Columns

125 years ago the news was this: "The new county road up the west side of Dry Creek valley will afford a delightful drive along that beautiful section. The road will start from the Upson place and intersect the present county highway near the bridge at Lambert. The view from points along the road is enchanting at any season of the year, and is especially so in the spring time."

Free food for government pooches

Each year, I help my father-in-law with his Christmas card and letter. He has me take a picture of him (and of his cat) and we create a card online. He’s straightforward about what he likes, so the experience is quick and painless. He then gives me a summary of the year — projects he’s undertaken, trips he’s taken, milestones met — and I write a short letter to friends and family on his behalf.

Dine and donate to a local hero

America is an idea that is made up by many voices. The only way to limit the American ideal of democracy and a more perfect union is to discourage or deny even one of these voices. Seldom in America’s history has there been more topics or reasons to raise our voices, listen intently and engage in purposeful conversations. We find ourselves living in times of a global pandemic, whirling natural disasters, national political turmoil, racial awakening and economic uncertainty. Voices are cascading, clashing, clamoring and crescendoing everywhere.

I was talking with a friend and he mentioned that although these are bad times politically we baby boomers have lived through worse. He reminded me of the 1960s: A president assassinated, his brother and presidential candidate assassinated; a civil rights movement that ignited race riots in most of the major cities in the U.S. and the best known civil rights leader in the nation killed.

Artichokes, asparagus, fava greens, fresh green onions, and so much more begin growing this time of year. Those vegetables scream of a bold appetizer plate or maybe a meal of greens. How healthy. They are examples of bright, beautiful and in-season greens happening here and now.

This week marks the 15th birthday of Facebook. If you don’t think that’s a local event, think again. As many as two-thirds of us use the social media app everyday. Some people even keep it open all day and the average use is one hour daily. Keep in mind lots of these same people also use Instagram, which happens to be owned by Facebook.