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Drought conditions raising produce prices at Thies Farm

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Andy Welle, co-owner of Thies Farm, does not need to look at May’s rainfall totals to know our area is experiencing mild drought conditions."It's been a struggle this year,” Welle said. "It's been the driest spring as far as I can remember in the 40 years I've been working here."Data from the most recent United States drought monitor map shows St. Louis, Jefferson, Franklin, St. Charles, and Warren counties all experiencing abnormally dry conditions. In May, there's been just an inch-and-a-half of measurable rainfall, the second lowest amount in 30 years. In April, rainfall totals were also well below average."Over the years, we've been purchasing all kinds of irrigation equipment so that when we get into these times, we can keep the waters running,” Welle said. Search for peeping Tom continues in Clayton It's an expensive process for the farm, which uses diesel-powered pumps to water all of its crops. Welle refilled the pump’s gas tanks several weeks ahead of schedule...

Heading to watch the NBA Finals at Ball Arena? Here’s how to get there by train or bus

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

Basketball fans who’ve shelled out hundreds of dollars for NBA Finals tickets to watch the Denver Nuggets play the Miami Heat can avoid spending lots more on parking by taking a train or bus to the game.Two light rail lines (the E and the W) stop at a station just west of Ball Arena, and the Regional Transportation District also offers bus service on several nearby routes.Fans heading to Game 1 on Thursday night or Game 2 on Sunday night can catch a train or bus near their homes or hotels — or ditch their cars at Park-n-Ride lots around metro Denver.Tips for train serviceA word of warning: Because of a long-running maintenance project, the E-Line is running only every 30 minutes, half its normal frequency. So is the H-Line, which doesn’t serve Ball Arena directly but connects with the E-Line on the southeast light rail corridor.RTD says riders should bring patience and plan for crowds on platforms and trains. The agency says it will add extra cars to E and W line t...

Jimmy Butler: I wasn’t inviting Nikola Jokic to fight during Markieff Morris incident: “That wasn’t my beef”

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

What happens in the underbelly of Ball Arena stays in the underbelly of Ball Arena.At least, that’s how Jimmy Butler prefers it.“I think there’s a lot of stuff about the whole situation that people don’t understand, and I’ll let it stay back there,” Butler said Wednesday, referring to the Denver hallways where a near-brawl occurred between the Heat and the Nuggets on Nov. 8, 2021.He does, however, want to set the record straight about one detail.The postgame confrontation, captured in a Denver Post photo, stemmed from a heated incident in the fourth quarter of a Nuggets blowout win. After Nikola Jokic was blindsided by Miami’s Markieff Morris while dribbling the ball up the floor, the MVP retaliated by checking Morris from behind. An injured Morris missed the next 58 games and appeared in only 35 this season.Benches cleared, Nuggets coach Michael Malone held back Jokic, and television cameras caught Butler inviting further conflict as the in...

There’s more than $5 million in outside spending in the Denver mayor’s race, but one candidate has a huge advantage

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

The outside spending group backing Mike Johnston for Denver mayor is blowing by Kelly Brough in the runoff race for the city’s top office thanks, in part, to half a million dollars from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.Advancing Denver, the independent expenditure committee working to elect Johnston, has now spent north of $4.15 million to forward its cause, according to campaign finance filings kept by the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office. That included more than $676,000 spent on media buys on May 22 alone.That spending eclipses the combined total fundraising — including direct contributions and matching, public Fair Elections Fund dollars — brought in by Brough, who was second-best funded candidate in the city’s broad mayoral field going into the general election on April 4.That’s not to say the independent expenditure committee backing Brough isn’t bringing in plenty of cash. A Better Denver, as the Brough-backing group is ...

Rockies’ Kris Bryant: Fading star or simply a prolonged slump?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

Star power.That’s what the Rockies expected last spring when they signed outfielder Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract.But Bryant has not generated the statistics or the buzz the Rockies hoped for when they gave him the largest free-agent contract for a position player in franchise history. Nor has Bryant helped put fannies in the seats at Coors Field. The Rockies are averaging 27,236 fans per game, 17th in the majors. Last season, they averaged 32,467, ranking ninth.Bryant is 31 and the question must be asked. Is he simply in a prolonged slump or is he a fading star?Bryant entered Wednesday night’s game at Arizona as a Rockie in a hard place. He’d hit .114 (4 for 35) over his last 10 games and .205 (16 for 78) over his last 20. For the season, he was hitting .263 with a .719 OPS and an 87 OPS+.Tuesday night, Bryant led off the second inning with a bullet to center off Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen. The ball came off Bryant’s bat at 107.2 mph, B...

