Small business is the backbone of America.  Small business owners contribute more of the country's tax revenue than any other source and hire the largest percentage of her employees. 

I spend some considerable amount of time in front of my computer for various reasons.  Sometimes I'm writing and other times I'm spouting off on political opinion boards. 

I think it's important to publicly recognize superior service or special courtesy.  We have a lot of that in Edmonds where, when possible, I prefer to do all of my purchases of services, food or merchandise. 

I can't help but wonder how many illnesses or maladies are brought on by ourselves and do not require the assistance of a medical professional. 

I remember when the first television "remote" came out.  It greatly simplified my life in that I could turn my TV on or off, select a channel and adjust the volume without ever having to remove my carcass from the sofa. 

My recent round trip by Amtrak to Oakland, CA (with my fantastic sister, Dr. Priscilla Ebersole, who has authored many books on "geriatrics") was a great experience. 

Why is it that so many people I know seem to think that the recently captured, so-called "barefoot bandit" is really a decent kid? 

What is it?  Soccer?  Football?  It's confusing to me.  In some countries it's soccer and others it's football.  Even though it could reasonably be dubbed "head ball" when you consider the number of times a calloused head is employed to re-direct the travel of the ball. 

With all of the slanted press by other jealous cities, Seattle and Edmonds have acquired a reputation for a lot of rain.  Not only is this reputation unfair but it is a lie. 

This is just a human interest story from years gone by. Long ago I found myself Exec VP and GM of a Seattle-based company with offices in both Washington and Oregon including one in Edmonds.

I love movies.  I suppose that revelation comes as no surprise to either of you who read this slapstick comedy column regularly. 

Baseball caps!  The bane of our rapidly deteriorating society.  The day that the wearing of baseball caps by others than those playing "America's game" was a sad day for some of us. 

Volunteerism is alive and well in Edmonds and other South Snohomish County cities.  A group of 12 volunteers, , already involved with the Everett Animal Shelter, started the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) six years ago to provide support and care for abused, injured and sick animals of many species. 

I'm not wild about government intrusions but there are exceptions.  I keep looking forward to the day when some government agency will come to the realization that the eye-searing blue (and recently white) halogen headlights, largely standard equipment on many imported autos from the European continent, are a hazard to other traffic and should be outlawed.

Welcome to Edmonds!  Locally owned and operated Hamburger Harry's just opened here and is already doing a bang-up business. 

Some teens and many adults are afflicted with obesity.  There's little doubt that it is a problem in our society.  But there's another part to teens as I see it.  What I see is teenagers wolfing down food like they've been deprived of sustenance for weeks.

It seems like our government is trying to take over our lives more and more so that we have no say in daily activities or our future. 

I couldn't say for sure that Edmonds is the moss capitol of the world but I'll betcha it runs a close second to whatever city is. 

What's happening here in Edmonds?  Anybody'd think we're trying to emulate the federal government in wild spending. 

Ever ride on a Greyhound bus? I have (some years ago) and it's an experience that some of us, luckily, are able to avoid.