A8 The BulleTin • Friday, FeBruary 19, 2021
Claims
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: Our 11-year-
old has learned to lie, and
we feel terrible about it.
Because she has a sensory
processing disorder, clothes
are a useless gift because the
seams and fabric are often
uncomfortable for her. We
have repeatedly asked fam-
ily and friends not to gift
her clothes, but her grand-
mas are in denial and often
do it anyway.
Our sweet daughter has
decided that sparing their
feelings is more important
than asserting her own, and
I’m worried this behavior
will teach her that her feel-
ings are less important than
other people’s.
How do we teach her
to be polite and honor
her own feelings and
wishes without offending
well-meaning relatives who
cannot understand that she
doesn’t appreciate or value
these gifts?
— Mama Bear in Texas
Dear Mama Bear: Of
course your daughter
should be taught that her
feelings — and opinions —
are important. But accept-
ing gifts graciously is proper
etiquette.
It is considered rude for
a recipient to tell folks their
gifts are unwelcome or un-
wanted.
It would not be rude,
however, for YOU to run
interference by remind-
ing these clueless gran-
nies about your daughter’s
problem and telling them
what has been happening
to their impractical gifts —
that they are given away,
donated, etc. because she
cannot wear them. A far
more welcome gift would be
something she’s interested
in or a gift card to a store
that carries items she might
like.
Then suggest an area of
interest of hers they may be
unaware of. Also, for “in-
surance,” request a receipt
be included with the gift.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 2021: Tough, imagi-
native and groundbreaking, you go off and do your own thing. This year, you
fearlessly explore a gem, and create a masterpiece with it. If single, you do
best on your own, but this year you do meet someone. And fall in love. Just
don’t be rash — let it come to you. If attached, your perceptions are broad-
ened and changed by your partner this year. AQUARIUS opens your eyes.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Today generates a hectic pace. A chance to correct ongoing prob-
lems at work will present itself. Gather information and sharpen your skills.
Your charm and appeal are in top form. You’ll be motivated and can accom-
plish much, but don’t push too hard or overreact. Tonight: Relax.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Finance is always one of your favorite topics, but this is especially true
today. There can be some confusion concerning exactly what your monetary
circumstances are. First impressions should be heeded as you make financial
plans now. Tonight: Online retail therapy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
The present nobility in you will be highly visible at work today and
make an impression on influential individuals. No counterproductive pat-
terns in relationships or legal matters. Honesty and credibility will prove to
be especially precious today. Tonight: Invitations come your way.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
The idea of being your own best friend in developing a healthy life-
style must be embraced. Don’t lose focus or shift your priorities. Dissipating
precious energy could end in frustration. You’ll enjoy the peace and solitude
of nature. Tonight: Perform a random act of kindness.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today generates active and interesting social professional con-
tacts. A dynamic friend is an absolute inspiration. Focus on forming clear
goals. Your hopes and wishes. Meditate on self-awareness and personal re-
sponsibility. This leads to a new assertiveness. Tonight: Online schmoozing.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Extra recognition is coming your way at work. Demonstrate your
capabilities in situations that promise to facilitate advancement. Make a list
of goals and decide about community and your role in it. Tonight: A bright,
talented friend provides inspiration and joy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today is energetic. You want to win every competition, and travel
plans and study will be important. Your cleverness and eloquence enable
you to find the quickest route to fulfillment. An email or call marks the begin-
ning of an intriguing bond. Tonight: Watch a foreign film.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today brings a glimpse into the motivations of others at work. Prepare
for a few secrets to come to light. Explore investments and other strategies
to establish long-term financial security. This is also an optimum time to pre-
pare some writing for publication. Tonight: Early beddie-byes.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
True happiness in a really good relationship or partnership can be
attained. Be especially patient and very sincere. There can be an old hurdle
to surmount before trust is free to grow. It will. Compromise is important.
Tonight: Dinner with friends.
Continued from A7
From March 15, 2020,
through Wednesday, the
agency has paid out $7.6
billion in state and federal
benefits — more than it
paid during the previous
decade — and has gone
through 650,000 claims
for regular benefits from
the state unemployment
trust fund. About 70%
have qualified for payment.
The total for the compara-
ble period in 2019-20 was
131,000 claims, about 20%
of the recent total.
During the Great Re-
cession a decade ago, the
number of claims rose over
a 12-month period, as op-
posed to a two-month pe-
riod last year, and they were
largely federally funded
extensions of regular state
benefits, up to a maximum
of 99 weeks that ended in
2013. For most people ap-
plying for those benefits,
their applications could be
checked against employer
payroll records.
In contrast, Congress in
the initial coronavirus re-
lief act made self-employed
and gig workers eligible for
benefits for the first time in
the unemployment system’s
85-year history, in addition
to supplemental payments
of $600 weekly to all un-
employed workers. Ore-
gon and other states had to
obtain information about
income and identity from
these first-time recipients.
