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Morgan Hill
April 6, 2026

Pastors from Swaziland visit Gilroy Presbyterian

Gilroy Presbyterian Church may be one of South Valley's most

Living the American dream – and sharing it with others

It’s an inspiring story of a quest for freedom, high-stakes risk and love. This week’s column is dedicated to Ana Lelescu and her California Passport company, based in Morgan Hill. California Passport offers an upscale leisure travel experience for small groups of people anywhere from South San Jose to Big Sur.  

Empty nest not always so empty

Last August we sent Junior off to college. It was horrible. I spent the entire day trying to be cheerful and happy, when all I really wanted to do was cry. Junior looked like all he wanted to do was get rid of his mother. I honestly think Harry could have stayed because the entire time he was helping Junior assemble the $3 million worth of useless dorm organization crap I bought*, he kept talking about how fun college life was and giving helpful advice on what co-eds to avoid and how keep track of your red Solo cup at a party.

Bridge: Bidding for slam

Previously, we talked about one of the most interesting actions in bridge - bidding for slam, which is definitely a whole level higher and even more exciting because the stakes are very high. In order to bid and make slam (six-level bid) you need a total of 33 points between your two hands - or a really fantastic distributional fit. Since it is unlikely one hand will hold 30-plus points, the key to slam bidding is communication between the two partners.

Blended families, blended wines age well

When my husband and I met and married some 27 years ago, we brought our young daughters from previous marriages - his one, Sarah, and my two, Tara and Lindsey - and became a blended family. Mark and Sarah’s personalities are robust and structured while my girls and I are a little more fruity and complex. (Note: Mark especially agrees with the fruity description.) Our differences cause the usual squabbles but in the end, we are a great balance for each other. Our girls are all grown up now and it’s such fun when we all get together. Like a fine wine, our blended family has aged well.

Breaking bad money habits

Many of us plan thoughtfully for all kinds of life goals. Yet

Some words are always uncalled for

It seems that every other week in the media someone is apologizing for something. President Obama apologized to the Afghan people for the accidental burning of the Koran. The reverend Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, apologized to President Obama for questioning his Christian faith in a cable network interview.

Getting Out: John Muir Laws

I began writing this column nearly five years ago. Since then, when I meet someone new, while we are shaking hands, they sometimes say, "Oh, you're the guy who likes to hike." I smile and nod in agreement, but in the back of my mind, I realize that's not quite true.

Don’t let your television hurt your neck

If you get a stiff and painful neck when you watch TV, it might be because of where the TV is located. You've probably heard the advice to place your computer monitor at eye level. Your TV is really just a big monitor.

‘Tosca’ features searing drama and music

Opera San Jose begins its illustrious 32nd season with "Tosca," Puccini’s most melodramatic opera. “Tosca” is based on Victorian Sardou’s 1887 French language dramatic play La Tosca. The play starred Sarah Bernhardt, who played the lead in over 3,000 performances.  Puccini became obsessed with turning the play into an opera. Librettist Luigi Illica advised Puccini against trying to turn the play into an opera because he felt it could not be adapted to a musical form and was too violent.

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