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“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” —Benjamin Franklin Death and taxes misshape the legacies we mold with our lives and values. As a widower, I advise survivors to honestly accept pain and meditate until it passes. Distraught...

While watching the documentary “This Changes Everything” on Netflix, I learned about the history of women in the film industry and their struggles for inclusion. One of the statistics included in the documentary about how films can influence us inspired this article. In the Disney/Pixar...

Are you drinking enough water each day? Water is one of the simplest ways to support your overall health. The average person should be drinking about 64 ounces (eight 8-ounce glasses) of water per day. However, your individual needs may vary depending on your...

Recently, the State of the City Address, hosted by the Scotts Valley Senior Life Association, was presented at The Landing Performing Arts Center. Presenters included myself, Scotts Valley Police Chief Jayson Rutherford, Scotts Valley Fire Chief Mark Correira, Scotts Valley Water District General Manager...

As a paraplegic planner, I have faced the need for part-time in-home assistance while simultaneously having the CFP financial expertise. Caregivers do non-medical tasks like transferring, bathing, meal prep, transportation, protective supervision, etc. Seventy percent of us are likely to need long-term care with...

This is the time of year to re-imagine your garden. Sure, that cleanup and weed control is an ongoing task, but it’s more fun to picture yourself outside when the weather warms, enjoying that space. What easy things can you do this year to...

With those big brown doe eyes and the cute fawns, who doesn’t enjoy seeing deer, as long as they’re not in your yard. Around my place they only visit very occasionally, which is the worst as I forget they might come at any time...

“The Old has gone, the New is here.” —2 Corinthians I have just wished you, dear readers, “prosperity” in the Chinese language—Fú—a greeting that we need now, more than ever, with the rising prices today. On Feb. 10, Asian peoples will be celebrating their most important...

Always on the look out for potential problems in my garden, I can use all the help I can get. Solutions are out there. One of my go-to websites that I use to diagnose those problems is UC Integrated Pest Management or ipm.ucanr.edu. You...

“...fava beans and a nice Chianti.” —Hannibal Lecter After seeing the movie, “The Silence of the Lambs,” for many years I had a difficult time separating Anthony Hopkins from his role of (flesh-eating) Hannibal Lecter and cooking fava beans, which I really love to eat. I...