mercurynews--2020-03-09--Bay Area coronavirus fears? 12 fun things to do at home, far from the crowds

We ’ ve been here before , sort of .
When the devastating California wildfires filled the Bay Area with smoke and sent air quality into dangerous range , we found ways to stay busy and entertained without being outside for more than a minute or two .
Now , as the threat of the coronavirus grows and public venues shutter , residents are avoiding crowds , lathering themselves with hand sanitizer and — increasingly — staying home .
Some are finding themselves in self-quarantine .
Fortunately , there are still plenty of relaxing and rewarding ways to spend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reading bestsellers to catching up on household tasks .
Here are 12 ideas : Catch up on fall movies , including Oscar winners “ American Factory ” ( Best Documentary Feature ) and “ Marriage Story ” ( Best Supporting Actress ) , now on Netflix .
See the best Animated Feature winner “ Toy Story 4 ” on Disney Plus .
And “ Parasite , ” which scored four Academy Awards , can be streamed on Google Play , Vudu and Amazon Prime .
It ’ s also coming to Hulu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , there may be catharsis and consolation in watching movies that use made-up scenarios to scare us .
This virus is scary , but at least there are no zombies , right ?
Check out “ Get Out , ” “ A Quiet Place ” and more new and classic horror flicks — here ’ s our top 25 horror movies of the decade guide — all available to stream/buy/rent through the usual services .
March and April bring a number of hotly anticipated TV series Among them : Alex Garland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( FX on Hulu , March 5 ) , and the latest in Nordic noir with “ The Valhalla Murders ” ( Netflix , March 13 ) .
Season 3 of “ Westworld returns to HBO on March 15 , along with season 2 in “ My Brilliant Friend : The Story of a New Name , ” set in Italy and inspired by Elena Ferrante ’ s Neapolitan Novels ( HBO , March 16 ) .
Don ’ t miss “ Little Fires Everywhere , ” a small-town thriller starring Reese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 18 ) ; the miniseries biopic “ Self-Made : Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J .
Walker , ” starring Octavia Spencer ( Netflix , March 20 ) ; and season 3 of “ Ozark ” ( Netflix , March 27 ) .
Plus , tthe black comedy “ Run , ” executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge ( HBO , April 12 ) ; Cate Blanchett starring as Phyllis Schlafly in “ Mrs .
America ” ( FX on Hulu , April 15 ) ; and Season 3 of “ Killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 ) .
Tuck into a recent page-turner written by a local author , like “ Bottle Grove , ” a comedic look at San Francisco ’ s hipsters and tech bros by the city ’ s own Lemony Snicket ; “ Squirrel in the Wall , ” an interspecies romp by Oakland ’ s Hentry Hitz ; or “ Sourdough , or Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market , ” by New York Times best-selling author Robin Sloan , of Oakland .
It ’ s about an overworked software engineer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That sourdough starter though … it ’ s alive .
Spend a day , or more , on Spotify/Apple music getting caught up on your listening .
A home concert of the top albums of the 2010s would give you a selection that features Kanye West , Kendrick Lamar , Lana Del Rey , Beyonce , Radiohead , Lizzo , Black Sabbath and more .
Take a long warm bath , enjoy a nice cup of tea , take a nap or start writing your own novel .
Now also is the perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that hyaluronic cream and rub on that exfoliating scrub before they both expire in your cabinet .
Been neglecting your nails ?
Mani-pedis for everyone in the house .
Even making a simple scrub — sugar , coconut oil , a few drops of essential oil — will slough away winter chapped lips and make you feel great .
That pandemic pantry you put together is a work of art .
Use it .
Cook a comforting Black Bean Chili or an epic Guittard chocolate cake while your ingredient stock is fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re self-quarantined because someone in your home is sick , build this Bubbe-approved Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls from San Francisco ’ s Wise Sons Deli .
Declutter your closet , go through photos and computer files , finally hang those pictures — or purge your cupboards and pantry of items you ’ ll never use .
Spring is nearly here , so do a deep spring cleaning .
For most tasks , the standard multi-cleaner you have on hand should suffice .
And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in killing the coronavirus .
9 Keep up with your workouts If you like to exercise , but can ’ t get to your favorite yoga class or gym , you probably know moves you can do at home , from sun salutations to pushups .
But YouTube videos and apps can help with new ideas .
BuzzFeed News offers a guide to the best online yoga programs , while Women ’ s Health recently published a list of 17 videos that offer quick workouts or specialized programs that target your core or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Your garden probably needs some attention .
Now is the time to clean up and prep beds by weeding , adding compost and repairing irrigation .
You also can start seeds indoors for planting when the soil warms up in April and May .
It ’ s also a good time to peruse online seed catalogs and start a garden journal so you can sketch out your ideas about what you ’ ll plant and where .
11 Get outdoors , for those free to roam If you ’ re not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try nature .
These 8 Bay Area hikes in local , regional , state and national parks offer plenty of spectacular , unpeopled hikes where you can enjoy more than a social distance , all while enjoying fresh air and beautiful scenery .
At home , you can still stay in touch with family and friends or even re-connect with old friends you ’ ve lost track of .
Remember when telephones were used for talking ?
Enjoy a long phone call with an old friend , or try FaceTime or Skype .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or pen emails .
Use social media in a positive way to engage in thoughtful discussions about your favorite books , movies and other hobbies and interests .

We’ve been here before, sort of. When the devastating California wildfires filled the Bay Area with smoke and sent air quality into dangerous range, we found ways to stay busy and entertained without being outside for more than a minute or two. Now, as the threat of the coronavirus grows and public venues shutter, residents are avoiding crowds, lathering themselves with hand sanitizer and — increasingly — staying home. Some are finding themselves in self-quarantine.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of relaxing and rewarding ways to spend the weekend solo, from watching top movies and reading bestsellers to catching up on household tasks. Here are 12 ideas:
1 March movie madness
Catch up on fall movies, including Oscar winners “American Factory ” (Best Documentary Feature) and “Marriage Story” (Best Supporting Actress), now on Netflix. See the best Animated Feature winner “Toy Story 4” on Disney Plus. And “Parasite,” which scored four Academy Awards, can be streamed on Google Play, Vudu and Amazon Prime. It’s also coming to Hulu on April 8.
2 Horror movie madness
In these unsettling times, there may be catharsis and consolation in watching movies that use made-up scenarios to scare us. This virus is scary, but at least there are no zombies, right? Check out “Get Out,” “A Quiet Place” and more new and classic horror flicks — here’s our top 25 horror movies of the decade guide — all available to stream/buy/rent through the usual services.
3 TV binge time
March and April bring a number of hotly anticipated TV series Among them: Alex Garland’s Silicon Valley-set sci-fi thriller “Devs” (FX on Hulu, March 5), and the latest in Nordic noir with “The Valhalla Murders” (Netflix, March 13). Season 3 of “Westworld returns to HBO on March 15, along with season 2 in “My Brilliant Friend: The Story of a New Name,” set in Italy and inspired by Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels (HBO, March 16).
Don’t miss “Little Fires Everywhere,” a small-town thriller starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington (Hulu, March 18); the miniseries biopic “Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker,” starring Octavia Spencer (Netflix, March 20); and season 3 of “Ozark” (Netflix, March 27). Plus, tthe black comedy “Run,” executive produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (HBO, April 12); Cate Blanchett starring as Phyllis Schlafly in “Mrs. America” (FX on Hulu, April 15); and Season 3 of “Killing Eve” (BBC America, April 26).
4 Read a book … or three
The newest novel by Daniel Handler, who rose to fame with Lemony Snicket, is aimed at adults. (Courtesy Meredith Heuer)
Tuck into a recent page-turner written by a local author, like “Bottle Grove,” a comedic look at San Francisco’s hipsters and tech bros by the city’s own Lemony Snicket; “Squirrel in the Wall,” an interspecies romp by Oakland’s Hentry Hitz; or “Sourdough, or Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market,” by New York Times best-selling author Robin Sloan, of Oakland. It’s about an overworked software engineer who finds joy as a baker. That sourdough starter though … it’s alive.
5 Relax with music
Spend a day, or more, on Spotify/Apple music getting caught up on your listening. A home concert of the top albums of the 2010s would give you a selection that features Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Beyonce, Radiohead, Lizzo, Black Sabbath and more.
6 Finally, a little you time
Take a long warm bath, enjoy a nice cup of tea, take a nap or start writing your own novel. Now also is the perfect time for a pampering facial. Bust out that hyaluronic cream and rub on that exfoliating scrub before they both expire in your cabinet. Been neglecting your nails? Mani-pedis for everyone in the house. Even making a simple scrub — sugar, coconut oil, a few drops of essential oil — will slough away winter chapped lips and make you feel great.
7 Cook to your heart’s content
That pandemic pantry you put together is a work of art. Use it. Cook a comforting Black Bean Chili or an epic Guittard chocolate cake while your ingredient stock is fresh. Or heck, if you’re self-quarantined because someone in your home is sick, build this Bubbe-approved Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls from San Francisco’s Wise Sons Deli.
8 Organize your home, life
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Entertainment | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Declutter your closet, go through photos and computer files, finally hang those pictures — or purge your cupboards and pantry of items you’ll never use. Spring is nearly here, so do a deep spring cleaning. For most tasks, the standard multi-cleaner you have on hand should suffice. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says that most common household disinfectants are effective in killing the coronavirus.
9 Keep up with your workouts
If you like to exercise, but can’t get to your favorite yoga class or gym, you probably know moves you can do at home, from sun salutations to pushups. But YouTube videos and apps can help with new ideas. BuzzFeed News offers a guide to the best online yoga programs, while Women’s Health recently published a list of 17 videos that offer quick workouts or specialized programs that target your core or legs or that offer high-intensive internal training.
10 Get outdoors, home edition
Your garden probably needs some attention. Now is the time to clean up and prep beds by weeding, adding compost and repairing irrigation. You also can start seeds indoors for planting when the soil warms up in April and May. It’s also a good time to peruse online seed catalogs and start a garden journal so you can sketch out your ideas about what you’ll plant and where.
11 Get outdoors, for those free to roam
If you’re not in self-quarantine but want to avoid crowds, try nature. These 8 Bay Area hikes in local, regional, state and national parks offer plenty of spectacular, unpeopled hikes where you can enjoy more than a social distance, all while enjoying fresh air and beautiful scenery.
12 Stay social
At home, you can still stay in touch with family and friends or even re-connect with old friends you’ve lost track of. Remember when telephones were used for talking? Enjoy a long phone call with an old friend, or try FaceTime or Skype. Revive the lost art of handwriting letters or pen emails. Use social media in a positive way to engage in thoughtful discussions about your favorite books, movies and other hobbies and interests.


