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.

Joe Gandelman: Will America regret Snowden’s intelligence leaks?

A popular graphic making the rounds on the Internet shows Boston Marathon bombing terrorist brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with the caption: "Apparently Not Verizon Customers."

Kevin Bayona: Things heat up in Turkey

When the Arab Spring erupted back in December of 2010, I never thought the revolutions and protests we witnessed on our television screens would reach Turkey, considered by many to be a democratic anchor of stability in an otherwise un-democratic and unstable part of the world.

Ever feel like you’re being watched?

Killing me with kisses

In some countries, greeting friends with a kiss is the common custom. France, Italy, Greece and Hollywood come to mind.

Repeal, don’t expand, ethanol mandate

Sometimes big government becomes so big that even good conservatives find themselves unwittingly advocating expansions of government in response to its failures.

Jonathan Kraut: Outraged by fake outrage

The U.S. Supreme Court will be announcing in a few weeks, or perhaps in just a few days, its ruling regarding the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8.

Donna Brazile: Governor Chris Christie outbluffs himself

In Washington, D.C., every sentence has a subtext, every question hides another question, and you have to know how to read between the lines. Thus, in Washington-speak, "Sen. Frank Lautenberg passed away at the age of 89" also means, "Who's replacing Lautenberg?"

Steve Lunetta: Dept. of Dumb Ideas

It happened when my son and I went to L.A. City Hall to take care of a parking ticket. My oldest boy has a hard time remembering that cars parked illegally in the city of Los Angeles get a small piece of paper that represents a fine.

Kathryn Lopez: People connect while not connecting

Maybe it's different for you, especially if you're reading this in an actual newspaper. But if you're online with me right now (trust me, I am at the computer as you're reading - that's what I do), you're probably in need of some silence.

Doug Patton: Congressman with guts takes on Obama

New members of the United States Congress are willing to risk their careers to state the truth to the American people. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is one, but unfortunately she has announced she is calling it quits after four terms in the House.

David Hegg:Information is the not same as knowledge

With another graduation season upon us, educational institutions across our great land are once again forcing students to endure a final, boring "rite of passage" known as the commencement address. Tradition has it that the very best address ever delivered was by Winston Churchill, who is remembered as declaring "Never, never, never give up", and then sitting down to thunderous applause. Whether the cheers were for his sentiment or brevity I leave you to decide.

Don’t call me Peter, call me Mr. Funt

Here's a little game I invented the other day after phoning the water company to complain about my bill and hearing an overly chipper woman say, "Hi, Peter. How may I help you?"

Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall

If you are looking to create a few new memories with your family and friends this summer, plan a trip using public transportation. Santa Clarita Transit is everywhere you want to be, from Santa Monica Beach and Hollywood to Main Street in Old Town Newhall.

Timothy Myers: It’s better to be appointed than elected in the SCV

By the time this column runs, the knowledgeable of the Santa Clarita Valley will know who the four elected members of the William S. Hart Union High School District board selected to fill out the (short) remainder of Paul Strickland's term, made vacant when he moved to Florida.

Byron York: Looking to 2016, Iowa GOP excited about Walker

When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker visited Iowa recently to speak at a well-attended Republican dinner, only one national political reporter (NBC's Alex Moe) showed up.