Director Wei Yang Chen and Producer Jiaming Chong’s ‘Dream Bowl’ Triumphs on the Global Stage

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Director Wei Yang Chen and Producer Jiaming Chong’s ‘Dream Bowl’ Triumphs on the Global Stage The powerhouse pairing of director Wei Yang Chen and executive producer Jiaming Chong has delivered yet another cinematic gem with “Dream Bowl,” a film already adorned with a string of international film festival awards.Sherry (Shiyu) Liu, an aspiring actress from Los Angeles, brings to the project her keen insight on the complexities of identity, offering a narrative that serves as a vivid allegory for America’s diverse society. Liu’s portrayal in the film promises to explore the interwoven fabric of cultures that challenge the conventional melting pot analogy.“Dream Bowl” has garnered international praise, securing a lineup of awards that includes the Paris Shorts Film Awards, Symbiotic Film Festival, and Crown Point International Film Festival, among others. This acclaim is a testament to the film’s resonant storytelling and the creative team’s dedication to excellence.Endorsed by the Paris Short Film Festival, “Dream BowlR...

Ryan Minor dies at 49; ex-MLB player replaced Cal Ripken Jr. to end consecutive game streak

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Ryan Minor dies at 49; ex-MLB player replaced Cal Ripken Jr. to end consecutive game streak By Noah Trister | Associated PressRyan Minor, the Baltimore Orioles infielder who became part of baseball history when he replaced Cal Ripken at the end of his record-setting consecutive games streak in 1998, has died. He was 49.The University of Oklahoma — where Minor starred in baseball and basketball — said he died of cancer Friday. The Orioles also released a statement on social media.“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former third baseman and longtime minor league manager Ryan Minor, who courageously fought cancer,” the Orioles said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family and friends at this time.”Drafted by the Orioles in 1996, Minor made his big league debut late in the 1998 season. Then, a week later — on Sept. 20 — he was thrust into the spotlight. In the team’s final home game of the season, Ripken decided to end his streak at 2,632 consecutive games. Minor started at third base for the first time in his career.“I had no idea when I was coming to the...

CFB recruiting: Stanford lands commitment from Bay Area linebacker

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

CFB recruiting: Stanford lands commitment from Bay Area linebacker Stanford got a late Christmas present when De La Salle linebacker Drew Cunningham committed to the Cardinal on Tuesday morning. “Thank you to all my coaches, teammates and family for your support. GO CARD!,” Cunningham wrote on social media. Cunningham, a 6-foot-3 linebacker, was rated by the recruiting website 247Sports as a three-star linebacker and also had an offer from Army and a number of other schools.After he signs on National Signing Day (Feb. 7), Cunningham will join a 24-player class that is headlined by four-star Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown. Cunningham is the third linebacker to commit to the Cardinal in the class, and was rated as the No. 184 player in California for the class of 2024.The linebacker was named the East Bay Athletic League co-Defensive Player of the Year after had 86 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one interception. Cunningham also caught two touchdowns as a tight end in De La Salle’s run-heavy attack. More recruiting: Bay Area ...

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton the week of Dec. 18

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton the week of Dec. 18 A house in Danville that sold for $2.9 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton in the past week.In total, 10 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.7 million. The average price per square foot was $807.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Dec. 18 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.3 million, single-family residence in the 7400 block of Hillsdale DriveThe 2,014 square-foot single-family home in the 7400 block of Hillsdale Drive has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in October and the total purchase price was $1,325,000, $658 per square foot. The house was built in 1969. The house features four bedrooms and two bathrooms.Hillsdale Drive9. $1.4 million, single-family home in the 9500 block of Davona DriveA sale has been finalized for the single-...

Health officials launch unannounced inspection of Martinez Refining Company

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Health officials launch unannounced inspection of Martinez Refining Company (KRON) -- Contra Costa County Health officials launched an unannounced inspection at the Martinez Refining Company Tuesday. The inspection was to request records and observe the facility's operation with a focus on safety programs, reliability of equipment and follow up regarding recent accidents, officials said.The refining company is owned and operated by PBF Energy, Inc."Given the recent history of chemical releases and other incidents at the facility, Contra Costa County's Industrial Safety Ordinance requires PBF to permit inspectors onsite and provide full access to both the site as well as company records," officials said in a statement. Calm before the storm: Officials urge storm prep as wet, unsettled weather returns There have been 121 documented releases or spills of hazardous materials at PBF in 2023, according to CoCo County Health. In addition to these releases and spills, PBF has reported flaring through the county Community Warning System nearly once a week througho...

