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Talk O’ the Town

Published Monthly by Town & Country Mobile Village 195 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123

townandcountry@evans-management.com or townandcountry2@evans-management.com

FREE GROCERIES 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 8 and Thursday, May 22, 2025.

This is your magazine! Send us pictures of beautiful sights or activities in the park. Send us your thoughts or articles for publication. Items for publication must be received by the 6th of the month to be printed in the next month’s Talk O’ The Town publication. Thanks to you who contribute!

On Site Manager & Assistant Manager 1-(408) 225-3165

Maintenance Emergency Voicemail 1-(408) 529-2880

Vivian’s Salon (408) 728-1861 10am to 7pm Monday thru Saturday by Appointment

If you have an emergency, other than park maintenance business, it is best to call the police by dialing 911 or 311.

Animal Care Center

1-408-794-7297 2750 Monterey Road, San Jose Poison Control 1-800-876-4766

Talk O’ The Town Editor: Carla Evans, Space 251 (408) 896-0910

Talk O’ The Town Co-Editor: Susan Foley, Space 149 (408) 656-3071

Talk O’ The Town Co-Editor: Judi Sayler, Space 243 (408) 666-4126

If you have feedback or questions for any member of the T&C Advisory Committee, please put a note in their mail tube (not the mailbox).

Town & Country Advisory Committee

Carla Evans 251

Dolores Ferriera 280

Junious Harvey 258

Susan Foley 149

Al Mazzone Office

Cathy Nicholas 256

Karen Ramsell 275

Judith Sayler 243

Linda Sparkman 193

Hello T&C Neighbors,

May, the fifth month of the year, is the last month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. We have been having such pleasant weather in the last weeks and I notice so many resident’s flowers are blooming brightly.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the April 14th pool opening has been delayed due to unexpected maintenance issues. When we went to turn on the pool heater two weeks ago, it would not power up, and after receiving estimates, it will need to be replaced, and a City permit will need to be completed before the work can be done. The previous month the Department of Environmental Health was onsite to inspect our pool and there were three deficiencies found, one was removing all 100 of the decorative “S’s” on the iron fencing because they can be used as a ladder, second was changing the pool gate to open outward and not inward, and third lowering the door knob by six inches.

As you may have noticed, we finally got approval for Luis of Skyview Tree Service to clean up our 62 palm trees in the park, and now they are safer and smart looking with their new haircuts. Luis cleaned up at no cost the small palm tree at the entrance of the park, and he and his team did great work.

This brings me to the topic of landscaping violation letters, which we are beginning to send to those residents who need to clean up their yards. I’ve been recommending Juan in the letters but he said he is booked up at present. I asked Luis of Skyview if I can refer him to residents who need inexpensive landscape work done, he said yes and you can find his phone number on the Resource page 20, under Tree Trimming.

** If rain showers bring Mayflowers, then what to do Mayflowers bring? Pilgrims! **

** It’s allergy season again? You’ve got to be pollen my leg. **

** What do clouds wear during spring showers? Thunderwear. **

** Can February March? No, but April May! **

** What do you call an emergency in spring? May Day. **

Please help me give a warm welcome to our new neighbors in the community -- the Pham/Nguyen Family is moving in to #134. They looked at many real estate offers but decided on the best elder residential mobile home park in the area, T&C. We get great feedback from the new residents on how much they are enjoying the park and its clean, private and quiet setting.

You may notice that this month’s issue has important information about how to avoid getting scammed, be it over the phone, on the internet or in person. We have a resident who thought it was vital to put in writing her scary experience with a scammer who entered our private community and knocked on her door to solicit a bogus cable TV deal. I know that I keep getting texts saying that my Amazon order has been returned due to an insufficient payment method, BUT I DID NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM AMAZON! They want you to click on a link that will take you to a bogus payment page and Bob’s Your Uncle, you’ve been had.

I’m wishing every Mom a happy Mother’s Day which falls on Sunday, May 11th, right before Monday’s full moon. Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small, a Mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest of them all.

Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26th, please join me in honoring and remembering the sacrifices we will forever remember the bravery of those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Here are some other May 2025 calendar observances:

May 1st May Day & National Day of Prayer

May 3rd Kentucky Derby

May 5th Cinco de Mayo

May 6th National Nurses Day & Teacher Appreciation Day

May 11th Mother’s Day

May 15th Peace Officers Memorial Day

May 17th Armed Forces Day

May your May be Merry, Susan Foley

Town and Country Mobile Home Park COMMUNITY PAGE

This is your place to post positive comments about your neighbors, or items for sale, homemade or like new (max 3 items), services for hire, help needed, lost and found. To post please send an email to townandcountry2@evans-management.com with the subject of ComPage posting or drop a note into Editor Carla Evans’ mail tube at Lot 251 or email: evans4u@comcast.net

MAY EVENTS IN THE CLUBHOUSE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14TH – GAME TIME – 12:00–2:00 pm - Game Room–bring your lunch.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28TH – FRIENDSHIP CLUB POTLUCK 12:00pm–2:00pm – Game room, please bring a side to share. We encourage everyone to come!

Some of the T&C Spring flowers are on full display!

You may have noticed #101 - The Dupic’s pretty climbing, colorful Sweet Peas as you drive into our park.

The roses outside the Clubhouse are simply exploding and are heavenly scented – so it’s time to stop by and enjoy them.

San Jose Made’s free event will feature 250+ artists, designers, chefs, crafters, & alongside food trucks & live entertainment. May 31st & June 1st , 11AM-6PM

Need an Uber or Lyft ride?

Our resident Bobby Choe #114 is driving for Uber and Lyft and he said give him a call if you need a ride. 1-510-910-3845 Monday-Sunday 9AM-5PM

Support Your Friendship Club

BAKE SALE

In The Clubhouse

We appreciate your Homemade Cookies, Cakes, Brownies, Breads, and Candy. You may bring them to the Clubhouse at 9:00-9:30 am or at 4pm the day before to prepare your items for the sale happening on Saturday June 21, 2025 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Coffee/Tea in The Clubhouse will be served.

All proceeds go to Town & Country charity. Page 5

THE HISTORY OF MAY DAY

May Day, celebrated on May 1st, has roots in both ancient spring festivals and the labor movement, evolving into a day of both labor solidarity and protest, and in some countries, a national holiday. Here's a more detailed look at its history:

Ancient Origins & Spring Celebrations:

May Day, or Beltane, has ancient roots in European pagan traditions, marking the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, celebrating spring and the return of fertility.

Agricultural Rites: Festivities included bonfires, dancing, and feasting, often involving the release of livestock and the decoration of homes and livestock with flowers.

Floralia: The Festival of Flora, celebrated between April 28 and May 3, honored the goddess of flowers, fertility, and spring.

Gaelic Beltane: In Gaelic culture, May Day was known as Beltane, a "day of fire" celebrated with bonfires and dancing.

May Day in the Labor Movement and International Workers' Day:

Haymarket Affair: In 1886, a general strike for the eight-hour workday, culminating in the violent Haymarket affair in Chicago, became a catalyst for May Day as a day of labor protest.

1890 Demonstrations: In 1890, May Day demonstrations took place in the United States and most countries in Europe, following the call by the Second International.

Labor Day in the US: In the United States, while May Day was initially associated with the labor movement, the holiday of Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, became the official U.S. holiday honoring workers.

May Day as a Holiday: In many countries, May 1st is celebrated as International Workers' Day or May Day, a day for political parties and unions to host activities related to work and employment.

Did you know Mother’s Day actually began as a women’s movement to better the lives of Americans. Its forgotten origins spring from three lifelong activists who championed efforts toward better health, welfare, and peace. The women: Ann Reeves Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe, and Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis.

Ann Reeves Jarvis also known as “Mother Jarvis” created “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” in West Virginia to combat unsanitary living conditions. She was concerned about the high infant mortality rate, especially frequent in Appalachia, and wanted to educate and help mothers who needed it most.

During the Civil War, Mother Jarvis had also organized women’s brigades encouraging women to help without regard for which side their men had chosen. After the war, she proposed a Mothers’ Friendship Day to promote peace between former Union and Confederate families.

Julia Ward Howe was a famous poet and reformer. During the Civil War., she volunteered for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, helping them to improve sanitary and health conditions at hospitals. She wrote the famous Civil War anthem, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” published in 1862. Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for a “Mother’s Day for Peace” dedicated to the celebration of peace and the eradication of the war. She felt mothers should gather to prevent the cruelty of war and the waste of life, since mothers alone bear and know the cost to mankind.

