Columnists

When one thinks of Monterey – Cannery Row, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Steinbeck, Big Sur and Pebble Beach are the mental pictures that flash in the mind, unless you are a wine lover. Surprise! Well, you don’t have to be a wine lover to enjoy the magnificent wineries that snuggle into the hills of stunning Monterey County.

Well, I guess we made it. We got through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Now, we get ready for St. Valentines Day. And guess what; Lady M and I went into Morgan Hill’s great Target and there they were, St. Valentine’s Day candies, decorations and God knows what all. And it was New Year’s Eve!

Happy New Year! Before I begin this week's column, I advise you to purchase a pork butt roast. They are usually on sale right now for under $2 per pound. Get one, wrap it tight and freeze it. It will be featured in my Mardi Gras article for Pulled Pork Poor Boys.

Q: Our cat, Princess, is 17 years old and for the past three years has never gone outside. Our veterinarian sent us a reminder that she needs vaccination boosters. Is it really all that necessary for her to get these shots, considering her age and living conditions?

I found a gem. There it was in plain sight, a new trail but far enough out of the way that I only recently stumbled upon it.

Past New Year’s morning hikes have drawn about 30 hikers. Imagine my surprise and delight when the Mendoza Ranch at Harvey Bear Ranch parking lot filled to the brim and all of you stepped out to walk the Mummy Mountain Trail.

We can all breathe a sigh of relief now that NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne Lapierre spoke out about the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn. on Dec. 14.

Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew, as were his parents and all his disciples. The earliest version of The New Testament says that when gentiles (non-Jewish people) were allowed to join the church without following Jewish rituals and laws, it was a watershed moment for the new faith.

A few weeks ago, I was in the Gilroy Center For The Arts with a few local art supporters admiring the unique works of local artisans. “There are an amazing number of very fine artists in Gilroy,” said one supporter. “Yes, and just about every genre of art is represented locally,” said another. “It's like a well kept secret.”