There Is News At Every Corner
CONTRACT BRIDGE
A SELF-INFLICTED WOUND
BYLINE: By Steve Becker
Assume you’re in four spades and West leads a heart. You win with the ace and, let’s say, cross to dummy with a trump and lead a club to the king. West wins with the ace and, deducing your intended game plan, returns a trump.
You win and lead another club, but West takes it and plays a third round of trump, leaving you with two club losers in your hand, only one of which you can ruff. As a result, you eventually go down one, losing three clubs and a diamond.
An unlucky hand, you might say, since the contract would have come home easily had East had the ace of clubs, or had the trumps been divided 2-2, or had West not defended so well.
But when you examine the matter more closely, you are forced to admit that the person chiefly responsible for the unhappy outcome was none other than yourself. You could have assured the contract if you had simply led a low club from your hand at trick two, after which nothing could have stopped you from ruffing two clubs in dummy. The trump lead to dummy at trick two opened a Pandora’s box that allowed further trump leads by the enemy to frustrate your plans.
It might seem totally unnatural to lead a club away from the king instead of a club toward the king, but that is the kind of play you must sometimes make to ensure a contract. The right play is the right play — even if it seems unnatural.
NOW HERE'S A TIP
BYLINE: By JoAnn Derson
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* Keep medication bottles to hold buttons, spare change or even hand lotion. Be sure to clean well before reusing.
* “Clean foam egg cartons can be stuffed down into boots to keep them from flopping over between uses. If the leg fabric is not heavy, you can even cut one in half. You may use rolled-up magazines for this purpose as well.” — I.Y. in New York
* “Used fabric softener sheets can be used to shine faucets and to clean the tub. I use mine for dusting around the house, too. To keep a steady supply, I put an empty tissue box next to my dryer. When the clothes (and the used sheets) come out, I stuff them down in the box, and they are ready whenever I need one.” — B.J. in Arizona
* A chef’s trick to keep cooked spinach green is to make sure the pot is not covered while cooking.
* “When cooking shrimp in a bouillon, put them in the freezer for about 10 minutes before cooking. They will cook up nice and tender. I have had success with this also when grilling. When putting shrimp on a skewer, I use double skewers, which hold about five shrimp. When I thread the skewers side by side, the shrimp are easier to turn over, and they do not spin on the skewer.” — R.R. in Florida
* To keep cheese blocks moist and mold free, place in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Place a piece of napkin dampened with white vinegar in with the cheese.
Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
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THE RICH LOWRY COLUMN
Trump's fear factor
If they have any instinct for self-preservation, Iran and Hamas should be monitoring President-Elect Donald Trump’s communications closely these days.
A couple of weeks ago, there was the Truth Social post promising “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas didn’t release its hostages by Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
“Those responsible,” Trump noted, “will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”
He followed up during a press conference Monday. When asked what he meant by his prior threat, Trump left it menacingly vague. “Well,” he said, referring to our adversaries, “they’re going to have to determine what that means, but it means it won’t be pleasant. It’s not going to be pleasant.”
What does that signify? Does Trump have something in particular in mind, or is he making it up as he goes along? Is he bluffing? Or is he deadly earnest?
No one has come up with a Trump Doctrine yet, but a candidate might be: Find out if I’m serious or not at your own risk.
The most basic thing to note about Trump’s threat, though, is that it is the first time an official of the U.S. government — or a soon-to-be government official — has sounded appropriately outraged and harsh about an ongoing crime perpetrated against our fellow citizens.
Trump’s “hell to pay” is a throwback to Andrew Jackson or Teddy Roosevelt, making it clear that we aren’t to be trifled with, and doing it in a clarion tone.
It’s been shocking how muted the Biden administration has been about the hostages. Whereas Trump is expressing a righteous indignation in thunderous terms, the Biden administration has spoken as compellingly as a deputy Secretary of State summarizing the notes of a three-hour-long committee meeting.
This kind of jawboning comes naturally to Trump, of course. His approach doesn’t represent any particular foreign-policy theory. It’s not realist, or neocon, or isolationist. It’s less Clausewitz’s “On War” or Thomas Schelling’s “The Strategy of Conflict,” than Trump’s “Art of the Deal.”
