Column

Radio and television game shows have been around since 1938.  The first radio game show, “Information Please”, had as its prize two dollars if a listener’s question was used.  This year, the winning contestant on the game show “Survivor” won two MILLION dollars!

There have been rigged game shows, recycled game shows, and beloved game shows.  “What are ‘Twenty-One’, ‘Family Feud’, and ‘Jeopardy!’?”.

The public loves to identify with a contestant like themselves and to play along, wishing they were on the show; that’s why these shows remain popular.  Here are some questions about classic and current game shows.

(1)  Who were the two infamous contestants on “Twenty-One” in 1956 who were given answers to questions?  They were portrayed in the 1994 film “Quiz Show” and died in 2019 and 2020. 

(2)  What are the letters given to every contestant in the final round of “Wheel of Fortune”?

(3)  Nicknamed ‘The Dean of Game Show Hosts’, who hosted more than 20 games, including “Three on a Match”, “The $25,000 Pyramid”, “Blockbusters”, and “Eye Guess”?

(4)  At age 96, this veteran announcer has introduced Alex Trebek since 1984. 

(5)  Who was the first woman to host a TV game show?  It was called “Blind Date” and debuted on television in 1949.  This host was very well known as a panelist on other game shows.

(6) “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” debuted on ABC in 1999 and rejuvenated prime-time game shows.  Who was the first person to win the top prize of a million dollars in November of 1999?

ANSWERS FOR AUGUST

(1)  Dr Pepper

(2)  Tab and Pepsi Free

(3)  7 Up

(4)  Fanta, as in Fantasy

(5)  ‘The Outsiders’ 

(6)  Egg cream

Q. Birds have been planting blackberries vines throughout are on my back yard. The plants are coming up through the Escallonias and are a pain to get too. I thought I had eradicated the plants last year, but they came back more vigorously this year. After hearing different advice from various “helpful” friends, I need to know what are the most effective methods of getting rid of these plants for good.

A. I’m not sure what specific advice you have received; hence, I can’t give any pros and cons on the suggestions. So, I’m going to address the problem from an overall perspective. First off, there are no quick or “one and done” answer(s) to this problem. Your options of eradicating and undesirable plants growing within desirable plants is minimal. There is no chance of eradicating the issue this year as the growing season is nearing an end. There is an excellent chance you’ll be dealing with this problem next year at this time. It’s a war of attrition. Blackberries spread rapidly by above and below ground rhizomes; hence, they’re difficult to control. I’d manually remove any shoots near the crown of the Ceanothus or base of the Ceanothus or primary surface roots. For the rest, I’d repeatedly spot treat the new shoots with the herbicide, Brush Killer, being careful not to spray the Ceanothus. You have to be very persistent in resolving this issue.

Q. How would I go about comparing the price of sod? It is concussing trying to decide between the square feet and roll prices. I’m looking to install a small area of sod, about 40 square feet.

A. The variable you need to compare the two is the size of the roll. There is no industry standard, so vary depending on the grower. Thus, a $4.98 roll of sod that’s four feet long by two feet wide is 8 square feet or 62.2 cents per square feet. Using the same example, sod at .50 a square feet would sell for $4.00 per roll. 

Q. Last year I chopped down a birch tree that was infested with termites. The tree stump was ground down, but I noticed that there are still roots in the ground, and the ground is sinking. Will the roots grow back? A home improvement center recommended a chemical that kills roots in pipes. It says it will kill new root growth. Besides, should I fill in the potholes with sand and rock? The uneven surface makes it difficult to mow the lawn.                                                                                                                                     

A. Birch trees are not known to send up sucker so I wouldn’t be concerned. It’s a bad idea to apply a liquid ‘root killer’ to the open ground. They’re very caustic chemicals made for enclosed cylinders where water can wash them away. Besides, it’s a moot point, as the old roots are not going to rejuvenate themselves. They’ll continue to decompose over time. Filling in the holes is pretty straightforward; however, I wouldn’t use sand. Sand in time will filter through the soil layers creating another depression. You could use the rock as filler in the larger holes and then finish off with, potting soil, planting mix, or homemade compost. You should first moisten the material and then tamp it down several times. You want a substantial base. Also, I’d use a two by four to grade the high and low spots to help with unevenness. Once the area has been leveled and graded, you can then reseed the bare spot with Scott’s E-Z Seed. Scott’s EZ seed is a combination of seed, fertilizer, and absorbent growing material. Reseeding has never been this easy.

