The Renaissance Recorder Lifelong Learning

California State University, Sacramento

March 2020 Lifelong Learning for over 30 years Issue 191

President’s Corner By David Abelson

With the spring semester well under-

way, I’d like to share some exciting

news about the Renaissance Society’s

signature program celebrating the cen-

tennial passage of the 19th Amendment

to the U.S. Constitution, giving women

the right to vote. First a little back-

ground.

Last year, a hard-working group of RS members were devel-

oping a special program of seminars and guest speakers on top-

ics related to women’s suffrage. Around the same time, RS

opened a new “Special Programs Fund” at the university, with

donations dedicated to on-campus programs jointly sponsored

by CSUS and the Renaissance Society. The coincidence of these

two events provided a perfect opportunity for collaboration with

the university, and here’s one great example of what has hap-

pened since then.

This past January, nationally-recognized author and historian

Dr. Johanna Neuman spoke to a large on-campus audience re-

garding her recently published book on the women’s suffrage

movement, entitled And Yet They Persisted. The entire special

event was planned, organized and co-sponsored by the Renais-

sance Society and CSUS.

In attendance were a wide-range of college and high school

students, numerous faculty members and administrators, promi-

nent regional dignitaries, and many members of the Renaissance

Society. Among those in the audience were CSUS President

Robert and Jody Nelsen, President Emeritus Don and Beverly

Gerth, and former Mayor of Sacramento Heather Fargo.

Beth Ruyak, the host of Capital Public Radio’s popular morn-

ing program “Insight” (which presents issues and events of in-

terest to people throughout northern California), conducted an

hour-long conversation with our guest speaker.

Dr. Neuman provided a fascinating overview of the women’s

suffrage movement in America, noting that debates on this topic

dated back to the Declaration of Independence and continued

well into the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Leaders and

activists came from a wide variety of social and ethnic back-

grounds, including Native American women; representatives of

“high-society; anti-slavery leaders (e.g. Frederick Douglass);

and yes . . . even male organizations such as the “Men’s League

for Women’s Suffrage.” Dr. Neuman reminded us that “energy

and persistence can conquer all things.” Her presentation was

followed by a well-attended reception, where she continued the

discussion with enthusiastic audience members, and signed cop-

ies of her highly informative book And Yet They Persisted:

How American Women Won the Right to Vote.

(See next column, top)

Honor a Special Woman in Your Life

March is Women’s History Month and the perfect time to

honor a special woman with a contribution to the Renais-

sance Society Special Program fund. The fund supports

new and innovative programs, including our 2020 signature

project, the 19th Amendment Centennial Commemoration.

The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is

“Valiant Women of the Vote.” The theme honors “the

brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women,

and for the women who continue to fight for the voting

rights of others.”

Our own theme for the 19th Amendment commemoration

is “Looking Back, Moving Forward.” This signature Re-

naissance project includes presenting seminars, bringing

noted speakers to campus, and sponsoring a community

symposium in the fall in partnership with Sacramento State.

Your donation helps Renaissance to offer more high-

quality programs and speakers on campus. Your donation is tax-deductible, and your honoree will

receive a special card from the Renaissance Society noting

your contribution in her honor. Donations may be made by

check or online.

Checks: Make checks payable to The University Founda-

tion at Sacramento State and wr ite “Special Program

Fund” in the memo line. Mail to: The Renaissance Society,

Sacramento State, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-

6074.

On-Line: Donate online by credit card:

https://tinyurl.com/RSSpecialProgramFund.

The Renaissance Society’s spring catalogue lists many other

opportunities to learn more about the women’s suffrage move-

ment. In addition, later this summer RS and CSUS will announce

a major day-long symposium on the wide-ranging efforts to en-

sure full and fair voting rights for all Americans. So please stay

tuned!

March 2020 Page 2

KEN BURNS’ COUNTRY MUSIC

9:30 to 11:50 a.m., University

Union, various rooms Jack Jennings, Allan Keown

Drop-in, no registration required

Ken Burns added another epic documentary to his filmog-

raphy this past fall, Country Music. The eight-episode se-

ries tells the story of this uniquely American art form, cov-

ering its origins and evolution as well as its greatest stars

including Jimmie Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Pat-

sy Cline, and Hank Williams. The superlative series pro-

vides insight into the genre’s regional to social history be-

ginning in Appalachia and spreading west through Texas

and into California. It also recounts how Nashville became

"Music City USA,” with “country music” ultimately be-

coming “America’s music.” All eight episodes will be

shown. In addition, we may feature some live music in and

outside the seminar. Good times guaranteed!

