"I can't parallel park!" laments a reader.

When we use our clothing to say "Look at me!" are we really thinking about how we will appear to other road users when we are pedestrians after dark? The right choice of dress prior to your next walk in the dark could be critical!

During the past few weeks, thousands of birds have started their fall migration and for many this will be a lengthy undertaking. The Comox Valley and the eastern side of Vancouver Island is one of the stopover sites; each year flocks of birds can be seen in our estuaries and along the shorelines.

While Prince Clemens August may have regarded Augustusburg as a cottage, to the modern world it is one of the marvels of that over-the-top style of craftsmanship known as rococo, and has been recognized as such since 1984 when it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Your philanthropic gift is always important, no matter the amount of your assets or the size of your income — but to make the best use of your contributions, to preserve your legacy, and to minimize taxes and/or estate fees, a sound charitable giving plan is the way to go. Let’s look at your options.

In each of the 13 elementary schools in the Valley it takes up to 150 cars to transport the students to and from school. The biggest safety and health hazard for kids who walk or cycle to school is the traffic chaos created by all these cars. Building safer bikeways so at least half of these kids can ride their bikes to school would eliminate a large portion of the morning and afternoon rush hours in our Valley.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming.

When a loved one (person or pet) dies, or leaves our lives in some other way, grief happens for most people. Some people lack understanding of the bond that can grow between pet and owner, so they may not understand your pain. Try not to let others influence your feelings. Remember that many other pet owners have gone through the same thing, and do appreciate what it is like to lose a cherished pet.

Are you prepared to drive on wet roads after our dry summer? It's time to shift mental gears and be ready for another season of less than ideal driving conditions. Many drivers try to blame their crashes on the weather, but a more truthful answer might be that the reason for the crash is failing to take the weather into account.

Canadians agree that financial planning pays off by delivering real value. In two recent studies — The Value of Financial Planning and The Value of Advice: Report — a majority of Canadians agreed that by choosing financial advice, they accumulated more assets and were better prepared, financially, for retirement.