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Falling tree crushes roof of landmark clubhouse at San Francisco’s Stern Grove

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

The historic clubhouse at San Francisco’s Stern Grove was severely damaged over the weekend by a falling tree, the city’s parks department said. Rangers said they responded to an alarm at the Trocadero Clubhouse at 5:30 a.m. Saturday. They found that an 85-foot eucalyptus had fallen onto the building, crushing part of the roof, and that the interior had been flooded by water from the sprinkler system. The building was red-tagged because of the structural and water damage. “This is soul-crushing,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg in a press release. “The Trocadero and Stern Grove are San Francisco treasures. It will take political leadership, resources and community resolve to put the Trocadero back together again.”Officially recognized as a city landmark last year, the Trocadero was built in 1892 as a roadhouse that offered dancing and roulette. The clubhouse was once operated by sugar magnate Adolph Spreck...

BBC allows soccer host Gary Lineker to return amid furor over tweet

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

By JILL LAWLESS | Associated PressLONDON (AP) — The BBC on Monday reversed former soccer great Gary Lineker’s suspension from the airwaves for a tweet that criticized the U.K. government’s new migration policy.The about-face followed a weekend of chaos and crisis for Britain’s publicly funded national broadcaster, which faced a huge backlash after sidelining one of its best-known hosts for expressing a political opinion.“Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend,” BBC Director-General Tim Davie said.Lineker said he was “glad that we have found a way forward.”Lineker, one of English soccer’s most lauded players and the corporation’s highest-paid television presenter, was suspended Friday after he described the government’s plan to detain and deport migrants arriving by boat as “an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to...

Single family residence in Pleasanton sells for $2 million

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

5715 Melinda Way – Google Street ViewA 3,908-square-foot house built in 2020 has changed hands. The spacious new property located in the 5700 block of Melinda Way in Pleasanton was sold on Feb. 2, 2023 for $2,011,000, or $515 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, five baths, a garage, and three parking spaces. It sits on a 10,964-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:On Corte Brazos, Pleasanton, in September 2022, a 1,950-square-foot home was sold for $1,650,000, a price per square foot of $846. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,837-square-foot home on the 1700 block of Lynn Court in Pleasanton sold in June 2022 for $3,150,000, a price per square foot of $821. The home has 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In October 2022, a 1,930-square-foot home on Corte de La Jara in Pleasanton sold for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $829. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

Curtain Calls: Heartfelt rendition of ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ in Martinez

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

Plotline Theatre Company continues its winning season with a heartfelt rendition of Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom’s beautifully constructed play “Tuesdays with Morrie.”Albom’s autobiographical story tells of Mitch, a driven journalist, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor, renewing their friendship as Morrie’s body surrenders to the ravages of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Following college graduation, Mitch had lost touch with Morrie until 16 years later when he saw him interviewed by Ted Koppel on “Nightline.” He decides to visit his former professor one last time, but that instead turns into a weekly visit as Morrie imparts his wisdom and wit on how to live a full life and die with dignity.I was able to catch the final dress rehearsal of this touching two-person play featuring Matt Davis as Mitch and John Blytt as Morrie. Davis and Blytt are well-matched exchanging witty repartees in between more serious moments as they live through Morrie’s final days. Kieran Cross is Mor...

Kurtenbach: The basketball gods are conspiring to ensure Kevin Durant never plays a real game at Chase Center

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

Kevin Durant was there for the dancing construction workers and crane choreography at the groundbreaking. When touring the near-finished arena, the future Hall of Fame forward’s construction-site attire (complete with knee-high white socks) became a meme.The on-floor success of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green might have built Chase Center, but Warriors CEO Joe Lacob wanted the team’s new arena in Mission Bay to belong to Durant.That didn’t work out.KD checking out his potential new home next season. pic.twitter.com/0GjcsGoJd1— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 9, 2018Durant didn’t just leave the Warriors — fate has effectively banned him from playing at Chase Center since he decided to sign with the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2019.In the 1,200-plus days since the arena opened in September of that same year, Durant has only played basketball in the building once, on Feb. 13, 2021.The paid attendance for that game: Zero. There was ...

