In this post-election relative calm, it seems a good time to calmly consider a familiar election issue: how we California voters tackle those infamous ballot measures, usually a dozen or more every two years that turn us into unpaid state lawmakers.
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Protect Our Rights
For more than four decades, our nation has taken the month of February to celebrate the many contributions African Americans have made since the very beginnings of our country.
Unless there's another glitch, I'll get my second dose of Moderna tomorrow, Friday.
There is no arguing that the past four years have been difficult for many of us.
Will you be my Valentine? How about be my funny Valentine?
Help Fountain
During the presidential campaign, much was said about the growing student debt crisis and the hope that debt forgiveness/reduction will soon become a reality. For those of us in higher education, it is a conversation we’ve long hoped the nation’s leaders would have as we edge toward a disast…
Passion is an interesting word.
My active senior lifestyle has rarely been punctuated by illness. Until Jan. 4, when I was hospitalized at Long Beach MemorialCare Medical Center, I had not been hospitalized since birth.
I can already hear the cries from City Hall critics as they read the headline on this column.
Over the past 10 months, we have learned a lot about COVID-19, but one sad fact has been consistent since the first cases were reported last March: this virus, which is dangerous to people of all ages, too often proves fatal in older adults.
Despite our low campus population since last March, key Beach personnel, together with external teams, have been working to repair and improve facilities and infrastructure, as well as work on new structures around The Beach. From necessary landscaping projects to construction on our forthco…
When I'm not worried about violent insurrection or less-than-perfect vaccine distribution, it's always fun to try to figure out what the federal bureaucracy was thinking when they do stuff.
Editor's Note: The following letter appeared last week with the wrong author listed.
I have lived on Obispo Avenue for 17 years. Our block is constantly abused by offsite rehab members abusing our neighborhood.
According to Mayor Robert Garcia’s office, a record number of people watched/listened to his State of the City speech, delivered virtually on several online platforms.
Climate Change Natural
I wake up every weekday at 7:45 a.m. and immediately log on to Canvas (the Long Beach school platform) and start my first zoom of the day. I spend the remainder of the day there, provided I don’t have any other engagements.
When I got up on Jan. 1, 2021, things were looking okay.
How To Help?
It has been almost 10 months since COVID-19 began harming families in the United States, putting parents out of work and shutting children out of the schools that taught and cared for them. And the children most affected are those facing economic and other inequities that have only become mo…
As 2020 draws to a close, I think most of us can’t wait for it to be over, and won’t be sad to see it go. This was an extremely difficult year, full of challenge and tragedy, and there’s no doubt 2021 is already looking much brighter.
Take down the old calendar — get that new one up there early Friday morning.
Price Take Two
I am happy to hear that Rex Richardson was elected Vice Mayor of the City Council for a second time. I have followed Rex’s political career from when he was president of the Associated Students Inc., student government, at CSU Dominguez Hills.
Dear Governor Newsom, State Senators, Assemblymembers and All California Elected Officials:
Parklet Worries
Christmas Eve this year gives me pause.
Editor's Note: At the Dec. 8 City Council study session regarding coronavirus restrictions, Third District Councilwoman Suzie Price asked Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis to tell the public about her educational background to deflect complaints restrictions were not scientifically-…
Celebrating the end of 2020 has a unique energy, given the series of catastrophes that have haunted us world-wide, nationally and statewide. Disease, racial injustice, climate change with resulting wild fires, and economic instability have all been at the center of our concerns for at least …
Have you got your vaccination yet? Me neither.
Short-Term Fairness
Note: This originally was a letter to Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary, of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) cosigned the letter.
I'm going to try to keep this one short — I figure quick requests are more effective than long, drawn-out pitches.
Trucks Run Wild
Things got pretty depressing around here Monday.
Are you finding it a little difficult to be sincerely thankful this Thanksgiving?
Why are restaurants the first targets when there is a COVID-19 surge?
Traditionally, November is a month devoted to the expression of gratitude for the blessings of the previous year. Perhaps it is more challenging in a year that features a worsening global pandemic, blatant racial injustice, a crushing recession, violence, natural disasters and heated partisa…
I was supposed to throw a party this Sunday.
One of the more enjoyable post-election pastimes — certainly more enjoyable than filing lawsuits — is a game called "What If."
Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season in the United States, and is a favorite for many. It is a time when loved ones gather together to reflect upon all things for which they are grateful. There is no pressure of holiday gifts; it is a day built on the simple breaking of bread a…
On The Mark