Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 272

Judge denies Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s request to throw out case

With the jury set to begin deliberations in Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s trial this week, his attorneys made a last-minute effort to have his case thrown out — a move the judge emphatically denied.

Becker’s trial is nearing the end after the final day of testimony wrapped up on Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court in Morgan Hill. The vice mayor — who was indicted in April 2023 for allegedly leaking a copy of a civil grand jury report several days before it was public, and perjury for allegedly lying about it under oath — ultimately decided not to take the stand.

Becker’s legal team filed two separate motions on Tuesday — the first requesting Judge Javier Alcala toss the case, arguing the prosecution failed to present “substantial evidence,” and the second asking for a mistrial on the “grounds that the destroyed, late discovered and excluded evidence in this case and questioning of witnesses” are prejudiced.

Alcala denied the first motion late Tuesday afternoon and the mistrial motion on Wednesday afternoon.

In the motion for dismissal, Christopher Montoya — a deputy public defender representing Becker — said that “it remains highly unclear whether Mr. Becker leaked the report given a lack of documentary evidence and witness credibility.”

Rahul Chandhok, the San Francisco 49ers’ former chief of communications, served as the prosecution’s star witness, testifying that Becker leaked him the report. “Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” the report in question, criticized Becker and other members of the council for getting too cozy with the 49ers and putting the team’s interests ahead of the city’s. It was released amid a contentious mayoral race in 2022 where Becker unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Lisa Gillmor.

In the court document, Montoya said that the evidence shows the report was being “widely discussed and circulated” and that the prosecution “did not foreclose the possibility” that someone else leaked the report. Montoya also questioned Chandhok’s reliability.

“Mr. Chandhok’s testimony provided the only evidence of such leaks, and his testimony was not credible in light of his immunity, internal inconsistencies and inconsistencies with his contemporaneous written statements,” Montoya wrote.

In his motion asking for a mistrial, Montoya argued that it should be granted because of four different issues — the first being the “destroyed evidence” that was revealed in court earlier this week.

Ben Holt, a criminal investigator with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, testified on Monday that he is “responsible” for losing an audio recording that documented the search warrant being served on Chandhok’s home.

During the January 2023 search, Holt allowed Chandhok to call his attorney in private. However, the investigator said he accidentally captured some of the conversation while recording on his cell phone as he walked down the hall. He was concerned the recording contained privileged attorney-client communications, which meant he would need to send it to a special master to review whether anyone should have access to the tape.

But Holt never followed up, and eventually got a new work cell phone. Becker’s attorneys learned about the destroyed evidence through an email on Oct. 31 as the court began its jury selection.

“This destruction is prejudicial because the defense will never know what statements were made by Mr. Chandhok or the prosecution’s lead investigator DAI Holt, nor the actual circumstances behind Mr. Chandok’s separation from the officers and his activity outside of their view or control when he was permitted to go into a room by himself,” Montoya wrote.

The deputy public defender also argued they were unable to call witnesses and present evidence that someone else was the source of the leak. The defense was originally building a case that pointed to Gillmor as the leaker until Alcala ruled that they couldn’t make the argument in court. In doing so, Montoya said that Becker was “actively prevented from mounting a defense.”

Montoya also wrote in his motion that the prosecution repeatedly turned over “important evidence to the defense late” and accused the judge of being biased when questioning a witness.

The jury left to deliberate late Wednesday afternoon.

Joby Aviation receives FAA approval for Part 141 Flight Academy

MARINA – Joby Aviation, the company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service including at its plant in Marina, has received certification for its pilot training, in addition to having its voluntary safety management system accepted.

Joby received a Part 141 certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for its flight academy which enables it to deliver streamlined pilot training, enabling Joby Aviation to efficiently and economically develop a pipeline to qualified pilots in advance of commercial air taxi operations, and Joby received acceptance from the FAA for its Part 5 air operations voluntary Safety Management System, the company announced on Tuesday.

The Part 141 certificate and Part 5 air operations Safety Management System are requirements for Joby to launch its planned air taxi service, as presented by the company in June 2024 during a presentation titled “Pre-Flight Checklist: An Introduction to Joby Air Taxi Operations.”

“We’re pleased to be ticking two more items off our operations checklist as we continue to lead the industry towards commercialization of electric air taxis,” said Joby President of Operations, Bonny Simi in a press release. “As a former airline pilot, I’m particularly looking forward to seeing our Flight Academy grow in both courses and students in the coming years as we offer highly competitive prices and strong training curricula that position graduates for success in the industry.”

As Joby prepares to launch commercial air taxi service, future aviators will be able to enroll in Joby Aviation Academy’s full complement of courses, which will include private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, in preparation for a career at Joby Aviation or other air operators, said the company.

Joby said it is also advancing its safety culture by receiving acceptance from the Federal Aviation Administration for its Part 5 air operations voluntary Safety Management System. While Part 135 operators have several years to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System mandate, Joby’s Part 135 operation achieved the milestone years ahead of the deadline. This SMS requirement for air taxi operators involves developing clear safety policies and procedures as well as a culture that prioritizes safety and encourages team members to report safety concerns.

“We are also building a strong safety foundation for our planned operations with the FAA acceptance of our Safety Management System governing air operations under our Part 135 operation, Joby Elevate,” Simi added in the release.

Joby’s Part 5 air operations Safety Management System is part of the company’s Enterprise SMS currently being developed, which will cover the aircraft, manufacturing, operations, maintenance and flight training, facilitating the exchange of information to continuously improve the safety of Joby’s aircraft and operations.

The Joby electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and zero operating emissions.

