mercurynews--2020-01-27--Harriette Cole: Should I hide from my sister what I hear from her child?

DEAR HARRIETTE : I am very close to my sister , and I am also very close to my sister ’ s child .
We talk a lot , and it ’ s wonderful for both of us .
My sister used to think it was good , but now I don ’ t know .
When I mention things that we discuss , my sister seems to get a little peeved .
But if I don ’ t mention highlights of our chats , I worry that my sister thinks that I am withholding information .
How can I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is comfortable ?
DEAR FRIENDS ACROSS GENERATIONS : Check back in with your sister to reassure her of how grateful you are for the close relationship the two of you have and the one that you have with her child .
Celebrate your sister for all she is doing to ensure that her child has a great life .
Let her know that you consider it a privilege to be close to both of them , and that you hope she feels the same .
Do not feel that you have to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your sister ’ s child .
Stay attentive and share when necessary .
DEAR HARRIETTE : My daughter had a horrible time this year going through midterms .
She bit all of her fingernails down to nubs .
She didn ’ t sleep well for a whole week .
She was irritable every single day .
And nothing I did helped her .
In fact , my very presence seemed to annoy her .
I know it ’ s because the pressure is intense at her school , and she feels that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t get in to college .
I think I should speak to the guidance counselor or principal to find out if the school can do anything to support the students during this particularly stressful period .
There are so many stories of teen suicide and drug and alcohol abuse .
I feel certain that some of these kids are going to crack in one way or another .
I would like to help in any way that I can so that my daughter and her classmates aren ’ t so wigged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEAR BEYOND STRESSED OUT : If you think that your child is in danger of hurting herself beyond her bitten-down nails , you definitely should step in to see how you can alleviate some of her stress .
Make sure that you provide her with healthy food to support her during this tough period .
Be attentive and present so that she knows that you are willing to help her at a moment ’ s notice .
Do contact the school and address your concerns for your child and others ; suggest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you worry that the students need mental health support .
Form a group with other parents to voice your concerns .
There is power in numbers .
Stand up and make it clear that you need the school to help the students learn how to handle stress so that they will not resort to self-harm .
Stay on officials as you also watch and engage your child as much as possible .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am very close to my sister, and I am also very close to my sister’s child. We talk a lot, and it’s wonderful for both of us.
My sister used to think it was good, but now I don’t know. When I mention things that we discuss, my sister seems to get a little peeved. But if I don’t mention highlights of our chats, I worry that my sister thinks that I am withholding information.
How can I smooth out this situation so that everybody is comfortable?
Friends Across Generations
DEAR FRIENDS ACROSS GENERATIONS: Check back in with your sister to reassure her of how grateful you are for the close relationship the two of you have and the one that you have with her child. Celebrate your sister for all she is doing to ensure that her child has a great life. Let her know that you consider it a privilege to be close to both of them, and that you hope she feels the same.
Do not feel that you have to share the blow-by-blow of every conversation you have with your sister’s child. Stay attentive and share when necessary.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter had a horrible time this year going through midterms. She bit all of her fingernails down to nubs. She didn’t sleep well for a whole week. She was irritable every single day. And nothing I did helped her. In fact, my very presence seemed to annoy her.
I know it’s because the pressure is intense at her school, and she feels that she has to do well or she won’t get in to college.
I think I should speak to the guidance counselor or principal to find out if the school can do anything to support the students during this particularly stressful period. There are so many stories of teen suicide and drug and alcohol abuse. I feel certain that some of these kids are going to crack in one way or another.
I would like to help in any way that I can so that my daughter and her classmates aren’t so wigged out. What do you recommend?
Beyond Stressed Out
DEAR BEYOND STRESSED OUT: If you think that your child is in danger of hurting herself beyond her bitten-down nails, you definitely should step in to see how you can alleviate some of her stress. Make sure that you provide her with healthy food to support her during this tough period. Be attentive and present so that she knows that you are willing to help her at a moment’s notice.
Do contact the school and address your concerns for your child and others; suggest that the stakes are dangerously high, and you worry that the students need mental health support. Form a group with other parents to voice your concerns. There is power in numbers. Stand up and make it clear that you need the school to help the students learn how to handle stress so that they will not resort to self-harm. Stay on officials as you also watch and engage your child as much as possible.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Miss Manners: I find it excruciating to get stuck talking with the other wives

DEAR MISS MANNERS : My husband is a business executive and I am a CEO for a nonprofit organization .
His company ’ s leadership team is all male and socializes often , typically with dinner parties to which spouses are also invited .
After dinner , the men most often retire to another area for cigars , leaving the spouses to converse until the evening is over .
The women are kind to me , but being the only one with a career and without children , I have little in common with them .
Invariably , conversation quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , followed by at least two hours discussing their children .
When I am occasionally asked about myself , I try to introduce a topic that might be of interest to all , but inevitably conversation returns to their children .
I try to remain attentive , such that no one would suspect my profound boredom .
Worse , I envy my husband , who is enjoying conversation about business leadership that I would find fascinating , and where I would enjoy engaging as a peer .
Our home is too small to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we plan a fun activity that encourages a more egalitarian social experience .
While everyone professes to have had a good time , it is regarded as a one-time event and does not impact the social norm .
I want to support my husband , but I am finding these occasions increasingly excruciating .
Other than “ grin and bear it ” or bowing out , do you have any suggestions that could help me engage or behave in a way that would make these events more satisfying for me ?
GENTLE READER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem 50 years ago by banning business-related stag dinners ?
And haven ’ t we been trying , for just as long , to do away with the stereotype that mothers who are not in paid jobs are boring ?
Well , maybe this set is .
Parents do like to talk about their children .
But people tend to marry those with whom they have things in common even before they have children .
If those husbands are interesting , it seems unlikely that the wives are all dullards .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others are , and restricts her conversation accordingly .
So although you do not have to attend those dinners , Miss Manners would like you to try again to draw them out .
They probably have some interest in the business world , not only because of their husbands , but because so many are in it before being home with small children , and plan to reenter it .
Perhaps they also do volunteer work and might be interested to hear about your nonprofit organization .
If you find even one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join you in crashing the stag party .
That ’ s what we did in the days when that separation of the sexes after dinner was common .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I ’ m a 21-year-old female who works closely with many people a lot older than I am .
How do I politely respond to older women when they ’ re talking about the “ joys of getting older , ” i.e.
, hot flashes , loss of hair or memory , or anything that used to work that now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want them to think I ’ m unsympathetic , but I also don ’ t want them to think I pity them .
GENTLE READER : “ You ’ re certainly giving me something to look forward to.
” Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband is a business executive and I am a CEO for a nonprofit organization. His company’s leadership team is all male and socializes often, typically with dinner parties to which spouses are also invited. After dinner, the men most often retire to another area for cigars, leaving the spouses to converse until the evening is over.
The women are kind to me, but being the only one with a career and without children, I have little in common with them. Invariably, conversation quickly covers the latest fashions and television shows, followed by at least two hours discussing their children.
When I am occasionally asked about myself, I try to introduce a topic that might be of interest to all, but inevitably conversation returns to their children. I try to remain attentive, such that no one would suspect my profound boredom. Worse, I envy my husband, who is enjoying conversation about business leadership that I would find fascinating, and where I would enjoy engaging as a peer.
Our home is too small to host, so when we reciprocate, we plan a fun activity that encourages a more egalitarian social experience. While everyone professes to have had a good time, it is regarded as a one-time event and does not impact the social norm.
I want to support my husband, but I am finding these occasions increasingly excruciating. Other than “grin and bear it” or bowing out, do you have any suggestions that could help me engage or behave in a way that would make these events more satisfying for me?
GENTLE READER: Didn’t we solve this problem 50 years ago by banning business-related stag dinners? And haven’t we been trying, for just as long, to do away with the stereotype that mothers who are not in paid jobs are boring?
Well, maybe this set is. Parents do like to talk about their children.
But people tend to marry those with whom they have things in common even before they have children. If those husbands are interesting, it seems unlikely that the wives are all dullards. It is even possible that each one thinks that the others are, and restricts her conversation accordingly.
So although you do not have to attend those dinners, Miss Manners would like you to try again to draw them out. They probably have some interest in the business world, not only because of their husbands, but because so many are in it before being home with small children, and plan to reenter it. Perhaps they also do volunteer work and might be interested to hear about your nonprofit organization.
If you find even one kindred spirit, you could ask her to join you in crashing the stag party. That’s what we did in the days when that separation of the sexes after dinner was common.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m a 21-year-old female who works closely with many people a lot older than I am. How do I politely respond to older women when they’re talking about the “joys of getting older,” i.e., hot flashes, loss of hair or memory, or anything that used to work that now doesn’t? I don’t want them to think I’m unsympathetic, but I also don’t want them to think I pity them.
GENTLE READER: “You’re certainly giving me something to look forward to.”
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Coronavirus:  Cancel travel to China, say health officials

