Those of you with kids have probably heard from them that the District Writing Assessment is coming up. You would think that after us kids have done seven DWAs that the teachers would relax a little and not do practice after practice the week before the the test, but no, so far we have done five practice essays.

Here at Register World Headquarters, we constantly field questions about how people can get their information into the paper: Press releases and listings for the calendar, photos of your community group or family or coworkers; announcements of fundraisers and gatherings; letters to the editor and news tips and even pictures of the beasts with whom you share your lives.

My compliments on the recent front-page story about the Pathway Home program and the graduation of the program’s latest class of veterans (“A newfound life,” Jan. 17). This program is having remarkable success helping our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other related conditions. Those who were able to attend this ceremony were able to witness firsthand how it is possible to save people’s lives and to give them newfound direction and hope towards living a happy, healthy and fulfilling life through simple acts of giving.

From my days as a counselor who dealt with alcoholics, I know that one way to fend off what can be deadly withdrawal symptoms is to continue to drink, have a bit more of the "hair of the dog that bit you." Sometimes until better help is available, that is all you can do to stay alive.

A social experiment in online decorum has resulted in tremendous online progress for our Web site and our readers. We have reached a point where almost all of our readers are staying on topic and not attacking the messenger.

While the public and politicians focused rightly these days on job losses and industries on the brink, some forward-thinking individuals are finding ways to make this economy work, even for the most vulnerable.

Dear editor, To all school staff, PTA, PTO, parents, businesses and friends of our students or all champion school fundraisers: 

Dear editor, The trash that was piled on Silverado Trail where the Ritz-Carlton is maybe being built is a great way of showing our true colors. We the people of Napa have to drive by that day after day.

Dear editor, With an estimated $8 million still to be cut from Napa Valley Unified School District’s already bare-bones budget, schools in Napa are headed into uncharted waters. Inevitable teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, fewer school days and $400 less per-student spending bring an uncertain future for our children.

This week Napa County began a process of examining what to do about the enormous deficits in pensions due to the meltdown of the stock market. Pension and actuarial expert John Bartel presented an actuarial analysis on Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors to begin this process.

Poll: What would you do with Napa's Downtown Trolley?