Opinion

Since 1935, Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has had a storied history of excellence in its care for the community and engagement with its constituents. District members were known for their timely responsiveness, accommodating nature and continued support of and involvement in events within the...

“You don’t want to have so much money going toward your mortgage every month that you can’t enjoy life or take care of your other financial responsibilities.” —Dave Ramsey Why would this CFP originate mortgages? So-called “financial planners” may be segmented by licenses and inclinations...

Heartfelt thanks to firefighters, community supporters We’d like to thank all firefighters who came to our aid. We also want to thank everybody who has supported us in dealing with this tragedy, including the GoFundMe account and the local electrician union #332 for all their hard...

My house in Bonny Doon burned down on Aug. 19, 2020. I know this because my neighbor sent me a photo the next day after the fire had moved on down the slope. The next spring quite a few of my plants were making...

Like a garden full of spring flowers, tax measures are sprouting up all throughout the county this cycle. And who can blame the cities and county, as the inflation pressures and the unfunded mandates imposed by the state of California are stark reminders that...

Leadership and financial oversight failures plague SLV Water District Our San Lorenzo Valley Water District faces shortfalls of leadership and financial oversight, and it is the customers who end up on the losing end. Earlier this year at rate hearings among customer challenges, even district employees...

Years ago, a dear friend upgraded me to a Piggy Bank as she was tired of watching me put my nickels and dimes into a mason jar after my weekly grocery shopping. Only nickels and dimes went into that jar, a habit I’ve had...

What was I thinking trying to talk a client out of adding grasses to her former lawn area? I gave her all the reasons she should focus on other low water use, low maintenance, deer resistant plants, but I can’t get the vision of...

When I think about precious stones, rubies, diamonds and sapphires come to mind. They are known as the “Red, White and Blue” stones in the industry. Recently, I visited William Greene Fine Jewelry Design out of curiosity. Little did I know about their rich...

“Our advice—that term life is a better deal for most families—hasn't changed.” —Consumer Reports Life insurance agents somehow think that life insurance is the ultimate solution to family financial planning. As a former Primerica Financial Services amateur, I cried “Buy Term and Invest the Difference!”...