Yearly Archives: 2025

general

Broomfield girls, Mead’s Carter Woods shine At NCCT wrestling tournament

Leave a comment

GREELEY — Competing against many of Colorado’s top wrestlers and a few out-of-state visitors, several local standouts impressed throughout the annual Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament.

Saturday’s finals matches at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley saw Broomfield junior Shayla Martinez win the girls’ 190-pound division, Mead senior Carter Woods take second in the boys’ 190s, and a few other local talents earn a podium finish.

“It’s really good mat time, a lot of good reps and work that’s going to help prepare me and make me better,” Woods said.

### BHS’ Martinez Repeats as 190-Pound Champion

For the second straight year, Martinez claimed the 190-pound crown, this time pinning Thornton’s Kaida Hull in the first-place match.

“I’m proud of myself,” Martinez said. “I won it last year, but this time I had more confidence in myself and knew that I really had another chance to get at the top of the podium.”

Martinez, who last season became the first girls wrestler from the Boulder Valley School District to win a state championship, credited consistency and confidence for helping her repeat at the NCCT.

“Honestly, I had to go in with confidence in myself and thinking, if I want to be the best, I have to beat the best and do everything I can, no matter what,” Martinez said. “While I was wrestling, I stayed calm and knew that if I worked my stuff, I would get what I wanted.”

Currently, Martinez is the top-ranked 190-pound wrestler in the girls’ Class 5A division, according to On The Mat.

Four other Broomfield wrestlers placed in the top eight:
– Abigail Borden (eighth, girls’ 105)
– Nicholas Penfold (fifth, boys’ 157)
– Kaliyah Schimpf (fifth, girls’ 155)
– Bella Barajas (fourth, girls’ 170)

### Legacy’s Clifton Bounces Back from Quarterfinal Loss

Legacy senior Matthew Clifton aimed to stay alive longer in the 132-pound championship bracket but remained proud of his resilience following a quarterfinal defeat.

Instead of giving up in the consolation bracket, Clifton regrouped and earned an 8-1 victory over Littleton’s Christian May in the third-place match.

“I had to fight back, a long day, lots of matches,” said Clifton, who placed third at state last season. “I wanted to finish out hard, I wanted to be dominant, I didn’t want to give up any points. I worked hard. I could have had a better tournament, but I think that’s a strong way to end it.”

Clifton entered the week ranked No. 2 in his 132-pound Class 5A weight class, per On The Mat. Cherokee Trail’s Cooper Matthews, the top-ranked wrestler in Clifton’s division, took first place on Saturday.

Fellow Legacy wrestler Isaac Woolman took third in the 138-pound division, while 285-pound Lightning Leo Medina reached the fifth consolation round.

“We got that dawg energy in some of my guys,” Clifton said. “Last year we had a tough year, but these guys have come back meaner and hungrier.”

### Carter Woods Comes Up Just Short

One year removed from finishing third in the Class 4A 190-pound state tournament, Woods is enjoying another strong start to his senior season.

“I thought I did well,” Woods said. “I thought I got to my shots and offense well, but I’ve got a long way to go. There’s tons of stuff I can work on heading into state.”

Fellow Maverick Breckan Palko took eighth in the 132-pound class.

### Other Local Placers

Erie produced a pair of sixth-place finishers in Tyler Muir (190s) and Wyatt Walston (215s). Holy Family’s Veronika Hafer also took sixth in the girls’ 110s, while teammate Adam Moore placed eighth in the boys’ 157s.
https://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2025/12/20/broomfield-girls-meads-carter-woods-shine-at-ncct-wrestling-tournament/

general

Johnson tri-op defeats East Brunswick tri-op – Boys ice hockey recap

Leave a comment

Sammy Zapotoka scored four goals and added an assist to lead Johnson-Dayton-Roselle Park to a 6-3 victory over East Brunswick-Spotswood-South River at ProSkate Arena in Monmouth Junction.

East Brunswick (1-6) jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in the first period with goals from James Garfinkle and Marcello Ferrari, both assisted by Joseph Hayes. However, Zapotoka scored twice in the second period, including the go-ahead goal, to put Johnson up 3-2 heading into the third.

Early in the third period, Logan Paskewich added a goal to extend Johnson’s lead to 4-2. Joseph Hayes responded with a power play goal for East Brunswick, cutting the deficit to 4-3. But Zapotoka answered back with two more goals, sealing the 6-3 win for Johnson (3-2-1).

In addition to Zapotoka’s impressive five-point performance, Paskewich finished with a goal and an assist, while Jack Kalikas contributed two assists for Johnson. Michael Neshimka also scored on the power play.

Hayes led the way for East Brunswick with a goal and two assists. Garfinkle and Ferrari each added a goal.

Riley Cwikla made 19 saves on 22 shots to earn the win in net for Johnson.

