Guest View

Is it just me? It seems that whenever I turn to the news on TV or the radio these days, the world outlook simply gets bleaker by the minute. Could we – pleeeeeze – have just one 24-hour stretch of good news for a change? I was driving in major traffic recently, and before the news report was over I was "this close" to taking my purse and beating my radio senseless with it.

It's been an interesting time for my family in terms of learning more about our clan. My nephew had a school project on family histories. My mother shared a story as she worked on it with him and my sister. The first story piqued my brother's interest, prompting requests for more, which I suspect served as a great diversion from the tension he experienced. Also, my mother recently turned 70. As the dutiful daughter of the oldest of 13, who ran a dairy that employed and boarded them all as she grew up, she knew a lot of the "old ones" during the prime of their youths and is very conscious of her role as the link between generations.

Today, a short history lesson:

I need to take a break from writing about substance abuse and its prevention in our community. It's hard, though. I read about the number of DUIs in Gilroy. I read about the heartbreak suffered by the family of Juan Sarmiento, an addict who killed himself and was first reported as homeless and then his family clarified that he wasn't. The armories are open and focus is given to people who are homeless, many of whom struggle with addictions. There's news of arguments or violence that require police intervention, all related to alcohol or fueled by some drug use. There's so much to write about.

Recently I had the opportunity to volunteer at the third annual Poppy Jasper Film Festival in Morgan Hill.

We have much for which to be thankful. Indeed we do!

Recently, a newspaper article informed that the projected average life span for a person born this year is 76.2 years.

Last week, the newspaper covered the Santa Clara County Department of Alcohol and Drugs Services (DADS) press conference announcing the lawsuit it filed against the state Board of Equalization (BOE). The BOE, responsible for taxing beverages, classifies "alcopops" as beer, though they are vodkas and whiskeys. The classification of the fruity, sweet-flavored distilled spirits significantly lowers their tax to 20 cents per gallon instead of $3.30 per gallon. This keeps their prices low to consumers makes them widely availability in convenience stores, which have licenses to sell only beer and wine. Recent studies show the low price and increased availability encourage consumption, particularly among young girls ages 13-15.

Thanks. Giving.

Every November I am struck anew by the same bewildering mystery: Where the heck did turkey stuffing come from anyway? And – even more perplexing – why? I mean, think about it, people! Yes, I know, it tastes good. But – and this is quite paradoxical – during the one season of the year when we strive to be mindful of all our blessings, to feel gratitude for family, friends and the "Do Not Call List," how do we commemorate this time-honored American holiday? I will tell you how: by thrusting our breadcrumb-filled fists up a hapless – and hopefully thoroughly deceased – turkey's backside!