Ads not so Super

"Wow, what a game on Sunday, am I right? That Drew Brees, he, uh, he looked good out there! And Peyton's interception, when he threw that ball to that guy in white and gold! He'll never get into the Hall of Fame now!"

Don't ask, don't tell

I don't get it. Since 1993, more than 13,000 soldiers have been discharged from the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy. Countless others are effectively denied access to mental health and other services because they can't tell. In 2006, a blue ribbon commission concluded that the policy - at that point - had cost the military some $360 million because of the loss of qualified and trained soldiers and the need to ...

Fighting frozen toes

This winter opened with bitter cold for much of the nation - including parts of the country not used to snow and ice. Here in the northern tier states we are, at least, equipped to respond to winter storms, but they always pose a challenge.

We need jobs here, jobs now and jobs to stay

Ask anyone on the street what they believe is California's top problem and most will tell you it is unemployment. The state's economy is so bad that most people worry about their job, are out of work themselves or know someone who is.

Sign of the times

Another sign of the Apocalypse was recorded last week when the one and only book store in Laredo, Texas - which has a population of 250,000 people - closed its doors. People in Laredo now have to drive 150 miles away to San Antonio, Texas to buy a "Twilight" book. When news of this literary nightmare reached me, I imagined a "Book of Eli" -esque scene where culture-starved Laredoians set up ambush sites for travelers ...

We’re losing access to our history

I was lucky enough to spend Saturday, the only sunny day this week, wandering up and down the coast of Monterey Bay. I took in the sights and sounds of Cannery Row in Monterey, I watched seals play at the Santa Cruz Municipal Warf, and I ate far too much seafood in Capitola.

Federal court has become the new feelings forum

Forget the law. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has allowed the trial over a challenge to overturn Proposition 8 - the 2008 California ballot initiative that limited marriage to "a man and a woman" approved by 52 percent of California voters - to turn into what the measure's opponents like to call a "teachable moment." That's another way of saying that the law isn't as important as feelings in this trial.

We’re all on the same team

Cheerleaders and coaches have very different roles on a sports team. Cheerleaders are meant to rally community spirit and motivate and inspire the players on the field. They do this by accentuating the positive. I have never heard a negative cheer. Not once in all my time as student, parent or as a sports reporter have I heard "Our team lacks talent and skill, oh yeah!" Even when the scoreboard is shouting the imminent defeat ...

Mother Nature clobbers us

Many of us - perhaps most - living in the far Western states know what it is to feel the power of seismic waves passing through the Earth. The sharp jolts are unmistakable, and the sense of chaos is terrifying even to those of us who like a thrill.

It’s called the Brown Act, Parks Commission

Attention all local elected officials and members of public boards: You are responsible for knowing and adhering to the provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act.

Turlock humdrum

I hate to admit it, but the City of Turlock has a well-deserved reputation as being, well, a bit boring.

Ears of corn

It's a world-famous grass, and crucial to our bellies. It's called Zea mays by botanists; rock-heads like me call it corn. Compared to many plants, it's excellent at tolerating drought and heat - almost in a class by itself in that regard.

The courage to dream

Turlock is not starting out 2010 in the way that I had hoped. In fact, after reading Journal reporter Sabra Stafford's article on the mini-crime spree that rang in the new year and reading the police call log for the past weekend, I'm thinking about moving.

Is it bread or is it cheese?

We Scandinavians have several strange customs, including our hallmark fish dish, which is cod that's been processed for days in caustic lye. This truly imaginative creation is known as "lutefisk," which means lye-fish.

A glimpse into the future

As another year ends, it's natural to look ahead and wonder what the next 12 months will bring. Lucky for you, the Journal editorial staff have all gazed into their crystal balls and made some predictions for the year 2010.

Skills for American workers

As America works towards an economy that's built to last, we must make sure to provide American workers with the skills they need to compete.

What’s love got to do with it?

