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Why San Jose’s “Bulb Guy” may soon become the “Sock Guy”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

For years, Rich Santoro gained famed as “The Bulb Guy,” opening the backyard bulb garden in his San Jose home to the public so people could take in the view of thousands of colorful flowers. He never charged admission but eventually used the annual weeklong viewing to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Santoro sunsetted the tradition after 2021 — but his mind never stops thinking of ideas or ways to raise money for St. Jude’s. When he and I caught up with each other recently, he shared his newest idea: novelty socks that play sound at the push of a button.As Santoro tells it, he was wearing Santa socks a couple of years ago when a co-worker at Central Concrete walked by and started humming “Jingle Bells.” He went out and bought a Christmas card that played the song, ripped out the sound device and put it in the socks, which he christened “Jingle Socks.” To his surprise when...

Q&A: Designer Helen Pierce on what makes a school “green” — and why it matters

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

Helen Pierce has spent her life creating buildings for the future. As the design director of LPA, an architectural firm based out of California and Texas, Pierce has focused on bringing sustainability to the forefront of her designs, incorporating off-grid, net-zero and green infrastructure to 57 educational projects throughout her three-decade career.That includes the designing of Menlo Park’s TIDE Academy — a science, technology and engineering-focused school in the Sequoia Union High School District that won a top award for its architecture earlier this year — among other award-winning projects spanning the Bay Area, including the Los Medanos College student union and kinesiology complex in Pittsburg, and the Agnew K-12 Campus in San Jose. Pierce spoke with the Bay Area News Group about why this type of design matters, and how green design can benefit students throughout the region.Pierce’s answers were edited for clarity and brevity:Q: What is a green school?A:...

3 East Bay homeless housing projects move forward with millions in state Homekey grants

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

Three homeless housing projects planned for the East Bay are moving forward after winning millions in state grants to put a roof over the heads of hundreds of residents.The state announced this week it awarded $34.5 million from its Homekey homeless housing program for the new facilities expected to open in Oakland, San Leandro, and a joint project in Hayward and Union City, as the region continues ramping up efforts to bring thousands of unhoused residents off the street.The grants include:– More than $15.5 million to the city of Oakland to buy and covert the Imperial Inn at 490 West MacArthur Blvd. into 48 units of permanent supportive housing.– About $9.3 million to San Leandro to buy and convert the Nimitz Motel at 555 Lewelling Blvd. into 29 shelter units for short-term stays.– Almost $9.7 million to Hayward and Union City to buy up to seven single-family homes throughout the two cities to create 37 permanent housing units.“This new grant award brings Oa...

Despite privacy concerns, Morgan Hill embraces web of surveillance cameras

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

Every time someone drives in or out of Morgan Hill, an automated camera takes a swift snapshot of the license plate. A web of 50 cameras form a virtual net around the city, and their use has been accompanied by a string of arrests and a marked drop in some property crimes, according to the South Bay city’s police department.Morgan Hill was among the first cities in the Bay Area to adopt such a complex network of license plate readers, and — according to statistics provided by the police department — it’s among the most successful. But as the technology is set to spread through the region, privacy experts worry that the cameras also function as a surveillance system hiding in plain sight, even as the threat they pose goes under the radar.The police department’s interest in the license plate readers began in 2020 after a suspect fired fatal shots from one vehicle into another. When the department couldn’t immediately find the shooter, they began looking f...

Philippines joins Japan-led naval drills as brushes with China rise in the disputed South China Sea

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

ABOARD THE USS CARL VINSON (AP) — Japan led an annual multinational naval exercise that included the Philippines as an observer for the first time, as Filipino coast guard vessels are increasingly harassed by China in the disputed South China Sea. The Annualex exercises that began Saturday off Japan’s coast also included the United States, Australia and Canada. Their aim is to demonstrate and increase ways the navies can work together, and show their presence and commitment to defend a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, which the allies say is hampered by China’s growing ambitions that include sweeping territorial claims. On Saturday, a selected group of journalists, including The Associated Press, flew on an V-22 Osprey aircraft to the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to observe takeoffs and landings of F-35C “Lightning” stealth fighters, as well as F/A-18 Super Hornet jets and E/A-18 Growlers. The Japanese destroyer Hyuga showed its presence next to the carrier. The exercis...

