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Posts published in “Features”

A Memoir: The Fortunate Son, Part 13

A concrete stairwell provided an interesting place for me to play my guitar, an old Martin that belonged to a good friend, Harry Jackson, who generously loaned it to me the whole time I was…

Apocalypse Nigh?

In these scandal-sodden weeks it’s been tough to write passionately about the fight over deficit reduction. I look up from some wearisome bulletin on the latest maneuvers of the Gang of Six and here’s Tristane…

Valley People

THE EDITOR is away from his desk on medical leave of the non-serious but mildly debilitating type he describes as “old guy stuff.” He worries that he’ll be behind on his correspondence but vows “to…

I Saw Timmy Pitch

I am nearly 32 and though I was raised by a die-hard Giants fan, but my affinity for them is recent.  I am one of those terribly uncool folks who fell in love with them…

NATO’s Debacle In Libya

After three and a half months of bombing and arms supply to various rebel factions, NATO's failure in its efforts to promote "regime change" in Libya is now glaring. Obviously NATO's commanders are still hoping…

Let Lifers Handle The Money

Dear AVA, This is Tony B. live from San Quentin. I've been busy, in case you guys have been wondering. I finally made it out of West Block after three months. I was moved to…

Letters To The Editor

YES ON BOOKS Editor, “Vote Yes on Libraries” Campaign Begun The countywide “Vote Yes on Libraries” campaign committee announced the start of its active organizing to make sure our county libraries have proper funding. It…

A Memoir: The Fortunate Son, Part 12

I had gone to bed secure in the knowledge that tomorrow would be Saturday and the prison would be on its free and easy weekend schedule. A light breakfast wouldn't be served until 7:00 AM and if you wanted to sleep in, there would be a brunch at 10:30. I was rudely awakened at 3:30 AM with a firm shake of my foot by a black, female duty-guard.

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