Generally, my hubby stays clear of the kitchen near dinner time not wanting to slow the progress from ‘stove to plate’ so to speak, but last night was different. The meat marinating in the Ziploc bag had caught his eye and I saw him glancing at the clock as if to question how long it would be until the contents of the bag would be on his plate.

I have an Autumnalis flowering cherry tree that blooms year round. The last blooming cycle started in late November and it’s still blooming now despite heavy rains. This tree came into my life 20 years ago as a bare root tree. Now, we’re old friends.

                        

Dear Editor,

Early in my police career I responded to a drug overdose of a young professional woman. She and her boyfriend had been drinking and snorting cocaine. Sadly, later that same month we were called back to her home. We found her convulsing on the living room floor, eyes rolled back. Her boyfriend, with cocaine still ringing his nostrils, hysterically asked us to help. Paramedics did what they could, but failed to save her life. I never forgot that tragic night.

Once again, the wonderful folks who have taken Project Scout review classes in the latest IRS rules and regulations are ready to help the over-60 senior community at the Scotts Valley Senior Center. This program is sponsored by the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties and is free to the taxpayer.

Unlike the winner, you don’t have to worry about hiring a tax attorney to advise you whether to take the lump sum of $930 million, or receive the entire $1.5 billion in 30 annual installments.

Mark has been writing the financial news column for the Scotts Valley Press-Banner for 6+ years. He was born in San Francisco but his family moved shortly after to Campbell where he grew up. He moved to Capitola in 1990 and to ScottsValley in 1997. He has a long Santa CruzCounty history.