mercurynews--2020-10-28--Photographing under fire: Covering the Silverado fire

Cold , dry and windy … very windy .
That was Monday .
When the Santa Ana winds kick up , firefighters are put on alert , and so are journalists .
My colleagues and I were all out Monday and Tuesday covering the fires in Orange County , trying to capture the story of the firefighters and residents in the path of the flames .
Our priority is safety .
First we make sure we don ’ t get in the way of the firefighters , and then we set out to make pictures .
Register photographers all carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with helmets , boots and gloves and masks .
Monday morning , I threw my fire safety gear into my car and headed off to work .
It wasn ’ t long before I got a call from my editor to get over to Irvine where the Silverado Fire was already at 2,000 acres .
When I got to the Orange County Great Park area , the sky had turned an ominous burnt orange .
The fire had jumped over houses and was burning on the 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made some pictures of the empty , smoke-filled roadway and then headed toward the flames .
I drove east on Portola Parkway and when I arrived at the 241 Toll Road , flames were headed down the hill and the edges of the freeway were on fire .
A huge fireball was burning next to the toll road sign and wind-whipped debris was flying through the air .
As I stood on the Portola Parkway bridge , the flames jumped to the brush near me and the wind blew thick smoke across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off white-out conditions .
During a break in the wind a small , ash-covered mouse , or perhaps a rat , emerged from the kindling and sat on the sidewalk , shivering .
I thought for sure , as I approached , it would scurry away .
But it just sat there , looking scared , staring at my camera as I lay on the ground taking its picture .
It ’ s worth noting that for photojournalists covering wildfires , our cars are our mobile offices .
Between shooting fire scenes we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the AC on , processing pictures on our laptops and transmitting them to the newsroom .
After following a fire line near Portola High School , I sat in my car working on pictures as it got dark outside .
I was able to make a nice photo of the red sun setting over palm trees before heading to another location .
• 2 firefighters injured in Silverado fire are ‘ fighting for their lives ’ • Justin Herbert among several L.A. Chargers players evacuated due to Silverado fire • Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 0 % containment I got word the fire was headed toward Lake Forest and found myself on Irvine Boulevard enveloped in a cloud of smoke that looked like the thick tule fog often experienced in the Central Valley .
I slowly headed out as I found a clearing and made my way to Antonio Parkway .
In the darkness , the glow of the fire lit up the sky near the Irvine/Lake Forest border as crews were setting backfires to protect homes .
After an hour in the dark , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after spending 10 hours at the fire , I was greeted by my 11-year-old daughter with : “ Ewwww , you smell like very , very , very dry tri-trip .
”

Cold, dry and windy … very windy. That was Monday.
When the Santa Ana winds kick up, firefighters are put on alert, and so are journalists.
My colleagues and I were all out Monday and Tuesday covering the fires in Orange County, trying to capture the story of the firefighters and residents in the path of the flames.
Our priority is safety. First we make sure we don’t get in the way of the firefighters, and then we set out to make pictures.
Register photographers all carry safety gear – fire-resistant turnouts, along with helmets, boots and gloves and masks.
Monday morning, I threw my fire safety gear into my car and headed off to work. It wasn’t long before I got a call from my editor to get over to Irvine where the Silverado Fire was already at 2,000 acres.
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Smoke rolls across Portola Parkway at The 241 Toll Road during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Riverside firefighters keep an eye on the Silverado Fire near Alton Parkway in Lake Forest, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The sun sets though a smoke-filled sky during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brush and a palm tree burn during the Silverado Fire near Alton Parkway in Lake Forest, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle flames along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Flames pop up along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle the Silverado Fire along The 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle the Silverado Fire along The 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle the Silverado Fire along The 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Flames pop up along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Flames pop up along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle the Silverado Fire along The 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Crews battle the Silverado Fire along The 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: A rabbit sits on near Portola Parkway at The 241 Toll Road during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Flames pop up along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Flames pop up along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA - OCTOBER 26: Smoke rolls across Portola Parkway at The 241 Toll Road during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
IRVINE, CA – OCTOBER 26: Crews battle flames along The 241 Toll Road at Portola Parkway during the Silverado Fire in Irvine, CA, on Monday, October 26, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
When I got to the Orange County Great Park area, the sky had turned an ominous burnt orange. The fire had jumped over houses and was burning on the 133 Freeway near Irvine Boulevard. I stopped there for a short while, made some pictures of the empty, smoke-filled roadway and then headed toward the flames.
I drove east on Portola Parkway and when I arrived at the 241 Toll Road, flames were headed down the hill and the edges of the freeway were on fire. A huge fireball was burning next to the toll road sign and wind-whipped debris was flying through the air.
As I stood on the Portola Parkway bridge, the flames jumped to the brush near me and the wind blew thick smoke across the top of the bridge creating on and off white-out conditions.
During a break in the wind a small, ash-covered mouse, or perhaps a rat, emerged from the kindling and sat on the sidewalk, shivering. I thought for sure, as I approached, it would scurry away. But it just sat there, looking scared, staring at my camera as I lay on the ground taking its picture.
It’s worth noting that for photojournalists covering wildfires, our cars are our mobile offices. Between shooting fire scenes we sit in the driver’s seat, with the AC on, processing pictures on our laptops and transmitting them to the newsroom.
After following a fire line near Portola High School, I sat in my car working on pictures as it got dark outside. I was able to make a nice photo of the red sun setting over palm trees before heading to another location.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds California News | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult I got word the fire was headed toward Lake Forest and found myself on Irvine Boulevard enveloped in a cloud of smoke that looked like the thick tule fog often experienced in the Central Valley. I slowly headed out as I found a clearing and made my way to Antonio Parkway.
In the darkness, the glow of the fire lit up the sky near the Irvine/Lake Forest border as crews were setting backfires to protect homes.
After an hour in the dark, it was time to head home where, after spending 10 hours at the fire, I was greeted by my 11-year-old daughter with: “Ewwww, you smell like very, very, very dry tri-trip.”


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Nanotech Engineering founder charged with a $9.5 million investment fraud scheme

An Irvine man was charged Tuesday with using his company to run a suspected scheme that took in millions of dollars worth of investment money based on the allegedly false promise of enhancing solar panels with nanotechnology .
Nanotech Engineering founder and owner Michael James Sweaney , 56 , has agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud in connection with a suspected investment scheme that prosecutors allege brought in more than $ 9.5 million , according to a U.S. Attorney ’ s Office statement .
Prosecutors allege that Sweaney used “ high-pressure sales tactics ” to push “ bogus claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allowed them to generate electricity three times more efficiently than traditional solar panels .
Referring to the purported technological breakthrough as a “ Nanopanel , ” the company contended that their solar panels were one-third the cost of similar devices and would soon dominate the market , prosecutors allege .
But , as part of his plea deal , Sweaney now admits that the “ Nanopanel ” technology does not actually exist , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
Over a three year period ending in 2019 , Sweaney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to prosecutors , with Sweaney himself using an alias to hide the fact that he had previously been convicted of securities fraud .
Sweaney ’ s nephew – David Wayne Sweaney , 41 , of Fort Collins , Colorado – served as the company ’ s chief executive officer , and has already pleaded guilty to mail fraud , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
As part of the alleged scheme , prosecutors say Sweaney had his nephew create prop versions of the “ Nanopanels ” for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outperformed traditional solar panels and create the impression they were being manufactured .
According to his plea deal , Sweaney also used investor funds to fund a lavish lifestyle , including purchasing a 46-foot yacht , luxury automobiles and jewelry and paying for cosmetic surgery .
Approximately $ 1.5 million in funds – as well as the yacht , cars and jewelry – was seized during the federal investigation , and will be forfeited by Sweaney as part of his plea deal , according to prosecutors .

