Category: Bay Area

1974 Channing Avenue – Google Street View The property located in the 1900 block of Channing Avenue in Palo Alto was sold on Nov. 13, 2023 for $2,870,000, or $1,786 per square foot. The house, built in 1953, has an interior space of 1,607 square feet. This single-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and two baths. Inside, there is a fireplace. In addition, the house is equipped with a single carport. These nearby houses have also recently been sold: In September 2022, a 1,610-square-foot home on Wildwood Lane in Palo Alto sold for $2,350,000, a price per square foot of $1,460. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A 1,424-square-foot home on the 1800 block of Channing Avenue in Palo Alto sold in July 2022, for $3,370,000, a price per square foot of $2,367. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, in January 2023, a 2,468-square-foot home was sold for $3,100,000, a price per square foot of $1,256. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl was injured and unavailable for Monday’s game with the Washington Capitals. That thrust Luke Kunin, usually used as a winger, into a top-six centerman’s role. Kunin made the most of the opportunity, scoring a go-ahead power-play goal with 7:12 left in the third period to help lift the Sharks to a 2-1 over the Capitals at SAP Center. Kunin, stationed near the slot, one-timed a pass from Justin Bailey past Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper for his fifth goal of the season as the Sharks completed their three-game homestand with a 2-0-1 record. Bailey’s assist gave him his first NHL point since March 21, 2019. Earlier Monday, the Sharks announced they had signed Bailey to a one-year, two-way contract after he began the year with the Barracuda of the AHL. Fabian Zetterlund scored at even strength in the first period to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead and Mackenzie Blackwood had 33 saves in the win. The only blemish for Blackwood, if it could even be called that, was a second-period goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov. His shot

PACIFICA – An electric motorcycle sparked a fire at a Pacifica home Monday afternoon, authorities said. The fire was reported just before 2:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Lerida Way, near Terra Nova High School, according to the North County Fire Authority. Crews arrived to find fire and smoke coming from the two-car garage of a single-family residence. Two residents who were home at the time managed to evacuate without injury, authorities said. Crews knocked down the fire, which ultimately caused fire and smoke damage to the garage, as well as smoke damage to the second story, according to the fire authority. The cause of the blaze – an “electrical malfunction within a charging motorcycle” – was determined to be accidental, authorities said. A spokesperson for the fire authority did not immediately return a message seeking additional details about the incident. The fire displaced the residents, who made temporary housing arrangements, authorities said. No firefighters were injured. Check back for updates.

HALF MOON BAY – A 5-year-old girl who died after being pulled from the ocean near Half Moon Bay over the weekend was identified Monday by the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office. The agency identified the girl as Naretzi Navarrete of Merced. The girl and her 54-year-old grandfather were at Martin’s Beach on Saturday afternoon when they were swept out to sea. That was a day after the National Weather Service issued a hazard statement, warning beachgoers of an increased likelihood of sneaker waves along the coast, particularly on the Peninsula, through Sunday. “Sneaker waves are potentially deadly waves that surge further up the beach than expected, overtaking the unaware,” the weather service said. “Beachgoers can be swept into the ocean.” Emergency responders pulled the girl from the ocean. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The U.S. Coast Guard spent roughly 22 hours searching 100 square miles for the grandfather but did not find him. Check back for updates.

By Rob Picheta, Joseph Ataman and Amir Tal | CNN For more than six weeks, the conditions in which the Israeli hostages captured by Hamas were being held in Gaza were virtually unknown to the outside world. But testimony from some of the hostages released by the militant group in recent days is now beginning to emerge, giving a glimpse into their lives in captivity following Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7. Those who have spoken of their experiences described living off limited supplies, as bombs rained overhead. Some knew throughout their time as hostages that family members or friends had died on the day of Hamas’ assault, while others were left without clues as to their safety. Adva Adar, whose 85-year-old grandmother Yafa was among those released in the first exchange of hostages for Palestinian detainees, said her family “were asked to let (Yafa) share whatever she feels comfortable sharing, and not to ask a lot of questions so she wouldn’t feel obligated (to answer) or that it wouldn’t be too much for her.” Adva said her grandmother had lost weight during

