Travel Advisor
Travel.Advisor.com: The Advisor Guide to where to travel, how to travel, when to travel, why to travel, and what to do when you get there.
Role Reversal
Automobiles transcend other possessions. They are part of our identity, almost like a member of the family. After a lifetime of mobility, the prospect of losing that aspect of independence can be seriously frightening. But, what do you do when your parent is no longer safe on the road? Here are some suggestions.
Choosing an RV
"How can there possibly so many different makes and models and designs and options in the RV marketplace?" In search of a vehicle that could be both a capable mobile office and a nice place to live on the road, the choices seemed overwhelming. But over time, I learned why there's so much variety, and what makes the most difference. While your needs and considerations might be different, here's some of what I learned in picking out the ideal RV for me.
Political Promoter For A Week, Rocker For A Night
How did a young, non-political San Francisco radio station DJ end up in Washington, sitting in the President's chair in the White House Oval Office? And playing rock 'n' roll piano with a dozen legendary performers?
It all happened one week in 1972, and especially one amazing night. Here's my Boomer Years experience.
Mapping Software: DeLorme vs. Microsoft
Submitted by John L. Hawkins on 21 May, 2008 - 16:23.HawkTrek
I like to take road trips, and especially roads I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been. So, I consider mapping software an essential feature of my laptop computer.
I know, many newer cars (including one of mine) have GPS-based satellite navigation systems. And the pocket-sized sat-nav systems are affordable and wonderful. Web sites with maps are helpful. And good old paper maps are still as useful as ever. But none of these provide all the capabilities I get from mapping software on my laptop.
There are two major mapping software products, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other.
Thinking of leaving California? You're not alone.
Submitted by Richard Rider on 17 April, 2008 - 15:00.Richard Rider Rant
The recession is upon us.
While still not official, most agree that we are in an economic downturn. Unemployment is rising, housing prices are plummeting and energy costs are soaring. As a result, in this election year, the federal government is offering tax rebates (admittedly ill-advised) to lessen the pain.
But in California, politicians think there are only two times to raise taxes -- good times and bad times. Oddly enough, this is one of those times.
Richard Rider Rant: Government Craziness
Submitted by Richard Rider on 8 December, 2007 - 00:00.Richard Rider Rant
Public vs. private salaries, California business climate, Republican Party straw poll, make a will, fire fighter jobs, beach booze ban, Second Amendment, Omaha Mall shooting
Beware of Scams Following Fires
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis is warning residents about scams and price gouging in the wake of Firestorm 2007. "Unfortunately, some individuals use this time of crisis to take advantage of others," says DA Dumanis. "We want people to know the consumer rights and legal protections that are in place as they begin to rebuild their lives."
Coping with the Stress of Big Fires
The October 2007 fires will be affecting people for months to come, and will live in our memories for years. For those who lost homes in the fires, their lives will never be the same.
Windfall Taxes on Big Oil Exposed as Economic Lunacy
Submitted by Richard Rider on 22 June, 2008 - 09:07.Richard Rider Rant
Here's an excellent article from an odd source: Karl Rove. Printed in the Wall Street Journal, this piece exposes the economic nonsense of both Obama and McCain when it comes to raising taxes on oil companies. Good stuff.
Putting an Actual Dollar Value on Gas Saved from Driving Slower
Submitted by Richard Rider on 13 June, 2008 - 15:00.Richard Rider Rant
I've been suspicious about all the exhortations to save gas by driving slower. Of course, it is true -– to some degree. But just how much? And what's that savings worth per hour?
California Leads by Example -- Highest Gas Taxes in the Nation
Submitted by Richard Rider on 10 May, 2008 - 11:54.Richard Rider Rant
Did you see the excellent map of gasoline taxes, state by state, across America, May 6 on the front page of the San Diego Union-Tribune? If you didn't look too closely, or read the entire story you might have missed a salient fact -– we're number one!
Yup, California has the highest total taxes on gas of any of the 50 states (not just "among the highest" as the newspaper writes). As of January, we wealthy West Coast folks paid 63.9 cents of federal and state taxes a gallon, vs. the national average of about 47.0 cents.
Richard Rider Rant
Submitted by Richard Rider on 22 December, 2007 - 00:00.Richard Rider Rant
1. Local College Econ Prof Parrots "Wisdom" from Internet Spammers
2. Duncan Hunter's HUGE Fund Raising a Farce
3. All of Rider's Major Lawsuits Have Been about Properly Voting for Tax Increases and Issuing Bonds
4. In This Game, God Abandoned the Methodists
5. The Insanity That Is Oakland: Illegal Affirmative Action in Firefighter Selection
6. Here's My $10 Cash Christmas Present -– from Me to YOU!
7. CraigsList Bans Our Gonzo San Diego Firefighter Ad
8. The New (Well, Recent) Multi-TRILLION Dollar GOP Spending Plan
9. End the War on LEGAL Drugs
Richard Rider Rant: Fires, Home Prices
Submitted by Richard Rider on 5 November, 2007 - 00:00.Richard Rider Rant
Six Items – Five on San Diego fires, last one on home prices.
Advisor's Experience in San Diego Firestorm 2007
Submitted by John L. Hawkins on 24 October, 2007 - 16:38.HawkTrek
Boomer Advisor is published by Advisor Media from our home office in the heart of San Diego. For the past three day we've been living the nightmare known as Firestorm 2007. So far, so good. Our office hasn't been threatened (unlike the Cedar Fire of 2003, which burned just a block from us). None of our San Diego-area staff was harmed and their homes all survived.
But I must add, "so far", because fires still rage in various areas of the county, and if new fires start, there's still plenty left to burn.
Richard Rider Rant
Submitted by Richard Rider on 14 October, 2007 - 23:00.Richard Rider Rant
1. Win a Nobel Peace Prize. Al Gore did it – you can too!
2. Bring Back Gray Davis! He Would Be Better than Arnold.
3. Media bias? Yes, But Perhaps Even Worse Is Reporter Laziness.
4. I Mean It! Gray Davis WAS a Better Governor than Arnold. Just Ask Gun Owners.
5. Further Proof Arnold Is a Terrible Governor. He Lied About Supporting Open Government.
6. The Hidden Cost of Depreciation in Public Works.
7. Trolleys FAR More Crime Ridden than Buses.
8. Portland, the Smart Growth Model for Central Planners, Gets Thoroughly Debunked.
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