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According to the American Heart Association, every day nearly 1,000 Americans are killed by sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Once SCA strikes, time is critical.  For every minute that passes without a patient receiving resuscitation, the chances of that person surviving decreases by 10 percent. Unfortunately, 60 percent of SCA victims don't get CPR until professional help arrives and often, it's too late. That is why the City of Morgan Hill has teamed up with Fire Departments within Santa Clara County and El Camino Hospital to launch the PulsePoint mobile app to all of Santa Clara County, according to a press release from the City of Morgan Hill.  PulsePoint is a location-based app that alerts CPR-trained citizen bystanders that a person nearby requires help, allowing them to start CPR before the ambulance arrives, and save valuable time. When 911 is called to report a SCA, the 911 operator sends a PulsePoint alert, which is received by nearby app users who are provided the location of the SCA emergency. The app can also help locate the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to use in resuscitation efforts. PulsePoint, when combined with CPR and AED training, is a powerful combination to potentially saving a life, according to the press release. Today's Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect those who decide to come to the aid of someone in need. If you live in Morgan Hill and have an Apple or Android smartphone, visit the Apple App Store or Android Apps on Google Play to download the PulsePoint app.  If you aren't CPR trained, sign up for training today by visiting the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org or the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/CPR-trainingFor more information on the PulsePoint mobile app visit www.pulsepoint.org

My husband and I recently spent a month in Rwanda, visiting his parents who have been Baptist missionaries there for 35 years. For my husband it was a trip home, a chance to be in familiar places, to be known, and to exhale. For me it was a chance to know my husband better by experiencing where he grew up, to be on vacation for a month, to spend the holidays with my in-laws as our gracious hosts, and to explore a new country.

Not surprised that the people polled say that police and fire protection is tops on the list of what they’re willing to pay for either via an additional half-cent sales tax or a parcel tax. It’s slam-dunk predictable. So, we’ll see how this “quality of life” tax evolves through the process and, perhaps, whether or not the people are willing to pay for it if a proposal gets through the City Council and onto the ballot. It’s hard to argue that the people shouldn’t have their “say”, so it’s a likelihood Gilroyans will get a chance to speak out come November ... never a dull political moment in little ol’ Garlictown, USA.

Who else is a fan of the Olympics? I know I am, and whenever they roll around - winter or summer - I often find myself glued to the television, not just cheering for the United States, but every now and then pulling for underdog athletes or medal-less countries.

The faces might be browner, the language might be different and the clothing is probably more colorful.

HONORS: Ashley Mammen: Ashley Mammen, of Morgan Hill, was named to the fall 2013 dean's list at Creighton University. Full-time students who rank in the top 10 percent of their class for the semester and earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean's List.

Our kitchens have long been the center of our homes. Many of us have happy memories of the wonderful aromas when mom was baking. And, since so much of our time is spent in our kitchens, it's natural to want your décor to be comforting and satisfying - just like a great meal! Now that the holidays are over, you may be thinking of giving your kitchen a facelift, or even remodeling. Maybe it's time to put down the carving knives and pick up your sketch pad, now that all the “hungry masses” have left and your home is once again your castle.

**final print version of this story needs to be posted online

Dear Red Phone, “Here we are in this drought and the City of Gilroy is overwatering one part and at Las Animas Park they've had a leak for three months. You can just see this big puddle of water just to the east of the tennis courts. There's a road the city workers drive on and there's a lake. C'mon, they don't care. At El Roble Park there's a couple of paths and they're almost unwalkable due to overwatering. We're supposed to cut back and they're overwatering. I'm ripping out my lawn so I don't have to water, and they’re going nuts. Thank you.”