I love this time of year, as the leaves begin to turn and flitter to the rain-soaked soils. We have commemorated this time of year for well over 100 years, and while the Vintage Festival has come and gone, we don’t need such a celebration to... Continue
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Once again, the nation is facing another manufactured crisis over the federal budget initiated by the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party. Apparently, this is now the new normal in American politics. What used to be fairly routine budget processes, like annual fiscal appropriations... Continue
When the economy collapsed in 2008 it was widely blamed on poor home loan lending practices. People who should have never received loans to purchase a house due to their inability to repay those loans once the introductory low-interest rate period ended were granted loans... Continue
One of the great things about baseball is the umpire. No ump and baseball would be a never-ending series of arguments and fist fights. As it is, the umpire is God, and his word and rule is absolute. To defy the ump is to risk... Continue
Dear Bonnie, I have my own business and a lot of marketing and promotion revolves around entertaining clients. I write it all off. Well, a friend of mine, also a business owner, was just audited and told me that the IRS didn’t let him take... Continue
Recently I was sitting on a little bitty chair at a café, back hunched over, neck scrunched down. “Why is this table so low it hits my knees?” I squawked. Squishing my lower end around I grumbled, “And why is the back of this chair... Continue
Each month, various governments, groups and organizations, raise awareness on a variety of issues. For instance, the month of September is National Yoga, National Fish, National Prostate, National Chiari Malformation, Life Insurance Awareness and National Hispanic Heritage Month. The focus of this week’s column will... Continue
Dr. Galen Burdell, a noted Marin County dentist, accidentally killed his mother-in-law, Mrs. James Black. The year was 1864. Let’s start at the beginning. The scene is what is now Olompali State Historic Park, located between Novato and Petaluma on Highway 101. In 1843, Mariano... Continue
The season is changing. You’d think after 65 years, I’d be used to it, but I’m not. I was born in September, so perhaps that’s sharpened my attention. Whatever the cause, I can feel it. My wife and I recently spent a week by the... Continue
Soon, school children will be visiting our mission and learning about the Native Americans who lived in the area. Fall seems to be the season for teachers to address Native cultures and November is recognized nation-wide as Native American month. Traditionally, Fall equates to harvest,... Continue