Q. I have a pumpkin plant volunteer that is growing out of my compost bin. I’m not sure what variety, either last-years jack-o-lantern or maybe an Asian type, it is green a striped now and just tennis ball sized. Can you guess what I might be growing?                                                                                              

A. The offsprings from hybrid plants are very unpredictable in the next generation. Pumpkins will cross-pollinate with squash and cucumber plants, so the gene pool is very mixed in the set of seedlings. The new plants are a combination of all of these characteristics. I don’t have a clue as too how they’ll turn out. You’re going to have to wait to see what you have. You can say now that it will be stripped and not a solid color. You may not be pleasantly surprised, but you will not be disappointed.

My writing career has introduced me to a lot of people, and every once in a while, you come across someone who leaves a lasting impression. Renee Morgan is one of those people.

For almost a decade, she has been a tireless advocate and promoter for the Town of Danville, as a member of the Town Council and former mayor. Renee has a vivacious personality, a proactive approach to leadership, and an overwhelmingly-positive attitude, all of which make a lasting impression on her constituents. Whether she’s attending a black-tie fundraising gala or rolling up her sleeves for a volunteer clean-up effort, Renee relates to the citizens of Danville because she has lived here for over thirty years and raised her children here.

She is not just concerned with one area of the community; she wants what is best for all of Danville. What is truely impactful is what the people in our town have to say about her. The following are excerpts from some of those conversations.

Councilmember Morgan is by far the best public servant I have seen for Danville. She has made a tremendous commitment to the residents of Danville.—Tim Argenti

Councilmember Morgan fought for coronavirus relief that directly benefits the residents and Businesses of Danville. She organized efforts to protect our frontline workers and keep Danville
thriving.—Dr. Bela Kenessey

Councilmember Morgan is not afraid to ask the difficult questions and get the job done.—Jennifer French

Renee has proven that no job is too big or too small when it comes to helping our children and community.—Lisa Pellegrini, Danville Children’s Guild

As Danville’s mayor and councilmember, Renee has brought knowledge, dedication and energy to our community. I support her re-election.—Beverly Lane, Former Danville Mayor and East Bay Regional Park District Director

Councilmember Renee Morgan continues to bring creative questions and views to Danville decisions for the past eight years. She has been immersed in senior issues with her mother, veteran issues with her son-in-law and student issues with a high school son. A vote for Renee is a vote for experience during issues that Danville has not faced before this pandemic.—Fellow Council Member/Current Mayor Karen Stepper

Renee is at virtually every community event throughout the year with one goal in mind, to promote Danville. She truly wants everyone to know what a wonderful town we live in, comprised of so many amazing residents who we are blessed to call neighbors and friends.—Mike Mooney

I love seeing Renee around town. She’s always so upbeat and positive. I believe she truly cares about the people living here and wants to do everything in her power to make Danville a safe and comfortable place to live.—Cathy Tisa.

As the daughter of a career military man, Renee knows the importance of accountability and not being afraid to stand up for what’s right when it comes to the well being of her constituents. She prides herself on being accessible to the residents of Danville and letting them know that she’ll follow through on promises. She wholeheartedly believes it’s critical to be aware of what’s happening in the community to make good decisions and secure needed services.

When I last spoke with her, she was getting ready to attend a ZOOM meeting for San Ramon Regional Hospital, where she serves on the Governing Board. A ZOOM conference followed, serving as the Executive Board Treasurer for Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. During these times of uncertainly, having these types of connections and responsibilities is vital for our community.

