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Charles Martinet, the voice of Nintendo’s beloved Mario character, steps down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Charles Martinet, the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games since the 1990s, is stepping down.Nintendo of America confirmed Monday that Martinet will now serve in the role of “Mario Ambassador,” traveling around the world to promote the beloved plumber, signing autographs and performing Nintendo character voices. “It’s been a privilege working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him,” Nintendo said in a statement. In addition to being the original voice of Mario, he’s also voiced Luigi, Wario and Waluigi in the video games. While he did not voice Mario in the recent movie, he did have a small role as Mario’s dad. In a question and answer session at a Canadian gaming and comics expo two years ago, Martinet told the audience “I want to voice Mario until I drop dead” in response to a fan’s question, according to gaming blog The Game Crate...

Tropical Storm Hilary leaves a muddy mess in Coachella Valley; local emergency proclaimed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

Muddy roads, traffic backups and SUVs and RVs stuck in the mud. That was the scene in the Coachella Valley the morning after Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California. Flooding and muddy roadways made for a tricky commute near Cathedral City, while a highway in the area was backed up due to thick mud.Several high-profile vehicles were stuck in mud, with one man inside an RV giving Sky5 a thumbs up to indicate he and the other inhabitants were safe.An RV is seen stuck in mud near Cathedral City on Aug. 21, 2023, a day after Tropical Storm Hilary slammed Southern California. (KTLA)An SUV is seen stuck in mud near Cathedral City on Aug. 21, 2023, the morning after Tropical Storm Hilary. (KTLA)An RV is seen stuck in mud near Cathedral City on Aug. 21, 2023, the morning after Tropical Storm Hilary. (KTLA)Trucks try to maneuver mud near Cathedral City on Aug. 21, 2023, a day after Tropical Storm Hilary slammed Southern California. (KTLA) Crews across the region are working to cle...

Orange County realty company's former auditor pleads guilty to stealing nearly $3M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

An Irvine man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on Monday to embezzling nearly $3 million from an Orange County commercial real estate agency.Varun Aggarwal, 41, created fake invoices for companies controlled by his family and friends, pocketing more than $2.7 million along the way, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Between 2008 and 2022, Aggarwal worked in the internal auditing department of KBS Realty Advisors of Newport Beach, eventually becoming the department's director."Beginning at least as early as January 2012 and continuing until January 2022, Aggarwal used his position at KBS to embezzle his employer’s money," the DOJ said in a news release. Using information gathered from his work in the auditing department, Aggarwal had his friends' and family's companies approved as vendors for KBS. He then submitted fake invoices for work that was never performed by these companies, transferring the money through these companies to his own bank acc...

Los Angeles Holistic Dentist Demands Poisonous Fluoride Be Removed From Water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

Dr. Linda Makuta, a holistic dentist practicing in Los Angeles for over 20 years, has launched an impassioned campaign demanding the complete removal of fluoride from the county’s municipal water supply.Citing mounting scientific evidence of fluoride’s toxicity, especially to children’s neurological development, Dr. Makuta is urging citizens to join her in pressuring local officials to stop fluoridating the water.Fluoride is an extremely toxic substance, even more poisonous than lead. In fact, fluoride is commonly used in pesticides and rat poison because of its potent toxicity. Accidental over-ingestion of fluoridated dental products has resulted in serious poisoning incidents and even death.“There is a very real threat to the health of Los Angelenos from fluoride in our drinking water. The fact that fluoridated toothpaste tubes warn users to call poison control if more than a pea-sized amount is swallowed shows how toxic this chemical truly is.” said Dr. Li...

A Tranquil Peace Pervades on Ari Mediratta’s Joyous “Sixteen.”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

Ari Mediratta is an 18-year-old singer from Nairobi, Kenya, whose love for music blossomed at six. With a natural predisposition for singing, Ari found joy and solace in expressing his emotions through lyrics and melody. This intuitive knack for musical expression was quickly recognized, and he soon enrolled in vocal classes, setting the stage for his artistic development.By age 8, Ari had begun performing at various school concerts, charity shows, and community events, steadily cultivating his talents and musical repertoire. His early recognition as a talented vocalist caught the attention of industry professionals. It earned him an invitation to the recording studio, where he honed his skills and recorded a series of noteworthy cover songs. This effort paid off handsomely, as his work was later aired on Kenya’s top-rated radio station, Capital FM.Ari’s career reached a significant milestone in 2017 when he had the honor of performing alongside renowned Kenyan singer and song...

