"Reel Reviews: ‘Ballerina’ does John Wick franchise justice as spinoff" by: Jessica Shepard

Regardless of when they arrive to the big screen or streaming platforms, I’m always leery of movies that spinoff of a main franchise.Despite this apprehension, I decided to catch “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” last weekend.

‘Self-Expression’

Billions of dollars are spent on advertising and social media promoting flawless body types (plastic surgeries), nano technologies, premier automobiles, finest whiskeys and cigars, scientific skincare, and luxury goods all in the name of accelerating our image (figuratively and literally) to new...

"I’m learning the importance of understanding my electric meter" by: Mike Reddell

A reminder for our clan: Be careful in arguing with the electric company about their surprising $1,000 power bills.   Back in March, we received a $1,000 utility bill.   MaLinda called and questioned the bill because our bill is usually around $400-$500.   She was told they were estimating our bill.

"Japanese artificial blood substitute on the horizon" by: Jessica Shepard

According to several reports, once a far-off fantasy of science fiction pipedreams - artificial blood – has been administered to male volunteers in Japan.   The studies began in 2022 and the goal is to actually put the universal artificial blood to use by around 2030.

"Stock Market has a positive week, a record not far off" by: John Sample

We had a positive week for the S&P 500 ending the week above 5900.   It is no record close, but not that far away.   The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), came in Friday at just a tick above 2%.

PSA: Questions to ask your financial advisor

You should always be able to ask as many questions as you’d like when working with your financial advisor.    So, before your annual review, think carefully about what you’d like to ask.    Here are a few suggestions:   First, ask if your goals are still realistic.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Bring Her Back’ unsettling, gory supernatural horror flick" by: Jessica Shepard

Amongst all of the movie franchise sequels, installments, and reboots lately, there has been a steadily growing number of folks crying for original stories and content.

‘Making amends’

Two powerful words set the foundation of the title for this article.  Understanding the difference between an apology and making amends might be a good place to begin.

"When you live in Hill Country, chances are vacations are on beach" by: Mike Reddell

Congratulations to the 2025 Matagorda County high school graduating classes.  Even at my extreme age, I’m always excited at the start of summer.  I’ll spend a lot of my summer in our pool, except for those laborious not-vacation-like moments of scraping algae off the sides of the pool.

"Finding a happy medium between impulsivity, feeding nostalgic needs" by: Jessica Shepard

You know that moment when nostalgia for something hits so hard that you can’t think of anything else?