GCCCD Grapevine

Volume 9, Number 4                                                                                      December, 1999

Special Millennium Edition

Who Are We, Where Are We?
An End of Millennium ‘Snapshot’

It seemed appropriate to include a quick ‘snapshot’ of our GCCCD retirees as the millennium draws to a close. We now number 329, nearly double the number of district retirees just ten years ago. Our composition has changed a bit since the last such ‘snapshot’ (Grapevine, December 1991). In 1991, women retirees slightly outnumbered men (52% to 48%), but now it’s the other way around. Men retirees outnumber women by about 53% to 47%. Another reversal is the ratio of certificated retirees to classified retirees. In 1991, classified outnumbered certificated about 49% to 45%, with 5% management. This year, the percentages are about 56% certificated to 44% classified (management has been included within whichever of the two categories is appropriate).

The location of retirees hasn’t changed that much, though. In 1991, 81% of the retirees stayed in California, whereas this year almost 85% still live in the Golden State. Arizona continues to be the next most popular retirement state, followed by Oregon and Washington--a definite affinity for the west coast. The remaining out-of-staters are living mostly in the West (Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, Texas, Utah, Montana and Nevada) , the South/Southeast (Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) or the Midwest (Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma). There’s just one retiree living back East (Pennsylvania) and one out of the U.S. (Canada).

Most retirees have not moved out of the local area. There are 85 retirees in San Diego, 45 in La Mesa, 40 in El Cajon, 15 in Santee and 14 in Lakeside, with a much smaller number in the more outlying areas of the county or up the coast a ways.

Think about how different this picture look if we were all retired from a college in New York City!

Editor’s Comments:
      

I’m going to be optimistic (and perhaps naive’ as well) and assume that all of you will be reading this issue just before the millennium ends. Funding for this issue was not available until our district insurance broker, Barney and Barney, agreed to help out. This was a very recent development so Gene and I didn’t have that much time to pull it all together, but we’ve tried to make this issue somewhat special. Special because of the end of the millennium and also special because this closes out our tenth year of continuous production of Grapevine (see "Grapevine Completes 10th Year", following).

Those of you who have been retired at least ten years know that I’ve been involved with Grapevine from the beginning, either as editor-producer, editor, co-editor, or book reviewer and article writer (and most recently as web author). This newsletter has become a generally pleasant part of my existence, much as I rave against deadlines and budget shortfalls. It has satisfied that part of me that wanted to be a journalist (I worked on my junior high newspaper and yearbook, wrote a serialized cartoon strip for my high school paper, and was an assistant editor of a college newspaper). It has kept me in touch with many of you out there and also with lots of folks in the district who have not yet made that life-enhancing decision to retire. It has given me the chance to work with some wonderful people. Some especially. I can say categorically that this newsletter would not have survived without the considerable help and efforts of Sirkka Huovila (desktop production and layout) and Pat Higgins (past editor and co-editor). Others have made the job easier and more pleasant--article writers Leon Hoffman and Don Scouller, photos by John Dixon, and most recently editorial assistance from Gene Murray--but Sirkka and Pat were crucial to Grapevine’s survival. That we have continued for ten years, I thank them for me and I thank them for all of you.

So I close out the millennium with the good feeling that what began as a loosely formatted listing of information for retirees on two mimeographed sheets of ‘goldenrod’ paper stapled together has evolved into something resembling a real newsletter, went on the internet in 1995, and attracted enough attention to become listed in the national educational database, ERIC (see Grapevine, June 1999) this summer.

What’s ahead for this newsletter in the new millennium depends, as always, on you folks out there. We all make news in our own way. Not all of us are doing things as exciting as pioneering a vineyard or conducting symphonies, but many of us are traveling or involved in unusual hobbies or working in a second career (or avocation). We are, all of us, experiencing things that might be newsworthy to readers with whom we have shared years of our life on the college campuses of Grossmont or Cuyamaca.

Make a New Millennium resolution to stay in touch. Send us a letter. Send us an article. Send us pictures. Celebrate your life and, when you can, let the rest of us participate vicariously by telling us about it.

Notice:  The book review column Bibio-files is not included in this special issue  but will be resumed in future issues.

