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Longtime arts advocate Connie Martinez retiring as Silicon Valley Creates CEO

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

Connie Martinez will be retiring from her role as CEO of Silicon Valley Creates at the end of the year, ending a two-decade run as an advocate for stronger arts and culture in Silicon Valley.And while few people in the valley’s arts ecosystem can imagine what it would be like without Martinez, even she didn’t imagine where this road would lead when she took over the Children’s Discovery Museum back in 2002. She made sure to emphasize that she had plenty of support along the way.“Although many in Silicon Valley think they did it on their own, nobody does it on their own,” said Martinez, thanking the staff members, board members, donors, mentors and colleagues who helped an “accidental arts leader” over the years.SVCreates CEO Connie Martinez, center, poses on June 21, 2018, at theMexican Heritage Plaza theater with the organization’s 2018 Arts Laureates,from left: Kimberley Mohne Hill, Pancho Jimenez, Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, TasiAlabastro...

At Home: How to deal with pesky streetlights, broken sidewalks and similar city issues

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

It was dark out, when my husband and I came home to find our house lit up like a movie set. Bright light beamed in from the street through every front window. I expected to see searchlights. Instead, I saw that a new streetlight sporting a 3,000-watt bulb had sprouted like Jack’s beanstalk directly across the street.“Who put that there?” I asked my husband who was getting his sunglasses.We closed the shutters. The light crept through. I slept wearing an eye mask — for several nights. Then I called the city electric department.The city had performed an assessment of the street in front of our house, an administrative coordinator for the utility company said, and concluded that it needed more light. She had talked with supervisors of the many departments involved in this decision. The light could not be removed.What? This streetlight issue had me pretty lit up. There was much discussion. Much. An hour and a half later, she called again to say the city will take the light down.“W...

Study: Pangea ‘supercontinent’ could wipe out humans

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

By Amy Woodyatt | CNNThe formation of a new “supercontinent” could wipe out humans and all other mammals still alive in 250 million years, researchers have predicted.Using the first-ever supercomputer climate models of the distant future, scientists from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom predicted how climate extremes would intensify after the world’s continents merge to form one supercontinent, Pangea Ultima, in around 250 million years.They found it would be extremely hot, dry and virtually uninhabitable for humans and mammals, who are not evolved to cope with prolonged exposure to excessive heat.Researchers simulated temperature, wind, rain and humidity trends for the supercontinent and used models of tectonic plate movement, ocean chemistry and biology to calculate carbon dioxide levels.They found that not only would the formation of Pangea Ultima lead to more regular volcanic eruptions, spewing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and warming the planet, but the sun...

Man convicted of domestic violence, other felonies following brutal Pacifica Halloween party assault of girlfriend

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

PACIFICA — A San Francisco man was convicted by a jury of seven crimes Tuesday, about 11 months after he viciously assaulted his girlfriend outside of a Halloween party in Pacifica, according to prosecutors.Darien Diaz, 29, was found guilty after a 17-day trial in San Mateo County. Prosecutors said Diaz, who faces up to five years in prison, will return to court on Dec. 17 for a sentencing hearing.“Any time a jury holds to account a domestic abuser like Darien Diaz, the community is a safer place,” a spokesperson from the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement given to the Bay Area News Group.Prosecutors said Diaz’s girlfriend of more than three years was attending a Halloween party at a friend’s Pacifica home on Oct. 30 of last year when Diaz showed up aggravated by what she was wearing. The victim had left the house to go to her car parked outside when Diaz grabbed her by the hair and pushed her into the vehicle.Diaz then sear...

New restaurant alert: Dave’s Hot Chicken opens in El Cerrito

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

Get ready to get hot: Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened the doors of a new location in El Cerrito.The fast-casual chain is known for offering Nashville-style hot chicken that is so hot, diners have to sign waivers to taste the restaurant’s spiciest stuff. This is the restaurant’s 10th Bay Area location. You’ll find Dave’s in Dublin, San Jose, San Leandro, Santa Clara and other cities, as well.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | Here’s where to find deals for National Coffee Day 2023 on Friday, Sept. 29 Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 incredible Bay Area things to do this weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | Pok Pok chef’s award-winning Thai food comes to the Bay Area Restaurants, Food and Drink | Parkside, Grocer + Goddess close to opening in Los Gatos Restaurants, Food and Drink | Lazy Dog’s bid to locate in East Bay city approved The restaurant’s c...

Sorry Swiftie Aaron Rodgers. Taylor Swift is rumored to be going to the Jets game to see Travis Kelce.

