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Mark Taper Forum closing through year as theater group cancels shows, lays off some staff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

Serious financial turmoil has led to a prominent California theater troupe to cancel its 2023-24 show schedule and begin laying off members of its staff.The Center Theatre Group announced last week it would be canceling its upcoming shows due to budgetary shortfalls and now the future of the troupe's main performance hall is in question.The Mark Taper Forum has played host to the theater group's biggest productions, but its doors will be shuttered through at least the remainder of the planned theater schedule.Meghan Pressman, CEO and managing director of Center Theatre Group, told the Los Angeles Times that the troupe's annual budget varies between $55 million and $70 million, but this year's budget had a shortfall of more than $12 million. She said ticket sales and corporate donations are all down from pre-pandemic numbers.In addition to the Taper Forum, CTG operates the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown L.A. and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Officials say those two theaters ...

Disneyland's Mickey ToonTown undergoes maintenance three months after re-opening

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

Construction walls are up at Mickey’s Toontown about three months after the newly re-imagined area re-opened to guests.WDWNT, a Disney blog, reported that officials are redoing some of the landscaping in the area. Specifically, construction walls are covering the grassy section used as a picnic area in the land.Some portion of Mickey’s Toontown will be temporarily unavailable on a rolling basis through mid-July for maintenance work, Disneyland officials told KTLA. However, the park didn’t specify all the areas that will need to undergo maintenance. New souvenir shop opens in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park The re-installment of the construction walls comes after crews worked on leveling the Dreaming Tree's planter, a tree that pays homage to Walt Disney and the hometown tree that he spent hours daydreaming under as a child, according to Mice Chat.Officials quickly discovered that the tree planter's original placement could become a tripping hazard for guests.The water feature...

Iman Nasser and LA Weekly Unveiling His High-Maintenance Persona in Hollywood and Demanding Ways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

La Weekly could not look Iman Nasser in the eye during this interview.This article directly focuses on Nasser’s demanding nature and high-maintenance reputation within the context of his Hollywood career. Wr suggest that this article will explore the specific behaviors, demands, or expectations associated with Nasser that have contributed to his perception. However, it is important to ensure that any claims or information presented in this article are based on credible sources or firsthand knowledge to maintain fairness and accuracy.He has requested police escorts while driving on sparsely populated roads at night which have been granted to him. Additionally, it has been suggested that Nasser visits rehab centers despite not having a history of drug or alcohol abuse. The purpose behind these visits, as rumored, is to expand his social circle and engage with teams of therapists for personal growth and support.Iman Nasser demands that all furniture shall be moved from certain ro...

Federal Funding Withdrawal Threatens Students’ Access to Online Tutoring Programs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

Photo of students learning in a classroomBryan Lee is looking forward to entering high school in the fall. The Dallas eighth grader didn’t always feel prepared, though; like most students during the pandemic, Lee fell behind on his work and struggled to keep up. It wasn’t until his school implemented online tutoring programs that he received the help he needed.“The pandemic really affected Bryan’s formative years,” says Michael Lee, Bryan’s father. “Middle school is tough and I tried helping him as much as I could at home, but we needed professional help.”It’s no surprise that challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have included a decline in K-12 students’ academic scores overall. In 2022, the Biden Administration launched the National Partnership for Student Success to combat education decline by supporting virtual learning and tutoring programs. Soon afterward, the Texas Education Agency launched the Vetted Texas Tutor Corps, through which approved tutoring providers coul...

Can We Avoid Another Pandemic Through Improved Clinical Trials?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

The recent global pandemic has brought to light the critical importance of clinical trials in the development and approval of vaccines and treatments. As the world recovers and looks towards the future, there is a pressing question: Can we avoid another pandemic through improved clinical trials?Sasidhar Duggineni is the compliance manager at a global leading clinical research firm. As an industry insider, Duggineni says that those within the life science field must keep up with emerging technology to transform patient care, enhance quality of life, and ultimately save lives – potentially avoiding another worldwide crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.“I’ve been in this business for over 12 years,” says Duggineni. “I’ve seen so much change during that time, and I have learned over and over that you have to push boundaries. My goal is to change the way clinical trials are conducted and leave a lasting imprint on the field with the hopes that something like COVID-19 doesn’t take us ...

