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Bridge: Dec. 30, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

Mistakes are inevitable, and resolving to avoid them is pointless. My new year’s resolution is hold the typos in my column to a minimum in 2420.There are many types of bridge errors. Some are forgivable errors in judgment. Some are lapses in concentration. But some errors are demonstrably wrong.Today’s North scraped up a raise to three clubs at his second turn, and South had an easy 3NT bid. West led a heart, and South took the king and saw that he had to bring in dummy’s spades. He cashed the ace and led the three.SEVEN TRICKSWhen West followed low twice, South huddled … and played the ten from dummy. East won and returned a heart, and South could win only seven tricks.South’s play in spades was a clear error, at least as per the percentages. If the missing spades are divided 3-3, South has a complete guess. If West started with J-x-x-x, South can never play the spades for one loser. But if East has J-x, South gains by playing dummy’s queen on th...

Ask Amy: I think I might have to cancel my birthday party because of our neighbors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

Dear Amy: Every year, with the help of my husband and six children, I throw myself a birthday party at a local roller rink. It’s all I want: to party and rollerblade with my family and friends like I’m still young.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: She insulted my kids, and our relationship exploded Advice | Ask Amy: Her indiscretion ended our friendship. What do I say when people ask? Advice | Ask Amy: My teen’s diary is pretty uneventful. Should I stop reading it? Advice | Ask Amy: 14 picks for end-of-year charitable giving Advice | Ask Amy: Who knew toy kitchens would prompt so many stories? We rent out the entire venue and invite many families. We serve a handful of refreshments and play fun music. It’s a blast and I usually look forward to it every year, except this year.I’m dreading it because one family (neighbors of ours) are just terrible guests. They bring extra peo...

Harriette Cole: I hurt my leg and have to stay home, and I can’t stand it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m someone who’s always on the go. When things are busy, I hop from event to event. I usually have the energy to attend multiple events in a night or a weekend. That’s how I roll.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: College got weird, and I’m not sure I want to go back Advice | Harriette Cole: How do I get my wife’s friend to stop with the divorce talk? Advice | Harriette Cole: I feel like I ruin the vibe at parties Advice | Harriette Cole: My husband comes home late, and I think I know why Advice | Harriette Cole: A guide to making the most of the season, Christian or not My problem is, I can’t do any of that right now. I injured my leg and had to have surgery. The recovery time is long: at least six weeks. I can’t stand it.Sitting still and resting is excruciatingly difficult to do. I stare at the clock, take naps, call friends — and ...

New Maryland, Virginia laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

There are a few new laws around the D.C. area that will go into effect on New Year’s Day.There are no new laws in the District itself that will affect residents directly, but there are quite a few in neighboring states.Laws that will go into effect on the first day of 2024 in Maryland and Virginia are outlined below.VirginiaThe most important new laws going into effect for Virginians on Jan. 1 focus on health care, specifically making health care information and some treatments more accessible for residents.Insurance covering hearing aids for minorsHealth insurance plans offered in the Commonwealth in the new year will provide coverage for hearing-impaired people under 18.If an otolaryngologist recommends hearing aids for a child, the new law states non-Medicare insurance will have to cover up to $1,500 for each hearing aid and related costs every two years.State joins interstate counseling organizationVirginia joined the Counseling Compact in 2023, which connects licensed cou...

‘You don’t want to be cliché’: Speechwriter on the makings of a great New Year’s toast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Neal Augenstein speaks to professional speech writer Eddie Rice about what makes a great toast. $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); if( typeof gtag === "function" ){ gtag('event', 'post_audio', { 'play': audio_filename, 'permalink': window.location.href }); } }); }); Clink, clink, clink — may we have your attention, please?While feasting and imbibing with fami...

