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At the end of every year, certain federal tax breaks face a sunset. Some are renewed, some expire. As 2014 will soon start, here is a list of some of notable tax provisions that may go away next year - offering some opportunities that you may want to take advantage of this year.

There is no doubt that gun ownership is very controversial these days. The anniversary of the Newtown massacre and continued gun violence across the country have led to calls for tighter regulation of firearms, such as the recent legislation passed in Sunnyvale. Others counter that their Second Amendment Constitutional rights not be tampered with.

Previously, we talked about one of the most interesting actions in bridge - bidding for slam, which is definitely a whole level higher and even more exciting because the stakes are very high. In order to bid and make slam (six-level bid) you need a total of 33 points between your two hands - or a really fantastic distributional fit. Since it is unlikely one hand will hold 30-plus points, the key to slam bidding is communication between the two partners.

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital opened the first floor of its new Women’s Center last week and also delivered its first baby.

With just days left in 2013, I’ve been ruminating on the past year and wondering what the future may hold. Personally, it’s been a tumultuous year and a half and I’m hopeful the winds will begin to shift come 2014.

Hollister's Boy Scout Troop 436 and San Juan Bautista's Troop 428 will be providing curbside pick-up service for Christmas trees.

In this new year San Benito County must start to move ahead in a timely manner on all fronts, especially economic, before it is too late. Why economic? Because the county’s lack of economic resources is the key problem adversely effecting just about everything we must do or want to do such as improving water quality; providing better library services, court security and public safety; promoting tourism; or upgrading the county’s entire education system. All of them and more are stifled by the lackluster local economy.

“End of the year” reviews are a wonderful tradition. As we look back on the passing year, it gives us perspective while we look forward to a new beginning and new year. To complete my first full year writing “The Flavor Chronicle,” I offer a few recipes for celebratory nonalcoholic beverages.

Hello, it's me, Kirby the dog. Every year the human female allows me to write her holiday column. Well, I'm telling you, I'm fed up with this. I mean, I sit and type - without opposable thumbs, mind you - and all I get is a piece of dried-out sweet potato for my effort.