Opinion

The other day I actually found an upside to parenting a teenager. I know, I know. It took a lot of time and research, but I think I've found it. They do their homework themselves. Even the projects. Oh, please. Don't start telling me that your child was perfect and always did his own projects, even when he was 2 years old and in preschool. Seriously. Perhaps he did his own coloring in preschool, but I have been to third grade classrooms. I have seen Flat Stanley dioramas and I can tell you that in the entire history of third grade projects, no 8-year-old ever made a gorgeous Flat Stanley diorama complete with puffy paint, hot glue and perfect coloring with markers that were not washable without a great deal of parental … guidance. I swear to you, this is true. Look, I know it for one reason. The non-washable markers always give you away. No parent in their right mind, or at least with a decent couch, allows a child to make a Flat Stanley diorama without using washable markers. It's a parenting law. Seriously. And then there is the hot glue. Hello? First of all, 8-year-olds and hot glue are a lethal combination. It's like giving candy to a 2-year-old. Nobody does that because they know the outcome is going to be very, very bad – and possibly well outside the scope of your insurance, which in case you don't know, doesn't cover Acts of God and Acts of Parenting Idiocy. Just FYI. And even assuming you have the most mature 8-year-old on the planet and you do allow that child to use the hot glue gun, you are right there supervising. And every parent knows that “supervising” is super-secret parent code for “I did some of it for her, but just the really scary parts. Like all of the gluing. And painting. And cutting Flat Stanley out because she kept running around the house trying to cut her sister's bangs and her sister has never had bangs.” Also? Teachers can tell when a parent provided guidance. Those strings of glue from the glue gun are all cleaned up. And then there is the fourth grade, where all parents get the giant thrill of constructing a California Mission. (Side note: when my father was a boy, his parents took him on a thrilling family vacation to every single mission in California, using his aunt, a nun, as the tour guide. This explains why I, a person raised Catholic and educated in Catholic schools, had never seen a mission until I got lost in San Luis Obispo looking for a lingerie store.) Anyway, the Mission project is huge. And you cannot tell me that a 9-year-old sits around the family table every single night hot gluing faux clay shingles to a faux mission roof. And if your child, like mine when he was in fourth grade, insists that his project must be made of wood, no parent on the planet says “Sure, here's a saw and some plywood. Have fun.” Yeah. That's because it's always fun to play with the saw until somebody loses a foot. But for years now, I have not been gluing, sawing, coloring or painting. Yes, I have done some sewing - but mainly that was because I like my sewing machine and I want to keep it. But the distinct lack of projects in my parenting life is a huge upside for me - and not just because I shouldn't be using a saw.   Now, don't get me wrong - getting a teenager to actually start the project is another issue - but once they get started, they do it themselves. Just them and Mr. Google. And every once in a while, a desperate Skype with a friend to help. Totally an upside.

The City of Morgan Hill asked residents for questions and comments on the California High Speed Rail Authority’s plans to build the 200-mph-plus train through or around the city. Below are some of those comments and questions, which city staff presented to the Morgan Hill City Council at the Nov. 16 meeting and are available to view on the city’s website. The council plans to submit a comprehensive list of questions about the HSR’s potential impact on Morgan Hill, in hopes of influencing the state agency’s choice on its preferred route alignment. Concerned residents can still submit questions and comments to the city by visiting morganhill.ca.gov and searching for High Speed Rail, which will bring users to a page with information and forms for submitting input. See related story for more information on the HSRA’s four alignment alternatives. Comments below are edited for length and clarity.Has there been consideration of tourism and quality-of-life impact when considering a final alignment choice, or is it purely economic? An HSR alignment through downtown Morgan Hill would destroy the character of this unique area.Andrew SterianWhy would the alignment not occur in the most obvious location—along with the existing railroad line?? The home value and quality of living in the Diana neighborhood will be severely impacted should the rail be put in along the west side of 101. My house will not be one purchased in eminent domain but would be in the first row of houses adjacent to the planned location on the west side of 101. The rail will without a doubt create a negative impact on my home’s value. Please consider what will happen to home values in the entire Diana neighborhood should the west side (alignment) be chosen. Why would you add a rail line in a neighborhood instead of in a downtown area where it makes sense. The community should share the burden of the rail's addition, not the homeowners, who already live next to 101 to begin with! Please do what you can to prevent loss of the investment we made when purchasing a home in Morgan Hill.Dana MortonWill there be any tall redwood trees planted to on both sides of the raised viaduct to mitigate noise and visual impact?William CarlsonWhat can the city of Morgan Hill do to stop this huge boondoggle?Mark HinkleHow will the HSR determine which properties need to be taken? How will the HSR ensure that there is no loss to the residential properties that are not strictly needed for right of way access but would be close to the proposed route? Will the HSR purchase enough residential properties alongside the track to ensure that there is a cushion of green space and thereby ensure that the remaining home's property values are not impacted? Will anything be done to beautify the space between the HSR and the residential areas around it? Will homeowners who wish to move for no other reason but that the HSR will be constructed in their neighborhood be reimbursed realty fees and any loss in property value due to the HSR being present or the need to disclose its future presence? Will the HSR work with the City to make sure that no resident is financially hurt?Susan EassaHow many trains will be scheduled to travel through Morgan Hill on a daily basis?Lauri QuigleyWhy wouldn't the money be spent on widening and fixing our freeways. We can hardly move around on the freeway. We keep being told there’s no money but you can build this and it won’t even be used for many people.Traci ValdezIf the East or West 101 routes through Morgan Hill are chosen, how will you mitigate impact on Coyote Creek Park and Trail including impacts to wildlife, waterfowl, and birds that call that area home? In addition, how will you maintain the current quiet and peaceful rural environment for hikers, walkers and bicyclists?Debra UllmannAre there plans or intentions to provide bus service to the San Jose and Gilroy terminals? If so, will fares be included in the cost of HSR tickets? Will the residents of Morgan Hill be provided with lower ticket rates? Will VTA bus schedules be aligned with train schedules? Will VTA and HSR offer interchangeable tickets? How about with BART, ACE and Caltrain? Will HSR work with local companies and schools to provide lower ticket rates?Yudhvir SidhuWill there be a study about noise pollution effects in Morgan Hill?Pravin LathigaraI am concerned about the increased traffic downtown and safety if the high speed train goes along Monterey highway and through downtown Morgan Hill. How will pedestrian traffic be protected? How often are these trains projected to run?Jeanne Wise

Regular readers of “Much Ado ...” know I am a longtime baseball fan. That will never change. But the days for me to make my annual contribution to those who bring us America’s national pastime, may be numbered.