Columns

By Mark D. Crantz   Gilligan has an island and wants to be found. I have a paradise, Laguna Beach, I don’t want found out.  Wish...

War declared on freedom of speech Freedom of speech is under attack. In the last few weeks two incidents have seemed to draw a line...

Read the Personals CREATIVE BAKER – We can design a cake for your special needs. Do you need a drum cake for a little boy or...

Curb Your Enthusiasm By Mark D. Crantz Hello readers. It’s me, the Pet Peeves guy. Don’t get upset. I’m not back for good, just back for...

Financial Forecasts, Fads & Fashions The New Year invariably inspires financial media commentators to publish their predictions for the next twelve months. The more specific...

By Malcolm Warner   Christmas in my wife’s family in Chicago really looks like Christmas. Everyone’s happy to see the snow. There are big Christmas trees...

Can Gentrification and Preservation Co-exist?   I spent a recent afternoon in Venice Beach. Haven’t been there in years and much seems to have changed. Muscle...

The Big Snake This happened about two months ago. I was doing yoga in my master bedroom overlooking Diver’s Cove. I could hear the waves.  ...

andy. It’s here. Short of offering the evil raisin, sure to downgrade your house as a desirable destination for passing children, it may simply be time to gear up and give in. Even so, along with arming our little ones with plastic swords and shields, we now have a few tricks and treats up our sleeves to arm their delicate immune systems for the long awaited Halloween night and its infamous yet delectable sidekick, sugar.

A Father’s Day Gift That Honors  By Skip Hellewell Though not a fan of auto racing, I was drawn to the Le Mans 24-hour race on...

Day's Work Hiya boys. Come on around the back. Want a cold one?   Geez, it’s only 10:… Sure, Grampa. I’ll have one. Me too. Thanks Grampa.   Mom said you wanted us...

“Recognition should come to the reporter who uncovers public cheating or proves a convicted man innocent.” --Phil Donahue   Last week, I saw a Facebook post...

A Will to Change Hi Grampa. Hi Sweetie. Grampa? Yes Olivia. I love your house. You do? Do you know what I like the best about it? What do you like the...

Dow Jones 15,000 ? Another week, another record for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Despite media excitement, this is all remarkably average for bull markets....

Earth Day 1970 and 2024  Earth Day. It’s my favorite societal event. Even though it’s not a government-sanctioned national holiday, it should be. What other...