Army Specialist Johnny Nguyen is one of the Wounded Warriors—as the South Bay Blue Star Moms (SBBSM) call their injured sons and daughters in the military. Nguyen got a very special valentine from home in February. The Blue Star Moms sent valentines made by the moms and local school children to all the injured military … Read more
The Salvation Army is a faith-based international organization founded in the U.S. in 1865. It offers social services worldwide with no spiritual strings attached. Yet despite its long history of outreach, the Salvation Army has a bit of Hollywood mystique surrounding it. Indeed, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Mae West, and Joan … Read more
What’s not to love about a nursery named SummerWinds, evoking memories of hot summer days as a kid when you were dying for a gentle breeze and a fresh-squeezed lemonade? And you can only love it all the more when a SummerWinds Nursery blows right into your own backyard. “I’m excited. It’s so convenient. I … Read more
It’s not just any day that California’s District 22 Assemblymember Paul Fong shows up on your doorstep with flowers. And it’s not just any woman that he presents them to. But then, Tabitha E. Kappeler-Hurley is not just any woman. Fong named Kappeler-Hurley the California Legislature’s 22nd District Woman of the Year on March 18 … Read more
Where were you on August 14, 1945, the day President Harry S. Truman announced the end of WWII over the radio? What do you remember? What were your feelings? These are questions members of the greatest generation are being asked to answer as part of the nationwide “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” initiative. Lillian … Read more
On a sunny but cool February day, Santa Claran Gloria Heistein is walking along Central Park lake with her eight-month-old mini-Schnauzer, Augie. They encounter Alex, from Campbell, walking his ten-year-old Airedale, Boss. “Is your dog friendly?” Heistein asks before letting Augie approach Boss. “My dog is very friendly, so he likes to meet other dogs … Read more
The 59th Pacific Orchid Exposition, the largest orchid show in the country, was held in San Francisco March 3 to 6. More than 150,000 orchids literally from all over the world filled the festival pavilion at Fort Mason Center overlooking San Francisco Bay. The exposition is sponsored annually by the San Francisco Orchid Society. Orchids … Read more
An Irish Blessing May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. The biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration west … Read more
Wilcox High School students exploring the possibility of careers in food service can build a solid resume and get a head start in the field before they even graduate by enrolling in CHAMP—the Culinary Hospitality and Management Preparation program. Students do more than learn to boil an egg. The 1,080 hours of classes at three … Read more
“Why camellias?” I asked at the 70th Camellia Show and Plant Sale sponsored by the Camellia Society of Santa Clara County, February 26 and 27, at the Santa Clara Community Recreation Center. Why not roses? Why not orchids? One unexpected answer was serendipity—a chance encounter that led to a life-long love affair with camellias. “Family … Read more