Latest news with #Lester
News24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
From Kings of Joburg to what's next: Abdul Khoza reveals upcoming ventures
Abdul Khoza stars as Lester in the upcoming third season of Kings of Joburg. He is looking to do more behind-the-scenes work with producing, writing and directing. Abdul reaffirms that his passion will always lie with the arts. ________________________________________________________________________ We've still got a whole lot more to see from this captivating thespian. Abdul Khoza stole the country's hearts with his memorable performances in hit shows like Isibaya and The Wife. Now we can look forward to another deep and complex act in the upcoming third season of Kings of Joburg. Starring alongside acting greats like Connie Ferguson and Zolisa Xaluva, Abdul gives us a teaser into his role as the criminal Lester. 'It happens to be a time where my character is more or less trying to get himself back on top because he is at the bottom you find him in season three because you find him in prison. This is where he also meets up with Mo's character (played by Zolisa Xaluva) and both of them have formed an alliance together to get themselves out of the prison,' Abdul says. 'It's very complex, I won't lie. It's a complex and complicated story right now. But a beautiful, beautiful journey between the two characters of Mo's character and Lester's character. We get a bit of more of a brotherhood that happens between them, which is interesting. Something that I think could also enhances their relationship.' Many are still crossing their fingers to see Abdul's star power continue to shine, especially with the 37-year-old creative and father of two announcing his departure from acting to pursue his love for behind-the-scenes work, sharing some insightful words reflecting on the entertainment industry and his last audition take. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brotha Abdul Rahman Khoza (@abdul_khoza) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brotha Abdul Rahman Khoza (@abdul_khoza) Although Abdul tells us that he's still getting all his ducks in row before sharing his reasons for leaving acting, his creative prowess expands more than just in front of the camera. He counts himself as a writer as well who is looking to produce and direct his own work. He shares, 'I want to produce, I want to direct some of my things as well because I'm also a writer myself. So, I'm trying to elevate myself as an individual. Trying to just walk on another path that promises a lot of growth and that's just my journey right now.' Abdul goes on to say, 'I'm always passionate in everything I do, so I do believe that there will be success in this journey as well and I'm just throwing myself in there because I feel like we need more Black producers and more Black directors and so forth in the industry ... I don't want to try to do this when I'm too old. Yeah, I don't wanna be the old director or old producer,' he laughs. 'So I wanna still do it while I know that I'm also able to be relevant to the youth. So, that's also a market that I feel like - if we don't enhance our stories or make them more impactful for them, we might lose them as an audience.' Off the cuff What's an acting tip that you always stand by? It's really just presence, being present 100 percent. Always has been the key of any actor to take, of just making sure that you live in the moment as honestly as you can. What's your favourite way to unwind by yourself? It's usually when I choose to sort of get myself in a workout. A good workout always does it for me and then after is more or less just listening to music or making music. What do you love to do with your family with Father's Day coming up? If I have my kids with me, I am the happiest father ever because they are everything. So, definitely spending the day with my kids and just having those cuddles. Abdul's career journey has taken more detours than many realise, with the actor starting off his working career in the army and the fire brigade before pursuing his dream working in the arts. On how he plans to grow and evolve in his new ventures with all of his experience, Abdul says, 'Well, my passion really would be the arts because I put myself in the space of acting but not only did I focus on acting solely, I was just able to also be a little bit behind the scenes, see what directors do on set, see how things are brought together for a production to function and all of that. 'So I've learned a lot from my experience as an actor because I've had the privilege of being able to also have personal conversations with directors and with producers that I've worked with. I've had a lot of knowledge and information that I myself would've never had if I never stepped on a set before.' He is currently busy working on his theatre debut, starring in the critically acclaimed production The Zulu by Mbongeni Ngema from 8 to 22 June 2025 at the Joburg Theatre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joburg Theatre (@joburgtheatre)
New York Post
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Williams-Sonoma founder's retreat for sale — longtime hideaway for home-goods powerhouse has a secret wine cellar
A storied estate once owned by the executive who built Williams-Sonoma into a household name is up for sale in Glen Ellen, California, asking $9.25 million. The 9-acre property served for decades as the personal retreat of the late W. Howard Lester, the Oklahoma entrepreneur who transformed a single-store French cookware shop into a national, and luxe, retail powerhouse. Lester acquired Williams-Sonoma in the 1970s for just $100,000, later adding Pottery Barn to his portfolio in 1986, according to a press release. Advertisement 13 The longtime Sonoma County estate of the late W. Howard Lester, the businessman who transformed Williams-Sonoma into a household name, is on the market for $9.25 million. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 W. Howard Lester at the Post Street store in San Francisco in the 1970s. Business Wire He led the company until his death in 2010, during which time it became synonymous with upscale kitchen and home goods. Advertisement Following Lester's passing, his family sold the estate in 2017 for $6 million in an all-cash deal, according to public records. Daniel Casabonne of Sotheby's International Realty, who holds the current listing along with colleague Gina Clyde, told Mansion Global, that buyer was 'a young Bay Area tech executive' who subsequently took out a $4 million loan. 13 Located on 9 acres in Glen Ellen, the property includes a modern farmhouse, a guest cabin — and manicured grounds with a pond, pool and trails. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 Lester, who bought the brand for $100,000 in the 1970s and later acquired Pottery Barn, owned the home for nearly four decades before his family sold it in 2017 for $6 million to a young Bay Area tech executive. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty Advertisement 13 The current owner extensively renovated and nearly doubled the estate's size, adding contemporary touches while preserving its wine country charm — including a secret wine cellar, a sunroom and a skylit kitchen. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 The sunroom. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 One of three bedrooms. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 A second bedroom. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty Advertisement The new owner undertook a sweeping renovation, nearly doubling the size of the existing structure. It's 'a statement in casual & refined wine country living,' reads the listing, which showcases the reimagined residence now outfitted with a modern pool, expanded interiors and upgraded amenities. The main home, a sprawling modern farmhouse, features a dramatic great room with beamed ceilings and paneled wood walls, a dining area with a concealed wine cellar and a sunlit yellow kitchen anchored by a skylit island. The three-bedroom layout includes a primary suite with a central soaking tub flanked by dual walk-in closets, and a children's wing fitted with custom bunk beds and rustic sliding doors. 13 An ensuite bathroom. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 A pool that can light up at night. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 The home offers plenty of room for al fresco dining. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty 13 The pond. Zillow Media Experts for Sothebyâs International Realty Advertisement 13 The listing, held by Daniel Casabonne and Gina Clyde of Sotheby's International Realty, notes its proximity to the original Williams-Sonoma store and Jack London State Park. SRP – Beyond the interiors, the grounds offer rolling lawns, a pond, walking trails and a separate guest cabin tucked beside a creek. The property sits minutes from Jack London State Park and a short drive from the original Williams-Sonoma store in downtown Sonoma, a detail Casabonne noted as a fitting full-circle connection to the brand's roots.
San Francisco Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Photos: $9.25 million Wine Country estate of Williams Sonoma visionary hits the market
The former Wine Country estate of retail magnate W. Howard Lester, credited with transforming Williams Sonoma into a household name, has come to market for $9.25 million. Known as 'The Williams-Sonoma House,' the Glen Ellen property was featured in Architectural Digest and served as the longtime residence of Lester, who helmed the gourmet kitchenware chain from a four-store operation in 1978 to a $3.4 billion empire by the time of his retirement. Lester died in 2010. Tucked into the hills adjacent to Jack London State Park, the nearly 9-acre estate at 1500 Morningside Mountain Road offers a serene, park-like setting with a year-round pond, private trails, and mature landscaping. The 6,018-square-foot home features three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a bonus room. With walls of French doors and floor-to-ceiling glass, the single-level residence is designed to bring the outdoors in. 'This estate is a statement in casual and refined Wine Country living,' according to the listing by Daniel Casabonne and Gina Clyde of Sotheby's International Realty. Lester's legacy extends beyond retail. He established the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, and was lauded for pioneering data-driven marketing in the home furnishings industry. 'I just thought the company could do better,' he once said. 'I felt like I could run it better.'
Japan Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
You should wear sunscreen even if you have darker skin. Here's why
By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen — for more reasons than one. Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer. The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isn't enough on its own. "Everyone needs sunscreen. But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone,' said Dr. Jenna Lester, who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet — places that are more shielded from the sun. Still, sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns, hyperpigmentation after acne, rosacea and dark patches on the face. Dr. Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients: 'All of the problems that you're coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun.' To stay safe in the sun, it's important to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours. People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand, remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water. Most people don't wear enough sunscreen when they apply, Lester said. Make sure to put two long fingers' worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body. Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products — zinc oxide and titanium oxide — are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin. Tinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun, offering additional protection against dark spots. And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost. Whatever the sun protection routine, it's important to keep it up, Lester said. Some UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors, making it even more important to take care of the skin while the sun shines. 'It's about trying to make it a daily habit,' she said. 'Consistency over intensity.' The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Do you assume sunscreen is unnecessary for dark skin tones? Know the danger that hits melanin-rich complexions harder
People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen for more reasons than one. Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer. The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isn't enough on its own. "Everyone needs sunscreen. But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone,' said Dr. Jenna Lester, who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet — places that are more shielded from the sun. Still, sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns, hyperpigmentation after acne, rosacea and dark patches on the face. Dr. Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients: 'All of the problems that you're coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun.' To stay safe in the sun, it's important to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours. People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand, remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water. Most people don't wear enough sunscreen when they apply, Lester said. Make sure to put two long fingers' worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body. Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products — zinc oxide and titanium oxide — are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin. Tinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun, offering additional protection against dark spots. And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost. Whatever the sun protection routine, it's important to keep it up, Lester said. Some UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors, making it even more important to take care of the skin while the sun shines. 'It's about trying to make it a daily habit,' she said. 'Consistency over intensity.' ALSO READ: Sunscreen for babies? Learn when your children should safely start using it
