Archive By Section - Editorial
Teaching compromise rather than science
The public is bombarded with news reports saying that young people in the U.S. aren't learning enough about science, especially compared to kids in Asia. I'm not sure that's true, because I work at a large university where I see very able American students starting to excel in their scientific careers, and I hear back from them as they flourish in later years. <p style="margin: 0in 0in ...
‘Evaluation’ is a bad word to some teachers
I now have a better understanding of the phrase "making a mountain out of a mole hill."
What game were you watching?
Like 111 million other Americans, I opted to spend my Sunday drinking beer and watching oversized men take each other's land by force. It's a national pastime, after all.
Highlighting our youth
Hello Turlock Journal readers! My name is Jonathan McCorkell and I am the new education reporter here. I just wanted to introduce myself and give you a brief outline of who I am, my journalism history and my journalistic philosophy.
Sharing the burden
We're all in this sinking boat together, so we had better quit fighting and start rowing in unison or else we'll end up at the bottom of the ocean. That is my summary of Gov. Jerry Brown's State of the State address from Monday.It was somewhat inspirational and called on the innovativeness that Californians are known for to lead us into a brighter future. But ...
Making dreams reality
I remember when I first brought my newborn daughter home from the hospital that my days were filled with worry. I worried about her getting enough to eat. I worried about positioning her in the crib the right way. I worried about germs, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and baby snatchers.
Community colleges are the solution, not the problem
Community Colleges were not totally surprised by the Governor's initial budget proposal. We knew there would be some combination of cuts and increases to address California's $25 billion deficit. However, we did not anticipate the cuts to be as severe.
An alternative to the big box debate
Late on the night of Jan. 11, in the cozy confines of the Yosemite Room of Turlock City Hall, a Turlock City Council meeting continued on well past 10 p.m.
For the love of lunch
Unlike most people I've met over the years, I have fond memories of eating lunch in my elementary, junior high and high school cafeterias.
The post-holiday doldrums
In case you've been living in a hole – no offense to Punxsutawnee Phil, eagerly awaiting Groundhog Day – I feel it's my duty to inform you that it's a bit gloomy outside.
Rural America needs our health care law
Recent news tells us that the American economy is continuing to move the right direction, creating private sector jobs for twelve months in a row. The Obama administration has worked hard to turn around the economy. And last year's compromise to reduce taxes, as well as the tax relief provided to small businesses by health insurance reform, have also provided necessary certainty to help get businesses to hire ...
Stanislaus tops UC San Diego for first time in 5 years
It wasn't pretty, but it was a win. The Warriors ended the weekend with two victories after edging UC San Diego, 57-55, Saturday night at Fitzpatrick Arena.
The first casualty is not partisanship
How do we react to the horrific murders of Christina Green, 9; John Roll, 63; Gabe Zimmerman, 30; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwin Stoddard, 76; and Phyllis Schneck, 79; and the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and 13 others?
Finding hope in the jobless
Before my story interview with the Alliance Worknet about the services they offer for job seekers and local businesses, I had a picture in my mind of what the atmosphere at the Alliance office in Turlock would be like.
Time to get out the glue
The art of crafts is slowing dying. I realized this Thursday night at a service club meeting when our group discussed delivering Valentine's Day cards to residents of local nursing homes.
Articles by Section - Editorial
Worried about America? Visit a Boys & Girls Club
The political world is so toxic that I needed some relief, so I tuned into a reality show more real than anything on television. I wasn't disappointed. The stories I heard were at once harrowing and inspirational. And they were deeply connected to the future of the country. This week, I served as one of five judges in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year competition. This is ...
MacGyver to the rescue — most of the time
For those of you too young to remember the television show "MacGyver," allow me to share about the 1980s American action-adventure series. The show was about a secret agent, Angus MacGyver, who employed his resourcefulness and knowledge of chemistry, physics, and technology, and often a little duct tape and a Swiss Army knife, to resolve what were often life or death situations. I'm married to a MacGyver kind of guy. I've nicknamed my ...
Want a job? Stay in college as long as you can
With the unemployment rate hovering above 9 percent, today's job market is bad for everyone. One group does seem to fare better than the rest, however: The jobless rate for workers with a bachelor's degree or better is just 4.3 percent, compared with 14.3 percent for high school dropouts. But among college grads, the outlook is gloomier for one critical segment: recent graduates. A study this year put their unemployment rate at 10 ...
