mercurynews--2020-05-26--Horoscopes May 26, 2020: Lenny Kravitz, use your time wisely.

Happy Birthday : Aim to stabilize situations that have been causing confusion and uncertainty in your life .
How you go about your business will determine the type of people you attract .
Use your time wisely , pick up information , learn a new skill and prepare for a brighter future .
Discipline and hard work will lead to expansion as well as personal success .
Your numbers are 10 , 18 , 23 , 26 , 32 , 34 , 47 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Address a pending situation before you let your emotions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way you do things will ease stress .
Start small and build slowly , and you will be happy with the results .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Make a personal change that will lift your spirits .
Address a sensitive issue if it will improve a relationship you have with a friend or relative .
Diversify , use your skills differently or develop a talent you ’ ve been ignoring .
4 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Stay in touch with friends and relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you understand something about your personality and beliefs that you ’ ve questioned in the past .
An emotional adjustment will make you happy and help you move forward .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Be creative , and add some zip to your work .
How you present what you have to offer will encourage others to up their game .
Be the one to make a difference , and get the ball rolling .
The payoff will be worthwhile .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-August 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the expertise , and what you need to push forward with your plans will be granted .
Refuse to give anyone the upper hand or a chance to make you look bad .
Finish what you start .
3 stars VIRGO ( August 23-September 22 ) : Proceed with caution .
Make sure everyone is taking care of his or her responsibilities .
Getting along with those you live or work with will be necessary if you want to be successful .
Anger won ’ t solve anything , but hard work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23-Oct. 22 ) : You ’ ll have trouble deciding how best to spend your time .
This is not the time to let someone dictate what you should do next .
Consider what you enjoy and do well , and put your all into your personal success .
Self-improvement is favored .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Let experience be your teacher .
Dig deep and question everything .
Personal growth will lead to new beginnings .
Let go of the past , and ease into the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart and creative dreams .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Listen to your heart and to those you know and trust .
If you let an outsider meddle in your affairs , you will upset someone who brings out the best in you .
Choose and treat your friends and partners with care .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Share your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you .
Together you will come up with a plan that will help you bring about progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how you deal with everyday challenges .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : A healthy routine is a smart decision .
Personal improvements will lift your spirits .
Don ’ t buy into someone ’ s plan ; do what works best for you , and you ’ ll surpass your expectations .
Trust and believe in yourself , and live life your way .
3 stars PISCES ( February 19-March 20 ) : False information will throw you off guard .
Ask questions , and be prepared to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t sound right or financially sound .
If someone disappoints you , walk away ; arguing will only make matters worse .
5 stars Birthday Baby : You are intuitive , affectionate and creative .
You are disciplined and charismatic .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Helena Bonham Carter, 54; Lenny Kravitz, 56; Pam Grier, 71; Stevie Nicks, 72.
Happy Birthday: Aim to stabilize situations that have been causing confusion and uncertainty in your life. How you go about your business will determine the type of people you attract. Use your time wisely, pick up information, learn a new skill and prepare for a brighter future. Discipline and hard work will lead to expansion as well as personal success. Your numbers are 10, 18, 23, 26, 32, 34, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Address a pending situation before you let your emotions take over. A practical approach to the way you do things will ease stress. Start small and build slowly, and you will be happy with the results. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make a personal change that will lift your spirits. Address a sensitive issue if it will improve a relationship you have with a friend or relative. Diversify, use your skills differently or develop a talent you’ve been ignoring. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stay in touch with friends and relatives. The information passed along will help you understand something about your personality and beliefs that you’ve questioned in the past. An emotional adjustment will make you happy and help you move forward. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be creative, and add some zip to your work. How you present what you have to offer will encourage others to up their game. Be the one to make a difference, and get the ball rolling. The payoff will be worthwhile. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-August 22): Reach out to someone who has the expertise, and what you need to push forward with your plans will be granted. Refuse to give anyone the upper hand or a chance to make you look bad. Finish what you start. 3 stars
VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Proceed with caution. Make sure everyone is taking care of his or her responsibilities. Getting along with those you live or work with will be necessary if you want to be successful. Anger won’t solve anything, but hard work will. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll have trouble deciding how best to spend your time. This is not the time to let someone dictate what you should do next. Consider what you enjoy and do well, and put your all into your personal success. Self-improvement is favored. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let experience be your teacher. Dig deep and question everything. Personal growth will lead to new beginnings. Let go of the past, and ease into the future with optimism and enthusiasm. Follow your heart and creative dreams. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen to your heart and to those you know and trust. If you let an outsider meddle in your affairs, you will upset someone who brings out the best in you. Choose and treat your friends and partners with care. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Share your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you. Together you will come up with a plan that will help you bring about progressive changes to the way you live and how you deal with everyday challenges. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A healthy routine is a smart decision. Personal improvements will lift your spirits. Don’t buy into someone’s plan; do what works best for you, and you’ll surpass your expectations. Trust and believe in yourself, and live life your way. 3 stars
PISCES (February 19-March 20): False information will throw you off guard. Ask questions, and be prepared to do your own thing if something you hear doesn’t sound right or financially sound. If someone disappoints you, walk away; arguing will only make matters worse. 5 stars
Birthday Baby: You are intuitive, affectionate and creative. You are disciplined and charismatic.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: May 26, 2020

A Lutheran minister wrote to me ; he and his wife play bridge .
“ She ’ s the better player , ” his letter reads , “ and she lets me know it , albeit gently .
She can say more with a sigh than I can in a sermon.
” The couple were today ’ s East-West , and my correspondent ’ s wife led her singleton diamond against four spades .
East took the ace and returned the deuce , and West ruffed .
South won the club return and lost a trump to East ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next , ” East writes , “ but declarer took the ace , drew trumps , ran the diamonds to pitch his queen of hearts and claimed .
My wife sighed , and I knew I ’ d sinned.
” If West has an ace , East has no worries , but if West has the king of hearts , East must lead a heart at Trick Two to set up a heart trick before South draws trumps and discards on the diamonds .
Since East has the ace of trumps , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
East doesn ’ t know West has the king of hearts , but he should so assume .
Otherwise , his play is moot .
You hold : S Q 10 6 4 H A Q D Q 10 8 C A 8 6 2 .
Your partner opens one heart , you respond one spade and he jumps to 2NT .
The opponents pass .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner promises a good 18 to a fair 20 points with balanced distribution , so simple addition will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 32 points combined , and your two tens may be useful .
Do your duty and bid 6NT .
Your partner will be a heavy favorite to take 12 tricks .

