Are letters of recommendation really a necessary part of life in 2010?

In 2010, the search engine is where it’s at. Any prospects for an organization or place of employment should be thoroughly vetted online.

Instead of submitting letters of recommendation, how about candidates submitting their Facebook or MySpace passwords? That would be much more revealing than anything their church pastor has to say.

As a person who has been approached for written endorsement, it’s certainly not an inconvenience of any sort.

In fact, I have a formula that I use when writing letters of recommendation that has been proven 100 percent effective for entry into any organization (at least at high school level or lower).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sincere in my efforts by the mere fact that I agreed to attach my name to this person.

If I didn’t think they belonged in said club, I wouldn’t bother plugging their name and list of accomplishments into my form letter.

Quite frankly, I think my method is no more disingenuous than people who consult Web sites to provide them with templates for writing effective letters of recommendation.

This leads me to wonder how I would respond to someone whom I feel to be unworthy of my recommendation.

I’m not sure I’ll ever have to tackle that situation since it’s not common for people to approach someone who they know thinks little of them and ask that person to compose a letter detailing their high points.

I also wonder how much weight is given to the actual content of the letter since there are only so many ways to say “Timmy is a very conscientious student,” which the gatekeepers already knew or else Timmy would have never been considered a candidate for membership.

Maybe the powers-that-be are hoping to read that compelling tale of heroism or some other angle that was not presented on the applicant’s resume.

Perhaps they just want to know how far up Timmy is willing to go to solicit a good reference. His shift manager? His congressman? The Pope?

The optimal situation is when you request a letter of recommendation from someone and they respond by telling you to go ahead and write one for yourself and present it to them for signature.

Some may bristle at that scenario because their first reaction is “Oh, now I have to do more work.” Wrong. The correct response is “Let the glowing reviews begin!”

THE SPOKEN WORD WAS “SURPRISE!”

January’s Spoken Word meeting at Samantics Squared was focused on local author L.D. Clark, much to his surprise.

Jill Strube and Sam Blasco planned the monthly gathering around L.D.’s impending departure, although no-one (not even L.D.) is quite sure when that will be. So it seems that one surprise calls for another, since  they couldn’t risk L.D. leaving town without knowing how much he means to locals who cherish the written word, especially the words penned by him.

According to Jill, L.D. was indeed surprised upon his arrival to learn that this month’s meeting was themed toward honoring him. Jill reports that there were about 25 attendees, including about seven “regulars” and two completely new readers.

Among the original works were limericks composed by Sam Blasco and Diana Kuninger, both about L.D.

Carol Snyder took a different approach, choosing to read something authored by L.D. that means a lot to her personally.

The next meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Samantics Squared, 206 Main St.  More information will be announced later but Jill is encouraging people to bring their own chairs just in case the group continues to grow.

FISH FRY AND FUN NITE THIS SATURDAY

If you haven’t bought a ticket yet, make sure you get in on this year’s Fish Fry and Fun Nite at the Smithville Recreation Center this upcoming Saturday evening, Feb. 6.

If the $100 price tag is a bit steep for you, there’s still time to get a group together. There are also dinner-only tickets being sold at the door for $10 each with the opportunity to bid on prize tickets throughout the evening.

Doors open and check-in begins at 6 p.m. and drawings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. If you arrive after the drawings begin, you will not be allowed to add your ticket to the hopper.

Just contact a member of the Smithville Noon Lions Club or the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department for more details or to purchase your tickets.  Remember, it’s a chance for big winnings with a guarantee for great food and great fun. All net proceeds from the event benefit those two wonderful and worthy organizations.

Keep in mind, this is an event for adults 21 and over so make sure you get a babysitter for this one.

BASTROP

RUNNERS CLUB

If you’re an avid runner or walker, slow down and take a break for the Bastrop Runners Club meeting on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. at Green Chai Cafe in downtown Bastrop.

This newly-formed group is a non-profit volunteer organization for people of all ages and skill levels of running and walking abilities. The club was organized to promote and encourage health, an active life-style, running education, community involvement and also to support or sponsor charitable events.

I was alerted to this fledgling group by Sharah Johnson who wants to spread the word to Smithvillians who are interested in getting information about upcoming marathons, finding training partners and educating themselves on fitness.

For more information on this group, visit their Web site at www.bastroprunners.com.

ANDREW SHORT

BACK ON TRACK

Motocross season is back in full force with Smithville’s Andrew Short in the thick of it. Also known as “Shorty,” this Team Honda Red Bull racer is poised for great things in 2010.

Starting with a fourth-place finish on his first trip to Anaheim this season, Andrew experienced a bit of a hiccup in Phoenix in mid-January, finishing fifth in that race. He improved slightly the following week, again in Anaheim,  to another fourth place finish. This past weekend he again took fifth place in San Francisco.

Andrew currently sits in fourth place in overall points with 68. Let’s hope he can make up some ground in San Diego this weekend.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK

I love to hear from my readers. Please e-mail me at smithvilletalk@yahoo.com to let me know about your organization’s event, a person in your life who has a unique talent or challenge or just a funny story.

I can’t guarantee that everything that is submitted to me gets printed but I’d like to find a way to make it work for my column.

Also, send me birthday announcements and photos of travelers showing their pride by holding up an issue of The Smithville Times in front of a landmark or in the midst of a prominent event.

Speaking of prominent events, enjoy Super Bowl Sunday and go Saints!