Bob Wartinger: Pioneering Powerboat Racing and Revolutionizing Safety Advocacy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

In the exhilarating world of powerboat racing, one name stands out as a true trailblazer and safety advocate – Bob Wartinger. With a career spanning decades, Bob’s journey in powerboat racing is not just about his exceptional achievements on the water but also his undying commitment to safety advocacy. Join us as we dive into the thrilling waves of Bob Wartinger’s life, exploring his record-breaking triumphs, his pivotal role in shaping safety regulations, and his impact on the powerboat racing community. Discover how this legendary racer’s passion for the sport has driven him to become a leading voice in promoting safety and ensuring the well-being of athletes.Racing Through the Tides of TriumphBob Wartinger’s racing career can only be described as legendary. From the beginning, it was clear that he possessed a unique talent and an unyielding drive for success. His countless victories, including an impressive 24 US National closed course and Hi-Point c...

Tashinea Bernadin Shares 3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Appointment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

People often believe they are ready to talk to their doctor when they show up for the appointment. However, most of them get nervous and fail to mention their main concerns to their doctor. What makes the matter worse is the general indifference that doctors all over the world seem to have toward this. Tashinea Bernadin, a physician, on the other hand, has devoted all her social media platforms to educating people on such issues in the simplest ways possible.She uploads a video every week to address the misconceptions that people have about medicine, some of which are not at all talked about at all. In one of her videos, she gave a few tips for patients to get the most out of their doctor’s appointments.Be on time The office visit is mainly scheduled for 15 minutes per session, which is often not enough for a thorough examination. However, instead of getting into the whys and hows of the situation, she advises people to attend their doctor’s appointments on time to utili...

CEOs and Entrepreneurs Find Stress Relief with Quantum Flow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

Millions of people are now enhancing their creativity and energy through the method developed by Costa Rican breathwork master, Juan Pablo Barahona.Imagine being told that you can transform your life in just 15 minutes. We live in a fast-paced world, where time is scarce, demands are high, and trivial matters occupy our minds. As Juan Pablo Barahona, a Costa Rican transformational leader, points out, our brains are often compressed due to constant mental clutter, resulting in a lack of sufficient energy, creativity, and productivity in our daily lives.After two decades of traveling the world, studying various medical methodologies, meditation techniques, and sharing knowledge, Juan Pablo is introducing Quantum Flow to Latin America. This meditation method, created by him, has already assisted millions of individuals in transforming their lives.“Small 15 to 20-minute sessions are enough to achieve remarkable changes.”How Does Quantum Flow Work?Through 15-20-minute in-pers...

Meet Ultrapotter Adam D. Miller

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

Artist Adam D. Miller has his fingers in many pots. Literally. Best known to many as a co-founder of beloved Los Angeles and Palm Springs-based contemporary gallery The Pit, Miller is also an accomplished ceramicist on his own time. He is the force behind Reaperware—a line of functional ceramics for the home which are somehow both folksy and super Goth. And as an artist, his sensibility in the studio matches his gallery’s in a taste for elevated post-Pop work of skill and verve, equally embracing art historical gravitas and well-crafted wit and whimsy.Miller’s ceramics often take shape as vessels, frequently on a large-scale, whose corporeal curves, crusts, lumps, protrusions, and hand-soothed distresses reference and deconstruct the classical modality of the genre and amplify their relationship to the body—but whose zingy palettes and upbeat, comics-inspired imagery point to a joyful abandon and a set of meanings channeling the crazy sweetness of parenthood. His book Ultrapots (Lor...

From Dreams to Spotlight: The Inspiring Journey of Liz Herbias in Modeling and Acting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:01 GMT

In the world of modeling, where beauty and strength seamlessly merge, one name stands out as a symbol of unwavering determination and elegance: Liz Herbias. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Australia, Liz’s journey from challenges to triumphs serves as a testament to the power of resilience.A Blossoming Passion and the Birth of a DreamLiz Herbias began her journey with an unyielding passion for natural beauty and fitness. A desire to share her expertise and insights with the world led her to establish Beauty Fit Biz—an embodiment of her dedication to holistic well-being. However, beneath this thriving business lies an even more remarkable story: Liz’s journey through the demanding and exhilarating world of modeling.Facing the Odds with GraceLiz’s journey was far from a walk in the park. Converting her dreams into reality demanded unwavering dedication and significant investment, both financially and emotionally. However, her resilience remained unshaken,...