Una breve historia del tradicional descenso de la bola en la víspera de Año Nuevo en Times Square

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

(CNN) — En el último día de cada año, se ha convertido en un ritual para grandes multitudes reunirse en el caos brillantemente iluminado de Times Square de Nueva York para dar la bienvenida a nuevos comienzos. A las 11:59 p.m., una bola deslumbrante desciende por un poste, mientras que los asistentes, y millones de personas sintonizando desde casa, cuentan hacia atrás desde 60.Al filo de la medianoche, la multitud estalla en una cacofonía de sonido, a menudo atrayendo a su ser querido por un beso ceremonial.Pero, ¿cómo comenzó esta celebración de Nochevieja y por qué conmemoramos la ocasión viendo una pelota descender por un poste?Inspiración náuticaLa bola de Times Square cayó por primera vez en 1904, y nació gracias a Jacob Starr, un inmigrante ucraniano y obrero metalúrgico, y al antiguo editor del New York Times Adolph Ochs. Este último había conseguido atraer a multitudes al rascacielos del periódico en Times Square con pirotecnia y fuegos artificiales para celebrar el añ...

Dominic Thiem survives qualifying and a brush with venomous snake at Brisbane International

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem had a brush with one of Australia’s most venomous snakes during a qualifying match at the Brisbane International on Saturday.The former world No.3 was a set down to 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first round qualifying match when fans courtside spotted the snake.Security personnel quickly arrived, but the umpire had to stop play as the snake slithered on to the court to the shock of the players and fans.“I really love animals, especially exotic ones,” Thiem said. “But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ballkids, so it was a really dangerous situation.“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget.”The snake — identified as a 50 centimeter eastern brown snake and one of Australia’s most deadly reptiles —was soon safely removed allowing play to resume.But Thiem was not yet out of danger as he had to save three match points befor...

Michigan QB McCarthy focused on Rose Bowl, Wolverines’ title hopes, not his potential NFL future

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The biggest question surrounding J.J. McCarthy going into the Rose Bowl isn’t if this will be the junior quarterback’s final game in maize and blue.That one can wait a couple of weeks.The more immediate concern for the top-ranked Wolverines is making sure McCarthy is healthy after he struggled with a lingering ankle injury during the second half of the season.On Friday morning, the junior gave himself a clean bill of health as Michigan (13-0) continues preparations for its College Football Playoff semifinal game against No. 4 Alabama (12-1).“Everything is great in terms of ankles, knees, head, shoulders,” he said.Even though Michigan went unbeaten in the regular season for a second straight year, McCarthy and the Wolverines were not firing on all cylinders down the stretch.McCarthy had 137 yards on 37 carries and three touchdowns in his first nine games. In his past four, he has 9 yards on 20 carries and no TDs.The ankle injury also had an effect on Mc...

Netherlands and China win opening group stage matches at United Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — The Netherlands won the decisive mixed doubles match to clinch its opening United Cup group stage tie against Norway 2-1, while China swept the Czech Republic 3-0 on Saturday.Mixed teams from 18 countries are playing in Perth and Sydney in what doubles as a warmup for the Australian Open. The format is a men’s and women’s singles match and a mixed doubles.In Sydney, Arantxa Rus gave the Dutch an early lead with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over Malene Helgø, before No.11 Casper Ruud leveled the tie for the Norwegians by beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4. Dutch pair Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof then won the decisive mixed doubles match against Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri 7-6(5), 7-5 to take the Group F tie. In the Group E match in Perth, China raced to a 2-0 lead after Zhang Zhizhen rallied to beat Jiri Lehecka 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and Zheng Qinwen upset No. 7 Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 2-6, 6-1. The Chinese pair then sealed a 3-0 cleansweep of tie by winning the mixed doubles. Former...

Cooper leads South Carolina against Florida A&M after 20-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:14 GMT

Florida A&M Rattlers (2-8) at South Carolina Gamecocks (11-1)Columbia, South Carolina; Saturday, 2 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gamecocks -22.5; over/under is 130.5BOTTOM LINE: South Carolina hosts the Florida A&M Rattlers after Ta’Lon Cooper scored 20 points in South Carolina’s 70-43 win over the Elon Phoenix.The Gamecocks are 7-0 on their home court. South Carolina averages 73.9 points while outscoring opponents by 10.7 points per game.The Rattlers are 1-5 on the road. Florida A&M allows 82.5 points to opponents while being outscored by 17.1 points per game.South Carolina is shooting 44.7% from the field this season, 1.7 percentage points lower than the 46.4% Florida A&M allows to opponents. Florida A&M has shot at a 41.5% rate from the field this season, 1.2 percentage points above the 40.3% shooting opponents of South Carolina have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Meechie Johnson Jr. is shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc with 2.2 made 3-pointers per ...