A Lutheran minister wrote to me; he and his wife play bridge.
“She’s the better player,” his letter reads, “and she lets me know it, albeit gently. She can say more with a sigh than I can in a sermon.”
The couple were today’s East-West, and my correspondent’s wife led her singleton diamond against four spades. East took the ace and returned the deuce, and West ruffed. South won the club return and lost a trump to East’s ace.
CLAIMS
“I led a heart next,” East writes, “but declarer took the ace, drew trumps, ran the diamonds to pitch his queen of hearts and claimed. My wife sighed, and I knew I’d sinned.”
If West has an ace, East has no worries, but if West has the king of hearts, East must lead a heart at Trick Two to set up a heart trick before South draws trumps and discards on the diamonds. Since East has the ace of trumps, he can wait to give West a ruff.
East doesn’t know West has the king of hearts, but he should so assume. Otherwise, his play is moot.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 10 6 4 H A Q D Q 10 8 C A 8 6 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he jumps to 2NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner promises a good 18 to a fair 20 points with balanced distribution, so simple addition will solve your problem. You have at least 32 points combined, and your two tens may be useful. Do your duty and bid 6NT. Your partner will be a heavy favorite to take 12 tricks.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K J 9 2
H J 9
D K J 7 4 3
C K 4
WEST
S 8 3
H K 8 6 5 3
D 9
C J 9 7 5 3
EAST
S A 7 5
H 10 7 4 2
D A 6 5 2
C Q 10
SOUTH
S Q 10 6 4
H A Q
D Q 10 8
C A 8 6 2
SouthWestNorthEast
1 CPass1 DPass
1 SPass3 SPass
4 SAll Pass
Opening lead — D 9
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Word Game: May 26, 2020

Word Game: May 26, 2020

Can you find 24 or more words in SURVIVED ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SURVIVED (SURVIVED: sur-VIVE’D: Outlived.)
Average mark 19 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 24 or more words in SURVIVED? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — OMICRON micro minor mono moon moor morn moron
moronic icon iron coin coir corm corn croon room norm
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Ask Amy: I speak my mind, and it makes these women cry

DEAR AMY : I am getting married in August to an incredible guy .
He ’ s kind , patient , hardworking , fun-loving , and we have a common picture of our future .
The only problem is his family .
His parents frequently lie to each other and then confide in their children about it .
They are bigoted toward LGBTQ people and people of color .
They spend money carelessly , are in huge amounts of debt , and then ask us for money .
They were horrified when I told them I ’ d be keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am an opinionated woman .
I speak my mind openly ( and thoughtfully ) .
I am perfectly capable of standing up for myself and for others , and I have done so on many occasions .
They don ’ t value this .
In the past , when I speak my mind ( in a manner deemed calm and respectful by myself , my fiance , and my therapist ) , it leads to his mother and sister crying for weeks and then calling my fiance to tell him about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she will end the call quickly if she finds out I am in the room .
• Ask Amy : She ’ s convinced we ’ ve been begging her for a three-way for 20 years • Ask Amy : I ’ m an engineer with poor people skills , and I ’ m getting these agitated calls • Ask Amy : If they were good people , they would obey coronavirus rules • Ask Amy : I want out of our California bubble , but my wife says no • Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common-sense rules My fiance and I are on the same page .
We have our own household with its own values .
But I worry a lot about having to deal with all of this for the rest of my life .
Are difficult in-laws a good enough reason to not get married or to hold off getting married ?
Or does everybody go through this ?
After all , this is not my fiance ’ s fault , and their behavior is not within his control .
Am I just getting cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold feet , no matter the underlying reasons , would be a legitimate justification to hold off on getting married .
When you marry someone , you sidle into your spouse ’ s family system — for better ( often ) , but also for worse .
Even if you have relatively little to do with your partner ’ s family , it sounds as if you and your fiance have enough contact with them that they continually upset you ( and you , them ) .
This is a test of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t respect , and behavior you don ’ t like .
My suggestion is that you figure out how not to care so much about what they think and how they behave , unless their behavior is directed specifically toward you .
Given your own strong and outspoken nature , I wonder if you are capable of detaching to this extent .
It is also vital that you and your fiance be on the same page regarding their debt , money trouble , and requests for bailouts .
This will likely get more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a topic you and your fiance should discuss at length in your premarital counseling sessions .
Of the two of you , he ’ s the one I truly worry about .
If things continue as they are , he is going to feel trapped between two cyclones .
DEAR AMY : I ’ ve noticed that my mom seems to be much more tired and stressed out lately than she usually is .
I desperately want to help her , but I don ’ t know how .
DEAR WORRIED : This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – you included .
You can ask your mom if there are some household chores you could take on , like clearing the table and doing the dishes after dinner , scouring the bathtub , watering the plants , and taking care of your pets ( if you have them ) .
Your mom is probably like most moms – and she doesn ’ t want you to worry about her .
You doing well in your own life ( school , activities , and friendships ) will help her a lot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her first priority .
And kind gestures like bringing her a cup of her favorite tea and leaving her a note on the kitchen table ( telling her how much you appreciate her ) , will make her feel really loved and taken care of .
This will help with her stress .
DEAR AMY : “ Paul ” wrote to you , expressing his reluctance to give out his phone number to the receptionist when he gets his hair cut , or to the greeter when he is waiting for a table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his phone number could be crucial in the current pandemic fight .
Phone numbers can be used for “ contact tracing , ” if there is an outbreak .
DEAR READER : I ’ ve been reading about how useful our phones will become in terms of tracking the COVID virus .
Thank you .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or @ @

DEAR AMY: I am getting married in August to an incredible guy. He’s kind, patient, hardworking, fun-loving, and we have a common picture of our future. The only problem is his family.
His parents frequently lie to each other and then confide in their children about it. They are bigoted toward LGBTQ people and people of color. They spend money carelessly, are in huge amounts of debt, and then ask us for money. They were horrified when I told them I’d be keeping my own name when we got married.
I am an opinionated woman. I speak my mind openly (and thoughtfully). I am perfectly capable of standing up for myself and for others, and I have done so on many occasions. They don’t value this.
In the past, when I speak my mind (in a manner deemed calm and respectful by myself, my fiance, and my therapist), it leads to his mother and sister crying for weeks and then calling my fiance to tell him about it. Whenever his mother calls him, she will end the call quickly if she finds out I am in the room.
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy My fiance and I are on the same page. We have our own household with its own values. But I worry a lot about having to deal with all of this for the rest of my life.
Are difficult in-laws a good enough reason to not get married or to hold off getting married? Or does everybody go through this? After all, this is not my fiance’s fault, and their behavior is not within his control. Am I just getting cold feet?
Cold Feet
DEAR COLD FEET: Having cold feet, no matter the underlying reasons, would be a legitimate justification to hold off on getting married.
When you marry someone, you sidle into your spouse’s family system — for better (often), but also for worse.
Even if you have relatively little to do with your partner’s family, it sounds as if you and your fiance have enough contact with them that they continually upset you (and you, them).
This is a test of your ability to tolerate people you don’t respect, and behavior you don’t like. My suggestion is that you figure out how not to care so much about what they think and how they behave, unless their behavior is directed specifically toward you. Given your own strong and outspoken nature, I wonder if you are capable of detaching to this extent.
It is also vital that you and your fiance be on the same page regarding their debt, money trouble, and requests for bailouts. This will likely get more intense as they age.
This is a topic you and your fiance should discuss at length in your premarital counseling sessions. Of the two of you, he’s the one I truly worry about. If things continue as they are, he is going to feel trapped between two cyclones.
DEAR AMY: I’ve noticed that my mom seems to be much more tired and stressed out lately than she usually is.
I desperately want to help her, but I don’t know how.
Any suggestions?
Worried 12-year-old
DEAR WORRIED: This is a really stressful time for everyone – you included. You can ask your mom if there are some household chores you could take on, like clearing the table and doing the dishes after dinner, scouring the bathtub, watering the plants, and taking care of your pets (if you have them).
Your mom is probably like most moms – and she doesn’t want you to worry about her. You doing well in your own life (school, activities, and friendships) will help her a lot, because knowing you are OK is probably her first priority.
And kind gestures like bringing her a cup of her favorite tea and leaving her a note on the kitchen table (telling her how much you appreciate her), will make her feel really loved and taken care of. This will help with her stress.
DEAR AMY: “Paul” wrote to you, expressing his reluctance to give out his phone number to the receptionist when he gets his hair cut, or to the greeter when he is waiting for a table at a restaurant.
Paul should realize that his phone number could be crucial in the current pandemic fight. Phone numbers can be used for “contact tracing,” if there is an outbreak.
Avid Reader
DEAR READER: I’ve been reading about how useful our phones will become in terms of tracking the COVID virus. Thank you.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Letter: Trader Joe’s staff upbeat and kind during a difficult time

