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Springfield Symphony Orchestra bringing ballet back for spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is joining forces once again with the St. Louis Ballet to bring Tchaikovsky’s "The Sleeping Beauty" to Springfield.The full-length ballet will close out the Symphony's 89th season on May 11, 2024. Tickets go on sale August 9, 2023, at Hammons Hall Box office. Group sales can be made through the Symphony offices. “Our collaboration with the Saint Louis Ballet this past season succeeded beyond our wildest imagination.  We heard from so many patrons who wanted more that we decided to do it again!  Gen Horiuchi, the artistic director of the SLB, chose to follow Swan Lake with another amazing story ballet by Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty.  If there is another score that is as familiar and iconic as Swan Lake, it has to be Sleeping Beauty,” says Kyle Wiley Pickett, Music Director. “We are proud to be artistic partners with this remarkable ballet company, and we're so happy to be able to bring them to o...

Dry Lake fire burning on 1,372 acres of national forest land in southwestern Colorado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

The lightning-sparked Dry Lake fire burning in the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado reached 1,372 acres in size on Sunday, with 47% of the perimeter contained.According to a Sunday news release from U.S. Forest Service officials, the fire started Aug. 1 on national forest land northeast of Bayfield, with smoke visible from U.S. 160.Over the past week, fire teams focused on pre-burning control lines and excess fuel for the fire, officials said.In the Sunday news release, fire officials said they don’t expect the fire to grow further, but continued burning of interior vegetation will likely continue.Monday, crews focused on wetting and maintaining the firelines, according to a tweet from the national forest.The 1,372-acre Dry Lake Fire, burning in the First Notch area of the Columbine District, did not grow today and is 47% contained. Firefighters are mopping up to secure the fireline. Pockets of vegetation will continue to smolder and burn. Smoke will decrease ...

Summer done simply: Sheet-pan chicken with basil and spicy corn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

By Emily Weinstein, The New York TimesIt’s cruel that the best time of year to bake is also when you’re least likely to want to turn on the oven, and yet every summer I heat up the kitchen baking cherry pie and blueberry crisp. Desserts made with peak fruit are irresistible, and I mean that literally: I can’t resist them.If you’re still not turning on the oven, I get it. Eric Kim’s cold noodles with tomatoes, which follow, come close to no-heat cooking; you just have to boil the noodles.1. Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs With Spicy CornThe spicy, salty jalapeño brine balances sweet corn kernels, which roast on a sheet pan alongside chicken thighs in this simple, summery weeknight meal. The chicken, marinated with basil, garlic and a little mayonnaise, stays juicy even after a brief stint under the broiler. You can serve this hot from the oven or at room temperature — it’s equally good each way — and cold leftovers are excellent piled onto lettuce or avocado for a salad the next day.B...

Firefighters, pilot killed in mid-air helicopter crash in Riverside County identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

Three people killed in a mid-air helicopter crash in Riverside County Sunday night have been identified.In a statement Monday morning, Gov. Gavin Newsom released the identities of the fallen firefighters and pilot who died while responding to a brush fire near Cabazon.They were CAL FIRE Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, CAL FIRE Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and contract Pilot Tony Sousa.“On behalf of all Californians, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the loved ones, friends and CAL FIRE colleagues mourning the loss of Assistant Chief Bischof, Fire Captain Rodriguez, and Pilot Sousa,” Newsom said in the statement. “This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices.”The governor ordered flags at the state Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space be flown at half-staff. 3 killed as firefighting helic...

Fast-food dining rooms are pretty quiet these days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

If it seems as though fast-food dining areas are emptier than they used to be, that’s because they are.Dine-in customers now represent less than 10% of all sales at McDonald’s restaurants compared to roughly 25% before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.The shift was already underway before the pandemic with more fast-food customers opting for drive-thru, take-out or delivery.Across all U.S. fast-food chains, dining-in represented 14% of orders through the first five months of 2023, the WSJ reported, citing data from market research firm Circana. That percentage was around 21% just before the pandemic, and 22% in 2015.For the most part, restaurant chains welcome the trend since to-go orders are more profitable and efficient to handle and reduce the work needed to keep dining areas clean.“You don’t necessarily need the big dining rooms that you needed in our traditional restaurants,” McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an investor call last mon...

