Archive By Section - Columnists
Next president could re-align the Supreme Court
Awhile ago, I wrote an article entitled "Supreme Court direction." I think that I was at least somewhat prophetic in regard to three recent Supreme Court decisions, two of which leaned to the left.
July news from the Picarella household
Election heats up As my son's first day of kindergarten nears, nobody can clearly say who will win dibs on that first goodbye kiss. My wife's campaign to the kiss is going strong with support from as far as her uncle in South Carolina. My support doesn't leave the state, but it might be enough to garner that first smooch on Wednesday, Aug. 13. "I just want to kiss Mommy and Daddy," said my son ...
Low-income housing must be integrated throughout SCV
To include or not to include was not the question at Tuesday night's city meeting on inclusionary housing.
The lesser-regarded invisible hands of capitalism
Economists of all stripes have long taught the lessons of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." Smith's "Invisible Hand" of free markets has particular fame, and one hears reference to it frequently - sometimes correctly, but often twisted beyond its intent.
500 channels and everything to watch
I am sure we can all agree that one of the wonders of the 20th century was the invention of television, and that its only real rival in history as a conveyor of information was the invention of the printing press.
Risking it all for cheap gas
A friend of mine called and asked if I had received a recent Buck McKeon mailer stating that the price of gasoline could drop as low as $2.09 a gallon if only Congress would approve a variety of bills presently co-sponsored by him.
Rally around Tony Strickland
My fellow Republicans, 2008 is the year to rally 'round our party's candidates. Spread the good word that Santa Clarita's Republican Party is alive and well.
Summer in the SCV is heating up!
It is truly summer in the SCV, hot, hotter and hottest! As my good friend Richard Green tells everyone, "The blast furnace that is the SCV summer is not a good time for planting trees, or much of anything else!" Can you believe that school starts for most SCV kids in less than a month?
Learn to protect your identity on ‘Shred Day’
The threat of identity theft looms over everyone. The issue of having someone steal your personal information and use it as his or her own receives much attention.
Cops face uphill battle fighting gangs
Cities and counties across California are becoming war zones as gangs fight and kill for control of streets and larger shares of the drug market and other criminal enterprises.
Thoughts on our series of recent local ‘shockers’
Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds? Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here! (A croupier hands Renault a pile of money.) Croupier: Your winnings, sir. Captain Renault (Sotto voce): Oh, thank you very much. (Aloud) Everybody out at once! - "Casablanca," 1942 The classic scene above became synonymous with cynicism in high places. The morally ambivalent Capt. Renault, Vichy puppet of the Nazis in Casablanca, ...
First ladies: It’s not just about gowns and glamour
Throughout American history, the role of first lady has been an important one. Although it includes no official duties or pay, first lady status carries a certain tradition for embracing causes.
The Avenue at Santa Clarita is Las Lomas Jr.
Within the city of Santa Clarita there is very little land available to be developed, the exception being the Whitaker Bermite site, which is in the process of being cleaned and de-contaminated.
The wife’s not a fan of the fan
My wife hates my fan. It's a little white 2-speed oscillating fan that I use to keep cool at night while I sleep. My little fan helps save energy and money by giving my air conditioner a rest, yet my wife can't stand the thing. But before I make my wife out to have a red tail and a pitchfork, I should give a little background on the fan. I can't lie. I don't just ...
Good manners include good dressing habits
Dressing, being fashionable, wardrobe management - they all pose questions from time to time. Women deliberate over what to wear, when to wear it, how it looks and fits, how it makes them feel. Men pick it out, put it on and move along.
Articles by Section - Columnists
David M. Shribman: On the lost art of letter-writing
He was getting older, he worried about losing his balance fishing on the end rocks, and his hearing was failing him. So was his short-term memory.
Gary Horton: More residents should find the Master Chorale
Think "inspiration." Think "spiritually beautiful." Think "melodically breathtaking."
Jim Mullen: Village Idiot
I know there are couples who enjoy cooking together and make it look like a well-rehearsed ballet. They savor the aroma of their secret recipe for wild salmon over lemon couscous, stir each other's soups and sample each other's sauces.
Kevin Buck: Jesus would be a liberal Democrat
Recently my wife unearthed some old Signal newspapers, one of which contained a letter to the editor I had written. The Signal printed that letter on May 17, 1996.
Tom Campbell: Drink it like it’s water? Only if it IS water
Maybe you remember when you were a kid and you poured a giant glass of orange juice, and your mother said something like this: "Take it easy! Orange juice is expensive, and you're drinking it like it's water!"
