Latest news with #Simon
Axios
7 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Oakland's airport is changing its name — again
After a year of legal disputes, officials at the Port of Oakland announced Friday that they will rename the city's airport — again — to Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport. Why it matters: San Francisco sued over trademark infringement after Oakland International Airport changed its name to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport in a bid to attract more passengers. The lawsuit resulted in a temporary court order blocking the plan. The latest: In a letter to SFO officials, Port of Oakland aviation director Craig Simon maintained that their initial proposal does not infringe on the trademark for SFO and that their goal is to "bring more awareness that OAK is located on the San Francisco Bay." "Research had uncovered a lack of awareness about OAK's geographic location ... as contributing to a depressed flight route demand," Simon wrote. The new name, a response to the court order, will be adopted "while we wait for final legal resolution," the letter reads. Reality check: Widely criticized by San Franciscans, the initial name change led to "evidence of confusion that we have not seen before," SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told SFGATE last September, a few months after the Oakland airport rebrand. Reports included passengers showing up at SFO with tickets flying out of OAK. City attorney David Chiu argued in San Francisco's lawsuit that the renaming "would be particularly challenging for international travelers who may not speak or read English — an important segment of SFO's customer base."
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Mall giant bets big on Brickell City Centre, spending half-billion on retail complex
Brickell City Centre's mall, home to the luxury stores and fine dining restaurants that have built upon the neighborhood's upscale identity, has been sold to a new owner. Swire Properties, the firm that developed Brickell City Centre, sold the mall and the parking garage under it to Simon Property Group, a company known for investing in retail complexes across the country. Business publications said that Simon paid upward of $500 million, with Bloomberg reporting a $512 million purchase price and Reuters citing a price tag of up to $548 million. For now, there's no indication that the sale will result in any major changes for shoppers. Since its completion in 2016, when rapper Pitbull cut the ribbon at Brickell City Centre's opening, the mixed-use complex has been a cornerstone of Brickell's rapid transformation. In total, the mall's four floors make up about 500,000 square feet of retail space rented out to over 90 businesses. The open-air shopping center is home to the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Apple and Lululemon, among other various other stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. Simon owns shopping malls across the country and previously owned a 25% stake in Brickell City Centre's retail side before acquiring the rest, along with the complex's parking garages. The shopping-focused real estate firm has recently been expanding in South Florida. Just this month, Simon bought a closed Sears outlet in Palm Beach County and a JCPenney inside Kendall's Dadeland Mall. While many have already declared the death of the American mall, Simon appears to be investing all the more heavily into retail complexes. In a statement concerning the Brickell City Centre sale Friday, the company said its properties 'provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales.' Swire, a Hong Kong-based developer with a headquarters in Miami, has several other investments in the area, including two luxury towers under construction on Brickell Key. Swire indicated that proceeds from the mall's sale would go toward the financing of other development projects.
New York Post
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
'60 Minutes' team demands CBS News names Tanya Simon executive producer
Correspondents at '60 Minutes' are pressuring CBS News parent Paramount Global to hand the reins of the iconic show to a longtime insider — or risk a revolt from the tight-knit newsroom, according to a report. All seven of the current correspondents at '60 Minutes' — Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Bill Whitaker, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega — signed a letter last month urging Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks to officially name Tanya Simon as the show's executive producer, the Status newsletter reported on Friday. Simon — the daughter of late '60 Minutes' correspondent Bill Simon who has been serving as interim executive producer since April — is widely seen by staff as the natural successor to Bill Owens, who resigned this spring over what he described as editorial meddling by the network's parent company. 9 From left to right: '60 Minutes' correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi, L. Jon Wertheim, Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega and Anderson Cooper. Former executive producer Bill Owens is seen far right. CBS via Getty Images 9 Tanya Simon is currently the interim executive producer at '60 Minutes.' CBS Weeks after Owens stepped down in April, the president and CEO of the news division, Wendy McMahon, also announced she was resigning, stating: 'It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.' Simon, whose history with the show runs deep, joined the program in 1999 as an associate producer and has steadily risen through the ranks over the past 26 years, earning the trust and admiration of the veteran reporting team, according to the Status report. 