Entire aisles at grocery stores are decked out in red and pink. Every other television advertisement is for diamonds and local flower shops have increased the size of their storefront banners by 200 percent. It's Valentine's Day once again.

Documentary well worth the cost

The Turlock Irrigation District's new historical documentary, "The Irrigationist," looks to tell a story worth hearing &ndash; but at what cost? It's hard to imagine anyone taking issue with the basic premise of the film, commissioned to celebrate the district's 125th anniversary. Without the Turlock Irrigation District, there would be no water. With no water, there would be no Turlock &ndash; just look to some dying south Valley communities for proof. <p ...

Congress needs a grammar lesson

Are we trekking on a course towards disastrous censorship? As long as two poorly- worded bills loom in Congress, this appears to be the case. For individuals using the Internet on a regular basis, the issue should sound familiar. Simply put, the Stop Online Piracy Act (or SOPA) introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith, and the PROTECT Intellectual Property Act (or PIPA) introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy both intend to curb any aid on ...

‘Mr. Bulldog’ lives on

When taking on a new job, it's inevitable that you will be compared to the person who last held the post. Sometimes this can be a positive thing, especially when hearing a complaint. It's easy to say that being the new person you can't speak to practices of the past, but in the future it will be your mission to make things right. Sometimes, however, filling the shoes left by a predecessor can be ...

Ceaseless change dominates our dynamic planet

Nothing about Earth history is static or unchanging. That's particularly true of climate, and thereon hangs more than one interesting tale including recent news of a scientific advance in understanding how past climate has changed.

Agricultural education and our moment to shine

Be your neighbor’s keeper

I grew up in a small town. Now, I know native Turlockers like to think this is a small town, but they're wrong. The population of my hometown was around 3,000 when I was living there; it's over 4,600 today. Turlock boasts a population of over 68,000. Enough said. The best part of living in a truly small town is the security. I never locked the door to my house - or car, ...

Small claims—big headache

Why is court so complicated? I just feel the frustration ooze out of the small claims litigants. Most folks who sue in small claims court sue on "principle" and firmly believe that they are in the right. The judge, however, must follow the substantive law. In small claims court, it is the legal procedures that have been modified or set aside to give folks easier access to the Courts. People are also mistaken ...

Take a break and spur the economy

I love vacations. Unfortunately, my desire to travel the world far exceeds my financial means and time availability to do so. Don't get me wrong I still travel, just on a smaller scale and not as often as I'd like. When I finally do get away, I feel guilty about the money I spend and my absence from work. Thankfully, the Obama Administration is giving me a guilt-free reason to travel. President Obama ...

And a little child shall lead them

Little kids are amenable to learning new habits - generally much more so than those of us who are set in our ways because this isn't our first rodeo. That's why it's sometimes more effective to teach children health science information rather than to do outreach aimed directly at their parents.

Supreme Court case obscenely out of step with the times

What is obscene cussing and should the government regulate it?

Nothing new under the sun

Out with the old, in with the new. That is the rallying cry for many come January. I'm not quite sure about the "out with the old" part, but in 2012 the Journal is bringing in new - and hopefully exciting - features for our readers. One of the most interactive projects the Journal is undertaking this year is our Readers Recipe Book. Throughout the year, the Journal will be collecting recipes from ...

The worth of water

According to the "Longman English Dictionary," a New Year's resolution is "a decision to do something better or stop doing something bad in the new year." Not surprisingly, New Year's resolutions generally serve only as broad ideals that individuals fabricate in an attempt to freshen themselves for the new time period; exercising more, controlling expenses, or simply behaving nicer constitute the main desires. Despite the truth that such resolutions rarely survive the temptations that unfold, ...

Preserving prime ag land, planning for a sustainable future through regional collaboration

Stanislaus County is a unique community. Ours is a county where city leaders come together on a regular basis to discuss ideas, strategies, and opportunities where regional collaboration can best be implemented.