Jamestown News - January 11, 2023

Development misconceptions clarified

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

There have been several misconceptions among the public and on social media regarding the development agreement process. The Jamestown News asked the Town’s land use attorney Tom Terrell and Town Manager Matthew Johnson to clarify some of these inaccuracies.

JN: What decisions are before the town at this time?

Terrell: D.R. Horton has asked for this 467-acre tract, once owned by the Johnson family, to be annexed into the town, and for the town to approve new zoning, a development agreement, and an amendment to the zoning ordinance itself. The zoning district they seek is “planned unit development,” or PUD zoning.

JN: What is PUD zoning?

Terrell: Under a classic PUD

structure, a developer is given broad flexibility to develop its own lot sizes and setbacks and other standards unencumbered by cookie-cutter standards in the zoning ordinance. In exchange for this freedom, the local government expects demonstrably higher development standards. PUD zoning allows a developer to offer more open space and to have flexibility to place density where it makes sense and to work with, not against, existing topography, and even to offer additional environmental protections.

JN: Why is the proposed density so high?

Terrell: Total number and density are different calculations. While the potential unit count is high for a town this size, this is actually a low-density project at 3.2 units per acre. The generallyaccepted industry standard among planners is that low density is anything below 5 units per acre. In an

Gun found at ragsdale

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

Students arriving for classes at Ragsdale High School last semester were greeted at the doors by new touch-free body security scanners. On Jan. 6 the scanners paid off.

Just before 9:15 a.m. a loaded gun was found in the backpack of a student trying to enter the school, according to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. An alarm was triggered and staff and deputies stopped the student from entering. When the gun was found in the backpack, the student grabbed the backpack and ran but was soon apprehended on campus by deputies.

The student’s name and other details have not been released due to the student’s age.

The school system said the student will undergo school disciplinary action.

According to a release by the Sheriff’s Office, “The incident was brought to a successful conclusion thanks to teamwork between the staff at Ragsdale High School, the school resource

officer and patrol deputies from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. This incident also highlights the benefits of body scanners.”

Only Guilford County high schools have received body scanners at this point but younger grades may be getting the scanners in the future.

“One of the things that really lead to our desire for this was to find a system that could do the screening that a lot of our community members wanted that did not have negative mental impacts or negative daily impacts on our students and their learning environment,” said Mike Richey, executive director of Emergency Management Safety and Security for GCS, on WFMY in July.

“We do expect this to be a major deterrent factor in bringing weapons,” he continued. “At the other school systems that have put them in, especially the school systems that put them in because of weapons and the fact that they have seen an increase in weapons, the school system has noticed a tremendous decrease in the recovery of weapons.”

urbanized area with public water and sewer, density should at least be at the proposed level.

JN: Does density include stream buffers in the calculation?

Terrell: Yes. Density is based on gross acreage, not the net developable acreage. In this case, there are many streams and stream buffers that cannot be developed, plus stormwater detention ponds, parks, dedicated buffers, and other uses where there will be no development.

JN: I’ve heard you say you cannot judge a project’s quality by its density. Can you explain that?

Terrell: It’s unfortunate that we’ve trained ourselves to confuse density with quality. Some of the highest quality developments I’ve seen in terms of design, functionality, useable open space, access, and mixture of residential with civic and commercial

are places of great density. Some of those are cities I’ve visited throughout Europe whose quality has survived the centuries. Somewhere in those assumptions about quality and density you’ll often hear judgments expressed against the people who can only afford smaller homes on smaller lots, but a government can’t properly use its fiduciary powers to segregate its citizens by their wealth. Nor will I advise a town on how to do that.

JN: Can you be more specific about how you would measure a project’s quality?

Terrell: Maybe if I had all day. Some of the markers of quality are how a development enables and encourages its habitants to interface with the created community through sidewalks, open spaces that encourage communal functions and street connectivity rather than reliance on cul-desacs. Other examples include a

preservation of nature for its own sake and architectural design that creates a unique sense of place. All of these can be achieved and often are achieved in much higher density developments.

JN: Did the visioning workshop with Seth Harry improve the D.R. Horton project?

