News

Ian Anderson of the band Jethro Tull might have said it best: “It is only the giving that makes you what you are.” I can’t think of a more heroic act than to give of yourself and serve your fellow man. Our veterans are some of the very heroes defined by their selfless, giving acts to serve. With Memorial... (Read more →)

Cancer Sucks

Cancer is uncomfortable to talk about. It brings up feelings that are hard for us to describe, much less deal with: fear, anxiety, sadness, loss, guilt. I really don’t know how else to say it – cancer sucks. I hate cancer. We all know a co-worker, a friend, or a loved one who has battled or is battling... (Read more →)

Teachers and Bikes

Lilly Tomlin once said, “I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.” During this week, National Teacher Appreciation Week, this quote seemed especially relevant. When you think about it, few professions touch as many people in as profound a way as teachers. In Ukiah,... (Read more →)

Bike and Pedestrian Safety

Just a few weeks ago, a motorist hit and seriously injured a student in a crosswalk on N. State Street on her way to school. The crosswalk is marked as a school zone, the crosswalk was controlled by a crossing guard, and other traffic had stopped to allow students to cross. Tragically, one driver did not stop, and... (Read more →)

Three o’ Clock to Six o’ Clock

Did you know that the most dangerous time—the time when our children and teens are most likely to be the victim of a crime—are the hours right after school between 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The problem is that in most households, adults work until 6:00 pm Mondays through Fridays, and finding a safe place for our kids... (Read more →)

911 Dispatchers – Thank You!

This week is Dispatcher Appreciation Week. Our emergency (911) dispatchers are the first people you talk to when you call with a crisis. Even though dispatchers can't see what’s happening, they are the eyes and ears of our first responders—our guiding angels, who ensure that first responders get to an emergency... (Read more →)

Ideas to make Ukiah Safer

Last fall, Realty World Selzer Realty sponsored a contest paying $750 to the person who came up with the best plan to make Ukiah a safer place to live and work. By December, all three judges agreed that Jane Covella submitted the best ideas and she was awarded the prize in time to use it as Christmas spending money. ... (Read more →)

22 Times a Day

Most of us avoid talking about difficult topics—they can make us feel awkward, embarrassed or uncomfortable; but sometimes, talking about them is exactly what we need to do. Mental illness and suicide are difficult topics, but avoiding them can make a bad situation worse. These difficult topics need to be talked... (Read more →)

90 Years of Service Above Self

Think for a moment about the things you remember most affectionately about Ukiah. Maybe it’s a summer day watching baseball at Anton Stadium, or a summer night enjoying the fair. Maybe it’s a play at the Ukiah Playhouse or a leisurely afternoon at the Sun House Museum. Or maybe it’s playing on the Rocket Ship... (Read more →)

Four-Legged Crime Fighters

How it happened I don’t know, but for some reason, our house has become a home for lost pets. Until recently, our house had three bunnies, four cats and six dogs living with us – at the same time. At home, I have been assigned the job of taking care of the bunnies and the dogs. I am responsible for food,... (Read more →)

The Luck of the Irish

Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, and St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner—oh my lucky charms. What a great time of year to celebrate the end of winter and the start of spring, a time when we can all hope for a bit of Irish luck. According to historians, St. Patrick’s Day (or the Feast of... (Read more →)

Cheers, Not Jeers

“Strike the bum out!” “That’s the worst call ever, Blue!” “Where did you learn to coach, Coach?” While these might be okay when yelling at the TV, they’re things most of us would rather not hear at a youth sports event. But when it comes to sports, we all like winners; and sometimes despite our... (Read more →)