She meets regularly with residents, as well as with a variety of groups and organizations within the community, to learn about their concerns. This enables her to make the best decisions for the town of Danville.

Renee has made the Danville Town Council her full-time career, and her proven leadership, experience, and dedication to our community, is not only admirable, but incredibly valuable.

Renee Morgan is hard to miss, and given her political accomplishments, you wouldn’t want to miss her. She is the leader that my family, friends, neighbors, and business associates, should want for Danville.

A long, long time ago, right around the dawn of the 20th century—a millisecond as far as time goes—there was a man, a red man of indigenous descent, whose name was Ishi. He lived in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills in the small mountain range called “The Buttes,” near Lake Orville. Born in 1861, here were many more of his people, including his mother and sister, who walked those same lands.  

His people were called Yahi Indians, but with great sadness it pains me beyond words to tell you that by the time Ishi left this world, in the year of our Creator, 1916, he was the last of his tribe—a people that had roamed their lands for many thousands of years or since the dawn of time.

They roamed their lands long before even Moses led his people away from Pharaoh and bondage, and long before Queen Isabella asked Christopher Columbus, with her money, to navigate the seven seas.

Ishi’s tribe, the Yahi, lived a wild and free nomadic life that was precious to them. For four and a quarter centuries, they lived, which may seem like an eternity. In reality, however, 424 years is not long at all when considered in terms of when the earth, supposedly, went “big bang boom.”

Yet, that same 424 years was all it took for Ishi’s people to become extinct. What saddens me even more, right to my very core, is that the Yahi tribe was not the only tribe that left this world. Becoming extinct in the name of Christianity, European expansion, manifest destiny, and events like a great land rush on this North American continent, many others suffered the same fate, other tribes like the Anasazi and the Makah are also gone.

These were people who tried to help and guide wayward travelers, yet they were all dealt the ultimate blow of injustice and indignity amongst all the nations of the world. That is what happened, not only to the red, indigenous, American Indian called Ishi, but to many others. This man and his tribe must never be forgotten, not just for who they were, but so we can recognize the sea of darkness they encountered that caused their demise

 Kia’s SUV Line Grows Up!

The 2020 all-new Kia Telluride is Kia’s largest vehicle to date, and they nailed it! Besides its size, the Telluride is the first Kia specifically designed in the U.S. and for the U.S. market. Crafted out of the imaginations in Kia’s Design Center in Irvine, CA., the goal was to create a big, bold, and boxy SUV suitable for on and off-road adventures. The American roots continue with the Telluride being assembled in Georgia.

Pricing and Trims
The 2020 Kia Telluride is available in four trim levels: LX 2WD ($31,890), LX 4WD ($33,890), S 2WD ($34,290), S 4WD ($36,290), EX 2WD  ($37,290), EX 4WD  ($39,290), SX 2WD ($41,790), and SX 4WD ($43,790).

What’s New for 2020?
2020 is the launch of the Kia Telluride, so everything is new!

Interior Highpoints
My test vehicle was the Telluride SX AWD that included the SX Prestige package containing the following: Heads Up Display, 110v inverter, double-stitched quilted and extra-padded Nappa leather trim upholstery, premium cloth headliner & sun visors, heated & ventilated 2^nd row seats, 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system (AM/FM/SiriusXM), and rain-sensing front windshield wipers.

Standard features on the Telluride that stand out are the USB charging ports, push-button start, ceiling-mounted second-row climate control, simulated brushed metal and matte-finished wood, smart cruise control with stop & go feature, rear occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors, 10-inch touchscreen(optional on some models), tri-zone automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging (optional on some models).

Getting past the interior features list, I must admit it was beautifully designed and executed, and provided a premium ride experience. The interior was designed for style, luxury, and comfort. The three rows of seats hold 8 people with plenty of leg room for everyone.