Terrell: Yes, without a doubt. Hiring Seth Harry came at a cost, but it was a brilliant idea that worked and I wish I could claim it was my own. I’ve handled land use matters in four states and in practically every corner of North Carolina, yet I’ve never known a town to do this. It’s an example to be followed. Most of the citizens who participated in this weeklong series of meetings will see their thumbprints on the outcome, and many of these key ideas have been baked into the development agreement, including homes with

GTCC initiates new sports program

By nORMa B. dennIs FreeLANCe WrIter ndworddesign@gmail.com

Mention the word sports and minds begin to imagine football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey and a wealth of other activities. A sport that might not readily come to mind, however, is Esports.

Short for electronic sports, Esports is a form of competition using video games. Debated by some as to the validity of

Esports as a true sporting competition, since the late 2000s it has been featured alongside traditional sports beginning in Asia and spreading to Europe and the Americas. Streaming media such as YouTube and Twitch have contributed to its rise in popularity and growth.

Seeing the educational value Esports could have on students, the administrators at Guilford Tech-

attorney featured in television series

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter

Attorney Georgia Nixon thought the email was a joke since it came from the United Kingdom. It was inviting her to become a part of the A&E program

“Accused: Guilty or Innocent.”

But it was not a joke.

“I didn’t think much of it but they were persistent and kept on calling,” Nixon said. “I finally took their phone call and vetted them.”

London’s Brinkworth Productions searches the country for attorneys who try a lot of cases so they could be followed thru a verdict for the program. They had a list of things they wanted to include, like a high probability the case would go to trial and Nixon knew of one she was working on that fit the

bill. The client, of course, had to agree to the project.

Another criteria was to have some video of the crime being committed. Nixon’s pick fit the bill as there was CCTV video of an attempted robbery at a local gas station.

Crews filmed Nixon, her staff and the client four times, two weeks per session. With the pandemic, it took

horton project again before Council

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

The Jamestown Town Council will again attempt to hold public hearings regarding annexation, rezoning and a development agreement for property owned by D.R. Horton along Guilford College and Mackay roads at its Jan. 17 meeting.

Prior to these public hearings, the Council will hold a public hearing to consider a text amendment to the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) regarding the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning district. The Planning Board discussed

this matter at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Ross Sanderlin, golf course manager, and Jamey Claybrook, golf course superintendent will give quarterly reports.

Before the Council is also consideration of approval of an amendment to the Grant Project Ordinance for American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Recovery Funding.

The Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Civic Center at Town Hall. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will also be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/c/ TownofJamestownNC.

Photos submitted

Members of esports at guilford Technical Community College wear special jerseys to show their team participation.

Photo by Norma B. Dennis

When Tu nguyen is not coaching the esports teams at guilford Technical Community College, he can often be found at his computer developing strategies for individual teams and plans for individual athletes. see gTCC, PAGe 2

Photo of Georgia Nixon by Carol Brooks

aTTOR ney

David Price’s valedictory

Last Friday, while his former congressional colleagues in Washington were struggling to elect a House speaker, David Price was talking to the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, delivering his first speech as a former congressman.

two years to complete the process and the case took that long to go to trial.

to watch her client change with the sentence hanging over him.

she said. “But I probably would do it again [if asked].”

By d.g. M a RTI n O N e ON ON e

Price represented North Carolina’s Fourth District for 44 years, serving since 1987, with only a two-year break due to losing an election in 1994. Before his first election to Congress, Price studied theology at Yale University, served as a political science professor at Duke University and chaired the state Democratic Party.

He authored “The Congressional Experience: An Institution Transformed.” He has all the credentials to write about Congress and who serves there, how they get things accomplished, what they have to do to get elected and then reelected, how they work with colleagues, constituents, outside groups, and their fellow representatives to get things done.

He writes about how the legendary speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn distinguished the “show horses” from the “work horses” who served in Congress. According to Price, Rayburn expressed his clear preference for the latter.

