Guest Column | Cal State Monterey Bay Begins New Academic Year Focused on Regional Growth
Each fall, the start of classes brings renewed energy and optimism to Cal State Monterey Bay. This year was no exception. From the first-day excitement to our Otter Plunge tradition in the waters of Monterey Bay, our campus is once again alive with purpose...
Guest Column | 5 Things for August from Monterey County Free Libraries
Welcome to August, which is National Back to School Month. Monterey County Free Libraries is eager to support students of all ages with their academic and learning needs in the libraries and through our online resources.
1. All MCFL branch libraries function as Student Support...
Worthy to Print Column | How Was Your Christmas?
I don’t know if I will see you or speak to you before Good Old Santa comes sliding down the chimney. I like to tell folks “Merry Christmas” during this holiday. I sometimes forget to say it if the conversation is short. But most of...
Funny Papers Again Column | Me and Mee, Again: A Tough Time for Both of Us
It all started about three weeks ago with a stiffening of the neck that while a minor bother for a few days to within a few hours the pain became severe enough that I could not swivel my head side-to-side more than a few...
Funny Papers Again Column | A South County Scene: One Block on One Street in One Town
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...
Window on the World Column | A Better Point of View
“It’s OK for the young people,” she said. “They have all the time in the world. Us oldies don’t have a year to waste sitting around the house and waiting to start up life again…” Initially I felt sad for this older lady and...
Window on the World Column | You Are Not a Tree…
I saw this line on social media and I loved it so much. Too many people in the free world complain about where they live, banter on about what they don’t care for in that place — the politics, the weather, the terrain or...
Worthy to Print Column | Shining My Shoes
When you meet someone for the first time, do you ever notice a person’s shoes or boots? I always do. Not just a man’s footwear, but women’s shoes and boots too! In my family we polished our shoes because we didn’t get a lot...
Guest Column | Salinas Valley Recycles Is Changing — Always
I’d like to start this piece with a quote: “In 2023, we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards...
Kudos to police for attempt to clean up ‘Carfield’
Guest Commentary by Lourdes Villarreal, Greenfield Resident


















