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The Best of Small Plates: Raphael Lunetta Is The King Of Prix Fixe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

Long before the small plate movement began, diners were jamming into Santa Monica’s  JiRaffe restaurant on Monday nights for a chance to experience chef Raphael Lunetta’s intriguing new concept: The Tasting Menu — something that has become commonplace in L.A. dining rooms.Popular with both diners and chefs, the sharing plates and small bites trend has taken off and redefined how we experience dining and doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, this week’s dineLA celebrates 15 years, largely inspired by the first chefs to participate  — Lunetta and his JiRaffe partner and childhood friend Josiah Citrin who went on to open the Michelin-starred Melisse. “The small plate movement really approached us in the early 2000s for a couple of reasons,” the Dogtown native and avid surfer tells L.A. Weekly in his current restaurant, Lunetta. “Going out to dinner and sitting in front of somebody at a little two-top had gotten a little boring. In the ‘80s and ‘90s lunch was big....

Sergio Diaz Pronounced Dead following Hit-and-Run at Warner Avenue [Santa Ana, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

Sergio Diaz Killed in Hit-and-Run at Warner Avenue [Santa Ana, CA]SANTA ANA, CA (October 18, 2023) – Sunday night, a hit-and-run on Warner Avenue claimed the life of Sergio Diaz.Police received reports of the collision shortly after 10:00 p.m. in the area of Warner Avenue and Brookhollow Drive.Based on the investigation, an eastbound driver hit the man crossing Warner and fled the scene without rendering aid.Tragically, the Santa Ana Police declared 32-year-old Sergio Diaz of Santa Ana, dead at the scene. Diaz was believed to have been walking to or from work at the time of the incident.Additionally, police have not released any information about the suspect. Although it was reported that multiple witnesses have come forward with leads.Moreover, Santa Ana Officials will post additional updates as they become available to the public.Anyone who witnessed the fatal hit-and-run to contact the detectives at 714-245-8215 or 714-245-8200.Furthermore, a portion of the roadway was temp...

Rider Dies in Motorcycle Accident on 38th Street [Sacramento, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Crash near 24th StreetSACRAMENTO, CA (October 18, 2023) – Monday afternoon, a motorcycle accident claimed the life of one rider on 38th Street.At approximately 2:45 p.m., crews arrived in the vicinity of 24th Street and the Sacramento Executive Airport.Upon their arrival, first responders discovered a Ford Transit van and an unresponsive motorcyclist. Due to the severity of injuries sustained, paramedics declared the rider deceased at the scene.Meanwhile, the driver of the Ford remained at the location and fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation.Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved. Individuals who may have witnessed this fatal collision are urged to contact local law enforcement officers. As soon as more information becomes available, further details will be provided.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased rider. May you find comfort...

Black Lotus No Deposit Bonus Codes ($7,000 Bonus, Free Spins & More)

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

 Sponsored ContentFinding valuable, generous, and fair online casino bonuses is pretty challenging – but sites like Black Lotus make it easy to claim the best deals.As one of the top online gambling hubs for promo hunters, we’re going to highlight the best Black Lotus no deposit bonus codes as well as other available offers.Among the exciting promos, one offer takes center stage and is our top pick: 200BLACK. With this bonus code, you will claim a $7,000 welcome package plus 30 free spins on Big Game.Let’s see what else Black Lotus has to offer!Latest Black Lotus Casino Bonus Codes200BLACK: This is a sign-up offer that is available for new players. Upon redeeming it, users can claim up to a $7,000 welcome bonus plus 30 free spins on Big Game.BLUEFISH39: Fancy getting free spins on the Big Blue Fishing slot game? Use the BLUEFISH39 bonus code and make any deposit (no matter what amount) to claim 39 free spins or deposit $40+ using the BLUEFISH88 code for 88 free spins.280C...

One of the year’s very best concert tours is coming to San Francisco

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

SZA was nothing short of fantastic on her first trip through the Bay Area in 2023, wowing a packed house at the Oakland Arena back in March with more than two dozen terrific numbers.That offering — which ranked among the very best concerts we’ve seen this year — came seven months after the incredibly popular soul singer performed at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, where she delighted tens of thousands as one of the headliners at the mammoth Outside Lands music festival in August 2022.Now, the St. Louis-born talent returns to the Bay Area for a big show at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26.It’s part of the blockbuster SOS Tour — the same great road show fans witnessed in March in Oakland — so expect to be impressed.Related ArticlesMusic | Sax star Wayne Escoffery needs no introduction — but here’s one anyway Music | After surprise Grammy nomination, säje takes the next step Music | ...