Price’s experience and work ethic caught the attention of Washington Post columnist E. J. Dionne, Jr., who wrote about him on December 28, comparing him to the prophets of old. “We think of prophets as thundering against injustice

TCC

“They got in the way!” Nixon said with a smile, recalling how she was asked by the crew to repeat something, use different words or walk through a doorway again because the crew didn’t like how it was filmed the first time. They tried to put words into her mouth. Additionally, one crew attempted to coach her. Most of the time, Nixon refused a do-over. “I didn’t have time for that. It is what it is.

“I think my staff was more enamored with the process.”

Nixon, a former Jamestown councilmember, said the segment focuses on a 19-year-old male in his senior year in high school. During an attempted robbery of the gas station convenience store his parents owned, two men assaulted the family. The boy then assaulted one of the potential robbers by stabbing him with a screwdriver. The State took out an assault charge on the boy arguing he used excessive force.

Since it took so long to come to trial, Nixon was able

“It took a toll on him,” she said. “He went from being a young senior in high school to looking like an old man.

I think that’s [the series’] point. They want to show the toll it takes. You can see how much effort is put into cases.”

She refrained from revealing how the trial turned out, saying we would just have to watch the show.

She had not planned to have a watch party but some friends have organized one. Her episode kicks off the fourth season of the program on Jan. 12 on A&E at 9 p.m.

The series follows people facing trial for serious crimes as they prepare their defense, face trial and receive a verdict. Each person claims to be not guilty or that their crimes were justifiable.

Nixon was slow to answer when asked if she was glad she agreed to the filming.

“I’m not upset that I agreed but it was more invasive than I had anticipated. The reality is it is not even the most interesting case I’ve had,”

She said some of the best moments happened in the courtroom — but the judge did not allow the crew to film inside the courthouse.

The jurors, however, could see the crew outside. Nixon asked for special instructions from the judge to the jury to ignore the cameras.

Nixon has been a criminal law attorney for 32 years but never thought she would be part of a television show about her profession — especially one she watches.

She has not seen the entire episode, only excerpts to fact-check.

“I hope they do it justice so you can see how taxing it was on my client to go through that process,” she said, “and how taxing it is on us as attorneys.”

The watch party for Nixon’s episode on A&E’s Accused: Guilty or Innocent is Jan. 12 at the Deck. The Jamestown resident is featured in A&E’s trailer for the series, which can be viewed at https://nextseasontv.com/ accused-guilty-or-innocentseason-4-release-date-ae

nical Community College decided to add the program to the school’s athletic department in the fall of 2022. Last semester 33 students participated in the program and this semester 30-plus have already registered to join Esports teams.

“Many of the same factors gained in traditional sports can be gained in Esports,” said Tu Nguyen, GTCC Esports coach. “Esports athletes develop skills focused on teamwork, personal development, interpersonal communications and problem solving under strenuous conditions. These are highly soughtafter skills in today’s job

market, coinciding with our students’ goals of technical degrees to begin their careers or transfer to universities to further their studies and continue competition.”

Nguyen noted that the reaction time of 100-150 seconds for Esports athletes is the same as that of athletes in other sports. The average person possesses reaction times of between 200-300 seconds.

The team-based Esports games require intense leadership and communication skills gained through hours of practice and competitions.

“I contribute my leadership skills to various experi-

ences in my life, including video games,” Nguyen said.

“I want to share the opportunity I had with a younger generation. My goal is to guide students into the workforce so they can excel at whatever they do.”

GTCC’s Esports teams compete in National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE), which has 80 member colleges and over 1,100 student athletes competing. Intramural/club level competition is also available.

Teams at GTCC consist of from two to five athletes and compete in eight different titles. The top three are: Rocket League — three-

on-three competition based on soccer-type play with rocket cars.

Volarant — one of the fastest growing shooting games where opponents destroy or defend an objective. Played five-on-five, this game is becoming one of the most inclusive with hundreds of female participants.

League of Legends — five-on-five participants employ fast-paced combat and strategy on a battle arena.

“We are starting to get students from other counties apply to GTCC in order to compete in Esports on a higher level of competition,” Nguyen said. “There is a lot of stigma around video games, but Esports shows the positive impact they can have.”

