It was my yellow lab, Ruby, who first picked up on the distant sound of honking horns on Aug. 8. Something was happening. Her darling ears tilted as her head came to attention. What was happening on her street? </p><p>Soon a parade of honking, brightly crimson and gold painted cars began to pass by my house on Page as a huge rite of passage was performed before my eyes. It was the first day of the 2008-2009 school year and seniors welcomed it with joy and anticipation. You could not help but smile broadly. I felt like I was a spectator to something wonderful. </p><p>My best wishes to all the students who have just began their new year. </p><p><b>A sad time</b></p><p>There is a collective sadness around Los Ba&#241;os due to the passing of 'the happy milkman,' beloved George Souza. He will long be remembered as the warm, generous man he was. My condolences to the family of John Menezes. He has left a hole that no one will replace. Every death in Los Ba&#241;os is painful; we treasure all of our residents as a special unique thread in the tapestry of our life here in Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p><b>Use your voice</b></p><p>I recently met with Mayor Tommy Jones, City Council persons Joe Sousa and Anna Ballati Brooks, and several community members to discuss your voice. Yes; your voice. Each year at elections time we get to use it loud and clear by voting. </p><p>We all encourage you to make sure you are registered to vote this November. How you vote is a private individual issue, we just all urge you to use your voice. Let's make our turn out this year the largest ever.</p><p><b>Big welcome to new police officer</b></p><p>The pride in his family's eyes was a joy to see on Aug. 11 when our newest police officer was sworn in at City Hall. Dusty Norris, who had taught at Los Ba&#241;os High School, recently finished the police academy. Acting Police Chief Fitchie was just beaming, saying he loves it when 'we grow our own.'</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>Belated happy birthday wishes to talented gentleman, Gary Wulbern. His big day was the 11th; bumped into him enjoying his birthday with his lovely wife, Cindy, at Espa&#241;a's when Mary Glenn, Linda Allegretti and I took our Pegg Eyerman out to celebrate her big day.</p><p>Another belated happy birthday goes out to my talented, super friend Marianna Marshall. She can do anything. Happy to have her in my life.</p><p>A special happy birthday wish to gorgeous, vivacious, Helene Mitchell who celebrates her big day on the 16th. Helene, who is as beautiful on the inside as she is devastatingly so on the outside, is like another daughter to me and loved by our entire family.</p><p>Handsome Glen Woitas recently celebrated his 50th birthday by having a terrific vacation in Las Vegas with his beautiful wife, Gina.</p><p>The 17th is the birthday of sweet June Berry, one of the nicest ladies you will ever meet.</p><p>Happy August birthday wishes to Mark Bodley, Gregg Rice, Lex Tregembo, Gertrude Redd, Nicolas Tregembo, Cassie Wolf Miyamoto, Brittany Michel, Muriel Bower, Wilma Ditter, Donna Mendes, Marlene Gargano, Helen Ann Bloom, Evelyn Gomes, Pat Enos, Carrie O'Banion, Loretta Petrocelli, and Ethan Knight.</p><p><b>New Bethany Guild enchanted evening</b></p><p>Prepare to have a lovely evening catered by Espa&#241;a's with a filet minion dinner that will dazzle your senses when the New Bethany Guild holds their 9th annual dinner auction. The live auction will include such temptations as a trip to Hawaii or to the mountains, jewelry, handmade crafts and art. The silent auction will include edible delights and gourmet baskets. The event will be held on Saturday, September 27 at New Bethany with doors opening at 5 pm. The requested donation is $65 per person. Tables can be reserved by request. For more information call 826-3769.</p><p><b>Sportsmen news</b></p><p>The gang at Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen were treated royally with a feast prepared by Ron Brandt and the Merced County May Day Spring Board last month. Helping make the meal complete were the efforts of Dave Pruitt, Jerry O'Banion, Mark Pazin, Pat Gallichio, Ron Alberti, Paul Parreira, Larry Borelli, Scott Silveira and Sean Alberti. </p><p><b>Chamber news</b></p><p>Come join the fun at the next Los Ba&#241;os Chamber of Commerce Mixer set for Tuesday, August 19 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. It should be a heavenly event as the setting is O & J Hot Dog Heaven (suddenly I am getting very hungry) located at 1420 Pacheco Blvd. Be sure and note this is a Tuesday and not the normally set Thursday night. Come out and enjoy. </p><p><b>Native daughter night</b></p><p>Don't forget that the Lomitas Parlor No. 255 of the Native Daughters will be holding their 17th annual silent auction and dinner with raffles and free Bingo on Aug. 20, at the DES Hall located at 1155 I St. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. The cost is $5 payable that night; I will sure be there.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells</b></p><p>Happy belated 20th wedding anniversary to Jamie and Colleen Pineda.</p><p>Happy anniversary wishes to Ron and Lorrie Dypass and Dan and Lynn Martin.</p><p>Happy 60th wedding anniversary to Ben and Norma Patricio.</p><p><b>Wish you had known her</b></p><p>The other day I learned of the death of a good friend of mine from Watsonville. Someone none of you knew, but I wish you had. She was such a loving and giving woman and a great influence on me. </p><p>We were Deacons at our church together and together we formed a Brown Bag grocery program that weekly fed 350+. We worked on helping families after the 1989 earthquake, giving out needed items daily for weeks. She helped me with hospice visits and with the jail ministry I ran out of my home. She had twinkling eyes and a remarkable sense of humor along with her endless source of energy. </p><p>I loved Betty Foxworthy. Betty, sadly due to the effects of the same illness that took my Mother, Alzheimer's, died this past week. The world is dimmed by her passing. It does give me an incentive once more to remind my readers that I lead an Alzheimer support group that meets the third Wednesday of each month at noon at The Waffle House on Pacheco Boulevard. Please call me at 827-0667 or 826-0874 for more information.</p><p><b>Suddenly slow</b></p><p>Even the things we know are coming for along time, seem to hit us by surprise when they occur. I think because in many ways we are all a lot like the famous television turtles 'the Slowskies,' who do a commercial for an online service. </p><p>They want everything to go real slow, and the older I get, the more I seem to be like 'the Slowskies,' wanting to pull time slowly like a piece of tough salt water taffy. </p><p>I look at Jessica, who to me was born yesterday, beginning her first week as a fifth grader, and I am just in awe. But I do see the opposite side of the coin. We need to be mindful that change can take place very fast, literally under our noses and if we are not mindful, opportunity can pass us by. Things we never meant to happen can appear and then we have to deal with circumstances, which are always harder to deal with than planning. It is always better to act than react; to think first and consider options, than to later be forced what is the best of choices left. </p><p>In life we owe ourselves and the world around us because the decisions will need to be made sooner or later. Let us decide, because no matter what, change will come suddenly slow. Have a mindful week, and until next time may all your news be good news.