As we hear the pounding hooves that constitute the 2012 election year, I offer up my non-winning essay I wrote when the soon-to-be-newly minted Obama Administration launched a contest that would net the winner a sweet front row seat at the inauguration. Recently I came across my unpublished piece and I was struck by the fact that I still believe every word, albeit one must substitute telling references from the past such as "January 22, 2009" and "inauguration" with other timely, perhaps more general mentions, such as "in the future" and "the presidency." I realize "hope" has become part of a hackneyed phrase.  Truly that fact does not negate the importance of preserving hope, regardless

Sacramento State University sent thousands of graduates off to their next venture in life Fri. May 22 during graduation ceremonies held at Arco Arena.  Tomorrow, Sat. May 23, will see thousands more move their tassels. The ceremonies' main speaker was Sac State president, Alexander Gonzalez, who wished the graduates well in their upcoming quest for employment. He placed emphasis on the importance of hard work and diligence in the struggling economy and requested alumni to remember to give to the university when they achieve success. A highlight of the College of Arts and Letters commencement ceremonies, held at noon, was the graduation of 92 year-old Estelle Rees Arroyo who received her

Time for a Change I’m not the typical mom. I don’t have baby weight to lose. No.1 she’s seven and No. 2  I lost all the weight within a year after I had her. My problem is I always wanted to be there for my daughter, she has been my #1 priority, while I dropped to #55 on a growing list. I started working at home to be with her. I stopped doing all the things that made me feel good, inside and out: Hair, nails, social time with friends, etc. I’m heavier, now, than I’ve ever been and totally out of shape. A flight of stairs makes me lose my breath. I tried to do something for my mental fitness (went back to school), which still was doing nothing for my physical fitness. Needless to say “goi