In the latest Around Town column, news about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's meal with Stanford University leaders and a Palo Alto firefighter's campaign to raise awareness of veterans' and first responders' mental health.
A DINING DESTINATION ... U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's first stop on this week's Bay Area visit was Palo Alto Italian restaurant Cafe Pro Bono, where he dined last Sunday night with leaders from Stanford University, owner Akif Aydin said. Aydin was informed ahead of time about the secretary of state's arrival by a customer who was hosting Pompeo, he said. The Secret Service and Palo Alto police descended upon the Birch Street restaurant to provide security, but it was an otherwise normal evening, Aydin said. Pompeo ordered a Diet Coke and ate only a few bites of his entree. (He was paying more attention to conversing with his dining companions, Aydin said.) The dinner lasted about an hour and a half. Aydin said the secretary of state was "kind" and "humble" during his visit, taking the time to shake the restaurant staff's hands and take a picture with them. Pompeo is not the first secretary of state to dine at Cafe Pro Bono. George Shultz and Condoleeza Rice also have frequented the restaurant, the owner said. "We have basically become the destination for secretary of states," Aydin proudly said. The next morning, Pompeo discussed the drone attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani at an invite-only talk for Stanford students at the Hoover Institution followed by a roundtable discussion with the institution's fellows.
WALKING TALL ... If you're in need of inspiration for a New Year's resolution to improve your fitness or inspire others, look no further than Palo Alto firefighter John Preston. The Marine Corps veteran launched on Monday a 625-mile walk to raise awareness of veterans' and first responders' mental health. He'll travel 22 miles a day and carry 22 kilograms (about 50 pounds) to represent the 22 veterans who die by suicide each day. Preston was inspired to take the 28-day journey to honor surviving family members and loved ones. "My goal is to (bring) as many people back to the middle as I can," he said in a video for the campaign. The issue has a personal meaning for Preston, whose brother, a fellow Marine Corps veteran and 20-year police officer, died by suicide after battling post-traumatic stress disorder. Preston, who also copes with PTSD, started his trip at King Plaza outside Palo Alto City Hall, where he led police officers, fellow firefighters and other community members in an energetic chant shared on social media by the police department: "Your life! One life! My life! Your life! We're gonna finish this!" "You are rightfully putting the spotlight on suicide rather than allowing it to stay in the shadows," Police Chief Robert Jonsen said at the kick-off event, where Fire Chief Geoffrey Blackshire also made remarks. Over the next few weeks, Preston will travel down the California coast with the intention of connecting with people along the way to the USS Midway in San Diego, which he plans to reach by Feb. 9. On the first three days of his trip, Preston made stops in Campbell, Scotts Valley and Watsonville, where police officers and firefighters from other agencies greeted him. For updates on his trek, visit 22andyou.net.
PACKING THE PATIO... In a sea of San Francisco 49ers fans throughout the Bay Area rooting on their home team, which is playing in the NFC Championship game this Sunday, supporters of the opposing team, the Green Bay Packers are preparing to huddle up for a pep rally this Saturday at 6 p.m. in Palo Alto. The Wisconsin team will be hosting a "Packers Everywhere" event at The Patio in downtown Palo Alto with Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, who will greet fans and take part in a Q-and-A session with sportscaster Wayne Larrivee, who gives play-by-play radio reports on the team. Stanford University alumnus James Lofton, a former Green Bay wide receiver, and former Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey are also scheduled to attend the rally. The team will be giving away a helmet signed by current Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark and a jersey signed by placekicker Mason Crosby, among other prizes. For more information on the rally, visit packers.com.
Comments
Evergreen Park
on Jan 18, 2020 at 6:00 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 6:00 pm
- The Secret Service and Palo Alto police descended upon...
Where's all the posters who complain about politicians coming to town and "messing up traffic"? He really messed up things on California.
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 18, 2020 at 6:32 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 6:32 pm
So how did he mess up things in CA? Do you just throw out these accusations with no specificity? The Stock Market is at it's highest ever. That is your savings and 401K plan benefiting for that windfall. The fact that our gov continually blames everything on DT while he goes on making "audacious" statements with no real follow through is where the mess is. Our gov is all pure Theatre. He should be on the stage.
CA is not ahead of the game here - if the gov would quit his tirade against the federal government then maybe we could move on to something solid. The gov's strategy is backfiring.
Evergreen Park
on Jan 18, 2020 at 7:06 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 7:06 pm
geez-louise, where are you coming from?
"So how did he mess up things in CA?"
" ...messed up things *on* California."
