Tomorrow in Valley Voices, retired teacher Larry A. Smith gives some tips on the appropriate -- and polite -- way to act at a public function, like a movie or concert. Jorge A. Aguilar, assistant to the chancellor at UC Merced, talks about minorities making an impact in their professions. And education professor Scott Key talks about the dropout crisis in our public schools.

This week's Meet our Letter Writers features interviews a retired druggist who came to the United States from Austria more than 50 years ago. And our lead editorial on Sunday addresses the health-care crisis that California -- and especially the Valley -- faces.

For the following weekend, we're working on a special collection of letters from readers. We want to know what's on your mind, what challenge you think we face as a community and as a nation as we enter a new year. Please send us your letters, on that topic or any other that strikes your fancy. We'd love to hear from you!

You can send your letters to letters@fresnobee.com.