508 Pacifica Tribune, December 5, 2012 _ Page 7A

Community Forum & Opinions Find us online: www.mercurynews.com/pacifica Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon held at JUHSD Office

Charlotte Levine’s legacy Food Services Director Arlinda Marvin to accom- continues at Tiger Café plish the feat, with a little help from their volunteer friends on the actual day of Charlotte Levine retired derful turkey luncheons the luncheon. from Terra Nova High inspired all of them to Maureen Poggetti, School in June of 2011, af- want to revisit those grand Food Services manager at ter 15 years of doing her times, so Charlotte worked Terra Nova High School special thing – Tiger Café with the students to do it was also invaluable, as she – which started by teach- on an only slightly reduced cooked the turkey, pota- ing her students the entire scale. It was so successful toes and stuffi ng for them. process of putting together that everyone wanted to do Volunteers Linda Jonas a traditional Thanksgiving it again this year. and Georgia Berry picked dinner, but at lunchtime, at So that’s what they did! those items up and brought school. It progressed from Charlotte called some of them to the site for the lun- there to doing additional her long-time volunteers, cheon. specialty luncheons several and they called a couple Thanks to the friendly times throughout the year. more, and, together with volunteers, Linda, Geor- Her retirement did not the staff and students, gia, Diane Hart and Elaine mark the end of the turkey a delicious Thanksgiv-Maynard for rounding out luncheon, however. ing dinner was served at the crew. And thanks, too, Last year Charlotte was lunchtime the week before to the fabulous group of substituting for one of the the real Thanksgiving. students who worked on Special Day Classes of 18-22 Teachers of the two decorations, greeted the year-old students at the Jef- classes, Danielle Messer guests at the door, served ferson Union High School and Kevin Roach, and the the food and the beverages,

District Office, where some classroom aides, Barbara cleaned up and – all in all PHOTOS BY LINDA JONAS of her former colleagues Barisone, Lorraine Mor- – provided one and all with The servers are Victor, Lupita, Alex, the aide Barbara, and Steven. from Terra Nova now work ton-Feazell, Vana Blair and a beautiful Thanksgiving as administrators. Fond Crystal Cabarle, worked memory. memories of those won- with Charlotte and JUHSD — Contributed report

Holiday happenings and the coming new year ‘Tis the holiday season. Be North Pole) is this Friday, The early deadline for the sure to pay a visit to the many Dec. 7, for publication in the Jan. 2 issue is Dec. 21. The local festive events — includ- Dec. 12 issue and Thursday, Tribune again will be closed ing the upcoming Rockaway Dec. 13 for publication in Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 but the pa- Beach Tree-Lighting cer- the Dec. 19 issue. (Parents: per will be delivered as usual emony this Sunday which please help Santa’s Elves at Wednesday, Jan. 2. promises to be a special holi- the Tribune when it comes to Back by popular demand day treat for all ages. deciphering “wish lists” from is the Tribune’s annual “Best The Pacifica Tribune is the kids.) of Pacifi ca” contest, which also in the holiday spirit and There will be early dead- will allow Pacifi cans the op- will be publishing, starting lines for editorial and adver- portunity to vote by paper this week, several weekly tising copy and photos for ballot or online for their fa- pages devoted to local holi- the Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 issues. vorite eateries, merchants day happenings. Kids, it’s All materials for publication and service providers in Pa- time to get your “letters to Dec. 26 must be submitted cifica. The official ballot with Santa” sent in or dropped no later than Dec. 14. The all the categories is on Page off at the Tribune’s office at Tribune offices will be closed 13A of this issue. Pacifi cans 59 Bill Drake Way. An offi - Monday and Tuesday, Dec. can vote online starting this cial “Santa Letter” form can 24-25 although there will be Thursday by visiting the Tri- be found on 12A in this issue. no change in the Wednes- bune’s page at mercurynews. Deadline for timely delivery day, Dec. 26 delivery date to com/pacifica Greeters are Joe, Richie and Aram. to the Tribune (and on to the homes and businesses. — Elaine Larsen My Turn Ron Root

