Columns

“The more you read, the more you’ll know. The more you know, the more you can earn.” —Dr. Seuss. About those Annuities Investopedia speaks of investments growing recently with market fears, yet “Only about 11%-12% of retirement-age households own annuities, and even fewer rely on them...

Think like a plant. The weather might be cool one day, really hot the next day. And your plants are growing like mad in order to reproduce, which is their life’s work. All this takes water, which is the elixir of life for us...

We often hear that multitasking is impossible. Experts tell us our brains are not wired to do several things at once. Then you meet someone like Danielle Ratliff and begin to wonder if she somehow missed the memo. When I arrived for our conversation, Danielle’s...

Having addressed the frequent questions about development, with the help of Public Works Director Rodolfo Onchi, I will attempt to address the second most-asked questions that council members receive—street repairs! Questions include: When will Scotts Valley Drive be upgraded? What about the manhole covers that...

Strength training is not just for bodybuilders. Weight training is necessary for all ages whether the age is 7, 30 or 80 years old. Kids can begin strength training at age 7 using their own body weight, then can graduate to using light weights...

Want to be able to walk outside and pick some flowers to take to a friend’s house or bring inside to enjoy yourself? Not long ago I was looking around my own little garden for good flowers to cut for a bouquet. I had...

This Father’s Day I have no plans to be cooking for a crowd. I am taking the weekend off. However, I have included a recipe for an absolutely delicious ribeye steak that would please any father on his special day. A wonderful way to...

As a long-time substitute teacher, Tutoring Club business co-owner and Rotarian in Scotts Valley, I was invited by the Scotts Valley High School graduating Class of 2026 to be their keynote speaker, an unexpected honor of a lifetime. On May 28, I gave the speech...

“ successful trader really is a social psychologist armed with a computer and trading software.” —Andrew Aziz Like the base jumper, you daringly take grand risks for the transient thrills of great returns. Andrew Aziz’s “How to Day Trade for a Living” claims successful traders...

I’ve visited this garden in Bonny Doon many times, including when my friend Kate was part of the Valley Churches Garden Tour back in 2018, and it’s still as spectacular as ever. So on a perfect June day recently, several of my landscape designer...