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Letters: Evaluate first, spend later, St. Paul

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Evaluate, don’t panderSt. Paul is a beautiful city. Born here and a current homeowner, I like to keep abreast of the “progress” our mayor and city council are making by reading this paper, watching and listening to newscasts, even attending council meetings downtown when able. I encourage all property owners/taxpayers to attend at some point.Don’t expect to see Mayor Carter, his attendance is rare, and his office is dark and empty these days. At the July 19 meeting in council chambers, various council members appeared uninterested, even yawning and stretching as they waded through various agenda items. Not much energy. The lack of advance preparation to discuss important topics was alarming, and the ease at which they simply “lay over” items to future meetings is of concern.I was particularly disappointed in Council President Brendmoen, who used a “circling finger” gesture in an attempt to “speed up” a local tax-paying busi...

Recipes: Portable oven makes delicious backyard pizzas a breeze

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Who doesn’t love pizza?The Ooni Fyra 12, waiting to be put into action. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)Crust, sauce, cheese, toppings: It’s the perfect recipe for a dinner everyone will love.My husband and I recently bought a portable outdoor pizza oven (ours is an Ooni), and we have been churning out pizzas for friends and family with abandon.It took a few tries for us to get the dough right, and I’m still experimenting there — sourdough and fermented dough are next on my agenda — but what we’ve accomplished so far is so fun and easy that I wanted to share.There are lots of options for portable pizza ovens, but we wanted an oven that was small enough to transport to the cabin or friends’ houses, and we were also hoping for some wood-fired flavor. We landed on the Ooni Fyra 12, which is fired solely through wood pellets — the same kind we use in our Traeger smoker/grill. It weighs about 20 pounds and has a carrying case (purchased separately) so is easy to transport...

Q&A: Minnesota Fringe is on. A festival expert talks navigating the lineup, what makes a successful show

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Almost as long as Minnesota Fringe has existed, Matthew Everett has been in the audience.Everett, a playwright and the literary director of the local Threshold Theater, wasn’t at the first-ever festival 30 years ago, he admitted, but, well, pretty dang close.By the time he launched his festival blog, Single White Fringe Geek, in 2002, he was already among the ranks of longtime festival-goers. The blog was originally hosted on the Fringe website and then became part of the bygone Twin Cities Daily Planet. Now it’s independent, and every year, Everett posts an avalanche of predictions and reactions to some of the most experimental theater and performance art in the state.And for 16 years, Everett didn’t tackle the festival alone. His mom, Beverlee, would fly in from the East Coast to join the “Fringe Binge.” It started unintentionally — one year, Beverlee’s visit happened to line up with Fringe — but became a tradition. After Beverlee died in 2019, the festival created the Beverlee Aw...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: How Do I Forgive My Sister's Cheating Husband?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Blake, and it's about family. Here's her email: Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I have a real problem and I'm looking for good advice. My sister and I have always been very close. We're only two years apart, and we're the best of all worlds, best friends and family. Well, my sister’s husband had an affair last year and it almost destroyed their family and had a huge impact on the rest of our family. I supported my sister throughout the whole ordeal and was there for her to vent her frustrations. Ultimately, she decided to forgive him, which I understand for the sake of their young children, but I’m not so eager to forgive him. Now I’m expected to just let it go and carry on like he didn’t devastate my sister. How can I be expected to just forget his betrayal? Yet this is what my sister is asking me to do. Is it even realistic for anyone to think I coul...

Ask Amy: Family reunion presents concerns for a trans youth

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Dear Amy: Every year my extended family meets for a summer reunion.Two of us are gay.Starting when he was quite young, we assumed that my nephew was also gay.No one talked about it, it was just assumed he’d figure it out and it wouldn’t be a big deal.Two years ago, when he was16, he started growing and dyeing his hair and wearing nail polish, but still referred to himself as a “he.” We assumed he was either doing the teenager thing or was about to tell us he was gay.Well, we were wrong. He’s not heterosexual (no shock) but has decided he’s trans and now goes by the gender-neutral name “Ash.”Now Ash is making baby steps into the world as a trans person.To say my family is less than supportive is an understatement.Gay they’re OK with, but I guess trans is a bridge too far (this includes Ash’s parents).Our annual get together is coming up and my plan is to wait and see how Ash refers to themself and take it from there.But I’m petrified about ho...

