“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Financial Group

by: Sharon Courmousis, Sacred Rocks Reserve

Increase your enjoyment of living

"A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. " -- John Muir

This month's column includes:

Hunkering Down - essay

Chocolate cake with fudge icing - recipe

By Brian Lafferty

March 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Green Zone is relentlessly exciting from beginning to end. We know there never were weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq, which was the primary reason we went to war. We know what the outcome will be in the end, that there’s no turning back and we’re in it for the long haul, WMDs or not. Despite this common knowledge, screenwriter Brian Helgeland manages to incorporate a mystery that keeps us guessing until the very end in addition to exciting action sequences.

March 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - One of East County’s treasures is The Water Conservation Garden. Sunset Magazine calls it one of the “Top 10 Gardens of the West.” This is a beautiful and relaxing place to spend a leisurely afternoon. However, it’s also a learning experience!

By Sylvia Hampton

March 7, 2010 (San Diego)--When the health reform discussion turned into a three ring circus last summer on the wave of words and statements like “death panels will kill granny,” an important fact got lost in the shuffle. The idea for family counseling programs with doctors on end-of-life care was brought forth by the insurance companies and added to the mix by a Republican congressman. It made so much sense to the Democrats that they included it in the bill.

By Buck Shott

A Roundup of the latest national, state and local political news
 

March 1, 2010 -- As filing deadlines fast approach, who's in, who's out, and who's still on the fence?  Find out here!

By Brian Lafferty

February 23, 2010 (San Diego's East County)-- Shutter Island, the newest feature by director Martin Scorsese, is mesmerizing. It is unlike any Scorsese movie and I’ve seen them all. Originally set to be released back in October, the studio pushed it to February 19. I can tell you without hesitation the wait was worth it.

“Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye” – free seminars Feb. 27 in La Mesa, March 1 in El Cajon

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

February 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Uncle Sam wants to give you money to a buy a house, but you must hurry because there is a deadline; you must be in escrow by April 30 and must close escrow by July 1, 2010.

This program is the Homebuyer Tax Credit, and in November of 2009 was revised to include both first-time buyers and buyers who already own a home.

By Brian Lafferty

February 8, 2010 (San Diego)--The first scene of Edge of Darkness is a home movie featuring a little girl at the beach. This little girl is the daughter of a Boston Detective (Mel Gibson) who grows up to be a trainee at a corporation specializing in handling nuclear waste. Within the first five minutes, Gibson’s daughter comes home, gets sick, then is shot to death and dies in Gibson’s arms. After learning who was behind his daughter’s murder, he swears revenge against the evil corporation.

 By Brian Lafferty

January 31, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Lovely Bones is a movie that had me sitting on the fence the entire time I was watching it, right down to the end credits. This was a film where it isn’t as easy as yes or no in terms of recommending it and strong arguments can be made from either side.

By Sharon Courmousis

"Perhaps dreams are like seeds. Some take hold and produce fruit, some are barren, and some spurt and then die. What lessons are there for me? Do I know myself better now than a year ago? What could be possible for 2010?"  -- Purple Mountain Sage

Increase your enjoyment of living!

By Dawn Celapino

January 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County -- It is New Years Resolution time and although, taking rover for a walk is GREAT exercise—most people need a little more. The following are five tips that you can do with your dog to prevent boredom, burn more calories, and gain more strength.

“Nothing But the Truth”

By Will Power

January 17, 2010 -- Conservative shock-jocks are not noted for political sensitivity. But Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson have jammed their feet so far up their mouths they can't tell a shoelace from a colon.

'Haiti made a pact with the devil," says Robertson, "and now is being punished."

"Don't send money to Haiti," says Limbaugh. "It's just Obama's plot to influence third-world nations."

Whew! I suppose that Hurricane Katrina was just punishment for slavery, and the San Francisco Earthquake a penalty for the whorehouses on the Barbary Coast.

Are you facing a health issue and want reliable, up-to-date medical information?

By Walter Davis

January 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- It is unlikely that many in this country would intentionally choose to deposit waste material in their water and then drink it. That is the prevailing choice with fossil fuel burning vehicles that spew toxic gases in the air at baby stroller level, as they travel down our neighborhood avenues.