Say Grats at Dinner When we read about problems and tragedies it’s easy to become distressed. To increase happiness, think about things for which you have gratitude. My family does this at the end of dinner when we say “grats.” This involves one person telling us three things for which she or he is grateful. […]
The Santa Claus Killer A personal note – I write a lot of local true crime pieces. But I try to stay away from more recent tragedies as sometimes there are people still around who were impacted by the crimes. This murder was in 2008 but I’m going to take a chance and write it […]
Fall Into the Holidays All the seasons have their own special feel to them that make them unique. When I think of autumn, I think of the shift away from carefree summer vacations to families reestablishing their routines and students heading back to school. In California, the cooler weather brings subtle changes to plant foliage […]
The First School and the Pepper Tree Giant The first teacher snapped off a willow branch and then another. Before his students arrived, the young man fashioned a set of switches and concealed them within his desk. This schoolmaster, only seeking to establish a bit more discipline within his classroom, was wholly unprepared for what […]
Reviewing Our Commitment Last week we had the pleasure of hosting Senator Sasha Pérez (SD-25). We shared with Senator Pérez some of the District’s ongoing efforts to innovate, partner and save on costs. For example, we talked about how the District is proactively looking to remove currently known and future contaminants beyond federal and state […]
The 2025 legislative session included new investments to keep jobs in California, protect the civil rights of the most vulnerable communities, support local schools and help Californians rebuild after devastating wildfires. With 2026 right around the corner now is a great time to share your views on the issues with the District Office. As we […]
The $250 million dollar special election on Nov. 4 will ask voters to weigh in on a single issue: Yes or No on Proposition 50. A “yes” vote overturns the Independent Redistricting Commission, also known as the Fair Voter Act, and allows politicians to redraw the Congressional districts. A “no” vote keeps the current maps […]
Local Historic Landmarks – Disappeared, Threatened and Saved I want to bring you up-to-date on some recent developments regarding local historical landmarks. As a local historian, I’m well aware of what happens to these landmarks. Sadly, I’m not at all good at working to save the threatened ones. I don’t have the stomach for the […]
When the Jewel was on Sunset The driver flipped the switch to engage the wipers. Even straining at full speed they did little to improve visibility through the driving snow. The large and plentiful flakes made it impossible to see far beyond the front of the truck. A wall of white was descending. Back in […]
Applauds Decision Reluctant or not, the decision by the Design Review Board to approve the project at the site of the Glendale Garden Apartment Homes at 1303 N. Central Ave. is an obvious choice (DRB Reluctantly Approves New Project at Site of Glendale Garden Apartment Homes, Oct. 2, 2025). While a vocal group has spoken […]