Joby Aviation has been doing business and developing a manufacturing facility in Marina for about the past seven years where it launched production of its aircraft at its Pilot Production Plant with the first aircraft rolling off the line in June 2023.

In April, Joby broke ground on its new 220,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Marina, expecting to begin operations in 2025 and more than doubling its footprint while enabling the company to deliver 25 aircraft a year. The second production prototype aircraft to roll off the company’s pilot production line was the backdrop for the ground-breaking ceremony.

The aviation company has testing facilities, which include its integrated test lab and its flight-testing capabilities, in Marina.

Joby is developing a world-class manufacturing facility in Marina and has offices and workshops in Santa Cruz – where the company is headquartered, San Carlos, Washington, D.C. and Munich, Germany.

UPDATE: Woman found tied to tree in Pebble Beach, suspect at large

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded Wednesday to a report of a woman who said she had been tied to a tree in Pebble Beach at gunpoint and left. She was discovered about two hours later by passers-by who untied her.

The woman, who is in her 40s but was not identified by the Sheriff’s Office, said she was walking on one of the many trails in the woods near Haul Road, a dirt road off of Holman Highway, around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. The area, which is located in the SFB Morse Botanical Reserve, is a popular spot for local dogwalkers and hikers.

She said a man who looked suspicious was following her. As he got closer he brandished a gun and walked her to a nearby tree where he proceeded to tie her up. He then left on foot. She was not injured, assaulted, or robbed.

Police received a call around 9:30 a.m. when a man out on a walk came across the woman crying for help and saw her tied to a tree.  A second person, who also happened to be walking in the area, helped untie the woman.

The victim described the man who tied her up as a Hispanic adult in his 30s wearing a green hat and grey sweater. She said he has a tattoo on the right side of his neck with a word that begins with the letter Z.

A search was conducted by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Pebble Beach security and a CalFire Drone Team, but the suspect was not found in the heavily wooded area.

Rumors of an active shooter circulated on social media Wednesday morning the Sheriff’s Office reported.  Pebble Beach Company implemented a shelter-in-place at their maintenance yard at the end of Haul Road and nearby Poppy Hills Golf Course.  Orders were lifted after the company contacted police to confirm there was no threat.

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call (831) 755-5111. Additionally, police are asking the public for information in helping locate a possible witness who was in the area at the time of the incident. She is described as a female wearing black clothing who was walking a large black dog.

New York state highlights can’t-miss holiday sites and attractions

By Rich Thomaselli, TravelPulse (TNS)

If you thought New York was just a concrete jungle, it’s clear you never got out of the city.

The entire state is a playground, especially in the winter.

Related ArticlesTravel | Holiday travel: Tahoe’s Truckee is a magical, cozy winter destination Travel | A Pacifica day trip boasts beachy hikes, creative lattes and foggy IPAs Travel | Election results are impacting travelers’ 2025 international trip plans Travel | Crazy cleaning fees have pushed once-loyal Airbnb travelers back to hotels Travel | 4 secrets for eating better on cruises: tips from top chefs

For instance, did you know that New York has a world-class mountain? Yep. And they even had the Olympic Games there. Twice!

It’s a great place to be when the snow falls and the temperature starts to drop. And now the folks at the I Love NY tourism board are making sure you know about it.

Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “Each year, New York State transforms into a winter wonderland, providing unparalleled experiences for travelers, and this year is no different. An incredible blend of new hotels, indoor and outdoor activities, and culinary adventures awaits visitors this season, making it easier than ever to discover how easy it is to love New York in winter.”

Here are just a few of the events and attractions.

The Henson (Catskills): This newly opened 16-room boutique hotel in the heart of the Catskill Mountains offers a luxurious yet tranquil escape for guests. This is one of several newly opened lodging establishments.

La Tourelle Hotel, Bistro and Spa (Finger Lakes): This longstanding Ithaca gem is now under new ownership and undergoing renovations set to finish by March … PS: The Finger Lakes region of New York produces some surprisingly good champagne.

Whiteface Mountain Ski Area, Adirondacks, New York. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Gore Mountain (Adirondacks) will debut its brand-new 18,300 square-foot North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge. The lodge will feature a restaurant, two expansive patio levels, and a ski lift to elevate the mountain experience.

McCauley Mountain Ski Center (Adirondacks) is enhancing its ski experience with a new 1,600-square-foot, three-sided deck at the chalet, complete with outdoor fire pits for added warmth, while introducing a new magic carpet lift in the learning area.

Whiteface Mountain (Adirondacks) will expand its learning space by introducing an eco-friendly heated patio at the Bear Den Learning Center. Nearby, The Notch, a new detachable quad lift, will link skiers to two mountain destinations, including the Legacy Lodge. This is where Lake Placid is located.

New York State Pride Ski Weekends (Adirondacks and Catskills): The first-ever Adirondack Winter Pride Weekend is scheduled for March 7-9. The weekend of programming will feature a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities throughout the Village of Lake Placid and the region’s historic Olympic venues including a welcome party, downhill skiing at Whiteface Mountain, cross-country skiing on 55 kilometers of Olympic trails and ice skating inside the historic Olympic Center.

The National Comedy Center (Chautauqua-Allegheny): The nation’s official museum and archive dedicated to the art of comedy unveiled a new exhibit in October honoring the late Norman Lear and his legacy of comedy and civic engagement. The famed comedy writer and producer is remembered with a special installation recognizing his life’s work.

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Holiday travel: Tahoe’s Truckee is a magical, cozy winter destination

Nestled among the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, Truckee is a winter wonderland at this time of year. Its cozy downtown feels like the set of a Hallmark movie — or like you’ve stepped inside a snow globe.

