mercurynews--2020-07-04--The Latest: Noose found at Johns Hopkins construction site

The Latest on protests over racial inequality : BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins University is investigating the discovery of a rope tied into a noose at a construction site in a building it owns off its Baltimore campus .
Johns Hopkins officials also notified federal authorities about what the university calls a potential hate crime , the Baltimore Sun reports .
“ Johns Hopkins University condemns this act of hate , ” President Ronald J. Daniels said in a message emailed to university community Friday .
“ We find such racist imagery horrifying and repugnant and a direct threat to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore , standing in stark opposition to the values of equity , justice , and humanity to which we are firmly committed.
” Representatives of general contractor Plano-Coudon told university officials Thursday that a noose had been found at a site in Baltimore where the firm is renovating a laboratory that is part of the university ’ s Whiting School of Engineering .
The university ’ s Office of Institutional Equity is investigating in coordination with the general contractor , Johns Hopkins spokeswoman Karen Lancaster said .
Lancaster said the company “ has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Ennis , the university ’ s senior vice president for administration and finance , said the school has shut down the construction site .
“ We take this matter extremely seriously , ” he said .
“ Acts like this have no place in our society.
” PHOENIX — Phoenix officials are set to begin the process of changing the names of two streets — one seen as demeaning to indigenous Native American women and the other glorifying the Confederacy .
The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously this week to rename Squaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a letter to the city manager last month , Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Thelda Williams wrote that squaw is a “ demeaning and degrading word.
” Meanwhile , Lee represents historical institutions of racism and slavery .
Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city should cover fees for residents impacted by the change .
RICHMOND , Va. — Virginia officials ordered the removal of a large American flag from a construction site ahead of the Fourth of July , calling it a potential target for people protesting racial injustice and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state Department of General Services , said officials asked a contractor to take down the flag from a new office building for state lawmakers under construction in Richmond .
She said in an email that buildings have been vandalized and flags , dumpsters and a bus have been set on fire during demonstrations in recent weeks .
Potter said the state doesn ’ t object to a standard-sized flag that ’ s still flying on a crane at the site .
But she said the larger one would have been easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision angered a subcontractor whose fireproofing company used tarps to make the flag .
“ Since when is this flag , on this weekend , IN THIS COUNTRY , a Target !
!
” Eric Winston of American Coatings Corp. wrote in a Facebook post , according to the newspaper .
“ Let me guess , if I had a black lives matter flag it would be ‘ ok ’ !
?
” AUSTIN , Texas — A conservative power broker told Texas ’ governor to have National Guard troops “ shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against racial injustice and police brutality .
The Texas Tribune reports that Steve Hotze left that message in a voicemail to Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s chief of staff on the weekend of June 6 .
Hotze acknowledged the comment in a Facebook post Saturday , writing “ it ’ s not about race.
” Abbott ’ s office declined to comment to the Tribune and did not immediately respond to a public records request for the voicemail .
GRAHAM , N.C. — Civil rights groups have sued to block a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that requires permits for protests .
The Herald-Sun reports that a federal judge scheduled a hearing Monday on a request for a temporary restraining order against city officials in Graham , the county seat of Alamance County .
The lawsuit argues that the ordinance unconstitutionally requires protesters to have a permit to march while carrying a sign .
It also says the ordinance illegally restricts the size and conduct of permitted protests .
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alamance County branch and eight people .
A Confederate monument in front of the Alamance County Historic Courthouse has been the target of protests for years .
Calls to bring down the century-old soldier statue have intensified since George Floyd ’ s May 25 death in Minneapolis .
SEATTLE — Authorities say a 27-year-old man suspected of driving onto a closed freeway in Seattle early Saturday and barreling into a crowd of protesters has been arrested and booked on two counts of vehicular assault .
Two women were critically injured .
Washington State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelete of Seattle was being held without bail at the King County Correctional Facility .
It was not immediately clear if Kelete had an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
Officials were trying to determine the motive as well as point of entry onto the interstate .
Mead said protesters had shut down the interstate for 19 consecutive days and the State Patrol responded by closing sections of the interstate to keep drivers and protesters safe .
Mead said Kelete was suspected of having driven the wrong way on a ramp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a targeted attack , but impairment was not considered a factor .
LOTHIAN , Md .
— A privately owned Confederate statue at a Maryland church has been toppled and vandalized , according to police .
The Capital Gazette reports that photos provided by Anne Arundel County police show that the statue at Mt .
Calvary Anglican Church in Lothian was ripped off its concrete platform .
The word “ racist ” was written in red spray paint on the platform and descriptive plaque for the statue of Private Benjamin Welch Owens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artillery unit during the Civil War .
Police said the statue was last seen undamaged late Thursday .
No suspects were immediately identified .
RICHMOND , Va. — Former Virginia Gov .
L. Douglas Wilder is accusing the state ’ s library agency of racism for its slow pace in processing and publicly presenting records from his tenure as the nation ’ s first elected Black governor .
Wilder , 89 , told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Friday he doesn ’ t understand why the Library of Virginia has been processing papers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his .
State Librarian Sandra Gioia Treadway acknowledged that the processing of Wilder ’ s records had “ fallen off the radar , ” a lapse that she attributed to budget cuts and turnover in key positions , including the state archivist .
“ This is devastating for me , but we are addressing it , ” Treadway said .
Wilder , a grandson of slaves , served as Virginia ’ s governor from 1990 to 1994 .
All of Wilder ’ s successors in the governor ’ s office have been white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the collections of former Govs .
George Allen , Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner .
Former Gov .
Tim Kaine ’ s remains a work in progress .
SEATTLE — Authorities say a 27-year-old man drove a white Jaguar onto a closed freeway in Seattle early Saturday and barreled through a panicked crowd of protesters , injuring two women .
The driver was in custody , Washington State Patrol Capt .
Ron Mead said .
Charges had not been filed as of Saturday morning .
Officials were trying to determine the motive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interstate .
Video taken at the scene by protesters showed people shouting “ Car !
Car !
” before fleeing the roadway .
Summer Taylor , 24 , of Seattle and Diaz Love , 32 , of Bellingham were in critical condition with multiple injuries , according to Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg .
Seattle has been the site of prolonged unrest following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , which sparked nationwide protests .

