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Vanessa Carlton and the Art of Love

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Vanessa Carlton and the Art of Love: Singer, songwriter and pianist Vanessa Carlton’s Future Pain Tour arrives in Hollywood at the Roxy, hot non the heels of new album Love is an Art. “Love Is An Art explores the eternal seesaw that is human connection: the push, the pull, the balance, the bottoming out,” reads a statement. “It’s that constantly evolving nature of love, expectations and compassion that Carlton analyzes from all angles on Love Is An Art, from romantic, to parental, to the friends that hold us up and the leaders that repeatedly let us down.”“Carlton has constantly challenged both herself and the expectations that surround her throughout her lengthy, accomplished career: she attended both the School of American Ballet and Columbia University, and was discovered as a singer-songwriter/pianist when a cassette tape demo was given to legendary music impresario Ahmet Ertegun,” reads that release. “With her debut single “A Thousand Miles” ...

For Women: How to Talk Dirty to Him

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Sexy talk may not be openly discussed, but it’s something that’s commonly done by romantic couples and sexual partners — before, during, and even after sexy time! If you have a man that you want to turn on, you can talk dirty to him and let him know you’re in the mood for some fun — or you can just do it to tease him.Here’s how.3 Things to Know When You Talk Dirty to HimFind out what turns him on.If you know that a man is already into you (or your body), chances are, it won’t be that difficult to turn him on by talking dirty to him. However, not every man is into that. Try to see first if he likes that. You can ask him if he’s into it or you can just go straight for the sexy talk.Some men like to be teased — they get aroused when you’re coy about it. If the man you want to talk dirty to is like that, you can start by, say, texting him something like, “I’m already in bed but I can’t sleep because I want you here beside me.” Others, however, prefer that you get straight to the point. ...

John Wick: Chapter 4 is Another Wicked Whirlwind

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Several years ago, a hitman was thrust back into a life of crime after a privileged thug killed his puppy and made off with his car. A deceptively simple story, but thanks to the indelible charm of Keanu Reeves, the talents of visionary director Chad Stahelski, dozens of beautifully choreographed fight scenes, and imaginative world-building, John Wick has become one hell of a franchise.While the first film was a pure revenge flick, Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 – Parabellum, dealt with the repercussions of Mr. Wick’s re-emergence and retaliation for breaking the rules of this heavily-regulated underworld. In Chapter 4, John has recovered from injuries he suffered from the betrayal of Winston (Ian McShane) while plotting vengeance against The Table, a mysterious syndicate that lives and dies by the codes they construct.A wanted man with a multi-million bounty on his head, John is in a bit of a precarious situation. The Table is fed up with his shenanigans and places all their f...

Meet Dark Surrealist Foroozan Shirghani

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Foroozan Shirghani’s dark, poetic and eerily surrealist paintings, drawings, ceramics, moody video, and expressive textiles take root in a worldview colored by injustice, displacement, loss, and isolation. Rather than resist life’s slings and arrows, she follows the currents of the troubled sea — devising schematic compositions that are neither abstract nor figurative, depicting beings as embodied psyches in scenarios of fragmentation and, as the title of her new exhibition suggests, alienation. In her work, objects have a symbolic and shapeshifting nature expressing dysfunctional social structures and consequently contorted human behaviors. Despite the darkness of her iconography, Shirghani’s cool, stone palette, smooth shadows, and the presence, however distant, of a light source — a window, an egress, oculus, distant lantern, cold sun — demonstrates the persistence of life, and with it, hope. Her new exhibition opens this week at Advocartsy in West Hollywood.Foroozan Shirghani, I...

California Getaway: Wildflowers, condors and gorgeous Cuyama Valley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of California’s “Hidden Valley of Enchantment.”Part of the magic of the Cuyama Valley and the tiny cluster of towns that dot this inland valley an hour east of Santa Maria is the unpopulated, quiet magnitude of the natural landscape. A visit to this area, especially during a spring wildflower season that’s expected to be a super bloom this year,  offers an opportunity to tap into some of Cuyama’s elusive enchantment.Locals — and, likely, publicists — may have given this valley its catchy name. But they’re not wrong about its appeal. Despite its sleepy remoteness and vast, empty stretches, this hidden valley is a beguiling spot. No crowds, no rush hour bustle — just serenity and delightful surprises.Start your sojourn at the Cuyama Buckhorn, a historic property built in 1952 that has been brought back to life by Ferial Sadeghian and Jeff Vance, partners in the Los Angeles design and architectur...

