Columnist
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
November 28, 2024
The local theater company performs a murder mystery play during a blackout, improvising sound and light effects.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
November 8, 2024
Focusing on less harmful debates post-election, like cats vs dogs, wine preferences, and books vs movies.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
October 24, 2024
Speculating on the mysterious absence of bears in Downieville, and offering some hypothetical explanations.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
October 10, 2024
The changing seasons in Downieville, personal rituals, and looking forward to winter.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
September 11, 2024
Local resident suggests innovative ideas to boost tourism in Downieville, amid declining foot traffic.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
August 27, 2024
The meaning behind “Pretend It’s a Forest”: a reminder to respect and adapt to life in Downieville’s natural surroundings.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
July 30, 2024
A first-time visitor to Reno reflects on the allure of casinos and suggests alternative, community-focused ways to spend money.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
July 17, 2024
A non-biking local shares predictions and experiences of Downieville’s biking festival.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
July 5, 2024
With summer comes a surge of new faces, packed parking lots, and bikes everywhere.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
June 19, 2024
I’m often labeled as judgmental, which I believe comes from my standards, observation, and honesty—the very essence of this column.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
June 5, 2024
“The grass is always greener on the other side” is a common saying that stands the test of time, remaining particularly relevant now that we have a wider window into people’s lives through social media—which I personally try to avoid as much as I can.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
May 22, 2024
Once you move into the mountains—yes, full-time—you start missing some of the conveniences you once had, like Japanese food, reliable Wi-Fi, and the ability to get anything delivered.
Read More
Pretend It’s a Forest
By Susana Hernández
•
May 9, 2024
As many of you know, I’m a recent transplant to this town. Arriving in December introduced me to a seemingly hibernating Downieville, where locals were the main inhabitants, which helped us to quickly learn names and faces, making these newcomers feel like part of the community with ease.
Read More