mercurynews--2020-08-12--“He won us the game defensively:” Ramón Laureano robs a home run in A’s win

Manager Bob Melvin waited until the very last seconds before Wednesday ’ s first pitch in Anaheim before officially submitting the lineup .
The A ’ s hadn ’ t heard back from Major League Baseball regarding Ramón Laureano ’ s suspension appeal — he wasn ’ t sure if their prized outfielder could play that day .
But , no word came .
So , Laureano played .
He didn ’ t just play , the A ’ s might not have won without him .
Laureano made a handful of game-saving defensive plays and knocked in two late-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sweep-preventing win against the Los Angeles Angels .
“ He won us the game defensively , ” A ’ s starter Chris Bassitt said .
“ He definitely saved us.
” Laureano has a knack for the web gem outfield plays , and so many seem to happen at Angel Stadium .
See : The 300-some-foot assist he made from outfield to first back in 2018 .
The ballpark ’ s low outfield walls provided a defensive gem of a different variety , when Laureano casually robbed Brian Goodwin of a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s never an easy play , ” Laureano said .
“ I just got good timing on it.
” The catch nearly mimicked the home run robbery of Cincinnati Reds ’ Tucker Barnhart to preserve Mike Fiers ’ no-hitter last May .
Higher wall at the Oakland Coliseum , same level of optical ease despite the play ’ s difficulty .
“ I don ’ t want to say we get used to it , but he ’ s done it enough where , at times , you expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A ’ s outfielder has been playing farther back in center to improve his route running .
He covered 74 feet on the home run robbery and made up a lot of ground robbing another two hits from the Angels .
That included a bloop single and an extra-base hit at the wall .
His defensive prowess made up for an otherwise cold series at the plate in which he collected one hit with six strikeouts ( three on Wednesday ) .
That is , until Laureano punched a two-out single to tack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eighth inning .
“ I mean , I didn ’ t really know what I was doing all day , ” Laureano said .
“ So I was just trying to hit the ball.
” Somewhere between Laureano ’ s third strike out and his late-game heroics , word landed that Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly ’ s eight-game suspension for throwing at Astros hitters was reduced to five games upon appeal .
This could be good news for Laureano , who appealed and could hear back from the league tomorrow if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Since you ’ re telling me that , I won ’ t take the bait , ” Melvin said when asked if Kelly ’ s lessened punishment made him hopeful for Lauraeno .
“ But , yeah , I would like it to be reduced.
” If his suspension is lessened , he could be out starting Friday for the series against the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks .
The A ’ s have depth to fill in nicely for Laureano on all fronts .
But , Wednesday , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with being Ramón Laureano .
Bassitt struck out baseball superstar Mike Trout twice when the Los Angeles Angels came to Oakland at the season ’ s onset .
And it took a little guts ; the first Trout whiffed at Bassitt ’ s rainbow curveball .
The second , flailing at a changeup .
“ I don ’ t usually throw changeups and curveballs to Trout , but it worked out today , ” Bassitt said after that July start .
“ Throwing it , you ’ re thinking this could go 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misses it ’ s pretty awesome.
” • What Ramón Laureano ’ s suspension means for the A ’ s • A ’ s shut out in Anaheim as Mike Fiers struggles Things in the Bassitt vs. Trout micro battle went a little differently Wednesday .
Bassitt was living down in the zone — a good sign for a starting pitcher against a brutal Angels lineup that will punish mistakes up ( as they did Tuesday ) .
But fastballs down in the zone are Trout ’ s chum .
Trout homered on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone in the first inning , tying the game .
It was the first home run Bassitt allowed this season .
He also punished a 94 mph sacrifice fly in the following at bat — not a home run , but it produced a run nonetheless .
Bassitt , at least , pushed back in the final at bat with a strikeout check swinging at another 94 mph offering on the paint .
Trying to protect the 1.08 ERA he ’ d curated over three starts , Bassitt engaged in a tiring push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , scarily , finding its stride .
The strategy is to limit the damage up front against strong top-of-lineup hitters David Fletcher and Tommy La Stella .
But , opposing pitchers will be vulnerable to the heart of the Angels order .
Anthony Rendon — oddly slashing .184/.412/.449 with an eye-popping 146 wRC+ — hit a home run off Bassitt , too .
“ When you have Trout and Rendon going the way they ’ re going it ’ s a grind , non stop , ” Bassitt said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outs in the fifth inning having allowed four earned runs , five hits with four strikeouts .
Angels starter Griffin Canning doesn ’ t throw too hard , so the A ’ s found a few ways to take advantage of the low-90s fastballs and hanging breaking balls the right-hander was offering up .
Matt Olson went first , launching his sixth home run of the season 111 mph off a hanging slider .
It went 454 feet , which somehow fell short of the A ’ s home run distance record this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet in Oakland .
“ One run gave us energy today , ” Melvin said .
“ You look at his average , you look at the impact of what he does over the course of a game .
His presence , his defense .
He gets on base , his hits are so timely .
I think that one swing gave us a jolt of energy.
” Robbie Grossman hit a 3-1 fastball up into the seats for a two-run knock .
And Stephen Piscotty ’ s home run off a hanging @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Manager Bob Melvin waited until the very last seconds before Wednesday’s first pitch in Anaheim before officially submitting the lineup. The A’s hadn’t heard back from Major League Baseball regarding Ramón Laureano’s suspension appeal — he wasn’t sure if their prized outfielder could play that day.
But, no word came. So, Laureano played.
He didn’t just play, the A’s might not have won without him.
Laureano made a handful of game-saving defensive plays and knocked in two late-game insurance runs in Oakland’s 8-4, sweep-preventing win against the Los Angeles Angels.
“He won us the game defensively,” A’s starter Chris Bassitt said. “He definitely saved us.”
Laureano has a knack for the web gem outfield plays, and so many seem to happen at Angel Stadium. See: The 300-some-foot assist he made from outfield to first back in 2018. The ballpark’s low outfield walls provided a defensive gem of a different variety, when Laureano casually robbed Brian Goodwin of a potential game-tying home run in the seventh inning.
“It’s never an easy play,” Laureano said. “I just got good timing on it.”
The catch nearly mimicked the home run robbery of Cincinnati Reds’ Tucker Barnhart to preserve Mike Fiers’ no-hitter last May. Higher wall at the Oakland Coliseum, same level of optical ease despite the play’s difficulty.
“I don’t want to say we get used to it, but he’s done it enough where, at times, you expect it,” Melvin said.
The A’s outfielder has been playing farther back in center to improve his route running. He covered 74 feet on the home run robbery and made up a lot of ground robbing another two hits from the Angels. That included a bloop single and an extra-base hit at the wall.
His defensive prowess made up for an otherwise cold series at the plate in which he collected one hit with six strikeouts (three on Wednesday).
That is, until Laureano punched a two-out single to tack on some key insurance runs in the eighth inning.
“I mean, I didn’t really know what I was doing all day,” Laureano said. “So I was just trying to hit the ball.”
Somewhere between Laureano’s third strike out and his late-game heroics, word landed that Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly’s eight-game suspension for throwing at Astros hitters was reduced to five games upon appeal. This could be good news for Laureano, who appealed and could hear back from the league tomorrow if the suspension time was shortened, too.
“Since you’re telling me that, I won’t take the bait,” Melvin said when asked if Kelly’s lessened punishment made him hopeful for Laureano. “But, yeah, I would like it to be reduced.”
If his suspension is lessened, he could be out starting Friday for the series against the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The A’s have depth to fill in nicely for Laureano on all fronts. But, Wednesday, he reminded us of how much responsibility comes with being Ramón Laureano.
Chris Bassitt vs. Mike Trout
Bassitt struck out baseball superstar Mike Trout twice when the Los Angeles Angels came to Oakland at the season’s onset. And it took a little guts; the first Trout whiffed at Bassitt’s rainbow curveball. The second, flailing at a changeup.
“I don’t usually throw changeups and curveballs to Trout, but it worked out today,” Bassitt said after that July start. “Throwing it, you’re thinking this could go 600 feet, but when he swings and misses it’s pretty awesome.”
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Bassitt was living down in the zone — a good sign for a starting pitcher against a brutal Angels lineup that will punish mistakes up (as they did Tuesday). But fastballs down in the zone are Trout’s chum.
Trout homered on a 94 mph fastball down in the zone in the first inning, tying the game. It was the first home run Bassitt allowed this season.
He also punished a 94 mph sacrifice fly in the following at bat — not a home run, but it produced a run nonetheless.
Bassitt, at least, pushed back in the final at bat with a strikeout check swinging at another 94 mph offering on the paint.
Trying to protect the 1.08 ERA he’d curated over three starts, Bassitt engaged in a tiring push and pull with an Angels lineup that’s, scarily, finding its stride. The strategy is to limit the damage up front against strong top-of-lineup hitters David Fletcher and Tommy La Stella.
But, opposing pitchers will be vulnerable to the heart of the Angels order. Anthony Rendon — oddly slashing .184/.412/.449 with an eye-popping 146 wRC+ — hit a home run off Bassitt, too.
“When you have Trout and Rendon going the way they’re going it’s a grind, non stop,” Bassitt said.
The A’s right-hander left with two outs in the fifth inning having allowed four earned runs, five hits with four strikeouts.
Matt Olson, Robbie Grossman and Stephen Piscotty go yard
Angels starter Griffin Canning doesn’t throw too hard, so the A’s found a few ways to take advantage of the low-90s fastballs and hanging breaking balls the right-hander was offering up.
Matt Olson went first, launching his sixth home run of the season 111 mph off a hanging slider. It went 454 feet, which somehow fell short of the A’s home run distance record this season. Sean Murphy hit one 455 feet in Oakland.
“One run gave us energy today,” Melvin said. “You look at his average, you look at the impact of what he does over the course of a game. His presence, his defense. He gets on base, his hits are so timely. I think that one swing gave us a jolt of energy.”
Robbie Grossman hit a 3-1 fastball up into the seats for a two-run knock. And Stephen Piscotty’s home run off a hanging curveball 108 mph into left field.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Distance learning is back for Bay Area schools, but will it be better this time?

