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Meet Dark Surrealist Foroozan Shirghani

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

Foroozan Shirghani’s dark, poetic and eerily surrealist paintings, drawings, ceramics, moody video, and expressive textiles take root in a worldview colored by injustice, displacement, loss, and isolation. Rather than resist life’s slings and arrows, she follows the currents of the troubled sea — devising schematic compositions that are neither abstract nor figurative, depicting beings as embodied psyches in scenarios of fragmentation and, as the title of her new exhibition suggests, alienation. In her work, objects have a symbolic and shapeshifting nature expressing dysfunctional social structures and consequently contorted human behaviors. Despite the darkness of her iconography, Shirghani’s cool, stone palette, smooth shadows, and the presence, however distant, of a light source — a window, an egress, oculus, distant lantern, cold sun — demonstrates the persistence of life, and with it, hope. Her new exhibition opens this week at Advocartsy in West Hollywood.Foroozan Shirghani, I...

California Getaway: Wildflowers, condors and gorgeous Cuyama Valley

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of California’s “Hidden Valley of Enchantment.”Part of the magic of the Cuyama Valley and the tiny cluster of towns that dot this inland valley an hour east of Santa Maria is the unpopulated, quiet magnitude of the natural landscape. A visit to this area, especially during a spring wildflower season that’s expected to be a super bloom this year,  offers an opportunity to tap into some of Cuyama’s elusive enchantment.Locals — and, likely, publicists — may have given this valley its catchy name. But they’re not wrong about its appeal. Despite its sleepy remoteness and vast, empty stretches, this hidden valley is a beguiling spot. No crowds, no rush hour bustle — just serenity and delightful surprises.Start your sojourn at the Cuyama Buckhorn, a historic property built in 1952 that has been brought back to life by Ferial Sadeghian and Jeff Vance, partners in the Los Angeles design and architectur...

Pac-12 WBB: March Madness ends early as Utah, Colorado and UCLA eliminated in the Sweet 16

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

That Washington is the sole survivor two weeks into the postseason speaks volumes about a less-than-happy ending for the Pac-12.The conference went 0-for-3 in the Sweet 16 and, for the first time since 2015, was shut out of the Elite Eight.The only Pac-12 team still playing is Washington, which tied for eighth in the regular season with Oregon. The Huskies beat the Ducks 63-59 Sunday, advancing to the WNIT semifinals.In the NCAA Tournament, Utah was the conference’s best hope to survive the Sweet 16. The No. 2 seed was on the free-throw line Friday with a chance to take the lead over No. 3 seed LSU with five seconds remaining. Jenna Johnson, a 73 percent foul shooter, missed both attempts, and LSU advanced with a 66-63 win.“I love that kid,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said of Johnson, a sophomore forward.“It’s a growing experience for her. I don’t think that’ll happen again if she gets that opportunity again. If you said ‘Jenna Johnson on the line in this game ...

Passover recipe: Pomella’s Matzo Ball Soup

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

We know. No one’s matzo ball soup is better than your bubbe’s. But this version, from Oakland’s Pomella, one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Bay Area, comes pretty close.Chef-owner Mica Talmor uses a mix of oil and schmaltz to yield the perfect balance of matzo ball flavor and fluffiness. The Israeli-born chef advises letting the batter cool and relax for an hour before rolling. And, most importantly, cook the matzo balls long enough — at least an hour — or until the insides are the same color as the outsides, not darker, she says.Enjoy for Passover or year-round.Matzo Ball SoupMakes 15 balls (two per serving), including one ball for testingINGREDIENTS1 large yellow onion, peeled and finely diced¼ cup chicken fat (also called schmaltz)¼ cup canola oil1¾ teaspoons kosher salt½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper8 eggs1/3 cup water1/3 bunch dill, finely chopped1 cup matzo mealApproximately 3 liters of chicken stock, preferably homemade (or Swanson chicke...

Passover recipe: Chanie Apfelbaum’s Charoset Bars

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

You’ve never seen charoset like this before. The relish of fruit, nuts and red wine — it represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves in the building of the Egyptian pyramids — is one of the symbolic foods on the Passover seder plate. And its resemblance to actual mortar is probably why most of us don’t think to make and eat it more than once a year, despite its sweetness.Enter these beautiful charoset bars, created by Busy in Brooklyn blogger Chanie Apfelbaum. Apfelbaum starts with an almond flour dough as the base, which she tops with a pulverized pear-date-wine charoset and walnut crumble. The recipe is featured in Apfelbaum’s debut cookbook, “Totally Kosher: Tradition with a Twist! 150+ Recipes for the Holidays and Every Day” (Clarkson Potter, $37.50).Charoset BarsServes 12INGREDIENTSJust in time for Passover, Busy in Brooklyn blogger Chanie Apfelbaum has released her first cookbook. (Clarkson Potter) 3 cups superfine blanched almond...

