Planning to Retire Soon!

If you are planning to retire in the Philippines soon, I suggest you visit several excellent websites on pro's and cons of retiring in the Philippines. However if you want to retire in the provinces, where life is simple, standard of living cheaper, less traffic congestion and pollution, availability of fresh seafood and vegetables compared to the big cities, my island province is the place for you! If this is your first time in my site, welcome. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights. The photo above is the front yard of Chateau Du Mer- Our Retirement Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Friday, February 21, 2020

Grand Daughter Carenna Katague Thompson

I am very proud to announce that my youngest grand daughter, Carenna K. Thompson was appointed Student Representative of California Chief Justice

The Power of Democracy Steering Committee

Formed: July 2013
Charge: to implement the Chief Justice's civic education initiatives
Chair: Hon. Judith D. McConnell, Administrative Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District

The Committee was established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the Power of Democracy Steering Committee guides and supports her civic education initiatives to further Californians’ understanding of their judicial branch.

The highlights include spearheading the Civic Learning Awards for California Public Schools, convening two summits on civic education and launching the California Task Force on K–12 Civic Learning.

The committee builds on recommendations of the Commission for Impartial Courts Final Report, Recommendations 37 and 43.

The Chief Justice appoints members of the steering committee for two-year terms.
Judicial Council Public Affairs staff support the steering committee.

The Chief Justice serves as the honorary chair and appoints a chair of the steering committee and members of the steering committee represented as follows:

Justices of the Court of Appeal involved in civic education and public information	Hon. Halim Dhanidina Justice of the Court of Appeal Second Appellate District Hon. Andrea L. Hoch Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal Third Appellate District Hon. Judith D. McConnell, Chair Administrative Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District
Judicial officers of the superior court involved in civic education and public information	Hon. Stacy Boulware Eurie Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento Hon. Carolyn M. Caietti Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego Hon. Kristen A. Lucena Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Butte
Federal court representatives	Hon. Consuelo María “Connie” Callahan Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Hon. Kimberly J. Mueller Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
State Supreme Court representative	Ms. Sara Spero Senior Staff Attorney Supreme Court of California
State Superintendent of Public Instruction representative	Mr. Khieem Jackson Deputy Superintendent Equity and Access Branch California Department of Education
County Superintendent of Schools/representative of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA)	Mr. David W. Gordon Superintendent of Schools Sacramento County Office of Education
Civic education leader	Dr. Michelle M. Herczog Consultant, History-Social Science Los Angeles County Office of Education
California Lawyers Association Representative	Ms. Jerrilyn Malana Chief Deputy District Attorney, Human Resources San Diego County District Attorney's Office
Student Representative	Ms. Carenna Thompson C.K. McClatchy Senior High School
Emeritus Member	Hon. Frank C. Damrell, Jr. (Ret.) Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Task Force Report

report cover student speaking into microphone

Fruit Trees in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

The Mango Tree-I have three varieties in my Garden-The Indian, Guimaras and Carabao Mangoes My caretaker/gardener informed me last month that due to the El Nino drought in Marinduque, two of my Durian trees died in spite of his vigilant watering. One of the tree was attacked by insects that looks like a big fly but yellowish in color that sucks the sap of the seedling. The roots of the other tree was attacked by ants residing in the soil. However, my other fruit trees, the rambutans( 2), the lanzones(2) and the jack fruits ( 2) trees are doing well. The above eight fruit trees were given to me by Retired General Recaredo Sarmiento of Boac and Lucena., about three years ago. General Sarmiento is the “atid” of my wife. “Atid” is the colloquial term for brother. Evidently, Macrine's father, the late Bernardo Jambalos was the Godfather of General Sarmiento during his baptism and comfirmation. Gen Sarmiento's hobby is orchard planting, reforestation and farming. The other fruit trees in my garden are guayabanos, cashew, avocados, starapples, duhats, ates, guavas, mangoes( 3 varieties) and papayas as well as several varieties of bananas . Of the above fruit trees, my favorite is the guayabanos, also known as soursop tree known for its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties . The following are photos of the fruit trees. The Durian photo is from the web. Note that it almost look like a jack fruit tree, except that the leaves are bigger and shiny. My desire is to have a passion fruit tree in the near future. You are welcome to visit my orchard and flower gardens any time, if perchance you are in the vicinity of The Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.