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International master hopes to inspire next generation of chess lovers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Growing up in Tiburon, California, Ladia Jirasek felt like an outsider who didn’t quite fit in with other kids his age who were more interested in playing sports than chess, which he began learning when he was 9 years old.That is, until he began participating in the after-school programs and tournaments offered by Marin Scholastic Chess. He began to feel part of the fabric of Marin’s chess world.Now 23, Jirasek is an international master, the second-highest title in chess awarded by the International Chess Federation, and is on a mission to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of chess players in Marin and beyond.Courtesy of Ladia JirasekLadia Jirasek is an international master in chess.A longtime chess coach, he wrote 2021’s “How to Chess,” a guide for beginners. When he’s not mentoring or playing chess, the UC Berkeley graduate works as a junior quantitative trader.Q What got you into this?A The first time I saw the wizard chess scene in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s ...

Liam Hendriks — a Roberto Clemente Award nominee — makes an impact away from Chicago White Sox: ‘Life hits you and you can run with it’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Liam Hendriks continues to make a difference without throwing a pitch.In ballpark after ballpark this season, the Chicago White Sox reliever has met with families impacted by cancer.Major League Baseball announced last week that Hendriks, who made an inspirational return to the mound after battling stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, had been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.“Being able to get nominated is a huge honor. It’s not why you do things. But it’s always nice to be recognized,” Hendriks said last week in Detroit. “Life hits you and you can run with it, which is what we’ve done and tried to make good of it.”The Clemente Award is presented to a major-league player who best represents the game “through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” according to the website associated with the honor. The winner will be announced during the World Series.H...

Americans sharply divided over whether Biden acted wrongly in son’s businesses, AP-NORC poll shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

By COLLEEN LONG and EMILY SWANSON (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — About half of Americans say they have little or no confidence that the Justice Department is handling its investigation into Hunter Biden in a fair and nonpartisan way, and 1 in 3 are highly concerned about whether President Joe Biden may have committed wrongdoing related to his son’s business dealings, according to a new poll. But the political divide is stark. Sixty-six percent of Republicans — and just 7% of Democrats — are very or extremely concerned about whether Joe Biden committed wrongdoing when it comes to his son’s business dealings, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Overall, Democrats are far more wary of faulting the president at all with regard to his son’s business dealings. “The way I look at it, if Biden did something wrong, then he should be held accountable,” said Pilar DeAvila-Pinsley 60, a New...

Long COVID study will dig into treatment options. ‘I think a lot of people are really desperate’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Ilana Arougheti | (TNS) Chicago TribuneCHICAGO — At first, Debbie Tumbarello’s wedding was the height of romance — a Valentine’s Day whirlwind straight out of “Sleepless in Seattle,” she said.Tumbarello, who lives in Inverness, Illinois, married her husband in Las Vegas on Feb. 14. She left Vegas with memories of a Beatles tribute show and a rooftop ceremony. However, she also left with COVID-19 — and hasn’t come back to full health since.“The symptoms of the cold went away, but as the weeks progressed, I just started sleeping,” Tumbarello said. “On the weekends, I’d be sleeping 14 to 16 hours a day … My husband was freaking out. He’s like, this is just not you.”After hearing about her brain fog, extreme fatigue and joint pain, an infectious disease specialist at NorthShore University Health System diagnosed Tumbarello with long COVID.Now, Tumbarello has prequalified for a nationwide study aiming to learn more about long COVID and design treatment and prevention programs. Sponsored ...

Hot Property: Water views, Wellesley address

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

The Morses Pond community unveils a beautifully renovated four-bedroom contemporary home at 7 Bacon Street in Wellesley, poised as a tranquil escape. It elegantly marries modernity with mid-century charm, promising a year-round retreat graced by Morses Pond.Within striking distance of Wellesley College, charming boutiques, delightful eateries, and the bustling town center, the home offers both urban conveniences and waterside solitude.Entering the home, mid-century modern touches take center stage. Clerestory windows usher in daylight, creating an airy, inviting ambiance. Wood post-and-beam design adds character, fostering a seamless connection with nature.For culinary enthusiasts, the kitchen is a haven. Adorned with stainless steel appliances and a farmhouse sink, it basks in natural light. Family and friends gather here, savoring meals in the adjoining dining room or out on the fenced patio.In the family room, a wood-burning fireplace and giant picture windows perfectly frame nat...

