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Los Angeles parks begin offering free lunches for children, teens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

The City of Los Angeles has begun providing free lunches to children and teens now that school is out for summer break, officials announced Tuesday.Anyone under the age of 18 will be able to pick up a free lunch at any of the 100 city parks participating in the program. The menu includes fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, salads and occasionally deli sandwiches.The program will run from Tuesday, June 13, until Aug. 4.“Through this program, we are not only providing nutritious meals but also fostering a supportive environment where children and teenagers can thrive”, said Jimmy Kim, General Manager of L.A.'s Department of Recreation and Parks.  “We invite all children and teens to have lunch with us this summer in a fun, safe and welcoming environment. “Parents can find a list of the participating park locations and lunch pick-up times on the L.A. Parks website, by calling 818-346-2700 or by texting “Summer Meals” to 97779.The summer lunch program will be funded by the U.S. Department o...

NicAnne Lamoureux: A Mother’s Journey Advocating for Transgender Children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

As we celebrate Pride Month, we spotlight a story of love, acceptance, and advocacy. NicAnne Lamoureux, a mother of two transgender children and a beacon of support for parents navigating similar journeys, shares her experiences and insights. Her story is one of transformation – from confusion and struggle to understanding and advocacy – and it offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of raising transgender children.Lamoureux’s journey began in a strict, conservative, Christian home. Despite her upbringing, she knew from a young age that she was part of the LGBTQIA+ community. However, it wasn’t until her oldest child came out as gender fluid 11 years ago that she was thrust into a world she admits she knew little about. “I had the best of intentions and unquestionably loved and accepted my child, but I didn’t have the education or knowledge needed to know how to support my child as they transitioned,” she says.She recalls the ea...

Top 10 Innovative Minds Disrupting The Entertainment Space

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

1 – Damien BiancoDamien Bianco, an influential figure in the film industry, has left an indelible mark on movie enthusiasts worldwide. Born in France and with an insatiable passion for storytelling, Damien embarked on a journey to Los Angeles, where he strived to redefine filmmaking’s boundaries. In collaboration with Samy Ferrenbach, who serves as co-producer and lead actor, he established Acknowledge Pictures, a production company that acted as a driving force for his groundbreaking ventures as filmmaker. As the director of the film ‘Whatever It Takes,’ he capitalized on his creative vision to bring the project to life.Throughout Damien’s career, numerous highlights have illuminated his path to cinematic greatness, such as studying at prestigious drama schools during 4 years in Paris, where he was able to further master his skills. During his initial years as a production assistant in Los Angeles with Emmy Award-winning producer and director Greg Yait...

Let That Imagination Run Wild: Encouraging Children to Be Creative with All I Need is My Ball

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

The mind of a child is fascinating, to say the least. It constantly pushes them to question even the simplest things around them, sometimes even leaving their parents wondering. A child’s urge to explore the unexplored, tap the untapped, and find what’s concealed plays a key role in their cognitive development. Responses to a child’s ‘whys,’ ‘whats,’ and ‘hows’ need to be very consciously curated as it will impact their understanding of the things surrounding them. With this in mind, parents, siblings, and even teachers need to let a child’s imagination run wild.Introducing these young minds to the right tools that may allow them to get creative and step into their imaginary worlds is one to go about it. The creative potential of children becomes quite visible during playtime as they find unique ways to play with their toys, as simple as a ball. Parents need to realize how vital this creative play time is for their little o...

Lanez sentencing for shooting Megan Thee Stallion delayed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Tory Lanez’s sentencing for shooting and wounding hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion was delayed on Tuesday.Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Herriford accepted the defense’s request to delay Lanez’s sentencing, which is now scheduled for Aug. 7. Prosecutors are seeking a 13 year prison sentence and Lanez faces deportation to his native Canada.Herriford decided to give Lanez’s lawyers more time to prepare their sentencing recommendation, which is due Aug. 1. The judge, who will sentence Lanez, denied a motion from Lanez’ defense attorneys for a new trial on May 9.During the brief court hearing, Lanez mostly kept his head down and barely made eye contact with anyone. He wore an orange jail outfit and black cap.Lanez was convicted in December of three felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm; having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.Attorneys for Lanez, whose ...