GTCC is creating a specific practice and competition area for the Esports teams. Once competition begins, games will be available to view online at https:// www.gtcc.edu/student-life/ athetics/esports.php.

Photos submitted

(above) gTCC student natalie Buck competes on the Overwatch 2 team. (Below) esports athletes participate in competition.

Photo of David Price courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

and calling us all to account. Those mighty voices are indispensable. But there is another kind of prophet who speaks to us with quiet wisdom.”

Dionne writes that Price “would bridle at the thought of anyone turning him into a prophet. His perspective on politics is infused with the humility of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address and Augustine’s commentaries on the imperfections of human nature. But that is precisely why he has long been the second kind of prophet for me.”

In his Rotary Club talk, Price defended the institution of Congress and its processes for resolving individual differences of opinion and approach. Unfortunately, he said, many members have run against Congress, attacking it as the enemy.

Dionne writes, “He is a loss to the institution and our politics precisely because he thinks institutionally. He believes that Congress matters and that individual members have obligations not only to themselves, their consciences and their constituents, but also to making the first branch of government function effectively.”

Dionne calls Price “an institutional patriot” and quotes him as follows:

“A member of our institution or any governing institution needs to strike a balance between their own personal convictions, personal goals, personal political axes to grind … and what it’s going to take for the institution to function.

“Of course, you’re going to criticize institutions. Of course, you’re going sometimes to set yourself apart and take a lonely, conscientious stand. But you also need to understand that an institution of 435 members, each marching to their own drum, is going to be totally dysfunctional.”

In his talk to the Rotary Club Price explained how members could fight for their individual goals without being an absolutist about every issue.

He told Dionne, “A member of our institution or any governing institution needs to strike a balance between their own personal convictions, personal goals, personal political axes to grind … and what it’s going to take for the institution to function.”

Price asserts that it is possible to be a “full throated advocate” for what you believe and, as he told Dionne, “understand that not every battle can be won on the first try and that politics is a matter of striking a balance between … compromising and finding common ground where you can, and fighting where you must.”

As we watched some of the mean spiritedness of the new members of Congress last week, we could be forgiven for wishing that David Price was still there to share his wisdom and example.

garages in the rear, a large, tree-lined park, connectivity created by removal of culde-sacs, and great suggestions on architecture, lighting and other things.

JN: You have referenced a pre-purchase agreement between the town and D.R. Horton. Would you elaborate on that?

Terrell: Everything we have done over the last 18 months was born in that socalled agreement. It was not a contract per se. Perhaps it is better described as a handshake commemorated in a letter to D.R. Horton. We told them the staff would support its proposed density of 1,500 homes if D.R. Horton was willing to make substantial commitments to quality that went above what a typical D.R. Horton development might include. They used that letter to persuade their home office that this tract was a risk worth taking and they then bought the land. The town staff has continued to live up to its word and I think the final version of the development agreement will show that D.R. Horton did as well.

JN: What is a development agreement?

Terrell: Development agreements were sanctioned by our legislature in 2005 as vehicles for negotiating extremely complicated, large-scale projects being built in phases or over many years. Before 2005, the alternative was often a massive project that would have tremendous impacts on municipal infrastructure and road systems, but the rules gave each side 15 minutes to argue pro or con before the Town Council and then a vote was taken. That’s not just stupidity, it’s insanity.

JN: Why has it taken so long to negotiate this agreement?

Terrell: Many reasons, actually. A primary reason is that D.R. Horton had to conduct more studies and do more due diligence to know what it could commit to. But another reason is that each side started at very different places and it has taken, collectively, several hundreds of hours at the table of discussion to bridge the gaps.

From the Town’s perspective, this is a project that will affect the Town’s function and character for generations and it was imperative to take it slowly and deliberately.

Part of that character is based on a history dating back to the mid-1700s that the Council has been careful to protect. Towards the end of this

process, D.R. Horton did a line-by-line fly-specking of the zoning ordinance and found several requirements that interfered with what the agreement tried to do in terms of imposing higher standards, so we have had to consider amendments to the ordinance as well. I assure you this was not a slow walk to stop the project but a pace designed to make sure it was done right.

