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Real World Economics: 2023: It was a very odd year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

In summing up economic issues and events, one might begin with the year followed by a colon and a catchy subtitle. But what adage, catchy or trite, for the year just ending? How about the following?Edward Lotterman2023: The best of times, the worst of times.2023: The gathering storm.2023: What the hell (or heck) were we thinking?2023: It can’t get much worse, but it will before it gets better.2023: The relative calm before the storm.Take your choice or coin your own, but few people would mimic Frank Sinatra or Michael Jackson and say, “2023: It was a very good year!”It is clear that the period from 2020 through 2025 will go down in U.S. history as critical ones for our society, our economy and our democracy. But we may not understand exactly why and how for a long time.When recently-deceased Henry Kissinger made his covert flight to China in 1971, there was a tea break in the negotiations. The participants were all well-schooled in history and a debate broke out over the effects of ...

1 dead, multiple hospitalized after strip mall shooting in Hawthorne 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

A woman died and several people were hospitalized after a shooting at a strip mall in Hawthorne early Sunday morning. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting was first reported to the Hawthorne Police Department just before 12:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of Rosecrans Avenue.  Police shut down streets near Torrance mall due to large crowd disturbance First responders located multiple gunshot victims at the scene. They were taken to nearby hospitals in varying conditions, including one woman who was in grave condition. She later succumbed to her injuries, LASD said. Authorities on the scene of a deadly shooting in Hawthorne, CA on Dec. 31, 2023. (OnSceneTV)Authorities on the scene of a deadly shooting in Hawthorne, CA on Dec. 31, 2023. (OnSceneTV)Evidence markers were also seen littering the strip mall parking lot centered around a tow truck. (OnSceneTV)The blocked off strip mall parking lot. (KTLA)It is believed that additional victims may have tra...

Riot at Torrance mall involving thousands of juveniles results in 5 arrests, sparks outrage from officials 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

Authorities from eleven different law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Saturday for a massive disturbance that involved approximately 1,000 juveniles and resulted in five arrests, and the incident has prompted the mayor and police chief to reaffirm the city’s commitment to public safety. A press release sent out by the Torrance Police Department early Sunday morning indicates that officers were on foot patrol at the mall when they observed a group of youths “engaging in disruptive behavior” around 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. 1 dead, multiple hospitalized after strip mall shooting in Hawthorne “As officers assisted with addressing the initial group of disruptive juveniles, additional groups continued to amass in various locations throughout the area and displayed increasingly disruptive behavior,” Torrance Police said. A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance o...

Neighborhood center opens for morning workouts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

Morning workoutsBeginning the week of Jan. 8, Columbia Neighborhood Center’s fitness room will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-8 a.m for Sunnyvale residents only. Residents can get active with cardio machines like treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, as well as strength training machines and free weights. Bring water and a towel, and wear athletic shoes.Admission is $ 1 per visit. High school students can work out with a signed parent consent waiver. Middle school students are admitted free with a paying parent or guardian.Regular program hours are Monday-Friday, 3:30-8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.to noon at 785 Morse Ave.  For more information, call 408-730-7800 or email [email protected] station outreachSunnyvale city staff will hold an online neighborhood outreach meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6-7 p.m. with the applicants for the proposed gas station redevelopment at 898 E. Fremont Ave.Community members will have an opportunity to review and comment on the project, which in...

Opinion: Santa Clara County’s population is aging

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

As we navigate the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the importance of support services for our older adults. But it’s a conversation we need to have. Whether it’s health check-ups, assistance with daily tasks or a helping hand when they need it, support services for seniors are vital.By 2030, more than 400,000 Santa Clara County residents will be age 65 and up, making up one-fifth of the population and outnumbering children for the first time. During my time on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, I’ve pushed for a number of initiatives that support our senior population.Most recently, I asked that our county assess the needs and capacity of caregivers providing in-home support services to older adults. The report that came back to our board was eye-opening. Not only do we have a massive shortage of caregivers that will quickly get worse if we don’t step up, but there’s not adequate support for the caregivers we already have.Last year, my co...