Pac-12 WBB: March Madness ends early as Utah, Colorado and UCLA eliminated in the Sweet 16

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

That Washington is the sole survivor two weeks into the postseason speaks volumes about a less-than-happy ending for the Pac-12.The conference went 0-for-3 in the Sweet 16 and, for the first time since 2015, was shut out of the Elite Eight.The only Pac-12 team still playing is Washington, which tied for eighth in the regular season with Oregon. The Huskies beat the Ducks 63-59 Sunday, advancing to the WNIT semifinals.In the NCAA Tournament, Utah was the conference’s best hope to survive the Sweet 16. The No. 2 seed was on the free-throw line Friday with a chance to take the lead over No. 3 seed LSU with five seconds remaining. Jenna Johnson, a 73 percent foul shooter, missed both attempts, and LSU advanced with a 66-63 win.“I love that kid,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said of Johnson, a sophomore forward.“It’s a growing experience for her. I don’t think that’ll happen again if she gets that opportunity again. If you said ‘Jenna Johnson on the line in this game ...

Passover recipe: Pomella’s Matzo Ball Soup

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

We know. No one’s matzo ball soup is better than your bubbe’s. But this version, from Oakland’s Pomella, one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Bay Area, comes pretty close.Chef-owner Mica Talmor uses a mix of oil and schmaltz to yield the perfect balance of matzo ball flavor and fluffiness. The Israeli-born chef advises letting the batter cool and relax for an hour before rolling. And, most importantly, cook the matzo balls long enough — at least an hour — or until the insides are the same color as the outsides, not darker, she says.Enjoy for Passover or year-round.Matzo Ball SoupMakes 15 balls (two per serving), including one ball for testingINGREDIENTS1 large yellow onion, peeled and finely diced¼ cup chicken fat (also called schmaltz)¼ cup canola oil1¾ teaspoons kosher salt½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper8 eggs1/3 cup water1/3 bunch dill, finely chopped1 cup matzo mealApproximately 3 liters of chicken stock, preferably homemade (or Swanson chicke...

Passover recipe: Chanie Apfelbaum’s Charoset Bars

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

You’ve never seen charoset like this before. The relish of fruit, nuts and red wine — it represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves in the building of the Egyptian pyramids — is one of the symbolic foods on the Passover seder plate. And its resemblance to actual mortar is probably why most of us don’t think to make and eat it more than once a year, despite its sweetness.Enter these beautiful charoset bars, created by Busy in Brooklyn blogger Chanie Apfelbaum. Apfelbaum starts with an almond flour dough as the base, which she tops with a pulverized pear-date-wine charoset and walnut crumble. The recipe is featured in Apfelbaum’s debut cookbook, “Totally Kosher: Tradition with a Twist! 150+ Recipes for the Holidays and Every Day” (Clarkson Potter, $37.50).Charoset BarsServes 12INGREDIENTSJust in time for Passover, Busy in Brooklyn blogger Chanie Apfelbaum has released her first cookbook. (Clarkson Potter) 3 cups superfine blanched almond...

Recipe: Passover Panzanella with Matzo Brei Croutons

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

Passover is a holiday of heavy foods. There’s brisket, potato kugel and way too much matzo. But if you have leftover steak and a jar of horseradish left over from the seder plate, you can make this delightful salad.The recipe, from Chanie Apfelbaum’s new cookbook, “Totally Kosher: Tradition with a Twist! 150+ Recipes for the Holidays and Every Day” (Clarkson Potter, $37.50), calls for making croutons out of the same ingredients used to make breakfast-centric matzo brei — egg, matzo, oil and seasonings — oven-baked to a crisp instead of pan-fried.Passover Panzanella with Matzo Brei CroutonsServes 6 to 8MATZO BREI CROUTONS:1 extra-large egg white, beaten2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper3 square unsalted matzos or 2 round matzosSTEAK AND SALAD:1 pound London broil (preferably the shoulder blade cut)2 tablespoons grapeseed oilKosher salt and ...

Could 49ers’ Brock Purdy be healthy by training camp?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:01:57 GMT

A viral photo surfaced over the weekend of Brock Purdy, with the 49ers’ quarterback wearing his boyish smile and a super-sized brace on his surgically repaired elbow.Nothing unusual there.Then came Monday’s surprising proclamation that Purdy’s road to recovery could see him participating in training camp, which begins in four months.“Our hope is he’s ready to go for training camp,” general manager John Lynch said at the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix, according to The Athletic’s David Lombardi.“We’ll see how everything goes. We’re going to do what’s right for Brock, because that’s right for our organization,” Lynch added. “You know, be aggressive with what we do but also be really smart. We’re insulated with other guys we have a lot of belief in, so if Brock’s not ready, we’ll hold down the fort until he is.”Purdy is only 17 days removed from a career-saving procedure in which an internal brace repaired the tor...