Jamestown News - January 4, 2023

Planning Board to look at LDO amendment

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

The Jamestown Planning Board will hold its first meeting of 2023 on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center at Town Hall. Other than election of a chair and vice-chair, there is only one item on the agenda, an amendment to the Land Development Ordinance.

The amendment relates to Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and development agreements for such developments.

D.R. Horton, Inc., has requested rezoning to PUD for property it owns along Guilford College and Mackay roads, formerly the Johnson property. The company

also requested a development agreement be created between the Town and D.R. Horton.

“The [amendment] request was made by D.R. Horton’s attorney on their behalf,” said Katie Weiner, assistant town manager and clerk. “The language of the request was reviewed by the Town attorney (Beth Koonce), the Town’s land use attorney (Tom Terrell), and D.R. Horton’s attorney (Marc Isaacson). The purpose of the amendment is to further define the role of development agreements as it relates to proposed Planned Unit Developments.”

“Surprisingly, the town’s zoning ordinance didn’t give us flexibility to require higher standards everywhere we needed them,”

Terrell said. “It was written for small-sized projects and not for a tract approaching 500 acres. Basically, the text amendment just expands the flexibility you otherwise get in PUD zoning, but the result is a higher quality project.”

He gave an example of how the zoning ordinance is inadequate.

“My favorite example is the limitation on what can be done in the scenic corridor. Staff and D.R. Horton, primarily in response to what citizens said in the workshops with the town’s urban consultant, wanted berms, enhanced landscaping, and sidewalks in the scenic corridor. But the ordinance is written to prevent removal of saplings that only are growing because that’s where a bird ran-

domly perched on a fence and pooped out a seed from its last meal.”

The majority of the LDO remains unchanged, however language has been added to several sections as have consideration of environmental concerns.

The largest amount of new language is a new section under Article V, Sec. 5, “Amendments to Development Ordinance and Zoning Map,” which spells out the purpose, approval and authority and limitations of development agreements. It states,” “5.5-1 Purpose. Development agreements may be used to define the rights and obligations of the town, developers, and property owners in large-scale, multi-

Bethany Medical seeks development grant from State

By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com

Bethany Medical, P.A., is hoping to receive a grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce for an economic development incentive grant for $600,000 for a health clinic in Forestdale Plaza in Jamestown.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners approved the grant request earlier this year and sent it to the DOC for approval. The Commissioners will meet Jan. 5 at the Old Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro for a public hearing on the matter. It is believed the N.C. Department of Commerce will award a building reuse grant not to exceed $300,000 for renovation of approximately 4,900 square feet.

Peters Development of High Point, an independent sister company to Bethany Medical Center, purchased the 6.36-acre Forestdale Plaza at 108 W. Main St. in July of 2021 for $6.95 million. At that time, Bethany Medical said it would lease a vacant portion of

the center in the same section as Subway. Food Lion anchors the center.

Bethany Medical plans to invest $615,000 on the project. Remodeling has already begun.

“This will be 5,0006,000 sq. ft. of Class A medical office space,” said John Joyce, public relations director of Bethany Medical in August. It will be the company’s 18th location in North Carolina with the majority in Guilford County. Total construction cost is estimated at $1,066,638.

The fast-growing health

care company, based in High Point, will offer primary and urgent care along with screening, diagnostic services and other. There will be approximately 30 new jobs, including five providers, at the new location, according to Joyce.

One criteria of the grant was that the company “meet or exceed the county average annual wage.” The average annual wage for the 30 new positions will be $54,453, compared to the county average of $53,994.

The grant, if approved by the Department of Com-

merce, would be passthrough funding in the form of a loan to Peters Development, forgivable upon meeting the investment and job creation requirements. The funds would reimburse the property owner for eligible project expenses contingent upon performance review and verification by the Department of Commerce. Peters Development is required to supply a 5 percent match.

If approved, the Board of Commissioners would have to amend the county budget.