The Latest on protests over racial inequality:
BALTIMORE — Baltimore protesters have pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and thrown it into the city’s Inner Harbor.
News outlets reported that demonstrators used ropes to topple the monument in the Little Italy neighborhood on Saturday night.
Protesters mobilized by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police have called for the removal of statues of Columbus, Confederate figures and others. They say the Italian explorer is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas.
According to The Baltimore Sun, the statue was dedicated in 1984 and is owned by the city.
Statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in cities such as Miami; Richmond, Virginia; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Boston, where one was decapitated.
___
BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins University is investigating the discovery of a rope tied into a noose at a construction site in a building it owns off its Baltimore campus.
Johns Hopkins officials also notified federal authorities about what the university calls a potential hate crime, the Baltimore Sun reports.
“Johns Hopkins University condemns this act of hate,” President Ronald J. Daniels said in a message emailed to university community Friday. “We find such racist imagery horrifying and repugnant and a direct threat to the Black community at Johns Hopkins and in Baltimore, standing in stark opposition to the values of equity, justice, and humanity to which we are firmly committed.”
Representatives of general contractor Plano-Coudon told university officials Thursday that a noose had been found at a site in Baltimore where the firm is renovating a laboratory that is part of the university’s Whiting School of Engineering.
The university’s Office of Institutional Equity is investigating in coordination with the general contractor, Johns Hopkins spokeswoman Karen Lancaster said. Lancaster said the company “has offered its full cooperation and support.”
Daniel Ennis, the university’s senior vice president for administration and finance, said the school has shut down the construction site.
“We take this matter extremely seriously,” he said. “Acts like this have no place in our society.”
___
PHOENIX — Phoenix officials are set to begin the process of changing the names of two streets — one seen as demeaning to indigenous Native American women and the other glorifying the Confederacy.
The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously this week to rename Squaw Peak Drive and Robert E. Lee Street. In a letter to the city manager last month, Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Thelda Williams wrote that squaw is a “demeaning and degrading word.”
Meanwhile, Lee represents historical institutions of racism and slavery. Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city should cover fees for residents impacted by the change.
___
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia officials ordered the removal of a large American flag from a construction site ahead of the Fourth of July, calling it a potential target for people protesting racial injustice and police brutality.
Dena Potter, spokeswoman for the state Department of General Services, said officials asked a contractor to take down the flag from a new office building for state lawmakers under construction in Richmond. She said in an email that buildings have been vandalized and flags, dumpsters and a bus have been set on fire during demonstrations in recent weeks.
Potter said the state doesn’t object to a standard-sized flag that’s still flying on a crane at the site. But she said the larger one would have been easier to reach.
The Washington Post reports that the decision angered a subcontractor whose fireproofing company used tarps to make the flag.
“Since when is this flag, on this weekend, IN THIS COUNTRY, a Target!!” Eric Winston of American Coatings Corp. wrote in a Facebook post, according to the newspaper. “Let me guess, if I had a black lives matter flag it would be ‘ok’!?”
___
AUSTIN, Texas — A conservative power broker told Texas’ governor to have National Guard troops “shoot to kill” amid protests last month against racial injustice and police brutality.
The Texas Tribune reports that Steve Hotze left that message in a voicemail to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s chief of staff on the weekend of June 6.
Hotze acknowledged the comment in a Facebook post Saturday, writing “it’s not about race.”
Republican Sen. John Cornyn called the voicemail “absolutely disgusting and reprehensible.”
Abbott’s office declined to comment to the Tribune and did not immediately respond to a public records request for the voicemail.
___
GRAHAM, N.C. — Civil rights groups have sued to block a North Carolina city from enforcing an ordinance that requires permits for protests.
The Herald-Sun reports that a federal judge scheduled a hearing Monday on a request for a temporary restraining order against city officials in Graham, the county seat of Alamance County.
The lawsuit argues that the ordinance unconstitutionally requires protesters to have a permit to march while carrying a sign. It also says the ordinance illegally restricts the size and conduct of permitted protests.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed the lawsuit on behalf of the NAACP’s Alamance County branch and eight people.
A Confederate monument in front of the Alamance County Historic Courthouse has been the target of protests for years. Calls to bring down the century-old soldier statue have intensified since George Floyd’s May 25 death in Minneapolis.
___
SEATTLE — Authorities say a 27-year-old man suspected of driving onto a closed freeway in Seattle early Saturday and barreling into a crowd of protesters has been arrested and booked on two counts of vehicular assault.
Two women were critically injured. Washington State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead said Dawit Kelete of Seattle was being held without bail at the King County Correctional Facility.
It was not immediately clear if Kelete had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Officials were trying to determine the motive as well as point of entry onto the interstate.
Mead said protesters had shut down the interstate for 19 consecutive days and the State Patrol responded by closing sections of the interstate to keep drivers and protesters safe.
Mead said Kelete was suspected of having driven the wrong way on a ramp. Troopers did not know whether it was a targeted attack, but impairment was not considered a factor.
___
LOTHIAN, Md. — A privately owned Confederate statue at a Maryland church has been toppled and vandalized, according to police.
The Capital Gazette reports that photos provided by Anne Arundel County police show that the statue at Mt. Calvary Anglican Church in Lothian was ripped off its concrete platform.
The word “racist” was written in red spray paint on the platform and descriptive plaque for the statue of Private Benjamin Welch Owens, who served in a Confederate Maryland artillery unit during the Civil War.
Police said the statue was last seen undamaged late Thursday. No suspects were immediately identified.
___
RICHMOND, Va. — Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is accusing the state’s library agency of racism for its slow pace in processing and publicly presenting records from his tenure as the nation’s first elected Black governor.
Wilder, 89, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Friday he doesn’t understand why the Library of Virginia has been processing papers from his gubernatorial successors before finishing work on his.
“Why isn’t it racism?” Wilder asked.
State Librarian Sandra Gioia Treadway acknowledged that the processing of Wilder’s records had “fallen off the radar,” a lapse that she attributed to budget cuts and turnover in key positions, including the state archivist.
“This is devastating for me, but we are addressing it,” Treadway said.
Wilder, a grandson of slaves, served as Virginia’s governor from 1990 to 1994. All of Wilder’s successors in the governor’s office have been white.
The library agency has finished work on the collections of former Govs. George Allen, Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner. Former Gov. Tim Kaine’s remains a work in progress.
___
SEATTLE — Authorities say a 27-year-old man drove a white Jaguar onto a closed freeway in Seattle early Saturday and barreled through a panicked crowd of protesters, injuring two women.
The driver was in custody, Washington State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead said. Charges had not been filed as of Saturday morning.
Officials were trying to determine the motive as well as point of entry onto the interstate.
Video taken at the scene by protesters showed people shouting “Car! Car!” before fleeing the roadway.
Summer Taylor, 24, of Seattle and Diaz Love, 32, of Bellingham were in critical condition with multiple injuries, according to Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg.
Seattle has been the site of prolonged unrest following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which sparked nationwide protests.


mercurynews--2020-07-04--Frederick Douglass’ descendants recite his famous speech about July 4th

For the Fourth of July , Frederick Douglass ‘ descendants read excerpts of his famous speech , “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ?
” Douglass , an abolitionist who fought for social reform in the 1800s , delivered the speech on July 5 , 1852 at an Independence Day celebration , pointing out the hypocrisy in the holiday and in the Founding Fathers ’ ideals .
On Saturday , five of Douglass ’ descendants — Douglass Washington Morris II , 20 , Isidore Dharma Douglass Skinner , 15 , Zoë Douglass Skinner , 12 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose Watson , 17 — recited the speech in a short film for NPR .
“ The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms , ” NPR stated in the description of the film .
“ In this short film , five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech , “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ?
” which asks all of us to consider America ’ s long history of denying equal rights to Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says : “ The rich inheritance of justice , liberty , prosperity and independence , bequeathed by your fathers , is shared by you , not by me .
The sunlight that brought life and healing to you , has brought stripes and death to me .
This Fourth [ of ] July is yours , not mine .
You may rejoice , I must mourn.
” That section is also read in the 7-minute video by NPR .
It continues , both by Douglass in 1852 and by his descendants in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American slave , is your Fourth of July ?
I answer : a day that reveals to him , more than all other days in the year , the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim .
To him , your celebration is a sham ; your boasted liberty , an unholy license ; your national greatness , swelling vanity ; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless ; your denunciations of tyrants , brass fronted impudence ; your shouts of liberty and equality , hollow mockery ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thanksgivings , with all your religious parade , and solemnity , are , to him , mere bombast , fraud , deception , impiety , and hypocrisy.
” After reciting excerpts , his descendants responded to what they ’ d read .
“ This speech was written almost 170 years ago , but this part of it is still extremely relevant , especially with today ’ s protests , ” said Douglass Washington Morris II .
“ While the Fourth of July probably does not feel the same to me as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say that it has no meaning because it is the time when America as a country became free from another country , ” said Alexa Anne Watson .
“ But I would say it ’ s not the time in which I gained my freedom.
” Isidore Dharma Douglass Skinner closes out the video on an optimistic note , saying : “ I think in many ways we are still slaves to the notion that it will never get better , but I think that there is hope and I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black joy and Black life and we remember that change is possible , change is probable and that there ’ s hope .
”

For the Fourth of July, Frederick Douglass‘ descendants read excerpts of his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
Douglass, an abolitionist who fought for social reform in the 1800s, delivered the speech on July 5, 1852 at an Independence Day celebration, pointing out the hypocrisy in the holiday and in the Founding Fathers’ ideals.
On Saturday, five of Douglass’ descendants — Douglass Washington Morris II, 20, Isidore Dharma Douglass Skinner, 15, Zoë Douglass Skinner, 12, Alexa Anne Watson, 19 and Haley Rose Watson, 17 — recited the speech in a short film for NPR.
“The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms,” NPR stated in the description of the film. “In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” which asks all of us to consider America’s long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.”
In his speech, Douglass says: “The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.”
That section is also read in the 7-minute video by NPR.
It continues, both by Douglass in 1852 and by his descendants in the video, “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy.”
After reciting excerpts, his descendants responded to what they’d read.
“This speech was written almost 170 years ago, but this part of it is still extremely relevant, especially with today’s protests,” said Douglass Washington Morris II.
“While the Fourth of July probably does not feel the same to me as it does to others, I wouldn’t say that it has no meaning because it is the time when America as a country became free from another country,” said Alexa Anne Watson. “But I would say it’s not the time in which I gained my freedom.”
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Biotech firm settles with family over cells for research News | Opinion: Reparations to Black Californians is now up to Newsom Isidore Dharma Douglass Skinner closes out the video on an optimistic note, saying: “I think in many ways we are still slaves to the notion that it will never get better, but I think that there is hope and I think that it’s important that we celebrate Black joy and Black life and we remember that change is possible, change is probable and that there’s hope.”
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mercurynews--2020-07-04--Wildfire burns 100 acres in hills of Sunol

Fire crews stopped the forward progress Saturday of vegetation that broke out in the hills of Sunol , fire officials @ @ @ @ @ 100 acres and was 30 % contained by 3:25 p.m. , according to an update @ @ @ @ @ Forestry and Fire .
Just before 4 p.m. , the agency reported that it had @ @ @ @ @ The fire was off of Sheridan Road and brought out crews from Cal Fire , @ @ @ @ @ the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department .
Planes also responded and dropped retardant on the area , @ @ @ @ @ The blaze started around 2 p.m. Fire officials did not report that any homes or @ @ @ @ @ will work to determine what caused the blaze .

