<i>"Confidence in another's honesty is no light testimony of ones own integrity." --Montaigne </i></p><p>Or, give the other guy a break.</p><p><b>A gathering of friends </b> The Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen main room was filled with friends and family July 17 as they gathered to honor an original one of kind special man, Wayne 'Tex' Owens. </p><p>His presence was everywhere. You kept thinking he would come out of the busy kitchen, drink in hand, his permanent broad smile across his face, ready to quip "what y'all up to." </p><p>The Memorial service was performed by the Los Ba&#241;os Odd Fellows under Bill Howard; very touching and lovingly performed, followed by antidotes told by friends such as Tim Marrsion, Rachel Wilson, and Ron Ingram. A wonderful lunch was served afterward topped off with cakes made by the Queen Cake-Maker herself, Toni Nelson.</p><p><b>Special lady</b></p><p>Many years ago I did an interview with an enchanting diminutive woman called Josephine Foletta. Josephine absolutely delighted me with her stories about the history of Los Ba&#241;os of which she was a literal flowing fountain of fascinating tidbits. Her collection of adorable hats was fun, and I enjoyed petting her mischievous black cat. </p><p>Appreciating my love of Los Ba&#241;os she gave me a wonderful collection of scrapbooks with clippings of the city's history, still one of my prized possessions. Josephine, the aunt of my friend Madeline Pereira, has been living at New Bethany where she recently celebrated her birthday. Her health has been challenging and I wish her my very best wishes.</p><p><b>Red, white and blue to do</b></p><p>Echoing the spirit of hooray for the red, white and blue, the Lomita's Parlor No. 255 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West are holding their 17th annual silent Auction and Dinner featuring free bingo and a raffle on Aug. 20 at the D.E.S. Hall located at 1155 I St. The doors will open at 5:45 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the first silent auction table closing at 7:15 p.m. The cost is just $5 per person payable that night. Patriotic attire is encouraged and guests welcome. I start my Christmas shopping every year with this event.</p><p><b>Mount Carmel Society continues 75 years of tradition</b></p><p>The Mount Carmel Society of Saint Joseph Church held their annual celebration the week of July 20 topped off with a great Italian luncheon held at the D.E.S. Hall with an auction followed by the benediction and rosary said at the church. This is a dedicated group of men and women who serve in honor of the Blessed Mother.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells</b></p><p>Very special happy anniversary wishes go out to Dominic and Maria Pugliese who celebrated their big event with a romantic trip to France, which sounds to die for. Maria described the picturesque trip so poetically I felt I was there seeing the verdant landscape. Their anniversary trip ended in dazzling Monte Carlo.</p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to super couple and great friends, Sandy and Jim Lemas.</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>A huge happy birthday wish to one of the royalty of Los Ba&#241;os, Tesse Mazzina. Tesse has done just about everything; where do I begin. You are loved Tesse.</p><p>July 29 is the birthday of my dear friend Mary Glenn. Mary and I tease each other that we are so close we finish each other's sentences. We are truly kindred spirits and I love and admire Mary enormously. I have been trying to share her difficult voyage with her nasty co-pilot: cancer. I have seen Mary tested so harshly, so many times, but her precious spirit and undying goodwill is always triumphant. Her life is something truly to celebrate, and in the words of Lara and Bryan, 'Huzzah.'</p><p>Special birthday wishes to Dominic and Denise Pugliese, and my lovely neighbors, Elaine Stietz, and Irene Miano.</p><p>One of the most multi-talented and beautiful ladies in Los Ba&#241;os is the wonderful, gentle, vivacious Fay Davis. Her big day is the 27th. May the angels sing happy birthday to you Fay; I love you.</p><p>Happy July birthday wishes to Annie Veal, Patience Okafer, Don Van Somseren, Katie Younce. Erik Martin, Mary Reynolds, Jon Ferdig, Andrew Brown, Vern Heaney, Jaclyn Silva, Elsie Bertao, Marie Argenteire, Olga Ramos, Karen Bonillas, Jerri Terry, Denise Johnson,</p><p><b>Elkswise</b></p><p>Still time to get your tickets for the toe tapping fun night put on each year by the hard working Elks called their Black Hat Social. The big date for their 10th annual is Saturday, Sept. 13. Call Richard and DJ Barcellos at 587-1605 or Richard or Dee Frontella at 826-3244.</p><p><b>Super dad</b></p><p>Congratulations to Pastor Steve Hammond of Bethel Community Church on recently being so honored by the county as Father of the Year. His sons winning essay was chosen out of 800 entries; an amazing achievement and a true tribute to Steve and his devoted family.</p><p><b>This and that</b></p><p>'Heal fast' wishes go out to my fellow Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Mike Neu, who injured his knee in a bike/tomato truck incident. Mike is a great guy and a wonderful asset to the commission.</p><p>Want to feel good? Go see the sing-along, smile a lot, be happy experience of going to see "Mamma Mia." This film version of the popular Broadway musical staring Meryl Streep is just what the doctor ordered. I still am singing the songs of the Abba tunes and the images of the small Greek island are postcard perfect. So, go cool off and get ready to enjoy.</p><p>I was reduced to a puddle of tears on my living room floor when my 17-year-old granddaughter, Samantha Barrow presented me with her class art project for the year; a beautiful pastel of my mother taken from a picture of her when she was in her 20s. An instant family heirloom, I was immediately speechless; an uncommon state for me.</p><p><b>Penelope sees beyond the surface</b></p><p>A true treasure is currently available on Comcast Demand; a little movie I had heard nothing about produced by Reese Witherspoon and starring Christine Ricci and Cathleen O'Hara. A modern day fairytale, it deals with the story of a family under a curse and has girl who looks like a pig. The movie deals with how we judge people by their appearance and how we judge ourselves. It is delightful, insightful, inspirational, and wise. </p><p>It made me think a lot when it was over; how hard it is to be a youth today with such an emphasis on looks and conformity. Every generation has its own definition of beauty. My figure would have been much more popular in Rembrandt's day that fancied robust women. </p><p>Oh, how harshly we sometimes judge ourselves using the yardstick of someone else's making. As Penelope discovers, so do we all need to learn, to be happy with who and what we are, and in our own skin. We are all special, so enjoy yourself, and until next time, may all your news be good news.