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Most people have heard the term “antitrust.” One generally thinks of huge corporations when antitrust is bandied. Many associate the word with Microsoft because of its long running antitrust battle with the government. But the antitrust laws apply to any organization, big or small, that attempts to use its monopoly or dominant market position to restrain trade. Antitrust laws are quite complex, but they can be summarized as a collection of laws that are supposed to promote fair competition that benefits consumers. The best known aspect of the antitrust laws is to prevent or limit monopolies. A monopoly can, and will, abuse its market position by charging outrageous prices or force undesirable choices simply because there is no alternative. (Remember British philosopher Lord Acton: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”) The penalties for violating antitrust laws can be severe, including criminal charges.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

- Zane Edison Trujillo was born at 11:27 p.m. Aug. 23, 2013 to Heather Elizabeth (Blank) and Elfego Richard Trujillo of Scotts Valley. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center.

- Logan Gregory Weston was born to Yasmin Aide (Martinez) and Gregory Michael Weston of Scotts Valley at 1:46 p.m. Aug. 16, 2013. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.

I've been writing this column for 4 years. Some months I come up with the topic and some months my editor does. This month falls into the latter category. I was asked to write about the sales tax increase Scotts Valley will vote on in November.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

This month marks my 40th year of practicing medicine. I think back to my childhood living in Milwaukee, Wisc. with a father who was a family doctor in a solo practice on call 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Our home phone rang day and night and Dad frequently left his comfortable home and much-needed sleep to go make a house call, admit someone to the hospital, or deliver a baby