(Editor’s note: check the weekly Constant Contact messages for

room locations.)

Special Invitation from Sac State

Department of Physical Therapy

Pro Bono Physical Therapy for Hip

Pain

If you are over the age of 30, have hip pain and pain with

walking, we would like you to participate in a physical

therapy research project at Sacramento State University.

The orthopedic program of the Sacramento State Physical

Therapy department is investigating the use of exercise or

body weight supported treadmill training on individuals

with hip osteoarthritis.

The investigation will consist of an examination process

and interventions, two times per week for six weeks. Inter-

ventions will consist of either an exercise program or a

walking program on a body weight supported treadmill.

The study will be conducted by a licensed physical thera-

pist and physical therapy students. There is no charge to

participate in the investigation.

Individuals who do not qualify for the investigation or

who do not wish to participate can participate in the pro

bono orthopedic physical therapy clinic at Sacramento

State.

If you are interested please contact Bill Garcia PT, DPT,

OCS, FAAOMPT at (916) 278-5567 or by email at wil-

liam.garcia@csus.edu to learn more about the investigation

or to schedule an appointment.

Editor’s note: Professor Garcia has requested your

RSVP by March 6, 2020.

SPRING RENDEZVOUS!

A great ‘buzz’ in Ballrooms 1 and 2 on January 31, 2020.

If you are a long-time RS member, you know how much

fun Rendezvous is – meeting old friends, meeting new

ones, talking with seminar leaders and having a cookie and

cup of coffee. This was a great day! If you are a new RS

member, we hope that you enjoyed Rendezvous and we say

Welcome!

Here are some pictorial

reminders of the day

(photos are courtesy of

Ruth-Marie Chambers).

Seminar Leaders Dr. Stacy

Walton and Gretchen Jung

Betsy Mark leads a campus tour of new Renaissance members

Tour guides: Karen Seybold, Adele Zagorsky,

Susan George and Betsy Mark

Thanks to all for a great Rendezvous!

March 2020 Page 3

Travel & Adventure 10:00 to 11:35 am, Library 3021

Richard Fuller—916.409.9209

March 6 - Jeanne Hastings: South Africa, Zimbabwe,

and Botswana via the March 2019 Best of Africa Tour

with Vantage Travel. Included 18 safaris and seven cul-

tural discovery events. In Botswana she visited Chobe

National Park and cruised the Chobe River. In Zimbabwe

she visited Hwange Park and stayed in a tent camp. She

toured Victoria Falls and stayed in Victoria Falls Hotel.

In South Africa she visited Kruger National Park and

toured Cape Town.

March 13 - Bob Parker: Greece and Turkey in the

Footsteps of Paul - In the first century of the Chris-

tian era, a recently recruited Jewish Pharisee named Saul

decided to leave Judea to traveled Greece & Turkey.

How did he travel there? What did he find? Last June

Bob & Veronica Parker retraced Paul's footsteps. You

will experience the fascinating history of the early

Church, as people attempted to overcome challenges.

March 20 - Howard Koons: Namibia and Botswana -

Having a friend who joined the Peace Corps for the 2nd

time, this time in Botswana, Howard's wife Marlene and

he promised to visit. In the summer of 2018 they rented a

camping vehicle in Windhoek, Namibia, drove around

for two weeks, and then entered Botswana, meeting the

friend near the capital, Gaborone. Mostly camping

March 27 - Karun Yee: Bhutan and Nepal, in the

Himalayas - Karun will present some histor ical facts

about these fabled lands in the world's highest mountain

range and beautiful photos of her holiday. She will in-

clude a YouTube video of the trek up-country to see the

Tiger's Nest Monastery.

FORUMS Friday at 3 pm, Note New Locations Listed

March 6: Homeless Solutions Panel: Solving the Sac-

ramento Homeless Crisis, Mendocino

1003. (See next column for further infor-

mation.)

March 13: Dr. Lorna Peters, CSUS Music

Professor Emeritus, Artistic Director for

Sinfonia Spirituosa Cottonwood Suite, University Union

Women Composers: Harpsichord Performance.

March 20: Dr. Grant Ballard, Chief Science Officer ,

Point Blue Conservation Science

Ballroom III, University Union Survival Challenges for Penguins in the Antarctic.

March 27: Jim Dragna, CSUS Graduation " Czar"

Mendocino 1003.

Finish In Four: Graduation Success at Sac State.