Fire crews stopped the forward progress Saturday of vegetation that broke out in the hills of Sunol, fire officials said.
The blaze burned 100 acres and was 30% contained by 3:25 p.m., according to an update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire. Just before 4 p.m., the agency reported that it had stopped the forward progress.
#Sherdianfire [update] Sheridan Rd, Sunol (Alameda County) AA460
reporting the forward progress of the fire has been stopped. pic.twitter.com/5lm6D5phpa — CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 4, 2020
The fire was off of Sheridan Road and brought out crews from Cal Fire, Alameda County Fire, and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department.
Planes also responded and dropped retardant on the area, according to fire officials. The blaze started around 2 p.m.
Fire officials did not report that any homes or businesses were threatened.
Investigators will work to determine what caused the blaze.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-07-05--McManus: Trump’s has squandered advantage on foreign policy issues

When President Donald Trump launched his re-election campaign , he hoped to run , in part , on a record of foreign policy success .
He told voters he was making progress toward a big trade deal with China : “ The biggest deal ever , ” he promised .
He was holding peace talks with North Korea aimed at dismantling Kim Jong Un ’ s nuclear arsenal and ending a 70-year-old conflict .
He even held out hope for a new nuclear deal with Iran — one he said would be better than the pact his predecessor , Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our country is respected again , ” the president boasted in February .
“ We were not a respected nation.
” That seems a long time ago now .
Trump ’ s diplomatic successes , which were rarely as momentous as he claimed , have mostly evaporated .
Foreign policy has become a source of trouble for his re-election campaign instead of a strength .
The president ’ s personal summitry with Kim Jong Un has deadlocked ; the North Korean leader is testing missiles and manufacturing nuclear warheads again .
His trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more than a short-term deal to sell U.S. agricultural products , not the big structural change his China hawks yearned for .
The president ’ s harsh economic sanctions have succeeded in punishing Iran ’ s economy , but have produced no progress toward a deal to tighten limits on Tehran ’ s military .
As for respect , Trump ’ s chaotic response to the coronavirus has made the United States a global example of how not to fight a pandemic .
This week the European Union announced that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” countries including Canada , Japan , South Korea and Rwanda — but not the United States .
Even worse for a president whose go-to adjective is “ strong , ” embittered ex-aides and in-house leakers keep suggesting that when Trump gets into negotiations with autocratic chiefs of state , he ’ s not a tough guy after all .
His former national security advisor John Bolton denounced the president for pursuing cozy deals with his favorite autocrats , China ’ s Xi Jinping , Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin and Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ no coherent basis , no strategy , ” Bolton complained after writing his tell-all book .
“ There really isn ’ t any guiding principle that I was able to discern other than what ’ s good for Donald Trump ’ s re-election.
” This week , reports emerged that one of Putin ’ s intelligence agencies offered bounties to Afghanistan ’ s Taliban for killing American troops .
The reports reached the desk of Trump ’ s current national security advisor , Robert C. O ’ Brien , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the controversy turns out , it bolsters the picture of a foreign policy team in disarray .
And voters , who rarely pay close attention to foreign policy even without the distraction of a pandemic , appear to have noticed .
A Gallup poll in mid-June found that public approval of Trump ’ s job performance on foreign policy has sagged to 41 % , significantly lower than the 47 % who approved of his handling of the nation ’ s economy .
Democrats and their presumptive presidential nominee , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these issues , too .
Last week , the Democratic National Committee launched a 30-second television commercial in swing states deriding Trump ’ s performance on trade .
“ Trump said he ’ d get tough on China , ” a narrator intones .
“ He didn ’ t get tough .
He got played.
” The Trump campaign has fired back with a commercial calling Biden “ China ’ s puppet ” and reviving charges that his son , Hunter Biden , was paid suspiciously large sums by a Chinese firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race has come to a debate on international affairs — a barroom brawl over who is softer on China .
“ A presidential campaign is a bad place to look for a serious discussion of foreign policy , ” observed Richard N. Haass , president of the Council on Foreign Relations .
China policy won ’ t be the deciding issue in November ’ s presidential election — far from it .
Voters rank other problems higher on their priority lists , beginning with the pandemic , race relations and the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nuances of foreign affairs ; there ’ s nary a nuance in sight .
It ’ s a slanging match about competence , toughness and strength .
Historically , Republicans have had an advantage among voters on national security issues ; they ’ re traditionally the party of military strength and diplomatic toughness .
Trump appears to have squandered that advantage .
We may be seeing a historical anomaly : a campaign in which voters give the Democratic candidate the benefit of the doubt on toughness in foreign policy .

When President Donald Trump launched his re-election campaign, he hoped to run, in part, on a record of foreign policy success.
He told voters he was making progress toward a big trade deal with China: “The biggest deal ever,” he promised.
He was holding peace talks with North Korea aimed at dismantling Kim Jong Un’s nuclear arsenal and ending a 70-year-old conflict.
He even held out hope for a new nuclear deal with Iran — one he said would be better than the pact his predecessor, Barack Obama, signed in 2015.
“Our country is respected again,” the president boasted in February. “We were not a respected nation.”
That seems a long time ago now.
Trump’s diplomatic successes, which were rarely as momentous as he claimed, have mostly evaporated. Foreign policy has become a source of trouble for his re-election campaign instead of a strength.
The president’s personal summitry with Kim Jong Un has deadlocked; the North Korean leader is testing missiles and manufacturing nuclear warheads again.
His trade agreement with China turned out to be little more than a short-term deal to sell U.S. agricultural products, not the big structural change his China hawks yearned for.
The president’s harsh economic sanctions have succeeded in punishing Iran’s economy, but have produced no progress toward a deal to tighten limits on Tehran’s military.
As for respect, Trump’s chaotic response to the coronavirus has made the United States a global example of how not to fight a pandemic. This week the European Union announced that it was reopening to tourists from 15 “safe” countries including Canada, Japan, South Korea and Rwanda — but not the United States.
Respect? Americans can’t even vacation in Paris anymore.
Even worse for a president whose go-to adjective is “strong,” embittered ex-aides and in-house leakers keep suggesting that when Trump gets into negotiations with autocratic chiefs of state, he’s not a tough guy after all.
His former national security advisor John Bolton denounced the president for pursuing cozy deals with his favorite autocrats, China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“There was “no coherent basis, no strategy,” Bolton complained after writing his tell-all book. “There really isn’t any guiding principle that I was able to discern other than what’s good for Donald Trump’s re-election.”
This week, reports emerged that one of Putin’s intelligence agencies offered bounties to Afghanistan’s Taliban for killing American troops. The reports reached the desk of Trump’s current national security advisor, Robert C. O’Brien, but the president denied knowing anything.
No matter how the controversy turns out, it bolsters the picture of a foreign policy team in disarray.
And voters, who rarely pay close attention to foreign policy even without the distraction of a pandemic, appear to have noticed.
A Gallup poll in mid-June found that public approval of Trump’s job performance on foreign policy has sagged to 41%, significantly lower than the 47% who approved of his handling of the nation’s economy.
Democrats and their presumptive presidential nominee, Joe Biden, have noticed Trump’s vulnerability on these issues, too.
Last week, the Democratic National Committee launched a 30-second television commercial in swing states deriding Trump’s performance on trade.
“Trump said he’d get tough on China,” a narrator intones. “He didn’t get tough. He got played.”
The Trump campaign has fired back with a commercial calling Biden “China’s puppet” and reviving charges that his son, Hunter Biden, was paid suspiciously large sums by a Chinese firm.
That’s the closest this race has come to a debate on international affairs — a barroom brawl over who is softer on China.
“A presidential campaign is a bad place to look for a serious discussion of foreign policy,” observed Richard N. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
China policy won’t be the deciding issue in November’s presidential election — far from it.
Voters rank other problems higher on their priority lists, beginning with the pandemic, race relations and the economy.
But this argument isn’t about the nuances of foreign affairs; there’s nary a nuance in sight. It’s a slanging match about competence, toughness and strength.
Historically, Republicans have had an advantage among voters on national security issues; they’re traditionally the party of military strength and diplomatic toughness.
Trump appears to have squandered that advantage. We may be seeing a historical anomaly: a campaign in which voters give the Democratic candidate the benefit of the doubt on toughness in foreign policy.
Doyle McManus is a Los Angeles Times columnist. © 2020, Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


mercurynews--2020-07-05--Skelton: Life sentence for Golden State Killer was the right move

The Golden State Killer is the perfect example of why the death penalty is justified — and why life in prison is preferable .
Especially in California , where a death penalty sentence is practically meaningless .
Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. — also dubbed the Visalia Ransacker , East Area Rapist or Original Night Stalker , depending on the community he terrorized — was among “ the worst of the worst.
” “ He is the real-life version of Hannibal Lecter , ” Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert told reporters , referring to the fictitious psychopathic killer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Schubert spoke Monday after DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 murders and 13 charges of kidnapping for purposes of robbery during 13 years of horror up and down California .
DeAngelo also admitted to 161 uncharged crimes of rape , attempted murder , robbery , burglary and kidnapping involving 61 victims .
There were 42 uncharged rapes .
These crimes weren ’ t prosecuted because the statutes of limitations had long ago expired .
He was “ a cruel , intelligent , sadistic serial killer , ” Schubert said .
“ He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulator.
” During the 1970s and 1980s , DeAngelo would break into couples ’ homes at night while they were asleep , force the woman to tie up her husband or boyfriend with shoestrings , then bind the woman .
He ’ d place saucers and cups on the man ’ s back as an alarm system and warn that if he heard them rattle , everyone in the house would be killed .
He ’ d drag the woman into another room and rape her repeatedly , sometimes witnessed by her children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off one little girl if she screamed .
Meanwhile , he ransacked the house and helped himself to refrigerator snacks .
In the end , DeAngelo would kill the couple anyway by shooting or bludgeoning them — with a pipe wrench or a sprinkler head or a fireplace log .
“ What ’ s so frustrating , ” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said , referring to the prosecutors ’ and defendant ’ s agreed-upon sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole , “ is that if anyone is the poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s DeAngelo.
” Opponents of capital punishment argue that it ’ s administered unfairly and sometimes against people who may be innocent .
They also point out that people of color , the poor and those with mental illness are disproportionately executed .
But none of that applies to DeAngelo .
There ’ s no question of his guilt , not just because he confessed , but because DNA linked him to the crimes unequivocally .
Moreover , he ’ s white , middle class and college educated — a former policeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opportunity .
His life was spared not out of mercy , but because of practicalities .
Prosecutors from six counties decided unanimously not to seek the death penalty for several sound reasons .
Most importantly , they traded an unlikely future execution for DeAngelo ’ s agreement to admit committing not only the charged murders and kidnappings , but all the rapes and other crimes that legally couldn ’ t be prosecuted .
That was important for the rape survivors and victims ’ families .
They ’ ll have an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally sentenced on Aug. 17 .
If prosecutors had not agreed to life imprisonment , Spitzer says , DeAngelo “ never would have admitted to the crimes .
The admissions were significant.
” That raises another point often argued by supporters of capital punishment : The possibility of the death penalty is needed as leverage to persuade killers not only to plead guilty , but to confess to other unsolved murders they committed and disclose where bodies were left .
There ’ s another reason for not seeking the death penalty for DeAngelo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although some prosecutors believe he ’ s faking frailty — it ’ s very doubtful he would have lived long enough to be executed .
“ It would have taken 10 years to go to trial and the trial would have lasted two years , ” Spitzer says .
“ Then there ’ d be 20 to 25 years of appeals .
… “ Most of the surviving adult victims would probably not be with us anymore .
And we were losing witnesses .
They were dying.
” All those years of legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions and court systems ’ precious energy and time .
Thankfully , DeAngelo ’ s prosecutors made the wise decision to save many millions of tax dollars and years of time — and obtained 187 confessions .
Regardless of the life or death sentence , the depraved DeAngelo will die behind bars .

