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Although there are many mental health care providers in the South Valley, one of them may be unique. Besides the individual and couples therapy provided, Discovery Counseling Center (16275 Monterey Road, suite C) reaches out to the community through many free programs.

Last time we talked about the bidding slam. It is more exciting because the stakes are very high, requiring a total of 33 points between your two hands … or a really fantastic distributional fit (37-plus points for a grand slam). The real key to slam bidding is communication between the two partners. One of the better tools to get to game (or slam) is the 2-over-1 convention, which is recommended by Larry Cohen and Audrey Grant.

Drives me crazy to hear something like I did this morning – that the stands for the fans are uninhabitable at Gilroy High’s Garcia-Elder Stadium – this, just before the start of football season for GHS, Christopher High and Gavilan College. This, after the school district had to move graduation ceremonies – those are in June by the way – because of these same “unsafe” bleachers. What got done in between? This is yet another example of why I strongly believe that school district’s need to hire an on-staff project management director that has a background in construction – someone who can tell b.s. from reality and can come up with solutions. The person would be independent from, but wori with the facilities manager who is in charge of maintaining and operating facilities. What school districts need to do is: 1. Form an advisory facility committee composed of members from the business and construction world; 2. Hire a staff administrative-level project construction management person to oversee all facilities projects. That person would negotiate contracts and have, as clients, the taxpayers and the school district. If districts would make those changes, a lot of money would be saved and a lot of battles avoided. And, really, when you’re talking about spending millions of dollars in bond money and getting the best bang for the buck, doesn’t it make perfect sense?

Before I get to the main part of my column this week, I want to mention another of one of my favorite festivals. The sounds, sights and especially the tastes of Italy return to San Jose this weekend at Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. Marking its 33rd year, the Italian Family Festa, organized by the Italian American Heritage Foundation, is a fantastic opportunity to taste many “homestyle” Italian foods in one setting. Almost all the vendors sell items derived from family recipes.

Sept. 4 will mark the beginning of a 10-day period so sacred in Judaism that it is known in English as “Days of Awe” or “High Holy Days.” Joining with Jews around the world, members of South Valley’s Congregation Emeth will participate in ancient prayers, fasting and other traditional rituals that reflect the essence of their faith.

They are everywhere and I'm sure you've seen them too: Newspaper articles, billboards, yard signs and mailers, all telling us to vote yes on Measure A. After all, it's only $33.66 per home and it supports our local libraries.

Circus Vargas is circus. If you want to get the feel and flavor of what a real circus is all about, Circus Vargas is the ticket with a modern splash.

Ming, Mark and Mischa: In July, a Gilroy resident died and her family abandoned her three dogs, leaving them in the backyard in deplorable conditions without a caretaker.   A neighbor who doesn't have any dogs would occasionally throw food over the fence and dribble water to them, but would not go near them because he thought they would bite.