*Generative AI was used to write an early draft of this article, using data from NJ.com sports. It was reviewed and edited by NJ.com staff.*
https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2025/12/johnson-tri-op-defeats-east-brunswick-tri-op-boys-ice-hockey-recap.html

general

Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Mick Jagger featured in Epstein photo dump

Leave a comment

“King of Pop” Michael Jackson was among the rich and famous figures whose relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light on Friday, when the Justice Department finally began releasing records related to its investigation into the late sex offender.

One photo featuring Jackson shows the “Beat It” singer standing alongside Epstein in front of a painting of a woman lying topless on a beach. Another image shows Jackson with singer Diana Ross and former President Bill Clinton on what appears to be a private plane.

Jeffrey Epstein, 66, died behind bars at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

Michael Jackson died from an overdose-induced cardiac arrest in 2009 at the age of 50. The pop music superstar was investigated for possible child molestation between 1993 and 1994, and again between 2004 and 2005, according to the FBI. However, he was never charged with any crimes.

Little has been reported about Epstein’s relationship with Jackson until now. The disgraced financier was known to associate with many highly influential figures, including President Donald Trump, filmmaker Woody Allen, and billionaire businessman Leon Black. None of these individuals have been accused of involvement in Epstein’s wrongdoing.

Also included in the Justice Department’s file release is a photo of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. The 82-year-old rock star is pictured dining with Clinton, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell. Jagger’s name appeared among the celebrities listed in a contact book previously released by the DOJ, but like others, he has not been accused of any nefarious involvement with Epstein.

Prior to taking office in January, President Trump had said he would promptly order the release of the federal files pertaining to the Epstein investigation. However, the process has faced numerous delays.

In November, Congress compelled the Department of Justice to make the trove of documents available by Friday. While the DOJ promised that a batch of files was coming, they indicated it would take several more weeks to release the full array of documents.

Democrats have threatened to take legal action, calling the delay a “violation of federal law.”
https://www.capitalgazette.com/2025/12/19/epstein-library-photo-dump-michael-jackson-mick-jagger-diana-ross/

Uncategorized

EXCLUSIVE: How a Giant Tiara is at the Center of ‘Furious’ New Royal Feud Between Queen Camilla and Princess Kate Middleton

Leave a comment

**Princess Catherine Sparks Royal Tensions Wearing Largest Tiara at State Banquet**

*Dec. 19, 2025, Published 7:07 p.m. ET*

Princess Catherine has reportedly sparked significant tensions within the royal household after wearing her largest tiara to date at a recent state banquet. According to insiders speaking to RadarOnline.com, Queen Camilla was left seething over what she viewed as an “audacious power play.”

### The Oriental Circlet ‘Power Play’

The source of the controversy is the December 3, 2025, State Banquet at Windsor Castle, held to welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. At the event, Kate chose to wear the Oriental Circlet Tiara—a historic piece commissioned by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1853, featuring 2,600 diamonds and rubies.

Traditionally known for more understated jewelry choices, the Princess of Wales’ decision to don such a striking headpiece was notable. This bold choice coincided with a week in which she took center stage at multiple high-profile engagements, including her annual *Together at Christmas* concert at Westminster Abbey on December 5.

### Sidelined in Her Own Home

Sources suggest that the tiara, combined with Kate’s poised hosting of the banquet and a festive photograph with Prince William, 43, contributed to Camilla, 78, feeling sidelined within the royal family dynamic.

One insider shared:
*”Camilla was reportedly furious that Kate wore the enormous tiara at the banquet. She viewed it as yet another obvious move by Kate to steal the spotlight.”*

The insider continued,
*”Kate and William are positioning themselves with a lot of authority, almost as if Buckingham Palace were theirs. Camilla considers this unacceptable and hasn’t hesitated to express her frustration to courtiers and senior royals.”*

### Succession Fears and Expanding Influence

Another palace insider revealed that Kate has been gradually taking on more responsibilities across royal duties. While she handles these roles gracefully in public, Camilla is said to be privately struggling with the shift in influence and authority.

This transition reportedly forces the Queen to confront the reality of the impending succession, as King Charles III, 77, continues his medical treatment. Observers note that the Waleses’ growing centrality within the monarchy is part of a broader strategy to ease the King’s workload.

In a historic move this year, Charles granted William and Kate the authority to issue Royal Warrants—a power Kate is the first Princess of Wales to hold in over 115 years.

### A ‘Brutal’ New Strategy

Tensions have also been fueled by recent high-profile family decisions, including the growing distance of former Prince Andrew, 65, from royal duties. A source described William’s approach to managing family scandals as “brutal” and highly strategic, increasing Camilla’s unease.

The source explained:
*”Camilla can see from how Kate and William have managed Andrew, Sarah, and the Sussexes that they are highly strategic. She’s been cautioned against provoking them.”*

### Camilla’s Resilience Amidst Friction

Despite the ongoing friction, Camilla remains “headstrong” and “thick-skinned,” carefully maintaining appearances while the King continues to delegate more authority to the future Queen Catherine.

