Bridge: Nov. 27, 2020

Baron Barclay , the world ’ s largest source of bridge books and products , published two of my recent books .
In “ Play Bridge With Me , ” you sit beside me in 90 deals .
In “ Keys to Winning Bridge , ” I focus on the factors that really determine how well you do .
A vital defensive skill is distinguishing “ active defense ” ( grabbing tricks in a hurry ) from “ passive ” ( waiting patiently ) .
In today ’ s deal from “ Keys , ” South takes the ace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins and tries to cash a heart , and South ruffs , draws trumps and lets the queen of diamonds ride .
When West wins , he may feel like taking his ace of clubs ; dummy ’ s diamonds threaten to provide discards .
But West can count South ’ s tricks : four spades , four diamonds and a heart .
South can ’ t succeed without a club trick , so West should exit with a diamond .
South must lead clubs himself and lose two more tricks .
Baron-Barclay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items for bridge players .
See baronbarclay.com .
You hold : S A 8 H K Q 9 7 3 D K 10 7 C A 9 5 .
You are the dealer .
West in today ’ s deal opened one heart .
Do you agree with that call ?
ANSWER : Whether to open 1NT with , or despite , a five-card major suit is a matter of contention .
Experts decide case by case , but I believe most would open 1NT here , suggesting the hand ’ s strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you open one heart and hear a one-spade response , you will have no good second bid .

Baron Barclay, the world’s largest source of bridge books and products, published two of my recent books. In “Play Bridge With Me,” you sit beside me in 90 deals. In “Keys to Winning Bridge,” I focus on the factors that really determine how well you do.
A vital defensive skill is distinguishing “active defense” (grabbing tricks in a hurry) from “passive” (waiting patiently). In today’s deal from “Keys,” South takes the ace of hearts and starts the trumps. West wins and tries to cash a heart, and South ruffs, draws trumps and lets the queen of diamonds ride.
THREAT
When West wins, he may feel like taking his ace of clubs; dummy’s diamonds threaten to provide discards. But West can count South’s tricks: four spades, four diamonds and a heart.
South can’t succeed without a club trick, so West should exit with a diamond. South must lead clubs himself and lose two more tricks.
Baron-Barclay has all books in print plus gift items for bridge players. See baronbarclay.com.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 8 H K Q 9 7 3 D K 10 7 C A 9 5. You are the dealer. West in today’s deal opened one heart. Do you agree with that call?
ANSWER: Whether to open 1NT with, or despite, a five-card major suit is a matter of contention. Experts decide case by case, but I believe most would open 1NT here, suggesting the hand’s strength and approximate shape in one bid. If you open one heart and hear a one-spade response, you will have no good second bid.
West dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S K Q 6 3
H A 4
D Q J 9 6 4
C J 4
WEST
S A 8
H K Q 9 7 3
D K 10 7
C A 9 5
EAST
S 9 4
H J 10 8 6 5
D 8 5 2
C Q 10 7
SOUTH
S J 10 7 5 2
H 2
D A 3
C K 8 6 3 2
West North East South
1 H Dbl 3 H 4 S
All Pass
Opening lead — H K
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-11-27--Ask Amy: The four words that changed me forever