This is how much it costs to have a baby in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

California is among the most expensive states to deliver a child, according to a report from Fair Health. As of 2022, the median cost of having a cesarean section outside of your insurance network in California was nearly $50,000, second only to New Jersey ($51,000). For in-network providers, the cost of cesarean section in California is about $20,000. For those who prefer to do natural births, in-network child delivery services cost around $16,500 and out-of-network child delivery services are estimated to cost $35,710.45. More Californians are searching for out-of-state homes, Redfin study says For C-sections, the national median costs for in-network services are around $16,000 and out-of-network services are estimated to cost around $36,000. Nationwide, the median cost of in-network natural births is around $13,000 and out-of-network expenses cost around $30,000. Researchers at Fair Health, an independent nonprofit that “collects data for and manages the nation’s largest databa...

Driver injured after car crashed into second floor of Pennsylvania home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

MIFFLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) -- A driver was taken to the hospital after their car flew into the second floor of a home in Decatur Township on Sunday.On Aug. 6 at 3:15 p.m., Junction Fire Company was called to assist the Decatur Volunteer Fire Company for a report of a vehicle accident on the 800 block of Alfarata Road. Three killed, dozens injured as charter bus overturns on Interstate 81 in Dauphin County Upon arrival, a vehicle was found to have crashed into the second floor of the home and the driver had been removed from the car according to a spokesperson with the fire department. Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.Photo provided by Junction Fire Co.The driver was transported to Geisinger Lewistown Hospital by Fame EMS. Crews were able to stabilize the home and assisted the homeowners in putting up a tarp...

Twisted Dough’s Gluten-Free Desserts Make Every Day a Cheat Day That Your Meal Plan Will Thank You For

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

As a wayward vegetarian globetrotter, I am always looking for healthy snacks to satiate my primordial lust for sweet decadent treats. I am often unsuccessful. The guilt that courses through my veins every time I rush down the frozen food aisle and grab the handles of those foggy glass doors makes me wonder what life is really without Cookie Dough on my spoon.An extra 3 minutes of jumping rope or an extra 2 miles of road work in the Summer breeze has got to make up for my lack of discipline, right? But what if there was something that could not only bring my sweet tooth that same ecstatic satisfaction and help my workout too. Luckily, salvation is upon us.Cheat Days are now a thing of the distant past with Twisted Dough.Twisted Dough, specializes in a wide array of guiltless desserts designed to cater to the health-conscious consumer, like me. Twisted Dough has become my go-to destination for healthier alternatives to my traditional dessert fetish.With new product launches every two ...

Officer Hospitalized after Vehicle Accident on Interstate 90 [Sammamish, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

Patrol Car Accident near Sammamish Parkway Injured an OfficerSAMMAMISH, WA (August 7, 2023) – Early Saturday morning, an officer was injured after a vehicle accident on Interstate 90.According to the Washington State Patrol, it happened just after 3:00 a.m., July 29th.The accident occurred in the eastbound lanes near West Lake Sammamish Parkway.Investigation showed that the patrol car was sitting on the shoulder when the vehicle veered on the shoulder and struck them.Furthermore, the officer suffered minor injuries and authorities transported the victim to the hospital for treatment.Meanwhile, the driver declined medical treatment from the paramedics.Consequently, the police did not suspect impairment as the factor of the vehicle accident on Interstate 90 and further investigation is still underway.If you’re behind the wheel, pay full attention to the road and your surroundings. Do not engage in any non-driving activity that creates a potential distraction. You can help preven...

Capturing Culinary Delights: Calvin Khurniawan, the Cinematographer Who Brings Food to Life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:52 GMT

Calvin Khurniawan is a name that has emerged in the global cinematography scene for his unparalleled enthusiasm and distinctive style. Born in East Java, Indonesia, Khurniawan, captivated by the spellbinding power of visual storytelling, found his calling behind the camera. Initially dipping his toes into various facets of production, from interning as an art director assistant to producer assistant for Hulu’s show East Los High, Khurniawan soon realized his heart truly belonged behind the camera. Today, he is a renowned cinematographer.Khurniawan’s portfolio is rich and varied, spanning different genres in the entertainment industry. Yet, his most recent fascination lies in three interwoven subjects—food, architecture, and design—a niche he’s immersed himself in, blending these elements to create evocative and captivating visuals.Perhaps Khurniawan’s philosophy is best encapsulated by renowned director Denis Villenueve’s advice: to capture the human co...