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Interstellar Inspirations: An Exclusive Interview with Katie Pope, Author of “The Boy and the Bear Take Mars”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Looking up at the night sky often sparks curiosity and wonder in young minds, and there’s no better way to fuel this than with tales of interstellar adventures. In our exclusive interview with Katie Pope, we delve into the inspiration behind her latest children’s book, “The Boy and the Bear Take Mars.” This enchanting narrative invites readers to join two daring characters, Willie and his companion Oliver, a spirited bear cub, as they accidentally rocket themselves onto the Red Planet.Pope’s fascination with outer space and what lies beyond Earth drove her to write this captivating tale. But the spark for the story did not originate in the stars. Surprisingly, it was sprung from an Earth-bound historical figure: William Mulholland, the man responsible for bringing water to Los Angeles. Initially intended as an allegory to this event, Pope’s imagination soon took flight, shaping a story that weaves historical themes with a thrilling blend of scienc...

Joseph Pharoah’s Acting Ascension: Unstoppable & Thriving

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Joseph Pharoah’s rise in the acting world has been nothing short of remarkable. With a prestigious Master’s degree from the renowned East 15 Acting School in the UK, a powerful presence on stage and screen, and an enviable list of career highlights, Pharoah is proving that he is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with in the acting industry.Pharoah’s journey into the acting world began at the age of 22 in 2008. After a friend’s recommendation, he enrolled in a short-acting camera course in London. Within a month, he landed his first commercial for the BBC and, after a year, secured his first agent. Then, Pharoah decided to pursue a formal acting education, propelling his career to new heights.In 2012, Pharoah showcased his versatility as a performer at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Combining his classical acting training with self-taught street dancing skills, he captivated audiences as the “Undead,” performing alongside Eurythmics...

SF Giants: Brandon Crawford sits again as Casey Schmitt makes second straight start at short

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

MILWAUKEE — A healthy Brandon Crawford was held out of the Giants’ lineup for a second straight game Friday, with rookie sensation Casey Schmitt making his second straight start at the position Crawford has occupied for more than a decade.The decision, manager Gabe Kapler said, had more to do with Schmitt’s impressive play since being called up earlier this month.“He’s not the easiest guy to take out of the lineup right now,” Kapler said Friday before their second game against the Brewers. “He’s doing a really nice job at shortstop and he’s having really good at-bats.”While Schmitt is a natural third baseman, he has looked the part as a major-league shortstop, a position he only began playing in Double-A last season. At the plate, Schmitt’s aggressive approach has resulted in one of the strongest starts for a rookie in franchise history. Hitting safely in 13 of his first 15 starts, Schmitt recorded two more hits in Thursday’s series-op...

Oakland A’s set to welcome back key part of starting rotation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

OAKLAND – Following an injury-plagued nine months, Paul Blackburn is finally set to rejoin the Oakland A’s rotation.Blackburn will start Monday when the A’s host Matt Olson and the Atlanta Braves at the Coliseum, marking the all-star right-hander’s first big league game since Aug. 4 of last year.Blackburn, who missed the final two months of the 2022 season with a tear of the flexor tendon sheath in his pitching hand, pitched Wednesday for Triple-A Las Vegas in Tacoma and allowed five hits and one earned run on 73 pitches over five innings.Blackburn, an Antioch native who attended Freedom High School in Oakley, suffered a right middle fingernail avulsion early in spring training. Blackburn was using a tool to help clean dirt from underneath his cleats when the tool slipped and slid underneath the fingernail.As that began to heal, Blackburn, roughly three weeks ago, started to develop a blister on his right middle finger. Blackburn said it was the first time he’s had a blister of that...

Long COVID: 1 in 10 people had new or lingering symptoms six months after infection

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

In the growing effort to unravel the mysteries of long COVID, a new study found that one out of 10 people appear to suffer symptoms from the disease six months after an infection.The research, based on data collected from nearly 10,000 adults, took a major step toward defining key symptoms of the lingering ailment — such as fatigue, brain fog, loss of taste and smell — a crucial step in helping patients and their doctors better understand the long-term effects of COVID.“Sometimes I hear people say, ’Oh, everybody’s a little tired,'” Dr. Leora Horwitz of NYU Langone Health, one of the study authors, told the Associated Press. “No, there’s something different about people who have long COVID and that’s important to know.”The National Institutes of Health-funded study, published this week in JAMA, also found: Women are slightly more likely to develop long COVID, the chance increases with additional infections, and more acute cases are more likely to cause long COVID.T...

