Category: Local / Living

Venting Not Shown to Quell Anger

Venting when angry seems sensible. Conventional wisdom suggests that expressing anger can help us quell it, like releasing steam from a pressure cooker.

But this common metaphor is misleading, according to a 2024 meta-analytic review. Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 154 studies on anger and found little evidence that venting helps. In some cases, it could increase anger.

“I think it’s really important to bust the myth that if you’re angry you should blow off steam – get it off your chest,” said senior author and communication scientist Brad Bushman when the results were published.

“Venting anger might sound like a good idea, but there’s not a shred of scientific evidence to support catharsis theory.”

https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-else-does-review-finds

Colorado State University – Annoying Billboards and

After months of pressing forward with billboard installations around campus against the wishes of the city of Fort Collins and many residents, Colorado State University has paused installation of additional signage for the time being. CSU tells CBS Colorado they have elected to stop further installation of new signs until they can evaluate next steps.

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-state-university-billboards-installations-backlash/

ICE Killings in Minneapolis – Obama and Clinton on

Two Democratic former presidents on Sunday condemned the scenes in Minnesota after Alex Pretti was killed this weekend, framing the tragedy as a pivotal moment that calls Americans to “speak up” and take action.

Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama called Pretti’s death a “heartbreaking tragedy” in a statement.

“It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault,” the Obamas wrote.

“Over the course of a lifetime, we face only a few moments where the decisions we make and the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them,” he wrote.

Clinton said “the people in charge” are lying to the public and telling them “not to believe what we’ve seen with our own eyes.”

Clinton and Obama urge Americans to ‘speak out’ and take action after Minneapolis shootings
The statements from the Democratic former presidents said the shooting of Alex Pretti is “a wake-up call” and a moment that could shape “our history for years to come.”

Staying Warm at a Chicago Bears Game

How to stay warm and comfortable at Soldier Field on Sunday?
byu/WashTemporary1710 inAskChicago

Adz100087
Lifelong season ticket holder here! Layers are obvious and important but should be well thought out! I’m a female so I will give you what I wear: Tank top, then long sleeved thermal top, then a hoodie over that top, then a down vest followed by my winter down coat. For my legs, I went on Amazon and purchased fleece lined leggings which I wear with sweatpants over them. If you’re a guy I’m sure they make them as well. Long underwear, etc. Jeans over the leggings are fine as well! I recently purchased heated gloves on Amazon as well and although they’re not a godsend, they’re great paired with hand and feet warmers you get at Walgreens! For my feet I do tube socks and then I wrap tin foil over my toes (yes seriously) followed by Saran Wrap (it keeps everything in place) and sometimes another pair of socks over, sometimes not. Cardboard used to be the trick here, but soldier field banned it recently. All of the above and a beanie hat get the job done! I don’t bother with scarves although it won’t hurt! See you Sunday! BEAR DOWN!

quats_and_bac0n
Also, a face gaiter is such a game changer if there’s a bit of wind. You can pull it up and down as you want and it makes a huge difference for your nose.

PopcornyColonel
I was with you on all of that until you got to the cardboard. Can you explain that? Can you also explain why it’s been banned? And why didn’t you mention the peppermint schnapps, by the way?

emondropcloth
the cold comes up through the sole of your shoes when you stand on cold concrete for hours — cardboard acts as an insulator/buffer

Formal-Paramedic3660
Insulated coveralls. Dickies or Carhartt.

ceilchiasa
Go to REI and tell them you’re climbing Denali…buy whatever they tell you minus crampons and an ice axe.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskChicago/comments/1qc71xz/how_to_stay_warm_and_comfortable_at_soldier_field/

Dive Bars – Origin of Term, Simpsons Reference

Do bars like Moe’s from the Simpsons exist where guys just go to get away from home?
Reddit

your_fave_redditor
It’s a thing in The Simpsons because it is a thing irl.

perfectdrug659
My favorite dive bar had $10 pitchers and free pool and they would stay open as late as people wanted to stay, as long as you were quiet about that last bit.

Appsoul
Oh, perfect time to ask this question. Why do they call them dive bars?

reclusive_ent
The less legit, but cheaper, drinking spots were in basements cellars and back rooms. So you usually had to duck or “dive” to get into them.

