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Most of us, perhaps all of us, can think back to a time when we needed a second chance to get something right. Whether it was a first attempt at love, a driving test, or a term paper we wrote over, we needed a second chance to get things right. Heck, even the national pastime doesn't record an out on the first strike - they give each batter three. So why is it that we are so quick to throw our personal possessions away at the first sign of wear? Doesn't our stuff deserve a second chance too?

My son started his first year of high school Tuesday, a few days after the results of the annual Back to School Survey conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. This year's report highlights a huge disconnect between parents and their high school age teens, with parents in denial over what their kids are facing when socializing at parties. Joseph Califano, Jr., the executive director, says the "self-delusion and lack of awareness of these parental palookas (sic) put their children at enormous risk of drinking and using illegal and prescription drugs."

My house has become a war zone. I realize that my battle is pretty piddling on the total scale of wars, but let me tell you, I'm this close to waving a white flag and moving to another hemisphere. Or Antarctica.

Downtown Morgan Hill is suffering from a job half done.

The intersection of Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road is truly the

To all Morgan Hill residents: Is it hot enough yet? In late

I owe a note of thanks to the Republicans of Morgan Hill. Santa Clara County was the only one of the four counties of the 11th Congressional District where I defeated Pombo in last June's primary election.

Have you ever encountered one of those annoying people who will bore you to distraction with cute stories about the time she got lost? Perky Pollyanna who took a wrong turn on the way to wherever – and just happened onto this marvelous restaurant where the waiter insisted on serving her all evening with champagne on the house. Or when she stumbled upon the quaintest little antique jewelry store where a fabulous diamond and pearl brooch had just gone on sale – it was such a steal! And all this because she accidentally got lost. 

"You're too stupid to vote."

Many of the responses to my July 11 column about the sadness and sickness of the violence in the Middle East are attempting to label me in inaccurate ways; so I thought this column could help define who I am and what I believe. By doing this I hope we'll keep an ongoing discussion on track, and off personalities.