Guest Columns - The Journal

Feels like spring out there; time to attend to fruit trees

Abnormal. Somewhat strange. A bit peculiar with an air of absurdity. No, this isn’t how my kids describe their dad or a way to describe the 2016 Chicago Cubs, the odds-on favorit...

DATE: Mar 6, 2016 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Thinking About Health Can shopping for services really bring down costs?

Early in December, David, a reader who lives in the foothills west of Denver, sent me an email. “It’s scary when you go into any health-care facility and don’t know whether to bri...

DATE: Jan 19, 2016 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Veterans’ children with birth defects may qualify for help

The main objective of the Veterans Service Office is to provide prevention, protection, advocacy and support services to veterans and their families so they can maximize their quality of lif...

DATE: Dec 18, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Fact Check: Carson misses the boat on federal lands

Ben Carson said: “The fact that the government owns 2.4 billion acres of land is ridiculous. What do they need with all that land?” “I would advocate returning land to the states....

DATE: Dec 10, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Thinking About Health Medicare makes it easier for end-of-life counseling

What a difference six years makes! In 2009 at the height of the debate on the Affordable Care Act, New York’s former lieutenant government Betsy McCaughey appeared on television ...

DATE: Dec 2, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Some facts about screening the Syrian refugees

Carly Fiorina “The vast majority of (Syrian) refugees are young, able-bodied men looking for work.” According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, males are 49.7 percent an...

DATE: Nov 26, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Fact Check: Clean Power Plan goes to the bottom line

Gov. John Hickenlooper (Democrat) and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman (Republican) are at odds over a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP). “We do not support thi...

DATE: Oct 29, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Firewise: It's time to prepare for wildfires

Although the smoke in the air this summer has mostly been from distant fires, residents of southwest Colorado are urged to prepare their properties for wildfires. Here are a few s...

DATE: Sep 1, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

No better time to prepare your property for wildfires

By Rebecca Samulski Although the smoke in the air this summer has mostly been from distant fires, residents of southwest Colorado are urged to prepare their properties for wildfir...

DATE: Aug 27, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Scorpius’ stars put sting in summer sky

Greetings, stargazers. The late afternoon monsoon clouds finally parted and made for a few good observing evenings recently. Unfortunately for me, a couple of those nights were ...

DATE: Aug 20, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Stewards of the Land Do spring rains mean no wildfires? Think again.

The recent spring rains may lull you into thinking there won’t be much of a fire season. And there may not be – this summer. But fast forward to next June and think about how much more fuel ...

DATE: Jun 29, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Choose pollinator plants, and they will help you

Editor’s note: Get Growing, written by the La Plata County Extension Office’s Master Gardener Program, appears during the growing season. It features timely tips and suggestions for your gar...

DATE: Jun 25, 2015 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns