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Unlocking Literary Success: The Significance of Understanding Readers for Authors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

In the vast landscape of literature, the bridge between an author’s words and a reader’s heart is a delicate yet powerful connection. Aspiring and established authors alike are well aware that crafting a compelling story is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly make an impact, authors must delve into the minds and hearts of their readers. This understanding is not just a mere bonus—it’s a fundamental aspect of literary success.Within the pages of Leigh Schmidt’s “The Boy Who Knew Santa” series, lies a shining example of how an author’s keen understanding of readers can elevate a story from mere words to a transformative experience. Schmidt’s exceptional storytelling skills are perfectly complemented by his ability to connect deeply with his audience, creating a narrative that resonates on a profound level.Leigh Schmidt’s intimate connection with readers is evident in how he tailors the series to captivate diverse audiences. From...

Letters: A city’s vitality | Defending an empire | End game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.People, not buildings,hold a city’s vitalityRe: “Don’t ruin historic neighborhoods to solve California’s housing crisis” (Page A6, Dec. 21).It’s disingenuous to say, “Without historic preservation, we would have no Palace of Fine Arts, no Alamo Square, no Tonga Room, no Alcatraz and no Paramount Theater.” Without working-class people, those wouldn’t exist — but presently, those who build those buildings cannot afford to live where they are; to live in the places they serve; to enjoy those things as I and others who are privileged to be able to afford to live here do.There’s strength in diversity and new people. If you like your neighborhood, you should want others to be able to experience it as you do — tis the season to share the joy.Preserving neighborhoods is exclusionary and shortsighted because change is inevitable. Black people who grew up in the Fillmore c...

Actor Mike Nussbaum dies at 99; had roles in ‘Field of Dreams,’ ‘Men in Black’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

By Sophia Tareen | Associated PressCHICAGO — Mike Nussbaum, reputed as the oldest professional actor in America with a prolific stage career and roles in films including “Field of Dreams” and “Men in Black,” has died. He was 99.He died of old age at his Chicago home on Saturday, just days before his 100th birthday, his daughter, Karen Nussbaum, told The Associated Press.“He was a good father and a good man who raised us to care about other people and respect other people and care about justice,” she said.Mike Nussbaum was acknowledged by the Actor’s Equity Association union multiple times in the past several years as the oldest professional actor in the country. When asked about his status as a working nonagenarian over the years, Nussbaum said he simply enjoyed the work.“I am gifted and lucky to still be able to do the thing that is the most fun for me in life,” he told WBEZ Chicago in 2019 when he was 94 years old. “As long as I can do it, I will.”Born in December 1923 in Chicago’...

Man fatally shot in East Oakland Tuesday afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was fatally shot in East Oakland Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.His name and age have not yet been released.The shooting happened about 2:40 p.m. outside in the 1400 block of Sunshine Court, a mixture of homes and commercial structures.A motive for the shooting was under investigation. A possible suspect was seen running from the area, authorities said, but no arrests were announced.The killing is the 125th homicide investigated by Oakland police this year.  Last year at this time, police had investigated 119 homicides in the city.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the killer. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.Check back for updates on this developing story.

El Granada man sentenced to life for sexual assaults of 5 victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

(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...

Eggnog bath awaits either No. 16 Louisville’s Brohm or USC’s Riley in Holiday Bowl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

DirecTV Holiday Bowl: Southern California (7-5) vs. No. 16 Louisville (10-3), Dec. 27, 8 p.m. Eastern (Fox)FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Louisville by 7 Series record: first meeting.WHAT’S AT STAKEEither Louisville’s Jeff Brohm or USC’s Lincoln Riley will be getting an eggnog bath — nog on the noggin — instead of a Gatorade shower as the winning coach of the game at Petco Park. Riley would no doubt welcome that after a disappointing season that began with national title hopes. Southern Cal will play its final game as a member of the Pac-12 Conference before moving to the Big Ten next season. USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has opted out, one of many players from both schools who will miss the game due to opting out or entering the transfer portal. Williams is expected to be the first overall pick in next spring’s NFL draft. The No. 16 Cardinals are coming off a 16-6 loss to Florida State in their first ACC championship game and ar...