The famous British line is that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton; in the same sense, every successful Trump negotiation as president has been won on the playing fields of Manhattan real estate, where Trump first learned his distinctive mode of gaining leverage and psychological advantage.
His willingness to escalate and follow through means no threat can be completely discounted, while his sheer unpredictably adds to the difficulty of any foreign actor trying to calculate his next move.
To the famous Machiavellian axiom “It’s better to be feared than to be loved,” Trump adds the proviso, “and it’s best to keep them guessing, either way.”
This couldn’t be in starker contrast to Joe Biden, who always fears escalation and is predictably conventional to the point of being sodden and dull.
Trump is what they call in poker a “loose aggressive player,” whereas Biden plays measured games of bridge over tea and crumpets.
The president-elect doesn’t like foreign conflict, but he bombed ISIS to smithereens as promised in 2016 and killed the top Iranian intelligence official, Qasem Soleimani, without hesitation in 2020. The safest default is to take him at his word, even if you only — in Trump’s words about a threat he says he made to Vladimir Putin in his first term — believe him “ten percent.”
With an eye to the imminent arrival of Trump, there is a chance that Hamas cuts a deal over the hostages in the coming weeks, the same way Iran released the captives from the U.S. Embassy in 1980 just as Ronald Reagan was taking office.
Regardless of how it plays out, we are already re-entering a period when enemies of the United States have to be scared or nervous, not knowing how far they can push us, or what will happen if they do. And that’s exactly where Donald Trump wants them.
Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) The New Year brings challenges that can change many things in your life. You need to be prepared not only to confront them but also to deal with what happens afterward.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You have what it takes to set your goals quite a bit higher this year. Learn what you need to know and put what you learn into your efforts. A partner offers loving support.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) In true Gemini Twin fashion, you’re conflicted about a decision you know you’ll have to make in this New Year. Best advice: Get the facts before you make any commitment.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A friend offers you an exciting opportunity for this New Year. Although your positive aspects are strong in most respects, caution is advised. Investigate before you invest.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) You can make this New Year a roaring success! Start by readjusting your goals to reflect the changes in the economy. Your den-mate offers both wise and loving support.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) The New Year brings new opportunities for change. But you need to be ready to move away from the comfortable status quo to the challenging unknown. It’s up to you!
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your most important New Year’s resolution should be to work out problems with a family member in order to avoid continuing misunderstandings. Do it soon for both of your sakes.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The New Year has much to offer the intensely determined Scorpian, who isn’t afraid to take on challenges and stay with them until they surrender their rewards.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You’ll have many fine opportunities in this New Year. But be warned: Reject offers of “help.” You work best when you’re free to be your own creative self.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The New Year offers changes that you might feel you’re not quite ready for. Best advice: Deal with them one step at a time until you’ve built up your self-confidence.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel is a dominant aspect of the New Year. This could mean relocating to another city (or even another country) in connection with your education or career.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) This New Year brings news about a change you’ve been anticipating. You might have a problem persuading a loved one about your new plans, but they will soon go along with your ideas.
BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for making people feel safe and protected. You would make an excellent youth counselor.
HOLLYWOOD
HOLLYWOOD
BYLINE: By Tony Rizzo
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
PHOTO CAPTION: Director Luca Guadagnino (“Queer” and “After the Hunt”)
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HOLLYWOOD — James Bond fans haven’t exactly embraced Daniel Craig’s portrayal of a gay man in director Luca Guadagnino’s film “Queer.” The well-publicized love scene between Craig and Drew Starkey didn’t create the box-office boom they hoped for. It cost 48 million euros to make and has only grossed $3.2 million at the time of this writing. This is unlike Guadagnino’s other films: “Call Me by Your Name” ($43.1 million gross against a $3.5 million cost), “Bones and All” ($15.3 million gross against a $20 million cost), and “Challengers” ($96 million gross against a $55 million cost).
Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Chloë Sevigny are gambling on Guadgnino as he directs their upcoming thriller “After the Hunt.”
***
I don’t know if anyone took Jim Carrey seriously when he retired from filmmaking after “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” ($405 million gross against a $110 million cost). He’s back in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” once again as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, along with Ben Schwartz, James Marsden and Idris Elba.