Health officials are recommending that Americans avoid all non-essential travel to China , a major step that further isolates the two nations as Asia grapples with a fast-spreading respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus .
The Centers for Disease Control ’ s travel warning – level 3 , its highest , issued Monday afternoon – appears designed to not only protect Americans abroad , but to reduce the chance of domestic outbreaks sparked by returning travelers .
Already , stocks tumbled on Monday ’ s news of the virus ’ s spread , with tourist companies and airlines dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The S & P 500 fell 1.6 percent , the sharpest decline since Oct. 2 .
Even before the official recommendation , travelers were canceling their plans .
An increasing number of China ’ s tourist attractions have closed , and transportation is interrupted .
Late last week , the night before her flight to Shanghai , Oakland ’ s Cynthia Gorney got word that her two-week teaching job was cancelled .
The school ’ s main concern was for its students , who travel there from other parts of the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her bags , making extra room for two big boxes of surgical masks and latex gloves .
“ I was emotionally derailed for about an hour .
Discombobulated , ” said Gorney , a contributing writer at National Geographic and professor emeritus at UC Berkeley ’ s School of Journalism .
“ But my friends and family were quite relieved.
” China is currently the fourth most popular tourist destination behind France , the United States , and Spain , with most of its visitors from Hong Kong , Macau , and Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s economy in 2017 , according to the World Travel and Tourism Council .
It projects that by 2028 , China ’ s economy will benefit from travel and tourism more than any other country , contributing $ 2,731.5 billion to its gross domestic product .
Many airlines are offering changes and cancellations for flights to , from and through mainland China , for travel through early February , with terms varying by carrier .
Hotels are also making it easier to rejigger plans .
Hilton , Accor , InterContinental Hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vary among tour operators .
Some are altering their itineraries .
So far , the outbreak pales in comparison to flu deaths , said Gorney .
“ But it ’ ll prevent travelers from bringing it back to the U.S. , and that ’ s legitimate , ” she said , noting the growing evidence that asymptomatic people may carry the virus .
“ I don ’ t want to come home and transmit it to someone with a compromised immune system , or a baby.
” The Washington Post contributed to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to : https : //wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china

Health officials are recommending that Americans avoid all non-essential travel to China, a major step that further isolates the two nations as Asia grapples with a fast-spreading respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control’s travel warning – level 3, its highest, issued Monday afternoon – appears designed to not only protect Americans abroad, but to reduce the chance of domestic outbreaks sparked by returning travelers.
Already, stocks tumbled on Monday’s news of the virus’s spread, with tourist companies and airlines dependent on Chinese tourism particularly hard hit. The S&P 500 fell 1.6 percent, the sharpest decline since Oct. 2.
Tech companies, despite shared investment and collaboration with China, are likely to follow the government’s example.
A Facebook spokesperson in Shanghai told Reuters that the company has asked employees to suspend non-essential travel to mainland China to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The company told employees who had traveled to China to work from home.
Also on Monday, the United States government announced that it is evacuating diplomats and staff from its Wuhan embassy and will fly them in a chartered plane to southern California’s Ontario Airport, about 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, on Wednesday morning.
All passengers will be screened for symptoms in Wuhan prior to departure and will be monitored upon arrival in California. The Chinese consulate, first established in 1861, provides emergency services to U.S. citizens in the region and promotes economic and cultural exchanges.
Meanwhile, health officials sought to calm fears that deliveries of Chinese goods are safe. Even the worse case scenario — say, someone sneezes into your Apple iPhone 11 package, then ships it to your home by air via United Parcel Service or FedEx — isn’t dangerous. Based on related research, it is unlikely that the virus can survive more than a few hours on a product or its packaging.
“In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Center for Disease Control’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a Monday press briefing.
But human-to-human transmission is well established, with an average of 1.5 to 3 people becoming infected from a single sick person.
The evacuation and new travel recommendations are signs of how seriously U.S. officials take the outbreak, which continues to spread throughout Asia and the rest of the world. It has caused 2,700 illnesses in China and claimed 82 lives. Nearly 60 million people have been affected by partial or full quarantines in Wuhan and two adjacent cities.
There are more than 60 confirmed cases in 16 nations, including five in the United States. In the Bay Area, hospitals say they are preparing for cases and are vigilant for patients with recent travel in Wuhan, where the coronavirus is believed to have originated.
Even before the official recommendation, travelers were canceling their plans. An increasing number of China’s tourist attractions have closed, and transportation is interrupted.
Late last week, the night before her flight to Shanghai, Oakland’s Cynthia Gorney got word that her two-week teaching job was cancelled. The school’s main concern was for its students, who travel there from other parts of the country, she said.
She had already packed her bags, making extra room for two big boxes of surgical masks and latex gloves.
“I was emotionally derailed for about an hour. Discombobulated,” said Gorney, a contributing writer at National Geographic and professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism. “But my friends and family were quite relieved.”
China is currently the fourth most popular tourist destination in the world behind France, the United States, and Spain, with most of its visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Tourism accounted for 11 percent of China’s economy in 2017, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. It projects that by 2028, China’s economy will benefit from travel and tourism more than any other country, contributing $2,731.5 billion to its gross domestic product.
Many airlines are offering changes and cancellations for flights to, from and through mainland China, for travel through early February, with terms varying by carrier. Hotels are also making it easier to change plans. Hilton, Accor, InterContinental Hotels and Hyatt are easing restrictions. Policies vary among tour operators. Some are altering their itineraries.
So far, the outbreak pales in comparison to the number of people killed every year from flu, said Gorney.
But travel warnings are warranted due to uncertainty about the virus, the lack of a vaccine and growing evidence that asymptomatic people may carry the virus, she said. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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“It’ll prevent travelers from bringing it back to the U.S., and that’s legitimate,” she said. “I don’t want to come home and transmit it to someone with a compromised immune system, or a baby.”
For more information, go to: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china
The Washington Post contributed to this report


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Who makes the best kabob in the Bay Area?

Kabobs are among our favorite Bay Area eats because , well , who doesn ’ t love meat on a stick ?
There are a plethora of eateries from San Jose to Fremont and San Francisco making great kabobs , whether it ’ s a cheap mom-and-pop or a fine dining restaurant .
Skewered , wrapped in lavash or gracing a platter of glistening basmati , the possibilities are endless .
But , who makes the best kabob in the Bay Area ?
And what makes it great ?
Is it about the quality of the meat — san tenderizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pickled and grilled accompaniments ?
We ’ re guessing you have an opinion on the matter .
And we want to hear it !
We ’ re launching a bracket-style contest to find the best kabob in the Bay Area .
Send us the restaurant , food truck or pop-up that makes your favorite kabobs .
Give us the name of the restaurant , what you order there and why you love it .
If possible , send us a photo of that kabob , too .
Email your “ best kabob ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 .

Kebabs are among our favorite Bay Area eats because, well, who doesn’t love meat on a stick?
There are a plethora of eateries from San Jose to Fremont and San Francisco making great kebabs, whether it’s a cheap mom-and-pop or a fine dining restaurant. Skewered, wrapped in lavash or gracing a platter of glistening basmati, the possibilities are endless.
So who makes the best kebab in the Bay Area? And what makes it great? Is it about the quality of the meat — sans tenderizer, please — the spices or the pickled and grilled accompaniments? We’re guessing you have an opinion on the matter. And we want to hear it! Related Articles Restaurants, Food and Drink | Want to stay on the Bay Area’s famed floating island with palm trees and lighthouse? Now you can.
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We’re launching a bracket-style contest to find the best kebabs in the Bay Area. Send us the name of the restaurant, food truck or pop-up that makes your favorite kebabs, what you order there and why you love it. (And if possible, send us a photo of that delicious skewer, too.)
Email your “best kebab” nominations to jyadegaran@bayareanewsgroup.com by Feb. 17.
For more food and drink coverage
follow us on Flipboard.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Dozens of wild young cyclists wreak havoc on the streets of Fremont