An Irvine man was charged Tuesday with using his company to run a suspected scheme that took in millions of dollars worth of investment money based on the allegedly false promise of enhancing solar panels with nanotechnology.
Nanotech Engineering founder and owner Michael James Sweaney, 56, has agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud in connection with a suspected investment scheme that prosecutors allege brought in more than $9.5 million, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office statement.
Prosecutors allege that Sweaney used “high-pressure sales tactics” to push “bogus claims” that his company had created technology that allowed them to generate electricity three times more efficiently than traditional solar panels. Referring to the purported technological breakthrough as a “Nanopanel,” the company contended that their solar panels were one-third the cost of similar devices and would soon dominate the market, prosecutors allege.
But, as part of his plea deal, Sweaney now admits that the “Nanopanel” technology does not actually exist, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Over a three year period ending in 2019, Sweaney and his sales team lied to investors, according to prosecutors, with Sweaney himself using an alias to hide the fact that he had previously been convicted of securities fraud.
Sweaney’s nephew – David Wayne Sweaney, 41, of Fort Collins, Colorado – served as the company’s chief executive officer, and has already pleaded guilty to mail fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As part of the alleged scheme, prosecutors say Sweaney had his nephew create prop versions of the “Nanopanels” for a video that made it look like they outperformed traditional solar panels and create the impression they were being manufactured.
According to his plea deal, Sweaney also used investor funds to fund a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing a 46-foot yacht, luxury automobiles and jewelry and paying for cosmetic surgery. Approximately $1.5 million in funds – as well as the yacht, cars and jewelry – was seized during the federal investigation, and will be forfeited by Sweaney as part of his plea deal, according to prosecutors.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--OCFA chief: 2 firefighters injured in Silverado fire are ‘fighting for their lives’

Two firefighters critically burned on Monday while battling the Silverado fire are “ fighting for their lives , ” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said Tuesday , Oct 27 .
The two men , ages 26 and 31 , were part of a hand crew working near where the fire started , the chief said .
They both had second and third-degree burns .
Though authorities would not release any details as to what led to the two being critically injured , the chief said an accident review team from the state was requested to investigate the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ burnover.
” A burnover is when flames overtake firefighters or their equipment , and there is no opportunity for an escape to safety .
Wildland firefighters are trained to deploy fire shelters , a tarp-like device , as a last resort during a burnover , to help temporarily shield them from flames .
It was not immediately clear whether the two critically injured firefighters deployed their shelters during the incident .
Fennessy said both the firefighters had been with the Orange County Fire Authority for less than one year .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his body while the other had burns on 50 % , the chief said .
“ Both of these firefighters , I know them personally .
They ’ re extremely strong , ” Fennessy told reporters at a news conference .
“ It ’ s tough for any firefighter , certainly any fire chief , to feel this helpless when you ’ ve got part of our fire family fighting for their lives , ” he said .
Three other firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the fast-moving Silverado fire , Fennessy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released .
• Justin Herbert among several L.A. Chargers players evacuated due to Silverado fire • Blue Ridge fire scorches more than 10,000 acres , with 0 % containment By Tuesday night , the Silverado fire had grown to 13,354 acres .
The fire was first reported at Santiago and Silverado Canyon roads just before 7 a.m. on Monday and grew quickly with the strong gusts of wind that passed through the region most of Monday .
Soon after , neighborhoods in Irvine were ordered to evacuate , sending tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evacuations were lifted Tuesday afternoon , while others went into effect .

Two firefighters critically burned on Monday while battling the Silverado fire are “fighting for their lives,” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said Tuesday, Oct 27.
The two men, ages 26 and 31, were part of a hand crew working near where the fire started, the chief said. They both had second and third-degree burns.
Though authorities would not release any details as to what led to the two being critically injured, the chief said an accident review team from the state was requested to investigate the incident, which he referred to as a “burnover.”
A burnover is when flames overtake firefighters or their equipment, and there is no opportunity for an escape to safety.
Wildland firefighters are trained to deploy fire shelters, a tarp-like device, as a last resort during a burnover, to help temporarily shield them from flames. It was not immediately clear whether the two critically injured firefighters deployed their shelters during the incident.
Fennessy said both the firefighters had been with the Orange County Fire Authority for less than one year. One of the men had burns on 65% of his body while the other had burns on 50%, the chief said.
“Both of these firefighters, I know them personally. They’re extremely strong,” Fennessy told reporters at a news conference.
“It’s tough for any firefighter, certainly any fire chief, to feel this helpless when you’ve got part of our fire family fighting for their lives,” he said.
Three other firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the fast-moving Silverado fire, Fennessy said, but they all were treated and released.
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The fire was first reported at Santiago and Silverado Canyon roads just before 7 a.m. on Monday and grew quickly with the strong gusts of wind that passed through the region most of Monday. Soon after, neighborhoods in Irvine were ordered to evacuate, sending tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes. Some of the evacuations were lifted Tuesday afternoon, while others went into effect.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Santa Cruz boardwalk first California amusement park planning to reopen under state guidelines

California ’ s oldest amusement park is preparing to become the first amusement park to reopen under the state ’ s new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines following a seven-month coronavirus closure .
The 1907 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk plans to reopen in November after Santa Cruz County moved into the orange/moderate tier 3 risk level under Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s Blueprint for a Safer Economy .
“ We are making plans , but nothing is set in stone yet , ” Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Marq Lipton said .
“ We don ’ t have an opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be this week .
It likely will be in a couple of weeks.
” California issued separate reopening guidelines for small and large theme parks last week .
Small theme parks with a capacity of less than 15,000 visitors can reopen in the orange/moderate tier 3 while large theme parks can return in the yellow/minimal tier 4 — which could leave major players like Disney and Universal unable to return until early 2021 or next summer .
Smaller theme parks can reopen open at 25 % capacity or 500 in-county visitors , whichever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only in the orange/moderate tier 3 .
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk isn ’ t the only California amusement park permitted to reopen right now under the state ’ s guidelines .
The Small World Park and Pixieland amusement parks in Contra Costa County could also reopen .
The Beach Boardwalk still needs to update its ticketing system to add the ability to make advance reservations , limit attendance and restrict visitors to Santa Cruz County residents .
The Beach Boardwalk plans to reopen in off-season mode with a limited number of 8 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park ’ s 37 amusement rides , according to Lipton .
“ It ’ s impossible to say which rides will be open , ” Lipton said .
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will become home to the first operating roller coaster in the state after more than seven months of amusement park closures .
The contenders : The 1924 Giant Dipper wooden coaster and the 2013 Undertow spinning steel coaster .
Lipton expects at least one coaster to be operational when the park reopens .
The Giant Dipper is typically closed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Beach Boardwalk is also home to the Sea Serpent kiddie coaster .
The Beach Boardwalk ’ s 1911 Looff Carousel with its distinctive ring dispenser is expected to remain closed along with other indoor rides .
Carousel riders on the outside carousel horses can grab rings from a dispenser while they spin and try to toss them into a clown ’ s mouth .
The Beach Boardwalk ’ s four dark rides are also expected to remain closed .
The waterfront amusement park also features a log flume , Tilt-A-Whirl , wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop tower and a classic Rock-O-Plane Ferris wheel .
Boardwalk shops and restaurants are already open in a limited capacity .
• 7 reasons California officials say major theme parks are too risky to reopen right now • No Bay Area amusement parks can reopen right now under new state guidelines An announcement will be made on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk website and social media channels when the park settles on a reopening date .
Small World Park is also permitted to reopen after Contra Costa County moved into the orange/moderate tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will wait until 2021 .
“ We typically would be closing this weekend , ” City of Pittsburg recreation assistant director Kolette Simonton said of Small World Park .
“ We won ’ t be opening again until the spring.
” The 8-acre amusement park never opened in 2020 .
Small World Park has four rides — including a carousel and kiddie train .
Pixieland officials could not be reached for comment .
The Concord kiddie park has seven rides , including a carousel , teacups and the Dragon roller coaster .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park closed through the end of the year .

California’s oldest amusement park is preparing to become the first amusement park to reopen under the state’s new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines following a seven-month coronavirus closure.
The 1907 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk plans to reopen in November after Santa Cruz County moved into the orange/moderate tier 3 risk level under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
“We are making plans, but nothing is set in stone yet,” Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Marq Lipton said. “We don’t have an opening date yet. It won’t be this week. It likely will be in a couple of weeks.”
California issued separate reopening guidelines for small and large theme parks last week. Small theme parks with a capacity of less than 15,000 visitors can reopen in the orange/moderate tier 3 while large theme parks can return in the yellow/minimal tier 4 — which could leave major players like Disney and Universal unable to return until early 2021 or next summer.
Smaller theme parks can reopen open at 25% capacity or 500 in-county visitors, whichever is fewer, with admission by reservation only in the orange/moderate tier 3.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk isn’t the only California amusement park permitted to reopen right now under the state’s guidelines. The Small World Park and Pixieland amusement parks in Contra Costa County could also reopen.
The Beach Boardwalk still needs to update its ticketing system to add the ability to make advance reservations, limit attendance and restrict visitors to Santa Cruz County residents.
The Beach Boardwalk plans to reopen in off-season mode with a limited number of 8 to 12 rides, about a third of the park’s 37 amusement rides, according to Lipton.
“It’s impossible to say which rides will be open,” Lipton said.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will become home to the first operating roller coaster in the state after more than seven months of amusement park closures. The contenders: The 1924 Giant Dipper wooden coaster and the 2013 Undertow spinning steel coaster.
Lipton expects at least one coaster to be operational when the park reopens. The Giant Dipper is typically closed for maintenance at this time of year. The Beach Boardwalk is also home to the Sea Serpent kiddie coaster.
The Beach Boardwalk’s 1911 Looff Carousel with its distinctive ring dispenser is expected to remain closed along with other indoor rides. Carousel riders on the outside carousel horses can grab rings from a dispenser while they spin and try to toss them into a clown’s mouth.
The Beach Boardwalk’s four dark rides are also expected to remain closed.
The waterfront amusement park also features a log flume, Tilt-A-Whirl, wave swing, bumper cars, teacups, drop tower and a classic Rock-O-Plane Ferris wheel.
Boardwalk shops and restaurants are already open in a limited capacity.
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Small World Park is also permitted to reopen after Contra Costa County moved into the orange/moderate tier 3 risk level — but the park will wait until 2021.
“We typically would be closing this weekend,” City of Pittsburg recreation assistant director Kolette Simonton said of Small World Park. “We won’t be opening again until the spring.”
The 8-acre amusement park never opened in 2020. Small World Park has four rides — including a carousel and kiddie train.
Pixieland officials could not be reached for comment. The Concord kiddie park has seven rides, including a carousel, teacups and the Dragon roller coaster. A monthly calendar on the Pixieland website shows the park closed through the end of the year.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Review in progress: ‘Watch Dogs Legion’ has promising start despite a major glitch

