News

A few weeks ago, I woke up to a number of credit card notifications from my cell phone’s Apple Pay application. It seemed as though I had been shopping throughout the night, buying all sorts of things from different merchants—all well past my bedtime. “Ugh,” I thought. “I’ve been hacked.” A quick... (Read more →)

Kids and Drugs

Last week, I wrote about the new laws concerning recreational marijuana—who can use it and where. If you missed that column, here’s a brief recap: It is now legal for adults 21 years or older to possess, transport, or give another adult up to one ounce of marijuana, and to grow up to six plants at their... (Read more →)

Marijuana Changes

Last November, California voters approved Proposition 64 which legalized some of the aspects of the recreational marijuana trade. I thought I should write about these changes: what is now legal, what’s still illegal, and some of the employment and renting rights you should know. Before I discuss these new changes,... (Read more →)

The Business of Ethics

Just before Thanksgiving, Gallup released results from its annual poll on how much Americans respect police officers. In this poll, Gallup asks people to describe their level of respect, ranging from a “great deal” to “hardly any” at all. Before I tell you about the results, please take a moment to reflect... (Read more →)

Doubling the Risk

A few weeks ago, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released results from a two-year study that indicate drivers who skip even a few hours of sleep a night double their risk of being involved in a collision. And the more sleep people miss, the higher their risk. The study focused on injury collisions between 6:00... (Read more →)

The Best Christmas Present Ever

For weeks, I’ve talked about how important it is to give back to our community, and I’ve shared information about wonderful organizations like the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort, the Ukiah Food Bank, and Plowshares. This week, I’d like to talk about another great way to support our community: donating to the... (Read more →)

Helping Hands

Even with the joyous holiday spirit all around, I still hear from people every day complaining about transients in our community. People are tired of transients loitering in our parks, sleeping on private property, littering in our creeks and waterways, panhandling, and shoplifting. People are also tired of the... (Read more →)

The Holiday Scam Season

I can’t think of a better time than the holidays to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Unfortunately, while community-minded donors are busy opening their wallets to help others, scammers are hard at work trying to take advantage of their giving nature. This year, I thought I would share some of the... (Read more →)

That Special Something

When I can’t find what I need locally, I shop online, so the other day I downloaded an Amazon app for my phone. What an amazing gadget! This app anticipates what I want and allows me to buy something special with the single push of a button–guaranteed to be on my doorstep within 24 hours. But I have to be... (Read more →)

With Gratitude

I know that the day before Thanksgiving couldn’t be more hectic. Filled with shopping lists, last minute details, and making sure the house is clean; the day before Thanksgiving tests even the most patient people I know. But in your rush to get everything done, remember that being grateful is the real reason for... (Read more →)

Giving Locally

We’ve all heard, “Buy Local,” but sometimes people wonder if it really makes a difference. The answer is YES, it does! Spending our dollars with local businesses helps keep our friends and neighbors employed. As the holidays approach, now is the perfect time to buy fantastic gifts right here in Ukiah. ... (Read more →)

Thanks (and Guitars) for our Troops

More than a million people currently serve in the U.S. military, and millions more have served our country in the past with distinction and honor. These brave men and women represent some of our very best, putting their lives on the line to protect the American way of life. I can’t think of a higher calling or a... (Read more →)