Opinion

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.

1. Unexpected resignation, but plenty of notice for the city

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.

When we think of Hawaii, Maui, Waikiki, Kauai and the Big Island come to mind: Stunning high rise buildings, dozens of outdoor activities – from surfing to sailing – with spectacular indoor entertainment in sophisticated night clubs that bring on visions of Las Vegas. Then there is Molokai: an idyllic 38 by 10 miles, a paradise with a little more than 7,000 laid back folks, of which about half are native Hawaiians. It is the least hyped of all the islands, with a small friendly population that makes a visitor feel like part of a special family.

My spouse doesn’t know how easy he’s got it. “Getting ready” in the morning consists of a shower and approximately two minutes with his blow dryer. Me, on the other hand? Well.

Medicine is a science with more questions than answers. Doctors are always searching for a better way to treat specific diseases. Veterinarians are no different. Veterinary research is responsible for the development of new treatments and preventative vaccines.