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Universal Studios Hollywood seasonal events return for holiday season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

It may still be the spooky season, but Universal Studios Hollywood is gearing up for the “most wonderful time of the year.”Seasonal favorites like Grinchmas and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are set to return, along with new food options at City Walk. All the holiday festivities will begin on Nov. 24 and conclude on Jan. 1, 2024, and are included with theme park admission, the park announced Thursday. Here’s a look at what you can expect at the theme park this holiday season New ‘Fast and Furious’-themed roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry PotterThe village of Hogsmeade has transformed into a shimmering winter wonderland for the holidays. Park guests can watch a special holiday acapella performance from the Hogwarts Frog Choir, grab a cup of Hot Butterbeer, and watch Hogwarts Castle light up during “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” nightly show.The show includes music from the Harry Potter movi...

Mercedes unveils a self-driving car for traffic jams

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

It almost seems too good to be true. Mercedes-Benz is rolling out a self-driving system that's specifically designed for traffic jams.Better still, it's the first so-called autonomous driving system that doesn't require you to keep an eye on the road.Want to read the paper or do Wordle on your way to work? Go ahead.The new system, called Drive Pilot, is designed to operate only when traffic is slower than 40 miles per hour.When engaged, Drive Pilot takes over the gas, brakes and steering, and uses sensors to keep your car flowing with stop-and-start traffic.If, like me, you're thinking this is a recipe for getting into a fender-bender, Mercedes has you covered. The carmaker says that if the system is being used correctly but still gets into an accident, it will accept liability.Drive Pilot has been available in Germany for a year, and Mercedes says that so far no one has come to them with an accident report.I'm guessing German drivers are more attentive than SoCal denizens.CNN test-...

Alex Rodriguez weighs in on Dodgers postseason loss, reveals World Series pick

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

Alex Rodriguez weighed in on the Dodgers' heartbreaking sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks."They've turned the tables here the last 10 years and sometimes a fanbase can get spoiled with how good they've been," he explained to Sam Rubin on the KTLA 5 Morning News. "They had a phenomenal year. They've had some really tough injuries, especially with the pitchers. But they had a really tough, tough postseason here with Arizona." Postseason hopes for the Dodgers came to an on Wednesday night when they were eliminated from the playoffs.It's the second year in a row the boys in blue have been eliminated from the division series by a National League West rival and the third consecutive season where they failed to make the world series after reaching the century mark in regular season wins. Many fans have directed their anger at manager Dave Roberts, but A-Rod doesn't believe he's to blame. "Roberts should be Manager of the Year every year. He does such a phenomenal job," he exclaimed. The 1...

Elevate Your Sales Game with EGSPA: Gene Slade’s Proven Blueprint for Success

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

While achieving a million dollars in annual sales is admirable for professionals in the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing trades, imagine having a proven method to reach a million dollars in monthly sales.That’s exactly what Gene Slade, CEO of Lead Ninja System, provides his students with his revolutionary sales training program. This transformative, step-by-step process has empowered thousands of participants to let go of a limiting mindset, helping them to achieve remarkable levels of profitability.We sat down with Slade to discuss his blueprint for success, also known as EGSPA, a five-step approach for effectively closing sales, and explored how to make the most of their interactions with potential clients.Establish a Need For Everything on The ListThe first letter in EGSPA stands for ‘Establish a need for everything on the list.’Slade explained, “Sales reps should memorize the six ways to turn a statement into a thought-provoking question. For example, ‘Did you know…? Were you awar...

Two Hospitalized after Rollover Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 10 [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

Two Injured following Big-Rig Collision near 67th AvenuePHOENIX, AZ (October 12, 2023) – Early Wednesday morning, two people were hospitalized after a rollover semi-truck accident on Interstate 10.The incident transpired at approximately 5:30 a.m. on October 4th, in proximity to 67th Avenue. As per the information provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a collision occurred involving a semi-truck carrying a load of cheese and a pickup truck. Furthermore, the semi-truck tipped over, coming to rest on its side, while the pickup truck sustained significant damage. Additionally, two individuals in the pickup truck sustained injuries, prompting paramedics to transport them to the hospital. The identities and current conditions of these individuals have not been disclosed by the authorities at this time. The collision also resulted in a spill of diesel fuel in the area, necessitating cleanup efforts by the response crews. Meanwhile, drivers were advised to exercise caut...

