"It may be hot beyond words but the markets make it easier to withstand" by: John Sample

In case you were distracted, you might want to check your most recent statement from your brokerage account.      As they say, all boats rise in a flood.      The S&P 500 stock-index is up 185 for the year and the NASDAQ is up 34%.      The Dow has been up for 10 straight trading days.

PSA: Help get your teen started with a Roth IRA

If you have teenagers who are starting part-time jobs, now may be a great time to introduce them to investing — and one place to begin might be the Roth IRA.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Barbie’ packs a punch with audiences with hot-pink power" by: Jessica Shepard

When I saw the first trailer for “Barbie,” I spent more time cringing with a few choice chuckles at the antics displayed.    But, when the time came, naturally, I took my mom to see it with me and honestly spent more time laughing at the realism portrayed by the human characters.

"An old Aggie greeting helps welcome STP’s foreign visitors" by: Mike Reddell

It’s been a long time since I was a cadet at A&M, but a group from the Philippines and Indonesia brought an Aggie tradition back to me in a pleasant way.    Last week, the U.S. State Department sponsored a visit by dignitaries from countries considering nuclear power.

"Adding a new designator to food judging skills" by: Jessica Shepard

Just like the headline says, I’ve managed to add a new category designation to my food-judging skill scorecard.    Now, my usual column readers know that I’ve judged food at two annual events – the Rice Dish Roundup in the fall and the youth food show for 4-H in the spring.

"Is the party really going to go on forever?" by: John Sample

Well, the long-awaited recession may never come or it was here and we just didn’t notice.    Last Friday, so much for the financial sector disaster, as JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and Citibank announced greater than expected earnings.

PSA: Retired? Consider benefits of part-time work

After spending decades in the workforce, you might look forward to the day you retire.    But if you’d like to redefine “retirement” to include part-time work or consulting, you could receive some key financial benefits.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’ a mouthful of overused tropes" by: Jessica Shepard

Look, I grew up with the “Mission Impossible”(MI) movie franchise and just found out that it was based on an older television series.    Apparently, I’ve never watched the introductory credits with enough attention to notice that until I caught the latest installment over the weekend.

"Community leaders’ presence didn’t match agenda" by: Mike Reddell

By now, my readers know the fondness I have for government entities to have an executive, or better put, closed meeting.     I know, I know, some taxpayer-funded things are better discussed behind closed doors.     By some, I mean a lot.

"Sonic nugget ice crunching might be my summertime addiction" by: Jessica Shepard

I’m one of those “ice chewing” people – whenever and wherever I get the chance to do so!     And when I say that, I mean the only ice I’m usually munching on is Sonic Drive-in’s iconic “nugget” ice pieces and chips.