Opinion

Cruciferous is a designation that comprises the Brassica members of the cabbage family, including cavolo nero, mustard and turnip greens, along with cauliflower and collards, plus radishes, horseradish and arugula. The name derives from the flower common to these plants, the four petals of which spread to form a cross. Hence, “crucifer”-ous.

The library at Hollister’s Sunnyslope Elementary School was packed with second-graders that rainy afternoon recess period. In all the racket and ruckus, I found a quiet corner to peruse a book I’d discovered on the shelves. It featured a funny little orange fellow with an oversized walrus mustache – a creature dreamed up by author Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Upon finishing my first reading of “The Lorax,” a simple tale teaching the importance of good stewardship of our planet’s natural resources, my child’s mind had learned some  environmental truths: All life is valuable. All life is fragile. All life is connected in a great tapestry of creation.

Big news, but will it make a big difference? On Feb. 9, the Justice Department announced it had struck a settlement approaching $26 billion with the major U.S. mortgage servicers.

Have you noticed the growing number of shoppers who are bringing their own bags to the store? They seem to be coming in many different colors, shapes and sizes. I’ve seen the retro canvas bags that were common in the ‘90s, slick bags with store logos, designer bags purchased on Melrose Boulevard, and even pocket bags that fold up into small pouches. There’s no escaping it – bringing your own bag is now “in.” What does your bag say about you?

Cheers to police for finding creative ways to combat crime. Installing security cameras at various locations throughout the city will help deter crime, provide evidence when a crime occurs and improve the overall safety for shoppers and residents. The cameras are located at Monterey Road and Third Street, Cosmo and Del Monte avenues (near the site of the Nov. 4, 2011 murder of Tara Romero),  on Wright Avenue near Christian Crossroads Church and on Crest Avenue near Galvan Park where Juan Arellano was shot to death outside the apartment complex in October 2009 (the latter one not yet installed).

Please be alerted to the fact that this delightful stage production is NOTHING like the unappealing movie that went under the same name. We understand that Pierce Brosnon took an oath never to sing again - not even in the shower.

Historians say there has been a Muslim presence in America since our Colonial days: slaves brought from Africa were privately practicing their religion. But Islam remained basically beneath the public’s notice until the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.