Dear Amy : I wanted to share my view on the “ independent ” woman who was offended when her in-laws visited her vacation home , cleaned it and did some repairs .
My sisters and I used to complain every time my mom did something for us .
One day my dad said four words that clicked and changed me forever : “ Just say thank you.
” Wow .
That moment was magical for me .
Not needing to prove to others you are in control makes you more in control .
When my parents would come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control them , and enjoyed whatever they came to do .
My dad would fly across the country with his essential toolbox , and my mom would also bring her things , including gloves !
They loved it if I had projects for them in advance !
• Ask Amy : He ’ s keeping a secret from our dad , and it makes things worse • Ask Amy : I resent these maskless people .
Am I being paranoid ?
• Ask Amy : We need to get our dad out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Should I let my wife think this is my reason for leaving her ?
• Ask Amy : Does this make me an alcoholic ?
Now that they can not travel , I have the memories of the projects and things they did around the house .
I wish I could still call my parents to come over and enjoy their company as they enjoyed themselves doing little projects !
Thanks for pointing out that refusing help is not proof of adulthood !
People who love to give need people who are willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful dance .
Dear Blessings : It is a kindness to let others show their love through “ acts of service , ” as long as they don ’ t also show their love by going through the underwear drawer .
Dear Amy : I think my husband may have an alcohol problem , but I am not sure how to help him .
He is a great dad to our young toddlers and a devoted husband to me .
But as soon as the kids go to bed , he starts drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I often wake up alone , to find him sleeping in the basement on the floor .
He is never sick or angry .
He doesn ’ t “ black out.
” He ’ s not abusive or harmful to me in any way , but this behavior feels unacceptable .
He tells me that he is depressed and hates his job , but he feels like it is his duty to take care of us , even though I work .
I want him to feel like he can leave his job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he seems unwilling to .
I have asked him repeatedly to talk to a counselor , but he won ’ t .
I am afraid that my girls will think this behavior is an acceptable coping mechanism as they get older .
I am also concerned that it will negatively impact his health if he does not stop .
I don ’ t want to leave him , but I ’ m not sure I can tolerate this much longer .
Lost , but Still In Love Dear Lost : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an Al-Anon group ( or other “ friends and family ” support group ) in order to share your story , your burdens , and your questions with people who have trod this challenging path .
One thing you might learn is that , if you find your husband passed out on the floor of the basement , you should leave him there ( and not usher him up to bed ) .
Waking up alone on the basement floor might be a wake-up call for him .
He is sharing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alcohol is a depressant , which will make everything worse for him .
Obviously , his drinking is having a huge impact on your home life , and I would guess that your toddlers are already gaining an awareness of their dad ’ s problem .
Yes , your husband should initiate a job search .
His depression likely makes him feel paralyzed ; his inertia might also be a red herring , providing him with a “ reason ” to stay exactly where he is , in order to keep drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him to leave his job until he finds another job , because many hours at home could increase his drinking .
You must take care of yourself and your children .
If this situation is intolerable ( I could imagine it might be ) , you should take whatever steps you can to temporarily separate from him .
You must not martyr your family to his addiction , but instead you should recognize your own powerlessness to force him to stop .
Dear Amy : “ Sensitive , or Reasonable ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boyfriend was a good keeper .
You wrote : “ When a relationship is really clicking , it feels like a happy-ever-after , not like a messy first draft.
” I read this aloud to my wife , and we both loved it .
Dear Happy : Well , I ’ m a writer .
I know a thing or two about messy first drafts .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: I wanted to share my view on the “independent” woman who was offended when her in-laws visited her vacation home, cleaned it and did some repairs.
My sisters and I used to complain every time my mom did something for us. One day my dad said four words that clicked and changed me forever: “Just say thank you.”
Wow. That moment was magical for me.
Not needing to prove to others you are in control makes you more in control.
When my parents would come to visit, I learned to stop trying to control them, and enjoyed whatever they came to do. My dad would fly across the country with his essential toolbox, and my mom would also bring her things, including gloves! They loved it if I had projects for them in advance!
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I wish I could still call my parents to come over and enjoy their company as they enjoyed themselves doing little projects!
Thanks for pointing out that refusing help is not proof of adulthood! People who love to give need people who are willing to receive. It’s a beautiful dance.
Blessings
Dear Blessings: It is a kindness to let others show their love through “acts of service,” as long as they don’t also show their love by going through the underwear drawer.
Dear Amy: I think my husband may have an alcohol problem, but I am not sure how to help him.
He is a great dad to our young toddlers and a devoted husband to me. But as soon as the kids go to bed, he starts drinking beer. He drinks all night and I often wake up alone, to find him sleeping in the basement on the floor.
He is never sick or angry. He doesn’t “black out.” He’s not abusive or harmful to me in any way, but this behavior feels unacceptable.
He tells me that he is depressed and hates his job, but he feels like it is his duty to take care of us, even though I work.
I want him to feel like he can leave his job and make changes if he is unhappy, but he seems unwilling to. I have asked him repeatedly to talk to a counselor, but he won’t.
I am afraid that my girls will think this behavior is an acceptable coping mechanism as they get older. I am also concerned that it will negatively impact his health if he does not stop.
I don’t want to leave him, but I’m not sure I can tolerate this much longer.
Lost, but Still In Love
Dear Lost: The first thing you should do is connect with an Al-Anon group (or other “friends and family” support group) in order to share your story, your burdens, and your questions with people who have trod this challenging path.
One thing you might learn is that, if you find your husband passed out on the floor of the basement, you should leave him there (and not usher him up to bed). Waking up alone on the basement floor might be a wake-up call for him.
He is sharing his feelings of depression with you. Unfortunately, alcohol is a depressant, which will make everything worse for him. Obviously, his drinking is having a huge impact on your home life, and I would guess that your toddlers are already gaining an awareness of their dad’s problem.
Yes, your husband should initiate a job search. His depression likely makes him feel paralyzed; his inertia might also be a red herring, providing him with a “reason” to stay exactly where he is, in order to keep drinking.
It wouldn’t be wise for him to leave his job until he finds another job, because many hours at home could increase his drinking.
You must take care of yourself and your children. If this situation is intolerable (I could imagine it might be), you should take whatever steps you can to temporarily separate from him. You must not martyr your family to his addiction, but instead you should recognize your own powerlessness to force him to stop.
Dear Amy: “Sensitive, or Reasonable?” was wondering if her 10-month-old relationship with her boyfriend was a good keeper.
You wrote: “When a relationship is really clicking, it feels like a happy-ever-after, not like a messy first draft.”
I read this aloud to my wife, and we both loved it.
Happy Wife
Dear Happy: Well, I’m a writer. I know a thing or two about messy first drafts.
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--2020-11-27--Harriette Cole: I want this promotion, but the competition has made my workplace a madhouse

