TikTok creators warn of economic impact if app sees ban, call it a vital space for the marginalized
Alex Pearlman shut the door on dreams of a standup comedy career almost a decade ago, pivoting from the stage to an office cubicle where he worked a customer service job.
New high-speed train from Vegas to SoCal will be a model for the nation — if it succeeds
MIAMI — When Simon Akinwolere, a 27-year-old cruise director, needed to commute from Orlando to Miami, he sorted through his travel options.
An American who has helped clear 815,000 bombs from Vietnam
DONG HA, Vietnam — On a visit to the former battlefield of Khe Sanh, the scene of one of the bloodiest standoffs of the Vietnam War, the only people Chuck Searcy encountered on the broad, barren field were two young boys who led him to an unexploded rocket lying by a ditch.
How to have a great first visit to Miami
Even if you’ve never been to Miami, you’ve sort of already been to Miami.
Tropical Gardening: Mid-march is steeped in history and superstition
For some superstitious folks, “Beware The Ides Of March,” a quote from Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar,’ brings a sense of foreboding. Searching history, you can find yourself going down the rabbit hole seeking where it all started.
Let’s Talk Food: Sweetened condensed milk
Igrew up with sweetened condensed milk because my mother loved to pour it over Saloon Pilot crackers.
Tropical Gardening: Rock and water elements add to Hawaiian gardens
Since we live in a multicultural place with a great variety of climatic and geographic expressions, we can create almost anything in our gardens. Orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes and lithophytes are perfect for gardens lacking in soil. We also have an abundance of lava rock!
Wanted: Writers for awards show jokes. Must be skilled at diplomacy
Editor’s note: “Not Real News” usually appears in this space. Unfortunately, a production error with the Associated Press made it unavailable this week. Please enjoy instead our favorite story from recent days that was unable to make print.
Tropical Gardening: Vireya rhododendrons and azaleas bloom in Hawaii
Tropical Asia is well known for its spectacular rainforests loaded with many species of palms and carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants but it is easy to miss the tropical Vireya Rhododendrons growing as epiphytes high in the tops of gigantic trees. Most folks spend their time looking at terrestrial plants, or avoiding leeches, snakes and other jungle critters.
Tropical Gardening: Native epiphytes and lithophytes not well represented in Hawaii
If you were to visit the humid tropics of Asia, Central and South America you would be amazed at all the plants that grow on the branches of trees and even on rocks with no soil. We do have lichens, mosses and even ferns that have evolved here to festoon rainforest and cloud forest trees, but there are few compared to the rest of the tropical world.
Tropical Gardening: Are you for or against genetically modified food?
The question is, are genetically modified organisms good or bad? The answer is that it all depends on how the technology is used.
New Orleans bids another joyous ‘Fat Tuesday’ farewell to Carnival season
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans bade a typically joyous goodbye to Carnival season Tuesday with Mardi Gras parades, street parties and what amounted to a massive outdoor costume festival around the bars and restaurants in the French Quarter.
Here’s how to beat the hype and overcome loneliness on Valentine’s Day
NEW YORK — Elise Plessis hasn’t been in a long-term relationship for 26 years. It’s by choice, yet she still suffers FOMO when Valentine’s Day rolls around.
The fine and the dandies meet in Florence
FLORENCE, Italy — The small, tan taxi hurtled down a Florentine side street too narrow for baton twirling. My driver sliced over the Arno River on one of the city’s short stone bridges, arriving quickly below the Fortezza da Basso — a 14th century fortress spliced into the former city walls and now looming over the opposite bank like a hibernating bear blocking the road.
Escapes that take your breath away: Indulge with your sweetheart in a Valentine’s vacation
When it comes to sharing Valentine’s Day with your one true love, don’t think diamonds and hearts and fancy gourmet restaurants. Instead, think getaway, as in it’s the one time of the year to get away from it all and indulge (read: splurge) in one or two or all of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Instead of a dozen roses, here are a dozen romantic escapes scattered from one corner of the world to the other to treat your sweetie.
Tropical Gardening: Winter storms can wreak havoc on homes and gardens
We often find ourselves worried about storm damage as hurricane season approaches in June. Hurricanes can cause tremendous damage on the rare occasion that one comes our way, but they are few and far between. The facts show that on an annual basis, we have more cumulative damage due to high winds and rains from storms from February through March. This means now is the time to do the pruning required to keep our trees healthy.
Tropical Gardening: Canoe plants are the foundation of the Polynesian culture
If you are looking for tough, resilient and useful plants to develop a new landscape or enhance an established one, consider the first introductions by the Polynesians. Then look forward to other introductions by each culture and ethnic group to make our islands their home.
A freed Israeli hostage relives horrors of captivity and fears for her husband, still held in Gaza
Standing in the ruins of her home in the Nir Oz farming village on the Gaza border, Sharon Alony Cunio gazed at the distant skyline of Khan Younis, the Palestinian city where Hamas militants dragged her more than three months ago. Her husband, David, remains captive in Gaza.
A San Diego bucket of places to spend time outdoors in 2024
SAN DIEGO — It’s easy to spend time outdoors in San Diego County, but even easier to go to the same old spots over and over again.
Tropical Gardening: Hawaiian paradise almost perfect, but be aware of dangers
Our islands have few dangers except for rare volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and hurricanes. Excessive exposure to the sun can be dangerous, and carelessness can cause accidents while hiking in the mountains or swimming in the ocean. Although there are few poisonous native plants, some common exotic landscape plants are toxic such as oleander, crotons and angel trumpets. Some people can experience skin reactions like exposure to poison ivy from cashew and mango trees.