There is something magical about the number 99. | Full Story

Despite his Irish name, "John McCarthy" was not from the Emerald Isle. He was Chinese, he lived in Los Baños in the early part of the 20th century, and he is an interesting story indeed. | Full Story

Schools in Merced County and the more than 55,000 students who attend them will be hurt again during the next school year by budget proposals designed to further delay long-term solutions to the state budget crisis. | Full Story

Next Sunday when Kate Winslet gets up on that big stage to hand out the award for Best Lead Actor she will without a doubt announce Jeremy Renner for, oops, I mean announce Jeff Bridges for his performance of an aged country singer in "Crazy Heart." It's the kind of Oscar win that the Academy loves. An old school actor, been nominated four times before, an award could revitalize an already distinct career. Oscar predictions practically write themselves. | Full Story

"Pebbles from the Rock" was a column that appeared in the Los Baños Enterprise in the 1970s. The column was written by the local postmaster Rocco Pernetti, who referred to himself in the column as The Rock. While the column was on the sports page, Mr. Pernetti had opinions on most subjects. I will try to intersperse them as I write starting with this: | Full Story

Arbor Day is next week, and this year Los Baños has at least two particularly good reasons to celebrate. | Full Story

Running Yosemite National Park is a job for someone with great diplomatic skills, and the commitment to take decisive action once the proper course is determined. It's certainly not a "starter job," but new superintendent, Don Neubacher, has been around enough to handle it. | Full Story

Checkoff California is a collaborative effort of tax check-off funds that are supporting the statewide media campaign with corporate sponsorship from the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. | Full Story