The Golden State Killer is the perfect example of why the death penalty is justified — and why life in prison is preferable.
Especially in California, where a death penalty sentence is practically meaningless.
Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. — also dubbed the Visalia Ransacker, East Area Rapist or Original Night Stalker, depending on the community he terrorized — was among “the worst of the worst.”
“He is the real-life version of Hannibal Lecter,” Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert told reporters, referring to the fictitious psychopathic killer in the movie “Silence of the Lambs.”
Schubert spoke Monday after DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 murders and 13 charges of kidnapping for purposes of robbery during 13 years of horror up and down California.
DeAngelo also admitted to 161 uncharged crimes of rape, attempted murder, robbery, burglary and kidnapping involving 61 victims. There were 42 uncharged rapes. These crimes weren’t prosecuted because the statutes of limitations had long ago expired.
He was “a cruel, intelligent, sadistic serial killer,” Schubert said. “He is a sociopath. He is a master manipulator.”
During the 1970s and 1980s, DeAngelo would break into couples’ homes at night while they were asleep, force the woman to tie up her husband or boyfriend with shoestrings, then bind the woman. He’d place saucers and cups on the man’s back as an alarm system and warn that if he heard them rattle, everyone in the house would be killed.
He’d drag the woman into another room and rape her repeatedly, sometimes witnessed by her children. He threatened to cut the ears off one little girl if she screamed. Meanwhile, he ransacked the house and helped himself to refrigerator snacks.
In the end, DeAngelo would kill the couple anyway by shooting or bludgeoning them — with a pipe wrench or a sprinkler head or a fireplace log.
“What’s so frustrating,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, referring to the prosecutors’ and defendant’s agreed-upon sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole, “is that if anyone is the poster child for the death penalty, it’s DeAngelo.”
Opponents of capital punishment argue that it’s administered unfairly and sometimes against people who may be innocent. They also point out that people of color, the poor and those with mental illness are disproportionately executed.
But none of that applies to DeAngelo. There’s no question of his guilt, not just because he confessed, but because DNA linked him to the crimes unequivocally. Moreover, he’s white, middle class and college educated — a former policeman fired for shoplifting. DeAngelo had plenty of opportunity.
His life was spared not out of mercy, but because of practicalities.
Prosecutors from six counties decided unanimously not to seek the death penalty for several sound reasons.
Most importantly, they traded an unlikely future execution for DeAngelo’s agreement to admit committing not only the charged murders and kidnappings, but all the rapes and other crimes that legally couldn’t be prosecuted.
That was important for the rape survivors and victims’ families. They’ll have an opportunity to speak directly to DeAngelo when he is formally sentenced on Aug. 17.
If prosecutors had not agreed to life imprisonment, Spitzer says, DeAngelo “never would have admitted to the crimes. The admissions were significant.”
That raises another point often argued by supporters of capital punishment: The possibility of the death penalty is needed as leverage to persuade killers not only to plead guilty, but to confess to other unsolved murders they committed and disclose where bodies were left.
There’s another reason for not seeking the death penalty for DeAngelo. At 74 and appearing frail — although some prosecutors believe he’s faking frailty — it’s very doubtful he would have lived long enough to be executed.
“It would have taken 10 years to go to trial and the trial would have lasted two years,” Spitzer says. “Then there’d be 20 to 25 years of appeals. …
“Most of the surviving adult victims would probably not be with us anymore. And we were losing witnesses. They were dying.”
All those years of legal proceedings would have cost taxpayers many wasted millions and court systems’ precious energy and time.
Thankfully, DeAngelo’s prosecutors made the wise decision to save many millions of tax dollars and years of time — and obtained 187 confessions.
Regardless of the life or death sentence, the depraved DeAngelo will die behind bars.
George Skelton is a Los Angeles Times columnist. © 2020, Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


mercurynews--2020-07-05--On this date, 1996: A’s, Angels score MLB record 16 runs in an inning

OAKLAND — It was the first inning that just wouldn ’ t die .
For 48 minutes on Friday evening , the A ’ s seemed to have the bases perpetually loaded .
They almost doubled the total of runs needed to earn Coliseum ticket holders free pie .
Thirteen runs .
Three Angels pitchers , including wonder boy Ryan Hancock , managed to turn a major-league baseball game into a beer league softball score .
They were collectively like a race car driver punching his head trying to put out the invisible flames .
No , really , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed ugly all night as the A ’ s beat the Angels 16-8 .
“ I ’ ve never seen 18 hitters in one inning , ” said A ’ s designated hitter Matt Stairs , who hit a grand slam in the inning .
“ It was getting to the point where , Holy Lord , hitting is contagious.
” Added A ’ s manager Art Howe , “ That was a great inning .
It ’ s something you obviously don ’ t see every day.
” Thankfully , no .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been getting bored watching their heroes trot from base to base for three-quarters of an hour .
The discordant tone was set early .
The Angels got three runs off A ’ s starter John Wasdin in the top of the first .
Then , Jose Herrera led off the bottom of the inning with a ground ball to shortstop .
Gary DiSarcina tried to backhand the ball and missed it completely .
In a joke of a decision , the official scorer gave Herrera a hit .
But that proved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game having allowed only three earned runs in 22 innings in the big leagues .
In his last start , last Sunday , he outdueled Wasdin to lead the Angels to a 1-0 win .
But the 24-year-old out of Monta Vista High School-Cupertino couldn ’ t do anything right on Friday .
He walked in a run .
He surrendered the grand slam to Stairs .
He left in favor of Brad Pennington with two outs in the first , six runs already in and two on .
Pennington didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favors , walking all three batters he faced .
That brought Jim Abbott to the mound .
The former phenom allowed hits to the first four batters he faced , including two doubles .
Didn ’ t matter .
Abbott was going to finish the inning no matter how long it took .
Finally , No .
9 hitter Mike Bordick batted for the second time and lifted a fly ball to left .
When it settled into the glove of Garret Anderson , the scoreboard clock read 7:14 .
So much for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
The totals on the carnage : 13 runs , nine hits , five walks , a hit batsman and a home run .
Oh , and enough confidence for Wasdin that he could give up seven runs himself in the first three innings and not have to worry about getting pulled .
He improved to 6-2 with a seven-inning stint .
Ten hits ?
Six earned runs ?
No problem on this night .
• “ I have to train myself like you train a dog : ” A ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coliseum • Summer camp preview : With some A ’ s questions from Spring answered , new ones arise • What will baseball look like ?
A refresher on MLB ’ s new rules for the 60-game season • More small ball ?
How the Oakland A ’ s might combat a slow start “ That was a first for me , ” Howe said .
“ He was probably one hitter away from me getting somebody up.
” “ The same pitchers played each other last week , ” Stairs said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitchers .
Everybody ’ s seen what they can do.
” As you can imagine , the A ’ s outburst set the statistic gatherers scurrying .
Here are some of the numbers :

