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The Olympics, I believe, have a split personality. Partly the Olympics are about the beauty of competition: the lovely narratives of individuals who triumph over overwhelming odds and exquisite examples of sportsmanship and sporting brotherhood and sisterhood. But the Olympics are also about flag-waving patriotism. I have to admit when the U.S. faces other countries, my default mode says, “Root for the ol’ Stars and Stripes.” I believe that’s why the women’s soccer tournament is more interesting and exciting for many people in this country. While the U.S. did not qualify for the men’s tournament, the US women are viewed as favorites and have done nothing to change that through the opening round.

To quote Luther Burbank, "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." After visiting the garden of Bev Kaplan in Boulder Creek, I couldn't agree more.

- Drew Ryan Devonshire, son of Sarah Blythe (Thomson) and Ryan Ernest Devonshire of Ben Lomond, was born at 4:20 a.m. July 9, 2012, at Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces.

The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act will likely go down as the most important decision of the past several decades.

- 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.

I would like to offer my interpretation of the federal government’s Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare.

The 2012 summer Olympics in London gives many of us a chance to watch sports we don’t typically follow, which for me, includes gymnastics, track and field, and swimming.

Baseball fundraiser on tap