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Jack Kerouac Festival to return for 35th year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

<p>LOWELL — The Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival returns for its 35th year Oct. 5-9 in a celebration of the life and writings of one of Lowell’s most famous authors.</p><p>Truly a son of Lowell, author Jack Kerouac put the small city on the map for many readers across the globe by depicting it in his writings about various phases of his own life growing up here in the early to mid-20th century. So well read were his works that the Kerouac Festival has annually drawn readers to Lowell from around the world.</p><p>“It’s almost like a pilgrimage for some people,” said Lowell Celebrates Kerouac President Mike Flynn.</p><p>This year’s Kerouac Festival will be a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the publishing of his book “Visions of Gerard,” a 1963 novel that explores the life of his older brother, Gerard, who died when Kerouac was just 4 years old. While the festival begins Oct. 5, a pre-fes...

Ryder Cup in Rome stays right at home for Europe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Europe won back the the Ryder Cup on Sunday, just like it always does before its raucous crowd, with Rory McIlroy leading the way and Tommy Fleetwood delivering the winner.McIlroy was still fired up over what he perceived to be bad behavior by Patrick Cantlay’s caddie the previous night. He helped put Europe on the brink by winning his fourth match of the week to cap off his best performance.And then Fleetwood hit a signature shot on the signature hole at Marco Simone, a drive to 25 feet on the reachable 16th. Rickie Fowler hit into the water and eventually conceded a short birdie to Fleetwood to give Europe the 14 1/2 points it needed.And the celebration was on, just like it always is on European soil.The Americans were coming off a record 19-9 win over Europe two years ago at Whistling Straits, confident this would be time they ended 30 years of losing away from home.Make it 34. They won’t get another chance until Adare Manor in Irelan...

Attorneys for college taken over by DeSantis allies threaten to sue ‘alternate’ school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys for New College of Florida, the traditionally progressive public liberal arts college that was taken over by allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of his “war on woke,” last week threatened to sue a group of former faculty members and students who have formed an alternative online institute named “Alt New College” after departing the school following the takeover.Alt New College says on its website that it was created to teach free and subsidized courses and to preserve the original educational philosophy of the school following the “hostile takeover” of New College of Florida earlier this year.“Over time, we hope to build an online institute that helps protect other communities facing similar attacks,” the Alt New College website said. “What is happening at New College of Florida is part of a national strategy to overtake public education and subvert a fundamental pillar of democracy.”Among those backing the effort are former New College provosts...

Valentino returns to Paris’ Les Beaux-Arts with modern twist; Burton bids farewell at McQueen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Valentino took a sentimental journey to Les Beaux-Arts this Sunday, revisiting the prestigious Parisian art school where its founder, Valentino Garavani, was once a student. Dive into the highlights of this Spring/Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collections from Paris, including the end of an era at Alexander McQueen as its lauded designer Sarah Burton presented her final show.MODERN BEAT IN HISTORIC HALLS: VALENTINO REIMAGINES SPRINGAmid the backdrop of Mannerist statues and the names of great artists gracing the storied walls of Les Beaux-Arts, where Garavani, 91, once honed his craft, the runway was — in contrast — unmistakably contemporary. Strategically positioned boxes filled with rocks, sand, and earth transformed into platforms for a troupe of sinewy, scantily clad contemporary dancers.Designer Pierpaolo Piccioli’s collection was a vivid “celebration of femininity and creativity.” Bursting onto the scene were fresh, sporty minidresses adorned with intricate white flor...

Heat has forced organizers to cancel Twin Cities races that draw up to 20,000 runners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A forecast that record high temperatures and humidity would create “extreme and dangerous” conditions prompted organizers to cancel two long-distance races Sunday in Minnesota’s two largest cities that were expected to draw up to 20,000 runners.The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to neighboring St. Paul had been expected to draw up to 8,000 runners when organizers called it off early Sunday. The organizers, Twin Cities in Motion, also canceled a separate 10-mile race drawing 12,000 runners.In an email to race participants early Sunday, race organizers said: “The latest weather forecast update projects record-setting heat conditions that do not allow a safe event for runners, supporters and volunteers.”In the days leading up to Sunday’s race, organizers had warned that weather conditions could be unsafe. But the race was expected to still be held, with additional safety precautions in place. By Sunday morning, a “black flag” warnin...

