The rain came down so heavy that your eyes needed wipers. The sound of the downpour seemed to wipe out any other noise, as if you were walking under a thunderous waterfall that flowed straight from the angry heavens.</p><p>Although mid-day, and your mental clock knew it should be daylight, the sky was shrouded with darkness, an eerie darkness, that left you shuddering in its cold embrace. Wet and cold, surrounded by deafening, endless rain, the storm left you depressed, shivering, and desperate for change. Surely you have never felt so cold, been so miserable, felt so swept away by a misery you had not created.</p><p>Then, as it began, it ended; suddenly, completely, peacefully. The sun broke through, light encompassed your world, the sounds of birds chirping were discernable, the warmth of the sun seemed to spin dry the world and it smelled fresh and new. You smiled. You had survived the storm.</p><p>Times now are scary and difficult, demanding change and effort from us all. It is a storm, and we must act wisely. But let us not despair. Eventually the rain does stop and the sun will come out again. Right here in Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p><b>Boy Scouts seek support</b></p><p>The Los Ba&#241;os Troop 85 Boy Scouts of America are holding a tri-tip dinner fundraiser on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The dinner includes tri-tip, beans, rice and rice with butter with four soft drinks for just $30 or they will have 200 tri-tip sandwiches with chips and soft drink for just $8. Take-out will be held at the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen's located at 13989 S. Mercy Springs Road. Eat well and support the troops!</p><p><b>Sportsmen news</b></p><p>Once more, the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen were treated to a great monthly meal thanks to the Los Ba&#241;os Ag Crew prepared by Robert Teicheira, Don Arbura, Demis Loupes, Leo Gilardi, Artie Ramos, Franklin Silva, Danny Silva, Antone Giannone, Damion Aragona, Mitch Arambel, Skip Saqouspe, Mike Palam, Ken Adler, and Pat Gallichio.</p><p>There's still time to get your dinner tickets for the Food, Fun and Guns on Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. There will be a wonderful steak and scampi dinner and lots of raffle prizes. Need a ticket? Call Ron at 564-1430.</p><p><b>Pitter patter of little feet</b></p><p>Congratulations to Gail and Dennis Dyer on becoming grandparents to a darling little boy on Nov. 18. Ryker Ryan Tolley is the son of Vanessa and Matt Tolley.</p><p><b>Thoughts and concerns</b></p><p>My thoughts of sympathy go out to the family of Mary Silva. I interviewed Mary years ago and I was as charmed by her sweetness as I was impressed with her strength. I remember she never stopped her ironing the whole time she spoke, doing her chore as if it was an art form. </p><p>She has left her family a legacy of love. Special condolences to her daughter, my dear friend, Carmen Miranda.</p><p>My prayers are with DJ and Richard Barcellos on the death of DJ's grandmother, Dorothy Powell. Dorothy's daughter, Sue Van Buren and I have been great friends once DJ put the two of us together. I wish I could be back in New York to comfort her.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells </b></p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to Jim and Sherry Pearson.</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>Special birthday wishes to a woman who, to me, is like royalty. She is such a queen of person. I really adore you Lillian (Mendes), and you are a real inspiration to me.</p><p>Happy January birthdays to Jean Bright, John Machado, Jerry Davis, Charlene Martin, Jennifer Knight, Angela Borba, Becky Ferreira, Carmen Reed, Pauline Rodriquez, Mary Codeiro, Geri Alves, Charles Kelly, Raul Gutierrez, Peggie Bourdon, Ross Nissen, George Wylie, Frank Bettencourt, and my friend and fellow cat lover, Linda Mello (call me).</p><p><b>Patriotic family</b></p><p>Madeline Pereira is very proud of her grandson, Kyle Doyen who recently enlisted in the Marines and will leave for training on Jan. 19. </p><p>Madeline says her entire family is very patriotic and very proud of Kyle, but they send him with a collage of prayers for his, and all of our brave men and women in harms way.</p><p><b>Go Tigers</b></p><p>The Los Ba&#241;os Tigers Trap Team will host two nights for team sign ups, for new and returning shooters, on Jan. 26 and 27 at the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen's located at 13989 S. Mercey Springs Road for a fee of $15 per shooter. </p><p>The Scholastic Trapshooting program is a youth development program focused on providing young people with a positive experience with the sport of trapshooting. More than 8,000 youths from 41 states participate. It is an opportunity for these young people to participate in a supervised shooting program that emphasizes safety and skill. </p><p>This program focuses on teaching sound shooting fundamentals, safe firearms handling, commitment, leadership and teamwork. All young people 9 years and older are welcome. They can participate in three divisions: Rookies fifth grade and below, Intermediate grades 6-8 and Senior grades 9-12. </p><p>Practice nights are Monday evenings at the Sportsmen range from 5:45 until 7 p.m. The 2009 season starts March 1 when the LB Tigers Trap will host the first shoot of the Nor-Cal SCTP League. </p><p>For more info call Julie Creighton at 826-3600 or 704-0313.</p><p><b>Thank you</b></p><p>The members of the Los Ba&#241;os Soroptimist would like to thank the community for their tremendous support of their recent Sees Candy sales.</p><p><b>Welcome</b></p><p>A warm welcome to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church new parish priest, Father Bob. May your stay here be long and filled with joy.</p><p><b>Call to action </b></p><p>In my last column I mentioned a challenge; a call to arms to help our community. I have heard from some readers already saying they want to be part of what I call solutions.</p><p>This is a four-year plan of volunteers using churches, clubs, schools and neighborhoods. It will help raise funds for the general fund, parks and recreation, police and fire, animal control, the community center and develop programs of service to help prevent crime, gang problems, increase jobs, offer hope for retail and programs for after school using local talents.</p><p>I believe we can pull together as a community and that growth will provide public relations that will make business and families want to move here. </p><p>Interested? Let me know. Email me at ringram257@aol.com. It will take a village. I will speak to your church, group or neighborhood. Everyone is needed and wanted. I plan to attend the City Council meeting of Jan. 21 and I hope to see you there. We are the solution.</p><p><b>If the cycle was upside down</b></p><p>In the movie 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' Brad Pitt's character is born as an aged baby, with the body of an 80+ -year-old with an infant's mind and slowly grows younger until he dies as a baby with dementia. It made me think of the odd joke about youth being wasted on the young. </p><p>The movie is thought provoking, and melancholy. I am glad that life is as it is. Each age has its own challenges and blessings, but what the movie highlighted most to me is how age is just a number. One that too often is used against us, at both ends. </p><p>The mirror may reflect back an aging face but inside my spirit is ever young. I still crave the comforts I did in my youth, I still feel like a love struck teenager when I look at Ron. I seek adventure, I yearn for more, I laugh at silly movies, I cry when I think of those I have lost. </p><p>We have so much in common what ever our age. I see the wisdom in youth as well the unbridled spirit of those called aged. We are all sharing the same adventure. Inhale, exhale, live fully, and until next time may all your news be good news.