FREMONT — Fremont police arrested two kids and ticketed at least a dozen others over the weekend who were riding bikes in a large group and allegedly blocking traffic , cursing at and flipping off drivers , and even throwing objects at officers who tried to detain them .
Many of the unruly bicyclists were from Hayward or San Leandro and one was from Union City , police said .
Authorities couldn ’ t say why they came to Fremont .
However , the problem doesn ’ t seem to be a new one in the city .
Some residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening frequently for months .
The police department is publicizing the incident this time hoping parents will take notice .
The kids , in a group as large as 50 at times , were seen by drivers and officers in multiple spots around the city Saturday afternoon , causing several people to call 911 to report their activity .
“ Because it was such a large group , our motivation for putting it out was awareness , and just to also hopefully get some of the information to parents .
If your kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re going out , they might be involved in this , ” Fremont police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said Monday .
“ Because it ’ s really hard , they take off so quickly on their bikes , they go in every direction , there ’ s no way we could ever detain 50 kids on bikes , ” she said .
Police issued tickets Saturday to kids for not wearing helmets while riding bikes and others for impeding traffic , or both , according to Bosques .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticketed for impeding traffic .
Near Mowry Avenue and Cherry Lane , Bosques said police got multiple 911 calls around 3:10 p.m. about kids popping wheelies in front of cars holding up the traffic and cursing at drivers .
In other parts of the city , near downtown , one teenager got into an argument with a man at a coffee shop , before trying to ditch police on his bike .
“ He just took off , and they were basically following him with lights on , and then they eventually blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fremont Boulevard , and were able to take him into custody , ” Bosques said , of a 14-year-old from San Leandro , who was arrested for obstructing police .
The other arrested was a 15-year-old boy from Union City , for obstructing police , impeding traffic , and possessing 14 grams of marijuana , Bosques said .
Both boys were brought to the Fremont station and their parents were called to pick them up .
San Leandro police have dealt with similar issues , and at one point in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 calls were made to 911 in the span of a few months about groups of kids on bikes blocking traffic , hitting car mirrors and doors .
Police later ticketed kids , arrested some , and confiscated some bikes , KPIX reported .
Lt. Ted Henderson of the San Leandro Police Department said Monday groups of kids often establish where to meet up on social media .
“ It could be in Oakland one day , and Fremont the next , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a constant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather changes and the sun ’ s out , they ’ ll be back .
What ’ s hard about it , especially for juveniles , is these are misdemeanors or infractions , so they don ’ t get a lot of penalties for this activity.
” Bosques said police have also seen video , posted to YouTube last week , of kids on bikes riding through Fremont and Union City , swerving around buses and cars while popping wheelies , and at some points riding directly at oncoming cars before turning out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be filmed by someone on a bike in the group , but it ’ s not clear if those kids have any connection to the ones causing issues in Fremont on Saturday , Bosques said .
The Fremont Police Department ’ s Facebook post about the incident prompted hundreds of comments , some from people claiming they ’ ve witnessed the behavior first-hand .
Martha Leeson Garcia wrote that she was one of the people who called 911 after seeing the kids at Mowry and Cherry on Saturday .
“ They intentionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I ’ m not even sure how I got through the intersection .
I almost hit one of them because he rode right in front of my car on purpose , ” she wrote .
Latanya Huggins commented that the issue has been happening for about a year .
“ Originally it was fine .
Mostly in the Target parking lot at the Fremont Hub .
Then they started taking over main streets like Mowry cutting off cars carelessly and without fear .
I think it ’ s great for kids to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , ” Huggins wrote .
“ If people are out riding their bikes lawfully , it ’ s all good .
It ’ s when they start to impede traffic , drive around vehicles…take over streets and intersections , that ’ s when it becomes too much , ” Bosques said .
“ We took some enforcement action this weekend as a proactive way to also send a message , ” she said , “ that we ’ re not going to tolerate this in Fremont .
”

FREMONT — Fremont police arrested two kids and ticketed at least a dozen others over the weekend who were riding bikes in a large group and allegedly blocking traffic, cursing at and flipping off drivers, and even throwing objects at officers who tried to detain them.
Many of the unruly bicyclists were from Hayward or San Leandro and one was from Union City, police said. Authorities couldn’t say why they came to Fremont.
However, the problem doesn’t seem to be a new one in the city. Some residents are telling police similar incidents have been happening frequently for months. The police department is publicizing the incident this time hoping parents will take notice.
The kids, in a group as large as 50 at times, were seen by drivers and officers in multiple spots around the city Saturday afternoon, causing several people to call 911 to report their activity.
“Because it was such a large group, our motivation for putting it out was awareness, and just to also hopefully get some of the information to parents. If your kids are out on bikes on weekends, and they’re going out, they might be involved in this,” Fremont police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said Monday.
“Because it’s really hard, they take off so quickly on their bikes, they go in every direction, there’s no way we could ever detain 50 kids on bikes,” she said.
Police issued tickets Saturday to kids for not wearing helmets while riding bikes and others for impeding traffic, or both, according to Bosques. In addition, a 34-year-old man from San Ramon was ticketed for impeding traffic.
Near Mowry Avenue and Cherry Lane, Bosques said police got multiple 911 calls around 3:10 p.m. about kids popping wheelies in front of cars holding up the traffic and cursing at drivers. In other parts of the city, near downtown, one teenager got into an argument with a man at a coffee shop, before trying to ditch police on his bike.
“He just took off, and they were basically following him with lights on, and then they eventually blocked his pathway in front of a business on Fremont Boulevard, and were able to take him into custody,” Bosques said, of a 14-year-old from San Leandro, who was arrested for obstructing police.
The other arrested was a 15-year-old boy from Union City, for obstructing police, impeding traffic, and possessing 14 grams of marijuana, Bosques said. Both boys were brought to the Fremont station and their parents were called to pick them up.
San Leandro police have dealt with similar issues, and at one point in 2018, KPIX reported that authorities there said more than 100 calls were made to 911 in the span of a few months about groups of kids on bikes blocking traffic, hitting car mirrors and doors.
Police later ticketed kids, arrested some, and confiscated some bikes, KPIX reported.
Lt. Ted Henderson of the San Leandro Police Department said Monday groups of kids often establish where to meet up on social media. “It could be in Oakland one day, and Fremont the next,” he said. “It’s a constant problem, and I think once the weather changes and the sun’s out, they’ll be back. What’s hard about it, especially for juveniles, is these are misdemeanors or infractions, so they don’t get a lot of penalties for this activity.”
Bosques said police have also seen video, posted to YouTube last week, of kids on bikes riding through Fremont and Union City, swerving around buses and cars while popping wheelies, and at some points riding directly at oncoming cars before turning out of the way.
The video appeared to be filmed by someone on a bike in the group, but it’s not clear if those kids have any connection to the ones causing issues in Fremont on Saturday, Bosques said.
The Fremont Police Department’s Facebook post about the incident prompted hundreds of comments, some from people claiming they’ve witnessed the behavior first-hand.
Martha Leeson Garcia wrote that she was one of the people who called 911 after seeing the kids at Mowry and Cherry on Saturday.
“They intentionally disrupted traffic, and for what purpose? I’m not even sure how I got through the intersection. I almost hit one of them because he rode right in front of my car on purpose,” she wrote.
Latanya Huggins commented that the issue has been happening for about a year.
“Originally it was fine. Mostly in the Target parking lot at the Fremont Hub. Then they started taking over main streets like Mowry cutting off cars carelessly and without fear. I think it’s great for kids to be out and active but not like this,” Huggins wrote.
“If people are out riding their bikes lawfully, it’s all good. It’s when they start to impede traffic, drive around vehicles…take over streets and intersections, that’s when it becomes too much,” Bosques said.
“We took some enforcement action this weekend as a proactive way to also send a message,” she said, “that we’re not going to tolerate this in Fremont.”


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Review: Hillbarn’s new twist on ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ won’t connect with everyone

After such a standout production of “ Newsies ” in December , it ’ s unfortunate that Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City has come up with what is , essentially , a somewhat lackluster version of “ Little Shop of Horrors.
” Though the opening night audience ( with likely a lot of friends and family members of the cast ) gave it raucous applause , this is a very different , very unusual interpretation of the show which was a huge hit in a small New York theater for many years .
Later it moved to the Orpheum Theatre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually to Broadway .
Many people don ’ t realize that the genesis of “ Little Shop ” is a low-budget 1960 black comedy movie .
It became a combination comedy and rock musical ( with a little horror thrown in ) with Alan Menken providing the music and Howard Ashman writing both the lyrics and book .
( Menken ’ s music has rightfully been called a unique combination of early 1960s rock-and-roll , doo-wop and a little Motown thrown in for good measure . )
At Hillbarn , at least the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three wonderful “ street urchins , ” Crystal , Ronnette and Chiffon , who frequently set the scene and act as narrators while commenting on the action .
And wow — all of them can really belt a tune !
But director Tyler Christie has a very different take on “ Little Shop ” that will either delight you or turn you off .
His is a darker , more sinister view of Skid Row and what goes on at Mushnik ’ s Skid Row Florists .
Probably his strangest – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to the script is making the Audrey II a human being rather than a plant .
Obviously this was a deliberate choice , but it weakens the story considerably to see a human “ Audrey II ” walk out demanding that Seymour feed her .
Seymour complies by piling a victim onto a sliding floor mat and pushing it under a shimmering curtain .
One of the best pleasures in “ Little Shop ” is usually watching the Audrey II grow larger by use of a series of ever-bigger plant puppets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts to grow , with several plants digesting blood droplets and demanding more .
But then the plant becomes a human being in a multicolored outfit and a sparkly wig that grows taller as he eats .
It ’ s weird….and a real let down .
Still , there are positives in this “ Little Shop , ” not least of which are the many songs .
Among the best : “ Skid Row ( Downtown ) , ” the poignant duet “ Somewhere That ’ s Green , ” “ ( Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” “ Now ( It ’ s Just the Gas ) , ” and the syrupy sweet “ Suddenly Seymour.
” Two Equity actors head the cast and are fine performers , and all three of the Doo-Wop trio are also excellent singers and dancers .
Phil Wong does a creditable job playing bespeckled Seymour , the beleaguered orphan living on Skid Row who secretly loves Audrey and who innocently buys a new plant that looks like a Venus flytrap .
He brings it to Mushnik ’ s floral shop where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at night .
The other Equity actor , Jesse Caldwell , plays Mushnik with a nice combination of no-nonsense businessman and softie .
Both Wong and Caldwell also have strong singing voices .
As the singing trio , Kylie Abucay as Crystal , Melinda Campero as Ronnette and Becky Alex as Chiffon , all have strong individual voices in their solo numbers , and all do a good job of moving the action along in their primary roles of narrators .
Sam Nachison is over-the-top as the pain and laughing-gas loving dentist Orin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick changes backstage and turns into at least five or six minor characters .
It ’ s somewhat difficult to judge Jocelyn Pickett ’ s performance here as Seymour ’ s love object and Orin ’ s ‘ girl , ’ Audrey .
Her vocals are strong , but her lines ( and sometimes the way she walks ) seems tentative and unsure .
Some of this may be due to the ( very ) short and tight skirts , heels and blousy tops costume designer Y. Sharon Peng has selected as her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be kind-of a ditsy blonde but most of the time she seems too artificial .
The remaining cast member is Jad Bernardo as Audrey II .
On opening night , the five-piece musical combo conducted by Joe Murphy sometimes overwhelmed the singers which made several vocal numbers difficult to hear .
( The musicians are seated behind set pieces near where the Audrey II “ lives.
” ) Kuo-Hao Lo ’ s set design is suitably grungy when the Skid Row flower shop is not making any money .
Later , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings in many new ( and wealthier ) customers .
The rest of Peng ’ s wardrobe for the actors , as well as wigs and makeup design , are appropriate , as is Brandie Larkin ’ s sound .
On opening night , Pamela Gray ’ s lighting worked well , other than several times during Pickett ’ s solo when the spotlight didn ’ t follow her as she moved around .
In the end , Hillbarn ’ s Little Shop ” desperately needs a big , BIG puppet of Audrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t produce the same reaction from audiences .
Joanne is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and Theatre Bay Area .
Email her at joanneengelhardt @ comcast.net Tickets : $ 30 – 58 with discounts available online , ( 650 ) 349-6411 or www.hillbarntheatre.org