There’s something magical about just walking down Main Street — or in this case, Donner Pass Road — under strings of twinkling lights, your breath fogging in the crisp mountain air.

This historic town dates back to the mid-19th century, and was named for the Paiute chief who helped the earliest emigrants cross the Nevada desert to the east. By the 1860s and ’70s, there were sawmills, a railroad and a thriving beer company, Boca Brewing — and soon after, tourists began arriving, wooed by  winter carnivals with ice palaces and summer recreation possibilities.

Today, Truckee offers all kinds of modern creature comforts, but you’ll see traces of the past too. Bar America’s Victorian building, for example, dates back to 1891. Dave Cabona’s Dry Goods Emporium was founded in 1918 as a general store. These days, it sells Pendleton blankets and upscale outdoorsy clothing for men and women.

Ease into a cozy booth at Moody’s to sip wine and enjoy wagyu steaks or fresh fish. The bistro is tucked inside the Truckee Hotel, which was built in 1873 as a stagecoach stop. (Of course, there are plenty of non-historic but also delicious options in Truckee. If you’re traveling with the family, you’ll find calzone, pastas and deep-dish Godfather pizza at Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzeria, which opened in 2004 and acquired new owners earlier this year.)

But what brought tourists here in the late 1800s — besides ice palaces — was snow. And this is still snow central, the perfect basecamp for skiing, snowboarding and other icy adventures.

So start your day with a breakfast sandwich and coffee at Truckee’s popular Coffeebar, or an espresso — a lavender-tinged Purple Haze latte, perhaps, or a rosemary and sage-spiked Pine — at Drink Coffee Do Stuff.

Everline Resort and Spa in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley offers all sorts of amenities, from an ice rink to snowshoe hikes and more. (Everline)

Then go do stuff. Tahoe Adventure Company, for example, offers a variety of easy to moderate snowshoe tours ($95 and up) throughout the season that let you enjoy the powder, even if you’re not a skier. Take a morning mountain tour or opt for snowshoe treks at sunset, under a full moon or after dark with a focus on the stars. The tours are two to five miles each, include plenty of stops and equipment rental is included.

Special, winter-themed events are unfolding in the coming weeks at the ski resorts, as well as in town.

Truckee’s Festive Fridays — on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 — see visitors sipping and shopping along the main drag, for example. Thirteen shops and businesses will be pouring complimentary drinks — alcoholic and not— while you check off your last-minute shopping to-dos and join the snowflake scavenger hunt. Carolers will sing the season’s most-beloved tunes. There’s free hot chocolate for all. And Santa promises to be out and about. (We hear the jolly one will be visiting Bar of America on Dec. 20.)

[image error]

The mountain town of Truckee, near Lake Tahoe, is illuminated during the holiday season. (Courtesy Scott Thompson/Scott Shots)

Snow play, ice skating and more await at the Everline Resort and Spa in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley. (Everline)

Snow play, ice skating and more await at the Everline Resort and Spa in Tahoe’s Olympic Valley. (Everline)

Santa pays a visit to holiday skiers each winter at Tahoe. (Visit Truckee-Tahoe)

Show Caption1 of 4

The mountain town of Truckee, near Lake Tahoe, is illuminated during the holiday season. (Courtesy Scott Thompson/Scott Shots)

Expand

Everline Resort and Spa, at the foot of Palisades Tahoe, will be decked out for the holidays with a life-sized gingerbread village, ice-skating performances and a grand fireworks display. You can spend your days snowshoeing on property or gliding across the ice rink — with disco-themed ice skating nights starting Dec. 21. Santa will be making appearances.

And the resort is offering Stargazing Snowcat Tours ($125) on Friday and Saturday evenings. Guides will tell stories about the night sky, while guests peer through high-powered telescopes and enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores around the fire.

At Palisades Tahoe, hear the Great Basin Carolers perform from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20-24 in The Village or join a guided snowshoe tour to the Chalet at Alpine for a Bavarian four-course dinner ($140).

If you’ve decided to spend Christmas in Truckee, you can enjoy Santa sightings on the snow, too. All-nighter notwithstanding, Saint Nick will enjoy his first day of vacation on the slopes, starting at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 25 at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort. The resort, which expects to open Dec. 13, weather permitting, offers sledding and tubing fun, too, throughout the season.

Santa pays a visit to holiday skiers each winter at Tahoe. (Visit Truckee-Tahoe)

Santa and Mrs. Claus plan to put in an appearance at the Christmas Eve buffet at The Village at Northstar, where other attractions include sledding, gondola rides, fat tire snow bikes, a huge ice rink with fire pits and, of course, skiing.

The magical Claus duo will be spending Christmas Eve dinner with guests at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, too. (If Santa and his sleigh can circumnavigate the globe in a single evening, simultaneous Truckee events should be no problem.) And during the lead up to the big day, enjoy carolers, kids activities and seasonal spa offerings that include a chocolate-winter mint facial.

And after that? The snowy frolic will continue all season long.

If You Go

Cabona’s: Opens at 10 a.m. daily at 10100 Donner Pass Road in Truckee;

Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats: Open for lunch and dinner daily at The Truckee Hotel, 10007 Bridge St.; www.moodysbistro.com/.

Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzeria: Open for dinner daily and lunch Thursday-Sunday at 11401 Donner Pass Road; www.zanos.net/.

Coffeebar: Opens at 6 a.m. daily at 10120 Jibboom St.

Drink Coffee Do Stuff: Opens at 7 a.m. daily at 10115 Donner Pass Road; https://drinkcoffeedostuff.com/.

Tahoe Adventure Company: Find details on snowshoe tours at https://tahoeadventurecompany.com/

Bar of America: Open for lunch and dinner daily and weekend brunch at 10040 Donner Pass Road; www.barofamerica.com.

