A California Magazine with Local Focus and Global Appeal:
Community - Entertainment - Human Interest

Weekly issues every Saturday morning and other special articles throughout the week — there's something for everyone. Check out our sister site KRL News & Reviews for even more articles every week.

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The Song Remains the Same: Writing in the Rock Music World of Hold Me Down

FROM THE October 20 ISSUE

IN THE Music SECTION

by Clea Simon


My new book, Hold Me Down, is set in the rock music world. My protagonist Gal is an older woman who, decades before, was a rock star for a brief and shining moment. She was also a heavy drinker and a little bit crazy for reasons that I hope are made apparent in the course of the story.

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Cats On Stage at the Saroyan: Q & A With Cast Member Lauren Louis

FROM THE October 20 ISSUE

IN THE Lorie Lewis Ham SECTION

by Lorie Lewis Ham


Theatre is back again at the Saroyan Theatre in Fresno! The musical Cats will be performing there on October 26 and 27. Recently, we had the chance to chat with cast member Lauren Louis who plays Demeter.

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The Hound of Bakersfield: Halloween Mystery Short Story

FROM THE October 20 ISSUE

IN THE Mysteryrat's Maze SECTION

by Pamela Ebel


Red Gentry pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant at 5:00 a.m. on the dot, smiling to note that he was, as always, the first one there. He parked in front of the building and revved the engine of his 1950 Indian Chief Black Hawk motorcycle. The sound vibrated the windows of the café, and the glass display case on the counter.

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Never Too Old to Party: 12 Fun Things to Do on Your Birthday This Year

FROM THE October 18 ISSUE

IN THE Arts & Entertainment SECTION

by Staff


During childhood, all of us wanted big birthday parties. However, the excitement for many of us is fading away now. It may be due to the hectic schedules and the pressure of organizing a perfect event. Yet, there are many other ways you may enjoy your special day. A significant part of the birthday celebration is that you get together with your loved ones, and you can celebrate it all by yourself.

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Clovis Haunted Trail

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Arts & Entertainment SECTION

by Lorie Lewis Ham


As we continue to cover local Halloween events, the Clovis Haunted Trail seems like a perfect one for 2021 since it is outdoors—-still the safest way to gather for a fun time in a pandemic world. We chatted with the creator and coordinator of the event Falina Marihart to learn more.

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Feral Paws Team Work

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Animal Rescue Adventures SECTION

by Paula Hunsaker


We have been so blessed to work with Margo Campainha-Cassidy who is with Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals in Napa, California. Margo is amazing! She saves over 1,000 animals a year from High Kill Shelters. I truly admire her so much, because she is so much like our rescue who looks out for the misfits. I have followed her work with the cats that are so sick that they are on death’s door, only to bring them back to life so they can move forward to being adopted. We spend a lot of time texting about the animals.

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Jackets, Jack o’ Lantern, & Justice By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Kathleen Costa SECTION

by Kathleen Costa


Mae West has had quite a contrasting life: from the heights of limitless spending to the depths of a 9 to 5 budget, from the superficial cocktail crowd to true bourbon buddies, from a New York City penthouse to a Kentucky campground. After forfeiting everything to the Feds due to her now late-husband’s financial crimes, she leaves the Big Apple with only two items: a camper and ownership of Happy Trails Campground nestled in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

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Murder Outside the Lines By Krista Davis: Review/Giveaway

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Mysteryrat's Maze SECTION

by Sandra Murphy


Florrie Fox is the manager of Color Me Read, a Georgetown bookstore. For Halloween, the store is going all out with a presentation by psychic author Hilda Rattenhorst. Before her talk is barely underway, Hilda has a vision of a rolled up rug with a foot sticking out. She also feels a violent presence in the room and faints. Florrie and her police officer boyfriend, Eric, go to the location where Hilda says she ‘saw’ the body, but there’s no sign of it.

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Be My Ghost: A Haunted Haven Mystery By Carol J. Perry: Review/Giveaway/Halloween Guest Post

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Cynthia Chow SECTION

by Cynthia Chow
& Carol J. Perry


When Barlett’s of Boston department store shuttered its doors after eighty-five years, their thirty-something Independent Retailers Ready-to-Wear Buyer of the Year Maureen Doherty knows that even a generous severance pay won’t help her for long with an apartment lease. So it’s an unexpected but very fortuitous time for her to receive a letter from the Estate Attorney of one Penelope Josephine Gray, stating that Maureen has been named as the sole heir of the Haven House Inn.

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Essentials of Murder By Kim Davis: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Food Fun SECTION

by Kathleen Costa
& Kim Davis


Ten years ago Carissa Carmichael couldn’t wait to escape her hometown of Oak Creek Valley for a big city adventure in San Francisco where she honed her skills, knowledge, and experience with aromatherapy and reflexology through her association with friend and mentor Mari Kemp. However, nine months ago her adventure turned horrific ordeal that included accusations of “fraud” and an arrest all courtesy of her big city, now ex, boyfriend.

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Mystery at Kearney Mansion

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Arts & Entertainment SECTION

by Mallory Moad



Halloween is on the way. Have you made plans for the spooky-ookiest day of the year? Trick-or-treating is fun for the kids, but if you’re a grownup who’s looking for something more age-appropriate and dignified than a been there/done that haunted house, stay with me.

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A Question of Identity: Halloween Short Story

FROM THE October 16 ISSUE

IN THE Mysteryrat's Maze SECTION

by Vicki Weisfeld


Tingles of anticipation coursed through nine-year-old Jen’s body as she unlocked her front door the day before Halloween. Upstairs on her bed was a shiny black box, and under rustling sheets of black tissue was a Halloween costume. Jen shrieked with disappointment.

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Much Ado About Nothing Presented On New COS Festival Stage

FROM THE October 13 ISSUE

IN THE Education SECTION

by Lorie Lewis Ham


The College of the Sequoias Performing Arts will be presenting its first ever Shakespeare in the Park show, Much Ado About Nothing, starting this weekend on their new Festival Stage. We took a moment to chat with the show’s director, James McDonnell, about the show and the new stage. James is Professor of Theatre and Cinema as well as the Fine Arts Division Chair. He also serves as the resident costume designer for the productions and directs about half of the shows.

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Turning Investigation Into Science By Way of Art

FROM THE October 13 ISSUE

IN THE Mysteryrat's Maze SECTION

by Stephanie Kane


Alphonse Bertillon’s photographs of corpses and Frances Glessner Lee’s crime scene dioramas depict gruesome deaths in domestic settings. Bertillon sought to document evidence; Lee to train investigators. But these forensic pioneers achieved more. By bringing murder up close and personal, they made us see violent crime in a new way.

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