The Special Preparedness Issue will be mailed to subscribers Monday. Our Wisconsin printer, which does the mailing, sent us six advance copies Friday. Midstate subscribers can expect their issue this week, while both coasts will probably get theirs next week.

An important note for new subscribers (if you signed up in the last two weeks): You will have to wait a bit longer to get your issue as it takes time to get your name in our system. We’ll mail your first issue from our Oregon office after we get our bulk quantities from the printer in about a week. In the future, you’ll get your new issue sent directly from the printer.

This new issue will take about two weeks to reach the newsstands where I predict it will sell out in a week. The demand for it has been very heavy.

My middle son, Robby, 15, finally came down with the flu two days ago now that the rest of us are pretty much over it. Bad timing for him since he was scheduled to play in the JV golf tournament at Bandon Dunes yesterday. He insisted on playing and did well, shooting a 56 on the back 9. I expect that, like his brothers, he’ll be out of school for a week. This is the worst flu season I can remember. For most people I know who have had it, the symptoms have lasted between three and four weeks. Lenie and I still have a residual cough, but otherwise are over it.

Bandon Dunes is one of the most famous courses in America and features a 16th Hole that is the most photographed hole in America. It is a links course along the ocean and the wind blows just about all the time. It was blowing about 35 mph during the JV tournament.