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Palestinians trapped in Gaza find nowhere is safe during Israel's relentless bombing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Israeli airstrikes pounded locations across the Gaza Strip early Thursday, including parts of the south that Israel had declared as safe zones, heightening fears among more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in the territory that nowhere was safe.In the nearly two weeks since a devastating Hamas rampage in southern Israel, the Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in response. Even after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate the north and head to what it called “safe zones” in the south, strikes continued across the territory overnight and Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into Israel.A residential building in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had sought shelter, was among the places hit. Medical personnel at Nasser Hospital said they received at least 12 dead and 40 wounded.The bombardments came after Israel agreed Wednesday to allow Egypt to deliver limited humanitarian aid to Gaza, the first crack in a punishin...

Bewitchment: Arts Calendar October 19-25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

It’s a time when we all at least for a moment believe in bewitchment, when dimensions slip their boundaries, life and death aren’t so far apart, and fabulous costumes rule the days and nights. It’s also the last blush of summer, and all manner of visual and performing artists celebrate with arts in the park, along the river, and up and down the Avenue. Plus adventures with big cats, queer history, awkward sex, and pioneering poets. And for more specifically trick or treat type situations, check our big Ghoul Guide to this year’s Halloweeniest.Afsoon: The Forest of Bewitchment, 2023. Acrylic on printed canvas, 90 x 170 cm (Courtesy of Advocartsy)Thursday, October 19Afsoon: Searching For Myself In The Forest of Bewitchment at Advocartsy. Afsoon has always been fascinated by the idea of talismans and amulets and collects examples from around the world, but the majority of her collection is from Iran. In this body of work, the intricate pieces tell stories full of hope, wishes, fear and...

Can CBD Seltzer Prevent Sunstrokes? — A Look at Hemp-Infused Waters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Water is essential to life…and it also happens to be one of the most lucrative products in supermarkets. Some estimates suggest the global bottled water industry rakes in $283 billion per year. Despite the increased prevalence of water filtration systems, many consumers love the convenience pre-packaged plastic bottles provide.It’s also clear that many customers want the healthful hydration of H2O without drinking plain water. To address this demand, manufacturers are pumping out flavored beverages and packets to add some “jazz” to a hydration routine. There are also many “functional waters” that add bonus minerals, electrolytes, and vitamins that supposedly enhance its effects.This is where CBD water comes into the picture. Yes, many water brands now add hemp extract to their bottled products. According to fans, these hemp-infused waters offer all of the hydration of regular water plus the healing benefits associated with CBD. So, are CBD beverages the next big thing in hydration, ...

Bay Area high school football 2023: Week 9 preview, schedule

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

We’re down to just three weekends left in the regular season.And this one should be pretty good.There are three Top 10 matchups in Week 9 — thanks to El Cerrito at De La Salle being added to the schedule on Wednesday — and plenty more that will help shape league races and possible playoff matchups.The Bay Area News Group will have complete coverage this weekend and all season. If you have not already, please sign up for a digital subscription. Your contributions keep us going.Here are this week’s top matchups and schedule:FridayNo. 6 El Cerrito (7-0) at No. 2 De La Salle (5-2), 7 p.m.: This non-league matchup was added after both teams had opponents cancel games this weekend. De La Salle was supposed to play Foothill, El Cerrito was scheduled to face Hercules. Instead of taking a forfeit win, both coaches preferred to give their kids a chance to get on the field. “We are grateful for an opportunity to play,” El Cerrito coach Jacob Rincon said. El Cerrit...

Cooking: An autumnal apple salad with maple vinaigrette

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

When it comes to fall fruit, it’s hard to beat the versatility of the humble apple.Gala and the ubiquitous Red Delicious tend to be the most popular for eating out of hand, but sweet-tart cultivars such as Honeycrisp and the bright green, citrusy-tart Granny Smith are also great for a quick after-school or workday snack. They’re also delicious atop a salad, providing both a satisfying crunch and a fresh fall flavor that speaks to the season.Here, thinly sliced apples add a bright and colorful crunch to a healthful, tossed salad mix of spicy arugula, shredded kale and cabbage. It’s dressed in a sweet and tangy, mustardy vinaigrette sweetened with another fall favorite, maple syrup.A fall salad made with sliced apples, craisins, toasted pecans and blue cheese on a bed of arugula, kale and shredded cabbage. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS) I dressed up the salad with dried cranberries, toasted pecans and a generous crumble of blue cheese on top becaus...

