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Author: Alfredo Casuso

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Castro Media Invite

Castro Media Invite

Media contacts:
David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com   
Alexandra Greenberg / Falcon Publicity / agreenberg@falconpublicity.com

WHO:           
Another Planet Entertainment

WHAT:         
Hosts Castro Theatre Tours and Interview opportunities for the Media

WHY:           
After an extensive 4-year long rehabilitation of the building, the iconic Castro Theatre will reopen its doors this February.  Media are invited to preview the theatre’s main auditorium, lobby, dressing rooms and more as well as interview those involved with the building’s transformation from exclusively a cinema to a multipurpose venue for music, theatre, and special events in addition to film.

WHEN:         
Thursday, February 5: 10am – 2pm *

*  Media are asked to schedule specific time slots, but representatives and spokespeople will be on-site all day. Additional “live shot” opportunities are available before and after those hours with special arrangement

WHERE:       
The Castro Theatre: 429 Castro Street, San Francisco

WEB:           
www.thecastro.com

About The Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre is a world renowned iconic venue and cherished landmark. Located in the Castro Neighborhood, San Francisco’s LGTBQ+ cultural epicenter, this designated historic landmark is the heart of the community. The Castro’s captivating interior was designed by one of San Francisco’s most prominent architects, Timothy Pfleuger.  Built in 1922, the movie palace features a lavish yet intimate interior with diverse architectural influences ranging between Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco.  A century later in 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into an exclusive partnership with the theatre to execute a significant $41 million rehabilitation of the building. This includes major renovations to accommodate a wider variety of entertainment; opening the venue for the first time to standing room musical performances while still maintaining the seated experience for cinema, comedy and more.

The re-opening will showcase the revitalization of the ceiling’s stunning original artwork along with the sgraffito murals and a long hidden historic proscenium, all masterfully restored by Evergreene Architectural Arts. Additionally, BuildIT, the world’s first LGBTQ construction advocacy organization, has played a major role providing specialized trade professionals to the project. Other key elements include modernizing the historic chandelier, revival of the iconic neon blade sign and marquee, and the installation of the world’s largest and most versatile digital organ. The building will feature modern amenities with a new HVAC system, additional restrooms, and for the first time a fully ADA accessible orchestra, stage and dressing rooms. Another Planet’s momentous effort will ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.

About Another Planet Entertainment:

Established in 2003, Another Planet Entertainment (APE) is the largest independent promoter in the U.S. and has produced and promoted thousands of events with artists as diverse as Radiohead, Neil Young, Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Lizzo, Metallica, Bruno Mars, twenty one pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Mumford & Sons, Zedd, Paul McCartney, Fred again.. x Skrillex, Florence + The Machine and Olivia Rodrigo. Named Top Independent Promoter (U.S.) by Billboard Magazine in 2015 and 2016 and Top Independent Promoter (Worldwide) in 2017, APE is the exclusive promoter for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, the Fox Theater in Oakland, the historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, The Independent and The Castro in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic, as well as co-promoter of The Bellwether in Los Angeles. In April 2025, APE welcomed Channel 24, a new property in Sacramento to its portfolio. In addition, APE produces the award-winning festival Outside Lands (since 2008, ranked #4 on Billboard’s Top 50 Festivals of 2022) in San Francisco. In 2024, APE launched Golden Gate Park Concerts, an unprecedented standalone event series on the Polo Field in the iconic San Francisco park. The inaugural event with System Of A Down marked the first ever headline concert in the park after dark, preceded only by daytime events. APE also operates an artist management arm, Another Planet Entertainment Management, with a roster that includes two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Tycho, and a private events division Another Planet Event Group.

Trump’s Lyin’ Eyes

Trump’s Lyin’ Eyes
By J.D. Murphy

In the United States of America, because of Republican control of congress withDonald J. Trump as our 47th president, it simply no longer matters where you live, or what you might happen to believe in, to become a victim of the transparently out-of-control executive and legislative branches of the federal government,manifested by the indiscriminate use—at the cost of billions of taxpayer dollars—of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency againstnot only non-citizen illegal aliens as intended, but all citizens exercising free speech rights in physical proximity to ICE agents.