A historic, enchanting and architecturally stunning manor estate with romantic formal gardens graces a magnificent 1.39-acre parkland property tucked in the heart of Los Gatos. This absolute treasure reminiscent of the style of the English Cotswolds was built in 1931 and offers a rare opportunity to own a bit of local history with exceptional potential for today’s active lifestyle. The classic storybook-style dating back to 16th century England showcases charming features, including steeply pitched roofs, arched doorways, prominent chimneys and inglenook fireplaces. An emigrant from England and local canning pioneer, John Ainsley and his wife Alcinda built the historic Ainsley Home and Carriage House in Campbell in 1925, now listed in the National Registrar of Historical Places. The Ainsleys then looked to Los Gatos to build this home at 17121 Wild Way in Los Gatos for their son. It is on the market for the first time in about 55 years. Located just off Winchester Boulevard, this private and stately manor features about 5,244 square feet of living space with formal rooms, an eat-in kitchen, a family room, a basement and billiards room, and front

RICHMOND – A large plume of black smoke was visible for miles in the Bay Area on Monday afternoon after flaring was reported at the Chevron refinery in Richmond. In a social media post, Chevron said the flaring activity was due to a loss of power to a portion of the facility. “Our employees are working quickly to minimize and stop the flaring,” Chevron said. A Community Warning System, or CWS, Level 1 was issued due to the visibility of the flare. A CWS Level 1 requires no action by the public, according to Chevron. Chevron notified Contra Costa Health of the flaring around 3:45 p.m., said CCH spokesman Karl Fischer. “We know that smoke is visible in the community around the refinery,” Fischer said. Contra Costa Health dispatched a hazardous materials team to the refinery at 841 Chevron Way. As of 6:05 p.m., the team was at the facility and monitoring the activity, the agency said in a social media post. “Air monitoring does not show any public health impact at this time,” the agency said. Check back for updates.

A new beer and wine bar with a private event space debuted in Clayton last month with a definite Bay Area focus. Roadside 22, which serves wine, beer and light bites, is the brainchild of Nichole Simpson, a longtime Concord-based event planner who dreamed of opening her own place with her husband, Jim. Roadside 22 hosts a weekly special events, including live music with local musicians on Saturdays, craft fairs on Sundays and happy hour discounts on Fridays for teachers and school staff. The event space is free for local nonprofits to use for fundraising purposes, Nichole says. The 21-and-up bar highlights wine and beer from a different winery and brewery each month; this month’s featured offerings are from Sonoma’s Kosich Family Vineyards and San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery. “All of those things are meant to build community and bring people together,” Simpson says. You’ll find primarily California-based wines on the menu, with the occasional French or Italian offering, and beer from local breweries such as Drake’s, Calicraft, Morgan Territory  and East Brother Beer Company. Pair them with snacks like spinach artichoke dip or hummus

By Kara Scannell | CNN Donald Trump urged a New York appeals court to continue to pause the gag order against him in his civil fraud trial, saying that threats to the judge and his law clerk do not “justify” limiting the former president’s constitutional right to defend himself. Lawyers for the New York attorney general’s office and the court last week urged the appeals court to put the gag order back in place following “serious and credible” threats that have inundated Judge Arthur Engoron’s chambers since the trial began in October. Trump’s attorneys wrote in a filing Monday that the former president has never threatened the judge or his principal law clerk and they can’t be held responsible for actions taken by others. They argued that Trump’s First Amendment right to criticize and call out his perception of bias by the judge and his law clerk without retribution is “essential” to maintaining public confidence in the trial. “At base, the disturbing behavior engaged in by anonymous, third-party actors towards the judge and Principal Law Clerk publicly presiding over an extremely polarizing and high-profile trial merits appropriate

A house that sold for $1.9 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Fremont in the past week. In total, five residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.2 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $880. The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Nov. 20 even if the property may have been sold earlier. 5. $670K, condominium in the 3600 block of Capitol Ave. A sale has been finalized for the condominium in the 3600 block of Capitol Ave. in Fremont. The price was $670,000 and the new owners took over the condominium in October. The condo was built in 2019 and the living area totals 728 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $920. The condominium features one bedrooms and one bathrooms. Capitol Avenue 4. $950K, detached house in the 41400 block of Beatrice Street The 1,050 square-foot single-family residence in the 41400 block of Beatrice Street in

A prominent Bay Area defense attorney whose career has spanned decades has been hit with 22 disciplinary charges by the California State Bar over allegations that he cheated a client out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, charged an “unconscionable” fee and failed to disclose a conflict of interest. The move by the State Bar, announced Monday, could result in disbarment or serious discipline against David Jonathan Cohen, a Dublin-based defense lawyer who represents clients in federal and state court. Cohen’s legal work has included employment by the very organization that is now taking aim at him; the State Bar’s news release says that Cohen was “relieved” of his duties at the State Bar’s Admissions Office, and that he’s also served as a chair of the bar’s advisory commission to the California Board of Legal Specialization. The State Bar has brought in a special counsel to prosecute the case, the news release says. Cohen happens to be the lead defense attorney in a Contra Costa County murder trial that was supposed to end this week. His client, 27-year-old Oakley resident Jose Quintanilla, is accused of

