Take a little break from technology and enjoy life
Technology devices can be highly addictive. Next year, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will include a new entry called “Internet use disorder” in its appendix. This disorder reflects a dangerous trend in our society’s growing dependence to electronic devices and how it can lead to addictive behavior. In fact, researchers have found that during computer game playing, dopamine is released into the brain to stimulate pleasure. Dopamine is a significant chemical in the cycle of addiction.
Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell: Beauty and power
It is March 1963. The place: the depths of Glen Canyon in Arizona. An epic is being filmed. George Stevens is directing “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Charlton Heston as John the Baptist is finishing filming for the day. He has a wet suit under his costume (he had been doing scenes at the Crossing of The Father’s, where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet). He has been standing in cold, waist high water all day (enacting the baptizing of Jesus.) He is rushing to catch the movie company’s leased DC3 for Burbank, out of the airport under construction in Page, Ariz. before daylight turns into a swampy black night, with no lights installed yet on the runway.
BASEBALL: Oakland’s Colon suspended 50 games
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon has been suspended 50 games without pay after testing positive for testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the league announced Wednesday.
School lunches just aren’t what they used to be
To all the parents who have braved the cold, cruel world of making your child’s lunch, I salute you. The truth is, we live in a world where it is no longer tolerable to slap a piece of mystery meat between two slices of white bread, stuff it into a brown paper bag, humiliate your child by putting his name and grade on it and then toss it into the bottom of a backpack where it will grow mutant bacteria and be stepped on by 29 other children before it is finally eaten at recess.
JFK’s San Luis Dam speech inspires vision
Fifty years ago this month, President John F. Kennedy visited Pacheco Pass and gave a speech I wish every American politician today might take to heart. He gave it to a crowd of Californians who met on Saturday, Aug. 18, 1962 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the San Luis Dam site in the eastern hills of the Diablo Mountain Range. The words Kennedy spoke that hot, dusty, summer day are not well-remembered now, but I believe they offer wise advice on what good governing is all about.
COLUMN: MLB still needs to toughen penalties for failed drug tests
After more than 20 years of professional baseball players cheating the system and injecting themselves with anything that can enhance their ability, Major League Baseball finally realized its mistake and, six years ago, instituted the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in 2006.
Augusta, home of the Masters golf tournament, admits first women
A decade after former Augusta National Golf Club chairman Hootie Johnson swore that the home of the Masters golf tournament would not admit women "at the point of a bayonet," the club has quietly invited two prominent women to join.
Questions to ask when drafting an estate plan
Because you've worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family, you'll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may be able to minimize gift and estate taxes and preserve more of your assets for those you care about.
Shameful Garlic Festival theft and Hawaii calls
Stealing from the Garlic Festival – first the tickets from the office, then $18,000 from the cash box. Hopefully, the security measures in place – and there are solid security procedures – finger the suspect and, despite that person’s volunteer status, the Gilroy Police Department makes an arrest and prosecution takes place. It’s really no different than a parent club officer stealing from the school club. It’s very sad, but an ugly crime has been committed and that money belongs to our community organizations. Good news, though, after a ticket-by-ticket audit, the Garlic Festival found only three stolen tickets made it through the gates. Great job getting the word out to the public after the ticket theft. Often the tendency is to keep quiet, and 99.9 percent of the time it’s the way wrong call. Three tickets worth $50 got through – that’s a phenomenally good number after $12,000 worth of tickets were stolen.















