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CEO of Geoff & Tyler Recording, Geoff Countryman says self-motivation is key for success in music

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

Geoff Countryman, CEO of Geoff & Tyler RecordingThe benefits of music to humans cannot be overemphasized. It is a tool for conveying deep feelings of the heart, and unbundling the mind, even when words seemingly fail. Music is a universal phenomenon that speaks directly to the soul. This is probably why a song can stay in a person’s subconscious and they may find themself still vibing to the melody hours after listening to it. Music is also very powerful in connecting people of different ethnicities and races. It has the ability to move seamlessly across nations without barriers.The power of music cannot be thoroughly explained without also examining the critical role played by musicians, as well as appreciating some of the challenges they face on their way to the big hit. These challenges range from career threatening press to a shortage of funds for marketing, to crazy schedules, and disputes over intellectual rights. Building a unique style and creating an acceptable, distinc...

10 Must-Have Diwali Decorations for Your Home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

Photo Credits: Desi Favors LLCDiwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy, togetherness, and vibrant celebrations. It’s a time when homes come alive with dazzling decorations, filling the air with an enchanting and festive spirit. As Diwali approaches, it’s time to transform your home into a radiant and welcoming space. To help you create a stunning Diwali ambiance, here are ten must-have Diwali decorations for your home.Rangoli Designs: The tradition of creating colorful Rangoli designs at the entrance of homes is deeply rooted in Diwali celebrations. Rangoli adds a touch of artistry and warmth to your home. There are various creative ways to make stunning Rangoli designs for this festive occasion.You can use vibrant colored powders, flower petals, or even decorative Rangoli stickers for a hassle-free yet striking design. Additionally, for those looking for a convenient and easy option, consider using a Rangoli mat. Rangoli mats come in various designs and colors, ...

Kutcher quits anti-sex abuse group over Masterson support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

By Megan Thomas | CNNAshton Kutcher has stepped down from his role at Thorn, an anti-child sex abuse organization he co-founded, after drawing criticism last week over letters of support he and his wife Mila Kunis wrote on behalf of their former “That 70s Show” co-star Danny Masterson ahead of a sentencing hearing.Kunis is also stepping down as an observer on the Thorn board, according to a report by Time.“After my wife and I spent several days of listening, personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and the employees and leadership at Thorn, I have determined the responsible thing for me to do is resign as Chairman of the Board, effectively immediately. I cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve,” Kutcher wrote in his resignation letter to the board, shared by the organization on its website Friday.Masterson was convicted in May on two counts of rape. He was sentenced last week to 30 years to life in prison.Kutche...

Why SF Giants decided to make surprise move to send Kyle Harrison back to minors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

DENVER — Kyle Harrison, the Giants’ top pitching prospect who was expected to bolster their rotation in the playoff chase, was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento before Friday’s series opener against the Rockies in a surprising move intended to shore up their pitching staff ahead of four games in three days at Coors Field.Since striking out 11 batters over 6⅓ innings in his electric home debut last month, Harrison has allowed 15 runs (12 earned) in 14⅔ innings over his previous three starts, a 7.36 ERA. Unless another Giants player is placed on the injured list, Harrison won’t be eligible to be recalled until Sept. 30, the final series of the season.“We feel like this is going to be beneficial … to get everything back on track and feel like the physically and mentally strongest version of himself,” Kapler said.Complicating matters this weekend, Alex Cobb won’t make his scheduled start in one of two games of their day-night double-header Saturday...

Trump isn’t backing federal abortion ban. Primary voters shrug.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

By Will Weissert and Thomas Beaumont | Associated PressDES MOINES, Iowa — Donald Trump is dominating the early stages of the Republican presidential primary even as he’s refused to endorse a federal ban on abortion, allowing some top rivals to get to the right of him on an issue that animates many conservative activists.Aiming to return to the White House, the former president often notes how his presidency advanced the cause of abortion opponents. He appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, abolishing the federally guaranteed right to the procedure and fulfilling the decades-long aspirations of anti-abortion activists.But Trump has so far declined to go along with some of his rivals, most notably his onetime vice president, Mike Pence, who is pushing for national bans that would take effect relatively early into a pregnancy. He’s also warned Republicans against locking themselves into positions that are unpopular with a majori...