mercurynews--2020-03-09--Stocks plummet amid coronavirus fears and oil-price crash

Stocks took their worst one-day beating on Wall Street since the global financial crisis of 2008 as a collapse in oil prices Monday combined with mounting alarm over what the coronavirus could do to the world economy .
The staggering losses , including a 7.8 % tumble in the Dow Jones Industrial Average , immediately raised fears that a recession might be on the way in the U.S. and that the record-breaking 11-year bull market on Wall Street may be coming to an abrupt end in a way no one even imagined just a few months ago .
The drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first automatic halt in trading in more than two decades .
European stock indexes likewise registered their heaviest losses since the darkest days of the 2008 meltdown and are now in a bear market .
Together , the sell-offs reflected growing anxiety over the potential global economic damage from the coronavirus , which has infected more than 110,000 people worldwide and killed about 4,000 while prompting factory shutdowns , travel bans , closings of schools and stores , and cancellations of conventions and celebrations big and small .
“ The market has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Willie Delwiche , investment strategist at Baird .
The market slide came as Italy , the hardest-hit place in Europe , began enforcing a lockdown against 16 million people in the north , or one-quarter of the country ’ s population , and then announced that travel restrictions would be extended nationwide .
Premier Giuseppe Conte said all people will have to demonstrate a valid reason to travel beyond where they live .
The turmoil in Italy — marked by masked police officers and soldiers checking travelers ’ documents and restrictions that affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a cafe counter or running to the grocery store — is expected to push the country into recession and weigh on the European economy .
Elsewhere around the world , Ireland went so far as to cancel St. Patrick ’ s Day parades , and Israel ordered all visitors quarantined just weeks before Passover and Easter , one of the busiest travel periods of the year .
In the U.S. , a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days docked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing passengers to military bases for quarantine or return them to their home countries .
The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard , 21 of them infected .
The market was also dragged down by another , intertwined development : Oil prices plunged nearly 25 % after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand and Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output .
While low oil prices can translate into cheaper gasoline , they wreak havoc on energy companies and countries that count on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 producer , the United States .
“ People are very anxious and very uncertain .
Then all of a sudden you throw in a wild card that we weren ’ t expecting and people just went , ` Ah !
’ ” said Randy Frederick , vice president of trading & derivatives at Charles Schwab .
He added : “ A recession and a bear market are both a very realistic possibility right now.
” “ The fear today is : Are the bears correct in talking about a recession around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krosby , chief market strategist at Prudential Financial .
“ Is this just about now ?
Is this just about the oil ?
Is this just about the virus ?
Or are we looking at a recession around the corner because all of this ?
” President Donald Trump met in the afternoon with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , economic adviser Larry Kudlow and other aides about a range of economic actions he could take .
He also invited Wall Street executives to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the economic fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the drop in the S & P 500 triggered an automatic 15-minute market-wide trading halt by falling 7.4 % in the first few minutes after the opening bell .
The so-called circuit breaker has been triggered only once before , in 1997 .
The S & P closed with a loss of 7.6 % , its biggest one-day drop since Dec. 1 , 2008 .
The Dow was down 2,013 points , or 7.8 % , to 23,851 .
The Nasdaq gave up 7.3 % .
The S & P 500 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it set on Feb. 19 and has lost $ 5.3 trillion in value during that time .
U.S. stocks are now uncomfortably close to entering a bear market , defined as a drop of 20 % from their peak .
Italy ’ s stock index plunged 11.2 % .
Britain , France and Germany were down between 7.7 % and 8.4 % The interest rate , or yield , on U.S. Treasury bonds fell to all-time lows as investors looking for a safe place kept on putting money into them , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer to zero .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note plunged to 0.59 % .
Up until last week , it had never been below 1 % .
The carnage in the energy sector was particularly bad .
With benchmark U.S. crude dropping to under $ 32 a barrel , the stock of Apache Corp. and Occidental Petroleum lost more than half its value .
Exxon Mobil had its worst day since 2008 , while Chevron had its second-biggest drop ever .
“ We knew it was going to be a hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of U.S. equity trading at Stifel .
He said that the mood was “ organized chaos ” in the morning but that the trading halt achieved what it was supposed to by stopping the slide .
Despite the scary-looking red numbers flashing on CNBC and other news channels , some financial consultants advised ordinary investors to stick to their long-term plan and not panic .
Scott Heydt , a financial consultant at Heydt Air , said he expects the market will go back to normal , even though it could take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s definitely not a comfortable time , ” he said .
“ But people need to stop looking at their portfolios on their smartphones every two seconds if they don ’ t have a stomach for it.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the virus , as has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
While the crisis is easing in China , where the virus was first detected , fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea , Iran and Italy , and the caseload is growing in the United States .
The number of people infected in the U.S. climbed to around 600 , with 26 deaths , at least 19 of them associated with a single Seattle-area nursing home .
After initially taking an optimistic view on the virus , hoping that it would remain mostly in China and cause just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably underestimated the crisis badly .
Traders are increasingly betting the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates back to zero to help the virus-weakened economy .
But doubts are rising about how effective lower rates can be this time .
They can encourage people and companies to borrow , but they can ’ t restart factories , restaurants or theme parks shut down because people are quarantined .
The Fed has already cut its benchmark short-term rate to a range of 1 % to 1.25 % , leaving little room to cut more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player in the current crisis , ’ Ethan Harris , global economist at Bank of America , wrote in a research report .
The clamor is growing louder for help from authorities besides central banks .
“ Today ’ s market action may bang some heads together and actually start thinking about the constructive measures the government can take , ’ said Jacob Kirkegaard , senior fellow at the Peterson Institution for International Economics .
Among other things , Kirkegaard said , the government should make sure all Americans get paid sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