As the royal landscape evolves, all eyes remain on how the dynamics between these key figures will shape the future of the monarchy.
https://radaronline.com/p/giant-tiara-sparked-furious-new-royal-feud-camilla-kate/

general

Our picks to ring in 2026: New Year’s Eve parties, performances and deluxe dinners around the Peninsula

Leave a comment

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready. Another year has already come and (almost) gone, leaving precious few days before the calendar turns to 2026. Dinner reservations at some of the region’s most popular restaurants and hotels are already filling up, and tickets for concerts like Peninsula-raised bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle have some ticket levels waitlisted. New Year’s Eve in Silicon Valley also means Noon Year’s Eve celebrations for kids, upscale galas for adults and more laid-back events like comedy shows and dance lessons. Don’t wait until the eleventh hour: Get your plans in order with our guide to New Year’s Eve happenings (along with a few New Year’s Day events). Family-friendly events Foster City Library The library will host a Teen Noon Year’s Eve with a mini disco ball ornament decorating craft activity. Supplies will be provided while it lasts; no registration required. This program is for students in middle and high school. Dec. 23, 2-3 p. m. at the Foster City Library, 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/693c83177ed7c62f00aa328f. Portola Valley Library Rainbow Fish will be the special guest at Portola Valley Library’s Noon Year’s Storytime Celebration, featuring songs, stories, crafts and a countdown to noon. Dec. 28, 11 a. m.-noon, Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/6920f23e3631b51f2ece7b4f. North Fair Oaks Library Kids can ring in 2026 early with book character Biscuit the Dog, a special storytime, food and a noon balloon drop. This program will be provided in Spanish. Dec. 29, 10: 30 a. m.-noon, North Fair Oaks Library, 2510 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/69092525886bb73600b8f98f. Woodside Library Cookie Mouse from “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” will be the special guest for Woodside Library’s Noon Year’s storytime. Dec. 30, 10: 30-11: 30 a. m., Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/6920f2663631b51f2ece7b53. Sunnyvale Library The library hosts a Noon Year’s Eve event with crafts and music. Dec. 30, 10 a. m.-noon, Sunnyvale Community Center ballroom, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. Free. sunnyvale. ca. gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/9823/19 Belmont Library The Very Hungry Caterpillar makes a special guest appearance at the library’s Noon Year Eve celebration, which also offers storytime, songs and crafts and a countdown to noon. Dec. 30, 11 a. m.-noon, Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/691d1c34a64b7d0d61f7e1d8. East Palo Alto Library Bring the kids by the library for a Noon Year’s storytime with Paddington Bear, featuring songs, crafts and more. Dec. 31, 11 a. m.-noon, East Palo Alto Library, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto. Free. smcl. bibliocommons. com/events/690d1d5764ad59251cbad770. Pinstripes The San Mateo bowling and bocce center will host two family-friendly parties for New Year’s. The day will kick off with the Noon Year’s Eve party, featuring a balloon drop at noon, a kid-friendly mocktail “champagne” toast, a DJ and dance party, a buffet, games, face painting, arts and crafts and party favors. In the evening, Pinstripes will have a DJ and dancing, a photo booth, party favors (while supplies last), raffles and a complimentary champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Dec. 31, Noon Year’s Eve is 11 a. m.-1 p. m., New Year’s Eve 8 p. m.-midnight, Pinstripes, 36 Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo. Noon Year’s Eve is $31. 27 each (max two kids per adult, free for children under 3). New Year’s Eve party is free admission; reservations recommended for gaming and dining. Must be 21 and over for complimentary champagne toast. tinyurl. com/pinstripesnye. Rinconada Library As part of its ICYMI movie series, the library screens a double feature of the police drama spoofs “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad” (1988) and “The Naked Gun” (2025). Bring a chair and enjoy light snacks. Best suited for ages 14 and up. Dec. 31, 1: 30-4: 30 p. m., Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto. tinyurl. com/NYERinconadaLibrary. Tickets will only be sold in advance and are expected to sell out. Dec. 31, 10 a. m.-1 p. m. $16-$25 (free for children under 3). hiller. org/event/noon-years-eve-a-fun-event-kids. Live music will accompany the evening. Dec. 31, 5-10 p. m., Adrestia at TETRA Hotel, 400 W. Java Drive, Sunnyvale. $195. 84 each. tetrahotelsv. com/upcoming-events/new-years-eve-dinner. Cetrella The restaurant’s four-course, prix-fixe menu includes dishes such as kabocha squash agnolotti, filet mignon and pomegranate panna cotta, with a sparkling wine toast at midnight. Dec. 31, 5 p. m.-midnight, Cetrella, 160 State St., Los Altos. $125 per person. cetrella. com. Wine pairings are available for an additional cost. Dec. 31, 5-8 p. m., Chez TJ, 938 Villa St., Mountain View. $350 each, excluding beverages, tax and service charge. Reserve at cheztj. com or by calling 650-964-7466. International Masquerade at Crowne Plaza Five different international-themed rooms feature four live bands and 10 DJs playing music from salsa and bachata to reggaeton, Top 40, pop and more, with musical guests that include Sonora Dinamita, Julio Bravo y su Orquesta, Drive the Band, DJs Bachatero, Sabor, Rich Era and others. The party also offers dancers and live carnival performances with Amor Do Samba entertainment, plus drummers and a balloon drop at midnight. 8 p. m.-2 a. m., San Mateo Crowne Plaza, 1221 Chess Drive, Foster City. From $65. 