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

New York (CNN) — Taylor Swift is so powerful that people are willing to pay for New York Jets tickets.News that the star is rumored to be attending this Sunday’s game to see Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has sent prices soaring more than 40% — from $83 to $119 – according to TickPick, an online marketplace.To further prove Swift-mania is very much a real thing, the website told CNN that it’s the most number of tickets they’ve sold in a single day for the Kansas City Chiefs all season.Front Office Sports first reported on Thursday that Swift “plans to attend” the Sunday night game, which is airing nationally on NBC. Prior to that news, StubHub told CNN that it has sold double the number of tickets for that game since Swift’s first surprise appearance last weekend.And Swift is almost as popular as Aaron Rodgers: The game is this weekend’s second highest-selling game of the season so far, according to StubHub, only behind the home opener...

Fairfield man shot by police Wednesday was allegedly wielding BB gun

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

(BCN) -- A man shot and injured by police in Fairfield on Wednesday has been released from the hospital and had allegedly been wielding a BB gun when he was shot, a spokesperson for the department said. Officers responded at 1:16 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a man with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand in the 900 block of East Tabor Avenue near Grange Middle School. The reporting party said they had been walking on a trail in the area when they saw a man manipulating a handgun. San Jose woman who went on Valentine’s Day rampage faces life in prison The school was placed on lockdown while officers went to the walking trail and observed a man holding what appeared to be a gun. When asked to drop his weapon, the man allegedly pointed it at the officers. A Fairfield officer then shot the man, who was taken to the hospital and survived.The suspect is Fairfield resident Osiris Santos, 40, who was arrested on suspicion of felony assault on a peace officer.The ensuing investig...

Bears, Broncos meet in a matchup of winless and reeling teams

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

DENVER (0-3) at CHICAGO (0-3)Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBSBETTING LINE: Broncos by 3 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsbookAGAINST THE SPREAD: Denver 0-3; Chicago 0-3SERIES RECORD: Series tied 8-8.LAST MEETING: Bears beat Broncos 16-14 on Sept. 15, 2019, in Denver.LAST WEEK: Broncos lost 70-20 at Miami; Bears lost 41-10 at Kansas City.BRONCOS OFFENSE: OVERALL (15), RUSH (20), PASS (8), SCORING (T15)BRONCOS DEFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (32), PASS (29), SCORING (32)BEARS OFFENSE: OVERALL (29), RUSH (17), PASS (31), SCORING (27)BEARS DEFENSE: OVERALL (T29), RUSH (20), PASS (30), SCORING (31)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Broncos minus-4; Bears minus-4BRONCOS PLAYER TO WATCH: Rookie WR Marvin Mims Jr. is about the only Bronco worth keeping an eye on right now. The second-round draft pick from Oklahoma has totaled 332 all-purpose yards on just 11 touches over the past two games. That’s a whopping 30.2 yards per touch. Against the Dolphins, he had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. A week earlier h...

Virginia visits Boston College in matchup of struggling ACC teams

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

Virginia (0-4, 0-1 ACC) vs. Boston College (1-3, 0-2) at Boston, Saturday, 2 p.m. ET (The CW).Line: Boston College by 3½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Boston College leads 6-1.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Both teams are looking for their first ACC win and a chance to collect a victory against a beatable opponent. Five of Virginia’s next seven opponents – Miami, William & Mary, North Carolina, Louisville and Duke — are unbeaten through four games. Boston College next visits Army (2-2).KEY MATCHUPBoston College will try to establish its running game. Kye Robichaux has taken over as lead back, running 51 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but quarterback Thomas Castellanos has run for 280 yards and three scores. Virginia has given up 178 rushing yards per game and 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season.PLAYERS TO WATCHVirginia: WRs Malik Washington (28 receptions, 459 yards) and Malachi Fields (22, 267) are the most productive pair in the ACC.Boston College: WR Ry...

AP PHOTOS: Tens of thousands of Armenians flee in mass exodus from breakaway region of Azerbaijan

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:12:57 GMT

More than half the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has fled the breakaway region recently reclaimed by Azerbaijan, creating a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians.The migration began Sunday. By Thursday evening, over 78,300 people — more than 65% of the population of 120,000 — had left for Armenia, and the influx continued unabated, according to Armenian officials.The surge of families on the move could be seen on the only road to Armenia. It quickly filled with vehicles, triggering a massive traffic jam. Long lines of cars that were packed to the roof with belongings snaked slowly through the mountains.A student reported that it took three days to get to Armenia from the regional capital of Stepanakert, a distance of about 50 miles (80 kilometers).Azerbaijani authorities have pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians, but tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh’s residents feared reprisals.In three decades of conflict between the two countries, each has accused the other of targete...