Sabrina Albright propped up her school-issued laptop on a history textbook at her kitchen table Wednesday morning as she prepared to greet her new students through the computer screen on the first day of class .
Although it wasn ’ t exactly how Albright — a 26-year teacher in Union City ’ s New Haven Unified School District — would have hoped to start the new year , she was confident that distance learning was going to happen more smoothly this time than last spring .
“ I ’ m excited but I ’ m nervous about making the connections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ …We ’ ve had a lot more time to plan and to look at all the different types of tools that we have , so I definitely feel better about it.
” When the coronavirus pandemic forced schools across the Bay Area to hastily switch to virtual instruction last spring , the results often weren ’ t pretty , frustrating parents , students and educators alike .
Teachers struggled to reach and engage their students .
Parents expressed dismay at the lack of structure , live instruction and communication from administrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the mangled online learning models — had to try adapting to a new way of learning in the midst of a stressful and unsettling global pandemic .
But after a summer of bracing and planning for the possibility of starting a new school year online , educators around the Bay Area say they are optimistic this time things will be different .
But any hope they had of also opening this week and next with limited in-person classes went out the window when Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced last month that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchlist ” — now encompassing more than 90 % of the state — would not be permitted to open classroom doors without special permission .
Since then , districts across the region have decided to take their own approach to the start of another semester with virtual instruction .
Some , like South San Francisco Unified , pushed back the start of the school year a week to give teachers and administrators more time to prepare .
Others , like Oakland Unified and Pleasanton Unified , conducted short check-ins with students but gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so teachers could use that time for whatever planning or student or parent outreach was needed .
“ We know we aren ’ t going to get it right the first time around , ” Pleasanton Unified spokesman Patrick Gannon said .
“ But we ’ re very happy with the initial feedback.
” While most districts are shrinking their schedules to limit the time students sit in front of a computer , San Jose Unified School District is bucking that trend by requiring a full day of lessons for teachers and students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other hand , has not set a minimum number of required face-to-face minutes per day between teachers and students — a policy that most other districts have outlined in their reopening plans .
After parents complained in surveys and forums that it didn ’ t establish a formal schedule for distance learning in the spring , Palo Alto this time did set up a schedule for elementary and secondary students that also has them meeting with teachers virtually three days a week starting on Aug. 17 .
“ When we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we didn ’ t think we needed to reinvent the whole school system , we thought we wanted to limp through this , ” Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin said .
“ Once our mindset shifted , it really helped us to get centered and make decisions.
” At New Haven , where Albright teaches , the district has three instruction schedules for elementary , middle , and high school levels .
Albright ’ s middle school students will be in virtual classroom from about 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Haven specifically , is asking a lot of teachers and families and students at this point , ” said John Mattos , the district ’ s director of assessment and evaluations .
“ There may be some growing pains in the first couple of weeks , but at the end of it , we ’ re going to be pretty proud of what we were able to put together.
” But no matter the amount of time and effort that went into preparing for this new school year online , issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain a great hurdle for districts to overcome .
Just hours before the first day of school started , San Jose Unified sent an email to parents Wednesday morning informing them that students would not be marked absent if they could not log into the district ’ s new online learning platform .
“ We understand the anxiety and stress caused for students and families when things do not go as planned , ” the district wrote in its email .
Assistant Superintendent Stephen McMahon said district employees were attempting to call the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ log on Wednesday morning to see what the problem was — lack of internet access , technology issues or personal reasons .
Katie Davis , the mother of three children at Brooksin Elementary School in San Jose , was one of the fortunate ones .
The first day of school for her three elementary age students went off without a hitch — an indication to her that things had greatly improved since the last round of distance learning rolled out in the spring .
“ It seems to be running a lot smoother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independently , ” Davis said .
“ I have a huge appreciation for all the extra time and work that the teachers and district have put in to learn the new technologies and make sure the students are more engaged.
” Staff writers Angela Ruggiero , Aldo Toledo , Jon Kawamoto and Peter Hegarty contributed to this story .

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Sabrina Albright propped up her school-issued laptop on a history textbook at her kitchen table Wednesday morning as she prepared to greet her new students through the computer screen on the first day of class.
Although it wasn’t exactly how Albright — a 26-year teacher in Union City’s New Haven Unified School District — would have hoped to start the new year, she was confident that distance learning was going to happen more smoothly this time than last spring.
“I’m excited but I’m nervous about making the connections with my kids,” she said. “…We’ve had a lot more time to plan and to look at all the different types of tools that we have, so I definitely feel better about it.”
When the coronavirus pandemic forced schools across the Bay Area to hastily switch to virtual instruction last spring, the results often weren’t pretty, frustrating parents, students and educators alike.
Teachers struggled to reach and engage their students. Parents expressed dismay at the lack of structure, live instruction and communication from administrators. And students — those most affected by the mangled online learning models — had to try adapting to a new way of learning in the midst of a stressful and unsettling global pandemic.
But after a summer of bracing and planning for the possibility of starting a new school year online, educators around the Bay Area say they are optimistic this time things will be different.
But any hope they had of also opening this week and next with limited in-person classes went out the window when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last month that any county on the state’s “watchlist” — now encompassing more than 90% of the state — would not be permitted to open classroom doors without special permission.
Since then, districts across the region have decided to take their own approach to the start of another semester with virtual instruction.
Some, like South San Francisco Unified, pushed back the start of the school year a week to give teachers and administrators more time to prepare. Others, like Oakland Unified and Pleasanton Unified, conducted short check-ins with students but gave them the rest of the day off so teachers could use that time for whatever planning or student or parent outreach was needed.
“We know we aren’t going to get it right the first time around,” Pleasanton Unified spokesman Patrick Gannon said. “But we’re very happy with the initial feedback.”
While most districts are shrinking their schedules to limit the time students sit in front of a computer, San Jose Unified School District is bucking that trend by requiring a full day of lessons for teachers and students.
Palo Alto Unified School District, on the other hand, has not set a minimum number of required face-to-face minutes per day between teachers and students — a policy that most other districts have outlined in their reopening plans.
After parents complained in surveys and forums that it didn’t establish a formal schedule for distance learning in the spring, Palo Alto this time did set up a schedule for elementary and secondary students that also has them meeting with teachers virtually three days a week starting on Aug. 17.
“When we were first closed in March for three weeks, we didn’t think we needed to reinvent the whole school system, we thought we wanted to limp through this,” Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin said. “Once our mindset shifted, it really helped us to get centered and make decisions.”
At New Haven, where Albright teaches, the district has three instruction schedules for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Albright’s middle school students will be in virtual classroom from about 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each day.
“Society in general, and New Haven specifically, is asking a lot of teachers and families and students at this point,” said John Mattos, the district’s director of assessment and evaluations. “There may be some growing pains in the first couple of weeks, but at the end of it, we’re going to be pretty proud of what we were able to put together.”
But no matter the amount of time and effort that went into preparing for this new school year online, issues of equity, technology and accessibility will remain a great hurdle for districts to overcome.
Just hours before the first day of school started, San Jose Unified sent an email to parents Wednesday morning informing them that students would not be marked absent if they could not log into the district’s new online learning platform. “We understand the anxiety and stress caused for students and families when things do not go as planned,” the district wrote in its email.
Assistant Superintendent Stephen McMahon said district employees were attempting to call the homes of every student who did not log on Wednesday morning to see what the problem was — lack of internet access, technology issues or personal reasons.
Katie Davis, the mother of three children at Brooksin Elementary School in San Jose, was one of the fortunate ones. The first day of school for her three elementary age students went off without a hitch — an indication to her that things had greatly improved since the last round of distance learning rolled out in the spring.
“It seems to be running a lot smoother and the kids are able to work independently,” Davis said. “I have a huge appreciation for all the extra time and work that the teachers and district have put in to learn the new technologies and make sure the students are more engaged.”
Staff writers Angela Ruggiero, Aldo Toledo, Jon Kawamoto and Peter Hegarty contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Trump administration moves to ease showerhead rules

WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration wants to change the definition of a showerhead to let more water flow , addressing a pet peeve of the president who complains he isn ’ t getting wet enough .
Publicly talking about the need to keep his hair “ perfect , ” President Donald Trump has made increasing water flow and dialing back long held appliance conservation standards — from light bulbs to toilets to dishwashers — a personal issue .
But consumer and conservation groups said the Department of Energy ’ s proposed loosening of a 28-year-old energy law that includes appliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially as the West bakes through a historic two-decade-long megadrought .
Since 1992 , federal law has dictated that new showerheads shouldn ’ t pour more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute ( 9.5 liters ) .
As newer shower fixtures came out with multiple nozzles , the Obama administration defined the showerhead restrictions to apply to what comes out in total .
So if there are four nozzles , no more than 2.5 gallons total should come out between all four .
The new proposal Wednesday would allow each nozzle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just the overall showerhead .
With four or five or more nozzles , “ you could have 10 , 15 gallons per minute powering out of the showerhead , literally probably washing you out of the bathroom , ” said Andrew deLaski , executive director of the energy conservation group Appliance Standards Awareness Project .
On the White House South Lawn in July , Trump made the issue personal : “ So showerheads — you take a shower , the water doesn ’ t come out .
You want to wash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t come out .
So what do you do ?
You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer ?
Because my hair — I don ’ t know about you , but it has to be perfect .
Perfect.
” DeLaski and officials at Consumer Reports said there ’ s been no public outcry or need for change .
The Department of Energy ’ s own database of 12,499 showerheads showed 74 % of them use two gallons or less water per minute , which is 20 % less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s silly , ” deLaski said .
“ The country faces serious problems .
We ’ ve got a pandemic , serious long-term drought throughout much of the West .
We ’ ve got global climate change .
Showerheads aren ’ t one of our problems.
” Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said the 2013 Obama definition of showerhead clashes with what Congress intended and the standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers .
If the rule is adopted , Hynes said it would be “ allowing Americans — not Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showerheads they have in their homes.
” Officials at the industry group Plumbing Manufacturers International did not respond to a request for comment .
Appliance and plumbing energy and water conservation standards save consumers about $ 500 a year on energy bills , deLaski said .
If people are having trouble getting water flowing in their shower , they should check their home ’ s water pressure and can replace a faulty showerhead for not much money , deLaski said .
A 2016 test of showerheads by Consumer Reports found that the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model — provided a pleasing amount of water flow and met federal standards , according to David Friedman , a Consumer Reports vice president and former acting assistant energy secretary .
DeLaski said he has had a hard time understanding the president ’ s shower concerns .
“ If the president needs help finding a good shower , we can point him to some great consumer websites that help you identify a good showerhead that provides a dense soak and a good shower , ” deLaski said .

By Seth Borenstein | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration wants to change the definition of a showerhead to let more water flow, addressing a pet peeve of the president who complains he isn’t getting wet enough.
Publicly talking about the need to keep his hair “perfect,” President Donald Trump has made increasing water flow and dialing back long held appliance conservation standards — from light bulbs to toilets to dishwashers — a personal issue.
But consumer and conservation groups said the Department of Energy’s proposed loosening of a 28-year-old energy law that includes appliance standards is silly, unnecessary and wasteful, especially as the West bakes through a historic two-decade-long megadrought.
Since 1992, federal law has dictated that new showerheads shouldn’t pour more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute (9.5 liters). As newer shower fixtures came out with multiple nozzles, the Obama administration defined the showerhead restrictions to apply to what comes out in total. So if there are four nozzles, no more than 2.5 gallons total should come out between all four.
The new proposal Wednesday would allow each nozzle to spray as much as 2.5 gallons, not just the overall showerhead.
With four or five or more nozzles, “you could have 10, 15 gallons per minute powering out of the showerhead, literally probably washing you out of the bathroom,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the energy conservation group Appliance Standards Awareness Project.
On the White House South Lawn in July, Trump made the issue personal:
“So showerheads — you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.”
DeLaski and officials at Consumer Reports said there’s been no public outcry or need for change. The Department of Energy’s own database of 12,499 showerheads showed 74% of them use two gallons or less water per minute, which is 20% less than the federal standard.
“Frankly it’s silly,” deLaski said. “The country faces serious problems. We’ve got a pandemic, serious long-term drought throughout much of the West. We’ve got global climate change. Showerheads aren’t one of our problems.”
Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said the 2013 Obama definition of showerhead clashes with what Congress intended and the standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
If the rule is adopted, Hynes said it would be “allowing Americans — not Washington bureaucrats — to choose what kind of showerheads they have in their homes.”
Officials at the industry group Plumbing Manufacturers International did not respond to a request for comment.
Appliance and plumbing energy and water conservation standards save consumers about $500 a year on energy bills, deLaski said.
If people are having trouble getting water flowing in their shower, they should check their home’s water pressure and can replace a faulty showerhead for not much money, deLaski said.
A 2016 test of showerheads by Consumer Reports found that the best rated showerheads — including a $20 model — provided a pleasing amount of water flow and met federal standards, according to David Friedman, a Consumer Reports vice president and former acting assistant energy secretary.
DeLaski said he has had a hard time understanding the president’s shower concerns.
“If the president needs help finding a good shower, we can point him to some great consumer websites that help you identify a good showerhead that provides a dense soak and a good shower,” deLaski said.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Tony Hawk and Chipotle team up to give away demo of new game and free burritos

Tony Hawk really likes burritos and apparently some of his favorite ones come from Chipotle .
Recently , the two @ @ @ @ @ Tony Hawk burrito and an accompanying promotion .
The Tony Hawk burrito includes brown rice @ @ @ @ @ chili salsa , cheese and guacamole .
For the health conscious , the burrito itself @ @ @ @ @ grams of fat , 120 grams of carbs and 54 grams of protein .
So @ @ @ @ @ Chipotle have to do with video games ?
Well , the company has been giving @ @ @ @ @ “ Tony Hawk ’ s Pro Skater 1 + 2 ” remaster since Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ to the first 2,000 people who ordered the Tony Hawk burrito .
If you weren @ @ @ @ @ it then , fans will still have a chance at getting a free burrito by @ @ @ @ @ Jagger Eaton and actor Finn Wolfhard playing the demo on Twitch .
The three will @ @ @ @ @ burritos on the Chipotle Twitch stream starting at 11 a.m. Friday .

Tony Hawk really likes burritos and apparently some of his favorite ones come from Chipotle. Recently, the two got together and announced the Tony Hawk burrito and an accompanying promotion.
The Tony Hawk burrito includes brown rice, black beans, tomatillo-red chili salsa, cheese and guacamole. For the health conscious, the burrito itself has 1,100 calories, 45.5 grams of fat, 120 grams of carbs and 54 grams of protein. So what does Tony Hawk and Chipotle have to do with video games?
Well, the company has been giving away demo codes to the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” remaster since Monday. They are giving it away to the first 2,000 people who ordered the Tony Hawk burrito. If you weren’t able to get it then, fans will still have a chance at getting a free burrito by watching Hawk, fellow skateboarder Jagger Eaton and actor Finn Wolfhard playing the demo on Twitch.
The three will be giving away 5,000 free burritos on the Chipotle Twitch stream starting at 11 a.m. Friday.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--San Francisco homicide: Man collapses after altercation in lobby

A San Francisco man collapsed and died after an altercation Tuesday with an apparent stranger in a medical building at the University of California , San Francisco , campus police said .
A suspect has been arrrested .
Anton Ibrahim Bajjalieh , 66 , was involved in a physical conflict around 6:15 a.m. in the lobby of 11 Irving St. , the Ambulatory Care Center at UCSF ’ s Parnassus Heights campus , the police report said .
It did not describe the nature or the cause of the altercation but said the two men did not appear to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bajjalieh collapsed on the sidewalk along Irving Street .
A nurse tried to revive him with CPR , and he was taken to the hospital ’ s emergency department .
He died there .
UCSF officials did not give details of his injuries .
On Wednesday , UCSF police arrested a man on suspicion of murder and robbery and booked him into the city ’ s jail .
His name was not released .
Copyright � 2020 by Bay City News , Inc. — Republication , Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News , Inc. is prohibited .