(Writer Jim Cook re- that men lost incentive to wages and superior ben- talism and socialism does ernment will resort to even States with its deficits cently wrote an article he work or earn. thousands efits for themselves. Under not choose between two more socialism. Historians and runaway government entitled: Bread & Circuses, of Romans, to escape the socialism Roman civiliza- social systems: it chooses will write about the reasons spending is doing a fi nan- it reads as follows: A year taxation, fled to seek ref- tion withered and died. between social cooperation for the decline and fall of cial high wire act. By em- ago I was fortunate enough uge smong the barbar- The great economist, and the disintegration of America as they do about bracing more central bank to visit Rome and stand ians.” Doesn’t that sound Ludwig von Mises, explains society. Socialism is not an Rome. Basically, Rome dis- inflation and other social- in the ruins of the Forum. familiar? The same high why Rome failed and why alternative to capitalism; it appeared as a viable city. Its ist schemes we ensure a Nothing else quite conveys taxes, big government and we are failing. “Socialism is an alternative to any sys- population shriveled. With terrible fall to the sawdust the grandeur and great- excessive regulation that is not in the least what it tem under which men can our huge population of sub- below. The Romans never ness of Roman civilization. destroyed a once prosper- pretends to be. It is not the live as human beings.” sidized citizens (many of saw their collapse coming. A new book, The Rise of ous Roman civilization are pioneer of a better and fi ner If this frightens you then low character) there will be Most Americans are clue- Rome , explains the reasons in the process of doing the world, but the spoiler of well it should. We are at the safer places in the world. less. for this success. It’s the same thing here. Rome what thousands of years of point where the welfare re- It should be clear to any However, once you sus- same reason the U.S. grew began to penalize the suc- civilization have created. It cipients and the subsidized observer that we are mov- pect what is going on you great, “favorable conditions cessful with smothering does not build: it destroys. are in control of who wins ing in dramatic fashion can prepare and ready for production and trade.” taxation and reward the For destruction is the es- our elections. That means away from the things that yourself. Factor our warn- The market economy, with unproductive with a dole sence of it. it produces more government spend- made us great- limited gov- ings into your thinking. So its trade and commerce (free bread and entertain- nothing, it only consumes ing and higher taxes until ernment, low taxes, free it is written, so shall it be. built Rome. ment). what the social order based the capitalist and entrepre- markets, and a rugged indi- (Thank you Jim Cook) To explain the downfall Eventually under the on private ownership in the neurs have been liquidated. vidualism that spurned the I realize this is rather of the Roman Empire, I Emperor Diocletian in 301 means of production has Unfortunately, limitless dole. cerebral reading, not nec- rely on the famous histori- AD, Rome fully embraced created.” Mises went on to borrowing is impossible We cannot survive so- essarily for the rank and ans Will and Ariel Durant. socialism. The bureaucrats explain what happens to a and the markets will begin cialism with any semblance fi le. In fact, statistically 99 “To support officialdom- feathered their own nest civilization that embraces to abuse the dollar. As the of American greatness, as percent of Americans are the army, the court, public just as today’s unionized government intervention value of the currency di- no country has ever pros- virtually clueless to the works, and the dole- taxa- government employees and socialism. “A society minishes in face of an infla- pered under government machinations of the world tion rose to such heights have established higher that chooses between capi- tionary holocaust the gov- intervention. The United in which they live.

