We’re all familiar with verbal clichés; they’re a dime-a-dozen and no big deal. We use them all the time as shorthand for the commonplace, experiences so everyday as to resonate with nearly everyone. The path from metaphor to cliché is particularly fast in our information-centric... Continue
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Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall was abuzz April 16 with over 120 people curious to see how they might be able to lend a hand as a volunteer for one of 21 Sonoma Valley nonprofits. Organized by the Sonoma Valley Executive Director Roundtable, Volunteer Sonoma! provided... Continue
Yet again we are confronted by the limits of human engineering and the dangers of nuclear technology, this time in the disclosure of two leaks at a federal nuclear storage facility near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Huge tunnels carved into 2,150 foot deep Permian salt deposits... Continue
Dear Bonnie, I own my own business and was surprised at how much tax I owed for 2013. I hadn’t paid enough in with estimate tax payments. Now I am faced with a 2013 tax liability and estimated payments for 2014. I’ve got enough to... Continue
This week’s column focuses on taxes. I have written about the subject before and every April 15 I am reminded once again that I am a procrastinator. Procrastination, as far as taxes are concerned, could be a bad thing. Just ask Walter Anderson, considered one... Continue
The question is often asked: “Why do people so often act against their better interest?” Cynics are quick to give a simple answer: “Because people are stupid.” Americans are not stupid, however. In a country founded by intellectuals committed to literacy and education, citizens have... Continue
There’s a lot in a name, and potentially, even more in a nickname. Given names often reveal seemingly mysterious connections to the meaning of each life; Cutters who are surgeons, Woods who are carpenters and so forth. Nicknames, on the other hand, are bestowed later... Continue
It was all about gold and greed. The North American story and the search for gold began in the 15th century, with the explorations of Christopher Columbus. Columbus wasn’t the only explorer whose quest for riches stemmed from the adventures of one man, Marco Polo.... Continue
This week I continue to share my experiences turning stones in Egypt. I left St. Catherine satisfied and looked forward to relaxing while we made the three hour journey through the Sinai to coastal town of Dahab. Andrew and I came prepared with a snorkel... Continue
Electoral statistics wizard Nate Silver, who accurately predicted the outcomes of the 2008 and 2012 presidential and Congressional elections, published data on his 538.com site indicating that there is a strong chance that the Senate may flip to Republican control after the 2014 mid-term elections. ... Continue