Columnists

Well, I finally did it. After 15-plus years, I switched email accounts. It wasn’t easy to let go of the name friends have learned to know me by. But it had to be done. The reason? Lots and lots of spamers also learned my name.

The Rev. Malcolm MacPhail, lead pastor of Gilroy’s New Hope Community Church (8886 Muraoka Drive) has noticed a troubling new phenomenon. When he talks with people in places like Starbucks, they seem to have less and less familiarity with the notable people or events from the Bible. Even Christians seem to have meager knowledge of this foundation of their faith.

Technology devices can be highly addictive. Next year, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will include a new entry called “Internet use disorder” in its appendix. This disorder reflects a dangerous trend in our society’s growing dependence to electronic devices and how it can lead to addictive behavior. In fact, researchers have found that during computer game playing, dopamine is released into the brain to stimulate pleasure. Dopamine is a significant chemical in the cycle of addiction.

It is March 1963. The place: the depths of Glen Canyon in Arizona.  An epic is being filmed. George Stevens is directing “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Charlton Heston as John the Baptist is finishing filming for the day. He has a  wet suit under his costume (he had been doing scenes at the Crossing of The Father’s, where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet). He has been standing in cold, waist high water all day (enacting the baptizing of Jesus.) He is rushing to catch the movie company’s leased DC3 for Burbank, out of the airport under construction in Page, Ariz. before daylight turns into a swampy black night, with no lights installed yet on the runway.

Fifty years ago this month, President John F. Kennedy visited Pacheco Pass and gave a speech I wish every American politician today might take to heart. He gave it to a crowd of Californians who met on Saturday, Aug. 18, 1962 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the San Luis Dam site in the eastern hills of the Diablo Mountain Range. The words Kennedy spoke that hot, dusty, summer day are not well-remembered now, but I believe they offer wise advice on what good governing is all about.

Because you've worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family, you'll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may be able to minimize gift and estate taxes and preserve more of your assets for those you care about.

After the tragic shootings at a Sikh temple in Illinois earlier this month, many people seem to have questions about this religion. Sikh men are often confused with Muslims because they both often have facial hair and wear turbans. Although Sikhism is a major world faith (20 million members, at least 250,000 in California, including more than 50,000 in the Bay Area), most people may not know much about this faith.