DEAR HARRIETTE : My job has a promotion open , and I want to do my best to get noticed and be considered for the position .
There are many people at my job that have the same idea in mind , and it is like a madhouse at work .
Everyone is crunching to get their work done and trying their best to help out the big boss .
I don ’ t want to be ordinary and do what everyone else is doing .
I want to be unique , but I don ’ t know what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m doing my work and volunteering where I can .
I come to work early and leave last .
What else can I do , and what do bosses expect when looking for the right person for a promotion ?
DEAR BEST CANDIDATE : Think about the position .
What are the requirements for it ?
What does your company need to be successful ?
What qualities do you have that are well-suited for the role in question ?
Why are you “ the one ” for this role ?
Spend time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your uniqueness comes in .
What about your education , job experience , personal experience and relationships makes you particularly right for this role ?
What about your temperament , ability to work with others and perspective on the work at hand are assets for your company ?
• Harriette Cole : Happy Thanksgiving .
Now keep your distance .
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I say no .
After you consider these questions very specifically , write down what stands out about you for this role .
You need to be able to answer the question “ Why me ?
” in terms of why you should be promoted .
Once you have that answer , consider writing up a proposal that pitches you for the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer to add to the bottom line , describing your brand of leadership .
You can proactively offer your pitch to your employer , making it clear that you are interested and prepared to do the job .
Meanwhile , continue to do your work to the best of your ability with as pleasant an attitude as possible .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I ’ ve been trying to buy a house for the past year .
I feel like every time I find something that I want and that will work , something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my money and credit in order and am ready to pull the trigger , but there ’ s a problem with either the property company , the lender , the Realtors , the sellers or the house , or something else will feel off that makes me hesitate on finishing the contract .
I have had to back out of four different deals for all different reasons .
I am ready to give up and stay where I am and keep renting .
I am unhappy where I am , but I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a step down now .
I need some light to keep me focused .
How can I stay motivated ?
DEAR IT ’ S NEVER RIGHT : Have patience .
Buying property is a big decision .
Trust your instincts .
It ’ s better that you walked away from four different deals than to have signed yourself and your resources into something that you regret .
Pause for a moment and think about what you really want in a house .
What are your top priorities ?
Write them down so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind as you consider other properties .
Take your time and follow your list .
You will find the right property for 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: My job has a promotion open, and I want to do my best to get noticed and be considered for the position.
There are many people at my job that have the same idea in mind, and it is like a madhouse at work. Everyone is crunching to get their work done and trying their best to help out the big boss.
I don’t want to be ordinary and do what everyone else is doing. I want to be unique, but I don’t know what I can do to stand out. I’m doing my work and volunteering where I can. I come to work early and leave last. What else can I do, and what do bosses expect when looking for the right person for a promotion?
Best Candidate
DEAR BEST CANDIDATE: Think about the position. What are the requirements for it? What does your company need to be successful? What qualities do you have that are well-suited for the role in question? Why are you “the one” for this role?
Spend time answering these questions. This is where your uniqueness comes in. What about your education, job experience, personal experience and relationships makes you particularly right for this role? What about your temperament, ability to work with others and perspective on the work at hand are assets for your company?
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Once you have that answer, consider writing up a proposal that pitches you for the job, telling your employer what you can offer to add to the bottom line, describing your brand of leadership. You can proactively offer your pitch to your employer, making it clear that you are interested and prepared to do the job. Meanwhile, continue to do your work to the best of your ability with as pleasant an attitude as possible.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been trying to buy a house for the past year. I feel like every time I find something that I want and that will work, something goes wrong.
I have all of my money and credit in order and am ready to pull the trigger, but there’s a problem with either the property company, the lender, the Realtors, the sellers or the house, or something else will feel off that makes me hesitate on finishing the contract. I have had to back out of four different deals for all different reasons.
I am ready to give up and stay where I am and keep renting. I am unhappy where I am, but I feel like anything new is going to be a step down now. I need some light to keep me focused. How can I stay motivated?
It’s Never Right
DEAR IT’S NEVER RIGHT: Have patience. Buying property is a big decision. Trust your instincts. It’s better that you walked away from four different deals than to have signed yourself and your resources into something that you regret.
Pause for a moment and think about what you really want in a house. What are your top priorities? Write them down so that you can have your list top of mind as you consider other properties. Take your time and follow your list. You will find the right property for 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--2020-11-27--Miss Manners: His dinner conversation drove me from the table. Was I wrong?

DEAR MISS MANNERS : My husband and I are both retired and normally get along great .
When we have no dinner planned , we both eat leftovers , sometimes at different times .
This evening , I sat down for a leftover pork chop , noodles and a glass of merlot .
My husband joined me to converse but was not hungry yet .
Then he started talking about his day ’ s activities .
As background , there ’ s been a used prophylactic on the street in front of our house for weeks that the street sweeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to enjoy my dinner , my husband went into a long discourse about how he removed it from the street .
I promptly left the table , stowed my leftovers and ran into our guest room , locking myself in .
The only thing I castigate myself about is that I hurled invectives while escaping .
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• Miss Manners : Why don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was I wrong , or was he completely out of line with his chosen subject of dinnertime conversation ?
GENTLE READER : It should not require fleeing and swearing to convince someone that when one is eating — or even when not — graphic details on unsavory activities are offensive .
So is foul language , with or without food .
Miss Manners suggests that after you apologize for your drama , you remind your husband that dinnertime manners and conversation are still required , even if only one party is actually eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young professional woman who uses a dating app to meet potential suitors .
It seems that the traditional rules of correspondence have gotten somewhat muddled .
I use a particular dating app that requires both parties to “ match ” with each other before they can begin conversing .
However , I find that many of the men with whom I match ( meaning we have both expressed interest in each other ) are taciturn when it comes to actually exchanging messages .
I generally start these conversations with a question about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but their responses are often terse and not accompanied by a similar question for me .
I do not want a conversation with a potential mate to feel like pulling teeth , so I have a habit of “ unmatching ” these men .
What is the appropriate amount of time I should wait , or number of one-sided questions I should answer , before unmatching them ?
Or is it rude to do at all ?
GENTLE READER : The usual rules of socialization apply here ; it is just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have a successful date with someone , you would not make another .
But you also would not call them to tell them to stop contacting you .
After a conversation ’ s worth of tersely answered questions , Miss Manners recommends that you simply stop pursuing the relationship .
If the gentleman wants to know why , he can follow up with an interesting question himself .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : When a colleague informs us of taking time off to attend a funeral , is there a polite way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Because you want to issue a more personal and heartfelt condolence ?
Or to find out if the relationship with the deceased genuinely merits missing work ?
Miss Manners is trying not to suspect the latter .
But “ I am so sorry .
Were you close ?
” should politely cover both options .
She warns you to resist persisting further , however , if the answer is simply “ yes.
” Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are both retired and normally get along great.
When we have no dinner planned, we both eat leftovers, sometimes at different times. This evening, I sat down for a leftover pork chop, noodles and a glass of merlot. My husband joined me to converse but was not hungry yet. Then he started talking about his day’s activities.
As background, there’s been a used prophylactic on the street in front of our house for weeks that the street sweeper somehow keeps missing. As I was trying to enjoy my dinner, my husband went into a long discourse about how he removed it from the street.
I promptly left the table, stowed my leftovers and ran into our guest room, locking myself in. The only thing I castigate myself about is that I hurled invectives while escaping.
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GENTLE READER: It should not require fleeing and swearing to convince someone that when one is eating — or even when not — graphic details on unsavory activities are offensive. So is foul language, with or without food.
Miss Manners suggests that after you apologize for your drama, you remind your husband that dinnertime manners and conversation are still required, even if only one party is actually eating.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a young professional woman who uses a dating app to meet potential suitors. It seems that the traditional rules of correspondence have gotten somewhat muddled.
I use a particular dating app that requires both parties to “match” with each other before they can begin conversing. However, I find that many of the men with whom I match (meaning we have both expressed interest in each other) are taciturn when it comes to actually exchanging messages.
I generally start these conversations with a question about some interest they express in their profile, but their responses are often terse and not accompanied by a similar question for me. I do not want a conversation with a potential mate to feel like pulling teeth, so I have a habit of “unmatching” these men.
What is the appropriate amount of time I should wait, or number of one-sided questions I should answer, before unmatching them? Or is it rude to do at all?
GENTLE READER: The usual rules of socialization apply here; it is just the technology that is different.
If you did not have a successful date with someone, you would not make another. But you also would not call them to tell them to stop contacting you. After a conversation’s worth of tersely answered questions, Miss Manners recommends that you simply stop pursuing the relationship. If the gentleman wants to know why, he can follow up with an interesting question himself.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When a colleague informs us of taking time off to attend a funeral, is there a polite way to ask who died?
GENTLE READER: Because you want to issue a more personal and heartfelt condolence? Or to find out if the relationship with the deceased genuinely merits missing work?
Miss Manners is trying not to suspect the latter. But “I am so sorry. Were you close?” should politely cover both options. She warns you to resist persisting further, however, if the answer is simply “yes.”
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-11-27--Dear Abby: I don’t appreciate her Christmas tradition, but everyone tells me to keep quiet

