The expert declarer runs into just as many difficult guessing situations as anyone else, but usually manages either to guess right or to somehow avoid the guess altogether. For example, take this deal where West leads the four of diamonds against three notrump. Declarer wins East’s jack ...

DEAR HELOISE: In response to all the letters that you’ve printed in your column concerning “thank you” notes, I wanted to add an important element. Not only is a thank-you note a kind way to show appreciation for something that was done for you or given to you (whether you liked the gift ...

DEAR ANNIE: My wife and I have been married for nearly half our lives, and we’ve always had a strong relationship. The problem we’re facing now is her family — specifically her younger brother and his household. Her brother has never been particularly motivated, and although we’ve ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have calcium buildup throughout my vascular system. My legs were operated on, and the surgeon had to drill through the calcium to open up the blood flow. I am now told that there is calcium buildup on my aortic valve, which I had replaced four years ago. I also have prostate ...

The 13th Street Theatre stages the classic comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” starting Friday. Joseph Kesselring’s play ran for more than 1,400 performances in its original Broadway run from 1941 to 1944, and it spawned a 1944 film version starring Cary Grant, multiple TV adaptations and a ...

LOS ANGELES — In his seminal 1981 book “Simulacra and Simulation,” cultural theorist Jean Baudrillard argued that Disneyland is emblematic of reality’s collapse into perpetual imitation. “Disneyland is presented as imaginary in order to make us believe that the rest is real, whereas ...

Youngstown State University will mix some jazz with some “Jazz” to celebrate Ohio-born author Toni Morrison. A community reading of Morrison’s 1992 novel “Jazz” is planned on campus on Wednesday, which would have been her 95th birthday. The reading will run 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 ...

Lisa Frederick saw an important part of Youngstown’s history slowly disappearing. “In downtown Youngtown and downtown Warren, on every corner there used to be a church,” the artist / photographer said. “We’ve already lost quite a few churches. There’s been a lot of consolidation, ...

The engagement and approaching marriage of Kayla Kapel and Santino Bianco, are being announced by the couple’s parents, Greg and Marriane Kapel of Lyndhurst, and Tina Bianco of Girard. The groom-elect is also the son of the late Philip Bianco. The bride-elect is employed as a registered ...

Mr. and Mrs. J. Ralph and Marilyn Seidner III of Salem, celebrated their 71st anniversary on Dec. 6, 2025. J Ralph and Marilyn Seidner III were married Dec 6, 1954. Their life together has been a rich tapestry of adventure, creativity, family and unwavering devotion. Their life spans states ...

Daniel and Kathy Glozer, lifelong residents of the Youngstown area, celebrated their 50th anniversary on Sept. 13, 2025. Mass was held at St. Luke Catholic Church and dinner at Alberini’s Restaurant, both attended by immediate family members. Daniel Glozer and the former Kathy Gromada ...

Charles and Gail Ann Holquist, of New Middletown, held a 70th anniversary celebration on Aug. 30, 2025, at Welker Park in New Middletown, hosted by the couple’s three children. Charles Holquist and the former Gail Ann Osborne were united in matrimony on Sept. 10, 1955, at Chapel of Friendly ...

It’s Valentine’s Day and you forgot again, didn’t you? She was expecting candy or flowers or a card or at least something. Boy, are you in trouble! Here’s some advice from your ol’ Uncle Burtie — tell her you left it right there on the steps. Of course, you’ll want to actually ...

“Why?” Laura asked. Her oldies — I mean “real music” — station had just played Elton John’s 1983 hit “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues.” “Why is sadness associated with the color blue? Why not call it the grays if it has to be associated with a color?” Why ...

As I write this, wearing my mittens and three pairs of socks, the weather has warmed up to 14 degrees, with a feels-like factor of 4. Yes, you read that right: WARMED UP to 14. As an unnecessary reminder, water freezes at 32 degrees. So, if it was twice as warm outside, we still could turn ...

It wasn’t much of a snow — not for someone who grew up in the North Coast snow belt. Oh, sure, a swirling wind had drivers guessing whether they were still on the road — mundane stuff for northeast Ohio kids. I know that 16-year-old Burton would have been behind the wheel, adrenaline ...

Here’s an embarrassing fact I’m choosing to share publicly — mostly because I know I’m not alone and partly because laughing at myself feels healthier than crying in my closet. I have two closets. Walk-in closets. Plus a dresser. All full of clothes. And yet everything is bursting at ...

I think it’s time for a small confession. I might have a problem. Not the kind that requires an intervention — unless that intervention involves someone gently taking the remote out of my hand and suggesting I go outside. I’m talking about shows. Favorite shows. Comfort shows. The ...

Ever find yourself in other places in the world — or even just neighboring states — when the weather is not the best? Rain pouring down like the sky cracked open, snow blanketing the earth in that deceptively quiet way, or temperatures so frigid it doesn’t matter how covered you are, ...

I’ll start with a confession: I can absolutely be that person. You know the one. In “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” there’s a line where someone says she likes to chew on a problem until all the flavor is gone — and then stick it in her hair. That’s me. I will think ...

In my earlier years of gardening, I was attracted to and purchased unusual plants. Many of those didn’t survive beyond their first year. As I have “matured,” I have redirected my purchases toward the easy-to-grow natives that feed our local pollinators. The hotter, drier summers have ...

Here are upcoming gardening events through the Ohio State University Mahoning County Extension Office. Contact the Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield, at 330-533-5538. For a complete list of events, visit https://mahoning.osu.edu/events. Plant and Pest Clinic What: Stop by to ask ...

As I watched a woodpecker banging away at a tree, it made me think, why don’t woodpeckers get headaches or suffer brain trauma from all that drumming? So, I looked it up. Once again, nature has created a miracle that does not allow the woodpecker to get headaches or become dizzy. ...

Our temperatures have continued to fluctuate, but our winter weather will eventually remain colder and the darkness will cause us to bundle up, keeping ourselves warm. The days are gaining minutes of light in the morning and evening, but it will be a couple of months before we notice ...