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Bay Area artists released some terrific albums in 2023 — here are 10

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

In the performing arts, the rollercoaster ride that started with the dawn of the ‘20s took another series of stomach-flipping twists in 2023 as tentative optimism gradually gave way to guarded anxiety.For musicians, the confluence of inflation-resistant gig fees and venues closing or cutting back on bookings has made getting by in the Bay Area even more challenging. And yet, musicians continue to invest in recording, making albums that have little chance of covering the expenses required to make, compose, record, mix and master the music, even if released only on line.Speaking for music lovers everywhere who are grateful for the opportunity to hear new sounds, let me say, thank you! These are 10 albums by Bay Area artists I’m particularly grateful for this year, and 10 more I’ve come back to several times.Ambrose Akinmusire, “Owl Song” (Nonesuch): Berkeley trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire released two albums this year, a gorgeous solo session “Beauty Is Enough,” and this eponymous debut...

Biden orders retaliatory strikes against Iran-linked group

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

By Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller and Qassim Abdul-Zahra | Associated PressWASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the United States military to carry out retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups after three U.S. service members were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq.National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said one of the U.S. troops suffered critical injuries in the attack that occurred earlier Monday. The Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, under an umbrella of Iranian-backed militants, claimed credit for the attack that utilized a one-way attack drone.Iraqi officials said that U.S. strikes targeting militia sites early Tuesday killed one militant and wounded 18. They came at a time of heightened fears of a regional spillover of the Israel-Hamas war.Iran announced Monday that an Israeli strike on the outskirts of the Syrian capital of Damascus killed one of its top generals, Seyed Razi Mousavi, who had been a...

Nine updates from 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan day after loss to Ravens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The morning after didn’t change coach Kyle Shanahan’s view on the 49ers’ key factors in Monday night’s 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.“When you play sloppy with turnovers and penalties against a good team, it makes it tough to win,” Shanahan said on a Tuesday morning conference call with reporters.Here are 10 quick updates:1. PURDY’S HEALTHQuarterback Brock Purdy is responding well after sustaining a left-shoulder stinger for the second time in as many games. Purdy exited with eight minutes remaining after getting sacked and feeling a similar jolt of pain through his arm as a result of that nerve irritation.Purdy had no ill effects last week after experiencing a stinger in the 49ers’ win at Arizona, and Shanahan expects a similar progression this week. “Just watching him how he was that (last) week and how he was today, I think he’s going to be fine,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think it’s going to...

Noon Year’s Eve and other ways to ring in the New Year in the South Bay

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

Remember when everybody seemed to celebrate New Year’s Eve the same way? They’d pop open a bottle of champagne and count down to midnight while watching Dick Clark — or more recently, Ryan Seacrest or Anderson Cooper — on TV.Your can still welcome in 2024 that way or even head out for some festivities, as nearly every hotel and bar will be hosting some sort of party. But here are a few ideas if you’re looking to do something a little different in the South Bay this year.FAMILY AFFAIRS: For the first time since 2020, the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose is again hosting its Noon Year’s Eve celebration, with a daytime countdown and “ball drop” with lots of confetti popping instead of champagne. Don’t worry about overcrowding; the Purple Museum at the Guadalupe River Park will have four countdowns — 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. — and for each, visitors will get to hear how people are celebrating in those...

Intel will build $25 billion chip factory in Israel’s ‘largest investment ever’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

By Mark Thompson | CNNThe Israeli government and Intel confirmed plans to build a $25 billion chipmaking factory in the south of the country, an investment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as the biggest in Israel’s history.The Silicon Valley tech giant already employs 11,700 people in Israel and has invested more than $50 billion in the country over the last 50 years.Intel now wants to expand its existing chipmaking factory at Kiryat Gat — about 16 miles northeast of Gaza — undeterred by the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Reuters earlier reported the news.“Intel has chosen to approve an unprecedented investment of $25 billion and to establish its new factory right here in Israel,” Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.“This investment promises to foster high-quality employment opportunities with elevated productivity in remote areas and will significantly contribute to the growth of the Israeli eco...