Setting goals for 2023

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

It is probably safe to say that most people do not take resolutions made at the beginning of a new year with any amount of seriousness. Perhaps that is why so many resolutions are broken before or shortly after they are started.

Goal setting, on the other hand, is a more intentional way to make desired changes in one’s life. Setting goals is more deliberate than stating good intentions. It calls for a plan of action that will lead to attaining the goal. It involves thought, emotion and changes in behavior that move a person forward. The more ambitious one’s goals, the more likely they will lead to putting forth an effort for fulfillment.

Goals should be specific, time constrained and attainable. Becoming a brain surgeon at the age of 61 might not be realistic. But committing to volunteer at a hospital weekly could

phased projects where mitigation of impacts, quality of design, and integration with town resources are better secured through a document that enables all parties to work out details through deliberate discussions prior to review by the Town Council.

“5.5-2 Approval. Development agreements shall be approved as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. §160D-1001 et. seq. A copy of the development agreement in final form shall be posted on the town’s website for public inspection for the length of time required by statute. The posting of a development agreement in final form does not prevent the town from

INCREASE IN POSTAGE

As of Jan. 23, 2023, the United States Postal Service is raising the price of stamps to 63 cents. Now would be a good time to purchase several booklets or rolls of “forever” stamps to use throughout the year.

North Carolina food: great resources, great challenges

Let’s take a culinary trip across North Carolina.

Our leader will be food expert and retired UNC-Chapel Hill professor Marcie Cohen Ferris. Our guidebook will be her latest book, “Edible North Carolina.”

By d.g. MaRTIn ONe ON ONe

For many years I traveled across our state searching for old-time country cooking eateries and simple barbecue restaurants, places where the locals meet to catch up with community news.

Ferris and the group of food experts she assembled for her book have taught me that I missed a lot about our state’s foodways. They are changing and there is a growing awareness of conflicts between the goals of low-cost food productions, fair compensation of food workers, and protection of the environment.

Ferris’s experts show how the state’s food scenes are changing. They explain the challenges that will face those who work for food equity and justice.

professional. Goals do not have to be lofty. According to Tony Robbins, an American author, philanthropist, coach and motivational speaker, “Progress equals happiness,” and setting goals gets us there. Also sharing your goals with others helps you continue to reach for them. It is good to have an accountability partner who can encourage you to stay on track.

Breaking larger goals down into smaller segments can provide motivation to continue.

Several area residents shared goals they hope to accomplish in 2023 and how they plan to achieve them. Andre – “I want to continue to try to live by the Bible. To do that I need to read the Word daily.”

For instance, food writer Andrea Weigl explains how some barbecue restaurants have been transformed from modest places serving ‘que and a handful of sides and sweet tea to restaurants with “full menus with appetizers and desserts, table service, cloth napkins, a full bar and even valet parking.”

One of Weigl’s examples of this new trend is Buxton Hall in Asheville, far away from the homelands of classic Lexington and Eastern styles barbecue. Buxton Hall’s chef and co-owner Elliott Moss buys pasture raised whole hogs—”up to fourteen hogs to serve between 3,000 and 6,000 customers during lunch and dinner seven days a week.”

become a reality. Likewise, vague goals or unrealistic time constraints could set one up for failure. That’s why it is important to set goals that are clear, measurable and require action.

Goal setting can help in all areas of your life, including personal and

Cindy – “There are several goals I want to achieve. One is to save money. I could do that by growing my own food, owning chickens or even riding a bicycle when possible instead

The suggestion that one of the state’s best barbecue restaurants might be in faraway Asheville would have drawn laughs just a few years ago.

Back to the coast where Harkers Island advocate Karen Amspacher explains how the state’s commercial fishermen work to meet the demands of customers “who want fresh, local, sustainable seafood.”

COMPILed By nORMa B. dennIs

Photo by Carol Brooks

Bethany Medical already has begun renovation to several storefronts on the eastern side of Forestdale Plaza for a new medical office.