After such a standout production of “Newsies” in December, it’s unfortunate that Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City has come up with what is, essentially, a somewhat lackluster version of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Though the opening night audience (with likely a lot of friends and family members of the cast) gave it raucous applause, this is a very different, very unusual interpretation of the show which was a huge hit in a small New York theater for many years. Later it moved to the Orpheum Theatre off Broadway for five years and, eventually to Broadway.
Many people don’t realize that the genesis of “Little Shop” is a low-budget 1960 black comedy movie. It became a combination comedy and rock musical (with a little horror thrown in) with Alan Menken providing the music and Howard Ashman writing both the lyrics and book. (Menken’s music has rightfully been called a unique combination of early 1960s rock-and-roll, doo-wop and a little Motown thrown in for good measure.)
At Hillbarn, at least the songs are still there, as are the three wonderful “street urchins,” Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon, who frequently set the scene and act as narrators while commenting on the action. And wow — all of them can really belt a tune!
But director Tyler Christie has a very different take on “Little Shop” that will either delight you or turn you off. His is a darker, more sinister view of Skid Row and what goes on at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists.
Probably his strangest – and most difficult to figure out why – change to the script is making the Audrey II a human being rather than a plant. Obviously this was a deliberate choice, but it weakens the story considerably to see a human “Audrey II” walk out demanding that Seymour feed her. Seymour complies by piling a victim onto a sliding floor mat and pushing it under a shimmering curtain.
One of the best pleasures in “Little Shop” is usually watching the Audrey II grow larger by use of a series of ever-bigger plant puppets. That’s how the plant here starts to grow, with several plants digesting blood droplets and demanding more. But then the plant becomes a human being in a multicolored outfit and a sparkly wig that grows taller as he eats. It’s weird….and a real let down.
Still, there are positives in this “Little Shop,” not least of which are the many songs. Among the best: “Skid Row (Downtown),” the poignant duet “Somewhere That’s Green,” “(Be a) Dentist,” “Suppertime,” “Now (It’s Just the Gas),” and the syrupy sweet “Suddenly Seymour.”
Two Equity actors head the cast and are fine performers, and all three of the Doo-Wop trio are also excellent singers and dancers. Phil Wong does a creditable job playing bespeckled Seymour, the beleaguered orphan living on Skid Row who secretly loves Audrey and who innocently buys a new plant that looks like a Venus flytrap. He brings it to Mushnik’s floral shop where he sweeps floors and sleeps under a bench at night.
The other Equity actor, Jesse Caldwell, plays Mushnik with a nice combination of no-nonsense
businessman and softie. Both Wong and Caldwell also have strong singing voices.
As the singing trio, Kylie Abucay as Crystal, Melinda Campero as Ronnette and Becky Alex as Chiffon, all have strong individual voices in their solo numbers, and all do a good job of moving the action along in their primary roles of narrators. Sam Nachison is over-the-top as the pain and laughing-gas loving dentist Orin. He also does a number of quick changes backstage and turns into at least five or six minor characters.
It’s somewhat difficult to judge Jocelyn Pickett’s performance here as Seymour’s love object and Orin’s ‘girl,’ Audrey. Her vocals are strong, but her lines (and sometimes the way she walks) seems tentative and unsure. Some of this may be due to the (very) short and tight skirts, heels and blousy tops costume designer Y. Sharon Peng has selected as her wardrobe. Yes, Audrey is supposed to be kind-of a ditsy blonde but most of the time she seems too artificial. The remaining cast member is Jad Bernardo as Audrey II.
On opening night, the five-piece musical combo conducted by Joe Murphy sometimes overwhelmed the singers which made several vocal numbers difficult to hear. (The musicians are seated behind set pieces near where the Audrey II “lives.”) Kuo-Hao Lo’s set design is suitably grungy when the Skid Row flower shop is not making any money.
Later, it gets spruced up as the Audrey II brings in many new (and wealthier) customers. The rest of Peng’s wardrobe for the actors, as well as wigs and makeup design, are appropriate, as is Brandie Larkin’s sound. On opening night, Pamela Gray’s lighting worked well, other than several times during Pickett’s solo when the spotlight didn’t follow her as she moved around.
In the end, Hillbarn’s Little Shop” desperately needs a big, BIG puppet of Audrey II. A human just doesn’t produce the same reaction from audiences.
Joanne is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and Theatre Bay Area. Email her at joanneengelhardt@comcast.net
Theater
What: “Little Shop of Horrors”
Where: Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City
When: Thurs. – Sat., 8 p.m., Sat. & Sun., 2 p.m.
Through: Feb. 9
Tickets: $30 – 58 with discounts available online, (650) 349-6411 or www.hillbarntheatre.org


mercurynews--2020-01-27--California’s presidential primary has already started in this Bay Area county

California ’ s 2020 primary unofficially kicked off last week as Solano County became the first county in the state to send voters mail-in ballots — giving residents the chance to cast some of the earliest presidential ballots in the U.S .
The 180,149 ballots were the first sent out anywhere in California other than those going to military or overseas voters , according to political observers , and mark the beginning of an election that is expected to see more votes cast through the mail than ever before .
Most counties are expected to start sending out mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Iowans caucus and a month before California ’ s March 3 primary day .
But Solano took advantage of a new state law allowing registrars to send out ballots earlier than that deadline if they were ready , surprising some campaigns and political observers .
The county ’ s registrar of voters office started mailing ballots out on Wednesday , with most voters likely finding them in their mailboxes Friday or Saturday .
“ Our ballots were printed and ready , and they were just going to sit on a dock for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said John Gardner , the county ’ s assistant registrar .
“ We felt it would be better to get them to the voters early.
” That way , he said , voters who had a problem with their registration , or independents who had forgotten to request a presidential ballot , would have more time to send in those requests .
Elections officials in all eight of the Bay Area ’ s other counties said they are planning to start sending out ballots on Feb. 3 .
Solano ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in the county who make up their minds in the next week could get to brag that they voted for president before any Iowans .
They won ’ t be the very first in the country to cast their votes .
Ballots going to military members and voters overseas have already been mailed out in California and other states .
Vermont ’ s deadline to mail its ballots to voters was Jan. 17 , and Minnesota started early voting the same day .
One group of voters slept in an RV outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , braving a negative-6 degree night in order to be among the first in the nation to vote for Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
No one did that in Solano on Monday morning .
Voters who ’ ve received their ballots can send them back in the mail , drop them off in person at the elections office in Fairfield , or drop them off in person at other voting locations once in-person early voting starts Feb. 3 , Gardner said .
Experts expect more Californians to vote by mail this election year than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics of the presidential primary in the state with the largest trove of delegates .
Paul Mitchell , the vice president of California political firm Political Data Inc. , estimated that about 5 percent of voters in the state will cast their ballots by the time of New Hampshire ’ s Feb. 11 primary , 25 percent by Nevada ’ s Feb. 22 caucus , and more than 40 percent by South Carolina ’ s Feb. 29 primary .
That means that a presidential candidate who faces a scandal or sees their support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulated in California , where hundreds of thousands of their supporters may have already cast their ballots .
At the same time , a candidate who scores a burst of momentum late in the month — for example , an unexpected win in South Carolina — might not gain as much upside in California .
And the pressure is on for every campaign to bank as many votes as possible now .
“ For a campaign that ’ s trying to make a mid-flight adjustment , ” Mitchell said , “ it doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting shorter for them .
”