87 general admission. Hotel packages available. crowneplazanyeparty. com. Ethel’s Fancy The restaurant serves a special four-course family-style menu of eight to 10 seasonal dishes for New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31, limited seating, reservations suggested. Ethel’s Fancy, 550 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Reserve at ethelsfancypa. comor call 650-561-4860. Flea Street Dine at the Menlo Park restaurant on New Year’s Eve and be done in time for a night out on the town (or to watch the ball drop on TV from home). Reservations for the five-course dinner remain from 5: 30-7: 30 p. m. as of Dec. 16. Flea Street, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park. $185 each, excluding service charges, tax and beverages. cooleatz. com/reservations. New Year’s Eve Gala at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley The hotel is hosting a 1920s-inspired New Year’s Eve gala with Prohibition-style cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a four-course dinner paired with live jazz and swing music. Ring in 2026 with a DJ, dancing, late-night bites and a champagne toast countdown with a balloon drop. Vintage-inspired cocktail attire or formalwear is encouraged. Dec. 31, 7 p. m.-1 a. m., Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto. $507. 64 each. tinyurl. com/fourseasonsnyegala. Dec. 31, 5: 30-9 p. m., Madera at Rosewood Sand Hill, 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. $198 each. tinyurl. com/maderanyedinner. Meyhouse The Sunnyvale restaurant will offer dinner and unlimited house beer, wine and raki for patrons 21 and over, with live dance music from DJ Ark and acoustic Turkish hits from YAZZ. A separate kids’ menu will be available. Dec. 31, 6 p. m.-midnight, Meyhouse, 187 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. $312. 50 for adults, $102. 50 for kids. meyhousejazz. com/event-details/new-year-celebration. Moonraker Restaurant The Coastside restaurant will offer a special three-course menu and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine at midnight. Dishes include lobster chestnut bisque, beef wellington, Maine lobster tail and lobster mac, oyster Rockefeller and more. Vegetarian menu available upon request. Dec. 31, 3-9 p. m., Moonraker Restaurant, 105 Rockaway Beach Ave., Pacifica. $120 per adult, $60 per child 12 and under, $60 extra for wine pairing. Excludes tax, beverages and gratuity. moonrakerpacifica. com/#new-years-eve-2025. NAR Restaurant The Azerbaijani eatery, which recently opened in Mountain View, will serve a prix fixe menu. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. Dec. 31, 7 p. m.-midnight, NAR Restaurant, 286 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. $85 each. instagram. com/narrestaurant_. ROOH Palo Alto The upscale modern Indian restaurant will host a live DJ performance by Arpit and serve a curated four-course menu. Reservations are highly recommended and are available from 6-8 p. m. or 8: 30-10: 30 p. m. Dec. 31, 6-10: 30 p. m., ROOH Palo Alto, 473 University Ave., Palo Alto. Prices vary. roohrestaurants. com/pa-reservations. Speakeasy New Year’s Eve at Roger Bar and Restaurant The Ameswell Hotel restaurant will host a speakeasy-themed New Year’s Eve celebration with live music, 25% off drinks, a free glass of sparkling wine and a midnight balloon drop. Choose a three- or four-course menu featuring dishes like prime rib with au gratin potatoes and broccolini, lobster bisque, squid ink fettuccine and more. Dec. 31, 5 p. m.-1 a. m. (dinner 5-10 p. m.) at Roger Bar and Restaurant, Ameswell Hotel, 800 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View. $80 prix fixe three-course menu or $95 four-course menu. Service charges may apply. Reservations required. rogerbarandrestaurant. com. Second Story Los Gatos Ring in the new year with a live DJ, complimentary champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight. Table packages will also be available for bottle service. Dec. 31, 9 p. m.-2 a. m., Second Story, 15 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. $55. 20 each; 21 and over, dress code strictly enforced. tinyurl. com/secondstorynye. The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse The restaurant will serve a special tasting menu from Chef Yu Min Lin that includes lobster salad, miso black cod and CAB Prime Tenderloin. An optional pairing of wines by the glass is available. Dec. 31, 5-9 p. m., The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, 4269 W. El Camino Real, Palo Alto. $225 per person; $325 with wine pairing. theseausa. com. Telefèric Barcelona Diners can ring in the new year with a menu of tapas and paella that includes dishes such as Jamon Ibérico de Bellota, ceviche de gallo, a choice of toro, lobster or veggie paella, as well as desserts. The restaurant’s regular a la carte menu will also be available. Dec. 31, 3 p. m. until closing, Telefèric Barcelona, 50 University Ave., Suite B270, Los Gatos; NYE menu $78 per person. opentable. com/r/teleferic-barcelona-los-gatos. Valley Goat Treehouse Silicon Valley’s restaurant rings in the new year with a specially curated prix-fixe dinner by chef Stephanie Izard. The following day, guests can ease into 2026 with a Recovery Brunch designed to revive, with comfort-food classics, morning-after cocktails, New Year’s Eve dinner Dec. 31, 4-10 p. m. Adults $150 plus tax and gratuity; children $40 plus tax and gratuity; Reserve at tinyurl. com/valleygoatnyedinner. Recovery Brunch Jan. 1, 11 a. m.-2 p. m. Prices are a la carte. Reserve at tinyurl. com/valleygoatnydbrunch. Both events take place at Valley Goat, 1100 N. Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale. Performances, dancing and special events Bubblefest The Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company celebrates the end of the year with a curated lineup of Champagne, cava, prosecco and sparkling wines from around the world, along with light snacks. Dec. 27, 1-5 p. m., Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company, 421 Main St., Half Moon Bay. $75 per person. hmbwineandcheese. com/2025-bubblefest. Alhambra Irish House The pub holds two celebrations, starting with an afternoon party that rings in 2026 on Irish time (4 p. m.) with live music by singer Stephen Ross, Irish food and a Guinness toast. A 1920s, Gatsby-themed party takes place in the evening, featuring a four-course dinner, with dancing to live music from band Nocturnal Paranoia and a midnight champagne toast. Guests can purchase tickets to attend the dinner only or get tickets for dinner and dancing. Dec. 31, Irish New Year 3-5 p. m. $5 per person; Gatsby party begins at 6 p. m. $80 per person dinner only; $100 per person dinner and dancing. Both events take place at Alhambra Irish House, 831 Main St., Redwood City. alhambra-irish-house. com. Cardiff & Cocktails Guests can sip on cocktails and dance to new and classic house music with DJs Rated R, Julius Papp and Mr. V. Dec. 31, 9 p. m., Cardiff & Cocktails, 260 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell. $23. 