Strong Winds Topple National Christmas Tree

No other team in the NHL has three players in the prime of their careers at the level of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen. Conversely, no other team that fancied itself a Stanley Cup contender during the 2024 playoffs has the type of uncertainty awaiting it this offseason like the Colorado Avalanche.

Like many hot-shot prospects, Zac Veen figured he’d rocket to the big leagues. Instead, once rated as the 29th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 22-year-old outfielder has ridden a roller coaster. Maybe that’s a good thing. “There’s a blessing in this somewhere,” Veen said. “It all depends where you look.” The Rockies selected Veen with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida’s Spruce Creek High School.

Adhir Ravipati heard rumblings about a kid from East Palo Alto who had taken over the California youth football scene. But it wasn’t until he attended an eighth-grade all-star game that he put a face to Troy Franklin’s name. At Silver Creek High School in San Jose in 2017, Ravipati became a believer in Franklin, a tall and slender wide receiver who did wonders every time he touched the ball.

The lasting image from one of the most hectic Game 7 endings in NBA history was of two young guards embracing in mutual admiration. Donovan Mitchell had collapsed to the floor, devastated, after Utah’s final 3-point attempt spun out of the cylinder as time expired, leaving Mitchell with only an 80-78 loss to show for his Herculean effort in the bubble: 36.3 points per game on 52% outside shooting in the seven-game saga.

Dear Amy: My mother recently died, and I’m expecting a relatively substantial inheritance from her (my dad died several years ago). My younger brother, also not living, has two adult children. My mother (who was a difficult person) originally told me she intended to halve the inheritance between my brother and me when he was still alive, but after he died, she then decided to pass her entire inheritance to me, giving nothing to her grandchildren (who are my brother’s children). These granddaughters were good to her. My beloved brother always believed in fairness, and to me my mother’s favoritism is unacceptable. I would like to take half of my inheritance and gradually gift it to my two nieces (my brother’s children), on an annual basis so the gifts will stay under the legal limit where taxes would be incurred. The problem is that my control freak, anxiety-ridden husband of 40 years, who feels we need more money (most people could use more money), has told me what he intends to do with the inheritance. He wants to keep and invest it all, and to give a tiny amount to my sweet nieces, who were written out of the will. He sees this as a financial issue of our “need,” and feels it is generous to give anything to my nieces, but I view it as a marital issue and an issue of my wanting to do right by my dear brother, who would be brokenhearted to know about the situation. Your thoughts? — Loving Aunt Related Articles Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Single woman doesn’t want to be hit on Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Elder couple is isolated post-pandemic Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Parents house violent and irrational son Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Mom’s fibs about sister cause trouble Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Sibling haunted by mysterious mourner Dear Aunt: Before making any decisions, you should consult a financial planner with experience dealing with inheritance in your state.

Moon Alert: Caution! After 11:30 a.m. EDT today (8:30 a.m. PDT) avoid shopping (except for food and gas) and major decisions for the rest of the day. The Moon is in Libra. Happy Birthday for Sunday, May 19, 2024: You have magnetic, persuasive communication skills. You also have clear ideas of what is fair and just.