California’s 2020 primary unofficially kicked off last week as Solano County became the first county in the state to send voters mail-in ballots — giving residents the chance to cast some of the earliest presidential ballots in the U.S.
The 180,149 ballots were the first sent out anywhere in California other than those going to military or overseas voters, according to political observers, and mark the beginning of an election that is expected to see more votes cast through the mail than ever before.
Most counties are expected to start sending out mail-in ballots on Feb. 3, the same day as Iowans caucus and a month before California’s March 3 primary day. But Solano took advantage of a new state law allowing registrars to send out ballots earlier than that deadline if they were ready, surprising some campaigns and political observers.
The county’s registrar of voters office started mailing ballots out on Wednesday, with most voters likely finding them in their mailboxes Friday or Saturday.
“Our ballots were printed and ready, and they were just going to sit on a dock for a week and a half,” said John Gardner, the county’s assistant registrar. “We felt it would be better to get them to the voters early.”
That way, he said, voters who had a problem with their registration, or independents who had forgotten to request a presidential ballot, would have more time to send in those requests.
Elections officials in all eight of the Bay Area’s other counties said they are planning to start sending out ballots on Feb. 3.
Solano’s decision to get a head start means that primary voters in the county who make up their minds in the next week could get to brag that they voted for president before any Iowans.
They won’t be the very first in the country to cast their votes. Ballots going to military members and voters overseas have already been mailed out in California and other states. Vermont’s deadline to mail its ballots to voters was Jan. 17, and Minnesota started early voting the same day.
One group of voters slept in an RV outside a Minneapolis polling place the night before, braving a negative-6 degree night in order to be among the first in the nation to vote for Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
No one did that in Solano on Monday morning. Voters who’ve received their ballots can send them back in the mail, drop them off in person at the elections office in Fairfield, or drop them off in person at other voting locations once in-person early voting starts Feb. 3, Gardner said.
Experts expect more Californians to vote by mail this election year than ever before, which could shape the dynamics of the presidential primary in the state with the largest trove of delegates.
Paul Mitchell, the vice president of California political firm Political Data Inc., estimated that about 5 percent of voters in the state will cast their ballots by the time of New Hampshire’s Feb. 11 primary, 25 percent by Nevada’s Feb. 22 caucus, and more than 40 percent by South Carolina’s Feb. 29 primary.
That means that a presidential candidate who faces a scandal or sees their support drop later in February might be more insulated in California, where hundreds of thousands of their supporters may have already cast their ballots. At the same time, a candidate who scores a burst of momentum late in the month — for example, an unexpected win in South Carolina — might not gain as much upside in California.
And the pressure is on for every campaign to bank as many votes as possible now.
“For a campaign that’s trying to make a mid-flight adjustment,” Mitchell said, “it doesn’t help that the runway keeps getting shorter for them.”
For the most devoted supporters of the White House hopefuls, getting their ballots earlier than almost anyone else in the U.S. was a delightful surprise. Thomas Bilbo, a 49-year-old IT worker in Vallejo who chairs a local LGBT Democratic club, said he’d already filled out his presidential ballot for former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and was excited to send it in Tuesday.
“He’s probably the smartest guy in the room in whatever room he goes into, and he represents a new generation that needs to be at the helm,” Bilbo said. “To get to be one of the first people to cast a vote for him — I am really proud of that.”


mercurynews--2020-01-27--New California High football coach is well-known name around Bay

Several intriguing football jobs remain open at Bay Area high schools , but California has removed itself from that list with a heavyweight hire .
If Dan Calcagno sounds like a familiar name in the East Bay , well , it is .
Calcagno , who had successful tenures at San Leandro and Chabot College , will replace Eric Billeci at the San Ramon school .
Billeci stepped down last month after 11 seasons with the Grizzlies .
Calcagno also is a familiar name in the South Bay , where Greg Calcagno coaches at St. Francis .
Dan Calcagno said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant cousins , and he isn ’ t sure if they ’ re related .
He did go to school with Greg Calcagno ’ s younger brother Kevin at Sonoma State .
This has the makings of a home run hire for California .
Calcagno was at San Leandro for eight years from 1995-2002 .
He had a 65-28 record , won four championships in the old Hayward Area Athletic League and took the Pirates to four successive North Coast Section 4A championship games .
They lost to De La Salle on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players including Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon , and defensive backs Jarrad Page ( UCLA ) and Marviel Underwood ( San Diego State ) .
All three played in the NFL .
His next stop was Chabot .
He was head coach from 2003-2016 and has spent the last three years as an assistant .
He will continue to teach physical education at Chabot for now .
His son Jake will be a junior wide receiver on the Grizzlies next season .
Billeci coached the Grizzlies for 11 years and had only one sub-.500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to spend more time with his two young children and was also concerned about the declining number of football players coming out at California .
When Calcagno first approached California athletic director Tyler Roberts about coaching there , he asked about being an assistant .
“ I was going to ask about helping out , ” Calcagno said .
“ I ’ m not sure who applied and there were no teaching jobs .
But I had time , so I decided to throw my hat into the ring.
” One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calcagno is former James Logan coach Neal Fromson , who had a dominant program for many years in the Mission Valley Athletic League .
Another key hire will be a defensive coordinator since Calcagno and Fromson prefer the offensive side of the ball .
The schedule in Calcagno ’ s first season at Cal will be brutal .
There will be games with East Bay Athletic League-Mountain Division opponents De La Salle , Clayton Valley Charter , Monte Vista , San Ramon Valley and Amador Valley , which is switching divisions with Foothill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Logan , Antioch , Freedom and Dublin .
The Grizzlies have one open date that Calcagno is trying to fill .
Although Calcagno was an All-Northern California quarterback for San Leandro and led the state in touchdown passes in 1984 , his best sport in high school was baseball .
He was a four-year varsity catcher at San Leandro , where he graduated in 1986 , and was drafted by the Giants .
Calcagno continued to play quarterback at both Chabot and Sonoma State .

Several intriguing football jobs remain open at Bay Area high schools, but California has removed itself from that list with a heavyweight hire.
If Dan Calcagno sounds like a familiar name in the East Bay, well, it is. Calcagno, who had successful tenures at San Leandro and Chabot College, will replace Eric Billeci at the San Ramon school. Billeci stepped down last month after 11 seasons with the Grizzlies.
Calcagno also is a familiar name in the South Bay, where Greg Calcagno coaches at St. Francis. Dan Calcagno said Monday that he and Greg might be distant cousins, but he isn’t sure if they’re related. He did go to school with Greg Calcagno’s younger brother Kevin at Sonoma State.
Family ties or not, Dan Calcagno’s hiring at California could be just as much of a home run as Greg Calcagno has been at St. Francis.
Dan Calcagno was at San Leandro for eight years from 1995-2002. He had a 65-28 record, won four championships in the old Hayward Area Athletic League and took the Pirates to four successive North Coast Section 4A championship games. They lost to De La Salle on all four occasions.
He also produced several big-time players including Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, and defensive backs Jarrad Page (UCLA) and Marviel Underwood (San Diego State). All three played in the NFL.
His next stop was Chabot. He was head coach from 2003-2016 and has spent the last three years as an assistant. He will continue to teach physical education at Chabot for now. His son Jake will be a junior wide receiver on the Grizzlies next season.
Billeci coached the Grizzlies for 11 years and had only one sub-.500 season — his first. But Billeci wants to spend more time with his two young children and was also concerned about the declining number of football players coming out at California.
Calcagno didn’t intend on becoming the head man when he first approached California athletic director Tyler Roberts about coaching there.
“I was going to ask about helping out,” Calcagno said. “I’m not sure who applied and there were no teaching jobs. But I had time, so I decided to throw my hat into the ring.”
One of the assistants who might come along with Calcagno is former James Logan coach Neal Fromson, who had a dominant program for many years in the Mission Valley Athletic League. Another key hire will be the defensive coordinator since Calcagno and Fromson prefer the offensive side of the ball.
The schedule in Calcagno’s first season at Cal will be brutal. There will be games with East Bay Athletic League-Mountain Division opponents De La Salle, Clayton Valley Charter, Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley and Amador Valley, which is switching divisions with Foothill.
The EBAL Mountain is the toughest league/division in the East Bay, and it might be the same for the Bay Area. It certainly rivals the WCAL that runs from San Jose to San Francisco.
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Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2023: Defensive backs High School Sports | High school football 2023 preview: Bay Valley Athletic League In addition, there are no cupcakes on the non-league slate that includes the season-opener with James Logan, followed by Antioch, Freedom and Dublin. The Grizzlies have one open date Calcagno is trying to fill.
Although Calcagno was an All-Northern California quarterback for San Leandro and led the state in touchdown passes in 1984, his best sport in high school appears to have been baseball. He was a four-year varsity catcher at San Leandro, where he graduated in 1986, and was drafted by the Giants.
Calcagno continued to play two sports at Chabot and Sonoma State. He was inducted into the Sonoma State University Hall of Fame in 2014.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Duo passed along $100 counterfeit bills in Oakland, San Francisco

A man and woman who pleaded guilty to making phony $ 100 bills as part of a Bay Area counterfeiting conspiracy and fake credit card scheme each were sentenced to more than 4 ½ years in federal prison Monday , authorities said .
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston sentenced Marcus Smith , 37 , to five years and three months in prison and gave a four-year , nine-month sentence to 36-year-old Nicole Dunlap , U.S. Attorney David Anderson of the Northern District of California said through a spokesman .
Both pleaded guilty on Nov. 6 .
The two admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the counterfeit $ 100 bills , Anderson said , as well as to making phony credit cards using identities stolen .
Dunlap admitted to using the counterfeit bills at a San Francisco business , and Smith acknowledged that he carried the fake bills in Oakland .
The two also admitted to manufacturing more than 950 of the counterfeit $ 100 bills and that they did so with the intent to defraud others , Anderson said .
As for the credit-card scheme , Anderson said the two admitted they possessed and used hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some stolen and some manufactured with card-making equipment .
Anderson said Smith and Dunlap found the victims ’ personal information on the internet , which helped them create cards to book hotel rooms , rent cars , and make other purchases .
According to Anderson , Dunlap had more than 100 fake cards and multiple pieces of equipment that was used to make them when she was arrested last year .
Smith had more than 1,500 fake cards at the time of his arrest .
Together , they used them to make at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson said .
Authorities dismissed charges of aggravated identity theft against the two .
Smith and Dunlap bring to six the total of people who have pleaded guilty to charges in the counterfeiting conspiracy .
Erasto Campos will be sentenced Tuesday , Michael Suderman learns his fate Feb. 14 , and Michael O ’ Keefe hears from the judge on April 10 .
A sentence is still pending for Joshua Barnes .