She worries that “campaign contributions, lobbyists, and media campaigns assure well-funded recreational user groups that allocations of finfish in particular, a public-trust resource, will be dedicated to those who have the time and money to fish for leisure rather than those who fish for a living and provide North Carolinians with the state’s best, freshest seafood.”

Durham chef and Saltbox Seafood Joint restaurant owner Ricky Moore was recently named Tar Heel of The Year by The News & Observer. He supports Amspacher’s efforts, and believes that local, seasonal fish taste superior, offers more diversity, and, most important,

supports North Carolina fisherfolk.

“My guests at Saltbox want to know where to purchase their seafood. My advice is to go to your local fish market. At your neighborhood restaurants, do they serve regional fish? Where do they source their fish? Do not assume that all North Carolina restaurants get their seafood from our coast. Ask questions. What part of the North Carolina coast does the seafood come from? Is the fish in season? How do they acquire their seafood, where and when and from whom? My guests also want to know how fish should smell. If it smells fishy or rotten, it is old and has been handled incorrectly. Fresh seafood should have no smell at all or only the icy, fresh whiff of the ocean.”

Former UNC Chapel Hill and current Emory University professor Melinda Maynor Lowery takes readers to Robeson County where her Lumbee Indian kin introduce us to fried cornbread and collard sandwiches, food traditions they share with nonIndian rural neighbors. Durham resident and N.C.

State community food system outreach coordinator

Shorlette Ammons “grew up Black and Country, and honestly, I have never had a strong desire to be anything else.”

Her description of the annual hog killing contrasts with the “environmental cost of industrial hog farming.”

Struggling “to work effectively within institutions that historically perpetuated racial injustice requires a fair amount of soul searching,” she says.

But, she continues, “Food, farming, family, freedom— and the audacity to confront the contradictions they muster—are inherent to our history these stories are weighted by ancestry and remembrance, like the heaviness of wet tobacco leaves.”

These examples and many others demonstrate how Ferris’s authors give recognition to North Carolina’s admirable food resources and the challenges that accompany them.

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

making changes in response to public input or council deliberation.

“5.5-3 Authority and limitations. Consistent with the purposes of PUD zoning, development agreements that accompany a PUD zoning district application may be used to create alternative development and technical standards provided that the result is a development of greater or higher quality as described in LDO Section 8.4-5.1(B). Any development standard in the LDO may be supplanted by other requirements in a development agreement to achieve the intended purposes of the PUD zoning district if approved by

the town council. Development agreements may not be used to alter the public review and approval processes established in the LDO or required by statute.”

A newly-formed group calling themselves the Environmental and Sustainability Coalition of Jamestown have met with Town staff and Council members but Town Manager Matthew Johnson said their input was not considered in this amendment.

“Staff and Council members have met with the Coalition, as we have met with numerous citizens and concerned parties throughout this process,” Johnson said. “We understand the concerns of the members of

g Oa L s

of using a car. I also want to help others more by becoming involved in volunteer work. And I plan to stay away from political battles by looking at controversial news less.”

Shelley – “I intend to be more efficient with my homeschooling. It is harder with only one child left to school than when I had several. But I will treat it more like a job, get dressed each morning and stay focused on my son’s schoolwork until quitting time.”

Lynn – “My goal is to resume an exercise program. I have some equipment and I plan to use it again.”

Timothy has set two goals, professional and personal – “Professionally, I plan to develop my team at Ralph Lauren into a high performance team though training and quarterly goal-setting events. We have teams in different countries and I want each to communicate more and create relationships with our partners. Personally, I want to spend more time on my spiritual life by studying the Word of God and applying it to my life and by attending church each week.”

Carol – “I want to get back into exercising regularly. I had a physical setback this year and I want next year to be the one I get back into (reasonable) shape. I plan to begin walking again.”

Jalen was perhaps the most precise in establishing goals for 2023 – “I made a list,” she said checking her phone. “I want to be a homeowner and plan to start back searching for a house. I also want to start my own online business and think I

PL ann I ng

this group and agree that we have similar goals and outcomes that we desire for Jamestown. However, the Town cannot require a private property owner to develop their property in a way that is not legally enforceable by the Town.”