The problem with writing about “ Watch Dogs : Legion ” is that sometimes you don ’ t know if a bug is a flaw in the game or whether the developers are being very meta .
That happened to me while playing one of the longer storyline missions and it ’ s the reason that this is review-in-progress rather than an actual assessment of the title .
I got to an important decision in the campaign , and when I chose either outcome , the game made the fans whir on my Xbox One , and then it shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When that happened the first time , I thought it was part of the narrative .
The screen went black in a “ Sopranos ” -type of way to show the outcome .
I waited for a few seconds and then I realized , “ Oh wow , ‘ Watch Dogs Legion ’ made the console turn off to protect itself.
” I suppose it couldn ’ t handle the gravity of that decision .
I played the scenario a few times , making different choices and using different characters .
I even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I had the same result each time : A black screen and a stern warning from the Xbox on start up saying that it shut off automatically because of bad ventilation .
I ’ m at a roadblock but Ubisoft says the problem is getting fixed .
In the meantime , my impressions of “ Watch Dogs : Legion ” up to that point were good .
The franchise needed a shakeup , and the team hired the right man for the job in Clint Hocking .
The project ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” from a “ Island of Doctor Moreau ” romp and transformed it into a dark masterpiece that spawned several sequels .
The man knows how to make compelling games .
With “ Watch Dogs Legion , ” Hocking flips the premise on its head .
Instead of players controlling one protagonist through a story-driven campaign , they control a team of hackers that they recruit from London ’ s general population .
The move gives the title a feeling that ’ s a little bit of “ Pokemon ” and a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be recruited to DedSec , the good guy hacking collective that has been at the heart of the franchise , but players should have standards .
I found myself scanning everyone and looking for people who had the best combination of skills .
Some people were perfect .
I found a network architect Maegan Mullan who had the speedy downloads with their 6G connection , crypto skimming and fast hacking .
While those recruits were rare , many more had useless talents or issues ( like hiccups ) that made them less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me of the random genetic traits that descendants would get in “ Rogue Legacy.
” The joy in “ Watch Dogs : Legion ” is that the sheer variety of recruits opens up multiple solutions for every mission .
I relied a lot on drone Edmond Panek who had nonlethal weapons .
His mastery of the spiderbot and drones allowed me to access highly secured areas with armed guards , so that I can sneak through undetected or even finish missions without stepping foot on the restricted area and battling Albion or Clan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the villains of the campaign that I ’ ve met so far .
The world is fascinating not because of how it portrays near-future London , but in how it uses the people that reside in it .
Ubisoft Toronto created an algorithm that ties every person together .
Operatives and recruits don ’ t exist in a vacuum and players can see their relationship with others .
They ’ ll run across one of their operative ’ s therapist while heading to a sidequest or they ’ ll find a blackmailer intimidating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s interesting to see the threads of the characters and how they intertwine in this virtual world .
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Curious , I followed him into a park and hid in the bushes .
The recruit did his job and murdered a guy in cold blood right in front of me and casually walked away .
It was a fascinating experience and made me wonder if players could follow a recruit during the day and watch the routine outlined in the deep profiler .
As for the plot , it ’ s shaping up to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the bombings that changed the U.K. and the mysterious Zero Day organization behind it .
The London in “ Watch Dogs Legion ” is a dystopian nightmare where security needs dominate over privacy and civil rights .
It ’ s a game that could portend our own future , and it does have the feel of a world that could mirror our own .
It ’ s also a title that I want to finish and will eventually when Ubisoft patches the experience .
For those who have the game , expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the week , and if players are checking out the game now , be careful with the quests revolving around Skye Larsen and Broca Tech .

UPDATE: Ubisoft fixed the issue with Into the Void mission, and it has issued other fixes as well. In the meantime, if you happen to get the game early for next-gen systems, it won’t be available to play until a Day 1 patch is implemented Nov. 9, according to Ubisoft.
The problem with writing about “Watch Dogs: Legion” is that sometimes you don’t know if a bug is a flaw in the game or whether the developers are being very meta. That happened to me while playing one of the longer storyline missions and it’s the reason that this is review-in-progress rather than an actual assessment of the title.
I got to an important decision in the campaign, and when I chose either outcome, the game made the fans whir on my Xbox One, and then it shut down. The console turned off. When that happened the first time, I thought it was part of the narrative. The screen went black in a “Sopranos”-type of way to show the outcome. I waited for a few seconds and then I realized, “Oh wow, ‘Watch Dogs Legion’ made the console turn off to protect itself.” I suppose it couldn’t handle the gravity of that decision.
I played the scenario a few times, making different choices and using different characters. I even cleaned the outside of the Xbox ONe, but I had the same result each time: A black screen and a stern warning from the Xbox on start up saying that it shut off automatically because of bad ventilation. I’m at a roadblock but Ubisoft says the problem is getting fixed.
In the meantime, my impressions of “Watch Dogs: Legion” up to that point were good. The franchise needed a shakeup, and the team hired the right man for the job in Clint Hocking. The project’s creative director also re-envisioned “Far Cry” from a “Island of Doctor Moreau” romp and transformed it into a dark masterpiece that spawned several sequels. The man knows how to make compelling games.
With “Watch Dogs Legion,” Hocking flips the premise on its head. Instead of players controlling one protagonist through a story-driven campaign, they control a team of hackers that they recruit from London’s general population. The move gives the title a feeling that’s a little bit of “Pokemon” and a little bit of “Rogue Legacy.”
Anyone can be recruited to DedSec, the good guy hacking collective that has been at the heart of the franchise, but players should have standards. I found myself scanning everyone and looking for people who had the best combination of skills. Some people were perfect. I found a network architect Maegan Mullan who had the speedy downloads with their 6G connection, crypto skimming and fast hacking. While those recruits were rare, many more had useless talents or issues (like hiccups) that made them less suited for spying work. It reminds me of the random genetic traits that descendants would get in “Rogue Legacy.”
The joy in “Watch Dogs: Legion” is that the sheer variety of recruits opens up multiple solutions for every mission. I relied a lot on drone Edmond Panek who had nonlethal weapons. His mastery of the spiderbot and drones allowed me to access highly secured areas with armed guards, so that I can sneak through undetected or even finish missions without stepping foot on the restricted area and battling Albion or Clan Kelley enemies. Those two factions are the villains of the campaign that I’ve met so far.
The world is fascinating not because of how it portrays near-future London, but in how it uses the people that reside in it. Ubisoft Toronto created an algorithm that ties every person together. Operatives and recruits don’t exist in a vacuum and players can see their relationship with others. They’ll run across one of their operative’s therapist while heading to a sidequest or they’ll find a blackmailer intimidating a recruit while walking down the street. It’s interesting to see the threads of the characters and how they intertwine in this virtual world.
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What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August Entertainment | ‘First Descendant’ crossplay beta delayed until September but will be open to all Bagley, the AI partner that helps DedSec, gives players leads on exceptional recruits, and players can track them down. I spotted hitman and when I scanned him, it said that he was stalking mark. Curious, I followed him into a park and hid in the bushes. The recruit did his job and murdered a guy in cold blood right in front of me and casually walked away. It was a fascinating experience and made me wonder if players could follow a recruit during the day and watch the routine outlined in the deep profiler.
As for the plot, it’s shaping up to be intriguing as DedSec digs into the conspiracy behind the bombings that changed the U.K. and the mysterious Zero Day organization behind it. The London in “Watch Dogs Legion” is a dystopian nightmare where security needs dominate over privacy and civil rights. It’s a game that could portend our own future, and it does have the feel of a world that could mirror our own.
It’s also a title that I want to finish and will eventually when Ubisoft patches the experience. For those who have the game, expect the fix to come by the end of the week, and if players are checking out the game now, be careful with the quests revolving around Skye Larsen and Broca Tech.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Supreme Court allows N.C. ballot counting extension

The Supreme Court allowed the counting of ballots in North Carolina received up to nine days after the election as @ @ @ @ @ postmarked by Election Day , a victory for Democrats in another key state .
Republicans @ @ @ @ @ asked the court to reinstate a three-day extension that had been set by the state @ @ @ @ @ court rejected the request without comment .
Justice Amy Coney Barrett took no part in @ @ @ @ @ not had time to fully review the briefs , the court said .
A federal @ @ @ @ @ nine-day extension that was set by the State Board of Elections amidst the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ settlement .
“ The extension simply makes it easier for more people to vote absentee @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic that has killed over 200,000 Americans , ” the appeals court ruled .

