Uncategorized

“Dear Red Phone, Twice recently I have seen a sign-twirler for one of those temporary Halloween stores that pop up every year holding a sign on the corner of 10th and Camino Arroyo (and in Morgan Hill on Cochrane Road). My problem is, these sign-twirlers wear full masks, you know those scary white ones that burglars wear. Isn't it illegal to completely cover your face in public with a mask, even in the festive season of Halloween? Thank you.”

Eerie chills travel up my spine as the crypt door slowly opens. Nevermind that the sound is being made by the creaky handle of a paper cutter. I shiver with the effects of the curse that has haunted the mansion of the Rochambeau family for 90 years!

“Everything on the golf range is set up for success. On the golf course, everything is set up to test you,” pro golfer Jim Flick once said.

Seems like things are improving economically, but it’s a slow boil recovery. Have always felt like the psychological aspect to recovery – or slide – is critically important. It’s almost as if you can “feel” whether the economy is moving. The numbers don’t lie, but they don’t tell the whole truth either. So, as Miss Jenny and I struggle to get the two daughters through college and the nation sputters to leave the Great Recession behind, I’m chagrined at the plethora of state, county and local tax measures dripping ink all over the upcoming ballot. There have been some reforms for public agencies in pension, benefit and pay structures. But honestly, it’s not nearly enough – not nearly enough to justify supporting all the tax measures on the ballot. One of our Community Pulse members answered a question about supporting the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s tax proposal  with this: “No. On principle, voting no on all tax measures until agencies, counties, Sacramento get their wasteful spending practices in order.” That’s on the money, and it seems to me that until the clear majority of voters adopt that principle – despite general support for schools, dam re-building, public safety or whatever the purpose – serious and sustainable reform will not happen.

We are now in plain view of the “fiscal cliff.” After the election, Congress may or may not end up keeping income and estate tax rates at their recent levels. Next year may bring some notable financial developments, and it isn't too soon for households to think about them.

Gilroy’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero could be heading back into the ring before the calendar turns to 2013 as discussions around a proposed Dec. 15 fight between the WBC interim welterweight titleholder and WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley are taking place, with the only hiccup at this point being a rematch clause in the contract, Guerrero’s co-manager Luis Decubas Jr. said Thursday.

The South Valley Islamic Community sees the county’s ultimate approval of their permit to build a mosque and cemetery in San Martin as a mixed blessing, as they still feel the restrictions imposed on the site will infringe on their constitutional rights to freely practice their religion.