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
Blame the bombers, and nothing else
We are fortunate that the Boston Marathon bombing manhunt rendered both radicalized 26-year-old Tamarlan Tsarnaev and his 19-year-old brother Dzhokar no longer any threat.
No television, no worries
Besides aliens with eyes in the back of their heads, a possible interracial baby mix-up at the maternity ward and "Bet he'll laugh if I say 'shoehorn,'" one of my most indelible memories of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" has proven strangely prophetic.
Texas blast exposes disaster relief hypocrites
As of this writing, we know the fertilizer explosion in West, Texas, killed at least 14 residents and injured 200 others with many still missing.
Steve Lunetta: For the true scientist faith is inevitable
A co-worker the other day made an interesting comment. She said "I think its amazing that you are a scientist but still be a Christian. That must be very difficult to do."
Peter Funt: The only way to win is to not give in to fear
A Boston firefighter, one of many who rushed in to aid bomb victims last Monday, told a TV interviewer, "We will win. I promise you, we will win."
Cher Gilmore: Celebrating good news on Earth Day
On this 43rd anniversary of the first Earth Day, several recent good news events for the environment are worth celebrating:
David Hegg: Find grace in tolerance and disagreement
During the recent edition of college basketball's championship tournament I took great pleasure in cheering for my team. And, we did pretty well, but lost in the Elite Eight round.
Phil Kerpen: Sick people versus lobbyists
What if you had to choose between making insurance more affordable for Americans with pre-existing conditions or funding lobbyists and political hacks? That's the decision the House will face when it considers H.R. 1549, the Helping Sick Americans Now Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania. It should be an easy choice.
Tim Myers: Setting a bad example
I often utilize the term "geography" partisan. The definition of a geography partisan? An elected official or someone who aspires to elective office who adopts a party label pretty much solely because that party stands dominant in the particular area where the individual lives.
Dick Cesaroni: Congress, listen to the voters, not the NRA
I am a wavering Republican. By that I mean I am at the crossroads of going to the right, left or just canceling my participation all together.
Frank Ferry: Live from City Hall
In Santa Clarita you know you can shop for the latest styles or eat at a terrific restaurant, but did you also know that you can enjoy some of the best hiking in the region on oak-shaded trails with creeks and waterfalls?
What other abuse can be heaped on Castaic?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority has plans to place a carpool lane on Interstate 5 northbound from Highway 14 to Parker Road in Castaic. In fact, a Metro committee approved the plan - as a toll road - this week.
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.
