tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49021486535003335672012-01-03T04:49:50.989-08:00The online journal of Bay Area writer, Alex HorvathAlex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-24672310670052462532012-01-02T10:49:00.001-08:002012-01-02T10:56:28.786-08:00

1. To not have facial replacement surgery if for any reason my face is destroyed by an angry monkey.  The pics I have seen of people with facial transplants look like people made out of play-dough. Better will be to wear a mask... or to stay far away from angry monkeys! 2. Stop believing everything I read, hear or see in advertisements.  Being gullible past 50 seems like a detriment. Exception to

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-63048726452802275692011-12-26T06:21:00.000-08:002011-12-26T06:23:46.271-08:00

The year 2011 was a bit of a wild ride for me that started with surgery for a hernia in January, being in a serious automobile accident in February that left me with a destroyed car and a concussion, and then leaving my job as Managing Editor of Emlen Media in March. Somewhere around this time I came to the realization that there were many things taking place that were not in my control, and that

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com1Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA38.3437823 -122.701195138.293967800000004 -122.7801591 38.3935968 -122.62223110000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-36356867035945726002011-11-27T06:14:00.001-08:002011-11-27T06:41:59.971-08:00

The neighbors in M Section have started putting up holiday decorations, something I have learned is an annual venture into the tacky and garish as soon the entire cul de sac is alive with holiday lights, giant snowmen, and more than one Santa Claus blown up with hot air. At first glance, the Santa standing in the next-door neighbor's doorway resembles a homeless person more than he does old

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-75011034247688289182011-03-05T13:14:00.001-08:002011-12-26T05:50:53.263-08:00

When I was about 12 or 13, I got the idea in my head that I would start my own local business in Bolinas. I was already known far and wide for the great care that I took of my younger siblings (Trishna and Hermione at the time -- Mary was to come along later). So I put an ad in the Hearsay News that read as follows: "Babysitters Spontaneous The "Effete" Babysitting Company $1 per

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-20521796962473589102010-10-28T20:51:00.000-07:002010-10-28T21:28:00.569-07:00

I have no business visiting the pet section at PetSmart as it invariably breaks my heart, and occasionally results in my bringing an extra cat home. Such was the case about two weeks ago when I ventured into the glassed in area at the Rohnert Park store and saw "Sylvie," an 11-year-old feline who was sleeping soundly all the way in the back of her cage. This wasn't the first time I saw her - I

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-24998866564978912902010-07-04T06:12:00.000-07:002010-07-04T06:22:37.009-07:00

“Tree House” John Bonuski Wins Favorite Street Person of All Time Contest! From bolinas2miles.com – July 2005 John Bonuski was awarded the prize for being the "Favorite Bolinas Street Person of all time" following the results of an online contest on bolinas2miles.com. In a close competition, John edged out departed favorites San Jose Bob, Boaz, Janice Thompson, and Ikon. The match was even

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com1Bolinas, CA, USA37.9093702 -122.686373337.8755107 -122.7447383 37.943229699999996 -122.6280083tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-51364969081195430302010-06-25T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-25T07:34:45.255-07:00

In spite of the departure of the former publisher, the so-called newspaper wars between the Point Reyes Light and the West Marin Citizen continue. It's like the never-ending story and it has served to divide the community as to which newspaper is their true community paper. In the commentary below, which is part of the final edition of KWMR's West Marin Report, I ask, "who really cares" about

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-47735424940925239682010-06-15T08:43:00.000-07:002010-06-16T07:44:13.876-07:00

Things are getting uglier – if that is possible – in the world of Community Journalism in West Marin. On Monday, the West Marin Citizen published a “Special Edition” that accused the Marin Media Institute – which incase you haven’t heard is the new publisher of the Point Reyes Light – of attempting a “hostile takeover” of the Citizen. In a page-one editorial in the four-page edition, the

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA38.0432916 -122.83101537.9081016 -123.06447449999999 38.178481600000005 -122.5975555tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-26413321222580466622010-01-12T07:22:00.000-08:002010-01-12T07:23:58.217-08:00

A letter (and confession) from Brad, in Maine Years ago I lived on the little mesa in Bolinas with my doberman named Gracie. Beautiful Champion Williams's Amazing Grace, the dog that could perform 135 tricks! Everyday Gracie and I would walk down the hill onto Brighton, take a left up the beach, and walk around to Wharf Road. Gracie would heel by my side, and strut her stuff through Bolinas

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-85932820750857137702010-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:56:42.783-08:00