By JOE McDONALD
BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets rebounded Tuesday from record-setting declines after U.S. futures rose following President Donald Trump’s announcement he would ask Congress for a tax cut and other measures to ease the pain of the spreading coronavirus outbreak.
Oil prices also recovered some of their losses in Monday’s record-setting plunge.
China’s main stock index rose 1.7% and Tokyo advanced 0.9%. Hong Kong advanced 1.9% and Sydney gained 3.1%.
On Wall Street, which suffered its biggest one-day drop since the 2008 global crisis on Monday, stock futures rose following Trump’s announcement.
Monday’s global selloff reflected alarm over mounting economic damage from the coronavirus that emerged in China in December. Anti-disease controls that shut down Chinese factories are spreading as the United States and European countries close schools, cancel public events and impose travel controls.
Anxiety mounted after Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, said travel controls imposed earlier on its north would be extended nationwide. Ireland canceled St. Patrick’s Day parades and Israel ordered visitors quarantined ahead of Passover and Easter, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The mounting losses and a flight by investors into the safe haven of bonds have fueled warnings the global economy, which already was showing signs of cooling, might be headed into a recession.
The drop in U.S. stock prices was so sharp that it triggered Wall Street’s first trading halt in more than two decades. But Trump’s comment that he will seek relief for workers as ripple effects of the outbreak spread gave some investors an excuse to resume buying.
“This is not like the financial crisis where we don’t know the end is in sight,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “This is about providing proper tools and liquidity to get through the next few months.”
On Tuesday, the Shanghai Composite Index rose to 2,994.03 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo advanced to 19,867.12. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed to 25,519.11.
The Kospi in Seoul added 0.4% to 1,962.93 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 rose to 5,939.60.
Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta advanced by more than 2%, while New Zealand declined.
Benchmark U.S. crude gained 7.5%, or $2.33, to $33.46 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It lost 25% on Monday to $31.13 per barrel.
Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, gained 8%, or $2.75 to $37.10 per barrel in London.
While the crisis is easing in China, where the virus was first detected, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy, and the caseload is growing in the United States.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the virus, as has already happened with about three-quarters of those infected in China.
Oil prices plunged 25% after Russia refused to roll back production in response to virus-depressed demand. Saudi Arabia signaled it will ramp up its own output.
Stock markets usually welcome lower energy costs for consumers and businesses. But the decline cuts into revenue for producers, including the United States. And the abrupt drop, coming amid virus fears, rattled investors.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 index fell 7.6% to 2,746.56 for its biggest one-day drop since Dec. 1, 2008. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 7.8% to 23,851.02. The Nasdaq composite gave up 7.3% to 7,950.68.
The S&P dropped 7.4% in the first few minutes of trading, triggering an automatic 15-minute market-wide trading halt. That has happened only once before, in 1997.
The S&P 500 has fallen 18.9% from its Feb. 19 record and has lost $5.3 trillion in value. U.S. stocks are close to entering a bear market, defined as a drop of 20% from their peak.
“Right now, it’s all-out panic,” said Phil Flynn of Price futures Group. “I think the situation is going to improve when cooler heads prevail, but it’s going to be a rocky road for the next couple of weeks.”
European stock indexes already are in a bear market after recording their biggest declines since the 2008 crisis.
Central banks in the United States, China and other countries have cut interest rates to try to shore up economic activity. But economists warn that while rate cuts might help to buoy consumer demand, they cannot reopen factories that are closed due to quarantines or lack of workers and raw materials.
“Even coordinated policy responses are not a tried and tested panacea and by no means guarantee the ability to durably pull markets back from the brink of bear territory,” Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank said in a report.
The yield on U.S. Treasury bonds edged up to 0.67% after falling as low as 0.5% as investors shifted money into safe haven assets. It had never been below 1% until last week.
The yield, or the difference between the market price and what investors will receive if they hold the bond to maturity, is seen as a measure of economic confidence. Investors shift money into bonds if they expect economic growth and stock prices to weaken. That pushes up the bond’s market price and narrows the yield.
In the United States, a cruise ship with a cluster of coronavirus cases that forced it to idle off the California coast for days docked at Oakland as officials prepared to start bringing passengers to military bases for quarantine or return them to their home countries.
The Grand Princess had more than 3,500 people aboard, 21 of them infected. Japan’s handling of a similar situation involving a cruise ship that docked in Yokohama is seen as a major factor behind the spread of the virus in that country.
___
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


mercurynews--2020-03-09--Tokyo Games: Earthquakes’ Jackson Yueill, U.S. ready to put past behind

SAN JOSE –Little underscores the United States ’ inadequacies in men ’ s soccer more than Olympic qualifying .
The Americans have appeared in a Summer Olympics only once since finishing fourth in 2000 .
They fell short in the past two cycles although playing host to the CONCACAF qualifying tournaments .
Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill hopes to end the streak as part of the under-23 team that will attempt to advance to the Tokyo Games in July .
Yueill and Quakes goalkeeper JT Marchinowski of Alamo were named Sunday night to the 20-player roster for the qualifying tournament March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a really good opportunity to show the progress and how the youth has come up in U.S. Soccer , ” Yueill said Saturday after the Quakes lost to Minnesota United 5-2 .
“ This is a great challenge for us .
We have a really tough group.
” The United States opens Group A on March 20 against Costa Rica .
The Americans play the Dominican Republic on March 23 and have a showdown against Mexico on March 26 .
The team includes 10 players who have appeared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson , a player U-23 coach Jason Kreis said has a great future in MLS and with the United States .
Other stars include FC Dallas ’ Reggie Cannon ( defender ) and Jesus Ferreira ( midfielder ) and Wolfsburg striker Ulysses Llanez .
Kreis recalled Monday from Guadalajara how Yueill struggled as an attacking midfielder when the coach first took over the under-23 program last year .
But Kreis said the player developed under San Jose coach Matias Almeyda and his staff in San Jose .
“ Jackson ’ s career has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 12 months , ” Kreis said .
“ To now , arguably he is considered more of a mainstay on the full team.
” After winning Group A five years ago , the United States lost to Honduras 2-0 in the semifinals and finished third in the 2016 qualifying tournament .
Only the top two teams — Mexico and Honduras — advanced to the Rio Games .
In 2012 , the Americans finished third in Group A behind El Salvador and Canada to fail to reach the knockout stage .
Yueill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the current players do not feel a burden to return to the Olympics but understand the importance of reaching the goal .
“ We take it in high esteem that we ’ re the U.S. and that we should be qualifying for this tournament every ” time , ” he said .
“ This tournament and the World Cup .
So I think we ’ re going to go into it , not underestimating anyone but not overestimating anyone.
” Kreis said in a teleconference with reporters on Monday that officials from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tokyo Games important .
“ They look at these past couple cycles as a failure , ” he said .
“ We want to correct that .
It is a chance to have positive rhetoric around the men ’ s side of U.S. soccer right now.
” Kreis added that American soccer fans have questioned where the youth national team was headed in the past two years .
“ This is a tremendous opportunity for us to really put a flag down and say we are moving in the right direction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished fourth at the Sydney Games in 2000 but since then has qualified for the Olympics only in 2008 with a team that featured future stars Jozy Altidore , Michael Bradley , Brad Guzan and Stuart Holden .
The Americans did not advance out of group play in the Beijing Games going 1-1-1 .

SAN JOSE –Little underscores the United States’ inadequacies in men’s soccer more than Olympic qualifying.
The Americans have appeared in a Summer Olympics only once since finishing fourth in 2000. They fell short in the past two cycles although playing host to the CONCACAF qualifying tournaments.
Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill hopes to end the streak as part of the under-23 team that will attempt to advance to the Tokyo Games in July. Yueill and Quakes goalkeeper JT Marchinowski of Alamo were named Sunday night to the 20-player roster for the qualifying tournament March 20-April 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“It’s a really good opportunity to show the progress and how the youth has come up in U.S. Soccer,” Yueill said Saturday after the Quakes lost to Minnesota United 5-2. “This is a great challenge for us. We have a really tough group.”
The United States opens Group A on March 20 against Costa Rica. The Americans play the Dominican Republic on March 23 and have a showdown against Mexico on March 26.
The team includes 10 players who have appeared with the U.S. senior national team, including Jackson, a player U-23 coach Jason Kreis said has a great future in MLS and with the United States. Other stars include FC Dallas’ Reggie Cannon (defender) and Jesus Ferreira (midfielder) and Wolfsburg striker Ulysses Llanez.
Kreis recalled Monday from Guadalajara how Yueill struggled as an attacking midfielder when the coach first took over the under-23 program last year. But Kreis said the player developed under San Jose coach Matias Almeyda and his staff in San Jose.
“Jackson’s career has taken a mega step forward in the past 12 months,” Kreis said. “To now, arguably he is considered more of a mainstay on the full team.”
After winning Group A five years ago, the United States lost to Honduras 2-0 in the semifinals and finished third in the 2016 qualifying tournament. Only the top two teams — Mexico and Honduras — advanced to the Rio Games. In 2012, the Americans finished third in Group A behind El Salvador and Canada to fail to reach the knockout stage.
Yueill, the Quakes’ starting central midfielder, said the current players do not feel a burden to return to the Olympics but understand the importance of reaching the goal.
“We take it in high esteem that we’re the U.S. and that we should be qualifying for this tournament every” time,” he said. “This tournament and the World Cup. So I think we’re going to go into it, not underestimating anyone but not overestimating anyone.”
Kreis said in a teleconference with reporters on Monday that officials from the U.S. Soccer Federation consider qualifying for the Tokyo Games important.
“They look at these past couple cycles as a failure,” he said. “We want to correct that. It is a chance to have positive rhetoric around the men’s side of U.S. soccer right now.”
Kreis added that American soccer fans have questioned where the youth national team was headed in the past two years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to really put a flag down and say we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
The United States finished fourth at the Sydney Games in 2000 but since then has qualified for the Olympics only in 2008 with a team that featured future stars Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Brad Guzan and Stuart Holden. The Americans did not advance out of group play in the Beijing Games going 1-1-1.


mercurynews--2020-03-09--Who should get homelessness funding? Mayors, state in tug-of-war

