Harry Saltzgaver

1 week ago | presstelegram.com | Harry Saltzgaver

When I was a kid, summer was my favorite time of year. What? Summer is everyone’s favorite season when they are kids, you say? Okay, I’ll accept that. I assume that’s because there’s seldom any school in the summer, right? Sure, it has something to do with what you can do, too. In my Colorado youth, summer meant being able to go outside without a coat. It meant baseball season – usually a total of 15 games or so.

1 week ago | presstelegram.com | Harry Saltzgaver

I am getting a little tired of people leaving my life. At least this time, it’s a retirement, not a death. My friend Jane Conoley is vacating the president’s office at Cal State Long Beach. I’m still not quite sure whether to call her Jane Close Conoley or Jane Conoley or just Madame President. She good-naturedly answers to all three. It has been more than a decade since President Conoley moved into that office – January 2014 to be exact.

2 weeks ago | presstelegram.com | Harry Saltzgaver

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Okay, technically it was a free breakfast. It happened last Friday, and it was called the Breakfast of Hope. The breakfast wasn’t the only thing free that morning. How about a free six-month addiction recovery program, including room and board? Explaining that program was what the Breakfast of Hope was all about. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. I’ve written about this program in the past, because I’m passionate about the subject.

3 weeks ago | presstelegram.com | Harry Saltzgaver

I’ve never been a fan of those obligatory ground-breaking photos – a bunch of officials, usually in business attire and with shiny hardhats perched on their heads – with shovels and a little dirt allegedly breaking the ground for some new project. Those staged pictures are second only to the grip-and-grin photos of big check presentations in terms of self-serving mementos for those involved. During my newspaper editing days, I did my very best to not use either one in print.

1 month ago | presstelegram.com | Harry Saltzgaver

For the first time in several years, I missed The Guidance Center’s annual fundraiser, Sunset Sip, last weekend. I’m always sorry to miss a good party, especially when it benefits a good cause. The Guidance Center most definitely is a good cause with its work providing mental health counseling and guidance to youngsters and teens. Over the years, I’ve written several stories and columns about the nonprofit as it grew into its bright green headquarters building at Pine Avenue and Anaheim Street.