It's 4 AM and I have been awake since 2 AM with a wicked case of middle-of-the-night insomnia. This is not the first time, and it is no coincidence that the name of this on-line journal is "Sleep Deprived." Besides the feeling of sheer exhaustion, I am actually kind of okay with it. Actually, I do my best writing in the early morning hours - although usually a bit later in the morning - say,

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-71256789655280343192010-01-07T14:58:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:59:16.816-08:00

In deference to the West Marin Citizen, which has published numerous articles and essays by this writer, we print the following item.  However, we take no sides in the issues that remain between the West Marin Citizen and the Point Reyes Light.  This space is provided as a community service. Most Sleep Deprived readers are likely unaware that the Point Reyes Light printed a reader-contributed

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-41683016577810147612010-01-01T12:47:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:50:13.142-08:00

Will things every slow down? Does life ever become easier from year to year? The answer, I suspect, is no. Life may not be simple, but it is good. I have a great home life, and like my job very much. All of the bases are covered and I am heads and tails ahead of where my life was ten years ago at this time -- in a marriage that was three-quarters of the way through its lifespan. (I had married

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-91703170401068873352009-10-29T06:41:00.000-07:002010-12-17T21:37:53.182-08:00

Gary I visited Gary Abler in the hospital yesterday. Gary was in room 23 at Petaluma Valley Hospital. I refer to his being in that room in the past-tense as Gary seemed pretty certain that yesterday would be his last day there. He said that the hospital was going to release him the following day - essentially kicking him out today because he has no medical coverage. So if anyone that reads this

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-71721834319172783512009-10-12T07:15:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:17:30.674-08:00

As home towns go, Bolinas is a warm and secure place for people to come from, at least on the surface. A popular social networking website features a page titled, "You know you grew up in Bolinas if...", and members fill in their answers. I shall leave the name of the social site for your imagination, as well as the names of the people that posted their answers. But here you will find some of the

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0Bolinas, CA 94924, USA37.9588807 -122.706842937.891207200000004 -122.8235724 38.0265542 -122.59011339999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-51939169703703272012008-08-26T14:44:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:45:05.937-07:00

It’s not often that I think of it, but something reminded me the other day of the time back in 1984 when I was selected for inclusion on San Francisco Focus Magazine’s list of 50 Most Eligible Bachelor’s in the entire Bay Area. It was a big deal to this 23 year old, who had only weeks earlier fought off assertions from two trusted female friends - a mother and daughter in my extended family who

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-68860261408012620682008-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:42:39.989-07:00

It always seemed peculiar how the adults of yesteryear (the senior citizens of today) could hijack the holidays of small children as they did in Bolinas in the late 1960’s and early1970’s. A perfect example would be Easter, a religious holiday for many and also a day of hunting for Easter Eggs and colorful candies as we did for the first part of the day. However, at about 11 AM, the adults would

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-24292713766267023542008-03-09T14:39:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:41:06.555-07:00

News from Bolinas was rather dire last week with the unfortunate demise of master-guitarist Buddy Craig, and of long-time community do-gooder/town cleaner, Bicycle Tim Walsh, who hung himself at the Bolinas Community Center last Tuesday. Craig’s death was also a suicide. In the town the size of Bolinas, this kind of random and intentional occurrence is rough on the soul of everyone, and my e-mail

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-34581692000457849152008-01-12T07:24:00.000-08:002010-01-12T07:26:53.052-08:00

The final nail in the coffin of the Good Old Days has been hammered in with news out of Smiley’s Saloon that dogs are no longer allowed on the premises. An unannounced visit by the Marin County Health Department in January resulted in a foreboding handmade sign taped to the front door of the Bolinas tavern alerting regulars that their canines are no longer allowed. In other words, check your dog

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-47441323750838917352007-06-15T14:43:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:43:47.832-07:00

I was once the press secretary to the mayor of Bolinas, Calif. Later I was the vice-mayor of the tiny coastal community. It may seem like the statements are a pack of lies, but they are actually true. At least if you buy into the fact that Dean Greenstreet was once the Mayor of Bolinas. Greenstreet was The Mayor (albeit unelected to the title). He moved to Bolinas in the early 1970’s following a

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-78166108713326628512006-11-26T14:36:00.000-08:002009-10-26T14:37:26.037-07:00

My favorite Thanksgiving in Bolinas was in 1995, a year when I was living back in town and working part-time at Smiley’s Saloon while working full-time at the Pacific Sun. I was going through my first divorce and had moved to let my mind heal and to get my arms around whatever I was going to do with the rest of my life. Being a bar-keep was not on that list but the social interaction kept me from

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-3322093564513858312006-02-26T14:34:00.000-08:002009-10-26T14:36:04.483-07:00