Grapevine Completes Tenth Year

This issue not only marks the end of the millennium, it also represents the end of ten years’ production of our newsletter. The first few issues were a joint effort of the Grossmont Cuyamaca Retirement Committee, chaired by Dr. Ivan Jones, Grossmont College president. Other members were Stan Flandi, Leon Hoffman, Charlie Hyde, Dean Parks, Tom Scanlan, Don Scouller and Fred Stollenwerk. Lana Lima typed and formatted the newsletter. Later issues were edited by Tom Scanlan with photography and travel feature articles regularly written by Leon Hoffman and Don Scouller. Sirkka Huovila has assisted with desktop production and layout since March, 1992 and John Dixon has helped with photos since that same time period.

Funding was tight during 1992-93, so there were only two issues published in 1992 and one issue in 1993. All other years we’ve managed three or more issues. Pat Higgins took over as editor in 1995 until 1998, when he and Tom Scanlan co-edited the newsletter. Pat Higgins retired from editing at the end of 1998. Tom Scanlan continued as editor and was joined by Gene Murray as assistant editor this September.

Ten continuous years of GCCCD Grapevine. Where does the time go?!

                                      
      Tom Scanlan                Gene Murray            Sirkka Huovila                 John Dixon
          Editor                      Assistan Editor        Word Processing              Photography

                              
         Pat Higgins                  Don Scouller             Leon Hoffman              Lana Lima
         Past Editor               Travel and Video       Travel and Photo         Word Processing

Thanks for the mail! As for a brief report on my activities, here it is! I came here in 1975 having spent 11 years at Grossmont. I remember vividly my first years there. There was no grass and when it rained we had humongous puddles where some wags posted signs such as "don't walk on the water" and "newly planted water", etc.

Arriving in Nebraska was much different. Here I came as a full professor teaching violin and conducting the University Orchestra and operas. I also was hired as the Music Director and Conductor of the Lincoln Symphony, a professional group that gave seven conerts, three pops concerts, four Children's Concerts and many other gigs for TV.

I retired from the Symphony in 1992 and from the University in 1997. As a result I am playing lots of violin with both the Lincoln and Omaha symphonies and teach about 10 private students at my home. In the Summer I sail in the Northwest (British Columbia, ski in Colorado and go East on occasion.

Remarried 6 years ago to a poet and have discovered the Good Life! If any are passing through on Highway 80, give a call.

best to all - Bud Emile

Thanks for the Grapevine -- nice work!! Sorry to hear about Jane Spooner - she was a real trooper - thanks for the good words from Don.

Hobbies - I have cycled for years, to work, and for fun. In '97 son Wiley  and I cycled across Wales and part of England. This year I joined a tour in the Alps and followed the Tour de France. My journal from this most recent adventure is up on the web at: http://www.evansmonterey.com/bob/cycling.html

Meanwhile I am still webmaster for spouse Barbara's mischief with the  City of Monterey. Scored a victory last night at the Council meeting - read all about it at: http://www.evansmonterey.com

Just started classes - teaching two math classes for CSUMB and taking  another graphics arts class at Monterey Peninsula CC. If you are up this way - give us a call - we'd love to see you and show  you around.

Best to all,

Bob

Nice Grapevine on line, you guys. Just a short note to let you know what Jan and I are doing now that we're in the "marvelous" weather period in the San Juans. My son Jeremy has put the store we own on part-time while he gets into the booming construction industry up here. We have software billionaires and Hollywood types both rushing to build "little summer places." Our daughter-in-law and Jan are doing most of the sales and ordering in the gift shop. I do the heavy lifting, trash and nautical charts.

Jan and I have both been doing what passes for theatre up here. She did "The Gin Game" with a retired newsman Len Beardsley to open the season on Lopez Island. Last night (Aug. 26) I did Fahrenheit 451 with a large troop on the lawn in front of the library in the evening. The highlight of the performance was a real bookburning with the firetruck pulling up and helping put out the fire. You can get away with stuff like that up here.

The best news is of course--like the rest of you don't have the same thing going-- a new grandchild coming in April of the new millenium.

Stan and Jan Claussen 

Travels in Thailand       
                                                               By Lee Roper                                                             

In February Barb, Marie James, and I spent most of three weeks in Thailand. From everything we had read and heard, we expected it to be one of our most interesting and exciting travel adventures, and we were not disappointed. It is such a total contrast to the countries of western civilization where we have done most of our traveling. One of those contrasts is that it is one of the few real travel bargains left in the world. However, the most impressive contrasts are in the culture and Thai people.

