Columns

Above all of our more physical challenges of wildfires and a wild virus, we find ourselves also living in an age of hoaxes. A hoax is a deliberate lie told to create a false reality where the hoaxer takes advantage of the innocent and unaware. Unchecked, these false realities can spread widely enough among us to be more real than the real real.

What is it about summer vacation that brings fear into every parent’s life? Is it the inevitable boredom that will strike? The endless days of no routine and structure? The lazy mornings and late evenings? When teenagers don’t have a lot to do, does it spell trouble, or is it a well deserved break?

The folk tale about a hungry traveler coming to town asking for something to eat, but finding no one willing to offer hospitality, has been told for centuries throughout Europe, Russia, China and even in Native American culture. While no one knows for sure if this tale is true, its enduring message about sharing a meal with others is still relevant today.

100 years ago – July 19, 1923 Ball Fans ‘Kick’ Against Aviators Many complaints have been made by spectators attending the baseball games against the airplanes which, almost every Sunday, do flying tricks over the crowded grandstand and bleachers. During the Napa game a plane swooped down...

Here's what's happening at the senior center this week: 

"G. Mezzasalma of the Diana Packing Company has just shipped three carloads of wine to eastern buyers and within a short time expects to make other larger shipments. He states that he will have shipped a very considerable quantity of wine before the end of June." (1924)

This Week in H’burg is a weekly column featuring photos and fun facts from local photographer Pierre Ratté. Each week we’ll feature a new photo from Ratté along with a fact about the subject matter of the photo.