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Making its regional debut at TheatreWorks, Donald Margulies’s “Time Stands Still” brings us an emotional and seldom looked at page from the Iran and Afghan wars – or for any war zone for that matter. Successful photojournalist Sara Goodwin (outstanding Rebecca Dines) has barely survived a roadside bomb attack in the Afghan area. Brought home by her burnt out foreign correspondent longtime lover James (an inspired Mark Anderson Phillips) after weeks in a coma, her world has become a rocky place of frustration and doubt about her relationship and moving forward with her life as it was. The vulnerability of not being in absolute control is at times completely unacceptable. She has returned scarred with a leg and arm in a cast, and is dependent on others while she heals.

South Valley Civic Theatre recently celebrated its 44th season at the annual People’s Choice Awards Show where Rob Barham and Kel Whisner, as Masters of Ceremony, brought down the house with audience participation and watermelons. Not surprisingly, “The Wizard of Oz,” with special effects, outstanding costumes and scenery, and a huge cast, took home the lion’s share of awards. There isn’t room here to mention names but you can get the low down at www.svct.org.

The Middle East, the birthplace of so many religions, seems always to be a place of discord. Recent revolutions in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are still being played out, the consequences uncertain. A civil war in Syria is killing thousands of civilians. Iran’s suspected drive to build nuclear weapons may bring vast destruction to the region.

Gilroy professional mixed martial artist Anthony “AntDawg” Figueroa is scheduled to fight for the 125-pound title at the Coalition of Combat's Pound 4 Pound event Sept. 15 in Arizona.

As summer winds down, fall leaves begin their descent from green to gold, and many people in Gilroy are taking the opportunity to go on one last trip. Some are enjoying Bay Area backroads treks for the weekend, and some, like my friend Lisa, journeyed to Maui with her two children for respite after a year in which they suffered the loss of husband and father.

Recently, you may have heard about the “looming fiscal cliff,” the “coming fiscal cliff” and so forth. What exactly is it?