A man and woman who pleaded guilty to making phony $100 bills as part of a Bay Area counterfeiting conspiracy and fake credit card scheme each were sentenced to more than 4 ½ years in federal prison Monday, authorities said.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston sentenced Marcus Smith, 37, to five years and three months in prison and gave a four-year, nine-month sentence to 36-year-old Nicole Dunlap, U.S. Attorney David Anderson of the Northern District of California said through a spokesman. Both pleaded guilty on Nov. 6.
The two admitted in their plea agreements to making and using the counterfeit $100 bills, Anderson said, as well as to making phony credit cards using identities stolen.
The two were part of a group that was responsible for flooding the Bay Area with thousands of dollars in fake currency, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. The alleged ringleader, Joshua Barnes, has not yet been sentenced.
“The United States Secret Service has identified and classified hundreds of counterfeit bills to have specific characteristics shared by the counterfeit bills possessed and passed at businesses around the Bay Area by the defendants in this case,” assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Cheng wrote in a sentencing memo for Smith.
Dunlap admitted to using the counterfeit bills at a San Francisco business, and Smith acknowledged that he carried the fake bills in Oakland. The two also admitted to manufacturing more than 950 of the counterfeit $100 bills and that they did so with the intent to defraud others, Anderson said.
The Secret Service is in charge of investigating counterfeit U.S. currency around the globe, and has at its disposal a massive database that logs every fake bill that has ever been recovered. The database allows authorities to trace the problem on an international scale; in 2015, for instance, the federal agents determined that a single illicit press was responsible for generating $1.25 million in counterfeit cash in California.
There are two main ways people do it: one — largely considered an amateurish method by those in the business — is to use a copying machine or inkjet printer. The other is to somehow acquire a printing press and make the bills by hand. Typically, counterfeiters will wash the ink off $1 bills and re-print them as twenties or hundreds, so that the paper is actual currency and harder to flag.
As for the credit-card scheme, Anderson said the two admitted they possessed and used hundreds of phony credit and identification cards, some stolen and some manufactured with card-making equipment. Anderson said Smith and Dunlap found the victims’ personal information on the internet, which helped them create cards to book hotel rooms, rent cars, and make other purchases.
According to Anderson, Dunlap had more than 100 fake cards and multiple pieces of equipment that was used to make them when she was arrested last year. Smith had more than 1,500 fake cards at the time of his arrest. Together, they used them to make at least $250,000 worth of purchases, Anderson said.
Authorities dismissed charges of aggravated identity theft against the two.
Smith and Dunlap bring to six the total of people who have pleaded guilty to charges in the counterfeiting conspiracy. Erasto Campos will be sentenced Tuesday, Michael Suderman learns his fate Feb. 14, and Michael O’Keefe hears from the judge on April 10.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--‘Veep’s’ Tony Hale returns to stage for quirky ‘Wakey, Wakey’ in SF

A man finds himself at center stage and just starts talking .
Unsurprised but unprepared , he launches into a funny free-form monologue filled with philosophical musings , seemingly banal observations and running commentary on whatever sound effects and video accompaniment happens to come up .
It ’ s all tightly scripted but has an off-the-cuff , endearingly awkward quality .
In American Conservatory Theater ’ s new production of “ Wakey , Wakey , ” the 2017 play by Will Eno ( “ The Realistic Joneses , ” “ TRAGEDY : a tragedy , ” “ Middletown ” ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the universe and everything is Tony Hale , who ’ s made endearing awkwardness a sort of signature in his screen roles .
A two-time Emmy Award winner , Hale is probably best known from his TV roles as Buster on “ Arrested Development ” and Gary Walsh on “ Veep.
” He also stars ( as a chicken ) in the animated series “ Archibald ’ s Next Big Thing ” and was the voice of Forky in “ Toy Story 4.
” “ In general , my default is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My default is to kind of be checked out .
And something about the intimacy with theater and being able to experience this with the audience and talk about big life questions and existential thinking , I ’ m really looking forward to that .
That kind of intimacy you don ’ t get with TV and film , because there ’ s a lot of stopping and starting , and sometimes you ’ ll do the end of the script the first day , and it ’ s all cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hale ’ s been a performer since a very young age .
“ My dad was in the Army , and in the seventh grade we moved to Tallahassee , Florida , and that ’ s where he retired , ” Hale recalls .
“ The South is very sports driven , and I was not a very sporty kid .
My brother was into soccer .
My parents were kind of like , ‘ Oh , we ’ ve got to find something for Anthony to do.
’ My neighbors had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theatre , a children ’ s theater in Tallahassee .
So I signed up for it , and it was just a haven for me .
Even if you don ’ t necessarily make a career out of the arts like I have , I think certain personalities need those artistic environments to thrive , and I was definitely one of those kids.
” “ Wakey , Wakey ” is the first play Hale ’ s done since he booked his “ Arrested Development ” role in 2003 and moved from New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last play I did was a play called ‘ Museum ’ by Tina Howe at the Keen Company back in 2002 , ” he says .
Taking on a play like this , in which he ’ s talking most of the time and so much depends on timing and nuance , really seems like jumping back in with both feet .
“ At first it was kind of a daunting idea , because I haven ’ t done theater in very long time , ” Hale says .
“ Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then another character comes in halfway through .
But then I read the script , and I just really loved it .
I actually am really , really excited about just exercising that muscle that I haven ’ t exercised in a while.
” Kathryn Smith-McGlynn , a regular at Marin Shakespeare Company in recent years , plays the other character who shows up late in the play .
Directed by Anne Kauffman , fresh off of helming Sarah Ruhl ’ s “ Becky Nurse of Salem ” at Berkeley Repertory Theatre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new companion piece by Eno , titled “ The Substitution ” commissioned by ACT , featuring Smith-McGlynn and some of the ACT MFA students .
“ The thing that I ’ m really crazy about with this play is it feels like a play about gratitude , ” Hale says .
“ You can tell this man is kind of at the end of his life from the beginning .
And when that happens you ’ re forced to really ponder and practice gratitude .
And it ’ s done in a really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of humor.
” Contact Sam Hurwitt at shurwitt @ gmail.com , and follow him at Twitter.com/shurwitt .
By Will Eno , presented by American Conservatory Theater When : In previews through Jan. 28 , main run is Jan. 29-Feb. 16

A man finds himself at center stage and just starts talking. Unsurprised but unprepared, he launches into a funny free-form monologue filled with philosophical musings, seemingly banal observations and running commentary on whatever sound effects and video accompaniment happens to come up. It’s all tightly scripted but has an off-the-cuff, endearingly awkward quality.
In American Conservatory Theater’s new production of “Wakey, Wakey,” the 2017 play by Will Eno (“The Realistic Joneses,” “TRAGEDY: a tragedy,” “Middletown”), the man haplessly musing on life, the universe and everything is Tony Hale, who’s made endearing awkwardness a sort of signature in his screen roles.
A two-time Emmy Award winner, Hale is probably best known from his TV roles as Buster on “Arrested Development” and Gary Walsh on “Veep.” He also stars (as a chicken) in the animated series “Archibald’s Next Big Thing” and was the voice of Forky in “Toy Story 4.”
“In general, my default is not to be present,” Hale says. “My default is to kind of be checked out. And something about the intimacy with theater and being able to experience this with the audience and talk about big life questions and existential thinking, I’m really looking forward to that. That kind of intimacy you don’t get with TV and film, because there’s a lot of stopping and starting, and sometimes you’ll do the end of the script the first day, and it’s all cut up.”
Like a lot of actors, Hale’s been a performer since a very young age.
“My dad was in the Army, and in the seventh grade we moved to Tallahassee, Florida, and that’s where he retired,” Hale recalls. “The South is very sports driven, and I was not a very sporty kid. My brother was into soccer. My parents were kind of like, ‘Oh, we’ve got to find something for Anthony to do.’ My neighbors had a daughter who went to Young Actors Theatre, a children’s theater in Tallahassee. So I signed up for it, and it was just a haven for me. Even if you don’t necessarily make a career out of the arts like I have, I think certain personalities need those artistic environments to thrive, and I was definitely one of those kids.”
“Wakey, Wakey” is the first play Hale’s done since he booked his “Arrested Development” role in 2003 and moved from New York to Los Angeles.
“I think the last play I did was a play called ‘Museum’ by Tina Howe at the Keen Company back in 2002,” he says.
Taking on a play like this, in which he’s talking most of the time and so much depends on timing and nuance, really seems like jumping back in with both feet.
“At first it was kind of a daunting idea, because I haven’t done theater in very long time,” Hale says. “Most of the show is a one-man show, and then another character comes in halfway through. But then I read the script, and I just really loved it. I actually am really, really excited about just exercising that muscle that I haven’t exercised in a while.”
Kathryn Smith-McGlynn, a regular at Marin Shakespeare Company in recent years, plays the other character who shows up late in the play. Directed by Anne Kauffman, fresh off of helming Sarah Ruhl’s “Becky Nurse of Salem” at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, this production will also debut a new companion piece by Eno, titled “The Substitution” commissioned by ACT, featuring Smith-McGlynn and some of the ACT MFA students.
“The thing that I’m really crazy about with this play is it feels like a play about gratitude,” Hale says. “You can tell this man is kind of at the end of his life from the beginning. And when that happens you’re forced to really ponder and practice gratitude. And it’s done in a really honest, fun way with a lot of humor.”
Contact Sam Hurwitt at shurwitt@gmail.com, and follow him at Twitter.com/shurwitt.
‘WAKEY, WAKEY’
By Will Eno, presented by American Conservatory Theater
When: In previews through Jan. 28, main run is Jan. 29-Feb. 16
Where: ACT’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco
Tickets: $15-$110; 415-749-2228, www.act-sf.org