By Ariane de Vogue | CNN
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the counting of ballots in North Carolina received up to nine days after the election as long as the ballots are postmarked by Election Day, a victory for Democrats in another key state.
Republicans and the Trump campaign had asked the court to reinstate a deadline set in June by the state Legislature that allowed ballots to be received only up to three days after Election Day.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett took no part in the decision because she had not had time to fully review the briefs, the court said.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein praised the court’s order, calling it a “huge win.”
“The Court upheld the State Board of Elections’ effort to ensure that every eligible vote counts, even during a pandemic,” he said in a statement.
There were two separate challenges, one brought by the Trump campaign and other Republicans and a second brought by Republican North Carolina legislators.
Tuesday’s orders did not specify a vote count. In both, Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas noted their dissent. It would have taken five justices to grant the Republicans’ request.
Election law expert Rick Hasen said there are some reasons why either Chief Justice John Roberts or Justice Brett Kavanaugh may not have sided with their conservative colleagues. He noted that the case was more complicated by procedural issues than other recent voting rights challenges before the justices. There may have also been an inclination not to change the rules too close to the election.
“Many voters have already made their voting plans dependent on the deadlines,” Hasen said.
A federal appeals court earlier this month had allowed the nine-day extension that was set by the State Board of Elections amid the pandemic, as part of a legal settlement.
“The extension simply makes it easier for more people to vote absentee in the middle of a global pandemic that has killed over 200,000 Americans, ” the appeals court ruled.
In their challenges to the state board’s action, Republicans argued the board had tried to “rewrite the election code” and to usurp the authority of the General Assembly, which had allowed only the three-day extension in June. In court briefs, Republicans’ lawyers said the board’s decision “undermines the equal protection rights of voters, and is already causing the voter confusion and chaos.”
Gorsuch, writing for himself and Alito, sided with the Republicans, stressing that only the state Legislature, not an unelected board, has the authority to set election rules.
“Everyone agrees,” Gorsuch wrote, “that the North Carolina Constitution expressly vests all legislative power in the General Assembly, not the Board or anyone else.”
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They reiterated that the extension does not affect the fact that the ballots must still be postmarked by Election Day.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Bay Area streaming arts: ‘Frankenstein,’ Steinway piano series, Lucinda Williams

Here are new several concerts , recitals and plays in the Bay Area arts lovers should know about .
Who wouldn ’ t to spend Halloween weekend with “ Frankenstein ?
” And the version we ’ re referring to will probably be unlike any take on Mary Shelley ’ s classic horror tale that you ’ ve seen before .
This one is delivered by the creative minds at the Chicago-based multimedia troupe known as Manuel Cinema , and presented by Cal Performances , which co-commissioned the production .
Employing puppetry .
video , theater , music , sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” strives to be both timeless and timely .
According to Cal Performances , Manuel Cinema employs hundreds of paper puppets “ to create a silent animated film in real time , ” while adding live actors to the mix as well as four musicians , who perform the score live during the production .
The production emphasizes Shelley ’ s themes of love , loss , betrayal and acceptance while asking us to consider whether any of us are comfortable with what we bring into the world .
While Manual Cinema ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage , they are readily adaptable to home viewing , and Cal Performances begins streaming the show this week .
“ Ingenious , ” said the Chicago Sun-Times of “ Frankenstein , ” “ no matter where you look , you ’ ll find beauty and intrigue.
” Details : Debuts 7 p.m. today , then available on demand through Jan. 27 ; $ 15- $ 60 ( free to Cal Performances subscribers ) ; calperformances.org .
Italian pianist Federico Colli , an erstwhile whiz kid International Piano magazine declared one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to dominate the world stage in years to come after he won both the Salzburg Mozart and the Leeds International piano competitions several years ago , was supposed to close out the Steinway Society ’ s 25th season last May .
But we all know what happened to stifle that .
Now Colli , 32 , is set to open the San Jose-based organization ’ s all-virtual new season with a recorded recital that begins airing on Friday and will remain available to subscribers for four full days .
The program is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lively Scarlatti sonatas , Schubert ’ s Piano Sonata in A minor and Beethoven ’ s famed “ Moonlight Sonata.
” Details : $ 20 for concert , $ 60 for virtual seats as well to three succeeding performances set for November , December and January , each also available for four days ; www.steinwaysociety.com .
Alt-country artist Lucinda Williams has come up with an impressive campaign to benefit struggling music clubs .
Lu ’ s Jukebox is a series of streaming tribute concerts touching on rock , country and R & B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 29 with “ Runnin ’ Down a Dream : A Tribute to Tom Petty , ” featuring Williams backed by a full band performing in a sound studio .
Future shows include a night of “ Southern Soul ” ( Nov. 12 ) , a tribute to Bob Dylan ( Nov. 19 ) , a nod to ’ 60s country classics ( Dec. 3 ) , a “ Rockin ’ Christmas ” celebration ( Dec. 17 ) and a tribute to the Rolling Stones ( New Year ’ s Eve ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the clubs Williams is benefitting with her concerts .
Details : 5 p.m. Oct. 29 ; $ 20- $ 40 ( depending on whether you just want to watch the performance or add on such goodies as signed posters , digital downloads , CDs or vinyl records ) ; series pass is $ 100- $ 215 ; www.thefreight.org .
New look at old classic “ Lysistrata , ” an ancient Greek comedy featuring one of the most famous cases of negative reinforcement ever presented on stage , is getting a new virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , which debuted in 411 BC , is about a woman ( the titular Lysistrata ) , who organizes a drive to end the Peloponnesian War by convincing women in Athens to deny their men sex until the fighting stops .
( We don ’ t need to tell you this was successful , do we ? )
Now Pear Theatre is presenting a somewhat modernized adaptation of the classic play by Carolyn Balducci .
The production was filmed outdoors featuring an eight-person cast directed by Betsy Kruse Craig , and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast members play multiple roles , including Cynthia Lagodzinski , who stars as Lysistrata .
Details : $ 30- $ 34 ; tickets and more information at www.thepear.org .
With a chamber concert lineup set for virtual broadcast , Music at Kohl Mansion has announced three shows in its 38th season .
The music begins this weekend with a special appearance by the Fauré Quartett ( Sunday ) in a program featuring Gabriel Fauré ’ s Piano Quartet No .
1 in C minor , along with two songs by the celebrated French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-Beethoven programs as the composer ’ s 250th birthday year winds down : cellist Amit Peled ( Nov. 15 ) , performing Beethoven sonatas , including the No .
3 in A Major , Opus 69 ; and the Alexander String Quartet Jan. 24 , traversing Beethoven ’ s challenging Op .
130 String Quartet No .
13 in B-flat Major .
Additional concerts in the series are scheduled to be announced in December .
The concert series , presented by Kohl executive director Patricia Kristof Moy , is usually staged in Burlingame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic has made that impossible for now .
“ Until we ’ re back together in the Kohl Mansion ’ s historic concert hall , we joyfully share ( musicians ’ ) artistry from their own home towns directly into our living rooms , ” said Moy in a statement .