If there is such an award , I would like to nominate Trader Joe ’ s for Store of the @ @ @ @ @ The staff was kind , upbeat during a difficult time , and very helpful and @ @ @ @ @ there feeling hopeless , and leaving the store with hope again .
• Letter : @ @ @ @ @ to do what they think best • Letter : Think there ’ s a housing @ @ @ @ @ for the rent relief plan • Letter : Will Rep. Lee support bill to help @ @ @ @ @ much to be said for a crew that works together for the good of all @ @ @ @ @ the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

If there is such an award, I would like to nominate Trader Joe’s for Store of the Year in Walnut Creek.
The staff was kind, upbeat during a difficult time, and very helpful and organized.
I remember going there feeling hopeless, and leaving the store with hope again.
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Sue Jones
Walnut Creek
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-05-26--Harriette Cole: My friends say they’re having fun at home with their husbands. I’m definitely not.

DEAR HARRIETTE : My husband and I barely get along .
It has been like this for years .
He retreats into the other room and watches TV while I cook dinner , look after the kids and then sit down to relax in the living room to watch TV — never the same program and rarely in the same room .
It has become more noticeable now that we both are at home all day long .
Even as we are in the same space 24/7 , we hardly ever talk about anything meaningful or sit together in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this point ?
I have other friends telling me how much fun they are having with their husbands during this time .
What can I do to spice things up ?
DEAR DOLDRUMS : Talk to your husband .
Pick a quiet moment before he settles into his evening routine .
Tell him you want to have some fun together .
Since you can ’ t go out for a date right now , invite him to go on a date with you at home .
Ask him to help you prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
Help can be just having him in the room with you chatting , or , if he ’ s game , he could assist with the preparation .
Choose a movie to watch that you both might like , and then talk about it afterward .
Set the mood for romance .
Encourage some form of intimacy .
But take it slow .
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• Harriette Cole : I walked in on my daughter and saw sex on her screen Little by little you may rekindle the flame if you choose to be together .
DEAR HARRIETTE : Usually my family and I rent a house in a beach community about an hour from where we live in the summer .
We haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year because of all of the worries about being quarantined .
But then my husband and I decided we might as well .
If we have to be away from people , wouldn ’ t it be better in a pretty beach community ?
We can just take precautions when we go outside and to the beach .
We know when the downtimes are .
When we started researching , we realized that , to our surprise , there ’ s hardly anything available .
I think most people who own these homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t readily hop on a plane and go someplace else .
I ’ m bummed .
I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do with my kids all summer .
They need to get outside and play .
Any ideas ?
DEAR QUARANTINE SUMMER : Don ’ t stop looking .
Call your friends and people you know in some of the smaller summer communities .
Right now , summer rental services are probably not the way to go , but word of mouth might work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , check the newspaper in your city for summer activities .
Just like at the beach , in order to safely take your children to the park , it will likely mean going early in the morning , practicing social distancing and wearing a mask .
Pick safe paths for walking .
Research trails and parks outside the city where there are fewer people .
Get lots of art supplies , too , and do projects with your kids .
It ’ s a lot of work , but it may be necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I barely get along. It has been like this for years.
He retreats into the other room and watches TV while I cook dinner, look after the kids and then sit down to relax in the living room to watch TV — never the same program and rarely in the same room.
It has become more noticeable now that we both are at home all day long. Even as we are in the same space 24/7, we hardly ever talk about anything meaningful or sit together in the same room.
How did we get to this point? I have other friends telling me how much fun they are having with their husbands during this time. What can I do to spice things up?
Doldrums
DEAR DOLDRUMS: Talk to your husband. Pick a quiet moment before he settles into his evening routine. Tell him you want to have some fun together.
Since you can’t go out for a date right now, invite him to go on a date with you at home. Ask him to help you prepare a special meal for the two of you. Help can be just having him in the room with you chatting, or, if he’s game, he could assist with the preparation. Choose a movie to watch that you both might like, and then talk about it afterward. Set the mood for romance. Encourage some form of intimacy. But take it slow.
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DEAR HARRIETTE: Usually my family and I rent a house in a beach community about an hour from where we live in the summer. We haven’t yet organized it for this year because of all of the worries about being quarantined. But then my husband and I decided we might as well. If we have to be away from people, wouldn’t it be better in a pretty beach community? We can just take precautions when we go outside and to the beach. We know when the downtimes are.
When we started researching, we realized that, to our surprise, there’s hardly anything available. I think most people who own these homes have decided to stay there since they can’t readily hop on a plane and go someplace else.
I’m bummed. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my kids all summer. They need to get outside and play. Any ideas?
Quarantine Summer
DEAR QUARANTINE SUMMER: Don’t stop looking. Call your friends and people you know in some of the smaller summer communities. Right now, summer rental services are probably not the way to go, but word of mouth might work.
If you can’t find anything, check the newspaper in your city for summer activities. Just like at the beach, in order to safely take your children to the park, it will likely mean going early in the morning, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.
Pick safe paths for walking. Research trails and parks outside the city where there are fewer people. Get lots of art supplies, too, and do projects with your kids. It’s a lot of work, but it may be necessary for you to become camp leader at home.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Miss Manners: I complained about her phone calls, and she took it badly