On-Campus Speakers Series (Formerly Mini-Seminars)

10:00 to 11:35 am, Mendocino 4004

March 6: Karen Martin - Container Gardening Let a

UCCE Sacramento Master Gardener share with you the crea-

tive possibilities of gardening in containers—-from edible

fruits and vegetables to herbs to ornamental plants and grass-

es. We will cover how to choose the best containers and

plants, plus the unique cultural needs of container gardens,

like soil mixes, watering, and fertilizing. Resources will be

shared and there will be time for questions.

March 13: Dean Mayer - Climate Crisis A communica-

tions professional and former journalist, Dean will present

the latest on the climate crisis and actions we can take to

maintain a habitable planet, especially for our children and

grandchildren. Last August, Mr. Mayer was selected to join

Al Gore at a Climate Reality Leadership Training Program.

Mr. Mayer has worked for 20 years at Clif Bar, a leading

organic food maker in Berkeley, CA, focusing on sustaina-

bility, the environment, and reducing climate impact. Come

learn the personal and political aspects of the climate emer-

gency we face, and how you can be a positive force for

change.

March 20: Ed Sherman - Figurative Art of Ancient

Greece Sculpture and painting from the Archaic and Classi-

cal eras of Greece illustrating the Greek “Cult of the Body.”

March 27: Anne Rewell - The History of Tea Tea is the

most consumed beverage in the world, after water. From its

beginnings in China, we will discover how tea spread world-

wide and how it is prepared from England to Turkey and

places in between.

Solving Sacramento’s Homeless Crisis

The March 6 Forum will host a panel discussion on Sac-

ramento’s Homeless Crisis. Three nonprofit homeless ser-

vice providers and advocacy experts will discuss the prob-

lems of homelessness and will offer solutions for Sacra-

mento’s homeless crisis. There are real world solutions.

Renaissance Society members will learn ways in which we

all can become involved in resolving this crisis in our com-

munity.

Each panelist will share their views and then will open

up for questions and answers from the RS audience.

Our special panelists are: Bob Erlenbusch, Executive

Director, Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homeless-

ness (SRCEH); Amani Sawires Rapaski, Vice President/

Chief Operating Officer of Volunteers of America (VOA),

Northern California and Northern Nevada; and John Foley,

Executive Director, Sacramento Self-Help Housing

(SSHH). Together these leaders have almost a century of

dealing with the social justice issues of meeting the needs

of people who are homeless.

March 2020 Page 4

MEMBER PROFILE

William Vizzard - Criminal Justice Scholar By Judy A. Lewis

Four days after graduating from high school in his native Bakersfield, William Vizzard

found himself on a bus to Fort Ord Army training facility. He counts himself as fortunate

that this was prior to the Vietnam conflict.

While attending Fresno State College, where he earned a B.S. in criminology, William

was employed as a deputy sheriff by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department.

His subsequent career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) began

in Seattle and included service as a Special Agent, Resident Agent in Charge, Groups Su-

pervisor and Special Agent in Charge in Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield and San Francis-

co. From 1980 to 1986 he was assigned to ATF Headquarters, initially in the Firearms En-

forcement Branch, which proved far more confining and less interesting than the autonomy of supervising criminal

investigations. During this time, he had a temporary assignment managing the State and Local Training Program at the

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. Then it was back to D.C., where he managed the bu-

reau’s information and intelligence programs.

Along the way, he earned MS and doctoral degrees in public administration. One of his more memorable assign-

ments came in 1970, after a PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) group hijacked four airplanes flying out of Eu-

rope. President Nixon decided to staff American planes with sky marshals. Thus began six weeks of flying back and

forth between New York and foreign countries.

In 1994 Will retired from ATF and accepted a position in the Department of Public Affairs at the University of Wis-

consin Oshkosh. This position proved ideal for someone beginning a career in academe. The department was small,

requiring all members to participate in a wide range of academic and administrative activities. For two years, Will and

his wife maintained a commuter marriage, as she taught kindergarten in California while he lived in Wisconsin. Alt-

hough this arrangement likely jump started his academic publishing, it limited their time together to about half of every

year.

In 1996, Sacramento State offered Will an Associate Professorship in the Division of Criminal Justice, where he

taught classes in investigation, policing, management and justice policy. From 2000 to 2010 he served as division chair.

Retiring from CSUS in 2010, he continued a half time appointment teaching and advising till 2015. Three years ago, he

joined the Renaissance Society. He registered for Joel Primes’ “Great American Trials” seminar and was subsequently

invited to co-teach the class. William has also provided seminars on the history of gun control policy and criminal in-

vestigations. He has authored “In the Crossfire: Political History of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms” and

“Shots in the Dark: Policy, Politics and Symbolism of Gun Control,” as well as 24 journal articles.

