| February 2023 Volume 50 No. 7 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
| | | __________________________________ | Celebrate our African American Brothers and Sisters who have added so much to our history, culture and value!
5 stories to celebrate Black History Month take a look.
Black History Month website – our past is speaking to us – can we listen?
https://blackhistorymonth.gov/about/
And from the Santa Clara County Library...
Black History Month has been celebrated every February since 1976. It is a time to recognize the achievements, history and culture of Black Americans and people of African descent. The theme of this year is Black Resistance, exploring how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms.”
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is hosting a free online activities through the month. People can also enjoy several programs happening in our libraries.
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- Black History Month Celebration
- LWVCS Co-Presidents' Letter
- LWVCS Calendar
- Program Planning for OUR League
- Updates from Local, State and National
- LWVCS Upcoming Events
- LWVCS Committee Updates
- Local Government Updates
- LWV-Bay Area Regional News & Monitor
| __________________________________ | LWVCS Co-Presidents' February, 2023 Letter
While February is the Shortest Month of the Year, it is Big and Busy for LWVCS
Several Events for Members:
Meet your Elected Officials
We have an amazing opportunity to meet many of our elected officials. Saturday, Feb 11 from 2 to 3:30pm at BJ’s in Cupertino. Be sure to RSVP now as the space is limited. Register at this link
Both new and returning officials will be in attendance. This will be your opportunity to casually mix and mingle with these officials. Hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks will be provided.
This promises to be a great event please do attend.
LWV 103rd Anniversary
On Feb 14th, the League celebrates its 103rd Anniversary. In lieu of candy or flowers please consider giving the gift of a League membership to your sweetheart. O.K. we were only kidding give them all three. Seriously though as an anniversary present to our League, please invite a friend, family member, or colleague to join the League. There is lots of great information and history to share with a prospective member on the website and be sure to review 100 years of LWV.
Annual Planning Meeting
As we do each year on Thursday, Feb 16th at 7pm we will review several possible projects we could work on over the year. Critical to the success of Program Planning is finding people who are interested in working on the projects that are selected. So please come and help us select projects you would be interested in working on. The meeting will be via Zoom meeting and you can register at this link.
We Saved the Best for Last
This month we recognize both Roberta Hollimon and Marilyn Howard on their 50th anniversary as LWV members. Congratulations and thank you to both for their 50 years of contribution. We are so fortunate to have both as members of LWVCS.
Elaine & Tracey
Co-Presidents
| __________________________________ | League Updates from Around the Bay - See the links and articles below for the latest!
- LWVCS Board Meeting, via ZOOM, February 6, 2023, 7pm, contact communications@lwvcs.org to join the meeting.
- LWV Cupertino State of the City, February 15, 5:30, Register here. Our own Hung Wei, Cupertino Mayor, will speak.
- LWVCS Learning Opportunity - Join the Coffee Hour, Thursday, February 16, 11am, meet our special guest, Tara Sreekrishnan, Santa Clara County Board of Education!
- And remember to participate via Zoom in your Program Planning meeting February 16, 7 pm and register here.
| __________________________________ | | You Are Invited to Meet and Greet Your Elected Officials!
The League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale invites you to an afternoon gathering of elected officials and our members and guests on Saturday, February 11th from 2 to 4pm at BJ’s Cupertino (10690 N De Anza Blvd in Cupertino)
It’s an opportunity to get to know each other and talk about how we can work together for our communities.
We are really looking forward to seeing you – and a friend!
Please register here today! | | | __________________________________ |  |
LWVCS Program Planning 2023
It is Program Planning time again - and we want YOUR feedback on what we will focus on this year!
We identify local issues to support and provide direction on state and national policy program initiatives as well.
Preparation is really easy - and important in providing direction for our League - just click on the link below to complete a brief survey on what YOU want to prioritize, what YOU want to do.
And we welcome you to our online Program Planning meeting on February 16 at 7pm - you can register for the meeting here.
This is a critical year for democracy and for participating in League activities. Empowering voters & defending democracy requires every one of us to participate, to take action, to own this responsibility. So let's do it starting with your feedback on the survey!