San Jose mayor doubles down on AI tech push, eyes SJSU innovation lab

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

SAN JOSE — San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan doubled down on his fledgling initiative to spur the growth of artificial intelligence hubs in the Bay Area’s largest city by revealing on Thursday fresh plans for cutting-edge AI endeavors.Mayor Mahan gave a keynote address at the iconic new Adobe Systems Founders Tower in downtown San Jose to kick off what was billed as the 2023 San Jose Global Innovation Summit.While multiple American cities are scrambling to brand themselves as the “capital of AI,” Mahan is betting that San Jose actually can grab a big chunk of this cutting-edge tech pie.“We want San Jose to certainly be a capital in AI innovation,” Mahan said during a speech at the innovation summit on Thursday.Earlier this week, on Oct. 10, Mahan and Councilmember David Cohen released a memo that the two political leaders hope will sketch out a game plan for San Jose to attract artificial intelligence hubs to their city.The plans include discounts on util...

Sale closed in Pleasanton: $1.6 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

7586 Flagstone Drive – Google Street ViewA 2,004-square-foot house built in 1969 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 7500 block of Flagstone Drive in Pleasanton was sold on Aug. 24, 2023, for $1,575,000, or $786 per square foot. This single-story home offers a roomy layout with four bedrooms and two baths. The home’s outer structure has wood shake roofing / shingles. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the home features a garage.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:A 1,868-square-foot home on the 7400 block of Highland Oaks Drive in Pleasanton sold in June 2022, for $1,750,000, a price per square foot of $937. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 2,426-square-foot home on Flagstone Drive in Pleasanton sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $618. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Sierrawood Lane, Pleasanton, in October 2022, a 2,098-square-foot home was sold for $1,598,000, a price...

‘A new era for MMA’: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill establishing a pension fund for retired MMA fighters

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

Retired mixed martial arts fighters who have fought in at least 12 to 14 fights in California will now have access to a state-run pension fund.On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill from Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) that would establish the Mixed Martial Arts Retirement Benefit Fund. The fund will be managed by the California State Athletic Commission and won’t be paid for using tax payer dollars. Instead, it will be funded from $1 on every ticket sale, as well as sports merchandising and souvenirs. The commission will start creating the fund in January 2024.“California is the biggest state in the country for professional mixed martial arts, with more fights, fighters, fans than any other state,” Haney said in a news release. “The sport brings in billions of revenue worldwide, and the athletes who compete in this highly-skilled, state regulated sport, should be protected while they are in the ring and be able to live with security and di...

With better depth around him, can Sharks winger return to top-nine role?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

SAN JOSE – Kevin Labanc began last season in the San Jose Sharks’ top-six forward group, playing alongside captain Logan Couture.This year, Labanc will have to watch the Sharks’ season opener from the press box, or elsewhere inside SAP Center.“It’s tough,” Labanc said. “You play because you want to play in those games, and you’ve just got to make sure that you’re ready to go for the next game, or whatever the case may be.”Sharks coach David Quinn said Labanc is still getting his conditioning all the way back after he missed more than a week of training camp with an upper-body injury. But even when Labanc is fully ready to play again – and the forward said he probably could go right now if need be – it might be a challenge for him to get back to regularly being in a top-six or top-nine role again, considering some of the skilled forwards the Sharks added in the offseason.For the Sharks’ season-opener against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, Hertl was projected to hav...

Home decor: A little bit of great beats a lot of mediocre

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:32 GMT

“I think of you every time I buy soap,” says the young woman, a friend of my daughter’s from college. We are chatting at a wedding. “Triple-milled,” she continues. “Your daughter drilled this into my head.”I’m not sure how to take this.“Well, I’m glad some lessons have sunk in,” I say.My son-in-law overhears this exchange and chimes in, “How about the time she said that if anyone ever smothers her with a pillow, she hopes it has a 400-thread-count, Egyptian cotton pillowcase.”“I said that?”He nods vigorously. I don’t recall that, but It sounds like the way I would want to go.Though the soap-and-linen dialogue may seem trifling, it lies at the heart of a topic I’ve thought a lot about and written a lot about this past year —rightsizing. It’s the subject of my next book, which will come out in January.Here I thought I was addressing my generation when exploring how to decide where to live, in what size house and with what stuff to create a rightsized life, but the younger ...