18. eventbrite. com. Club Fox Beatles tribute band The Sun Kings present their annual New Year’s Eve party, with party favors and midnight toast. Dec. 31, 9 p. m., Club Fox, 2223 Broadway St., Redwood City, $75 general admission; $100 reserved. clubfoxrwc. com. Cubberley Ballroom Guests can learn to merengue and waltz with instructors Samy, James and Michelle at a New Year’s Eve dance party and lesson. Masks optional. Dec. 31, lesson begins at 8 p. m. and dance party takes place 9 p. m.-midnight, Cubberley Pavilion, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. $20. cubberleyballroom. com. Maya Nightclub The club’s Nueva Era NYE features a masquerade theme, high-energy music with Latin EDM, hip-hop, reggaeton, house and more, live performers, party favors, and a countdown with confetti cannons and visual special effects. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress; masks suggested but not required. Dec. 31, 9 p. m., Maya Nightclub, 1776 Broadway, Redwood City. From $28. 52. eventbrite. com. Molly Tuttle Peninsula-raised two-time Grammy Award-winning bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle returns to The Guild Theatre for an intimate concert. Earlier this year, Tuttle released the solo album, “So Long Little Miss Sunshine,” bringing pop, country and rock into the mix. Dec. 31, 9: 30 p. m., The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. $124-$1,456 (some ticket levels waitlisted). guildtheatre. com. Monte Carlo The club hosts a party featuring live music by Banda Exclusiva, plus dancing to DJ Sweet and DJ Hector. Dec. 31, 9 p. m., Monte Carlo, 228 Castro St., Mountain View. $44. 52. tinyurl. com/MonteCarloClubNYE. Pioneer Saloon Paper Thin will play favorite soul and rock songs at a party where guests can enjoy snacks, a champagne toast and party favors. Dec. 31, 9 p. m.-1 a. m. Pioneer Saloon, 2925 Woodside Road, Woodside. pioneersaloonmusic. com. Rooster T. Feathers Comedian Eric Schwartz headlines an evening of laughs, with Red Scott and Alisha Dillon also on the bill, and a champagne toast. Two seatings, with an early show celebrating the East Coast countdown and a late show counting down to West Coast midnight. Shows are 21+. Dec. 31, 7: 30 and 10: 30 p. m., Rooster T. Feathers, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. Advance purchase required: $44. 50 7: 30 p. m. show; $59. 50 10: 30 p. m. show. rooster-t-feathers. seatengine-sites. com. Stephens Green The Irish pub holds two celebrations: an afternoon party that celebrates the new year on Irish time (4 p. m.) with a Guinness toast, and an evening party with dancing to DJ CMC Beatz and a champagne toast to celebrate the West Coast countdown. Dec. 31, Irish New Year 3-5 p. m.. Free; evening party 8 p. m. Cover TBA. 223 Castro St., Mountain View. ststephensgreen. com. Tipsy Putt Tipsy Putt will be reservation-free (except for group tables) with no cover charges. There will be a live DJ, champagne toasts and bar games. Dec. 31, 6 p. m.-1 a. m., Tipsy Putt, 301 W. McKinley Ave. #150, Sunnyvale. Prices vary. tipsyputt. com/event/ring-in-the-new-year-at-tipsy-putt-no-cover-no-stress. Topgolf Burlingame The driving range offers a package with unlimited game play for up to six guests, snacks and dessert bites, DJ music and a midnight toast. Dec. 31, 9 p. m.-1 a. m., Topgolf Burlingame, 258 Anza Blvd., Burlingame. $555. 39. eventbrite. com. Time Machine: A Nostalgic New Year’s Eve Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley takes inspiration from the classic ’80s film “Back to the Future” for an evening of light bites and cocktails, live music and a champagne toast at midnight. Dec. 31, 9 p. m.-1: 30 a. m., Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, 1100 N. Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale. $185 per person. treehousehotels. com. New Year’s Day events Hair of the Dog Hike Filoli visitors can take a 2-mile, self-guided hike, which offers access to private trails that are only open for special events. Three refreshment stations on the route will serve alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Jan. 1, 11 a. m.-2 p. m., Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. $75 per person (includes daytime admission to Filoli house and gardens). filoli. org/holidays/#hair-of-the-dog. First Day Hikes California State Parks offer guided New Year’s Day hikes of varying lengths and difficulty levels that explore natural features and wildlife. Participating area parks include Big Basin Redwoods, Montara State Beach and Burleigh H. Murray Ranch. Jan. 1, many hikes begin at 10 a. m. Visit parks. ca. gov/? page_id=30737 to find an interactive map of participating parks and more details about each hike. New Year’s Day Yoga Ananda Temple of Palo Alto holds a 2. 5-hour yoga retreat that will include a relaxation session with the sounds of singing bowls and a 30-minute meditation. Jan. 1, 10 a. m.-12: 30 p. m. Ananda Temple of Palo Alto, 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. $45. tinyurl. com/AnandaPAJan1Yoga. Porta Blu New Year’s Day Brunch The restaurant serves a buffet brunch with classic dishes such as scrambled eggs, frittata, bacon and fresh fruit. Jan. 1, 7 a. m.-2 p. m., Hotel Nia, 200 Independence Drive, Menlo Park. $60 per person. opentable. com/r/porta-blu-menlo-park.
https://www.almanacnews.com/ae/news-events/2025/12/18/our-picks-to-ring-in-2026-new-years-eve-parties-performances-and-deluxe-dinners-around-the-peninsula/

