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The Cardinals are trading outfielder Tyler O’Neill to the Red Sox, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The other components of the deal aren’t publicly known at this time.

As California’s redwoods recover from fire, an astonishing fact emerges By Julie Johnson Sprouting redwoods in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, shown in April 2021, six months after the CZU Lightning Complex wildfires burned through the park. Raging wildfires in 2020 transformed Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County from a towering forested cathedral into a standing boneyard with some of the oldest trees on the planet seemingly burned beyond survival. But soon after the flames were gone, California’s coast redwoods began calling upon a remarkable energy storage system helping these trees survive even after fires burned away every life-sustaining green needle. Scientists now have an idea about just how far back these reserves go. Researchers studying a stand of severely burned old growth Big Basin redwoods found the trees fed ancient buds that had been hiding underneath thick bark for more than 1,000 years using carbon transformed into sugars with sunlight that shone more than a half-century ago. “The longevity of these bud tissues is the shocker here,” said Drew Peltier, an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University. Coast redwoods, or Sequoia sempervirens, are the tallest tree species on the planet. They can live more than 2,500 years, protected by thick bark and the ability to resprout, features that make these trees especially resilient to fire. But in 2020 nearly 77% of the wildfire in the park was extremely severe, leaping off the forest floor and burning up into the green-needled crowns of these towering trees, some soaring 300 feet high. Even though most of the redwoods survived, many were badly burned. When Peltier first visited the park six months after the fire, he thought “this place is completely destroyed.” “Frankly, it was shocking,” Peltier said, to see so many trees that “had no branches and were totally black.” The first clues of resilience were out of sight. Peltier’s colleague and longtime redwood researcher George Koch recalled finding a charred tree that looked sturdy enough to climb. Only when he’d climbed far above the forest floor could he see green buds poking out of charred bark on the tops of branches. “That was a little glimmer of good news,” said Koch, a professor with Northern Arizona University’s Center for Ecosystem Science and Society. Peltier, Koch and a group of colleagues wanted to know just how deep these redwoods had to go into their reserves after a destructive wildfire without parallel in Big Basin’s park history. Most nonstructural carbon — the kind stored as sugars and starches versus woody material — is relatively young and transient, part of the day-to-day photosynthesis breathing life into plants. They suspected redwoods were able to store sugars far longer, maybe even for decades. They used a new carbon dating technique to determine the carbon stored as sugars and starches that used the proliferation of nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s and 1960s as a sort of historical bookmark. Commonly referred to as the “nuclear bomb spike,” the United States and former Soviet Union were detonating hundreds of nuclear weapons in tests until a treaty in 1963 ended the deluge. These bombings infused organisms across the planet with trace elevated levels of radiocarbons, Peltier said. “Folks born in the 1950s have more radiocarbon in their tooth enamel than I do,” said Peltier, who was born in the 1980s. The redwood researchers determined that nearly half of the carbon used in new sprouts (which they covered to isolate from new photosynthesis) was acquired more than 57 years ago, before the bomb spike peaked. Koch said their findings illuminated just how a long-lived organism like a redwood tree can sustain its towering mass over millennia. “We found these trees do seem to invest in a type of fire insurance, if you will — reserves that can help them recover,” Koch said. Today, most of Big Basin’s redwoods look nothing like they did before the fire. Many trees lost branches the size of entire trees and are instead covered with little buds, “like fuzzy telephone poles,” Peltier said. The 2020 wildfires forced these ancient trees to tap into long-held reserves, and potentially depleted them, meaning these stalwarts may be more vulnerable than ever to future stressors like drought and wildfire, Koch said. “This amazing species seems to be able to tolerate so much,” Koch said. “But they’re not indestructible.” https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/redwood-trees-18538393.php

UPenn megadonor Former VIEW co-host's daddy, Jon Huntsman, threatens to close checkbook, says school should 'completely cut ties with current leadership'

Not so old that I forget I drew the same comic strip 6 weeks apart...

