By the time you read this column our sunny February days will be just about over and according to The Weather Channel we should be watching the rain come down. With the roof on our building fixed, we say….let it rain….we need it!!

The unusually bright and sunny days this week got many people, including me, into the garden to do some early spring cleaning and weeding. There is nothing quite like getting some dirt under the fingernails to cure what ails you – I look at it as better than going to a therapist. It even takes on a different light when you have your two year-old grandson in toe. Worms, bugs, rocks and dirt – those were his items of interest in the garden on Saturday. Using a hand shovel and wearing a pair of my gloves, he thought he was pretty hot stuff. Scooping up rocks and putting them into containers can be quite entertaining to a two year-old!  Of course, he ended up with dirt everywhere and went straight to the bathtub when we were done…thank goodness his mother didn’t see him or his clothes!!

Even after the several storms that came our way several days ago, the state is still below normal for precipitation which is not great for the dams and reservoirs – let’s hope that this next series of storms brings more snowpack which is even more important than actual rain.

That being said, farmers are still looking for much- needed water for crops that grace our West side and help to feed our nation and the world. Currently, many farmers will only receive 10 percent of allocated irrigation water. That’s not enough – Senator Diane Feinstein agrees- she wants to boost irrigation water to farmers, allowing them to receive up to 40 percent of their allotment. She would like to see a compromise between environmentalists that support the Endangered Species Act and the people who actually put food on our tables. Now that could be interesting – do you think the farmers can actually win over the environmentalists? In order to make this happen, Feinstein needs to rally the troops (Congressmen Devin Nunes, Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa would be crazy to not jump on this bandwagon) and fight the biological opinion of Fish and Wildlife Service that protects the Delta smelt and a National Marine Fisheries opinion that protects steelhead and salmon. 

If anyone can make it happen, in my opinion, it would be Feinstein – she has the clout and isn’t up for election this time around. This could make for some interesting politics with Senator Barbara Boxer who happens to be up for election this year. Will Boxer rally around the environmentalists who tend to take things to the extreme with the liberals in the densely populated Bay Area and Southern California or will she actually do what’s right for our farmer’s and our state’s economy. Time will tell. In the meantime – go Feinstein!

Many sweethearts celebrated Valentine’s Day this last weekend with warm tokens of affection to one another. From cards, candy, flowers, special dinners, taking in a movie or even a play – there were many ways for Cupid to shoot his arrow and spread the love!

If you have been lucky enough to be married for 65 years, like Newman residents Alfred and Clara Nervino, there is no better way to say “I Love You” than to renew your marriage vows. Surrounded by friends and fellow church goers at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Nervino were surprised by Father Hector when he acknowledged their wedding anniversary date of Feb. the 13 and invited them to renew their vows. Clara was presented with a beautiful bouquet of red roses and the two tenderly uttered their “I do’s” with many of those in attendance shedding tears of joy for the special couple.

The Nervino’s are two of the sweetest people that I know and their love for each other is purely evident in their day to day lives. Congratulations on 65 beautiful years and thank you for sharing your love with all of us!