(This story was originally published in 1996)
OAKLAND — It was the first inning that just wouldn’t die. For 48 minutes on Friday evening, the A’s seemed to have the bases perpetually loaded. They almost doubled the total of runs needed to earn Coliseum ticket holders free pie.
Thirteen runs. Three Angels pitchers, including wonder boy Ryan Hancock, managed to turn a major-league baseball game into a beer league softball score. They were collectively like a race car driver punching his head trying to put out the invisible flames.
No, really, it was uglier than that. And it stayed ugly all night as the A’s beat the Angels 16-8.
“I’ve never seen 18 hitters in one inning,” said A’s designated hitter Matt Stairs, who hit a grand slam in the inning. “It was getting to the point where, Holy Lord, hitting is contagious.”
Added A’s manager Art Howe, “That was a great inning. It’s something you obviously don’t see every day.”
Thankfully, no. Even hardened A’s fans must have been getting bored watching their heroes trot from base to base for three-quarters of an hour.
The discordant tone was set early. The Angels got three runs off A’s starter John Wasdin in the top of the first. Then, Jose Herrera led off the bottom of the inning with a ground ball to shortstop. Gary DiSarcina tried to backhand the ball and missed it completely. In a joke of a decision, the official scorer gave Herrera a hit. But that proved to be a moot point.
Hancock entered the game having allowed only three earned runs in 22 innings in the big leagues. In his last start, last Sunday, he outdueled Wasdin to lead the Angels to a 1-0 win.
But the 24-year-old out of Monta Vista High School-Cupertino couldn’t do anything right on Friday. He walked in a run. He surrendered the grand slam to Stairs. He left in favor of Brad Pennington with two outs in the first, six runs already in and two on.
Pennington didn’t do Hancock or the Angels any favors, walking all three batters he faced. That brought Jim Abbott to the mound. The former phenom allowed hits to the first four batters he faced, including two doubles.
Didn’t matter. Abbott was going to finish the inning no matter how long it took. Finally, No. 9 hitter Mike Bordick batted for the second time and lifted a fly ball to left. When it settled into the glove of Garret Anderson, the scoreboard clock read 7:14. So much for starting early to accommodate a postgame fireworks show.
The totals on the carnage: 13 runs, nine hits, five walks, a hit batsman and a home run. Oh, and enough confidence for Wasdin that he could give up seven runs himself in the first three innings and not have to worry about getting pulled. He improved to 6-2 with a seven-inning stint. Ten hits? Six earned runs? No problem on this night.
“That was a first for me,” Howe said. “He was probably one hitter away from me getting somebody up.”
“The same pitchers played each other last week,” Stairs said. “That’s tough on the pitchers. Everybody’s seen what they can do.”
As you can imagine, the A’s outburst set the statistic gatherers scurrying. Here are some of the numbers:


mercurynews--2020-07-05--Horoscopes July 5, 2020: Edie Falco, a partnership will help you excel.

Happy Birthday : Spend more time virtually collaborating with people who are working toward a similar goal this year .
What you have to contribute will take on a new life and push you in an unexpected direction that will stimulate your mind and promote prospects that are conducive to learning , as well as raising your income .
A partnership will help you excel .
Your numbers are 8 , 12 , 21 , 23 , 29 , 37 , 45 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Stay focused on what ’ s important .
Take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-being .
It ’ s important to understand the circumstances you face before you decide to make a change .
Time is on your side , and preparation is essential .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Take a drive , or walk to a place that engages your mind and helps you come up with a plan that brings you closer to your long-term goal .
Plan a virtual gathering with family or friends .
A deep discussion will inspire change .
5 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plan your day to maximize your time .
Efficiency will pay off with what you accomplish .
Stay focused on your mission , and refuse to let anyone interfere or cause you to deviate from your path .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Share your thoughts , offer an act of kindness and do your part to make life a little better for you and those you love .
Altering the way you do things will add to your efficiency , giving you more time to relax .
3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Do something that makes you feel good about who you are and what you have to offer .
A kind gesture that makes someone ’ s day will also turn out to be just as rewarding for you .
Share your intentions with someone you love .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Don ’ t jeopardize your health for someone else ’ s gain .
You are better off losing a few bucks and using your intelligence to figure out a way to recoup your losses .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a business opportunity .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Take some “ me ” time , and distance yourself from the people and situations that are causing you grief .
Taking a walk , curling up with a good book or anything else that brings you peace of mind is encouraged .
Concentrate on personal improvements .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Do what makes you happy .
Express your thoughts , work on a creative project , look at potential investments or consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think about and plenty to work with if you want to explore your options .
4 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Use your energy to improve your life , looks and relationship with someone special .
Altering your living quarters or finding a way to use your space to earn extra income will have its positives .
Romance is in the stars .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : You ’ ve got more control than you think .
Refuse to let little things bother you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t important is a waste of time .
Reach out to someone who is like-minded and eager to help you reach your objective .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Change your environment to fit your needs .
Looking back at the experience you ’ ve had will help you make better decisions when it comes to lifestyle changes you want to make .
Let someone you love know how much you care .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Look for practical solutions .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get into a disagreement .
Be prepared to move forward alone and to put your energy into something in which you feel can make a difference .
A reward is heading in your direction .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are sensitive , possessive and kind .
You are expressive and inspiring .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Megan Rapinoe, 35; Dave Haywood, 38; Edie Falco, 57; Huey Lewis, 70.
Happy Birthday: Spend more time virtually collaborating with people who are working toward a similar goal this year. What you have to contribute will take on a new life and push you in an unexpected direction that will stimulate your mind and promote prospects that are conducive to learning, as well as raising your income. A partnership will help you excel. Your numbers are 8, 12, 21, 23, 29, 37, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay focused on what’s important. Take care of your health, wealth and emotional well-being. It’s important to understand the circumstances you face before you decide to make a change. Time is on your side, and preparation is essential. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take a drive, or walk to a place that engages your mind and helps you come up with a plan that brings you closer to your long-term goal. Plan a virtual gathering with family or friends. A deep discussion will inspire change. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pick up the pace. Plan your day to maximize your time. Efficiency will pay off with what you accomplish. Stay focused on your mission, and refuse to let anyone interfere or cause you to deviate from your path. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Share your thoughts, offer an act of kindness and do your part to make life a little better for you and those you love. Altering the way you do things will add to your efficiency, giving you more time to relax. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do something that makes you feel good about who you are and what you have to offer. A kind gesture that makes someone’s day will also turn out to be just as rewarding for you. Share your intentions with someone you love. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t jeopardize your health for someone else’s gain. You are better off losing a few bucks and using your intelligence to figure out a way to recoup your losses. Your skills, knowledge and adaptability will lead to a business opportunity. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take some “me” time, and distance yourself from the people and situations that are causing you grief. Taking a walk, curling up with a good book or anything else that brings you peace of mind is encouraged. Concentrate on personal improvements. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do what makes you happy. Express your thoughts, work on a creative project, look at potential investments or consider a joint venture. You have lots to think about and plenty to work with if you want to explore your options. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Use your energy to improve your life, looks and relationship with someone special. Altering your living quarters or finding a way to use your space to earn extra income will have its positives. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ve got more control than you think. Refuse to let little things bother you. Arguing over something that isn’t important is a waste of time. Reach out to someone who is like-minded and eager to help you reach your objective. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Change your environment to fit your needs. Looking back at the experience you’ve had will help you make better decisions when it comes to lifestyle changes you want to make. Let someone you love know how much you care. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for practical solutions. It’s not worth your time or effort to get into a disagreement. Be prepared to move forward alone and to put your energy into something in which you feel can make a difference. A reward is heading in your direction. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, possessive and kind. You are expressive and inspiring.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-07-05--Word Game: July 5, 2020

Word Game: July 5, 2020

Can you find 65 or more words in GARDENIA ?
To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
@ @ @ @ @ $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more @ @ @ @ @ that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ @ @ @ @ @ , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ @ @ @ @ @ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is @ @ @ @ @ or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking @ @ @ @ @ .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not @ @

TODAY’S WORD — GARDENIA (GARDENIA: gar-DEEN-yuh: A shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers.)
Average mark 44 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 65 or more words in GARDENIA?
TODAY’S WORD — GARDENIA gain gainer gander garden gear gird gnar grade grain
grand grid grin grind adage again agar aged ager agenda aide aired anger area arena
aria arid radian rage raid rain rang range rani read regain reign rein rend ride ridge rind
ring danger dare daring darn dean dear deign dine diner ding dire dirge drag dreg drain
drainage earing earn engird nadir naiad near idea
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--2020-07-05--Bridge: July 5, 2020

Bridge: July 5, 2020

Another sign standing guard beside a church in my town : “ God ’ s Garden : peas of mind , squash gossip , turnip for church , beet the Devil , lettuce be kind.
” Always be kind to your partner .
Whatever you may think , he is on your side .
At-the-table criticism is counterproductive .
Today ’ s North-South had a Stone Age auction to four spades .
North ’ s two clubs and then two spades suggested game-invitational strength .
( In the modern “ two-over-one ” style in which a two-club response would force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
South might well have stopped at two spades .
When West led the king of diamonds , East overtook with the ace — to get out of his partner ’ s way — and returned the seven .
West won and shifted to a trump .
South won in dummy and led a heart to his queen .
West took the king and led a high diamond , and East threw a heart .
Declarer ruffed , took the A-K of clubs and the ace of hearts , ruffed a heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruffed his last heart .
He won the last two tricks with high trumps , making four .
East made a natural-looking play that was wrong .
If he lets the king of diamonds win , West can lead a trump next .
When he takes the king of hearts , he leads a diamond for East to win and lead a second trump , and declarer falls a trick short .
West may be aware that his partner erred , but there is no point in telling him about it .
West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal and save any “ discussion ” for the bar after the game .

