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Folking awesome: Beth Orton is back to perform in LA — Twice

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

Folking awesome: It’s been 30 years since Norfolk, England artist Beth Orton released her debut album, Superpinkymandy, but 27 years since she really found her sound with the 1996 album Trailer Park. That record was an absolute fucking gem, a sleeper hit that saw her find favor with two very distinct groups of fans – folkies and clubbers.She would be lazily tagged “folktronica” by critics, but it wasn’t about the creation of a new sub- genre. Orton had tapped into a vibe of chill authenticity. Back in the ‘90s, that appealed deeply to fans of fellow British acts such as Massive Attack, Faithless, Tricky and Portishead. When Orton collaborated with the likes of William Orbit, Andrew Weatherall and the Chemical Brothers, the link to club culture was solidified. Yet Orton considered herself a folk musician.“I’ve always sat comfortably in my skin,” Orton says. “I suppose I see myself essentially as a folk singer. Or as someone who loves songwriting. So I suppose in terms of genre, it’s ...

Bay Area high school football 2023: Week 4 preview, schedule

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

Week 4 of the high school football season is here.And the two matchups that looked good when practices started in August still look good as McClymonds at San Ramon Valley and St. Mary’s of Stockton at De La Salle are the big games of the weekend.The lineup also includes a solid matchup in Pleasanton between Monte Vista and host Amador Valley and another in San Mateo when Hillsdale plays host to Sacred Heart Prep.The Bay Area News Group will have complete coverage this weekend and all season. If you have not already, please sign up for a digital subscription. Your contributions keep us going.Here are this week’s top matchups and schedule:FridaySt. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0) at No. 2 De La Salle (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: A year after losing to the Rams in Stockton, De La Salle will try to get back to .500 in Concord. Following seven scoreless quarters against Orange-Lutheran and Serra, the Spartans snapped out of an offensive funk in a 35-17 victory at St. Francis last week. De La Salle quar...

7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, Sept. 15-17

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

There’s just a gaggle of fun stuff to do this weekend, from seeing great shows to visiting quaff-worthy beer gardens. So let’s get to it, shall we?As with everything these days, be sure to double check websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 SEE & HEAR: Take in a playWith apologies to a certain world-famous miser who hogs the stage each winter, September might actually be the best time of year to catch a play. That’s when stage companies are kicking off their new seasons, and compelling shows like “Toxic” at City Lights, “Born with Teeth” in Berkeley and a slew of other intriguing shows are in the offing.2 EAT, DRINK & GIVE: Some tasty Maui fundraisersSeveral Bay Area restaurants, pubs and stores are hosting unique and d...

‘Ban killer kops’: Protesters swamp Vallejo City Hall over the reinstatement of officer involved in fatal shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

Outrage over the impending reinstatement of the Vallejo police officer who killed Sean Monterrosa swept through council chambers Tuesday, with protesters blasting the city’s decision across two hours of fiery speeches.Signs reading “ban killer kops” waved in the crowd of over 120 people as the Vallejo City Council repeatedly extended the original 15-minute time block allotted for public comments at the start of the meeting. Dozens of reform advocates – including several family members of people killed in Vallejo police shootings – took the podium to condemn the return of Det. Jarrett Tonn, who shot Monterrosa while he was on his knees with his hands up in June 2020.“We used to raise hell up here because we really thought that y’all could really do something,” David Harrison – a cousin of Willie McCoy, who Vallejo police killed in 2019 – told council members. “But I’m seeing now that there’s nothing that you can do, because the police officers – you guys are scared of police officers...

San Jose State Spartans getting boost from special teams play

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

San Jose State is facing another challenging game Saturday at Toledo, where the Spartans will play the defending Mid-American Conference champions in front of one of the rowdiest crowds they’ll see this season.One way the Spartans can help silence the Rockets’ supporters, expected to be about 20,000 strong at Glass Stadium, could be on special teams. SJSU (1-2) has already experienced how a special teams play can instantly alter the momentum of a game.Linebacker Jaylan Lawson’s forced fumble on the opening kickoff against Cal Poly clearly set the tone for the rest of the game as the Spartans went on to win 59-3.Conversely, a breakdown can be just as deflating.The Spartans trailed by just two scores in the third quarter of their season-opener against No. 6 USC when Trojans returner Zachariah Branch turned a low-hanging kickoff into a 96-yard touchdown that all but sealed SJSU’s 56-28 loss.“We’ve seen big special teams plays happen to us and we’ve also made big...

