Guest commentary: Navigating the recent surge in refinance activity
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Sergio Gonzalez Recently, the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates for the first time since March 2020, has sparked a surge in refinance activity, which should come as no surprise to those who track market trends. When rates drop, homeowners naturally begin to consider refinancing their mortgages to secure a lower rate, reduce monthly payments, or even Read More →
Relying on hope is not a strategy for continued success
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Gerhard Apfelthaler Few phrases are as iconic, cautionary, and maybe overused as “hope is not a strategy.” Popularized by a book published in 2003, it is a reminder that while optimism is important, success ultimately hinges on other things — understanding your environment, setting your goals, charting a course, and then executing, executing, executing. Too Read More →
Guest commentary: Four strategies to maximize your charitable giving as holiday season approaches
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Sarah Reznick There is nothing like the feeling of giving during the holidays — the simple act of giving fosters a sense of connection with others and a sense of fulfillment. Spreading kindness has been clinically proven to have a positive impact on our mood and our self-esteem. So, as the year begins to wind down, the Read More →
Guest commentary: Low-income students, military households are most at risk in the digital divide
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Chanelle Hawken As local students have settled back into school, a recent report from the Benton Institute on Broadband & Society highlighted the potential impacts that the end of the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) willhave on bridging the digital divide with lower-income households that relied on ACP monthly subsidies. Nearly 1 in 5 Read More →
The new unemployables: Navigating the future job market
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Vlad Vaiman In a fast-changing labor market, a concerning trend has emerged — an increasing proportion of highly skilled professionals are finding themselves out of work. This rather interesting, but disturbing conundrum, underlined in a recent Korn Ferry study, emphasizes the difficulties experienced by skilled professionals in a number of industries as they struggle to find Read More →
Guest commentary: Early childhood investment helps the tri-county community thrive
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy First 5 Ventura County, First 5 San Luis Obispo County & First 5 Santa Barbara County Our community’s well-being and economy improve when we invest in early childhood. Economists and brain researchers alike agree the prenatal period and first five years of a child’s life are critical for developing lifelong social, emotional, and learning Read More →
Guest commentary: Space innovation is the Central Coast’s legacy — and its future
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Melissa James Here on the Central Coast, we have long looked to the sky and dreamed big. The Loughead brothers and a 20-year-old Jack Northrop began designing and building aircraft in Santa Barbara in 1916 — barely a dozen years after the Wright brothers’ first flight — launching what would eventually become the aerospace Read More →