In a new twist on the old fight between Sacramento and local officials over housing solutions , the mayors of California ’ s 13 largest cities Monday called on Gov .
Gavin Newsom to give $ 750 million in homelessness assistance to them — not regional administrators .
Members of the Big City Mayors Coalition , which includes Oakland , San Jose and San Francisco , met with Newsom in Sacramento to discuss the governor ’ s plans to fight the state ’ s homelessness crisis .
In a news conference after the meeting , one mayor after another applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the homeless , noting his recent State of the State address dedicated entirely to homelessness and his proposal to pour $ 750 million into a new homelessness fund in this year ’ s budget .
But the mayors aren ’ t happy with one piece of Newsom ’ s proposal : His suggestion to bypass cities and counties and instead deploy that money regionally , to special “ regional administrators ” chosen by the state Department of Social Services .
Supporters say Newsom ’ s new plan is a more efficient way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Cities deserve this investment and must lead the solutions to this vexing problem , ” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf .
“ We are on the ground .
We are accountable to our community .
We move fast and we are courageous .
That ’ s what mayors are.
” Newsom ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo described the group ’ s conversation with Newsom as “ robust , ” and said the governor appears to be open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money .
They called on Newsom to pour $ 2 billion a year into the homelessness crisis .
“ This is the time to strike , ” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg .
“ To make sure that we not only find that sustained source of funding , but that we invest it in a way that will lead towards the outcomes that we all so desperately want to see.
” Typically , state money to house the homeless goes straight to cities , counties and local continuums of care .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixing things up by appointing regional administrators to allocate all funds throughout a larger geographic area .
Louis Chicoine , CEO of Abode Services , one of the main Bay Area nonprofits that would spend those funds , supports the idea .
Under the current system , an organization like Abode is forced to enter into a separate contract for each new shelter or transitional housing program — resulting in multiple contracts within a single city , and potentially dozens throughout the Bay Area .
That means the nonprofit has to waste its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of times , he said .
“ We hope the Governor sticks with his plan to go with a regional approach , ” Chicoine , whose organization has 130 Bay Area contracts , wrote in an email .
“ Doing it the same old way , passing state funding out to every jurisdiction , is inefficient and costly .
It would save time and money for the state to contract directly with qualified regional social service providers who will end up with one contract instead of multiple contracts within a region.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been responsible stewards of the money Newsom has entrusted to them in the past .
Last year , he gave $ 500 million to local jurisdictions through the state ’ s Homeless Emergency Aid Program .
Already , 91 % of that money has been allocated to projects that will help the homeless — 15 months ahead of the state ’ s deadline , Liccardo said during Monday ’ s news conference .
Cities used just 3 % for administrative expenses .
All in all , the more than $ 1 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions last year will support 5,573 new beds in shelters and navigation centers across California , and bring 6,358 people off the street and into permanent housing over the next three years , Liccardo said .
“ Of the many government agencies engaged in this effort , ” he said , “ cities are best positioned and best motivated to quickly , efficiently and effectively deploy homelessness solutions.
” • More than 80 percent of new Silicon Valley homes unaffordable for first-time buyers and renters • Letter : If these Oakland leaders back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disgrace • When it comes to the homeless , the Bay Area ’ s compassion has a limit The mayors aren ’ t the only ones pushing back against Newsom ’ s idea of regional administrators .
A February report from the Legislative Analyst ’ s Office determined the proposal would complicate state-level homelessness funding and coordination .
But as the homelessness crisis continues , with more than 150,000 people now unhoused in California , Chichoine argued a new approach is called for .
“ It ’ s time to try processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Chicoine said .
“ Because the old processes that involve handing money out to many jurisdictions have proven to be pretty burdensome and inefficient .
”

In a new twist on the old fight between Sacramento and local officials over housing solutions, the mayors of California’s 13 largest cities Monday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to give $750 million in homelessness assistance to them — not regional administrators.
Members of the Big City Mayors Coalition, which includes Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco, met with Newsom in Sacramento to discuss the governor’s plans to fight the state’s homelessness crisis.
In a news conference after the meeting, one mayor after another applauded the governor for his commitment to housing the homeless, noting his recent State of the State address dedicated entirely to homelessness and his proposal to pour $750 million into a new homelessness fund in this year’s budget. But the mayors aren’t happy with one piece of Newsom’s proposal: His suggestion to bypass cities and counties and instead deploy that money regionally, to special “regional administrators” chosen by the state Department of Social Services.
Supporters say Newsom’s new plan is a more efficient way to tackle homelessness. But city leaders disagree.
“Cities deserve this investment and must lead the solutions to this vexing problem,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “We are on the ground. We are accountable to our community. We move fast and we are courageous. That’s what mayors are.”
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo described the group’s conversation with Newsom as “robust,” and said the governor appears to be open to new solutions.
The mayors also want more money. They called on Newsom to pour $2 billion a year into the homelessness crisis.
“This is the time to strike,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “To make sure that we not only find that sustained source of funding, but that we invest it in a way that will lead towards the outcomes that we all so desperately want to see.”
Typically, state money to house the homeless goes straight to cities, counties and local continuums of care. But in his 2020-21 budget, Newsom proposed mixing things up by appointing regional administrators to allocate all funds throughout a larger geographic area.
Louis Chicoine, CEO of Abode Services, one of the main Bay Area nonprofits that would spend those funds, supports the idea. Under the current system, an organization like Abode is forced to enter into a separate contract for each new shelter or transitional housing program — resulting in multiple contracts within a single city, and potentially dozens throughout the Bay Area. That means the nonprofit has to waste its limited resources repeating the same application process dozens of times, he said.
“We hope the Governor sticks with his plan to go with a regional approach,” Chicoine, whose organization has 130 Bay Area contracts, wrote in an email. “Doing it the same old way, passing state funding out to every jurisdiction, is inefficient and costly. It would save time and money for the state to contract directly with qualified regional social service providers who will end up with one contract instead of multiple contracts within a region.“
But the mayors argued they’ve been responsible stewards of the money Newsom has entrusted to them in the past. Last year, he gave $500 million to local jurisdictions through the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program. Already, 91% of that money has been allocated to projects that will help the homeless — 15 months ahead of the state’s deadline, Liccardo said during Monday’s news conference. Cities used just 3% for administrative expenses.
All in all, the more than $1 billion in homelessness funding that Newsom allocated to local jurisdictions last year will support 5,573 new beds in shelters and navigation centers across California, and bring 6,358 people off the street and into permanent housing over the next three years, Liccardo said.
“Of the many government agencies engaged in this effort,” he said, “cities are best positioned and best motivated to quickly, efficiently and effectively deploy homelessness solutions.”
The mayors aren’t the only ones pushing back against Newsom’s idea of regional administrators. A February report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office determined the proposal would complicate state-level homelessness funding and coordination.
But as the homelessness crisis continues, with more than 150,000 people now unhoused in California, Chichoine argued a new approach is called for.
“It’s time to try processes that are much more streamlined and efficient,” Chicoine said. “Because the old processes that involve handing money out to many jurisdictions have proven to be pretty burdensome and inefficient.”


mercurynews--2020-03-10--Letter: COVID-19 beyond Trump’s sole talent: self-promotion

The coronavirus situation , and Donald Trump ’ s response to it , is laying bare his complete unqualification for office .
Trump , clearly , has no relationship with facts , and is completely inauthentic .
His only skill is self-promotion .
People have pretended for years that this doesn ’ t actually matter .
They ’ ve covered for him , dissembled for him and twisted themselves into knots to explain away his obvious lies .
But all this elaborate fantasy now lies shattered by hard reality .
Viruses care nothing about politics , sound bites or retweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and obfuscation .
This crisis will only be managed through the honest and disciplined application of empirical scientific evidence .
• Letter : Cruise ship shows yet another cost of unhinged global travel • Letter : My PG & E bill includes three notices for rate hikes • Letter : You want to save animals ?
Buy a hunting license , then … • Letter : Should SFO take greater precautions with arrivals ?
It turns out that facts matter , and reality is unavoidable .
Trump has nothing at all to contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

COVID-19 beyond Trump’s
sole talent: self-promotion
The coronavirus situation, and Donald Trump’s response to it, is laying bare his complete unqualification for office.
Trump, clearly, has no relationship with facts, and is completely inauthentic. His only skill is self-promotion. People have pretended for years that this doesn’t actually matter. They’ve covered for him, dissembled for him and twisted themselves into knots to explain away his obvious lies. But all this elaborate fantasy now lies shattered by hard reality.
Viruses care nothing about politics, sound bites or retweets. They’re untouched by pretense and obfuscation. This crisis will only be managed through the honest and disciplined application of empirical scientific evidence.
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Loren Bauman
Danville
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-03-10--Why won’t Tom Brady be crowned 49ers’ homecoming king?

