Just a reminder that Community Solutions meets next on Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. at the Los Ba&#241;os Sportsmen's Club. This is a positive group trying to come up with creative solutions, and all are welcome. No dues, or fines; just hope and good times. One dollar, one hour, one idea; we can all make a difference. Call me at 826-0874 or at 564-1430 for more information.</p><p><b>Nation's birthday</b></p><p>Enjoy your slice of freedom tomorrow as our great nation celebrates its birthday with picnics, family gatherings, parades and the traditional fireworks. Many of our local service clubs are having fireworks sales booths all over town to help you make your festive purchase conveniently as well as benefit their causes. Among the groups are PAL, Chamber of Commerce and my church's (Saint Joseph Catholic Church) Knights of Columbus and Y.L.I. As you celebrate, please use caution, as fireworks handled carelessly can be dangerous. We want everyone to have a fun, safe holiday. I was raised on patriotism and the act we live in the grandest land on Earth, and I get goose bumps every time I see our beautiful flag wave. As you enjoy your active weekend, take a moment to admire our flag and to be grateful for all the many sacrifices given by so many so she can bravely wave. As always I take this opportunity to honor our great boys of the V.F.W. and Color Guard who have and continue to do so much for our community.</p><p><b>The unseen victims</b></p><p>We all know that there have been a rash of homes that have gone into foreclosure and how devastating that has been to our local economy. There is another large area that has been hurt by these foreclosures: pets. A large amount of dogs and cats are being tossed out and have become homeless. You see them everywhere, wandering, hungry, hot, thirsty, lonely. Recently a little kitten has been dropped off on our street, wild and hungry, uncatchable. My neighbor Dorothy Sousa and I are very concerned and are like many of you who have seen animals dropped off. Worse yet is to hear that some people are leaving their homes with their pets locked inside. Please contact the Los Ba&#241;os Animal Shelter for assistance. It is a great time to donate or join the Los Ba&#241;os Volunteers for Animals, which Solutions partners with. It is a good time to spay or neuter your animals. Lets all be responsible pet owners; they give us so much in return.</p><p><b>Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation needs our support</b></p><p>We should be very proud that our youth of Los Ba&#241;os are once more successfully representing our community with their skills at the State Clay Target Program coming in second and thus qualifying for the National Championships at the National Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois. Our team is a recognized member of the Los Ba&#241;os Scout House and Youth Center Committee and they plan to send five youths and a coach to this prestigious championship scheduled July 23 through July 26. Unfortunately they need funds to be able to travel there, and their goal is $7500 to support the team. Please make your tax-deductible donation to the Los Ba&#241;os Tiger Trap Team, 2108 South Eleventh Street (EIN # 22-1576300).</p><p><b>Thoughts and concerns</b></p><p>Gloria Aleman is a very fortunate woman. She recently went through a very successful open-heart surgery and is well on her way to complete recovery. But Gloria is most fortunate to have so many dear friends and family members who wish her a speedy recovery. You are loved lady.</p><p><b>Birthday balloons</b></p><p>A belated but extra special happy birthday wish goes out to Cheerios Contreras from his heads over heels in love devoted wife, Nancy.</p><p>Happy birthday wishes to Dave Simmons, Cliff Eagleton, Jim Willis and Richard Woo.</p><p><b>Y.L.I. installations set</b></p><p>The installation of the new officers for Y.L.I. Mystical Rose Institute No. 169 is always a lovely event. This year the event is on Tuesday, July 14, beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. at the St. Joseph Church Parish Hall with installation following. The Parish Hall is located at 1621 Center Avenue. Please RSVP to Linda@826-9461 or moocrzylinda@hotmail.com. This year's Committee chair is Caroline Cota assisted by Christine Fagundes, Henriquetta Avila, Sherry Valentine, Willie Walker, Barbara Parreira, Dolores Areias, Janice Areias, Lucy Downey, Magan Silva, Trisha Nelson, Toni Nelson, Deolinda Brazil, Fritz Bettencourt, Nancy Barcellos, Laura Bettencourt, Aldine Silva, Lucia Cost and Fernanda Lawrence.</p><p><b>United Methodist Church</b></p><p>This great group of busy ladies held their June meeting at Seek Haven, the lovely Victorian Home and delightful gardens of Joyce Meza. The ladies enjoyed a delicious salad luncheon served on a beautifully decorated patio. The highlight of the program was a guided tour of Joyce's meditation garden. Making it even more special was the sharing of special mementos brought by group members to share. A donation to Mary's Mantle Maternity Home in Merced was given in Joyce Meza's name for the gift of allowing them to enjoy her beautiful secret, serene, world of Seek Haven.</p><p><b>Tributes and connections</b></p><p>Amazing how interconnected we are. Last week we learned of three celebrities deaths. Each had personal story to me, as I am sure they did to you.</p><p>My Mother, Kit Scott, was a Johnny Carson fanatic and ran her schedule around Ed McMahon's shouting, "And HEEERE'S Johnny!!" The two men seemed connected at the hip, making Ed the perfect sidekick as well as the perfect foil for all of Carson's jokes. He was in our living room so much, it seemed like he was sort of the family, always well dressed and well mannered. I had been saddened to hear that his last years were filled with downward spirals. When I hear of his death, my first thought was, 'oh, mother would be so sorry.'</p><p>The second name had done a famous pin up poster that motivated my son Brett for many years. Her hair was his standard for years when he looked at other women. Our family watched her first show Charlie's Angels regularly and she was easily known just by her first name, Farrah. My son was not alone with his crush on Farrah Fawcet; she was to her decade what Betty Grable had been in her's. Later she became a much better actress, I think especially of 'The Burning Bed' and 'Extremities.' But in the last four years of her life she was best known for her brave and fierce battle against cancer. She even produced a show, which had a real look at what it is like to be dying of cancer. Farrah influenced and inspired many people, one of which was my dear friend Mary Glenn. We often talked about both of their stories and she wondered who would go first. When I heard of her death I thought of my son Brett in his youth and Mary facing her battles. I also thought, 'shucks, she picked a bad day to die,' because on the same day we lost an ICON, Michael Jackson.</p><p>What a voyage that little boy of the Jackson Five traveled from 'ABC' and 'Ben' to 'Beat It' and 'Thriller.' June Erreca called me upon Michael's death to tell me of how she and Emil met him in Vegas back when he as about 10 years old and how adorable he was. June said he even danced for her; she was very taken with this talented boy. Heaven knows my children were, I heard his music all the time on MTV. I will never forget the first time I saw him do the Moon walk, 'wow, he could dance.' Jackson was smart too, buying half the Beatle's song book years ago. It is sad that in the later part of his career his life was over shadowed by mysterious behavior and under the veil of suspision. How sad that the little boy blessed with the incredible voice was so often unhappy. Michael is perfect reminder to us all that all the fame and money in the world cannot guarantee happiness or prevent loneliness. My Mother cried the day Frank Sinatra died, I wept for Elvis, now many generations cry for Jackson as he passes from icon to legend.</p><p>Everyone's story is different, but they touch us all; it is the stuff memories are made of. Have a happy and safe 4th of July and until next time, may all your news be good news.