Opinion

“I want that body!” I said to the husband. We were watching the Olympic Swim Trials. Broad shoulders, muscles, I love it! It’s that time of year when people are stripping down, displaying their body-beautiful to the world, heading to the ocean or a...

It is not uncommon that readers will occasionally offer nice comments about Funny Papers Again, and because I’m only good at speaking to people when they are an audience and I’m working from a script written by someone else, I usually find myself tongue...

I’ve never got hung up on Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers … if we grew up together, then you are mine, and sometimes you are mine if we didn’t. Most of my family are bits and pieces from all over the place and I think...

There’s a plaque leaning up against a tree in my front garden. It’s old and weathered; but the message remains solid — “Enjoy the Journey.” It will always live with me. It reminds me of my sister Rosie and her successful efforts to enjoy...

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, that December is normally a very busy month with myriad holiday-themed events, which if not well navigated can lead to a bit of stress; psychologists will support that statement. Like most of us, I seek...

As a former California State Assemblymember and Monterey County Supervisor, I am deeply concerned about the pressing issue of rising prescription drug prices and healthcare accessibility. Our state’s progress depends on the advancement and well-being of all its communities, especially those at risk. With...

The Covid-19 pandemic has dominated the headlines for 18 months — and rightly so. But there is another respiratory virus that still demands our full attention. I’m referring to the all-too-common influenza, a viral infection that can be deadly, especially in high-risk groups. The flu...

I have written before about why I believe in Santa Claus. Perhaps more than you want to read, but there are many reasons I love this time of the year. The whole idea that we greet each other with a smile, even if it’s...

I often tell people how difficult it can be to put 1,000 words together every week with the expectation those words will somehow make sense and in so doing entertain readers for a few minutes. I tell people this because it is easy to...

To the Editor: Last week I wrote a guest column on the Western Flyer, the legendary boat that took John Steinbeck and Doc Ricketts to the sea of Cortez in 1940. A reader pointed out it wasn’t all about community, that Carol Steinbeck helped a great...