Guest Column | Salad and Silicon: A Chance to Coexist
The approval of a plan by the California Redistricting Commission, which includes splitting Jimmy Panettaās 20th Congressional District into two congressional, assembly and state senate entities, has failed communities across California with its inherent refusal to recognize the unique identities of the districts involved....
Guest Column | Tackling the Commercial Property Crime Epidemic
As the once-owner of Salinas Valley Ford Truck Center in Salinas, I find myself grappling with a profound sense of loss and frustration. For more than three decades, our family business provided excellent service to the local community and government agencies. Then, in the blink of...
Funny Papers Again Column | āFor a Better World, What Would You Change?ā
If I were a cleverer wordsmith, I am sure I could come up with the right phrase, or adage, to convey how a bad thing can turn into a good thing; how a misstep may lead to a better path. It is possible Iāll...
Letters to the Editor for Week of May 31
South County Newspapers welcome Letters to the Editor of fewer than 400 words. Submit all letters with the writer's name and contact information to [email protected].
Letter to the Editor | Deadly Force at School
To the Editor:
One of the default solutions offered for countering an active shooter in a school is arming teachers. Thus, ensuring that āthe schoolā can push back on an intruder rapidly and lethally.
At first glance, this solution rings true; but is it really? Like...
Window on the World Column | The Chaos That Can Be Christmas
I recall so clearly the simplicity of the holidays when we were young. We would show up and be fed and presented with presents, as it were. (Occasionally I would help Mum with the wrapping, but that was about the extent of my responsibilities.)...
Funny Papers Again Column | Tis the Time to Gather and Remember
The body politic of a school campus is known as the student union, so it follows that when a class graduates from the institution, those students are no longer part of the union. There is a tradition within societies that members of a particular...
Window on the World Column | Photographs and Memories
The best-made plans, as they say, are invariably subject to change. I had lots of projects in mind for the weekend ahead. Since I am working on a new book, I like to squeeze in some āme hoursā in my free time, stolen minutes...
Letter to the Editor | Rally to Protect Communities From Harmful Pesticides
To the Editor:
The organization Safe Ag, Save Schools (SASS) is working under the umbrella of Californians for Pesticide Reform to bring back, and expand to online, the posting of pesticide applications around schools in Monterey County and throughout the state of California.
Watch for...
Window on the World Column | Busy People
Busy people stay busy. And not much alters with time, despite your best efforts to spend more time relaxing at home with a novel, or ⦠ahem ⦠working on your own novel.
As many of you know, I have been trying to work on...

