Terrell discussed some of the social media posts that claim the development will harm the environment.

“The Clean Water Act of 1972 protected wetlands and streams, and the states were required to follow suit with their own laws,” Terrell said. “North Carolina’s rules are not uniform, though. The Randleman Reservoir, for example, has its own set of regulations, all of which meet state minimum standards but go further.

“Ironically, some of these posts have been made by residents of subdivisions developed before the Clean Water Act and whose homes would not be allowed today because of their proximity to streams or lakes,” he said. “But claims of environmen-

can best do this by taking some classes at Bennett College to learn more about it. I am going to see if I can move up in my current job with human resources.” Jalen is in the process of creating a vision board to help her move forward with her goals.

“I am doing four quarterly vision boards instead of a yearly one to break down my goals into increments.”

Setting goals and achieving them

Based O n s U gges TIO ns By TO ny R OBBI ns

• Brainstorm a list of things you’d like to achieve, create, do, have, give and/or experience. Write down as many as possible within an allotted time.

• Choose your top four, the ones that excite you the most. Create a vision for each goal by writing a paragraph about why you want to achieve it. Decide on what you most want to work.

• Break your big goals into smaller ones. Note if they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. Breaking down your goals helps them be more concrete and easier to achieve.

• After deciding on a goal, visualize accomplishing it on a daily basis.

• Find someone you trust and share your goals with him or her. This will make you more accountable.

• Set short- and long-term deadlines that push you forward to accomplishing the goal(s) you envision. Stay committed to your decisions, but flexible in your approach, while not losing sight of your ultimate goal.

• Celebrate small successes all along the way, not just at the end.

tal damage are just wrong and come across to me as desperate attempts to find fault even when there are no facts to support the claim. D.R. Horton has no choice but to follow 100 percent of every local, state, and federal law enacted to protect the environment, from wetlands and stream protections to detention ponds for water quality to sediment basins and other measures to prevent sedimentation and erosion.”

“No outside group has had any influence on this process or the language of the agreement with regard to environmental protections,” Johnson added. “Environmental protection has always been a concern of both the staff and the Town Council members. We all want the best possible outcome for Jamestown, including the protection of environmental resources.

The Town is responsible for enforcing all of the laws and regulations that surround environmental protections that it has been directed to

enforce through State and Federal laws. Of course, there are State and Federal agencies that also have additional authority over the Town’s jurisdiction.”

A copy of the Planning Board agenda, including the full LDO proposed changes, may be found at https://www.jamestown-nc. gov. Click “Meetings” then “Planning Board.” The Land Development Ordinance, last amended Feb. 22, 2022, is available at the same website by clicking “My Government” then “Planning/ Zoning.”

The meeting may be viewed live at www.youtube.com/c/TownofJamestownNC. The video will be available after the meeting.

The public is invited to attend and offer comment at the appropriate time.

In the Jan. 11 Jamestown News, Johnson and Terrell will answer questions about the misconceptions in the air about the development agreement.

Supplements taken at lower doses won’t adversely affect health

By KeITH ROaCH, M.d. tO YOUr GOOD HeALtH

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 46-year-old woman who exercises daily for health, strength, and stress relief. I also want to stay relatively lean. In order to maintain muscle mass and control fat, I’ve been advised consistently (by a Ph.D. nutritionist and a couple of “nutrition coach” trainers) to take 1 g of protein per pound of body weight daily. They also have advised leucine and L-carnitine supplements. I usually have 1 scoop of whey protein (about 25 g) and 1/2 to 1 scoop of plant protein daily. I take about 1 g of leucine per day. My L-carnitine supplement is 500 mg.

My question is, are any, or all, of these supplements safe for long-term use and are there any concerns or possible side effects I should be concerned about? I have read plenty that recommend them, but the goals for taking them are usually short-term.

Other than having extra protein, my diet is slanted away from sugar and toward whole foods and lots of vegetables. I work out seven days a week, including four to five “hard” days of cardio and weightlifting and two to three “light” days of easy cardio. I also stretch and get at least seven hours of sleep daily.