Carrey jokingly said, “I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And … I bought a lot of stuff, and I needed the money, frankly.”
***
Ryan Reynolds hasn’t rested on his laurels after the $1.338 billion grosses for “Deadpool & Wolverine.” He completed the road action comedy “Animal Friends,” with Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn and Aubrey Plaza, in March for an October 2025 release. Then he jumped into Apple TV+’s action-adventure film “Mayday” with Kenneth Branagh and Maria Bakalova.
***
Finally, you’ve no doubt heard about a pair of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” that were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum. They were recovered in 2018 and sold at an auction for $28 million ($32.5 million after taxes and fees). Apparently the thief, ex-mobster Terry Martin thought they were valuable because they were insured for $1 million and were made with actual rubies.
Originally, six pairs of Garland’s ruby slippers were made by MGM. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a pair in their Academy Museum, which were donated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Steven Spielberg in 2012. Another pair is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Two other pairs are owned by private collectors, and the sixth pair was owned by Debbie Reynolds.
Debbie invited me to view her collection prior to her auction, and her ruby slippers were called “The Arabian Test Pair” with curled toes, which were on the feet of the Wicked Witch of the South under Dorothy’s house. Reynolds said she paid $300 for them and resold them to a private buyer in 2011 for $690,000. Debbie bemoaned to me that she “almost couldn’t bear to part with them.” Now that’s what we call a “Wicked” return on your investment! Happy New Year!
FoodTrients Unveils the Ultimate Guide to Top 50 Foods for Fighting Diabetes: A Holistic Approach for Healthier Outcomes
Empowering Americans with Nutritional Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management
In recognition of American Diabetes Month this November, FoodTrients® has released a comprehensive guide on foods that can help manage diabetes and improve overall health. Diabetes is a growing health crisis in the United States, with over 38 million Americans affected by the disease and nearly 98 million people in the U.S. living with prediabetes. With these numbers continuing to rise, FoodTrients provides a fresh look at how diet can be a powerful tool in the battle against diabetes.
Beyond blood sugar management, the FoodTrients approach includes a broader perspective, emphasizing the impact of dietary fat, fiber, and essential nutrients on diabetes as well as cardiovascular and kidney health—two areas often affected by the disease. The new article, “Top 50 Foods for Diabetes,” from FoodTrients nutritionist Ginger Hultin MS RDN CSO, offers individuals and families a list of powerful, nutrient-rich foods to incorporate into their daily meals for improved health outcomes.
“The fight against diabetes goes beyond managing glucose levels. It requires a balanced approach that addresses multiple facets of health, including heart and kidney support,” says Grace O, founder of FoodTrients. “The goal is to help people incorporate foods that provide essential nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber to not only manage blood sugar but also support overall health.”
FoodTrients® is a wellness philosophy and resource focused on using nutrient-rich foods to combat aging and support longevity. Each recipe blends the latest scientific research with medicinal herbs and ingredients from diverse global traditions, creating dishes that are packed with flavor and superfoods. These recipes are designed to boost wellness, enhance energy and vitality, improve skin health, and help people look and feel younger.
Some of the top 50 foods for diabetes include:
Almonds
Apples
Bell Pepper
Bok Choy
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chive
Lemon
Ginger
Kombucha
Popcorn
New Cookbook Provides an Introduction to the Spanish Mediterranean Diet
Healthier You
Basque Piperrada Vasca of Orange and Yellow Bell Peppers and Eggs Serves 4
Ingredients
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Minced pancetta (optional)
1 cup of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers cut into thin strips
1 large yellow onion, sliced (about 1½ cups)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large tomatoes cut into bite-size pieces
6 large eggs, from cage-free hens
Salt, pepper
In a large skillet or a cazuela, sauté onion, half the garlic, and the peppers in EVOO for 15-20 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper, and taking care to stir with a wooden spoon at intervals to prevent onions and peppers from burning. Remove.
In the same pan slicked with plenty of EVOO, sauté remaining cloves of garlic (and pancetta) for about
5-7 minutes.
