Guest View

For four years, Britton Middle School was under the watchful eyes of the State Department of Education. State officials made frequent visits to the school to monitor compliance, because the achievement gap of the English- language learners had become a serious concern.

Not long ago, on an absolutely warm and beautiful day, my wife, Joanne, and I journeyed to San Juan Bautista to visit La Casa Rosa. We have loved this restaurant for, at least, 20 years. They serve only three entrees: Old California, New California, or Chicken. (I am not going to explain. You have to find out.)

When Karen Delaware left her alcoholic, abusive husband, she and her five children didn't even have a car to sleep in. They moved from shelter to shelter so often that Karen's daughter told her, "I only know one game - the packing game."

In the beginning, we numbered eight. Women whose friendships rekindled at a class reunion one year ago; deep, meaningful alliances based on the admirable quality that after all those years we still recognized each other.

This is one of the more important "off year" elections that we have had. The gubernatorial race seems to have already concluded and that may suppress turnout with serious consequences. The following are some good reasons to make sure that you vote.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

October is here and brings about a special time in our Morgan Hill lives. October is a month of balance. The kids have settled into their school routines, holiday madness hasn't yet begun, and the weather is often just about perfect here in Morgan Hill - not too hot, not too cold, not too dry, and not too wet. All this blissful balance creates a little space in our lives to think about three important issues: safety, scheduling, and sharing.

 Have you noticed how airplane travel has changed in the past few years? I'm not just talking about the new security restrictions and full body searches we submit to every time we fly the friendly skies, although that aspect has certainly livened up our flying experiences.

Other than good parents at home, the single biggest indicator of a kid's success in school and in life is a quality teacher in the classroom.

A front page headline. The Morgan Hill Times headline on Tuesday read "City to toughen social host ordinance." While we'd like that to be the case, the truth is the city isn't changing anything yet.