Category: John Spevak

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from readers of column, so today we’ll read some of their responses to this columnist’s musings. Today’s responses come from individuals who read my columns online. The most frequent and...

The Westside Express has survived now for three years. The first TWE issue was published on May 25, 2021. Many people thought it wouldn’t survive one year, let alone three. Many other people have asked publisher Gene Lieb and me...

I have hope in a pope—in fact, in two popes. I have hope in Pope Francis — because “Hope” is the title of his autobiography published earlier this year, a book I purchased and recently read. I have hope in Pope Leo XIV...

What is the task you dread most? And what is the place, above all, you want to avoid? For some people, it’s going to a doctor or a dentist. For others it might be going to work for a supervisor who treats you like dirt. Or it...

The graduation ceremony later this month at the Los Banos Campus of Merced College is another step forward for the local college campus. On Thursday, May 22, the Merced College Los Banos Campus will hold its third annual...

Today’s column is being published on April 30, the start of the 2025 Los Banos May Day Fair, also known as the Merced County Spring Fair. For me, this will be the 53rd May Day Fair since I moved to Los Banos. Over the years I’ve...

Words often change over time in meaning and in the reaction they trigger. A while back, for example, I pointed out in a column that “disrupt” once caused negative reactions, while today “disrupt” is often used positively. ...

I have been fortunate in my time in Los Banos to have known many excellent dentists. These include Bill and Steve, who are not only superb dentists, but also friendly and congenial individuals. Today I’m acknowledging a Los...

I never thought I’d be watching a major league baseball game in Sacramento, but last Wednesday I traveled to Sutter Health Park to watch the Athletics (minus the preface Sacramento) play a day game in their first home series of...

As a long-time resident of Los Banos, I am pleased to hear about the planned renovation of the Colorado Park complex. In truth, I’m pleased to hear news of any park development, because I believe parks are an important part of a...

On Monday, April 7, the State of the College presentation will take place at Merced College, as it has for more than a decade. After a luncheon, President Chris Vitelli will explain to those in attendance where Merced College is...

The start of the spring semester in high schools and colleges is a good time to ask, “What does it take for a young person to succeed in life?” Many people say it’s a college education, which most people think of as a four-year...