Exterior Highlights
The Telluride has a big, bold exterior with a powerful stance that screams I can go anywhere! The side views hint of Ford Explorer at the front and the rest, Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s a meaty looking mid-size SUV with a long, broad hood and wide grille lined with stacked headlamps. The rear inverted “L” shaped tail lamps are illuminated with LED stripes (standard on the EX and SX trims).

The rims come standard in alloy ranging from 18 to 20 inches. In the higher priced trim levels, a power liftgate and sunroof are available. The Telluride’s length measures in at 196.9 inches, stands around 69-inches, has a maximum width of 78.3-inches and a ground clearance of 8-inches.

Performance Specs
Power is delivered in one engine option – a 3.8-liter V6 gasoline direct injection mated to an 8- speed automatic transmission. The V-6 delivered plenty of power – enough to bolt to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds and has the capacity to tow up to 5,000 lbs.  The 3.8L produces a respectable 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque at 5,200 RPM.

The Telluride has self-leveling rear suspension where the ride height is automatically calibrated depending on vehicle load to optimize control and stability (optional on EX and SX). There are four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort – each using different settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering effort mapping to provide the desired driving experience.

Cool Features:

• Heads Up Display
  
  
• 110v inverter
  
  
• Harman/Kardon audio system

Safety & Integrity
The safety feature list on the 2020 Kia Telluride is long enough to be an article by itself. Here are a few that stand out and haven’t already been mentioned: Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision – Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Safe Exit Assist, 7 airbags, Downhill brake control, Hill-start assist control, “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist  with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear, and Driver Attention Warning.

In Summary – If an 8-passenger SUV with style and performance inside and out is on your shopping list, then a trip to Kia is worth taking. Get introduced to the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride and experience the luxury of its cabin, the bold presence of its exterior, and the performance of its V-6 motor. Who knows, the Telluride could zoom to the top of your list!

Specifications.

2020 Kia Telluride SX AWD with SX Prestige package

Base price:	$43,790 as driven: $47,555 (including destination & optional features)
Engine:	3.8-liter V-6 6-Cylinder
Horsepower:	291 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque:	262 lb. – ft. @ 5,200 rpm
Transmission:	8-speed automatic transmission
Drive:	All Wheel Drive
Seating:	8-passenger
Cargo Volume:	46 cu. ft.
Curb weight:	4,317 pounds
Fuel Capacity:	18.8 gallons
Fuel Economy:	19 MPG City, 24 MPG Highway
Turning Radius:	19.4 feet
Wheelbase:	114.2 inches
Warranty:	10 years/1000,000-miles
Also Consider:	Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Volkswagen Atlas

In this time of COVID where air travel could be considered dangerous and we find ourselves staring at the same four walls, day after day, month after month, the good old-fashioned road trip suddenly starts to sound incredibly appealing. Such was the case recently when my family and I decided to drive to the little hamlet of Solvang, perched just north of Santa Barbara in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. A short two-hour drive from Los Angeles, it was an easy jaunt and put us squarely into a pretty little town that felt just like an authentic Danish village – a European vacation in an afternoon!

Charming is, in fact, an accurate description of Solvang, the “Danish Capital of America.” It was settled by Danish immigrants at the turn of the 2oth century, seeking to escape the freezing winters of the Midwest, where the majority of Danish immigrants in the USA had settled. Their aim was to establish a Danish community in sunny California to promote and preserve the culture of Denmark.

The beautiful windmill in the center of town heralds Solvang’s European heritage and exciting glimpses of history are scattered all over town. If you like pastries, you’ve come to the right place. Solvang is known for its pastries. Tourists from far and wide seek out the traditional sweet danishes baked in the ovens of Solvang.

As Solvang is located in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country, wine bars and tasting rooms abound. One is never far from a cool, refreshing glass of wine on a hot summer’s day. There are endless opportunities to try wonderful, local California wines. Whether you love the buttery richness of a chardonnay or prefer the deep complexity of a pinot noir, it’s all at your fingertips in Solvang. Good wine is easy to find, but leave it to me to dig a little deeper.

