Columnists

If California voters are frustrated by yet another late budget

If you're like many people, you may not like participating in

Past New Year’s morning hikes have drawn about 30 hikers. Imagine my surprise and delight when the Mendoza Ranch at Harvey Bear Ranch parking lot filled to the brim and all of you stepped out to walk the Mummy Mountain Trail.

This weekend, Americans (except for Arizonans who play by their

I woke up this morning, went downstairs, read the paper, sipped

Technology devices can be highly addictive. Next year, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will include a new entry called “Internet use disorder” in its appendix. This disorder reflects a dangerous trend in our society’s growing dependence to electronic devices and how it can lead to addictive behavior. In fact, researchers have found that during computer game playing, dopamine is released into the brain to stimulate pleasure. Dopamine is a significant chemical in the cycle of addiction.

"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Who else is a fan of the Olympics? I know I am, and whenever they roll around - winter or summer - I often find myself glued to the television, not just cheering for the United States, but every now and then pulling for underdog athletes or medal-less countries.

When the pressures of life get a bit overwhelming, Fremont Peak

Some of you wrote me telling how your pet made an impact on your life. One reader asked me to repeat my story about our childhood kitty-cat, Murphy. She was larger than life to my brothers and sister and me. Smarter than any other feline, she could open doors and find her way inside the walls of our very old house. But more than anything, she changed our father into a devoted cat person. I first wrote about Murphy 17 years ago, when I talked with a 6th grade student about euthanasia. Here, once again, is that story...