Life

Washington National Opera bows out of Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON — The Washington National Opera announced Friday that it will move performances away from the Kennedy Center in another high-profile departure following President Donald Trump's takeover of the U.S. capital's leading performing arts venue. The opera said it will seek to end its affiliation with the Kennedy Center through an "amicable transition" and will return to operating independently. It cited financial constraints imposed after Trump fired the Kennedy Center's board and installed allies to oversee it. The opera will reduce its spring season and move performances to ...

Rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman sells for $15 million

A rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman and also was once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage has been sold for a record $15 million. The private deal for "Action Comics No. 1" was announced Friday. It eclipses the previous record price for a comic book, ...

Nature's symmetry

What's Flying: Birds shine bright in depths of winter

“No animal, according to the rules of animal etiquette, is ever expected to do anything strenuous, or heroic, or even moderately active during the off-season of winter.” — Kenneth Grahame There are actually a few requirements of all animals during the stresses of winter — to find ...

Herbs grown indoors require extra care; here are some tips

I've been growing herbs in the garden long enough to know they don't require much. Just water, sunlight and my best intentions. In the garden, herbs are forgiving plants. They aren't fussy about soil pH, almost never need fertilizer, and can power through if you occasionally forget to water ...

Outdoors North: Struck with a revealing epiphany

“There’s a pale moon waning as the blackbirds dot the sky, but the crows are my friends and I wave to them a-passing by,” – Otis Gibbs A crow floats down into the wintry scene. His presence cracks the moment like a light bulb dropped on the kitchen floor. He looks lost or out of place ...