They Paved Paradise

They Paved Paradise   By Frank Schiavone I know, I know – this is a lyric from a 1970 Joni Mitchell ditty. I always thought it was a pleasant little tune but never realized just how prophetic it was. Sprawling land development is gobbling up America at an alarming rate – around 365 acres per hour according to government figures. In most communities the amount of developed land is...

Shenanigans in Our Foothills

Shenanigans in Our Foothills   By Frank Schiavone A controversial project is proposed for the foothills above Alta Loma where the Carrari’s Christmas Tree Farm once stood. The project applicant is Gary Miller, that’s Congressman Gary Miller of Diamond Bar. The project will lie at 3000 feet or higher and will be seen from virtually anywhere in the City. It will back up to slopes...

The Commons

The Commons   By Frank Schiavone We Americans are wealthier than we know. Jointly, we own some of the priciest real estate in the world. That beautiful Capitol dome on the mall in Washington D.C. along with the Smithsonian and all its magnificent contents belongs to us. Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Golden Gate, that’s ours too. Literally everything in the public domain is our common...

Our Shaky Economic Foundation

Simpler Times   By Frank Schiavone Things used to be a lot simpler. We lived in smaller homes with just one TV. There was no shame in driving a used car. We were more earnest savers. A savings account got you about a 5% return on your “investment”. Banks would not dream of charging you a fee for the privilege of parking your money there. Banks and S&Ls would leverage the...

What Are We Willing to Pay

What Are We Willing to Pay?   By Frank Schiavone In his compelling new book, The Limits of Power, Andrew Bacevich delivers a stinging rebuke writing that there “is a yawning disparity between what Americans expect, and what they’re willing or able to pay.” But the indictment goes further still. The price for the things we all take for granted is worthwhile so long as...