If you think you are immune from ICE depredations, continue to drive your kids to school; jog; visit your gym; drop off your car for repairs; pick up your laundry; meet a friend for coffee; return a library book; walk to a park; attend mass; attend a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment; renew your driver’s license; pick up a prescription; visit a neighbor; drive to work; change a tire on your E-bike; stare at the moon; watch the news; let the dog out; or chew a gummy—but don’t dare forget for a second that if ICE agents are in physical proximity, your constitutional rights as an American citizen could and will be denied at gunpoint for unknown reasons.

According to President Trump and his Republican confirmed cabinet heads, if you are detained or arrested by ICE, you are now—ipso facto—a legitimate candidate for treatment as a “domestic terrorist.” This highly charged rubric is routinely employed to falsely justify the sometimes-brutal physical violation of the constitutional rights of actual American citizens by ICE.

There are reportedly 3,000 ICE agents presently in the City of Minneapolis,outnumbering local police approximately five-to-one. Local law enforcement is excluded from the ICE efforts to find illegal aliens, thus establishing ICE as an alien force itself. Local citizens of all colors, religions, and partisan political values are on the streets day and night exercising their free speech rights by demanding that ICE to leave their city and state.

President Trump and his lock-step Republican supporters now tiresomely declarethat the exercise of free speech by Minneapolis citizens constitutes insurrection, and therefore can justify the use of the United States military.

President Trump’s perception of ordinary citizens exercising their right to protest the presence of thousands of ICE agents as insurrectionists, unashamedlycontradicts his willful refusal—while observing the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. capitol on T.V safely inside the White House—for more than three hours before he sent a message to the estimated 10,000 “Save America” “patriots” he invited to target the U.S. capitol building, to get on with their day elsewhere.

Trump’s “Save America” invitees were provided inspiration for a threatened outcome of their attack on the U.S. Capitol by the erection of gallows on capitol grounds that symbolized what could happen to Vice-President Pence if he endorsed Joe Biden as the 47th President of the United States. The instant “Save America” invitees entered U.S. capitol grounds—because their presence and subsequent actions had the imprimatur of the President of the United States—although by the sheer ferocity and viciousness of the attacks on the capitol building and those who protect it, by definition, became insurrectionists—remain lauded as “patriots” by President Trump.

President Trump’s “Save America” ‘patriots” attacked the U.S. capitol with “rocks and bricks; large batteries; unopened canned goods; bats and batons; and flagpoles. Bike racks, and ballistic shields were used to strike the police, as was at least one fire extinguisher. Professional grade fireworks were also used against the police. Human excrement was used… . Green lasers were used against the eyes of law enforcement, and at least one Capitol Police Officer was assaulted with an electroshock “stun gun” weapon. Commercially available defensive “pepper spray,” and its much more long-range and potent variant “bear spray,” was used on January 6th against the Capitol Police. Fire was used as a weapon to destroy property. There were “five associated deaths, and 140 police officers injured.” There were nine arrests on firearm charges and some 3,071 rounds of ammunition recovered.” The U.S. capitol also suffered $2.7 million in property damage. (Source: Annals of Emergency Medicine.)

Minneapolis “Domestic Terrorists,” citizens remain armed solely with whistles, balloons, phones used video cameras, loud voices, and maybe an occasional snowball.

In response to such pacifist armor, Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress now define Minneapolis citizens engaged in their exercise of free speechagainst the ICE occupation as “insurrectionists.” The literally mind-boggling use of such a volatile term mirrors President Trump’s hallucinogenic characterization ofthe attack on the U.S. capitol as a “Day of Love,” and Republican members of congress who continue to describe January 6th as a “tour,” and the falsely labeledinsurrectionists as solely exhibiting “orderly behavior.”

