Are you ready for a New Year?

Did you see the one where the person was not going to turn back their clock this fall, because they did not want to add another hour to 2020?  Well, we are in luck.  Friday was the start of the Jewish New Year 5781, Rosh Hashana.

Economic recovery is sputtering

According to the latest jobs report, North Carolina’s headline unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent in August, down from 8.5 percent in July.  Good news worth celebrating, right? Don’t pop the cork on that champagne just yet.

Avoid yeast infections while wearing masks

Marina Peredo, M.D. – a dermatologist – said mask acne is more common, but a candida infection is also possible.   Both the skin and saliva can contain parasitic fungi of the genus Candida, a type of yeast that is normally present in the body, the medical expert said.

State reserves may not be enough

North Carolina’s state government began its 2020-21 fiscal year with $1.5 billion in cash left over from last year, plus another $1.8 billion in rainy-day funds and other earmarked reserves.  Since then, the state has collected some $1.5 billion more in General Fund revenue than it has yet spent.

Can we stand the truth?

In A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson famously said, “You can’t handle the truth.”  This line has stuck with me since the 1992 legal drama directed by Rob Reiner was released.

If you needed it, someone usually would deliver it

One thing that has reappeared in recent months – besides the popularity of drive-in theaters – is the delivery of certain products straight to consumers. For my recent birthday, our daughters gave my wife and me six weeks of ready-to-cook meals delivered to our front porch.

Political sign pollution and proliferation

We tend to think of pollution in terms of air and water quality. After all, we need to breathe, drink clean water and be protective of our pristine Lake Santeetlah.  Noise pollution like dogs barking incessantly or loud machinery can add to our woes.

Cooper seeking too much power

Throughout his gubernatorial term, Roy Cooper has sought vastly to expand the power of his office at the expense of other statewide-elected executives, the legislative branch, local governments, and private households and businesses.

Agree to disagree; yet, respect

A preacher was concerned about an elderly man in the community.  He made a point to visit him and asked him straight up, “Friend, where do you want to spend eternity?” The man thought for a moment and said, “Well preacher, I don’t know. I have friends in both places.

Ferguson: Revisited

“Hands up. Don’t shoot” is a Black Lives Matter slogan – born Aug. 9, 2014 – and still used today, to bring up police brutality and racial injustice.  But what actually happened in Ferguson, Mich., six years ago?