Readers know that nothing catches the attention of Valley residents and politicians like issues of Social Justice, particularly those surrounding the issue of Immigration. The Statue of Liberty notwithstanding, immigration has confounded the nation for years. Some say it first became a political hot... Continue
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For years my mother followed me around, continually showing up in my stomach, my bones, and my dreams. She used to be a dull ache inside me, but not so much anymore. In those five years that I lived with her I wasn’t raised by... Continue
Thank goodness the most recent Sonoma brouhaha seems to be winding down. That was the one where an arriviste in town learned that a sizable number (i.e., “mob”) of her Valley neighbors were Not Amused to find her now-deleted Facebook postings in which she expressed... Continue
We are working with the community to establish two Municipal Advisory Councils. The Springs MAC is up and running, meeting the fourth Tuesday of the month; this month the MAC is meeting on May 28 at the Springs Community Hall. We are scheduling a community... Continue
Generally, we divide the history of human culture between the Paleolithic and Neolithic, "Paleolithic" meaning "Old Stone Age" and "Neolithic" meaning "New Stone Age." The Old Stone Age included the use of tools, particularly wood, stone, flint and obsidian to fashion tools and weapons using... Continue
Given what's going on in the world, to simply classify people trying to cross our border as "migrants" or "illegal immigrants" is inaccurate. The reality is that many people, often entire families, are more properly refugees, desperately seeking to escape depredations of crime -- victimization,... Continue
During the recent Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) annual international conference, I had the opportunity to have a quiet dinner with my dear friend and colleague Robbe Healey, former Chair of the Board of Directors of AFP, who now chairs the AFP International Ethics Committee.... Continue
I’m in the back seat of Ed’s green Pathfinder with my friend Kayla, who is three, and we’re on the way to an Easter gathering at Wally and PJ’s place. Ed and Elaina (her grandparents, who are raising her) are in front. Kayla shows me... Continue
In a recent issue of a certain other newspaper, a local politician announced his campaign for District 1 supervisor. Per the article, “I’m a strong advocate for local control and small government . . . I want to bring our government away from regional control... Continue
The pressure is on – spring in California means we’re supposed to be stick thin. Every diet from Keto to Micro is on TV and in books and magazines. So, what’s up with that? It’s crazy to obsess on thinness while half the world starves.... Continue