NextGenerationEU: Commission endorses Italy's third payment request and a targeted revision of its recovery and resilience plan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

The European Commission has endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of 54 milestones and targets linked to Italy's third payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. It also endorsed the targeted revision of Italy's plan, related to the fourth payment request.Italy's third payment requestOn 30 December 2022, Italy submitted to the Commission a third payment request based on the milestones and targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision. After assessing the evidence provided by the Italian authorities, the Commission considered 39 milestones and 15 targets to be satisfactorily fulfilled.One target related to the number of new places in student accommodation was not covered by the assessment. Italy has requested to amend this target and replace it with a milestone related to the awarding of initial contracts for providing new places in student accommodation. This milestone will be added to the f...

Create inviting and functional utility spaces

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Housework is inevitable. But a brand new home gives the buyer an opportunity to improve the productivity and enjoyment factors of day-to-day housework. The keys to good quality utility spaces are functionality and cleanliness that inspire the homeowner to use them.Rather than saving these spaces for last, plan them during construction and involve the builder as you make decisions. By creating spaces that are organized, clean and crisp, daily tasks will feel easier to handle.Love the laundryLaundry is family, too. There’s no way around it. But the laundry room doesn’t need to be stark, boring, poorly lit and uninspiring. The opposite might even improve functionality and desirability of the space.If wall space allows, go ahead and hang small items that make you smile. But focus on organizing rather than decorating.A small dry-erase board with a dry-erase marker attached to a string, for instance, allows members to leave smiley faces or notes saying, “The red shirt in the washing machi...

Single-family residence in Oakland sells for $1.7 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

4964 Proctor Avenue – Google Street ViewA house located in the 4900 block of Proctor Avenue in Oakland has a new owner. The 1,495-square-foot property, built in 1993, was sold on June 8, 2023. The $1,652,000 purchase price works out to $1,105 per square foot. The layout of this single-story house consists of two bedrooms and one bath. In addition, the house includes a two-car garage. The lot of the property is substantial, measuring 5,916 square feet.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In December 2022, a 2,400-square-foot home on Proctor Avenue in Oakland sold for $2,080,500, a price per square foot of $867. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 1,739-square-foot home on the 5800 block of Morpeth Street in Oakland sold in September 2022, for $1,875,000, a price per square foot of $1,078. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Florence Avenue, Oakland, in May 2023, a 2,590-square-foot home was sold for $2,237,500, a price per square foot of $864. The home h...

Horoscopes Aug. 3, 2023: Martin Sheen, say no to grand ideas

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Evangeline Lilly, 44; Michael Ealy, 50; Martha Stewart, 82; Martin Sheen, 83.Happy Birthday: Don’t let uncertainty weigh you down if applying your skills will help you reach your objective. Stay focused on what’s important to you, and adapt your skills and expertise to suit trends. You have plenty to gain if you keep your plans simple and within budget. Say no to grand ideas and concepts and yes to what works and helps you move forward. Your numbers are 4, 10, 23, 26, 33, 35, 48.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Avoid costly situations and emotional, financial or physical risks. Distance yourself from temptation and people who expect too much from you. Consider your needs and how best to make your dreams come true. It’s your life; take control and make decisions that benefit you. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): High energy and intelligence will lead to opportunities that increase your profile. Your ability to show compassion and discipline w...

Bridge: Aug. 3, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:45:54 GMT

Unlucky Louie was getting a drink in the club lounge when he slipped on a lemon peel, crashed into the bar, and raised a goose-egg-sized knot on his noggin.“I’m okay,” Louie said when we got him upright.“Don’t worry,” Cy the Cynic told him. “The club’s insurance will cover you. If you bump your head, you get a lump-sum payment.”Louie needed to take out insurance as today’s declarer. He and North got to four spades, the only game with a chance, on a 4-3 fit. West led a heart, and East won and shifted to the queen of clubs.FOURTH TRUMPLouie won and cashed the three top trumps. When East discarded, Louie couldn’t afford to concede the fourth trump. He started the diamonds, but West ruffed the third diamond, and East got two more hearts.Louie could insure against a 4-2 trump break. At Trick Three he must play a low trump from both hands. The defense is helpless. If for instance East leads another club, Louie wins, draws t...