Movie Review: Thor franchise finds itself in hilarious 'Ragnarok'
Relying on its humor and wacky yet grounded performances, the Thor franchise has finally found its true voice with Waititi's “Ragnarok.” The two previous installments in the franchise felt like bland films merely there to setup future occurrences in the M.C.U. but the third decides to go in a completely different direction, ditching its Tolkien-esque approach to the god of thunder and instead embracing a whimsical cosmic adventure feel with plenty of funky visuals.
Demonizing immigrants threatens core values
A foundational aspect of our national identity is the widely regarded notion that the United States is a nation of immigrants.
While the country has also seen periods of restrictive immigration policies, our history is deeply intertwined with the movement of people from other nations....
Civics Summit Planning Committee, Dec. 16: Your vote is your voice
Voter apathy and disengagement only feed into further discontent with the political system. If a small number of voters, regardless of political affiliation, are the only ones to decide the issues, we all have to live with these repercussions. All elections have consequences and democracies are not spectator sports.
When we silence teachers, we teach fear instead of freedom
There are moments in a community’s life when silence is not neutral. It is a decision.
This is one of those moments in Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Our Board of Trustees is preparing to approve revisions to Policy 6144 - the so-called “Controversial Issues” policy....
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that work forward.
Our Police and Fire Departments are entering this next chapter with experienced leaders who bring strong values, proven track...
Letter: Homegrown, or another outsider?
I spent 50 years of my professional career working at Watsonville Community Hospital. Over those five decades I was fortunate enough to have performed well enough to rise through the ranks and become manager of the Radiology Department for several years.
As a manager I...
Abel Mejia, Dec. 16: Public relations 101
The Human Resources Assistant Superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District should take some remedial courses in public relations if she is going to succeed at her job. She is only partly to blame for the mess that is our district’s negotiation process and the job that the district does to provide for our children’s needs.
The timeless message of the Messiah
Every year around this time, choirs perform Handel’s Messiah (including in my own congregation). What is it about a piece of music written 260 years ago that still captures hearts today––in fact, especially today, as we endure our long, strange journey through the pandemic...
Stuck inside a courtroom with the Telone blues again
In the labyrinthine nature of pesticide reincarnation, it’s hard to know where to begin. 1,3-D (Telone) originated as a byproduct of oil refining.
In the...
