DEAR MISS MANNERS : I had a friend who was constantly calling me on my cellphone up to three times a day , and often when I was working .
Her excessive calling began to make me feel anxious , so I asked her as graciously as I could to please not call me so much , that I was feeling “ smothered.
” Now my friend does not call me at all .
She does have a rigid personality and is perfectionistic .
She never apologized to me , either , for how much she was calling me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t talk now .
Do you think this is something that will eventually blow over , or is our friendship ruined ?
GENTLE READER : Why don ’ t you call her ?
You will find , from her response , how angry she is , but this will also establish that you did not mean to cut her off altogether .
And it will give you a chance to apologize .
Yes , Miss Manners believes that it is you who needs to do so , for being so blunt , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her calls during work and other tasks .
Besides , there was no need to say anything at all , now that we have caller ID .
• Miss Manners : How should one confront strangers who are breaking the rules ?
• Miss Manners : Who is the rude theatergoer in this tale ?
• Miss Manners : I waved and kept walking .
Was that rude ?
• Miss Manners : This germ-spreading kid ’ s parents did nothing • Miss Manners : I ’ m hurt that the bride turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My husband and I have built a new home to accommodate the special needs of our disabled adult daughter , who lives with us .
The building project , and then the move itself , did not go smoothly at all !
Murphy ’ s Law has been in play .
On the rainy day we finally moved in , several neighbors personally appeared over the course of the afternoon to bring tokens of welcome , including holiday goodies and even a plant .
It was all very kind and very much appreciated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge struggle .
Between caring for our daughter around the clock and unpacking while dealing with unexpected leaks and similar mishaps , I am an exhausted , nervous wreck .
I have not even begun to unpack my desk , pens or stationery .
In these circumstances , am I expected to write thank-you notes for the welcome gifts ?
I ’ d really like to , but have no idea when I may have the time , energy or wherewithal to figure out the neighbors ’ names and addresses , and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there a requirement or deadline for such things ?
I am truly very appreciative , but also a wreck .
GENTLE READER : And therefore you are fortunate to have such good neighbors , on whose kindness you may have occasion to depend .
Miss Manners often hears the argument that it is a cruel imposition to expect those in difficulty to express gratitude .
What she finds callous is the notion that in this era of constant feedback , it is kindness , compassion and generosity that may be ignored .
Perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Miss Manners begs you to take a few minutes now to assure them of your appreciation on whatever scrap of paper you can find .
( It should not take longer than it took you to write this letter . )
Addresses can easily be matched with names on the internet .
If you ignore them , well-meaning people may conclude that you wish to be left alone to cope with your problems .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had a friend who was constantly calling me on my cellphone up to three times a day, and often when I was working. Her excessive calling began to make me feel anxious, so I asked her as graciously as I could to please not call me so much, that I was feeling “smothered.”
Now my friend does not call me at all. She does have a rigid personality and is perfectionistic. She never apologized to me, either, for how much she was calling me.
I feel badly that we don’t talk now. Do you think this is something that will eventually blow over, or is our friendship ruined?
GENTLE READER: Why don’t you call her? You will find, from her response, how angry she is, but this will also establish that you did not mean to cut her off altogether.
And it will give you a chance to apologize. Yes, Miss Manners believes that it is you who needs to do so, for being so blunt, instead of merely saying you could not take her calls during work and other tasks. Besides, there was no need to say anything at all, now that we have caller ID.
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Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have built a new home to accommodate the special needs of our disabled adult daughter, who lives with us. The building project, and then the move itself, did not go smoothly at all! Murphy’s Law has been in play.
On the rainy day we finally moved in, several neighbors personally appeared over the course of the afternoon to bring tokens of welcome, including holiday goodies and even a plant. It was all very kind and very much appreciated.
Getting settled continues to be a huge struggle. Between caring for our daughter around the clock and unpacking while dealing with unexpected leaks and similar mishaps, I am an exhausted, nervous wreck. I have not even begun to unpack my desk, pens or stationery.
In these circumstances, am I expected to write thank-you notes for the welcome gifts? I’d really like to, but have no idea when I may have the time, energy or wherewithal to figure out the neighbors’ names and addresses, and find notecards and stamps, etc.
Is there a requirement or deadline for such things? I am truly very appreciative, but also a wreck.
GENTLE READER: And therefore you are fortunate to have such good neighbors, on whose kindness you may have occasion to depend.
Miss Manners often hears the argument that it is a cruel imposition to expect those in difficulty to express gratitude. What she finds callous is the notion that in this era of constant feedback, it is kindness, compassion and generosity that may be ignored.
Perhaps later you will be able to reciprocate, but Miss Manners begs you to take a few minutes now to assure them of your appreciation on whatever scrap of paper you can find. (It should not take longer than it took you to write this letter.) Addresses can easily be matched with names on the internet.
If you ignore them, well-meaning people may conclude that you wish to be left alone to cope with your problems.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Dear Abby: My fiancee is angry about how I spent this found money

DEAR ABBY : I found $ 17 in the pocket of an old coat ( great feeling — it felt like free money ! )
and used it to buy myself some fast food .
My fiancee is upset ( which I think is uncalled for ) that I didn ’ t get her anything .
That restaurant is expensive , and it ’ s hard to buy two meals for that price .
Plus , it was my money .
I think I should be allowed to spend money I find , especially since it was in my coat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get any dinner that night .
It has been a week now , and she ’ s still upset with me about it .
I never get anything for myself , and I feel I deserved a treat .
• Dear Abby : My husband ’ s bad habit endangers our family — and he thinks it ’ s funny • Dear Abby : I was horrified by this woman ’ s risky behavior at the chicken counter • Dear Abby : She won ’ t sleep with me and doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I ’ m ready to move out because of her nighttime disturbances • Dear Abby : His cruel rant about me was caught on video When I told her that night if she wanted dinner she should have looked for her own $ 17 in a coat , she threw my Xbox controller at me .
It missed .
It hit the wall and broke .
Now I have to search through all my pockets because those controllers cost a lot more than $ 17 .
DEAR QUARANTINED : And your question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your fiancee ?
The least you could have done was get her a side of fries to eat with whatever was in the fridge as a main course .
If you and this girl are still together , it ’ s time for some serious apologies .
On the plus side , now that the Xbox is history , you will have more time to work on your relationship .
DEAR ABBY : I recently lost a lot of weight and finally felt confident enough to start dating .
I met a wonderful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” We ’ ve been together for eight months , and I can see a future with him .
He has some quirks with intimacy that he ’ s working on and a few odd habits he is trying to break .
I have my own eccentricities as well , but we are doing it together .
The problem is my sister .
Ever since I started losing weight and trying to improve myself , she has become incredibly jealous .
She has taken to making backhanded comments as often as she can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we didn ’ t talk for two months because she thought I had “ changed too much.
” The real reason was I wouldn ’ t let her borrow a super expensive dress of mine .
I used to spend every weekend at her house hanging out with her .
I would do her grocery shopping , lend her anything she wanted and defer to her because I was lonely .
But now I spend most weekends with Teddy generally enjoying my life .
She seems bitter that I no longer let her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She keeps saying I should break up with Teddy so I can prioritize her again , and she tries to start fights between Teddy and me .
Abby , my sister is married and has a kid .
She doesn ’ t need me around so she won ’ t be lonely .
I don ’ t want to cut her off because I love my nephew and would like to be part of his life .
I also don ’ t want to have to choose between my family and having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Please help me .
DEAR CHANGING : If your description is accurate , you exist in your sister ’ s universe only to fulfill her needs .
That she would attempt to sabotage your relationship with Teddy is shameful .
It should not be necessary to choose between Teddy and your family .
What you must do is establish firm boundaries with her , enforce them and not knuckle under to the pressure she is exerting .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: I found $17 in the pocket of an old coat (great feeling — it felt like free money!) and used it to buy myself some fast food.
My fiancee is upset (which I think is uncalled for) that I didn’t get her anything. That restaurant is expensive, and it’s hard to buy two meals for that price.
Plus, it was my money. I think I should be allowed to spend money I find, especially since it was in my coat.
Unfortunately, she didn’t get any dinner that night. It has been a week now, and she’s still upset with me about it. I never get anything for myself, and I feel I deserved a treat.
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant When I told her that night if she wanted dinner she should have looked for her own $17 in a coat, she threw my Xbox controller at me. It missed. It hit the wall and broke. Now I have to search through all my pockets because those controllers cost a lot more than $17.
QUARANTINED IN INDIANA
DEAR QUARANTINED: And your question is? This is how you treat your fiancee?
The least you could have done was get her a side of fries to eat with whatever was in the fridge as a main course. If you and this girl are still together, it’s time for some serious apologies. On the plus side, now that the Xbox is history, you will have more time to work on your relationship.
DEAR ABBY: I recently lost a lot of weight and finally felt confident enough to start dating. I met a wonderful man I’ll call “Teddy.”
We’ve been together for eight months, and I can see a future with him. He has some quirks with intimacy that he’s working on and a few odd habits he is trying to break. I have my own eccentricities as well, but we are doing it together.
The problem is my sister. Ever since I started losing weight and trying to improve myself, she has become incredibly jealous.
She has taken to making backhanded comments as often as she can. We had a huge fight where we didn’t talk for two months because she thought I had “changed too much.” The real reason was I wouldn’t let her borrow a super expensive dress of mine.
I used to spend every weekend at her house hanging out with her. I would do her grocery shopping, lend her anything she wanted and defer to her because I was lonely. But now I spend most weekends with Teddy generally enjoying my life. She seems bitter that I no longer let her walk over me like a doormat. She keeps saying I should break up with Teddy so I can prioritize her again, and she tries to start fights between Teddy and me.
Abby, my sister is married and has a kid. She doesn’t need me around so she won’t be lonely. I don’t want to cut her off because I love my nephew and would like to be part of his life. I also don’t want to have to choose between my family and having a life that doesn’t revolve around them. Please help me.
CHANGING MY LIFE
DEAR CHANGING: If your description is accurate, you exist in your sister’s universe only to fulfill her needs. That she would attempt to sabotage your relationship with Teddy is shameful. It should not be necessary to choose between Teddy and your family.
What you must do is establish firm boundaries with her, enforce them and not knuckle under to the pressure she is exerting.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-05-27--Letter: Silicon Valley leader likens this to Japanese American internment?