When should you take down hummingbird feeders?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

JOPLIN, Mo. (KSNF) — As the leaves are changing, hummingbird season is coming to an end for many states. Most of the tiny birds that spent the summer in the Midwest and northern states, or were hatched here this summer, are now on their way south for the colder months.However, just because it's officially fall doesn't mean now is the time to stop making hummingbird food or take down the feeders. University of Missouri Extension horticulture educator and field specialist, Kelly McGowan says there are a few hummers that are still around."A good rule of thumb is to leave them (hummingbird feeders) up through at least mid-October, and maybe even the end of October just to catch any of those stragglers that may be coming through," said McGowan. Map: How long until fall colors peak in my area? However, if you do leave your hummingbird feeders up longer than experts suggest, there's no need to worry."There's a myth that, 'If I leave them up it'll make the hummingbirds not want to migrate...

How 12-foot yard skeletons are helping save lives nationwide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (KFDX/KJTL) — The return of fall each year marks the start of the holiday season for many Americans, with spooky yard decor beginning to pop up in neighborhoods across the country as Halloween approaches. Since the fall of 2020, a viral fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to benefit families impacted by childhood cancer has coincided with the spooky season, growing in popularity every year thanks to social media. DONATE NOW to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital And it involves 12-foot skeletons in front yards. (KFDX/KJTL)Skeletons for St. Jude is a nationwide fundraising effort during the weeks leading up to Halloween when individuals across the country use their haunted displays to raise money to support children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Since its conception in 2020, Skeletons for St. Jude has raised more than $400,000 for families with children battling cancer, with over 630 homes across the country participating.The ann...

Woman on lawn mower hit and killed by plane in Oklahoma

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

MCCURTAIN COUNTY. Okla. (KFOR) — A woman is dead after authorities say she was struck by a plane while mowing the lawn in Oklahoma last week. The woman, identified as 27-year-old Samantha Hayes, was on a lawn mower at the Broken Bow Airport in McCurtain County Friday afternoon, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.At the same time, a 1972 Bananza A36 piloted by a 70-year-old man was coming in to land on the runway. NFL tight end suffers ‘burn injuries to face’ The pilot descended the plane, landed, and after touching down, officials said he saw Hayes on the lawn mower. According to authorities, the pilot then tried to pull up the plane, but the wing struck Hayes in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.The pilot was uninjured.

NFL tight end suffers 'burn injuries to face'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

CLEVELAND (WJW) -- Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku was added to the injury report after "sustaining burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident," the team said Saturday.The Browns also said Njoku is questionable for Sunday's game in Cleveland against the Baltimore Ravens. However, later Saturday afternoon, Njoku took to social media implying he'd be playing Sunday. "The flesh is weak. See u tomorrow DawgPound," he said in a post. Njoku's agent also took to Twitter saying the tight end "is ok, thank God."A league source told Nexstar's WJW the accident happened while lighting a fire pit in his backyard.Njoku arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium ahead of Sunday's game with a mask covering his entire head and a fur coat, a video posted to the team's Twitter account showed. Northern lights could become intense over the next 18 months: Here’s why Njoku, who is in his seventh season with Cleveland, has 10 catches for 92 yards this season. He's a solid blocker and...

Vikings once again without starting center Garrett Bradbury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:02 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the third straight game, the Vikings will be without starting center Garrett Bradbury. He was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers as he continues to work through a back injury.There was hope Bradbury might be able to play after being a limited participant in practice this week. He has played less than 10 snaps this season after getting hurt in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.On the flip side, pass rusher Marcus Davenport was active for the Vikings. He has been dealing with an ankle injury over the past month.The other inactives for the Vikings included safety Lewis Cine, tight end Nick Muse, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, and quarterback Jaren Hall .Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 4: Last-minute moves Minnesota Vikings | Dalton Risner got some work with the first team. Will Vikings make a change on offensive line? Minnesota Vikings | ...