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Oversized Santa's take over Northwest Hills neighborhood

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents living on Gnarl Drive in Northwest Hills have dubbed their street "Santa Clause Lane" and it's for good reason.Anyone driving down the road will be greeted with multiple oversize inflatable Santas as well as other fun Christmas decorations. Kayla Christie said a neighbor living down the street from her came up with the idea, and from there, the rest was history. Christie said she bought multiple inflatable Santas and handed them out to some of the neighbors as well. "We really dub it "Santa Claus Lane" now," Christie said. "Next year we will probably have a sign up that says "Santa Claus Lane." More and more of the neighbors, as they started coming up, really enjoyed seeing it and wanted to participate. It is just really fun and delightful."Ainsley Christie said she hopes to see this tradition continue for years to come. "I think it is really fun," Ainsley said. "I think it is funny that we are all kind of matching. Most of the time no one really drives do...

Working Strategies: Books to get you thinking about work and fun

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

Amy LindgrenIf you’re a reader, then you already know that books come in all stripes and flavors. Whatever issue you’re working through, whatever curiosity has overtaken you, or whatever hour you’re trying to kill, there will be a book out there somewhere to help.As someone who gobbles up books indiscriminately, I have a lot of random items in my collection. Although I do have an e-reader, somehow the print experience appeals to my tactile nature. Hence, the afore-mentioned collection.Following are some titles I thought I’d share, each with some connection to a job search or vocational theme — but none of them guides for actually conducting a job search or improving your career. Those can come after the new year, when we all get serious again about being serious.FictionWe’ll start with the fiction, which is always fun. I won’t burden you with extensive descriptions, since that dims some of the joy of discovery. A few of these are old, so you may have to check online for a batt...

Israel strikes 2 homes, killing more than 90 Palestinians while hundreds have been detained

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

By NAJIB JOBAIN and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 90 Palestinians, including dozens from an extended family, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on two homes, rescuers and hospital officials said Saturday, a day after the U.N. chief warned again that nowhere is safe in Gaza and that Israel’s offensive is creating “massive obstacles” to distribution of humanitarian aid.Also Saturday, the Israeli military said troops arrested hundreds of alleged militants in Gaza over the past week and transferred more than 200 of them to Israel for further interrogation, providing rare details on a controversial policy of mass roundups of Palestinian men. The army said more than 700 people with alleged ties to the militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have so far been sent to Israeli lockups.Israel declared war after Hamas gunmen stormed across the border on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking some 240 hostages. More than 20,000 Pales...

Pac-12 football recruiting: Assessing the winners (Oregon) and losers (Colorado) from the early signing window

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Dec. 21 …The early signing period is a wrap, thus completing most of the heavy lifting in the 2023-24 recruiting cycle.Despite the transfer portal wrestling away much of the December intrigue from the high school recruiting process, the talent still has to come from somewhere.So let’s take a look at the Pac-12’s biggest winners and losers from three important days.Loser: Colorado. Yes, we know Coach Deion Sanders wants to focus on the transfer portal. But only six high school signees? That won’t cut it, no matter how many transfers are brought in. Convincing five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton to sign his letter-of-intent saved the Buffaloes’ class from being a complete and utter disaster. But even with Seaton, a produc...

Campbell Library Friends host book sale

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

Friends book saleThe Friends of the Campbell Library are holding a used book sale Jan. 13, 2024. Items for sale include hardback fiction books, children’s books, romances, thrillers, audio books, DVDs, CDs and a variety of “how to” books. Cash, check or card is accepted.Weather permitting, the sale will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the patio area outside the Campbell Express Library at the Campbell Community Center at 1 W. Campbell Ave. Proceeds help fund programs and resources for the Campbell Library.For more information about upcoming Friends book sales, visit https://www.campbellfol.org/booksales.php.Symphony at the MoviesThe Peninsula Symphony goes to the movies with a program of film scores Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. at Campbell’s Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave. The performance features resident conductor Nathaniel Berman and concertmaster Debra Fong.Tickets are $40-$50 at https://peninsulasymphony.org or 408-866-2700.Ask the ExpertsThe next speaker in the Eating Disorders Resource C...