I was named after both of my grandfathers – Alexander Healy from Worland, Wyoming, and Dr. Bela Horvath, from Budapest Hungary. Strangely, I see myself as a mix of both men, with a peppering of both of my parents thrown in for flavor. I have my father’s intellect and sense of humor, which I’m sure he got from his parents. I’m sure that I would have loved both men but it is my maternal

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-47749987721506868952005-12-10T14:28:00.000-08:002009-10-26T14:29:53.175-07:00

The crusty old police officer spotted me staring at him, squinting, trying to get close enough to read the name on the brass plate that was pinned to his shirt just above the badge. I could barely make out the name. Just as I was getting close and spelling out the individual letters, he moved toward me, looked me in the eye and with a threatening voice growled, “Do you want to go to jail?” The

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-76006936656627321162005-11-10T14:26:00.000-08:002009-10-26T14:27:58.724-07:00

I’m not sure of the year that it first went on the air, but I am darned sure of the exact date when it went off. And that was December 15, 1975, when officials from the Federal Communications Commission arrived at the Bolinas Community Public Utilities District building on Elm Road, confiscated radio equipment from a small studio on the second floor, and padlocked the doors so that no one could

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-84629437646161752052005-10-10T14:24:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:25:39.972-07:00

Helicopters buzzing about overhead, trips up Mt. Tam to water one’s private garden, backyards on The Mesa that were covered with camouflage, and citizens worried that newcomers were narks. Ah, the good old days of Bolinas in the 1970’s, when entrepreneurs from our town and beyond tried in earnest to get a lump-sum out of the soil in the area, or sometimes just some extra money (and weed) to get

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-72470579134947278062005-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:23:57.740-07:00

There are many tales involving the stealing of the Bolinas 2 Miles road sign, but none that I remember better than the one I am about to relate, which involves the time a local restaurateur, frustrated with what he considered lack of business, concocted his own “Bolinas” road sign in for form of seven white rubber letters that had been glued to the road at the Bolinas Wye. A guard had been hired

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-41800577281115888412005-07-12T07:17:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:35:03.920-08:00

The thing about Bolinas names... (Everyone’s got at least two) My wife, Robin, who goes by only one name, is quick to point out that the majority of people from Bolinas have more than one name. I tell her that I am just "Alex," so that can't be true. But she counters with the fact that my family calls me "Sandy" -- so technically I have two names. It's also true with the rest of the people in

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-36181127613389565342004-09-26T14:32:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:34:36.833-08:00

At the risk of telling stories out of school, another amphibious vehicle tale has come to mind – this time involving a person whom I shall refer to as “Isaac,” who in 1980 went to a Ford dealership in San Rafael and purchased a brand-new, bright yellow pick-up truck. Isaac was a great guy. He was honest as the day is long, had a twisted sense of humor, and worked hard on construction sites and

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-9378382901848646572004-09-10T14:30:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:34:03.877-08:00

In January of 1968, in the months that followed our family moving from the suburbs of New Jersey to Bolinas, my mother got it in her head that she should buy herself a new car. She had thought this out carefully and talked it over with several of the new friends that she had made in town, many of the conversations taking place down at Smiley’s Saloon and others over all-night burgundy parties in

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-35928902310509197762004-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:32:37.486-08:00

If you find your photo taped to the mirror behind the bar at Smiley’s Saloon, chances are that you may be dead. The long mirror inside the 152 year old bar is often the barometer for comings and goings – mainly the goings – of many in the community. It’s been a helluva year with regard to members of the community passing away. Since November 2003, Bolinas has lost Carolyn Brown, Russ Riviere,

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-61779269629737963682004-07-05T07:11:00.000-07:002010-01-12T07:14:50.183-08:00

I'm not certain how many years Annie Crotts has been singing the Star Spangled Banner at the Bolinas July 4th celebration, and I'm not certain how many more years she left in her to do it - though I sure hope it's a lot! What I am sure about is that Crotts' rendition of the American classic with all of its rockets red glare, and the high notes, is something that hundreds of people come to see her

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902148653500333567.post-26605371784503903222002-12-12T07:46:00.000-08:002010-01-12T07:49:17.373-08:00

The following post first appeared as an article in the Pacific Sun titled "Brigadoon Blues" in December 2002. A geography quiz for locals: It’s a busy Friday morning in a popular Marin community. The streets are jammed with tourists, locals and delivery trucks. Automobiles stop and start about the busy town center looking for a place to park – but they’re out of luck – there isn’t a single spot

Alex Horvathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00472570924582077604noreply@blogger.com0