Q: Using OS Mavericks. Any way to sync Contacts & Calendars without using iCloud? Don't always have internet!

Not unless you want to install OS X server and set up your own CardDAV and CalDAV server as explained here: http://www.macworld.com/article/2061183/itunes-ios-syncing-gone-solve-it-with-se rver-.html.  That would allow you to sync contacts and calendars locally with your Mac as you could before Mavericks.