Archive By Section - Columnists
Could we all just swear off profanity?
Earlier this week I was in front of a Signal news rack, picking up an extra copy of the newspaper. There was a young man standing nearby with a toddler whom I believe was his son.
Yes, Ms. Simon, these are the good old days
(Editor's note: This memorable column originally ran in 1999.) Once upon a time, chanteuse Carly Simon told me, and millions of other impassioned young listeners, "These are the good old days" - that line being a catchy trailer on her hit song, "Anticipation." Throughout my earlier years I briefly contemplated the meaning of that simple message on numerous occasions. It wasn't until my 30s, however, that her words affected me in a most profound way. ...
To hit or not to hit
My wife and I are parents of a 4-year-old boy, and we're faced with the duty to discipline him.
1,000-pound gorilla is immigration
The Secure Fence Act was passed in October 2006, but Congress adjourned without appropriating funds to implement building it. The act included mandated deadlines, such as an interlocking surveillance camera system to be installed by May 2007 and a portion of the fence to be completed by the end of 2008.
Polluted water still counts
Recently, a Sacramento Assemblyman introduced a bill to stop counting polluted water in Urban Water Management Plans and Water Service Assessments.
Right is 'Right about never'
Friday's Signal Op/Ed page seemed an extension of the hilarious April Fools' edition. That Signal front page was over-the-top riotous, not just for its elaborately contrived tales, but also for the knowledge that despite obvious cues, so many readers would look past the warnings and actually believe the farcical fiction.
Entire family can help with an eco-journal project
Making an eco-journal can be a great family project and a wonderful learning tool for kids. Any notebook will do. You don't need anything fancy - just an appreciation of the outdoors and a willingness to learn.
History lessons apply today
Many folks today don't seem to care about history. It seems like our younger generation knows more about Britney's latest mental breakdown than Britain's great struggle against fascism. They would prefer to listen to their iPods rather than stories about the war for iNdependence. An evening of playing Guitar Hero is more desirable than watching "To Hell and Back," the true story of a True Hero - Audie Murphy. Much is lost by not observing ...
Your government
Here is a list of addresses and telephone numbers for elected officials representing the Santa Clarita Valley and the city of Santa Clarita.
Lawmakers: Pledge to back funds for public schools
No one can question that what draws so many families to Santa Clarita is our wonderful schools. I have an undying respect for the teachers, staff and administrators of our local school districts.
'Pledge' recited regularly in SCV schools
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
GOP: 'Top 10 List of Dems' Tax Increases'
In Sacramento, we are at a time of the year when we are forced to make tough, but necessary, decisions in terms of dealing with the state budget. Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues are only interested in one thing: taxing hard-working Californians.
Dick Cheney's dismissive prejudice
"Basically, I am skeptical about the ability of government to solve problems, and I have a healthy respect for the ability of people to solve problems on their own."
City plans Arbor Day 2008 celebration
There are only a few select cities in the United States that can say they are passionately dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and air quality of their city. As the nation continues to grow and expand in all directions, business and housing expansions frequently come at the expense of local forest preservation. The city of Santa Clarita, however, is a city devoted to being environmentally and tree-friendly.
Take me out to the B&G Club auction
April is a funny month for me - on one hand, it is tax month (both property taxes and federal and state income taxes are due) on the other hand, the Cowboy Festival rides into town during the last weekend of the month. As anyone who has read this column for any length of time knows, the Cowboy Festival is my favorite event of the year! So mosey on over to Melody Ranch the weekend ...
Articles by Section - Columnists
Right Here Right Now: Ending bad finance deals in education
In a rare display of solidarity, the California Assembly approved AB 182 by a vote of 73-0.
Kevin Bayona: What happens after Boston?
The bombings in Boston are beyond what I ever thought I would see in an American city.
Jim Mullen: Algebra comes in handy
Pop quiz: How often do you use algebra, trigonometry and calculus as an adult? Most of us would say "never"! The folks who do use advanced math would say that without it, you wouldn't have cellphones and Wi-Fi and TV and weather satellites and GPS and Google and nuclear power and a gazillion other things that make modern life worth living. And for a change, both camps would be right.
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.
