With an ominous storm approaching, the Moore Public School District flashed a text alert to parents: "We are currently holding all students until the current storm danger is over. Students are being released to parents only at this time."
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently learned that our sister-in-law’s adult son from a prior marriage, “Charlie,” is now “Claire.” My husband and I have three sons, ages 2 to 10 years. This sister-in-law expressed concern that our 10-year-old would remember Charlie and say something inappropriate. She’s demanding that we lie to him and tell him Claire is another daughter we have never met.
Chairs now talk, sing and look like thrones.
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been together a year and a half. I regret moving in with him when I did, which was after only three months of dating.
In the last few years, the Kansas City-based video production firm T2 Studios and its so-called Experience Lab have gained a growing reputation for creating what are called immersion experiences. In a world of way-too-much stuff passing before our eyes, what all these flashy sights are about is an elevated form of marketing.
It’s not just dancers who are doing it anymore. The topknot — and her prim and proper sister, the sock bun— have gone mass, and they aren’t going away any time soon.
DEAR ABBY: I have worked in the field of education for more than 40 years, with the last 25 years serving in adult education, helping students complete their high school equivalency diplomas. Big changes are impending worldwide in this very important educational service.
A 1918 work by Edwin Blashfield, “The Call of Missouri,” was displayed for years at the Kansas City Public Library. It disappeared in 1983. A six-year search found it online — on sale for $650,000.
Royals pitcher James Shields has more on his mind these days than baseball. He’s trying to off-load his former home in Clearwater, Fla.
DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a 5-year-old daughter I’ll call Mandy. Her father and I separated when she was 16 months old, and now we are divorced. I am newly engaged to a wonderful man and very happy.
“The Boy Kings of Texas,” Domingo Martinez’s memoir about growing up poor and rudderless in a Brownsville, Texas, barrio, is the current selection of the FYI Book Club.
DEAR ABBY: It’s vacation time again, time to hit the road in the RV. Please make your readers aware that people driving motorhomes, towing fifth-wheel trailers and travel trailers CANNOT stop as quickly as a small car or truck.
At this French fusion bistro in the One Block South entertainment complex in Overland Park, the chefs’ training and pedigrees are evident in the well-executed, interesting and tightly focused menu — five hors d’oeuvres, a soup, four entree-size salads, five sandwiches, five entrees (ranging from $12 to $20), plus a few desserts.
Jowler Creek vineyard in Platte City — about 30 minutes north of downtown Kansas City — promotes itself as Missouri’s first green vineyard and winery. It offers tours of its environmentally friendly operation, with even more wine and beer events on the area’s busy schedule.
“When you are handed your screaming newborn for the first time,” Jim Gaffigan writes, “you are simultaneously handed a license for gallows humor.” The comic will discuss his new book Tuesday at Unity Temple on the Plaza.
DEAR ABBY: I am a divorcee with college-aged children. I love my children, and I thought I loved my ex. However, after my divorce I wonder if I’m capable of loving anyone other than my children again.
The sight of fresh asparagus in grocery stores is a sure sign of spring. Snap up the bright green spears fast. This year’s late and heavy snows delayed the start of the local asparagus season two weeks to a month later than usual, so it will last only about six weeks.
A surprising new report questions public health efforts to get Americans to sharply cut back on salt, saying it's not clear whether eating super-low levels is worth the struggle.
DEAR ABBY: I live in Alaska and have good friends I visit every summer on the East Coast. I have some acquaintances and former co-workers who live there, too. Many of them want me to visit when I come down. I have grown apart from these former friends and keep in touch only through occasional emails and Facebook.
The season of graduations makes us all teary-eyed about our own big day. The cap and gown! The pomp! The circumstances! But who gave the commencement speech? We heard it. But we don’t remember it. Wouldn’t it be great if graduation speeches could be short, sweet and to the point?