Silicon Valley Reads tackles environmental sustainability

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

The lineup for this year’s Silicon Valley Reads includes books and events that explore the creating a more environmentally sustainable future, not only in Santa Clara County but worldwide.The theme for the 2024 community reading engagement program, which kicks off Jan. 31, is “A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today.” At the kickoff event, NBC Bay Area reporter Damian Trujillo will moderate a conversation with featured authors Heather White and Lily Brooks-Dalton, along with Favianna Rodriguez, president of Oakland’s Center for Cultural Power, and teen climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor.Rodriguez and Villaseñor contributed essays to the book “All We Can Save,” which shares the wisdom and experiences of dozens of women actively contributing to environmental initiatives in the United States. These women are scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists and innovators who come from different backgrounds.This book and the two other Silicon Valley Reads selections are meant ...

San Jose community centers offering fitness classes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

Tree collectionGreenTeam is collecting up to two holiday trees per residence through Jan. 15, sans stands, tinsel, lights and decorations. Bare trees should be cut up and placed in yard trimming bins or curbside in lengths of no longer than 4 feet. Curbside trees should be placed at least a foot away from GreenTeam carts.Clean energy grantsStudents from kindergarten to community college are eligible for an Education Fund grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy toward realizing solutions to climate change.The Sunnyvale-based nonprofit is awarding grants of up to $10,000 for students’ projects, which can range from a climate conference for students, a proposal to improve bike access or a student art show with an environmental theme. Apply at svcleanenergy.org/education-fund.Neighborhood NotesWILLOW GLEN/ALMADEN/CAMBRIAN>>To help with that New Year’s resolution to get in shape, San Jose residents can head to their local community center for fitness programs run by Shannon Sevor, o...

Evelyn Chua reappointed as Milpitas vice mayor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

Chua reappointed vice mayorThe Milpitas City Council unanimously reappointed Evelyn Chua as vice mayor, effective Dec. 12, when Chua was sworn in by her granddaughter, Annalyn Bui.Chua is the first woman of Filipino descent ever elected to serve on the Milpitas City Council. Before being elected to the council, she served on the Milpitas Planning Commission for almost four years. She has also served on the Emergency Preparedness Commission and the Community Advisory Commission. In 2016, she served as chair of Milpitas’ Citizens Task Force on Water Rates. And in 2017, Chua led an initiative to start a Safe Exchange Zone in the parking lot of the Milpitas Police Department. This area allows for the safe exchange of online purchases, as well as child custody exchanges between parents.“I am deeply committed to building upon the progress we have made and working collaboratively with my fellow councilmembers and the community to address our challenges and seize new opportunities for...

Saratoga High student musicians represent at state level

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

In addition to winning multiple local honors, student musicians from Saratoga High School have been selected to represent their school in regional, state and national competitions.The 52-member Saratoga High School Strings performed at the 77th annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic last month in Chicago, one of only two groups from California invited to perform.Saratoga High’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the California All-State Music Education Conference in February. Chosen from more than 70 applicants, including several colleges in California, Saratoga High will perform for thousands of educators, volunteers, college recruiters, and musicians at the conference.Saratoga High ensembles also performed well at local marching band and color guard competitions this fall. At the Cupertino Tournament of Bands, Saratoga High’s marching band and color guard placed third in their division, and Saratoga High’s percussion placed first. At the Foothi...

Suspect arrested in Saratoga hate crime

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:49 GMT

Dec. 17Reckless evading: At 11:45 p.m., deputies responded to an automated license plate reader notification for a vehicle with a stolen license plate at Saratoga Avenue and Highway 85. Deputies located the vehicle a short time later at Big Basin Way and Fourth Street. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not yield and recklessly evaded, and the pursuit was ultimately terminated in the interest of public safety. The suspect is unknown and at large.Grand theft, theft by credit card: Between 3:40 a.m. and 8:12 a.m., someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked in the 13000 block of Ravenwood Drive and stole a wallet for a loss of about $1,000. The suspect then used credit cards from the wallet to make fraudulent purchases totaling approximately $357.Dec. 19Vehicle tampering, vandalism: Between 11 a.m. on Dec. 16 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 19, someone tampered with a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 20000 block of Miljevich Drive and attempted to steal a cat...