MONTCLARION: July 21, 2012
Break out the Meow Mix — June is Adopt-A-Cat Month.
Now let’s not pussyfoot around here — cats are better than dogs, and they know it. Cats are cleaner, smarter and perfectly engineered to fit on a human lap. And finally, ask yourself this. What pet catches rodents and leaves them on your doorstep? Duh — only cats. Continue reading
MONTCLARION: June 15, 2012
A longtime hills couple is about to embrace life in rural Montana. After 50 years of running the popular Montclair Pharmacy, Bill and Helen Sullivan have bought a ranch near their childhood home of Anaconda, a mining town that still calls to them today.
“It’s been my dream since I was young,” says Bill, who lived through the Depression and World War II along with his wife. They’re part of the generation that dreams big. Continue reading
MONTCLARION: June 15, 2012
It’s almost summer — do you know where your Christmas lights are?
Most are in storage, tucked neatly between the nutcrackers and the plastic reindeer. But three of my neighbors have re purposed their lights for year-round enjoyment. For this, I’m eternally grateful.
“They’re Fourth of July lights,” says one neighbor, who calls her treetop twinklers patriotic. In September, they flash for the autumnal equinox. In October, for Halloween. With each passing month they splash shards of color across the evening sky. Continue reading
MONTCLARION: June 8, 2012
It’s swimsuit season, and I’m in a panic. My body clearly thinks it’s still winter, and is storing up fat like a squirrel stocking nuts. Add to this the fact that my health club, the Hills, has just opened a new saline swimming pool. Suddenly, all the beautiful people are flocking to be seen on the decks by the jewel-bedecked waters. Their bodies are bronzed and their clothing divine, and they’ve clearly raised the bar for what suffices as swimwear in the hills. All I can do is pray for rain until I emerge from my long hibernation. Continue reading
HILLS NEWSPAPERS: June 8, 2012
It’s a blur on the landscape for many — a cow town ignored on a speedway toward greener pastures — like the Bay Area and Tahoe.
Yet Davis is a destination in its own right, with a vibrant downtown and a bicycle culture that makes it the most freewheeling city in the country.
HILLS NEWSPAPERS: May 24, 2012
“She thinks my tractor’s sexy”
— Kenny Chesney
I admit it: John Deer tractors turn me on.
I was sharing this tidbit with a Yolo County grower, the other day — a bit like preaching to the choir since 94 percent of Yolo is agriculture.
“There’s something kind of sexy about farm implements,” I told him. “You know, the circular blades tilling the land and the leafy greens springing up from the soil. It’s Americana. It’s romantic.”
In many parts of the country, farming is a lost art. But in Yolo it’s hot again, especially with the farm-to-table movement that’s drawing young people back to the land. Continue reading
MONTCLARION: May 24, 2012
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and all across the land, there are wispy clouds of grilling smoke, with just a hint of cayenne. And mesquite.
The barbecue is more than just a cooking device — it’s a savory symbol of summer. We lovingly spritz our veggies in olive oil and make up our marinades days in advance. We crisp the greens and shape the patties and load up the coolers with drinks. It’s a ritual we do better than anyone on earth, and we’re proud of it. So fire up the coals and let the barbecuing begin. Continue reading
Permaculture class at Merritt College
Members of the permaculture design class receive instruction from teacher Christopher Shein, below on hill, as they maintain the hillside in the landscape and horticulture lab at Merritt College in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, April 20, 2012. (Jane Tyska)
MONTCLARION: May 10, 2012
It’s Mother’s Day Weekend. That’s right — we do way too much work to be honored on just one day — we deserve a long weekend like Washington and Lincoln.
They ran the country, but we run companies, households, churches and schools. Let’s put our feet up this weekend and, with any luck, we’ll come out of it with a pedicure and a foot massage. Continue reading
MONTCLARION: May 4, 2012
If it takes a village to raise a child, then Montclair Village needs help. Too many teens are in town after school and there’ve been recent reports of fighting and other bad behavior. How do we address this perennial problem? One way is for all of us to help.
