All in Columns
My latest book, Sprinkling Stardust: The Delights of Grandchildren, is now available on Amazon. This book is my first since I published My Wife Has All the Answers in 2002. In the nearly 20 years that have passed since the first book, I have written roughly 1,000 additional columns.
Let’s zero in on Social Security. Its “trust fund,” which consists entirely of debt the federal government has issued to itself, will be exhausted in a decade or so. As a practical matter, this isn’t as big a deal as it sounds. Social Security is already running a cash deficit — more payments going out than payroll taxes coming in. To cover the difference, the federal government draws from its trust fund of federal bonds.
I am sure that most of us would have preferred that the recent 2020 Election could have come and gone without controversy, but that just isn't the case. News continues to surface raising serious questions about what happened. The Election Audit is near completion in Arizona and the results are upsetting a lot of people, including some whom you would expect to be on board in the effort to bring the election results to an honest conclusion.
This coming Sunday, June 27, will be a day of celebration at the Friends of the Homeless shelter located at 112 N. Independence Street. The celebration will have a dual focus. First, this Open House/Dedication will celebrate a new wing for women and children.
For the past 11 years, Neuse Regional Libraries have held a Juneteenth program commemorating the end of slavery. Created by then Youth Services librarian Antuan Hawkins with the help of his community connections and know-how, the Juneteenth celebration began as an edutainment program to tell this important and widely unknown story. Various performers brought their talent to the Library, teaching and telling this important story in our nation’s history.
I think debates about the minimum wage represent a telling case. Over the decades, I have heard many advocates claim that businesses themselves will be better off if government raises the minimum wage. Why? Because if businesses paid much higher wages, that would reduce turnover and make their employees more productive.
Father's Day became a National Holiday when President Nixon signed it into law in June, 1972. Up until that time there had been calls for this recognition to occur, such as these words from an Arthur Godfrey song, "If it hadn't been for Father, would your Mother be your Mother, so remember Dad on Mothers Day."
Sadly for the second year in a row, the Kinston City Council has sought these personal increases, yet this year's discussion is distracting from the fact that they are also raising property taxes. The cost to the taxpayers if approved would be $670,000. Despite the fact the Kinston City Council has already voted on their increases, they could amend the budget tonight, by stripping the salaries and allowances back to the FY20 funding and passing a revised budget.
A little more than a year ago, LGM Enterprises, LLC, collaborated with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC), and the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority to launch a company to paint and refurbish aircraft at the TransPark here in Kinston. This partnership enabled LGM Enterprises to obtain a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to support the company’s investments in the project.
According to food trends, listed by Insider Markets, the microgreen trend is increasing with time, growing and using microgreens is easy and inexpensive. Almost anyone has enough space to start their own business by growing microgreens.
When we hear every day about rioting in our cities, crime on the rise, strife in government, rising gas prices, Etc., it is sometimes difficult to be optimistic and enthusiastic about life. But that is when, to recall the words from an old Bing Crosby song, we need to "Accentuate the Positive, and Eliminate the Negative."
With negotiators for the North Carolina House and Senate confirming that they’ve agreed on the broad outlines of a state budget for next year, the prospect of ending the state’s 2.5% corporate income tax is one step closer to becoming reality. A phase-out is already in the Senate’s budget plan, and key House members have endorsed the idea.
School is out for summer, and that means one thing for Youth Services Librarians – it is time for the Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program is a fun way to incorporate reading and literacy-related activities into summer family time.
Shortly after Christmas in 1964, a kitchen fire spread in to blaze that ravaged Winston Wheeler's home. At the time, the City of Kinston provided fire protection for county residents, but only one fire truck – Fire Engine No. 3 – was dedicated for use in fighting fires in the county.
Pointed Head or Sweetheart Cabbage is currently the star at local Farmers Markets, get it while it is still available!! Like its’ name describes the pointed head cabbage is conical in shape, and generally has a milder flavor. Its season tends to come earlier and it can be used raw in fresh salads, or steamed, stir fried, or pickled, in many recipes!!! Cabbage is truly a dieter’s friend, it has less calories the least fat of any vegetable. Full of fiber, this vegetable is a must for those of you trying to lose some pounds!
I’m not talking about motor vehicles. I’m talking about work schedules. With so many North Carolinians having experienced months of doing their jobs from home, will they want to come back to the office full-time? If so, there won’t be meaningful changes in traffic patterns, consumer behavior, and the market for commercial and residential real estate.
The assault upon the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution is intensifying, targeting not only "Assault" weapons but also weapons such as the Glock 9MM pistol. Also, we are seeing more aggressive "Defund the Police" movements in various cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Portland, New York, and others, leading to major increases in crime and violence, destroying lives and property on a massive scale. And even on the International Front the calls for less military preparedness are being heard.
My youngest son graduates from Kinston High School this week. While this is a momentous occasion in his young life, for me it's the end of a long chapter of mine. Though I have worn many hats over the years, the one that got the most wear was the mother hat. What do all the other parents do when their children transition to adulthood?
Graduation season is always a bittersweet time, but it is a lot different when you are going to be the one walking across the stage. Graduating means different things for everyone.
The 14 graduating seniors in the Class of 2021 at Lenoir County Learning Academy had to come up with a great many answers on the way to earning diplomas, but the educator who keynoted the commencement ceremony Wednesday asked them to ponder some important questions as they step out into the world.
