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Opinion: Early detection of breast cancer can help save lives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

The last Wednesday in September is World Dense Breast Day. The intention is to raise awareness about dense breast tissue and its potential health impacts. This matters—a lot—because an overwhelming majority of women are unaware of their breast density. Yet, nearly half of all women have dense breast tissue, and dense breast tissue makes abnormalities like cancer more difficult to see on a mammogram and indicates a woman’s increased risk of breast cancer.In fact, the risk of breast cancer for women with extremely dense tissue is about five times greater than for those with low breast density. Sadly, despite all the progress made in the past few decades, breast cancer is still a leading cause of death for women in Santa Clara County.But early detection of breast cancer can help save lives and reduce healthcare costs through treatments that can be less expensive and less burdensome to the patient.This past March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling establishing nation...

Volunteers sought for Coastal Cleanup Day in Cupertino

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

Coastal Cleanup DayAs part of National River Cleanup Day—an international day of action to protect creeks, rivers and wildlife from trash and debris—Cupertino is hosting a community creek cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-noon, at Regnart Creek, 10295 Parkside Lane.Gloves, trash grabbers, and other tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water to stay hydrated and dress for safety: Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, long pants and sunscreen. To participate, register at Eventbrite.com.Symphonic band concertThe Cupertino Symphonic Band will perform its annual fall concert on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road. Admission is free. Donations of canned goods benefit West Valley Community Services.For more information, visit www.cupertinosymphonicband.org.County ADU websiteSanta Clara County’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) website is now live at http://www.aduscc.org.It offers free resources to help guide property owne...

‘Hadestown’ performer springs back into action after injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

After recovering from an injury, Maria-Christina Oliveras returned to the role of Persephone in the North American tour of “Hadestown” in April. The tour’s stop in the Bay Area this month represents a milestone of sorts for the performer.“Ironically, it’s been six months,” Oliveras says of her comeback, referring to her character’s deal with her devilish husband Hades to spend half the year with him in the underworld.Unlike her character, whose time away from her role as the bringer of spring leads to drunken depression,  Oliveras wasn’t idle during her recovery. She was medically cleared to take the role of Church Lady in “Between Riverside and Crazy” on Broadway while on hiatus from “Hadestown.”Back tour with the musical, Oliveras was staying in Berkeley while the show was in San Francisco earlier this month. “Hadestown” will be presented by Broadway San Jose Sept. 26-Oct. 1.“I’ve done a bunch of shows with Berkeley Rep, so I know Shattuck Avenue,” Oliveras says.Oliveras is now al...

Sunnyvale, Cupertino nonprofits hold back-to-back back-to-school events

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

Low-income students served by nonprofits in Sunnyvale and Cupertino went back to school last month with the supplies they needed, thanks to distribution events in both communities.Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS) held its “Ready to Learn” event for 1,300 school-age children on Aug. 4, while Cupertino-based West Valley Community Services’ Back to School Program provided backpacks full of school supplies and new clothes to K-12 students on Aug. 5.SCS held its all-day drive-through event at its facility at 1160 Kern Ave., where staff and volunteers handed out boxes of age-appropriate school supplies along with Target gift cards for families to use to purchase more essentials.“The delight on the faces of the young students and their families as they look ahead to school days prepared for success is always satisfying and heartwarming to see,” SCS Executive Director Marie Bernard said in a statement.As of Sept. 8, SCS had given out 2,201 school supply kits and gift cards to local Sunnyv...

New San Jose winery set to open for tastings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

High atop Quimby Road, past Evergreen High School and the Temple of Perpetual Light, is a vineyard perched on the hillside. The views are breathtaking, the buzzards fly very close by and it’s exciting to watch planes coming in to land at Mineta airport.At Bella Montagna, the atmosphere is tranquil. Watching the fog curl inland from Mount Madonna far to the south is revelatory. So, too, is the view to the north, where you can make out the San Francisco skyline and the bridges when the air is sufficiently clear.Owner Victor Klee recently sold his two Vino Vino wine bars to focus on the new winery. His winemaker is Collin Cranor of Livermore’s Nottingham Cellars and of Grape Culture in Napa. The latter is where Bella Montagna wines are made.“This property can make some great sauvignon blanc, and we just picked what looks to be a really excellent crop for 2023,” Cranor says.The red grapes, though, are taking their sweet time, and are going to require a boatload of patience. “We’ve made ...