The eight most expensive homes that reported sold in Hayward the week of Sep. 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

A house in Hayward that sold for $1.9 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Hayward in the past week.In total, eight residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $999,763, $562 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 4 even if the property may have been sold earlier.8. $490,000, condominium in the 300 block of Laurel Ave.The sale of the condominium in the 300 block of Laurel Ave. in Hayward has been finalized. The price was $490,000, and the new owners took over the condominium in July. The condominium was built in 1974 and has a living area of 882 square feet. The price per square foot was $556. The condominium features two bedrooms and two bathrooms.Laurel Avenue7. $660,000, single-family home in the 1800 block of Cedar StreetThe sale of the single-family home in the 1800 block of Cedar Street, Hayward,...

Letters: Flag debate | AI issues | National discussion | Volunteer impact |

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Flag debate hasno easy solutionsRe: “Elections count, even in Sunol school district” (Page A6, Sept. 14).I was disappointed in your editorial regarding the Sunol school district flag decision.I concluded your objection would be biased when you characterized the public attendees as being” thrown out” of the meeting room. More importantly, while I understand your support for LGBTQ rights I did not see any discussion about the actual policy you would endorse. Would any group, regardless of their political views be allowed to have their flag raised at a school? If not, who would decide?It is a slippery slope you support.Kent BucklesAlamoAI issues requiremore care, thoughtRe: “Writers deserve more for helping OpenAI’s success” (Page A7, Sept. 14).Diya Sabharwal’s op-ed on writers deserving a cut from the profits generated by OpenAI because, after all, the genera...

San Jose poised to pay $400K to settle police officer’s Islamophobia suit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

SAN JOSE — A former San Jose police officer stands to receive a $400,000 payout from the city to settle a lawsuit alleging he was the target of steady Islamophobic harassment from this colleagues, a claim the city argued was a mischaracterization of off-color banter that he himself took part in.Nabil Haidar, a Muslim-American officer with the San Jose Police Department filed claims against San Jose and the San Jose Police Department for alleged continuous harassment and discrimination based on his race, national origin and religion on Monday, May 7, 2018. (Courtesy photo) The settlement, detailed in a draft agreement posted on the city’s website Friday, goes before the city council for approval Sept. 26. As part of its terms, the city admits no fault or liability for Nabil Haidar’s claims.The Lebanese-American officer sued the department in 2018, alleging he was the target of anti-Muslim remarks and insults that escalated after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist at...

California voters will decide in 2024 on lowering threshold for new taxes, bonds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

A constitutional amendment that would lower the bar for voters to approve new taxes and bond measures to fund housing and public infrastructure is heading to the 2024 general election ballot after passing the Legislature.California currently requires two-thirds of voters to approve local levies, and local governments have complained for years that the threshold is too high. Berkeley, for example, failed to pass a $650 million bond last year to build affordable housing and repair city infrastructure, despite approval from nearly 60% of voters.The Amendment, ACA-1, would lower the voter threshold on local levies to a 55% voter approval. To pass, it required a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Legislature, which came Thursday on the final day of the current session in Sacramento, with Republicans voting in opposition.The League of California Cities, which lobbied for the change in Sacramento, said that the change will make it easier for cities to address ongoing housing and inf...

Letters: Students’ rights | Free speech | Nearly tragic | Advancing justice | Abortion rights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:40 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.LGBTQ students’ rightsmust be protectedRe: “Chaos in Sunol after flag ban” (Page A1, Sept 14).Another day brings another assault on the safety of LGBTQ+ youth in our community — this time in the form of removing pride flags from school grounds. It’s part of the broader push to erase LGBTQ+ history from school curricula and to force outings of students to parents under the guise of “parents’ rights.”But it’s not parents’ rights at risk here. It’s the rights of the children in our community that we need to protect. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the homeless population, and an estimated 25-40% of LGBTQ youth become homeless due to their family’s opposition to their sexual orientation or gender identity.We need our governor and statewide leaders to take swift action to ensure that schools are safe havens for LGBTQ+ youth and not a place that exposes them to further victimi...