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NBA Western Conference Finals: Key matchup, top performers, and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking their 33rd trip to the NBA Finals. LeBron James is seeking his 11th. And the Denver Nuggets are seeking their first. Denver has been the team that everyone has chased in the Western Conference for most of the season. The Nuggets moved atop the conference standings in mid-December and stayed there the rest of the way. The Lakers started 2-10 and didn’t spend a single day over the .500 mark until March 31. But they’re 18-6 in their last 24 games. That's the NBA’s best record over that span.Key matchup: Denver’s Nikola Jokic vs. the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. Jokic cannot be stopped. The two-time MVP is Mr. Everything for Denver, a triple-double machine who makes scoring, passing and rebounding look so easy. But Davis is one of the best defenders in the game and likely one of the few players in the NBA who truly can make life difficult for someone as strong and skilled as Jokic.Injury watch: There isn’t much to report here. James and Davis have nagging is...

Former LAPD officer charged with sexually abusing 4 boys; more victims sought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

A former Los Angeles Police Department officer has been charged with eight counts of lewd acts with a child after allegedly sexually assaulting four boys, and authorities are seeking additional possible victims.Paul Razo, 46, was arrested May 10 and he remains in custody. He is accused of child sexual abuse, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office alleges he sexually assaulted four boys between between 2007 and 2016 in his Covina home.Two of the victims were described as being his young male relatives; one was 11 or 12 years old when the alleged abuse occurred, while the other was about 13, officials said. The other two victims were described as sons of a woman Razo had been dating, and the boys reportedly often spent the night at his home, officials said. One of the boys was 9 or 10 years old when Razo allegedly sexually assaulted him, while the victim’s brother was 12.“Based on the nature of the allegations and Mr. Razo’s access to children, detectives believe there...

The 5 Best Public Pools in LA to Beat the Summer Heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Perhaps you’re bringing kids with you, or you find that LA beaches can get too crowded during summer. Good thing the best public pools in LA are waiting for you to dive into their waters!Check out the best public pools in LA:5 Best Public Pools in LA to Visit This Summer1. Santa Monica Swim CenterSanta Monica Swim Center has 2 open-air pools for you to enjoy. If you have kids (or even babies!), you can enroll them in swimming lessons here — they take your and your rascals’ safety seriously. If you’re looking for activities to take part in yourself, you can also try their water aerobics classes.Furthermore, if you’re a Santa Monica resident, you can get into the Santa Monica Swim Center for free. The regular rate for adults is $9, children can get in for $4. Students and seniors can access the pool for $4.50.2. Hollywood Recreation CenterLocated within the Hollywood Recreation Center is the freshly-redesigned Hollywood pool — it was worth the wait as this pool has a diving board and ...

Single Moms Planet Mothers Day Event Recap

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

On Saturday May 6, 2023, Single Moms Planet and Boss Talks held their “Mother’s Day Celebration” event at the Culver Hotel in Los Angeles.The event was an early celebration of Mother’s Day and brought together women from around the city. It kicked off with speeches by Single Moms Planet Co-founders Neferteri Plessy and Cole Patterson, who spoke about the organization’s mission to uplift under-resourced single mom business owners and working mothers through comprehensive programs of financial literacy, business development, mentorship, and entrepreneurial training. Boss Talks co-founders Hillary Gadsby and Wendi Boyden then spoke about the current gaps in mentorship and their mission to create a network of entrepreneurs and female CEOs who can share first hand experiences and uplift each other in their career journeys. “Boss talks is a global mentorship platform for entrepreneurial women. The reason we decided to partner with Single Moms Planet is truly our relationship with Neferter...

The Curious. The One

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

The Curious, a 3-piece band that has been making statements with their music since their debut, is gearing upfor the release of their latest single, “The One.” Formed by founding members Dominic Smith, Sam Robertsand Alexander Dreyer Nuti, the band is most know for their live shows and big stadium sound and haveperformed all across the UK, including festivals such as BST Hyde Park and Camp Bestival and have beenfeatured internationally on radio stations. Their new release promises to be a classic love song with a twist ofgenerational issues, taking listeners on a journey through the challenges of finding love in a society that isoften driven by superficiality and materialism.“The One” opens with a driving melody that draws listeners in from the very first note. Lead singer Dom’s voiceis raw and captivating, clear tribute to old school rock music. As the song progresses, the instrumentationbuilds, with layers of guitars, drums, and keys creating a rich, wide and tex...

