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Pope Francis formally approves blessings for same-sex couples

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.The new document repeats that rationale and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union, using set rituals or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.But it says requests for such blessings should not be denied full stop. I...

Mural celebrating Shohei Ohtani's move to Dodgers pops up in Hermosa Beach

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Dodgers biggest signing of the off-season, or maybe ever, is being celebrated in a new mural on the side of a Hermosa Beach business. The image depicts Shohei Ohtani peering over his shoulder while wearing his new team's uniform. Venice-based artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. created the mural, DailyUpdate Hub reported. Shohei Ohtani celebrated in a mural on the side of a Hermosa Beach business is seen on Dec. 18, 2023. (KTLA)Shohei Ohtani celebrated in a mural on the side of a Hermosa Beach business is seen on Dec. 18, 2023. (KTLA)Shohei Ohtani celebrated in a mural on the side of a Hermosa Beach business is seen on Dec. 18, 2023. (KTLA)Zermeño Jr. originally planned to create a tribute to the Kings, Dodgers and Lakers. "But with Ohtani signing, we thought he deserved the prominent side of the wall; something a little bit more visible from the street," Zermeño told the Hub. Kobe Bryant video helped bring Ohtani to Dodgers Ohtani signed a record-shattering $700 million, 1...

Tess & the Details get into Midtown

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

MidtownLiving Well is the Best Revenge (Drive-Thru/MCA)Tess & the Details get into Midtown: Tess Stevens and Gideon Berger of San Francisco punk rockers Tess & the Details told us about their shared love for a Midtown gem.Tess Stevens and Gideon Berger: When we got the mission of choosing just one collective favorite album we thought it would be impossible – however within moments we realized we all agree on Midtown’s Living Well is the Best Revenge.(Drive-Thru/MCA)As songwriters, our primary goal is to craft music that strikes the perfect balance between catchy melodies, compelling storytelling, and an infectious energy that keeps listeners coming back for more. When we come across an album that successfully combines these three elements, it’s not just inspiring; it’s a testament to the enduring power of music. For us, one album that encapsulates this artistic excellence is Midtown’s Living Well Is the Best Revenge.More importantly – it’s a rec...

Are There Any Benefits To Putting CBD In Your Soap?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

View the original article about CBD Soap  at Real Tested CBD.CBD lotions and balms have become incredibly popular in the skincare and beauty industries. While most of theseCBD-infused topicals encourage users to let CBD seep into their skin, a few promise to literally “wipe away” scars and sags.Yes, CBD-infused soaps are for real, and many proponents believe they can significantly improve your skin’s “glow.” But if you wash CBD away while using these soaps, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of using this cannabinoid? Why should anyone seriously consider washing their hands with a CBD soap bar?Why Are Some People Screaming About CBD Soap’s Benefits?We don’t have studies examining CBD-infused soaps, but there’s mounting evidence CBD can have a positive effect when applied topically. In fact, we have cannabinoid receptors on our skin that can absorb cannabinoids like CBD. There are even tests that show CBD balms can reduce inflammation when applied on creaky joints.Preliminary trials sho...

Wish You Were Here: A boating-biking Danube adventure led to Italy

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

Our intrepid readers have taken jaunts around the world this last year with adventures that included bear-watching in Alaska, a safari in Kenya  and island discoveries in Ireland. And they’ve shared their stories and practical tips along the way.Today’s reader missive comes from a Danville couple celebrating a big birthday in style.Wish You Were HereDANUBE RIVER: In September, Danville residents Bev Aquino — celebrating her 75th birthday — and husband Lee Goldman took off on a Danube River cruise through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. “We were joined by 19 family members and friends on a weeklong trip on the MS Primadonna, riding bikes five of the days, while also having the opportunity to spend more time exploring Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava (in Slovakia),” Bev says. “It was a great combination for our active group and a perfect springboard to add in visits to Munich for Oktoberfest, Prague, Vienna, Rome, Naples, Pompeii and So...

