We would like to borrow from the Porgy and Bess opera with ‘Summertime, And the livin’ is easy Fish are jumpin’ And the cotton is high”, and that pretty much sums up our optimism for the next few months. It is summertime and we look forward to kicking back and relaxing.

Don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of issues to worry about, the immigration issue, education, health care, budget issues, several scandals, and of course politics in general. Yet at this time of the year, it just feels good to think about summer vacation, the beach, barbecues, and just plain relaxing instead of all those heavy issues that dog us throughout the year.

This year more than the few recent past years, for the community in general, there is a lot less stress worrying about the job, the economy, or a home foreclosure. For some folks the news is downright good with a steady job and maybe a bump up in pay.

For many we have been celebrating the graduation and promotions of our children and young adults. For the young adults leaving college the future does not look as bleak, the job market is difficult no doubt about that, but there is hope and opportunity.

For working adults and families there might even be enough money in the budget this year for a real vacation… those ‘stay vacations’ are okay but there is nothing like a week in Cancun.

So yes things are on the up tick, slow but steady, and we look forward to a summer break with a little rest and relaxation… see you at the beach!