13-year-old killed in Antioch hit-and-run identified

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

13-year-old killed in Antioch hit-and-run identified (KRON) -- A 13-year-old boy who was one of two juveniles killed in a hit-and-run collision in Antioch on the Friday before Christmas has been identified. Amahjè Emenike, 13, was identified as one of the victims by members of his family.The incident occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Friday when a black SUV heading north on G Street collided with a blue vehicle headed east on West 6th Street. The SUV then collided with a fire hydrant and the vehicle's occupants fled the scene on foot, police said. Christmas sideshow in Oakland caught on video Two children, ages 12 and 13, who were traveling in the blue vehicle were transported to the hospital. Both succumbed to their injuries.Speed and reckless driving were factors in the fatal crash, according to the Antioch Police Department. Amahjè Emenike was born in January of 2010 and would've celebrated his 14th birthday next month. The other victim in the crash has yet to be identified, but the two victims were brothers, according to the...

Granada man sentenced to life for sexual assaults of 5 victims

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Granada man sentenced to life for sexual assaults of 5 victims (BCN) -- A 33-year-old El Granada man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of several rape and kidnapping charges involving five separate young victims, San Mateo County prosecutors said Tuesday. Kaylan Freeman received the sentence last Friday after being convicted in August in the sexual assaults of the victims between the ages of 13 and 18, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.Prosecutors said that Freeman knew all of the victims and assaulted them by force and threat while on outings, including one who was taken to San Francisco under the guise of getting dinner but was driven to a secluded area and raped. Freeman was arrested at his home in January 2021 after an investigation by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office that started back in 2012, sheriff's officials said. Calm before the storm: Officials urge storm prep as wet, unsettled weather returns At Friday's sentencing hearing, two victim impac...

Payton’s curious calls again haunt Broncos as they’re all but eliminated from AFC playoff race

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Payton’s curious calls again haunt Broncos as they’re all but eliminated from AFC playoff race DENVER (AP) — Bill Belichick seemed content to take the game into overtime, but Sean Payton wanted another crack in regulation, so he called a pair of timeouts that ultimately helped the New England Patriots all but torpedo the Denver Broncos’ playoff plans with a 26-23 stunner at frigid Empower Field on Christmas Eve.The Broncos had rallied to tie it at 23 earlier in the fourth quarter on a pair of touchdowns and a couple of 2-point conversions. And they got the ball back at their 39 with 1:42 remaining, needing about 25 yards to get into range for Wil Lutz to kick the game-winner.They chewed up neither clock nor yards, however, and punted the ball back to the Patriots after Russell Wilson followed a screen pass to Javonte Williams that lost 3 yards with a pair of incompletions.“We’re not throwing caution into the wind,” Payton said of the play-calling after the Patriots snuffed out the screen. “We kind of had some momentum throwing the ball. We were giving Russ time protecti...

Manchester United stages a rousing second-half comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-2

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Manchester United stages a rousing second-half comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-2 MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United staged a rousing second-half comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the Premier League on Tuesday after conceding two goals inside 26 minutes at Old Trafford.In the first game since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe agreed to buy a stake of up to 25% of the 20-time league champions, Erik ten Hag’s team made a dreadful start and was booed by its own fans in the first half. But it completely changed the atmosphere with two goals from Alejandro Garnacho and a winner from Rasmus Hojlund. In front of the watching Dave Brailsford, who is expected to play a prominent role in the running of United’s soccer department as part of its new structure, Villa went ahead through John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker in the 21st and 26th minutes. Brailsford, who is sporting director of Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sport, sat in the directors’ seats at the stadium and would have heard loud jeers after Dendoncker doubled Villa’s lead, while the away fans s...

Brock Purdy’s rare bad game dooms the 49ers in showdown against the Ravens

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:20:50 GMT

Brock Purdy’s rare bad game dooms the 49ers in showdown against the Ravens SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy’s storybook ride from final pick of the 2022 draft to most efficient quarterback in the NFL has featured very few on-field struggles.That’s what made his four-interception performance in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season so glaring. How Purdy bounces back from the 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night will go a long way in determining how successful this season will ultimately be for the 49ers.“I think it’s unbelievable how he’s played for the past two years,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “Just being a young rookie last year, it seems like he’s immortal out there. But no one is immortal. He’s responded from not his best performance before and I think he will do that again.”Purdy’s night got off to a bad start when he didn’t see safety Kyle Hamilton and threw an interception in the end zone on the first drive of the game for San Francisco (11-4).A deflected pass off a cornerb...