Opinion

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...

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 that’s how it should be, we know that. But head over to the...

I don’t know if I have ever told you how much I hate seeing or hearing someone crying. I don’t mean to tell you that crying is bad, it’s just the only thing I can say without blinking that I absolutely hate. It’s not...

To the Editor: We much enjoyed Steve Wilson’s column about gangsters he has known — or at least, thought about (“Words From One Bad Guy to Another,” June 29). It’s exciting to review the daring exploits of these cunning reprobates and satisfying when the sheriff...

(NOTE: After completing this column, I was informed there will not be a talent show at this year’s Salinas Valley Fair, but I’m going with this anyhoo. —SCW) If the title of this week’s Funny Papers Again confuses or confounds you, then think how I...

I’ve no idea where the term “bucket list” 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 — a checklist of sorts for our bucket — places we...

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...

I’m 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...

Aren’t 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...

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...