Letters: Oakland leadership | Lee’s critique | Let Feinstein stay | AI’s limits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Oakland needs changein its leadershipThe Oakland mayor and City Council have defunded and demoralized the police to such an extent that they are unable to properly do their job. The district attorney has bent over backward to release incarcerated thugs to continue committing street muggings, carjackings, store break-ins and the like.These elected officials are directly responsible for the fear we experience living and shopping in Oakland and indirectly responsible for a growing racist, anti-democratic, pro-Trump sentiment. Vote these clowns out of office as soon as possible.Stephen MatthewsOaklandLee’s critique ofhigh court is spot onRe: “Call to remake court proves Lee is unfit” (Page A6, May 26).With all due respect, I must respond to Dick Patterson’s letter. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has been a dedicated servant of the people for many years. Her accusations against America’s ...

Single family residence sells for $2.8 million in Danville

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

6 Westward Lane – Google Street ViewA 3,565-square-foot house built in 1991 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the first block of Westward Lane in Danville was sold on May 1, 2023, for $2,800,000, or $785 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. The backyard also has a pool. The unit sits on a 0.4-acre lot.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:In August 2022, a 3,565-square-foot home on Windover Drive in Danville sold for $3,200,000, a price per square foot of $898. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Brightwood Circle, Danville, in October 2022, a 4,053-square-foot home was sold for $3,850,000, a price per square foot of $950. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 3,977-square-foot home on the first block of Brightwood Circle in Danville sold in July 2022, for $2,700,000, a price per square foot of $679. The home has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. 

Letters: Cut waste | Grand jury | Affordable housing | Ethnic studies | Serious on climate

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Before increasing transittaxes, eliminate wasteRe: “BART needs driverless trains; VTA should halt S.J. extension” (Page A6, May 19).This tax increase talk is quite annoying. Vote no. Over the last several elections, voters in Santa Clara County have passed multiple tax and fee increases.All this nickel and diming contributes to making the Bay Area a horribly expensive place to live; especially for people of modest means, who must pay the greatest percentage of their income in these regressive taxes and fees. Each increase by itself does not amount to much, but the cumulative effect is to add to the unaffordability of the region.Before increasing taxes yet again, waste needs to be removed from transportation projects.William HoughLos AltosCivil grand jury keepsSanta Clara honestRe: “Indictment shows the value of the civil grand jury” (Page A6, May 25).Henry Groth and Michael Kray p...

Medicure: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Medicure Inc. (MCUJF) on Friday reported profit of $215,000 in its first quarter.On a per-share basis, the Winnipeg, Manitoba-based company said it had net income of 2 cents.The drugmaker posted revenue of $4.2 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MCUJF at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MCUJFSource

Friday’s Transactions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:55:24 GMT

BASEBALLMajor League BaseballMLB — Suspended manager Aaron Boone one-game and fined him an undisclosed amount for his conduct toward Major League Umpires and his ejection from the game on May 25 against Baltimore.American LeagueBALTIMORE ORIOLES — Reinstated INF Ramon Urias from the 10-day IL. Optioned INF Joey Ortiz to Norfolk (IL).BOSTON RED SOX — Assigned 3B Christian Arroyo to Worcester (IL) on a rehab assignment. Assigned SS Yu Chang to Portland (EL) on a rehab assignment.CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Sent CF Jake Marisnick outright to Charlotte (IL).DETROIT TIGERS — Assigned LF Kerry Carpenter to Toledo (IL) on a rehab assignment.KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Reinstated OF Drew Waters from the 10-day IL.LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Designated RHP Reyes Moronta for assignment. Selected the contract of RHP Sam Bachman from Rocket City (SL).NEW YORK YANKEES — Optioned LHP Nick Ramirez to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). Recalled RHP Randy Vasquez from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Released OF Aaron Hicks.TORONTO BLUE ...