Re : “ US has confined citizens , guilty of nothing , before ” ( Letters to the editor , May 21 ) : Why is Howard Myers , executive vice president of the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley , comparing the current stay-at-home orders to what happened to Japanese Americans in World War II ?
• Is one ethnic group being singled out ?
• Are people being forcibly removed from their homes and moved to camps under armed guards ?
• Are people losing their homes and property ?
• Japanese-Americans were locked up from 1942-1945 .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re seeing the stay-at-home orders relaxed .
• Letter : Freedoms include the right to refuse someone service • Letter : Nancy Pelosi is showing off her freezer full of ice cream now ?
• Letter : Everyone can and should enact positive change • Letter : We protest the locations , not the homeless people There is no comparison , except in both cases the actions were responses to very real wars .
Give our local leaders some leeway as they balance public and economic health .
Submit your letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Editor

Re: “US has confined citizens, guilty of nothing, before” (Letters to the editor, May 21):
Why is Howard Myers, executive vice president of the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley, comparing the current stay-at-home orders to what happened to Japanese Americans in World War II?
• Is one ethnic group being singled out?
• Are people being forcibly removed from their homes and moved to camps under armed guards?
• Are people losing their homes and property?
• Japanese-Americans were locked up from 1942-1945. Now, after just two months we’re seeing the stay-at-home orders relaxed.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps There is no comparison, except in both cases the actions were responses to very real wars. Give our local leaders some leeway as they balance public and economic health.
Tom Calderwood
Los Gatos
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-05-27--CDC: Coronavirus antibody tests could be wrong 50% of the time

Antibody tests used to determine if people have been infected in the past with Covid-19 might be wrong up to half the time , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in new guidance posted on its website .
Antibody tests , often called serologic tests , look for evidence of an immune response to infection .
“ Antibodies in some persons can be detected within the first week of illness onset , ” the CDC says .
They are not accurate enough to use to make important policy decisions , the CDC said .
“ Serologic test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions about grouping persons residing in or being admitted to congregate settings , such as schools , dormitories , or correctional facilities , ” the CDC says .
“ Serologic test results should not be used to make decisions about returning persons to the workplace.
” Health officials or health care providers who are using antibody tests need to use the most accurate test they can find and might need to test people twice , the CDC said in the new guidance .
“ In most of the country , including areas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of SARS-CoV-2 antibody is expected to be low , ranging from less than 5 % to 25 % , so that testing at this point might result in relatively more false positive results and fewer false-negative results , ” the CDC said .
It ’ s a point that ’ s been made frequently in recent weeks by public health experts , but the CDC spells out the problem in the new advice on antibody testing .
A false positive will lead someone to believe they have been infected when in fact they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little evidence now about whether having been infected gives people immunity to later infection , but doctors worry that people will behave as if they are immune if they get a positive antibody test .
“ It can not be assumed that individuals with truly positive antibody test results are protected from future infection , ” the CDC says in the updated guidelines .
“ Serologic testing should not be used to determine immune status in individuals until the presence , durability , and duration of immunity is established.
” The new CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Minnesota , which cautions against using antibody tests to make policy decisions .
The CDC explains why testing can be wrong so often .
A lot has to do with how common the virus is in the population being tested .
“ For example , in a population where the prevalence is 5 % , a test with 90 % sensitivity and 95 % specificity will yield a positive predictive value of 49 % .
In other words , less than half of those testing positive will truly have antibodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contra Costa County extends eviction moratorium , but drops big businesses from the protection plan • Biden : Trump is an ‘ absolute fool ’ for not wearing mask • Baby steps : Pac-12 joins peer conferences in allowing players to return for workouts • Some Alameda County courts to restart remotely next week “ Alternatively , the same test in a population with an antibody prevalence exceeding 52 % will yield a positive predictive greater than 95 % , meaning that less than one in 20 people testing positive will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its best to use tests with high specificity — which are unlikely to throw up a lot of false positives — and in populations where doctors suspect there are many cases , ” the CDC said .
The Food and Drug Administration has also cautioned about the accuracy of antibody tests .

By Maggie Fox | CNN
Antibody tests used to determine if people have been infected in the past with Covid-19 might be wrong up to half the time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in new guidance posted on its website.
Antibody tests, often called serologic tests, look for evidence of an immune response to infection. “Antibodies in some persons can be detected within the first week of illness onset,” the CDC says.
They are not accurate enough to use to make important policy decisions, the CDC said.
“Serologic test results should not be used to make decisions about grouping persons residing in or being admitted to congregate settings, such as schools, dormitories, or correctional facilities,” the CDC says.
“Serologic test results should not be used to make decisions about returning persons to the workplace.”
Health officials or health care providers who are using antibody tests need to use the most accurate test they can find and might need to test people twice, the CDC said in the new guidance.
“In most of the country, including areas that have been heavily impacted, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody is expected to be low, ranging from less than 5% to 25%, so that testing at this point might result in relatively more false positive results and fewer false-negative results,” the CDC said.
It’s a point that’s been made frequently in recent weeks by public health experts, but the CDC spells out the problem in the new advice on antibody testing.
False positive, false confidence
A false positive will lead someone to believe they have been infected when in fact they have not been. There’s little evidence now about whether having been infected gives people immunity to later infection, but doctors worry that people will behave as if they are immune if they get a positive antibody test.
“It cannot be assumed that individuals with truly positive antibody test results are protected from future infection,” the CDC says in the updated guidelines. “Serologic testing should not be used to determine immune status in individuals until the presence, durability, and duration of immunity is established.”
The new CDC guidelines echo advice from groups such as the University of Minnesota, which cautions against using antibody tests to make policy decisions.
The CDC explains why testing can be wrong so often. A lot has to do with how common the virus is in the population being tested. “For example, in a population where the prevalence is 5%, a test with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity will yield a positive predictive value of 49%. In other words, less than half of those testing positive will truly have antibodies,” the CDC said.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Alternatively, the same test in a population with an antibody prevalence exceeding 52% will yield a positive predictive greater than 95%, meaning that less than one in 20 people testing positive will have a false positive test result.”
Therefore, its best to use tests with high specificity — which are unlikely to throw up a lot of false positives — and in populations where doctors suspect there are many cases,” the CDC said.
The Food and Drug Administration has also cautioned about the accuracy of antibody tests.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Contra Costa County extends eviction moratorium, but drops big businesses from the protection plan

