Book Talk: Scottoline, ‘Every Fifteen Minutes’
Long-time fans of Lisa Scottoline, like me, won’t be disappointed with Every Fifteen Minutes (2015, 415 pages in paperback format). Initially known for her tightly-written courtroom scenes, Scottoline has branched out to mystery thrillers. She left the practice of law after her daughter, Francesca Serritella, was born and has crafted 30 bestselling novels. They have […]
Letters: Radicalizing from the left
Unfortunately, here we are again, dealing with another attempt to assassinate the POTUS by another crazed individual who has been brainwashed and radicalized by the far left wing faction that has taken over the Democrat party. This guy apparently thought it was his job to save the world and take out Trump. Pretty sad that, […]
Opinion: The changing American family
In my field, sociology, some of the most significant and interesting changes that we’ve witnessed in the past half century have involved the composition of the American family. But I need to point out that the United States is not unique in this regard. As a nation, we are following the trends that started in […]
Commentary: The oath that defends America — and Western culture
For more than two centuries, Americans who enter public service — from soldiers and police officers to members of Congress — begin their duty with a solemn promise. It is an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That promise is not symbolic. It is the foundation […]
Book Talk: Freida McFadden, ‘The Inmate’
Mystery fans will love this one. Frieda McFadden’s, The Inmate (2024, 332 pages in softcover) has more twists and turns than a Dutch cruller. And there are two timelines, eleven years apart. But the author makes it easy for us to follow. The characters are the same. In the earlier period, they’re teenagers; in the […]
Commentary: Middle East wars don’t set California gas prices — state energy policies do
California’s energy reality: fewer refineries, more imported oil, and some of the highest fuel taxes in America are driving the cost at the pump. Every time tensions rise in the Middle East, many Californians assume that global conflict is the main reason gasoline prices spike at home. While world events can influence oil markets, the […]
Opinion: China’s cars, can we compete?
When I was growing up, there were many automobile manufacturers in the United States, some of their names will not be familiar to most people who are reading this column. But even those of us who were not raised in a car culture knew that the “Big Three” were General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Over […]
Letters: The overpriced trash heap known as Bass Lake
Every time I go biking or walking around my area in Bass Lake, I have to live through the decay of each street, of what used to be a place much like Oakhurst; a hub for people to live at. My hands itch from vibrations, not from allergies; the roads are in almost complete ruin. […]
Letters: Celebrating California teachers
The California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) proudly joins communities across the state in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8; National Teacher Day on May 5; and California Day of the Teacher on Wednesday May 13. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all educators for their tireless work, creativity, and unwavering commitment to educating future generations. […]
Book Talk: David Baldacci, ‘Hope Rises’
David Baldacci has written some of the most interesting novels that I’ve read, and I’ve read thousands of novels since my teen years. Only a few have kept me up all night because I had to see how they ended. The first, as I recall, was Herman Wouk’s, The Caine Mutiny, which I read when […]