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Ask Amy: A son rebuffs a “proud Dad” comment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

Dear Amy: My younger son is 29. We have a good relationship. He lives an hour away and we see each other or talk every few weeks (less often than I’d like), but his mom and I try to respect that he has developed his own circle and his own life.He is tremendously smart and has a good heart, as well as a straightforward way of dealing with his mother and me about things going on in his life.I’ve learned to be supportive while not prying.He’s had some ups and downs in pursuing his profession and after more than a year with his company, he got a nice promotion.He informed us some months ago that this was coming, but the promotion took time to happen.I learned the change was official through his announcement on a national online professional networking platform, through which he and I are connected but had not previously directly communicated. (I rarely do, anyway.)He posted the promotion announcement and in the “comments” section I wrote simply, “Congratulations,...

Commission approves amendment to 2022-2027 regional state aid map for Germany

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, an amendment to Germany's map for granting regional aid until 31 December 2027, within the framework of the regional aid guidelines.On 15 December 2021, the Commission approved the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Germany. On 30 May 2023, the Commission adopted a Communication regarding a possible mid-term review of the regional aid maps, taking into account updated statistics.In this context, the amendment to Germany's regional aid map approved today enables higher maximum amounts of aid to investments in the region of Saarlouis given the decrease of its gross domestic product per capita, and in the region of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt given the decrease of its population. The maximum amounts of aid will increase from 10% to 15% of the eligible investment costs in Saarlouis, and from 15% to 20% of the eligible investment costs in Saalfeld-Rudolstadt. The amended map will be in force from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2027.Th...

A Brussels sprouts recipe almost everyone will love, even Brussels sprouts haters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

If one vegetable symbolizes autumn, it’s the Brussels sprout. If one vegetable generates controversy, it’s the Brussels sprout. The prolific and humble crucifer peaks in the fall, and when it appears on the menu, it can divide your dinner table into two camps: lovers and haters.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | Pies for Thanksgiving: Author of new cookbook aims to serve up holiday memories Restaurants, Food and Drink | Recipe: The Pie Hole’s Lemon-Pear pie Restaurants, Food and Drink | Recipe: The Pie Hole’s Spiced Hot Chocolate Pie Restaurants, Food and Drink | Recipe: The Pie Hole’s secret pie crust Restaurants, Food and Drink | Use farro in this made-from-scratch herby pilaf Enough with the polarization. In fostering a spirit of unity, this recipe will help. It employs a few simple techniques that may — just may — win over any declared sprout-hater. An important technique...

Bay Area pastry chef creates line of gourmet frozen cookie dough rounds

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

A freshly baked cookie that has just emerged from the oven is at its peak of perfection and has an allure that’s incomparable to those that are even a few hours removed.For Novato resident Jessica Entzel Nolan, a pastry chef who has spent 15 years working in the kitchens of fine-dining restaurants and was an evaluator for the Michelin Guide, a cookie at its warm and melty best should be at the ready any time.Nolan has just launched the solution with Doughpamine, her gourmet, frozen, oven-ready cookie dough rounds that are packaged by the dozen and available now at 30 Bay Area grocery stores.“It’s a whole new category, and the best way to have a cookie,” Nolan says about her fresh-to-frozen-to-oven-to-table preparation that mimics the way cookies are made in the restaurant kitchens where she’s worked. “The result is crispy on the outside and gooey in center.”Miso Peanut Butter and Rhapsody Road (marshmallow-studded dark cocoa and almond cookies with crispy milk chocolate sprinkles) c...