Contra Costa County ’ s temporary ban on evictions of residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue through part of the summer , but county supervisors are tightening the rules on who is eligible for those protections .
The ordinance , which bars landlords and sublessors across the county from kicking out tenants who fail to pay rent if they can show they lost income or have “ substantial ” medical expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic , will be extended from May 31 to July 15 .
As it relates to commercial property , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deferring rent payments .
It will allow only small businesses , nonprofits and smaller manufacturers to delay rent payments if affected by the sheltering order — including just those that are independently owned , have 100 or fewer employees and whose average yearly gross receipts are not more than $ 15 million over the past three years .
Larger businesses , who were eligible for rental deferment in the original ordinance passed last month , will have until the end of July to pay the April and May rent , if they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their landlords on time .
The changes came supervisors have heard from property owners who said sometimes their commercial tenants have been better off financially than themselves yet were not paying rent .
Steve Cortese , of Cortese Investment Company , noted that while he and other property owners are working with tenants who have been hard hit financially , “ some are larger than us with larger balance sheets , and some aren ’ t impacted and are able to pay rent.
” He added that under the ordinance passed last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
” Under the new ordinance , small businesses and home renters will have 120 days after the ordinance expires in July to pay back their rent , and landlords can not levy late fees in that time frame .
The ordinance also prevents landlords from increasing rents through that grace period at apartments built more than 15 years ago .
State law prevents the county from imposing rent freezes on residences built within the past 15 years , houses , owner-occupied duplexes , hotels , senior or adult residential care facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or condos that are not owned by a corporation , investment trust or limited liability companies .
The county also can not impose the rent freeze on commercial properties , although the original ordinance included that , as it violates state civil code , according to a memo from the county ’ s legal counsel .
Renters and their advocates have urged supervisors to extend both the ordinance and the grace period even longer for residential tenants , noting that without any income , some tenants ’ rent debt is piling up into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay back even when they return to work .
One Contra Costa County resident who spoke during public comment , Gabriela Hernandez , told supervisors she has lost her income — which she normally earns as a housekeeper — for two months because of the sheltering order .
She urged the board to extend the ordinance until at least 30 days after the county ’ s sheltering order is lifted and the grace period for paying back rent to a year .
“ My biggest fear is losing my home , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that by the end of the sheltering order , she will owe more than $ 4,000 in back rent .
“ That amount of money is impossible to come up with in four months.
” While District 1 Supervisor John Gioia , who represents much of West Contra Costa County , including Richmond , said he supported extending the grace period , other supervisors said they would like to revisit the issue in the summer , when the ordinance is set to expire .
“ I think it ’ s important that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indefinite process , ” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Candace Andersen , who represents District 2 , including Danville , Alamo and Lafayette , among other cities .
“ We ’ ve got to have a conversation about this every month , ” urged District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff , who represents central Contra Costa including Pleasant Hill and Concord .

Contra Costa County’s temporary ban on evictions of residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue through part of the summer, but county supervisors are tightening the rules on who is eligible for those protections.
The ordinance, which bars landlords and sublessors across the county from kicking out tenants who fail to pay rent if they can show they lost income or have “substantial” medical expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic, will be extended to July 15.
As it relates to commercial property, the new ordinance narrows its protections for businesses deferring rent payments. It will allow only small businesses, nonprofits and smaller manufacturers to delay rent payments if affected by the shelter-in-place order — and only those that are independently owned, have 100 or fewer employees and whose average yearly gross receipts are not more than $15 million over the past three years. Larger businesses, which were eligible for rental deferment in the original ordinance passed last month, will have until the end of July to pay the April and May rent if they were not able to make those payments to their landlords on time.
The changes came after supervisors heard from property owners who said that sometimes their commercial tenants were better off financially than themselves yet were not paying rent. Steve Cortese, of Cortese Investment Company, noted that while he and other property owners are working with tenants who have been hit hard financially, “some are larger than us with larger balance sheets, and some aren’t impacted and are able to pay rent.” He added that under the ordinance passed last month, “we are required to subsidize them.”
Under the new ordinance, small businesses and home renters will have 120 days after the ordinance expires in July to pay back their rent, and landlords cannot levy late fees during that time. The ordinance also prevents landlords from increasing rents through July 15 at apartments built more than 15 years ago.
State law prevents the county from imposing rent freezes on residences built within the past 15 years or on houses; owner-occupied duplexes; hotels; senior and adult residential care facilities; school dorms; group housing; townhouses or condos that are not owned by a corporation, investment trust or limited liability companies. The county also cannot impose the rent freeze on commercial properties, although the original ordinance included that, which violates state civil code, according to a memo from the county’s legal counsel.
Renters and their advocates have urged supervisors to extend the ordinance and grace period even longer for residential tenants, noting that without any income, some tenants’ rent debt is piling up into the thousands, which will be difficult to pay back even when they return to work. One Contra Costa County resident, Gabriela Hernandez, told supervisors she has lost her income — which she normally earns as a housekeeper — for two months because of the sheltering order. She urged the board to extend the ordinance until at least 30 days after the county’s sheltering order is lifted and to extend the grace period for paying back rent to a year.
“My biggest fear is losing my home,” said the single mother of two, noting that by the end of the sheltering order, she will owe more than $4,000 in back rent. “That amount of money is impossible to come up with in four months.”
While District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, who represents much of West Contra Costa County, including Richmond, said he supported extending the grace period, other supervisors said they would like to revisit the issue in the summer, when the ordinance is set to expire.
“I think it’s important that landlords don’t see this as an indefinite process,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen, who represents District 2 that includes Danville, Alamo and Lafayette, among other cities.
“We’ve got to have a conversation about this every month,” urged District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, whose district covers central Contra Costa County, including Pleasant Hill and Concord.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Twitter adds a fact check to contested Trump tweets

For the first time , Twitter has labeled a tweet from President Donald Trump as misleading .
On Tuesday , the social media company highlighted two of Trump ’ s tweets that falsely claimed mail-in ballots would lead to widespread voter fraud .
“ Get the facts about mail-in ballots , ” read a message beneath each tweet .
It linked to a fact-check page the platform had created filled with further links and summaries of news articles debunking the assertion .
Twitter said the move was aimed at providing “ context ” around Trump ’ s remarks .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise further questions about its willingness to consistently apply the label to other Trump tweets that have been deemed misleading by third parties , particularly as the president has lobbed baseless allegations against former Rep. Joe Scarborough regarding the death of a congressional staffer years ago .
When asked by CNN ’ s Dana Bash on Tuesday about whether social media companies should take action against Trump for pushing conspiracy theories that a critic committed murder , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said : “ I ’ m of the view that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not — for example , if you put something out saying that — that same outlandish thing that the president thinks … they should say it ’ s not true.
” Twitter said Tuesday that Trump ’ s tweets about mail-in voting did not violate the company ’ s rules because they don ’ t explicitly discourage people from voting .
But , the company said , the label offers context surrounding Trump ’ s claims .
“ These Tweets ( here and here ) contain potentially misleading information about voting processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context around mail-in ballots , ” Twitter spokesperson Katie Rosborough told CNN Business in an email .
“ This decision is in line with the approach we shared earlier this month.
” Rosborough confirmed that this marks the first instances in which Twitter has labeled any Trump tweet as misleading .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Twitter did not immediately respond to questions about who assembled the fact-checking page or whether it was algorithmically generated .