A San Francisco man collapsed and died after an altercation Tuesday with an apparent stranger in a medical building at the University of California, San Francisco, campus police said. A suspect has been arrrested.
Anton Ibrahim Bajjalieh, 66, was involved in a physical conflict around 6:15 a.m. in the lobby of 11 Irving St., the Ambulatory Care Center at UCSF’s Parnassus Heights campus, the police report said. It did not describe the nature or the cause of the altercation but said the two men did not appear to know each other.
After leaving the building, Bajjalieh collapsed on the sidewalk along Irving Street. A nurse tried to revive him with CPR, and he was taken to the hospital’s emergency department. He died there.
UCSF officials did not give details of his injuries.
On Wednesday, UCSF police arrested a man on suspicion of murder and robbery and booked him into the city’s jail. His name was not released.
Copyright � 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. — Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse
without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Fremont hosting drive-in movie Friday night

FREMONT — The city of Fremont is hosting its first drive-in movie event , beginning Friday night with a showing of “ Jumanji : The Next Level.
” The “ Car Cinema ” showing offers residents a way to get some safe entertainment amid the coronavirus pandemic and could bring in some revenue for the city ’ s recreation services department , which has taken a hit this summer with the city ’ s water park “ Aqua Adventure ” forced to close and most youth camps and classes canceled .
The event will be held at the Central Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blvd .
Gates will open to vehicles at 7 p.m. , and Friday ’ s movie will begin at dark , according to the city ’ s website .
Tickets are $ 35 per car , with a maximum number of people limited to the number of seatbelts , according to Kim Beranek , Fremont ’ s deputy director of community services .
The city also is offering a $ 70 per car package , which in addition to the movie buys a 16-inch pizza , a family Caesar salad , a bucket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottles of water , all from the softball field complex snack shack .
All tickets must be pre-ordered online because none will be sold at the gate .
Some of the money collected will go toward paying for equipment rentals including the screen and rights to the movie , and some will help pay staff .
Beranek also said $ 5 from each ticket purchased will go toward a community services scholarship fund that helps children from lower-income families attend camps and classes in the city .
Cars and trucks are allowed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beranek said the city tentatively is planning to hold two more drive-in movie nights in the same location , likely on Aug. 28 and Sept. 11 .
“ We ’ re excited to be able to offer this program to the community , ” Beranek said .
She noted the Alameda County Fairgrounds has been hosting drive-in movies on weekend nights and many residents had asked if Fremont could do something similar .
People attending the movie are asked to stay in their cars the whole time except to get pre-ordered food or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required when outside of the car , the city ’ s website said .
More information can be found on the city ’ s Car Cinema website and FAQ page .

FREMONT — The city of Fremont is hosting its first drive-in movie event, beginning Friday night with a showing of “Jumanji: The Next Level.”
The “Car Cinema” showing offers residents a way to get some safe entertainment amid the coronavirus pandemic and could bring in some revenue for the city’s recreation services department, which has taken a hit this summer with the city’s water park “Aqua Adventure” forced to close and most youth camps and classes canceled.
The event will be held at the Central Park softball field parking lot at 1110 Stevenson Blvd. Gates will open to vehicles at 7 p.m., and Friday’s movie will begin at dark, according to the city’s website.
Tickets are $35 per car, with a maximum number of people limited to the number of seatbelts, according to Kim Beranek, Fremont’s deputy director of community services.
The city also is offering a $70 per car package, which in addition to the movie buys a 16-inch pizza, a family Caesar salad, a bucket of popcorn, four candies and four bottles of water, all from the softball field complex snack shack.
All tickets must be pre-ordered online because none will be sold at the gate.
Some of the money collected will go toward paying for equipment rentals including the screen and rights to the movie, and some will help pay staff. Beranek also said $5 from each ticket purchased will go toward a community services scholarship fund that helps children from lower-income families attend camps and classes in the city.
Cars and trucks are allowed, but motorcycles and RVs are not. Beranek said the city tentatively is planning to hold two more drive-in movie nights in the same location, likely on Aug. 28 and Sept. 11.
“We’re excited to be able to offer this program to the community,” Beranek said. She noted the Alameda County Fairgrounds has been hosting drive-in movies on weekend nights and many residents had asked if Fremont could do something similar.
People attending the movie are asked to stay in their cars the whole time except to get pre-ordered food or to use the restroom. Masks are required when outside of the car, the city’s website said.
More information can be found on the city’s Car Cinema website and FAQ page.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Ghislaine Maxwell’s bid to keep documents sealed fails

NEW YORK – A U.S. judge on Wednesday rejected Ghislaine Maxwell ’ s request for a three-week delay in the unsealing of additional documents related to her dealings with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein .
Lawyers for the British socialite , who faces criminal charges she aided Epstein ’ s sexual abuses , had on Monday said “ critical new information ” had surfaced that could affect Maxwell ’ s ability to obtain a fair trial , justifying the delay .
But in a two-page order , U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan said she had no reasonable basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective order in the criminal case meant the new information could not be disclosed .
Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The documents come from a long-settled civil defamation case against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre , who said Epstein kept her as a “ sex slave ” with Maxwell ’ s help .
Maxwell has asked the federal appeals court in Manhattan to block the release from that case of a 2016 deposition about her sex life , also citing the threat to a fair trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments on Sept. 22 .
Maxwell ’ s criminal trial is scheduled for next July .
U.S. prosecutors are expected by Thursday to respond to a separate request by Maxwell ’ s lawyers that she be moved into the general population at the Brooklyn jail where she is being held .
The lawyers said Maxwell has been subjected to “ uniquely onerous ” conditions , including 24-hour surveillance and numerous body scans , and should be treated like other pretrial detainees .
Epstein was found hanged last August in a Manhattan jail while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2-1/2 weeks after an apparent unsuccessful suicide attempt .
Maxwell ’ s lawyers called her treatment in jail “ a reaction ” to Epstein ’ s jailing and death .

By Jonathan Stempel | Reuters
NEW YORK – A U.S. judge on Wednesday rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s request for a three-week delay in the unsealing of additional documents related to her dealings with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Lawyers for the British socialite, who faces criminal charges she aided Epstein’s sexual abuses, had on Monday said “critical new information” had surfaced that could affect Maxwell’s ability to obtain a fair trial, justifying the delay.
But in a two-page order, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan said she had no reasonable basis to order a delay, because a protective order in the criminal case meant the new information could not be disclosed.
Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/07/31/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-virginia-giuffre-scannell-newday-vpx.cnn”]
The documents come from a long-settled civil defamation case against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, who said Epstein kept her as a “sex slave” with Maxwell’s help.
Maxwell has asked the federal appeals court in Manhattan to block the release from that case of a 2016 deposition about her sex life, also citing the threat to a fair trial.
That court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Sept. 22. Maxwell’s criminal trial is scheduled for next July.
U.S. prosecutors are expected by Thursday to respond to a separate request by Maxwell’s lawyers that she be moved into the general population at the Brooklyn jail where she is being held.
The lawyers said Maxwell has been subjected to “uniquely onerous” conditions, including 24-hour surveillance and numerous body scans, and should be treated like other pretrial detainees.
Epstein was found hanged last August in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, 2-1/2 weeks after an apparent unsuccessful suicide attempt.
Maxwell’s lawyers called her treatment in jail “a reaction” to Epstein’s jailing and death.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Turtle Beach’s Gen 2 Stealth 600 and Stealth 700 headsets have eye on next-gen consoles

Turtle Beach is getting a jump on the next generation of consoles by announcing the release of its second generation of its Stealth 600 and 700 headsets .
The peripherals work with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One currently but also have future compatibility with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X .
So what ’ s new with the Gen 2 headset ?
Turtle Beach representatives said the company wanted to keep what fans liked and refine elements such as the build quality .
Product manager Erin Steele said Turtle Beach wanted it to be more robust , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and easily adjustable headband .
Now , it ’ s simpler to make sure 600 and 700 have the best fit on the head .
With the acoustic refinements , Steele said Turtle Beach reshaped the earcup to more of a D-shape .
She says it fits better over the ear and creates a wider soundstage .
Meanwhile , the cushioning keeps the ProSpecs indentations that make the headset more comfortable for those who wear glasses and he internal parts are also better suited to handle heavy bass .
When it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 600 more streamlined by blending the boom microphone into the earcup .
It has two points of extension and part of the mic can be slanted toward the mouth .
In addition , the microphone monitor has expanded eliminating any buzzing sounds .
As always , the Stealth 600 has mic monitoring so players know how loud they sound to teammates .
As for the presets , players can expect four signature ones and the company ’ s trademark Superhuman Hearing .
That ’ s the preset that bumps up quieter sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if opponents are sneaking up behind them .
It ’ s an advantage in shooters .
The final upgrade is the switch from a micro USB port to USB-C. All the next-gen consoles are expected to feature the port and one the best parts about it is fast charging .
Depending on the output of the charger , it means the Gen 2 Elite 600 will get to full power more quickly so that players can use up the 15 horus of battery life .
I ’ ll be putting the Xbox version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next week and will dive into some of its features .
I chose that version because it ’ s one of the few headsets that doesn ’ t need a USB adapter .
The headset connects directly to the console .
Expect a review later in September .