Prep roundup: Miramonte, Washington-Fremont girls water polo, Pioneer flag football among Wednesday’s winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Girls water poloMiramonte 10, Acalanes 9In another thriller between two of the Bay Area’s premier water polo teams, Miramonte avenged a one-goal loss at home to Acalanes last month with a one-goal win over its Lafayette rival on Wednesday night in Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division play.The Orinda school improved to 18-1 overall and 4-1 in the league. Acalanes fell to 15-4, 3-2. Ally Larsen and Bea Hearey each scored three goals and Tali Stryker and Alison Sagara added two goals apiece to lead the Mats.Goalkeeper Eliana Bottene saved 11 shots for Miramonte.Acalanes led 2-0 after the first quarter and 6-5 at halftime. Miramonte scored three goals in the third quarter to take an 8-7 advantage into the final period.Miramonte closes out league play next Wednesday at Las Lomas. Acalanes will play host to Campolindo next Wednesday in its league finale.Washington-Fremont 15, James Logan 9Leading 8-7 in the third quarter on the road against rival Logan, Washington went on a 7-1 ...

California Sen. Laphonza Butler makes history as first out LGBTQ Senate Judiciary Committee member

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

By Devan Cole | CNNWashington  — California Sen. Laphonza Butler will fill the Senate Judiciary Committee seat left empty by the passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a history-making move that also gives Democrats back their razor-thin control of the powerful committee tasked with vetting federal judicial nominees.Butler, the first known Black lesbian in the Senate, is also the first out LGBTQ member of the Judiciary Committee.California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Butler earlier this month to fill the seat left vacant by Feinstein, a longtime California Democrat who died last month at the age of 90.Since Feinstein’s passing, the committee has been at a 9-9 deadlock between Democrats and Republicans, but with the addition of Butler, the one-member majority will enable them to give a thumbs-up to Biden’s judicial nominees without the help of Republicans on the panel. Those nominees will still need to garner 51 votes in the full Senate to secure confirmation.For Democrats and ...

7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend, Oct. 20-22

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

From a new Martin Scorsese movie to Halloween scares and deeeelicious doughnuts, have we got some great weekend ideas for you.Just be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 WATCH: Scorsese’s latest Oscar candidateThe world is buzzing over Martin Scorsese’s latest epic film, “Killers of the Family Moon.” Is it worthy of the hype?A Founders Donuts sampler box offers delicious sweets. (Jackie Burrell/Bay Area News Group) 2 DEVOUR: Mmmm…. doughnutsThere’s no such thing as having a bad day when the consumption of doughnuts is part of the itinerary. Especially if those treats hail from one of these 12 amazing shops.3 SEE & SCREAM: Spooky spotsOne of the best things about Halloween season is cat...

Wildcat Canyon Road repair in Contra Costa County will take several years: Roadshow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Q: I live in the Berkeley Hills and Wildcat Canyon Road that leads to Orinda has been closed since last winter’s storms. Do you have updates on when that might reopen?Along that same vein, I wasn’t aware that Highway 40 over Donner Pass was closed, but just reopened. Do you know if they plan to keep that open through the winter, when snow allows?Dick McDougaldA: Wildcat Canyon Road is closed in Contra Costa County for a slope failure repair project. More on that in a moment (the short answer is that the road is expected to reopen there in fall 2025).In Berkeley, Wildcat Canyon Road will be closed between Park Hills and Shasta Road from Oct. 20 through Nov. 10. For more information, see the City of Berkeley’s city traffic advisories.As for the larger project on Wildcat Canyon Road, Contra Costa County received notice in mid-September that the project will receive federal funding through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, administere...

SF housing advocates push for new construction on existing parking lots

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

(BCN) -- What if the future of affordable housing meant creating "walkable" communities? One advocacy group is pushing for just that, and they are setting their sights on parking lots.TransForm, a Bay Area housing advocacy organization that promotes walkable communities, held a webinar Wednesday to discuss new initiatives. Man killed in Pescadero beach cliff crash identified The webinar, entitled "Parking Revolution/Housing Solution: Bay Area," focused on how a lack of housing and the amount of space parking lots take up in cities are closely linked."We knew having parking would have reduced the number of housing units we could build," said Sam Moss of the Mission Housing Development Corporation, which developed the Kapuso at the Upper Yard affordable housing development in the Mission District in San Francisco."It could be a soul crushing experience trying to convince someone that doesn't want affordable housing to build it," he added, speaking on the difficulties of building in ...