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Real World Economics: Why China matters, and doesn’t matter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

Edward LottermanSometimes a sardonic quip for one era preserves wisdom for a later one.During World War II, Bill Mauldin, a young soldier and editorial cartoonist, created and published popular cartoons about the war’s realities featuring GI characters Wille and Joe. In an early 1945 panel, one of Mauldin’s two scruffy soldiers reads newspaper reports of popular uprisings in Germany. The other sardonically advises him, “Sure … . Get down so they don’t hit ya wit’ a wild shot.”That pretty much sums up what the rest of the world can do today about economic tumult in China. There are few, if any, actions that any other country can take to influence events there.Yes, it is entirely possible, since China’s economy is the second largest in the world, that its problems may affect people and businesses in other countries, including the U.S. But all we can do is “get down.” In other words, just react.And to be sure, the problems regarding China’s economy are numerous.Consid...

Step into a fairy tale, enchanting home fit for Kings and Queens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Who wouldn't desire to live like royalty within the comforts of their own home? Imagine having a house that embodies those aspirations. Welcome to your personal royal domain for only $640,000. This captivating Holly Hills residence presents an enchanting abode tailored for those with regal dreams. Here, grand visions come to life, and each day unfolds like a fairy tale, promising a lifestyle of grandeur and elegance.This castle-like home was built in 1929 and has four bedrooms, four baths, and is 3,043 square feet. The interior features roomy rooms with exquisite archways and stained-glass windows that elevate each corner with a touch of regal charm. Majestic living areas on the main floor create a perfect setting for hosting your own housewarming celebration.Climb the grand staircase to the upper level, revealing four generously sized bedrooms, including a primary suite that provides a haven after a night of ballroom dancing and courtly gatherings. People from these...

Former Downtown St. Louis YMCA transformed into an exquisite art hotel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- In the realm of art museums, the 21c Museum Hotel stands as a truly unique location, dedicated to curating and showcasing art narratives from the 21st century. It's not only an art sanctuary but also a hotel.The 21c Museum Hotel was fashioned from the former YMCA building located at 1528 Locust Street, an exquisite example of Renaissance Revival-style architecture. The architects made sure to preserve key YMCA amenities, including the historic lap pool. Additionally, the building's original gym and track were retained and repurposed into spaces for exhibits and events, enhancing the hotel's diverse appeal.The 21c Museum holds the distinction of being the sole multi-venue museum in North America that both collects and exhibits 21st-century art. This establishment provides both locals and tourists with unparalleled opportunities to delve into the realm of modern art and the artists who shape it.JP Roberts, the General Manager of the museum hotel, explained, "The whole bui...

Correction: Canada-Wildfires story

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — In a story published August 19, 2023, about wildfires in Canada, The Associated Press erroneously reported the population of the city of Kelowna. The correct number is about 150,000 people, not 30,000.

Hurricane Hilary batters Mexico, takes aim at Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

Hurricane Hilary is poised to make landfall in Southern California on Sunday, but it is already starting to wreak havoc in Mexico. According to the National Weather Service, as of 5 a.m. Sunday, the storm was “very near” the Baja California coast south of Ensenada, Mexico and 285 miles (460 kilometers) from San Diego. The storm, which currently remains a Category 1 hurricane, will continue to lose strength as it hits Southern California, but officials are stressing that the weakening storm is still very dangerous. In the Mexican town of Santa Rosalía, on Baja California Sur’s eastern coast, a person drowned on Saturday when their vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream. It was not immediately clear whether officials considered the fatality as related to the hurricane. According to the mayor of the nearby municipality of Mulegé, rescue crews were able to save four other people. Radar showing Hurricane Hilary's position at 6:10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20....