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Weinstein accuser takes stand: ‘I’m being raped’

By Michael R. Sistak and Tom Hays | Associated Press NEW YORK — As she tried to fight off Harvey Weinstein ’ s advances , Mimi Haleyi told him “ no , no , no ” before he held her down on a bed and forcibly performed oral sex on her , she said in emotional testimony Monday at Weinstein ’ s rape trial .
Haleyi , one of two women whose assault accusations led to Weinstein ’ s trial , took the stand Monday and , at times sobbing , detailed her allegation that the disgraced movie mogul sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment in 2006 .
“ I did reject him , but he insisted .
Every time I tried to get off the bed , he would push me back and hold me down , ” the former “ Project Runway ” production assistant testified , adding that she told Weinstein she was menstruating in an attempt to deter him .
Haleyi , now 42 , told jurors she thought , “ I ’ m being raped , ” and considered different options .
“ If I scream rape , will someone hear me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked out and decided to endure it , ” she said .
“ That was the safest thing I could do.
” Haleyi is the first of the two women at the heart of the case to take the stand at his rape trial .
A total of six accusers , including the aspiring actress he was charged with raping in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 , will testify at the closely watched # MeToo-era trial .
Weinstein , 67 , has insisted any sexual encounters were consensual .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Weinstein overpowered and raped her after barging into her apartment in the mid-1990s .
While outside the statute of limitations for criminal charges , Sciorra ’ s allegations could be a factor as prosecutors look to prove Weinstein has engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior .
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault , unless they agree to be named as Haleyi and Sciorra have .
Haleyi went public with her allegations at an October 2017 news conference , appearing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who also represents Sciorra and other Weinstein accusers .
Haleyi , born in Helsinki , Finland , and raised in Sweden , said she met Weinstein while in her 20s at the 2004 London premiere of the Leonardo DiCaprio film “ The Aviator.
” They crossed paths again at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006 and , when she expressed interest in working on one of his productions , he invited her to his hotel room and asked for a massage .
She declined , saying she was “ extremely humiliated.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haleyi a job helping on the set of “ Project Runway , ” the reality competition show he produced .
She testified that before the alleged assault , Weinstein showed up at her apartment and begged her to join him a trip to Paris for a fashion show .
“ At one point , because I just didn ’ t know how to shut it down so to speak .
… So I said , ‘ You know you have a terrible reputation with women , I ’ ve heard , ' ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ got offended , ” she said .
“ He stepped back and said , ‘ What have you heard ? '
” Asked by prosecutor Meghan Hast if she had any romantic or sexual interest in Weinstein , Haleyi firmly answered : “ Not at all , no.
” Haleyi also described a second encounter a few weeks after the alleged assault in a Tribeca hotel room where she said she “ went numb ” as he took her hand , pulled her toward the bed and had intercourse with her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police because she was working in the U.S. on a tourist visa and was scared of Weinstein ’ s power , telling jurors : “ Obviously , Mr. Weinstein has a lot more power and resources and connections and so forth .
I didn ’ t think I ’ d stand a chance.
” Haleyi said she “ just felt like an idiot ” for letting Weinstein convince her to meet again , but thought seeing him could help her regain power as she tried to make sense of the alleged assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sex with Weinstein that night , she said , “ No.
” Weinstein was jotting notes in a thick yellow notebook through most of Haleyi ’ s account , but looked at her and shook his head when she described the second alleged assault .
On cross-examination , defense lawyer Damon Cheronis seized on Haleyi ’ s continued interactions with Weinstein , displaying on a large screen a friendly email she sent him after they ran into each other in Cannes in 2008 .
Haleyi conceded she ’ d been in contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes occasionally ” and that she sent the 2008 email after a newspaper article reminded her of a conversation they had weeks before the alleged assault .
The jury of seven men and five women heard last week from Dr. Barbara Ziv , a forensic psychiatrist who said that most sex assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers , often under threat of retaliation if the victims tell anyone what happened .
On the stand Monday , Haleyi said she dealt with the alleged assaults by compartmentalizing , occasionally interacting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripts from friends or discussing work opportunities .
“ Honestly , I didn ’ t know how to deal with it so it ’ s almost like I put it away in a box , like it didn ’ t happen and I just carried along as usual , ” Haleyi said .

By Michael R. Sistak and Tom Hays | Associated Press
NEW YORK — As she tried to fight off Harvey Weinstein’s advances, Mimi Haleyi told him “no, no, no” before he held her down on a bed and forcibly performed oral sex on her, she said in emotional testimony Monday at Weinstein’s rape trial.
Haleyi, one of two women whose assault accusations led to Weinstein’s trial, took the stand Monday and, at times sobbing, detailed her allegation that the disgraced movie mogul sexually assaulted her at his New York City apartment in 2006.
“I did reject him, but he insisted. Every time I tried to get off the bed, he would push me back and hold me down,” the former “Project Runway” production assistant testified, adding that she told Weinstein she was menstruating in an attempt to deter him.
Haleyi, now 42, told jurors she thought, “I’m being raped,” and considered different options. “If I scream rape, will someone hear me?” she wondered.
“I checked out and decided to endure it,” she said. “That was the safest thing I could do.”
Haleyi is the first of the two women at the heart of the case to take the stand at his rape trial. A total of six accusers, including the aspiring actress he was charged with raping in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013, will testify at the closely watched #MeToo-era trial.
Weinstein, 67, has insisted any sexual encounters were consensual.
Last week, “Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra testified that Weinstein overpowered and raped her after barging into her apartment in the mid-1990s. While outside the statute of limitations for criminal charges, Sciorra’s allegations could be a factor as prosecutors look to prove Weinstein has engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior.
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault, unless they agree to be named as Haleyi and Sciorra have.
Haleyi went public with her allegations at an October 2017 news conference, appearing in front of cameras alongside lawyer Gloria Allred, who also represents Sciorra and other Weinstein accusers.
Haleyi, born in Helsinki, Finland, and raised in Sweden, said she met Weinstein while in her 20s at the 2004 London premiere of the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Aviator.”
They crossed paths again at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006 and, when she expressed interest in working on one of his productions, he invited her to his hotel room and asked for a massage. She declined, saying she was “extremely humiliated.”
More meetings followed, and Weinstein secured Haleyi a job helping on the set of “Project Runway,” the reality competition show he produced. She testified that before the alleged assault, Weinstein showed up at her apartment and begged her to join him a trip to Paris for a fashion show.
“At one point, because I just didn’t know how to shut it down so to speak. … So I said, ‘You know you have a terrible reputation with women, I’ve heard,'” Haleyi testified.
The then-revered Hollywood honcho “got offended,” she said. “He stepped back and said, ‘What have you heard?'”
Asked by prosecutor Meghan Hast if she had any romantic or sexual interest in Weinstein, Haleyi firmly answered: “Not at all, no.”
Haleyi also described a second encounter a few weeks after the alleged assault in a Tribeca hotel room where she said she “went numb” as he took her hand, pulled her toward the bed and had intercourse with her.
She said she didn’t call the police because she was working in the U.S. on a tourist visa and was scared of Weinstein’s power, telling jurors: “Obviously, Mr. Weinstein has a lot more power and resources and connections and so forth. I didn’t think I’d stand a chance.”
Haleyi said she “just felt like an idiot” for letting Weinstein convince her to meet again, but thought seeing him could help her regain power as she tried to make sense of the alleged assault.
Asked again if she wanted to have sex with Weinstein that night, she said, “No.”
Weinstein was jotting notes in a thick yellow notebook through most of Haleyi’s account, but looked at her and shook his head when she described the second alleged assault.
On cross-examination, defense lawyer Damon Cheronis seized on Haleyi’s continued interactions with Weinstein, displaying on a large screen a friendly email she sent him after they ran into each other in Cannes in 2008.
Haleyi conceded she’d been in contact with Weinstein “not often, but yes occasionally” and that she sent the 2008 email after a newspaper article reminded her of a conversation they had weeks before the alleged assault.
The jury of seven men and five women heard last week from Dr. Barbara Ziv, a forensic psychiatrist who said that most sex assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers, often under threat of retaliation if the victims tell anyone what happened.
On the stand Monday, Haleyi said she dealt with the alleged assaults by compartmentalizing, occasionally interacting with Weinstein on a professional basis bypassing along scripts from friends or discussing work opportunities.
“Honestly, I didn’t know how to deal with it so it’s almost like I put it away in a box, like it didn’t happen and I just carried along as usual,” Haleyi said.