Turtle Beach is getting a jump on the next generation of consoles by announcing the release of its second generation of its Stealth 600 and 700 headsets. The peripherals work with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One currently but also have future compatibility with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X.
So what’s new with the Gen 2 headset? Turtle Beach representatives said the company wanted to keep what fans liked and refine elements such as the build quality. Product manager Erin Steele said Turtle Beach wanted it to be more robust, and that shows up in the sturdier hinges and easily adjustable headband. Now, it’s simpler to make sure 600 and 700 have the best fit on the head.
With the acoustic refinements, Steele said Turtle Beach reshaped the earcup to more of a D-shape. She says it fits better over the ear and creates a wider soundstage. Meanwhile, the cushioning keeps the ProSpecs indentations that make the headset more comfortable for those who wear glasses and he internal parts are also better suited to handle heavy bass.
When it comes to communication, Turtle Beach made the Gen 2 600 more streamlined by blending the boom microphone into the earcup. It has two points of extension and part of the mic can be slanted toward the mouth. In addition, the microphone monitor has expanded eliminating any buzzing sounds. As always, the Stealth 600 has mic monitoring so players know how loud they sound to teammates.
As for the presets, players can expect four signature ones and the company’s trademark Superhuman Hearing. That’s the preset that bumps up quieter sounds such as footsteps so that players know if opponents are sneaking up behind them. It’s an advantage in shooters.
The final upgrade is the switch from a micro USB port to USB-C. All the next-gen consoles are expected to feature the port and one the best parts about it is fast charging. Depending on the output of the charger, it means the Gen 2 Elite 600 will get to full power more quickly so that players can use up the 15 horus of battery life.
I’ll be putting the Xbox version of the headset through its paces over the next week and will dive into some of its features. I chose that version because it’s one of the few headsets that doesn’t need a USB adapter. The headset connects directly to the console. Expect a review later in September.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Editorial: Who should be allowed to cast a ballot in California?

California voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 election to expand the pool of state residents who can cast ballots .
Proposition 17 would extend voting rights to people on parole .
We urge support to show respect and encouragement to fellow Californians who are trying to rebuild their lives .
Proposition 18 would allow 17-year-olds to vote in any primary or special election if they will turn 18 by the following general election .
While we appreciate the intent to engage our youth in the election process , this extension goes too far .
Voters should reject Proposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be asked whether to allow 16-year-olds to vote for that city ’ s school trustees .
It ’ s a more extreme extension of the same argument for letting young people cast ballots .
And the answer should be the same : Vote no on Measure QQ .
Compared to many of the measures in the upcoming election , these are straightforward .
But each has its nuances that voters should understand .
In the United States , the rules for when felons get their voting rights back varies by state .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right to vote , even while they are incarcerated , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
The rules for the rest of the nation vary from automatic restoration of voting rights upon release to requiring a governor ’ s pardon to vote again .
California falls in between .
Those incarcerated in county jails don ’ t lose their right to vote .
And , currently , those in state prison can only vote again after they complete parole .
Prop .
17 would change the rules for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vote after they are released from prison but before their parole is completed .
It ’ s the right thing to do .
Our goal with imprisonment should be rehabilitation .
If someone has qualified for parole , we should help them normalize their return to civilian life .
Voting is a key part of that process .
These are people who will be holding jobs and paying taxes .
They should also have the opportunity to fully participate in society .
Vote yes on Prop .
17 .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratification in 1971 of the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution , which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 .
It made good sense : Until then , American men could be drafted into the military at age 18 , but they had to be 21 to cast a ballot .
Now , there ’ s a fledgling national movement to lower the voting age to 16 .
California ’ s Prop .
18 is a step in that direction .
It would allow 17-year-olds to vote in any primary or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would be 18 .
But the argument for another lowering of the voting age is not as compelling as it was for the 26th Amendment .
While 18 demarks an age when most young people complete high school and head out on their own to college , to enter the job world or to join the military , most 17-year-olds are still in high school and reliant on their parents for support .
Most concerning,17-year-olds have little or no experience paying the taxes that they will be asked to vote on or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would help elect .
There ’ s no clear age of maturity , but 18 is a rational point to mark the entry into adulthood .
Indeed , in some areas,18 is on the low end .
When it comes to purchasing alcohol in California , the age has remained 21 .
And , state lawmakers in 2016 raised the age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21 .
In 2019 , the federal government did the same for the nation .
It doesn ’ t make sense to now lower the voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prop .
18 .
The measure in Oakland to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections is even more troubling than the statewide proposition for 17-year-olds .
All the arguments against Prop .
18 apply apply to Measure QQ — only more so .
In addition , school officials , and especially Oakland school trustees , already suffer from an inability to make sound financial decisions .
The last thing they need is political pressure from students who don ’ t have financial skin in the game .
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young adults already eligible to vote .
But further lowering the voting age isn ’ t the way to do it .
Vote no on Measure QQ .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

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California voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 election to expand the pool of state residents who can cast ballots.
Proposition 17 would extend voting rights to people on parole. We urge support to show respect and encouragement to fellow Californians who are trying to rebuild their lives.
Proposition 18 would allow 17-year-olds to vote in any primary or special election if they will turn 18 by the following general election. While we appreciate the intent to engage our youth in the election process, this extension goes too far. Voters should reject Proposition 18.
Meanwhile, Oakland voters will be asked whether to allow 16-year-olds to vote for that city’s school trustees. It’s a more extreme extension of the same argument for letting young people cast ballots. And the answer should be the same: Vote no on Measure QQ.
Compared to many of the measures in the upcoming election, these are straightforward. But each has its nuances that voters should understand.
Yes on Prop. 17
— Parolees
In the United States, the rules for when felons get their voting rights back varies by state. In Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The rules for the rest of the nation vary from automatic restoration of voting rights upon release to requiring a governor’s pardon to vote again.
California falls in between. Those incarcerated in county jails don’t lose their right to vote. And, currently, those in state prison can only vote again after they complete parole. Prop. 17 would change the rules for the latter group to allow inmates to register and vote after they are released from prison but before their parole is completed.
It’s the right thing to do. Our goal with imprisonment should be rehabilitation. If someone has qualified for parole, we should help them normalize their return to civilian life. Voting is a key part of that process.
These are people who will be holding jobs and paying taxes. They should also have the opportunity to fully participate in society. Vote yes on Prop. 17.
No on Prop. 18
— 17-year-olds
It’s been nearly half a century since the ratification in 1971 of the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. It made good sense: Until then, American men could be drafted into the military at age 18, but they had to be 21 to cast a ballot.
Now, there’s a fledgling national movement to lower the voting age to 16. California’s Prop. 18 is a step in that direction. It would allow 17-year-olds to vote in any primary or special election before a general election when they would be 18.
But the argument for another lowering of the voting age is not as compelling as it was for the 26th Amendment.
While 18 demarks an age when most young people complete high school and head out on their own to college, to enter the job world or to join the military, most 17-year-olds are still in high school and reliant on their parents for support. Most concerning,17-year-olds have little or no experience paying the taxes that they will be asked to vote on or balancing budgets like the public officials they would help elect.
There’s no clear age of maturity, but 18 is a rational point to mark the entry into adulthood. Indeed, in some areas,18 is on the low end. When it comes to purchasing alcohol in California, the age has remained 21. And, state lawmakers in 2016 raised the age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21. In 2019, the federal government did the same for the nation.
It doesn’t make sense to now lower the voting age to 17. Vote no on Prop. 18.
No on Measure QQ
— 16-year-olds
The measure in Oakland to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections is even more troubling than the statewide proposition for 17-year-olds. All the arguments against Prop. 18 apply apply to Measure QQ — only more so.
In addition, school officials, and especially Oakland school trustees, already suffer from an inability to make sound financial decisions. The last thing they need is political pressure from students who don’t have financial skin in the game.
Yes, we want to improve voter turnout among young adults already eligible to vote. But further lowering the voting age isn’t the way to do it. Vote no on Measure QQ.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Garden Party fundraiser for Cancer CAREpoint blooms online

Like many local nonprofits , Cancer CAREpoint has had to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions with a virtual iteration of its annual fundraising gala .
The Cancer CAREpoint Garden Party , originally set for the Saratoga home of John and Melinda DiNapoli , will instead be held online Aug. 23 .
The $ 500,000 fundraising goal remains the same for the San Jose-based nonprofit , founded by Los Gatos resident Jan Willoughby and Saratogan Gay Crawford to provide support for cancer patients and their families in Silicon Valley .
Because the raffle and silent and live auctions will be online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s event , which organizers hope will increase the number of potential bidders .
“ This alternative format allows us to reach people who ordinarily would not be able to attend , ” says event sponsor Libie Cilker of Saratoga .
“ Everyone can join the party and bid on the auctions .
It ’ s free , and we are not limited by geography.
” Longtime San Jose vendors such as Hi-5 Catering and Bloomsters in Almaden Valley and Bert George of Joseph George Wines in Willow Glen have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while auction committee members have contributed their own high-end auction baskets .
Former auction chair Paula Ball is creating a “ Mystery Wallet ” raffle item , filled with gift cards and cash for shopping and dining valued at over $ 1,000 .
Auction items include a garden basket contributed by Saratoga Village Gardeners , and dinner for eight at home prepared by chef Daniel Nally of The Basin Restaurant , with service provided by several Cancer CAREpoint board members .
Another “ hot ” item is a dinner at the Saratoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What ’ s been remarkable about our Virtual Garden Party is how people have jumped in willingly to help support our organization , ” says Cancer CAREpoint Executive Director Dawn Hogh , “ Committee members have written personal checks to local businesses to purchase gift certificates for the auction yet credited the business as supporters.
” Adds Crawford , “ The support we have gotten says a lot about the community and support of Cancer CAREpoint.
” The nonprofit has continued to support its clients during the COVID-19 pandemic , offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as online support groups and counseling .
To reserve a virtual seat at the Garden Party and purchase raffle tickets , visit www.cancercarepoint.org/events/gardenparty .
Silent auction items will be ready for online bids beginning Aug. 20 .

