Eleven years of volunteerism were celebrated at RSVP’s 133^rd monthly luncheon meeting yesterday. 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, giving out handicapped parking violations, fingerprinting at the Northeastern substation, handling traffic detail when necessary, observing and checking speed monitors, and let’s not forget McGruff, the wise (old?) dog who knows and cares about children’s safety. Sign up to have him come to your children’s groups – school, church or any other get-togethers.

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 Officer Wang a call at (858) 538-8090.

At recent monthly meetings, a number of new nametags were handed out with the number of "stars" equivalent to the number of years served: TWELVE stars to Bob Smith; ELEVEN stars, Jim Artherton and Frank Terschan; NINE stars, Merv Adams, Dan Conner, Ben Dyas, Frank Kneebone, Dick Mears, Ken Root and Fred Shaw; SEVEN stars, Jerry Goldstein; SIX stars, Bill Taylor and VIP Laura Kneebone; FIVE stars, Dick Perry,Tom Loftis and Jean Scott; FOUR stars, B.J. Curtiss and Clint Henderson; THREE stars, Terry Morrissey; TWO stars, Dick Hooper and Toni Van Overmeiren; ONE star, Ben Secor and Phil Bridgham.

Two new recruits, Al Estabrook and Gracie Marz, will be starting the RSVP Academy in September.

An amazing number of hours were donated since 1992. Top honors go to: Bob Smith, 16,738; Marie Graver, 8,739; Richard Van Overmeiren, 7,529; and Jim Artherton, 6,738.

Want to become a member? Are you 50, retired, have a valid CA driver’s license and able to pass a SDPD background check ? You are needed. Call Bob Smith, administrator, at 538-8146.