Teen Airlifted after Bicycle Accident on Springfield Avenue [Reedley, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

Teenager Hospitalized after Rollover Collision near Justine AvenueREEDLEY, CA (June 19, 2023) – Wednesday afternoon, a teen was airlifted to a hospital after a bicycle accident on Springfield Avenue.The crash happened at around 2:13 p.m. on May 17th in the area of Springfield and Justine Avenue.Reedley police reported that the driver lost control and flipped his truck after colliding with a parked car. While rolling, the truck struck a teenage boy riding a bike on the sidewalk.It then flipped again and came to rest on a front yard fence of a home. The teen was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital with a broken arm and leg.California Highway Patrol offices are still investigating the rollover crash on Springfield Avenue. Once available, further details will be provided.One small driving mistake can easily lead to a dangerous car accident. This is why it is important to drive defensively and always abide by all traffic laws. Keep your attention on the road, follow the speed limit,...

Mike Dunleavy Jr. wants Draymond Green back, shares vision of Warriors’ future

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Just hours before Mike Dunleavy Jr. was set to take center stage for his introductory press conference as the team’s new general manager, news broke that Draymond Green was planning to opt out of his player option, which would make him an unrestricted free agent.Consider this to be the first big domino to fall on Dunleavy’s watch. What he does next will dictate the Warriors’ direction.So much for getting to bask in the glow of the new job. Dunleavy is being thrown into the fire in the midst of a pivotal offseason for the title-hungry Warriors.Negotiating with Green, who was set to make $27.6 million next season, is one of several key topics for Dunleavy and the Warriors’ front office in the coming days, along with Thursday’s NBA Draft and free agency opening July 1, as well as a potential extension for Klay Thompson.Dunleavy couldn’t directly discuss Green’s imminent decision Monday due to league rules, but he reiterate...

Stanford Cardinal eliminated from college baseball World Series by Tennessee Volunteers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

Just when it appeared Quinn Mathews and Stanford had recaptured their elimination game magic, everything unraveled on Monday afternoon for the Cardinal in a 6-4 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers at the College World Series.Mathews, the senior left-hander who gained national attention last week by throwing 156 pitches in a complete-game masterpiece to send the Cardinal to Omaha, Nebraska, shook off a shaky first few innings and had retired seven in a row when he took a 4-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning on Monday afternoon.Mathews never got out of the inning, as the Volunteers rallied to tie the score with four runs, and then went ahead for good with two more in the top of the seventh. Mathews threw 89 pitches, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk. All the hits off Mathwes were singles.Stanford had been 5-0 in elimination games this postseason. This was their third straight trip to the CWS and the second straight winless appearance. The Cardinal went 1-2 in 2021, also los...

After homestand unlike any other, Oakland A’s are off to Cleveland, Toronto

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

The Athletics have been in Oakland since 1968, but have never had a homestand like the one which concluded Sunday at the Coliseum.The A’s were riding the wave of a five-game win streak in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee to close out a nine-game road trip that started with four straight losses to Miami.Arriving home to face Tampa Bay, which has gone wire to wire in terms of having the best record in baseball, the A’s beat the Rays 4-3 on Monday night before a crowd of 4,848, setting up the fan-organized “reverse boycott” night protesting the club’s proposed move to Las Vegas.On one of the most memorable nights in their history at the Coliseum, 27,759 showed up to see the A’s beat the Rays again 2-1. Until that game, the A’s average attendance for five Tuesday night home dates was 3,913.“It was really fun. The atmosphere was electric,” A’s outfielder Brent Rooker said. “It’s what I felt like a playoff atmosphere would be...

Football recruiting: Stanford’s hot summer continues with commit from top-ranked 2024 QB

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:51 GMT

The Troy Taylor era at Stanford is still 10 weeks away from kicking off on the field, but the Cardinal is already looking red-hot on the recruiting trail.Stanford’s huge 2024 class of committed recruits saw the biggest name yet say he’s coming to The Farm in quarterback Elijah Brown of Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei-Santa Ana.COMMITTED @Hayesfawcett3 I am so thankful for the opportunities football has given me and for this recruiting process. Thank you to all my family, friends, and coaches. I am excited to announce I have committed to Stanford University!Happy Father’s Day Dad pic.twitter.com/EzU2RTfNVe— Elijah Brown (@ElijahBrown_29) June 18, 2023Brown is considered a four-star recruit by 247 Sports, which ranks him as the eighth-best quarterback in the country in the 2024 recruiting class. Brown, who ESPN ranked No. 11 at the position, has received offers from more than a dozen schools, including powerhouse programs like Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and...