JN: Would you describe D.R. Horton as having been cooperative?

Terrell: In the beginning, no. A town hiring a nationally-known urban consultant and requiring negotiation of a detailed development agreement was new territory for this company. The team we negotiated with had pressures from its corporate office not to make concessions that raised costs. But there came a magic point where the tone of meetings changed. It was approximately when they agreed not to have vinyl-sided walls. That was huge. By then we each had made several commitments to the other, and from that point each side has spent more time clarifying points to make this a wellwritten, thoughtful agreement. While we haven’t agreed on everything, we have worked well with D.R. Horton the last few months.

JN: Can you describe some of the concessions D.R. Horton has made?

Terrell: At a high level, they agreed to Hardie board siding instead of vinyl, build 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of streets and along about two miles of Guilford College and Mackay Roads, reduced cul-de-sacs to about five or six, agreed to change the presentation of end units, added more open space, increased the berms and landscaping requirements along Mackay and Guilford College, agreed to greater street light standards, agreed to landscaping that is far above what is typical for their subdivisions, adding fencing along Guilford College Road that ties it in with other prominent entrance road fences, and several other smaller concessions.

JN: Has the town made concessions?

Terrell: Of course. We started out requesting many things, such as, for example, canopy trees on all streets. But then we determined that proximity to sidewalks and homes would only support what are called understory trees. Another example, of many, is that we pre-

viously requested that they have shutters on the back of homes seen from Guilford College and Mackay but backed off when they agreed to build berms and plant trees at a higher than normal rate that should shield the view of homes in most circumstances. We recently noticed that the ordinance required a tree survey that would cost D.R. Horton hundreds of thousands in consultant fees and several weeks of delay, even for the trees that already were marked to be saved. The text amendment will relieve them of having to engage in a pointless but very costly exercise. (Editor’s note: Phase one of the development will be along Mackay Road.)

JN: Do you think it will be a successful project?

Terrell: I certainly hope so for everybody’s sake, and that even includes D.R. Horton. The land will be developed by somebody and this agreement, if approved, will mitigate traffic, show respect to the area’s history, and include numerous elements that ensure it will be sustainable project for decades. It’s important for people to realize that local governments have a dual purpose. On the one hand it’s to protect the community they were elected to serve, and the town is doing that. On the other hand, it is the staff’s job to help a developer prepare something that is consistent with the town’s land use plan and that can be approved. In my experience, the town and its staff have walked this line admirably.

JN: Is the D.R. Horton project the reason the town is moving to solid waste toters and cutting back on pickup?

Johnson: Absolutely not. Town staff has discussed this move for nearly a dozen years. Staff is responsible for bringing issues like these to the attention of elected officials and to make recommendations that would best position the Town for the future to provide the highest levels of service to our citizens for the most economical prices. For years the citizens have dealt with trash on the streets left by crows and other animals. This creates litter that can end up in our lakes and streams that we use for our drinking water supply. Additionally, the use of employees on the back of garbage trucks is extremely dangerous. The Town is already at a capacity where it cannot keep up with the volume of garbage it is required

LEGAL NOTICES

SALE

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE

NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 22 SP 1593

FORECLOSURE OF A CLAIM OF LIEN HELD BY BELLWOOD VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONFOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS ON 4101 BAYLOR STREET, GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27455WHICH PROPERTY IS TITLED TO DANIEL PATRICK

Under and by virtue of the power of sale and authority contained in that certain Declaration for Bellwood Village Association and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Guilford County, North Carolina in Book 3314, Page 1121, and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and pursuant to the demand of the owner and

holder of the indebtedness secured by Claim of Lien 22 M 1857 and pursuant to an Order entered by the Clerk of the Superior Court for Guilford County, North Carolina, entered in this foreclosure proceeding, the undersigned Trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale in the Courthouse of Guilford County, in the City of Greensboro, North Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, all that certain lot or parcel of real estate, including all improvements and fixtures located thereon, situated, lying and being known as 4101 BAYLOR STREET, GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27455, more particularly described as Being all of Lot 1, Phase I, Section 1 of Bellwood Village Subdivision a plat of which is recorded in Plat Book 73, Page 48, in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Guilford County, North Carolina..