Like many local nonprofits, Cancer CAREpoint has had to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions with a virtual iteration of its annual fundraising gala. The Cancer CAREpoint Garden Party, originally set for the Saratoga home of John and Melinda DiNapoli, will instead be held online Aug. 23.
The $500,000 fundraising goal remains the same for the San Jose-based nonprofit, founded by Los Gatos resident Jan Willoughby and Saratogan Gay Crawford to provide support for cancer patients and their families in Silicon Valley.
Because the raffle and silent and live auctions will be online, there will be no cost to attend this year’s event, which organizers hope will increase the number of potential bidders.
“This alternative format allows us to reach people who ordinarily would not be able to attend,” says event sponsor Libie Cilker of Saratoga. “Everyone can join the party and bid on the auctions. It’s free, and we are not limited by geography.”
Longtime San Jose vendors such as Hi-5 Catering and Bloomsters in Almaden Valley and Bert George of Joseph George Wines in Willow Glen have stepped up to accommodate the venue change, while auction committee members have contributed their own high-end auction baskets. Former auction chair Paula Ball is creating a “Mystery Wallet” raffle item, filled with gift cards and cash for shopping and dining valued at over $1,000.
Auction items include a garden basket contributed by Saratoga Village Gardeners, and dinner for eight at home prepared by chef Daniel Nally of The Basin Restaurant, with service provided by several Cancer CAREpoint board members. Another “hot” item is a dinner at the Saratoga Fire Station once shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted.
“What’s been remarkable about our Virtual Garden Party is how people have jumped in willingly to help support our organization,” says Cancer CAREpoint Executive Director Dawn Hogh, “Committee members have written personal checks to local businesses to purchase gift certificates for the auction yet credited the business as supporters.”
Adds Crawford, “The support we have gotten says a lot about the community and support of Cancer CAREpoint.”
The nonprofit has continued to support its clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering virtual meditation, nutrition and exercise classes as well as online support groups and counseling.
To reserve a virtual seat at the Garden Party and purchase raffle tickets, visit www.cancercarepoint.org/events/gardenparty.
Silent auction items will be ready for online bids beginning Aug. 20.


Bridge: Aug. 13, 2020

The difference between an expert and a beginner : An expert has failed more times than a beginner has even tried .
Today ’ s West leads a club against 3NT : ten , king , ace .
A beginning player sees 10 easy tricks , given a normal break in diamonds .
He takes the A-K — and West discards .
To get nine winners , South must lose a diamond to East .
Then an expert East will infer that South has a second club stopper — otherwise , he might have held up his ace — so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ten , jack .
West returns a heart to the ace , and a third heart goes through South ’ s queen to West ’ s K-9 .
Down one .
An expert declarer notes that the defense can take four hearts only if the first heart lead comes from East .
Thus , if declarer loses a diamond , he wants to lose to West .
So declarer leads a diamond to dummy at Trick Two and returns a low diamond to his nine — an “ avoidance ” play .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overtrick , but even if West won , South would be safe .
You hold : S J 8 3 2 H A 7 2 D J 8 5 4 C K 7 .
Only your side is vulnerable .
The dealer , at your left , opens three hearts .
Your partner doubles , and the next player passes .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Partner ’ s double is for takeout .
He has a hand worth 17 points or more with support for the unbid suits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine points when you might have held none , you might jump to four spades .
Since bad breaks are likely , some experts would favor a bid of 3NT .

The difference between an expert and a beginner: An expert has failed more times than a beginner has even tried.
Today’s West leads a club against 3NT: ten, king, ace. A beginning player sees 10 easy tricks, given a normal break in diamonds. He takes the A-K — and West discards.
To get nine winners, South must lose a diamond to East. Then an expert East will infer that South has a second club stopper — otherwise, he might have held up his ace — so East shifts to the deuce of hearts: ten, jack. West returns a heart to the ace, and a third heart goes through South’s queen to West’s K-9. Down one.
HEART TRICKS
An expert declarer notes that the defense can take four hearts only if the first heart lead comes from East. Thus, if declarer loses a diamond, he wants to lose to West. So declarer leads a diamond to dummy at Trick Two and returns a low diamond to his nine — an “avoidance” play.
As the cards lie, South makes an overtrick, but even if West won, South would be safe.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 8 3 2 H A 7 2 D J 8 5 4 C K 7. Only your side is vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens three hearts. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s double is for takeout. He has a hand worth 17 points or more with support for the unbid suits, especially for spades. Since you have nine points when you might have held none, you might jump to four spades. Since bad breaks are likely, some experts would favor a bid of 3NT.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K Q 5
H 6 5
D K Q 10 7 6
C 10 9 6
WEST
S 9 6 4
H K J 9 8
D 2
C J 8 4 3 2
EAST
S J 8 3 2
H A 7 2
D J 8 5 4
C K 7
SOUTH
S A 10 7
H Q 10 4 3
D A 9 3
C A Q 5
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — C 3
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Horoscopes Aug. 13, 2020: Shani Davis, focus on what’s important to you

Happy Birthday : Your associations will make or break you this year .
Choose your allies carefully , and know enough to walk away from users and unreliable people .
Set rules and stipulations when working with others .
Focus on what ’ s important to you , and do your best to grow intellectually , emotionally and spiritually .
Do for yourself , and you will achieve what you set out to do .
Your numbers are 7 , 10 , 16 , 25 , 33 , 41 , 44 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best to finish what you start .
Don ’ t let what other people do interfere with your plans or lead to emotional turmoil .
Do whatever will bring you joy or help you advance .
4 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Pay attention to the way you look and feel .
Don ’ t worry about what others think or say .
You are responsible for your happiness , so don ’ t wait for someone to do things for you .
Make opportunities ; build a stable future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 ) : Keep a tally of what you do for others , and when the time comes , don ’ t hesitate to call in favors .
An idea you have to improve your surroundings will pay off .
Do the work yourself , and you ’ ll save yourself a bundle .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Sharing information concerning pending financial , medical or legal matters will work against you .
Someone will use what you reveal to make you look bad .
Focus on personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones .
A creative outlet is favored .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Spend more time with people you look up to or who inspire you to do your very best .
A show of enthusiasm will encourage others to pitch in and help you get things done to improve the way you live .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Focus on what you can do to make your life better , not on the things you can not change .
Personal victory comes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you do .
A passionate approach to whatever you pursue will pay off .
2 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Be open to suggestions , observe what ’ s going on around you and take better care of yourself mentally , physically and emotionally .
Address whatever is causing anxiety and stress , and implement positive lifestyle changes .
5 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Pay attention to the way you look and represent yourself .
Refuse to let possessiveness and jealousy take over .
Put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how you go about your business .
It ’ s up to you which path you choose .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Take care of personal business .
Make positive changes at home that will bring you closer to loved ones and make your surroundings more suitable for whatever you want to accomplish .
Don ’ t let your emotions undermine you .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : What you do today will make a difference in how others feel about you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration of kindness and consideration will encourage others to see things your way and support the changes you want to enforce .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Make meaningful partnerships a priority in order to avoid getting caught in a no-win situation .
Being upfront about how you feel will help alleviate any uncertainty regarding what you want to do and the changes you want to make .
5 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Keep your secrets and emotions to yourself , and you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Concentrate on what you can do to help others , and it will take your mind off emotional situations you can not change .
Romance is on the rise .
2 stars Birthday Baby : You are fun-loving , enthusiastic and humorous .
You are assertive and persistent .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Shani Davis, 38; Debi Mazar, 56; John Slattery, 58; Dawnn Lewis, 59.
Happy Birthday: Your associations will make or break you this year. Choose your allies carefully, and know enough to walk away from users and unreliable people. Set rules and stipulations when working with others. Focus on what’s important to you, and do your best to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Do for yourself, and you will achieve what you set out to do. Your numbers are 7, 10, 16, 25, 33, 41, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pick up the slack, and do your best to finish what you start. Don’t let what other people do interfere with your plans or lead to emotional turmoil. Do whatever will bring you joy or help you advance. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Pay attention to the way you look and feel. Don’t worry about what others think or say. You are responsible for your happiness, so don’t wait for someone to do things for you. Make opportunities; build a stable future. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep a tally of what you do for others, and when the time comes, don’t hesitate to call in favors. An idea you have to improve your surroundings will pay off. Do the work yourself, and you’ll save yourself a bundle. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Sharing information concerning pending financial, medical or legal matters will work against you. Someone will use what you reveal to make you look bad. Focus on personal improvement and spending quality time with loved ones. A creative outlet is favored. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Spend more time with people you look up to or who inspire you to do your very best. A show of enthusiasm will encourage others to pitch in and help you get things done to improve the way you live. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Focus on what you can do to make your life better, not on the things you cannot change. Personal victory comes with loving who you are and believing in what you do. A passionate approach to whatever you pursue will pay off. 2 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be open to suggestions, observe what’s going on around you and take better care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. Address whatever is causing anxiety and stress, and implement positive lifestyle changes. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to the way you look and represent yourself. Refuse to let possessiveness and jealousy take over. Put faith in what you want to pursue and how you go about your business. It’s up to you which path you choose. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of personal business. Make positive changes at home that will bring you closer to loved ones and make your surroundings more suitable for whatever you want to accomplish. Don’t let your emotions undermine you. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What you do today will make a difference in how others feel about you. Wise decisions, positive changes and a demonstration of kindness and consideration will encourage others to see things your way and support the changes you want to enforce. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make meaningful partnerships a priority in order to avoid getting caught in a no-win situation. Being upfront about how you feel will help alleviate any uncertainty regarding what you want to do and the changes you want to make. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep your secrets and emotions to yourself, and you’ll avoid being the topic of conversation. Concentrate on what you can do to help others, and it will take your mind off emotional situations you cannot change. Romance is on the rise. 2 stars
Birthday Baby: You are fun-loving, enthusiastic and humorous. You are assertive and persistent.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Word Game: Aug. 13, 2020