DEAR ABBY : Every year for the last 15 years or so , my husband ’ s sister has sent us a huge box of homemade cookies for Christmas .
My husband is from a large family , and she does this for each family .
I know it involves a great deal of time and effort on her part , and she sends them via priority mail , which means an additional expense .
The problem is , we don ’ t eat cookies .
Weight is a concern for both of us , and I avoid sugar or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe they are healthy .
Before we retired , we took the cookies to work to get rid of them or they were thrown out .
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She advised , “ Don ’ t say anything ; she needs something to keep her busy.
” I then asked a brother-in-law how he handled the unwanted cookies .
He said , “ Throw them away or give them away , but don ’ t tell her.
” My SIL suffers from mild depression , and everyone tiptoes lightly around the issue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she has spent time and money on these unwanted cookies all these years .
No one on that side of the family has ever said anything , and perhaps many of them enjoy the cookies .
Evidently even a carefully worded “ thank you , but we can ’ t consume them ” note would cause family problems .
I tried not sending an acknowledgment ; the cookies kept coming .
What ’ s your suggestion ?
DEAR SWEET PROBLEM : I suggest you keep things the way they are .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and give her a sense of purpose during a time of year when people can become depressed .
Get creative .
Those cookies might be appreciated by a church group , a residence for seniors or even holiday gifts for your neighbors if you repackage them .
DEAR ABBY : My 22-year-old daughter asked if her 23-year-old best friend could stay with us for six months .
Her friend ’ s parents had to return to Europe to finish wrapping up some things and then would return for their citizenship appointments , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because we are nice .
My daughter got a school offer in Houston and moved there in May .
Now it ’ s just her best friend and us at the house .
Well , COVID-19 happened , and the parents are banned from entering the U.S .
They have asked us if she can stay until the ban is lifted , which who knows when this will happen .
We agreed , but now it ’ s November .
I miss my personal space , and I need her to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I don ’ t know how to approach her or her family and say this arrangement will end soon .
How should I handle this ?
DEAR CROWDED : You have been more than generous to your daughter ’ s best friend , and I hope your generosity has been appreciated not only by her but also her parents .
She is an adult , and she needs to be told the arrangement she had with you is coming to an end .
Set a date for her to leave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make other living arrangements for her if she can ’ t do it herself .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: Every year for the last 15 years or so, my husband’s sister has sent us a huge box of homemade cookies for Christmas. My husband is from a large family, and she does this for each family.
I know it involves a great deal of time and effort on her part, and she sends them via priority mail, which means an additional expense.
The problem is, we don’t eat cookies. Weight is a concern for both of us, and I avoid sugar or sugar products as I don’t believe they are healthy.
Before we retired, we took the cookies to work to get rid of them or they were thrown out.
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant Many years ago, I asked my mother-in-law what to do so as to not cause hard feelings. She advised, “Don’t say anything; she needs something to keep her busy.” I then asked a brother-in-law how he handled the unwanted cookies. He said, “Throw them away or give them away, but don’t tell her.”
My SIL suffers from mild depression, and everyone tiptoes lightly around the issue to avoid upsetting her. I feel bad that she has spent time and money on these unwanted cookies all these years.
No one on that side of the family has ever said anything, and perhaps many of them enjoy the cookies. Evidently even a carefully worded “thank you, but we can’t consume them” note would cause family problems. I tried not sending an acknowledgment; the cookies kept coming. What’s your suggestion?
SWEET PROBLEM IN CONNECTICUT
DEAR SWEET PROBLEM: I suggest you keep things the way they are. Your sister-in-law needs something to occupy her mind and give her a sense of purpose during a time of year when people can become depressed. Get creative. Those cookies might be appreciated by a church group, a residence for seniors or even holiday gifts for your neighbors if you repackage them.
DEAR ABBY: My 22-year-old daughter asked if her 23-year-old best friend could stay with us for six months. Her friend’s parents had to return to Europe to finish wrapping up some things and then would return for their citizenship appointments, so we agreed to the arrangement. Rent-free, because we are nice.
My daughter got a school offer in Houston and moved there in May. Now it’s just her best friend and us at the house. Well, COVID-19 happened, and the parents are banned from entering the U.S. They have asked us if she can stay until the ban is lifted, which who knows when this will happen. We agreed, but now it’s November.
I miss my personal space, and I need her to move out. I feel she has overstayed. But I don’t know how to approach her or her family and say this arrangement will end soon. How should I handle this?
CROWDED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR CROWDED: You have been more than generous to your daughter’s best friend, and I hope your generosity has been appreciated not only by her but also her parents.
She is an adult, and she needs to be told the arrangement she had with you is coming to an end. Set a date for her to leave and notify her parents that they may need to make other living arrangements for her if she can’t do it herself.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--President-elect Biden gains votes in Wisconsin county recount

