"As if the heat wasn’t enough, you get to deal with market uncertainty" by: John Sample

   It was not a great start for August as the NASDAQ and S7P 500 stock index lost ground.       It was the first weekly loss for the NASDAQ in over a year.       The Dow posted its fourth rise in the last three months.

PSA: 529 plans offer benefits in all markets

   A new school year will soon begin.     And if you have young children, it’s one year closer to the day when they head off to college.

"Go to work in the belief you will be prosperous because you love God" by: Caleb Gibson

   God wants you to be successful.     As School begins the parents get them ready with food, shiny shoes, and a backpack full of learning.     All parents want their child to be a success.     In the same way, God wants us to be a success.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Meg 2: The Trench’ making waves in overseas cinema markets" by: Jessica Shepard

   I don’t know about anyone else, but, I feel like you don’t watch shark attack movies at the height of summer to take them seriously.     I mean, the first ‘Jaws’ movie came out in 1975 and people have continued flocking to beaches all over the world since then anyway.

"All elected officials should explain why they vote against something" by: Mike Reddell

   I got through my 73rd birthday last week with family time both here and on the phone.     I’m mostly easy to please on the gift front, other than a new pickup truck.     So my 2005 Silverado will have to make do.

"Reminiscing about back-to-school time purchases in years past" by: Jessica Shepard

   It’s weird to know that school starts next week for most local children.     I mean, this weekend is “Tax Free Weekend” across the state and I’m seeing all of my friends hunting for the best deals online for their children.

"I would gripe about the weather but attitude is buoyed by my savings " by: John Sample

   Hard to believe but we actually had a setback last week in the equities markets.     The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock-index fell back below 4500.     Many analysts pointed to the downgrade by Fitch for the U.S. Treasuries.

PSA: How will you exit your business?

   If you own a business, you’re always busy.     But you still must plan for the day when you move on to a new phase in your life.    To develop this exit strategy, you’ll need to answer some key questions.    First, how much must you get from selling your business?

"Community theater: Each CAST show immerses audience in performance" By Esmeralda Salinas

   I’ve seen about four performances by CAST in the past year, and I’ve loved every single one of them.     I had the opportunity to watch the newest performance, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” directed by the dynamic husband and wife duo, Darve and Gena Lea Smith.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Haunted Mansion’ reboot has less singing than 2003 flick" by: Jessica Shepard

   I know that not everyone is a fan of musicals or musical numbers in an otherwise ‘serious’ fiction flick.     Well, I can happily report that there’s no singing in this year’s Haunted Mansion reboot!