Everline Resort and Spa: 400 Squaw Creek Rd, Olympic Valley; www.everlineresort.com/

Palisades Tahoe: The snowshoe tour and Alpine dinner is offered on select dates from Dec. 20 to Feb. 28. Find details and make reservations at www.palisadestahoe.com.

Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: 11603 Snowpeak Way; https://www.tahoedonner.com

The Village at Northstar: 5001 Northstar Drive; www.northstarcalifornia.com

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe: 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court; www.ritzcarlton.com

Gift books for 2024: What to give, and what to receive, for all kinds of readers

Books, like socks, give themselves away behind holiday wrapping. Nothing more so than a coffee table book. Or a beloved classic in hardcover. I’m not saying giving these are bad ideas. I’m saying the surprise is the gift itself. Choose well. Shock. Fascinate. Warm a cockle. It’s not easy, but what follows should ease the deliberation. A number of these books are pricey, but found online at deep discounts. A number are also, for the right person, a gift that never leaves their possession, never finds itself in a thrift store, never even gets lent out.

They’re too personal.

For the right recipient, there’s a not a sock under this tree:

For Someone in Need of Chicago-Bred Inspiration

The time couldn’t be better for “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” ($65), the catalog for the decades-spanning exhibition of the Chicago-trained, politically-charged artist, arriving at the Art Institute of Chicago this August. “Patti Smith/Lynn Goldsmith: Before Easter After” ($65) is Goldsmith’s late 1970s images of Smith at the peak of fame, broken up with memoir and poetry by Smith (who spent part of her childhood living in Logan Square). Fifty years later, it’s a master class in effortless cool.

Left to right: “Patti Smith” by Lynn Goldsmith, “When Two or More are Gathered Together” by Neal Slavin, “Secret Pioneer of American Comics” by Frank Johnson, and “The Acme Novelty Date Book” 2002-2023. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For ‘90s Hipsters, Now Middle-Aged

“The Lumpen Times: 30+ Years of Radical Media and Building Communities of the Future” ($60) is a phonebook-sized ode to one of Chicago’s great cage-rattling magazines. It’s still around, but remember those gray stacks of Lumpen all over town? This is a poke through every provocative, hilarious issue, with essays from muckrackers who made it happen. Slicker, yet no less prescient: “Giant Robot: Thirty Years of Defining Asian American Pop Culture” ($50) is a gorgeously designed greatest articles set from Giant Robot magazine, with articles celebrating Asian liquor stores and street style. Not much here feels dated.

For the Posterity-Minded Gift Giver

There’s a lot of reissued, recovered classics, but the standard is England’s Folio Society. I can’t think of better recent examples than its playfully illustrated new edition of “The Nutcracker” ($70), as written by Alexandre Dumas (the basis, of course, for the more famous holiday ballet); and “Witch Week” ($70), a 1982 British children’s favorite by Diana Wynne Jones, overdo for American love. It tells the story of a young witch at a boarding school — predating Harry you know who by 15 years.

Two Folio Society slipcase books, “Witch Week” by Diana Wynne Jones, left, and “The Nutcracker” on the right. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For the Relentless Chicago Booster

Nobody loves Chicago like people who can’t shut up about loving Chicago. To a coffee table already heavy with Chicago art books, add “Above & Across Chicago” ($45), aerial photos of parks and harbors that capture the revealing geometry of urban spaces. Local photographer Sandra Steinbrecher’s “The Salt Shed” ($45) is a stage-by-stage photo essay (with context from Chicago History Museum’s Paul Durica) on the restoration of the Morton Salt building into a popular concert hall. Few Chicago coffee tables are untouched by Patrick F. Cannon, whose latest, “Louis Sullivan: An American Architect” ($50) has photos by James Caulfield that offer lost nooks, and notes of neglect.

Left to right: “The Salt Shed” by Sandra Steinbrecher, “Above & Across Chicago,” “Elizabeth Catlett,” “The 1619 Project,” and “Alexander Girard” by Todd Oldham and Kiera Coffee. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For Latino History

In the spirit of its landmark 2020 anthology of Black poetry, Library of America’s “Latino Poetry” ($40) collects 180 poets (including works by Chicago’s Sandra Cisneros) into an unprecedented meal — ideal for noshing, one poem at a time. “The Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Death and Life” ($65) is the best kind of coffee table history, wrapping everything you would want to know about the holiday (its origins, its skeleton creators, etc.) around strikingly colorful images of regional traditions.

Left ro right:”Didion,” “The Best American Science and Nature Writing,” The Best American Food and Travel Writing,” James Baldwin a three-set series of his novels “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “Giovannie’s Room,” and “If Beasle Street Could Talk,” “Latino Poetry,” and “The Day of the Dead.” (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For the Moviegoer Who Won’t Stream

A pair of Hollywood books in Cinemascope. “1001 Movie Posters: Designs of the Times” ($95) is so physically large it could double as the headstone for this fading art. More than 600 pages of well-chosen examples are assembled, with artist backgrounds, from purely studio-made workmanship to the stylized painted flyers promoting exploitation flicks. “Life: Hollywood” ($250) is two hefty volumes of essentially lost photo essays from the once mighty magazine, covering milestones (the rise of Brando, the making of “African Queen”) and surprising stops (union meetings). Produced with zeal by Taschen, even the heavy paper it’s printed on feels considered, and not unlike “1001 Movie Posters,” it’s less a traditional history than an urgent argument for saving a medium itself.

