Archive By Section - Columnists
Post-partisan people and SCV progress
Today I'd like to share my thoughts about the future of political discourse for people in the Santa Clarita Valley. I want to address the GOOD Republicans and the GOOD Democrats of the valley, which I'll address later in this column.
California governing gone bad
Governing California is serious stuff. California is home to more than 35 million people. Our state budget is over $110 billion.
California business was a loser in '08
Dateline: Nov. 5, 10:05 p.m., my living room couch. It has taken a little more than 24 hours, but I'm finally coming to terms with the events of Nov. 4, - a momentous day in this country's great history. First, let me say congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama, his family and supporters. It was a hard-fought battle, marred with a cornucopia of negative ads and contentious words. However, despite my personal politics and my disagreement ...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
The countdown is on. T-minus 14 days until my favorite season of the year begins. Fall is a magical time in my house; we thankfully say goodbye to triple-digit temperatures, bring out the blue jeans, and spend our Saturday afternoons watching college football. September means back to school, October sees our annual visit to Lombardi's Ranch, while November is the beginning of the holiday season. Adding to my excitement for fall this year is the ...
Two parties, two platforms, two philosophies
These past two weeks the Democrats and the Republicans were given the opportunity to present their political platforms, candidates and philosophy to the American people.
Is bigger really better for area water agency?
In response to the Oct. 20 story "One valley, one water supplier," we ask: Is bigger really better?
Try drought-tolerant plants and these irrigation tips on your lawn
Is your lawn a slacker? We mean that in the nicest possible way. It's not like your lawn sits on the couch and plays video games all day. But don't let it fool you into thinking it is working as hard now as it was this summer. Did you know your lawn is only "working" when the sun is out? In other words, as the days got longer in early summer, your grass received more ...
A letter to a new grandson
Dear Brayden Jay: You came into the world on Nov. 1, 2008, exactly 20 years after the birth of your Uncle Chip. Poppa appreciates this since it makes it easy to remember the birthday! I view your baby pictures available on the Internet and see the determined look of your mother, our beautiful and intelligent second daughter, and feel the great joy at the second grandchild brought into the world. Our children and grandchildren provide ...
SCV honors its veterans
Veterans Day was first incorporated by President Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919 at the end of World War I. The implementation of an armistice, which is a temporary cessation of hostilities, came with the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, which was signed in 1919 between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November 1918. President Wilson said when he proclaimed the first Armistice Day, "To ...
Christmas around the corner
I know, I know... it was a shock to the season to walk into several retail stores around town the day after Halloween and see Christmas trees in full bulb-blazing glory. I'm not trying to give you sleepless nights, but Christmas is merely 46 days away!
On houseguests and $50 soap
An old friend from bachelorhood called and said he'd be in town on business, asked if he could stay at my place so he wouldn't have to pay for a hotel room. The guy was financially struggling. My wife and I said no.
It is time to reinvent ourselves
Ryan Leaf was one of the most highly rated college quarterbacks in history. Along with his contemporary, Peyton Manning, Leaf was heralded as a sure-fire hit in the NFL: the stuff of legends.
Fun is a ‘drag’
When I was a kid, I never got tired of playing with my Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. When my mom dragged me to the store, I always had at least two toy vehicles tucked in my pocket for a race down the cashier's two-lane countertop.
Politics both here and abroad
Staring at the wreckage of the 2008 political process, I wonder how we got into this situation.
Here's hoping for some change
Today we have a new president-elect and a new direction. In our own uniquely American way, we have had quite an amazing bloodless revolution for change in our government. The opposing parties, instead of shooting it out at each other to kill every last rival, praised each other in genuinely heartfelt and eloquent concession and victory speeches meant to heal rifts and bring our country back together. What an incredible process we have.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Gary Horton: Timeless lessons to be remembered
Last week our Starbucks friend Herman invited Carrie and me to attend a special Holocaust memorial service at Santa Clarita Valley's Congregation Beth Shalom.
Maria Gutzeit: California needs to improve business attitude
My one-word summary of the community lobby day put on by Assemblyman Scott Wilk. R-Santa Clarita, and KHTS radio last month?
Peter Funt: Steal this video
Back in 1971 when the hippie revolution's Pied Piper, Abbie Hoffman, authored "Steal This Book," he got the very outrage he sought. Thirty publishing houses rejected it and, when the book finally came out, more than a dozen newspapers refused to print ads to promote it.
Kevin Buck: It's been a long and winding road
Over the course of a lifetime I have observed, joined, written about and learned much from political battles.
David Hegg: Ethically Speaking
The existence of evil in our world has been the grounds for some of the greatest questions we humans ever ask. Why did tragedy take the life of someone so young? Why did a stray bullet hit an innocent bystander? Why did my father die of Alzheimer's?
Kathryn Lopez: Abortion law ramifications frightening
In the face of the darkness that befell Newton, Conn., there has been an expectation of something more, but it doesn't have to do with legislation. Father Peter Cameron, a Dominican priest, preached to the families gathered at St. Rose of Lima Church there the Sunday after the school massacre about the hope that he saw in them.
Timothy Myers: What I like about the SCV
The die for the Myers clan is finally cast. This past week we made an offer on a home in Irvine, California.
Joe Gandelman: Why Mike Rice had to go
Retired professional basketball coach and former basketball player Phil Jackson once said: "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball."
Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall
Santa Clarita's rich Western heritage takes center stage each year at the city's acclaimed Cowboy Festival. This year marks the 20th annual event, which attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year from all over the country and beyond.
Tom Purcell: Financial responsibility Obama-style
Get this: President Obama has proclaimed April as National Financial Capability Month.
Danny Tyree: R.I.P. Roxanne
Most likely, by the time you read this, one of my dearest family members has either died of natural causes or been euthanized.
Joe Messina: National Day of Prayer supports the SCV
An estimated 400 Santa Claritans will participate in the 2013 National Day of Prayer. This is the ninth year that an event has been hosted in our valley and I have served as its chairman.
Cary Quashen: Help for today, hope for tomorrow
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, and this year's theme is "Help For Today, Hope For Tomorrow."
Ken Blum: Is bad news good news?
It's the most common reader complaint, heard throughout the history of hometown newspapers. Benjamin Franklin got an earful as publisher of the Philadelphia Gazette. You probably heard it yesterday.
Steve Lunetta: Faith-based discrimination at CSU sites
Have you ever been driving in a car and find yourself drowsy? We've all done it.