SANTA CLARA — Here are the 49ers’ latest updates as they reconvene Monday after a three-day break following their Thanksgiving Night win in Seattle: MORE D-LINE DEPTH Yet again, the 49ers have added to their defensive front. With rookie defensive end Robert Beal Jr.’s activation Monday off Injured Reserve, the 49ers now have 10 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster. For now, that defensive depth chart is top-heavy, as the 49ers are carrying just two safeties — Tashaun Gipson Sr. and Ji’Ayir Brown — after season-ending injuries in back-to-back games to Talanoa Hufanga (knee) and George Odum (biceps), the latter of whom went on Injured Reserve on Monday. Beal, a fifth-round draft pick from Georgia, sustained hamstring injuries during training camp. The 49ers carried him onto their initial 53-man roster so they could introduce him at some point during his rookie year. The defensive line’s depth chart: Starters: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell Backups: Chase Young, Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens, Randy Gregory, Kalia Davis, Beal. Armstead, by the way, was not seen during the brief access afforded to the media at practice

As the stain of violence convulses the Holy Land, the innocence and playfulness of the conflict at the center of “The Nutcracker” provides the seasonal diversion we need. The holiday staple, which unfolds during and after a party Christmas Eve, is indestructible and supremely malleable, delivering the fundamental pleasures of ballet whether set in Vienna, San Francisco, London, or a the small German town (where the original E.T.A. Hoffmann short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” takes place). There are more than a dozen “Nutcracker” productions in the Bay Area alone this year, and the one thing they all have in common is some version of Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score. More than a cultural experience, “The Nutcracker” has taken on a singular role as a holiday tradition for families, a vivid introduction to dance and classical music for children, and an economic lifeline for dance companies large and small. It’s not the only seasonal dance mainstay–the late Michael Smuin made sure there was some competition–but it’s ballet’s juggernaut, and these are some recommended productions. San Francisco Ballet The fledging San Francisco Ballet Opera (as San Francisco Ballet was

511 Washington Avenue – Google Street View The spacious property located in the 500 block of Washington Avenue in Palo Alto was sold on Nov. 13, 2023 for $7,608,000, or $2,538 per square foot. The house, built in 1947, has an interior space of 2,998 square feet. This two-story house offers a capacious living environment with its six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the home includes a five-car garage. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby: A 1,771-square-foot home on the 400 block of North California Avenue in Palo Alto sold in April 2023, for $4,415,000, a price per square foot of $2,493. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Santa Rita Avenue, Palo Alto, in September 2022, a 2,697-square-foot home was sold for $5,300,000, a price per square foot of $1,965. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In July 2023, a 5,006-square-foot home on Webster Street in Palo Alto sold for $8,600,000, a price per square foot of $1,718. The home has 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms.

With excerpts and reviews emerging for “Endgame,” the explosive new royal expose, it’s becoming clear why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have tried, not too successfully, to distance themselves from author Omid Scobie, the journalist who has been described as their “friendly biographer,” or even their “cheerleader, crusader and chum.” As the New York Times review said, Scobie has done Meghan and Harry “no favors” in his efforts to portray them in the most glowing light possible. But his portrait, critics suggest, is rather shallow, one-sided and not always effective. As the Times said, Scobie devotes much of his book to “setting the record straight on petty slights” made against the California-based couple by Harry’s royal relatives or by the U.K. media. In just one example of clumsy score settling, Scobie tried to defend the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial use of private jets in a splashy interview with the Times of London to promote the book. But he ended up raising questions about their avowed commitment to the environment. In a strange exchange with Times writer Laura Pullman, Scobie also revealed himself to

Erik J. Martin | Bankrate.com (TNS) Detached structures are a great way to add space and value to your home. Whether it’s a workshop, storage space, garage or accessory dwelling unit (ADU), the presence of a detached structure to your property could positively impact its worth. While the long-term benefits are great, detached structures are expensive to build. If you do not have the funds to pay upfront, there are financing options available. Let’s look at the ins and outs of these add-ons. Should you borrow to finance a garage or detached structure? You can, of course, pay for your detached structure in cash, but considering that they can cost well into the five figures — even up to $110,000 in some elaborate cases — that might not be the most feasible option. Some scenarios when it might make sense to finance your detached structure project include: •If you don’t have all of the cash needed to pay the full cost of the project. •If you have equity in your home that can be tapped to fund the project. •If you have a solid credit

