SUPER BOWL HYPE AND MORE. Yes, West Siders are gearing up for fun on Super Bowl Sunday this weekend, and I don’t think the fact that California has no team in the big game will make much of a difference. The underdog Saints should be our team, as they bring the grand city of New Orleans back from its devastating “Katrina” past. While most prognosticators aren’t giving New Orleans much of a chance against the mighty Indianapolis Colts and their star quarterback Peyton Manning, I like New Orleans because (my cousin lives there) they have never been to the big game. I’m betting many will be rooting for the Saints, but regardless of the outcome, it will be big day for parties around here.

I’m heading to Crows Landing to celebrate the big day with my classmate and longtime friend Tom Dompe. He cooks up a storm each year, spending many of his off days (farmers get some free time in the winter before the 24-hour days start in the spring.) watching just about every food channel chef on record. His restaurant-grade stove, inside a kitchen/hospitality area that is now occupying one-quarter of the space in his new barn, can prepare just about anything you get in a restaurant…..of any size! I know your Super Bowl will be as exciting as mine; and if you aren’t into football parties, have a drink or some coffee and tea in hopes the Saints rule the day.

OUR MERCHANTS HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED. The economy usually picks up on Super Bowl weekend, and locally you can bet that our food and drink merchants will be busy selling special snacks and meals for the big day. Local watering holes may even offer some “Super Bowl” specials (see the advertisements in this newspaper for more information). There is a reason that national companies spend millions each year on television advertisements. In fact, for some men and women, the only reason they pay attention to the game at all is because they want to see the advertising. Some companies, like Budweiser, have produced their best work for this day.

LANDFILL EXPANSION PLANS MAKE SENSE. The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors were expected to consider an environmental declaration this week that would mean a proposal to expand the landfill by going up (and not out) would not significantly affect the landfill’s surroundings. As you know, I’ve challenged the county to keep the roads clean and the landfill area attractive (as possible) over the years, especially when I served on the board of supervisors. Today, Supervisor Jim DeMartini is doing an exceptional job in looking out for our interests. The idea of expanding the landfill by going up is a good one. It doesn’t mean more land will be excavated, but that current hill will grow a bit. Today, most of those hills are blending relatively nicely into the environment. As the board considers and moves forward with this expansion, it’s important that the West Side is heard loud and clear. DeMartini has an open ear and certainly an open mind. Expanding the landfill by going up will give it 15 more years of life, versus 13 years without initiating that option.

As the board moves forward with any landfill changes, we should continue to urge them to keep the area around the “dump” clean. If that means sending crews to clean up papers that fall from garbage trucks, then they should do it.