No American citizen can allow such a travesty and material threat to our democracy to remain unchallenged to the Trump administration. Regardless of partisan beliefs, all will suffer the same deadly consequences to our nation and ourselves in perpetuity arising from such attacks on our constitutional rights. Let’s support each other to come to our senses.

J.D. Murphy is an American businessman, author, and filmmaker best known for co-founding the University of Phoenix. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1946, Murphy studied at San Jose State University and later taught there while running a community mental health program early in his career. In 1976 he helped launch the University of Phoenix with John Sperling, serving in senior administrative roles focused on government affairs and accreditation before resigning in 1997. As a filmmaker and writer, Murphy produced and wrote Valley of the Heart’s Delight (2006) and has authored books including Jury Rigging in the Court of Public Opinion, Mission Forsaken: The University of Phoenix Affair with Wall Street, and American Incendiary Populism.

ICE Assassinates the 2nd Amendment

ICE Assassinates the 2nd Amendment
By J.D. Murphy

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On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Wall Street Journal published a frame-by frame analysis of Minnesotan Alex Pretti’s murder by an ICE agent: “Federal officers pulling a handgun away—a second later, an agent fires several times.” “Where’s the gun?” agents shouted in the chaotic aftermath. Pretti pinned to the ground…agents appear to discover a firearm. Less than a second later, one of the agents fires his weapon toward Pretti…the first of ten shots within five seconds.”

The New York Times also published an analysis of the Pretti killing in the context of claims made by President Trump, his representatives, and the Department of Homeland Security, that he was a “domestic terrorist,” despite the fact he waslicensed to carry a gun in open carry Minnesota.

“The Department of Homeland Security said…a man approached Border Patrol agents with a “9mm semi-automatic handgun,” and they tried to disarm him. But footage from the scene verified by the New York Times shows that the man was holding a phone in his hand when federal agents took him to the ground and shot him.”

“About eight seconds after he (Pretti) is pinned, agents yell that he has a gun, indicating that they may not have known he was armed until he hit the ground. The agents appear to have him under control, with his arms pinned near his head. As the gun emerges from the melee, another agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range. He then appears to continue firing at Mr. Pretti, who collapses. A third agent unholsters his weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless.”

“Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol official in charge of agents in Minnesota, claimed that the man was attempting to murder agents. “This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff: “A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists.”

The January 25, 2026 New York Post published its analysis of the video footage of the killing of Alex Pretti: “Footage indicates that Pretti’s gun was taken away after officers pinned him to the ground. One video showed an officer holding a weapon. Officers were then opening fire on Pretti, shooting him multiple times.”

Minnesota’s open carry policy for citizen firearms fully acknowledges the right to bear arms as defined in the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, but if ICE agents deployed to seek out and deport illegal aliens, anyone licensed to carry a gun is taking their life into their hands with ICE’s quick on the trigger mentality both protected and promoted by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration asserts that local law enforcement is not cooperating with ICE in their alleged efforts to find and deport illegal aliens, but in dramatic contradiction, the Trump administration is blocking all independent inquiries into the ICE shootings and killings of Minnesota citizens.

Gun Owners of America: “Federal agents are not ‘highly likely’ to be ‘legally justified’ in shooting concealed carry licensees.”

The Gun Rights Advocacy Company ‘A Better Way 2A: “What happened in Minneapolis shows that ICW will treat the mere presence of a legal firearm as the justification for lethal force. Carrying a gun is not a crime, yet it was readily used as proof of dangerous intent once Alex Pritti was dead and unable to contribute to the narrative.

New York Times: “Shootings by federal agents are rare. Investigation seeks to answer a basic question: whether an agent had a “reasonable belief” that the person who was shot posed an “imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the agent or another person.”

The eight ICE agents who participated in the killing of Alex Pritti left the scene of the shooting, leaving the death scene unsecured. 

Gregory Bovino, the head of ICE, provided his interpretation of the killing of Alex Pritti: “The victims are the border patrol agents.” (New York Times.)