William contrasts his family’s numerous moves with that of his parents, who lived in only two houses during their

married lives, both in Bakersfield.

Backpacking, cross-country skiing and fishing filled his younger years. Today he and his wife walk to Rio Del Oro

racket club six days a week, where they work out. Recently they joined a “gentle yoga” class, which William says “is

nearly killing me.” On the seventh day, they walk to breakfast. William feels he’s been fortunate that he has been able

to walk to his last three jobs, so he does not need to worry about parking. The couple has two adult children, as well as

four grandchildren, all of whom are currently in college.

Dining Together.

Dining Together will meet at EL PAPAGAYO, 5804 Marconi Ave.,

Carmichael (www.elpapagayocarmichael.com) at 5:30 PM on March 11,

2020. Dining Together members who wish to attend should RSVP to:

Cheryl Nelson: slynnsearch@yahoo.com, or, (916) 421-0407 no later

than March 6, 2020. Separate checks will be provided. Parking is availa-

ble. Preference will be given to members of Dining Together.

Come Join Us!

‘First Friday’ Happy Hour At 4:15 p.m.

Round Table Pizza in the Student

Union

The Membership Committee

invites you to a ‘no-host’ get-

together

In Memoriam

Margaret Cossey passed away on December 16, 2019. Services were

held on January 25, 2020.

Bob Achtel passed away on September 29, 2019. He had joined Re-

naissance last summer.

March 2020 Page 5

Reprints may be made with the permission of the author. Please

contact Dolores Eitel at doloressurvived@gmail.com

CLINICAL PEARLS By Dolores J. Eitel, BSN, MA, cNY

Family Nurse Practitioner

Prevention and Detection of Colorectal

Cancer (CRC) Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause

of cancer for men and women and the second cause of can-

cer death after lung cancer. If everyone over the age of 50

were screened for CRC, six out of ten deaths could be pre-

vented. Primary prevention and early detection by screen-

ing tests reduce mortality by identification and removal of

pre-cancerous growths (polyps) in the colon. Ninety per

cent of CRCs occur in people who are over the age of 50,

yet many older adults have never been screened for this

disease. Are you one of them? CRC is a silent killer. In the

early stages it is usually asymptomatic but successfully

treated.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) identifies these

risk factors for CRC: older age, inflammatory bowel dis-

ease, defined genetic conditions, personal history of polyps

and/or family history of CRC or polyps of the colon, and

obesity. Lifestyle factors such as being overweight, mini-

mal exercise or activity, low-fiber and high fat diet, low

whole fruit and vegetable intake, excess alcohol consump-

tion, tobacco use and/or second hand smoke are also risk

factors.

The United States Preventive Task Force (USPTF) has

endorsed CRC screening for adults 50-78 years and in

some cases at age 45. Screening tests may be: colonoscopy

every ten years, high sensitive occult fecal blood testing,

fecal testing (Cologuard) annually, sigmoidoscopy every

five years, and virtual colonoscopy every five years. The

screening test is individualized based on personal prefer-

ence, risk analysis and medical condition. The USPTF rec-

ommends against the routine screening of adults age 76-85

because screening at those ages does not offer a mortality

benefit.

Learn about each of these tests at cdc.gov/

colorectalscreeningtests. Discuss screening tests with your

health care provider to determine which choice is recom-

mended for your healthcare needs. Medicare and most

healthcare insurers cover the costs of these tests.

Personal Story: As a Family Nurse Practitioner I was able

to obtain an informed consent from those patients, who met

the CRC screening recommendations, to have a colonosco-

py (considered the gold star test at the time). Although

meeting the risk factors and appropriate age, I ignored my

own advice. After all, my MD never suggested it, why

should I? With no prior symptoms, one night I was rushed

to the hospital in severe pain and bowel incompetence. I

had emergency surgery. A ten centimeter tumor that had

obstructed and ruptured my colon was removed. Cancer

cells were in my circulating blood, but fortunately not in

any other organ. Stage 3b (metastasized into the blood

stream). Five year survival rate. I am fortunate to be alive

today.

References: www.cdc.gov www.health finder.gov

www.uspreventivetaskforce.org

Renaissance Members

Attend MLK Celebrations

MARCH FOR THE DREAM

January 20, 2020 Diversity Exposition – MLK 365, Honoring Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr.,

Sac-

ramento City College

RS members Warren Bonta, Ken Cross, Allan Keown

with Cassandra Jennings, CEO & President Greater Sac-

ramento Urban League, Jeff von Kaenel, President &

CEO Sacramento News & Review, Rick Jennings, City

of Sacramento Councilmember.

