Ten years. That’s a long time. Tributes of all sorts have been paid to the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol and the good work they have done in Rancho Bernardo. They are keeping watch on your homes while you’re away, visiting you or your loved ones’ homes on a daily or weekly basis, cruising retail and bank parking lots, driving by schools, playgrounds and parks at after-school hours, handicapped parking violators, fingerprinting at the Northeastern substation, handling traffic detail when necessary, speed monitor checks, and let’s not forget McGruff, the wise (old?) dog who knows and cares about children’s safety.

The RSVP will even come to your home for free security checks and visit your organization for safety talks. How about calling for a free visit from professional, certified members of the Patrol to come to your home and talk over your situation with you? They have been trained by the SDPD to be aware of danger spots, to advise you what locks, bolts, and other devices are best to use and under what situations. It is important that you and they discuss your lifestyle, how often you enter and exit different doors, where friends and strangers might enter, whether you leave windows and doors open at times. Just give a call. (858) 538-8146.

At the last monthly meeting (the 117^th!) a number of new nametags were handed out with the number of "stars" equivalent to the number of years served: new nametags with nine stars were given to Virgil Calhoon, Roy Christensen, Stan Gingold and Richard Van Overmeiren; six stars were awarded to Lola Bellinger, Norm Gillespie, Art Handell, Bob Owens, Eileen Stanley and Bob Steinhauser; a two- star nametag was given to Mary Herman; one-star nametags to Garry Butterfield, Bob DeRenzy, Dick Hooper, Jim Lampasso and Larry Vastine. An official RB nametag was given to each of our newly graduated members: Bob Hohberg, Pauline Keir and Dick Stukey.

At this meeting, Jim Slattery "retired" from the RSVP after 5 years and over 1,000 hours of service and was given an engraved plaque in appreciation by Administrator Bob Smith.

All in all, over 200,000, hours of patrol and volunteer activity have been contributed to Rancho Bernardo since June 1992. Their statistics are posted every month on www.rbernardo.com/ We thank these 70 dedicated seniors.

Want to become a member? Are you 55, retired, and have a valid CA driver’s license? You are needed. Call Bob Smith, administrator, at 538-8146.

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A New Member coffee will be held at Joslyn Center. All new members are invited to attend a fun and informative Orientation and Coffee on Wednesday, March 13 at 10 a.m. This will be an opportunity to hear Joslyn volunteers talk about the numerous programs, activities and free services available at RB Joslyn. Refreshments will be served and questions will be answered.