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About The Bulletin. (Bend, OR) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2021)
THE BULLETIN • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021 C3 DEAR ABBY Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Dear Abby: I had a friend I would talk to every day while I was doing my deliveries for work. We had anywhere be- tween six and 25 conversa- tions a day. For months it was never an issue. All of a sud- den, I got blocked on her so- cial media, and her boyfriend (my husband’s good friend) sent me a message telling me to leave her alone! I felt blind- sided since it was out of the blue with no warning or any discussion between her and me about the amount of time we were talking. Well, they are using my Disney+ streaming service, and I feel like they are tak- ing advantage of me. I’m not allowed over to their house anymore or to talk to her, but my husband is welcome any- time. I pay for the Disney+ out of my personal money. Would it be so bad if I re- moved her from my account and changed my password? — Talked Out in Ohio Dear Talked Out: To talk to someone 25 times a day was excessive. Your friend had things she had to do be- sides keep you company on your route. It’s possible that instead of telling you it had become too much for her, she complained to her boyfriend about it, and he decided to take action on her behalf. The way this was handled is regrettable. That your hus- band continues to socialize with them while you are be- ing ostracized is also regret- table. Because the friendship is now over and the stream- ing account is paid for out of your personal money, I see no reason why you shouldn’t remove her access to it. Dear Abby: My brother says whatever is on his mind without regard for anyone else’s feelings. He brags about not having health insurance and says his doctors will see him for $10, which, believe it or not, they do. He brags about not having life insur- ance and says his kids will have to deal with his funeral expenses when he dies. He has spent thousands on the house he recently purchased, so money isn’t the problem. He doesn’t believe in giv- ing gifts, nor even sending a card. He is my only sibling, and over the years I have given him more than you can imagine. On a recent visit to pick up something he had asked my husband for, he began insulting me without provocation. It escalated to him calling me several vul- gar names. To avoid a con- frontation, I went into the house. What do I do to put my brother in his place so he will stop? — Sister of a Jerk Dear Sister: Stop tolerat- ing it! Quit giving things to your brother and doing him favors. Make a conscious ef- fort to spend less time (or any time) in his presence. It should be clear that your ef- forts have not been appreci- ated, so do yourself a favor: Spend time with people who do treat you well, appreciate what you do for them and re- ciprocate. Dear Readers: On this day of love, I want you to know how much I value the re- lationship I have with you. Wishing you all a happy Val- entine’s Day. ... With Love, Abby YOUR HOROSCOPE By Madalyn Aslan Stars show the kind of day you’ll have õ õ õ õ õ DYNAMIC | õ õ õ õ POSITIVE | õ õ õ AVERAGE | õ õ SO-SO | õ DIFFICULT HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 14, 2021: Brainy, ironic and deeply entertaining, your charisma is off the charts. Originator of the cool quip, you succeed this year in a writing project. If you have offended others, you apologize without losing your originality. If single, you search for one with whom you have fun, which is impossible in COVID times. February 2022 is your luckiest time. If attached, you9re fused at the hip. No one9s better. PISCES heals you. ARIES (March 21-April 19) õõõõõ Your mind is clear and creative with luminous insights. You can write and speak effectively, and you benefit from studies. The role of teacher or even crusader falls into place naturally. Tonight: If at all possible, plan to travel over the next few months. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) õõõõ Cultivate supportive people today. Be reserved with those who could be draining or are a source of turmoil. Those you9re closest to are moving into a new cycle. Think of their changes as a positive growth pattern. Tonight: The beauties of wildlife or wilderness areas. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) õõõõ Contact people who seem interesting or potentially helpful for your work. Your social circle widens. Consider joining an organization you believe in. It9s a time to grow and to expand your belief system. Tonight: Online schmoozing and wining and dining. CANCER (June 21-July 22) õõõõ Friends think of you and trust you with their confidences. Tense feel- ings build up today. Be polite to others. Channel irritation into making con- structive changes. Being volatile won9t get you much else. Tonight: A surprise conversation is very revealing. A friend announces a new event. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) õõõõ Your high standards and aspirations impress others and make it easy to enlist support for your projects. A friendship with a foreign-born person brings not only companionship but a new perspective. Tonight: You9ll want to clear away dead weight and debris. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) õõõ You will be able to solve puzzles and satiate your curiosity. Others reveal their inner secrets to you in casual conversation. Others make sug- gestions about money management. Check with your inner psyche before acting too quickly on unsolicited advice. Tonight: Relax. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) õõõõ Today puts you in the role of mediator or diplomat, both among friends and with associates. Social prospects are good. There is a new soli- darity and security coming into relationships. You9re particularly sensitive to beauty. Tonight: Enjoying remote landscapes. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) õõõõ Today brings insight into how others see your role in their lives. Balance emotions with a touch of whimsical humor in approaching those you care about. An offer or opportunity you9ve been awaiting should come through. Tonight: A great sigh of relief. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) õõõõõ Romantic interludes are delightful, and there may be an invitation to an online festival. Younger people introduce you to new interests. You9re energetic; your health and fitness are improving. Working conditions may be less than perfect. Tonight: A special bonding session with your pet. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) õõõõ Hidden feelings and thoughts harbored by family members are brought out into the open. Early background and the influences of your heritage are potent. Be aware of what your family tree can reveal about you. Diplomacy is a must today. Tonight: Others surprise you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) õõõõõ You9ll be drawn to excitement and travel. Education is important, and there may be contact with in-laws. Vitality is high, and your self-image is upbeat. Positive feedback from family and friends makes you feel good about yourself. Tonight: A serious discussion with a sibling or cousin. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) õõõõ You may have some financial promises to keep. Others depend on you for security on many levels. You break up your chores with interesting side trips. Adding novelty to your daily routine and obligations will renew your enthusiasm. Tonight: Counting your pennies. e e Looking for local events or want to add your own? Go to bendbulletin.com/events Questions? Call 541-383-0304 or email go@bendbulletin.com. Affordable housing project in Astoria looks for people who work downtown BY KATIE FRANKOWITZ The Astorian A new affordable housing project expected to open in the next few months will prioritize downtown workers. Managers of the former Waldorf Hotel, also known as the Merwyn, are seeking 15 referrals through the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association. They have set aside units specifically for people who work downtown and who want to preapply for housing, said Leah Cooper, the director of operations with Innovative Housing Inc. The Portland nonprofit owns the building and has spent the past year renovating the long- empty hotel. After the initial referrals are processed and the applications are reviewed, building manag- ers will consider applications from the public starting Feb. 15, Cooper told attendees at a recent downtown association meeting. The building contains 40 units, most of which are studio apartments. Income limits ap- ply for nearly all of the units. Monthly rents will range from $284 to $624. The handful of units that are not specifically for lower-income tenants are available at $875 a month for a studio and $925 for a one-bed- Hailey Hoffman/The Astorian A look inside the former Waldorf Hotel during construction. room apartment. Low-income tenants will not lose housing if they secure a better job or receive a raise after they move into an apartment, Cooper said. “No, you will not qualify out,” she said. The project secured key funding in 2019 and renova- tion work began later that year. Innovative Housing hoped to complete all work in late 2020. The project faced temporary setbacks after contractors en- countered unexpected dry rot, while the coronavirus pan- demic caused other delays. Now, Innovative Housing plans to open the building to tenants in late February or early March. The effort to turn the former hotel into affordable housing units received strong local and regional support. City leaders continue to prioritize ways to address the area’s lack of afford- able and workforce housing. The former hotel, sand- wiched between City Hall and the Astoria Library on Duane Street, had been neglected and vacant for years. Earlier efforts by a group of Astorians saved it from demolition, but no con- crete plans about what to do with the property emerged until Sarah Lu Heath, the executive director of the downtown asso- ciation, began talking with In- novative Housing about possi- ble affordable housing projects.