'The next EP has to be Tanya,' one staffer told Status. 'There will be a revolt if it's not her.' Despite the internal show of solidarity, the correspondents' appeal reportedly appears to have hit a wall. Weeks after the letter was sent, Cheeks has not responded, and it's unclear whether CBS News president Tom Cibrowski — who stepped into the role earlier this year — has the authority to make the decision without his boss's blessing, Status reported. That decision may ultimately rest with Shari Redstone, the Paramount chairwoman and controlling shareholder, who has reportedly taken issue with the show's coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict and President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Paramount Global declined to comment. 9 The '60 Minutes' team is reportedly pressuring management at parent company Paramount Global to name Simon as the permanent successor to Owens (seen far right). CBS via Getty Images 9 Simon (seen far right alongside Stahl, Alfonsi and Vega) has been a mainstay at '60 Minutes' for decades. CBS via Getty Images Trump has filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News and Paramount Global, alleging the deceptive editing of a '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris misled voters and harmed his media ventures. CBS has denied wrongdoing, citing First Amendment protections, while settlement talks have included a $20 million mediator proposal and a $15 million offer from Paramount, which Trump rejected. The lawsuit — still active in Texas federal court — could complicate Paramount's pending $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. 9 CBS News staffers reportedly warned of a 'revolt' if Simon is not picked to head the show. In light of these developments, insiders speculated to Status that Redstone may not be eager to promote someone so closely associated with the current editorial team such as Simon to the top post at '60 Minutes.' More likely, though, is that the executive suite is simply waiting. With Paramount's merger with David Ellison's Skydance Media expected to close soon, company leaders may be delaying any major personnel moves until the dust settles — particularly one involving '60 Minutes,' long considered the crown jewel of CBS News. But that wait-and-see approach is fueling anxiety inside the program, Status reported. 9 The correspondents' letter was addressed last month to George Cheeks, the co-CEO of parent company Paramount Global. Variety via Getty Images Some at '60 Minutes' fear that Ellison, who is expected to reshape the news division with his own editorial vision, could look outside the storied broadcast for fresh leadership — bypassing Simon and disregarding the decades of institutional knowledge she represents, according to the report. Ellison has already raised eyebrows by reportedly reaching out to former New York Times editor Bari Weiss, offering a hint of his ideological leanings. Weiss, who gained notoriety after leaving the Times and launching her own platform, has become a major figure in conservative and anti-establishment media circles. She frequently criticizes legacy outlets — including CBS — as captured by a progressive elite. 9 Insiders speculate that any decision on a new executive producer for '60 Minutes' would have to be signed off by Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global. FilmMagic 9 Redstone is keen on closing a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media headed by David Ellison. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP That Ellison would consider bringing her into the fold suggests a willingness to challenge institutional norms and possibly reorient CBS News toward a more ideologically diverse, or even right-leaning, editorial direction. If he chooses to overhaul '60 Minutes' — or install an executive producer who isn't trusted by the core team — the fallout could be significant. Veteran correspondents like Stahl and Pelley are said to be weighing whether to stick around for another season, according to Status. 9 Ellison is reported to have met with journalist Bari Weiss to discuss a possible role at CBS News. Getty Images for The Free Press 'If Simon is appointed,' one source said, 'they may be persuaded to stay.' But if the job goes to an outsider, 'their exits would appear far more likely.' The Post has sought comment from CBS News, Redstone, Ellison and Weiss.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Man's dream comes true as he takes THREE women to bed on Channel 4 sex show - but it immediately backfires
