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When oldest daughter Shannon came into the world, many moons ago, I was a young whippersnapper sports editor at the Atascadero News, owned by the three gracious Porter brothers, Judd, Jim and Jack. The brothers three allowed me to name Shannon "The Player of the Week" that September, despite it being in the middle of another championship football season for the formidable Atascadero Greyhounds. I followed the format, typed in my baby girl's height and weight, added a picture of the latest "Team Derry" member, waxed the finished product up (we don't do that anymore, it's all electronic and digital) and pasted it onto the sports page. Fast forward – and life sure does go fast – to this week and that Player of the Week has given birth to an MVP, who has had to fight through a crummy infection right out of the gate. But the newest addition is doing well after a few spooky days, and so is mom. The MVP's first name is down to two choices, but her middle name, appropriately, is 99% likely to be Grace. She came into the world exactly on her due date, Sunday, Oct. 30, and weighed in at 7 pounds nine ounces stretching out 21 inches long. For Halloween, my daughter says, "Cupcake" wanted to be an astronaut, thus the oxygen bubble which is now, thankfully, history. I'm just thrilled that in a few Halloweens, I'll be able to find her an astronaut costume and hold her hand while we're trick-or-treating. That's grace and I'm a grateful "Papa" for many reasons.

Finished smoking the Thanksgiving turkey hours before the 49ers were smoked by the Baltimore Ravens on turkey day. Big Harbaugh brother feasted, but it might turn out to be a good time for the 49ers to have a plate of humble pie. Reminder for the faithful: One year ago through 11 games the 49ers were 4-7.

What can Washington do now to help consumers, housing and stocks? Options remain. The Obama administration and the Federal Reserve are reportedly considering two interesting tactics: one first employed 50 years ago, and another that could bloom into a multi-faceted effort to aid homeowners under pressure.

"There are three big puddles at El Roble Park right near the basketball hoops and portables day after day. Mosquitoes could be breeding there in the green-looking water in the middle of the path. There has got to be a leak somewhere because there shouldn't be a puddle like that at this time of year."

"The reason I'm calling is to let people know about their taxes. I did not get my tax bill from the county. I got a phone call from someone who knew me. It was put in their envelope with their tax thing. I feel that this could happen to someone else in Gilroy and they should know about it and know who to call. Their phone number is 808-7900. It is the county's fault, not yours."

We can’t control bond yields, stock prices or inflation. But, there’s much we can control, including how much investment risk we take, how much we pay in investment costs, how we react to the market’s ups and downs and how much we spend and save.   

Last Friday night's game between the Christopher and Monte Vista Christian football teams had the makings of a playoff collision. The hype preceded the 48-minute affair, and the play on the field validated the build up - a 20-18 victory for MVC, sealed with a touchdown with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter to stay undefeated and at the same time knock the Cougars from the ranks of the unbeaten.

There's a bond, which is especially significant at the prep level, between those who don the same uniform. Football, tennis, water polo, baseball, it doesn't matter. Cross country, I think, is one of the best examples where teammates and team unity is profoundly evident.