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Los Angeles chef named to Food & Wine's 2023 Best New Chef list

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

An unassuming pizza place in Echo Park is home to one of the best new chefs in America, according to Food & Wine magazine. Pastry chef Hannah Ziskin works in the back of Quarter Sheets making world-class cakes, which she calls "slabs." Each slab is meticulously crafted and thoughtfully prepared and have a tendency to sell out, according to her profile in the prominent food magazine.Among her most popular and beloved offerings is a slab called "Gâteau Dirt," which hearkens back to school cafeteria "dirt cups" — if that cafeteria was staffed by some of the most innovative and talented chefs in the world. Hannah Ziskin of Echo Park's Quarter Sheets is photographed for Food & Wine after being named one of the Best New Chefs of 2023. (Food & Wine)Ziskin got her start in the industry working at Chez Panisse, a gourmet restaurant in Berkeley that is credited as one of the innovators and founders of the farm-to-table movement. A UC Berkeley student at the time, Ziskin was hired ...

Dunkin' partners with Ice Spice on new pumpkin spice drink

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

Dunkin' has expanded its pumpkin spice lineup with the help of rising rap star Ice Spice and actor Ben Affleck.On Wednesday, the coffee chain rolled out the Ice Spice Munchkins Drink. The drink combines creamy frozen coffee with Pumpkin Munchkins Donut Hole Treats and is topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.Dunkin' has expanded its pumpkin spice lineup with the help of rising rap star Ice Spice and actor Ben Affleck. (Dunkin') It’s the first time a bakery treat has been added to one of Dunkin’s signature drinks, according to a news release.To announce Dunkin’s newest pumpkin spice drink, the two stars appeared in a commercial that showed them brainstorming a name for the new drink. Wendy’s to debut first ever pumpkin spice flavored Frosty, new cold brew "We gotta come up with a drink name, but it's not easy, right? Nowadays, with social media, the kids—it's gotta be authentic. How are people gonna connect you with Dunkin?" Affleck said in the commercial."I'm a Dunkin' g...

Woman killed, man shot in Lancaster

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

A man and a woman were shot in Lancaster early Wednesday, leading to the woman's death and the man's hospitalization.The shooting was reported in the 44900 block of Valley Central Way at a few minutes before 3 a.m., and responding deputies found a woman believed to be 40 to 45 years old who had been shot in the chest, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. She was pronounced dead at the scene.The other victim, a man believed to be 30 to 35 years old, was also shot in the chest and was taken to a local hospital, where he is in stable condition. That man was initially said to be dead, though the LASD later clarified that he is alive.No information about the shooter or shooters was available, and no further details have been released.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Exclusive L.A. dinner party invites guests to dine in the nude

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

A new dinner party in Los Angeles is encouraging guests to dine in the buff without the fear of being asked to leave.It's called Füde, a portmanteau of food and nude, and is the brainchild of performance artist and chef Charlie Ann Max. Max has done similar pop-ups in New York, San Francisco and L.A. since 2020. The latest Los Angeles experience is currently happening at a private house in the San Fernando Valley.Guests arrive and strip completely naked, then there's a breathwork class, followed by a plant-based meal.The dinner is extremely exclusive and you can't just make a simple reservation. There's a long application process, you have to send a photo and they say no cis-gendered men can attend without a referral. There's also a safety guide to ensure everyone is comfortable.Jenn Harris of the Los Angeles Times recently attended a Füde gathering and described it as a positive experience."The meal quickly turned into a group therapy session, with diners discussing their fears, do...

‘Opening Day 2.0’ for Patrick Bailey as SF Giants activate catcher from IL

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Seven days after his head was knocked back defending home plate, several days removed from the concussion-induced fogginess that followed, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey was activated for Wednesday’s series finale against the Guardians.“It’s Opening Day 2.0 for him,” catching coach Craig Albernaz said, his Boston accent inflected with glee.The Giants got their star rookie — their second-most valuable position player, by FanGraphs’ calculations — back with 17 games to go. With fellow rookie Kyle Harrison making his fifth big-league start Wednesday, Bailey reclaimed his spot behind the plate, where he is expected to start most, if not all, their remaining games.“Just looking at the catching calendar through the end of the season,” manager Gabe Kapler said, “there’s a lot of Pat Bailey in there.”Bailey missed the past seven games after suffering a concussion when Jeimer Candelario collided with him while sliding...

