WALKING THE WEST SIDE A TREAT.  My morning walks get even better about this time every year. The weather is relatively cool at 6:30 a.m., some people are outside already, gardens are lush, men and women are getting an early commute to work (somewhere) and students, teachers and parents are filling our streets once again. This is certainly obvious in Newman, where all of our schools have traditional August to June schedules. School leaders opted to stop the track system a while back, and since then summer has been a quiet time around here. But now, I have to make it home by 7 or cars heading to Orestimba are using my same route (I walk like a car, and they are bigger than me!) With the start of school comes lots of commerce on the West Side as well. Parents are buying food, clothing, and other “stuff” for their children’s lunch, class activities and sports competitions. We all begin thinking about the holiday season again. Fall begins the two best seasons here, followed by spring time!

COMMUNITY SPIRIT ALIVE AND WELL TOO. People living in our small towns appreciate each other and all the activities and events that make living here special. Newman’s Elaine Collison, the woman who greets you at the Newman Police Department and keeps everyone organized there also takes good care of the police station outside as well. I spotted her planting something last week on Main Street as I walked by early one morning. She doesn’t do the lawns, but thank her for some good color and the attractive look as you enter the station offices.

FALL FESTIVAL A WEEK AWAY.  One of the West Side’s biggest events arrives next week with the Newman Fall Festival. Expect large attendance at most events, since school is here, vacations are about over and gas is still way too expensive. The Stanislaus County Fair enjoyed its highest attendance in 15 years, and organizers attribute that to the good weather, stay-at-home mindset and some great events. The Fall Festival is held in a much smaller venue, obviously, but the small town celebration is one of the best and I know organizers or doing their best to make it another great event.

ELECTION INTEREST FIZZLES. As I write this column, it doesn’t look like there will competition for Newman mayor or City Council, which depresses me. What looked like a fun election year has turned into a walk for candidates who are unopposed. The news story inside today’s newspaper will further elaborate on whether there will be competition or whether we can congratulate our new officials, but when Mayor John Fantazia announced that he wasn’t running for another term, that caught most of us by surprise. I may have more analysis on this issue next week; but for now, those readers living in Gustine will certainly have choices for city leaders this fall…and that is very healthy for a small town.

BIG PRE-FALL FESTIVAL WEEKEND. This weekend arrives with a bang beginning Friday when Congressman George Radanovich celebrates a fund-raiser in the Westley/Grayson area and on Sunday when Orestimba High graduate and long time Crows Landing resident Nadine Dompe will party with friends at son Tom’s home on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Some of us may even get together Saturday night for some fun between the two other activities!!!