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Testarossa celebrates ‘mostly good’ yields with 136th grape blessing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

With a distinctive autumnal chill in the air and the grounds festively festooned with pumpkins and gourds, the team at Testarossa Winery welcomed visitors to their annual blessing of the grapes earlier this month at the Novitiate in Los Gatos.In attendance were well over a dozen members of the priesthood who had once worked at the oldest winery in Los Gatos, constructed in 1888 as way to generate funds for the Jesuit seminary college built on the property the same year. The Jesuits operated a winery here until 1986, after which it was leased to other brands until 1997, when Testarossa moved in and when this particular annual blessing began.Testarossa proprietor Rob Jensen was quick to point out that this was the 136th harvest these old stone walls had witnessed. This year was particularly special, he said, because it happened to be his wife Diana’s birthday, and her mother, along with their daughter, were in attendance. Then Jensen consulted his watch, looked around the crowd, and d...

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Saratoga Library’s renovation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Last month, the Saratoga Library celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 2003 renovations. Though the library has a very long history—the first Saratoga Library was opened in 1914 in the drugstore of George S. Buckley at 14413 Big Basin Way near Blaney Plaza—the renovation of the current building had important significance to our community.The improvements included renovations as well as an expansion, increasing the total building size to roughly 48,000 square feet. This allowed for an expansion of Saratoga Library’s collection and provided the amenities needed for the facility to transition into the digital era. The original space was constructed well before personal computers were the norm, preventing the building from keeping pace with advances in technology.Most impressive of all was the community support for the improvements to the Saratoga Library. The renovation was funded through a general obligation bond, which was overwhelmingly approved by Saratoga voters in March 2000 wit...

Milpitas City Council moves to shut down Zoom bombers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

In the wake of Zoom bombers hijacking public meetings throughout the Bay Area and spewing hate speech, the Milpitas City Council is requiring that public comments to be delivered in person or in writing through the end of the year.In recent weeks, members of the public have logged in to virtual meetings in cities including Saratoga, Sacramento, Monterey, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, South San Francisco and Livermore and made racist, homophobic and other prejudicial comments. These speakers often monopolized the public comment portion of the meetings.“We stand firmly against any form of bigotry, racism or prejudice. Such views have no place in Milpitas, and we are committed to fostering an environment where all our residents feel safe, valued and included,” said Mayor Carmen Montano in a statement.Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua said Zoom bombers cross the line between free speech and hate speech.“We encourage open and respectful dialogue, where differing opinions can be shared and dis...

Leland High School grad named US Presidential Scholar

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Neighborhood NotesALMADEN>>Miranda Lu, a 2023 Leland High School graduate, was recently named a 2023 United States Presidential Scholar for her achievements in visual arts. Lu’s portfolio was chosen as a winner in the annual YoungArts National Competition, which put her in the running for the award. She was among 161 finalists nationwide.The portfolio Lu entered in YoungArts included textiles, repurposed materials, sculptures and recorded performance art displays—all on the theme of menstruation. “There’s a lot of social stigma surrounding that in school; it’s traditionally been an embarrassing or shameful topic to discuss,” Lu said in a statement. “I wanted to challenge not only the societal stigma surrounding that but also my own personal shame. Creating this portfolio helped me really not care what anyone else thinks.”Lu is currently a student at Columbia University in New York City.ROSE GARDEN>>Playful People Productions is cutting loose—footloose, that is. The San J...

Campbell households are Silicon Valley Clean Energy showcases

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Two Campbell households were among the winners of Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s (SVCE) Electric Showcase Awards for their efforts to go electric in their homes and businesses.All 16 winners were recognized by the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on Oct. 2.“The climate crisis is increasingly urgent, and there is no time to lose.” said Supervisor Otto Lee, who also sits on the SVCE Board of Directors. “The winners of this showcase are leaders and fantastic examples of the actions that must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change.”The Sunnyvale-based clean energy aggregator received more than 150 applications for this year’s awards from Santa Clara County residents and small business owners. The winners include 13 homeowners, an apartment complex, a reform synagogue and a hair salon.“By upgrading to efficient electric technology, residents and businesses are using their clean power to reduce local pollution and improve indoor air quality,” said SVCE CEO Giri...

