For most of the past 5,000 years, the period of human history when monetary systems arose and spread across the globe, wealth has been measured by the accumulation of assets. Land, precious metal, slaves, tulip bulbs or any combinations thereof - all of which at... Continue
Columnist
We live in complex, trying times. We know more about what's happening in the world than any people who have ever lived before; much of it is disturbing, and about which we can often do little or mostly nothing. Closer to home, the emotions being... Continue
Fathers are important. Without a Dad to provide support and validation, a kid is handicapped. Fathers have been indoctrinated to be stone cold or aggressive, like John Wayne or to abandon ship. They’re supposed to be bigger than life like some politicians or movie stars.... Continue
I love to read books; pencil in hand I underline points and passages that strike me as important, add margin notes, and often return to read significant portions over again. I do some reading online, but for me it's no substitute for resting a book... Continue
Excerpted from a speech at the Sonoma Valley High School graduation ceremony on June 2. I will start by saying that these are some of the best days of the year for me because I get to shake the hands of all of the students... Continue
For many, the very idea of reviewing a government budget induces a voluntary coma response, but it is critical that access to this information is readily available for public view. Government budgets are complex, confusing, and not at all like our household budgets. At home,... Continue
Those who dissent or speak out are often dismissed derisively as members of "a vocal minority." This happened during the 2013 Measure B election to limit the size of new hotels in Sonoma, even though that measure lost by less than one-percent. Now I'm hearing... Continue
I've been looking for a kids' book that's about eating animals. There are plenty of books about eating vegetables and fruits, and books about why they are good for us, but I cannot find even one book for toddlers that explains the whys and wherefores,... Continue
A lot of us moved to Sonoma to find peace and a place for reflection. It’s so soothing to live here with nature and town all around, after being in big cities. I hoped to learn here how to be in a true community, after... Continue
“Be careful, son,” my father once said to me, “all that glitters is not gold.” With all the electoral politics going on, I am reminded of this again and again. Our candidates for First District supervisor refuse to recognize the benefits of passing a rent... Continue