“Hollywood” is two large 15-inch photo books of hundreds of photos of celebrities taken from Life Magazine between 1936 and 1972. “Magnum America” includes hundreds of images from 1940s through the present. “1001 Movie Posters” are images from more than a century. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For Ballers

If you can, ignore the rankings of “The Basketball 100: The Story of the Greatest Players in NBA History” ($40). Like similar recent books on baseball and football, it’s a loose, pointillist vehicle into a history of the game itself (written by Athletic staff). Yes, Chicago is well represented, from Michael Jordan (no. 1.) to Artis Gilmore (no. 94). “Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography” ($55) is the portfolio of official NBA shooter Nathaniel Butler. There’s zero chronology, but a ton of image shaping.

For Armchair Art Appreciators

I really like Phaidon’s broad surveys, pairing one work with a brief bio. Its latest may be the best yet: “Great Women Sculptors” ($70) touches on famous names (Jenny Holzer) but I bet for many art lovers, there’s lots to discover. Like the puppets of Greer Lankton, a transgender Chicago-based artist who died in 1996 at 38. “National Gallery of Art Collections” ($85), the first survey of the Washington, D.C., institution in decades, lets the work talk, offering little commentary. It’s classic coffee table, hard to stop flipping: Here are sizable reproductions of a little bit of everything, Mary Cassatt, Kara Walker, Titian, Degas — contemporary to 13th century.

For Marvel Fans Who Think They’ve Seen It All

“Mighty Marvel Calendar Book” ($50) gathers every page of the seven years of original work created for Marvel calendars (including a playful Bicentennial calendar in 1976), which were no corporate afterthoughts. Same goes for the pure joy of “Godzilla: The Original Marvel Years” ($100), presented in big heavy pages of bright Saturday morning cartoon color, collecting the entire 24-issue series that ran in the late 1970s. “Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Expanded Edition)” ($65) is actually very expanded, including seemingly every sketch, variant and inspiration that went into Chicago artist Alex Ross’ 2023 bestseller.

Left ro right: “Godzilla, the Original Marvel Years,” “The Mighty Marvel Calendar Book” by Chris Ryall, and “Secret Pioneer of American Comics” by Frank Johnson. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For Budding Biographers

Remember Little Golden Books? Started during World War II, it became a launch pad for a generation of children’s authors (Richard Scarry, etc.) cutting their teeth on preschool staples like “The Poky Little Puppy.” Eighty-two years later, it’s a mix of vintage titles and contemporary portraits ($6 each): This year, they added Little Golden Books on Zendaya and Pope Francis; there’s also Dr. Fauci and Beyonce — sweetly illustrated, and shorn of controversy. Skewing slightly older is the smart “What the Artist Saw” series ($15 each), mashing artistic lives with influences, reminding children that their world is inspiration.

Several a Little Golden Book biography books including “Beyonce”, “The Kelce Brothers” as well as two slipcase books, “Witch Week” by Diana Wynne Jones and “The Nutcracker,” and two What the Artist Saw books entitled “Frida Kahlo” and “Paul Cezanne.” (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For the Colorfully Stylish

“Iris Apfel: Colorful” ($50), like the fashion designer herself (who died at 102 last spring), is a charming bit of this and that, part memoir (begun when she was 101), family album and creative self-help. “Alexander Girard: Let the Sun In” ($125) is all catalog, and almost a perfect coffee table book: A bottomless showcase of midcentury fabrics, wallpapers and interior design that still have a hold on contemporary tastes. Here’s the guy who came up with the sunken ‘50s living room “conversation pit,” and the murals for John Deere’s Moline headquarters.

For the Morosely Stylish

I picture someone wincing as they unwrap “222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die” ($32) — then spending Christmas day picking through tales of Stone Age mounds erected in Ireland, literary memorials in Ghana and underwater tombs in Florida. (For a book about death, it’s fun.) “Spooky Great Lakes” ($20) also suits a chilly Midwest night. Thirty folk tales, paired with starkly etched illustrations. Werewolves in Green Bay. A deadly elevator in Chicago. Sirens on the Calumet River.

For Anyone in Need of a Cool Book for Kids

You can’t go wrong with Sophie Blackall. Her latest, “Ahoy!” ($20), like most of her work, matches nature with a limitless perspective. Similarly: “In Praise of Mystery” ($19) illustrates a spare, transcendent work by United States Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Slightly older kids will relish “Into the Uncut Grass” ($26), a classically illustrated story by Trevor Noah about the world outside the confines of your backyard. Far from a vanity book, it resembles a vintage keeper. For the kid who won’t read: “Godzilla: The Encyclopedia” ($35) is a neat beast-by-beast comic-ish taxidermy of decades of Zilla-lore, with plenty of words.

For Foodies Who Can’t Cook

“Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets From Around the World” ($50) is the best kind of project cookbook: You will attempt many of the hundreds of cookies here, if only for the challenge of making Senegalese sugar cookies and beer cookies from North Macedonia. And when you give up: Flip through “Julia Child’s Kitchen” ($50), a generous, anecdote-stuffed inventory of everything in that hallowed room — including the Chiquita banana stickers she sneakily slapped under kitchen tables to save time.

Left to right: ”The Mad Files,” “At Wit’s End,” “222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die” by Loren Rhoads, “Crumbs” by Ben Mims, and “The Lumpen Times.” (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)For a Comics Lover of a Certain Age

“At Wit’s End: Cartoonists of The New Yorker” ($35) is the kind of gift you (on the sly) keep for yourself: Short profiles of 52 of the magazine’s cartoonists (roughly Roz Chast to Chris Weyant), paired with a sample of their work and a new portrait — simple, insightful and belly-laugh funny. “The Mad Files” ($22) collects 26 takes on the infamous humor mag, including a mini-memoir by R. Crumb and Chicago’s Rachel Shteir on (its rare) female contributors. Speaking of memoirs: Saul Steinberg’s “All in Line” ($35), first published in 1945, is a reissue of one of the most original, a set of line drawings made while fleeing fascist Europe.

