Opinion

What is humor? What makes us smile, what tickles our funny bones? Humor is a very serious subject for some, mostly those involved in therapy and counseling where humor has been found to be an indicator of one’s emotional and mental state. But for...

I remember my grandparents very clearly. They were our safe harbor when things in the house were a little stormy. My grandma was quiet and sweet, mostly seen with knitting needles in her hands and a soft smile. She made the best chocolate cakes...

I was up in the Arroyo Seco Canyon with a friend the other day, we had made our way down to the river, what there is of it, a stagnant pool here and there was about all; my friend oversees the property and we...

Last evening I walked out to my mailbox to check and see if I had any mail. I didn’t, but something better was given to me. My neighbor was playing some music while he played with his children. It was really cool listening to...

This week I am of a mind to not dedicate my word allotment upon one subject but rather touch upon a couple items gleaned from various sources. One source, our local Rustler, had three entries in last week’s issue; two were about the local...

Local column by Joanne Banuelos

Editor's Note: We welcome Letters to the Editor of local and general interest to our readers. Letters should be typed and include the writer’s first and last name, home address and phone number for verification. No anonymous letters will be printed. Letters may be edited...

The approval of a plan by the California Redistricting Commission, which includes splitting Jimmy Panetta’s 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....

Joanne's Got It: Column by Joanne Banuelos

December is here and we are all getting ready for the holidays. Whether you celebrate the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza the library has something for you. 1) Our Winter Reading Club starts on Dec. 1, 2025, and runs through Jan. 31, 2026. Reading...