Happy birthday, Helen

You’d think Helen Jones of Costa Mesa had seen it all in a century of

living -- from man’s fledgling days of airplane flight to his first

steps on the moon.

She’s witnessed the evolution of the automobile from the earliest

flivvers to the latest Ferraris, and has twice watched the world go

to war.

Well, she’s certainly seen a lot. But the sight of a team of

uniformed firefighters showing up for her 100th birthday party last

week with a special “permit” allowing her to light that many candles

had to be a first.

Born in 1905, before women could vote, Jones has more than doubled

the then-average lifespan of 47 years for women. For that she credits

no magic elixir -- just a good old Manhattan cocktail promptly at 5

p.m. every day.

The many kind words and good wishes from family and friends during

her party left Jones speechless -- something, her son said, happens

to her every 100 years.

So, at the risk of causing her to clam up again, lets us add ours.

Happy birthday, Helen Jones, and many more. Cheers.