The North Pole is crying along with all of us due to the death of Mrs. Santa Claus herself; the amazing, golden hearted, June Painter. Everyone in the community who has enjoyed her holiday yard extravaganza knows that June was a creative, warm and giving woman who loved everyone and had a warm smile that could melt glaciers. </p><p>I adored this woman whom I knew on many levels and was still amazed at her capacity to give of herself so effortlessly. June was such a huge part of the Native Daughters that she will leave a hole that no one will ever be able to fill. </p><p>She worked with the Diabetic Support Group for years, kind and understanding always. June was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church, involved in everything there and a walking tribute to the ideal of a joyful Christian. I am going to share a story about June; sorry Ron. </p><p>It was at one of June's famous Christmas Open Houses; her house was decked out to the nines, everything was beautiful. June told me she had splurged and even had all the rugs cleaned. A gourmet spread of food lay before us, enticing us to imbibe. Ron was drawn to the cheese fondue, and whoops. The cheese fondue was drawn to Ron. To his lap, and then slowly it poured over the clean carpet like molten lava from a volcano. </p><p>June kept smiling, soothed Ron's embarrassment and acted as if nothing happened, smiling all the time. June was gracious; she was put here on earth to make people happier. And she surely did her job well. </p><p>Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Whitehurst Chapel and the memorial service will be held at Whitehurst on Monday at 10 a.m. </p><p><b>Pitter patter of little feet </b></p><p>Congratulations to new grandparents Mel and Kim Hartsoch.</p><p>Congratulations to Renee Castillo on the birth of her new little girl, Kira Nina Alfonso on Aug. 13. Congrats to new big sister Nike. </p><p><b>Wild west update</b></p><p>The plans for the Henry Miller Wild West Weekend sound so exciting. Clear Oct. 10 to 12th and spend them in Los Ba&#241;os celebrating the old west. With a hot air balloon rally, bull riding, Sunday morning cowboy church, the Lefty Manzanedo Memorial shoot off, and well, too many fun things to list. </p><p>This is going to be a wham dam doozel. The Los Ba&#241;os Chamber of commerce now has a raffle on sale for a beautiful custom-to-fit Victorian ball gown, an 1887 Morgan dollar, and a wrought iron fire pit. For more info contact Big John at 827-7617 or Arlene Cardoza at 826-0240.</p><p><b>FFA drive-through</b></p><p>Jane Lozano informed me that Celeste, once more, will be selling tickets for the FFA chicken drive through dinner to be held on Oct. 20. The cost is just $10 for chicken, rigatoni, salad, roll and cookie. For info call Jane at 617-9677.</p><p><b>Soroptimist chatter</b></p><p>At their weekly lunch meeting, the Soroptimist learned about the recent travels of member/delegate Sherry Pearson to Taiwan. Sherry was among 1700 Soroptimist who gathered from all over the world to attend the International groups conference, which works for the betterment of women and girls. Sherry was impressed with the beauty and cordiality of the exotic land. Every Soroptimist at the August 18th meeting received a souvenir of the country. </p><p>The Soroptimist are very busy these days planning two big events. They will once more be serving our holiday shopping needs by selling Sees Candy, more about that soon. But plan to make your shopping list for Soroptimist to solve. Then, plans are forming for our biggest, grandest Victorian Tea ever, to be held next March. It is going to be over the top.</p><p><b>Did they say bingo? </b></p><p>Diane Hambley (nice lady) of Memorial Hospital Los Ba&#241;os tells me that they will be hosting an America Heart Association benefit bingo night on Monday and then again on Sept. 22 at the Miller & Lux Building located at 830 Sixth St. at 6 p.m. </p><p>The price for a fun night is a bargain $15 which includes bingo card and raffle tickets. They always have yummy food for sale and it makes for a lively way to spend an evening and do good works at the same time. For more information contact Kathy Keck at 826-0591 ext. 237. I will sure be there.</p><p><b>It helps to talk</b></p><p>Just a reminder that on the second Wednesday of each month, the Cancer Support Group meets at the Memorial Hospital Board room from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is open to those who have cancer or who have a loved one with cancer. You need not be alone. For more information call Carolyn Nazabal, RN, at 826-0591, ext. 365. </p><p><b>Safari Club visits Los Ba&#241;os </b></p><p>The Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen was the location for a 'thank you' dinner for the Safari Club International and the Directors of the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen hosted by the Youth Scholastic Trap Shooting Program. </p><p>The active youth group was presented with the funds for a dry fire indoor trap shooting system and a computer by the Safari club. The Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen's has long been an active supporter of the youth scholastic program. The tri-tip dinner was served by the youth under the direction of parents club president Julie Creighton. The cooking was done by master chef Monty Wilson and the barbecueing by Robert Huff and Bobby Darnell. </p><p><b>Birthday balloons </b></p><p>Special happy birthday wishes to part of our adopted family, beautiful Debbie Stevenson. We love you sweetheart.</p><p>August happy birthday wishes to Albert Perry, Dave Affonso, Clarence Chambers, Rick Dahlgren, Gordon Leslie, Paul Douthitt, Rose Marie Martin, Elsie Gomes, Margaret Munres, Nancy Jones, Belmira Silva, and Betty Brotherson.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells</b></p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to Richard and Sharon Woo.</p><p><b>Santa Nella chat</b></p><p>Had the privilege of speaking to the conference at Santa Nella of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International. The organization was founded in 1929 and has more than 1200 local chapters to help women excel in education, service and philanthropy. </p><p>The group provides more than 650,00 direct service hours and over $8 million dollars for charitable causes each year. I had the opportunity to speak on 'How to Matter,' doing a Wizard of Oz version of my history of community service. I was able to quote my personal mantra, "When you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, redecorate the tunnel." </p><p>It is always exciting to get to meet new people. Thank you to Linda Allegretti for once more being my support system and cheerleader.</p><p><b>United Way expression</b></p><p>On behalf of Sandy Lemas and the United Way regarding their recent Lunch at the Park:</p><p>A big 'thank you' to all who came out to support the event and such a great cause. For those who were turned away because they ran out of food, we apologize and promise to have plenty next year.</p><p><b>After midnight</b></p><p>Driving home last Saturday night from watching Jessica; a real privilege as she put on a wonderful show for me; she is quite the dancer, you know. </p><p>It was past midnight, and my car was headed home, ready to rest its weary headlights at its home on Page. I observed the world around me in the quiet. Los Ba&#241;os at sleep. A taxi drove by with its lit roof advertising a local nightclub; a car drove by me at snail speed to be followed by a car that sped by at a horizontal angle that challenged gravity. </p><p>Downtown a police car was stopped talking to some men strolling down I Street, on duty; I smiled. Passing the corner parking lot at J Street a black and white cat quickly darted across, obviously late for a date. I felt weightless, so happy to be part of the scenery, part of the whole. Nothing special was happening; no words were being spoken; it was all just in the being. Embrace being, and until next time, may all your news, be good news.