Author Archive

Downed tree limb

A little after 9 this morning I heard an explosion from outside the house and caught sight of a simultaneous flash out our front door. A large tree limb had fallen across the power line that runs down a side street to the houses behind. We never lost power but…

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Cambodia Town, California

The city of Lowell announced about a year ago plans to identify the Palin Plaza area of the Lower Highlands neighborhood “Cambodia Town” in an effort to brand that sub-neighborhood with an ethnic identity reflecting its residents and businesses and also to create a possible tourist destination. It seems that…

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Watching Irene

Here’s a story that’s stuck with me ever since I heard it many years ago: A severe flood was forecast but John, a man of great faith, refused to evacuate. As the water rose, a National Guard truck pulled up to take him to safety. John refused to go, saying…

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The coming rift in the Republican Party

Spinning through the radio dial yesterday I came upon a national political talk show and caught a caller from Texas proclaim that Jon Huntsman was no conservative because he “flunked all four tests” which were (1) he supported same sex marriage (when the host interjected that Huntsman only was for…

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The passing of two song-writing icons

I can’t say I recall hearing the names Nick Ashford or Jerry Leiber before seeing their respective obituaries this week, but I certainly recognized many of the songs they independently wrote. Working his co-composer and then wife, Valerie Simpson, Ashford’s songs include Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Your Precious Love,…

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