Dear Abby: My boyfriend and I were excited to go on an $11,000 Caribbean cruise. His 22-year-old son was not that enthusiastic. We invited him to join us for dinner, shows or to play games, but the majority of the time he refused. The only time he’d join us was for events that were paid for in advance. He called his mom, grandmother and girlfriend every night, but not once did he call his father’s mother. To me, it seems like he’s not interested in his father, grandma or me. The moment we arrived home from vacation, he bolted out the door to meet his girlfriend and slept at his mom’s house. What can I do to bring this family together? — Social Disaster Dear Social Disaster: Although at 22 your boyfriend’s son is legally an adult, he didn’t act like one on that trip. In fact, he demonstrated that he was uninterested and didn’t want to interact with his father or with you. It is nice of you to want to bring him and his dad closer, but it’s time for you to step back and let them work it out. Nothing you can do will fix this. WHAT A SHOCK! A 22 YEAR OLD DOESN’T WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS DAD (who is probably trying to buy his love with an $11,000 cruise after letting the Mom’s side of the family raise him) & HIS GIRLFRIEND! Dear Abby: Three days before my daughter “Ginger’s” wedding, her fiance called to announce that he could not marry her because she’s bisexual. It’s something he knew about for a year but waited until three days before the wedding to mention. Needless to say, my husband and I were shocked, embarrassed and devastated. We had gone to a wedding with Ginger and her fiance the Saturday before her wedding date, and they were excited about their own wedding, talking about the home they were building and about having a baby. By the following Wednesday, it was over! She has reimbursed us for half of our expenses for the wedding. Ginger has since been involved mostly with women who have stolen from her, treated her badly and lied to her. We no longer trust our daughter because we thought she was happily engaged, but she lied when she told us how happy she was and how great she and her fiance got along. We cannot accept the current situation, and our relationship with her is now very strained. We told her to live her life but not to bring these women around. Since then, she has chosen to stay away. We miss our daughter but are not willing to accept this behavior. We don’t think Ginger is even trying to gain back our trust. Please give us your best advice. — Lost in Louisiana Dear Lost: Has it occurred to you that your daughter may be a lesbian who tried to appease you and her father by claiming to be bisexual? It is a blessing to all concerned that the wedding was canceled. IS JUST AN IDIOT? If you’re a regular reader of my column, you surely must be aware that some women have dysfunctional “manpickers.” In your daughter’s case, she’s having the same problem choosing her female partners. Rejecting her because you don’t want “those women” around is not the solution to her problem HER CHOICES WOULD BE LOSERS REGARDLESS OF THEIR SEX. Instead, suggest she seek counseling at the nearest LGBTQ community center so she won’t continue seeking love in all the wrong places BUY A PET ROCK AND ENTER A NUNNERY.

IF THE DICK FITTS... The Yanks acquired Alex Verdugo from Boston for 3 pitchers including Richard Fitts and...

I would say the same thing about your avatar.

Yeah... I, too, have fond memories of when KFC was selling roast chicken; it wasn't bad, but the sides and dessert were definitely the best part.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... so what you're trying to tell us is that you are a rare gem. Big surprise!

How do we get our eye color? A genetics expert reveals the fascinating truth

Finances are forcing me to go 'cheap but fun!' with Temu this year.

More like an inanity defense.

Adorable Polar Bear Cubs Hide and Squeal Behind Their Mom After Spotting Tiny Hare https://people.com/polar-bear-cubs-scared-of-tiny-animal-8409742

FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION THIS, BECAUSE... “After over 150 years of being in business, A&P filed for bankruptcy, and the Jane Parker fruitcakes were thought to be gone forever,” he continued. “There were many articles written about the beloved fruitcake no longer being in production, and Jane Parker fans across the country were really disappointed.” Using the services of a contract bakery, the new entrepreneurs were able to bring the iconic fruitcake back into production, prepared faithfully to the original recipe, and relaunched the brand in 2017. This year will be their seventh season back in production, and they continue to grow the brand year after year. You can place your order at JaneParker.com. They offer free shipping throughout the U.S. for all their fruitcakes and handle orders from one cake to hundreds of cakes.

Ryan Reynolds trolls Taylor Swift, Blake Lively with Photoshopped pic of him and Travis Kelce The edited picture hilariously features his face on his wife’s body and Kelce’s face on Swift’s.

