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Orange County man records extremely close encounter with cougar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

A wildlife photographer may have gotten the shot of a lifetime Wednesday night when he encountered a mountain lion mere feet down a path.Mark Girardeau said he was checking his motion-activated cameras in Trabuco Canyon when he saw the adult puma, which he calls "Uno," "just chilling" on the trail. When he zooms in on Uno, the camera shows that the cougar is calm and composed, seemingly more curious about Girardeau's presence than anything else.The big cat then saunters down the trail until she reaches the other side of the path from Girardeau's position, then trots away.This mountain lion had no problem around wildlife photographer Mark Girardeau on July 13, 2023. (Mark Girardeau)"Oh s—. I had bear spray ready," he narrates.In another video, Uno, who is wearing a collar, walks within an arm's length of Girardeau's vehicle, seemingly unconcerned with his presence.If you encounter a mountain lion in the wild, the National Park Service says to stay calm, make eye contact and stand and...

Disneyland to celebrate 68th anniversary with limited-time event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

The Disneyland Resort will celebrate its 68th anniversary on Monday and will hold a celebratory cavalcade to mark the special occasion, the resort announced Thursday.Walt Disney welcomed the first guests into Disneyland on July 17, 1955.The celebratory cavalcade will take place at Disneyland at 11:45 a.m. and will likely include appearances from Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy, among other characters. Disneyland sells out of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets on the first day The Anaheim-based theme park will also celebrate its birthday with a new donut available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café from July 15 until July 17.The resort’s latest celebration comes during Disney 100, a yearlong celebration of the Walt Disney Co.’s 100th anniversary. The festivities included the debut of a new ride, two new nighttime shows, new food options and more.The new dark ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, opened to the public earlier this year and is the first ride at Disneyland that stars Mickey Mou...

TV presenter resells Taylor Swift tickets, as Swifties chip in donations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

Perhaps no modern musician has a more dedicated and devoted fanbase than Taylor Swift.Swift, 33, is currently in the midst of a world-spanning concert tour that is selling out arenas with exorbitant ticket prices and sparking a conversation about the ticket resale market.Tickets for the Eras Tour are extremely hard to come by, with scalpers and reselling sites snatching up many of the tickets within seconds of them going on sale. The resulting mayhem led to tickets going for hundreds, if not thousands, above their advertised price.One Swift fan lucky enough to beat the bots and grab a pair of Eras Tour tickets was engineer and TV presenter Emily Calandrelli. Emily Calandrelli (left) and and Steve Spangler on stage during the 45th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on April 27, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Getty Images,)Calandrelli had purchased six tickets for the pop star's concert at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 3, but decided to sell them. Her initia...

Advocating for Secure and Ethical Tech for SMEs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

An Interview with Tech Expert Rouble MalikSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges when it comes to advocating for secure and ethical technology practices. While larger organizations often have dedicated resources and expertise in cybersecurity and ethical considerations, SMEs may struggle to navigate these complex issues due to limited resources and competing priorities.But the need for secure and ethical tech practices is just as critical for SMEs – if not more so – as they are both increasingly targeted by cyber threats and entrusted with valuable customer data. It’s integral for professionals in the industry to advocate for secure and ethical tech in the SME sector.One of the emerging experts in this arena is information security professional Rouble Malik, an expert in cloud computing and cybersecurity. He has agreed to discuss his insights about ethics and security, including his own efforts in promoting responsible practices, raising awarene...

“Empowering Black Success in a Post-Affirmative Action Landscape: Dr. Boyce Watkins’ Revolutionary Strategies”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

In the pursuit of financial independence and security, the concept of economic empowerment has become a fiscal buzzword. Unfortunately, the term often serves as a thin veil for dubious get-rich-quick schemes and multi-level marketing (MLM) programs that tend to leave the most vulnerable in calamitous positions. This is especially true for the most financially insecure, who may be more susceptible to purposefully misleading information.However, there are legitimate financial strategies that have been evaluated by experienced scholars and proven to foster long-term economic independence. Dr. Boyce Watkins, formerly on the Finance faculty at Syracuse University, is a high profile scholar and founder of The Black Business School. Dr Watkins emerged as a guiding light for millions by providing tested strategies to bridge the racial wealth gap. Through his bestselling books, films, podcasts, and annual conventions, he has generated a reliable engine for Black Wealth accumulation.Scholar, ...

