Everyone is still a bit shook by Sunday night’s horrific events in Las Vegas. The worst mass shooting in American history was made even more painful by the fate of at least […]
Retorts: Guns in our hands, imaginations
“American Made” flies much too low
By Jim Tortolano Tom Cruise is good looking. He has a charming manner and winning smile. What he doesn’t have in his latest film – “American Made” – is a very good […]
Retorts: Tragedy and an opportunity
You hear a lot these days about mixed-use projects. Well, this week’s Retorts is a mixed-use column about two items of interest to our communities and, well, our columnist. Police shootings not […]
Retorts: Next wave will be on two wheels
Back before you got your driver’s license, and then your first car, the first wave of independence you rode was on your bicycle. In elementary school, and maybe even for a while […]
Retorts: Thinking about what a real hero is
I don’t think I could have done it. In my military reserve days, they taught us that when a hand grenade lands by you, just fall flat on your face on the […]
Retorts: Disaster prep needn’t be disaster
Oh, that’ll never happen. Or, it won’t happen again. The nation’s attention has been focused this week on the agony of Texas and Louisiana as those states are lashed by Hurricane – […]
The 18th Elvis Festival grew pretty tall
By Jim Tortolano It was a matter of Elvis meets endive; Presley matched up with parsley. The 18th annual Elvis Festival came to Garden Grove’s historic Main Street along with the Local […]
Steering from punishment to solutions
By Jim Tortolano It’s 1967. Bobby has been sent to the vice principal’s office for fighting. The veep is a burly ex-football coach with a stiff brush haircut and bulging muscles in […]
What’s in a name? Business, that’s what
This is the season of statues, monuments and symbolism, both near and far. Violence in Virginia, and at least some virulent words here in Orange County. A national tempest has been stirred […]
“Wind River” a mystery with a difference
By Jim Tortolano Most murder mysteries in movies seem to occur in urban areas with lots of chases down grungy alleys and under the glare of artificial light, often with a pretty […]
