What a great country we have created in more than 220 years. Here in the U.S. we all exercise our First Amendment rights (citizens, legal residents and even the occasional tourist), one way or another. This time however, I want to address the sticky part of our expressions: The bumper stickers!

In my home town, hidden in the chaparral of the towering ridges above St. Matthew’s Day Camp was a cave rumored to contain buried treasure.

California’s budget crisis is a serious problem, but it won’t be solved by cutting funding for programs that successfully serve our most vulnerable children and families. However, that’s precisely what the California Legislature hopes to do if Proposition 1D passes: take $1.6 billion in tobacco sales taxes away from critical local health and education programs for young children and give it to Sacramento politicians to help balance the state budget.

I freely admit to getting a shot of caramel in my morning latte, but I apparently can now order up my flavor of choice when filling a prescription too.

If the Republican Party thinks it has problems now, just wait. The “millennials” — the generation of Americans born between 1982 and 2003 — now identify as Democrats by a ratio of 2-to-1. They are the first in four generations to contain more self-perceived liberals than conservatives.

Hogwarts might be the most famous school on the planet these days.

Dear editor, It was a rainy day, but it was as if the sun was shining down inside the Oxbow Market on the first weekend in  May. The Second Annual Treasure Hunt event to benefit Napa Emergency Women’s Services was a huge success! It was frenzy as shoppers found amazing designer bargains; some even came back several times for more.

Dear editor, I had the pleasure of attending the Vintage High School annual variety show, “Anything Goes.” I loved it! I am always amazed at how much talent these students have. The dancing was fantastic, the singing was wonderful and the piece called “Can I have your number?” was hilarious! I enjoyed each act from start to finish. Bravo to the students and staff who worked so hard to put this night together.

Dear editor, For the first time in my life, I have to admit that I am ashamed to live in Napa.

Tuesday the Supervisors are going to take up an ordinance, seventeen pages in length that we have had only the weekend to try to digest, further restricting property rights in Napa. This is the spawn of a woman who lives in Yountville "most weekends" and got upset because a neighbor nearby wanted to adjust lot lines on a large parcel in order to potentially build six houses on it.

1. Napa County is edging closer and closer to shutting down all major and some not so major development projects and if we become the County of No growth that will hurt us over the long haul.

The abduction and death of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu last month in Tracy brought up a difficult topic for parents everywhere.

Left v. right, liberal v. conservative in a type-until-your fingers bleed death match.

Left v. right, liberal v. conservative in a type-until-your fingers bleed death match.

Proposition 1A on the May 19 ballot proposes, among other things, extending the state’s sales tax increase for an additional year to help towards solving the state’s massive budget crisis.

Proposition 1B, the Education funding payment plan on the May 19 ballot, amends the state Constitution in regards to previously-passed Proposition 98 by requiring $9.3 billion in supplemental payments into the state’s k-12 education system ... among the issues Prop 1B covers.

Proposition 1C on the May 19 ballot, the Lottery Modernization Act, would allow the state to borrow money from state lottery profits to help with the massive state budget deficit.

Proposition 1D, the long-titled Protects Children’s Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget act, would shift some $1.7 billion in the next five years from the previously-passed Children and Families First Act (a 50-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes with money going to early childhood development programs) to help balance California's general fund.

Yet another massively long title, Proposition 1F is known as the Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years Act.

Another long ballot title, Proposition 1E in the May 19 election, is the Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget Act.

This is your blog to talk about local, state or national non-political topics.

This is your blog to talk about local, state or national non-political topics.

This is your blog to talk about local, state or national non-political topics.