Recipe: Birthday cookies taste like cake but are easier to make and portable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

There are occasions when a highly portable birthday dessert is needed. A day at the beach, maybe an outing at the park, or a casual picnic or tailgate. That’s the reasoning behind simple-to-make and easy to transport 8- or 9-inch birthday cookies.According to cookbook author Alison Roman (“Sweet Enough,” Clarkson Potter), these sprinkle-rich birthday cookies taste like birthday cake and only takes 30-ish minutes to prepare. Baked in two cake pans, the treats are cut into wedges, with a candle adorning one.If you prefer, use half the dough to make one batch using only one cake pan; leftover dough can be tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 1 month. The cookies can be baked 3 days ahead, cooled and stored airtight.Birthday CookiesYield: About 32 cookiesINGREDIENTSParchment paper6 large egg yolks3/4 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, room temperature1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/3 cup multi-colored sprinkles,...

'I'm broken hearted by SF': Small business owners struggle with post-pandemic changes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

(KRON) -- As big-box retailers continue leaving Downtown San Francisco en masse, many cite the city's public safety issues and dwindling foot traffic as the reasons they are closing up shop. Small business owners agree.A survey conducted by San Francisco's Office of Small Business and San Francisco State University surveyed 802 small business owners across all ages, races and industries and found that what stressed most businesses were inflation on goods, dirty and smelly streets and lack of customers. While small business owners have expressed concern about shoplifting, it was not among the top challenges identified in the survey.Today's most reported challenges from small business owners by industry. (San Francisco Office of Small Business/SFSU survey)Just this month, a longtime local San Francisco bike shop High Road Bike Co. said it had plans to close by the end of May due to the financial hardship caused by several break-ins and lack of customers. One small business owner said...

Swedish Eurovision winner Loreen returns home, performs winning power ballad ‘Tattoo’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish singer Loreen, who won the Eurovision Song Contest with her power ballad “Tattoo,” returned home on Tuesday, saying she was proud to be only the second person in Eurovision history to have won the contest twice.“I’m so incredibly happy,” a smiling Loreen said after landing at Stockholm’s international airport from the English city of Liverpool, where the event was held. “On the plane home, I had my first burst of joy and looked out at the sky. I am so incredibly happy about this. I am so proud that Sweden sent me.” She held the trophy — a handmade glass sculpture in the shape of a microphone from the 1950s — saying it was “brutally heavy.” Later Tuesday, the 39-year-old artist performed the winning dance-pop anthem at a downtown Stockholm park — a popular hangout known for its outdoor cafes and open-air concerts — before a cheering crowd of hundreds of people. The concert was broadcast live on Sweden’s public television. “I am so grateful to have been ...

Folarin Balogun opts to play for US instead of England

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Promising striker Folarin Balogun has opted to play for the United States at international level instead of England. FIFA said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that it approved a request by the U.S. Soccer Federation to change Balogun’s national eligibility from England, which he had represented at Under-21 level. The 21-year-old Balogun, who has scored 19 goals in the French league this season while on loan at Reims from Arsenal, was born in New York but grew up in London. He had also been eligible to play for Nigeria through family ties.Balogun confirmed the move in a video on his social media accounts using the slogans “I’m coming home” and “Let’s make history.” Balogun has been in demand after a breakout season in France.He was dueling with Kylian Mbappé to top the scoring charts for much of the season, although the Paris Saint-Germain star now leads with 26 goals.Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents who were living in ...

Draft Lottery day arrives, with the NBA about to learn where Wembanyama is going

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Draft Lottery day has arrived, and the NBA is about to learn which team will win the chance to select Victor Wembanyama next month.The lottery will be held Tuesday night in Chicago, where 14 teams will have a chance to win the No. 1 pick for the June 22 draft. Detroit, Houston and San Antonio all have the best chance of winning, at 14% apiece.The lottery involves 14 ping-pong balls going into a machine, and the first four balls that come out will be matched to predetermined combinations assigned to each team.Results will be aired on ESPN, though the lottery itself takes place about an hour before in a secure room. Each team will have a representative in the room, and league officials, lottery observers and some reporters will also be present — but none will be allowed to leave the room or communicate with anyone until the results are shown on television.The lottery goes back to 1985. In the first five years, the lottery teams — seven in 1985 through 1988, nine i...