Add tomatoes, season lightly with salt and a grinding of pepper. Continue sautéing until tomatoes soften.
Stir in the peppers/onions. Break and arrange eggs over the mixture of tomatoes, peppers,
and onions and salt lightly. Take care not to overcook. The yolks should be runny.
About The Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robin Keuneke is an author, natural foods chef, and fine artist. She is the author of Total Breast Health: Power Foods for Prevention and Wellness, a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, and coauthor with Thomas J. Slaga of The Detox Revolution: A Powerful Program for Boosting Your Body’s Ability to Fight Cancer and Other Diseases. The former food editor for Total Health Magazine, Spain’s Mediterranean diet was a story she had to tell. Keuneke has exhibited her oil paintings in New York City and London and her etchings are in the permanent collection of the New York Public Library. With her husband, Thomas, she divides her time between Atlanta, Georgia and Delray Beach, Florida. Her next book, Basque to Barcelona and Stories Along the Way, is a collection of historical fiction around the theme of Spanish culinary pursuits.
FoodTrients Shares the Secrets to Longevity with a Diet from Okinawa
Research has shown that cuisine from Blue Zone regions contributes to enhanced well-being and longevity.
Okinawa is in the southern-most prefecture of Japan, straddling the East China and the Philippine seas. Besides being known as the location of a U.S. Army base, Okinawa is one of the five ‘Blue Zones’ described by journalist, author, and National Geographic fellow, Dan Buettner. These are five populations throughout the world with unusually high numbers of individuals who live happier, healthier lives, often to one hundred and beyond.
Grace O, the visionary behind FoodTrients, derives her philosophy of graceful, healthy aging from the dietary practices observed in the vibrant Blue Zone regions.
In a nutshell, what these societies have in common is they:
1. Exercise naturally in their everyday activities, walking, gardening, building, etc.
2. Maintain purpose throughout their lives.
3. Take time each day to de-stress.
4. Belong to a society or faith-based organization.
5. Put families and friends first.
6. Choose or were born into societies with healthy behaviors.
And when it comes to eating, residents of ‘Blue Zones’:
– Drink alcohol moderately, regularly, or not at all.
– Eat until they are just 80% full.
– Consume a mostly plant-based diet.
The cuisine of Okinawa is even more vegetable-centric than the typical Japanese diet. Okinawans dine on a menu that is heavy in whole grains, soy products, and vegetables, both from land and sea. As a result, they enjoy a level of heart disease that is one-fifth that of Americans, as well as lower rates of cancer.
One of the mainstays of the Okinawan diet is a purple sweet potato called, beni imo. Like other highly colored fruits and vegetables, including cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and red cabbage, these sweet potatoes are high in flavonoids, which are antioxidant compounds. They also contain large amounts of cell-repairing vitamin E and lycopene. There is also a domestic sweet potato with purple skin and flesh, called the Stokes Purple® that is available late August through winter. Okinawa purple sweet potatoes have buff-colored skins and purple flesh and are available fall through winter. For optimal sweetness and fluffiness, both should be baked lower and longer than other potatoes—about 90-120 minutes at 350 degrees (though you may have to experiment). These potatoes are delicious baked, slit open, sprinkled with salt and pepper with a squeeze of lime juice. You can also top them with a little sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and sprinkle with chives.
Try this delicious fall recipe featuring purple potatoes.
Tropical Purple Potato Soup Serves six
Here’s a tropical-style soup featuring purple potatoes that will dazzle your friends. It contains a healthy dose of herbs and spices that help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet onions, sliced then chopped into ¼” pieces
1 ½ Tbs. vegetable oil such as avocado oil
2 medium purple sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¾” cubes
1 serrano chili, seeded and minced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
½” slice fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1-14 oz. can coconut milk (or 1 ½ cup macadamia milk)
2 ½ cups water
¼ tsp. ground turmeric
½ tsp. ground coriander
Sea salt to taste
3 cups cooked rice
Chopped cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
1. Sautee the onions in the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until softened, about 4 minutes.
2. Add the sweet potatoes, the serrano chili, garlic, and ginger; cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add the coconut (or macadamia) milk, water, turmeric, coriander, and pinch of salt; bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.