Milpitas students collect socks for San Jose shelter

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

Merryhill sock driveStudents at Merryhill Elementary and Middle School in Milpitas recently donated more than 1,000 pairs of socks to The San Jose Family Shelter. Students held a monthlong drive to collect a variety of socks for children and families in need. At the end of the collection, students organized the donations for distribution to local families supported by the shelter. Through this initiative, students learned the importance of helping others in their community, especially during the holiday season.Grand jury serviceSanta Clara County is taking applications from residents who want to serve on the Civil Grand Jury. As an independent arm of the judicial branch, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury investigates the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of local government and is responsible for acting as a civil watchdog agency, reviewing resident complaints and filing accusations. Applications are due March 29, 2024, for a one-year term commencing...

12 gifts to help California’s languishing economy

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

California’s economy could use some holiday cheer.Yes, like the nation, the state avoided a recession in 2023 despite numerous challenges, including a Federal Reserve throttling business opportunities with high interest rates to chill a nasty bout of inflation.In fact, the state economy’s 3.4% growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product for 2023’s first half, might seem miraculous, all things considered. But let’s note that 11 states fared even better.So, what might it take for California to rekindle its once nation-topping, eye-catching growth? After all, sizable but sluggish isn’t a great mission statement.Let me offer an economic gift list for California. Below are 12 business needs for the coming year – complete with a sprinkling of trusty spreadsheet input on why each one comes with challenges ahead.More arrivals: 1.2% of California residents in 2022 were relocations from other states – the worst attraction rate in the nation. California’s ...

Pac-12 MBB preview: Arizona on top (and it’s not close) as CU, USC, Utah and others fight for tourney berths

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

The Pac-12’s postseason fate won’t be sealed for three months, but decades of data allow us to sketch a gloomy outlook.A clear correlation exists between the Pac-12’s performance in non-conference games and the number of NCAA Tournament bids secured on Selection Sunday.Only six times this century has the Pac-12 received fewer than four NCAA bids; each time, it won less than 70 percent of its non-conference games.Meanwhile, the Pac-12 has received at least five NCAA bids on 10 occasions; in nine of those instances, it won at least 70 percent of the non-conference games.The current win rate? A paltry 66 percent.So start preparing for a modest bid total on Selection Sunday, regardless of the specific order of finish in the conference race.To the projections …(NET rankings through Friday)1. Arizona (9-1)NET ranking: No. 2Coach: Tommy Lloyd (third season)Top scorer: G Caleb Love (15.5 ppg)Comment: The results to date — both in Tucson and across the conferenc...

High school district gets new maintenance and operations building

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

Three campuses in the Fremont Union High School District saw construction of new buildings and/or classroom modernizations this fall, and the district got a new maintenance and operations building.Designed by McKim Design Group and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and built by Blach Construction, the projects include a new wellness center and classroom modernization at Cupertino High School, a new science building at Lynbrook High School and classroom modernization and a new library quad at Homestead High School.Cupertino High SchoolThe new wellness center at Cupertino High School addresses the emotional well-being of students. After receiving a grant to hire personnel, the school realized an opportunity to renovate two classrooms. Designed by McKim, the updated spaces include dedicated therapy and counseling rooms and areas for students to decompress and implement calming techniques throughout the day. A variety of furnishings such as group table seating, bean bags and privacy tents all...

Sunnyvale green energy nonprofit names new CEO

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:10 GMT

Monica Padilla has been named the next chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). Padilla has worked at SVCE for five years leading power policy, planning, procurement, regulatory, operations and compliance as the chief operating officer and director of power resources.Padilla’s selection by the SVCE Board of Directors follows the announcement of current CEO Girish Balachandran that he plans to retire on March 31, 2024. Padilla’s appointment will start her new role with the Sunnyvale-based green energy aggregator on April 1, 2024.“I am excited to expand my role and help lead SVCE’s efforts to decarbonize our communities,” said Padilla in a statement.“Monica encompasses two characteristics that are critical for successful leadership: genuine caring for people and bottom line value,” said Balachandran. “She is constantly asking, ‘How does this make sense for customers?,’ and that shows through in every decision she makes.”In her current role as COO, Padilla has led...