For far too many of us, Monday, Jan. 16, will be, at best, just another day off work or school. Few of us will stop to really think about the man who is honored on that day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In reality, this world would be a far better place if all of us stopped for a bit and really thought about Dr. King, about the role race plays in the way we think and respond, about the horrifying events that unfolded not centuries ago, but in our lifetimes.

To say that I am disappointed in the proposed 2012 budget for the Borough of Bellevue is putting it mildly.

It's not so much the tax increase. It's not even the sewer surcharge increase.

It's the fact that this town obviously is governed by a whole bunch of people who just don't get it.

Civic Light Opera's current production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Benedum Center includes two area actors performing in the children's choir in the musical that runs through Aug. 14.

Allison Adams and Felicia Niebel earned their positions in the "Hosanna" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" scenes following auditions on May 10.

Both girls have previous theatrical experience.

Allison appeared in the children's choir for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in 2009, "A Musical Christmas Carol" in 2010, and in "Evita" in March at Point Park Playhouse.

The Bellevue Avalon Baseball Association (BABA) is asking area residents to join them in raising funds to help the family of a volunteer coach.

Mark Trimmer, a local postal carrier, was critically injured in a car accident earlier this month and passed away on Monday.

BABA will lead a fund-raising effort on Sunday, June 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at the baseball fields at 521 New Brighton Road, Avalon.

There will be a D.J., home run and infield competitions, dunk tank, flea market, moon bounce, face painting, basket raffles, a Texas hold ‘em tournament and more.

You can feel it, can't you? Spring is definitely here.

All the signs are there: longer hours of daylight, daffodils and crocuses blooming as the lilies push their way out of the ground again and the trees start to bud.

Doesn't it just make you feel more energetic? Aren't you just rarin' to let go on some home improvement project?

In my case, the excitement over a new project is often more theoretical than practical. I can dream up all kinds of new projects. Getting them done is somewhat more of a challenge, as is evidenced by the rather extensive to-do list I've compiled.

"Improve the Vue" is a day of community service in and around Bellevue. The Bellevue Initiative for Growth (B.I.G.) is planning the event, which will be held on Saturday Oct. 9.

While I'm on a roll with reality-themed blogs here, I might as well confess my recently-acquired addiction to reality TV.

Five years ago, I did not even subscribe to cable television. I didn't watch that much TV, and didn't see the point in paying for it, of all things.

Then I found myself in the hospital for a few days, and was introduced to "Dancing with the Stars."

I love dancing. I love ballroom dancing. This was wonderful!

As an editor, I often struggle with issues surrounding what the public NEEDS to know, versus what they WANT to know.

If we print what people WANT to know, they'll buy papers. But at some point what people want to know drops perilously close to the level of gossip, in which I prefer not to indulge. Obviously gossip is big business, as evidenced by the number of celebrity gossip magazines, tabloids and Web sites. I am not at all convinced that the world needs to know what Mel Gibson said to his girlfriend, or who Miley Cyrus is dating. I'm not even sure why the world WANTS to know.

Three newly-elected members of Ben Avon Council were sworn in by Mayor Bob Jones Monday evening before council voted to return Lloyd Corder to the president’s chair and committee appointments were announced.

Pictured here from left are Corder, newly-elected council members Earl Bohn, Suzanne Weiss and Michael Bett, and Jones.

Corder was re-elected president of council in a unanimous vote, as was Weiss as vice president.

Corder was prepared to make committee assignments for the coming year, and also named council members to handle special projects.

Robert Schafers Robert H. Schafers, 84, of Kennedy Township, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 in Ohio Valley Hospital. Mr. Schafers was retired from Alcosan with 28 years of service. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Rev. James Forrest Rev. James A. Forrest, 87, of Avalon, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011. Rev. Forrest was a member of the Anglican Church of North America. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Forrest; four children, Robert, Gillian, Jonathan and Jennifer; his sister, Nancy Forrest Burkholder; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.