Guest Column | The Beauty of Monterey County Is Its People, Carried Forward by the Promise We Make to Their Future
When I first moved to California, people often told me I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Now when people say that, I pause before agreeing. Yes, the coastline is breathtaking. The rolling hills, the ocean views, the green...
Funny Papers Again Column | Rick’s Flag Fluttering O’er a Flagging Nation
I found Rick’s flag in seven minutes. The chances of that happening were one in over 220; sizable odds at any gaming house or racetrack. This happened on Memorial Day in Greenfield, where 122 military personnel are interned in town and 80 interned at...
Guest Column | Monterey County Free Libraries’ 5 Things to Celebrate in June 2026
Summer season is here! Libraries are open and this is the best time of year to visit the library.
1. MCFL ramps up programs for summer with the Summer Reading Club (SRC). Summer Reading is for EVERYONE, not just kids, but research shows that kids...
Window on the World Column | Lucy and Her Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
“I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was...
Funny Papers Again Column | Two Writers: One Contradictory, the Other an Idiot
When a writer is telling a story, varying audiences must be kept in mind, this can reveal differing descriptions of people, places and events about the same subject. I recently found an example of variations in the writings of none other than our own...
Window on the World Column | My Daughter Is a Nurse
My little sister Rosie used to call my daughter a grafter, a nice London term for someone who works hard. And that has always been true — even though my daughter had no interest in going to university, she wanted to get her CNA...
Letter to the Editor | Independent Voice for 18th District
To the Editor:
Congress is not working for the Salinas and Pajaro valleys. Families are working hard and still falling behind. The cost of housing, healthcare and everyday life keeps rising. Rather than offer solutions, Republicans and Democrats in Washington are locked in fights and...
Window on the World Column | Modern Traveler Tales
Never let it be said that I travel light. I always aspire to travel lighter, but thus far it has never happened. “Oh, you’re checking a bag?” people ask me, as if that is a ridiculous concept for such a short visit, wherever I’m...
Guest Column | Opening Doors to Careers in Healthcare
The mission at Mee Memorial has always extended beyond delivering high quality care. As a rural healthcare system, we also serve as a major local employer. From clinical staff to maintenance professionals, housekeeping teams and surgeons, our organization supports hundreds of jobs that help...
Window on the World Column | Life at the Boarding School
“Where did you go to high school, grandma?” my 11-year-old granddaughter enquired, ever the curious little squirrel.
“Well, it’s a bit complicated,” I reply. She waited. “You see, I went to school in England — a boarding school — from the age of 9-15.”
She gasped....



















