Setting the Letter Straight I am writing this as an addendum to my last letter [Oct. 31, 2013] because I feel like I unfairly stereotyped artists and implied that they are less deserving of affordable housing. There are creative types who need affordable housing, and they deserve access to it. But affordable housing should be […]
The History Behind the Sagebrush District Controversy A constant theme in the story of the Crescenta Valley is that of border wars. Throughout our history we have been cut up and divided many times over. Residents see the Crescenta Valley as having clear borders geographically – defined easily by the Verdugo and San Gabriel Mountains […]
Over 40,000 New Laws. Whatever Happened to Gridlock? It’s that most wonderful time of the year when I get myself into trouble with some readers simply by pointing out a handful of the staggering number of new laws that have been foisted on Americans in general and Californians in particular as the New Year begins. […]
New year, new series: “Teen Trials & Tribulations in 4 Talks” Based on your feedback, please attend our series of presentations by experts on topics of interest to adults and to children: brain development, bullying, suicide prevention and underage drinking. These interactive talks are Thursdays, one per month, from January through April from 7 p.m. […]
Questions the Need for Dam Project When I read the “Crowd Protests Dam Project” article (Dec. 19), I was struck by a sense of déjà vu. This past summer, I attended a Santa Monica Mountains Watershed Committee (SMMWC) meeting during which another large dam project (Rindge Dam) was discussed. The proposed project would involve state […]
More Info on the Mystery Mine of the Verdugos A couple of years ago, I wrote a column about an abandoned mine in the Verdugo Mountains directly across the freeway from the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. For many years an old concrete structure was visible on the hillside, but has since been completely overgrown. No […]
New Year Notes to Self It’s popular this time of year to make profound personal pledges – more commonly known as resolutions – to self and significant others as a way to set a corrective course for the upcoming 12 months. Whatever. I’ve learned through first-hand experience that the sad majority of these resolutions are […]
A New Year’s Valentine to CV! Friday marks two years for me in this job, and I want to take this time to thank you for welcoming me into this community. Some of you might know that I was not new to CV. I was a field representative in the California legislature for six years, […]
Admonishes Administration TO: The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki Secretary of Veterans Affairs U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue Washington, DC 20420 RE: Administration Policy Refusing Christmas Cards Dear Secretary Shinseki: The Veterans Administration policy requiring hospitals to refuse cards from schoolchildren that say “Merry Christmas” or “God bless you” is an offensive form […]
A Post-Christmas Poem (Please, don’t try this at home!) (With my annual apologies to both Clement Clarke Moore and the good Dr. Seuss, of course.) ‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the Valley, The kids were wiped out, every Jeong, Anoosh and Sally; The gift cards were stacked and the best sales scoped […]