SANTA CLARA — A week to go until the NFL ’ s free agency bazaar opens , and there has never been a more accomplished player slated to hit the market than Tom Brady .
Will the six-time , Super Bowl-winning quarterback return to the New England Patriots ?
Will he even be in high demand from others when free agency talks open Monday with potential deals first formalized next Wednesday ?
The 49ers do not have an urgent need for his services , not with Jimmy Garoppolo in place after leading them to this past season ’ s Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hysteria of a hypothetical homecoming for Brady .
Perhaps the following will explain why it won ’ t happen : 1 .
Friendship : Before diving deeper into financial and scheme analysis , let ’ s look at the humanitarian aspect .
Brady and Garoppolo are friends , tracing to their 2014-17 time in the Patriots ’ QB room .
They were together at the last Kentucky Derby , and when Brady texted him before the Super Bowl to “ go win , ” it didn ’ t come with the caveat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take your job.
” Tommy wouldn ’ t do Jim like that , even if the 49ers might be cold-blooded enough to dismiss such a bond .
The quarterbacks share an agent , Don Yee .
They also share an affinity for California .
Garoppolo has settled in here , along with his brothers , and he ’ s only getting started on a potential 49ers dynasty .
2 .
Financial investment : The 49ers already forked over $ 60 million the past two years to Garoppolo , a front-loaded investment that initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and then boomed last season ( see : NFC championship ) .
He is living up to their payroll plan and face-of-the-franchise ideal , with blue-collar humility .
Sure , they could escape his deal at a $ 4 million cap hit on top of the aforementioned $ 60-million sunk cost .
Or they could convert his upcoming salary into a bonus as part of an extension .
Or they could stand pat for another year , which seems most likely .
Brady will command at least the $ 24 million Garoppolo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps much more , but for a short-term commitment that would cast the 49ers back into the QB market too soon .
Garoppolo ’ s remaining three years will look quite affordable by comparable QB standards around the league , and perhaps he ’ s a bargain with his career still ascending .
3 .
Shanahan ’ s scheme : It takes QBs a couple years to master Kyle Shanahan ’ s system , including the intricacies of footwork , timing , rhythm , progressions and so much more .
Garoppolo settled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he did so after his left-knee reconstruction .
His ability to sell a bootleg play will look better than Brady ’ s , even if neither is known for mobility .
Garoppolo knows what Shanahan wants , and the rapport factor with Kittle can ’ t be understated , either .
The Shanahan trust factor ?
Look , it ’ s there , even if some will mistake Shanahan ’ s in-game strategies for an anti-Garoppolo agenda .
Quarterbacks don ’ t get carte blanche in this system , not when Shanahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted Garoppolo plenty by calling for a deep pass with the Super Bowl on the line , only to see that third-down bomb sail incomplete .
4 .
Team leadership : Voted a captain by teammates last year , there ’ s no disputing how well liked and respected Garoppolo is inside a locker room that ’ s grown together through hard times .
Returning to form after a devastating knee injury won him more admiration .
Brady obviously will command respect based on his championship pedigree .
He is phenomenal and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just remember that Garoppolo is no ordinary QB , and his ability to lift teammates to a higher level might be his best attribute .
5 .
Brady ’ s options : The 49ers are not Brady ’ s last resort , and they may not even be his ideal destination .
Sure , the San Mateo kid grew up rooting for them , and then they spurned him like every other team until the Patriots took a flier at No .
199 in the draft .
If he doesn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Belichick — then a seventh Super Bowl ring might be most attainable with his buddy Mike Vrabel ’ s Tennessee Titans .
Or maybe as the Dallas Cowboys ’ next star .
Brady might even make the Los Angeles Chargers look capable , though it would be a taller order with fellow Michigan man Stephen Ross ’ Miami Dolphins .
His spot in Raiders ’ lore ?
It ’ s already entrenched , via The Tuck Rule .
The Indianapolis Colts , well , they already employ another good buddy in Jacoby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the time to let speculation steal your eyeballs .
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• Tom Brady on where he ’ ll wind up : ‘ Nobody knows anything ’ • Quarterback among 49ers ’ initial free agent moves — not that one • 49ers players rally around Jimmy Garoppolo : ‘ How can you talk about moving him ?
’ 6 .
49ers testimonials : NFL executives and coaches lie best this time of year .
Deception rules .
The 49ers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , have been strikingly transparent in their three years , and they haven ’ t shown a hint of abandoning Garoppolo .
Not even a Super Bowl collapse ( a team-wide meltdown ) altered their message .
Their most recent endorsement came at last month ’ s NFL combine in Indianapolis , where Lynch reiterated that Garoppolo is “ our guy ” and Shanahan again marveled at how well Garoppolo played in his first full season amid an ACL comeback .
Two-week-old endorsements sure grow stale fast when hounds are hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Shanahan has insisted he wants to keep this roster intact .
Changing quarterbacks is no simple thing when it comes to chemistry and other dynamics .
The 49ers ’ more pressing issues ahead of free agency are taking care of their own with extensions ( Kittle and DeForest Buckner ) , perhaps re-signing or franchise tagging Arik Armstead and angling for a proven veteran on the market who might be a bargain on a championship chase .
To further craft their ideal quarterback , the 49ers must continue to surround Garoppolo with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add another wide receiver , an interior lineman or two , and maybe a tight end to complement Kittle .
Add a quarterback ?
Maybe Brady in five years as a charming , greybeard backup .
8 .
Rumor mill : All this Brady-to-49ers speculation is just that .
No team- nor Brady-related sources have percolated to spur reports .
Instead , we hear of a Boston reporter ’ s “ hunch ” and a former general manager doing a connect-the-dots , homecoming-king angle to drive conjecture .
It ’ s simply not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garoppolo , or that the coach minimizes any quarterback ’ s worth in his system .
He believes in Nick Mullens and C.J .
Beathard but is shrewd enough to know they aren ’ t entirely as capable as Garoppolo .
As for the Shanahan connection to Kirk Cousins , do you really think that crush is as strong after Cousins got crushed by the 49ers in the playoffs ?
Shanahan ’ s 49ers tenure is tied to Garoppolo , for better or worse , and a premature breakup wouldn ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever seeking stability .
9 .
Closing thoughts .
Some reports even say Brady doesn ’ t know his plans .
He let on Monday about “ exciting times ahead , on and off the field !
” That accompanied a tweet announcing his new movie and television company , “ 199 Productions.
” That name comes from being the No .
199 overall draft pick in 2000 .
No , it ’ s not a tip-off about becoming “ One Niner ( pause for dramatic effect ) Niner.
” After 20 seasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to appease Belichick , Brady earned a chance to see if the grass is greener , elsewhere .
For most of those 20 years , the 49ers desperately needed him .
Then the Patriots in October 2017 sent Garoppolo to Shanahan .
Wherever Brady closes his career , it ’ s been a tremendous ride , one he doesn ’ t need to complete in a 49ers uniform .