While both these women wanted to have a national Mother’s Day, it was Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis who encouraged and accomplished it. She wanted to memorialize her mother’s life and campaigned for a national day to honor all mothers. She bombarded public figures and many civic organizations and at her own expense, wrote, printed and distributed booklets. In May 1907, Anna held a memorial service at the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia where her mother had taught. The following year, on May 10, a Mother’s Day service was help at the same church to acknowledge all mothers. Thus, the second Sunday in May was selected to honor every mother, living or deceased. While Anna was recognized for her efforts, it was in 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday to be called “Mother’s Day.” Now you have the story – I HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS MOTHER’S DAY!

Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis

Julia Ward Howe

Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis

As we celebrate Memorial Day, let’s honor the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, serves as a memorial to unidentified American service members, with the first interment occurring on November 11, 1921, for a World War I soldier.

Historical Significance: The tomb was established in 1921 to honor unidentified American service members from World War I, and later expanded to include those from World War II and the Korean War.

Location: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in Arlington National Cemetery, a prominent location in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.

Purpose: The tomb serves as a symbolic grave for all war dead whose remains have not been found or identified.

Guards: The tomb is guarded 24/7, 365 days a year, by members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard".

Changing of the Guard: The Changing of the Guard Ceremony takes place every half hour from April 1 to September 30 and every hour from October 1 to March 31.

Selection Process: The selection process for the Unknowns from World War II and the Korean War was similar to the first, with the goal of representing all unidentified American dead.

Honoring the Unknown: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as a people's memorial that inspires reflection on service, valor, sacrifice, and mourning.

Other Unknown Soldiers: The tomb also includes crypts for unidentified service members from World War II and the Korean War.

Symbolism: The sarcophagus is decorated with three wreaths on each side panel, and on the front, three figures represent Peace, Victory, and Valor.

Inscription: The back of the sarcophagus features the inscription: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God".

It is always exciting to see new changes in the Park and Space #177 certainly proved a challenge for Alliance Mobile Homes. It took at least a week to clean out the old unit to be prepared for removal.

I would like to thank the surrounding neighbors for their patience during this process & #112 David Nixon for the great photos.

How impressive it was to watch the movers install the brand-new home – it was such a tight squeeze. I’m sure it will sell quickly.

Kind regards, Susan

Foley

OUR BLUE DUMPSTER IS BEING ABUSED

Our commercial Cal-Waste blue dumpster is being abused because of nonrecyclable materials including garbage and items that should be picked up by junk haulers are being put into the dumpster or left on the ground next to the dumpster.

WHAT NOT TO PUT IN OUR COMMERCIAL BLUE DUMPSTER:

Styrofoam – Styrofoam packaging/peanuts, foam coolers, foam take-out boxes.

Flexible Plastics: Plastic bags, bubble wrap and thin plastic wrappers

Food Waste – Food waste and pizza boxes go into your dark olive green trash bin.

Hazardous Waste: Bleach, insect & plant poisons, rust remover, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, motor oil & filters, car batteries, tires, household batteries, light bulbs, medications, paint & thinner and biohazardous waste.

E-waste / Electronics: Computers, monitors and other electronic devices should be disposed of properly through designated recycling programs. Goodwill accepts Ewaste.

Large Appliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, and other large appliances require special handling and can be dropped off at Santa Clara County’s Hazardous Waste drop-off sites.

Tires: Used tires should be disposed of at designated tire recycling facilities.

Furniture and Other Household Items – Chairs, tables, beds, mattresses, bedding, wheelchairs and other medical devices, etc.

If you have any furniture and other household items to get rid of, call Cal-Waste to schedule a free junk pick-up at 408-213-7800; or schedule a pick-up through San Jose 311 at https://311.sanjoseca.gov/.

For hazardous waste, schedule a free drop-off appointment at https://hhw.santaclaracounty.gov/drop-locations. Scroll down to the bottom to schedule an appointment.

WHAT YOU CAN PUT IN OUR COMMERCIAL BLUE DUMPSTER:

Paper: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, etc.

