These are photos of some of last year's sports events. We'd like to thank all the wonderful contributors to our sports coverage, especially Paul Firenzi, whose photos are always highlights of our sports section.  

As we prepare to leave the old year behind us and greet the New Year, I would like to propose the following health related resolutions:

The California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith stated that California is experiencing an increase in norovirus cases, commonly referred to as stomach flu or winter vomiting disease. CDPH has confirmed 32 outbreaks of norovirus in California since October 1.

Santa Cruz Community Health Centers, a leading nonprofit provider of high-quality, affordable and comprehensive health services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay, today issued a reminder that the new state vaccination law takes effect Jan. 1, 2016. Also known as SB 277, the law eliminates vaccination exemptions related to personal or religious beliefs for children attending public or private schools, as well as day-care centers. The law will impact students attending school in the fall of 2016.

On December 22, 2015 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said that Bellisio Foods, Inc. recalled approximately 285,264 pounds of boneless pork rib shaped patty frozen entrée products that may be adulterated with extraneous materials.

During the week of December 8 which was “Older Driver Safety Awareness Week,” the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released its newest research on this topic. The advanced automotive technologies which can keep older drivers safe on the road are:

If you have not, don’t worry, the flu vaccine is still available. But it does take about two weeks for the vaccine to fully protect an individual from the flu, so if you have forgotten to get this done in the fall, better think about getting it now.

Each January gives us a wealth of opportunities to improve ourselves. It’s a chance to resolve to become a better person, to treat others kinder, to take care of ourselves, to lose weight, stop smoking, to get our finances in order, to learn a new hobby, to read “Gone With the Wind,” or “War and Peace,” if you are inclined.