Here are new several concerts, recitals and plays in the Bay Area arts lovers should know about.
Here comes ‘Frankenstein’
Who wouldn’t to spend Halloween weekend with “Frankenstein?” And the version we’re referring to will probably be unlike any take on Mary Shelley’s classic horror tale that you’ve seen before.
This one is delivered by the creative minds at the Chicago-based multimedia troupe known as Manuel Cinema, and presented by Cal Performances, which co-commissioned the production.
Employing puppetry. video, theater, music, sound effects and more, this “Frankenstein” strives to be both timeless and timely. According to Cal Performances, Manuel Cinema employs hundreds of paper puppets “to create a silent animated film in real time,” while adding live actors to the mix as well as four musicians, who perform the score live during the production.
The production emphasizes Shelley’s themes of love, loss, betrayal and acceptance while asking us to consider whether any of us are comfortable with what we bring into the world.
While Manual Cinema’s productions are normally presented live on stage, they are readily adaptable to home viewing, and Cal Performances begins streaming the show this week.
“Ingenious,” said the Chicago Sun-Times of “Frankenstein,” “no matter where you look, you’ll find beauty and intrigue.”
Details: Debuts 7 p.m. today, then available on demand through Jan. 27; $15-$60 (free to Cal Performances subscribers); calperformances.org.
— Randy McMullen, Staff
Steinway series is back
Italian pianist Federico Colli, an erstwhile whiz kid International Piano magazine declared one of the “30 under 30” keyboard artists likely to dominate the world stage in years to come after he won both the Salzburg Mozart and the Leeds International piano competitions several years ago, was supposed to close out the Steinway Society’s 25th season last May. But we all know what happened to stifle that.
Now Colli, 32, is set to open the San Jose-based organization’s all-virtual new season with a recorded recital that begins airing on Friday and will remain available to subscribers for four full days. The program is a delicious one, too: four lively Scarlatti sonatas, Schubert’s Piano Sonata in A minor and Beethoven’s famed “Moonlight Sonata.”
Details: $20 for concert, $60 for virtual seats as well to three succeeding performances set for November, December and January, each also available for four days; www.steinwaysociety.com.
— Sue Gilmore, Bay City News Foundation
Lucinda lends a song
Alt-country artist Lucinda Williams has come up with an impressive campaign to benefit struggling music clubs. Lu’s Jukebox is a series of streaming tribute concerts touching on rock, country and R&B legends.
The series kicks off at Oct. 29 with “Runnin’ Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty,” featuring Williams backed by a full band performing in a sound studio. Future shows include a night of “Southern Soul” (Nov. 12), a tribute to Bob Dylan (Nov. 19), a nod to ’60s country classics (Dec. 3), a “Rockin’ Christmas” celebration (Dec. 17) and a tribute to the Rolling Stones (New Year’s Eve).
Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage is among the clubs Williams is benefitting with her concerts.
Details: 5 p.m. Oct. 29; $20-$40 (depending on whether you just want to watch the performance or add on such goodies as signed posters, digital downloads, CDs or vinyl records); series pass is $100-$215; www.thefreight.org.
— Bay City News Foundation
New look at old classic
“Lysistrata,” an ancient Greek comedy featuring one of the most famous cases of negative reinforcement ever presented on stage, is getting a new virtual production at Pear Theatre.
Aristophanes’ play, which debuted in 411 BC, is about a woman (the titular Lysistrata), who organizes a drive to end the Peloponnesian War by convincing women in Athens to deny their men sex until the fighting stops. (We don’t need to tell you this was successful, do we?)
Now Pear Theatre is presenting a somewhat modernized adaptation of the classic play by Carolyn Balducci. The production was filmed outdoors featuring an eight-person cast directed by Betsy Kruse Craig, and is being streamed through Nov. 15. All cast members play multiple roles, including Cynthia Lagodzinski, who stars as Lysistrata.
Details: $30-$34; tickets and more information at www.thepear.org.
— Randy McMullen, Staff
Kohl classical series goes online
With a chamber concert lineup set for virtual broadcast, Music at Kohl Mansion has announced three shows in its 38th season.
The music begins this weekend with a special appearance by the Fauré Quartett (Sunday) in a program featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, along with two songs by the celebrated French composer.
The series continues with two all-Beethoven programs as the composer’s 250th birthday year winds down: cellist Amit Peled (Nov. 15), performing Beethoven sonatas, including the No. 3 in A Major, Opus 69; and the Alexander String Quartet Jan. 24, traversing Beethoven’s challenging Op. 130 String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major.
Additional concerts in the series are scheduled to be announced in December.
The concert series, presented by Kohl executive director Patricia Kristof Moy, is usually staged in Burlingame’s historic Kohl Mansion. But the pandemic has made that impossible for now.
“Until we’re back together in the Kohl Mansion’s historic concert hall, we joyfully share (musicians’) artistry from their own home towns directly into our living rooms,” said Moy in a statement.
Details: Concerts begin 7 p.m.; $20; 650-762-1130, www.musicatkohl.org.
— Georgia Rowe, Correspondent


mercurynews--2020-10-28--What makes 49ers’ Fred Warner the ‘best linebacker in ball’ — and how he mimics Seahawks’ Wagner

Imagine you ’ re back in your office cubicle .
You ’ re an up-and-coming worker , a real go-getter .
As you ’ re multi-tasking , as usual , it ’ s announced to millions on national television that you ’ re the best at your profession .
That was Fred Warner on Sunday .
CBS analyst Tony Romo , calling the 49ers ’ 33-6 rout at New England , emphasized how impressed he was .
“ That ’ s the best linebacker in ‘ ball , ” Romo declared .
Similar praise was once reserved for Warner ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NaVorro Bowman .
“ When I saw it , it was for sure flattering , 100 percent , ” Warner said of Romo ’ s words .
“ Ever since coming into the league and through the draft process , you ’ re being told what you can ’ t do.
” In Year 3 , everyone is becoming enchanted with what Warner is actually doing , not only for his own reputation but in keeping together an injury-marred defense .
He is a first-time captain , and while his on-field play commands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is found in other important quarters .
That goes for the ever-important film room .
And it is especially evident on the practice field , starting with a daily battle cry as he sprints into a team-wide huddle after they stretch .
“ I got drafted to the perfect team , the perfect coaching staff , the perfect locker room where I ’ m able to grow and develop my game to where it ’ s at right now , ” Warner said .
“ In this league , what you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and it ’ s all about what you ’ re doing going forward .
I get another chance this week against one of the best offenses in the league.
” The 49ers ( 4-3 ) visit Russell Wilson and the NFL ’ s top-ranked offense Sunday in Seattle ( 5-1 ) .
Warner ’ s counterpart on the other sideline is Bobby Wagner , the linebacker Warner studied most before entering the NFL out of BYU , where he showcased his coverage ability as a nickel back and outside linebacker .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it probably looks similar to what he does , just because I ’ ve watched him for so long , because he ’ s been the best for a long time , ” Warner said of Wagner , a ninth-year veteran and a perennial All-Pro since his third season .
( Reminder : Warner is in his third season . )
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll recalled how Wagner , a 2012 second-round pick from Utah State , entered the NFL as a tremendous athlete and took charge from Day 1 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Carroll said in a Wednesday conference call .
“ He ’ s taken over from the start .
He ’ s been such an active player , run and pass , and so available to make plays because he ’ s such a hard worker and reader and instinctive guy .
“ You can ’ t watch the defense and not see him .
He just jumps out at you .
It ’ s been cool to see him ascend so quickly.
” Warner is now the NFL ’ s prototype @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can deliver a proper tackle , who can speed sideline-to-sideline in coverage , who can relay the frantic play call in a calm tone before further aligning his defensive linemen properly .
“ When you play zone defense a lot , you better have some good guys inside who look at the quarterback and I think Fred is as good as anyone , ” coach Kyle Shanahan said .
Romo struggled to find a fault in Warner ’ s game , settling for just how his stats are hindered by quarterbacks ’ reluctance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He covers things you ’ re not supposed to be able to cover.
” Sure enough , Warner followed a Patriots receiver on a “ drift ” route that turned into an “ over ” route , and that put Warner in position to make a shoestring interception of a lousy pass by Cam Newton .
Warner is on pace for a career-high 130 tackles .
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has long championed Warner for all he does , and don ’ t overlook Warner ’ s reliability in starting every game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-round draft pick .
• Meet the actor cast to play a young Colin Kaepernick in Netflix series • Kurtenbach : Why the 49ers offense has to re-invent itself… again “ If he keeps that pace , stays humble and always understands that the purpose of every day is to find a way to get better , he ’ s going to have an unbelievable career , ” Saleh said .
“ He really is an All-Pro in every sense of the word , ” Romo said .
“ I mean , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarding their best receiver one-on-one .
Who can do that at middle linebacker , right ?
”