Is covering a Concord lawn with netting the best way to get rid of raccoons?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

DEAR JOAN: In August, I had my yard landscaped. A few days later, raccoons turned up one side of the grass area.I got some Critter Ridder and it worked for almost two months. Then it happened again — in more areas. Again, I put Critter Ridder around and so far, they have not come back.Someone suggested I put a net over the lawn and lift it to cut the grass, then put it back.  It will need to be left on about six months, and then they shouldn’t return.  Do you agree or do you think there is a better way to rid them?Another problem: twice I planted two areas in the flower bed and two different flowers seem to die after about a month. There are flowers near them that have no problem. I pulled the first flowers out and replaced them with different flowers, then did it again.When my yard was totally landscaped, new flowers were put in all around. The flowers in the problem area died again in about a month.  I replaced them again with different flowers and one has died. The ot...

VTA buys prime downtown San Jose property near bullet train right-of-way

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

SAN JOSE — A transit agency has bought a prime downtown San Jose property near the right-of-way for a bullet train line that would connect to a greatly upgraded rail station — paying much more than the site’s previous price.The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has bought a property with addresses of 32 and 60 Stockton Avenue in downtown San Jose, according to documents filed on Dec. 15 with the County Recorder’s Office.The deal appears to terminate plans for a big housing development at the site.The VTA paid $23.8 million for two parcels at the corner of Stockton Avenue and East Santa Clara Street, a San Jose city staff memorandum states.The property at one point was the site of a never-built housing tower in downtown San Jose.A family trust acting on behalf of the late architect Thang Do, who was the principal designer of the housing complex, sold the property to the VTA, the county records show.The VTA paid roughly 58% more than the combined $15.1 mill...

Travel Troubleshooter: Cunard canceled my cruise, but won’t give me a full refund

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: My husband and I were booked on the Queen Mary 2 sailing from Southampton, England, to New York earlier this year. The cruise line canceled the sailing just before our departure.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter A Cunard agent told us to stay on board that night and depart the following day. The cruise line gave us a form to fill out that stated: “For any incurred expenses with your onward travel arrangements, these will be covered by Cunard.”The agents we spoke with three different times couldn’t give us any information beyond that statement. So, we canceled our New York hotel and first-class flight from New York to San Diego, and we booked a flight home on British Airways.I emailed Cunard with the necessary documentation. I received an email saying the refund process would take some time and asking that I be patient. A few weeks later, Cunard refunded $4,544, yet the cost of the cruise was $6,872. The difference of $2...

TasteFood: Invite this dessert to your next dinner party

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

A snow-white pavlova billowing with swirls of cream and juicy berries is a dessert worthy of a holiday dinner and an entertainer’s dream. Pavlovas are refined, yet more-ish, dramatic yet light, and a festive dessert to serve following a rich and heavy meal. They can also be prepped in advance and assembled before serving, which makes them ideal for your next holiday or dinner party.Varieties of meringue abound. You can simply make a traditional pavlova with a vanilla-infused white meringue topped with fresh fruit. Or riff a bit and make, say, a chocolate-tinged meringue crowned with cocoa-infused cream, with raspberries as garnish — along with, well, more chocolate. Or keep it fresh and nutty and make this recipe, which adds streaks of ground pistachios and orange to the meringue and cream, and finishes with a shower of fresh raspberries, blackberries and more pistachios.Meringues may seem intimidating to make, but they are, in fact, easy to prepare. The key is to abide ...

Share the Spirit: The Berkeley Baby Book Project is working to close the readiness gap

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:51:00 GMT

Seventeen-month-old Elliott Busa eagerly waits as a new package, addressed directly to him, arrives at his doorstep. He already knows what’s inside, and he can hardly contain himself as the anticipation of tearing into this latest parcel builds.Nestled inside is a book, one more prized jewel for the book-obsessed Elliott to add to his growing collection.The volume didn’t just appear out of thin air; it came courtesy of The Berkeley Baby Book Project (BBBP) an East Bay nonprofit that collaborates with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide free books every month to children ages 0-5 in the Berkeley, Richmond and San Pablo areas.Elliott’s mother, Julie Parker, is a second-year law student, and she was initially anxious about how best to keep Elliott busy while she juggled student-mom life. She didn’t want to overload him on screen time, but thankfully, BBBP was ready with a more literary alternative.Travis Busa, left, and Julie Parker, read a book to their 17-month-old, E...