mercurynews--2020-01-27--Coronavirus: U.S. diplomats evacuated from China to southern California

To help protect Wuhan-based Americans from exposure to the mysterious coronavirus , the United States government announced on Monday afternoon that it will fly diplomats and staff to southern California ’ s Ontario Airport , about 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles , on Wednesday morning .
The embassy employees will not be flown to San Francisco International Airport , as previously reported .
A chartered flight will evacuate the entire staff , as space is available , from the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan , one of the seven American diplomatic and consular posts in the People ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be screened for symptoms at the airport prior to departure and will be monitored upon arrival .
“ The Department of State has ordered U.S. Consulate General Wuhan personnel to depart for the United States , ” according to a State Department statement issued Monday afternoon .
First established in 1861 , the consulate provides emergency services to U.S. citizens in the region and promotes economic and cultural exchanges .
The move is a sign of how seriously U.S. officials take the outbreak , which continues to spread throughout Asia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused 2,700 illnesses in China and claimed 82 lives .
Nearly 60 million people have been affected by partial or full quarantines in Wuhan and two adjacent cities .
There are more than 60 confirmed cases in 16 nations , including five in the United States .
• Can I get coronavirus from a package being delivered from China ?
• Virus death toll in China rises as US prepares evacuation • Second US Wuhan coronavirus victim ID ’ d , this one in Chicago • China locks down more cities to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospitals say they are preparing for cases and are vigilant for patients with recent travel in Wuhan , where the coronavirus is believed to have originated .

To help protect Wuhan-based Americans from exposure to the mysterious coronavirus, the United States government announced on Monday afternoon that it will fly diplomats and staff to southern California’s Ontario Airport, about 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, on Wednesday morning.
The embassy employees will not be flown to San Francisco International Airport, as previously reported.
A chartered flight will evacuate the entire staff, as space is available, from the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan, one of the seven American diplomatic and consular posts in the People’s Republic of China.
All travelers will be screened for symptoms at the airport prior to departure and will be monitored upon arrival.
“The Department of State has ordered U.S. Consulate General Wuhan personnel to depart for the United States,” according to a State Department statement issued Monday afternoon.
First established in 1861, the consulate provides emergency services to U.S. citizens in the region and promotes economic and cultural exchanges.
The move is a sign of how seriously U.S. officials take the outbreak, which continues to spread throughout Asia and the rest of the world. It has caused 2,700 illnesses in China and claimed 82 lives. Nearly 60 million people have been affected by partial or full quarantines in Wuhan and two adjacent cities.
There are more than 60 confirmed cases in 16 nations, including five in the United States.
In the Bay Area, hospitals say they are preparing for cases and are vigilant for patients with recent travel in Wuhan, where the coronavirus is believed to have originated.


mercurynews--2020-01-28--Letter: Pressure senators to vote for witnesses, documents

If you would like President Trump held accountable for his activities related to Ukraine , you have a unique opportunity right now : Encourage your friends and relatives who live in states with Republican senators to call their offices and insist on witnesses being called and documents being released in the Senate impeachment trial .
Senators , pressured by their constituents , will be more likely to vote accordingly .
If witnesses are called and relevant documents released , then Americans will learn , in detail , what happened and who was involved .
Transparency will lead to accountability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest impact on the decision-making of Republican senators are Arizona , Maine , Colorado , North Carolina , Utah and Iowa .
• Letter : Stop cars running this Oakland light before someone dies • Letter : This is why Highway 1 needs a bike lane — on both sides • Letter : REI it is not the enemy regarding bikes in open spaces Now is the time for people to make the calls as the opportunity to have an impact will not last beyond the end of January .
Calls make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Constituent pressure may
influence senators’ votes
If you would like President Trump held accountable for his activities related to Ukraine, you have a unique opportunity right now: Encourage your friends and relatives who live in states with Republican senators to call their offices and insist on witnesses being called and documents being released in the Senate impeachment trial.
Senators, pressured by their constituents, will be more likely to vote accordingly.
If witnesses are called and relevant documents released, then Americans will learn, in detail, what happened and who was involved. Transparency will lead to accountability. The states where phone calls will have the biggest impact on the decision-making of Republican senators are Arizona, Maine, Colorado, North Carolina, Utah and Iowa.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Now is the time for people to make the calls as the opportunity to have an impact will not last beyond the end of January. Calls make a difference! Demand the facts!
Jim Boots
Danville
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-01-28--Letter: VTA trains the world’s priciest mobile halfway houses

I ride light rail to work every day ; the trains are packed with commuters during peak hours .
Unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ see fit to increase frequency , the only way to increase ridership in those hours @ @ @ @ @ the trains attract many homeless , which serves as a remarkably effective deterrent against legitimate @ @ @ @ @ : Stop cars running this Oakland light before someone dies • Letter : This is @ @ @ @ @ bike lane — on both sides • Letter : REI it is not the enemy @ @ @ @ @ At those times we don ’ t have a light-rail system — we have the @ @ @ @ @ mobile halfway houses .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more @ @ @ @

Peak-hour VTA trains are
packed; raise frequency
Re: “Traffic is horrible, but fewer public transit riders — Why?” (Page A1, Jan. 24):
I ride light rail to work every day; the trains are packed with commuters during peak hours. Unfortunately, VTA doesn’t see fit to increase frequency, the only way to increase ridership in those hours.
During non-peak hours, the trains attract many homeless, which serves as a remarkably effective deterrent against legitimate fare-paying passengers.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps At those times we don’t have a light-rail system — we have the world’s most expensive mobile halfway houses.
Charles Albert
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


Word Game: Jan. 28, 2020

Can you find 23 or more words in ABYSMALLY ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — ABYSMALLY (ABYSMALLY: uh-BIZ-muh-lee: Very badly.)
Average mark 17 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 23 or more words in ABYSMALLY? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — JUNKETING junk junking junket jute unit
unite untie nine king kite knit eking ennui etui tike tine ting tinge tune
tuning gunite
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.


Bridge: Jan. 28, 2020

When I watched today ’ s deal at my club , North-South were a dentist and a manicurist we call “ Tooth and Nail ” because that ’ s how they argue .
Nail played at four hearts , and West led a club : king , ace .
Nail won the club return and drew trumps .
She led a spade to dummy ’ s king , but East took the A-Q , and West also got a diamond .
Then came the inevitable “ discussion ” : Nail : “ Why didn ’ t you bid 3NT over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been cold.
” Tooth : “ I had no aces .
Against 3NT , East might have set up and cashed his long clubs with aces for entries.
” Nail : “ I must have a side ace to bid three hearts , plus six or seven good hearts.
” North might have tried 3NT , but four hearts was cold .
After South draws trumps , she takes the A-K of diamonds and leads dummy ’ s nine of clubs , discarding her last diamond .
East is end-played , forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or concede a ruff-sluff .
You hold : S A Q 7 H 7 3 D J 6 C A J 10 8 6 4 .
You open one club , and your partner bids one spade .
The opponents pass .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Expert opinion might be split .
Although a rebid of two clubs would be acceptable , my experience suggests that a raise to two spades is better .
If you rebid two clubs and partner continues with 2NT or re-raises to three clubs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your minimum hand , never having shown your spade support .

When I watched today’s deal at my club, North-South were a dentist and a manicurist we call “Tooth and Nail” because that’s how they argue.
Nail played at four hearts, and West led a club: king, ace. Nail won the club return and drew trumps. She led a spade to dummy’s king, but East took the A-Q, and West also got a diamond.
Then came the inevitable “discussion”:
Nail: “Why didn’t you bid 3NT over my three hearts? That contract would have been cold.”
Tooth: “I had no aces. Against 3NT, East might have set up and cashed his long clubs with aces for entries.”
SIDE ACE
Nail: “I must have a side ace to bid three hearts, plus six or seven good hearts.”
Tooth: “So you couldn’t make four hearts?”
North might have tried 3NT, but four hearts was cold. After South draws trumps, she takes the A-K of diamonds and leads dummy’s nine of clubs, discarding her last diamond. East is end-played, forcing to give dummy the king of spades or concede a ruff-sluff.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A Q 7 H 7 3 D J 6 C A J 10 8 6 4. You open one club, and your partner bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Expert opinion might be split. Although a rebid of two clubs would be acceptable, my experience suggests that a raise to two spades is better. If you rebid two clubs and partner continues with 2NT or re-raises to three clubs, you will be obliged to pass with your minimum hand, never having shown your spade support.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 5 2
H K 10 5
D K 9 4 2
C K Q 9
WEST
S J 10 8 6 3
H 8 2
D Q 10 8 5
C 7 2
EAST
S A Q 7
H 7 3
D J 6
C A J 10 8 6 4
SOUTH
S 9 4
H A Q J 9 6 4
D A 7 3
C 5 3
South West North East
1 H Pass 2 D 3 C
3 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C 7
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