Older folks may move a little slower than the impatient ones behind us in the check-out aisle would like, but that does not mean we have lost our intellect or ability to contribute to society.

Individuals in this country should feel free to openly express their views without fear of being dragged into court. Although free speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, apprehension over voicing opinions appears to be increasing in this country.

It’s not too late for a Men’s New Year’s Resolution: to show up in even greater numbers at this year’s Women’s March than ever before. Wherever they’re being held in Washington, D.C. or Anchorage, Alaska, let’s encourage men to march for gender equity and to transform manhood.

Environmentalists agree that eliminating single-use plastic bags will be good for planet Earth. Plastic bags are inexpensive. And even though they are considered single-use, the bags often see new life as trash can liners, animal waste retrievers or containers for items stored at home.

Another year down the tubes and another one facing us square in the face and taunting us to have a “Happy New Year.”

Not long ago, I was in a meeting to talk about a public policy issue. It was a little complex, and as we considered the various angles I began to think about what it would take to translate talk into change on the ground. I wasn’t analyzing the politics of it; I was focused on the types of p…

Holiday stories handed down from generation to generation embrace the magic of the season. One of those true stories dates back 122 years when 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon sent a letter to the New York Post asking about Santa Claus, known for delivering toys and good cheer on Christmas. Virg…

“Man on the Street” interviews used to be one way journalists gauged public opinion on hot topics of the day. Then social media came along and took the shoe leather out of the equation.

My God, they put Jesus and his parents in cages, as though that’s what U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents would do – you know, keep the spirit of love and compassion from entering the United States of America.

The first thing I noticed about Jim was how thin he was. But then most of the dogs picked up by Cleveland Animal Care and Control are skinny so I didn’t think much about it.

One vote.

Pretty sure kids are the only ones who experience an unbridled joy and great expectations that come with this time of year.

To me, it was a thunderclap. Years ago, when I was in Congress, we were in the midst of a tense, contentious debate. Members had gotten irritated, levying charges back and forth, and tempers were rising. Then one member stood up, asked for our attention, and said to us, “Let’s remember: trus…

“Jingle bells, the kids have grown and they’re all off at their significant other’s families for the holidays.”

Back in the last century, 1955 to be exact, a folk singer named Pete Seeger wrote a song born of the “Ban the Bomb” movement and the never-ending cycle of war, death and those left behind to repeat the folly.

Social media and the internet force us all to update the way we think about giving. I urge Ohioans to be generous with their pocketbook — and with their time in checking out those seeking donations during the holiday season.

Woodmere Village Council members have made it clear that they are concerned about an efficiently run government, with attention to fiscal responsibility. That’s good for residents who pay for the operation of the village through their tax dollars.

Arbordale Avenue residents are fed up. Homeowners filled Solon City Council chambers earlier this week to complain about the $1.83 million road project with no end in sight.

Welcome to the second annual edition of a compilation of comments written by the local folks who hang out on the Chagrin’s Village Block Club Facebook page, whom we affectionately refer to as “Blockheads.”

Last week, my father-in-law came to visit for a few hours. He and my mother-in-law live relatively close, and one or both of them come to visit their young grandchildren a couple of times a month. It is a highlight when “Pops!” or “Mimi!” come to the house. They play games, read books, eat l…

Using credit cards for holiday spending is neither good nor bad. Buying with credit cards can enable you to take advantage of sales and manage your cash. The danger is that it is very easy to overextend yourself and get into more debt than you can afford to repay. Learning how credit card re…

How much will you be spending this holiday season? According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the average consumer spends $1,047 during the holidays. Ohioans’ budgets are a little bit less than that.

Representative democracy is based on a simple premise. It’s that ordinary citizens can make satisfactory judgments on complex public policy and political issues — or at least grasp them well enough to decide who should be dealing with them.

At a recent party, a friend of mine, who, like myself is of half Italian descent, was singing loudly and more than a little off key to a Dean Martin song about the moon, eyes and pizza pies.

A blast from the past? Ah, yes. That familiar sight is an early punch of wintry weather. (The official start of winter isn’t until Dec. 21.) The first major snowfall in Northeast Ohio was enough to chill us all to the bone.

As the fall breezes turn into brisk winter winds, we are reminded that people across Northeast Ohio need our help. In 2018, 23,000 adults and children experienced homelessness in Cuyahoga County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

I was just resting my eyes on the cusp of sleep when the first cold gust of winter blew the door open and in came another blowhard. It was the town complainer, queen of the non sequitur and guru of conspiracy theorists everywhere. Her name, if you have not guessed by now, is Ms. Demeanor, ak…

I can’t stop looking at the photo in the Happy Trails newsletter. To most I’m sure it’s just a nice picture of a little girl on a pony, relaxed, her bare feet dangling below the pony’s ample girth, no saddle needed, as the two enjoy a leisurely walk across a lush green field. But to me, this…

Suicide prevention doesn’t sleep. By the numbers, we know that depression can lead to suicide. For veterans, the numbers are higher. You don’t have to be a ‘combat veteran’ to suffer from depression, only human.

One of the not-so-small gifts of living in a representative democracy is that you can’t accomplish things alone. Whether you’re trying to get a stop sign put up on a dangerous corner or to change U.S. policy on greenhouse gas emissions, you have to reach out to others. And learning how to pe…

A police officer on security detail spotted an elderly man walking into the grocery store wearing a ball cap with a military insignia. “Excuse me sir, were you in the Army?” the officer asked.

For our money, there is perhaps nothing more tedious in the action-packed world of community journalism than the candidate interviews.

That old saying, “you can’t live with ’em and you can’t live without ’em” could definitely be referring to cars. The frustrating realities of car ownership are nothing new, but two of my recent care experiences were indeed new to me.