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Ask Amy: After abuse, mom ponders name change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

Dear Amy: I have two children, ages 5 and 10. I have been a single mother for the past four years after a decade of abuse from their father and a resulting restraining order. The court awarded me sole custody of the children.Unfortunately, both children have their father’s last name.I’m ready to move forward with changing their last names to my surname because I am their mother and sole caregiver.The 5-year-old was too young to remember his father and is as excited as a 5-year-old can be about the change, but the 10-year-old has mixed feelings.I think it’s better to do this change sooner rather than later, though I am cautious of the identity conflict a name change can bring.— MatrinameDear Matriname: You state that you want to move forward with this name change because you are your sons’ mother and sole caregiver, but your decision here should be more about them and less about you.I agree that your 10-year-old’s feelings should very much be taken into account as you make this...

Applications are open for 36,000 young people born in 2005 to receive a free travel pass thank to DiscoverEU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

The Commission is launching the DiscoverEU autumn call, thanks to which 36,000 young people will receive a free travel pass to explore Europe.The application round started on 4 October at 12:00 CEST and will end on Wednesday 18 October at 12:00 CEST. To win a travel pass, young people are invited to apply on the European Youth Portal, answer five quiz questions and one tiebreaker question. Successful applicants born between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005 will be able to travel in Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period 1 March 2024 and 31 May 2025. The call is open to applicants from the European Union and the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.Participants will be able to discover the New European Bauhaus route, launched in January 2023. It aims to inspire young people when choosing their destinations and raise awareness on the importance of making the European Union ‘beautiful...

Review: ‘Fair Play’ is a Wall Street battle of the sexes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

By Jake Coyle | Associated PressThe disquieting root of Chloe Domont’s slinky, slick feature debut “Fair Play” lies in the face of Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) as he learns that his fiance Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) has been given the promotion at their Wall Street hedge fund he thought was his.“Congratulations,” he says with a grin that looks more like a grimace. “That’s amazing.”Ehrenreich, a cunning actor here given a part to chew on, conveys the moment with the just right mix of of support for Emily and shattering woundedness. Up to this point, we’ve seen Emily and Luke as only a swoon-worthy romantic pair deeply in love with one another. In the film’s breezy opening moments, they slip away from a party to have sex in a bathroom. After, Luke kneels to propose.But the engagement ring lies ominously on the counter when both dress in the morning for work in their their Chinatown apartment at the same high-powered hedge fund in down...

Serenity meets luxury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

Beautiful trees perched on rolling hills provide a gorgeous backdrop for this four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence.This charming home showcases indoor-outdoor living, original oak floors, a gleaming updated kitchen and a brick-lined fireplace. Glass doors slide open on each floor to reveal expansive decks where you can enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds the property, while prismatic skylights and original oak flooring add to the breezy charm of this relaxing home.Residing in the peaceful oasis of this Montclair neighborhood, you’re near various trails for outdoor recreation, excellent elementary schools, shopping, restaurants and transportation for an easy commute.Location: 7122 Homewood Drive, Oakland 94611Price: $1,295,000Contact: Debbie Budd DRE#017079946 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties (510) 872-3607 

Single family residence sells for $2.2 million in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

4815 Elester Drive – Google Street ViewA 1,907-square-foot house built in 1957 has changed hands. The property located in the 4800 block of Elester Drive in San Jose was sold on Aug. 28, 2023, for $2,212,500, or $1,160 per square foot. This single-story home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Additionally, the house features a two-car garage.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:On Kingwood Way, San Jose, in May 2023, a 1,286-square-foot home was sold for $1,820,000, a price per square foot of $1,415. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In October 2022, a 1,792-square-foot home on Adair Way in San Jose sold for $2,550,000, a price per square foot of $1,423. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,080-square-foot home on the 4800 block of Kinghurst Drive in San Jose sold in March 2023, for $1,518,000, a price per square foot of $1,406. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Bridge: Oct. 6, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

Cy the Cynic is a devout procrastinator. He says work is a noble endeavor, and some should always be saved for tomorrow. Cy’s tendency often helps him as declarer, when he waits to draw trumps.At four spades, Cy saw a possible loser in each suit, but he could hope to discard a heart from dummy on a second diamond winner. He took the ace of hearts, led a trump to his ace and returned a diamond. West won and led the queen of trumps.RE-ENTRYIf Cy wins and goes to the queen of diamonds, he has no quick re-entry to his hand. If he leads the ace and a second club, East wins and leads a heart to dummy. Then if Cy tries to return to his hand with a club ruff, West overruffs and cashes a heart for down one.Cy saw the problem: He procrastinated by letting West’s queen of trumps win. When West next led a second heart, the Cynic won, took the queen of diamonds, led a trump to his hand, threw dummy’s last heart on the ace of diamonds and ruffed his last heart in dummy. Making f...