Imagine you’re back in your office cubicle. You’re an up-and-coming worker, a real go-getter. As you’re multi-tasking, as usual, it’s announced to millions on national television that you’re the best at your profession.
That was Fred Warner on Sunday.
CBS analyst Tony Romo, calling the 49ers’ 33-6 rout at New England, emphasized how impressed he was.
“That’s the best linebacker in ‘ball,” Romo declared.
Similar praise was once reserved for Warner’s 49ers predecessors, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman.
“When I saw it, it was for sure flattering, 100 percent,” Warner said of Romo’s words. “Ever since coming into the league and through the draft process, you’re being told what you can’t do.”
In Year 3, everyone is becoming enchanted with what Warner is actually doing, not only for his own reputation but in keeping together an injury-marred defense.
He is a first-time captain, and while his on-field play commands that honor, Warner’s impact is found in other important quarters. That goes for the ever-important film room. And it is especially evident on the practice field, starting with a daily battle cry as he sprints into a team-wide huddle after they stretch.
“I got drafted to the perfect team, the perfect coaching staff, the perfect locker room where I’m able to grow and develop my game to where it’s at right now,” Warner said. “In this league, what you’ve done in the past doesn’t matter and it’s all about what you’re doing going forward. I get another chance this week against one of the best offenses in the league.”
The 49ers (4-3) visit Russell Wilson and the NFL’s top-ranked offense Sunday in Seattle (5-1).
Warner’s counterpart on the other sideline is Bobby Wagner, the linebacker Warner studied most before entering the NFL out of BYU, where he showcased his coverage ability as a nickel back and outside linebacker.
“If you see some things I do, it probably looks similar to what he does, just because I’ve watched him for so long, because he’s been the best for a long time,” Warner said of Wagner, a ninth-year veteran and a perennial All-Pro since his third season. (Reminder: Warner is in his third season.)
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll recalled how Wagner, a 2012 second-round pick from Utah State, entered the NFL as a tremendous athlete and took charge from Day 1.
“It looks like Fred is doing that,” Carroll said in a Wednesday conference call. “He’s taken over from the start. He’s been such an active player, run and pass, and so available to make plays because he’s such a hard worker and reader and instinctive guy.
“You can’t watch the defense and not see him. He just jumps out at you. It’s been cool to see him ascend so quickly.”
Warner is now the NFL’s prototype for a middle linebacker, someone who can deliver a proper tackle, who can speed sideline-to-sideline in coverage, who can relay the frantic play call in a calm tone before further aligning his defensive linemen properly.
“When you play zone defense a lot, you better have some good guys inside who look at the quarterback and I think Fred is as good as anyone,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Romo struggled to find a fault in Warner’s game, settling for just how his stats are hindered by quarterbacks’ reluctance to test him. Added Romo: “He covers things you’re not supposed to be able to cover.”
Sure enough, Warner followed a Patriots receiver on a “drift” route that turned into an “over” route, and that put Warner in position to make a shoestring interception of a lousy pass by Cam Newton.
“All-Pro Fred!” tweeted a slew of injured teammates back home, including Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt, Kwon Alexander and Ronald Blair.
Warner is on pace for a career-high 130 tackles. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has long championed Warner for all he does, and don’t overlook Warner’s reliability in starting every game since his 2018 rookie debut as a third-round draft pick.
“If he keeps that pace, stays humble and always understands that the purpose of every day is to find a way to get better, he’s going to have an unbelievable career,” Saleh said.
Romo thinks so, too.
“He really is an All-Pro in every sense of the word,” Romo said. “I mean, he’s so good he’s guarding their best receiver one-on-one. Who can do that at middle linebacker, right?”


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Cecilia Chang, SF chef who brought authentic Chinese food to US, dies at 100

San Francisco chef Cecilia Chiang , who blazed a trail for Chinese cuisine in the United States , died Wednesday .
She was 100 .
Her granddaughter , Siena Chiang , confirmed her death with CNN .
She said her grandmother died in her sleep early Wednesday at home in San Francisco surrounded by her family .
Exact details of her death are being kept private at Chiang ’ s request .
Chiang was the owner , chef and mastermind behind the game-changing San Francisco restaurant , the Mandarin .
She is widely credited with bringing authentic Chinese food to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrity chefs were popularized .
Chiang , who was born near Shanghai , came from an upper-class Chinese family .
Her husband was a diplomat in Japan , and although she wasn ’ t shy about acknowledging her good fortune , she faced other , perhaps more hard-won obstacles .
Convincing the dining public that Chinese food didn ’ t have to be Thursday ’ s cheap take-out option , Chiang , who moved to the Bay Area in 1959 , had her work cut out for her .
“ Most ABC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know [ about Chinese food ] , ” Chiang explained in an interview with CNN Travel in 2018 .
Never having been to China , this group also needed to be educated on the difference .
It wasn ’ t enough to present unfamiliar dishes to customers of the Mandarin , her 50-seat restaurant on Polk Street .
The year was 1961 , and Chiang insisted on showing diners the refined side of Chinese food .
The restaurant ’ s wine list was part of her strategy .
Chiang says she wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To do this , she also needed to be hyperaware of aesthetics .
The Mandarin , which would later occupy a much larger space in Ghirardelli Square , wasn ’ t like other Chinese restaurants .
“ Is this a Chinese restaurant ?
” Chiang says people asked her all the time .
The Mandarin did not serve chop suey or chow mein , two standard dishes on every Chinese restaurant in the US at the time .
But this is exactly what Chiang wanted to avoid .
In fact , her early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left her unimpressed and determined to show San Francisco what Chinese food was really like .
Not only was Chiang a woman trying to run a restaurant in a male-dominated industry , but she was also attempting to educate diners .
Changing people ’ s minds was complicated .
And , Chiang , who had been retired some 20 years when she died , at one point remarked that not a single existing restaurant could compare to the Mandarin .
Chiang ’ s ownership of her success was refreshing .
Two years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project for CNN with four other notable Bay area chefs , she shared a story about food writer Ruth Reichl ’ s fondness for the Mandarin .
Years after the restaurant closed its doors , Reichl told Chiang she wished it were open so she might have the pleasure of dining there again .
Chiang proudly shared her memories , including stories about famous regulars who used to fly down to SF via private jet every weekend just to dine at her restaurant , as fondly as she talked about her next great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s greatest pleasures .
“ What a loss of a genuinely lovely lady .
I was so inspired while spending time with her over the past couple of years .
She was a force of nature , ” said Oakland-based chef Tanya Holland , one of the Bay area chefs Chiang broke bread with over a lively discussion of the current food and dining space .
Well into her 90s , Chiang could be found flying to Tulum to eat at Rene Redzepi ’ s Noma Mexico , a short-lived pop-up , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry pal Alice Waters .
Chiang was a model for living life to the fullest .
Over a cold beer and red pork in her SF home in December 2018 , Chiang offered a simple piece of advice : “ Have fun … you don ’ t know [ about tomorrow ] .
”

San Francisco chef Cecilia Chiang, who blazed a trail for Chinese cuisine in the United States, died Wednesday. She was 100. Her granddaughter, Siena Chiang, confirmed her death with CNN.
She said her grandmother died in her sleep early Wednesday at home in San Francisco surrounded by her family. Exact details of her death are being kept private at Chiang’s request.
Chiang was the owner, chef and mastermind behind the game-changing San Francisco restaurant, the Mandarin. She is widely credited with bringing authentic Chinese food to America and was a celebrity chef before celebrity chefs were popularized.
Long road to San Francisco
Chiang, who was born near Shanghai, came from an upper-class Chinese family. Her husband was a diplomat in Japan, and although she wasn’t shy about acknowledging her good fortune, she faced other, perhaps more hard-won obstacles.
Convincing the dining public that Chinese food didn’t have to be Thursday’s cheap take-out option, Chiang, who moved to the Bay Area in 1959, had her work cut out for her.
[vemba-video id=”travel/2019/12/17/family-meal-san-francisco-with-cecilia-chiang.cnn”]
“Most ABC, American-born Chinese, even they didn’t know [about Chinese food],” Chiang explained in an interview with CNN Travel in 2018. Never having been to China, this group also needed to be educated on the difference.
It wasn’t enough to present unfamiliar dishes to customers of the Mandarin, her 50-seat restaurant on Polk Street.
The refined side of Chinese food
The year was 1961, and Chiang insisted on showing diners the refined side of Chinese food. The restaurant’s wine list was part of her strategy. Chiang says she wanted to upgrade the Chinese dining experience. To do this, she also needed to be hyperaware of aesthetics.
The Mandarin, which would later occupy a much larger space in Ghirardelli Square, wasn’t like other Chinese restaurants.
Its dissonance was purposeful.
“Is this a Chinese restaurant?” Chiang says people asked her all the time. The Mandarin did not serve chop suey or chow mein, two standard dishes on every Chinese restaurant in the US at the time.
But this is exactly what Chiang wanted to avoid. In fact, her early brushes with Chinese food in America had left her unimpressed and determined to show San Francisco what Chinese food was really like.
Not only was Chiang a woman trying to run a restaurant in a male-dominated industry, but she was also attempting to educate diners. Changing people’s minds was complicated. And, Chiang, who had been retired some 20 years when she died, at one point remarked that not a single existing restaurant could compare to the Mandarin.
Wonderful memories
Chiang’s ownership of her success was refreshing.
Two years ago, while Chiang was working on a project for CNN with four other notable Bay area chefs, she shared a story about food writer Ruth Reichl’s fondness for the Mandarin. Years after the restaurant closed its doors, Reichl told Chiang she wished it were open so she might have the pleasure of dining there again.
Chiang proudly shared her memories, including stories about famous regulars who used to fly down to SF via private jet every weekend just to dine at her restaurant, as fondly as she talked about her next great food adventure — one of life’s greatest pleasures.
“What a loss of a genuinely lovely lady. I was so inspired while spending time with her over the past couple of years. She was a force of nature,” said Oakland-based chef Tanya Holland, one of the Bay area chefs Chiang broke bread with over a lively discussion of the current food and dining space.
Well into her 90s, Chiang could be found flying to Tulum to eat at Rene Redzepi’s Noma Mexico, a short-lived pop-up, or getting together in the Bay area with industry pal Alice Waters.
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Over a cold beer and red pork in her SF home in December 2018, Chiang offered a simple piece of advice: “Have fun … you don’t know [about tomorrow].”