I want to have health, mobility and strength as long as possible and want to make sure I’m not inadvertently hurting the long goal by using supplements now. — M.

DEAR M: Understanding advice on nutrition and supplements for exercise is difficult because the evidence is often poor-quality and conflicting, probably due to the fact that what is effective for one person may be ineffective for another.

Carnitine is found naturally in muscle and is important in moving fat into the mitochondria, where it can be used as energy.

Carnitine supplementation has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and increase use of body fat stores for energy. It can also improve blood and oxygen flow to the muscle if taken with large amounts of carbohydrates (the study authors used 4 ounces of simple sugar in water — more than it sounds like you take in, and perhaps more than optimal for good health). Carnitine is safe at the dose you are taking: At doses six times that high, it may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Leucine, like valine and isoleucine, is a branched-chain amino acid. They are “essential,” meaning they cannot be synthesized in the body. They are found in red

meat and dairy products. They are also found in legumes, nuts, grains and seeds, but a person on a strict vegan diet needs to be careful to mix these appropriately, to get all the essential amino acids they need.

Some claim that branchedchain amino acids reduce fatigue, improve endurance, provide fuel for working muscle and reduce muscle protein breakdown and soreness from exercise, but there is no high-quality evidence that they are effective. A chicken breast contains the equivalent of seven average branched-chain amino acid supplement tablets. Leucine in the dose you are taking should have no adverse effects.

The standard guideline recommends that individuals consume 150 g of protein-rich foods daily, for a 2,000 calorie diet. You may be burning more than 2,000 calories with exercise, but you are certainly getting all the protein you need. Excess animal protein may worsen kidney function, but plant protein does not seem to cause that issue.

In my opinion, your diet and exercise, which are remarkable, are much more likely to achieve your goals than your supplements, but I do not think the supplements are harming you.

©2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

Command Sergeant Major (ret) Gretchen Evans to speak at Ragsdale YMCA

On Jan. 22, 2023 at 2 p.m., you have a unique opportunity to join inspiring conversation with Command Sergeant Major (ret) Gretchen Evans as she shares her leadership adventures and how to overcome heart-breaking losses and obstacles in your life.

The conversation will take place at the Mary P. Ragsdale YMCA, 900 Bonner Dr. in Jamestown, N.C.

Texas native Gretchen Evans is one of the most highly decorated female veterans who held leadership roles in multiple combat engagements in her 27 years in the Army, including overseeing more than 30,000 ground troops in Afghanistan. She worked her way up to Command Sergeant Major – the highest rank an enlisted soldier can achieve. While serving in Afghanistan in 2006, CSM Evans’ world changed in a millisecond when a rocket blast caused her debilitating injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, internal injuries, and the loss of all hearing.

With the help of her guide dog, her rope team of friends and supporters, and a healthy dose of grit, CSM Evans navigated her way through a changed life. In 2019, CSM Evans founded Team

LEGAL NOTICES

c/o Larry W. Pearman P.O. Box 8178 Greensboro, NC 27419 Jan. 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, 2023. (120)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA- GUILFORD COUNTY

Post Office Box 10 Jamestown, North Carolina 27282 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 (120)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY

persons,

Diane Douglas deceased of Guilford County, North Carolina,

Paula Stewart Kennedy as executor of the decedent’s estate, on or before April 4, 2023, in care of the undersigned executor at the address below, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above named executor. This the 4th day of January, 2023. Paula Stewart Kennedy

THE UNDERSIGNED, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Raymond Lee Fields, Sr., deceased, late of Guilford County, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of May, 2023, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 29th day of December, 2022.

