Columnists

Earlier this summer children attending the Vacation Bible School sponsored by the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church learned about Uganda as part of their mission program. Now they have an opportunity to actually meet children from that African nation.

There are lots of sayings having to do with brain power. Sayings like, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” – false – and “You’re never too old to learn something new,” – true.

Q: Our dog, Rex, has been feeling kinda puny lately. He isn't eating and seems really tired. My friend was over yesterday day and drained his car radiator. Rex licked up some of this fluid. He seemed to like it. Now my brother told me that radiator water is poisonous to dogs. Is that true? What should I do?

You’ll find me at the Garlic Festival almost every year. If I’m not meandering around with friends, I at least take a quick break from work Friday to swing by and grab a peppersteak sandwich and some garlic bread.

Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have considered. Here are some things you may want to keep in mind if it comes to pass.

Do you know that you can attend a free movie this month? Sponsored by the City of Gilroy, Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission, the Gilroy Public Art Committee and the Gilroy Arts Alliance, the event will be held Thursday on the lawn at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St. The classic, G-rated comedy “The Love Bug” will be the feature film and special reserved parking is available for everyone who arrives in a Volkswagen Bug. Before the feature begins there will be a premier showing of “The Lazy Song,” a short movie filmed in Gilroy and performed by Gilroy youth. The movie begins at dusk but the grounds open at 8:30 p.m. for folks to secure a place on the lawn. Bring your blankets and chairs, maybe get your block, your church group, craft group, scout group, family and friends to come along and enjoy a free movie under the stars. Concessions available; alcoholic beverages are not allowed. The event will end by 10:30 p.m. I look forward to seeing you there.

Take English American Sign Language, a deaf actor, an award-winning play by the deaf actor’s (hearing) wife, a director that carries a super able cast, mix well and you have an enlightening glance into the life of a non-hearing man who refuses to be silent.

San Francisco is a city of marvelous churches, but the most grand receive the majority of attention. Places like the Gothic-style Grace (Episcopal) Cathedral on Nob Hill, the modernistic St. Mary of the Assumption (Roman Catholic) Cathedral on Cathedral Hill or the golden onion-domed Holy Virgin (Russian Orthodox) Cathedral on Geary Street in the Sunset District are widely known and visited.

This is truly a wonderful and historic day for the South Valley! Right in our own backyard, we celebrate 35 years of one of the premiere food festivals in the entire world: The Gilroy Garlic Festival. The festival is the inspiration this week for a classic West Coast salad, which features beautiful grilled garlic shrimp.