Columnists

Many California consumers have a preference for California products over those produced elsewhere. For most folks, this preference is even stronger when it comes to the fresh produce we feed our families. In fact, 86% of California consumers report that “CA Grown” products matter to them. The good news is, California consumers have plenty of opportunities to buy California grown.

Perhaps some of the public has a negative stereotype of motorcyclists. Hearing their loud engines, seeing them splitting lanes while speeding down the freeway and reading about the drugs and violence associated with some bike clubs can be rather intimidating.

Sometimes, I have difficulty deciding which I like better, comedy or great music. Each has, in its own way, a magical capability to improve my mood and state of mind. A couple of days ago, I was listening to a symphony, Mussorgsky-Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition, on my ancient but superb sounding stereo system. My mind was totally consumed with the power and majesty of composition. I closed my eyes and let the notes take me through the Great Gates of Kiev, totally engrossed. I probably was a Russian Cossack in a past life. If you asked me at that moment, I would have told you that music was my favorite and most enjoyable pastime.

Over the years I have had many discussions about what the City Council is doing and often they would get credit or blame for things they did not or could not even do. Many of those discussions took place with people who should know what our City Council does, but then I have to admit it wasn’t that long ago I didn’t know for sure either. Considering that, let me share some of what I have learned about our City Council.

Most of you probably know by now about the new burger and beer joint - Roadhouse Jack’s - in the Target shopping center in Gilroy. I got an interesting introduction to the restaurant last Saturday night ... er, Sunday morning, when the grand opening was held.

I recently reviewed a book by scholar Reza Aslan that attempted to prove the orthodox view of Jesus of Nazareth is mistaken. Indeed, he says church officials repackaged Jesus’ story to make it more appealing to first century gentiles and Roman authorities.

Gerard Alessandrini created “Forbidden Broadway” in 1982 and has developed this spoof on Broadway musicals into 19 award-winning editions that have spread humor around the world. It’s had an unprecedented 31-year run in New York.

Pantone Color Institute, the world's leading color authority, recently named radiant orchid - which it described as “a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple” - as the color for 2014.

We now explore an interesting hand that is a little short on high card points (HCP's), but holds a valuable asset called “dummy points,” which is shortness in a side-suit. Dummy should value a side-suit doubleton at one extra point, a singleton at three extra points and a void at five extra points. The reason shortness in a side-suit is important is that dummy is able to convert some of declarer's losing tricks into winners by trumping them in dummy - a pretty good feature to have.