By Brian Fung | CNN
For the first time, Twitter has labeled a tweet from President Donald Trump as misleading.
On Tuesday, the social media company highlighted two of Trump’s tweets that falsely claimed mail-in ballots would lead to widespread voter fraud.
“Get the facts about mail-in ballots,” read a message beneath each tweet. It linked to a fact-check page the platform had created filled with further links and summaries of news articles debunking the assertion.
Twitter said the move was aimed at providing “context” around Trump’s remarks. But Twitter’s unprecedented decision is likely to raise further questions about its willingness to consistently apply the label to other Trump tweets that have been deemed misleading by third parties, particularly as the president has lobbed baseless allegations against former Rep. Joe Scarborough regarding the death of a congressional staffer years ago.
When asked by CNN’s Dana Bash on Tuesday about whether social media companies should take action against Trump for pushing conspiracy theories that a critic committed murder, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said: “I’m of the view that social media companies have to reexamine whether or not — for example, if you put something out saying that — that same outlandish thing that the president thinks … they should say it’s not true.”
Twitter said Tuesday that Trump’s tweets about mail-in voting did not violate the company’s rules because they don’t explicitly discourage people from voting. But, the company said, the label offers context surrounding Trump’s claims.
“These Tweets (here and here) contain potentially misleading information about voting processes and have been labeled to provide additional context around mail-in ballots,” Twitter spokesperson Katie Rosborough told CNN Business in an email. “This decision is in line with the approach we shared earlier this month.”
Rosborough confirmed that this marks the first instances in which Twitter has labeled any Trump tweet as misleading.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Twitter did not immediately respond to questions about who assembled the fact-checking page or whether it was algorithmically generated.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--3 songs to hear today for ‘Motorcycle Diaries,’ Led Zep, country fans

Here are three songs worth listening to this week , all of which can be found on various music streaming sites as well as on YouTube .
Many will remember Jorge Drexler ’ s “ Al Otro Lado Del Rio , ” which was featured in the 2004 film “ The Motorcycle Diaries ” and went to win best original song at the 77th Academy Awards .
Now , Leon Sidran , who co-produced the original version of the song , has spearheaded an amazing quarantine , English-adaptation of the tune with 40 artists contributing from around the globe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ title of “ Row On ” — features the likes of jazz singer Kurt Elling ( from New York ) , rocker Butch Vig ( from Los Angeles ) , Joy Dragland ( from Oslo ) and , of course , the song ’ s author , Drexler , chiming in from Madrid .
Jordan Davis showed on the 2018 debut “ Home State ” that he ’ s one of the most promising newcomers in mainstream country music .
And he adds even more proof with his newly released , self-titled EP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the EP ’ s best song — the heart-warming single “ Detours ” — and we think you ’ ll quickly understand why people are expecting big things of this Louisiana native .
The Styx man delivers a cover of this Led Zeppelin classic that sounds really good streamed through our computer .
But we bet it would sound even better cranked all the way up , preferably on an eight-track tape player , in a Camaro .
Too bad we don ’ t own a Camaro , with or without an @ @ @

Here are three songs worth listening to this week, all of which can be found on various music streaming sites as well as on YouTube.
“Row On,” Leo Sidran featuring Jorge Drexler
Many will remember Jorge Drexler’s “Al Otro Lado Del Rio,” which was featured in the 2004 film “The Motorcycle Diaries” and went to win best original song at the 77th Academy Awards. Now, Leo Sidran, who co-produced the original version of the song, has spearheaded an amazing quarantine, English-adaptation of the tune with 40 artists contributing from around the globe. The new version — using the English title of “Row On” — features the likes of jazz singer Kurt Elling (from New York), rocker Butch Vig (from Los Angeles), Joy Dragland (from Oslo) and, of course, the song’s author, Drexler, chiming in from Madrid.
“Detours,” Jordan Davis
Jordan Davis showed on the 2018 debut “Home State” that he’s one of the most promising newcomers in mainstream country music. And he adds even more proof with his newly released, self-titled EP. Take a listen to what might be the EP’s best song — the heart-warming single “Detours” — and we think you’ll quickly understand why people are expecting big things of this Louisiana native.
“Going to California,” Tommy Shaw
The Styx man delivers a cover of this Led Zeppelin classic that sounds really good streamed through our computer. But we bet it would sound even better cranked all the way up, preferably on an eight-track tape player, in a Camaro. Too bad we don’t own a Camaro, with or without an eight-track tape player..


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Biden: Trump is an ‘absolute fool’ for not wearing mask

WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday called his Republican rival Donald Trump an “ absolute fool ” for not wearing a mask at a series of recent public events , saying his lack of leadership on the issue is “ costing peoples ’ lives.
” The decision whether to wear a face mask in public has emerged as a national political battle , and the two presidential candidates have adopted very different approaches .
Biden ’ s decision to wear a mask outdoors on Memorial Day at his first public event since March caught the attention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden at the event accompanied by a comment : “ This might help explain why Trump doesn ’ t like to wear a mask in public.
” The president has resisted wearing masks in front of cameras at series of public events , including on Memorial Day .
“ He ’ s a fool , an absolute fool to talk that way .
Every leading doc in the world says you should be wearing a mask in a crowd , ” Biden said in a taped interview with CNN .
Biden called Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and falsely masculine actions that were costing people ’ s lives .
The president said on Tuesday he thought it was “ very unusual ” that Biden wore the mask on Memorial Day since he was outside in good weather .
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said Trump was not shaming anyone .
Biden ’ s outing on Monday was his first in several weeks .
The 77-year-old candidate has been staying at home because of the pandemic .
Trump , who has restarted his travel schedule in recent weeks , has knocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The president is excited to see that Joe emerged from the basement .
It is a bit peculiar though that , in his basement , right next to his wife , he ’ s not wearing a mask , but he ’ s wearing one outdoors when he ’ s socially distanced .
So I think that there was a discrepancy there , ” she told reporters .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are hard to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks at home .
McEnany said Biden ’ s choice to wear a mask did not strike Trump as “ a very data-driven decision .
”

[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/05/26/joe-biden-bash-intv-tsr-vpx.cnn”]
By Jarrett Renshaw and Jeff Mason | Reuters
WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday called his Republican rival Donald Trump an “absolute fool” for not wearing a mask at a series of recent public events, saying his lack of leadership on the issue is “costing peoples’ lives.”
The decision whether to wear a face mask in public has emerged as a national political battle, and the two presidential candidates have adopted very different approaches.
Biden’s decision to wear a mask outdoors on Memorial Day at his first public event since March caught the attention of Trump, who retweeted an image of Biden at the event accompanied by a comment: “This might help explain why Trump doesn’t like to wear a mask in public.”
The president has resisted wearing masks in front of cameras at series of public events, including on Memorial Day.
“He’s a fool, an absolute fool to talk that way. Every leading doc in the world says you should be wearing a mask in a crowd,” Biden said in a taped interview with CNN.
Biden called Trump’s behavior “macho stuff” and falsely masculine actions that were costing people’s lives.
The president said on Tuesday he thought it was “very unusual” that Biden wore the mask on Memorial Day since he was outside in good weather. White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said Trump was not shaming anyone. Biden’s outing on Monday was his first in several weeks. The 77-year-old candidate has been staying at home because of the pandemic. Trump, who has restarted his travel schedule in recent weeks, has knocked the Democrat for not leaving his house.
“The president is excited to see that Joe emerged from the basement. It is a bit peculiar though that, in his basement, right next to his wife, he’s not wearing a mask, but he’s wearing one outdoors when he’s socially distanced. So I think that there was a discrepancy there,” she told reporters.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are hard to maintain. The guidelines do not suggest wearing masks at home.
McEnany said Biden’s choice to wear a mask did not strike Trump as “a very data-driven decision.”


