Home

Travel Troubleshooter: Hertz hit me with an $850 bill months after I returned my rental

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: My wife and I rented a car from Hertz in Arizona for a couple of days with our kids. The rental went fairly seamlessly, and we didn’t notice any damage to the car when picking it up. The representative did not give us anything to document damage, which was sort of atypical.We returned the car without any damage, and Hertz did not note anything when we returned the vehicle.Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter Six months later, I received a claim notification from Hertz that the car had $850 of damage during our rental period. There isn’t a description of any damage or any evidence of repair — just a request for our insurance information or credit card number.I told Hertz that we did not incur any damage during our rental, and I told them it was concerning that nearly six months after returning the vehicle without damage, we received a bill for it. Can you help?— Joseph Meisinger, Elkhorn, NebraskaANSWER: Hertz should ...

More than 100 Bay Area festivals and fairs are on deck for 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

From tasty food and drinks to awe-inspiring art, film and cultural celebrations, the festivities ahead look near-endless. Here are all the fabulous fairs and festivals that are coming to the Bay Area in 2024.JANUARYSF Tape Music Festival: Jan. 5-7, Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St., San Francisco. America’s only festival devoted to the performance of audio works projected in three-dimensional space, SFTMF features four concerts of classic audio art and new fixed media compositions projected over a pristine surround system to an audience seated in complete darkness. $10-$50. sfsound.org/tape/Napa Truffle Festival: Jan. 12-15, Napa Valley venues. Savor some of the finest truffle cuisine in the world, paired with magnificent wines from Napa wineries. Learn the trade’s traits of truffles from the best Michelin star and master chefs, explore a working truffle orchard and see where and how truffles are harvested. Prices vary according to event. napatrufflefestival.com/Winter Win...

The great raccoon invasion moves to a Cupertino neighborhood

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

DEAR JOAN: Like Kathy of Concord, my new lawn was attacked by raccoons peeling up the edges of the new sod. And, like Kathy, I tried Critter Ridder and labor intensive plastic netting, as well as clear plastic water bottles placed around the lawn, as suggested by our gardener. These deterrents would seem to work for a week or so, but the raccoons would always return.So I was overjoyed to read in your column that, with winter here, I could enjoy six months free of raccoons and grubs. Alas, the raccoons keep coming. Lately, they have been here every night.So what’s going on? Did the grubs not learn that they should be snoozing? Or are the raccoons persistently looking for grubs despite not finding them? Or could there be some other prize in the lawn the racoons enjoy? Should I apply some nematodes now, despite the season?— Randy, CupertinoDEAR RANDY: All the scenarios you pose could be at play here. The grubs might not have retreated that far, and some might be lingering w...

TasteFood: Every season is taco season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

In the middle of winter — also known as the dark and cold lull between holiday festivities and the hopeful warming signs of spring — the days are often spent seeking indoor diversions, while our imaginations lead us to warm and sunny destinations. Look no further than the kitchen for immediate real-life respite. It may be yucky outside, but we can bring fun and lightness to our dinner with a heap of fresh and messy food, where all the attention is focused on the kitchen table — essentially, the center of our winter universe.It’s time to make tacos.These fish tacos give a green light to eating with our hands. They are bright and healthy, inviting everyone to dig in and assemble their own food. They are wonderfully flexible, too, combining year-round ingredients with a smattering of easy toppings and drizzles that can be prepared in advance, along with an optional salsa fresca that can either be homemade or store-bought. Choose lean, mild-flavored white-fish fi...

1 person shot, OPD investigates 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

(KRON) – The Oakland Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Sunday night. A ShotSpotter activation alerted Oakland officers of a potential shooting in the 6600 of Foothill Boulevard around 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.  ‘STFU Musk’: Projector signs seen at SF NYE fireworks show takes aim at Mayor Breed, Elon Musk Upon arrival, officers located a victim who sustained injuries during a shooting. Paramedic personnel transported the victim to the hospital. The victim is listed in stable condition.This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Felony Assault Unit at (510)-238-3426.

WTOP Book Report: From Gen Z to Silents, Generations goes ‘straight to the source’ of our differences

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge poses in San Diego, California, on September 17, 2018.(AFP via Getty Images/JULIE CHARPENTRAT) San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge poses in San Diego, California, on September 17, 2018.(AFP via Getty Images/JULIE CHARPENTRAT) In her latest groundbreaking work, “Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future,” acclaimed author and psychology professor Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D., takes readers on a data-driven deep dive into the tapestry of American society, exploring the connections, conflicts and commonalities among the six generations c...

Paris Saint-Germain signs Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo on a 5-year deal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain has signed Brazilian center back Lucas Beraldo on a five-year deal.The French league leader announced the signing on Monday but did not give financial details.The left-footed, 20-year-old Beraldo joins PSG from Brazilian club São Paulo. PSG said he’ll wear the No. 35 jersey. ___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

1 killed in New Year's Day hit-and-run

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver police are investigating a crash that killed one person on New Year's Day.The Denver Police Department tweeted about the crash at 5:38 a.m. Monday. A Dodge Caravan and an Acura collided in the area of East 53rd Avenue and North Chambers Road near the Parkfield Lake Park in between the Montebello and Gateway-Green Valley Ranch neighborhoods. 20-year-old woman dies after possible stabbing in Federal Heights DPD confirmed to FOX31 that the person in the Acura died. The identity of the deceased will be released at a later time.The driver of the Dodge fled on foot and has not been located.Police do not believe the driver of the Acura was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, however, the driver of the Dodge is believed to have been under the influence.Drivers should expect delays in the area while police continue to investigate.Anyone with information on the deadly hit-and-run is asked to call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remai...

How much precipitation did Denver get in 2023?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Even with a summer full of rain, 2023 barely missed making the history books as one of the wettest years on record.Spring and summer continued to break records with several severe storms hitting Denver and the Front Range. June 2023 was officially the wettest June on record since 1882, and May was the 10th wettest May in history. At one point in May, Denver had five times more rain than Seattle. From May 10-15, Denver picked up 4.57 inches of rainfall. In Seattle, the 6-day total was only 0.12 inches. December 2023 has been one of the driest on record for snowfall However, thanks to a lack of snow in December, Denver missed making the top 20th wettest years in history by a slim margin.Denver International Airport, where precipitation is officially measured for the Mile High City, only got around 1.4 inches of snow in December making the list of the "least snowiest" Decembers.According to Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Travis Michels, Denver received 18.94 inch...

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel laments decision to keep LB Bradley Chubb on field late in blowout loss

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:01:52 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were playing out the final minutes of a particularly distasteful defeat Sunday when things went from bad to worse.The first-string defense had already been humbled and beaten by the Baltimore Ravens when star linebacker Bradley Chubb dropped to the ground, flat on his back and unable to move because of a knee injury. A while later, the team’s sack leader was lifted onto a cart and driven into the tunnel.Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel lamented his decision to keep Chubb on the field in the waning minutes of what became a 56-19 loss.“In hindsight, I would have absolutely not wanted him out there if I knew he was going to get hurt, for sure,” McDaniel said. “That’s a known part of the job that I understand fully. It doesn’t look very smart at all.”While it appears unlikely that the sixth-year pro will return to play this season, McDaniel grimaced and held out hope for a favorable diagnosis.“We don’t have the information to find out what it is yet...