Opinion

The first concert I ever attended at the Shoreline amphitheater was memorable. I took my eldest daughter and three of her close pre-teen friends to see the Spice Girls. Not knowing what to expect, I didn’t bring a blanket to claim our little area of real estate to view the concert. As the five of us sat on the grass, we were surrounded by a sea of blankets occupied by screaming teen girls.

Lent is the great Christian period of preparation for Easter. Observed in many different ways, the tradition at St. Mary Catholic School in Gilroy is to involve students in a service project, a chance to reach beyond themselves to help someone else.

Aspen conjures up visions of a glitzy playground where the well-heeled hang out and enjoy the high life. That is an absolutely true vision.

Tired of tapping? Weary of wearing out your thumbs? Try speaking to your smartphone instead.

We’ve talked about some of the seasonal hazards of spring and summer. Add to that list one more item that rarely gets any mention. We’re talkin’ fishing ... or at least preparing for that fishing trip. Your tackle box has a lot of goodies that will attract your dog or cat. So keep it closed and latched. Those hooks and lures can do a lot of damage if your pet gets one in his or her mouth.

Have you ever saved a great bottle of wine thinking it would get better with age and then opened it a few years later - only to discover that it was past its prime? That’s because the vast majority of wine is meant to be consumed now or within one to two year’s time at the most. The wines that tend to age well are the more expensive Cabernet Sauvignons and other highly tannic, red wines. Through time, the tannins (which have a bitter flavor) will soften with the wine becoming smoother, richer and more balanced. Whenever in doubt, ask the winemaker or shop manager for advice on if and how long to age the wine.

Few stereotypes have perpetuated longer than that of gal-pal shoppers who love going to the mall. Now kick that stereotype up a notch. Yep, I’m talking New Car Shopping.

“Kids don’t stay with you if you do it right. It’s the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won’t be needed in the long run.” –

Cheers to organizers, volunteers and the more than 80,000 who attended the 33rd version of the annual Mushroom Mardi Gras.