US economic data keep coming in stronger and defying forecasts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

Augusta Saraiva, Vince Golle | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsU.S. retail sales exceeded all forecasts and industrial production strengthened last month, fresh evidence of a resilient American consumer whose spending is helping stabilize manufacturing.Sales, unadjusted for inflation, increased 0.7% after upwardly revised advances in the prior two months, according to the Commerce Department. So-called control group sales — which are used to calculate spending on merchandise in the gross domestic product report — rose a better-than-expected 0.6%.Robust consumer demand, in the aftermath of September data showing stubborn inflation and surging job growth, risks prompting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates again. The reports prompted a slew of economists, from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley, to boost their tracking estimates for third-quarter GDP.The 10-year Treasury yield jumped to the highest level since 2007, while the S&P 500 Index fell. Tr...

Heisman Watch: Pac-12 QBs swap places as Penix shines, Williams struggles

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

Welcome to our weekly look at the Pac-12’s leading Heisman Trophy candidates via an assessment of the top players in the conference. Consider this one Heisman voter’s view of the landscape. The rankings are based on individual performance, value to the team and quality of competition. And yes, we consider defensive players.The Heisman Trophy race shifted dramatically last week as one frontrunner thrived under pressure and the other flopped.USC quarterback Caleb Williams threw a career-high three interceptions — that’s three more than he had thrown all season — in a blowout loss to Notre Dame.The performance derailed his pursuit of a second consecutive Heisman. The odds of Williams winning the award soared from basically 2-to-1 prior to Saturday’s meltdown to 35-to-1 after the loss, according to BetMGM.Meanwhile, Penix emerged as the clear frontrunner following the pulsating victory over Oregon. Penix was 2-to-1 to win the award last week; his odds are now app...

Oakland man thought to have died in Cement Hill car crash was actually shot, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

An Oakland man whose death originally was thought to have been caused by a solo vehicle crash in Fairfield was actually shot, police say.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | ‘The buck stops with me’: Oakland mayor acknowledges struggles, crime problem in State of the City address Crime and Public Safety | East Bay woman arrested in connection with fatal hit-and-run earlier this year in Tracy Crime and Public Safety | Oakland man sentenced to 25 years for killing his 80-year-old father Crime and Public Safety | Newsom approves automatic speed cameras for San Jose, Oakland pilot program Crime and Public Safety | Bay Area drug traffickers voice concern over ‘contributing to addictions’ while selling thousands of meth-laced Adderall pills His death is now being investigated as a homicide.The 44-year-old man, whose name hasn’t been released, was found dead around 8:30 Friday...

Sale closed in Oakland: $1.5 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

2853 Alida Street – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 2800 block of Alida Street in Oakland was sold on Sept. 5, 2023. The $1,515,000 purchase price works out to $660 per square foot. The house, built in 1946, has an interior space of 2,295 square feet. This two-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the home is equipped with a garage.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:In June 2023, a 1,769-square-foot home on Wilshire Boulevard in Oakland sold for $1,535,000, a price per square foot of $868. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,755-square-foot home on the 4100 block of Maple Avenue in Oakland sold in August 2022, for $1,725,000, a price per square foot of $983. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Laguna Avenue, Oakland, in December 2022, a 2,481-square-foot home was sold for $1,573,500, a price per squa...

Judge in fraud trial tells defendant Donald Trump to keep it down

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:44:28 GMT

By Jennifer Peltz and Michael R. Sisak | Associated PressNEW YORK — A judge warned Donald Trump and others at his New York civil fraud trial to keep their voices down Wednesday after the former president threw up his hands in frustration and spoke aloud to his lawyers while a witness was testifying against him.Judge Arthur Engoron made the admonition after Trump conferred animatedly with his lawyers at the defense table during real estate appraiser Doug Larson’s second day of testimony at the Manhattan trial.State lawyer Kevin Wallace asked Engoron to ask the defense to “stop commenting during the witness’ testimony,” adding that the “exhortations” were audible on the witness’ side of the room. The judge then asked everyone to keep their voices down, “particularly if it’s meant to influence the testimony.”The 2024 Republican frontrunner was in court for a second straight day Wednesday, watching the trial that threatens to u...