Please re-read the article and sentence, without your blinders on. Cafe Pro Bono is two blocks from the California Ave train station.
Traffic, not Trump. Your derangement syndrome is in high gear; you may want to do something about that. Low self esteem effects quality of life greatly.
another community
on Jan 18, 2020 at 7:15 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 7:15 pm
How long before a campaign to boycott Pro Bono starts? Make your bets!
South of Midtown
on Jan 18, 2020 at 8:10 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 8:10 pm
@Moderate:
Thanks for the great idea! I certainly won't be going to Cafe Pro Buono anymore. How unappetizing!
Palo Verde
on Jan 18, 2020 at 10:18 pm
on Jan 18, 2020 at 10:18 pm
What about the Packers messing up traffic in Santa Clara tomorrow?
another community
on Jan 19, 2020 at 7:25 am
on Jan 19, 2020 at 7:25 am
Most of us don't care if Trump AND Pompeo and the three little pigs come to town. California CHP, along with the 500 other Law Enforcement groups have gone totally "over the cliff"; shutting down entire freeways, off ramps, downtown streets; entire buildings. Blockades and motorcades - often literally stretching for miles. Yes, it's a silly inconvenience. It probably costs $25,000 for Pompeo to go to the bathroom !
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 19, 2020 at 9:03 am
on Jan 19, 2020 at 9:03 am
It is sad to see some boycotting a business because one politician who you don't like once went there! Restaurants typically accept anyone who comes in for a meal to do so regardless of their political, religious or similar persuasion. They probably allow Dodger fans and Packers fans!
It is hard enough for independent businesses to survive in Palo Alto without silly prejudices coming into the mix.
Let's support local independent businesses while we have them. Otherwise, we may just end up with vanilla flavor chains!
Evergreen Park
on Jan 19, 2020 at 10:48 am
on Jan 19, 2020 at 10:48 am
"It probably costs $25,000 for Pompeo to go to the bathroom !"
More fiber?
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 19, 2020 at 1:20 pm
on Jan 19, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Oh please - Traffic wrecker - has anyone else come to CA to eat at a restaurant? No - they all go to private homes and ask for thousands for others to eat with them. HRC did not bother to go out in the public when here as Sec of State. Thank you to the restaurant who hosted him - I will personally go in for a bite to eat with the family.
Evergreen Park
on Jan 19, 2020 at 2:52 pm
on Jan 19, 2020 at 2:52 pm
"Oh please - Traffic wrecker - has anyone else come to CA to eat at a restaurant? No"
Geez, did you even READ the article?!? It listed two others for this establishment alone.
Why do you just make stuff up? To top it off, you go to that space in your mind (you know, the place that Hillary lives rent free in your head) and tell some fib just because you do not know which restaurants she does/does not go to!
Heck, there's a place *I* know she has visited at least twice, along with a *lot* of other famous and semi-famous, partially because those with celebrity can go on the QT and not get it broadcast about.
That's a really smart restaurateur that foregoes their 15 mins of self-importance/promotion to keep good customers coming back.
Hilary is essentially retired, you can let her out of your psyche and cede her spot so The Squad is more comfortable inside your head. They appreciate the rent-free space! Due to a widely hyped derangement system, have ample choices of rent-free accommodations in various Fox viewer's heads. I watch both sides and hardly ever see The Squad talked about on the lefty stations, just the far right.
That's a lesson in derangement syndrome, right there.
But we agree on one thing: take your family to Cafe Pro Bono! I can't believe you have yet to do so.
Enjoy!
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 19, 2020 at 5:19 pm
on Jan 19, 2020 at 5:19 pm
I love all of the junior psychiatrist telling everyone else what is in their heads.
When I do watch CNN they all use the exact same characterizations and buzz words - like a bunch of parrots. Fox News has a comedy bit where they show all of the DN deranged saying the exact same set of words. No original idea in their heads.
Train wrecker - you sound like your head is about to explode.
And don't count out HRC - all of the other candidates are not doing well and have no ability to run a country. She is already starting to mobilize her TV visuals.
Midtown
on Jan 19, 2020 at 11:11 pm
on Jan 19, 2020 at 11:11 pm
What was the cost to taxpayers for this Stanford jaunt and his diet Coke and entree as well as security?
BTW the correct plural is "Secretaries of State", not "Secretary of States".
He must not have gone to school in Palo Alto.
Evergreen Park
on Jan 20, 2020 at 11:01 am
on Jan 20, 2020 at 11:01 am
"all of the other candidates are not doing well"
How quickly you deflect from getting called on your lie about "has anyone else ...? No" !!
