Archive By Section - Columnists
Last chance to attend Cowboy Fest
Today's your last chance to saddle up and mosey on over to Melody Ranch for the annual Cowboy Festival - the best part of living in the great SCV! Have some Cowboy Cobbler from the Cowboy Cultural Committee (cooked on coals in a Dutch oven) and listen to some of the finest entertainment west of the Rio Grande!
Enterprising pols shelve Californians' best interests
I never cease to be amazed by the great lengths traveled by pols in trampling underfoot the shiny promises made on needy campaign stumps.
Education funding should be a top priority
California faces some very difficult times, given the state's budget deficit. In January, the governor announced a $14.5 billion shortfall.
New enterprise zone already boosting economy
After nine full months of operation, the city of Santa Clarita's Enterprise Zone has proven to be an amazing new tool in the economic development toolbox, benefiting the local business community. All types of city-based businesses have taken advantage of the hiring tax credit including car dealers, restaurants, retail, and industrial and manufacturing companies.
Big steps toward stomping out arthritis
The prevalence of arthritis and chronic joint symptoms is surging, affecting more than 45,000 in Santa Clarita alone and approximately 46 million (one in five) Americans.
The lies of the Clintons
Hillary's latest effort at "embellishing" (actually, it's called "inventing" or "fabricating") on her visit to our troops in Bosnia while a war was going on there comes as no surprise. She was merely trying to inform
Earth Week in Santa Clarita
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, was conceived by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin as a means of
A legislative solution to a nonexistent problem
One thing everyone can agree upon: Water served to the public should be clean, safe, potable and free of
Endless Iraq Whack-a-Mole
"I want to cut off the finger I voted with." Ayad Hassan heaps scorn on the Iraqi government that he cast a ballot for two years ago. Hassan finally got out of Sadr City three weeks ago after being pinned down in his house for days while renewed open warfare again devastated his neighborhood.
A checklist for buying a new home
Home ownership and housing are essential to the strength and vitality of a region. It is the cornerstone of family security and stability; it strengthens our communities; it is crucial to the national and regional economy; and it enhances overall quality of life.
Some legislative relief for schools
The most distinguishing factor between national, state and local government is the ability of local politicos to shed the mantle of partisan politics in an effort to work together to achieve the common good. The city of Santa Clarita is a prime example of that very fact. With that in mind, I offer hearty congratulations to Mayor Bob Kellar and Laurie Ender, the clear winners in Santa Clarita's City Council election. Bob Spierer, Diane Trautman, ...
The best medicine Medicare can allow
My mother used to say, "Whoever called old age the 'Golden Years' must have been color-blind." Having recently spent time visiting elderly relatives in some rather sad and sterile skilled nursing facilities, I've been giving serious thought to how I'll be living out my Golden Years, should I make it that far.
Annual Cowboy Festival rides into Santa Clarita Valley
Since 1994, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival has been recognized as one of the best in the West, taking visitors back in time and bringing to life the music, magic, and spirit of the Old West. The city of Santa Clarita encourages folks of all ages to come and enjoy the sights, sounds, and original cuisine of the 2008 Cowboy Festival. The main festival is set to run Saturday, April 26, through Sunday, April 27, ...
Are you ready to cowboy up?
SCV Scene The best time of the year is here. The Cowboy Festival at Melody Ranch in Placerita Canyon rides into town next weekend. Great food, great music, great fun and a chance to walk the historic streets of the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio where many famous Western films and television shows were made ("The Lone Ranger," "Gunsmoke," "Hopalong Cassidy" and many others). Visit www.cowboyfestival.org for schedules and ticket information. Santa Clarita Symphony For ...
Our water supply 'portfolio'
If you're an investor with a diversified portfolio, there's a pretty good chance you have greater peace of mind during an economic downturn than you would if all of your financial eggs were in the same basket. That simple philosophy - diversification - can save you money and headaches over the long run.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Jonas Peterson: Environmental reform needed
At a time when California is striving to encourage both sustainable growth and job creation, reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is imperative.
Donna Brazile: Leaned on for leaning in
Cheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," has sparked a debate about the role of women in America - and everywhere else.
Doug Patton: Red states should be careful what they wish for
Recently, Republican Governors Rick Perry of Texas and Terry Branstad of Iowa appealed to those wanting to flee liberal California.
Kevin Bayona: North Korea is a dangerous nuclear power
Many Americans may find it difficult to believe, but North Korea and its imperious leader, Kim Jong-un, have yet again hurled a threat to wipe South Korea and the United States off the face of the Earth with a nuclear strike.
Tom Purcell: Income Tax 101
Ah, the income tax preparation season is upon us.
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!"
Kathryn Lopez: Much hope in Pope
Rome - "May God forgive you." That's Cardinal Timothy Dolan's translation of a joke that Pope Francis told the College of Cardinals a day after being elected the 267th pontiff.
Steve Lunetta: Dogs have owners, cats have staff?
I've never liked cats. I find them to be obnoxious, arrogant, and down-right evil. If you've had a bad day at work, a cat's first response is "good, you are here. Feed me. Now."
Steven and Cokie Roberts: Dolley Madison was a model of savvy
When Dolley Payne Madison became first lady in 1809, she instituted Wednesday evening gatherings at the White House where political rivals could meet and talk.
David Hegg: Ethically Speaking
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that ethics are those moral principles by which individuals order their lives. Further, let's agree that, broadly defined, the study of ethics is the attempt to identify these ethical sets, and determine which offers the best life.
Tom Purcell: How not to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Ah, St. Patrick's Day is upon us.