Recipe: Passover Panzanella with Matzo Brei Croutons

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

Passover is a holiday of heavy foods. There’s brisket, potato kugel and way too much matzo. But if you have leftover steak and a jar of horseradish left over from the seder plate, you can make this delightful salad.The recipe, from Chanie Apfelbaum’s new cookbook, “Totally Kosher: Tradition with a Twist! 150+ Recipes for the Holidays and Every Day” (Clarkson Potter, $37.50), calls for making croutons out of the same ingredients used to make breakfast-centric matzo brei — egg, matzo, oil and seasonings — oven-baked to a crisp instead of pan-fried.Passover Panzanella with Matzo Brei CroutonsServes 6 to 8MATZO BREI CROUTONS:1 extra-large egg white, beaten2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper3 square unsalted matzos or 2 round matzosSTEAK AND SALAD:1 pound London broil (preferably the shoulder blade cut)2 tablespoons grapeseed oilKosher salt and ...

Could 49ers’ Brock Purdy be healthy by training camp?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

A viral photo surfaced over the weekend of Brock Purdy, with the 49ers’ quarterback wearing his boyish smile and a super-sized brace on his surgically repaired elbow.Nothing unusual there.Then came Monday’s surprising proclamation that Purdy’s road to recovery could see him participating in training camp, which begins in four months.“Our hope is he’s ready to go for training camp,” general manager John Lynch said at the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix, according to The Athletic’s David Lombardi.“We’ll see how everything goes. We’re going to do what’s right for Brock, because that’s right for our organization,” Lynch added. “You know, be aggressive with what we do but also be really smart. We’re insulated with other guys we have a lot of belief in, so if Brock’s not ready, we’ll hold down the fort until he is.”Purdy is only 17 days removed from a career-saving procedure in which an internal brace repaired the tor...

Asian Americans are anxious about hate crimes. TikTok ban rhetoric isn’t helping

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

By Brian Fung | CNNEllen Min doesn’t go to the grocery store anymore. She avoids bars and going out to eat with her friends; festivals and community events are out, too. This year, she opted not to take her kids to the local St. Patrick’s Day parade.Min isn’t a shut-in. She’s just a Korean American from central Pennsylvania.Ever since the US government shot down a Chinese spy balloon last month, Min has withdrawn from her normal routine out of a concern she or her family may become targeted in one of the hundreds of anti-Asian hate crimes the FBI now says are occurring every year. The wave of anti-Asian hate that surged with the pandemic may only get worse, Min worries, as both political parties have amplified fears about China and the threat it poses to US economic and national security.“You can’t avoid paying attention to the rhetoric, because it has a direct impact on our lives,” Min said.That rhetoric surged again this week as a hostile House committee grilled TikTok CEO Shou Ch...

Pedestrian killed in San Jose hit-and-run

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- A pedestrian died after a hit-and-run Sunday evening, the San Jose Police Department announced on Twitter. The hit-and-run also involved a child who was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and a dog. It happened near Blossom Hill Road and Leigh Avenue around 6:50 p.m.Police originally said the incident involved a bicyclist but later clarified that it was a pedestrian. 1 person with ‘life-threatening’ injuries after stabbing in San Jose The pedestrian, an unidentified woman, died at the scene -- despite officers attempting life-saving measures to save the individual, SJPD said. At this time, there is no information about the suspect vehicle. The hit-and-run comes about four hours after a stabbing in San Jose. No other details were immediately available. KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-con...

46-year-old Oakland Zoo elephant euthanized after battle with arthritis

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:25:36 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland Zoo mourned the loss of one of its elderly African Elephants, Lisa, at age 46, after her battle with progressive arthritis. Lisa was humanely euthanized on Sunday.“We are heartbroken," said Dr. Alex Herman, VP of Veterinary Services at Oakland Zoo. "Her disease progressed to a point where we didn’t want her last day to be her worst day, and it was time to do the most humane thing and to let her go."(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)(Oakland Zoo)Lisa came to the Oakland Zoo in 1979 and was one of only sixteen female African Elephants 46 years and older in Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos, officials said. She recently celebrated her 46th birthday where zookeepers presented her with a large spread of treats, enrichment, and pinatas filled with her favorite fruits.“Lisa has been a deeply beloved part of our Oakland Zoo family since 1979. She was truly special to me, and to a...