Opinion

Happy New Year! January is such a hopeful month because it represents a new beginning. What are you resolving to do this new year? 1. The Winter Reading Club continues through January, so you still have time to sign up and get a free book....

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...

I cannot recall the first time I learned about The Great Depression of my parent’s generation, but I do remember their stories of that time in American history. As early as elementary school we watched period newsreels depicting unemployed workers in soup kitchen lines,...

Happy October! We have officially entered fall in October, the best time of the year, and here are things we are celebrating this month. 1. The Inktober Challenge! During the month of October, we challenge anyone and everyone to pick up a pen or pencil...

I’ve never been much of a fan of the “Year in Review” news magazines that are a key post in the ground at the end of each year. I don’t mind recalling the good stuff; but I would not choose to go there with...

It seemed as if it should be simple enough. Used to be that way. I wanted to go to my hometown of my home country and sprinkle the ashes of my oldest friend’s mother on the sea wall, where we used to hang out...

I am fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle when one is required, and so I was recently able to make it to two events, one as participant and the other as attendee. These two events were miles and cultures apart; not uncommon...

Some years ago, in a library in Southern California, I gave a book to a young lady in hopes she would find it a compelling story. She replied she had heard of the book but had yet to read it and thanked me for...

East Greenfield is not an official designation, but it serves my purpose as definition because I can remember a time when the whole of the area east of Third Street was just about the extent of residential property; and most of that was on...

How suitable is it that this year, Remembrance Sunday, falls on Nov. 9 — the 25th anniversary of my mother’s death. On that day, I shall coincidentally be in my hometown, the place we both loved, to honor her memory, and all the time...