Wine is not traditionally Danish. That honor belongs to Akvavit, a highly alcoholic (80 proof) spirit flavored with caraway seed and other herbs. Akvavit is the national liquor of Scandinavia and produced in all three Nordic countries. In Denmark, it is called “Akvavit”, in Sweden, “Aquavit”, and in Norway, “Akevitt.” While the liquor is always distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with local pungent seeds and herbs, each country boasts a different style and insists theirs is best.

Generally, Akvavit is similar to vodka and served icy cold, in shot glasses, although barrel-aged Akvavit is best served room temperature to experience the full aromas and flavors. Akvavit is traditionally served at family celebrations and always enjoyed over the Christmas holidays. A little goes a long way to keep warm from the inside out in the freezing northern climes! While Akvavit is usually sipped neat, the flavorful liquor can also be used to create delicious and original cocktails with a Scandinavian flair.

Scandinavian lore alludes to the mystical healing powers of Akvavit. Indeed, the alchemists that first happened upon the miracle of distillation thought they had harnessed a true life force in their creation. The name thus bestowed upon such a powerful spirit makes perfect sense, as the literal translation of Akvavit is “Water of Life.” While today the actual healing properties of Akvavit may be debated, it is still considered a digestive aid and sipped copiously after large meals.

During these days of COVID, it’s fabulous to hit the road and have an adventure or two in a magical place like Solvang. But if your time is limited and the temperatures are hot, perhaps the next best thing is to take a virtual trip to Denmark with an icy splash of Akvavit! Akvavit can be found in all fine wine and spirits shops. Give it a try! Skol!

We are less than two months from the 59^th presidential election on November 3.  In addition to normal pre-election concerns, this year’s virus crisis election worries amplify existing concerns about the weak economy, a possible second wave of the corona virus this fall and the current all-time high market.  In this month’s Investor’s Edge column, I hope to share with you a proper perspective on the presidential election’s impact on the economy and stock market. 

Markets tend to be volatile ahead of elections, and October and November tend to be the wildest months of the year anyway, so with the two combined this year, wide swings in stock prices are near certain.  When we throw in the wild card of the politics of politics, Election 2020 could impact the economy and stock market even more.  The possibility of a contested election could wreak havoc in both the country’s economy and our financial markets, as Americans might then question the viability of our nation’s democratic process.

I want to start with the impact presidential elections have on the U.S. stock market in general.  I hate to disappoint you, but for all the campaigning, polling, conventions, billions of dollars spent by the candidates, fretting, fighting, and rhetoric, for long-term investors, the presidential election doesn’t matter much.  Markets have tended to power through presidential elections, though, not without some volatility along the way, regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican won the White House.  

History and research proves this point.  Market data since 1789 (using a mix of the S&P 500 & Dow Jones Industrial Average) shows, over a full 4-year term, there is virtually no return difference between Democrat or Republican president.  It is a near tie: Democrat +8.6% vs. +8.8% for Republican presidencies.  Keep that in mind as we approach November.  Election years can be a tough time for investors to maintain a long-term perspective, given the strong emotions often induced by politics.  The election/emotion meter could easily peak this election, perhaps the most in modern times — stoked by the combination of a deadly pandemic, a global economic weakness, widespread civil unrest and unprecedented market volatility.  So, investors should keep emotions in check, and focus on the market’s fundamentals, their asset allocation, the economy’s condition and potential policy changes the election could bring.  That leads to the impact potential policy changes could have on the U.S. economy.  Tax policy, like in the last election, may be a big one with this year’s election outcome.