The present record owner of the property is Daniel Patrick.

The terms of the sale are that the property will be sold for cash to the highest bidder

and a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, or Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) may be required at the time of the sale. The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “As Is, Where Is”.

Neither the Trustee nor the owner and holder of the indebtedness make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions are expressly disclaimed.

The property will be sold subject to restriction and easements of record, any unpaid taxes, prior liens and special assessments, any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure, and any tax required to be paid by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The sale will be held open for ten days for upset bids as required by law.

to collect. The Town studied this and the results of the study were clear — now is the proper time to change solid waste collection methods. To provide a more environmentally-sound solution, protect our employees’ health, and provide the best levels of service at the best prices to our citizens, it is necessary to begin to use toters or trash cans to collect garbage.

Terrell: D.R. Horton has agreed to pay a portion of the cost of one truck. This is little different than a developer agreeing to build a pump station or extend water lines made necessary by its project.

JN: Will recycling be every other week now, rather than weekly?

Johnson: No. The Town will continue to provide weekly recycling collections. We are also anticipating that garbage and recycling will be collected on the same day, which will be much easier for citizens.

JN: How will the development affect the schools that are already overcrowded?

Johnson: As we have discussed on numerous occasions, the Town does not have any jurisdiction over school districting or funding. The Town would suggest that citizens with concerns contact their school board representatives. Town staff has kept Guilford County Schools staff informed of the status of this project since the beginning.

JN: What has the Town done to foster transparency among concerned citizens? Johnson: Town staff and Council members have made themselves available to meet with any and all concerned citizens, regardless of whether or not they were constituents, at various times that are more convenient for citizens (outside of normal business hours) and have been more than willing to answer any and all questions related to this project. Town staff has gone well above and beyond state requirements to notify citizens of the public hearings — even sending out a notice to citizens well beyond the required buffers for such notices. Town staff has continued to update social media and the Town’s website with current information for all to see.

The Town Council is scheduled to discuss the D.R. Horton project at its Jan. 17 meeting at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center at Town Hall. The public is invited to attend.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Issued the 6th day of January, 2023.

Margaret M. Chase, Trustee of the Foreclosure 301 N. Elm Street, Suite 800 Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 273-1600. Jan. 11, 18, 2023

D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

Salome’s Stars

Week of Jan. 16, 2023

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) An old adversary wants to make amends now that a new year has commenced. The decision is yours, but wouldn’t it be nice to share the new year with another friend?

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) As news of your work gets around, expect to receive a special “gift” from influential contacts who could help you launch your upcoming projects for this year.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)

Instead of fussing over what you didn’t get to do during the holidays, relax and enjoy kudos for a job truly well done. A happy surprise awaits you soon.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The best way to shake off lingering holiday blues is to reach out to some loved ones or close friends. A confusing situation starts to make sense in upcoming weeks.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Special emotional rewards mark

this time for Leos and Leonas who are able to open up to new relationships and the possibilities they offer during this upcoming year.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your efforts to make time together memorable for some people in your life will be rewarded in some unexpected (but very welcome) ways this year.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Be assured that your efforts to make this new year special for everyone won’t go unnoticed by those who could make some important changes within your life.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Lots of folks want you to light up their days with your presence. But try to take some quiet time ‘twixt the fun and entertainment to spend time with some very special people.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) While the round of holiday revels had your social life on the fast track these past few weeks, someone special

might want to keep pace with you this year as well.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Even though you should be enjoying all the fun you deserve during Capricorn season, don’t lose sight of the need to make some changes now that the new year has begun.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) What happens during this time can help clear up some of the confusion jeopardizing a once-stable relationship. Follow your instincts on what to do next.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your days are brightened by new friends eager to become part of your life. But don’t forget to spend time with that one special person. (You know who!)