5. Place a scoop (1/2 cup) of rice in a shallow bowl and ladle the soup over; top with chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime.
Recipe and photo may be reprinted with the following credit:
Recipe and photo reprinted with permission of www.FoodTrients.com
In a world where socializing and relaxation often revolve around alcoholic beverages, Jennifer Newens introduces a refreshing alternative with her new book, Monday Night Mocktails. This vibrant collection features 52 delightful non-alcoholic mocktail recipes, offering a unique drink for every week of the year.
Monday Night Mocktails is more than just a recipe book; it’s an invitation to explore a world of creative, flavorful beverages that rival their alcoholic counterparts in sophistication and taste. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted using seasonal ingredients and widely available non-alcoholic wines and spirits, ensuring that these drinks are as accessible as they are appealing.
“I consider a mocktail every bit as special as its boozy counterpart, so I borrowed the mixology methods from professional bartenders,” Jennifer says. “For each of these recipes, I suggest a glass type, mixing method, and garnish to make the most of the ingredients and make every drink special—even on a Monday.”
Jennifer breathes new life into classic cocktails with her inventive takes on beloved favorites such as:
Virgin Margarita
Fauxjito
Nearly Negroni
Additionally, she presents non-alcoholic versions of original creations, including:
Turmeric Meyer Lemon Pop
Peach-Rosemary Spritz
Star Anise Mango Mocktail
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer cooler or a warming winter delight, Monday Night Mocktails offers a perfect drink for every season.
Say goodbye to mundane Mondays and elevate your evenings with stylish, tasty mocktails that ensure you won’t miss the alcohol. Join Jennifer Newens in welcoming the week with a touch of elegance and a splash of creativity.
Jennifer Newens is a cookbook editor, cooking teacher, and literary agent from Oakland, California. She received her culinary training from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She believes that everyone deserves to have a special drink in a fancy glass with a pretty garnish at the end of a long day – whether or not they choose to put booze in it!
Start your work week with this easy and delicious fall mocktail recipe.
Recipe and photo may be reprinted with the following credit:
Recipe and photo reprinted with permission from Monday Night Mocktails by Jennifer Newens/Collective Book Studio/October 2024
SPICY CRANRITA Makes 1 mocktail
Here is a bright, spicy update on a classic margarita featuring cranberry juice and fresh jalapeños. To tame
the spiciness, remove the seeds from the jalapeño.
GLASS: Lowball GARNISH: Sliced jalapeños
Image
2 tsp salt, for the rim
1 tsp sugar, for the rim
Lime wedge, for the rim
1 ½ oz/45 ml unsweetened cranberry juice
1 ½ oz/45 ml high-quality zero-proof tequila
½ small jalapeño chile, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 oz/30 ml fresh lime juice
¾ -1 oz/22–30 ml pure maple syrup
To prepare the glass, sprinkle the salt and sugar onto a small
plate. Wipe the lime wedge around the rim of the cocktail
glass, then dip the rim into the salt and sugar mixture. Fill
the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker, add the cranberry juice, tequila, jalapeño
slices, lime juice, and maple syrup. Add ice and shake until
chilled. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass and garnish
with more jalapeño slices.
About FoodTrients
About FoodTrients
FoodTrients® is a philosophy and a resource dedicated to the foods and rejuvenating nutrients that help us fight the diseases of aging and promote longevity. All of the recipes combine modern scientific research and medicinal herbs and ingredients from cultures around the world. They’re loaded with flavor and superfoods, which promote wellness, increase energy and vitality, improve skin, and help people look and feel younger.
About Grace O
Over a span of 30 years, Grace O has built an impressive record of business achievement, community building, philanthropy, and community service in California. Guided by her spirit of entrepreneurship and building on a model of generosity learned from her family, Grace has spent a lifetime helping people heal through food and medicine. Grace launched FoodTrients.com in 2010 where she shares age-defying superfoods from around the world and creates delicious recipes with them. Grace is the author of three award-winning cookbooks—The Age GRACEfully Cookbook: The Power of FOODTRIENTS to Promote Health and Well-being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life; The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, and the multi-award-winning Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World.
For more information and recipes visit www.FoodTrients.com.