MADISON , Wis. — Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday , finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots , but President Donald Trump ’ s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots .
President-elect Joe Biden ’ s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes .
Biden , a Democrat , won the state by nearly 20,600 votes , and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1 .
Trump paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which have large numbers of Democrat voters .
As of Friday morning , Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County , but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday .
Video : Wisconsin Lt. Gov .
Mandela Barnes says Trump ’ s delegitimizing votes of people of color The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates when election officials found several hundred ballots , election officials said .
Election officials said those ballots were not initially counted due to “ human error.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair process , and it was , ” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson .
Trump ’ s campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election ’ s outcome , but his window to sue is narrow .
The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday .
Certification is done by the Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission , which is bipartisan .
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance , a conservative group , has already filed a lawsuit against election officials , seeking to block certification of the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is expected to make .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers ’ attorneys filed a response to the lawsuit on Friday , calling it a “ brazen attack on democracy itself ” and asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss it .
Evers , a Democrat , said the group ’ s lawsuit is a “ mishmash of legal distortions ” that uses factual misrepresentations in an attempt to take voting rights away from millions of Wisconsin residents .
He argues that failing to certify the election results would overturn other election results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into chaos .
Trump ’ s attorneys have targeted absentee ballots where voters identified themselves as “ indefinitely confined , ” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID ; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors , indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it ; and absentee ballots that don ’ t have a separate written record for its request , such as in-person absentee ballots .
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount , but marked them as exhibits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump ’ s campaign has already failed elsewhere in court without proof of widespread fraud , which experts widely agree doesn ’ t exist .
Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada and Pennsylvania .
On Monday , the federal government recognized Biden as the “ apparent winner ” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump .
Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election , he said he is assisting Biden with the transition .

Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County completed its recount of presidential ballots Friday, finding only small changes in vote totals for one of the two Wisconsin counties recounting ballots, but President Donald Trump’s attorneys appear ready for a legal challenge seeking to toss tens of thousands of ballots.
President-elect Joe Biden’s lead increased by 132 votes after county election officials recounted over 450,000 votes. Biden, a Democrat, won the state by nearly 20,600 votes, and his margin in Milwaukee and Dane counties was about 2-to-1.
Trump paid to have a recount in both those counties, which have large numbers of Democrat voters. As of Friday morning, Trump had gained 68 votes over Biden in Dane County, but election officials there do not expect to finish until Sunday.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/20/wisconsin-recount-lt-gov-mandela-barnes-disenfranchise-people-of-color-ctn-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes says Trump’s delegitimizing votes of people of color
The Milwaukee County vote totals increased for both candidates when election officials found several hundred ballots, election officials said. Election officials said those ballots were not initially counted due to “human error.”
“I promised this would be a transparent and fair process, and it was,” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson.
Trump’s campaign appears to be preparing a court challenge to change the election’s outcome, but his window to sue is narrow. The deadline to certify the vote is Tuesday. Certification is done by the Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission, which is bipartisan.
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance, a conservative group, has already filed a lawsuit against election officials, seeking to block certification of the results. It echoes many of the claims Trump is expected to make.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ attorneys filed a response to the lawsuit on Friday, calling it a “brazen attack on democracy itself” and asked the state Supreme Court to dismiss it.
Evers, a Democrat, said the group’s lawsuit is a “mishmash of legal distortions” that uses factual misrepresentations in an attempt to take voting rights away from millions of Wisconsin residents. He argues that failing to certify the election results would overturn other election results across the state, throwing the government into chaos.
Trump’s attorneys have targeted absentee ballots where voters identified themselves as “indefinitely confined,” allowing them to cast an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID; ballots that have a certification envelope with two different ink colors, indicating a poll worker may have helped complete it; and absentee ballots that don’t have a separate written record for its request, such as in-person absentee ballots.
Election officials have counted those ballots during the recount, but marked them as exhibits at the request of the Trump campaign.
Trump’s campaign has already failed elsewhere in court without proof of widespread fraud, which experts widely agree doesn’t exist. Trump legal challenges have failed in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
On Monday, the federal government recognized Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election over Trump. Even though Trump kept up his attacks on the election, he said he is assisting Biden with the transition.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--Big Game: Stanford wins back Axe by swatting Cal’s last-minute kick