The Moth-Off: Readers post their own photos of giant, hummingbird-like moths

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

You know that old saying in journalism: Write about giant, weird bugs once, and your inbox forevermore will brim with photos of giant, weird bugs.It’s been two weeks since we covered the appearance of white-lined sphinx moths in the Bay Area, which are out in unusual abundance this year. That’s given readers plenty of time to hustle up their own photos of the giant moths invading their backyards and flitting about in the high Sierra Nevada.You’ll definitely remember if you’ve seen one of these creatures. They have wingspans of almost 4 inches, can fly at 30 mph and have wingbeats so fast they look identical to hummingbirds. Here’s one fellow that amateur photographer Diane Winkler spotted at Point Reyes National Seashore this August:A white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) seen at Point Reyes National Seashore in August, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Diane Winkler) Gary Yost made this gorgeous video of a white-lined sphinx moth doing its thing up in th...

Ukrainian attack damages 2 ships, injures 24 people and sets port on fire in Russia-annexed Crimea

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

By DASHA LITVINOVA and ILLIA NOVIKOV (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian attack on a strategic shipyard early Wednesday in Russian-annexed Crimea wounded 24 people, damaged two ships undergoing repairs and caused a fire at the facility, Russian authorities reported. The attack in the port city of Sevastopol, which serves as the main base for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, took place as Moscow offensives killed at least three civilians and injured 14 across Ukraine, the president’s office said. A pre-dawn drone onslaught in southern Ukraine’s Odesa region damaged port and civilian infrastructure in the region’s Izmail district, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) across the Black Sea from Sevastopol, and wounded seven people, three seriously, Gov. Oleh Kiper said.Russian attacks on residential areas in 10 cities and villages in the Donetsk region killed three people and wounded three. Fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region injured one resident in Ori...

Woman accused of setting California Target afire so she could steal baby formula is arrested

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

A 40-year-old woman was arrested after being accused of setting a Target store on fire in Buena Park to divert attention from her stealing baby formula, authorities said.She was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 14, a week after a blaze erupted in a clothes rack in the children’s department, prompting employees and customers to evacuate.The fire lead to the Target, at 7530 Orangethorpe Ave., to temporarily closed.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man arrested on suspicion of setting six fires in Belmont Crime and Public Safety | California Target evacuated after fire in children’s department According to police, the damage to the store was estimated at $500,000 to $1 million, primarily because of water and smoke damage.No injuries were reported.Orange County Fire Authority arson investigators and Buena Park police conducted a joint investigation. It was unclear how authorities found the suspect. 

Police identify officer who shot man outside San Pablo residence during mental health call

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

SAN PABLO — Police on Wednesday released the name of an officer who shot and critically injured a 44-year-old man last week.Capt. Brian Bubar said four-year veteran Manuel Agredano remains on paid administrative leave, per department policy, following the shooting on Sept. 8. The gunfire wounded Andre Smith, who remained in critical but stable condition with life-threatening injuries at a hospital Wednesday, Bubar said.The shooting happened outside a residence in the 2600 block of Dover Avenue, according to a police statement. Police said Smith wasn’t slowed by Tasers, bean bags or foam bullets; that he threw pieces of brick at officers; and that he charged at officers with a 3-foot pole while using a folding chair as a shield.In the statement, police said Agredano fired after Smith swung the pole at another officer, who ducked to avoid being hit. Police said Agredano’s shot hit Smith in the upper right leg.Police also said that as officers were on way to the scene...

New England cleans up with an eye on Hurricane Lee’s path

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:57 GMT

By Michael Casey and Kathy McCormack | Associated PressLEOMINSTER, Mass. — More heavy rain was falling Wednesday in New England, where residents kept one eye on cleanup and another on the path of Hurricane Lee after downpours dropped nearly 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in six hours and flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.The rainfall was a “200-year event,” said Matthew Belk, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey issued a state of emergency Tuesday night following the “catastrophic flash flooding and property damage” in two counties and other communities.The rain created sinkholes in Leominster, Massachusetts. Cars sank into the ground at an auto dealership. The front yard collapsed at one house, resulting in a 15-foot (4.6-meter) hole that exposed the foundation.Andre Obin said his parents, who have lived in the home for many years, were able to pull out of their driveway shortly before...