mercurynews--2020-10-28--H-1B visa: Trump administration proposes to scrap lottery in favor of wage-based selections

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced plans to scrap the H-1B visa lottery and replace it with wage-based selection .
But a prominent critic of the government ’ s immigration policies said the new rule would keep younger foreign workers out and deter international students from coming to the U.S .
Under the proposed rule , when initial H-1B visa applications subject to the annual 85,000 maximum surpass that cap — as has occurred since 2014 — visas would be awarded first to people in the highest of four wage categories , then to those in the third level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all have been given out .
If fewer than 85,000 applications come in over an initial 14-day period , officials will continue accepting applications until the cap is reached , the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in the 100-page proposed rule .
Under the current system , companies apply during the first week of April and applications are selected randomly .
But that “ does not serve the ends of the H-1B program or Congressional intent , ” the proposed rule said .
“ The majority of H-1B cap-subject petitions have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest wage levels .
This contradicts the dominant legislative purpose of the statute because the intent of the H-1B program is to help U.S. employers fill labor shortages in positions requiring highly skilled or highly educated workers.
” • H-1B visa pay boost : Historic win for foreign workers , or ‘ mess ’ doomed to fail ?
Typically , there are enough applications at the two highest wage levels to meet the 85,000 cap , said Ron Hira , a Howard University professor who studies the H-1B .
Companies that tend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels will benefit and those that bring them in at the lower levels will be forced to apply for visas at higher wage levels if they want to continue to obtain H-1B workers , Hira said .
His research with the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute found that in 2019 , IT staffing companies such as Infosys , Deloitte and Cognizant had applied for large numbers of H-1B workers at the second-lowest wage levels , while Bay Area technology giants Google , Apple , Cisco and Oracle had a mix of higher and lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down on the H-1B program , dramatically increasing visa denials for staffing companies and outsourcers that contract out foreign workers .
Critics have charged that these companies and their client firms use the H-1B to supplant U.S. workers , drive down wages and send work overseas .
Major technology companies , who hire H-1B workers directly and also via staffing firms , push to expand the annual cap , arguing that the visa is necessary for securing the world ’ s top talent .
Hira called the proposal “ a major step ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of H-1B workers .
“ This is going to be good for the U.S. economy , ” Hira said .
“ You ’ re going to get higher-skilled people.
” But that means early-career foreign workers will be less likely to obtain H-1Bs , with visas going to those with the most experience , said Stuart Anderson , executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy , which supports expanding the H-1B program ’ s 85,000 cap .
“ You ’ re cutting out the future great performers who companies have identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of experience they don ’ t yet warrant the highest salary levels , ” Anderson said .
Foreign students whom U.S. universities and the U.S. economy depend upon would be deterred because their chances of working here after graduation would be reduced , he added .
Anderson believes the rule may exceed the administration ’ s authority .
“ They ’ re trying to do this unilaterally without engaging with Congress , ” Anderson said .
“ If Congress had wanted to go from highest to lowest salary level they would have put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is subject to a 30-day public-comment period that will start once the proposal is published in the federal register .
Hira said that would likely happen Thursday , and that the administration of President Donald Trump appears to be aiming to have the new rule replace next year ’ s H-1B lottery .
Earlier this month , the administration issued new rules that included boosting minimum wages for H-1B workers and imposing a one-year limit on placements of H-1B workers at third-party firms .
The Bay Area Council , Stanford University and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suing the administration over those rules .
The ITServe Alliance , which represents American firms that place foreign tech workers at U.S. companies , is suing the government over the new required minimum wages .

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced plans to scrap the H-1B visa lottery and replace it with wage-based selection. But a prominent critic of the government’s immigration policies said the new rule would keep younger foreign workers out and deter international students from coming to the U.S.
Under the proposed rule, when initial H-1B visa applications subject to the annual 85,000 maximum surpass that cap — as has occurred since 2014 — visas would be awarded first to people in the highest of four wage categories, then to those in the third level, on down to the lowest level until all have been given out.
If fewer than 85,000 applications come in over an initial 14-day period, officials will continue accepting applications until the cap is reached, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in the 100-page proposed rule.
Under the current system, companies apply during the first week of April and applications are selected randomly. But that “does not serve the ends of the H-1B program or Congressional intent,” the proposed rule said. “The majority of H-1B cap-subject petitions have been filed for positions certified at the two lowest wage levels. This contradicts the dominant legislative purpose of the statute because the intent of the H-1B program is to help U.S. employers fill labor shortages in positions requiring highly skilled or highly educated workers.”
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H-1B: Stanford University, Bay Area Council sue Trump administration over new visa rules Technology | Bay Area tech workers stranded in India after Trump’s visa order Typically, there are enough applications at the two highest wage levels to meet the 85,000 cap, said Ron Hira, a Howard University professor who studies the H-1B. Companies that tend to bring in H-1B workers at higher wage levels will benefit and those that bring them in at the lower levels will be forced to apply for visas at higher wage levels if they want to continue to obtain H-1B workers, Hira said.
His research with the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute found that in 2019, IT staffing companies such as Infosys, Deloitte and Cognizant had applied for large numbers of H-1B workers at the second-lowest wage levels, while Bay Area technology giants Google, Apple, Cisco and Oracle had a mix of higher and lower levels.
The Trump administration has cracked down on the H-1B program, dramatically increasing visa denials for staffing companies and outsourcers that contract out foreign workers. Critics have charged that these companies and their client firms use the H-1B to supplant U.S. workers, drive down wages and send work overseas. Major technology companies, who hire H-1B workers directly and also via staffing firms, push to expand the annual cap, arguing that the visa is necessary for securing the world’s top talent.
Hira called the proposal “a major step” toward improving the quality and skill levels of H-1B workers. “This is going to be good for the U.S. economy,” Hira said. “You’re going to get higher-skilled people.”
But that means early-career foreign workers will be less likely to obtain H-1Bs, with visas going to those with the most experience, said Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, which supports expanding the H-1B program’s 85,000 cap. “You’re cutting out the future great performers who companies have identified as being valuable but given their level of experience they don’t yet warrant the highest salary levels,” Anderson said. Foreign students whom U.S. universities and the U.S. economy depend upon would be deterred because their chances of working here after graduation would be reduced, he added.
Anderson believes the rule may exceed the administration’s authority. “They’re trying to do this unilaterally without engaging with Congress,” Anderson said. “If Congress had wanted to go from highest to lowest salary level they would have put that in the statute.”
The rule is subject to a 30-day public-comment period that will start once the proposal is published in the federal register. Hira said that would likely happen Thursday, and that the administration of President Donald Trump appears to be aiming to have the new rule replace next year’s H-1B lottery.
Earlier this month, the administration issued new rules that included boosting minimum wages for H-1B workers and imposing a one-year limit on placements of H-1B workers at third-party firms. The Bay Area Council, Stanford University and a host of educational and business groups are suing the administration over those rules. The ITServe Alliance, which represents American firms that place foreign tech workers at U.S. companies, is suing the government over the new required minimum wages.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Here are 3 great new jazz albums that fans need to hear

Here are three recent recordings that jazz fans should check out .
All are available through the usual streaming/download services : The great pianist-composer , who has performed with such fellow jazz legends as Miles Davis , Art Blakey and Charles Lloyd during a career that dates back to the ’ 60s , returns with another live set that is sure to please his many fans .
“ Budapest Concert ” is the second complete show to be released from the acclaimed artist ’ s 2016 European tour , following “ Munich 2016.
” This new double-album is due out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely tribute to great American composer Alec Wilder , whose songs ( such as “ I ’ ll Be Around , ” “ While We ’ re Young ” and “ Where Do You Go ? )
were recorded by the legendary likes of Frank Sinatra , Peggy Lee and the Mills Brothers .
The music was arranged by Masters and performed by the talented octet of saxophonists Gary Smulyan , Dick Oatts and Ralph Lalama ; trumpeter Joe Magnarelli ; trombonist John Fedchock ; pianist Renee Rosnes ; bassist David Wong ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now !
Live at the Village Vanguard , ” Dayna Stephens Quartet The East Bay-raised saxophonist sounds absolutely stellar during his headlining debut at New York City ’ s legendary Village Vanguard jazz club in February 2019 .
Stephens is skillfully accompanied in this two-disc set by pianist Aaron Parks , bassist Ben Street and jazz drummer Greg Hutchinson .