J.D. Murphy is an American businessman, author, and filmmaker best known for co-founding the University of Phoenix. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1946, Murphy studied at San Jose State University and later taught there while running a community mental health program early in his career. In 1976 he helped launch the University of Phoenix with John Sperling, serving in senior administrative roles focused on government affairs and accreditation before resigning in 1997. As a filmmaker and writer, Murphy produced and wrote Valley of the Heart’s Delight (2006) and has authored books including Jury Rigging in the Court of Public Opinion, Mission Forsaken: The University of Phoenix Affair with Wall Street, and American Incendiary Populism.

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Grace Garner Re-Election Kickoff is February 1, 2026

media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Grace Garner Kicks Off Campaign
Sunday, February 1 (11am – 1pm) at Demuth Park

Palm Springs District 1 Council Member’s Focus for Re-Election is “Building a Better Future by Putting Neighborhoods First”

 26 January 2026 – Palm Springs:  This Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 11am – 1pm at Demuth Park, Palm Springs District # 1 City Council Member Grace Garner will officially launch her re-election campaign.  Having served on the Council since December 2019, Garner is currently its most senior member. A second-generation resident, Garner served as mayor in 2023 during the devastating impacts of Hurricane Hilary. She was widely praised for her leadership during the disaster, including extensive international media coverage.

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“I am honored to serve on the city council in my hometown of Palm Springs,” said Garner.  “I am thrilled to announce my re-election to continue to be a champion for all residents and an inclusive leader for a brighter Palm Springs.”

Garner’s accomplishments include increasing affordable housing developments, spearheading a full library renovation, improving community infrastructure such as new playgrounds, ensuring robust communications with our public safety teams to obtain quality services for the community and officers, and assisting residents with everyday needs.  A former member of the Palm Springs Planning Commission and the City Council appointed California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) Working Group, Garner is also the first Latina woman elected to serve on the City Council and is passionate about promoting more inclusion and diversity in the City of Palm Springs.  She serves on the boards of Desert Regional Medical Center and the California State University of California San Bernardino Philanthropy Board.

During her tenure on the City Council Grace has championed increasing affordable housing; improving community facilities; creating more youth-focused programming; and addressing neighborhood needs. In addition, Garner provide tours of city hall for youth and visit schools regularly.

 “Grace’s big picture ideas for the future of Palm Springs and her focused efforts to assist individual residents make her a compassionate and fierce leader for Palm Springs,” said Mayor Naomi Soto. “Her pragmatic and compassionate leadership is exactly what our city needs in the coming years of growth and challenge.”

In addition to Soto’s support, other notable endorsements include the Palm Springs Police Association, Palm Springs Firefighters Association, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, and Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer.

“At Sunday’s kick-off event, members of the Palm Springs Fire Fighters Association will be grilling hot dogs and burgers, making for an ideal opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors,” said Grace, who has made a reputation for such face-to-face engagement with her constituents. “Maybe you are coming from church or just rolling out of bed, however you arrive, you are welcome!”

For more information and to get involved in Grace Garner’s campaign visit: www.wewinwithgrace.com

Capricorn & Walter Adams Framing Join SF Chamber 

Capricorn & Walter Adams Framing Join SF Chamber 

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Ahoy and welcome to Capricorn Framing and Walter Adams Framing: new members of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Gallery co-owner Lloyd Haddad joined Chamber President & CEO Rodney Fong at this week’s new members orientation and reception at downtown’s hip and happening Yes SF coworking and event space. 

Yes SF Headquarters is a coworking and event space in downtown San Francisco focused on sustainable innovation, located at 220 Montgomery Street, and operated by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. It serves as a hub for workforce development, startup support, and community engagement, featuring flexible workspaces, a conference room, and an on-site Red Bay Coffee shop, all designed to help revitalize the city’s downtown.

https://capricornframing.com/

https://walteradamsframing.com

https://sfchamber.com

https://www.yessf.org