Latest line: A good week for Shannon Grove, a bad week for speeding drivers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

Shannon GroveBakersfield Republican state senator passes bill to increase prison time for sex trafficking of minors after some Democrats had blocked it, saying it would increase incarceration rates, only to back down amid public outrage.    Speeding driversState lawmakers pass AB 645, to allow San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco and several L.A.-area communities to set up cameras and enforce speed limit laws by mailing tickets to lead-foot motorists.   Labor unionsSacramento lawmakers pass a landmark bill to provide unemployment insurance to striking workers. But will Gavin Newsom sign it? The unemployment fund has a $19.7 billion deficit, a hangover from COVID. 

Virginia Dept. of Education approves AP African American History course after months-long review

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 09: Collegeboard Hosts an "AP African American Studies" activation during the 21st Annual Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 09, 2023 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Hunt/Getty Images for MVAAFF)(Getty Images for MVAAFF/Nick Hunt) MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 09: Collegeboard Hosts an "AP African American Studies" activation during the 21st Annual Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 09, 2023 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Hunt/Getty Images for MVAAFF)(Getty Images for MVAAFF/Nick Hunt) After more than six months of review by the state’s education department, Virginia ...

India cruises to 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — India cruised to a comfortable ten-wicket win in the Asia Cup final, handing Sri Lanka a historically heavy defeat at R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.Having bowled out Sri Lanka for 50 runs, Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill knocked off the target in just 6.1 overs to secure the victory.Kishan finished off the run chase with a single off part-time spinner Charith Asalanka as the rain-affected tournament’s final ended inside just two hours.Pacer Mohammed Siraj was the hero for India claiming career best figures of 6-21 while all-rounder Hardik Pandya took three wickets to bowl out Sri Lanka.It’s the lowest total in an ODI final and Sri Lanka’s second lowest total after its 43 all out against South Africa in Paarl in 2011.It was also Sri Lanka’s lowest total at home with the previous lowest being the 98 all out against South Africa at the same venue in 1993.It is also the lowest total in the history of Asia Cups.Jasprit Bumrah had opening batsman Ku...

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter taken to hospital during game after late hit vs CSU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The University of Colorado rallied for the win over Colorado State on Saturday night but lost two-way star Travis Hunter when he was taken to a hospital for an evaluation during the third quarter at Folsom Field.The school didn’t immediately announce the reason Hunter was ruled out and transported to a hospital, but he absorbed an illegal hit to his midsection in the second quarter on an incompletion at the Colorado sideline.Coach Deion Sanders had no update after the game other than to say, the “first thing I heard is he’s going to be out a few weeks.”Hunter had played almost every snap for the Buffs this season, playing wide receiver on offense and cornerback on defense.“The bad thing about losing Travis,” said defensive back Shilo Sanders, “it’s like you’re losing two players at once.”The Rams were whistled for two fouls on the play when Hunter got hit. Safety Henry Blackburn was flagged for pass interference and nickel back Ayden Hec...

Arson person of interest in custody after multiple Gaithersburg fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:25 GMT

A person of interest is in custody after Montgomery County, Maryland, firefighters responded to multiple blazes early Sunday morning.The first fire was reported at 2:30 a.m. at the Holbrook Center in the 400 block of South Frederick Avenue near Education Boulevard in Gaithersburg, according to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.He said there appeared to be at least three fires set at businesses in the center, with significant damage to two stores. About 75 firefighters responded to that scene.Update – Holbrook Center, 400blk S Frederick Av; @mcfrs Fire Explosive Investigators indicate the several fires (at 3 separate fires) are suspicious in nature, damage is significant (included 2 different stores & A person of interest has been identified (& in custody) pic.twitter.com/5IgdDHUJPM— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 17, 2023The second fire was at LaFrontera Restaurant on Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg around 3:15 a.m. where the restaur...