Clearly the robust investment returns and benign inflation of the '90s have improved the finances of many older Americans. While ideas about aging are improving, Americans still need to do a better job preparing for old age.

It's been a long, long career.

Failure to Launch stumbles its way to a preordained happy ending without generating either much romance or comedy.

Nothing discovered yet has been shown to stop or slow down aging.

The importance of sleep to healthy aging is often overlooked in the medical community, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that good sleep could be a new vital sign.

The Internet and computers are really opening things up.

Seniors' bodies aren't as resilient as they once were. It's far more important for a 70-year-old woman to stay hydrated than a 30-year-old woman. Fortunately, common-sense measures such as drinking enough water and minimizing strenuous activities can help keep seniors safe in cold winter months.

We've concluded that maybe sleep should be another one of the vital signs that doctors should check.

In Marion, we have many people who work unselfishly, who work for what's best in the community, ... especially our Marion Chamber of Commerce. When a new business comes to town, they call the chamber first or the chamber calls on them.