With the California Public Utilities Commission ready to hold hearings on the future of the 805 area code, the easy call for this newspaper is to urge the CPUC to adopt a so-called “overlay” solution. With an overlay, the existing area code remains intact and a new set of three numbers introduces a new area Read More →
By Paul D. Witman “Knowledge (information) is power.” — Francis Bacon, 1597 Edward, 82, bought long-term-care insurance 25 years ago. But when circumstances conspired to force him to make claims against it, his provider delivered a perfect storm of information problems — confusing deadlines, conflicting bills and poor customer service. What should have been a Read More →
By Ray Bowman Recently while traveling, I had the honor of meeting one of the world’s top five trend-spotters, Marian Salzman. She talked about some of the leading trends for 2016 and noted that “local is the new global” and that living large is no longer a trend. “Small is the new big” suffices to Read More →
Santa Maria’s relationship with United Airlines was set up for a breakup a year ago when the Chicago-based carrier stopped flying to Los Angeles and shifted its connecting flights to San Francisco. The final blow came Aug. 1 when United announced a suspension of the SFO flights this fall. The Santa Maria-San Francisco service was Read More →
Our universities are leading the way toward providing private sector solutions to the region’s chronic housing deficit. It will take courage, but civic leaders and elected officials should take note. The latest solution comes from CSU Channel Islands, where a donation of land for housing has enabled private developers to build quickly and nearly complete Read More →
By Charles Watson It is often said that nonprofits should be more businesslike. Although I usually take umbrage at such a sweeping generalization, the point that many a nonprofit fails because it loses sight of good financial and operational management practices is worth taking to heart. Nonprofit Quarterly, a leading publication of the sector, suggests Read More →
Westlake Village financial planner John C. Lindsey had just arrived in Nice for a family vacation when his ordeal began. After an “awesome Bastille Day fireworks show,” the July 14 terror attack started with a crowd running toward him and his son-in-law as he enjoyed a celebratory cigar. They immediately “ducked back into their hotel,” Read More →