Opinion

Local column by Joanne Banuelos

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 I’ll...

To the Editor: On behalf of the members of the Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for the unbelievable generosity and support we received for our annual Salad Bar Scholarship Luncheon, which was held on Friday, April 25. We...

Every February, the nation comes together to recognize American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease.  It’s essential to be aware that even though heart disease is a significant health issue across America, many heart-related illnesses are preventable. Risk factors for...

I was born on the East Coast of England and many of my formative years were spent by, in and on the North Sea. To this day I still feel the call of the water. It’s so primal. Not just that water, all bodies...

I had eggs benedict with my daughter on my birthday on Park Row. That was a treat not for just the company, Jenny lives in Florida so we don’t see each other near enough, but also because of the food, which was delicious, and...

The day I started work at the newspaper was Halloween 1991. I remember that day so well, because the whole building was decorated in pumpkins and ghouls and all the staff were dressed up in elaborate outfits. Candy was on every desk — it...

How was your Memorial Day? It is always a somber time for me. I always spend some time each day of the past week thinking about the men who are longer with us. When I think of that, I remember that it wasn’t just...

It has been a long time since we had a pig in the family. You read that correctly. Back in 2011, when my daughter was young, she raised an award-winning pig for the Salinas Valley Fair through the high school 4-H Club. For rookies...