This year's investment themes are highly consistent with those we cited in 2005. Overall, investors can expect steady, but not spectacular progress in their portfolios in 2006.

I don't feel threatened at all. I feel it's an opportunity for the small mom and pop wineries that don't make enough wine to interest any of the wholesale distributors to now have an outlet.

It's an outstanding program. Hopefully we'll be expanding it in Southeast and the rest of the state. I'm going up to Bethel next month to talk to them about starting a program. In a couple of years we could see groups like this all over the state.

Gladys would often know what you wanted before you ordered it. She was sincerely interested in what you had to say. When she asked a question, she clearly cared about the answer.

Insurers are working as hard as they can to get these claims settled as quickly as they can and as fairly as they can. When all is said and done, it will be shown that the industry is not engaging in anything fraudulent in the resolution of these claims.

If you have a party and someone injures themselves in your apartment, they could also sue you for their own injuries. Or if you accidentally overflow the bathtub, your landlord could hold you responsible for damage to the property based on your negligence. That's another good reason to have insurance.