Columnists

The focus currently in the news seems to be on war and violence. A civil war in Syria during which the Syrian government used poison gas against its own citizens has brought the United States to the brink of entering that conflict.

Time to boost your IRA balance. In 2013, you can contribute up to $5,500 to your Roth or traditional IRA. If you will be 50 or older by the end of 2013, your contribution limit is actually $6,500 this year, thanks to the IRS’s “catch-up” provision. The new limits represent a $500 increase from 2012 levels.

Closing the barn door after the horses are out is not a good

Recently, you may have heard about a spike in 401(k)

Those old enough to remember the decade of the ’50s (and earlier) are aware of some characteristics of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States in those days:  

Our local grape vines have been thriving throughout the warm summer, the leaves soaking up the sunshine and clusters of grapes hanging heavily from the vines. Our wine growers have been busy with canopy management - pulling selected leaves from the vines to give the best sunlight exposure and air movement to the fruit. Veraison (when grapes start to ripen and change from green to purple) has come early this year, attracting birds and other critters that are looking for a tasty meal. But even though the grapes are turning color, they aren't ripe enough yet - so nets are draped over the rows to protect them from being picked clean by hungry birds.

Since many of us tend to

Planning a getaway to Monterey or San Francisco? Think Sonoma Coast and the Russian River region for a serendipitous adventure into relaxation, beauty and great food and wine just a few hours and a gas tank away.

You hear a lot of talk these days about English needing to be the official language in the United States. And some folks get downright cranky when they overhear immigrants speaking in their native tongue. But I say, “Get over yourselves, people” because have you heard what’s going on with the English language these days?