Police accuse man of committing lewd acts in Marin County middle school bathroom

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

Mill Valley police arrested a man on allegations he committed lewd acts in front of girls in a school restroom.The incident was reported Monday afternoon at Mill Valley Middle School on Sycamore Avenue. The initial report was that the man had entered the restroom and talked with the girls, the police department said. Police contacted Derrell Bland nearby, determined he was the suspect, cited him on suspicion of trespassing, and released him.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Exclusive: Los Gatos ‘party mom’ indicted by grand jury, clearing way for trial Crime and Public Safety | San Jose police say food delivery driver forced himself into motel room before sexually assaulting a minor Crime and Public Safety | Hayward man sentenced to 14 years for sexually assaulting woman as she walked Oakland streets Crime and Public Safety | Former California teacher gets 80 years to life for sex crimes against 3 girls ...

Calm shattered: Southern California Highland fire destroys retirees’ home

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

The home of George and Lucila Boyles burns during the Highland fire in Aguanga on Oct. 30, 2023. The flames initially appeared to be a safe distance away, but the winds shifted and drove the flames toward the Boyleses’ hilltop home. (Courtesy of George Boyles) George Boyles and his wife, Lucila, were living the bucolic life at the top of a hill and the end of a road in rural Aguanga.Their 24 chickens provided them a dozen eggs a day and their seven dogs and four cats kept them company. Nobody drove past their home in noisy cars.The couple had both recently retired. George, 69, worked in robotics and automation maintenance, and Lucila, 71, provided in-home care. George liked to toil with his welding tools in his garage while Lucila would spend months knitting a quilt.“It was easy, calm, no hustle and bustle,” George Boyles said.And then came the winds and the fire. And the hustle.On Monday, Oct. 30, the flames from the Highland fire that once seemed a safe distance away were pus...

Thousands flee Highland Fire in Southern California as hot and dry Santa Ana winds stoke the flames

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

By Mary Gilbert | CNNA vegetation fire in California’s Riverside County exploded in size as it was stoked by hot and dry Santa Ana winds, scorching multiple structures and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.When the fire – dubbed the Highland Fire – was first reported Monday at 12:37 p.m. PDT, near Aguanga, California, it was only 14 acres in size. Just seven hours later, the fire had grown to more than 1,200 acres, according to Cal Fire.As of early Tuesday morning, the Highland Fire had charred 2,200 acres and was 0% contained, Cal Fire reported. It has destroyed at least three structures and damaged six others.Evacuation orders were first issued Monday afternoon but were quickly expanded Monday evening and then again on Tuesday morning.More than 1,100 homes have been evacuated in the area of the fire, affecting approximately 4,000 people, Riverside Fire spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa told CNN. Another 1,700 people have been warned that they might also have to ev...

Del Monte: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (FDP) on Wednesday reported net income of $8.4 million in its third quarter.On a per-share basis, the Coral Gables, Florida-based company said it had net income of 17 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 35 cents per share.The food producer posted revenue of $1 billion in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FDP at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FDPSource

Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares logged meager gains as investors remained cautious ahead of a decision on interest rates Wednesday by the U.S. Federal Reserve.Oil prices were higher as Israeli airstrikes leveled apartment buildings in Gaza and ground troops battled Hamas militants inside the besieged territory. In recent days, Israeli troops have advanced toward the outskirts of Gaza City from the north and east. Worries that fighting could escalate beyond the latest Israel-Hamas war, potentially disrupting supplies, have roiled oil markets in recent weeks. U.S. benchmark crude oil advanced 86 cents early Wednesday to $81.88 a barrel. It lost 29 cents on Tuesday to $81.02. Brent crude, the international standard, picked up 85 cents to $85.87 a barrel. Germany’s DAX edged up less than 4 points to 14,813.13 and the CAC 40 in Paris gained less than 0.1% to 6,891.38. Britain’s FTSE 100 was up less than 1 point at 7,322.05. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials ...

SSR Mining: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:08 GMT

DENVER (AP) — DENVER (AP) — SSR Mining Inc. (SSRM) on Wednesday reported third-quarter earnings of $15.2 million.On a per-share basis, the Denver-based company said it had profit of 7 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 26 cents per share.The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 27 cents per share.The precious metals mining company posted revenue of $385.4 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SSRM at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SSRMSource