Columns

Proposed 28th Amendment: Linking congressional pay to public prosperity

One of the rarest political occurrences is the passage and ratification of an amendment. The ratification of an amendment is not as rare as finding an honest politician winning the lottery (one out of 300 million), or being struck by lightning (one out of a million).

How Fernandina Beach government works

As the city moves through some critical decisions, there continues to be confusion about how Fernandina Beach actually governs itself.   The basic element of governing is the City Charter, initially approved when the city was incorporated.

Turning down the volume on others will not make your voice any louder

Before penning this column, I did not know the privilege of having a public voice. Writing this column launched a voice where there wasn’t one, building a platform that evolves from one week to the next. During my fashion career, I styled renowned broadcasters every day.

Amendment shortens presidential power gap

"Good Morning, guys and girls. We are entering the final week of President Joe Biden's lame-duck session." The students look up at me, wondering if I insulted our current president, made some cunning pass at his age and metacognitive decline, or made a 'lame' joke that just bombed.

From California to Florida: Disaster brings out America's best

We live in trying times but we are tough, resilient people. When disaster and chaos befall us, we answer with empathy and generosity.

The power of a smirk to transform negative labels into strength

Like all languages, English is rife with icky words. Some of them are cringe-worthy for no good reason. The sound of them simply gives us the creeps. In other cases, certain words are emotionally charged, eliciting personal, often adolescent angst that transcends the word itself.

Top ten interior design trends for 2025: Elevating spaces with innovation and comfort

As we step into 2025, interior design continues to evolve, blending timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge innovation. This year, the focus is on creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply functional, sustainable and reflective of individual lifestyles.

Holiday spirit makes our county special

It’s hard to miss how much our county loves the holiday season. From December’s first day, our community goes all out with celebrations that bring everyone together and light up the winter nights.

The message of Hannukah

Have you ever noticed how even a small flame can light up an entire room? This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on Dec. 25 and continues for eight days, concluding at sundown Thursday, Jan. 2.

Pilot, Honda’s Multitasking SUV

Honda’s Pilot, the automaker’s largest SUV offering, is large enough to haul eight people according to the spec sheet. While I do know seven people that I could invite to join me in a test drive, three would have to be children or small-statured adults to fit into the third row.