Another sign standing guard beside a church in my town: “God’s Garden: peas of mind, squash gossip, turnip for church, beet the Devil, lettuce be kind.”
Always be kind to your partner. Whatever you may think, he is on your side. At-the-table criticism is counterproductive.
Today’s North-South had a Stone Age auction to four spades. North’s two clubs and then two spades suggested game-invitational strength. (In the modern “two-over-one” style in which a two-club response would force to game, North would respond 1NT.) South might well have stopped at two spades.
When West led the king of diamonds, East overtook with the ace — to get out of his partner’s way — and returned the seven. West won and shifted to a trump.
South won in dummy and led a heart to his queen. West took the king and led a high diamond, and East threw a heart. Declarer ruffed, took the A-K of clubs and the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart in dummy, ruffed a club and ruffed his last heart. He won the last two tricks with high trumps, making four.
East made a natural-looking play that was wrong. If he lets the king of diamonds win, West can lead a trump next. When he takes the king of hearts, he leads a diamond for East to win and lead a second trump, and declarer falls a trick short.
West may be aware that his partner erred, but there is no point in telling him about it. West should just go on to the next deal and save any “discussion” for the bar after the game.
East dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S K 10 9
H 10 5
D 8 6 4 3
C A K 9 5
WEST
S 3
H K 9 8 2
D K Q J 10 2
C 8 4 3
EAST
S 8 7 6 5
H J 7 3
D A 7
C Q J 10 7
SOUTH
S A Q J 4 2
H A Q 6 4
D 9 5
C 6 2
East South West North
Pass 1 S Pass 2 C
Pass 2 H Pass 2 S
Pass 3 S Pass 4 S
All Pass
Opening lead — D K
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-07-05--Ask Amy: Our berserk neighbor keeps calling the cops, and now she has a camera on us

Dear Amy : I need advice on how to handle a neighbor situation .
The elderly lady across the street , who has always been a little crotchety , has now utterly lost it .
She prowls the neighborhood , looking for “ COVID violations.
” Two neighbors talking from opposite sides of the street get 10 minutes of screaming profanities because , in her mind , social distancing means not socializing at all .
She has called the police on another neighbor so many times that the cops told her not to do it again .
The reason ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ driveway .
He has his daughter ’ s family staying with him , which she considers “ a party.
” My parents came over for my father ’ s birthday and she called the police on us , reporting an “ unsafe large gathering spreading the virus.
” The four of us , all healthy , were sitting inside eating cake .
( And anyway , in our area , gatherings of 10 or less are considered fine . )
• Ask Amy : I used the tuna casserole to send a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t like my family .
Do I have to visit them ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m engaged to a great guy who just might dump me • Ask Amy : I want to fly the flag on the Fourth but what will people think ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m afraid my un-American attitudes put people off She has also called the police on lone joggers without a mask and gloves , even though she herself doesn ’ t wear them .
She has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawn , one of which is pointing directly at our house .
She has commented that she can see in our windows and has berated us for not wearing a mask and gloves … in our own home !
My husband has suggested that we start mooning out the window .
I would prefer a solution that doesn ’ t involve her having photos of our naked backsides .
I also don ’ t want to be forced to keep the curtains closed .
How can we reason with the unreasonable ?
Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not reason with the unreasonable .
So don ’ t try .
You might be able to get that camera off of your house , however .
You should research state laws regarding privacy and video .
You don ’ t necessarily have an expectation of privacy while in your yard or driveway , but you do have a reasonable expectation of privacy inside your own home .
You should contact a lawyer regarding your legal remedies .
Based on what you describe , this neighbor seems to have gone round the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger for various mental illnesses , and if she has dementia ( for instance ) , she may be fixated on the risks she irrationally believes surround her .
Live your life .
Do not “ moon ” her .
Stay calm and polite if forced to interact with her .
Imagine what it must feel like to be in such a state of rage over things you can not control .
Avoid her and ( if possible ) feel sorry for her .
Dear Amy : My son has always come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer months .
This year , his girlfriend has a large dog .
We have always had a rule that no dogs are allowed .
Now my son and his girlfriend say that they will not come , because we don ’ t allow dogs at the cottage .
This dog is noisy , sheds , and leaves messes everywhere .
Thus , we are sticking to our set rules .
However , I love my son and am so stressed that they care more about the dog than our Father/Son relationship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months during the summer , and live in Florida the rest of the year .
We sure would like to see my son more often .
What do you suggest ?
Dear Confused : I doubt your son cares more about the dog than you , but I think it ’ s a safe bet that he is more invested in his girlfriend ’ s happiness than yours .
You and your son both seem to have laid down non-negotiables .
Of course , your son could visit you solo , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
You can offer to let them visit with the dog one time to see if you are able to tolerate having it there .
Otherwise , you will need to accept that for many people , girlfriends and dogs are full-on family members , despite the challenges they present to actual family members .
Dear Amy : You missed an important point to “ Bi-Curious ” in your response about bisexuality .
Sexual orientation doesn ’ t end with marriage .
I have come out as bi/pan , even though I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my husband for more than 20 years .
It is part of who I am and doesn ’ t go away with a ring on my finger .
Claiming my whole identity helps others , yes , but it also helps me .
Dear Rena : Thank you ( and every month is Pride Month ! )
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 @ @ @ @ @

Dear Amy: I need advice on how to handle a neighbor situation.
The elderly lady across the street, who has always been a little crotchety, has now utterly lost it. She prowls the neighborhood, looking for “COVID violations.”
Two neighbors talking from opposite sides of the street get 10 minutes of screaming profanities because, in her mind, social distancing means not socializing at all.
She has called the police on another neighbor so many times that the cops told her not to do it again. The reason? There were three cars parked in his driveway. He has his daughter’s family staying with him, which she considers “a party.”
My parents came over for my father’s birthday and she called the police on us, reporting an “unsafe large gathering spreading the virus.” The four of us, all healthy, were sitting inside eating cake. (And anyway, in our area, gatherings of 10 or less are considered fine.)
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She has now set up video cameras conspicuously around her lawn, one of which is pointing directly at our house. She has commented that she can see in our windows and has berated us for not wearing a mask and gloves … in our own home!
My husband has suggested that we start mooning out the window. I would prefer a solution that doesn’t involve her having photos of our naked backsides. I also don’t want to be forced to keep the curtains closed.
How can we reason with the unreasonable?
COVID Fishbowl
Dear Fishbowl: The answer is: You cannot reason with the unreasonable. So don’t try. You might be able to get that camera off of your house, however.
You should research state laws regarding privacy and video. You don’t necessarily have an expectation of privacy while in your yard or driveway, but you do have a reasonable expectation of privacy inside your own home. You should contact a lawyer regarding your legal remedies.
Based on what you describe, this neighbor seems to have gone round the bend. The pandemic has proved a trigger for various mental illnesses, and if she has dementia (for instance), she may be fixated on the risks she irrationally believes surround her.
Live your life. Do not “moon” her. Stay calm and polite if forced to interact with her. Imagine what it must feel like to be in such a state of rage over things you cannot control. Avoid her and (if possible) feel sorry for her.
Dear Amy: My son has always come to our summer cottage many times during the summer months.
This year, his girlfriend has a large dog. We have always had a rule that no dogs are allowed.
Now my son and his girlfriend say that they will not come, because we don’t allow dogs at the cottage. This dog is noisy, sheds, and leaves messes everywhere. Thus, we are sticking to our set rules. However, I love my son and am so stressed that they care more about the dog than our Father/Son relationship.
We are only at the cottage four months during the summer, and live in Florida the rest of the year. We sure would like to see my son more often.
What do you suggest?
Confused Father
Dear Confused: I doubt your son cares more about the dog than you, but I think it’s a safe bet that he is more invested in his girlfriend’s happiness than yours.
You and your son both seem to have laid down non-negotiables. Of course, your son could visit you solo, but he doesn’t sound willing to do that. You can offer to let them visit with the dog one time to see if you are able to tolerate having it there. Otherwise, you will need to accept that for many people, girlfriends and dogs are full-on family members, despite the challenges they present to actual family members.
Dear Amy: You missed an important point to “Bi-Curious” in your response about bisexuality. Sexual orientation doesn’t end with marriage.
I have come out as bi/pan, even though I have been in a seemingly straight relationship with my husband for more than 20 years. It is part of who I am and doesn’t go away with a ring on my finger.
Claiming my whole identity helps others, yes, but it also helps me.
Rena Dubin (use my name– it’s pride month!)
Dear Rena: Thank you (and every month is Pride Month!)
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--2020-07-05--Dear Abby: My kids are stuck with an inadequate grandmother

