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Cambridge officials look to revive Starlight Square after a ‘big surprise’ rejection from a city board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

There may be hope for a community gathering space in Cambridge that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic even after the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a permit for another season.Last week’s permit denial for Starlight Square, an outdoor entertainment, recreation and retail venue in the city’s Central Square, caught the surprise of some Cambridge officials who have told the Herald they will be addressing a path forward as soon as this week.Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui on Saturday said more information regarding how the city will respond to the BZA’s rejection will be coming this week. She declined to comment on what the response may entail.“For me, it’s just really a community hub, and it really has been indispensable,” Siddiqui said. “We can’t go back to what the status quo was, which was a parking lot. It has much better uses than that.”Starlight Square’s permit just missed out on being renewed during last Thursday’s BZA meeting. Three members approved the extension, but f...

Canadians competing in top categories at tonight’s Oscars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Canadians are well-positioned ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, competing in some of the top categories at tonight’s Academy Awards.Ontario-born filmmakers Sarah Polley and James Cameron are both vying for best picture for their movies “Women Talking” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.”Polley is also in the running for best adapted screenplay for her take on Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel of the same name.In the performance categories, Canadian-American actor Brendan Fraser is up for best leading actor for his role in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale.”Meanwhile, Toronto filmmaker Domee Shi’s “Turning Red” is competing for best animated feature, and Calgary-based Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis are nominated in the best animated short category with “The Flying Sailor.”Two Canadians are in the running for best documentary feature: Montreal’s Ina Fichman is on the team nominated for the Canadian-U.S. film “Fire of L...

Hollywood stars spend Oscars eve at annual Chanel dinner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The night before the Oscars many of Hollywood’s biggest stars were not early to bed before the show. They were instead chatting the night away, martinis and champagne in hand, at the storied Polo Lounge in The Beverly Hills Hotel for the annual Chanel and Charles Finch dinner, an invite that’s even harder to get than a seat at the Academy Awards.The patio where the likes of Clark Gable and Darryl Zanuck once dined was filled with the industry’s brightest talents, many of whom were dressed head to toe in Chanel, including Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Camila Morrone. On the red carpet, Kidman and Stewart ran to one another to catch up, hugging and posing for photographers.“It’s been so long,” Kidman said.Cotillard would join in moments later. Later on the patio, Kidman, emerging from a conversation with Idris Elba, could be seen embracing Ariana DeBose as Tessa Thompson spoke with best actress nominee Andrea Riseborough. “I’m sure...

Dear Abby: I regret giving this gift. After all these years, can I ask for it back?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Many years ago, shortly after our mother’s death, my sister and I impulsively gave our friend my mother’s pearl necklace. We have regretted it ever since.We wish we hadn’t acted so quickly, because the pearls were a gift from our dad to our mom.Is it too late to ask her to return it? I’d like to pass it on to my granddaughter but don’t want to offend my long-lost friend.At any rate, I have learned — and hope others will heed this advice — do not act impulsively when giving away precious mementos of your loved ones. You may regret it.Thank you, Abby, for considering this sensitive issue. God bless.REGRET IT IN THE EASTRelated ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Should I tell what my friend is doing with the GoFundMe money? Advice | Dear Abby: It’s simple American food, but they won’t even try it Advice | Dear Abby: I worry about how they feed my grandchild Advice | Dear...

Houston Cougars square off against the Memphis Tigers in AAC Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Memphis Tigers (25-8, 13-5 AAC) vs. Houston Cougars (31-2, 17-1 AAC)Fort Worth, Texas; Sunday, 3:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -5.5; over/under is 135BOTTOM LINE: The No. 1 Houston Cougars take on the Memphis Tigers in the AAC Championship.The Cougars are 17-1 against AAC opponents and 14-1 in non-conference play. Houston is fourth in the AAC scoring 75.3 points while shooting 46.7% from the field.The Tigers are 13-5 against AAC teams. Memphis ranks third in the AAC shooting 35.3% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Marcus Sasser is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc with 2.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Cougars, while averaging 17.1 points, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals. Jamal Shead is averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals over the last 10 games for Houston.Kendric Davis is scoring 21.8 points per game with 3.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Tigers. DeAndre Williams is averaging 20.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals over the past 10 game...