Newspapers: A bridge to the community
I am one of the fortunate people who do not fear public speaking. When you put me in front of a captive audience and ask me to talk about one of my passions - like community newspapers - watch out, I might just talk your ear off. California State University, Stanislaus professor Elizabeth Breshears offered me just such an opportunity this week. I was asked to speak to her graduate social work students ...
Can you live without it?
For those of you who don't know me well, you may be surprised to read that I grew up on an almond ranch. My two sisters married almond farmers and have lived happily ever after in what I refer to as "the dirt." I, however, fled to suburbia as soon as I turned 18. As Eva Gabor used to chant during the Green Acres theme song, "Dah-ling I love you but give me Park ...
Gov. Jerry Brown and 3 telling bills
California Gov. Jerry Brown scored a victory for common sense last week when he vetoed a bill that would have imposed criminal penalties on minors - or their parents - who ski or snowboard without a helmet. "While I appreciate the value of wearing a ski helmet, I am concerned about the continuing and seemingly inexorable transfer of authority from parents to the state," Brown explained. "Not every human problem deserves a law." <p ...
Giving credit where credit’s due
While ordinary antidepressants seize headlines in the media and medical journals alike, a relatively recent breakthrough lies forgotten in the frenzy. Regardless, I know brilliance when I see it. Potential and productivity stand out at a glance. Despite some views of ineffectiveness, I believe transcranial magnetic stimulation deserves a second chance. Tragically enough, even with its unmistakable title, I've found that there still remains a slice of society who is yet to become ...
Where were you?
This week on Facebook, my dear friend Jan Hallam wrote, "Ten years and I still weep...What were you doing that morning?" What a powerful question. I remember, like it was yesterday. Allen and I were sound asleep when the phone rang. It was my girlfriend Ann. She told me that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. I thanked her for the call, mumbled her info to Allen, and dozed back ...
Dancing with death over the centuries
Once I had a case of influenza so bad I missed close to a month of graduate school. I ran a fever and coughed until it felt like my whole world was turned upside down. Because I'm a geologist, not a medical doctor, I nicknamed that bout of illness "the plague." But what I experienced was a walk in the park compared to the real McCoy. The sheer virulent power of plague is ...
For the heart—permanently
I can vividly remember the worst I ever performed as a wife during my 26-year marriage. I failed big time. It was Saturday and I had a work function. So, plans were to meet my husband at a local restaurant for dinner. I was so happy to see him as we approached in the parking lot. Big blue eyes. That charming smile. And oh so huggable. No quicker than I could reach ...
State legislators need a holiday from red tape
As Mayor of the City of Turlock I feel compelled to let my concerns be known regarding several anti-local control bills that are currently before the state legislature. Passage of any of these bills will impose unreasonable restrictions on local government and limit our ability to maintain the basic public services our local residents deserve and depend upon. AB 438 would place new, precedent setting requirements on cities that choose to ...
Our spirit endures
I remember the day clearly. My husband was getting ready for his 7 a.m. work shift while I stayed in bed drifting in and out of wakefulness. I suddenly became aware that he had stopped getting dressed and was just standing quietly. My husband's odd behavior made me sit up and find out what had interrupted his morning routine. He was staring at the television with a blank look on his face. I ...
Water, water, not quite everywhere
When I was a kid I was "born again," a process that involved being fully and totally immersed in water. Much more recently I was on the home stretch of an 8-mile walk in the hot sun when the minister I was walking with kindly poured her drinking water on my hot little head. Seldom does water feel so good as when splashed on an overheating noggin in the summertime. As ...
BART protesters' oppression envy
During one of the protests that shut down Bay Area Rapid Transit this month, an anonymous protester - hiding behind a Guy Fawkes mask - stood with a sign that read, "Mubarak Gaddafi BART." Talk about delusions of oppression. Egyptians risked torture, imprisonment and their very lives to oust the heavy-handed Hosni Mubarak regime. Libyan rebels have been engaged in months of bloody combat to evict Moammar Gadhafi from power. And BART? ...
Waiting for the heroes
Have you ever watched a horror movie and wondered why the townspeople never decide to just get out of dodge before the monsters arrive at their doorsteps? I have.
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