49ers QB Brock Purdy’s NFL MVP odds take massive shift after Christmas dud

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

Brock Purdy entered Monday night’s prime time showdown against the Ravens as the prohibitive favorite to win the league’s MVP award. In the eyes of Vegas oddsmakers, he left it as not even the most valuable player on his own team.The 49ers quarterback topped out as a -190 MVP favorite in the week leading up to San Francisco’s heavyweight matchup on Christmas Day. Against the top seed in the AFC, the 23-year-old put together his worst game as a pro, throwing four interceptions as Baltimore blew out the 49ers, 33-19.According to Fanduel Sportsbook, Purdy now has +1300 odds at winning the MVP. He’s behind the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (-170), who sliced up San Francisco in Levi’s Stadium to become the favorite; 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (+470), and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (+900). Purdy also has the same chance at winning MVP as Bills quarterback Josh Allen.49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence that his young quarter...

Real-life 'Grinch' steals food truck from owner on Christmas Eve

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

(KRON) -- An East Bay business owner is without a vital part of his livelihood this Christmas. Early Sunday morning, his food truck was stolen while it was parked for the night.The business owner said he was devastated to find his truck gone on the morning of Christmas Eve. He was going to use it later that night to deliver Christmas meals to people experiencing homelessness."The Grinch is out there, as we see," said Touch of Soul owner Eric Scott.What was supposed to be a day of giving turned into a loss for Scott, and his business, Touch of Soul. In addition to the food truck, Scott has a storefront in Emeryville. Two rain systems to arrive in Bay Area this week He parks the truck in Oakland. When he went to get it Sunday morning, it was gone."It's crazy that you can put so much time and so many hours in working to get something that you dreamed about, and somebody could come take it in six seconds. So, it has been devastating," Scott said.There's surveillance video of the food ...

Christmas sideshow in Oakland caught on video

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

(KRON) -- A sideshow that took place in Oakland overnight on Christmas was caught on video. In the video (watch in the player above), several vehicles can be seen doing donuts in an intersection while traffic at the approaching light is held up and pedestrians walk by. Real-life ‘Grinch’ steals food truck from owner on Christmas Eve The Oakland Police Department received reports of vehicles doing donuts in the area of MacArthur Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue, an OPD officer told KRON4. Officers responded to the scene but did not see any vehicles related to sideshow activity, police said.No further information is available at this time.

Man stabbed on Christmas night in SF, has motorcycle stolen

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

(BCN) -- A man was stabbed and had his motorcycle stolen on San Francisco's Market Street on Christmas night, according to police. The attack and robbery was reported around 8:45 p.m. Monday in the area of Market and Sixth streets, where the 26-year-old victim was riding his motorcycle when a man approached him and tried to stab him, San Francisco police said. Armed man arrested on Christmas Eve for bothering BART passengers The victim got off the motorcycle and retreated, but when the suspect got onto it to try to steal it, the victim tried to intervene and was stabbed with a knife. The suspect then fled on the motorcycle, according to police.The victim's stab wounds are not considered life-threatening. A detailed description of the suspect was not immediately available.Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Police Department's tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a tip by text message to TIP411 with SFPD at the start of the message.Copyright © 2023 Bay City...

Vallejo traffic stop led to arrest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:45 GMT

(KRON) – A woman was arrested for driving without a license on Dec. 15, the Vallejo Police Department announced on Monday. A Vallejo officer witnessed a 2021 black Dodge Challenger traveling in the area of Lemon St. and Sonoma Blvd. According to police, the driving of the vehicle was consistent with driving under the influence. Los Altos commercial building to be demolished after fire After the officer conducted a traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle confirmed she was using her cell phone while driving, but not driving under the influence.According to the police investigation, the driver did not have an issued license. The driver was detained. The officer subsequently conducted an inventory search of the Challenger and found a registered firearm behind the driver's seat. According to police, the driver admitted the gun belonged to her sibling after being mirandized.    The driver was booked into the county jail. The vehicle was towed. The firearm w...