And you deflect with another lie! "all of the other candidates are not doing well"
Perfect!
The top tier of Democratic candidates all poll well against the impeached president. It is the impeached president who does not poll well against a variety of opponents. Your next fabrication?
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jan 20, 2020 at 1:44 pm
on Jan 20, 2020 at 1:44 pm
The impeachment is a waste of taxpayers' money. Let's hope Biden (who is OLDER than John McCain was when running for President) and Elizabeth Warren do not get the nomination, otherwise, Mr. Trump will be back in the White House.
College Terrace
on Jan 20, 2020 at 4:33 pm
on Jan 20, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Pompeo- feh
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 21, 2020 at 1:54 pm
on Jan 21, 2020 at 1:54 pm
[Portion removed.]
Pay attention to what is going on out there. The polling does not mean anything because they only call up the people who will give them the right answer.
As to the impeachment - the previous events were specific to internal US activity. The current situation is concerning congressional funds that were approved for the previous Ukraine government and there has been a new government elected and going into place. Review of funds relative to the Ukraine government is totally correct.
The US is not an ATM cards for every foreign country that is going through political change..
Evergreen Park
on Jan 21, 2020 at 7:23 pm
on Jan 21, 2020 at 7:23 pm
[Post removed.]
Midtown
on Jan 21, 2020 at 8:29 pm
on Jan 21, 2020 at 8:29 pm
I remember for eight years Obama and his entorage would come to town with their hands out. The traffic was hell, we never bitched about it then. Go with the flow, Trumps got four more years to go.
Evergreen Park
on Jan 21, 2020 at 8:56 pm
on Jan 21, 2020 at 8:56 pm
"I remember..."
"we never bitched about it then"
Sorry about that memory issue of yours. I remember that y'all couldn't stop complaining.
It takes 10 seconds to find examples:
"Sharon
a resident of Midtown
on Sep 19, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Not again-- he just clogs up traffic and annoys people"
College Terrace
on Jan 22, 2020 at 2:55 pm
on Jan 22, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Northern or Southern Italian cuisine?
Hopefully downtown Palo Alto welcomed & appreciated Mr. Pompeo's presence as much as the Hoover Institution did.
Somewhere in North Beach or Original Joe's would have been appropriate as well...who goes to Palo Alto to eat over-rated/overpriced Italian food?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 22, 2020 at 4:49 pm
on Jan 22, 2020 at 4:49 pm
>> Heck, there's a place *I* know she has visited at least twice, along with a *lot* of other famous and semi-famous, partially because those with celebrity can go on the QT and not get it broadcast about.
At least give us a hint. ;-)
Community Center
on Jan 22, 2020 at 5:27 pm
on Jan 22, 2020 at 5:27 pm
"The current situation is concerning congressional funds that were approved for the previous Ukraine government..."
Now you're just making stuff up. That money, those weapons were approved by every agency and Congress.
we promised, when Ukraine gave up their nuclear weapons, to help them defend their territory.
Trump extorted them for political favors.
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:04 pm
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Chill - you must not be following how government budgets are prepared and the time spans to when funds are released. Funds are allocated by year. The Ukraine was working on existing funding when this topic came up. The funding under question is the following year's funding. However - in the time period between the approval of funds and actual delivery of funds there was a major regime change in the Ukraine Government. The topic in that election was corruption. Congress approved funds allocated to one regime way back when. Now new regime. Suggest you check out US Foreign Aid in Wikipedia to get an understanding of the process.
However the Ukraine and Russia have now signed a five year contract to provide gas to all of Europe. So I don't think they are in a dire situation at this time. And they do have all of the blankets that Obama authorized.
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:07 pm
on Jan 22, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Just like to add that Pompeo was in this area to speak at the Commonwealth Club in SF. The SVLG President appeared with him in that discussion. I would hope that we can show some style points in this city.
Evergreen Park
on Jan 23, 2020 at 6:05 am
on Jan 23, 2020 at 6:05 am
" So I don't think they are in a dire situation at this time. "
Russia took over part of their country. There is an ongoing fight. Why are you spouting the Putin line of "nothing to see here"? Did you get your Putin news directly from Tass, or through the impeached president, or Moscow Mitch? Web Link
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"Funds are allocated by year." Yes, and not effected by elections as you falsely claim.
The GAO said Trump broke the law with his extortion scheme; even Fox 'news' has the rare element of truth - Fox: "The Government Accountability Office said the Trump administration broke the law when it withheld US security aid to Ukraine last year"
You can do the search for the Fox link; if you're unable to perform simple search functions, I'll provide a link to a reputable news source instead.