DEAR ABBY : I recently lost my mom .
It was very sudden .
We were extremely close , and she was the most wonderful grandmother to my children .
My mother-in-law and my husband have a strained relationship that I have struggled to navigate for years .
I have always reached out to her and made sure she sees the grandchildren .
I have been a little “ lost ” since my mom ’ s death , and so have my children .
I had hoped my MIL would step up and step in , but it just didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sad for my children , and the situation seems to be getting worse .
When I try to talk to my husband about it , his reply is , “ I ’ m not close to my mom like you were with yours.
” • Dear Abby : My wife refuses to get a job because it ’ s not her ‘ best self ’ • Dear Abby : I tried to be nice to my unkempt neighbor , and I was stunned by his response • Dear Abby : This conniving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby : I ’ ve heard the rumors about what my husband is doing • Dear Abby : My husband makes fun of me because I have cancer What should I do ?
Do I keep reaching out and being angry on the inside , or speak up and say something ?
I should add that my husband and his mom are now at the point where they barely talk on the phone .
I hate to be negative , but I feel very done with the childish behavior !
My children need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept my sympathy for the loss of your sweet mother .
That you and your children feel her absence so acutely is a testament to how special she was .
Unfortunately , you married someone who doesn ’ t have the kind of relationship you were lucky enough to have with your mom .
All moms and grandmothers are not created equal .
Your MIL appears to be incapable of stepping up to the plate .
Rather than continue reaching out to her with expectations , you might be less angry and frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting her completely off .
Instead , look around and consider “ adopting ” a mentor for yourself who can also become a grandmother figure for your children .
This isn ’ t unheard of .
A government-sponsored program , Foster Grandparents , provides a way for volunteers 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities .
To find out more , go to nationalservice.gov and click on “ Senior Corps.
” Love is a gift that keeps on giving , and it works both ways .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my wife and I were leaving the grocery store .
I was wearing my baseball cap with a U.S. Navy logo embroidered on it .
As we passed the table where the Brownies were selling Girl Scout cookies , I politely told them “ not today ” and proceeded to cross to the parking lot .
The woman who was supervising the girls approached and asked if she could talk to me .
When I turned around , she said , “ We would like to donate a box of cookies to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service to our country.
” Abby , I was so touched .
I thought my heart would burst when one of the little Scouts asked if I would take a picture with her .
I share this so others will know what it means for a veteran to be acknowledged by someone saying , “ Thank you for your service.
” DEAR VETERAN : What a sweet letter .
Not only was the acknowledgement gratifying , but I ’ m sure those cookies were delicious .
Although not every veteran feels the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m sure the majority do .
Thank you for pointing it out to my readers .
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 .

DEAR ABBY: I recently lost my mom. It was very sudden. We were extremely close, and she was the most wonderful grandmother to my children.
My mother-in-law and my husband have a strained relationship that I have struggled to navigate for years. I have always reached out to her and made sure she sees the grandchildren.
I have been a little “lost” since my mom’s death, and so have my children. I had hoped my MIL would step up and step in, but it just didn’t happen. I am disappointed and sad for my children, and the situation seems to be getting worse. When I try to talk to my husband about it, his reply is, “I’m not close to my mom like you were with yours.”
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ANNOYED UP NORTH
DEAR ANNOYED: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your sweet mother. That you and your children feel her absence so acutely is a testament to how special she was.
Unfortunately, you married someone who doesn’t have the kind of relationship you were lucky enough to have with your mom. All moms and grandmothers are not created equal. Your MIL appears to be incapable of stepping up to the plate.
Rather than continue reaching out to her with expectations, you might be less angry and frustrated if you do it less often without cutting her completely off. Instead, look around and consider “adopting” a mentor for yourself who can also become a grandmother figure for your children. This isn’t unheard of.
A government-sponsored program, Foster Grandparents, provides a way for volunteers 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities. To find out more, go to nationalservice.gov and click on “Senior Corps.” Love is a gift that keeps on giving, and it works both ways.
DEAR ABBY: A while ago, my wife and I were leaving the grocery store. I was wearing my baseball cap with a U.S. Navy logo embroidered on it. As we passed the table where the Brownies were selling Girl Scout cookies, I politely told them “not today” and proceeded to cross to the parking lot.
The woman who was supervising the girls approached and asked if she could talk to me. When I turned around, she said, “We would like to donate a box of cookies to you and your wife in honor of your service to our country.”
Abby, I was so touched. I thought my heart would burst when one of the little Scouts asked if I would take a picture with her.
I share this so others will know what it means for a veteran to be acknowledged by someone saying, “Thank you for your service.”
NAVY VETERAN IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR VETERAN: What a sweet letter. Not only was the acknowledgement gratifying, but I’m sure those cookies were delicious. Although not every veteran feels the same way about being thanked as you do, I’m sure the majority do. Thank you for pointing it out to my readers.
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--2020-07-05--One dead in East Bay after vehicle hits pedestrian

A person died Saturday night when a vehicle hit a pedestrian , the California Highway Patrol said .
The collision @ @ @ @ @ to be at Shore Road and Sandview Drive in Bay Point , an unincorporated part @ @ @ @ @ The first reports came into the agency just before 10 p.m. No other information was @ @ @

Two pedestrians were killed in separate collisions — one of which was a hit-and-run — in Contra Costa County late Saturday and early Sunday morning, the California Highway Patrol said.
Contra Costa CHP officers were dispatched just before 10 p.m. Saturday to Seavie Drive and Shore Road in Bay Point on reports of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on the street, the CHP said in a press release.
Authorities found a man who had been struck by an Audi sedan, throwing him into a nearby parked vehicle and fatally injuring him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the victim was in the roadway, using fireworks, when the Audi driver, who was traveling at a high rate of speed, struck him. His identity was withheld pending notification of his family.
The driver of the Audi fled toward the city of Pittsburg, police said, but was later located based on witness tips and arrested on multiple felony charges. Authorities did not release that driver’s identity on Sunday, but said they were booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter.
The CHP also said that at about 12:20 a.m. Sunday, a person was hit by a vehicle and killed on I-80 westbound just east Willow Avenue.
Police said the driver of a Dodge Ram collided with a Buick sedan that was stopped on the highway and hit the Buick owner, who was standing next to the car.
The person driving the truck was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek with moderate injuries. Police said it was not known if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
The Contra Costa CHP are still investigating both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call their Martinez office at 925-646-4980


mercurynews--2020-07-05--‘Very busy night’ starts early for fire crews as fireworks explode all over Bay Area

