 On The Line -- Issue 672 -- February 1, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 672 -- February 1, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Weather and politics continue to dominate the topics of conversation in San Benito County and the rest of the nation this week. Even though the interest in weather may lessen in a month or so, politics will carry us into November and beyond.
The Central Coast has been hit with a lot of rain over the past week with some power outages and damage from tree branches falling on power lines, structures and vehicles, but that is more or less normal for this time of year. It's much worse in southern California with heavy rain, some mudslides and closure of major highways for periods ranging from hours to days. Floods in some communities have received attention. The mountains ringing Hollister were covered with snow for a day or so, and more snow may be in the offing. Several times the temperature has dipped below the freezing point but has not lasted more than an hour or so in the early morning. More and more people are getting caught up in politics, mostly on the national level. On Saturday, Jan. 26, the primary election in South Carolina gave a big boost to the campaign of Senator Barack Obama, who roundly defeated Democratic colleague Hillary Clinton, with Senator John Edwards coming in a distant third in his native state. The big political news for Monday, Jan. 28, should have been President George W. Bush's last State of the Union message, but it was upstaged by Senator Edward Kennedy's endorsement of Obama. Kennedy, a 45-year Senator, is friendly to Obama, Mrs. Clinton and Edwards, so many people thought he might remain neutral. However, Kennedy, the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy, both assassinated, became angry at what he perceived to be former President William Clinton's unfair attacks on Obama. As a result, he and JFK's daughter, Caroline, endorsed Obama during an appearance at American University. He also agreed to accompany Obama on some campaign stops before Feb. 5. That date is called "Super Tuesday" because Republican candidates for the presidency will compete in 21 states, and Democratic candidates will seek votes in 22. It is the largest primary bloc in American history. The State of the Union message was attended by most members of the Congress as well as other high government officials but seemed to be a rehash of earlier ones, including the intention to remain in Iraq until achieving victory. The nation's attention on Tuesday, the day following, was on the Republican primary in Florida. Senator John McCain won against Willard "Mitt" Romney, former Massachusetts governor, making him the party's front-runner. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani ended a distant third after having made Florida his big target. Other Republican contenders still in the race are Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor who is from Hope, former President Clinton's hometown, and Texas Representative Ron Paul. Paul is in his 10th Term in the House and has a small but loyal following who point out that he is the only GOP candidate who faithfully follows the US Constitution in his race. The following day Edwards dropped out of the race as did Giuliani, who said he would endorse McCain. Edwards has not made any endorsement thus far although both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama praised his part in the race. Tuesday had a political note from more than 50 years ago when Margaret Truman, only child of President Harry Truman and wife Bess, died at 83. She had been a professional singer, an actress, a television personality and a writer, basing her mystery books in the White House and other sites in Washington, D. C. Her husband, Clifton Daniel, former editor of the New York Times, preceded her in death. But life beyond weather and politics continues in Hollister. On Saturday, Jan. 26, a crowd of about 40 persons gathered at Pancho's Restaurant on Fourth and East streets, the former site of Don Pedro's Restaurant, and before that Paine's and the Villa Pace. The occasion was for the birthday of Tony Ureno, who with wife Stella Ureno, wanted to hold it in their old hometown. They rented the bar and outdoor dining room for family and friends. Ureno's birthday is actually on Jan. 30 but he chose Saturday so the guests could more easily attend. Among those attending were Tony's brother, Luis Ureno, and son Presley who had driven most of the day from Rialto in southern California to be present. Presley is the star of his freshman basketball team at Costa Mesa High School. Luis Ureno was a star softball player in Hollister 30 and more years ago. Because Presley doesn't get to see his father's relatives often, he was very sociable with them, including his cousin, Yanette Ureno Rocha and her mother, Yolando Ureno Rocha, and uncles Manuel and Auxilio Ureno, as well as Maria de Leon Ureno. Tony's sister, Amy Villareal, found much to laugh at when the talk turned to earlier days. Her daughter, Angelina De La Cruz, was accompanied by her husband, Jaime De La Cruz, who is running for another term on the county Board of Supervisors. Rudy Ureno, among Tony's younger brothers, also had a lot of memories to recount. Brother Rudy Ureno got a smile from a few incidents of their youth he recalled, and of their friends of earlier days, some of whom are now gone. When the buffet line started, almost everyone lined up in a twinkling. The entrée was a tasty enchilada dish, and also offered were salad, rice and refried beans. Many of the guests went back for more. Presley Ureno visited with other aunts, uncles and cousins, including Rudy Ureno, his father's younger brother, who resembles Luis greatly, aside from the mustache Rudy has. Presley spent some time with his cousins, Manuel and Alma Ureno, and Rick Ureno. Among Tony's friends there were Kenneth Walgreen, Marlene Slaked, Jackie Moons, Lou and Cathie Grijalva, Maggie and Rawlin Castro, Mary Sekator, Eddie Villegas and Shawn Webb. In the outdoor patio, the band of Johnny Rocket and The Thrust played for dancers. Tony and Stella Ureno were the first to take to the floor, and were soon followed by other couples. All in all, it was a fine birthday party/reunion and all the guests went away happy at having been part of it. |
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