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Not So Random Thoughts This column is random-but-connected thoughts, beginning with: THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS We’re back to a two-party system. This means the Democrats will investigate all kinds of things, and Trump will have enemies other than the press to attack. That is what he...

Let Down The midterms are over. I feel let down. The donkeys won the House. The elephants won the Senate. The game ended in a tie. Nobody beat the spread and will continue to pay the vig to live in a house divided. Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided cannot stand.” I...

Read the Personals HEY, GOOD-LOOKING—Branahougan’s Hilltop is having an all-day potluck meal to celebrate Thanksgiving. So bring your lumpy mashed taters, thin runny gravy and onion soup dip and chips. The whole neighborhood is coming to celebrate. We’ll supply the picnic tables,...

How Measure P Went Down in Flames Now that the elections are over, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief, trash those offensive signs, and marinate in our perfect November weather—even though it’s hard not to be rattled by the fires up north, and ponder by what divine...

30 Years Was More Than Enough Judging from letters to the editor and the fiery exchanges between supporters of Liberate Laguna and Laguna Village, certain issues really enflamed people’s passion this election season. There was, of course, Measure P, questions about future...

Are You an Over-Talker or an Over-Listener? Talking and listening were fraternal twins separated at birth. Their parents were young and immature and so adoption appeared the best solution for the wellbeing of the babies. It was decided that neither of the adoptive parents would...

Mother was very strict when it came to table manners. Rule #1—No elbows on the table. Rule #2—No shirt, no shoes, no service. And Rule #3—Mother never cooks. She makes reservations. Yes, we went out to eat a lot, as kids. So, I feel that I’m an experienced foodie who is qualified...

Okay Corral Marshall Dillon, Miss Kitty, Doc, and Festus can’t vote in Dodge City, Kansas. Not because they are dead, though that could also be a problem. They can’t vote in Dodge City because it only has one polling place for its 1,300 voters. And it’s a mile and a quarter out...

Goodbye Good Ann Ann Richardson, who quietly served our community for over 20 years as a doer and organizer, has moved on. She fought a recurring cancer this past year, there were the usual signs, but she was uncomplaining, continuing the caring service that marked her life. But...

Read the Personals TALL, DARK, illegally-handsome guy of 40 – going into the witness-protection program (Midwest, I think). Seeking a gorgeous female pen pal with late-model fast car/stunt driver preferred – must be ready for adventure/no talking on job. No flakes/good pay....

Trump Can’t Abolish 14th Amendment Last week, Donald Trump publicly floated the notion of abolishing the 14th Amendment (i.e., birthright citizenship) via executive order. Forget for a moment that it was ratified in 1868, three years after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, or...

This column was going to be a reprise of an old election tradition, “Fast JJ’s Picks”. That’s where the city council race is depicted as a horse race with all the candidates being the horses. It’s usually comprised of thoughts like; “this horse does well in the mud or this horse...

In last week’s column, I promised to tell the story of Laguna’s first official schoolhouse where four churches also got their start. To set the scene, here’s a quick history of pioneer Laguna, beginning in the 1870s when extended family groups began to settle the area. The...

Put Your Pencils Down The test results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, referred to by students as “Copy Off the Smart Guy Next to You” (Copycat) are in.  Laguna did great. Eighty-two percent beat state standards in English and 74 percent did...

The Season of Angry Invective After this savage election season concludes, I call for a new PAC: Loosen Laguna’s Sphincter. The air has become toxic, and for once it’s not the cars. A dozen candidates sucking oxygen out of the atmosphere. Measure P factions chasing each other...