BERKELEY – Pretty much nothing about 2020 has gone according to plan for Stanford football .
But one thing reverted to normal for Coach David Shaw – a wild Big Game ending with the Axe returning to Stanford .
Thomas Booker blocked an extra point with 58 seconds left as the Cardinal defeated Cal 24-23 on Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in the 123rd Big Game , beating their biggest rival for the 10th time in 11 years and taking a 65-47-11 lead in the series .
With no fans in the stands – other than two Cal students guarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cal bench – Stanford ( 1-2 ) avenged last year ’ s dramatic 24-20 defeat .
It once again came down to the end in the first Big Game played on a Friday .
Down 24-17 , Cal ( 0-3 ) went 90 yards in 3:30 , getting into the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run by Christopher Brown Jr .
But after having a 32-yard field goal attempt blocked by Curtis Robinson to end the first half , Dori Longhetto had his extra point blocked by Booker , a 6-foot-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onside kick went out of bounds , and Antioch native Austin Jones gained eight yards on third-and-6 with 30 seconds left to seal the win .
Jones finished with 21 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns , while Davis Mills completed 24 of 32 passes for 205 yards and Michael Wilson had seven catches for 88 yards .
Stanford continued its season-long streak of not turning the ball over , and converted three Cal mistakes into touchdowns .
In the second quarter , Bears returner Nikko Remigio fumbled a punt that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cal 16 .
Two plays later , Mills threw an 11-yard touchdown to Wilson to tie the score at 10-10 .
In the third quarter , Cardinal cornerback Salim Turner-Muhammed punched the ball away from Cal running back Marcel Dancy , and the fumble was recovered by Booker .
After Mills hit Wilson for 33 yards on the next play , Jones scored on a 2-yard run to put Stanford up 17-10 .
Cal tied it at 17-17 , but then made a third costly miscue .
Mills underthrew a pass to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interception .
But the turnover was negated by a defensive holding penalty away from the play .
Later in the drive , Jones muscled his way to a first down on third-and-1 , and then broke more tackles on an 8-yard run that gave the Cardinal a 24-17 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter .
• Pac-12 preview : News , notes and nuggets for Week Four • Stanford at Cal football : What to know before today ’ s Big Game • Big Game preview : Five keys for Stanford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The 123rd Big Game between Stanford and Cal will be the strangest of them all The Cardinal had a chance to clinch the game in the fourth quarter , but two drives inside the Cal 35 ended in punts when freshman tackle Myles Hinton was called for holding on third down , and then Mills was sacked on third-and-3 from the 32 .
But the Cardinal eventually broke a six-game losing streak dating back to last season and was able to celebrate with the Axe on the Memorial Stadium field , providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what has been a trying season because of issues related to COVID-19 .

BERKELEY – Pretty much nothing about 2020 has gone according to plan for Stanford football. But one thing reverted to normal for Coach David Shaw – a wild Big Game ending with the Axe returning to Stanford.
Thomas Booker blocked an extra point with 58 seconds left as the Cardinal defeated Cal 24-23 on Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in the 123rd Big Game, beating their biggest rival for the 10th time in 11 years and taking a 65-47-11 lead in the series.
With no fans in the stands – other than two Cal students guarding the Axe from the front row behind the Cal bench – Stanford (1-2) avenged last year’s dramatic 24-20 defeat. It once again came down to the end in the first Big Game played on a Friday.
Down 24-17, Cal (0-3) went 90 yards in 3:30, getting into the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run by Christopher Brown Jr. But after having a 32-yard field goal attempt blocked by Curtis Robinson to end the first half, Dori Longhetto had his extra point blocked by Booker, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive end.
The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, and Antioch native Austin Jones gained eight yards on third-and-6 with 30 seconds left to seal the win.
Jones finished with 21 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns, while Davis Mills completed 24 of 32 passes for 205 yards and Michael Wilson had seven catches for 88 yards.
Stanford continued its season-long streak of not turning the ball over, and converted three Cal mistakes into touchdowns. In the second quarter, Bears returner Nikko Remigio fumbled a punt that was recovered by fullback Houston Heimuli at the Cal 16. Two plays later, Mills threw an 11-yard touchdown to Wilson to tie the score at 10-10.
In the third quarter, Cardinal cornerback Salim Turner-Muhammed punched the ball away from Cal running back Marcel Dancy, and the fumble was recovered by Booker. After Mills hit Wilson for 33 yards on the next play, Jones scored on a 2-yard run to put Stanford up 17-10.
Cal tied it at 17-17, but then made a third costly miscue. Mills underthrew a pass to an open Simi Fehoko that led to an interception. But the turnover was negated by a defensive holding penalty away from the play. Later in the drive, Jones muscled his way to a first down on third-and-1, and then broke more tackles on an 8-yard run that gave the Cardinal a 24-17 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
The Cardinal had a chance to clinch the game in the fourth quarter, but two drives inside the Cal 35 ended in punts when freshman tackle Myles Hinton was called for holding on third down, and then Mills was sacked on third-and-3 from the 32.
But the Cardinal eventually broke a six-game losing streak dating back to last season and was able to celebrate with the Axe on the Memorial Stadium field, providing a huge bright spot for the program in what has been a trying season because of issues related to COVID-19.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--Big Game heartbreak: Cal loses Stanford Axe on blocked extra point

