I received an invitation to the Swearing in of State Senator Steve Glazer at the Veterans Hall in Danville tonight. For some reason I thought this would be a small get together of Glazer's supporters and maybe members of the media. So I thought this would be a good time to give Glazer my "Help save the Mudd's Restaurant building," information and explain why it is important to rescue Mudd's from Redevelopment limbo.

I figured I'd go in, hand Glazer a file folder with some of my Mudd's documentation and leave. I didn't need to stay for the swearing in. I needed to finish up grading assignments in my ARTS/100 class, answer students' questions, and post some instructions on upcoming assignments.

Glazer's event started at 6:30 pm so I left my house at 6. I decided to wear slacks and my "Read the San Ramon Observer in the San Ramon express" T-shirt. This slogan is printed on both front and back, so I plug my blog coming and going. Since I take a 2X, I'm like a walking billboard.

I made it to Danville without any difficulties, but when I got to the junction of San Ramon Valley Blvd and Hartz Ave, I turned on Hartz Way by mistake. I knew that was wrong and turned on Front Street and pulled into a parking lot. I figured I was close enough to walk to the Veterans Hall.

It was about 4 blocks away, but I didn't bring my walker with me. I need the walker if I have to walk more than a couple of blocks or my legs get very stiff. It was an uncomfortable walk, and the sidewalk on that side of the street is all broken up. The walker probably wouldn't have helped much since it wouldn't roll smoothly over the cracks in the sidewalk.

I don't like going to Danville. It is too small townish. I know that's supposed to be part of its charm, but I prefer San Ramon with wide streets, smooth sidewalks, and easy to follow signage. I walked the four blocks and got to the Veteran Hall and there was a mob waiting to get in.

I saw Donna Kerger at a table near the side entrance and came over and sat down. I thought I would be able to drop off my papers and leave, but this turned into a much bigger production than I expected. Steve Spedowfski sat next to me.

Steve is a San Ramon City employee but he's also on the Livermore City Council. He looked older than I remembered, but I always think of him from the spinning basketball commercial he did for San Ramon Parks, which has been playing on TV30 for at least ten years. He said his hair is turning gray from being on the Livermore City Council. He is learning that being a Councilperson is very different from being a City employee.

Speaking of City Councilpersons, San Ramon City Councilman Harry Sachs came over and joined our table. The hall was filling up and it was "Standing Room Only," for anyone who got there after 6:30.

The program started with the Pledge Allegiance and National Anthem. Then Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson introduced retired Congressman George Miller who gave a speech and administered the Oath of Office to Senator Glazer.

Then Glazer gave a speech to be followed by "A reception, featuring the culinary delights of Chef Rodney Worth and wine tasting from the Livermore Valley Wine region's Wente Vineyards."

I wanted to give Senator Glazer the material I put together on saving the Mudd's Restaurant building and then leave to go home. So I went to the front of the auditorium where he was greeting other supporters and gave him the folder on Mudd's. He seemed a little confused by it, but I did what I came for and didn't want to stay for the food or wine tasting.

I was ready to leave, but I was a little worried that the tires on my truck seemed wobbly. I have the unfortunate tendency to hit or drive over curbs. I flatted three tires on my Focus that way, but I thought the heavy duty off-road tires on the Nissan could handle my sometimes off-road, sidewalk driving.



Donna Kerger (what a treasure!) offered to follow me home to make sure I didn't lose a tire on the way. She drove a couple of miles past where she lives to make sure I got home safely. I shall call Dublin Nissan tomorrow to schedule a time to bring the truck in to check on the tires.