Horoscopes Oct. 6, 2023: Elisabeth Shue, let go of the past

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jeremy Sisto, 49; Amy Jo Johnson, 53; Elisabeth Shue, 60; Britt Ekland, 81.Happy Birthday: Take the edge off, learn to relax and incorporate something into your routine that challenges you, stretches your imagination and satisfies your soul. Put things in perspective, address what bothers you and adjust your life. Take control of your happiness, choose not to let others interfere and take on a challenge that makes you feel good about yourself and your contributions. Let go of the past and declutter your life. Your numbers are 8, 12, 23, 27, 31, 40, 48.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Let go of situations you cannot control, and put your focus where it counts. Recap what you’ve accomplished and set new goals that entice you. A partnership looks inviting, but before you consider such a venture, clear up anything that may cause a problem. 2 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put everything you’ve got into something meaningful to you. Refuse to tie up you...

Adam Wainwright easing into retirement with new puppy, TV work and more country music

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

Days after his playing career ended, Adam Wainwright is dealing with a pressing issue. A cute, fluffy one.Louie, a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy that was gifted to Wainwright by the St. Louis Cardinals — his only major league team — is at the center of a running family argument.“Everybody’s fighting on who’s holding him,” Wainwright said. “I’m a little worried he’s not going to learn how to walk here, if we can’t put him on the ground soon.”Working in walks for Louie is a different type of concern for Wainwright after 18 seasons in the majors — when walks of the bases-on-balls variety were more than a minor inconvenience. The 42-year-old right-hander finished his big league career with a 200-128 record and a 3.53 ERA.Wainwright’s playing days are over, but he isn’t exactly taking it easy in retirement. The Georgia native and his wife, Jenny, have five children; daughters Baylie Grace (17), Addison (14), Macy James (11) and Sadee Faith (5), along w...

Analysis: Rookie QB C.J. Stroud’s impressive start underscores silliness of pre-draft process

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.____C.J. Stroud spent weeks leading into the NFL draft answering questions about a cognition test.Nobody cares how he scored anymore.Stroud’s impressive performance in the first four games proves the eye test is often a far better judge of talent. The former Ohio State star has led the Houston Texans (2-2) to consecutive wins while being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month.Stroud became only the sixth QB in NFL history to throw for at least 1,200 yards with no picks in the first four games of the season. The others all have Super Bowl rings: Aaron Rodgers (2020), Patrick Mahomes (2018 and ’19), Drew Brees (2018), Tom Brady (2015 and ’17) and Peyton Manning (2013).“It’s cool to be mentioned with those guys — they’re all legends, guys that I looked up to,” Stroud said. “It’s just letting me know that I have the opportunity to do something special and I’ve got to con...

Why a Colorado Powerball jackpot winner wouldn't get $1.4 billion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:09 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — After more than 30 consecutive drawings without a winner, the Powerball jackpot has swelled to an estimated $1.4 billion. But if you're lucky enough to win during Saturday's drawing, you should know — you won't exactly be an instant billionaire. At its current size, the jackpot ranks as the third-largest in Powerball history, coming in behind a $2.04 billion jackpot hit last November in California and a $1.586 billion jackpot split by three tickets (California, Florida, and Tennessee) in 2016. It's also the fifth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history (though it could grow again before Saturday's drawing):$2.04 billion (Powerball): Nov. 7, 2022; California$1.602 billion (Mega Millions): Aug. 15, 2023; Florida$1.586 billion (Powerball): Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee$1.537 billion (Mega Millions): Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina$1.4 billion (Est. Powerball): Oct. 7, 2023$1.348 billion (Mega Millions): Jan. 13, 2023; Maine$1.337 billion (Meg...