Mike Babcock situation: Sharks legend tells story about sharing photos with polarizing coach in Toronto

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

SAN JOSE – When he first started with the Toronto Maple Leafs six years ago, Patrick Marleau said then-coach Mike Babcock asked him and other members of the team to share some of the photos they had on their phones to help him get to know everyone on a more personal level.“It’s just a way for everybody to get to know each other and their families and where they come from and their backgrounds,” Marleau told Bay Area News Group on Wednesday. “I think it just brings the team closer together.”Babcock, in his first season as the Columbus Blue Jackets coach and already a polarizing figure within hockey circles, found himself in an unexpected firestorm this week for a similar photo-sharing practice that some reportedly felt was an invasion of privacy.On the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast this week, co-host and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette said an unidentified player told him that Babcock, 60, had asked Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner to show him the photos he has on his phone.Bissonnette sa...

Alameda: Domestic violence suspect arrested following hours-long standoff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

ALAMEDA – A domestic violence suspect was arrested following an hours-long standoff Wednesday in Alameda, police said.Officers were called to the 400 block of Stardust Place just before 8:30 a.m. for a report of a trespassing incident, the Alameda Police Department said in a news release. They arrived to find two individuals barricaded inside a car on private property.One of the individuals had a warrant for domestic violence involving the other person inside the car, police said, adding that it appeared as though the person was being held against their will.Officers could not see inside the car and could not verify if both individuals were safe, police said. Crisis negotiators were then brought in to help peacefully resolve the incident.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | East Bay woman shot and killed during domestic dispute Crime and Public Safety | Oakland rapper arrested after four months on the lam, now faces federal and state felony charges ...

What to watch: ‘Morning Show’ is back with more star power

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

The fall streaming season kicks into high gear this week with the welcome arrival of the third season of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” Hulu’s stand-alone “The Other Black Girl” and Amazon Prime’s “Wilderness.”Next week brings one of the most anticipated series of the season — “The Continental: From the World of John Wick” (Sept. 22) — to Peacock. A few of the other eagerly awaited streaming series on the way include Amazon Prime’s “The Boys” spinoff “Gen V” (Sept. 29), Paramount+’s Korean drama “The Bargain” (Oct. 5), Netflix’s “Lupin Season 3” (Oct. 5), Netflix’s “Fall of the House of Usher” and  Apple TV+’s “Lessons in Chemistry” (both Oct. 13) and more.In the meantime, theaters are welcoming new films “Cassandro,” “Love at First Sight” and “Satanic Hispanics.”Here’s our roundup.“The Morning Show Season 3”: Complications at the struggling UBA and UBA+ network take on added urgency with the arrival of “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm, whose character lights a fire in App...

Silicon Valley billionaire backers of ‘California Forever’ release polling results

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

California Forever has released the results of a survey they placed in the field last month regarding the future of eastern Solano County, where they have purchased over 52,000 acres of land zoned for agriculture.The company reports they have conducted over 1,400 surveys and online interviews, 600 of which were taken from the county registered voter list between July 10-16, and 800 of which were conducted between Aug. 20-27. Both polls were weighted to census demographics, and were conducted in both English and Spanish.RELATED: Silicon Valley billionaires’ land grab for utopian development draws fury, fearsCrime and homelessness were listed by residents of the county as the most important issues to them when voting for county officials at 47 percent, followed by housing cost at 26 percent and education at 18 percent.Fifty nine percent of Solano County residents reported they believe the county needs big changes in order to create more jobs and tax revenue to improve the quality of l...

Car impounded after alleged sideshow activity on Bay Bridge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:25 GMT

(KRON) -- A car was impounded Sunday night after engaging in alleged sideshow activity on the Bay Bridge, according to the California Highway Patrol.Around 7 p.m., a group of cars were seen traveling on eastbound Interstate 80 and had stopped on the right shoulder. Officers conducted traffic stops on several of the cars. Updated COVID-19 vaccine available at local pharmacies One man was found to be driving on a suspended driver's license. His vehicle car was later impounded.Photo: CHPPhoto: CHPPhoto: CHPAnother driver was cited and referred to the State Referee to be inspected for various emissions violations, CHP said.