Police shoot man involved in hostage situation in Brentwood

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

BREANTWOOD, Calif. (KRON) -- Brentwood police said they shot a man who was involved in a hostage situation Sunday night. According to officers, they were told by a witness that an armed man was holding a woman against her will.Officers responded to the Brentwood Gardens Apartment complex on the160 block of Sycamore Avenue around 9 p.m. when they said the man started shooting at them. No federal bailout for Silicon Valley Bank, but depositors will have access to all funds on Monday, says Treasury Secretary An officer returned fire and struck the 30-year-old suspect from Long Beach. Brentwood police said the woman was also hurt in the shooting. Both the suspect and victim were transported to the hospital for treatment.Officials said the victim and the suspected gunman are expected to survive.When released from the hospital, officials said the suspect will be booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on several felonies including attempted murder on a peace officer. Close ...

Storm prep becomes crucial with more rain on the way

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KRON) -- Preparation is key with the recent winter weather, especially if you have a home or business that could be prone to flooding. Sandbags can be very effective as we saw early this year.And you'll do want to get them during Monday the day since the rain is set to come by Monday night. San Francisco Bay Area Forecast: More rain this week There are multiple sandbag locations across Contra Costa County put in place by the Public Works Department.Ambrose Community Center- 3105 Willow Pass Rd, Bay Point Byron Airport- 500 Eagle Court, Byron County Public Works-2475 Waterbird Way, Martinez Howe Homestead - 2950 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek Knightsen Farm Bureau/County Agriculture-3020 Second Street, Knightsen West County Detention Facility-5555 Giant Highway, Richmond Check the Public Works website for more information. These locations are not staffed and only provide the bags and sand for free. This means you will ne...

US works to prevent crisis as SVB, Signature Bank collapse

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

(NewsNation) — The United States government stepped in Sunday night to stop a widespread banking crisis after the historic failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank over the weekend — the second- and third-largest bank failures in U.S. history.The big focus Monday remained on easing some of the panic following the collapses. The president announced Sunday evening that he would deliver remarks on the banking system at 9 a.m. ET Monday. The Treasury Department, Federal Reserve and FDIC said Sunday that all Silicon Valley Bank clients will be protected and have access to their funds on Monday, announcing steps designed to protect the bank’s customers and prevent more bank runs.The Fed also made additional funding available for eligible banks to prevent the next Silicon Valley Bank from collapsing. Are we in a recession? Economists weigh in Regulators worked to auction off the bank to help contain the fallout from its failure on Friday — the worst U.S. financ...

Dutch sports broadcaster editors quit over bullying report

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The top editors at the Dutch national broadcaster’s sports department have stepped down amid reports that there was a culture of inappropriate behavior and bullying among staff spanning more than two decades, the broadcaster said Monday.The move followed a report last week compiled by external experts who were asked to look into behavior at NOS Sport amid a wider investigation into the public broadcasting network following another high-profile case last year alleging workplace bullying at a flagship early evening talk show.“The inventory report contains reports of bullying, (sexual) intimidation, discrimination, verbal aggression and integrity issues over a period of more than 20 years,” NOS said in an initial reaction last week.At the time, the broadcaster said that the editorial leadership of the sports department would step down at an unspecified date in the future. But following reports in Dutch media over the weekend about the working conditi...

Marozsán ends Germany soccer career before World Cup

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:33:39 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Former Germany captain Dzsenifer Marozsán said Monday she is retiring from international soccer before this year’s Women’s World Cup because she is still feeling the effects of a serious knee injury.The 30-year-old midfielder scored the winning goal in the 2016 Olympic final as Germany beat Sweden 2-1. Last year she missed the Champions League final with Lyon and Germany’s run to the European Championship final after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament while playing a World Cup qualification game against Serbia.“I’m doing well for my club once again but the knee is not like it used to be,” Marozsán said in a statement. “I have to do an enormous amount of work to be able to manage all of the training sessions and games. I believe it would just be too much to do international games, preparation and the tournament as well.”The German soccer federation said Marozsán will play her 112th and last game for her country in a fr...