The 2010 influenza season officially begins in October, but cases of flu in some areas of the country have already been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection usually peaks in January, February and March and usually ends by May. It is impossible to predict ahead of time how bad the flu season might be, but as we learned with the H1N1 (swine flu) last year, it’s best to be prepared.

Marilyn Jean (Zonker) Kelsen

I want to dedicate this column as a thank-you to the people who live up in Bonny Doon.

Those lazy, crazy, foggy days of summer are behind us now. What a strange summer it was.

When I was working as a grocery clerk in my late teens, I saved up $1,000 and opened an account with my father’s stockbroker in Los Gatos. When he asked about my goals, I said, "Just find me something that will go up."

Twin girls Taylor Lynn and Mallory Rose Friedrich-Anderson were born at 11:35 and 11:36 a.m. Aug. 17, 2010, to Nicole Ann Anderson and Greg Friedrich of Brookdale. Taylor weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces and Mallory weighed 6 pounds at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.

Harvest is fast approaching, and it is certainly the most exciting time of year in the world of the vintner.

Scotts Valley Host Lions

Candice Rina Becking and Brandon Lee Marquis of Scotts Valley were married Aug. 8, 2010, at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. A reception at the Harbor Café followed the ceremony.

Fishing in Monterey Bay has been consistent, and the weather has been calm on the ocean. Rock cod are still the hot pick, but salmon and halibut are also coming in. From the outer bay waters, albacore have been difficult to catch, but along the shore, striped bass continue to bite for surfcasters.