Opinion

The slogan “Keep Portland Weird” became popular for locals when Music Millennium record store owner Terry Currier adopted it in the early 2000s. Not much has changed since then as Portland continues to embrace alternate lifestyles and support independent local businesses across the city. One of...

“Yes, I’m going to be doing some self-care,” I heard myself say to one of my still-regularly-working friends. “Oh, must be nice!” she retorted. “I can’t even remember the last time I went in for a pedicure.” And this exchange gave me some food for thought....

As we observe National Wellness Month, I find myself reflecting on our mission and what health and wellness truly mean to the South Monterey County community. Health is more than the absence of disease; it is the presence of vitality, peace of mind, and a...

Right around June-time, I can be seen kicked back in my leather recliner, barking at the television like a nutter. It’s America’s so-called national pastime on the television — baseball — and it is so slow and tedious I can hardly stand myself. “Just...

Having lived in and around Monterey County for decades — including Prunedale, Castroville and Salinas (north and south) — I learned to drive on and have spent a fair number of hours traveling on Highway 101. Not to mention numerous trips north to San...

As we celebrate National Nonprofit Day, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the organizations driving positive change in our communities. The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) is an independent nonprofit organization. While we are grateful for support from the County of Monterey and...

When your granddaughter is coming to visit you from the congested summer heats of Sacramento and she hasn’t had much of a summer vacation, you feel the need to right the wrongs and set her world a bit straighter than it was — at...

After a fun summer, it’s Back to School and Monterey County Free Libraries is ready to support students academically and with leisure activities. 1. Learn: To assist students with schoolwork, MCFL subscribes to Brainfuse HelpNow, an online service offering academic support in most subjects. HelpNow...

For some of the planet’s inhabitants, there is a deep connection between humankind and florakind; florakind being a word I just made up, my definition including all the earth’s forests consisting of all species of trees in the world. An individual who, according to...

Having completed my bloods a month before, I boldly stroll into my primary doc’s office, waiting to hear the good news. I had been exercising, watching my carbs, exercising my good attitude (even more important than the body!) and watching the blood pressure. What...