| Cuban tradition is a blessing for family
Until Sunday morning, newlyweds Jian Cheung and Ocnaliza Lesmana didn't know much about Cuba, much less José Martí and a tradition that dates back to the pre-communist Cuban era. But minutes after their 7-pound, 11-ounce son, Justin, came into this world, they were told about one of the benefits of having a child born Jan. 28 — the gobs of gifts that would come their way. For years, Cubans celebrated Jan. 28 — the birthday of Martí, the father of Cuban independence — by giving children born that day layettes called "Canastilla Martiana" as a way to honor and remember Martí. On Sunday, Cubans everywhere (except in Cuba, where Fidel Castro prohibits it) continue the gift-giving tradition. At University Hospital, four members of the Cuban Cultural Center of San Antonio presented the Cheung family with gifts of a crib and mattress set, clothes, bottles, diapers, a stroller, a baby bathtub and other items that totaled $700.
O’s: Baby steps before a full-out sprint
“I think before we talk about the Red Sox and the Yankees — we've tried to be very consistent about this — we have to prove ourselves and that's really been our goal all along," Duquette said. “How that's going to translate into wins and losses? We don't know. But we know we're a lot better than we were last year. I think that our focus has got to be improving our play on the field before we can start looking at the big dogs in our division." Duquette and Flanagan answered questions from the approximately 20 fans that showed up at the downtown restaurant, talking about the state of the organization's minor league system, the growth of the team's young pitchers and when the team will emerge from its almost decade-long rut of mediocrity. The Orioles will begin spring training next week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Feb.
Reigning cats and dogs
When Buddy went shopping last week, he sampled nearly as many treats as his owner Laura Zimmerman bought for him. The terrier and basset hound mix was so pampered by the employees and manager at Treats Unleashed that Zimmerman said he probably wouldnt need dinner. The visit to the pet boutique has become a weekly event for the pair. Buddy even sniffs out the treats and sometimes the outfits he wants, Zimmerman said. She is willing to pay the extra cost to shop at a pet boutique because the products are of higher quality, she said. .
Long-lasting lights adorn intersections through San Jose
At Sixth and Santa Clara streets in the shadow of San Jose City Hall, Susan Chow waited for the pedestrian light with her 4-year-daughter, Ann, in a stroller. But she wasn't nervous about crossing the busy five-lane street. The young San Jose mom knew exactly how much time she had to safely walk the 35 yards from the south to north side of the intersection, thanks to an orange light ticking away the seconds, "17, 16, 15 ...". She made it with three seconds to spare. "That's good," Chow said of the new light, "especially when you have a little child with you like this. It makes me feel safer." The number of countdown signals have mushroomed across the Bay Area and state, the indirect result of a state mandate four years ago for cities to switch to new technology to save energy.
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