Mayo Clinic Minute: How to tell if your child has a fever

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Alex Osiadacz | Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)A fever — when the body’s temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit – is typically a sign that your body is fighting off an infection.Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, explains what signs to watch for when your child is running a high temperature.Feeling feverish? The uncomfortable condition signals that your immune system is hard at work.“Fever in and of itself does not necessarily need to be treated,” says Dr. Ardon. “I’m going to want to see that child with a fever who’s not drinking as much, maybe has a symptom they’re more concerned about, such as coughing or vomiting, to make sure we’re not dealing with something more serious.”Dr. Ardon says that babies younger than 3 months old who are feverish seek care immediately. For older children, if a fever has not improved in three days or other symptoms have presented, contact your child’s care team.When it comes to making your child feel...

Abandoned panga boat found on Torrey Pines State Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An abandoned boat was found drifting ashore on Torrey Pines State Beach Thursday morning, U.S. Border Patrol confirmed to FOX 5.CBP's San Diego Sector was notified of a possible maritime smuggling event in the area around 7 a.m. Officials say a caller reported seeing 10-12 individuals running from a beached vessel. Man hit by Amtrak train in San Diego dies CBP agents responded to the location and found the abandoned panga boat, along with 15 personal floatation devices. CBP Air and Marine Operations seized the vessel, officials confirmed.No other information has been provided at this time.

Officer identified in Carlsbad police shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. — The officer involved in a police shooting in Carlsbad last weekend has been identified by authorities.According to the Carlsbad Police Department, officer Marcos Bocanegra fired his service weapon one time on Sept. 9, striking a juvenile suspect who police say pulled a firearm during a traffic stop. Encinitas community discuss action plan to prevent further e-bike fatality The juvenile was struck in the right arm and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.Police say the 16-year-old suspect was later booked into Juvenile Hall for assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm.CPD says officer Bocanegra has been employed since May 2023 and is currently assigned to patrol.The San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation.Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call investigators at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Republican-led Wisconsin Senate votes to fire state’s nonpartisan top elections official

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate voted Thursday to fire the battleground state’s nonpartisan top elections official ahead of the 2024 presidential election.Democrats say the vote was held improperly and that lawmakers don’t have the authority to oust Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe. The issue is expected to end in a legal battle.The fight over who will lead the elections agency stems from persisting lies about the 2020 election and creates instability ahead of the 2024 presidential race for the state’s more than 1,800 local clerks who actually run elections.Wolfe has been the subject of conspiracy theories and threats from election skeptics who falsely claim she was part of a plan to rig the 2020 vote in Wisconsin, and GOP leaders cited concerns from those skeptics in justifying Thursday’s 22-11 vote along party lines.“Wisconsinites have expressed concerns with the administration of elections both here in Wisconsin and n...

Botulism outbreak tied to sardines served in Bordeaux leaves 1 person dead and several hospitalized

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Matt Jackson was riding an electric bike through Bordeaux wine country when he started feeling strange. Nine days later, he’s on a breathing machine in a French intensive care unit, unable to open his eyes, communicating only via notes on a whiteboard —- and infected with botulism.Jackson was among the first of a dozen people who ate preserved sardines in a Bordeaux wine bar last week to be hospitalized with what French authorities believe is the rare and potentially fatal illness.One, a 32-year-old woman from the Paris region, has died.Officials issued an appeal around France and beyond to find others who might have eaten the suspicious sardines and might be at risk. Among those sickened have been visitors from the U.S., Ireland, Canada, Germany and Spain, according to the regional health authority ARS.Jackson and his partner Kristy Benner, on vacation from Hermosa Beach, California, stopped by the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar on Sept. 4, and sampled wine with small plat...