Can you find 29 or more words in PASSAGEWAY ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
YESTERDAY ’ S @ @ @ @ @ enrage erne even ever nave near nerve never gave gear gene genre gnar grave green @ @ @ @ @ raven ager agree anger avenge aver vane vang veer vegan verge To purchase the Word @ @ @ @ @ .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words @ @ @ @ @ more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “ @ @ @ @ @ “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional @ @ @ @ @ “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For example @ @ @ @ @ is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but @ @ @ @ @ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar @ @ @ @ @ not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — PASSAGEWAY (PASSAGEWAY: PAS-ij-way: A passable hall, channel, corridor, etc.)
Average mark 21 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 29 or more words in PASSAGEWAY? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — ENGRAVE eager earn enrage erne even ever nave near
nerve never gave gear gene genre gnar grave green rage ranee rang range rave
raven ager agree anger avenge aver vane vang veer vegan verge
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Ask Amy: My dying mother revealed a secret, and it’s weighing on me

Dear Amy : My 90-year-old mom died recently , and right before she died , she told us that her deceased sister had had a baby out of wedlock when she was a teen .
I had my DNA tested , and I looked into this .
Sure enough , I found my new first cousin .
My question is : Should I tell my three cousins that they have a half-sister ?
My husband says no , because my aunt took the secret to her grave for a reason and he thinks it will change their opinion of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had a half-sibling , I would sure like to know about it .
What do you think I should do ?
In the Know • Ask Amy : I can ’ t voice an opinion without risking my wife ’ s rage • Ask Amy : I know he has photos of me , but he won ’ t hand them over • Ask Amy : This game we played in school was so wrong , and the teacher is still teaching • Ask Amy : My wife is furious that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tidy rules Dear In the Know : Your aunt took this secret to her grave .
Your mother took this secret almost to her grave .
Why don ’ t you speed up the trajectory and take this secret now to its rightful holders — your cousins ?
Family secrets are so insidious ; please don ’ t perpetuate this .
Even though there has been a stigma attached to teen pregnancy ( certainly in your aunt ’ s generation ) , please , don ’ t attach shame to this .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You could assume that she paid dearly for it .
Yes , this will change your cousins ’ opinion of their mother , but , quite possibly , in a positive way .
Knowing the truth should deepen their compassion for her .
It may also answer some lingering questions they have had .
You can not predict how your cousins will react .
You should move forward with the understanding that you do not have the right to hold onto a secret that affects them , possibly in profound ways .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel if other family members knew something so large and important about your mother ’ s life , and failed to tell you .
Dear Amy : My husband of 29 years recently died after a long illness .
“ Marlene ” has been my friend for almost 40 years .
I called her to tell her about my husband ’ s death , and she offered me no words of sympathy .
After that call — and to this day — she has not called , texted , emailed or sent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a group of friends who are kind and have been very supportive during my bereavement .
Marlene is the only one who has not .
I feel like telling her off in an email , but I really have no interest in continuing a friendship with her .
Should I just let it go ?
Dear Grieving : I ’ m very sorry for your loss .
Yes , you should let this go .
The best way for you to let it go , however , might be to express yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be to punish “ Marlene , ” but to tell her how you feel .
She may respond by apologizing , by becoming defensive , or by blaming you for some ancient slight or a time of inattention that you have long forgotten .
She might not respond at all .
Illness and bereavement are huge life challenges that can sometimes offer insight and clarity in their wake .
Among other large life lessons , when you ’ ve suffered a great loss , you do learn who your friends are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote to you about refusing to be a part of her niece ’ s life as long as her niece stayed with her violently abusive partner .
I have been a prosecutor handling domestic violence cases for over 15 years .
I have encountered many , many family members and close friends of abuse victims .
You urged Worried not to let her anger at the abuser cause her to cut off her relationship with her niece and the niece ’ s infant child .
I could not agree more .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends of a person ensnared in an abusive relationship to maintain a loving , supportive connection with the victim .
They should make clear that they do not support the abuser or the relationship — but that they will be there for the victim , no matter what .
To do otherwise plays directly into the abuser ’ s hands .
One of the main goals of abusers is to isolate and separate their victims from outside sources of love and support , in order to better control and dominate , putting them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ongoing source of love and support for her niece , which in turn will give the niece a lifeboat if/when she chooses to extricate herself from the relationship .
Dear Prosecutor : Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insight .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: My 90-year-old mom died recently, and right before she died, she told us that her deceased sister had had a baby out of wedlock when she was a teen.
I had my DNA tested, and I looked into this. Sure enough, I found my new first cousin.
My question is: Should I tell my three cousins that they have a half-sister?
My husband says no, because my aunt took the secret to her grave for a reason and he thinks it will change their opinion of their mother.
But I think that if I had a half-sibling, I would sure like to know about it.
What do you think I should do?
In the Know
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Dear In the Know: Your aunt took this secret to her grave. Your mother took this secret almost to her grave. Why don’t you speed up the trajectory and take this secret now to its rightful holders — your cousins?
Family secrets are so insidious; please don’t perpetuate this.
Even though there has been a stigma attached to teen pregnancy (certainly in your aunt’s generation), please, don’t attach shame to this. Your aunt went through a rough experience. You could assume that she paid dearly for it.
Yes, this will change your cousins’ opinion of their mother, but, quite possibly, in a positive way. Knowing the truth should deepen their compassion for her. It may also answer some lingering questions they have had.
You cannot predict how your cousins will react. You should move forward with the understanding that you do not have the right to hold onto a secret that affects them, possibly in profound ways. You need only ask yourself how you would feel if other family members knew something so large and important about your mother’s life, and failed to tell you.
Dear Amy: My husband of 29 years recently died after a long illness.
“Marlene” has been my friend for almost 40 years. I called her to tell her about my husband’s death, and she offered me no words of sympathy. After that call — and to this day — she has not called, texted, emailed or sent a condolence card.
I have been blessed with a group of friends who are kind and have been very supportive during my bereavement. Marlene is the only one who has not.
I feel like telling her off in an email, but I really have no interest in continuing a friendship with her.
Should I just let it go?
Grieving
Dear Grieving: I’m very sorry for your loss.
Yes, you should let this go. The best way for you to let it go, however, might be to express yourself in an email. Your motivation should not be to punish “Marlene,” but to tell her how you feel. She may respond by apologizing, by becoming defensive, or by blaming you for some ancient slight or a time of inattention that you have long forgotten. She might not respond at all.
Illness and bereavement are huge life challenges that can sometimes offer insight and clarity in their wake.
Among other large life lessons, when you’ve suffered a great loss, you do learn who your friends are.
Dear Amy: “Worried Aunt” wrote to you about refusing to be a part of her niece’s life as long as her niece stayed with her violently abusive partner.
I have been a prosecutor handling domestic violence cases for over 15 years. I have encountered many, many family members and close friends of abuse victims.
You urged Worried not to let her anger at the abuser cause her to cut off her relationship with her niece and the niece’s infant child.
I could not agree more. It is extremely important for concerned family members or friends of a person ensnared in an abusive relationship to maintain a loving, supportive connection with the victim.
They should make clear that they do not support the abuser or the relationship — but that they will be there for the victim, no matter what.
To do otherwise plays directly into the abuser’s hands. One of the main goals of abusers is to isolate and separate their victims from outside sources of love and support, in order to better control and dominate, putting them at greater risk.
Worried should remain an ongoing source of love and support for her niece, which in turn will give the niece a lifeboat if/when she chooses to extricate herself from the relationship.
DV Prosecutor, Alaska
Dear Prosecutor: Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insight.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-08-13--Harriette Cole: Years later, I’m ashamed of my racist mistake. What can I do?

