Last week’s column focused on the new 2010 tax law that permits universal Roth IRA conversions and its advantages. Let’s call it the “Roth IRA conversions for all” rule. Still, that doesn’t mean this tax-planning strategy is for everyone.
There has been a lot of attention recently about the amount of radiation to which patients are exposed by medical x-rays. As with most medical procedures, x-rays are safe when used with care — especially because, in most cases, as little radiation as possible is used to obtain the needed results.
• Jacob Michael Thomas was born to Leigha Kathryn Kronander (Lineberry) and Brian Karl Thomas of Scotts Valley at 9:27 a.m. Feb. 10, 2010. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.
This is the time of year when all things seem possible. You might be planning improvements to the vegetable garden. Maybe you’re also thinking of adding a focal point, like a small accent tree or garden art to one of the perennial beds. And you really need to do something about that view outside the picture window. It needs more year-round appeal. After all, you spend a lot of time looking out there.
Usually, I don’t comment on the weather. By the time you read this, it might be dark and stormy. But today, the sky is blue, the daffodils are sporting sunny yellow faces and the flowering plums are bursting with color.
There is no dearth of pithy quotes regarding taxes. The writer Robert Heinlein said, “Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors — and miss.” Meanwhile, Will Rogers observed, “The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.”