ginger, and nutmeg (or just use a generic pumpkin these comic comebacks: “Not traveling soon, but I know pie spice). I tried a store brand and an organic brand that I will be in Extremis shortly before my death.” but found that Libby’s (owned by Nestle) is not only ”Have you ever been in Satiable? Now that’s a trip.” “I Wandering & cheaper but also healthier: higher fiber and lower would have responded sooner, but I was in Carcerated, carbs than other brands. Wondering why, I phoned in Accessible, and in Competent.” So, are you in? Wondering Libby’s customer service and learned that Libby’s uses Dixon pumpkins from California, which apparently are OK LIQUORS UPDATE John Maybury naturally higher in the good stuff and lower in the bad Jeff Bagshaw, who had known OK Liquors’ owner Steve stuff. Bonus: It’s gluten-free, loaded with vitamin A (300 since the store opened in 1984, says that Steve’s wife CLEAN MONEY mg per half-cup serving) and potassium (310 mg. per returned to Korea about five years ago, and that Steve’s Democratic state Senator Leland Yee has been named half-cup serving, a factoid I got from the phone rep but sister has been helping run the store since then. Still a “Clean Money Champion” for receiving the state no longer listed on the label, for some reason). For my no news about whether the business will remain open. Senate’s top score of 120 percent on the California Clean trouble, Libby’s sent me coupons and recipes. The cin- Nancy Quintrell had patronized Steve’s store for many Money Action Fund scorecard. Yee voted for every bill namon in my homemade pumpkin treat (eat as is or use years. She says, “I wanted to give him my business when supported by the campaign and co-authored the Cali- in pumpkin pie) may help with blood sugar control, and I I was stocking up on a variety of libations for social fornia DISCLOSE Act that would have unveiled hidden sometimes top it off with a shot of light whipped cream, events, work parties, etc. He was always very pleasant funders of political ads by requiring ads to show who which is marvelously low in fat and sugar but great- and helpful. Several years ago I met his son who was really pays for them (resulting in a 20 percent bonus tasting. Enjoy! helping at the store and he told me he was a UC Davis on his 100 percent score). “I am proud to stand with graduate — my alma mater. I will miss Steve — may he the California Clean Money Campaign,” says Yee. “It is ALL IN rest in peace.” imperative that we update our laws to limit the influence “I was in many places during my career, but I don’t of money in our political system. I look forward to work- think I was ever in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go SWAMI SEZ ing with the Clean Money Campaign, Common Cause, there alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. “ The best way to rob a bank is to own one.” (William FPPC, League of Women Voters, and others as we I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recog- Crawford) develop legislation in 2013 to prohibit secret billionaires nizes you there. I have been in Sane. They don’t have an from trying to steal elections.” airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several SITESEER trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I live •Share travel photos and stories: ballofdirt.com LA MORDIDA TAQUERIA close, so it’s a short drive. I would like to go to Conclu- •Build an energy-efficient custom home: clarum.com The old Manor Taco Bell has morphed into a true Mexi- sions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on •Database of 5,000 unique feline monikers: cat-names.us can taqueria called La Mordida, which translates as “the physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. •Scenic new coastal park: devilsslidecoast.org bite” but also has darker connotations. (You could look it That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too •Scams, shams, and other outrages: ripoffreport.com up.) But no matter: La Mordida Taqueria has tasty bites. often. I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very On the menu for dining in or takeout: tacos, burritos, important to stand firm. Sometimes I’m in Capable, and BLOCK THAT CLICHÉ quesadillas, nachos, tortas, mariscos (seafood), fajitas, I go there more often as I’m getting older. One of my “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Gregg Levoy says combination plates, salads, handmade tortillas, excellent favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the this expression dates back to the 4th century A.D. Back homemade flan, beer, wine, beverages, and weekend adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my then, if someone gave you a horse, it was considered bad specials like menudo and birria (goat stew). It also has a age, I need all the stimuli I can get! And sometimes I manners to check the horse’s teeth for signs of age. kids menu, catering service, and a breakfast burrito plus think I am in Vincible, but life shows me I am not. People coffee for five bucks. Info: lamordidataqueria.com keep telling me I’m in Denial, but I’m positive I’ve never MAYBURRITOVILLE been there before! Are you travelling soon?” The preced- •Copyediting: Goofbuster.com PUMPKIN POWER ing is one of those clever Internet gags that goes around •Blogging: PacificaRiptide.com I have discovered how tasty and nutritious plain pump- and around like a stuck record. (If you don’t know what •Meandering: LomaPrieta.SierraClub.org kin is, sweetened with a sugar substitute (sucralose, a record is, you may be too young to read this item!) I •Email: [email protected] stevia, etc.) and spiced with clove, allspice, cinnamon, forwarded this to my writers and editors list, and got