning of my favorite time of the year with family and friends getting together sharing meals and memories.

First I want to thank Doris Whitney for one of our best meetings since I have been a member of SVRWF.  The Veterans Day program was terrific; the young Air Force recruiters were great and were very enthusiastic!  They also insisted on donating to our collection for the Veterans Home. (By the way, we brought in $160.00.  Thanks everyone!) Then, Jim Harvey’s description of serving during the Korean War was both moving and fun, as well.  Big thanks to everyone who brought pictures and newspapers from past wars and, of course, thanks to Jane Reed for bringing her husband’s uniform (and, of course, her husband). I think we all went away feeling uplifted and grateful to all of our veterans.

 Alice Wilson, Shirley Harvey, Doris Whitney and I all attended the CFRW Northern Division Convention November 13-15.  We heard many interesting speakers including Lynn Leach, former Assemblywomen and candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction; Superior Court Judge Lois Haight; Linda Budge, mayor pro tem of Rancho Cordova, California’s newest city, and Admiral (retired) Jud Scott.  I will expand on our speakers’ comments on our website, www.SVRWF.org.

 The big event of the convention was when three of our SVRWF members were installed to the board of CFRW Northern Division.  Alice Wilson will be 3^rd Vice President, Doris Whitney will be Secretary and Shirley Harvey will be Regional Director for Region VIII so we are well represented.  Only Redding has as many members on the Board. One other high point for our club was when Mary Alice Mara won one of the raffle baskets and it just happened to be the one we donated.  A good time was had by all. I hope more of you try to attend our Spring Conference in Sacramento March 17-19, remember we will pay your registration.

 It is also time for our See’s Candy fundraiser (see enclosed order form).  Please call Jane Reed and send your checks to her for your candy or gift certificates from See’s.  The club will receive part of your payment and you will get a bargain.  Jane has done a great job as our chief fundraiser over the years and we don’t know what we would do without her.  Thanks Jane!

 I hope you all join us for our December 4^th meeting and you also might want to attend the Central Committee Christmas Party December 11^th at our Ramada Sunnyvale at 7:00 p.m.  Cost is $25.00 Single and $45.00 couple call Jack Davis if you are interested (408) 264-8737.

A little tidbit:

George W. Bush took his girlfriend, Laura, out to play miniature golf on their very first date.  The miniature golf course was in Midland, Texas. At the time, Midland had two miniature golf courses and both were built by our own Louise Kinney’s husband, so I guess SVRWF has a (romantic) tie to President and Mrs. Bush!

Laura Riffle

President

Silicon Valley Republican Women Federated

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 MEMBERSHIP

Some of our members are renewing their membership for 2004 early.  For those who want to do the same I would like to remind you to send your dues to our new Membership Chairman, Alice Story.

The new Board will be installed at our December Luncheon

Membership dues are as follows:

                        Member                      $ 25.00

Associate                    $ 15.00

Patron                         $ 40.00

Make checks out to S.V.R.W.F.

Send to:

                          Alice Story

                          1482 Valcartier Dr.

                          Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

                          (408) 733-3248

I have enjoyed my job as Membership Chairman; it was a fun job plus getting to know all the wonderful people in our club.  Thank you.

Barbara Ferguson

505 Inverness Way

Sunnyvale, CA 94087

(408) 739-0795

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LUNCHEON SPEAKER

 December’s meeting will be our annual Christmas Director Alice Wilson selected her topic “What is the I meeting with installation of officers.  RegVIII mage of Republican Women”.  Be sure and attend to share your thoughts on this subject.  Jane Reed will be providing us with a wonderful Christmas musical program.  Our President Laura Riffle will handle the collection of gifts for Sunnyvale Community Services.  Suggestions for needed items are included on a separate page, later in this Newsletter.

 Starting in January 2004, we will be hearing more from Republican candidates vying for the March primary.   Our January 8 and February 5, 2004 meetings will focus on the area Republican state senate and assembly candidates as speakers.

 As 2003 draws to a close, I want to thank each of you for your support of the programs with your attendance.  I was very pleased with our November Veterans program and your wonderful participation.  I was excited that Ms. Blackman, with the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, provided you with information concerning the loss of jobs in Silicon Valley and where they are going.  It was a month later before the San Jose Mercury newspaper provided the same information to the community.

 For 2004 as I continue as your Program Chairman, I will endeavor to be ahead of the newspapers with speakers and information.  Should you be aware of any great Republican speakers, please let me know.

Article from the

California College Republicans

MOXIE  Magazine - Fall 2003

 “At the University of California at Berkeley, there are now 500 Young Republicans, and a conservative newspaper, the California Patriot.  At a recent convention of Young Republicans in Berkeley (entitled “ Behind Enemy Lines”) several hundred enthusiasts marked the 34^th anniversary of the People’s Park riots by descending on the park to mount a noisy display of patriotism (wakening the local homeless from their mid-day naps in the process).  They waved flags, chanted “USA” and sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.”  Like the marines rolled into Baghdad a few weeks ago to liberate the city, we rolled into Berkeley ready for a fight, as one put it.”