general

Why Did TV Networks Refuse Obama Fifteen Minutes, But Gave Trump Almost Twenty?

Leave a comment

In November 2014, President Obama requested that the major television networks give him 10 to 15 minutes of airtime to speak directly to the nation about immigration reform. However, all the networks declined his request. One reason stood out: the networks claimed that President Obama would be too partisan.

It may sound unbelievable, but that was the official stance at the time. Yet, fast forward to Wednesday evening, and all the networks agreed to broadcast a shortened version of a Trump rally speech, presenting it as an official address to the nation—despite there being no real reason for it. Has Trump ever said anything on camera that wasn’t partisan or self-serving?

The Guardian reported on Thursday evening that when President Obama finally took to the airwaves to present his immigration reform plan, many Americans missed it. Instead of seeing the President outline his long-awaited overhaul of a highly debated issue, viewers were treated to regular programming. At 8 p.m., ABC aired an episode of *Grey’s Anatomy*. CBS showed *The Big Bang Theory*, Fox broadcast *Bones*, and NBC featured *The Biggest Loser: Glory Days*.

Popular Information recalled similar instances: networks have repeatedly declined to air prime time speeches from recent Democratic presidents, citing concerns over political bias. For example, in 2022, broadcast networks chose not to air a prime time speech by former President Joe Biden, in which he warned about threats to democracy, judging the speech to be too political. Instead, NBC aired a rerun of *Law & Order* and CBS broadcast an episode of *Young Sheldon*.

Back in 2014, the five major networks also refused to air President Obama’s immigration speech, which laid out a plan to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation. The *Washington Post* described the speech as “the most significant presidential intervention to alter the U.S. immigration system in nearly three decades.” But rather than airing the speech, CBS chose *The Big Bang Theory*, and NBC aired *The Biggest Loser: Glory Days*.

Trump, meanwhile, will not get the outcome he hopes for because the public no longer believes his falsehoods about the economy. Unfortunately, the executives running the networks have been compromised—a sad reality that ultimately harms the public.

In another ongoing controversy, after a rocky start to her new role, Bari Weiss plans to hold yet another town hall event—this time with JD Vance. Weiss describes herself as a radical centrist, but it’s clear that she fits perfectly with what Trump wants from Paramount.

Who truly suffers in all this? The American people.
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/12/why-did-tv-networks-refuse-president-obama

general

Will Hurricanes star Keionte Scott return for Texas A&M playoff game?