RS members Allan Keown, Ruth-Marie

Chambers with Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle

Club

(All photos courtesy of Ruth-Marie Chambers)

March 2020 Page 6

Celebrating Culture,

Confronting Injustice, Promoting

Truth

That's the title of an art exhibition that will be held on the

American River College campus between February 18th

and March 12th, 2020. It will feature Renaissance Society

member Warren Bonta's collection of African American

fine artist Milton Bowens' paintings. Between 2003 and a

few weeks ago, Mr. Bowens was a cultural force in Sacra-

mento and major contributor to the artistic education of

youth in multiple local school districts. He now resides

and creates in Alabama.

Receptions in honor of the exhibition will be held on

February 26th at noon and March 12th at 5:00 pm in the

gallery. All are welcome. Mr. Bowens is scheduled to

participate in the receptions via Skype.

The site of the exhibition will be the James Kaneko Gal-

lery, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento 95841.

Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 11:00 am through

4:00 pm; Fridays, 11:00 am through 2:30 pm. For parking,

use ARC lot D. The fee is $2.

(MLK Celebrations continued)

21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,

Celebration, January 25, 2020

The 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration,

Sacramento event, was held on the Sac State campus in the

University Ballrooms. Ruby Bridges, lifelong activist for

racial equality was the keynote speaker. At the tender age

of six, in November 1960, Ruby advanced the cause of civ-

il rights when she became the first African American stu-

dent to integrate an elementary school in the South.

The 2020 Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award

Honoree was Dr. Hazel Mahone, CEO of Vision 2000 and

Veteran Educator.

This is the fifth year that Renaissance Society Member-

ship, Diversity and Community Engagement (MDCE)

Committee members have participated in this event, to pro-

mote diversity, equity and inclusion in our greater Sacra-

mento community. Members David Warren, Ken Cross,

Barbara Davis-Lyman, Warren Bonta, Gwen Stephens,

Allan Keown and Ruth-Marie Chambers attended.

RS Member David Warren

with photo of Ruby Bridges

(as the brave child she was).

RS Member Barbara

Davis-Lyman with

Honoree Dr. Hazel

Mahone.

Philologus Reserrectio, Hurston - Their Eyes

Were Watching God

March 2020 Page 7

19TH AMENDMENT CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

As you may have noticed, the 19th Amendment Centennial is receiving a lot of attention in this March issue of the Renaissance

Recorder!

Well, in part that is because March IS Women’s History Month! We have been so pleased by the support from the Renaissance

Board and our membership and now from the University colleges of SSIS and Arts and Letters.

Look here and in our weekly e-blasts for information on special events in March that will celebrate our right to vote! Look for

more information on our Saturday Suffrage notes, first Saturday of each month.

We were overwhelmed with the interest (over 300 folks!) in our event last Friday, featuring Dr. Johanna Neuman (see the Presi-

dent’s column). Dr. Neuman’s presentation was riveting! Here are some pictures of this fabulous day!

Dr. Johanna Neuman and Beth Ruyak

Photos courtesy of Ruth-Marie Chambers

President Robert Nelsen

(Stingers Up!)

and Ken Cross Dr. Neuman

and Mayor Heather Fargo Anne Rewell, voter!

Renaissance Recorder Editor Jennifer Cummings, jennifer1945@hotmail.com

Phone: 916.425.9350

Cheryl Huffman, chuffman79@aol.com,

Phone: 530.708.0499

DEADLINE for next issue (Apr il 2020 mailed mid-

March is February 20, 2020.

Renaissance Society ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

E-mail: rensoc@csus.edu

Website: www.csus.edu/org/rensoc

(916) 278-7834

Office: Adams Bldg. Room 106

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30-noon

Friday 10-1

California State University, Sacramento

The Renaissance Society

6000 J Street – MS 6074

Sacramento, CA 95819

80700128

NEW MEMBER DINNER!

The semi-annual “no host” New Member Dinner will be held from 4:30 –

630 p.m. at the Pita Kitchen Plus restaurant – 2989 Arden Way, Sacramento,

95825 on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Please join in welcoming our new Renaissance members in this friendly at-

mosphere – delicious food and great service! And perhaps a few surprises!

See you there! https://www.pitakitchenplus.com/

Questions, comments or more information, please contact Membership Cam-

paign Chair Ken Cross at kencross@kencrossconsulting.com, or call (916)

995-8288.