SANTA CLARA — A week to go until the NFL’s free agency bazaar opens, and there has never been a more accomplished player slated to hit the market than Tom Brady.
Will the six-time, Super Bowl-winning quarterback return to the New England Patriots? Will he even be in high demand from others when free agency talks open Monday with potential deals first formalized next Wednesday?
The 49ers do not have an urgent need for his services, not with Jimmy Garoppolo in place after leading them to this past season’s Super Bowl. That hasn’t stopped the hysteria of a hypothetical homecoming for Brady. Perhaps the following will explain why it won’t happen:
1. Friendship: Before diving deeper into financial and scheme analysis, let’s look at the humanitarian aspect. Brady and Garoppolo are friends, tracing to their 2014-17 time in the Patriots’ QB room.
They were together at the last Kentucky Derby, and when Brady texted him before the Super Bowl to “go win,” it didn’t come with the caveat “win … or I’ll take your job.”
Tommy wouldn’t do Jim like that, even if the 49ers might be cold-blooded enough to dismiss such a bond. The quarterbacks share an agent, Don Yee. They also share an affinity for California. Garoppolo has settled in here, along with his brothers, and he’s only getting started on a potential 49ers dynasty.
2. Financial investment: The 49ers already forked over $60 million the past two years to Garoppolo, a front-loaded investment that initially tanked (see: 2018 knee injury) and then boomed last season (see: NFC championship). He is living up to their payroll plan and face-of-the-franchise ideal, with blue-collar humility.
Sure, they could escape his deal at a $4 million cap hit on top of the aforementioned $60-million sunk cost. Or they could convert his upcoming salary into a bonus as part of an extension. Or they could stand pat for another year, which seems most likely.
Brady will command at least the $24 million Garoppolo is due in salary this year, perhaps much more, but for a short-term commitment that would cast the 49ers back into the QB market too soon. Garoppolo’s remaining three years will look quite affordable by comparable QB standards around the league, and perhaps he’s a bargain with his career still ascending.
3. Shanahan’s scheme: It takes QBs a couple years to master Kyle Shanahan’s system, including the intricacies of footwork, timing, rhythm, progressions and so much more. Garoppolo settled in nicely as last season went along, and he did so after his left-knee reconstruction.
His ability to sell a bootleg play will look better than Brady’s, even if neither is known for mobility. Garoppolo knows what Shanahan wants, and the rapport factor with Kittle can’t be understated, either.
The Shanahan trust factor? Look, it’s there, even if some will mistake Shanahan’s in-game strategies for an anti-Garoppolo agenda. Quarterbacks don’t get carte blanche in this system, not when Shanahan relies on setting up mismatches. He trusted Garoppolo plenty by calling for a deep pass with the Super Bowl on the line, only to see that third-down bomb sail incomplete.
4. Team leadership: Voted a captain by teammates last year, there’s no disputing how well liked and respected Garoppolo is inside a locker room that’s grown together through hard times. Returning to form after a devastating knee injury won him more admiration.
Brady obviously will command respect based on his championship pedigree. He is phenomenal and it’s unjust to disparage him. Just remember that Garoppolo is no ordinary QB, and his ability to lift teammates to a higher level might be his best attribute.
5. Brady’s options: The 49ers are not Brady’s last resort, and they may not even be his ideal destination. Sure, the San Mateo kid grew up rooting for them, and then they spurned him like every other team until the Patriots took a flier at No. 199 in the draft.
If he doesn’t want to return to the Pats — or Bill Belichick — then a seventh Super Bowl ring might be most attainable with his buddy Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans. Or maybe as the Dallas Cowboys’ next star. Brady might even make the Los Angeles Chargers look capable, though it would be a taller order with fellow Michigan man Stephen Ross’ Miami Dolphins.
His spot in Raiders’ lore? It’s already entrenched, via The Tuck Rule. The Indianapolis Colts, well, they already employ another good buddy in Jacoby Brissett. Name any team. This is the time to let speculation steal your eyeballs. Related Articles San Francisco 49ers | 49ers training camp: Talanoa Hufanga’s interception spoils Brock Purdy’s solid day
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6. 49ers testimonials: NFL executives and coaches lie best this time of year. Deception rules. The 49ers’ brass of Shanahan and John Lynch, however, have been strikingly transparent in their three years, and they haven’t shown a hint of abandoning Garoppolo.
Not even a Super Bowl collapse (a team-wide meltdown) altered their message. Their most recent endorsement came at last month’s NFL combine in Indianapolis, where Lynch reiterated that Garoppolo is “our guy” and Shanahan again marveled at how well Garoppolo played in his first full season amid an ACL comeback.
Two-week-old endorsements sure grow stale fast when hounds are hunting for gossip.
7. Supporting cast: Shanahan has insisted he wants to keep this roster intact. Changing quarterbacks is no simple thing when it comes to chemistry and other dynamics. The 49ers’ more pressing issues ahead of free agency are taking care of their own with extensions (Kittle and DeForest Buckner), perhaps re-signing or franchise tagging Arik Armstead and angling for a proven veteran on the market who might be a bargain on a championship chase.
To further craft their ideal quarterback, the 49ers must continue to surround Garoppolo with talent, so look for them to add another wide receiver, an interior lineman or two, and maybe a tight end to complement Kittle. Add a quarterback? Maybe Brady in five years as a charming, greybeard backup.
8. Rumor mill: All this Brady-to-49ers speculation is just that. No team- nor Brady-related sources have percolated to spur reports. Instead, we hear of a Boston reporter’s “hunch” and a former general manager doing a connect-the-dots, homecoming-king angle to drive conjecture.
It’s simply not true that Shanahan hasn’t supported Garoppolo, or that the coach minimizes any quarterback’s worth in his system. He believes in Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard but is shrewd enough to know they aren’t entirely as capable as Garoppolo.
As for the Shanahan connection to Kirk Cousins, do you really think that crush is as strong after Cousins got crushed by the 49ers in the playoffs?
Shanahan’s 49ers tenure is tied to Garoppolo, for better or worse, and a premature breakup wouldn’t just be alarming but unsettling for a franchise forever seeking stability.
9. Closing thoughts. Some reports even say Brady doesn’t know his plans. He let on Monday about “exciting times ahead, on and off the field!” That accompanied a tweet announcing his new movie and television company, “199 Productions.”
That name comes from being the No. 199 overall draft pick in 2000. No, it’s not a tip-off about becoming “One Niner (pause for dramatic effect) Niner.”
After 20 seasons in New England, after two decades of trying to appease Belichick, Brady earned a chance to see if the grass is greener, elsewhere. For most of those 20 years, the 49ers desperately needed him. Then the Patriots in October 2017 sent Garoppolo to Shanahan.
Wherever Brady closes his career, it’s been a tremendous ride, one he doesn’t need to complete in a 49ers uniform.


mercurynews--2020-03-10--Target limits purchases of coronavirus-related items

Target Corp. has joined Kroger Co. in limiting purchases of items like hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in response to widespread stockpiling due to the coronavirus .
Target began restricting customers to six items per person over the weekend , spokeswoman Danielle Schumann said in an email Monday .
Signs posted in stores say the move is “ due to high demand.
” Kroger made a similar move earlier this month , with a limit of five items , and regional grocers across the country have done the same .
The moves aim to curtail a frenzy of buying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aisles of grocers and drugstores , disrupting retail supply chains around the globe .
Costco Wholesale Corp. ’ s Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said the wholesaler is struggling to keep items in stock to meet the demand , which boosted the retailer ’ s February comparable sales by three percentage points .
Even products not related to the virus , like patio furniture , have seen an uptick in sales .
“ It ’ s been a little bit crazy , ” he told analysts last week .
• Letter : Cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global travel • Coachella , Stagecoach reportedly will be postponed due to coronavirus • Pearl Jam postpones first leg of tour over virus concerns Target ’ s response comes just days after Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell cited “ aggressive shopping ” in its stores .
But he said the virus hasn ’ t forced the retailer to alter its full-year outlook .
That may change as analysts become increasingly concerned about the outbreak ’ s impact on U.S. consumer spending , which props up the economy .
“ The most important risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle class is fragile , ” Sanford Bernstein analyst Brandon Fletcher said in a note last month .
“ It collapsed quickly in one month in the 2018 correction and that was just about markets .
Now , we have market risks and health risks at the same time .
If the recession risks were plausible before , they are more real now .
”

By Matthew Boyle, Bloomberg
Target Corp. has joined Kroger Co. in limiting purchases of items like hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in response to widespread stockpiling due to the coronavirus.
Target began restricting customers to six items per person over the weekend, spokeswoman Danielle Schumann said in an email Monday. Signs posted in stores say the move is “due to high demand.” Kroger made a similar move earlier this month, with a limit of five items, and regional grocers across the country have done the same.
The moves aim to curtail a frenzy of buying in recent days that has cleaned out the aisles of grocers and drugstores, disrupting retail supply chains around the globe. Costco Wholesale Corp.’s Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said the wholesaler is struggling to keep items in stock to meet the demand, which boosted the retailer’s February comparable sales by three percentage points. Even products not related to the virus, like patio furniture, have seen an uptick in sales.
“It’s been a little bit crazy,” he told analysts last week.
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“The most important risk we see is that consumer confidence in the middle class is fragile,” Sanford Bernstein analyst Brandon Fletcher said in a note last month. “It collapsed quickly in one month in the 2018 correction and that was just about markets. Now, we have market risks and health risks at the same time. If the recession risks were plausible before, they are more real now.”


