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Shane MacGowan: Remembering this troubled genius with 5 great songs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

Shane MacGowan was a troubled genius.He struggled with drugs and alcohol, as well as numerous health problems, and fans spent decades worrying about his seemingly self-destructive behavior. Yet, he was also a Celtic punk poet of the highest order, who, at his best, would lift his main band — the legendary Pogues — to such incredible heights.I feel so blessed to have had the chance to see him perform in concert, both with the Pogues and as the leader of Shane MacGowan and the Popes. In all cases, he was off kilter, not always easy to understand and, more than anything else, completely thrilling.On Thursday (Nov. 30), the great songwriter died at the age of 65 after a long battle viral encephalitis.As a tribute to this mighty talent, and with the hope of introducing his music to some of the uninitiated, I have rounded up 5 songs that illustrate his lasting genius.“Fairytale of New York” (1987)In recognition of its overwhelming popularity as well as the season we are ...

San Jose: Shake Shack leases space near eBay for new restaurant

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

Shake Shack, the New York City-born cult favorite, is expanding its footprint in the South Bay. And the next location might be just the thing to get any work-from-home eBay employees back into the office.The burger chain has signed a lease to open a restaurant at Bascom Square, a small shopping center on the San Jose/Campbell border that’s just steps from the eBay headquarters and a few blocks from the under-construction Bascom Station residential and retail project.Bascom Square houses a Starbucks, Noah’s Bagels, Jamba Juice, a Tech Credit Union office and other retailers. The space that Shake Shack is leasing was for years home to the Boston Market chicken-and-more restaurant, which closed a few months ago.Two Shake Shacks opened last December in the Bay Area: One at Oakridge Mall in South San Jose and another at the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco.The fast-casual eatery was founded as a hot-dog cart in a New York City park but quickly became known for its all-nat...

Larry Magid: Using a personal computer to read and send texts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

I’ve been using a smartphone with an onscreen keyboard since June 29, 2007, the day that Apple released its first iPhone. In my initial hands-on report, published the next day, I wrote “my very first experiences with the touch screen were frustrating and – five hours later – I still find myself making some mistakes.”Related ArticlesBusiness | Larry Magid: Using ChatGPT for holiday gift ideas and cards Business | Larry Magid: Survey sheds light on parent, teen feelings about Generative AI Business | Magid: White House order provides guidance on AI safety Business | Magid: Beware of ‘smishing’ scams It’s been 16 years since I wrote that article, but to some extent, it’s still true. Although there are many people (especially younger people) who can easily and quickly type on glass screens — typically using their thumbs — I am still frustrated when I have to type on the screen of an Android phone or ...

Caltrain: Trespasser causing service delays at 4th and King in SF has been taken into custody, full train service resumed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The person climbing in an unauthorized area caused delays to inbound and outbound trains at the 4th and King Caltrain station in San Francisco early Thursday morning has been taken into custody, according to the commuter rail line.Related ArticlesTransportation | Stop signs needed at dangerous three-way intersection: Roadshow Transportation | Hey, Caltrans, you need to repaint some signs on I-680: Roadshow Transportation | Caught dumping illegally? Better clean up your mess and more: Roadshow Transportation | Blatant roadside dumping on well-traveled ramp raises question about frequency: Roadshow Transportation | ‘Are intersections overengineered?’ reader asks after four-way stop smooths traffic: Roadshow In a post to social media at 6:03 a.m., the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management told commuters to expect delays and take alternate routes as the police activity ...

Man comes down from SF power pole after nearly 7 hours

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A man who climbed on top of a power pole at Caltrain's 4th & King Station in San Francisco and impacted service for commuters Thursday morning came down just before 9 a.m.The man climbed up the power structure around 2 a.m., officials said. The power wires were not energized on the line at that time, according to Caltrain, allowing the man to avoid injury when touching them. Both inbound and outbound trains were halted as police activity surrounded the station.After climbing back down the power pole, the man was detained by awaiting police, according to KRON4's Michael Thomas who is at the scene.A bus bridge provided by SamTrans was established for commuters from San Francisco to 22nd Street as of 7:25 a.m., according to a service alert.(Photo: Michael Thomas)There is no estimated time for when Caltrain service at the station will resume.This is a developing story.

BART delay on San Francisco line due to police activity

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- There is a 20-minute delay on the San Francisco line in the SFO and Millbrae directions due to police activity, according to BART. The system is recovering from an earlier problem at West Oakland station that was also due to police activity. Man comes down from SF power pole after nearly 7 hours All trains are stopping again at West Oakland station.There is no word on when the delay on the San Francisco line will be resolved.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

6 housing market predictions for 2024 from Zillow

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

(KRON) -- More homes will hit the market next year and the cost of buying a home could level off somewhat, according to a new report. Artificial intelligence will also have an impact on how home-shoppers search for homes, and how agents list them, according to the report from Zillow.More homes on the marketMore homes are expected to hit the market, the report said, as homeowners accept that mortgage rates aren't likely to fall any time soon. More homeowners who locked in long-term payments when rates were near all-time lows are expected to list their homes for sale as they get impatient with waiting for historically low rates to return. Nearly two dozen Bank of America branches closing across Bay Area More homes on the market spells good news for home buyers, according to Zillow.Home buying costs to level offAffordability will remain the top concern for potential home buyers next year, Zillow said. But Zillow's forecast calls for home values to hold steady and even fall ever so sl...

Dallas police say Bills LB Von Miller facing arrest for assaulting a pregnant person

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Police in Dallas have issued an arrest warrant for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller on charges stemming from a “major disturbance” at a home on Wednesday.According to police, a preliminary investigation determined that Miller, 34, and the victim got into a verbal argument and the suspect assaulted the victim, who is pregnant. They said Miller left the scene before they arrived.The victim was treated for minor injuries and an arrest warrant was issued for Miller for allegedly assaulting a pregnant person.The Bills, who have a bye this week, issued a statement Thursday acknowledging that they are aware of the incident and “are in the process of gathering more information.”The team said it would have no further comment at this point.Miller, selected No. 2 overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL draft, is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro selection.Miller, who starred at Texas A&M and was a two-time first-team All-American, has...

Oklahoma executes man who claimed self-defense in a 2001 double killing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma executed a man Thursday who claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed two men in Oklahoma City in 2001.Phillip Dean Hancock, 59, received a three-drug lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and was declared dead at 11:29 a.m. His execution went forward after Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt declined to commute his sentence, despite a clemency recommendation from the state’s Pardon and Parole Board.Hancock has long claimed he shot and killed Robert Jett Jr., 37, and James Lynch, 58, in self-defense after the two men attacked him inside Jett’s home in south Oklahoma City. Hancock’s attorneys claimed at a clemency hearing this month that Jett and Lynch were members of outlaw motorcycle gangs and that Jett lured Hancock, who was unarmed, to Jett’s home. A female witness said Jett ordered Hancock to get inside a large cage before swinging a metal bar at him. After Jett and Lynch attacked him, his attorneys said, Hancock managed to t...

Oklahoma executes man who claimed self-defense in 2001 double slaying after governor rejects clemency

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:47 GMT

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma executes man who claimed self-defense in 2001 double slaying after governor rejects clemency.Source