Researching which stocks moved and to what degree around the 2016 election, I found taxes had the most impact. This makes sense, as taxes directly affect corporate valuations and is the primary policy that is within control of political lawmakers.  Simply, lower taxes increase earnings, which helps boost stock valuations.  Other policies will impact the economy and specific sectors, such as energy and healthcare, but tax policy tends to carry the broadest market influence if 2016 is any guide.  Consider a Joe Biden victory in November; and if the Senate flips Democratic.  Mr. Biden wants to raise taxes.  He may increase the top income-tax rate to 39.6% and raise the tax on dividends and capital gains to the same.  Another “what if” Biden wins and tax policy, he is thought to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from the current 21%.  As I noted above, expect potential policy changes to also impact the economics of the healthcare and energy sectors.  Trade and infrastructure policies put in place post-election will impact the macro economy, too.  In many cases, such as healthcare policy, it matters more which party wins Congress than which man wins the White House.  Because healthcare policy is largely driven by legislators, a change in who controls Congress could determine whether the new president’s healthcare vision becomes a reality.  Congress plays a big role on trade, also.  Trade policy will not only be impacted by who occupies the Oval Office, though wide-ranging trade powers are granted to the president.  It also hinges on whether the Senate remains in Republican hands, as Congress has the authority to approve new trade deals.

In review, historically, the stock market has consistently delivered positive returns year-after-year whether we had a Democrat or Republican president.  Therefore, the presidential election itself has not mattered much. What matters more is the control of Congress as important and economically impactful government policies can be reformed.  On an additional noteworthy election fact relating to the stock market is the “Presidential Election Cycle Theory.”  This was originally put forth by Yale Hirsch, creator of the Stock Trader’s Almanac.  According to its research, the market has been positive overall in 19 of the last 23 election years (from 1928–2016), only showing negative returns four times. Year three of a president’s term is usually the strongest year for the market, followed by year four, then the second, and finally the first.  So, there’s some more food for thought on the election and equities market. 

May the best candidate win.  May we soon have a COVID-19 vaccine.  And may 2020 be a successful investment year for you.  As usual, call me if you ever have a question. I am always happy to help.

We’ve had plenty to deal with in 2020. As I was sitting down to write about this amazing movie, I realized we were first required to “Shelter In Place” six months ago today.  While many of us are back in the workplace, many more of us are working from home, attending school online, or just plain hesitant to spend our days and nights out in public.  The 2020 fear started with Covid-19 and has progressed through protests and riots to wildfires. 

Things have changed; the “norm” is new.  Many of us have transitioned to working or schooling from home as a temporary inconvenience to the belief that we are now dealing with our future reality.  Restaurants are limited, so we have started cooking more for ourselves and our families. We’ve even worked our ways through a puzzle or two, or twenty. 

One of the more concerning issues we’re dealing with as well are the protests, peaceful to truly scary!  Racial unrest.  Hot days and warm summer nights have seen the protests crop up in every city.  Big-city police officers are fighting for the right to protect their cities. Racial unrest. One would think it would have become a thing of the past by now.

Woodlawn, a true story, is a powerful movie.  It takes place in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1973, another time and place of racial unrest.

A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field at Woodlawn, a moving and inspirational film based on a true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s’  Birmingham. 

Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973.  The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burning and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways. When Coach (Jon Voight) goes to Tony’s home to recruit him, his father asks how many black players are on the team?  When the Coach answers, his father asks, “Why do you see that changing?”  The answer?  Because it’s time. 

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider, asks to speak to the team that everything starts to change. Hank becomes the team’s unofficial chaplain giving these boys the grounding they need to thrive in this turbulent time. The change is so profound in the team it affects their coach, their school, and their community in ways no one could have imagined. 

Mark Burnett and wife, Roma Downey, are the Executive Producers, and Jon and Andy Erwin wrote, directed, and produced this Pureflix film. It is a well-done gem. 

In my life I have experienced racial tension.  I have to admit that after almost 60 years, I would like to think we were done with that part of history.  We obviously haven’t resolved that issue.  I do believe that the answer found in Woodlawn in 1973 is still the answer for today.  

Find Woodlawn, the movie and watch it. It’s great for teens and pre-teens. It was produced in 2015, so you should be able to find it. It’s worth the search.  

As always, send me your thoughts to carolyn@carolynhastings.com.