Opinion

What if they started a war and nobody showed up? These words went to a paper I wrote about 40 years ago while stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. I was an instructor with the U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance. I attended an evening...

To the Editor: In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I wanted to emphasize the importance of self-care. It is important to raise mental health awareness in our community as well as advocating for self-care.  We live in a society where many individuals are...

To the Editor: Once upon a time there was a farmer named John. He noticed the narrow bridge that connected Soledad to the Mission District was badly in need of an upgrade. After years from the 1960s forward, talking to each new county supervisor, the...

Have you ever been shot? Kind of a crazy question at the beginning, but I have a reason that I’ll tell you about. First, I want to tell you how I got into a situation that ended with a shot. I have told you...

The approval of a plan by the California Redistricting Commission, which includes splitting Jimmy Panetta’s 20th Congressional District into two congressional, assembly and state senate entities, has failed communities across California with its inherent refusal to recognize the unique identities of the districts involved....

“You’re limping again,” he said (again). “YES! FULLY AWARE AGAIN OF THE FACT I’M LIMPING. DON’T MENTION IT ALL THE TIME!” (I don’t think he will for a while.) I’ve had a gammy leg, as father would say, for over six months now. When you...

To the Editor: We understand no one likes energy bills that are higher than expected. Heat waves are causing customers to crank up their AC, which can lead to higher energy bills.  PG&E does not add any markup on the energy we buy for customers, neither...

It was a long time ago. I had just moved into my office and it was infested with mice. Though I loved the classic lines of my building — less the lack of heating and cooling — the hardwood floors and the character and...

Local column by Joanne Banuelos

My father could always be counted on for the difficult questions. “Do you make any money at it?” he enquired of my book writing habit. “I try not to lose money!” was my response. And, to be honest, I never do that kind of...