Cardboard: Boxes THAT ARE FLATTENED, corrugated materials

Plastic: Clean bottles, jugs, and other rigid plastics

Metals: Cans, foil, scrap metal, metal cooking pans

Glass: Clean bottles and jars

Contaminated Paper: Food-soiled paper plates, napkins, and other paper products

District 2’s new Councilmember Pamela Campos has started a monthly email newsletter about a variety of topics to share with District 2 residents. Last month’s newsletter had invitations to a live townhall budget meeting and a virtual community informational session regarding the 1 Branham Lane Homekey Project at Branham & Monterey plus a video recap of the meeting. Among many topics, there was a recap of April’s dumpster day, info to sign up for an on-line Small Business Financing Workshop and info on Viva Calle Day where certain streets are closed to traffic so people can walk, bike, skate and explore

To find out what issues City Council is working on and what events are coming up each month, you can quickly sign up to get the monthly newsletter - just your name and email are needed. Go to: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/cC53rcM.

Many seniors who suffer from depression and can call 988 which provides direct connection to free, confidential, and compassionate emotional support from a trained counselor through the County’s Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline (English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog available). Calls are anonymous and confidential – information will not be shared unless in-person assistance is needed through one of the community mobile response teams.

Veterans have their own helpline by dialing 988 and then option 1, or chat on-line at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255.

Volunteering is good for your health! A study in 2022 of more than 267,000 older adults shows that health improves when they start volunteering and declines when they stop. The health advantages of volunteering increase with age. Volunteers in their 70’s had a 26% health advantage and those 80 and older a 35% improvement. Why does volunteering have such a strong impact?

• Physical & Social Activity: Staying active promotes heart health and sharpens cognitive skills.

• New Social Connections: Volunteering fosters meaningful interactions and combats loneliness.

• Emotional Well-Being: Helping others promotes compassion and affection, reducing stress and depression. It just makes you feel good to help others.

The City of San Jose has a volunteer page with opportunities at libraries, community centers, Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, Partners in Reading, and the Animal Care Center, to name a few. Visit https://www.sanjoseca.gov/residents/volunteering

Some residents of T&C volunteer at our Second Harvest grocery distribution, serve on our Emergency Planning Committee or plan or staff our annual Holiday Party, and even decorate our Christmas tree. Others volunteer at hospitals to hold and speak to neo-natal babies in incubators where human touch and sound are important for them to thrive. So many opportunities to make your life full.

Shingles & Dementia - New research suggests that the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study, conducted in Wales, found that individuals vaccinated against shingles were 20% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over a seven-year period compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. This finding, published in Nature, adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that infections, including shingles, may play a role in the development of dementia.

One possibility is that the shingles virus may contribute to inflammation and immune system dysregulation, which could increase dementia risk. If you’ve ever had chicken pox, then you are at risk of getting shingles.

A SCAM CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! A DIRECT TV/DISH IMPERSONATOR

By Joyce Olszewski

On March 23, 2025 there was a knock at my front door. A man dressed all in black, 6’2” with a “Direct TV” logo on his left shoulder and wearing a lanyard with a “DISH” plastic badge. He looked Hispanic, driving a black 2-door sedan, CA License HBSN403. He was hard to understand because he was a very fast talker. His eyes were dilated and he was jumpy, making me think he was on some kind of drug.

He began saying that Direct TV is going to increase the charge by $19 a month, and did I want a chance to sign up to avoid this increase. I asked for a look at the paper contract. His reply was that it’s only an email. I asked to see his driver’s license. He held it out, but would not let me get ahold of it. I asked my daughter to fetch my glasses and a paper and pen. When she gave them to me, he refused to show me his driver’s license again. After that, he ran down the stairs and left very quickly. I managed to write down his car license at that time.

I know our Park has a rule against home sales vendors, but this person ignored those. Other residents may have also been visited by this man. A scammer can be found anywhere – even on your door step. Be wary of anyone you do not know who is ringing your doorbell.

SCAMS – BE INFORMED AND SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION!

By Carla Evans

There are so many different scams around today that it is even more important to be diligent and avoid being abused by a scammer. I will address a few of the fraudulent scams.

Who are the most vulnerable to being scammed? Believe it or not, the elderly. The single older person is more susceptible to phone scams and fraudulent loans.

CAREGIVER thefts are increasing, as the elderly need home care. It is important to check references for any caregiver and it is best to get those from people the caregiver has assisted or a family member of the person being assisted. Be very careful when giving the caregiver access to your credit cards and bank accounts. The fraudulent caregiver likes to talk the assisted and their family members into giving them full access. The caregiver may ask to have power of attorney to have control. Be wary!

