People

One of the best if deceptively simplest movie titles I’ve ever come across is “Things Change.”

“Some police and fire departments in Northern California are billing citizens for saving their lives, which they’d sworn to protect,” I reported in the January 31 edition of The Goldman State.

Liz Bagatelos and I became friends a little more than five years ago when she bought my home. I’m sure I’d have liked her if she’d only bought my car, but there you have it.

While he’s been the boss many times in his career, these days Malcolm “Mac” Hotchkiss proudly works for his wife. He’s the chief operating officer of Golden Pacific Bank. His wife, Virginia Varela, is the community business bank’s president and CEO.

Every workday, Brooke Abrames and MaryTess Mayall accomplish the near-impossible. They share the same title, office space and salary. And, defying the long odds against job sharing being successful, they’ve made it work for nearly four years.

Matt Levitt’s tagline for his grain-free vodka is almost as refreshing as the drink itself: “Tahoe Blue Tastes Better.”

If you’re still making travel plans for the holidays or starting to think about vacations this coming spring and summer—and you can’t bear the thought of leaving your pup or other animal roomies in the care of others—you need to know about Tracey Thompson’s website…