Tax planning is essential for all businesses, no matter the size. Being in business for oneself can be very intense. Not only do you have to run the day-to-day operations of the business, manage employees and subs, watch your cash flow, but you have to... Continue
Columnist
While enjoying my daily five-mile walk I found myself attending to each foot coming into contact with the ground, and reflecting on the nature of densely-packed space, as Buddhists refer to matter. That ancient Buddhists determined that solid-appearing matter is mostly space, albeit densely-packed, is... Continue
I can quit feeling guilty about not sending Christmas and birthday cards. I'm partial to posts that are interesting, insightful, or just plain weird. Where else would I find a zillion uses for white vinegar, coconut oil, and WD40 and know about Randy Rainbow. I can... Continue
We’ve all been through a lot lately. Power shutoffs shackling us to our phones, pounding rains, daylight savings time, impeachment hearings, fires, evacuations, hot to cold weather, lost income, illness, travel, family issues, etc. Did I miss anything? Powerlessness is hard. My hair stood... Continue
History is written by the victor, and for the past 10,000 years that victor has been men. Accordingly, history (his story) concerns itself with power-based theories of patriarchal social order: styles of rulership, the role of warfare, and economic systems. Herstory (not his story) is... Continue
Our community centers twinkle with little white lights, leaves crackle underfoot and warm autumnal smells waft from cafes. We’ve hopefully spent some restorative time with friends and family, eating a bit too much and laughing even more…it’s officially the holiday season in Sonoma County. Thanksgiving... Continue
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCIA) nearly doubled the standard deduction and eliminated the need to itemize deductions for most taxpayers. Although charitable donations to qualified nonprofits and foundations are still permitted as itemized deductions under the TCIA, many people will file... Continue
“Safe, Warm, & Dry” was the slogan that helped convince 70% plus of voters in our School District to pass a $120 million bond measure in 2016 to upgrade long-neglected (i.e., “blighted”) school sites where kids are often educated. It didn’t take a Frank Lloyd... Continue
I'm referring to government-regulated affordable housing -- deed restricted to keep it affordable for 55 years, rent controlled and appreciation-limited, subject to income verification. Large projects of regulated Affordable Housing are rarely built in Sonoma, and the reasons are all about money. When the State... Continue
Our County was turned on its head last week, once again. In what was the largest evacuation in Sonoma County history, nearly 200,000 Sonoma County residents were ordered to leave their homes. The Kincade Fire grew to more than 77,000 acres, destroyed 349 structures, including... Continue