ROMANCE scammers take advantage of the lonely and are rarely in a hurry to take advantage. In other words – they take their time to woo the person into trusting them. Only after the scammer gains the person’s trust, do they begin asking for financial help and they use many guises in the request. It can be to make you feel sorry for a situation or for their family member. Some of the wealthiest people have been bilked of their bank account or retirement account balances by a slick scammer pretending to be your friend and in some cases your lover. The police told me recently at a seminar on scam alerts that women and men who register on dating sites are more often scammed than someone who is not registered. Scammers create false identities often posing as military personnel, engineers working overseas or a businessman. The scammer may ask for money for emergencies, travel or business opportunities. Many use stolen photos of an attractive older person and rehearsed scripts.

IDENTITY THEFT can involve stolen credit cards, stolen checks or obtaining personal information, such as your social security number, address, phone number and your birthdate. This can happen when you would least expect it. Some are scammed by someone who claims to be representing Bay Area FasTrak, a social security or bank account representative, the FBI, police or an attorney. Never give out your social security number and birthdate to any caller. It is rarely needed and when it is needed, you should make the phone call, not answer the phone.

EMAIL scams are also increasing. Always check to see the email sender’s address, and if it is not one you boldly recognize, do not open the email and delete it immediately after marking it as junk. It is easy to think the email is legitimate. If you are not sure, DO NOT CALL A NUMBER LISTED IN THE EMAIL. Look up the phone number for the entity and call them directly. In other words, if you think the email is from your bank, call your bank directly and ask about the email. Look for poor grammar or spelling in the mail – those are “red flags” to be wary of.

PHONE SCAMS can come from someone sounding like a grandchild who needs help, or a son or daughter who wants assistance. With the gadgets available to scammers today, they can mimic someone’s voice with only a few spoken words. I actually experienced this. The person on the phone sounded like a grandson and was in jail and needed bail money so he could get out and attend his college classes. Luckily, I told the “police officer,” who was also on the call that I would call him back in a few minutes and got a phone number. Then I hung up and called my grandson and found him at home safe and sound. Because I had obtained the phone number, I then called the San Jose Police and reported the scam and provided the phone number. These scams are happening more and more. Be careful and alert.

TEXT MESSAGE SCAMS may alert you to a charge and if you do not recognize it, want you to click on a link. Do not fall for this. For example, you may receive a text message that your vehicle has used the FasTrak Express Lane and to avoid additional charges, you are to pay your balance by clicking on a link. Or you might get a message that FedEx, UPS or other company is having difficulty in delivering something to you and they want you to click on a link. Do not click on a link in these types of messages. They are probably scams looking to gather your personal information.

MEDICARE/HEALTH INSURANCE

SCAMS are callers claiming to be Medicare representatives needing to “verify” personal information. They may offer free medical equipment or services that require providing Medicare numbers. They may bill for services never rendered, and may sell counterfeit prescription drugs sold online at “discount” prices.

MONEY MULE scams happen if you have participated in a contest and have supposedly won a prize, or if you have been asked by a caller to donate money, and the person is more than happy to pick up your payment. The money mule is often a poorly paid person who is there to deliver a prize, pick up a check, or is there to obtain your personal information. If the phone call sounds really good, it is probably not true. If a caller requesting a donation, wants to pick up your check, ask them for the company name and the address and tell them you will mail a check. Then re-verify that the company exists and is legitimate before sending money.

TECH SUPPORT scams include pop-up warning about viruses or computer problems in an email, or cold callers on the phone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or known service providers. They may request for remote access to “fix” nonexistent problem, and may charge for unnecessary services and are looking to steal your sensitive information. Some tech support scams may want to take control of your computer an may install a software program called ANY DESK. If you have not called the vendor directly and asked for customer support, do not allow anyone to have access to your computer.

LOTTERY/SWEEPSTAKES

scams include notification of winnings from contest you have never entered, requests for upfront fees, taxes, or processing costs to release “winnings.” You may receive official-looking documents and checks that later bounce. If you receive a check in the mail, be sure to take it to the bank to verify funds before depositing. These scammers may pressure you to keep the winnings secret to “avoid tax complications.”

