Latest news with #Chispa
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Norris Burkes: Wrong numbers and the search for love — a chaplain offers dating advice
Are you familiar with a business named Chispa? No, I'm not talking about Chispa Project, the nonprofit my daughter Sara founded in 2015 to establish children's libraries in Honduras. Just now, they are working on library No. 100. No small feat for their small but powerful Honduran team. But the Chispa I'm referring to is the No. 1 Latino dating app. According to their website, they are 'Fluent in Amor.' This Chispa claims to have made 'the perfect dating app for single Latina women and single Latino men.' 'Chispa' is Spanish for 'spark,' which is why both the dating app and a literacy organization chose the name. Both organizations are appropriately named. After all, your love life and the books you read can radically light up your life and change your future. I only mention Chispa, the dating app, because Chispa Project, the non-profit, takes many misdirected phone calls from lovelorn folks asking: 'Why is my account blocked?' 'Why isn't SHE calling me?' 'I haven't found anyone, can I get a refund?' The incredulous part isn't how they find Sara's number in the first place, but how crazy-certain they are that they've reached the right number — no matter how many times Sara tells them otherwise. She's tried clarifying her opening line to avoid confusion: 'Hello, this is Sara at Chispa Project, the non-profit in Honduras!' 'Hi, I'm trying to access my account and …' 'Ooh, so sorry!' Sara says in perfect Spanish, 'You've reached Chispa Project, the non-profit in Honduras.' 'I really need to get on your site ASAP …' insists the caller. 'Sorry, we're not related to the Chispa dating app. Wrong number.' They beg her, 'Can't you connect me to the right person?' Listening to Sara patiently explain — again and again — that she's not tech support for a dating app reminds me of how often Jesus had to clarify his mission for those who misunderstood him. People sought a political savior or miracle worker, but Jesus kept emphasizing a different purpose. Despite all the parables, analogies, metaphors, and symbols Jesus used, he was clear and repetitive about one thing in particular — love — the chispa that lights everything else. When he said to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,' and to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:37–39), he pointed to the fire that kindles true connection, purpose, and transformation. Like a single chispa that can ignite a flame, love sets everything in motion — whether it's changing a life through a children's book, finding a life partner, or growing closer to God by following Jesus' example. To be clear, this columnist does not endorse the dating app in question. I'm already locked into a lifetime subscription with my wife, Becky. It's not the fleeting spark of romance I'm looking for, but a different kind of spark: one that ignites compassion, healing, and humility. These days, I find myself affirming the love that kindles true connection, purpose, and transformation — like Jesus taught. How can we all become more fluent in the amor that demonstrates empathy? An amor that humbles us across differences? In Greek, this type of amor is described as agape — a love that is unconditional, selfless, sacrificial. It's the choice to love regardless of circumstances or feelings. In English, it might seem that Chispa, the app, and Chispa Project, the non-profit, offer the same thing — a spark of love. Make no mistake, both are important and necessary, but they are different. Chispa, the app, offers a chance at romantic love. Chispa Project, the non-profit, encourages the agape love for our neighbors. I keep telling Sara that she should charge a minimum donation for each of the crisscrossed Chispa calls she gets, but she always mutters something about honesty and goofy dad ideas. But now the choice is yours — what will you do to spark agape in whatever Chispa you end up calling? What chispa will you ignite in your community? Celebrate Chispa's 100th library with me by donating $100 today at or send a check made out to Chispa Project at 10556 Combie Road, Suite 6643, Auburn, CA 95602. Learn more at Email Norris at comments@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Dating advice from former chaplain Norris Burkes
San Francisco Chronicle
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
BottleRock's most luxurious bites: 7 fancy foods to indulge in at the 2025 festival
A weekend at BottleRock can easily cost as much as a dinner at the French Laundry — or more — but there's plenty of caviar and truffles to go around. Here are the fanciest dishes to seek out at this year's three-day festival in Wine Country. The Godzilla, Sumo Dog ($20) This Japanese-inspired footlong hot dog from the newest vendor at Napa's Oxbow Public Market could easily feed up to four people. Featuring a mix of toppings that will make your head spin — miso beef chili, togarashi cheese sauce, wasabi relish, pickled peppers, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce, furikake, miso mustard coleslaw, jalapeño and nori — the flavors somehow all work to create a delicious, fulfilling and extremely-Instagrammable meal. New England lobster roll, Mustards Grill ($29, VIP only) This sweet, buttery roll from a Napa Valley institution (and a San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 restaurant) is jam packed with refreshing and delicious Maine lobster, and pickled onions bring a burst of acidity and flavor to every few bites. Be sure to eat some of the meat on its own (there's plenty to go around) to truly bask in all of its glory. Omakase Roll, Omakase ($22) This San Francisco sushi spo t is serving two rolls: A California roll ($18) and Omakase's house special. The latter is a spicy tuna and cucumber roll topped with generous cuts of spicy salmon, tobiko and green onion. It's refreshing yet still filling, and a great gluten-free option. Lobster corn dog with caviar, Under-Study ($32) Arguably BottleRock's most famous dish for three years running, the lobster corn dog topped with caviar from the Michelin-starred team of Napa Valley's Press Restaurant is available to all BottleRock festivalgoers for the first time this year. Look for the giant 'Lobster Caviar Corn Dog' sign at the Under-study booth in general admission and VIP areas. Rolled tacos, Chispa ($23, VIP only) These adorable rolled tacos from Napa tequila bar Chispa are