Spoking My Mind: Resolutions, ravioli and rural rides
It’s Valentine's month. Make plans today for a Feb. 14 bicycle ride with your sweetheart!
Thanks for all the positive feedback on last month’s column regarding weight loss resolutions. As promised, I have my 2024 progress ready for you. Keep in mind, however, that I...
Guest View: State, Congress should act now to protect youth online
It’s heartbreaking that in today’s world, every time a child picks up a phone or tablet, parents feel a wave of panic. Not long ago, electronic devices were simple tools for curiosity and creativity.
Kids played 2048, battled friends on slither.io, filled their camera rolls...
Guest View, Marie Blankley: Considering the future of the transit center
With my support, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority held two community meetings in Gilroy to introduce the possibility of and receive feedback on an affordable housing project at the Gilroy Transit Center. However, the project described in their request for approval to authorize...
Guest View: Heartbeat of Gilroy
It was a warm Thursday summer evening, and everything was in place. I stepped back and was completely in awe.
In previous years, I had seen the wonder of creating a venue in a matter of days, having a celebration of Garlic and family for...
Guest view: Public transit is cleaner, faster
Growing up in San Jose, public transportation was not as widespread and commonly used as other cities. While many use and rely on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), this system is not as efficient or as popular as it should be.
The main choice of...
Guest View, Mark Turner: Thank you, Chief Scot Smithee
By Mark Turner
To Chief Scot Smithee, thank you for a job well done.
I can’t imagine it’s an easy job being a cop. There are a lot of challenges that go along with being a member of law enforcement, especially these days. While the cop...
Spoking My Mind: Resolutions, rural rides and a reception
A Happy New Gear to you! May 2023 add mile after mile of wonderful new bicycle adventures! Three items for you as we kick it off:
1. Is “A New Me in ’23” one of your resolutions? Weight loss, more cycling, new distance goals: whatever...
Rabbi Mendel Liberow: How to prevent the next pandemic
Three years ago, the possibility of a global pandemic took up about as much headspace for most people as the possibility of a global conflict: technically possible, but not really a “thing” in this millennium. But as it turns out, history repeats itself. And...
Guest View: Public safety and second chances go hand in hand
Public safety and providing opportunities for individuals leaving jail or prison can be perceived as opposing objectives. But the County of Santa Clara is building relationships between law enforcement and reentry services to create environments where residents involved with the justice system can heal...
Guest View, Marie Blankley: How money doesn’t go where voters thought it would
By Marie Blankley
Measure B was passed in 2016 on the promise that it would provide an estimated $1.2 billion for the improvement of local streets and roads in all of the 15 cities of Santa Clara County. Elected officials from all cities in our...





