There are moments when you feel like you are on the set where they are filming the musical "The King and I." There is the awesome beauty of the Imperial Palace and the Buddha temples. There is the excitement of travel by river Tapi, or weaving your way through their chronic traffic gridlocks by pedicab, or a tuk-tuk which is like riding in an open wagon attached to a motorbike. Or for that matter, riding bareback on the head of an elephant. There is the fascination of their museums, archeological excavations, and theatre with the traditional Thai dances.

And for those who love to shop, you won’t find greater bargains anywhere in the world. Excellent tailors who will make a suit for you overnight from their beautiful selection of silk patterns. And what about a Rolex, Gucci, or Cartier watch for 12 dollars. The Thai food is always fresh and a gourmet’s delight. We ate at the best restaurants and I can’t remember ever paying more than seven dollars for a meal.

However, the big attraction is the Thai people. They are the most agreeable, friendly, helpful, and courteous people you will ever meet in your life. The women are so petite, delicate, feminine, beautiful, and never without a smile, and after a tough day of shopping, it’s nice to get a relaxing massage from one of the young ladies for six dollars an hour.

We divided our time between Bangkok and Chiang Mai which is in northern Thailand near the Burma and Laos border and Mekong river. There you can visit the fascinating kill tribes in their villages.

We didn’t have a single unpleasant experience on our entire trip beyond what we knew before going. It’s a long trip to make in that fetal position in a coach seat; the trouble traffic gridlock so at times it’s like walking in the exhaust pipe of a car; and the hot, humid weather. But I wouldn’t hesitate to go again.

Dick Mellien’s Retirement Celebrated

Approximately eighty friends, colleagues and retirees attended a retirement party at Dean Dick Mellien’s home on Saturday, September 18. The party was hosted by the Division of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Physical Education, over which Dick served as dean up until his retirement this September. Mike Matherly, Geography, Grossmont, who has been involved in organizing many campus social activities, did a splendid job of organizing the party. Dave Wertlieb, chairman of the Biology Department served as emcee. There was plenty to drink and lots of hot food, followed by gift presentations and a special cake-cutting.

A large percentage of the attendees were faculty or retirees from the various departments in the division. Retirees attending included: Bill Carden, Gordon Dudley, Bill Givens, Wayne Harmon, Erv Metzgar, Ken Nobilette, Chuck Park, Bob Rump, Tom Scanlan, Lee Shadell, Joanne Silva, Bob and Virginia Steinbach, and Elaine Wolfe.

An outstanding farewell party and a great way to start retirement!

   
Chuck Park, Tim Cliffe, Erv Metzgar, Jeff Lehman      Patti Tsai, David Duenas, Nancy Blazovic, Diane Merlos

   
Dick Mellien, Bob Steinbach, Dave Wertlieb     Arlene Mellien, Dick Mellien, Dave Wertlieb

Four More to Retiree

Dr. Juanita Browne (Instructor, Cross-Cultural Studies, Grossmont 1975) and Barbara Klein (Secretary, Grossmont 1974) retired effective this September. Eddie Parris (Data Control Technician, District 1975) and Hermann Toll (General Maintenance Worker, Sr., District 1977) will retire effective the end of this year. These folks know how to start the new millennium!

     
  Dr. Juanita Browne             Barbara Klein                Eddie Parris             Hermann Toll

Good New for Retirees

Senate Bill 400, recently signed by the Governor, gives those under the Public Employees Retirement System a welcome increase in retirement benefits. The provisions of this legislation will take effect on 1 January 2000. Currently an employee can retire at age 60 and receive compensation based on 2% per year of service. This bill increases the compensation to 2% at age 55. Not bad! Why didn’t I wait a couple of years to retire.

For the ancient ones who have already retired, the bill provides a modest morsel. They will receive a one-time retirement allowance increase.

If you retired in 1974 or earlier, you will receive 6%

If you retired between 1975 and 1984, you will receive 5%

If you retired between 1985 and 1989, you will receive 4%

If you retired between 1990 and 1994, you will receive 3%

If you retired between 1995 and 1996, you will receive 2%

If you retired in 1997, you will receive 1%

If you retired in 1998 or 1999, you don’t get anything.