Carolyn Fields DeHart Executrix of the Estate of Raymond Lee Fields, Sr. 601 Rockspring Rd. High Point, NC 27262

Ben Farmer Attorney at Law 720 West Main Street

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of MARY ELIZABETH RIDDLE PEARSALL, deceased, a resident of Guilford County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before April 4, 2023 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 4th day of January, 2023

JASON KEITH CHARLES JASON CHARLES 4094 ST JOHN’S STREET HIGH POINT, NC 27265

Rebecca K. Branz Attorney at Law Jones Branz & Whitaker LLP

Estate Planning and Administration 7B Corporate Center Drive Greensboro, NC 27408 Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA - GUILFORD COUNTY

The undersigned, having qualified as ANCILLARY Executor of the Estate of ROBERT YANCY JEFFERS, deceased, a resident of Guilford County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before April 4, 2023 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 4th day of January, 2023

JACQUELINE YVETTE JEFFERS 5611 FELLOWSHIP DRIVE GREENSBORO, NC 27410

Rebecca K. Branz Attorney at Law Jones Branz & Whitaker LLP

If you’d like to give back, all donations support the YMCA of Greensboro’s Annual Giving Campaign.

Tickets are free and open to the community - bring a friend! Limited seating, please save your seats: RSVP https://evite.me/bHXP18DMn8

The Annual Giving Campaign funds the YMCA’s community financial assistance program to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Estate Planning and Administration 7B Corporate Center Drive Greensboro, NC 27408 Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023

NOTICE

PROCESS

OF SERVICE OF

BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GUILFORD IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION 22 E 878

CHARLES EUGENE FINLEY, Petitioner, vs. MONENA ALISA FINLEY, Respondent.

TO: MONENA ALISA FINLEY

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading, a complaint seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being

sought is, inter alia, Petition to Discover and Recover Estate Property. You are required to make defense to such pleadings no later than forty (40) days from the first publication of this notice; and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This the 21st day of December, 2022. s/Thomas F. Roupas, Jr. Thomas F. Roupas, Jr. Attorney for Plaintiff NC State Bar No 24490 ROUPAS LAW FIRM, PLLC 119 N. Greene Street, Suite 100 Greensboro, NC 27401 Phone: (336)272-7272 Fax: (336)275-0999 Dec. 21, 28, 2022; Jan. 4, 2023. (250)

UNBROKEN, a mixed ability athletic team and competed in the World’s Toughest Race, currently airing on Amazon Prime

Salome’s Stars

Week of Jan. 9, 2023

ARIES (March 21 to April 19)

Make a start on that new workplace challenge. But get more information before you find yourself too deeply involved without knowing in which direction you should go.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might find things becoming tedious as your schedule slows down after the holidays. Use this time to get information about a possible post-New Year job change.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)

The creative Twin finds outlets for his or her ideas in the early part of the week. The practical Twin takes it a step further and rallies support to turn the ideas into reality.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) It’s time to stop being intimidated by someone’s negative behavior. Start taking positive steps on your own to help strengthen your position down the line.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Look closely at that so-called

golden opportunity. Best to be a cautious Cat who approaches things slowly, rather than one who pounces without knowing where you’ll land.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your apology can resolve that personal situation before it overshadows the start of your new year. You’ll feel better, even if you’re only partly to blame for what happened.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Avoid overtaxing yourself, even if your energy levels are high and you feel that you can do it all. Best to pace yourself so you won’t run yourself down.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your sense of humor helps get you through a stressful period. Some of your quick quips can take the edge off any remaining negativity being aimed at you.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your artistic talents not only help you express yourself these days, but they also set up a line of communication

between you and someone very special.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) It’s fine to appreciate the importance of having a “proper form” for doing things. But relax a bit in order to allow newcomers on the project to feel less intimidated by you.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Use your boundless reserve of optimism to persuade others to work with you so that you can resolve a difficult workplace problem before it ruins the dynamics in place.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You brim over with self-confidence as you begin to tackle a new challenge. And, before you know it, you’re not alone: Others have taken the plunge with you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a highly defined sense of commitment to others. You would make a fine social worker.

