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Ask Amy: Progressive dinner offers no just desserts

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

Dear Amy: I started two different progressive dinner groups with other couples in our neighborhood.These dinners happen about three times a year for each group. It has been going on for six years.I call to coordinate our open Saturdays and let them pick the course they are willing to make (we trade off making the main course).My pet peeve is that some couples occasionally ask if they can ask another couple that I don’t know to join us (these people don’t live in the area).This is a walking progressive dinner because we all live close by, and lends itself to safe drinking.Including an extra couple means this “new couple” would provide a portion of the meal BUT bring it to one of the other couple’s houses instead of offering their own home — because they live out of town.I always say no with a gentle explanation, but end up in a fight with these women who are my good friends.This has happened three times now. I caved twice, but the third time I stood my ground and it turned into...

Word Game: July 8, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — FRAGILITY (FRAGILITY: fra-JIL-ih-tee: Physical weakness.)Average mark 37 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 51 or more words in FRAGILITY? The list will be published Monday.YESTERDAY’S WORD — OBVIATES obit obviate ovate bait base baste bate beast beat besot best beta bias biota bite boast boat vase vast vest veto vibe visa vise vista vote iota abet above east sabot sate save seat site soviet stab stave stoveTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.Contact Word Game creat...

Horoscopes July 8, 2023: Anjelica Huston, learn from the best

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sophia Bush, 41; Milo Ventimiglia, 46; Kevin Bacon, 65; Anjelica Huston, 72.Happy Birthday: Trust your inner voice to point you in the right direction this year. Let your emotions lead the way, and let your imagination turn your thoughts into a reality. Discipline and hard work will pay off. A financial, emotional or legal gain looks promising and should help convince others to join your crusade. An opportunity to work with someone extraordinary will not disappoint. Learn from the best, and that’s what you’ll become. Your numbers are 2, 24, 25, 28, 31, 37, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Select your words carefully when dealing with those close to you. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos. Put greater emphasis on personal growth, not trying to change others. Don’t share too much information, or someone will use it against you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Live with what you’ve got and simplify your life. Opportunity beg...

Belgian tennis great Justine Henin receives ITF’s highest honor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Federation has awarded Justine Henin its highest honor, the Philippe Chatrier Award.Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and was part of Belgium’s team that won the Fed Cup — now called the Billie Jean King Cup — in 2001.The award, named after the former ITF president, was introduced in 1996 and recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the sport on and off the court.“She was one of the best players of her generation on the court and since retirement has made a significant and ongoing contribution to our sport at all levels,” ITF president David Haggerty said Saturday.The 41-year-old Henin has established a successful academy in Belgium and a charitable foundation that helps provide sporting opportunities for children with disabilities.The award will be presented Saturday at the ITF World Champions Awards at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.“I always gave my very best throughout my career...

Orlando off-duty officer arrested after speeding and fleeing from deputies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

Deputies in Orlando arrested an off-duty officer after allegedly trying to escape from being pulled over.“You want to run? Seriously? Are you a cop? Yes? So you know better,” said an officer that arrested him, captured on bodycam footage. Lake County Deputy Juan Morales-Padilla was speeding on a motorcycle Wednesday night. When other deputies tried to pull him over, he took off.Padilla was eventually arrested once backup officers arrived at the scene.Orange County Sheriff’s Office has fired him.

Time for France to ditch its color-blind ‘myth’?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

PARIS — There’s a familiar pattern of self-censorship at work in French public life and the media. In the days following the fatal police shooting of Nahel M., few people mentioned he was of North African descent.Of course, everybody knew. France may be officially color blind but everyone knows how to navigate what’s left unsaid.This did not prevent a discussion about allegations of racism in the police or discrimination in French society, but it’s an illustration of the perplexing taboos thrown up in a nation that sees itself above race and ethnicity. In contrast, the international press spelled out his origins and, in many cases read the death of Nahel M., who was shot at point blank range as he was seeking to escape the police, as a stark example of racism in the police. The police officer has been arrested.The bad press hit such a level that the government felt it needed to launch a defense of France’s model. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire gave an interview to the B...

Paris police ban memorial rally over concerns about violence

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

Parisian authorities on Saturday banned a memorial rally dedicated to Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in police custody in 2016, that was set to be held in the capital’s Place de la République in the afternoon. Assa Traoré, Adama’s sister and a leading figure in the fight against police violence, on Friday announced the Saturday march after a previous planned gathering on the outskirts of Paris was forbidden by authorities amid the recent waves of violent riots across the country. The nationwide turmoil was sparked by the killing of a 17-year-old of North African descent, Nahel M., by a police officer, which rekindled long-simmering tensions between youths and law enforcement. “The announcement of a gathering on the day before for the following day does not enable the police authority to mobilize the necessary manpower and resources to secure the gathering,” reads the police order. Other rallies are nevertheless taking place in other cities to condem...

A Libyan court sentences 3 people to prison terms over human trafficking

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — A court in the Libyan capital sentenced three people to harsh prison terms on charges of human trafficking, in a first such ruling in a North African nation where migrants are routinely mistreated. The Criminal Court of Tripoli convicted the three of human trafficking, detaining, and torturing migrants, and extorting their families to pay ransom to release their relatives, according to a statement Friday by the office of Libya’s chief processor. The court sentenced one of the convicted to live in prison, while the other two received a 20-year term each, the statement said.The statement didn’t reveal further details including their identities or nationalities. General Prosecutor al-Sediq al-Sourr was not immediately available for comment on Saturday.Libya plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country has since emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants seeking a better life in Eu...

5 injured after shooting on North Side overnight: CPD

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- Five people were injured after a shooting that took place in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood overnight.According to police, a group of individuals were standing on a sidewalk near the 1600 block of West Howard Street around 11:40 p.m. on the North Side when the incident ensued. Police said two vehicles approached the group when a verbal altercation ensued and unknown individuals from inside both vehicles fired shots at the group. ‘It’s been hell’: Northwest Indiana family remembers positive spirit of daughter killed in tailgating crash A 37-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm and was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in good condition. Another victim, a 29-year-old man, sustained a gunshot wound to the right hip and is also listed in good condition.A 29-year-old woman was shot in the left leg and was also transported to Saint Francis Hospital in good condition. Another 26-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to the right forearm and leg. ...

Musicians 16 feet up: Belwin Conservancy to host ‘Music in the Trees’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:34:54 GMT

Stage fright? Imagine performing from treetop perches 16 feet in the air.A variety of musical artists will perform on platforms suspended from the trees at Belwin Conservancy’s Music in the Trees event in August. Their goal is to bring attention to red pine restoration efforts.16 feet up a treeThe musicians will perform in simple metal tree stands 16 feet in the air. The stands rest against the trees and are accessible via a ladder.Cellist Rebecca Merblum, who will play at this August’s event, visited Belwin in June to test the stand for herself. There was some fear involved, she admitted.“Trying to get into the tree stand was fabulous and a little disorienting, but in a great way,” Merblum said.Once the musicians have settled themselves into the stands, Belwin program director Susan Haugh climbs the ladder and hands them their instruments. “They usually bring their less expensive instruments,” Haugh said with a chuckle.Some musicians get creative...