These celebrities decided to leave California in recent years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

High taxes, increasing cost of living expenses and political disagreements have resulted in thousands of California residents packing up and leaving the Golden State behind — including some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities.Actors Scott Baio and Dean Cain recently announced their departure from the state. Both actors said their decision was based on California’s political stance on certain issues. This is what a $1,500 rental budget will get you in California In October 2022, Mark Wahlberg announced that his family moved from California to Nevada. The actor and businessman said that his decision stemmed from him wanting to provide “a better life” for his children.In addition to other public figures, these celebrities have decided to leave California.Hilary Swank FILE - Hilary Swank attends the Disney 2022 Upfront presentation at Basketball City Pier 36 on May 17, 2022, in New York. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)The two-time Oscar winner put her $10.5 million Los Angeles home o...

One killed, two wounded in Oakland shootings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

OAKLAND — One man was killed and two other men were wounded in three shootings that happened  early Sunday and Saturday afternoon in different areas of the city, authorities said.The shootings are not related, police said.The fatal shooting happened about 2:54 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of 17th Street near San Pablo Avenue in the Uptown area.Police said the victim is a 38-year-old Pittsburg man, whose name has not yet been released.Police said the man had been visiting clubs in the area and was standing outside when he got into a confrontation with at least one other person and was shot.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.Police have not yet said what the confrontation was about.  No arrests have been made.The killing is the 69th homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. Last year at this time police had investigated  77 homicides in the city.About 1:16 a.m. Sunday a 52-year-old man was found shot multiple times outside at the intersection of  East 15th Street and...

Deadline to apply for Los Gatos’ Community Innovation Grants nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

Community Innovation GrantsAs the deadline to apply for one of the town’s Community Innovation Grants approaches, interested applicants can find answers to their questions online at www.losgatosca.gov/318/Community-Grant-Programs or by emailing the Los Gatos Library Director Ryan Baker at [email protected]. Four grants of $1,500 each are available to individuals with ideas for small-scale community improvement projects. Apply online by Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.Opera lecture in Los GatosThe San Francisco Opera’s Fall Lecture Series, which brings experts on the artform and its history to the South Bay, begins next Wednesday. From 10 a.m. to noon, Kip Cranna of the San Francisco Opera will discuss Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” which translates to “The Troubadour.”The talk will take place at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center. Members of the San Jose Opera Guild and the community center get free admission. Tickets are $10 for all non-members. To reserve a seat, ema...

Cupertino’s Live on Main concert series kicks off Aug. 25

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

Live on MainLive on Main, a free concert series at Main Street Cupertino, kicks off Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m. with The Hitmen.The series continues Sept. 1 with Aki Kumar, followed by Thrown Out Bones on Sept. 8, Country Cougars on Sept. 15 and Isaiah on Sept. 22. First Call closes the series on Sept. 29.The concerts will be held outdoors at Main Street Cupertino, 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd.CEQA exemption for housingThe California State Assembly and State Senate have both unanimously passed legislation by Sen. Dave Cortese intended to speed up housing development in the state. Cortese’s District 15 includes Cupertino.SB 406 aims to cut repetitive reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) while keeping California’s main environmental law intact. The bill is headed to the Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration.“SB 406 cuts red tape without compromising on environmental protection. This bill will streamline permitting and speed up affordable housing production for peopl...

Santa Cruz Mountains grapes are the stars at Tessier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:58 GMT

Kristie Tacey is a Bay Area biotech refugee from Michigan for whom wine became a lifeline, and then her life. Her passion is finding amazing vineyards to create wines that express the joy of living in California.Tacey sources from the Santa Cruz Mountains for her Tessier wines, located in Berkeley and available for purchase at Enoteca La Storia in Los Gatos and San Jose’s Little Italy. She makes pinot noir using grapes from Saveria in Corralitos and a sparkling rosé of pinot noir fromChristie Vineyards in Healdsburg. From Zayante Vineyards in Felton, the only continuously organically farmed vineyard in the AVA, comes a grippy, peppery merlot, her “Sideways” revenge wine.Zayante Vineyards was planted in 1983 by the late Greg Nolton. Steven Mirassou of Steven Kent Winery also sources Merlot from here.Tessier also offers a riveting Riesling from Zabala in Arroyo Seco and a mysterious Mourtaou from Siletto in San Benito.  A series of blends combines Tacey’s love of music and wine. “Soul...