The first time I did taxes for Greg and Linda, I was blindsided. They were married the summer before they became my clients. Both of them had only ever received refunds on their tax returns. And this year, they owed money to Uncle Sam. A lot, too. I, like my new clients, hadn’t really internalized…
Eleven women have told a jury about the consequences of their nude photos being posted online by the operator of a “revenge porn” Web site that demanded money in exchange for the pictures to be taken down. Twenty more women were expected to testify after the extortion and identity theft trial opened Jan. 16 against…
The recent cold snap brought to the TV screen the exotic town of Alpine and that wonder of nature, snow. Frolicking families made angels on the fluffy stuff, threw snow balls, skied, etc. Not filmed was the popular act of writing one’s name in the cold, white canvas; a feat enjoyed solely by the boys….
Your favorite Hollywood star is in the headlines – again. By now, it shouldn’t surprise you. He’s in some sort of scrape a couple times a year, probably just so he can keep top-of-mind. Staying in the news; that’s the way stardom works. Then again, as you’ll see in the new mystery The Old Deep…
The annual “State of…” speeches by presidents, governors and mayors have become an American tradition when they inform citizens what their priorities, mayoral projects and goals for the year will be. City Council candidate Chris Ward picked me up and we went to hear Mayor Faulconer’s first such address. It was a good, solid, well…
I confess it was love at first sight. You had me at “farm to table”. I was charmed by your shabby chic style, your sassy offbeat sophistication. I admit my adoration has only grown through the years. Or was it love at first bite? Brooklyn Girl, since opening their doors in 2011, has been the…
In its first weekend in wide release, American Sniper earned more money than all of the other eight nominees for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. It made $107 million through the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, a record for a movie in January. By the time the Oscars are given out, it’s…
The “original” Day of Decision for marriage equality in California was May 15, 2008, when the state Supreme Court endorsed a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. On Day of Decision II the same court declined to overturn Prop. 8. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against DOMA and overturned Prop. 8, followed by a…
We know California is a big state with a big economy, big trees and lots of people. But these generalities do not begin to suggest the magnitude, magnificence and only-in-a-dream realities of this truly wonderful place. So this week, we’re hitting the highlights, and every entry should be punctuated with a wow. Let’s just start…
