In Saturday's Valley Voices, a page reserved for local columnists, Armen Bacon, senior director for communications and public relations for thefresno County Office of Education, writes about a mysterious pink building in downtown Fresno that fascinates her; Dr. Linda Halderman, a general surgeon practicing in rural south Fresno County, frames the Israel-Palestine question in local geographic terms; painter Jessica Keller Huebschwerlen suggests we make the very most of our time with loved ones because we ... just ... never ... know ... who won't be there next Christmas.

In Sunday Vision:

David Mas Masumoto writes his farewell (sort of) letter. He has been writing essays in letter form for The Bee for years and he has decided that format has run its course. The good news is he and artist Doug Hansen will continue to collaborate on Vision covers every month, but it will be in a more general essay format.

Our Sunday lead editorial reprints the classic letter from the New York Sun, where the editor answers a question from a little girl who asks, "Is there a Santa Claus?" Take this opportunity to share his classic answer with the next generation.

Marilou Judy-Moore is profiled by Pam Rowse in Meet Our Letter Writers.

Columnist Ellen Goodman writes about Mary Cheney and wonders why all the fuss is about the two mommies, rather than who's the daddy?

We debate two views on free trade addressing the question:"Will tougher labor and enviornmetnal rules in free-trade agreements hurt the U.S. economy?

Victor Davis Hanson explains why radical Islam is taking over so many unstable places.

Maureen Dowd says that the lack of "intellectual urgency" regarding the Middle East Wars is chilling, with only 33 Arabic speakers -- just six who are fluent -- in our embassy of 1,000 employees.

Thomas L. Friedman lays out a list of Mideast rules to live by.

The Valley's Top 10 list of people who should get coal in their stockings includes "Devin Nunes for trying to dam the San Joaquin River settlement" and "those spanking fools at Alarm One."

Enjoy!