Opinion

If you had to vote now, Barack Obama or John McCain?

Once again, reports are coming in from nervous people about mountain lions (a.k.a. cougars, pumas and panthers) seen near their homes. Sightings of these large animals (6 to 9 feet long and weighing up to 275 pounds) are on the upswing during the dry season because the lions may need to leave remote habitats in search of prey and water. But with limited hunting grounds, the lions may follow prey—usually old or sick deer—into the suburbs.

It was a warm Thursday summer evening, and everything was in place. I stepped back and was completely in awe. In previous years, I had seen the wonder of creating a venue in a matter of days, having a celebration of Garlic and family for...