©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Couch Theatre

By deMI TaVeRas

Jurassic World Dominion (PG-13) — The third and final installment of the Jurassic World trilogy (and the sixth installment in the overall Jurassic Park franchise) gets a wider streaming release Jan. 6. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard returned to reprise their roles from the first two Jurassic World films, but Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill and Laura Dern also made a return to the franchise. This is the first appearance together since the original 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg. While the film was a success in the box office, it didn’t receive the best reviews; howev-

er, the special effects of “Dominion” do make it a marvel to watch. (Prime Video)

“The Menu” (R) — Margot Mills (Anya-Taylor Joy) accompanies Tyler Ledford (Nicholas Hoult) to dine at an exclusive restaurant located on a private island. Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), the chef who operates the restaurant, has his customers, 12 in this case, travel by boat to his restaurant for a dining experience worth $1,250. Once they arrive on the island, Margot senses an odd aura surrounding the restaurant and the staff, and as they begin to get served, the dinner

turns quite extreme. Chef Slowik announces that the extremities are simply part of the menu for that night and that, at the end of the night, everyone present at the dinner will be

Strange But True

By LUCIe WInBORne

• A Cornish milkman named Steve Leech was making his rounds when he saw a shop on fire. Using 320 pints of milk, he not only extinguished the flames, but saved seven other stores in the process, earning a “Hero Milkman of the Millennium” award from the National Dairymen’s Association.

• An albatross typically spends the first six years of its life flying over the ocean without ever setting foot on the ground.

• In the 1990s, a mysterious soda vending machine dispensing rare and discontinued drinks appeared in Seattle. No one knew who filled it, but sadly, in 2018, it vanished as suddenly as it came, with an explanatory note saying it “went for a walk.”

• The first women’s boots were designed for and worn by Queen Victoria.

• “Ergophobia” is the fear of work or the workplace. Psychologists attribute the condition to a combination of concerns about failing at tasks, public speaking and

social anxiety.

• A 59-year-old man with no previous criminal record held up a bank for the measly sum of just $1. So what was he actually after? A prison sentence, so he could get free health care.

• Red is the first color a baby sees.

• If diamonds really are a gal’s best friend, she might like to pay a visit to the planet known as 55 Cancri e, which is believed to be principally covered in graphite and diamond. Of course, she would also need to bring enough rocks back home to cover the cost of the $12 million spaceship she’d need to get there.

• There are more historic artifacts under the sea than in all of the world’s museums.

Thought for the Day: “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” — Rosa Parks

dead. Hong Chau and John Leguizamo also star in this comedy thriller film premiering Jan. 3. (HBO Max)

“The Recruit” (TVMA) — Netflix rom-com

star Noah Centineo, who’s most known for his role as Peter Kavinsky in the “To All the Boys” film series, branches out of his usual heartthrob roles to step into a more actionoriented role. In his new series, a spy-adventure Netflix original, Centineo plays CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks, who, during his second day on the job, gets assigned as a liaison to a former CIA asset who is threatening to reveal classified information. Inexperienced but undeniably optimistic, 24-year-old Owen dives headfirst into nail-biting, high-stakes situations while he continues his negotiations with the asset. Out now! (Netflix)

“Back in the Groove”

(NR) — Hosted by Taye Diggs, this eight-episode reality dating show follows three women around the age of 40 who embark on a journey to “get their groove back.” When they arrive at The Groove resort in the Dominican Republic, these three women will have the opportunity to expand their dating pool by meeting with men who are half their age. With a variety of 24 men to choose from, the ladies will get to go on a few dates and try to find their best (younger) match, while the remaining men get eliminated. The drama is real with this one! Out now. (Hulu) ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Photo courtesy of Netflix noah Centineo stars as Owen Hendricks in The Recruit

Dried beans are power packed for pennies

By PaTTI dIaMOnd DIVAS ON A DIMe

In January we’re filled with fresh resolve to make the new year better than the last. For many people, that means reigning in both our waistlines and our wallets. If I told you I have one solution to both problems, and you said, “You’re full of beans,” you’d be right.