essentially taquitos, but they taste a thousand times better than the frozen ones of your childhood. Served in a cup and dipped in a tasty concoction of jalapeño crema, salsa, pickled cabbage and cotija cheese, these crunchy snacks have a slight kick. And they're perfect for sharing as each order comes with five. Wagyu hot dog, Charlie's ($23) Making its triumphant return, Charlie's Wagyu hotdog served in a pretzel bun and topped with ketchup, mustard and a green tomato relish, is one of the tastiest dishes at the festival. But to enjoy it in true Napa style, you'll want to add caviar for the extra $15. The Napa Valley hot spot's famous caramelized onion dip with caviar and salt and vinegar chips ($20) is also back and you won't want to miss the Chucko Taco ($12), a mini and upgraded play on the discontinued Choco Taco ice cream treat. Honorable mention: Anchovy sundae, Lao Table ($15) This dessert from San Francisco Laotian spot Lao Table should win the award for 'Weirdest dish at BottleRock,' but the fried anchovies topping also qualifies it for the fancy category. Beyond the anchovies, there's a lot going on in this dish, including a brioche roll, rice, coconut ice cream and a brown sugar caramel sauce, which gives the sundae a rich, butter-and-caramel popcorn flavor.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two women lure man using dating app, Oregon cops say. It ends in shooting
Two women lured a man off a dating app, then one shot him, Oregon deputies said. An area resident called 911 at about 5:30 a.m. May 17 to report that someone was shot in a vehicle near Oregon Route 99W in Corvallis, the Benton County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The 20-year-old Salem women met the man on Chispa, a dating app for Latino men and women, deputies said. Chispa did not immediately respond to McClatchy News' request for comment on May 23. Julia Dell Yepez is accused of shooting the man in the vehicle, then she fled the area with Alexa Montano Corral, deputies said. The man had 'non-life-threatening gunshot wounds,' deputies said. Dell Yepez was arrested May 20 on charges of: Attempted murder First-degree assault Menacing Unlawful use of a weapon Reckless endangering Second-degree kidnapping Montano Corral was arrested May 22 on charges of: Conspiracy to commit attempted murder Conspiracy to commit first-degree assault Conspiracy to commit second-degree kidnapping Conspiracy to commit unlawful use of a weapon Conspiracy to commit menacing Conspiracy to commit reckless endangering Dell Yepez's bail is set at $300,000, and Montano Corral's bail is set at $250,000. Deputies said they do not know if the women stole anything from the man as the investigation is ongoing. Corvallis is about a 35-mile drive southwest from Salem. Woman lures online date to secluded area, then he's robbed of $20,000, CA cops say 24-year-old pretending to be teen attended Ohio school since 2024, officials say Woman brutally attacked at McDonald's for her sexual orientation, IL cops say
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Two women lure man using dating app, Oregon cops say. It ends in shooting
Two women lured a man off a dating app, then one shot him, Oregon deputies said. An area resident called 911 at about 5:30 a.m. May 17 to report that someone was shot in a vehicle near Oregon Route 99W in Corvallis, the Benton County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The 20-year-old Salem women met the man on Chispa, a dating app for Latino men and women, deputies said. Chispa did not immediately respond to McClatchy News' request for comment on May 23. Julia Dell Yepez is accused of shooting the man in the vehicle, then she fled the area with Alexa Montano Corral, deputies said. The man had 'non-life-threatening gunshot wounds,' deputies said. Dell Yepez was arrested May 20 on charges of: Attempted murderFirst-degree assault MenacingUnlawful use of a weaponReckless endangeringSecond-degree kidnapping Montano Corral was arrested May 22 on charges of: Conspiracy to commit attempted murderConspiracy to commit first-degree assaultConspiracy to commit second-degree kidnappingConspiracy to commit unlawful use of a weaponConspiracy to commit menacingConspiracy to commit reckless endangering Dell Yepez's bail is set at $300,000, and Montano Corral's bail is set at $250,000. Deputies said they do not know if the women stole anything from the man as the investigation is ongoing. Corvallis is about a 35-mile drive southwest from Salem.
23-05-2025
Dating app meetup leads to shooting, arrests in Oregon: Police
Two women have been arrested in connection with a dating app scheme that led to the shooting of a man in Corvallis, Oregon, authorities said. Julia Dell Yepez, 20, and Alexa Montano Corral, 20, were taken into custody following an investigation into the May 17 shooting of a man they allegedly met through the Chispa dating app, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe the women used the app to lure the victim with the intention of robbery. The victim, who has not been identified, remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Chispa is a dating app where Latino and Latina singles can connect with others in their area. The company did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. According to investigators, Yepez and Corral are also suspects in similar criminal activity in a nearby county. The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. local time on May 17 when emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a shooting near Highway 99W and Lakeside Drive in Corvallis. Witnesses described seeing two Hispanic women, one wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, fleeing the scene on foot. Yepez was arrested Tuesday and faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault and kidnapping. She is being held at the Benton County Jail on $300,000 bail, court records show. Corral, who was arrested Thursday, faces multiple conspiracy charges. Her bail was set at $250,000, according to court records. The case has prompted authorities to issue renewed warnings about dating app safety. "Always meet in public and never isolate yourself until you are certain of the other person's intentions," the sheriff's office advised in a statement. Anyone who may have had contact with either suspect through dating apps is urged to contact the Benton County Sheriff's Office or submit anonymous tips at 541-573-8477. The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service.
