Popcorn and pollution

When I was a kid, I knew that Dial hand soap tasted terrible, but that Irish Spring was even worse. And don’t even mention the aptly named Lava brand. You see, my siblings and I got our mouths washed out with soap for certain verbal infractions that included swearing and/or talking back to our parents. […]

Fifty and still counting

From the desk of the publisher Robin GOLDSWORTHY What a wonderful Memorial Day weekend we’re expecting! The weather is supposed to be gorgeous – perfect for barbecues and outside dining. But as much as I plan on enjoying this California weekend, I’m going to be a little melancholy, too. This Sunday, May 30 is my […]

The Bandito of Horse Thief Pass

It may not surprise you, but Los Angeles has a history of lawlessness. In the period after California entered the Union, from about 1850 to the late 1870s Los Angeles was ruled by outlaws and vigilantes, boasting a murder rate inconceivable by today’s standards. In some years of that period our per capita murder rate […]

Letter to the Editor

Many Crescenta Valley residents know that there has been an effort to extend the 710 freeway northward to the 210 freeway for 60 years. There has also been a battle to defeat this effort and to reclaim the 500 homes that are still owned by Caltrans. The City of South Pasadena has led this fight […]

If u r rdng ths & drvng pls stp by Jim Chase

So where was I? Oh, right. In my column two weeks ago I opened up the whole driving-while-talking-on-a-handheld-wireless-phone can of worms. Since then, it seems that things have gotten worse. Now, apparently, you don’t even need a car to be a dangerous cellphone user. A few days ago I was driving down my long driveway […]

Running around the town

From the desk of the publisher By Robin GOLDSWORTHY This time of the year always seems to be rather harried, especially if you have school-aged children. As parents, you’re either pushing for the completion of year-end projects or reminding them of their SATs. But I’ve had a chance to enjoy being a grown up around […]

Letters to the Editor

Kids N Kritters, Wags N Whiskers in Montrose May 2 was the 5th Annual Kids and Kritters Day. Town officials were everywhere arranging things…I even saw the unofficial mayor of Montrose, John Drayman, moving chairs around early in the morning helping with the arrangements. I spoke with Councilman Drayman a few Sundays ago, talking shop, […]

Gone in seconds…by Jim Chase

Note to Readers: This week I had every intention of continuing the discussion of driving and using a cell phone or texting. But as they always say (or at least they should) nothing gets your attention like a house on fire. I will return to the topic of driving under the influence of wireless phones […]