Sports on TV for Monday, October 16

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

(All times Eastern)Schedule subject to change and/or blackoutsMonday, October 16MLB BASEBALL4:30 p.m.FOX — A.L. Championship Series: Texas at Houston, Game 2FS1 — A.L. Championship Series: Texas at Houston, Game 28 p.m.TBS — N.L. Championship Series: Arizona at Philadelphia, Game 1NBA BASKETBALL7:30 p.m.NBATV — Preseason: Philadelphia at Brooklyn10 p.m.NBATV — Portland at PhoenixNFL FOOTBALL8:15 p.m.ABC — Dallas at LA ChargersESPN — Dallas at LA ChargersESPN2 — Dallas at LA Chargers (Spanish Telecast)SOCCER (MEN’S)11:50 a.m.FS2 — UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Group Stage: Azerbaijan vs. Austria, Group F, Baku, Azerbaijan2:30 p.m.FS2 — UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Group Stage: Greece vs. Netherlands, Group B, Nea Filadelfeia, GreeceTENNIS6 a.m.TENNIS — Tokyo-ATP, Stockholm-ATP, Antwerp-ATP, Monastir-WTA, Cluj-Napoca-WTA, Nanchang-WTA Early Rounds10 p.m.TENNIS — Tokyo-ATP, Stockholm-ATP, Antwerp-ATP, Monastir-WTA, Cluj-Napoca-WTA, Nanchang-WTA Early Rounds6 a.m. (Tuesday)TENNIS — Tokyo-ATP, ...

Today in Sports – 17-year old Lionel Messi makes his league debut for FC Barcelona

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Oct. 161897 — Michigan beats Ohio State 34-0 at Ann Arbor, the first meeting between theses storied rivals.1909 — In his 4th title defense Jack Johnson KOs Stanley Ketchel in the 12th round at Mission St Arena, Colma, California to retain his heavyweight boxing crown.1932 — After a 0-0 tie earlier in the season, the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 2-0.1946 — Detroit’s Gordie Howe scores a goal and gets into two fights in his first NHL game. The Red Wings tie the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-3.1964 — Babe Parilli of the Boston Patriots passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns in a 43-43 tie with the Oakland Raiders.1968 — Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos give black power salutes during the medal ceremonies of the 200-meter race and are later banned for life from all Olympic competition by the IOC.1971 — Norm Ullman of the Toronto Maple Leafs records his 1,000th point in a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers. Ullman gets two assists to become the fourth NHL player to reach the mi...

Así es como Mars, fabricante de Snickers, se prepara para Halloween

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Halloween es el día más importante del año para los fabricantes de dulces como Mars.La Federación Nacional de Minoristas predice que los consumidores gastarán 3,600 millones de dólares en dulces de Halloween este año.La cartera de dulces de Mars incluye Snickers, Twix, Three Musketeers y M&M’s.Durante 11 meses al año, Tim LeBel es el presidente de ventas de Mars Wrigley. Pero para el mes de octubre, adopta un nuevo título: director de Halloween.Durante décadas, las vacaciones de otoño han sido el día más importante del año para los fabricantes de dulces. En los últimos años, Halloween también se ha extendido hasta convertirse en una temporada de tres meses para Mars y rivales como Hershey, Ferrero y Mondelez, y los minoristas que almacenan sus dulces.La Federación Nacional de Minoristas predice que los consumidores gastarán 3,600 millones de dólares en dulces de Halloween este año, frente a los 3,100 millones de dólares del año pasado, incluso cuando muchos compradores red...

Gaza conditions a ‘complete catastrophe,’ official warns as Israel prepares for offensive

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Gaza and Jerusalem (CNN) — Conditions in Gaza have deteriorated into a “complete catastrophe,” according to one official, with serious shortages of clean water and food as tens of thousands of Palestinians attempt to flee crippling airstrikes and an Israeli ground offensive.Israel’s military said Saturday its forces are readying for the next stages of the war, including “combined and coordinated strikes from the air, sea and land” in response to the unprecedented October 7 terrorist attacks by the Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls the enclave.At least 1,300 people were killed during Hamas’ rampage in what US President Joe Biden described as “the worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.”Further escalation of the long-running conflict now increasingly risks spilling over regionally, prompting the Pentagon to order a second carrier strike group and squadrons of fighter jets to the region as a deterrence to Iran and Iranian proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.T...

Biden eclipses Trump and GOP field with $71 million third quarter haul

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:16:54 GMT

Washington (CNN) — President Joe Biden raised more than $71 million for his reelection campaign and the Democratic Party in the third fundraising quarter of the year, his campaign announced on Sunday, far outpacing former President Donald Trump and the rest of the GOP primary who have reported their results so far.The president’s political operation with the Democratic National Committee ended the quarter with $91 million, the campaign said. Biden’s campaign did not disclose how that money was divided between the campaign and the party committee.The president nearly met the $72 million that he raised in the first fundraising quarter this year, though that period was three weeks shorter since he launched his reelection in late April.Campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg told CNN the figure “exceeded the high-bar goals” the campaign set for the July to September period, which is typically a sluggish time to raise money. Katzenberg argued it provides Biden with an upper h...