Many of the top experts in college football expect Cal to play in the Independence Bowl against Texas Tech when it returns to the postseason for the first time in four years. As for San Jose State, the picture is less clear for its second straight bowl appearance after the Spartans were left out of the Mountain West title game based on computer rankings. The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy projects the Spartans to head west to the Hawaii Bowl and face Rice. Fox Sports and 247Sports both had them in the same Dec. 23 bowl, though Bryan Fischer of Fox projected SJSU to face Memphis. CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm, on the other hand, projected them to join Cal in the South, for a Birmingham Bowl date against Georgia State. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mark Schlabaugh projected a Boca Raton Bowl berth against Marshall, while Kyle Bonagura had them facing Ohio in a return to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where they lost last year to Eastern Michigan. The projections vary because the Mountain West does not have a set order for bowls based on its final standings.

SAN MATEO COUNTY — The man killed in a fiery crash on Highway 1 near San Gregorio has been identified as a 52-year-old Richmond resident, according to coroner’s staff. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified the man on Monday as Luciano Lopez Sanchez. He died Friday afternoon when he was driving north on Highway 1 and hit a bicyclist who was on the right shoulder of the road, sending him into another vehicle and a tree. The California Highway Patrol said the GMC Yukon that Lopez Sanchez was driving rolled over, came to rest on an embankment and erupted into flames. Lopez Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his vehicle suffered minor injuries while the bicyclist suffered major injuries, according to the CHP. The cause of the crash remains under investigation but the CHP said it appears Lopez Sanchez may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is a developing report. Check back for updates.

Getting excited about the winter holidays can be tough, what with the Halloween season starting nowadays in August and Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah not long after that. So we’ve pulled together a dozen ideas for putting you in the mood, from historic homes decked out for the season in Hayward, Campbell and Walnut Creek to lots of latkes in Foster City to wintry theme park fun in Santa Clara, Vallejo and Gilroy. Find more events, plus holiday music and theater performances, at www.mercurynews.com/things-to-do. d’Lightful cacti, Walnut Creek A family stops to take a photo during the Garden of D’Lights event held at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery in Walnut Creek. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group File)  There are so many twinkle lights and illuminations across the Bay Area this year, we’re betting you can see the glow from space. There’s Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo, the Fantasy of Lights in Los Gatos and San Jose’s Enchant at PayPal Park and Drive Thru Light Show at History Park show. But one of our favorites is this one, which brings cacti and succulents into the

By Jennifer Korn | CNN That Google account you haven’t checked in years might be getting wiped this week. Beginning Friday, Google is moving ahead with its plan to delete accounts that have been inactive for at least two years. The company announced the new policy back in May, saying it’s intended to prevent security risks: Internal findings show older accounts are more likely to rely on recycled passwords and less likely to employ up-to-date security measures like two-step-verification, making them far more vulnerable to issues like phishing, hacking and spam. Google has been sending warnings to affected users since August, with multiple alerts sent to impacted accounts and user-provided backup emails. In a phased approach, the first accounts to be cut are those that were created and then never revisited by the user, Google said in May. “We want to protect your private information and prevent any unauthorized access to your account even if you’re no longer using our services,” Google wrote in an August policy update. Google accounts include everything from Gmail to Docs to Drive to Photos, meaning all content sitting across an

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I recently rented a home in Jacksonville, Florida, for three nights through Airbnb. The pictures posted by the host did not match the property. The home was damaged and dirty. The sofa in the living room was peeling and dilapidated. One of the exterior doors had mold growing on it and would not close all the way. And the toilets were filthy. Christopher Elliott, the Travel Troubleshooter  I filed a complaint with Airbnb, and a representative told me that they contacted the host about a refund. But the host had refused. Airbnb offered me a $14 credit, but I was not satisfied because I had paid $649 for the rental. I had to buy candles to kill the horrible odor and a Swiffer mop to clean the floor, and I also had to wash the dishes. After Airbnb didn’t solve the matter, I spoke with Discover about a credit card dispute, but Discover recommended that I try to resolve this with Airbnb. Can you help? — Tyson Love, Jacksonville, Florida ANSWER: No question about it, your Airbnb rental was not fit for