Gerstenfeld said Oregon
has paid out $612 million in
benefits to 99,000 self-em-
ployed and gig workers in
the federal program, which
is known as Pandemic Un-
employment Assistance.
Thousands of others have
qualified for some regular
state benefits, so 68% of ap-
plicants have qualified.
Congress added iden-
tity requirements for those
self-employed and gig
workers in the latest 11-
week extension of unem-
ployment benefits under
the Continued Assistance
Act, which became law on
Dec. 27.
The U.S. House is now
considering another exten-
sion of unemployment ben-
efits, which for many will
end March 13. The House
proposal is for an extension
to the end of August; Pres-
ident Joe Biden has pro-
posed the end of September
to coincide with the end of
the federal budget year.
The Senate also will have
to consider the legislation,
which mirrors Biden’s $1.9
trillion pandemic aid plan.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden,
the Democrat who now
leads the tax-writing Fi-
nance Committee, has pro-
posed adding $1 billion to
help states improve their
delivery of unemployment
benefits and connect better
with the U.S. Department of
Labor, which oversees the
system. A spokesman says
Wyden also wants the Sept.
30 date Biden has proposed.
e
Courtesy of Territorial Seed Co. via Capital Press
Territorial Seed Co. workers package and ship seed.
Seeds
Continued from A7
Farmers who grow vegeta-
ble seed for commercial-scale
farms say that market has been
less stable during the pan-
demic, but many seed crops are
still performing well.
People are still spending
more time and money on land-
scaping — a boon for grass-
seed companies.
“It feels like, in the retail sec-
tor at least, people went crazy
buying,” said James Schneider,
Enchanted
Continued from A7
Roofs of buildings through-
out the park had been tattered
by falling branches.
While the park was dam-
aged during a similar storm
over a decade ago, Vaslev said
this is worse.
“The whole park is a war
zone, disaster area,” said Vaslev.
“There is a ton of cleanup. I’ve
never seen it this bad.”
The full picture of the dam-
age to the park is still emerg-
ing. Vaslev said the Ice Moun-
tain Bobsleds and Big Timber
Log Ride are both covered in
fallen trees that will have to be
carefully removed to prevent
president and CEO of Baren-
brug USA, a grass-seed sup-
plier located in Tangent.
Schneider estimated residen-
tial retail makes up about 60%
of total grass-seed industry
sales. Year over year, from 2019
to 2020, he said residential
sales of grass seed increased
25%, and sales this spring are
projected to jump 5% to 20%.
When sports fields closed
last spring, sales of commer-
cial and sports seed mixes ini-
tially took a hit. But as sports
teams adapted — for example,
by filling the stands with card-
board fans — sales returned to
normal.
Golf courses, experts say,
ordered record amounts of
seed because more people have
picked up the sport during the
pandemic.
“Golf has had a resurgence
they haven’t seen since Ti-
ger Woods. We’ve picked up
a whole new generation of
golfers,” said Scott Harer, vice
president at Columbia Seeds,
another grass seed company,
located in Albany.
“The whole park is a war
zone, disaster area. There is
a ton of cleanup. I’ve never
seen it this bad.”
So is the Challenge of Mondor,
despite the fire alarm, she said.
The family will also have
some money for repairs.
In December, the Tofte fam-
ily, which owns the park, an-
nounced they’d raised enough
money to open for another
season.
In response to a precipitous
drop in visitors last year caused
by the pandemic, the family
began selling park memora-
bilia and asking for donations
to stay open.
The money raised means the
park has been able to keep its
insurance policy, said Vaslev.
But she said there is still a high
deductible, and it’s not clear
what insurance will cover.
— Susan Vaslev, whose family
has owned and operated
Enchanted Forest for nearly
50 years
causing further damage.
But Vaslev said it’s not all
bad news. Some of the more
iconic figures in the park, such
as Humpty Dumpty and the
witch’s head, are intact, she
said. The English Village and
Tofteville western town are
also largely unscathed, she said.
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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today emphasizes how associates impact your well-being. Avoid those
who upset you. Be sure to get a second opinion concerning diagnosis and
health care options. All might not be as it seems initially. Tonight: Catching up
with a family member.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You’ll be more visible in your professional sphere and could acquire
a bit of fame. Return to a creative project that was abandoned previously.
There’s a competitive quality present. Relationships with children follow old
patterns. Tonight: Romance has a stable and comforting quality.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today creates a stir in your home and family sector. Seek ways to make
your residence more comfortable. A family member can be a trifle volatile.
Happier times will begin soon. Tonight: A delicious old favorite recipe makes
an amazing meal.
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