mercurynews--2020-03-10--How coronavirus burst California’s tourism bubble

California ’ s tourism bubble has burst , an economic victim of the coronavirus outbreak .
It ’ s hard to chat about commerce when the key issue is the largely unknown scope and impact of a killer virus .
But when financial markets are tanking , as they did again on Monday , and travel is slowing to a crawl , the monetary fallout seems fair game .
Look at what ’ s at stake : A globe ’ s worth of folks come to California for pleasure and work .
The rush created surprising and outsized business opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was hammered by the Great Recession .
Tourism , both statewide and globally , made a quick and strong rebound from the financial debacle of the late 2000s .
Industry insiders and analysts alike certainly didn ’ t see the new consumer fervor for travel “ experiences ” coming .
Also missed by the gurus was a solid revival in business travel , corporate expenditures once perceived as a dinosaur at risk in a modern age of communications .
This stunning tourism turnabout flooded the industry with opportunities that were met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything from new hotels and theme park expansions to a sizable hiring spree .
Folks who were impatient bought their way in , most notably with an acquisition wave that pushed hotel values to record heights .
But tourism had been cooling , not crashing , well before anyone knew of a novel virus quietly stirring in China .
For example , hiring in California leisure and hospitality businesses has been halved in the past two years .
Disneyland ’ s billion-dollar bet on a Star Wars attraction wasn ’ t exactly met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyers have pulled back on property acquisitions .
But today , all of tourism ’ s sizzle is gone .
The U.S. government has basically warned folks to avoid most non-essential travel .
Trade shows , like a massive food conference set for Anaheim last week , have been “ postponed.
” Events , such as a tennis tournament set for the Coachella Valley this week , have been canceled .
Cruises ?
Dead .
And this will become the norm for the foreseeable future .
It adds up to a huge economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than just dollars at the tourism traps .
I ’ m rarely a fan of industry generated “ economic impact ” reports , since the self-defined math often overstates the clout .
Still , the VisitCalifornia trade group ’ s latest study , for 2018 , gives us a glimpse into what kind of dollars are at being lost statewide .
The industry ’ s big number is California ’ s “ total direct travel spending , ” a tally of all the cash tourists spend within the state .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 42 % in eight years .
Tourism looks mostly modest by this math , as California ’ s non-inflation adjusted gross domestic production , a key measure of total business production , rose 50 % in the same period to $ 3 trillion .
But then , look at jobs .
Tourism employed 1.16 million Californians in 2018 when you add up all sorts of work directly linked to tourism .
That was up 32 % in 2010-18 .
Compare that hiring with 20 % job growth in all California industries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tourism added 281,000 jobs in eight years as California employment grew by 2.9 million .
That ’ s almost 10 % of all statewide hires for an industry that employs less than 7 % of all California workers .
And remember tourism ’ s awkward issue : It doesn ’ t pay like a boom business .
The average annualized pay of all California leisure and hospitality workers ( a government employment grouping larger than tourism ) was $ 36,700 at year-end 2018 , roughly half the typical statewide wage .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk doesn ’ t make you gulp enough , economically speaking , here ’ s what VisitCalifornia detailed as “ secondary impacts.
” The re-spending of travel industry cash by businesses and employees — some 795,000 additional Californians .
Nowhere in tourism did the boom change thinking more than in the hotel business as building and buying took off .
Between 2017 and 2019 , California hotel owners added 29,000 new rooms , according to Atlas Hospitality .
In the previous seven years ?
Just 23,000 .
Those who bought , not built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 billion last year , Atlas reported .
Now that ’ s down by one-third , in deals and dollars spent , from the 2014-15 peak .
But 2019 was triple the buying pace of 2010 .
This building and buying binge looks poorly timed today .
The Dow Jones index of hotel-owning real estate trusts shows these stock prices slashed by one-third in the past month .
Alan Reay , Atlas ’ president , says we ’ ll now see which operators had solid business plans that can withstand turmoil and which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , Reay says there are some panic responses going on .
But serious business is being lost .
Reay mentioned that one 300-room Orange County hotel was initially overbooked last week .
When the food expo was postponed , just 16 rooms were paid for .
Reay says many businesses outside of tourism will just be sitting on unexpected inventory during this economic disruption , products they can later sell .
In tourism , “ once the day is over , that business is gone forever , ” he said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus Roughly 60 % of California tourism comes from folks who live either elsewhere in the nation or internationally , according to VisitCalifornia .
So even if consumers or corporations continue to travel locally — and the collapse of global crude oil prices should make gasoline eventually much cheaper — statewide tourism losses will be significant .
And if all this tourism tumult isn ’ t even economic wallop , the industry ’ s tumble won ’ t just hit the industry , its workers and those folks loosely tied to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide tourism-related tax collections for state and local government , as calculated by VisitCalifornia .
Tourism companies , employees and visitors paid everything from income taxes to sales tax to hotel levies totaling $ 11.8 billion in 2018 .
That was up 42 % in eight years

California’s tourism bubble has burst, an economic victim of the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s hard to chat about commerce when the key issue is the largely unknown scope and impact of a killer virus. But when financial markets are tanking, as they did again on Monday, and travel is slowing to a crawl, the monetary fallout seems fair game.
Look at what’s at stake: A globe’s worth of folks come to California for pleasure and work. The rush created surprising and outsized business opportunities in and around tourism, an industry that was hammered by the Great Recession.
Tourism, both statewide and globally, made a quick and strong rebound from the financial debacle of the late 2000s. Industry insiders and analysts alike certainly didn’t see the new consumer fervor for travel “experiences” coming. Also missed by the gurus was a solid revival in business travel, corporate expenditures once perceived as a dinosaur at risk in a modern age of communications.
This stunning tourism turnabout flooded the industry with opportunities that were met with hard cash: Billions were spent on everything from new hotels and theme park expansions to a sizable hiring spree. Folks who were impatient bought their way in, most notably with an acquisition wave that pushed hotel values to record heights.
But tourism had been cooling, not crashing, well before anyone knew of a novel virus quietly stirring in China. For example, hiring in California leisure and hospitality businesses has been halved in the past two years. Disneyland’s billion-dollar bet on a Star Wars attraction wasn’t exactly met with a rabid response. And hotel buyers have pulled back on property acquisitions.
But today, all of tourism’s sizzle is gone. The U.S. government has basically warned folks to avoid most non-essential travel.
Trade shows, like a massive food conference set for Anaheim last week, have been “postponed.” Events, such as a tennis tournament set for the Coachella Valley this week, have been canceled. Cruises? Dead.
And this will become the norm for the foreseeable future.
Big bucks
It adds up to a huge economic blow as the travel business has become more than just dollars at the tourism traps.
I’m rarely a fan of industry generated “economic impact” reports, since the self-defined math often overstates the clout. Still, the VisitCalifornia trade group’s latest study, for 2018, gives us a glimpse into what kind of dollars are at being lost statewide.
The industry’s big number is California’s “total direct travel spending,” a tally of all the cash tourists spend within the state. In 2018, it was $140.6 billion, up 42% in eight years.
Tourism looks mostly modest by this math, as California’s non-inflation adjusted gross domestic production, a key measure of total business production, rose 50% in the same period to $3 trillion.
But then, look at jobs. Tourism employed 1.16 million Californians in 2018 when you add up all sorts of work directly linked to tourism. That was up 32% in 2010-18. Compare that hiring with 20% job growth in all California industries.
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Ponder this job boom this way: Tourism added 281,000 jobs in eight years as California employment grew by 2.9 million. That’s almost 10% of all statewide hires for an industry that employs less than 7% of all California workers.
And remember tourism’s awkward issue: It doesn’t pay like a boom business. The average annualized pay of all California leisure and hospitality workers (a government employment grouping larger than tourism) was $36,700 at year-end 2018, roughly half the typical statewide wage.
Now, if that amount of tourism spending at risk doesn’t make you gulp enough, economically speaking, here’s what VisitCalifornia detailed as “secondary impacts.” The re-spending of travel industry cash by businesses and employees — employs some 795,000 additional Californians.
Hotel hotness
Nowhere in tourism did the boom change thinking more than in the hotel business as building and buying took off.
Between 2017 and 2019, California hotel owners added 29,000 new rooms, according to Atlas Hospitality. In the previous seven years? Just 23,000.
Those who bought, not built, acquired 297 California hotels worth $6 billion last year, Atlas reported. Now that’s down by one-third, in deals and dollars spent, from the 2014-15 peak. But 2019 was triple the buying pace of 2010.
This building and buying binge looks poorly timed today. The Dow Jones index of hotel-owning real estate trusts shows these stock prices slashed by one-third in the past month.
Alan Reay, Atlas’ president, says we’ll now see which operators had solid business plans that can withstand turmoil and which ones had no room for error. Yes, Reay says there are some panic responses going on. But serious business is being lost.
Reay mentioned that one 300-room Orange County hotel was initially overbooked last week. When the food expo was postponed, just 16 rooms were paid for.
Reay says many businesses outside of tourism will just be sitting on unexpected inventory during this economic disruption, products they can later sell. In tourism, “once the day is over, that business is gone forever,” he said.
Taxing proposition
Roughly 60% of California tourism comes from folks who live either elsewhere in the nation or internationally, according to VisitCalifornia. So even if consumers or corporations continue to travel locally — and the collapse of global crude oil prices should make gasoline eventually much cheaper — statewide tourism losses will be significant.
And if all this tourism tumult isn’t even economic wallop, the industry’s tumble won’t just hit the industry, its workers and those folks loosely tied to it.


mercurynews--2020-03-10--Letter: Cruise ship shows yet another cost of unhinged global travel

As the Princess cruise ship recently sat off our coast , it ’ s again time to think about the wasteful practises of unhinged consumerism associated with the glut of travel .
I read an article in GreenBiz.com that said , “ From an economic-environmental perspective , tourism bears a very high environmental cost to destinations .
A dollar of tourism earnings produces a carbon footprint that is 25 % higher than emissions produced through $ 1 of earnings across all other sectors.
” • Letter : My PG & E bill includes three notices for rate hikes • Letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buy a hunting license , then … • Letter : Should SFO take greater precautions with arrivals ?
• Letter : If these Oakland leaders back this rent strike , it ’ s a disgrace This virus forces us to think about travel and its by-products .
The travel industry feeds the myth that you can realize your dreams by exploring the world .
Let this very unfortunate pandemic force us to stare down the face of international corporatized tourism and its environmental footprint .
Submit your letter to the editor via this @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Cruise ship’s plight a new
cost of unhinged travel
As the Princess cruise ship recently sat off our coast, it’s again time to think about the wasteful practises of unhinged consumerism associated with the glut of travel.
I read an article in GreenBiz.com that said, “From an economic-environmental perspective, tourism bears a very high environmental cost to destinations. A dollar of tourism earnings produces a carbon footprint that is 25% higher than emissions produced through $1 of earnings across all other sectors.”
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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 This virus forces us to think about travel and its by-products. The travel industry feeds the myth that you can realize your dreams by exploring the world. Let this very unfortunate pandemic force us to stare down the face of international corporatized tourism and its environmental footprint.
Rita Norton
Los Gatos
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-03-10--Horoscopes March 10, 2020: Olivia Wilde, put more oomph into whatever you decide to do this year.

