Columnists

Today kicks off the last time the Frys.com Open will be in San Martin for at least a year. The tournament is moving to Napa next year, meaning this is the last chance to view the season opening tournament for a while.

The John Muir Trail is surely the most famous and the most beautiful wilderness path in the lower 48 states. Beginning at an elevation of 4,000 feet in Yosemite Valley, the trail follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada for 221 miles over eleven mountain passes to the summit of Mt. Whitney, at 14,495 feet, the highest point in the United States outside of Alaska.

The holiday season is quickly approaching, as is witnessed by the many displays already appearing in stores. One of the features of the fall season is a multiplicity of craft fairs, bazaars, boutiques or similar events. Worthy of special note is one held annually at a church in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood.

What's better than sleeping in on the weekend? For me, it's helping one of our local wineries during their annual harvest. On an early Saturday morning in September, I was lucky enough to be a part of the Satori Cellars Volunteers - an enthusiastic group of friends, family and wine club members who join together to pick and sort grapes out in the vineyard.

Peg and I had a great time at the taste of Morgan Hill. Thanks to so many of you that stopped to talk cars and pets with me at the car show. Yes, that was our 1956 VW truck that was there Saturday. We had so much fun with everyone and we’re already looking forward to the next “Taste.” Maybe we’ll see you there next year. Now let’s get down to business.

With relentless reports about government shutdowns, congressional showdowns and elected officials who put the “fun” in dysfunctional, I’m hard pressed to add anything new to what’s been said 11 bazillion times already.

Take some words, add some music and have Carol King meld it all into something “Beautiful.” That's what happened with the songs Carol King (a superb Jessie Mueller) created in her ingenious - sometimes - jarring life. “Beautiful” begins with songs by Carol, her husband Gerry Goffin (a moving Jake Epstein) and friends, and competitors Barry Mann (a loveable Jarrod Spector) and Cynthia Weil (outstanding Anika Larsen). It continues to the time when Carol leaves a bad marriage and reluctantly composes, writes lyrics, sings solo and records one of the most successful albums of all times - “Tapestry” - and finds her dream come true performing at Carnage Hall.

You invested in an ergonomic office chair that was supposed to have great back support. But all you feel is a great divide - between your back and the chair's backrest. Or, perhaps, you're making do with a repurposed chair from the dining room and constantly find yourself “perching” on the front edge of the chair. What's the problem?

Grab the kids and get to the Disney on Ice presentation of “Passport To Adventure.” It is delightful, educational and full of clever choreography, glorious costumes, exhilarating music and special effects. It has all the favorite Disney characters you can bundle in one evening without going into overdrive.