Writing prompts how to decorate a christmas tree

“Some constituents have raised concerns about trees they believe to be ‘dangerous’ and requiring immediate removal. Some are frustrated with overgrown trees that are not being pruned quickly enough,” Mandelman said. “Others have been concerned to see crews show up to prune a tree that doesn’t appear to need pruning. Still others have been horrified to see beloved trees removed without explanation.” … [Read more...] about Despite surprises for some residents, SF’s tree program said to be going well

Her family can’t go to the mosque, but the 29-year-old New Jersey resident bought new outfits for herself and her daughters. They are praying at home and having a family photo session. The kids are decorating cookies in a virtual gathering, and popping balloons with money or candy inside — a twist on a tradition of giving children cash gifts for the occasion. … [Read more...] about U.S. Muslims try to balance Eid rituals with virus concerns

The city escaped the brunt of this winter Nor’easter, but the city’s schools were closed the next day nonetheless. The Buryakov children and their mom must have spent the time building two snowmen in their terraced backyard, one unadorned and free-form, the other of classic proportions, with slender tree branches for arms and a green and yellow hat. … [Read more...] about Russian Spies and the Nuns Next Door

Still the network survived under the guidance of Dédée’s father, Frédéric de Jongh, now hiding in Paris, and “Franco,” a young Belgian army captain whose real name was Jean-François Nothomb. But in May 1943, Jacques Désoubrie, a Belgian collaborator with the Nazis, joined the Comet Line as a volunteer guide from Brussels to Paris. He used the pseudonym Jean Masson. Dédée’s father met with him and approved of him. In June, “Masson” set up the arrest of dozens of members of the Comet Line who were picked up in both Brussels and Paris. Among them was Frédéric de Jongh, tortured and, some months later, executed by firing squad. … [Read more...] about Angels of the Resistance (and a Serial Killer) in Nazi-Occupied Paris

[…] to be guilty of theft, one must steal something of some intrinsic value.  […] When the dreadful Jayson Blair egregiously stole the on-the-scene reporting of journalists who had been to crime scenes that Blair claimed to have been at but had not, that was indeed grand theft.  But I contend you cannot steal something of no intrinsic value; say, a fart.  Someone who steals a fart is a weird, disreputable person, perhaps, and even someone deserving of firing, perhaps, but not a thief.  This is Mr. Benny Johnson. … [Read more...] about Plagiarizing Wikipedia Is Still Plagiarism, at BuzzFeed or the New York