Help us identify the issues that are important to you - tell us via this brief survey!
In preparation, please review the League Advocacy positions here. | __________________________________ | |
LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Events - We Need Your Participation!
- Meet and Greet Our Elected's - Feb. 11, 2-4pm at BJ's, Cupertino. Register today!
- You Can Do It - Help Us Do Program Planning - Feb. 16, 7-8:30pm, via Zoom. Register here.
- Meet Tara Sreekrishnan, Santa Clara County Board of Education at our Coffee Hour - February 16, 11am - join here
- Check out our Calendar of LWVCS Events on our website here!
| Learning Opportunities in the Bay Area | From neighboring LWV SWSV: GREAT DECISIONS: YOU ARE INVITED!
Our SWSCV League is participating in a foreign policy association’s “Great Decisions’ program” that has flourished for over 60 years. We invite you to join this largest discussion program in America on world affairs.
2023 Great Decision (8) Meetings will take place twice a month, on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, from 10:30-12:30 starting in February.
Feb 3 — Energy Geopolitics
Feb 17— War Crimes
Mar 3 — China and the U.S.
Mar 17— Economic Warfare
Apr 7 — Politics in Latin America
Apr 21 — Global Famine
May 5 — Iran and the U.S.
May 19 — Climate Migration
We will be meeting at the Saratoga Senior Centre portable building located at 19655 Allendale Avenue in Saratoga (across from the post office).
The total fee to join is $41 per individual & $46 for couples who are planning to share a workbook.
For more information, please call Ginger Good @ 408-866-1331 or Hana Itani @ 408-838-6416.
CivicWell Policymakers Conference March 16 – 19, 2023 at Asilomar
Save your spot today to attend the conference, as space is filling up quickly. Learn more and register here.
Topics to be covered at the conference include:
- How to Build More Housing in Your Town
- The Challenges and Promises of Offshore Wind
- Effectively Influencing State Climate Policy from a Local Level
- Solar, Battery Storage, and Grid Reliability
- The Remote Workforce - Environmental and Equity Implications
- Building Decarbonization - What Local Governments Can Do
Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival
Cupertino's Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about the environment
City of Cupertino, Sat, 22 April 2023, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT at Cupertino Library Park 10400 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014
County Boosts Mental Health Navigator Program
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently increased funding and staff for the County’s Behavioral Health Navigator Program, an initiative proposed by Supervisor Joe Simitian. The new County program, which launched in July 2022, helps residents navigate the County’s mental health system, including public and private resources.
| __________________________________ | Civil Discourse Committee
Our regular monthly meetings to update events and plan our 2023 program have begun!
We need your ideas and participation.
Join our next meeting February 20, 1pm here
| __________________________________ | Our Next Event -
Finding Fairness in a Polarized Country -
Practicing Civil Discourse
Hone your civil discourse skills and add your ideas in this Participative Workshop Conversation around using the elements of Equity & Equality and whether they provide fair solutions to community issues.
Facilitated Group Discussion Topics will include:
• Affordable Housing - Nimby vs. Yimby – What’s fair?
• No cash bail? Is it fair to have bail requirements?
• Mental health treatment for unhoused – Mandatory or not?
• Universal Basic Income – What’s fair?
Join us via ZOOM on Thursday, March 16, 7- 8pm
Please register here.
| Cupertino News
City Council Meeting Feb. 7 & 21, 6:45
To view the minutes and webcast archives visit: Agenda, calendar and archives
| | | Participate in these Events:
Cupertino Earth & Arbor Day Festival -
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. join LWVCS at Library Field Park to celebrate our shared earth and help the environment. Cupertino’s Earth & Arbor Day Festival invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.
Cupertino’s Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.
February Cupertino Scene: cupertino.org/scene.
Cupertino Releases Housing Element Draft
The City of Cupertino has released a draft of its 6th Cycle Housing Element and is inviting public comment through December 23. The draft will be available for a 30-day public review and comment period. After the comment period closes, the City will review and consider all comments received and will revise the element for consideration and final adoption. Learn more here. | __________________________________ |
Sunnyvale City Governance
City of Sunnyvale Top 30 Project Summaries
Project Summary List Which Has Valuable Updates On Priority Projects For Sunnyvale.
