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‘Mr. Saratoga’ Jack Mallory dies at age 86

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

Jack Mallory was known as Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Fourth of July, Mr. Sister City, Mr. Penn State, Mr. Time Capsule and above all, Mr. Saratoga.He was like Sunshine Williams—the originator of Saratoga’s Blossom Festival whom he often portrayed at community events—always with a smile on his face, always positive and always Saratoga’s biggest fan. In the early ’90s Saratoga doyenne Fran Miller dubbed him “Mr. Saratoga,” and that title stuck.Mallory died March 4 at age 86.Mallory responsible for many Saratoga events, including the annual Fourth of July celebration, when he always dressed in colonial garb. Mallory started that iconic event when he rang a replica of the Liberty Bell in his own driveway.Mallory seemed to be everywhere. He served on the Saratoga City Council, on the board of Hakone Estate and Gardens and on the Sister City Council. He volunteered at the Friends of the Library and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Many remember his Groundhog Ball, honoring his beloved home state...

2023 Bay Area Summer Camps: 35+ fun camps for kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

Here’s a sampling of all the fun, fantastic 2023 summer camp options for Bay Area families.Adventure Day Camp: June 5-July 28 in Moraga and June 12-Aug. 4 in San Ramon. Ages 3-15. This camp offers activities that strengthen teamwork skills, bolster confidence and develop self-esteem. $1,520-$2,280 per session. adventuredaycamp.com/BADM Discovery Camp: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19-Aug. 11, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. Ages 4-8. Campers will explore activities such as outdoor exploration, art, tinkering, natural science and more. $650 per week. BADM.org/campsBird School of Music Summer Camps: June 12-Aug. 25., 1924 Polk St., San Francisco. Grades 2-9. Summer campers will learn and perform their favorite songs as well as write and record their own original material. $500-$700 per week. bird-sf.com/campsCamp Captivate: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 12-30, locations in San Jose and Santa Clara. Ages 5-17. This camp offers various science, technology, engineerin...

Bay Area Storm: New atmospheric river touches down, flood advisories issued for North Bay and Peninsula

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

The latest atmospheric river storm reached the Bay Area early Tuesday morning in yet another weather event expected to send moderate rainfall and heavy winds to the region, putting it on alert for flooding and wind damage.National Weather Service forecasts predicted between one-quarter and one-half of an inch of rain for San Jose on Tuesday with wind gusts reaching as high as 38 miles per hour. Rainfall predictions were slightly higher in San Francisco, Oakland and Walnut Creek, with anywhere between one-half and three-quarters of an inch expected to hit Tuesday. Winds were expected to be significantly higher, however, with gusts nearing 50 mph in Oakland and San Francisco and 60 mph in Walnut Creek.The NWS issued a high wind warning for the entire region expected to be in effect until 10 p.m. Until then, the damaging winds could knock down trees and power lines, creating potentially widespread power outages. The high winds paired with rain could make visibility low on roadways, the...

What’s your least favorite roadway in the Bay Area? It could be worth $50: Roadshow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

Q: Around three years ago, I wrote you about the bad (maybe even horrible by now) condition of Highway 87 from Taylor Street to where it joins Highway 85.You said then that repairs were coming in a few months. What they did comes closest to being called Band-Aids, and there were not very many of them. The road is now in even worse shape. Some of the Band-Aids now need Band-Aids. There are many potholes and problems where the pavement adjoins another lane, side by side.Many of these flaws are dangerous and nearly all of them are a supreme embarrassment to our city for visitors to see and experience.Let me ask you again: Are any genuine repairs (new pavement in all lanes and ramps) slated for any time in the 21st century, but hopefully sooner than the turn of yet another century?Donald C. BarnettA: Caltrans reports that pavement repairs will be coming prior to October, 2023. The exact schedule is still needed from the contractor.Q: Why is the southern section of Highway 87 the most ne...