For retired persons whose retirement benefits are based on school service, the Purchasing Power Protection Allowance remains at 75%.

For retired persons whose retirement benefits are based on school service, the Purchasing Power Protection Allowance remains at 75%.

The State Teachers Retirement System has made no significant changes for the new year. Maybe your turn will come next year.

Charline Lamons Update

Ray Resler flew to Charline Lamon’s home town, Okmulgee, Oklahoma (see Grapevine, September 1999) the weekend before Thanksgiving and installed a webTV unit on the color TV in her room at the convalescent home where she’s staying. Ray provided the unit along with a wireless keyboard so that Charline, whose mobility is very limited, could send and receive e-mail as well as surf the internet. Charline’s a novice in e-communication but she’d probably appreciate corresponding with fellow retirees who use e-mail. Her e-mail address is charlinel@webtv.net

His October 17 e-letter starts out "Wow, what a harvest! Got everything picked, most of it sold and almost everything fermented and pressed." His yield includes 845 pounds of Nebbiolo, 75 gallons of exceptional Pinot Noir and about 45 gallons of Pinot Gris, which is looking very good. The Tempranillo is "just out of this world and it has the best nose I have ever smelled".

He did not market his 1998 but is planning to enter some of his limited supply in a number of Wine Contests this coming year. He should do well!

Thanks to a healthy state economy and increased enrollment, GCCCD’s annual budget total for this fiscal year 1990-2000 is over $103 million. One thousand additional students are expected to enroll. This Fall 1999’s enrollment figures were 16,650 at Grossmont College and 6,834 at Cuyamaca College. Student enrollment in the district has increased by about one thousand each of the past two years. How our garden grows!

Jake Konen Dies                   
                                                       Jake Konen

Jake Konen, Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District Office from 1975 till 1992, died at his Spring Valley home on 27 September 1999. He was 63. According to daughter, Xema Jacobson, the cause of death was a heart attack.

After graduating form high school, Jake and a buddy decided that the Marine Corps was the way to go. He changed his mind during boot camp, but it was too late by then. Jake spent most of his Marine enlistment at Camp Pendleton as an instructor. After his discharge, Jake worked at General Dynamics for a few years before starting his education at Grossmont College. He subsequently graduated from San Diego State University with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

The first responsibility given Jake at Grossmont College was the computerization of the college’s library system. He was later appointed as Director of Information Systems where he was instrumental in making his department into a vital cog in the District. Later Jake was appointed Vice Chancellor, Business. He worked with Bernard Lueck in the planning of the Heritage of the Americas Museum which was constructed on the Cuyamaca College campus.

In 1993 he ran for a vacant position on the District Governing Board. He was among six finalists contending for the seat which ultimately went to Victor Calderon. In retirement Jake enjoyed gardening and testing computer games for friends. He died doing what he liked best—working n the computer.

Services were held at the amphitheater at Cuyamaca College.

A Celebration of Life

Retiree Clark Mires hosted "a celebration of Jane’s life" in honor of recently deceased retiree, Jane Spooner (see Grapevine, September 1999) at his home in La Mesa on October 16. Many moving tributes were expressed during the evening by friends and relatives, and her life was celebrated with music and song. There was plenty of good food and many a toast was raised to Jane at this memorable gathering.

Her son Craig and his family and her daughter Lisa and her family gave special tributes and sang some of her favorite songs. Lisa’s husband provided guitar music during the evening. A Grossmont college student sang several songs as well. Some of Jane’s neighbors came all the way from Tucson to pay tribute. A number of her students and colleagues attending had travelled from out of state to attend the tribute.

Retirees attending included Judy Barkley, Phoebe Burnham, Howard and Mary Donnelly, Kathryn Falconer, Martin Gerrish, Dorothy Ledbetter, Millie McCauley, Jay Richen, Lee and Barbara Roper, Tom and Rosemarie Scanlan, Don and Joan Scouller, Fred and Janet Stollenwerk (Janet is Jane’s sister), Neil and Bobbi Towne (Neil was Jane’s office-mate) and Eleanor Tucker.

Jane would have loved it.

This Special Millennium Edition was made possible through the generosity of