Patricio Systems Celebrates Over 10 Years Of Service As a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

Patricio Systems is an information technology company that provides staffing solutions for state, local and federal government agencies. Founded in 2011 by disabled Marine veteran John Patricio, the company allows private entities and government agencies to fulfill their disabled veteran contract requirements. For the state of California this requirement is called Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE). For the federal government this requirement is called Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).When government agencies want to start an IT project, they need a project manager and technical resources.  Information Technology changes exponentially.  Often, there is limited technology experience within the employee community to support new IT projects. Agencies borrow and steal resources from other internal projects and business functions. Contractors can be utilized to provide competent staff highly capable of producing project success. Then ramp down to release st...

Man Hospitalized after Hit-and-Run on Bushard Street [Fountain Valley, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

Hit-and-Run in Fountain Valley Left Huntington Beach Man Critically InjuredFOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA (July 13, 2023) – A man was seriously injured by a hit-and-run on Bushard Street Tuesday evening.The collision occurred on July 4th, shortly before 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Bushard Street and Columbus Court.According to the police, the victim was traveling northbound in the bicycle lane when a driver struck the man at the intersection. However, the driver did not render aid to the victim and fled the scene.Responding medical personnel immediately rushed the victim to a hospital where he remained in critical condition. Later, the families of the injured bicyclist identified him as 20-year-old Caysen Robinson of Huntington Beach.Based on the initial investigation, police believed the suspect’s vehicle was a 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander.Those with additional information regarding the Bushard Street hit-and-run are encouraged to contact the department’s Traffic Bureau at 71...

What you need to know about the SAG-AFTRA strike that will upend Hollywood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

Jami Ganz | (TNS) New York Daily NewsNEW YORK — Lights, camera, pause. Hollywood is officially on hiatus as the union representing on-screen talent has joined screenwriters in striking against the studios, amid stalled contract negotiations.SAG-AFTRA officially announced its strike would commence at midnight PST Friday, after the union’s contract expired late Wednesday and negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) fell apart. Union leadership noted that while the strike was “an instrument of last resort,” settling for an unfair deal wouldn’t just “destroy each of us, but the industry at large.”Here’s a breakdown of what the strike means for screens big, small and beyond.Why is SAG-AFTRA striking?The union, representing roughly 160,000 actors, broadcast journalists, hosts and more, is seeking more than an increase in pay and improvement in working conditions.SAG wants to ensure their livelihoods are protected amid the emergence of evolving tech...

Pressing matters: 10 tips to iron like a pro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

My mother knew how to iron. I remember her standing over the ironing board, forming crisp fresh-smelling stacks of linens. I should have paid more attention.Instead, I have been bumbling along, pressing hot metal to fabric all these years as if I knew what I was doing. That changed last month when, some of you may recall, I interviewed garment-care guru Wayne Edelman, owner of Meurice Garment Care, a high-end cleaner based in New York. Edelman and I discussed how to get whiter whites. (If the discussion of whiter whites didn’t knock the planet off its axis, certainly the hot topic of proper ironing will!)During that call, Edelman casually mentioned, “Don’t steam iron cottons and linens. Iron them damp. If they’re dry, sprinkle or spritz with water then iron.”I have been steam ironing my cottons and linens — for years. “Why not?” I asked. “Isn’t that the same as ironing damp fabric?”“What gives cotton and linen that crisp finish is pulling the water out of the damp fabric...

Five-bedroom home sells in San Ramon for $2.3 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:50 GMT

77 Foster Drive – Google Street ViewA 3,295-square-foot house built in 1998 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the first block of Foster Drive in San Ramon was sold on June 30, 2023. The $2,298,000 purchase price works out to $697 per square foot. This two-story house offers a roomy layout with five bedrooms and four baths. In addition, the house provides an attached two-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes. The lot of the property covers a substancial area of 8,430 square feet.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:In June 2022, a 2,383-square-foot home on Foster Drive in San Ramon sold for $2,150,000, a price per square foot of $902. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Davona Drive, San Ramon, in July 2022, a 2,190-square-foot home was sold for $1,395,000, a price per square foot of $637. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,369-square-foot home on the 8700 block of Augusta Court in Dublin sold in January 2...