At least 140 villagers killed by suspected herders in weekend attacks in north-central Nigeria

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen attacked remote villages over the weekend in north-central Nigeria’s Plateau state, killing at least 140 people, officials and survivors said Tuesday, the latest case this year of such mass killings blamed on the farmer-herder crisis in the West African nation.The assailants targeted 17 communities in “senseless and unprovoked” attacks on Saturday and Sunday, burning down most houses in the area, Plateau Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said in a broadcast on the local Channels Television.“As I am talking to you, in Mangu local governorate alone, we buried 15 people. As of this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting not less than 100 corpses. I am yet to take stock of (the deaths in) Barkin Ladi,” Mutfwan said. “It has been a very terrifying Christmas for us here in Plateau.”Amnesty International’s Nigeria office told The Associated Press that it has so far confirmed 140 deaths in the Christian-dominated Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi areas of Plateau, based on data...

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, receiver Michael Thomas not expected vs. Bucs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen all but ruled out the return of top cornerback Marshon Lattimore or starting receiver Michael Thomas for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.Both players have been eligible to return from injured reserve since least week, but on Tuesday, Allen said, “I don’t know that I expect to see those guys” at practice this week.Allen also was vague about either player’s prospects for returning before the regular-season finale at home against Atlanta on Jan. 7.“We just play each week out as they go,” Allen said.Lattimore (ankle) and Thomas (knee) both were injured during a Week 10 loss at MinnesotaThe 30-year-old Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who in 2019 set an NFL record with 149 catches in a season, has 39 catches for 448 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season. He is playing on a one-year contract that was negotiated last offseason after he’d appeared in just 10 regular-season games combined during the previous three re...

Por turbulencia “extraña”, 11 pasajeros de un vuelo terminan en el hospital cuando regresaban de un crucero de Navidad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

(CNN) –– Parecía el viaje perfecto de descanso para la temporada navideña: un crucero por el soleado Caribe, antes de volar de regreso al frío y la humedad del Reino Unido justo a tiempo para celebrar la Navidad.Pero las vacaciones idílicas terminaron en una especie de pesadilla para los 225 pasajeros británicos del Caribbean Fly-Cruise de la compañía de cruceros P&O, después de que su vuelo rentado de regreso sufriera una turbulencia “extraña” que dejó a algunos pasajeros en el hospital y retrasó la llegada a casa de todos hasta después de Navidad.Los pasajeros reservaron cruceros de una o dos semanas en el lujoso barco Arvia. Con no menos de cuatro piscinas y 30 bares y restaurantes a bordo, se esperaba que fuera un viaje de ensueño por los principales destinos del Caribe, incluidos Antigua, Santa Lucía y República Dominicana.¿Por qué la turbulencia aérea podría empeorar en el futuro cercano?De hecho, la parte del crucero salió exactamente según lo planeado. Pero lograr llegar...

Quick Lane Bowl Winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:59 GMT

Dec. 26, 2023 — Minnesota 30, Bowling Green 24Dec. 26, 2022 — New Mexico St. 24, Bowling Green 19Dec. 27, 2021 — Western Michigan 52, Nevada 242020 Canceled due to Covid-19 pandemicDec. 26, 2019 — Pittsburgh 34, Eastern Michigan 30Dec. 26, 2018 — Minnesota 34, Georgia Tech 10Dec. 26, 2017 — Duke 36, Northern Illinois 14Dec. 26, 2016 — Boston College 36, Maryland 30Dec. 28, 2015 — Minnesota 21, Central Michigan 14Dec. 26, 2014 — Rutgers 40, North Carolina 21Dec. 26, 2013 — Pittsburgh 30, Bowling Green 27Dec. 26, 2012 — Central Michigan 24, Western Kentucky 21Dec. 27, 2011 — Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32Dec. 26, 2010 — Florida International 34, Toledo 32Dec. 26, 2009 — Marshall 21, Ohio 17Dec. 26, 2008 — Florida Atlantic 24, Central Michigan 21Dec. 26, 2007 — Purdue 51, Central Michigan 48Dec. 26, 2006 — Central Michigan 31, Middle Tennessee 14Dec. 26, 2005 — Memphis 38, Akron 31Dec. 27, 2004 — Connecticut 39, Toledo 10Dec. 26, 2003 — Bowling Green 28, Northwestern 24Dec. 26, 2002 — ...