Leave a comment

Mario Cristobal has indicated throughout the week that star defensive back Keionte Scott could make a return to the field for Miami’s playoff game against Texas A&M on Saturday. On Wednesday, the Hurricanes listed Scott as probable on the initial availability report.

In addition, Miami listed Damari Brown as questionable, linebacker Malik Bryant as out, and wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw as doubtful.

Cristobal shared an update on Scott’s progress, saying, “He looks OK, looks like he’s certainly progressing. He’s getting a fair amount of reps. And again, I stated on Sunday, we were hopeful and we still are. We feel confident in his progress and, you know, feel like he’s gaining ground towards being able to play on Saturday.”

Scott had an impressive start to the season, excelling in Miami’s first nine games with 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Pro Football Focus (PFF) rates Scott with a 90.3 defensive grade, ranking him fourth in the nation among cornerbacks with 100 or more snaps.

Scott missed Miami’s last three regular-season games due to a foot injury. His replacement, freshman Bryce Fitzgerald, stepped in and performed well in his absence.

Miami safety Jakobe Thomas praised Scott’s leadership and dedication during his recovery. “Keionte’s the best teammate that I think I’ve ever had,” Thomas said. “He’s working absolutely as hard as he possibly can to get back as fast as possible at 100 percent. But day to day, he’s just in the room with us every day, motivating, keeping guys locked in, focused, helping us focus on the little minor details and everything.”

Damari Brown’s status remains uncertain, and his potential absence would be a significant loss for the Hurricanes. Brown has performed well at outside cornerback this season, recording 24 tackles and one pass deflection. He has earned a 75.9 defensive grade from PFF.

Here is Miami’s initial availability report for the Texas A&M game:

– OUT: LB Malik Bryant
– DOUBTFUL: WR Daylyn Upshaw
– QUESTIONABLE: DB Damari Brown
– PROBABLE: DB Keionte Scott
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/17/will-hurricanes-star-keionte-scott-return-for-texas-am-playoff-game/

general

Ethereum could get faster in January with gas limit rise to 80M

Leave a comment

Transaction throughput on the Ethereum network is set to be boosted again in early January with the second blob parameter-only (BPO) hard fork. This upgrade is expected to enable the Ethereum gas limit to rise from 60 million to 80 million.

Christine Kim, vice president of the research team at Galaxy Digital, shared the news in a post on Tuesday. She noted the confidence expressed by Nethermind developers Ben Adams and Kamil Chodala during Monday’s Ethereum All Core Developers call. They indicated that all testing should be complete before the next BPO hard fork scheduled for January 7, which is expected to increase blob capacity on the Ethereum mainnet by 66%.

This upcoming upgrade will follow the first BPO hard fork on December 9, which also increased blob capacity by 66%.

However, Ethereum Foundation developer operations engineer Barnabas Busa highlighted that two client-level optimizations are still needed before another increase in the block gas limit can occur. These optimizations include partial blob responses on the execution layer and the max blobs flag on the consensus layer.

### What Are Blobs on Ethereum?

Blobs on Ethereum are large data chunks that store transaction and rollup data off-chain. This mechanism lowers gas costs and increases scalability without bloating the network. Optimizing blob capacity to raise the gas limit directly increases the number of transactions and smart contract operations that can fit in each Ethereum block. The result is boosted overall throughput and potentially lower fees.

While raising Ethereum’s gas limit to 80 million won’t match the speed or low costs of layer 1 blockchains like Solana or Sui, it strengthens Ethereum’s appeal as a secure settlement and execution layer. Importantly, this improvement does not significantly compromise decentralization, which remains Ethereum’s greatest advantage over competitors.

### Next Steps for Ethereum Developers

Participants in the weekly Ethereum All Core Developers meetup will reconvene on January 5 to confirm the timeline for raising the gas limit following the second BPO hard fork.

### Increasing Ethereum’s Gas Limit: A 2023 Priority

Increasing Ethereum’s gas limit to expand the network’s execution capacity has been a major focus for developers and researchers this year. There have already been three increases:

– In early February, the gas limit was raised from 30 million to 35 million
– In July, it increased to 45 million
– In late November, it reached 60 million

Members of the Ethereum developer and research community share a common goal to raise the network’s gas limit to 180 million by the end of 2026.

This steady progress highlights Ethereum’s commitment to scalability improvements, ensuring the network can support growing demand while maintaining its security and decentralization.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethereum-could-get-faster-gas-limit-rise-january

general

Whiteley nets 2 as Gill St. Bernard’s downs Mountain Lakes – Boys ice hockey recap

Leave a comment

Brendan Whiteley scored two goals to lead Gill St. Bernard’s to a 3-1 victory over Mountain Lakes at the Mennen Arena in Morristown.

Whiteley opened the scoring on the power play, giving Gill St. Bernard’s (3-1) a 1-0 lead, with an assist from Cole Southren. He struck again in the third period, netting another power play goal to extend the lead to 2-0.

Mountain Lakes (2-1) responded by cutting the deficit in half with a power play goal from Eli Forman, assisted by Lawson Fagan.

