Columns

People would be very surprised to hear that “The Wizard of Oz” was written as a political allegory and was based on real people including presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, Williams Jennings Bryan, a former North Dakota senator and even the spirit of Sitting Bull. Published in 1900 by L. Frank Baum, the illustrated children’s novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” was published when there was a strong populist movement, similar to the recent Tea Party Movement and the rise of Trumpism.

By Jon Haupt Throughout the month of December, the Healdsburg Regional Library will provide a series of events to help brighten your days. Our most anticipated event this month, a Healdsburg Library Posada, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11am to 2pm. This...

What do free range chicken eggs have to do with gardening? A little bit. They’ve actually got more to do with great flavor and nutrition and one of Windsor’s best hometown attributes. (Skip to the end if you just want the eggs-and-roses tip.)

When he was still the managing editor for this newspaper, Ray Holley, had a hand lettered sign on a piece of cardboard like you’d see in the hands of a homeless person on a street corner. His sign read: “Will write for food.” He meant it is a visual joke but he also intended to impart a message that local journalists need to get paid. Holley has moved on and, like two other of his predecessor managing editors, is now working in the public sector and getting paid with taxpayer funds.

Golf and football

There is something very satisfactory in knowing that you have completed a task well. Self pride and worth, that feeling of accomplishment is a natural mood booster. This last week, my two teens and I went hand in hand. We all “nailed something” as the old saying goes. And, it all happened right before our much needed and deserved Thanksgiving break.