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Empowering Language Acquisition: hihilulu Unlocks the Potential of Chinese Learning

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Fluency in multiple languages opens doors to cultural enrichment, broader horizons, and cognitive growth. Starting the journey of second language acquisition early offers a particular advantage. Beyond its cognitive benefits, early language learning fosters cross-cultural understanding, setting the stage for future economic prospects.As young learners embark on the journey of acquiring a second language, they gain more than just communication skills. Research shows that early language learning enhances brain development, problem-solving, memory, and concentration—traits readily observed in children’s innate ability to grasp new sounds and patterns.Among the language options available, mastering Chinese stands out significantly. It goes beyond linguistic complexities; Chinese’s influence in diplomacy, trade, and culture is profound. Proficiency in this ancient language equips individuals with a distinct skill set, unlocking opportunities across various professions while f...

Luxurious low-maintenance living in the heart of Lafayette

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Whether you’re tired of the time-consuming upkeep of a large single-family home, wanting to avoid an older home’s costly and inconvenient remodeling projects or simply yearning for a carefree, low-maintenance “lock-and-go” lifestyle, Woodbury Highlands has the perfect solution for everyone from working professionals to busy families to active empty nesters.Open and inviting great rooms with gourmet kitchens. Downsize your square footage while upsizing your lifestyle and free time at Woodbury Highlands, an upscale community of new luxury condominiums and townhomes in the heart of Lafayette. Whether your tastes lean toward candlelight and white tablecloths or shade trees and picnic tables, this vibrant community offers something for any age and every lifestyle. Woodbury residents can meet a friend for coffee, browse downtown’s shops and boutiques, visit the salon, stop by a gourmet market for lunch and groceries, take a brisk walk around the reservoir, and then enjoy a show at To...

San Jose Sharks coach not worried about recent injuries, at least not yet

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

SAN JOSE – Injuries have been an issue so far for the San Jose Sharks in training camp with defenseman Radim Simek becoming the latest player to be sidelined, at least in the short term.Simek was injured late in the first period of Wednesday’s preseason game with Anaheim as he collided with Ducks forward Nikita Nesterenko inside the Sharks’ zone. Simek was not able to put much weight on his leg as he remained on the ice for several seconds before he went to the bench and limped down the tunnel to the Sharks’ dressing room.Simek did not return to the game, a 4-2 Sharks loss, and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body malady, a relatively positive prognosis considering the defenseman’s injury history over his NHL career, which began in 2018.Simek suffered ACL and MCL tears in his right knee in March 2019 and has been sidelined at times with various ailments over the last four years. Last season, Simek was hampered by concussion issues and played only 44 of 82 games, averaging just...

Two of area’s biggest food and beverage companies settle over improper handling of ammonium

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced settlements with two Watsonville companies–S. Martinelli & Co. and Del Mar Food Products Corp., both of which employ a large number of South Santa Clara County workers–for mishandling of the toxic refrigerant anhydrous ammonia. As part of the agreements, the companies have updated their equipment which handles the chemical, and will pay out combined hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties.Del Mar Foods, which prepares frozen fruits and vegetables, and S. Martinelli & Co., which produces popular apple cider and juice products, both use anhydrous ammonium as a refrigerant. If handled improperly, it can lead to everything from severe respiratory injuries to death.“[It] is toxic and can threaten workers, first responders and the public, so it’s imperative that facilities using this chemical follow federal requirements to prevent accidents,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman in a pres...

‘Potter’ curse? Two dozen actors from the films have died

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Lisa Respers France | CNNThe “Harry Potter” franchise is beloved around the world, and the loss of anyone connected to it has been met with mourning.More than two dozen actors from the “Potter” films have died in the two decades since the franchise began, most recently Michael Gambon. The actor, who starred as Albus Dumbledore in the films, died of pneumonia this week at age 82.Below are some of the other memorable cast members who have also passed away.Alan RickmanRickman died at the age of 69 in 2016 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He played Severus Snape.Vern TroyerTroyer found fame playing “Mini-Me” in the Austin Powers film, but he also portrayed Griphook in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” He died in 2018 at age 49.Richard HarrisThe Irish actor originated the role of Dumbledore in the first two “Potter films. His death in 2002 at the age of 72 came after a battle with Hodgkin’s disease.Helen McCroryThe woman who portrayed Narcissa Malfoy died “pe...

