Opinion

Well, it's finally over: The most important, earth-shattering, paradigm-shifting, portentous political event since - oh, gosh, a very long time ago, really - has concluded, and by that I am of course referring to the Iowa caucuses, in the relentless view of the media. Never in the history of a Mongol horde of reporters with nothing better to do has there been such a lengthy, breathless, heart-stopping buildup to a non-binding straw poll among 20 percent of the Republicans in a state whose total population could fit into metropolitan Los Angeles without appreciably slowing down the traffic on the 405.

Cheers to the Santa Clara Valley Water District board and employees who recently negotiated new contracts that will save the agency $7.7 million over the life of the three-year contracts. Starting in April 2012, employees will contribute 15 percent of their health care premiums and pay an increase of 1.1 percent to 11 percent of contributions toward the California Public Employees Retirement System. And, new employees who start after Jan. 1 2012 will earn a rate of 2 percent of their salary for retirement plans, multiplied by their years of service at the age of 60. Current employees maintain the 2.5 percent at the age of 55. Employees will also lose a paid holiday, reducing them to 12 per year. Sick leave payouts upon retirement are capped at 480, with a 50 percent rate of the equivalent cash value.

Earlier this week I was driving down San Benito Street in my 2001 Ford truck unwillingly going below the speed limit behind a distracted driver behind the wheel of a Dodge Viper sports car.

There is an old joke that goes "Christians have their cross; Jews have their Star of David; Muslims have their crescent; and Unitarians have the question mark."

If you are a fan but never had the opportunity to experience the King of Pop perform, this is as close as you will ever get. "Cirque du Soleil" has combined Jackson's music, dancing and awe-inspiring visuals into a celebration of the experience of one of his legendary concerts.

As the New Year begins, I reflect on the local arts events of the past year. Among them are the art shows at the center, choir concerts, symphony concerts, theater productions, the Diva/Divo Concert, songwriter's showcase, poetry readings, dance recitals, Kids Discover Arts, Garlic Festival entertainment and the wonderful Fifth Street Music Series. How fortunate we are to have this wealth of enrichment in our community.

One had to believe that 2012 was the gift of a benevolent God on New Year's Day when temperatures in South Valley soared, and the dawning day felt warm as springtime.

Q: Our dog's name is Trouble and he has bad ears. He's been treated at least 10 times with different medications, including eardrops, ointments, pills, etc. Now our vet says he has both a bacterial and a yeast infection that will never go away. The vet wants to do surgery and we think this might be a bad idea. What do you think?

The new year has officially begun but warm memories linger as I think about the wonderful holiday just spent with loved ones. As is common to most families, my family relationships can be messy at times, but in the end, I realize how tremendously blessed I am to have them.