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Bridge: Sept. 30, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.If you’ve followed this week’s columns, you’ve seen a treatment of “avoidance,” an elementary technique that involves preventing a “dangerous” defender from gaining the lead.In today’s deal, West leads a low spade against 3NT. If he has led from the king, South can play low from dummy, take the queen, go after the diamonds and make at least one overtrick.But that play is risky. If East has the king of spades, he will win and may shift to hearts, threatening declarer with the loss of too many tricks.WILL BE SAFECan South afford to win the first spade with the ace? Yes, because when he finesses in diamonds next, he will be safe even if West has the king. South’s queen of spades will be safe from attack, and he will have four diamonds, three clubs, a heart and a spade.As in many deals, declarer must consider what measures — such as avoidance &#...

Ask Amy: She won’t follow the bed rule and we’re thinking of barring her from our home

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Dear Amy: My wife and I bought a condo in downtown Chicago a couple of years ago. We are often not there and have offered its use to friends and family.Our only request is that guests leave the condo tidy when they depart. This includes washing the sheets for the beds they’ve used and remaking the beds. We have a washer/dryer in the unit.My sister does not like doing this, so she brings a twin-sized flat sheet and a pillowcase with her when she visits. She puts the sheet on top of the flat sheet on the king-sized bed. She uses the blanket and the cover that we have on the bed.She believes this is sufficient and that she does not need to wash the sheets on the bed she has slept on.My wife and I don’t think my sister’s solution is appropriate and are considering telling her that if she is not willing to follow our rules, she is not welcome to use our condo.What do you think?– House ProudDear House Proud: I once had a well-traveled (invited) houseguest bring two sheets and a pillowcase...

Harriette Cole: Why should my boss care that I’m bad at parties?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got passed over for a promotion at my job, and I am wrecked.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I’ll never be OK with my former colleague dating my daughter Advice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell her she’s not burly enough to come on the road trip? Advice | Harriette Cole: She’s ignoring the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, and I want to say something Advice | Harriette Cole: I hate to think it, but maybe I’m a helicopter mom Advice | Harriette Cole: This macho guy is now being kind to me, and I’m suspicious I have been working so hard to complete my work and to take on more projects. I always have a good attitude and work well with people, though I will admit that I am an introvert.I do not hang out with my co-workers at the end of the day. I do not drink. I stick to myself and go home when the work is done. I feel like I may have been penali...

The Feds Take Big Tech to Court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys general filed a antitrust lawsuit against Amazon on Tuesday. Meanwhile the U.S. Department of Justice’s trial against Google is shrouded in secrecy. This week on Deconstructed, we break down the antitrust lawsuits the federal government has brought against Google and Amazon, and the anticompetitive and monopolistic practices on trial. Ryan Grim is joined by Amanda Lewis, a partner at the law firm Cuneo, Gilbert, and LaDuca and co-founder of the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition. They are also joined by Matt Stoller, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project and author of “Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy.”Transcript coming soon. The post The Feds Take Big Tech to Court appeared first on The Intercept.

How a DC woman went from aspiring film director to award-winning pastry chef

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Georgetown pastry chef Isabel Coss wasn’t expecting to learn of national recognition when Food & Wine recently called her and said they wanted to ask her about Jello.She wanted to ensure she’d be prepared the way she always had for similar conversations: equipped with answers to any potential questions that could arise.So, the night before the interview, she made sure she knew everything there is to know about Jello — what temperature it comes in and what year it was invented, among other things.Despite the preparation, the organization wasn’t calling to interview her about gelatin, but instead to tell her she’d been selected as one of Food & Wine’s best new chef’s in America this year, a list that includes 11 people from 10 restaurants across the country.“I’m so humbled,” Coss said. “I still can’t believe it. It’s an incredible award.”Nominees are collected from food critics, authors and previous award winners, Coss said, and then the restaurant editor travels around the co...

Marlins face the Pirates with 1-0 series lead

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Miami Marlins (83-76, third in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (75-85, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Saturday, 6:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: JT Chargois (2-0, 3.67 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 35 strikeouts); Pirates: Quinn Priester (3-2, 7.86 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 33 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -155, Pirates +131; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh has a 75-85 record overall and a 38-41 record at home. The Pirates have a 55-24 record in games when they record eight or more hits.Miami has an 83-76 record overall and a 37-41 record in road games. The Marlins have a 63-36 record in games when they record eight or more hits.Saturday’s game is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Marlins have a 4-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 24 home runs, 53 walks and 83 RBI while hitting .264 for the Pirates. Jared Triolo is 16-for...

Nationals bring 1-0 series advantage over Braves into game 2

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Washington Nationals (70-90, fifth in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (103-57, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Saturday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Joan Adon (2-4, 6.42 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 43 strikeouts); Braves: Spencer Strider (19-5, 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 274 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -366, Nationals +289; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals meet the Atlanta Braves leading the series 1-0.Atlanta has a 51-28 record at home and a 103-57 record overall. Braves pitchers have a collective 4.15 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.Washington has a 70-90 record overall and a 36-43 record in road games. The Nationals have a 26-15 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.The matchup Saturday is the 12th time these teams match up this season. The Braves hold a 7-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ozzie Albies has 30 doubles, five triples and 33 home runs for the Braves. Ronald Acuna Jr. is 14-for-42 with two doubles...

Cubs aim to stop slide in matchup with the Brewers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Chicago Cubs (82-78, second in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (91-69, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Saturday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jordan Wicks (0-0); Brewers: TBDFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -110, Cubs -109; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs are looking to end a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.Milwaukee is 48-31 in home games and 91-69 overall. Brewers hitters have a collective .319 on-base percentage, the ninth-ranked percentage in the NL.Chicago has an 82-78 record overall and a 37-42 record in road games. The Cubs have the sixth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.14.Saturday’s game is the 12th time these teams square off this season. The Brewers are ahead 6-5 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 34 doubles, two triples and 19 home runs for the Brewers. Tyrone Taylor is 10-for-33 with six doubles, three home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.Cody Bellinger has...

Dodgers aim for 100th win this season in matchup with Giants

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (99-61, first in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (78-82, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Saturday, 9:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (13-4, 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 132 strikeouts); Giants: Tristan Beck (3-3, 4.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 65 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -173, Giants +146; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers will look for their 100th win this season when they visit the San Francisco Giants.San Francisco is 78-82 overall and 44-35 in home games. The Giants have a 31-14 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.Los Angeles has a 46-33 record in road games and a 99-61 record overall. The Dodgers have a 39-11 record in games when they did not give up a home run.Saturday’s game is the 12th time these teams meet this season. The Dodgers are ahead 6-5 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: LaMonte Wade Jr has 14 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 46 RBI while hitting .259 fo...

Mets host the Phillies in first of 3-game series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:58 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (89-70, second in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (72-86, fourth in the NL East)New York; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: TBD; Mets: Jose Quintana (3-6, 3.39 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 55 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday to start a three-game series.New York has a 72-86 record overall and a 40-37 record at home. Mets pitchers have a collective 4.34 ERA, which ranks ninth in the NL.Philadelphia is 40-38 on the road and 89-70 overall. The Phillies have hit 217 total home runs to rank third in the NL.The matchup Saturday is the 11th time these teams square off this season. The Phillies hold a 6-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Francisco Lindor has 30 home runs, 64 walks and 96 RBI while hitting .254 for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 15-for-44 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and eight RBI over the past 10 games.Bryce Harper has a .295 batting average to lead the Phillies, and has 29 d...