Contributed

Riverside County homeowners were reminded that the first installment on their property tax bills will be due beginning Nov. 1, and no later than Dec. 11 to avoid penalties.

Americans were horrified at the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli villagers on October 7 this year. The brutality and futility of the attack rocked the imagination. Yet within days, we witnessed huge protest marches in U.S. and world capitals and universities in favor of Hamas.

Nearly 82 years ago, my father was born in Nazi-occupied Belgium. When he was only 3 weeks old, his own father, Max, was captured and murdered by Nazis; my dad survived because he was hidden by a series of Christian foster homes.

It has become impossible to distinguish between Israel’s decidedly non-surgical operation against Hamas militants in Gaza and the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians.

The Yuletide spirit will come alive later this week at the Riverside Convention Center, where the 34th annual "Festival of Trees" will be held for a two-day celebration featuring elaborately adorned firs, benefiting a Riverside County charity for children.