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Keep phone near in case of emergencies

Dear Heloise: I have a suggestion for anyone living alone, especially older adults: Put your phone next to your bed at night. I had a friend who stored her phone and emergency call button on the charger in her kitchen at night. They ended up finding her between the wall and her bed. If either one had been on her nightstand, it might have saved her life. If you are laying in bed and something doesn’t feel right, it makes it easier to call for help. I read your column in the Portland Oregonian. –– Nadine C., via email Nadine, I agree. If you have a cellphone, it’s easier to ...

Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Don’t confuse missing an absurdly high target with failure. You’re playing a different game than someone setting modest, incremental goals. If you’re going to dream big, make peace with the fact that big dreams come with big gaps between effort and outcome. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). That “small issue” is way more complex than it looks and could turn into a big mess if you don’t fix it quickly and completely. A clear, thorough response now, while it’s still containable, will keep you from having to revisit this. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You ...

Today in History

Today is Monday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2026. There are 332 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 2, 2013, former Navy SEAL and “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle was fatally shot along with a friend at a gun range west of Glen Rose, Texas; Eddie Ray Routh was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Also on this date: In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza. In 1653, New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated as a city. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe ...

Will son’s ‘I do’s’ prove to be a big to do?

Starting now, my columns will be renamed “The Getting Old Chronicles,” with this being Chapter 1 titled “One of my kids is getting married!” That’s right, the first of four dominos fell recently when my 22-year-old son, Vincent, asked his girlfriend of seven years, Brooke Maines, to join the Mrs. Franco club, currently occupied by three other lovely ladies in our family. She said yes. Popping the question took place in January — during the NFL playoffs, mind you, but people do crazy things for love — but the wedding looks like a possible 2027 summer or fall ...

No Sentinel Monday due to impending snow

The Sentinel will not publish on Monday, Jan. 26 due to impending weather conditions. Additionally, the office will be closed on Monday. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 27. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Never my friends’ first choice

Dear Annie: I am embarrassed to admit this at my age, but I feel like the kid left out at recess. I am in my late 40s, married with kids, a steady job and a calendar that looks full from the outside. But inside I feel lonely. I have plenty of “friendly” people in my life. We chat at school pickup, at work, in the neighborhood, and everyone says, “We should get together soon.” Yet somehow those plans never happen unless I am the one organizing, texting, reminding and following up. If I stop being the planner, everything goes quiet. On social media I see group trips, girls’ ...