For an Aspiring Interior Decorator

Though not really about decorating, “BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories” ($40) is a rich trip through the cultural ephemera (Flip Wilson dolls, schoolroom posters, Malcolm X air fresheners) that gets cherished and displayed, with tips for growing your Black archives. “The Decoration of Houses” ($18) is close in spirit to Emily Post — albeit co-written in 1897 by Edith Wharton, who offers advice on cold fireplaces, windows and, yes, bric-a-brac, arguing even then that Americans confuse expensive tastes with smart designs.

For the Friend Who Quotes James Baldwin (But Has Never Read James Baldwin)

This is the centennial of Baldwin’s birth, and there’s no shortage of handsome repackages. The Everyman Library gathers four of his nonfiction classics (including “The Fire Next Time”) into one volume ($32), while Vintage has a box set ($51) of his three best novels (including “Giovanni’s Room), each with a new introduction by a contemporary author.

For an Appreciator of 20th Century Kitsch

“Disco: Music, Movies and Mania Under the Mirror Ball” ($55) might be my favorite coffee table book all year. Journalist Frank DeCaro leaves no relic untouched, starting with Disco Demolition at Comiskey Park, then winds back to interviews with period stars, looks at the fashions, the cash-in movie flops, a history of after-the-club “disco fries.” Smart, funny and absorbing. “Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling” ($40) has a decidedly West Coast focus, but its history of bowling alleys — and all the tiki bars and modernist designs (by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentices) that suggests — looks deeply Midwestern.

For the Millennial Who Haunts the Anime Section of Barnes & Noble

“SP20: The Scott Pilgrim 20th Anniversary Color Edition” ($250) resembles, in its packaging, and price, a PlayStation. This collection of six hardcover Pilgrim books (the basis for the cult classic film “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”) comes bundled with oodles of fun extras, from sticker sheets, making-of material to a concert poster for Pilgrim’s band, Sex Bob-Omb.

For the Family Member Always Talking About History They Don’t Teach

“Evidence” ($50) is pure mystery, a reissue of a legendary art project in 1977 by photographers Larry Sultan and Mike Mandel, who talked 77 institutions (government agencies, corporations) into opening their archives. What they assembled remains compelling, odd and often otherworldly, photos entirely without explanations or context. “The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience” ($65) is more context, a remarkable expansion of landmark journalism, pairing art and archival images to Pulitzer-winning essays rethinking Black America. Through photos, letters and holdings from New York’s Morgan Library, “Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy” ($50) tells the story of the institution’s first director, whose work established this major research library. Greene was also Black, but spent much of her life passing as white.

For the Music Mythologizer

Marcus Moore’s “High And Rising: A Book About De La Soul” ($30), a love letter of a bio, and Nicole Pomarico’s “Live Long: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift” ($26) are a pair of pop-music-book unicorns — fan appreciations full of actual insights, not hagiography.

For Anyone Who Misses the Glory Days of Magazines

Library of America wraps its Joan Didion reissues with “Memoirs and Later Writings” ($40), which includes her bestselling late-career memoir “The Year of Magical Thinking.” “A Town Without Time: Gay Talese’s New York” ($30) plays the usual favorites (“Frank Sinatra Has a Cold”), but adds enough obscure pieces (on cats, failing restaurants) to make it worthwhile.

For Anyone Who Had Lots of Subscriptions

The ongoing Best American series ($20 each), created in 1915, has weathered the decline of print media well, consolidating (best food and travel writing are now one book), and smarter still, peered beyond the New Yorker for a new stable of young journalists and fiction writers. This year has mysteries selected by S.A. Cosby and food writing picked by Padma Lakshmi.

For the Obsessive

“The Acme Novelty Date Book: 2002 – 2023” ($50) is the third (and last) of Chicago cartoonist Chris Ware’s notebooks full of sketches, experiments, half-finished thoughts, portraits of cereal boxes, Oak Park avenues — I could go on. Speaking of going on: “Frank Johnson: Secret Pioneer of American Comics” ($50) is the rarely seen lifework of a sometime Chicago musician (and shipping clerk by day) who created daily comics, for himself, using personal notebooks, from 1928 until his death in 1979. It’s a previously unpublished precursor to graphic novels. “Stan Mack’s Real Life Funnies” ($50) is nearly as impressive: Hundreds of weekly strips from the Village Voice, comics entirely created out of conversations Mack overheard.

For Those Worried About America

“Magnum America” ($150), drawn from the enormous Magnum photo archives, is an ambitious attempt at answering: “What is America?” Every major event and cultural quake since 1940 is covered, ugly, hopeful and in between (including Chicago photographer Wayne Miller’s shots of the South Side in the late ‘40s). A more (outwardly) artful answer comes from “Life Dances On: Robert Frank in Dialogue” ($60), the catalog for the new exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York that considers Frank after his landmark book “The Americans.”

Then there’s Neal Slavin’s underrated “When Two or More are Gathered Together” ($45), a reissue of decades of the photographer’s images of groups of Americans, joined by profession or purpose. Hot dog vendors. Gold Star mothers. Magicians. Women office workers in the Loop seeking equity. It’s touching and as Slavin intended, it portrays “who we are trying to be in order to discover who we really are.”

cborrelli@chicagotribune.com

Recipe: Endive ‘boats’ are the perfect vessels for tasty appetizers

Belgian endive leaves are an inviting vessel to hold a wide assortment of flavorful fillings. I like to call these appetizers “boats,” and stuff them with a mix of parsley, green olives, toasted walnuts or pecans, and feta cheese.