mercurynews--2020-05-26--Antioch man gets federal prison in drug, gun case

OAKLAND — A man who in 2018 was arrested by Antioch police on suspicion of possessing a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison , court records show .
Jesus Manuel Vasquez was sentenced May 19 , to settle a federal case that charged him with possession with intent to distribute meth .
The charges stem from an October 2018 arrest in Antioch , when police pulled Vasquez over for a traffic violation .
In his black Mercedes Benz , officers found a quarter-ounce of meth that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a loaded Springfield XD pistol , according to prosecutors .
Vasquez accepted the prison sentence and used his time in jail as an opportunity to improve his life .
During his pretrial jail stay , he “ availed himself of nearly every program in which he could enroll while in custody , ” and obtained a GED , his attorney wrote in court records .
The defense further argued that Vasquez ’ s offense stemmed from a 25-yearlong addiction to meth .
Prosecutors , though , noted that Vasquez was convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on supervised released during his 2018 arrest .
This time , he “ was in possession of a much greater quantity of methamphetamine and he yet again was in possession of a loaded firearm , ” prosecutors wrote .

OAKLAND — A man who in 2018 was arrested by Antioch police on suspicion of possessing a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison, court records show.
Jesus Manuel Vasquez was sentenced May 19, to settle a federal case that charged him with possession with intent to distribute meth.
The charges stem from an October 2018 arrest in Antioch, when police pulled Vasquez over for a traffic violation. In his black Mercedes Benz, officers found a quarter-ounce of meth that had been divided into 11 baggies, as well as a loaded Springfield XD pistol, according to prosecutors.
Vasquez accepted the prison sentence and used his time in jail as an opportunity to improve his life. During his pretrial jail stay, he “availed himself of nearly every program in which he could enroll while in custody,” and obtained a GED, his attorney wrote in court records.
The defense further argued that Vasquez’s offense stemmed from a 25-yearlong addiction to meth.
Prosecutors, though, noted that Vasquez was convicted of a drug offense in 2013 and was on supervised released during his 2018 arrest. This time, he “was in possession of a much greater quantity of methamphetamine and he yet again was in possession of a loaded firearm,” prosecutors wrote.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--US accuses Russian jets of ‘unsafe’ actions near US planes

The US military has once again accused Russian jets of conducting an “ unsafe ” intercept of a US Navy P-8 surveillance aircraft Tuesday while it was flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea .
“ Two Russian Su-35 aircraft unsafely intercepted a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet over the Mediterranean Sea May 26 , 2020 , ” the US Navy said in a statement .
“ The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously , restricting the P-8A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lasted a total of 64 minutes , ” the statement added .
Images of the incident appeared to show the Russian jets armed and flying very close to the wings of the US surveillance aircraft .
“ The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules , and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft , ” the Navy said in a statement .
The US Navy previously said that Russian jets made similar unsafe intercepts of US surveillance aircraft over the Mediterranean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sensitive about US surveillance aircraft operating in the Eastern Mediterranean due to Russian military operations in Syria .
Earlier Tuesday , the US military accused Russia of flying military jets from Russia to Libya via Syria where US officials said that Russian markings were removed from the aircraft in an effort to clandestinely deploy the warplanes to Libya in support of Russian mercenaries operating there .

By Ryan Browne | CNN
The US military has once again accused Russian jets of conducting an “unsafe” intercept of a US Navy P-8 surveillance aircraft Tuesday while it was flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea.
“Two Russian Su-35 aircraft unsafely intercepted a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet over the Mediterranean Sea May 26, 2020,” the US Navy said in a statement.
“The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver, and lasted a total of 64 minutes,” the statement added.
Images of the incident appeared to show the Russian jets armed and flying very close to the wings of the US surveillance aircraft.
“The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft,” the Navy said in a statement.
The US Navy previously said that Russian jets made similar unsafe intercepts of US surveillance aircraft over the Mediterranean in April.
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Earlier Tuesday, the US military accused Russia of flying military jets from Russia to Libya via Syria where US officials said that Russian markings were removed from the aircraft in an effort to clandestinely deploy the warplanes to Libya in support of Russian mercenaries operating there.


mercurynews--2020-05-26--California DMV to open 46 more field offices, including eight more across Bay Area

Eight more Department of Motor Vehicles offices will open Thursday in the Bay Area as 46 field offices resume operations around the state .
After closing all field offices when Gov .
Gavin Newsom initially issued a statewide stay-at-home order , the California DMV reopened 25 offices including five Bay Area locations on May 8 .
DMV offices in Daly City , Fairfield , Fremont , Pittsburgh , Pleasanton , San Mateo , Santa Clara and at the Oakland Coliseum will open at 8 a.m. Thursday for customers with appointments and for limited transactions that require in-person visits .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , San Francisco , San Jose DLPC and Santa Rosa locations , which have been open for nearly three weeks .
Since the coronavirus pandemic began , the DMV has expanded its virtual services and taken actions such as extended driver licenses that expire between March 4 and July 31 , and waiving late fees and penalties for registration renewals between March 16 and May 31 .
With 71 offices expected to be open for business by Thursday , the remaining 99 DMV offices around the state will remain closed for now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the remaining offices will be reopened in phases during the coming weeks .
The statement added that the agency is “ selecting offices to reopen based on location , size , service capacity and the ability to offer enhanced service to commercial driver license customers.
” Behind-the-wheel driving tests will remain suspended for now .
Employees who are not working in one of the 71 field offices that are open for in-person visits will provide services through the recently launched “ Virtual Field Office .
”

Eight more Department of Motor Vehicles offices will open Thursday in the Bay Area as 46 field offices resume operations around the state.
After closing all field offices when Gov. Gavin Newsom initially issued a statewide stay-at-home order, the California DMV had reopened 25 offices on May 8, including five Bay Area locations.
On Thursday at 8 a.m., DMV offices in Daly City, Fairfield, Fremont, Pittsburgh, Pleasanton, San Mateo, Santa Clara and at the Oakland Coliseum will open for customers with appointments and for limited transactions that require in-person visits.
Those offices join the Concord, Oakland Claremont, San Francisco, San Jose DLPC and Santa Rosa locations, which have been open for nearly three weeks.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the DMV has expanded its virtual services and taken actions such as extending driver licenses that expire between March 4 and July 31 and waiving late fees and penalties for registration renewals due between March 16 and May 31.
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How to renew a California driver’s license if you’re over 70: a roundup of tips California News | Did California’s DMV kill its no-party voter registration buzz? With 71 offices expected to be open for business by Thursday, the remaining 99 DMV offices around the state will remain closed for now. The DMV said in a news release that the remaining offices will be reopened in phases during the coming weeks.
The statement added that the agency is “selecting offices to reopen based on location, size, service capacity and the ability to offer enhanced service to commercial driver license customers.”
Behind-the-wheel driving tests will remain suspended for now.
Employees who are not working in one of the 71 offices that are open for in-person visits will provide services through the recently launched “Virtual Field Office.”