OUR CELL PHONES! ARE THEY HEALTHY? Over the years I’ve had lots of questions pass through my mind about the health aspects of cell phones. Most of that concern came from my continual use of my phone. While it’s not pressed to my ear every second, I certainly have used it consistently for the past eight or more years, and hardly anyone (except Delta Blood Bank and politicians during an election) calls my home phone. Some days I don’t even look for messages from my home phone. In fact, when you call my home, I immediately give you my cell number, because I carry it with me whether I’m gardening (I try not to do this much), shopping, in a business meeting or at a friend’s home. I’ve learned texting well, because my phone is always on vibrate, and I don’t answer it when socializing in a biz meeting or at church (I wish I was in church more).

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SERVICE FIRST.  Traveling can be quite a chore these days. If you’re driving, the cost of gas can cause indigestion and many West Side residents are looking for alternatives to taking long trips. Flying isn’t any better, with most airlines trying to fill most seats on every flight so they can cut the losses they are feeling from the cost of fuel. As they try filling every seat, these airlines continue to cancel flights that aren’t full, so I expect many travelers will be upset this summer. Take it from a guy who flies more than twice a month; moving up and down the state and/or across country isn’t getting any easier. Yes, it may make sense to vacation at home. As the Newman Fall Festival approaches, it’s wise to make plans now to stay at home and enjoy the action in your local community. Lots to do, for sure, and your money will stay in town when you spend it on food and fun right here.

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DMV EXCELS IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. It was almost three years since my last visit to the DMV office in Los Banos. At that time I found the staff friendly, accommodating and efficient. Contrary to reports I hear from friends who spend many hours in the Modesto and even the Turlock offices, my Los Banos experience was delightful. I returned to the DMV office this week to update my license with a new photo and to pay the renewal fee. This time the Los Banos office did even better. It took me about 15 minutes from the time I parked in the lot until I walked out the door after taking a number in line, then having my picture taken. It happened so quickly, I initially wondered what I had forgotten to do. Here is my short experience:

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RENAISSANCE WOMAN. Growing up in a small town makes it easy to know just about every family in the community. Newman and Gustine were very small towns just 15 or so years ago, and now they are beginning to develop into communities offering more and more services and resources for those living here. It’s still relatively easy to get to know people here, where they live, work and whether they have children in school or not. But sometimes, we think we know a person and find out that there is much more to what appears to be a highly successful, vigorous persona that we know and love.

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