BORN THIS WEEK: You have the ability to encourage people to reach their potential by setting an example with your own efforts. ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Couch Theatre

By deMI TaVeRas

Dog Gone (TV-PG) — Rob Lowe stars in this tear-jerking film based on a true story. Lowe portrays a father named John, whose son, Fielding (Johnny Berchtold), loses his dog, Gonker. Fielding is crushed to lose his best friend, knowing Gonker won’t be able to survive longer than two weeks without his medication. John refuses to sit idly by and convinces Fielding to go on a hike on the Appalachian Trail to go find Gonker. Embarking on this journey side by side, John and Fielding work together to find their beloved pet before his two weeks are up — not knowing that the moments they’ll experience dur-

ing this trip will become memories for a lifetime. Premieres Jan. 13. (Netflix)

Velma (TV-MA) — A new series based off the Scooby-Doo universe hits streaming on Jan. 12!

This animated mystery comedy series is focused mainly on Velma Dinkley, the brainy four-eyed girl with the signature catchphrase “jinkies.” Taking place before Mystery Inc. was officially created, the 10-episode first season gives intriguing background about the friendship dynamics between Velma, Fred, Daphne and Shaggy before Scooby-Doo ever entered the gang. Familiar voices viewers might recognize include Mindy Kaling (who plays Velma),

Constance Wu, Wanda Sykes,

(HBO Max)

The 80th Golden Globe Awards (NR) — Hosted by

Strange But True

By LUCIe WInBORne

• Michael Buffer has made over $400 million from his trademark catchphrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

• Martin Van Buren was the first U.S. president to be born an American.

• After the terrorist attacks that destroyed New York City’s Twin Towers, thousands of radio stations across the country received memos from media companies with a list of songs they considered “lyrically questionable” for a grieving nation. The list included The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and (perhaps unsurprisingly) “Jump,” by Van Halen.

• Bacteria can live longer than four weeks in carpets, as well as other types of flooring, and can instantly transfer those germs to any food that touches them. In other words, forget that famous “five-second rule,” folks!

• Fingers prune in water to give you a better grip.

• In 2017, 70 students drank so much alcohol at a fraternity house party in Maryland that the air inside the house registered

.01 on a breathalyzer.

• Woodpeckers are the only animals to make sounds with something other than a part of their bodies. They will drum on a variety of objects to mark their territory, attract mates, locate food, or maybe just exercise or play.

• There’s a town named Hospital, in County Limerick, Ireland, that has no hospital.

• Not that most of us will ever get a chance to consume polar bear liver, but in case someone does offer it, you’re best off refusing. The meal might, and quite unpleasantly so, cost you your life. It contains too much vitamin A for humans to handle.

• During a 1976 strike by Los Angeles medical doctors, the death rate decreased by 18%.

Thought for the Day: “A bad attitude is like a flat tire; if you don’t change it, you won’t go anywhere.” — Joyce Meyer ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Jerrod

Echo 3 (TV-MA) — American scientist Amber Chesborough is in Colombia researching psychedelics for addiction when she gets kidnapped by militant forces along the ColombiaVenezuela border. Amber’s husband, Prince, and her

brother, Bambi, are both in special forces, however, and when news of her kidnapping reaches them, both men are desperate to save her. They aren’t afraid to take matters into their own hands, whether the government approves or not. So, as Amber attempts to stay alive, Prince and Bambi make their way down to Colombia to find the remote place where she’s being held hostage. Luke Evans, Michiel Huisman and Jessica Ann Collins star in this gritty 10-episode series, with the final episode of the season premiering Jan. 13. The previous nine episodes are out now. (AppleTV+) ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Jane Lynch and even “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Carmichael, the 80th Golden Globe Awards taking place, of course, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, will be available to stream Jan. 10, as it also airs live on NBC.

Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” leads in the film categories with eight nominations, while Abbott Elementary leads the TV categories with five nominations. As expected, Austin Butler received his first Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, and Cate Blanchett received her 12th Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Tar. (Peacock)

Photo courtesy of Netflix Rob Lowe, left, and Johnny Berchtold star in Dog Gone.

Do cats really need potty training?

By saM MaZOTTa PAW'S COrNer

Soup swap offers fun by the spoonful

By PaTTI dIaMOnd DIVAS ON A DIMe

What do you get when you mix a few friends, a few soups and a chilly afternoon? You get one fantastic get-together! It even has its own holiday. Saturday, Jan. 21 is National Soup Swap Day.

