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Posts published in “Essays”

RIP Jack Kerouac (1922-1969)

He loved the sounds and the heft of words, though the first words he heard were not English words. Mais non. They were joual, the dialect of working class French Canadians spoken by his parents…

Danube Blues

On the one-year anniversary of the storming of the U.S. Capitol many were the dire assessments of the state of the American republic. Nor were watchdogs of democracy cheered by the situation across the Atlantic.…

This Is for All the Lonely People

Splitting kindling under a dwindling sun Leaves on the ground beneath the trees Delicious–golden and red Leaves damp brown Redwood and fir snags Spires on the southern sky Line after line reminds me of you…

Who Gave Us This ‘Legalization’?

Dale Gieringer and Ellen Komp of California NORML and Dale Sky Jones of Oaksterdam University are pro-Cannabis activists based in the Bay Area. In 2015 they sought input from allies and “stakeholders,” hired a lawyer,…

My Favorite Audit

There’s been an interesting mini-discussion about audits and auditing in the comment section of our website, since some readers seem to think they wouldn’t vote for a new library sales tax unless an audit of…

Gaye LeBaron, Doyenne of Northcoast Journalism

Redwood Region residents are going to miss legendary Sonoma County newspaper columnist Gaye LeBaron, who never forgot her North Coast roots and returned repeatedly to write about its people, places, and history. LeBaron 65-year career…

Pronsolinos & Valentis: Vinegar Ridge Industry Founders, Part II

Last week’s story describing Anderson Valley’s early grape-growing days featured the founding Frati family and their viticultural and enological activities on Vinegar Ridge.  This week I want to visit some of the other grower families…

Pot on Sale at the Price of Kale

Remember back about two years ago when legalized marijuana had not yet turned into the colossal white elephant bust of today, and Flow Canna came to town to the musical accompaniment of bugles blowing, chorale…

Cliff Notes for Black History Month

If you’re a teacher looking for a lesson plan or a student looking for a topic on which to write a paper in connection with Black History Month, here are some articles that have not…

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