Late in the game, with the Mountain Lakes net empty, Luke Southren carried the puck and took a shot that was interfered with by a Mountain Lakes defender. The on-ice officials, however, credited Southren with the goal, sealing the win for Gill St. Bernard’s.

In net, Luc Jansson made an impressive 38 saves for Gill St. Bernard’s, while Ethan Scanlon recorded 11 saves for Mountain Lakes.
https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2025/12/whiteley-nets-2-as-gill-st-bernards-downs-mountain-lakes-boys-ice-hockey-recap.html

general

Ark Invest Adds to Bitcoin-Linked Holdings Amid Crypto Stock Dips

Leave a comment

**Ark Invest Boosts Crypto Investments: Cathie Wood’s Firm Snaps Up Coinbase, BitMine, and Circle Shares Amid Market Dips**

Ark Invest has recently made significant moves in the cryptocurrency sector, adding over 550,000 shares of BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) valued at $17 million across its ETFs. The firm also purchased nearly 65,000 shares of Coinbase (COIN), worth $16.5 million, as share prices fell. Additional investments included $11.8 million in Circle (CRCL) and smaller stakes in Bullish (BLSH) and Brera Holdings, with holdings totaling hundreds of millions in these assets.

This strategic buying spree reflects Ark Invest’s optimism surrounding blockchain technology and its ongoing bullish stance on digital assets amid recent market volatility.

—

### What Are Ark Invest’s Latest Crypto Stock Purchases?

Ark Invest’s crypto holdings have seen notable activity as the firm acquired substantial shares in key players like Coinbase, BitMine Immersion Technologies, and Circle during a market downturn.

On Monday, as prices sagged, Ark’s actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) loaded up on these equities, demonstrating a contrarian approach to capitalize on perceived undervaluation. This move underscores Cathie Wood’s continued confidence in the growth potential of digital asset ecosystems.

—

### How Do These Investments Impact Ark Invest’s Portfolio?

These acquisitions significantly boost Ark Invest’s exposure to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Based on data from *Cathie’s Ark*, a public database tracking the firm’s positions, Coinbase now ranks as the third-largest holding at $609 million, followed by Circle at $323 million and BitMine at $275 million.

Over the past five trading days, shares of Coinbase dropped about 9% to $251.88, while BitMine fell over 21% to $30.92. Circle’s shares also declined by at least 6%, trading near recent lows.

In addition to these major purchases, Ark added $5.3 million in Bullish and $1 million in Brera Holdings, both experiencing similar downward pressure. This pattern reflects Ark’s strategy of “buying the dips,” having made notable acquisitions of BitMine, Coinbase, and Circle shares throughout the past month.

Furthermore, the firm invested $400,000 in its own ARKB Bitcoin ETF as Bitcoin’s price dipped below $86,000, diversifying its crypto-focused assets.

Experts note that such moves align with broader institutional trends where established investors view volatility as an opportunity rather than a deterrent. Financial analysts suggest this positioning could yield substantial returns if the sector rebounds, especially with growing adoption of blockchain technology in finance and payment solutions.

—

### Frequently Asked Questions

**What triggered Ark Invest’s recent buys in crypto equities like Coinbase and BitMine?**
Ark Invest capitalized on falling share prices by adding over 550,000 BitMine shares worth $17 million and 65,000 Coinbase shares worth $16.5 million amid broader market weakness. This reflects Cathie Wood’s belief that current valuations represent attractive buying opportunities in high-growth crypto sectors.

**Why is Cathie Wood adjusting her Bitcoin price predictions?**
Recently, Cathie Wood lowered her 2030 Bitcoin forecast from $1.5 million to $1.2 million per coin. She cited increased stablecoin adoption, which could reduce Bitcoin’s role in certain use cases such as remittances. Additionally, Wood suggested that Bitcoin may have already hit its cycle low, driven by rising institutional acceptance disrupting traditional four-year market patterns.

—

### Key Takeaways

– **Strategic Dip Buying:** Ark Invest’s purchases of Coinbase, BitMine, and Circle during price declines highlight a disciplined approach to accumulating assets at lower valuations.
– **Portfolio Weighting:** With $609 million in Coinbase alone, these holdings represent significant bets on crypto infrastructure, positioning Ark for potential sector growth.
– **Bitcoin Outlook:** Wood’s tempered price predictions and new ETF investments signal cautious optimism, encouraging investors to watch institutional flows and stablecoin trends closely for future opportunities.

—

### Conclusion

Ark Invest’s recent crypto stock acquisitions demonstrate a strong conviction in the long-term potential of blockchain technology and related digital assets. By strategically buying during market dips, Cathie Wood’s firm is positioning itself to benefit from a potential rebound in the crypto sector and the continued integration of blockchain in finance and payments.

Stay updated on the latest crypto trends—subscribe for expert insights and market analysis today!
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/ark-invest-adds-to-bitcoin-linked-holdings-amid-crypto-stock-dips/