DEAR HARRIETTE : When I worked at a heavily visited tourist attraction , I had a visitor interaction that ultimately ended with me escorting said visitor to a colleague ( whom we will call “ Annie ” ) .
I am terrible with names , and I didn ’ t regularly work with Annie at the time .
As I approached Annie ’ s desk , I realized her name was escaping me .
I suddenly thought I recalled her name , so as I dropped off the visitor with her , I said , “ OK , thanks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here.
” The second it came out of my mouth , I knew it was the wrong name , which is embarrassing on its own , but much worse because I called her the name of another co-worker , and both these women are East Asian .
I am white .
Even though I knew the name was wrong , Annie ’ s real name was escaping me so instead of correcting myself , I scurried off with my tail between my legs .
Annie did not correct me , but I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s been at least four years since that incident , and Annie has always been gracious and kind to me in every interaction we have had since then .
So kind that I often wonder if she has forgotten this incident — although that ’ s probably wishful thinking !
I committed a heinous racist microaggression against my fellow human , and I feel guilt and shame for it constantly .
I consider myself anti-racist , and this moment was a reality check for me .
We no longer work at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still in touch .
I have considered , and even drafted , many apologies to her for this incident , but I have never sent the apology because I do not think this type of action deserves forgiveness and do not want to put her in the place of having to tell me that it ’ s OK — which she is likely to do because she is so kind .
• Harriette Cole : Strangers tell undecided student what to major in • Harriette Cole : He told me to decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so awkward • Harriette Cole : Have I been blind to my white friends ’ true feelings ?
• Harriette Cole : No shampoo , no blow-dry , and a $ 68 tab ?
Yes , I ’ m annoyed .
Regardless of whether I deserve forgiveness , I still think she deserves an apology and acknowledgement .
Is apologizing the right thing to do here , or will I just be putting her in an uncomfortable position all over again ?
If a co-worker had ever done something like this to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a years-late apology ?
A Real Jerk , Trying To Be Better DEAR A REAL JERK , TRYING TO BE BETTER : Thank you , first of all , for your thoughtfulness about this incident and your willingness to share it with us .
This is exactly the kind of reflection that is needed for us to move forward with greater awareness of how to interact respectfully with one another .
There is no time limit on an apology .
But you do need to be clear about what you hope the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask for forgiveness .
That would be you presenting yourself as a victim in a situation where the other person was actually the victim .
Since you are in touch with this woman , reach out to her and tell her that you want to discuss a sensitive topic with her .
Remind her of the incident and how you misidentified her , how you felt about it and that you have never forgotten because you instantly knew it was an egregious error .
Apologize for not handling the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling her the other woman ’ s name .
Tell her that in these times when everyone is evaluating their role in racist behavior , you realize that this was a clear microaggression on your part , and she deserved better from you .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I worked at a heavily visited tourist attraction, I had a visitor interaction that ultimately ended with me escorting said visitor to a colleague (whom we will call “Annie”).
I am terrible with names, and I didn’t regularly work with Annie at the time. As I approached Annie’s desk, I realized her name was escaping me. I suddenly thought I recalled her name, so as I dropped off the visitor with her, I said, “OK, thanks, Jen will take care of you from here.”
The second it came out of my mouth, I knew it was the wrong name, which is embarrassing on its own, but much worse because I called her the name of another co-worker, and both these women are East Asian. I am white.
Even though I knew the name was wrong, Annie’s real name was escaping me so instead of correcting myself, I scurried off with my tail between my legs. Annie did not correct me, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes.
It’s been at least four years since that incident, and Annie has always been gracious and kind to me in every interaction we have had since then. So kind that I often wonder if she has forgotten this incident — although that’s probably wishful thinking!
I committed a heinous racist microaggression against my fellow human, and I feel guilt and shame for it constantly. I consider myself anti-racist, and this moment was a reality check for me.
We no longer work at the same place, but we’re still in touch. I have considered, and even drafted, many apologies to her for this incident, but I have never sent the apology because I do not think this type of action deserves forgiveness and do not want to put her in the place of having to tell me that it’s OK — which she is likely to do because she is so kind.
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A Real Jerk, Trying To Be Better
DEAR A REAL JERK, TRYING TO BE BETTER: Thank you, first of all, for your thoughtfulness about this incident and your willingness to share it with us. This is exactly the kind of reflection that is needed for us to move forward with greater awareness of how to interact respectfully with one another.
There is no time limit on an apology. But you do need to be clear about what you hope the outcome will be. It should not be to ask for forgiveness. That would be you presenting yourself as a victim in a situation where the other person was actually the victim.
Since you are in touch with this woman, reach out to her and tell her that you want to discuss a sensitive topic with her.
Remind her of the incident and how you misidentified her, how you felt about it and that you have never forgotten because you instantly knew it was an egregious error. Apologize for not handling the situation in the moment — namely, immediately apologizing for calling her the other woman’s name. Tell her that in these times when everyone is evaluating their role in racist behavior, you realize that this was a clear microaggression on your part, and she deserved better from you.
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--2020-08-13--Miss Manners: I have problems with this co-worker, and I can’t tell our boss

DEAR MISS MANNERS : I work with someone who goes to any length to never learn new skills or handle any additional responsibilities for the company we work for .
We are both managers at the same level .
On a daily basis , I usually work two to three hours of overtime just to complete my own job .
But this co-worker never stays late for any reason whatsoever , and never attends any work event that occurs after her shift .
I always do .
Just the other day , while our boss was out of the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her work responsibilities onto me that I was three hours late leaving work .
But most importantly ( I guess ) , my co-worker got to leave work on time .
For another example , she recently asked me three times to do a task that had been given to her .
When I finally refused , she got very mad and left my office , slamming the door on the way out .
Needless to say , she has put me in a very uncomfortable situation .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Miss Manners ?
What am I missing here , by finally telling the co-worker “ no , ” as nicely as I knew how ?
GENTLE READER : Your co-worker is misbehaving , Miss Manners agrees .
But she is less confident with the implication that your supervisor is also derelict , as you have been solving the workload problem for him .
Surely your duties as a manager already include saying “ no ” under even more challenging conditions .
“ I ’ m so sorry , but I just don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a businesslike and proper answer to your colleague , however badly she takes it .
An unprofessional reaction is unfortunate , but surely not worth succumbing to emotional blackmail to prevent .
Your supervisor will then have to do his job , which is to deal with employees who do not do their own .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : We have been invited to a number of weddings that were supposed to occur over the past few months .
Because of the pandemic , the brides and grooms are still getting married , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want your advice on what to do in these situations .
Should we send a gift to arrive around the time the wedding would have been , or should we wait to see if they have a future reception ?
Or are we not obligated to send a gift at all ?
GENTLE READER : Nobody is actually obligated to send a present , rendering moot any further disclaimer about the timing of the delivery of said present .
Gracious people send wedding presents because they want a symbolic way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved .
Never mind .
Miss Manners does not mean to get caught up in technicalities .
If you wish to send a present , now would be a good time .
The residual shipping delays caused by the recent pandemic will , in any case , ensure that it does not arrive immediately .
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 @ @ @ @ @

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work with someone who goes to any length to never learn new skills or handle any additional responsibilities for the company we work for. We are both managers at the same level.
On a daily basis, I usually work two to three hours of overtime just to complete my own job. But this co-worker never stays late for any reason whatsoever, and never attends any work event that occurs after her shift. I always do.
Just the other day, while our boss was out of the office, my co-worker was shunting so many of her work responsibilities onto me that I was three hours late leaving work. But most importantly (I guess), my co-worker got to leave work on time.
For another example, she recently asked me three times to do a task that had been given to her. When I finally refused, she got very mad and left my office, slamming the door on the way out. Needless to say, she has put me in a very uncomfortable situation.
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Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third Our supervisor is a person who does not want to hear about any problems whatsoever; he just wants the job to get done. So, what I am to do, Miss Manners? What am I missing here, by finally telling the co-worker “no,” as nicely as I knew how?
GENTLE READER: Your co-worker is misbehaving, Miss Manners agrees. But she is less confident with the implication that your supervisor is also derelict, as you have been solving the workload problem for him.
Surely your duties as a manager already include saying “no” under even more challenging conditions. “I’m so sorry, but I just don’t have the time” is a businesslike and proper answer to your colleague, however badly she takes it. An unprofessional reaction is unfortunate, but surely not worth succumbing to emotional blackmail to prevent.
Your supervisor will then have to do his job, which is to deal with employees who do not do their own.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have been invited to a number of weddings that were supposed to occur over the past few months. Because of the pandemic, the brides and grooms are still getting married, but not having large gatherings or receptions.
We want your advice on what to do in these situations. Should we send a gift to arrive around the time the wedding would have been, or should we wait to see if they have a future reception? Or are we not obligated to send a gift at all?
GENTLE READER: Nobody is actually obligated to send a present, rendering moot any further disclaimer about the timing of the delivery of said present.
Gracious people send wedding presents because they want a symbolic way of showing that they care about the people involved.
Never mind. Miss Manners does not mean to get caught up in technicalities. If you wish to send a present, now would be a good time. The residual shipping delays caused by the recent pandemic will, in any case, ensure that it does not arrive immediately.
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.