True and real
MEMO FROM REV. SHINSEKI
“A human being, his material possessions, and his surroundings are merely shadows of his mind. However, this Truth cannot be understood by an ignorant person who thinks the thought that things exist everlastingly or that things become completely extinct. These two...
And there I stood with my piccolo
Memo from Rev. Mathews-Johnson
Composer Meredith Willson once told the story of a band whose music so pleased a king of long ago that he opened his royal treasury to the musicians. He invited them to walk in and to fill their instruments with as...
Letters to the editor June 6–12 2025
Having a ball as the times change
It was 1977. The world was playing tennis. I had been riveted by the Wimbledon final match between Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors. I was pulling for Bjorn Borg who looked like Jesus Christ with a racket. My...
Johanna Miller, Feb. 13: Making amends with Valentine’s Day
I was supposed to be born on Valentine’s Day. About eight months into my mother’s pregnancy, her doctor announced that Feb. 14 was her most likely due date.
Todd Guild, Nov. 21: To avoid scams, exercise caution
In identical messages, a robotic voice from the “IRS” stated that I was in arrears with my taxes, and threatened me with arrest if I did not call within 24 hours.
Navigating Watsonville’s skeptics
By John Flaherty, vice-chair of Navigator Schools’ Board of Directors
Sharon Waller, the co-founder of Navigator public, nonprofit charter schools, grew up in Watsonville. Her grandmother worked at Ford’s Department store. She took Sharon to lunch next door at the Woolworths.
Sharon Waller is a third-generation...
Letters to the Editor, July 9
Enforce the laws
We have endured another onslaught of pyrotechnics in Watsonville. While I appreciate efforts to discourage their use, such as bilingual ads in the newspaper and electronic message boards placed around the city, I wonder: why enact ordinances and laws if they apparently...
From the editor's desk: Stories of commencement
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Cabrillo College kicked off the graduation season on May 19. This week, graduations are shifting into a high gear.
Karma on the diamond
Congratulations St. Francis baseball! I hardly recognize you now. You are proof that the karmic wheel does turn, sometimes slowly, but it does turn. Just to remind, there’s been an orphanage or school on that hilltop since 1869, longer than most things around here.
During...
Best and worst movies of 2017
Tony Nunez, the creator and writer of the weekly film column, For the Love of Flicks, recaps the best and worst movies of 2017.
Deputies: Man drove stolen car to face charges for stealing a...
A man was arrested Tuesday for driving a stolen car to the Monterey County Superior Courthouse in Salinas, where he was scheduled to appear...



















