I love “The Star-Spangled Banner.” I think we have the greatest national anthem of any country, and here’s why. First off, it’s a very democratic song (note small “d”). It’s almost impossible […]
Retorts: Don’t sit down on the flag
More GG bike paths will be rolling out
By Jim Tortolano Garden Grove will probably not be turning into a California version of Copenhagen, that Danish city renowned for its throngs of bicyclists on city streets, but plans to add […]
Retorts: Real back-to-school answers
You hear and read a lot about what might be wrong with education, about what needs to be changed, added, deleted or painted blue and turned over. I have many theories like […]
Time for Act Two at the malls?
Sometimes the problem becomes the solution, then the problem, then –maybe – the solution. The world is a wheel and not only does what goes around comes around, but if you wait […]
Beach after sundown is the place to be
Like Batman or The Shadow, I always did my best work after dark. I don’t mean journalistically. I mean beach-wise. Most folks who head down to the sand are looking for sun, […]
Memories make the past great again
One of the candidates for president has used as a slogan “Make America Great Again.” Without getting into a philosophical debate over the state of the nation, it did make me think […]
The sad summer of politics goes on
This is a political season and the weather is bound to get worse between now and Nov. 8. You will see, read, hear, and possibly repeat more applesauce in the next three […]
Cranston convinces in “The Infiltrator”
By Jim Tortolano If you’re looking for a word to describe the work of actor Bryan Cranston, a good choice would be “authenticity.” Best-known as teacher-turned-drug lord Walter White in the HBO […]
Relax, things are weird all over
In the classic Eighties TV show “Cheers,” there a line from the theme song that, amazingly, resonates with me during meetings of local city councils. “You wanna go where everyone knows/Troubles are […]
Pot, peace, prejudice and Pokemon
This is a week of great anxiety and light foolishness. Much of the nation is absorbed in reflection over whether recent shootings of and by police are tearing the country apart, while […]