Seems as if the holiday season is coming upon us quicker than ever! And if you’re running out of thoughtful ideas for gifts and stocking stuffers, here are some tempting offerings, courtesy of those innovative Made in Queens (MiQ) folks. Need some gifting inspiration? Make sure to check out madeinqueens.org for special Queens-made creations and more places where you can find them. And remember, there are no rules when it comes to giving from the heart. Bake Me Healthy baking mixes: an unexpected holiday gift! Asian-American mom Kimberle Lau created Bake Me Healthy because she believes in healthy, plant-based baking. Her small business, which launched in May, is based in Syosset, Long Island, and her product is manufactured in Long Island City. Bake Me Healthy is on a mission to help others bake better for themselves, their families and the planet. Lau, a former beauty executive, developed lactose and egg intolerances from pregnancy and then had to eliminate soy from her diet due to becoming high-risk for breast cancer. “First and foremost, these mixes are inclusive. They’re gluten-free, vegan and free of the top nine allergens, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Everyone can savor the homemade goodness without worry,” Lau noted. “But that’s not all. We’re thrilled to share that our delicious baking mixes are not just kind to your taste buds but to the planet, too,” she added. “It’s crafted with sustainable, upcycled ingredients, appealing to eco-conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability without compromising on flavor.” And the best part? These mixes are “incredibly easy” to prepare. With just a few simple steps — simply add milk and oil/water — anyone can whip up these delicious treats in no time. It makes a great gift for kids, foodies and anyone looking for a guilt-free indulgence. Visit bakemehealthy.co to place your order. Tembo NYC: where cause, culture and fashion unite. Founder Deb Chusid has been making and selling fabulous totes and more for fashion savvy New Yorkers since 2019. “We sell online (tembonyc.com) and at various museums, craft markets and at fine travel retailers at JFK Airport. Our cotton goods are hand sewn in Queens by an immigrant women’s sewing cooperative,” Chusid said. A native New Yorker, Chusid has spent over a decade volunteering around the globe for elephants and wildlife conservation (tembo means “elephant” in Swahili). When she wasn’t in the wild “enjoying nature’s beauty and saving God’s creatures,” she was creating campaigns for Fortune 500 companies at large New York ad agencies. Living two very different lives, Chusid spent years wondering how she could bring these opposite sides of her life together. The answer came to her in a supermarket checkout line. “Frustrated that I forgot to BYO [bring your own] bag, I thought if I could create a bag that was fashionable and functional – a bag you would want to carry – you would be less inclined to forget it,” she said. “Tembo NYC is a gift that gives back to the things your giftee may care about most, like music, food, women’s empowerment, travel/environment and New York City,” Chusid said. “Our products are created with sustainability in mind, using original and artfully designed prints created to send a positive message and make a positive impact on the world around you.” Check out their beautifully designed, artful scarves, wine totes and home goods, as well. Get 15% off all products with promo code HOLIDAY23 through Dec. 26. Cotton goods are printed in the U.S. and are hand sewn in Queens by women seamstresses earning New York City Fair Wages. Chusid said 5 percent of her company’s profits go to the non-profit organizations that work to serve the causes highlighted in their designs. Jane Parker Baked Goods, LLC: bringing back an iconic product for the holidays. Alex Ronacher was eager to talk about his tasty products and share his company’s unique background with readers. His small business is based in Flushing, where they pack and ship their cakes to customers. The Jane Parker brand is an iconic American brand, which was once baked exclusively for A&P supermarkets. “The Jane Parker brand was baked for and was sold exclusively at A&P. There were over 100 different baked good items under the brand, and the demand was so great that there were seven Jane Parker bakeries located across the U.S. to keep up with all the demand and supply all the stores,” Ronacher noted. “Fast forward to 2014, and after over 150 years of being in business, the A&P filed for bankruptcy, and the Jane Parker fruitcakes were thought to be gone forever,” he continued. “There were many articles written about the beloved fruitcake no longer being in production, and Jane Parker fans across the country were really disappointed.” In early 2016, Ronacher and his brother Chris found out about a bankruptcy liquidation sale that was being held for all the properties of A&P and the Jane Parker brand. Ronacher said they put a bid in and won the rights to the brand… “including all of the copyrights, trademarks, logos, website domain and, most importantly, the original recipes for the fruitcakes!” Several months later, using the services of a contract bakery, the new entrepreneurs were able to bring the iconic fruitcake back into production, prepared faithfully to the original recipe, and relaunched the brand in 2017. This year will be their seventh season back in production, and they continue to grow the brand year after year. You can place your order at JaneParker.com. They offer free shipping throughout the U.S. for all their fruitcakes and handle orders from one cake to hundreds of cakes. Many corporate customers use them for their holiday gifting, as well.

I don't have the patience for Dr. Garcia.