Fort Belvoir hosts Veterans Day observance on 50th anniversary of all-volunteer force

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

Dozens of veterans, family members, supporters and Fort Belvoir leaders gathered Thursday to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans.Hosted at the Cold War Memorial on the base’s Long Parade Field, the invocation was performed by Chaplain Maj. Marlon Brown, and Col. Joseph Messina, the garrison’s commander, presented the opening remarks.“Soldiers made the choice to serve their country. It was not forced upon them. The strength of our force is reflected in the quality and professionalism of our people,” Messina said. “This year marked the 50th anniversary of the all- volunteer force, and if you are a veteran who served our country, I want to personally thank you for your commitment to keeping our country safe and for being part of the world’s greatest army.”In his remarks, Messina acknowledged the Army’s strengths and the necessity to continue supporting veterans after their service.“Our greatest asset is our people are al...

Emma Hayes cites family in decision to leave Chelsea. No comment on US women’s national team job

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Emma Hayes says she’s focused on Chelsea and her young son — not the United States women’s national team.Hayes plans to leave the Women’s Super League club after this season and said the reason is to spend more time with her 5-year-old son.“There’s still a lot of work to be done in the women’s game for people with children,” Hayes said ahead of Sunday’s game at Everton. “This is actually not a selfish decision, this is a selfless decision. This is about putting first some other things in my life and I’m ready for that.”U.S. Soccer is closing in on naming Hayes as the new coach, a source familiar with the negotiations has told The Associated Press.A week ago, Chelsea announced that Hayes will leave at the end of the season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.”Hayes was asked about the U.S. job at a press conference Friday.“You know what my answer is going to be. I’m not going to comment on that,” she said. “I’m...

Denver weather: Plenty of sunshine and warming

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) - The weather kicks off the weekend with mainly sunny skies across the Front Range and above-average temperatures.Weather today: Lost of sunshineVeterans Day looks great in Denver with abundant sunshine across most of the state. Winds will be light through the afternoon as highs top out in the upper 50s.Weather tonight: Mostly clearWe'll see a few clouds tonight as the skies stay mainly clear. Lows dip just below freezing, into the low 30s, as winds are light.Looking ahead: Staying dry, getting warmerSunny skies on Sunday afternoon help to warm temperatures into the lower 60s to finish off the weekend. We'll keep the clear and sunny skies to start the week with mild highs in the middle 60s on Monday. A few clouds arrive on Tuesday, but temperatures continue to climb into the upper 60s.Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week with mainly sunny skies and highs nearing the 70-degree mark. Thursday is still warm, but we begin to trend cooler with partly cloudy skies a...

DPD investigating late Friday shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Police Department investigated a shooting late Friday night that sent one person to the hospital.The shooting happened in the 1300 block of North Osage Street.The extent of the injuries was unknown. No suspect information was available.

South Florida community, Home Depot Foundation partner up to renovate veteran’s home as token of appreciation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:19 GMT

A South Florida community coming together to give a vet a very special salute — just in time for Veterans Day. And they went far and beyond a simple “thank you.”An Air Force veteran received some appreciated renovations Friday morning at his Miami Gardens home.In honor of Veterans Day, the Home Depot Foundation and Rebuilding Together Miami-dade teamed up to provide the resident with some needed home improvements.“This is totally awesome, I had a team out here from the West Kendall store for a week and then today we brought together over 50 volunteers to go ahead and finish the job but this is an awesome job that this team has done throughout the week.”With the help of volunteers, Randolph Stokely now has a patio set and a fresh paint job, as a thanks for his service to the country.“We love to give back to our veterans, we love to give back to those who fought for our country, and the best way to do so is to make sure that they live in a house that is s...