Whole number 206 June 2014 Ron Yamagami Goings On… t was great to see Ron at the meeting t was good to see Dave Gilman at the I of May 6. He looked really very well, I meeting of May 20th, looking none however, carries a mask to wear if anyone the worse for wear after his health ordeal has a cold—seems his immune system causing, among other things, some 15 is in a susceptible state. days in hospital. Welcome back Dave An interesting point, kidney transplant and don’t do that anymore… 9 - 11—WE WILL NEVER FORGET may be a misnomer in many cases as Our slideshow Guru extraordinaire, 2015 Club Officers doctors usually just implant the new James Steinwinder, is presently undergoing President kidney if the existing one is not infected chemo for cancer—sad and disturbing in any way—I was not aware of that. In news Jim. We offer prayers and hope Brian Jones. 408.927.6861 [email protected] any event implant/transplant procedures for the very best of outcomes. Today’s Vice President are truly amazing events. procedures have come a long ways and David Occhipinti . 408.723.0122 Ron will have to deal with side affects we can expect success, however, it is a and report to the hospital from time-to-time long and difficult ordeal for the subject. Secretary for the rest of his life, however that sure In the meantime thoughts of cheer, hope David Gilman . .408.264.1953 [email protected] beats the alternative. and encouragement may be appreciated. Treasurer Ron, we are all pleased to see your All that being said, Jim is upbeat about return to the club meetings and wish you it and continues to work when he feels Richard Clever . 408.238.0893 [email protected] many more years of stamp collecting.-ed. up to it. Newsletter Editor Richard Clever returned from nearly Socorico three weeks on the road doing shows in James Sauer . 408.445.2694 [email protected] Oregon and Denver, during which time do a lot of searching on the web and Filatelic Fiesta General Chairman at times find sites that are vastly he fell ill—not to fear though as all is well I Steve Schumann . 510.785.4794 superior to most. Socorico, the site for now, however, one must begin to think [email protected] of our mortality at our age Richard. Costa Rica stamp collecting is one such Exhibits Chairman On a brighter note, Kristin Patterson site. From free album pages to their Dr. Edward Laveroni . 408.356.7561 will give a presentation on “The Story own catalog, which is without prices so Bourse Chairman it’s always relevant and with updates of the U. S. Playing Card Company Through Their Tax Stamps” at our June Wayne Menuz . 408.265.5539 on CDs; plus an outstanding journal which is packed with detailed info on CR 3rd meeting. Kristin is always thorough Visit our website at: in her knowledge and presentation, which stamps. I don’t collect CR stamps but filatelicfiesta.org the site is so good it makes it tempting to makes for an enjoyable program, plus she do so. I believe that half the pleasure speaks right up and is easily heard. So Founded 1927, Club show since 1928 you don’t collect revenues—be there and st rd in collecting any area is knowledge of Meets 7:00 PM, 1 & 3 Wednesdays soak up a little knowledge.-ed. rd it. This society takes that approach to Hilltop Manor in 3 floor dining room 790 Ironwood Drive, San Jose, California heart and helps the CR collector know Driving instructions on the website. and understand Costa Rican philately Annual dues: thoroughly. Adults/families $12 ~ Youths $6 And, last but not least, check out their With hardcopy of newsletter $20 APS chapter # 0264-025791 home page and the links to Collecting Correspondence to: Costa Rica and Auctions. P O Box 730993, San Jose, CA 95173 The fact that Costa Rica is so American friendly and have, in my opinion, the best Contents coffee in the world, all in addition to Potpourrie . 2 how the coffee is grown (shade and ecologically) and a very beautiful country International Post Office??? . 2 overall, makes the country very appealing. Before the NSA There Was The USPS . 3 Longtime SJSC members may recall Cinchona . 3 several articles on Costa Rican stamps Hutt River . 4 and the countries coffee in past issues The Weird and True Story of America’s of this newsletter. Most Popular Social Security Number . 6 A stamps on coffee topical would be a Covers, Cards, Stamps, etc. 7 very interesting endeavor, with terrific possibilities for exhibiting.-ed. ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Northern California Trivia President’s Message Q Where was Clint Eastwood born? “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”—Albert Einstein A San Francisco ’ve always liked this quote and tried to keep it in mind when Q What Oakland made film on explorers was the first movie I things don’t go the way I want. You’re probably wondering Released by Hollywood? why I opened my column with this and what does this has to do A Big Game Hunting in Africa. with stamp collecting. Good question. Let me explain. I spent 4 days up at the WESTPEX Stamp Show and I heard From Northern California Trivia by Ernie & Jill Couch the same comment from a chorus of people. To paraphrase: Are We At War??? “People just not interested in stamp collecting anymore because of [video games, TV, Internet].” However, in my experience of This should bother every American. That the Islams have working in the youth room and with Scout families is that people brought about women-only classes and swimming times at are interested; they just didn’t realize all the good reasons to taxpayer-funded universities and public pools; that Christians, collect, nor how to get started. Too many potential collectors have Jews, and Hindus have been banned from serving on juries never had the opportunity to collect or been given any guidance. where Muslim defendants are being judged, Piggy banks and The BIG problem is that stamp organizations sit at stamp shows Porky Pig tissue dispensers have been banned from workplaces and expect potential collectors to find them. HEY, WAKE UP because they offend Islamist sensibilities. Ice cream has been PEOPLE!!! If new collectors aren’t coming to stamp shows, discontinued at certain Burger King locations because the picture let’s do something different like taking stamps to the people. on the wrapper looks similar to the Arabic script for Allah, What does that mean? It means let’s take introductory materials public schools are pulling pork from their menus, on and on to where people are—like senior centers, and culture fairs. Let’s in the news papers…. stop sitting in our club meetings and shows complaining about It's death by a thousand cuts, or inch-by-inch as some refer the lack of interest and go out drum up some interest. Will to it, and most Americans have no idea that this battle is being everyone come? No, of course not. But, with some effort, I’m waged every day across America. By not fighting back, by willing to bet we can create some new interest in collecting stamps. allowing groups to obfuscate what is really happening, and How will we do this? That is the discussion this club needs not insisting that the Islamists adapt to our own culture, the to figure out. The talk I’ve had about this so far is that people United States is cutting its own throat with a politically correct will try collecting for a variety of reasons—the trick is to help knife, and helping to further the Islamists agenda. Sadly, it people discover how collecting stamps will enhance their appears that today's America would rather be politically correct interests in their heritage, family ancestry, or special interest than right or victorious. (a love of art, dogs, cars, etc.). Any doubts, just Google Thomas Jefferson vs the Muslim World. I’m excited about trying something new. We could generate I did just that and the site at http://realworldnewsorg.blogspot.com/2010/08/ a lot of excitement about stamps. If we don’t, we can learn thomas-jefferson-and-ground-zero-mosque.html. This is a volatile issue from our experience and try new techniques at another event. today with all that’s going on in the Middle East, and this site offers some I expect EVERYONE to contribute to this project and there insight not found on your evening news.-ed. will be plenty of ways to help. —Brian Independent Postal System of America WESTPEX Westpex Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Program homas M. Murray (1927–2003) founded the Independent T Postal System of America (IPSA) in 1968, as a nation-wide nother successful Boy Scout stamp collecting merit badge commercial carrier of Third and Fourth Class Mail, in direct A program was held at WESTPEX this year. Twenty-eight competition with the United States Post Office (USPO), now boys completed their merit badge on Sunday. The event opened the United States Postal Service (USPS). But in 1971, when with a lecture that covered many of the badge requirements to the company entered the First Class delivery business, they learn the different types of stamps, postal history, and language endured a number of lawsuits brought against them, which of the hobby. The boys then got a tour of the show to see the finally led to the company's collapse in the mid-1970s.