Education Matters: Advocating for transgender rights
Marsha Sutton
June 27, 2020
Gender identity, as apart from assigned sex at birth, is a real thing. Attempts to deny this only serve to divide us and create hostility against “the other.” As one wise person said when asked how they felt about “the other,” the reply was, “We are all human. There is no ‘other.’”
Living Creatively: ‘There is no one like you in the universe’
Barbara Basia Koenig
June 5, 2020
Your voice, your presence, your place in the scheme of things will be etched forever in the annals of these times.
Education Matters: Restricting public participation
Marsha Sutton
June 3, 2020
Of all the issues that have arisen recently in the San Dieguito Union High School District, it’s fair to say the grading policy was one of considerable importance to the community. On this issue, the public was denied its right to address the board in a fair and transparent manner.
Preserved Home: The meat of the matter — canning is an economical, tasty option
Laura Woolfrey Macklem
June 3, 2020
Prices are going up on groceries, and with all this talk about a possible meat shortage, people are starting to feel concerned. But what if instead of being worried, you turned stocking up into a delicious, creative adventure — a chance to learn new things while stashing away homemade convenience foods by canning? There is joy in this journey.
Education Matters: Grading policy at San Dieguito ignites community
Marsha Sutton
May 20, 2020
The San Dieguito Union High School District’s Board of Trustees, students and parents should have been involved in the district’s credit/no credit grading discussion from the beginning, rather than the superintendent rolling it out without seeking more feedback from stakeholders.
Education Matters: Scorning the public’s right to be heard
Marsha Sutton
May 20, 2020
By violating the basic rules of California’s Brown Act in its ill-advised attempt to control the number of public speakers, the San Dieguito Union High School District board has taken away the public’s right to address its elected officials.
Living Creatively: Be at peace
Barbara Basia Koenig
January 4, 2020
We have within us a kind of spiritual anchor, an innate inner peace or presence of mind that is always accessible to us if we learn to cultivate it, as we do a sense of humor. Our presence of mind can withstand any adversity if we understand our place in the scheme of things. We can contribute to the chaos around us, or we can be an island of peace within it, somewhat like being in the eye of the storm. We can attain this inner tranquility through practice of presence.
Living Creatively: Find your personal space, and a ‘third place’
Barbara Basia Koenig
February 17, 2019
One way to live more peacefully and creatively is to set personal boundaries. We can view a personal boundary as a field of energy around us that we set through intention. We intentionally set a standard we intend to live by, and choose what influences we will allow, and not allow, to influence us. These influences affect our peace of mind and attainment of goals.
Preserved Home: Homemade dip can be answer to ‘fake news’ snacks
Laura Woolfrey Macklem
October 10, 2018
One of my favorite snack recipes is layered Greek dip, which makes a substantial number of servings. Homemade hummus is topped with layers of vegetables, whole Greek yogurt, olives and feta cheese.
Preserved Home: No wonder why one-pot dishes are deliciously easy
Laura Woolfrey Macklem
March 6, 2018
Today’s busy cook is veering away from just quick, to quick and healthy. It’s my opinion the days of the blue and green dinosaur shaped chicken nugget are coming to an end. People want real food.
Preserved Home: Mexican-style rice recipe recalls fond memories of Fidel’s
Laura Woolfrey Macklem
October 19, 2017
It’s possibly nervy thinking I have anything to serve up Southern California’s community in terms of a Mexican rice recipe, but I absolutely do. I might not have an abuela who passed down authentic Mexican recipes, but I grew up in Southern California, and know what good Mexican rice tastes like. The standard for me was set years ago at Carlsbad’s Fidel's Mexican Restaurant. It’s now called Norte, but to some of us, it will always be Fidel’s.
Preserved Home: Dumplings, grits make for old-fashioned deliciousness
Laura Woolfrey Macklem
June 5, 2017
Thumbing through the yellowed recipe cards from years back, I can see glimpses of times gone by — the ingredients, the lingo, and the simplicity. I loved the stains and crinkles on the cards, thinking of busy hands pulling them out of the box, hurrying to get dinner served on time. My grandmother ate poor man’s soup, but there is only a richness in the care, creativity, and even worry people faced, and still face today, about nourishing their families.