Pomegranate molasses adds a lovely sweet-sour spark to the mix. It’s sold at Middle Eastern markets and in many natural food stores. If unavailable, substitute balsamic vinegar.

Endive Boats with Green Olives, Parsley and Walnut Salad

Yield: About 24 appetizers

INGREDIENTS

2 cups coarsely chopped Italian parsley leaves

1 cup coarsely chopped pitted green olives, such as Castelvetrano

2 green onions, thinly sliced, including half of dark green stalks

1/4 cup toasted walnut pieces, coarsely chopped, see cook’s notes

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, see cook’s notes

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

24 endive leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional garnish: 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Cook’s notes: To toast the walnut pieces place them on rimmed baking sheet in single layer. Place in 350-degree oven until lightly toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Watch carefully because nuts burn easily. Cool before using. If you like, substitute pecans for walnuts. If you aren’t a fan of feta cheese, substitute finely diced Parmesan.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, place parsley, olives, green onion, walnuts and feta. Toss.

2. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup with a handle, combine juice, pomegranate molasses or balsamic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Whisk in oil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pour dressing over the parsley mixture; toss.

3. Arrange endive leaves on large platter. Fill endive leaves half full with mixture. If desired, scatter pomegranate seeds on top and serve.

Source: “50 Best Plants on the Planet” by Cathy Thomas (Chronicle)

Award-winning food writer Cathy Thomas has written three cookbooks, including “50 Best Plants on the Planet.” Follow her @CathyThomas Cooks.com.

Related ArticlesRestaurants Food and Drink | Tangy buttermilk and whole-wheat flour bring nuance to pull-apart monkey bread Restaurants Food and Drink | How to make 3 recipes that Ina Garten mentions in her new memoir Restaurants Food and Drink | Cozy winter fare: Make a French-style cassoulet at home Restaurants Food and Drink | The ever-popular stuffed mushroom party appetizer gets an upgrade Restaurants Food and Drink | Popovers are a baked delight this time of year

Horoscopes Dec. 4, 2024: Marisa Tomei, focus, high energy and taking care of business are in the stars

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Tyra Banks, 51; Jay-Z, 55; Marisa Tomei, 60; Jeff Bridges, 75.

Happy Birthday: Focus, high energy and taking care of business are in the stars. Refuse to let outside influences interfere or distract you from what’s vital in maintaining the lifestyle that suits your needs. Question where every dollar goes and pay attention to expiration dates and documents that require revisions. Be quick to speak up if you don’t like something, and enforce discipline to ensure you finish things on time and without flaws. Your numbers are 2, 17, 26, 31, 38, 42, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Get up and go. Make plans, participate in events and learn all you can to help you make better decisions or clear your mind of nonsense that outside influences are pressuring you to believe, purchase or support. Trust your ability to seek and find what makes you happy. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Establish how you want to use your skills and experience, and target a position that attracts your attention. A change will give you a new lease on life that energizes your actions at home and work. Someone will take advantage of you if you don’t monitor your investments and expenditures. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Note how others receive and respond to you and your gestures. You’ll need to protect yourself from fast talkers and anyone trying to put you in a vulnerable position or take advantage of you. Stick to what and who you know and trust. Self-improvement and personal growth are favored. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Tunnel vision will allow you to explore the possibilities and to convert your skills to address current trends. Let your imagination take over and test your theories. Establish what’s important to you and make changes that enhance your confidence. It’s your turn to shine, so unleash your charm and enjoy. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): An energetic attitude and approach to life will guarantee results. Participate, offer suggestions and sign up for something that makes you feel good about yourself and your achievements. Your contributions will lead to an unexpected opportunity and encounter with someone special. Romance is favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): No matter what you encounter, turn a negative into a positive with a smile, a helping hand and the intent to make a difference. Be the one to start a wave of happiness and clarify the importance of kindness. Set a good example and enjoy the effects that unfold. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Share your opinion, but get your facts straight first. Touting your beliefs will encourage you to meet and solidify a team to help you reach your goal. Refuse to let domestic or health issues deplete your ability to finish what you start. Protect yourself, but don’t quit now. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take pleasure in conversing with people trying to make a difference, and it will verify your thoughts and feelings and clarify the best way to pitch in and help. Attending a conference or acting on behalf of someone unable to do so will be both uplifting and opportunistic. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Do yourself a favor and put your mind at ease. Stop procrastinating and start clearing up the debris standing in your way. A conservative change regarding how you earn or handle your money will help you establish what you can afford and what satisfies your soul. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Ponder over your choices, listen to your heart and do what’s best for your soul. An opportunity is worthwhile only if it satisfies your needs. A change of scenery will offer a unique perspective regarding what’s possible. Socializing will lead to exciting introductions and personal growth. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take control before someone tries to dictate what to do next. Put your energy into projects encouraging positive change, a healthier lifestyle or a move that will distance you from negativity and poor choices. Be a leader, not a follower, and it will help you achieve your aspirations. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A serious attitude will help ward off someone trying to lead you astray. You’ll need to devise an innovative plan to bring about group change. Take the microphone, paint an honest picture and see who follows you. Researching and experiencing exciting destinations will help you find your bliss. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are unique, determined and outspoken. You are changeable and proactive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Horoscopes Dec. 3, 2024: Julianne Moore, open discussions will help you resolve issues

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Amanda Seyfried, 39; Bruno Campos, 51; Holly Marie Combs, 51; Julianne Moore, 64.