The agenda for the February 7, 7 pm 2023 Council Meeting is available
City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
To join in person and comment:
- Council Chambers, 607 All America Way*
*Use this address for entrance to City Hall and for GIS mapping. The W. Olive Avenue entrance is closed during construction.
To join online and comment:
City Manager's Update Sunnyvale Report Posted
The City Manager's report, Update Sunnyvale, is a summary of updates related to City programs and projects, responses to City Council inquiries, effects of COVID-19 on our community, and events and activities of interest to the community.
In this issue:
Homestead Bike Lane Study
Burglary Suppression Detail
Child Care Fair Exhibitor Applications Available
Reason for the Season
NOVA Invited to Present at Job Search Webinar
National Jobs Report Released for December
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Covering 20 Bay Area Leagues In Nine Bay Area Counties
Special Events:
via Zoom on Feb 17 2023 - 11:30am - 12:30pm
In these days of cynicism about politics, voters need to hear about how our legislators overcome political constraints to make policies for the common good.
Register for this event »
Read more
LWV Bay Area Regional Board Briefs:
- Recruiting new Board members, especially treasurer and secretary and a new non-Board Audit Committee.
- Created a LWVBA Observer Corps.
- Looking for additional members for our Regional Government and Land Use Study Committee.
- Recruit individuals interested in being part of communications via Slack or some other vehicle.
- Want LWV Bay Area news? Join the LWV Bay Area mailing list. Add names to our email lists. Ask local to “volunteer” additions noting we always include an Unsubscribe. Contact LWVBayArea@gmail.com
|  | __________________________________ | February Quote:
As Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), who was beaten almost to death in his quest to protect the right to vote, wrote to us when he passed: ‘Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part.’” | Board Briefs
- Meet & greet with Electeds Feb 11, 2-4 at BJ's - all are invited!
- All Members are invited to Feb. 16, 7pm, Program Planning
- Roberta Hollimon, Nominating Committee Chair, will lead the charge for new Board members
- Contact Communications@lwvcs.org to attend the next Board Meeting on Feb. 6 at 7pm via Zoom.
- And our LWVCS Board took a break & a photo - see below.
| | | __________________________________ | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Officers serving from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Pam Anderson
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Open
Programs Director: Nancy Smith
Database Management Director: Open
Membership Director: Pam Anderson
Communications Directors: Marieann Shovlin, Marilyn Sherry
Resource Development Director: Open
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Nominations Chair: Roberta Hollimon | __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
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United States
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Vice President Kamala D. Harris
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Alex Padilla
US Congressional Representative 17th District, Ro Khanna
California
Governor Gavin Newsom
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
State Senator District 10: Aisha Wahab
State Senator, District 13 (Sunnyvale) Josh Becker
State Senator, District 15 (Cupertino) Dave Cortese
State Assembly, District 24 (Sunnyvale) Mark Berman
State Assembly, District 26 (Cupertino & Sunnyvale) Evan Low
| | Santa Clara County
County Supervisor, District 3: Otto Lee
County Supervisor, District 5: Joe Simitian
Cupertino
Mayor: Hung Wei
Vice Mayor: Sheila Mohan
Councilmember Liang Chao
Councilmember J.R. Fruen
Councilmember Kitty Moore
Sunnyvale
Mayor: Larry Klein
Vice Mayor: District 2: Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Seat 1: Gustav Larsson
Councilmember Seat 2: Glenn Hendricks
Councilmember Seat 3: Tony Spitaleri
Councilmember District 4: Russ Melton
Councilmember Disctict 6: Omar Din
| | | __________________________________ | Join the League of Women Voters
Voting membership in the League of Women Voters is open to men and women 16 years of age and beyond.
Annual Membership:
$80 Individual member
$40 for each additional member in the same household:
Free for full-time students at this time
| | | __________________________________ | | The Cupertino-Sunnyvale VOTER
Published 10 times a year by the
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale.
This newsletter is posted on our website:
| | The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Permission is granted to reprint any part of this newsletter with credit to the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale | | | __________________________________ |
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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