SkiyeBlueFox
According to Wikipedia, its because in the late 1800s establishments of poor reputation were often in basements, so you would “dive” down into the joint

Connermets25
Yes they still exist. It used to be more common place. I worked at several big companies and most of them had a bar where workers would often frequent nearby. The younger generation isn’t like that much anymore.

Prison Inmate’s Christmas Gift

“What can I send you as a gift for Christmas?” she asked in a letter that December.
Calvin had one request.
“Could you ask if an elder of your synagogue would say the kind of prayer for me that a father says while touching the head of his son? I’m told that if a father blesses his son in prayer, then everything the father has blessed the son with comes true in the life of the son. My father never got to bless me, and I’m quite sure his father never blessed him. My father once did time in this same penitentiary that I’m in. I hope that the curse that was on him—and now on me—will be the last curse to follow my family.”

Ora’s response was humbling.

“I passed your request on to my father,” she wrote. “And he gave you this blessing: Y’varekh’kha ADONAI v’yishmerekha. Ya’er ADONAI panav eleikha vichunekka. Yissa ADONAI panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.

May God bless you and keep you. May God cause the divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God turn his face toward you, and grant you peace.

As Calvin read the rabbi’s words, they flowed over him like water, seeping into the cracks of his despair and loosening its grip.

He sent Ora a reply. “Please, tell your father I said thank you.”

The Jailhouse Lawyer
Calvin Duncan, Sophie Cull

Affording Health Insurance in the US. Over 60 But Too Young for Medicare.

Anyone else over 60 that has been priced out of the Marketplace? Anyone else considering just not having insurance?
Looks like I may be $680 over to qualify for my previous subsidy. I paid $550 per month for a crap policy but now am staring down the possibility of no subsidy, $1400 per month for crappy insurance. I can self pay routine stuff, but I don’t qualify for catastrophic coverage. I will be 65 in March of 2027. Anyone else in this boat?

HidingoutfromtheCIA
Get a bronze plan and open a HSA. Drop a few grand in it and lower your MAGI below the 400% federal poverty limit and regain your subsidies.

jhkayejr
A bronze plan for me is $1,700 a month. The idea that I’d then also be able to put money in a HSA is insane.

LadyMaggieMae
Unfortunately that exact plan leaves me $680 over. With the smidge of SS COLA, my modest pension fund and again modest interest rates the $4400 HSA will not get us there

[deleted]
This. You can actually put $5400 in your HSA since you’re over 55. It sounds like you don’t have earned income, so IRA/401k contributions wouldn’t be an option for you. Also, if you take the standard deduction, starting in 2026, you can do an above line deduction for charitable contributions ($1000 if filing single; $2000 for married filing jointly). That’ll reduce your MAGI. Edit to add: the charitable contributions have to be cash. Thanks for the clarification below, PeacefulCW.

Responsible-Bid5015
For you the HSA contribution limit is $5400 in 2026. You can also look into using the BOXX ETF for some of your cash savings to get extra margin. Note there is some risk to BOXX since the IRS has not really decided if it is a valid scheme. BOXX pays capital gains on withdrawal but no interest/dividends. So if you withdraw the full amount next year, there is no benefit.

Denver – Number 84

It’s no secret Metro Denver has long been one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions for decades, and with a steady job market and one of the busiest airports in the world, it’s also no surprise the Mile High City was recently ranked as one of the world’s best cities to live, work and visit in 2025, according to Resonance Consultancy’s annual ranking.

“The world’s great urban centers are the engines of their nations and, increasingly, the global economy,” Resonance, a real estate and tourism consultancy firm, said. “They are the pistons driving the places where people choose to live, work and travel – magnetizing talent, capital and culture.”

The report ranks the 100 best cities in the world out of more than 270 worldwide based on principles of “Livability, Lovability, and Prosperity,” looking at things like parks and open spaces, job market and economic development and cultural attractions.

From London to Doha, Qatar, the ranking picks the top cities in the world, and Denver was among them, coming in at No. 84.

Denver is one the world’s best cities: Report