by Christine | Nov 24, 2010 | Welcome Column
Since I write the Wednesday Welcome Column, every year I get the prime spot at Thanksgiving time. This Thanksgiving, my family and I will be giving thanks for the presence of my mother, who has come through some serious threats to her health just a few days ago, and...
by Christine | Apr 14, 2010 | Welcome Column
Let’s see, what shall I write about? What’s on my mind? More aptly – what’s on my mind that I can tell the rest of the world about? Well, the campout this weekend is on my mind. I am looking forward to heading out to Turlock and enjoying the company of extended CBA...
by Christine | May 8, 2010 | Welcome Column
Sarah Bellum is a graduate student at California State University, Sacramento. She lives in Grass Valley, California. Her thesis project for her Masters Degree involves a strange phenomenon that occurs every year in Grass Valley, always during the middle of June. A...
by Christine | Jan 22, 2020 | Welcome Column
Two beloved music venues are calling it quits very soon: The Amnesia in San Francisco, and Armando’s in Martinez. Both venues have presented a TON of music over the years, and I have great memories playing both places. Both were unique and funky – I feel blessed...
by Christine | Feb 20, 2018 | Welcome Column
Thrift is considered by most a positive attribute. “Cheap” on the other hand has negative connotations. I’m proud to say I’m a little of both. I still wear tee shirts that are 20 years old. Not just because I like them (some have nostalgic logos for...
by Christine | Mar 1, 2015 | Welcome Column
“Yes, sweetie…not a problem. Yes just change plans,” my wife tells my son over the phone. “What?” I growl across the room. “Change plans again? This is bull….” She sets the phone down,” He said he’s bringing his fishing pole.” This was the second consecutive weekend...
by Christine | Apr 17, 2013 | Welcome Column
At a festival a few years ago, I was watching and listening to an up-and-coming band. They had a lot of things on the ball – they were comfortable onstage, their song selection was interesting, and they played and sang in tune. But something was missing. I think I...
by Christine | Oct 3, 2018 | Welcome Column
Recently, I saw a cute video online of a bunch of different babies trying broccoli. They all hated it, and their universal (and utterly honest) disgusted expressions were hilarious. If broccoli is so bad, why does anyone eat it? I know I didn’t like when I was a kid....
by Christine | Oct 28, 2018 | Welcome Column
Before I retired, friends that preceded me in retirement (including my esteemed editor here) warned me that all the time that I expected to have to do the many things I have been planning to do wouldn’t be there. I scoffed at that concept. How could it be? I have been...
by Christine | Aug 4, 2016 | Welcome Column
I’ve been playing with the same band for 44 years. The first thing this indicates is that we’re old or at least getting up there in years. Other than that it also points to a propensity to keep beating a dead horse. For certain we weren’t actively playing for all...