Founder of San Francisco ‘sexual wellness’ retreat surrenders to feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

When Nicole Daedone founded her San Francisco-based “sexual wellness” commune in 2004, its focus on “orgasmic meditation” and the intricacies of female pleasure promised to revolutionize ideas about intimacy and personal freedom for both women and men.Instead, it became a cult-like organization with branches in cities across the country, where members lived in warehouse-like accommodations, gave up their independence and were coerced into engaging in sex acts with current and prospective clients, investors and employees, according to federal prosecutors.On Tuesday, Daedone surrendered in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, where she was arraigned on charges of forced labor conspiracy.The San Diego resident was released on a $1 million bond, court records show.Daedone and her OneTaste lieutenant, former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz, are both accused of subjecting members to “economic, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, surveillance, indoctrination, and intimidation,” acco...

Oakland man convicted of murder despite shakeup over detective charged with perjury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

OAKLAND — Despite the police investigation being assisted by an allegedly dishonest detective, a 34-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2019 shooting death of a man who was asleep in his car when a group of people attacked him, court records show.After a 12-day trial in April, a jury convicted Oakland resident Bryan Colston of first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied car and being a felon in possession of a firearm, all felonies. He was set to be sentenced this week, but the hearing was postponed and a new one set for July 10, court records show.Colston was found guilty of killing 23-year-old Bomani Busby, who was shot and killed Oct. 9, 2019, on the 800 block of 77th Avenue. Colston’s three co-defendants who allegedly participated in the assault have all taken plea deals, while charges against Colston’s girlfriend at the time were dismissed due to lack of evidence.Two of the three remaining co-defendants — Brandon Harper and Joshua...

‘Sociopath’: Amy Schumer gives Hilaria Baldwin long-needed roasting for faking Spanish heritage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin may have thought that the hardest part of their recent scandals was behind them, especially after prosecutors in New Mexico dropped involuntary manslaughter charges against the “30 Rock” star for accidentally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his Western movie in 2021.But Amy Schumer isn’t letting the world forget that she thinks the couple can be arrogant, self-serving and unrepentant. She uses a portion of her new Netflix comedy special to remind everyone that the Boston-born Hilaria Baldwin spent a decade pretending to be a glamorous yoga instructor from Spain — with Alec Baldwin’s apparent knowledge and possible approval.HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Amy Schumer attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) Schumer calls Hilaria Baldwin a “sociopath” in her special, “Emerge...

Get an early look at Little Italy San Jose’s newest venues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

The two newest additions to Little Italy San Jose are getting close to completion and the nonprofit foundation behind the business district will give visitors an early peek at a preview event June 22.Poor House Bistro and the Little Italy Museum and Cultural Center have been undergoing renovations, and anticipation has been building for both venues, which are connected by a 5,000 square foot piazza. The museum, by the way, will include the Italian Cellar — a  bar that pays tribute to the old venue of the same name (later known more famously as Manny’s Cellar) at the Fallon House.Little Italy San Jose President Joshua DeVincenzi Melander said the new Italian Cellar’s liquor license makes it a private club and not a public establishment. “You have to be a Little Italy member to go there, so it’ll really have a speakeasy vibe,” he said.Of course, there are no such problems at the Poor House Bistro, which was moved to Little Italy in January 2022, as ...

A's stadium bill approved by Nevada State Senate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:57 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland Athletics are now one step closer to becoming the Las Vegas Athletics after the Nevada State Senate approved a proposed stadium bill Tuesday afternoon. The vote was approved by a vote of 13-8. Westfield pulling out of downtown San Francisco It will now move on to the Nevada State Assembly where it will need to be similarly approved. The assembly is in discussion currently and may vote on the bill this evening. Amendments were made to the original bill which helped turn the tide for the bill in the state senate.Nevada state senate passes A’s stadium bill 13-8. Bill now to assembly @kron4news pic.twitter.com/XM6kB0fQYA— Dan Kerman (@DanKermanSF) June 13, 2023Meanwhile in Oakland, fans are preparing to mount a "reverse protest" tonight, showing up in numbers to protest the team's current ownership group and demand that the A's be sold, rather than moved to Vegas.