BEIJING
Newsom meets with President Xi Jinping in China
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom met with President Xi Jinping in China's capital city of Beijing. The Governor also met Wednesday with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng and signed a new climate-focused Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie. The Governor was joined by U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns for the series of discussions.
Newsom was the first governor to be in China in more than four years, and the first to meet with President Xi since former Governor Brown in 2017. Following the Governor's day of meetings, California and China highlighted outcomes from the discussions entitled the "Declaration of Enhanced Subnational Climate Action and Cooperation Between the State of California and the People's Republic of China."
Throughout his meetings, Gov. Newsom discussed how California and China can continue working together to advance climate action, promote economic development and tourism, and strengthen cultural ties. The Governor reiterated California's commitment to serving as a reliable partner on the climate crisis, and how critical China remains in the world's efforts to reduce pollution. He emphasized the continued need for open lines of communication and extended California's warm welcome for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco next month.
Following the day's meetings, Ambassador Burns said: "This was a very positive and consequential day for the United States."
Newsom's topics of discussion also included human rights violations and anti-democratic efforts in Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan, as well as David Lin, a California pastor who has been imprisoned in China since 2006. The Governor discussed his visit to the Middle East and how China can play a role in diffusing tension in the region.
Some of the issues discussed by the two leaders include economic ties, including ways to strengthen the $166 billion two-way trade relationship between California and China, cultural exchange, and a variety of human rights issues including Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan, as well as David Lin, a California pastor who has been imprisoned in China since 2006.
Also Wednesday, Governor Newsom met with Chairman Zheng Shanjie from the National Development and Reform Commission – China's macroeconomic central planning agency. Governor Newsom and Chairman Zheng signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and accelerate the clean energy transition.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
Clear Lake Soroptimists announce Holiday Dinner – Support Totes 4 Teens & Sponsoring Survivorship
A favorite long held tradition amongst Soroptimist members is making blankets to support teens in Lake County through the Totes 4 Teens project. This year, Pauline Biron and members of her daughters 4-H group kicked off the blanket making.
Pauline is one of the newest Club members and owner of Lake County's Eldenberry Farms, LLC. She also serves as Community Leader of the Big Valley 4-H Club.
"When I joined our local Soroptimist club, I had in mind projects that would pair with other organizations that enrich the lives of our young people and help them reach their full potential – like the 4-Hers," Pauline said. "Our members had fun making blankets and learning about how the Totes 4 Teens program makes sure that teens in foster care receive holiday blessings."
The blanket making continued at the regular monthly Club meeting at the Ripe Choice farm where the group enjoyed another delicious meal prepared by Chef Tammy Lipps.
"We are multi-taskers," said President Sally Munger. In addition to making blankets, the club presented a donation to Sponsoring Survivorship and planned their Holiday Event.
The group presented a $500 donation to Julie Kelley, who, along with Shirley Crawford, founded Sponsoring Survivorship in 1996. "We so appreciate our Soroptimist friends," Julie said. "They have been with us from the beginning – joining us on our annual walk/run event and donating to our cause."
For years, the Soroptimists offered free mammograms, discontinuing the project after the affordable care act passed. "But breast cancer is present in many of us, and the American Cancer Society reminds us that it continues to be the most common cancer in women," Sally said. "We have to keep supporting cancer survivors and efforts to find cures."
Next up for the busy members is their annual Holiday event.
"We invite everyone to join us this year for dinner, a holiday sing-along and some unobtrusive fund raising to help low-income head of household women achieve their educational and vocational goals," Sally said.
Fawn Williams, the Club's Treasurer, explained that through the annual Live Your Dream project, young women grow to become economically self-sustaining individuals and contributors to the community.
"Each year, we hear the heartbreaking stories of how the women who apply have overcome life challenges that bring our members to tears," Fawn said. "It is truly rewarding to watch their transformation and to know that our members support their educational journey toward economic empowerment."
The Holiday event is on Wednesday, December 13 at the Ripe Choice in Lakeport. To reserve a seat contact Sally at 707-485-2132. Also, to learn how to become a member or to donate to the Club, contact Sally at this number and visit the Club, Soroptimist International of Clearlake, on Facebook.
—Submitted
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