Here are three recent recordings that jazz fans should check out. All are available through the usual streaming/download services:
“Budapest Concert,” Keith Jarrett
The great pianist-composer, who has performed with such fellow jazz legends as Miles Davis, Art Blakey and Charles Lloyd during a career that dates back to the ’60s, returns with another live set that is sure to please his many fans. “Budapest Concert” is the second complete show to be released from the acclaimed artist’s 2016 European tour, following “Munich 2016.” This new double-album is due out Oct. 30.
“Night Talk, The Alec Wilder Songbook,” Mark Masters Ensemble
It’s a lovely tribute to great American composer Alec Wilder, whose songs (such as “I’ll Be Around,” “While We’re Young” and “Where Do You Go?) were recorded by such legends as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and the Mills Brothers. The music was arranged by Masters and performed by his talented octet: saxophonists Gary Smulyan, Dick Oatts and Ralph Lalama; trumpeter Joe Magnarelli; trombonist John Fedchock; pianist Renee Rosnes; bassist David Wong; and drummer Carl Allen.
“Right Now! Live at the Village Vanguard,” Dayna Stephens Quartet
The East Bay-raised saxophonist sounds absolutely stellar during his headlining debut at New York City’s legendary Village Vanguard jazz club in February 2019. Stephens is skillfully accompanied in this two-disc set by pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Ben Street and jazz drummer Greg Hutchinson.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Downtown brawl, COVID-19 violations prompt Danville to lift street closure

Despite warnings that patrons weren ’ t complying with health orders to wear masks and socially distance themselves , some of Danville ’ s downtown restaurants failed to crack down , according to city officials .
And when a brawl broke out on the street the night of Oct. 17 among about 75 people , that apparently was the last straw .
As a result , and amid a backdrop of a recent rise in COVID-19 cases , the City Council decided during a special meeting Tuesday to reopen the downtown street block that had been closed to traffic on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread their tables and wares outside .
CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Danville ’ s uptick in COVID-19 cases makes it an outlier town in Contra Costa County , which entered the second-least restrictive “ orange ” tier in California ’ s reopening plan on Tuesday .
The block of Hartz Avenue between Diablo Road and Prospect Avenue had been closed every Friday , Saturday and Sunday since June to help businesses struggling to survive through pandemic-induced lockdown orders .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending the council ’ s review of the situation .
On Tuesday , council members cited the complaints they too had heard about patrons breaking pandemic health protocols as a reason to end the street closure program indefinitely .
As for the restaurants that ignored the rules ?
“ We ’ re not identifying any of the businesses where there were complaints , ” city spokesman Geoff Gillette said Wednesday .
“ The point of this is to get everyone working together , not to shame anyone or cause difficulty or financial hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Hartz Avenue interviewed for this story aren ’ t telling on each other either .
They said they enjoyed the outdoor bustle of weekend diners and shoppers , but agreed that the large crowds were getting out of control .
“ It ’ s unfortunate , but people weren ’ t abiding by the rules and so they took away ( the closure ) , ” said Drew Nichols , owner of Primo ’ s Pizzeria and Pub .
“ They warned us , they warned everyone — so here we are.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of community that the street closure created was very positive , and also enabled a more diverse experience outdoors , ” said Marcia Harmon , owner of Cottage Jewel .
“ All of that was fabulously wonderful and I hope to see it come back.
” Gillette said he visited Hartz Avenue during the very first weekend closure in June and what he saw then didn ’ t strike him as overly unsafe .
But as the summer stretched on , some business owners noticed that social distancing and mask wearing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and general disorder was steadily growing , especially at night .
“ We reached out to several of the businesses and asked them to stop hiring live bands , as well as DJs , ” said Curtis deCarion , owner of Revel Kitchen and Bar .
“ If we have an explosion in cases , we ’ re going to have to go forward instead of backward .
We can ’ t afford to go back to just takeout dining.
” Although street closures may be out of the picture for the foreseeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still be on the way .
Council members on Tuesday discussed setting up some grants to provide businesses a little relief .

Despite warnings that patrons weren’t complying with health orders to wear masks and socially distance themselves, some of Danville’s downtown restaurants failed to crack down, according to city officials.
And when a brawl broke out on the street the night of Oct. 17 among about 75 people, that apparently was the last straw.
As a result, and amid a backdrop of a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, the City Council decided during a special meeting Tuesday to reopen the downtown street block that had been closed to traffic on weekends so restaurants and other businesses could spread their tables and wares outside.
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: People dine outside at Locanda Ravello on East Prospect Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Cottage Jewel antique store owner Marcia Harmon arranges items at her new location on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: A mandatory mask sign is seen on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: People dine outside at Norm’s Place on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: People dine outside at Revel Kitchen & Bar on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Cottage Jewel antique store owner Marcia Harmon arranges items at her new location on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Jersey Mike’s Subs manager Devinn Kidd, left, and Claire LeRiche give out free sub coupons on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. The store is closed until next Monday for renovations. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Empty tables are seen along Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: People dine outside at Revel Kitchen & Bar on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: A mandatory mask sign is seen on East Prospect Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: People dine outside at Revel Kitchen & Bar on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: A face mask required sign is seen at Kick N’ Mule on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Cottage Jewel antique store owner Marcia Harmon arranges items at her new location on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: Empty tables are seen outside at Lemon on East Prospect Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
DANVILLE, CA – OCTOBER 28: A mandatory mask sign is seen on Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Danville’s uptick in COVID-19 cases makes it an outlier town in Contra Costa County, which entered the second-least restrictive “orange” tier in California’s reopening plan on Tuesday.
The block of Hartz Avenue between Diablo Road and Prospect Avenue had been closed every Friday, Saturday and Sunday since June to help businesses struggling to survive through pandemic-induced lockdown orders.
City officials had reopened the street last weekend pending the council’s review of the situation. On Tuesday, council members cited the complaints they too had heard about patrons breaking pandemic health protocols as a reason to end the street closure program indefinitely.
As for the restaurants that ignored the rules?
“We’re not identifying any of the businesses where there were complaints,” city spokesman Geoff Gillette said Wednesday. “The point of this is to get everyone working together, not to shame anyone or cause difficulty or financial hardship to any one business.”
Business owners on Hartz Avenue interviewed for this story aren’t telling on each other either. They said they enjoyed the outdoor bustle of weekend diners and shoppers, but agreed that the large crowds were getting out of control.
“It’s unfortunate, but people weren’t abiding by the rules and so they took away (the closure),” said Drew Nichols, owner of Primo’s Pizzeria and Pub. “They warned us, they warned everyone — so here we are.”
“The energy and ambiance and sense of community that the street closure created was very positive, and also enabled a more diverse experience outdoors,” said Marcia Harmon, owner of Cottage Jewel. “All of that was fabulously wonderful and I hope to see it come back.”
Gillette said he visited Hartz Avenue during the very first weekend closure in June and what he saw then didn’t strike him as overly unsafe.
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Mendocino Farms (with summer specials) opens in Walnut Creek Business | Montebello Market closes after 15 months in Los Gatos But as the summer stretched on, some business owners noticed that social distancing and mask wearing on the street had begun to decline, and general disorder was steadily growing, especially at night.
“We reached out to several of the businesses and asked them to stop hiring live bands, as well as DJs,” said Curtis deCarion, owner of Revel Kitchen and Bar. “If we have an explosion in cases, we’re going to have to go forward instead of backward. We can’t afford to go back to just takeout dining.”
Although street closures may be out of the picture for the foreseeable future, help for the businesses may still be on the way. Council members on Tuesday discussed setting up some grants to provide businesses a little relief.
Restaurant owners spent a lot of money to establish outdoor dining, Councilman Robert Storer noted.