Funny Papers Again Column | Some Rants and Raves Both Good and Bad
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...
Window on the World Column | TAILS in Soledad ā Part I
Driving into the Correctional Training Facility at Soledad and you are reminded of how a secure institution can be. Acres of barren land, no trees, double high-wire fences, guard towers. And thatās how it should be, we know that. But head over to the...
Worthy to Print Column | A Crying Shame
I donāt know if I have ever told you how much I hate seeing or hearing someone crying. I donāt mean to tell you that crying is bad, itās just the only thing I can say without blinking that I absolutely hate. Itās not...
Letter to the Editor | Tales of the Baddies
To the Editor:
We much enjoyed Steve Wilsonās column about gangsters he has known ā or at least, thought about (āWords From One Bad Guy to Another,ā June 29). Itās exciting to review the daring exploits of these cunning reprobates and satisfying when the sheriff...
Funny Papers Again Column | Allās Fair in Loveān the Fair War
(NOTE: After completing this column, I was informed there will not be a talent show at this yearās Salinas Valley Fair, but Iām going with this anyhoo. āSCW)
If the title of this weekās Funny Papers Again confuses or confounds you, then think how I...
Window on the World Column | Bucket Listed
Iāve no idea where the term ābucket listā came from because it makes absolutely no sense. Fortunately, everyone understands what it is. Most of us of a certain age have such a thing ā a checklist of sorts for our bucket ā places we...
Window on the World Column | Another Turn Around the Sun
The clock ticked swiftly on, meticulously in sync with the movement of the world. The hourglass turned again and, before you knew it, I was approaching another big birthday. All birthdays are truly marvelous, honestly, another trip around the sun, a bonus chance to...
Worthy to Print Column | Just Write About It
Iām sure you remember that my bride and I invited her mother to come live with us. It was a very fortunate gesture on our part, as she has brightened up our days and stimulated the conversation. I love to tell her how difficult...
Worthy to Print Column | Bad to the Bone
Arenāt emotions the weirdest things? They can make you feel so good or bad depending on the situation. If you read my scribbling last week, you might remember that my two sons were going to take me out for a night on the town...
Funny Papers Again Column | A Brief Tutorial on TV News Reporting
I have written prior about my past educational forays at college and university level, so I thought passing on standards of operation regarding television studio and field reporting may interest some. The field report, or onsite report, consists of two separate footages edited together...




