Paul Sorvino got the same Oscars tribute as alleged ‘Pretendian’ Sacheen Littlefeather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

Oscar winner Mira Sorvino is speaking out against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for omitting her father, the late great character actor Paul Sorvino, from the “In Memoriam” segment that was played on the show Sunday night.The “Goodfellas” star, who died in July at age 83, was relegated to an online tribute page on the Academy’s website, as were “Wag the Dog” star Anne Heche and Charlbi Dean, the South African star of this year’s best picture nominee, “Triangle of Sadness.” These three actors and several others have emerged as the Oscars’ most troubling omissions from the video segment that played during Sunday’s live broadcast, with a moving tribute by John Travolta and musical accompaniment by Lenny Kravitz.What could be even more troubling for Sorvino’s family, friends and fans is that he received the same level of attention from the Oscars as problematic Bay Area activist and actor Sac...

Inbound flight delay at SFO due to weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Strong winds caused a ground delay for incoming flights at San Francisco International Airport Tuesday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. This is causing some incoming flights to be delayed for about 80 minutes. Bay Area atmospheric river updates: Flood Advisory in effect This story is developing and will be updated.

All northbound 680 lanes reopened following traffic collision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) -- Northbound 680 near Castlewood Drive in Pleasanton was shut down due to a traffic collision Tuesday morning. A semi-truck jackknifed in the road around 4:10 a.m. creating delays, according to the California Highway Patrol incident page.As of 7 a.m., all lanes were reopened according to CHP.Wet weather may impact Tuesday morning's commute. Make sure to slow down and plan for extra travel time.This story is developing and will be updated.

States shield addresses of judges, workers after threats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Following threats and attacks on public officials, state lawmakers across the U.S. have stepped up efforts to shield personal information from being publicly disclosed about judges, police, elected officeholders and various public employees.The measures generally are winning widespread support in state capitols — adding a layer of secrecy, in the name of safety, that could make it more difficult to determine whether public officials are complying with residency laws and paying their property taxes. The efforts to exempt more information from public disclosure come despite the fact that many governments are more transparent than ever when it comes to their meetings — making permanent the online streaming options spurred as a response to coronavirus-related restrictions on public gatherings. That’s led to a split assessment of government openness during Sunshine Week, an annual recognition of public information laws that began Sunday and runs through S...

1 victim’s life still in danger after Hamburg shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — One victim’s life is still in danger after last week’s shooting at a Jehovah’s Witness hall in Hamburg in which a former member of the congregation killed six people and then himself, authorities said Tuesday.Police and prosecutors said they are still working to pin down the motive of the shooter, a 35-year-old German who has been identified only as Philipp F. in line with local privacy rules.Officials say nine people were wounded in Thursday evening’s shooting during a service, including a woman who lost her unborn child. Seven had gunshot wounds. Senior police official Uwe Stockmann said six were still in hospitals on Tuesday and one person’s life was still in danger.The Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany have said that the man police identified as the gunman was a former member who left the church voluntarily two years ago.Investigators said last week that his departure from the church was “apparently not on good terms.”Hamburg prosecutor A...

For an Irish feast, traditional lamb stew is simple, hearty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:37 GMT

A simple lamb stew is one of the hallmark dishes of Irish cooking and a hearty centerpiece for a St. Patrick’s Day meal. Rich and brothy, with only a handful of ingredients, this is a lamb stew at its most elemental, though different cooks will embellish it in different ways.A basic lamb stew includes meat, potatoes, onions, water and not much else. Parsley is a typical finishing touch, and sometimes another root vegetable or two are added for more flavor and possibly color. Turnips, parsnips and carrots are typical examples.Mutton is the type of lamb most used for stews in centuries past. Mutton is lamb that is older than 2 years, usually between 2 and 3 years of age. It can be very tough, and only low and slow simmering makes it tender enough to enjoy. These days, especially in the U.S., this kind of stew is more often made with lamb under a year old.With Irish stew – unlike many other stews – the meat usually is not browned before being added to the pot, which eliminates a step m...