Happy Birthday : Put more oomph into whatever you decide to do this year , and you ’ ll attract positive attention .
Reaching out to help others will put you in a power position that will turn you into the go-to person .
The more control you have , the easier it will be to get things done and to reach your goal .
Partnerships will change your life and encourage greater intimacy .
Your numbers are 4 , 15 , 19 , 27 , 32 , 35 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up in a compromising position .
Use what unfolds to your advantage .
Keep your personal life and endeavors secret for the time being .
Be observant and ready to make your move .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Someone from your past will offer you a noteworthy prospect .
A favor you provided will lead to rewards .
Make a budget-friendly personal adjustment , and you will free up time and money and ease stress .
A partnership looks promising .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t give anyone a chance to talk you into something you don ’ t want to do .
Use your intelligence to outsmart anyone who tampers with your plans .
Learn from the experience , and don ’ t promise or take on the impossible .
5 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Make every move count .
Head in a direction that fulfills your needs .
Don ’ t give in to someone using emotional tactics to confuse you .
Use your imagination to solve any dilemma you face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and do what ’ s best for you .
2 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : A trip will be useful for you .
Whether it ’ s a physical , emotional or mental journey , the outcome should grant you clarity and understanding of what ’ s possible .
Make time for someone special , and it will enhance your relationship .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Check out what friends , peers and relatives choose to do with their time .
The conversations you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibilities .
Refrain from making a donation that isn ’ t budget-friendly .
Invest in your life , not someone else ’ s .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Be upfront about your intentions .
Don ’ t compensate for a shortcoming you think you have by offering a false impression .
Truth matters and will instill trust and respect in those you deal with today .
You ’ ll discover a skill you didn ’ t know you have .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take on someone ’ s responsibility or debt .
A domestic change will help you overcome the dilemma you face .
A personal change will help you recognize what it is you want out of life .
Romance is favored .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Pay attention .
Someone will play games with you , using unfair tactics that will leave you questioning your feelings as well as your plans .
Keep your life and your ideas simple , moderate and within your means .
Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Money and emotions won ’ t mix well today .
Keep your wallet , possessions and passwords tucked away in a safe place .
Make a personal change that will lift your spirits .
Put your needs first , and do what ’ s best for you .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Collect or pay off a debt .
Handle a pending settlement with direct communication .
Someone will offer you sound advice regarding a relationship that is going through uncertain times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air .
5 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Share your thoughts , and you ’ ll interest people who have something to contribute to your plans .
Participate in an event or activity that gives you the chance to show off your skills .
A personal change will lead to positive results .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are informative , friendly and willful .
You are creative and strategic .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Olivia Wilde, 36; Carrie Underwood, 37; Jon Hamm, 49; Sharon Stone, 62.
Happy Birthday: Put more oomph into whatever you decide to do this year, and you’ll attract positive attention. Reaching out to help others will put you in a power position that will turn you into the go-to person. The more control you have, the easier it will be to get things done and to reach your goal. Partnerships will change your life and encourage greater intimacy. Your numbers are 4, 15, 19, 27, 32, 35, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t overreact, or you will end up in a compromising position. Use what unfolds to your advantage. Keep your personal life and endeavors secret for the time being. Be observant and ready to make your move. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Someone from your past will offer you a noteworthy prospect. A favor you provided will lead to rewards. Make a budget-friendly personal adjustment, and you will free up time and money and ease stress. A partnership looks promising. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Speak up. Don’t give anyone a chance to talk you into something you don’t want to do. Use your intelligence to outsmart anyone who tampers with your plans. Learn from the experience, and don’t promise or take on the impossible. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make every move count. Head in a direction that fulfills your needs. Don’t give in to someone using emotional tactics to confuse you. Use your imagination to solve any dilemma you face. Stop trying to please everyone else, and do what’s best for you. 2 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A trip will be useful for you. Whether it’s a physical, emotional or mental journey, the outcome should grant you clarity and understanding of what’s possible. Make time for someone special, and it will enhance your relationship. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Check out what friends, peers and relatives choose to do with their time. The conversations you have will lead to professional and personal possibilities. Refrain from making a donation that isn’t budget-friendly. Invest in your life, not someone else’s. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be upfront about your intentions. Don’t compensate for a shortcoming you think you have by offering a false impression. Truth matters and will instill trust and respect in those you deal with today. You’ll discover a skill you didn’t know you have. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stick to your budget. Don’t take on someone’s responsibility or debt. A domestic change will help you overcome the dilemma you face. A personal change will help you recognize what it is you want out of life. Romance is favored. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention. Someone will play games with you, using unfair tactics that will leave you questioning your feelings as well as your plans. Keep your life and your ideas simple, moderate and within your means. Think before you act. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Money and emotions won’t mix well today. Keep your wallet, possessions and passwords tucked away in a safe place. Make a personal change that will lift your spirits. Put your needs first, and do what’s best for you. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Collect or pay off a debt. Handle a pending settlement with direct communication. Someone will offer you sound advice regarding a relationship that is going through uncertain times. Use your voice to clear the air. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Share your thoughts, and you’ll interest people who have something to contribute to your plans. Participate in an event or activity that gives you the chance to show off your skills. A personal change will lead to positive results. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are informative, friendly and willful. You are creative and strategic.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-03-10--Word Game: March 10, 2020

Word Game: March 10, 2020

Can you find 23 or more words in APPAREL ?
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 — APPAREL (APPAREL: uh-PAR-ul: Clothing.)
Average mark 18 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 23 or more words in APPAREL? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — SYRINGE sign signer sine sing singe singer
sire siren reign rein resign resin ring rinse rise risen grey grin gyre egis
Eying
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--2020-03-10--Bridge: March 10, 2020

Bridge: March 10, 2020

Unlucky Louie has a cousin who works as an exotic dancer .
“ People in her profession typically have little or no coverage , ” Louie said blandly .
As much ill fortune as Louie meets , you would think he might play safe to cater to bad breaks .
When he was declarer at today ’ s four hearts , West led a spade , and East took the ace and returned a spade .
West won and led a diamond .
( A third spade might have been best . )
Louie took the ace and cashed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Louie tried the K-A of clubs .
He would have made an overtrick if the queen fell , but when West ruffed and led a diamond , Louie was sunk .
He went down two .
Louie can take out insurance against a bad club break .
After he takes the king , he leads the jack .
East wins and leads a high diamond , and Louie ruffs and leads good clubs .
When West ruffs , Louie can overruff in dummy , draw West ’ s last trump with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold : S A 9 5 4 H 8 D K Q 10 3 C Q 8 7 2 .
Your partner opens one heart , you respond one spade , he rebids two hearts and you try 2NT .
Partner then bids three diamonds .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Partner ’ s auction suggests six hearts , four diamonds and minimum opening values .
If he had more strength , his second bid would have been three hearts or two diamonds .
Since you have excellent diamond support and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diamonds .

Unlucky Louie has a cousin who works as an exotic dancer.
“Does she have benefits?” I asked. “Health insurance?”
“People in her profession typically have little or no coverage,” Louie said blandly.
As much ill fortune as Louie meets, you would think he might play safe to cater to bad breaks. When he was declarer at today’s four hearts, West led a spade, and East took the ace and returned a spade. West won and led a diamond. (A third spade might have been best.) Louie took the ace and cashed the A-K of trumps.
OVERTRICK
When East discarded, Louie tried the K-A of clubs. He would have made an overtrick if the queen fell, but when West ruffed and led a diamond, Louie was sunk. He went down two.
Louie can take out insurance against a bad club break. After he takes the king, he leads the jack. East wins and leads a high diamond, and Louie ruffs and leads good clubs. When West ruffs, Louie can overruff in dummy, draw West’s last trump with the jack and finish the clubs.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 9 5 4 H 8 D K Q 10 3 C Q 8 7 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade, he rebids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s auction suggests six hearts, four diamonds and minimum opening values. If he had more strength, his second bid would have been three hearts or two diamonds. Since you have excellent diamond support and a side ace, raise to four diamonds.
South dealer
E-W vulnerable
NORTH
S J 3
H Q 6 5 2
D A 7 6 5 2
C 5 3
WEST
S K 10 8 6 2
H 10 9 7 3
D J 8 4
C 6
EAST
S A 9 5 4
H 8
D K Q 10 3
C Q 8 7 2
SOUTH
S Q 7
H A K J 4
D 9
C A K J 10 9 4
South West North East
1 C Pass 1 D Pass
1 H Pass 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S 6
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