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Aurora borealis

It was a spectacular show that was enjoyed by everyone. Were it to be given a Rotten Tomatoes rating, it would be ranked as “super-duper fresh.” Best of all, this over-the-top production was free. Yes, the recent display of the Northern Lights was pretty special. It was leagues better than any computer-generated special effects that Hollywood could cook up. Maybe this was because the price was right. Or maybe it was because it was a communal experience that could be savored by almost everyone in the Northern Hemisphere. The aurora borealis — those weird, swirling, pulsing ...

Celebrating our schools: A month in review

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s time to reflect on the wonderful moments and achievements that have shaped our school community. From graduations to student experiences, May is a month filled with excitement and growth. Graduation milestones Our seniors are on the cusp of a new chapter in their lives. MATEC will host its graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24, celebrating the hard work and dedication of our graduates. Additionally, the high school commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m., where we’ll honor the achievements of our students as they step ...

Miss good old days of planting

Planting season has arrived in our neck of the woods and farmers are busier than Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve. There’s something about the sight of an unplanted field that turns farmers into fanatics. Maybe it’s due to the scent of warming soil, but a more likely reason is the sound of a neighbor’s tractor pulling a planter. This makes farmers unreasonably anxious and one thought crowds out all others: “We should be planting too!” My earliest recollection of the planting season is watching Dad pour bags of seed corn into our four-row planter. The smell of the neon-pink ...

Rhubarb comes to life — Season of Eating just around the corner

I took a photography class in college. On the first day, Brother Zarr informed us that he didn’t want to see any photos of old people or kids. Anyone can shoot a picture of an old guy on a corner or a kid on a swing. It doesn’t take any creativity. Writing about spring is like that. Whatever blogger or columnist you read is writing about spring right now. It’s such an amazing season of transition, green exploding everywhere, life rushing back to a comatose landscape. It doesn’t take any creativity. So, I’m writing about spring. Brother Zarr would be disappointed. Spring ...

Old motel bill shows need for sustainable approaches

I found an interesting surprise this past week in one of the paperback books at my house, a surprise that truly shows how much the world has changed. It’s a 1976 motel receipt for a room at the Fresno Hilton. It’s from a complete stranger, but the interesting part was the bill. It came to only $22.26. In those days you could have gotten a room, utilities, water service and I would guess a chance to try out the pool all for what in 2024 is hard to imagine. Now you can hardly get a restaurant meal for the same total. It’s from almost a half century of corporate profit taking, ...

All’s well

Of all the essential infrastructure that we take for granted — I’m including Taylor Swift here — perhaps none is more important than soft water. I’m among those who says a prayer of thanks every time I turn the tap and water comes out. This is because running water wasn’t always a part of my life. The farmhouse where I grew up lacked running water until I was 5 years old. I was potty trained in a privy, which, during the bitter winter months, teaches one the value of such things as focus and expediency. When indoor plumbing was finally installed in our house, water was ...