Deco-Style Fireplace in the Mountains
By Elizabeth Stewart   |   May 18, 2026

PE recently purchased a tiny “fixer-upper” cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake. During the remodel, he discovered that the 1,660-square-foot cabin was originally built in 1919, with an addition completed in 1927. He sent me an image of the fireplace in the main room – currently under construction […]

Did You Take Your Vitamin N Today?
By Ann Brode   |   May 18, 2026

Perhaps it was the prolonged screen time or too many sugar snacks. The boys were antsy, grumpy, and looking for trouble. When I suggested we all go to the beach, usually a favorite destination, they both said it sounded boring. I countered with: “We’re not just going to the beach, we’re doing an experiment.” This […]

 

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Crystal Birds and Origin Markings
By Elizabeth Stewart   |   May 11, 2026

AF has a small clear crystal bird figurine on a frosted glass base. The underside is labeled “Made in Taiwan R.O.C.” (Republic of China). The phrase “Made in” is important because it helps date the piece. Marks reading “Made in Taiwan” were used after 1949 to distinguish Taiwan from mainland China (the People’s Republic of […]

Meet Marjorie Newman, MD
By Sutter Health   |   May 11, 2026

What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed […]

Who Are You Kiddo-ing? Is the word condescending, or just annoying?
By Deann Zampelli   |   May 11, 2026

When I was growing up, we had a weekly show called Movie of the Week or Hallmark Movie of the Week or Afterschool Special or something equally 1970s. Invariably, there was either inappropriate content for a seven-year old, or worse, adults sending a not-so-subtle message to the youth of the day. “Kiddo, there’s no free […]

Naval Success on the Shores of Tripoli
By Elizabeth Stewart   |   May 4, 2026

Our reader’s painting, 20th century, 31.5” x 28”, sent by a former servicemember – U.S. Marine, DF – brought a tear to my eye. This is a painting of a tall ship by an amateur. It is signed in Arabic, rendered in a talented copyist style, and depicts the USS Philadelphia, a warship built between […]

Meet Gastroenterologist Vincent DeRosa, MD
By Sutter Health   |   May 4, 2026

What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed […]

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  • Mental Health Awareness: The Diagnosis
    By Dale Zurawski   |   May 4, 2026

    In a bright, spacious room, an oncologist told us my husband’s cancer couldn’t be cured. I felt a shock run through me. With everything else going on, I knew I couldn’t handle it alone. As soon as we left his office, I took out my phone and called Dennis. He was not only a good […]

    Meet Orthopedic Surgeon Jessica Cohen-Brown, MD
    By Sutter Health   |   April 28, 2026

    What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed […]

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    My Starbucks Name Is Katie: Leaning in to life’s frustrations
    By Deann Zampelli   |   April 28, 2026

    My parents’ favorite pastime was arguing with each other. The earliest indicator of this was my name. My Dad wanted to call me Deanna and my mom wanted to call me Diane, or some version of that truth. Hence, Deann with no “e” at the end. Or Dean with two ‘n’s. “Dean, party of 2.” […]

    Milan’s Apericena Moment
    By Jamie Knee   |   April 28, 2026

    Earlier this year, my husband and I spent time in Milan doing one of my favorite things in the world, discovering a city by the way it eats and drinks. I have always loved aperitivo in Italy. It is one of those simple pleasures that makes life feel instantly more civilized. A glass arrives, something […]

    Braided Brooches
    By Elizabeth Stewart   |   April 21, 2026

    In her mom’s belongings, EC found a bible that belonged to Isabel Robbins Carrillo (1845-1914), a lady from one of Santa Barbara’s most distinguished families. Along with the bible she found two brooches, and EC wondered if the brooches could date from the Californio period (1769-1846). Our area had transitioned from the Spanish Period (1769-1821) […]

    Meet Cardiologist, Gregory A. Cogert, MD, FACC, FHRS
    By Sutter Health   |   April 21, 2026

    What drives someone to spend a life in medicine? In this new Q&A series, a group of leading local physicians share the moments that set them on their path, the breakthroughs shaping their fields, and the realities behind the work. Their answers are candid, occasionally surprising, and grounded in experience. Together, they offer a clear-eyed […]

    Plastics-Adjacent: The Loving, Centrifugal Argosy of John Fink
    By Jeff Wing   |   April 21, 2026

    The actor completes his audition with camera rolling, and even does it “off-book” – no script in hand. He’s come prepared and has done quite well, John has. Inching closer to that coveted role in this new TV series, he may soon join an ensemble that includes the great Celeste Holm!  There’s just this one […]

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