HOW CAN YOU MINIMIZE FRAUD AND THEFT? Besides being careful, it is best to turn on two-factor identification for each credit card company, bank account, and merchandizing web site, such as Amazon, Walmart and Target, to name a few. You can also update settings on your bank accounts so you are texted or emailed whenever there is a withdrawal or a deposit over a small amount. I get a weekly email notice from my bank that shows the balance on each of my bank accounts, as well as a text message whenever there is a withdrawal over $25.

YOU MIGHT WONDER WHAT TWO-FACTOR IDENTIFICATION IS? To use an example, whenever I log onto Amazon and type in my log-in and password, it asks me for a code. Amazon then sends a text message with a code, and I then type that code into Amazon on-line. Then Amazon is available for me to use.

Yes, this may seem like a waste of time, but if you have ever experienced fraud by someone, it is a small sacrifice to be safe.

SAFEGUARD YOUR NETWORK so the scammer cannot get to your desktop or laptop when you are not using it. For example, I frequently use my desktop computer for my daily use. When I am finished checking my email or purchasing anything online and ready to log-off, I also turn off the network. To do that there is a symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your computer that shows the strength of your network. Click on that and then click on the name of your wi-fi and select “disconnect,” and the symbol changes to indicate you are logged off the network. When you return to your computer, you can then click on that symbol and select your network name and select “connect” to be reconnected.

You should also have antivirus software on your computer or laptop. It will alert you to bad web-sites or to unwanted intrusion.

SAFEGUARD YOUR PHONE by restarting it once weekly. Each type of phone is restarted differently so I will not provide instructions for this. You will need to turn off your phone and then turn it back on. The phone memory is refreshed doing this and any active software lurking in the background is closed.

Install call-blocking technology on your phone. Speak with your telephone provider.

Antivirus software should be installed on your phone as well, so your phone is scanned often for issues and you are alerted to unwanted intrusion or bad web-sites.

MOM’S HEIRLOOM CABBAGE ROLLS

An ode to Mother’s Day, this is my mom’s recipe she inherited from her grandmother Even if you do not like cabbage still try these rolls, they are so delicious.

Recipe by Gloria Foley – Shared by Susan

Ingredients

The “Yum-Yum” Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 medium onion finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 can 15-ounce tomato sauce

• 1 can 14.5-ounce petite diced tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

• salt and pepper to taste

The Cabbage Rolls

• 1 large head green cabbage

• 1/2-pound ground pork sausage

• 1/2-pound ground beef

• 1/2 medium onion finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 egg

• 3/4 cup long-grain parboiled white rice

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

• Bring a large stock pot of water to boil. Add the whole head of cabbage and boil for 5 minutes. Remove to a colander to drain and cool. Once cooled, cut 1/2 inch off the stem end of the cabbage. Carefully remove 12 leaves and cut the tough rib out of the stem end in the shape of a V.

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring several times. Reduce heat to low and add garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.

• Spoon a thin layer of the tomato sauce into a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. In a large bowl, mix the ground pork sausage, ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, rice, parsley, and paprika. Place about 1/3 cup of the meat mixture in the center of the cabbage roll. Bring in the sides and roll tight. Place the rolls on the tomato sauce in a single layer in the casserole dish. Repeat until all the cabbage rolls are made and in the casserole dish. Top with remaining tomato sauce.

• Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 80-90 minutes.

I wonder if this will bounce.

Maybe this one will.

When a Student Outsmarts His Arrogant Professor…

A college student wanted to sit next to his professor at lunch. But the professor looked at him smugly and said: “A swan does not befriend a pig.” The student simply smiled and replied: “Then I shall fly on.”

The professor was not amused at his twist and decided to make the student’s life difficult. During the oral exam, he threw the hardest questions at him but the student answered them all flawlessly.

The cat owns the house.

That’s why the word HOMEOWNER has MEOW in it.

Frustrated, the professor tried a trick question: “You're walking down a road and find two bags one with gold and one with wisdom. Which do you choose?” The student confidently replied: “The gold.”

The professor scoffed. “I would choose wisdom. It’s far more valuable than money.” The student grinned. “Well, everyone picks what they don’t have.”

The professor turned red with anger and, instead of giving the student a grade, he scribbled "ASS" on his exam paper. The student calmly picked up his paper and walked out.

Moments later, he returned, handed the paper back, and said: “Excuse me, sir—you signed it, but you forgot to give me my grade!”