As the sun neared the horizon and dusk began to arrive Saturday , Fire Chief Lewis Broschard tried to speak to a small group of reporters about the dangers of fireworks .
As he spoke , the familiar sound of explosives went off in the background , and a siren blared as an engine 100 yards away raced to a scene .
The leader of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District didn ’ t need to say much to express what it all meant .
“ The steady stream of the pops and the booms , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be a very busy night.
” He wasn ’ t kidding .
ConFire crews responded to more than 50 fires before midnight , including a major blaze in the area of Southwood Drive and Oak Hills Drive in Pittsburg , fire spokesman Steve Hill said .
In that fire , it took about 20 crews to keep homes from burning .
Two homes also burned on Crestpark Circle in Antioch .
The news was similar for fire departments throughout the Bay Area , as fireworks popped through the Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late night Santa Clara County and San Jose fire crews worked together to slow 20 fires before midnight , some of which were burning vegetation and others involving buildings , fire officials said .
In Alameda County , crews knocked down two fires in Newark ( one at Thornton Avenue and Hickory Street ; the other at Wells Avenue ) and one in Dublin ( at Dublin Boulevard and Shaefer Ranch Park ) .
They also fought a wild fire along the Patterson Pass and South Vasco Road .
A vegetation fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neptune Drive and Williams Street in San Leandro , but firefighters put it out and no injuries were reported .
In Contra Costa County , crews at one point were simultaneously on the scene of 14 fires , three of them involving some type of building , Hill said .
They were dispatching only a single fire engine to any non-structure fire because of the demand for service .
At least three of the fires were confirmed to have been caused by fireworks , Hill said .
At one point , around 8:15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brentwood , Bay Point and Pittsburg .
Crews put out all three of those .
Fireworks were believed to have caused all of them , Hill said .
Fireworks may also have played a role in a vegetation fire that burned off Merle Avenue in Martinez , and a fire on Miner Avenue in San Pablo was burning at a structure , Hill said .
Crews , too , fought a grass fire off Lettia Road in San Pablo ; a grass fire off Mims Road in Bay Point ; and a grass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rio Verde drives in Pittsburg .
The activity was not unexpected .
ConFire crews prepared for the night by bringing in extra engines and bulldozers and by putting some of their crews on 24-hour duty , Broschard said .
Crews from the East Bay Regional Parks , San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District , Moraga-Orinda Fire District and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District also were prepared to provide support , as were federally overseen crews from the Concord Naval Weapons Station area .
Broschard said the fact that the Fourth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following months of the public being forced indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic had fire crews “ anticipating it would be busier.
” Broschard said the month leading up to the holiday also was a clue , adding that calls were up 400 % over the same six weeks a year ago .
On Friday , crews chased 14 fires in seven hours .
Four of them — two that damaged vehicles and two that damaged homes — burned in Concord during a 30-minute span , Hill said .
Fire crews put them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also battled four grass fires in a 30-minute period , Hill said , as many as they might see in an entire day at this time of year .
Crews in Contra Costa County were not the only ones busy .
Earlier Saturday , California Department of Forestry and Fire Management crews , along with Alameda County and Livermore-Pleasanton Fire personnel almost fully contained a blaze in the hills of Sunol that burned 100 acres .
That blaze was 70 % contained by midnight , and crews were expected to be working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
SAN JOSE — A smoky haze that lingered over the Bay Area on Sunday was the fading remnant of thunderous, illicit fireworks displays that may have caused hundreds of fires overnight.
Depending on who you ask, the spontaneous shows were a way for residents to share awe and joy during a time of unprecedented upheaval or an ear-shattering nuisance that’s been building in intensity for weeks. Either way, they brought with them a wave of small and large blazes in a region already steeped in serious fire danger.
Firefighters scrambled to respond to blazes that broke out Saturday night and early Sunday morning as illicit fireworks popped in the night sky above them, with residents emerging after months of stay-at-home orders to light everything from tiny sparklers to huge explosives.
There were about 60 fire calls between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday across Contra Costa County, Capt. George Laing said, with calls to multiple fires at the same time across the department’s coverage area throughout the night.
“The fireworks were unfortunately a contributing factor to the busy night we had, and it was just intensely active with illegal fireworks,” Capt. Laing said. “Fireworks are illegal. But it doesn’t seem to have concerned the hundreds if not thousands who were lighting off all different types and causing fires around the Bay Area.”
In Santa Clara County, the Park Fire had burned some 350 acres by Sunday afternoon near Anderson Reservoir, though officials did not immediately pinpoint a likely cause for that blaze.
In San Francisco, fire officials said crews had responded to about 110 fires in a 12-hour span beginning at about 3 p.m. on July 4. The vast majority were caused by fireworks, authorities said.
Oakland Fire spokesman Michael Hunt said the city experienced more fireworks activity than anyone could remember. He said roving patrols were able to respond quickly to avoid serious damage.
“Every corner of the city felt the noise or fear of the firework activity,” he said. “There were very few areas that didn’t have some activity going on.”
Hunt said the cancellation of professional fireworks shows because of the coronavirus pandemic flooded the market with high-caliber fireworks.
“Everything about this year seemed to be a little different and had everybody on edge,” he added. “It was unprecedented and incredibly dangerous.”
Richmond Police Department responded to 299 fireworks-related calls, according to Lt. Matt Stonebraker.
Though most of the fires were minor with little damage, some blazes spread dangerously through populated areas. In San Francisco, officials reported a six-acre fire on Thomas Avenue, where several motor homes were saved.
Fire crews knocked down a large fire just before 9 p.m. Saturday at Watson Park in San Jose at about 8:48 p.m., San Jose Fire Department Public Information Manger Erica Ray said.
Contra Costa Fire crews responded to more than 50 fires before midnight, including a major blaze in the area of Southwood Drive and Oak Hills Drive in Pittsburg, fire spokesman Steve Hill said. In that fire, it took about a crew of about 20 to keep homes from burning.
Crews at one point were simultaneously on the scene of 14 fires, three of them involving some type of building, Hill said. They were dispatching only a single fire engine to any non-structure fire because of the demand for service.
In Alameda County, crews fought fires in Newark, Dublin and San Leandro.
The activity was not unexpected. ConFire crews prepared for the night by bringing in extra engines and bulldozers and by putting some of their crews on 24-hour duty, Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said.
Broschard said the fact that the Fourth of July holiday fell on a Saturday night following months of the public being forced indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic had fire crews “anticipating it would be busier.” Broschard said the month leading up to the holiday also was a clue, noting that calls were up 400% over the same six weeks a year ago.
On Friday, crews chased 14 fires in seven hours. Four of them — two that damaged vehicles and two that damaged homes — burned in Concord during a 30-minute span, Hill said. Fire crews put them all out without any injuries.
Earlier Saturday, California Department of Forestry and Fire Management crews, along with Alameda County and Livermore-Pleasanton Fire personnel almost fully contained a blaze in the hills of Sunol that burned 100 acres. That blaze was 70% contained by midnight, and crews were expected to be working to contain the fire through the night.
The collective smoke from the burning fires that settled over the Bay Area on Sunday was funneled southeast through the far South Bay, where the Park Fire over 300 acres of land burned near Morgan Hill. The Bay Area Air Quality District issued an air quality advisory through Monday and added that impacts include smoky skies, smell of smoke and localized elevated particle pollution.
For some, the waves of pops, bangs and booms, terrifying to many pets and upsetting to some humans, weren’t completely unwelcome, prompting a feeling of unity amid an uncertain time for the nation and the world.
Karen Levin and Stephen Morris watched the fireworks from their back porch in Kensington, where they can see the San Francisco skyline, the bridges and Mount Tamalpais. The explosions, visible from Oakland to Richmond, “never stopped,” Levin said Sunday.
“It was constant for two hours and quite showy. It was wonderful.”
Morris also enjoyed the spontaneous bursts of colorful lights, but with mixed feelings. He said he worried about the fire danger and the impact the noise had on some animals and people “who don’t like the sound of a war zone.”
In East Palo Alto, residents gathered in driveways and yards, sitting in lawn chairs or the hoods of their cars to watch the spectacle. In a festive spirit, there was music, food, shouting, smoke and the distinct smell of sulfur as explosions erupted on the streets.
Elsewhere, Brooke Kerber, 23, of San Jose said the fireworks felt out of place.
“I felt it was a strange fourth of July made stranger by celebratory fireworks at night after weeks of fireworks to remind us each night that Black Lives Matter,” Kerber said. She added that she was concerned about fires that were started by fireworks overnight.
“Any time we endanger wildlife and people I am concerned for everyone’s wellbeing,” she said.
Staff writers Elliott Almond and Lisa Krieger contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-07-06--SF Giants: Brandon Belt’s new goal? ‘Driving the ball down’

Major League Baseball ’ s recent home-run surge has been dubbed the fly-ball revolution .
But as the sport returns from its unexpected COVID-19 hiatus , Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is aiming to go against the sports ’ new grain .
“ My main goal is just getting the ball down and hitting line drives , ” Belt , who is coming off of his two worst slugging years as a big-league hitter , said in a Zoom call with the media Sunday .
It ’ s something he said he was working on in the first preseason of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued working on in Texas during the break .
Overall , it ’ s an effort to double-down on what he ’ s good at hitting — doubles and triples — and avoid the perils of his home ballpark , Oracle Park .
“ Because of this ballpark , comparing it to a different one , maybe somewhere on the East Coast , [ where ] the ball travels a little bit better , you don ’ t want to get the ball too high in the air because it is detrimental to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Belt said .
“ My goal is to stay gap to gap and to drive the ball .
That doesn ’ t always equate to home runs , but…I ’ m not too concerned with the whole home run thing.
” Playing half his games in a park notoriously difficult for left-handed hitters not named Barry Bonds , Belt is yet to hit 20 homers in a season his nine-year Giants career .
If his new approach takes , this shortened season will not break that streak .
That said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the air during night games , Oracle Park ’ s new dimensions are expected to increase the home-run rate hit this season .
The new bullpens have brought the center-field fence between six and eight feet closer to home plate .
Belt said that he hasn ’ t noticed the new dimensions in the park — a testament to the quality of the Giants ’ retrofitting — but manager Gabe Kapler did .
“ I think like one of the most , one of the most exciting parts of our day today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids , this morning on the field , ” Kapler said .
“ [ Heliot ] Ramos comes to mind , [ he ’ s ] as strong as anybody .
Pat Bailey , Joey Bart , [ Marco ] Luciano , [ Luis ] Toribio — these guys were out here crushing this morning , and this is ballpark was playing kind of like a normal hitters park… a middle of the road park.
” “ I did notice some balls go out to center and right-center that might otherwise have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun to watch.
” Health is another factor that could help Belt this season .
The former Texas Longhorn had knee surgery after the 2018 season , but that didn ’ t prevent the knee from inflaming last season .
Belt says the knee is feeling good now , and playing 60 , as opposed to a 162-game schedule , should help with that .
“ I came into this spring training feeling really good , ” Belt said .
“ I felt healthy for the first time in a couple of years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like I ’ m in a great place .
”

(If you’re having trouble viewing this gallery or video on a mobile device, click here.)
Major League Baseball’s recent home-run surge has been dubbed the fly-ball revolution. But as the sport returns from its unexpected COVID-19 hiatus, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is aiming to go against the sports’ new grain.
“My main goal is just getting the ball down and hitting line drives,” Belt, who is coming off of his two worst slugging years as a big-league hitter, said in a Zoom call with the media Sunday.
It’s something he said he was working on in the first preseason of the year — Spring Training — and continued working on in Texas during the break. Overall, it’s an effort to double-down on what he’s good at hitting — doubles and triples — and avoid the perils of his home ballpark, Oracle Park.
“Because of this ballpark, comparing it to a different one, maybe somewhere on the East Coast, [where] the ball travels a little bit better, you don’t want to get the ball too high in the air because it is detrimental to your stats and what your goals are,” Belt said. “My goal is to stay gap to gap and to drive the ball. That doesn’t always equate to home runs, but…I’m not too concerned with the whole home run thing.”
Playing half his games in a park notoriously difficult for left-handed hitters not named Barry Bonds, Belt is yet to hit 20 homers in a season his nine-year Giants career. If his new approach takes, this shortened season will not break that streak.
That said, despite the thick marine layer often present in the air during night games, Oracle Park’s new dimensions are expected to increase the home-run rate hit this season. The new bullpens have brought the center-field fence between six and eight feet closer to home plate.
Belt said that he hasn’t noticed the new dimensions in the park — a testament to the quality of the Giants’ retrofitting — but manager Gabe Kapler did.
Kapler, whose two seasons as the Phillies manager included seven games at Oracle Park. said the ballpark Sunday was “playing kind of like a normal hitters park… a middle of the road park…. I did notice some balls go out to center and right-center that might otherwise have been landing on the track.”
Health is another factor that could help Belt this season. He had knee surgery after the 2018 season, but that didn’t prevent the knee from getting inflamed last season.
Belt says the knee is feeling good now, and playing 60 games, instead of 162, can only help.
“I came into this spring training feeling really good,” Belt said. “I felt healthy for the first time in a couple of years. And approach wise, mentally, I feel like I’m in a great place.”