Tech companies slash hundreds of Bay Area jobs as layoffs worsen

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Fresh waves of layoffs have battered the Bay Area job market after several tech companies revealed plans to slash well over 400 more jobs in the nine-county region, official state documents show.TTM Technologies, Clari, Wolfspeed, BlackLine Systems and Robinhood Markets are the latest high-tech companies to disclose their decisions to eliminate jobs in the Bay Area, according to new WARN notices filed with the state Employment Development Department.407 Mathew Street in Santa Clara. (Google Maps)Here are the details of the most recent tech industry layoffs affecting workers in the Bay Area, according to the WARN letters sent to the EDD:— TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board maker, is cutting 240 jobs in Santa Clara.— Clari, a software company, is chopping 139 jobs in Sunnyvale.— Wolfspeed, a maker of silicon carbide that can be used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems as well as the aerospace and defense industries, is elimi...

Group seeking to recall Alameda DA Pamela Price can now collect signatures

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

The group seeking to recall Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced Thursday that it had received approval from the county’s Registrar of Voters to begin collecting signatures — signifying a key step in their bid to kick the county’s top prosecutor out of office.The effort calling itself Save Alameda for Everyone (SAFE): Recall DA Pamela Price now has 160 days to collect 73,195 valid signatures from registered voters in the county, said Carl Chan, a recall leader and the government affairs chair of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. He said the group plans to seek at least 100,000 signatures over the next five and a half months to ensure that it reaches the county’s threshold, a goal that could cost up to $1 million reach.In making the announcement, Chan said he was “ecstatic” to have finally reached this latest, critical phase.“Everything is about public safety in people’s minds,” Chan said. “We need to rebuild...

Storm Elias fills homes with mud in central Greece

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

By Petros Giannakouris and Derek Gatopolous | Associated PressVOLOS, Greece — A second powerful storm in less than a month hammered parts of central Greece on Thursday, sweeping away roads, smashing bridges and flooding thousands of homes.The storm — called Elias — caused extensive flooding in the central city of Volos and left hundreds stranded in nearby mountain villages. The fire service carried out multiple rescues and evacuations, authorities said.Rescuers were also searching a mountainous area for the pilot of a private helicopter that went missing in the bad weather.“All of Volos has turned into a lake,” Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos told state television. “People’s lives are in danger. Even I remained trapped, and 80% of the city is without power. … I don’t know where God found so much water. It’s like the story of Noah’s Ark.”Bad weather earlier this month struck the same area, killing 16 people, and causing more than 2 billion e...

No Fleet Week? What will happen if Congress’ funding dispute starts shutting down the federal government

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

Fleet Week without the Blue Angels? Food aid running dry for impoverished mothers? Tax return processing on hold? Longer lines and flight delays at airports?Those are some of the ways a federal government shutdown as early as Sunday could be felt in the Bay Area and around the country as Congress’ periodic game of chicken over spending approaches a critical end-of-September deadline with no deal in sight.While talks are expected to go down to the wire Saturday night, a shutdown could be felt the next day around the Bay Area, with further impacts mounting the longer the dispute drags on. Among potential impacts:Fleet WeekThe White House said if there’s a shutdown, all active-duty military personnel and many law enforcement officers would remain at work, but receive no pay until appropriated funds are available.But a Navy spokesman said nonessential events like Fleet Week performances would become casualties — no Blue Angels, ship tours or military band performances ...

Diamondbacks delay clinching playoff berth as Vaughn, Moncada homer for White Sox in 3-1 win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:20:54 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks delayed clinching an NL wild card berth, losing to the White Sox 3-1 on Thursday as Andrew Vaughn and Yoán Moncada homered for Chicago.Arizona (84-75) is in position for the second NL wild card and its first postseason appearance since 2017. The Diamondbacks entered two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs and Miami, who were tied for the third and final spot. Arizona would have clinched Thursday with both a win and a Cubs loss at Atlanta.“Like I’ve been saying, we have to win every baseball game that we play in and we didn’t do that today, so there’s some frustration,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We have to be better. We have to be better in all areas. We had some opportunities early and I felt like if we had scored some early runs it might have been a different story.”Each team had three hits, and Arizona went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position.Tanner Banks (1-4), the second of five Chicago pitchers, threw a ...