BERKELEY — The 123rd Big Game had no fans and no magic moments but just enough Cal mistakes to allow Stanford to recapture The Axe with a 24-23 victory on Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium .
The last of those gaffes was a botched PAT try — blocked by Stanford ’ s Omari Porter — after the Bears had pulled within a point on Christopher Brown ’ s 3-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left .
In a sterile atmosphere , courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic , the Golden Bears ’ season of great expectations continued to go south .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ win their final three games — starting next Saturday at home against No .
9 Oregon — to become bowl eligible .
Without much imagination , they could go winless .
Despite a series of errors , Cal nearly pulled this one out .
The Bears drove in the final minutes from their own 10-yard line to the Stanford 3 before Brown — who sat out the previous and most of this game with an undisclosed injury — powered his way into the end zone .
Then the Bears ’ not-so-special teams struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dario Longhetto allowed Stanford to escape empty Memorial Stadium with the win .
Cal helped Stanford through toward this victory .
The Cardinal ( 1-2 ) scored two touchdowns after Cal turnovers and the Bears had a short field goal blocked that could have given them a lead at halftime .
Stanford ’ s best drive of the game , a 71-yarder , put the Cardinal in front 24-17 on an 8-yard blast through left tackle by running back Austin Jones , a sophomore from nearby Bishop O ’ Dowd High with 1:51 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the drive was a defensive holding call against Cal safety Elijah Hicks , nullifying an interception by Daniel Scott .
Stanford took its first lead of the day , 17-10 , when Jones scored on a 2-yard run with 10:57 left in the third quarter .
A fumble by Cal running back Marcel Dancy set the Cardinal up at the Bears ’ 41-yard line .
The Bears answered back with a 75-yard drive drive that featured a 54-yard run by freshman Damien Moore and was capped by Garbers ’ 3-yard TD pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quarter .
Problems on kicking teams have become a theme for the Bears .
A week ago at Oregon State , the Bears had a punt blocked , another one go just 24 yards to set up a short field for the Beavers , fumbled a punt ( and recovered ) and had kickoff and punt returns totaling 183 yards wiped out by a pair of penalties .
In the first half against Stanford , special team gaffes likely were responsible for a 10-point swing .
• Pac-12 preview : News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USF topples No .
4 Virginia for first win over top-5 team since 1981 • Bay Area college hoops : Cal , USF and St. Mary ’ s all notch first wins • Cancellations mount in the Pac-12 : This wasn ’ t supposed to happen .
What went wrong ?
Cal led 10-3 when Nikko Remigio muffed a fair catch on a punt return and Stanford ’ s Thomas Booker recovered at the 16-yard line .
Three plays later Davis Mills threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson to tie the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Bears worked their way into position to take the lead on the final play of the half , with Garbers completing three straight passes for 40 yards in the final minute .
A Stanford pass interference penalty gave Cal the ball at the 15 , but Longhetto ’ s 32-yard field goal try was blocked on the final play of the half .
Cal marched 75 yards on the game ’ s first possession to lead 7-0 when Garbers threw a 6-yard TD pass to Kekoa Crawford .
The Bears again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traded second-quarter field goals , but they never regained the lead after Wilson ’ s tying touchdown .
Cal snapped a nine-year losing skid in the Big Game with a 24-20 victory at Stanford Stadium last season .
That victory was part of a three-game win streak to end the season , propelling the Bears to a No .
2 spot in the preseason Pac-12 North poll .
Instead , their season opener against Washington was canceled because they didn ’ t have enough defensive linemen after one player tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They played at UCLA with 48 hours notice and lost , then lost again last week at Oregon State with three offensive linemen in isolation for COVID .
NOTES : The Bears played without Brown , their starting running back , until he entered the game in the fourth quarter .
Brown sat out the Oregon State game for undisclosed reasons .
.
.
.
Starting offensive linemen Jake Curhan , Valentino Daltoso and Will Craig all were held out of the game for the second straight week while in COVID-19 quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week at Oregon State , started and played the entire game .
.
.
.
Other starters who sat were outside linebacker Braxten Croteau and tight end Collin Moore , each for unknown reasons .

BERKELEY — The 123rd Big Game had no fans and no magic moments but just enough Cal mistakes to allow Stanford to recapture The Axe with a 24-23 victory on Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The last of those gaffes was a botched PAT try — blocked by Stanford’s Omari Porter — after the Bears had pulled within a point on Christopher Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left.
In a sterile atmosphere, courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Bears’ season of great expectations continued to go south. They are 0-3 and will need to win their final three games — starting next Saturday at home against No. 9 Oregon — to become bowl eligible.
Without much imagination, they could go winless.
Despite a series of errors, Cal nearly pulled this one out. The Bears drove in the final minutes from their own 10-yard line to the Stanford 3 before Brown — who sat out the previous and most of this game with an undisclosed injury — powered his way into the end zone.
Then the Bears’ not-so-special teams struck, and the blocked PAT try by Dario Longhetto allowed Stanford to escape empty Memorial Stadium with the win.
BLOCKED!@StanfordFball blocks the extra point with under a minute left in the Big Game to preserve their lead 🌲😱 pic.twitter.com/khDuKB6PXp — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 28, 2020
Cal helped Stanford through toward this victory. The Cardinal (1-2) scored two touchdowns after Cal turnovers and the Bears had a short field goal blocked that could have given them a lead at halftime.
Stanford’s best drive of the game, a 71-yarder, put the Cardinal in front 24-17 on an 8-yard blast through left tackle by running back Austin Jones, a sophomore from nearby Bishop O’Dowd High with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
Critical to the drive was a defensive holding call against Cal safety Elijah Hicks, nullifying an interception by Daniel Scott.
Stanford took its first lead of the day, 17-10, when Jones scored on a 2-yard run with 10:57 left in the third quarter. A fumble by Cal running back Marcel Dancy set the Cardinal up at the Bears’ 41-yard line.
The Bears answered back with a 75-yard drive drive that featured a 54-yard run by freshman Damien Moore and was capped by Garbers’ 3-yard TD pass to Nikko Remigio with 9:13 left in the quarter.
Problems on kicking teams have become a theme for the Bears.
A week ago at Oregon State, the Bears had a punt blocked, another one go just 24 yards to set up a short field for the Beavers, fumbled a punt (and recovered) and had kickoff and punt returns totaling 183 yards wiped out by a pair of penalties.
In the first half against Stanford, special team gaffes likely were responsible for a 10-point swing.
Cal led 10-3 when Nikko Remigio muffed a fair catch on a punt return and Stanford’s Thomas Booker recovered at the 16-yard line. Three plays later Davis Mills threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson to tie the score with 3:09 left in the half.
The Bears worked their way into position to take the lead on the final play of the half, with Garbers completing three straight passes for 40 yards in the final minute.
A Stanford pass interference penalty gave Cal the ball at the 15, but Longhetto’s 32-yard field goal try was blocked on the final play of the half.
Cal marched 75 yards on the game’s first possession to lead 7-0 when Garbers threw a 6-yard TD pass to Kekoa Crawford. The Bears again led by seven points after the teams traded second-quarter field goals, but they never regained the lead after Wilson’s tying touchdown.
Cal snapped a nine-year losing skid in the Big Game with a 24-20 victory at Stanford Stadium last season. That victory was part of a three-game win streak to end the season, propelling the Bears to a No. 2 spot in the preseason Pac-12 North poll.
Instead, their season opener against Washington was canceled because they didn’t have enough defensive linemen after one player tested positive for COVID-19 and others were put into quarantine.
They played at UCLA with 48 hours notice and lost, then lost again last week at Oregon State with three offensive linemen in isolation for COVID.
NOTES: The Bears played without Brown, their starting running back, until he entered the game in the fourth quarter. Brown sat out the Oregon State game for undisclosed reasons. . . . Starting offensive linemen Jake Curhan, Valentino Daltoso and Will Craig all were held out of the game for the second straight week while in COVID-19 quarantine. But starting center Michael Saffell, injured last week at Oregon State, started and played the entire game. . . . Other starters who sat were outside linebacker Braxten Croteau and tight end Collin Moore, each for unknown reasons.


