Prices always rise at this time of year for the tomatoes, lettuce and avocados that Jorge Aragon puts into the dishes he serves at his two Los Gallos Taquerias in Scotts Valley.

My previous column described the nuclear plant disaster in Japan and its possible effects on us here in California (“Radiation exposure worries dispelled,” March 25, Page 9). Now I’d like to explain about the effects of radiation on the human body.

Could you use a little help in your life — maybe an afternoon of yard work or math tutoring for your child — but can’t really afford to pay someone for it? Do you also have something to offer, perhaps gardening know-how or plumbing expertise?

Submit Datebook items to pbeditor@pressbanner.com, or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

Bad line karma.

Annabel Alice Rice was born to Katherine Alice (Palmer) and James Robert Rice of Scotts Valley at 8:30 p.m. March 1, 2011, at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce.

The retirement landscape has dramatically changed over the past several years, with declining retirement accounts, savings accounts and home prices. At the same time, medical costs are rapidly rising, life expectancies are increasing and Social Security benefits are not growing at nearly the same pace as inflation. For many — dare I say most? — tough decisions are at hand about postponing or reformulating a retirement that’s no longer affordable.

The retirement landscape has dramatically changed over the past several years, with declining retirement accounts, savings accounts and home prices. At the same time, medical costs are rapidly rising, life expectancies are increasing and Social Security benefits are not growing at nearly the same pace as inflation. For many — dare I say most? — tough decisions are at hand about postponing or reformulating a retirement that’s no longer affordable.