Roadside Crosses (Kathryn Dance 2)

For that is what journalism is all about.

--James Chilton

Below that was: "Mission Statement."

Our Mission Statement

We can't make judgments in a vacuum. Will business, will government, will corrupt politicians and criminal and debauched individuals be honest about what they're up to? Of course not. It's our job in The Report to shine the light of truth into the shadows of deceit and greed--to give you the facts you need to make informed decisions about the pressing issues of the day.

Dance also found a brief biography of Chilton, then a section about personal news. She glanced over the listings.

On the Home Front

GO TEAM!

I'm happy to say that after this weekend's game the Older Boy's team is 4-0! Go, Jayhawks! Now, parents: listen to me. Your youngsters should give up baseball and football for soccer, which is the safest and healthiest team sport there is. (See The Chilton Report of April 12 for my comments about sports injuries among children.) And by the way, make sure you call it "soccer," not "football," the way the foreigners do. When in America, do as Americans!) A PATRIOT

Yesterday the Younger Boy knocked the socks off the audience in his day camp recital by singing "America the Beautiful." All by himself! Makes a dad swell up with pride.

SUGGESTIONS, ANYONE?

We're coming up on our nineteenth anniversary, Pat and I. And I need ideas for presents! (Out of self-interest I've decided against getting her a high-speed fiber optic upgrade for the computer!) You ladies out there, send me your ideas. And, no, Tiffany's is not out of the question.

WE'RE GOING GLOBAL!

Am pleased to report that The Report has been getting raves from around the world. It's been selected as one of the lead blogs in a new RSS feed (we'll call it "Really Simple Syndication") that will link thousands of other blogs, websites and bulletin boards throughout the world. Kudos

to you, my readers, for making The Report as popular as it is.

WELCOME HOME

Heard some news that made me smile. Those of you who've followed The Report may remember glowing comments over the years about this humble reporter's dear friend Donald Hawken--we were pioneers in this crazy computer world so many years ago I don't like to think about it. Donald escaped the Peninsula for greener pastures in San Diego. But I'm delighted to say that he's come to his senses and is returning, along with his bride, Lily, and his two wonderful children. Welcome home, Donald!

HEROES

Hats off to the brave firefighters of Monterey County. . . . Pat and I happened to be downtown on Alvarado last Tuesday when calls for help rang out and smoke sprouted from a construction site. Flames blocked the exit . . . with two construction workers trapped on the upper floors. Within minutes two dozen firemen and -women were on the scene and a fire truck had stretched its ladder to the roof. The men were plucked from harm's way, and the flames were extinguished. No injuries, minimal damage.

In most of our lives bravery involves little more than arguing politics or, at the most physical, snorkeling at fancy resorts or mountain biking.

How rarely are we called on to exhibit true courage--the way the men and women of Monterey County Fire and Rescue do every single day, without a moment's hesitation or complaint.

Bravo to you all!

Accompanying this posting was a dramatic photo of a fire truck in downtown Monterey.

"Typical of blogs," Boling said. "Personal information, gossip. People like to read that."

Dance also clicked on a link called "Monterey."

She was taken to a page that extolled "Our Home: The Beautiful and Historic Monterey Peninsula," featuring artistic photos of the shoreline and boats near Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf. There were a number of links to local sights.

Another link led them to maps of the area, including one that depicted her town: Pacific Grove.

Boling said, "This is all gingerbread. Let's look at the content of the blog . . . that's where we'll find the clues." He frowned. "Do you call them 'clues'? Or 'evidence'?"

"You can call 'em broccoli if it helps us find the perp."

"Let's see what the veggies reveal." He gave her another URL.