Yale and Princeton play for Ivy League Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Princeton Tigers (20-8, 10-4 Ivy League) at Yale Bulldogs (21-7, 10-4 Ivy League)Princeton, New Jersey; Sunday, 12 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yale -3; over/under is 140BOTTOM LINE: The Yale Bulldogs and the Princeton Tigers play for the Ivy League Championship.The Bulldogs have gone 10-4 against Ivy League opponents, with an 11-3 record in non-conference play. Yale is the best team in the Ivy League at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 62.6 points while holding opponents to 39.5% shooting.The Tigers are 10-4 in Ivy League play. Princeton scores 76.1 points and has outscored opponents by 7.4 points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Knowling is averaging 14.1 points for the Bulldogs. John Poulakidas is averaging 16.2 points over the last 10 games for Yale.Tosan Evbuomwan is averaging 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Tigers. Matt Allocco is averaging 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 47.0% over the last 10 games for Princeton.LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 9-1...

Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions meet in Big Ten Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Penn State Nittany Lions (22-12, 10-10 Big Ten) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (28-5, 15-5 Big Ten)Chicago; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Purdue -6; over/under is 135.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship.The Boilermakers are 15-5 against Big Ten opponents and 13-0 in non-conference play. Purdue has a 22-5 record against opponents over .500.The Nittany Lions are 10-10 against Big Ten teams. Penn State ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 13.9 assists per game led by Jalen Pickett averaging 6.8.TOP PERFORMERS: Zach Edey is shooting 60.2% and averaging 22.1 points for the Boilermakers. Braden Smith is averaging 11.2 points over the last 10 games for Purdue.Andrew Funk averages 3.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Nittany Lions, scoring 12.2 points while shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. Pickett is shooting 56.6% and averaging 20.0 points over the past 10 games for Penn State.LAST 10 GAMES: Boilermakers: 6-...

VCU Rams square off against the Dayton Flyers in A-10 Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Dayton Flyers (22-11, 12-6 A-10) vs. VCU Rams (26-7, 15-3 A-10)New York; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: VCU -2.5; over/under is 124.5BOTTOM LINE: The VCU Rams and the Dayton Flyers meet in the A-10 Championship.The Rams are 15-3 against A-10 opponents and 11-4 in non-conference play. VCU averages 13.1 turnovers per game and is 2-0 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.The Flyers are 12-6 in A-10 play. Dayton ranks fifth in the A-10 shooting 34.5% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Adrian Baldwin Jr. is averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals for the Rams. Brandon Johns Jr. is averaging 11.9 points and 5.4 rebounds over the past 10 games for VCU.Mike Sharavjamts is averaging 5.7 points for the Flyers. Daron Holmes is averaging 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over the past 10 games for Dayton.LAST 10 GAMES: Rams: 9-1, averaging 74.1 points, 31.7 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Thei...

Alabama Crimson Tide square off against the Texas A&M Aggies in SEC Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

Texas A&M Aggies (25-8, 15-3 SEC) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (28-5, 16-2 SEC)Nashville, Tennessee; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Alabama -4.5; over/under is 144.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 18 Texas A&M Aggies play for the SEC Championship.The Crimson Tide’s record in SEC play is 16-2, and their record is 12-3 in non-conference play. Alabama has a 5-0 record in one-possession games.The Aggies are 15-3 in SEC play. Texas A&M is fifth in the SEC with 34.1 rebounds per game led by Dexter Dennis averaging 5.7.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Miller is shooting 40.7% from beyond the arc with 3.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Crimson Tide, while averaging 19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. Mark Sears is shooting 40.2% and averaging 10.8 points over the past 10 games for Alabama.Wade Taylor IV is shooting 41.0% and averaging 16.6 points for the Aggies. Dennis is averaging 1.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Texas A&M.LAST 10 GAM...

Schwarber’s 3-run homer sends U.S. past Britain in WBC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:32 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Kyle Schwarber launched a three-run homer, Nolan Arenado had three hits and two RBIs, and the United States overcame a slow start to beat Britain 6-2 on Saturday night in the World Baseball Classic opener for both teams.Trayce Thompson put Britain up 1-0 in the first inning with a homer off Adam Wainwright that just cleared the left-center wall. Thompson — who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers — is one of the few players on Britain’s roster with big league experience.Thompson’s drive briefly put a damper on the mood for the crowd of 39,650 at Chase Field, but the Americans weren’t down long.The U.S. grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third and then broke the game open in the fourth on Schwarber’s shot that landed in the stands near the swimming pool that sits behind the right-center fence at Chase Field.In Tokyo, Shohei Ohtani had another RBI double, 21-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki reached 100 mph 21 times in 66 pitches and Japan beat the Czech Republic 10-2 on Saturday n...