Having been honored as a selection for Oprah’s Book Club and having received strong reviews from critics (among them, Janet Maslin of the New York Times) and authors (with Stephen King topping the list), David Wroblewski’s first novel, “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” went on to become a best seller last year.  Sadly, it […]

            Throughout his first five months in office, Barack Obama has been dealing with one crisis after another.  To date, his presidency might be the most challenging since Franklin Roosevelt’s, if not Abe Lincoln’s.  While he hasn’t had to face anything like the Great Depression or the collapse of the union, he did assume office […]

            When I wrote this column nine years ago, my parents had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In recent years, the joys of marriage are becoming increasingly available to a new group of couples: those who are gay.  And, since that advance in our society is more than overdo, I again offer my ode […]

            With the completion of its seventh season as the Sacramento region’s principal venue for the performing arts, the Mondavi Center (on the campus of U.C. Davis) has established itself as a wonderful place to hear great music, see quality performances, and listen to interesting speakers.  The 2008-2009 season provided generous offerings of each kind […]