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.