The emotion was palpable, almost infectious. Jan. 20, Inauguration Day was more than the swearing in of the 44th president of the United States. It was the achievement of something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. </p><p>Martin Luther King, Jr. was recognized just the day before; I wonder if he could have dreamed of this. Anything is possible, we need to strive for the stars; we need to believe. Whether we voted for him or not, we need to pray for and support our new leader. </p><p>The times are too tender, the prices too high for vanity or resentment. We need to nationally, as we need to locally, work together for the common good. Let this be a fresh beginning. Let us dare to believe and to achieve.</p><p><b>Fun and Guns over expectations </b></p><p>Sold out and bursting at the seams, the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen's Annual Fun and Guns dinner held on Jan. 17 was a great success. Tables decorated with red balloons added to the festive mood, as the guests looked at the raffle and auction items and enjoyed delectable hors d'oeuvres prepared by Linda Silva. </p><p>The dinner of steak, scampi, potatoes, green beans, salad, roll and peach cobbler was so good it left us feeling about as stuffed as the assorted animal heads decking the Sportsmen's walls. </p><p>Games included Texas Hold 'em, Card Cut, Shot Game and Triple Shot. Auction items included a 'duck hunt for two' donated by Bob Erreca and a Youth Pheasant Hunt guided by my Ron and his famous dog, feared by pheasants everywhere, Ruby.</p><p><b>Clean house</b></p><p>One of my favorite television shows is Clean House, which is aired on the Style Network. The show deals with people with very cluttered homes (ok, I relate as I am an avid collector of stuff). </p><p>Watching the program always inspires me to sort out and give away. Enter here the Women of St. Alban's Anglican Church who will be holding their Annual Book and Rummage Sale in March. </p><p>Right now they are seeking donations for their event, where proceeds go towards their many Outreach Programs, so you can get a 'clean house' and do a good thing at the same time. If you need more information please call the church at 826-2812 or Rosie Harris at 826-9182. The church is located at 401 West I street and the Vicar/Pastor is Rev. John Combs.</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>I am so excited about a birthday party I am attending tomorrow. How often do you get to attend a 100th birthday? </p><p>My beautiful and glamorous friend Josephine Leos is turning 100 and proves the axiom that things get better with age, like a rare and precious wine. I remember attending her 90th birthday party, also held at Espa&#241;as. It seems like just yesterday. </p><p>Josephine has one of those radiant smiles that brightens up a room, as she has helped to liven up Los Ba&#241;os these many years. I can't wait to attend her 110th party.</p><p>Happy birthday to Mary Silva, Nisa Gallichio, Lely Bertloldi, Marie Silva, Ana Brum, Wile Silva, Arthur Masters, Melissa Jones, Terry Raley, Gideon Moffit, and handsome, debonair Jerry Scoles.</p><p><b>Pie squared</b></p><p>Marie Callendar's Pie + Valentines Day + Kiwanis = a great deal. </p><p>Once more the Kiwanis are selling wonderful Marie Callender pies to help raise funds for their many local projects. All orders need to be pre-paid by Feb. 6 and will be available for pick up on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Miller & Lux Building located at 830 6th Street from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. </p><p>To tempt you at just $11 each are apple, apple sugar free, berry, blueberry, cherry, lemon meringue, chocolate cream, bananas cream, French apple, razzleberry, razzleberry lite, peach, pecan and pumpkin. My sugar went up just typing them. </p><p>Call Jim Valentine at 826-5181 or payment can be dropped off at his office located at 507 J Street or mailed to P.O. Box 467.</p><p><b>Anniversary bells</b></p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to John and Helen Machado.</p><p><b>Methodist women's group</b></p><p>I hold the entire congregation of United Methodist Church in very high esteem. What an involved, vital church! </p><p>Congratulations to the newly elected board of United Methodist Women, President Karen Bonillas, Program Chair Charlene Martin, Secretary Glenna Hauger, Treasurer Wilma Ditter, and Devotion and Spiritual Development Debbie Tucker and Faye Davis.</p><p><b>Thoughts and concerns</b></p><p>The Chamber of Commerce is an often unseen, vital part of Los Ba&#241;os who is needed right now more than ever due to needed revenue, sales tax, to help out our depleted General Fund and to draw not only more business, but to help existing business and tourist dollars. Yes, that is possible with a marketing plan.</p><p>Already run on a shoestring budget, it got a massive hit recently from the city budget. I am trying to work on solutions for the city and one big aspect has to be a strong 'buy local' program. Why are we helping other cities' General Funds??? </p><p>Our every dollar helps; start rethinking convenience to safety. If ever there was a time for the community to pull together in every way it can, this is it. Unity, commitment. Maybe I am still looking at the world with rose-colored glasses, but I believe we, each and every one of us, can make a real difference. If you have an hour, if you have a dollar. If you have an idea, you can help, and that is my vision. </p><p><b>New name, same mission</b></p><p>For many years the Saint Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop on I Street has helped many in the community and has been staffed by volunteer angels. The name has changed to Saint Joseph Thrift Shop, according to Lillian Mendes, but their good works continue the same. Please continue to donate your well cared for used items and come shop for real bargains that benefit the community. To all of you who have worked so hard to help so many, I salute you. </p><p><b>Scoff-scaffolding</b></p><p>Recently Ron and I visited our granddaughter and her husband's apartment in Lemoore. They live on the second floor of an older building and it was in the process of being resurfaced. Scaffolding surrounded their apartment, complete with a ladder to get up safely. 'Oh no,' I thought, 'a robber could climb up and break into Mandy's apartment.' It was an 'oh my God' half-full, half-empty moment for me, and I failed. Yikes!</p><p>Did I think, thank God if there is a fire she can get out safely if the door is blocked? Did I think if a robber breaks in she has a way out and she can kick down the ladder afterwards and be safe? Bleep. Fail. </p><p>Did I even think, well it is sort of like a patio out there, you can sun bathe? Why is it always so much easier to jump to the negative? Why can we see doom instead of solutions? To say 'I can't' is so much easier that saying 'I can.' Let's do an experiment, you and I, for a week. Try to see only the good side of an issue, say 'Why not? Maybe we can.' Let's try to see the glass half-full. </p><p>Happy positive thoughts and until next time, may all your news be good news.