Happy Birthday: Get organized. Open discussions will help you resolve issues stopping you from moving forward. A change is overdue, and being the one pushing forward will help build the momentum necessary to reach your goal. Actions coupled with well-thought-out plans and putting together a team that can help will also build confidence and give you the strength and courage to redirect anyone who gets in your way. Your numbers are 8, 11, 23, 34, 37, 42, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): That you’re dealing with people, institutions or agencies that lack integrity is apparent. Do your due diligence and get what you want in writing before you commit. A physical outlet will ease stress and help you formulate a clear picture of a situation that makes you uncertain or nervous. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change will help you get a glimpse of new possibilities. Put your energy into something that offers hope and concrete results. Balance is the key to positive movement. Assemble what you require and push forward with intent. It’s your life; choose to do what works for you. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sign up for something that excites you. Reuniting with someone who brings back fond memories will lead to choices that can improve your lifestyle. Travel, learning and playful interaction will expand your mind and encourage you to make your dreams come true, as long as you don’t make promises you cannot deliver. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a creative route. Allow your imagination to infiltrate your work; the results will impact what develops. Before you share your plans, take the necessary precautions to ensure you have accurate facts and figures to reach your target. A lifestyle change will improve your wealth and your health. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Mix business with pleasure, and it will offer insight into who you can trust. Look for opportunities to apply what you have to offer to current trends. A proactive approach to what you do will raise eyebrows and interest. Listen to suggestions and adjust as you go. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can have fun without going overboard. Cap your expenditures and control your intake. A change of location or in interests will offer insight into something you can use your skills, experience and talent to improve. A problem at home will develop if you give someone too much leeway. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Speak up, establish your motives and see who wants to join your team. Stick to basics to ensure everyone gets the same message and understands the possibilities. Refuse to let emotions come between making a good or poor decision. A business trip, meeting or conference will offer insight. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your energy to good use. Choose peace over discord and action over laziness. Set standards that demand your attention and can carry you to the finish line. Leave nothing to chance and oversee what requires undivided attention. Make gestures that draw like-minded people. Romance is favored. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Refrain from making promises that can get in your way. It’s up to you to clear a passage that leads to your success and well-being. Too much of anything will be to your detriment. Monitor your schedule and prioritize what matters to you most. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to paperwork; avoid letting documents expire and refuse to let anyone else take care of matters for you. Follow the dots and which way the money flows. Knowing where and what is going on is the key to getting things done right the first time. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You must recognize and take advantage of opportunities. Stand up and be counted, and you’ll establish your presence and gain respect from those in a position to pitch in and help you reach your goal. A dynamic, hardworking attitude will lead to victory. Trust and believe in yourself. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be careful what you wish for and who you deal with today. If you are gullible, someone will happily lead you astray or take advantage of you. Ask questions, fact-check and be ready to take flight if that’s what’s required to dodge a scammer. Self-improvement is your best choice. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are ambitious, enthusiastic and energetic. You are imaginative and friendly.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup set for Warriors

DENVER — Had the Warriors held on against the Nuggets on Tuesday night in the Ball Arena, they would have hosted an NBA Cup quarterfinal game.

Instead, Nikola Jokic sparked an 11-0 closing run as the Warriors’ late-game execution lacked. The Warriors lost, 119-115, for their fifth consecutive defeat.

While the current slide is more relevant than any NBA Cup ramification, the result added a new, do-or-die game to their schedule. The Warriors (12-8) won their NBA Cup group, but will head to Houston to play the Rockets in the quarterfinal game on Dec. 11 at 6:30 P.T.. If they win, they’ll head to Las Vegas for the semifinals against the winner of Oklahoma City and Dallas.

The Warriors have consistently stated their desire to win the NBA Cup — and the associated prize money. Getting back in the win column, though, is their most immediate priority.

“We’re trying to get out of this hole any way we can,” Steph Curry said after the Nuggets loss. “Got to play a little desperate, try some different things.”

A heightened, playoff-like setting could be a good opportunity test out changes. Steve Kerr plans to adjust his rotation when Draymond Green — who’s considered day-to-day with calf tightness and is set to get an MRI Wednesday — returns. The team wants to hone in on some consistent issues that have popped up, like late-game execution and unforced turnovers.

Houston presents peculiar matchup issues. In the Warriors’ first meeting with the Rockets, energetic bench players Tari Eason and Amen Thompson erased Golden State’s 31-point lead and helped force overtime. Golden State escaped with a win, which players said was the type of victory they would’ve let slip away last season.

Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Nikola Jokic leads Nuggets past Warriors for Golden State’s fifth straight loss Golden State Warriors | The Warriors’ ‘tricky’ puzzle pieces: Breaking down Steve Kerr’s toughest rotation decisions Golden State Warriors | Draymond Green likely to miss big matchup against Denver Golden State Warriors | Warriors look likely to trim Kerr’s huge rotation after four straight losses Golden State Warriors | The artistry of the assist

Eason and Thompson have been excellent for the Rockets, who sit in second place in the Western Conference at 15-7. Houston ranks third in the league in defensive rating, with an aggressive style that emphasizes ball pressure organized by head coach Ime Udoka.

The Rockets most recently lost to the Kings, 120-11, in their final group play game. But their +40 margin of victory in NBA Cup play vaulted them ahead of the Warriors for the second seed in the West.

Ironically, the Warriors’ next game is against the Rockets at the Chase Center, providing a preview of their knockout round bout. Thursday’s Rockets game is the first of a back-to-back, with Minnesota coming to San Francisco for the second leg.

If the Warriors lose to the Rockets on Dec. 11, they’ll be eliminated from the NBA Cup and get the loser of Mavericks-Thunder at home on Dec. 15.