Here’s how to throw the easiest, least expensive, most appreciated party of the season: a soup swap. Invite a small number of friends, asking each to bring several quarts of their favorite homemade soup. One quart of each soup will be heated and sampled during the party, along with breads, snacks and beverages. Before going home, everyone exchanges soups. The best part is everyone goes home with a variety of soups to keep them cozy in the cold days ahead.

Soup swaps work best when you invite four to six people. Everyone brings the same number of quarts of soup as there will be people attending the party. For example, if four people will attend, each should bring four quarts. This makes one quart to sample during the party and three quarts to give

to friends. You won’t bring home your own soup. The host will decide if they will provide soup garnishes like sour cream, crackers and breads, along with beverages, snacks and dessert. Or the guests can bring those items, potluck style.

Send invitations two weeks in advance, and be sure to communicate clearly how the swap party works and what each guest should bring on your invitations. Ask about food allergies and share that information. It’s fun to share recipes, so ask guests to provide printed recipes or to send them to you before the party, then you can print them as a party favor. Guests will label their soups with the name of soup, reheating instructions and any additional comments or ingredients if necessary.

As the host, decide how your guests should bring their soups to swap. Guests might bring their soup in containers that they don’t mind giving away. You could consider getting inexpensive quart-size to-go soup containers at a restaurant supply store and sending them to guests before the party. Alternatively, see if everyone

has quart-size canning jars they don’t mind swapping.

During the party, you will need to heat one quart of each soup. Alternatively, ask guests to bring soup for sharing in their own slow cookers. The remaining quarts of soups should arrive frozen or refrigerated. I recommend either emptying a shelf of your refrigerator or preparing a cooler to keep the soups cold during the party.

Here’s a recipe for the easiest soup ever. It’s fresh and light, with only three ingredients, and it’s cooked in the time it takes to boil the liquid.

TOMATO TORTELLINI SOUP

Yield: 4 quarts (8 to 12 servings) Time: 15 minutes

8 cups (64 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth

2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, Italian style (with liquid)

1 (19 ounce) bag of frozen cheese tortellini

In a soup pot, heat the stock and tomatoes to a boil over medium-high heat. When at a

rolling boil, add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions. Turn off heat and serve hot.

Here are some variations to try:

Chicken Tomato Tortellini Soup — Add 4 cups shredded cooked chicken.

Cream of Tomato Tortellini Soup — Add 1 cup heavy cream after cooking the tortellini.

Fiesta Tomato Tortellini Soup — Add 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and use tomatoes with green chilies. Squeeze the juice of one lime into the soup. Want to make winter feel warm and cozy? Enjoy homemade soups and a casual gathering with friends or family. It’s a great excuse for a party that’s mmm, mmm good!

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com. ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

— Caroline D., Winchester, Virginia

DEAR CAROLINE: Compared with dogs, cats are usually easy to potty train (or litter train) because they have very specific potty behaviors. Cats instinctively bury their poop to hide their scent from potential predators — hence the use of cat litter, which also absorbs urine well and masks the scent for a few days.

I’m not sure how the reader did it, but one way to switch a cat from litter box to a pad is to place the new pad and tray next to the old litter box so that a cat can sniff around it, check it out and become familiar with it. After a day or two, remove the litter box and put the pad in its place. Many cats will get the message right away. Others might hunt around for their box; if you notice this, place them gently on the pad to help them make the connection.

I’m not a big fan of letting indoor cats go outside to do their business. They’ll often head straight for the nearest flower bed, leaving a surprise that I’m personally not thrilled about. They also are at risk in the outdoors, from coyotes, turkeys (yes, turkeys in the Northeast), cars and other cats. It’s better to provide a safe spot indoors with a clean litter box.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com. ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Photo courtesy of www.JasonCoblentz.com

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read with interest your recent column about cats using shop towels rather than kitty litter to do their business. How did their owner manage to train the cats to use the towels and switch from litter? And why not just let a cat do its business outside?