L.A. City Council votes to mandate air conditioning in all rental units

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to move forward with a plan to have mandatory air conditioning in all rental units in the city.The council unanimously voted on the plan in an attempt to address increased emergency room visits during heat waves.The motion would require that landlords or property managers install cooling units in rentals. It also calls on the city attorney and L.A.’s housing department to weigh in on options to amend the existing code to require ample cooling appliances in those properties, as well as possible funding sources.Many landlords, however, have expressed concerns over the proposal, saying it will be a financial burden and are urging the committee to pursue other options, like broadening access to cooling centers with free transit for renters.Some landlords feel they may have to sell their properties if the motion passes because they won’t be able to afford new installation.Wednesday’s vote is just one step in the process to get the motion pa...

Theater Icons John Kander, Bonnie Comley, and Stewart F. Lane Were Honored with the 2023 Chita Rivera Awards

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

Photo Credit: Annie Watt PhotographyThe 2023 Chita Rivera Awards honored esteemed individuals and productions for their outstanding contributions to the world of dance and theater. The recipients included John Kander, BroadwayHD founders Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Jeffrey L. Page, Stephen Hoggett, Robyn Hurder, Jess LeProtto, Maddie Love, Gaby Diaz, Ryan Steele, Andy Blankenbuehler, “13: The Musical,” “Everybody Dance,” as well as the ensembles of Bob Fosse’s “Dancin'” and “New York, New York.”At this year’s Chita Rivera Awards, the sold-out Skirball Center audience witnessed a remarkable moment as 90-year-old Chita took to the stage to honor her close friend and mentor, the 96-year-old John Kander, with the prestigious Chita Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award. The audience erupted in cheers, witnessing the deep mutual respect, admiration, and love shared between these icons of the dance and theater world. The Chita ...

FoxSoul brings the heat with new hit show N’Style Atlanta Uncut

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

Fans of the viral media platform N’Style Atlanta have cause for celebration, as the latest offering, N’Style Atlanta Uncut, is now streaming on FoxSoul. N’Style Atlanta Uncut brings viewers an unfiltered look into the world of fashion, beauty, and entertainment.N’Style Atlanta Uncut features celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes access to fashion shows, and insider information on the latest trends in beauty and fashion. The show is hosted by Founder and Executive Producer Carmen Simmons, who brings seven amazing women together to dominate the entertainment industry as we know it.“N’Style Atlanta Uncut is the show that Atlanta has been waiting for,” said Simmons. “We’re giving viewers an up-close look at what it takes to make it in the media and entertainment industry. The good, the bad, and the messy, along with exclusive interviews with some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry.”N’Style Atlanta Uncut ...

The Key to Moon Maison’s Success: How She Built a Strong Personal Brand

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

Moon Maison, Founder of Moon Maison Media LLC, also known as The World’s Sexiest Life Coach is a Healer, an Influencer, and a Sex Goddess. She was given two of these titles when she participated in an Ayahuasca ceremony in 2017. In fact, it was in a message given to her, and outlined by a cosmic consciousness that radiated love, light and peace.“There was a total immersion into sexual bliss and love..” Moon said about her spiritual encounter. She wasn’t sure if the message being dished out to her…was really meant for her, and asked, “are you sure? me?” Raw visceral love flowed through her in confirmation that, she better believe it…Moon Maison was a ‘Sex Goddess’, and not just of sex, but also love and healing.Which made sense in a strange, coming full circle kind of way.It was a tall order but who could argue with the logic spoken by a Spirit or God? Especially when the message aligned with everything she knew and learned, having done copious amounts of soul work up to that point.S...

4 Ways to Increase Your Home Equity

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:27 GMT

As of 2022, the rate of homes currently occupied by owners is at 65.9%. This number is at an all-time high since 2011. With the number of homeowners currently on the rise, this means that there will be more prospective buyers in the future. This also means that homeowners should start to pay closer attention to the housing market, which will directly impact your home’s equity. Home equity is the monetary difference between your home’s current estimated market value and what you owe on your mortgage. Whether you’re a prospective buyer or a curious homeowner, here are four ways you can improve your home equity: Start strong with a large down payment.This one is short and sweet, though it does require a bit of money management. Increasing your down payment will put more equity directly into your home. This will also allow you to get a good foothold on paying off your mortgage. Buying a home worth $200,000 and paying $15,000 will bring your home’s equity to $15,000. Pay your mortgage.It...