A man's dream came true when he took three women to bed on a Channel 4 sex show, but it immediately backfired. Last week's episode of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, a programme which sees couples try and open up their relationship, featured Simon and Chris, who wanted to see if they were attracted to women. The engaged couple hoped to explore their sexuality before getting married. During the episode, they both enjoyed a dip in a hot tub together with two women and Simon didn't hold back, kissing both of them passionately while Chris watched on, before also kissing one. The pair eventually called it a night, but later on in the instalment, Simon moved things further and attempted to get intimate with three women at once. 'How are you feeling? Are you okay?' one of the women asked. Simon, who looked overwhelmed by the situation, admitted: 'I've got butterflies, I'm feeling a bit giddy.' As the three women began to get intimate with Simon, his voice played over the scene, reflecting on the moment and he said: 'Right now I'm terrified because I don't know what I'm doing. 'I know that I want to have fun and I know that I want it to be a positive experience, but I am anxious.' Eventually, it proved to be too much for Simon and he was offered a glass of water to help calm his nerves before continuing. He admitted he was struggling to get into the moment and explained: 'It might be a bit of stage fright... there's a lot going on and I'm just, like, processing everything at once. This is something very new for me.' During the same instalment, a woman broke down in tears after begging her boyfriend for an open relationship backfired at a sex-filled party. The episode welcomed a new married couple into the mix – Sharmayne, 26, and Jamie, 29, from Essex. The pair headed to their first social event as a couple to see if they can find anyone suitable for them. After chatting to some of the residents as a couple, they separated and went off to chat to others as individuals. However it seemed that Sharmayne wasn't comfortable with her man talking to other women as her 'jealous' side came out. While Jamie talked to another couple, Sharmayne grabbed him and told him: 'I want to step out.' She added: 'I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.' He asked: 'Do you want to take a little break?' Sharmayne added: '... of the situation, yeah.' The couple headed outside and Sharmayne started crying. She told her husband: 'I just feel overwhelmed. It's just a bit much for me, the whole situation.' He told her: 'We're not obligated to do anything. This is our journey.' Sharmayne confessed: 'I'm just uncomfortable.' During the same instalment, a woman broke down in tears after begging her boyfriend for an open relationship backfired at a sex-filled party Jamie asked her: 'Where do we go from here?' to which Sharmayne tells him: 'I don't know.' He told her that the decision is in her hands. But Sharmayne confessed: 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to hold myself together now. 'I really don't want to do it. I just want to go home.'
Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Miami's Olympia theater holds lifetime of memories for this reporter. And probably you
Imagine being a fan who helped lure a superstar singer to perform her first and only major concert in your own hometown. That fan was me, in my role as pop music critic at the Miami Herald. That star was Carly Simon. And a big part of the draw was the allure of Miami's elegant Gusman Center, also known as the Olympia theater. Simon, now 82, is a music legend who wrote and recorded one of pop culture's most famous songs — so enduring that Taylor Swift cited the 1972 hit, 'You're So Vain,' as 'the best song that has ever been written.' That's coming from Swift, who built a legion of fans on chronicling breakups. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer became a star attraction in the 1970s but stage fright largely kept her off the road for most of her career. It was May 2007 when I made my call. A key to my pitch was that Florida International University's theater department was staging her family opera, 'Romulus Hunt.' The event was conceived by then FIU head theater director Phillip Church to support a not-for-profit that helped children in foster care. Getting Simon to put on a show the night before her opera would be a huge boost for the benefit. I can still remember part of my conversation with Simon 18 years ago touting the Olympia. '...Oh, and the venue is beautiful. It's historic. You'll like it and it's not too big and overwhelming like an arena.' The following year, the theater added Simon's rare live concert to its long list of memorable moments. Olympia's fate? Now Miami's talking about giving away the Gusman? The clouds in my coffee are forming twisters. Do our memories go along with that deal? Mine are priceless. Bet yours are, too. As the Herald has reported, Miami officials are considering turning over control of the historic Olympia Theater on Flagler Street in downtown Miami to a Little Havana charter school. MORE: In murky deal, Miami may give storied 1926 Olympia theater to Pitbull's charter school The Olympia is also known as the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts from the mid-1970s to 2014, in honor of philanthropist Maurice Gusman who donated the property to the city in 1975. Whatever its name, the theater has such a storied history. Olympia's history The Olympia opened on Flagler Street as a silent movie palace in 1926 as one of the original Publix Theatre movie palaces. Yep, Publix before the Publix you go to for Pub Subs and BOGOs. Publix founder George Jenkins liked the sound of the name 'Publix' so he took it when the Florida-based movie chain folded at the time of the Great Depression. Jenkins needed a name for his first store in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1930, and 'Publix' sounded right, according to his 1979 memoir. MORE: How did Publix supermarket get its name? It's a Florida story made for the movies From Elvis to Buffett The Olympia/Gusman hosted the Miami Film Festival in the 1990s and 2000s as its premier venue. Elvis Presley performed in concert there in 1956. So did B.B. King, Etta James, The Marx Brothers and Gypsy Rose Lee. Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams played the venue too. Jimmy Buffett played a three-night gig at the Maurice Gusman Cultural Center on Aug. 14-16, 1978. These shows were taped and formed much of the material featured on his 1978 two-disc live album, 'You Had to Be There.' The rest of the set's live material was recorded days earlier from Atlanta's Fabulous Fox concert venue. Gosh, I wish I had been there at his Gusman concerts when I was 15. On the Gusman stage, Buffett 'Floridized his songs and commentary, with references to stolen sunglasses from Eckerd's, beer at Captain Dick's in the Grove. Pelican Pete's in Key Largo, Stuckey's with its pecan rolls and 'free alligators for the kids,'' future Herald theater critic Christine Dolen wrote in her review of opening night. Buffett premiered new material from the Gusman, too. One of those songs, 'Morris' Nightmare,' made it onto 'You Had to Be There.' It was a song about a cruise-ship couple, alias 'condo commandos and snowbirds,' Buffett quipped at the Gusman. Can you imagine that track originating anywhere else but Miami? That live album was a perennial on boomboxes at swim meets with my fellow Hurricanes teammates, I told Buffett in December 2021. We were chatting on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the launch of his career from Key West. One of many conversations. I miss Jimmy. He was his endearing stage persona Miami fans who were there at the Gusman saw so many years ago. MORE: 'The longevity of mischief.' Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig The Police and Cash Around that time in 1978, The Police were a fledgling late-'70s New Wave rock act led by Sting when they graced the Gusman. I hadn't started going to rock concerts just yet. But I got to walk around the backstage catacombs at the Gusman with Police drummer Stewart Copeland about 16 or so years later in 1994 when he was checking out the venue at a soundcheck. He performed with a group of African percussionists on its stage to promote his post-Police project, The Rhythmatist. 'I've been always interested in music from around the world,' Copeland told the Herald at the time. Johnny Cash played the Gusman in 1995 when he was enjoying a musical and commercial renaissance that sustained him for the rest of his life. 'This hasn't been my best night, but I loved being with you,' Cash apologized to his audience toward the show's end. Puzzled, I shook his hand backstage moments after and continued a chat we'd had in an interview pre-show. The Man in Black was a perfectionist. He was all smiles afterward. So much for the brooding reputation. The man's charisma wattage was tuned so high in person the City of Miami probably saved a few bucks on its electric bill for running the theater's stage lights that night. Carly Simon's Miami debut Carly Simon, however, is my most cherished Gusman memory. A career highlight. FIU's Church wanted to stage Simon's 'Romulus Hunt' after seeing a production in North Carolina. Simon's family opera tells the story of a 12-year-old New York boy who is shuttled between divorced parents who plots to bring his incompatible parents back together. Simon wrote the parents as 'exaggerated' versions of herself and ex-husband, musician James Taylor, she said. The former couple share two children. 'I've seen a lot of divorces, unfortunately, and so many kids are left confused [or] in a state of denial,' Simon said. 'The fights can be worse. The children can feel grabbed at and totally in the middle.' Church knew I'd had connections to Simon. I'd written about her often for the Herald. Flew out to see her in rare one-off concerts in Columbus, Ohio, and New York's famous Apollo for a Christmas show. He wondered if I'd reach out and gauge Simon's interest in taking part in some way with his production. I'd admired Church's work at FIU when I was a grad student just before joining the Herald in 1991. A concert and opera, both to benefit CHARLEE, the not-for-profit that supported foster children in Miami, was what Church had in mind. Simon's participation would sell that concept and fill the Gusman. 'I seem to find less and less pleasure in doing theater for theater's sake. These days, I feel I have to be compelled by a social need,' Church told me then. He's retired from FIU but still staging stories for his local community theater group What if Works. He was a fan of Simon. So was the late Marilyn March, who died in 2020 from pancreatic cancer. She was development director for CHARLEE, the foster care organization that stood to benefit from Simon's 'Romulus Hunt' and her concert the night before. 'Many of our children are the product of broken homes, and the divorce rate today is staggering,' March told me. 'We all grew up with Carly Simon's music and we knew how much of her personal life's journey is reflected in her lyrics.' Could I possibly convince the stage-shy Simon to say yes by simply vouching for these people? Simon sang an array of her hits from the Gusman stage. 'You're So Vain,' of course. 'Let the River Run' and 'Anticipation.' She sang a song about her and Taylor's daughter Sally from her then new album. Their son Ben Taylor played guitar and sang harmonies with his famous mom at the Gusman. Simon sang her son's song, 'Island.' 'If I can recommend a life experience, have Carly Simon play one of your songs on stage,' Taylor told the Miami audience. 'These songs have different meanings because we're old now,'' Simon, then 64, teased as she introduced her familial 'Coming Around Again.' I'm so vain. I apparently convinced Carly. A memory as precious as the Olympia.
