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Public schools all over California are being pressured by the state's hard economic times. Budgets continue to be cut, impacting students: larger classes, fewer enrichment programs, less individual attention. Also, increased gang activity has resulted from cutbacks in after-school activities.

"It is now a fact that as a result of birth control, the survival rate among mothers and children is higher. There is less suffering for all groups." - Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger

In honor of Presidents' Day Monday let's take a quick look at our presidents' favorite wine.

Q: Last week, our old dog, Margie, had two seizures. Each lasted a few minutes, and afterward, she seemed a little weak in her legs. She staggered around the room and it seemed like she didn't know who we were. Since then, she's been perfectly normal, except she isn't eating as well as she used to. We have an appointment to see her vet this week, but should we worry?

Just when you think you've seen everything, it's guaranteed that a ginormous high-tech/societal tidal wave will roll in, squashing you like a little sand crab.

After you turn 70 1/2, the IRS requires you to withdraw some of the money in your retirement savings accounts each year. These withdrawals are officially called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). While you never have to make withdrawals from a Roth IRA, you must take...

When it comes to responsible money management, caring for the city's utilities is a lot like running a household. Many families might identify three main aspects to their household budgets. Primary are the daily costs like groceries, household supplies and gas for the car.

It doesn't take much in a scary movie to make me jump, which is probably why I don't watch too many scary movies. And a well-crafted scary movie doesn't need a lot of gory moments to be scary. Some of the best movies I've seen are the ones that keep me on the edge of my seat - and guessing about the twists and turns - without the blood. One of the scary movies to hit the screen recently is reminiscent of such movies as "The Others" and "The Haunting."

The Catholic Diocese of San Jose, encompassing all of Santa Clara County, was inaugurated in 1981. It has grown steadily since then, to an estimated 650,000 members now. Yet, only three new parishes have been formed, the latest in 1994.