Ah, the humble bean. Here we have a budget-friendly vegetable protein with great fiber, loaded with vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol and saturated fats, with a low glycemic index. Mix them with grains, and you have a complete protein that can replace the protein in meats. At a mere 25 cents per serving, dried beans are economical enough to feed the masses.

I recommend dried beans because they’re about one-third the cost of canned beans. Dried beans, properly prepared, taste much better, have better nutrition and less sodium. How many other times do you get a superior product for less money? So, keep some canned beans in your pantry for when you need convenience above all else. But for beans that taste so good you won’t want to share them, read on.

It takes minimal active time to prepare beans, and it’s easy work. It’s mindless stuff you can do while you’re on the phone with your sister.

As dried beans cook, they absorb the cooking liquid and triple in size. So 2 cups (1 pound) of dried beans will yield 6 cups of cooked beans. Incidentally, many recipes call for 15-ounce cans of beans, which is 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans.

Beans are prepared in three steps — clean, soak and cook. Unless you’re using a pressure cooker, then you can skip the soak.

First, inspect the beans, discarding any discolored or cracked beans and removing any rocks or debris. Beans are an agricultural product, and grit happens.

Next, we soak. Soaking beans allows them to rehydrate before cooking. Another benefit is that soaking reduces the phytic acid that can cause gassiness. You don’t need to soak split peas or lentils. These speedy beans only take about 30 minutes to cook.

Place 1 pound of cleaned beans in a large pot. For an overnight soak, add 8 cups of water and place in the fridge for eight to 24 hours. For a short soak, add 12 cups of water and bring to a boil on the stovetop for 5 minutes. Remove pot from the heat and let the beans soak in hot water for an hour. When finished, drain and rinse the beans in a colander.

Finally, we cook. To cook on the stovetop, cover the beans with fresh water by 2 inches, optionally adding one minced onion and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring them to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the variety of bean (follow package directions), or

until the beans are tender. To test for tenderness, mash a bean against the side of the pot with a spoon.

To cook in a pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, place 1 pound beans, 8 cups water, one minced onion, two bay leaves and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in the inner pot of a pressure cooker. Secure lid on Instant Pot and close valve to “seal.”

Cook on high pressure for the following times: black beans, 30 minutes; chickpeas, 40 minutes; kidney beans, 35 minutes; pinto beans or navy beans, 25 minutes. Allow the pot to naturally release 20 minutes before doing a quick release.

Wishing you an abundant New Year and cool beans!

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the pennypinching, 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.

By JOann deRsOn

• To make a nice ice pack, enclose several ice cubes in a plastic, sealable baggie, then wrap in a bandana. You can tie the ends together to keep the cover from slipping. When you want to refreeze, put the baggie in the freezer, and hang the bandana to dry. It will dry very quickly and can be reused soon.

• Want to get the most bang for your buck at the takeaway salad bar? Load up on bacon, walnuts, cheese, meats and dried fruits; go light on green beans, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, celery, radishes and chickpeas, which were marked up 200% to 300%.

• “When you clean out your fish tank, recycle the used water by pouring it on your house or garden plants. I don’t know what it is in the water, but it makes shrubs and flowers grow like crazy.” — Patti in Orlando, Florida

• “The all-time best remedy for a runny nose or sore throat doesn’t cost hardly a thing: It’s plain old saltwater. Mix a half-teaspoon into a cup of hot water and gargle twice to three times a day. If the taste is off-putting, try swishing a bit of mouthwash in your mouth just before you gargle with the saltwater. This works so well, and even my doctor thinks it’s a great idea.” — F.L. in Michigan

• Use salt to clean out your garbage disposal. Kosher salt has larger grains that work very well. Dump a half-cup in the disposal, run the cold water and hit the switch. The grains scour the inside, leaving a better smelling drain.

• “Here’s a great after-workout drink I just found out about: chocolate milk. The trainer at my gym prefers it over the fancy and costly “post-workout” drinks at the gym’s smoothie bar.” — I.E. in Oregon

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Photo courtesy of www.JasonCoblentz.com

dried beans are a budget-friendly substitute for meat protein.