The economy, the stock market, the credit markets, retail, real estate, you name it and the word “uncertain” can be stamped in front of it as an apt adjective. And this year, most politicians only wish their approval ratings among voters were as high as they were a few years ago, which is to say, still dismal, but better than today.

Have you heard this one yet? A bartender walks into a restroom …

We’ve been reading the words “white supremacist” quite a bit these last several days.

We’ve been reading the words “white supremacist” quite a bit these last several days.

We’ve been reading the words “white supremacist” quite a bit these last several days.

Careful, East Valley. With apologies to Marty McFly, that forming line many think is leading to recovery instead is into an economic time machine that’s once again taking us back to the future.

Computers? Love them. Use them. And I’ve become a rather prolific author of text messages, taking the opportunity to perfect my grammar and spelling by fighting the urge to abbreviate.

Chandler is home to a shell of an incomplete multistory building that daily reminds Loop 101 drivers that we're in tough times. Mesa spent tens of millions of dollars on an arts center that has yet to attract anything in the way of serious office or retail development in its downtown.

Welcome again to Scarp’s Scottsdale Sunday brunch, a review of the week’s news where there’s soooo much to choose from. Strangely, nobody ever comes back for seconds ...

Paper or digital?

Those of us who are transplanted residents of this state each have particular memories of the first time we saw a particular sight that told us that we were really in Arizona.

Former Vice President Al Gore’s efforts to reverse climate change is mostly a global approach. It’s why he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week in Oslo, Norway.

Early ballots went into the mail last week for this month’s Arizona primary election. Some of you may have already received them.

You can’t really blame local TV weather forecasters for playing up the Arizona monsoon.

I’m typing this very quietly. I don’t want my car to know I’m talking to you about it.

When it comes to green grass, Scottsdale has been known for decades as an innovator. Think Indian Bend Wash greenbelt, a far more attractive way to move floodwater safely than the originally proposed idea of a concrete channel.

I’d like to talk to you today about math and politics. Don’t go running to the sports page. This won’t hurt. Well, it might, if you learn that certain rather important numbers may not be telling you what you think they are.

With legal arguments in recent days over a proposed Mesa tattoo business, looks like “time, place and manner” is getting more, please pardon the pun, ink in the East Valley.

Our state lawmakers are never too busy dealing with economic crises and housing market brouhaha to be able to take the time to approve a new state weapon (the Colt .45), or to tell Arizonans how to elect the people who run their local communities.

Many of you who are familiar with the subject of this column are not here right now to read it, but since there are still plenty of us stacked up at East Valley red lights each rush hour, here goes.