mercurynews--2020-11-28--Review: ‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’ a worthwhile prequel to classic ‘Zelda’

A prequel ’ s value should be weighed partly on how it supports the original .
It ’ s a backstory , after all , but the narrative must be compelling because fans already know how it ends .
When it works , the new chapter fills in holes , introduces new revelations and acts almost like a puzzle piece fitting into place .
When it goes wrong , it can make everything worse , diminishing the series altogether .
The worst thing one can say about a prequel is that it shouldn ’ t have been made in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Age of Calamity , ” players uncover a story that ’ s worth being told .
It features the same visual language as its source material , the instant classic “ The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild , ” but that foundation is used in a way that will be unfamiliar to longtime fans .
Players shouldn ’ t expect exploration and clever puzzles .
Instead , as the name implies , “ Hyrule Warriors ” plays much like the beat- ’ em-up “ Dynasty Warriors.
” The developer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been making these type of games for decades , with a formula that has been adapted to other franchises such as “ One Piece , ” “ Gundam ” and “ Fist of the North Star.
” The games are marked by warriors defeating hundreds of enemies on the screen , racking up experience points as they sprint across the battlefield , smashing anything along the way .
It ’ s mindless fun as each level comes with a goal often tied to defeating a number enemies , guarding a base or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave me some apprehension , Omega Force worked closely with Nintendo , and “ Hyrule Warriors ” ends up capturing a bit of the “ Breath of the Wild ” flavor .
The game starts with Calamity Ganon laying waste to Hyrule .
As Zelda ’ s powers awaken , a diminutive Guardian takes a portal to the past .
It ends up 100 years before the events of “ Breath of the Wild , ” and the R2D2-like machine joins Zelda , warning her about the future .
She embarks on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the other kingdoms and persuading their best warriors to pilot ancient machines called Divine Beasts that have the power to stop him .
Through the game ’ s seven chapters , Link and Zelda will gather their squad and several extra characters , outfit them with the gear and move forward with the seemingly doomed encounter .
Unlike previous efforts , Zelda , not Link , is at the center of this tale as she ’ s the driving force behind gathering the champions and her struggle trying to unlock her potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is her story though she may not be in all the missions .
The campaign features a map of a Hyrule that ’ s dotted with different missions and tasks .
Initially , the pickings are sparse , but as players advance the campaign , they multiply deluge the screen with tasks .
The missions take Link and company across familiar terrain but the big difference is that the Hyrule in the prequel and “ Breath of the Wild ” are different .
This is the land before it ’ s ruined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villages and soaring towers .
They ’ ll also encounter fan favorite characters who are younger and more brash .
It adds to the charm of the adventure .
As for the gameplay itself , combat revolves around mashing the buttons for regular and strong attacks .
Players have to efficiently and quickly dispatch foes .
Run long enough and the players sprint across the screen .
If players have an ally , they can direct them to an important part of the map and switch over when they get there .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavies and bosses that require the heroes to pummel them so the Weak Point gauge zeros out , leaving them open to a heavy-damage strike .
That meter can be whittled down by dodging an attack at the last second , slowing down time for a Flurry Attack .
Another way to fight relies on the Sheikah Slate abilities — Magnesis , Remote Bomb , Stasis and Cryonis .
“ Breath of the Wild ” fans will recognize these powers as being important in puzzles , but in “ Hyrule Warriors , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaults or crowd control .
It ’ s an inventive use of a critical “ Zelda ” mechanic , one that is used for slight puzzle solving such as getting a half-buried treasure chest out of the ground .
Those elements are few and far between , though , because most of the game is spent mashing buttons and finding better ways to defeat enemies .
Some of that will come through the leveling process , but players can also power-up their weapons by fusing them with ones they find in each stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that offer stat boosts but require resources to complete .
Players can redo missions to search for the needed materials or they can look for them in shops .
Also , each hero has a different set of attacks and powers , making each one feel unique with their own weapons and tactics .
It gives the combat variety and the campaign feels more like an ensemble adventure led by Zelda than anything else .
Despite the variety , “ Hyrule Warriors ” can grow a little rote , especially toward the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character to the next without much buildup or context .
It feels like a lost opportunity to understand the relationship between Link , Zelda , Mipha , Revali , Urbosa , Daruk and the other unlockable heroes they meet along the way .
Although these are flaws , “ Hyrule Warriors : Age of Calamity ” does one big thing right : It makes you want to jump back into “ The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild.
” The prequel hits the right notes for fans by scratching that nostalgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their “ Zelda ” memories .
Players will be battling a horde and the setting will take them back to the grander adventure as they hunt for the hidden story , tragedy and surprise behind the beloved original .

A prequel’s value should be weighed partly on how it supports the original. It’s a backstory, after all, but the narrative must be compelling because fans already know how it ends. When it works, the new chapter fills in holes, introduces new revelations and acts almost like a puzzle piece fitting into place.
When it goes wrong, it can make everything worse, diminishing the series altogether. The worst thing one can say about a prequel is that it shouldn’t have been made in the first place. With “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity,” players uncover a story that’s worth being told. It features the same visual language as its source material, the instant classic “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” but that foundation is used in a way that will be unfamiliar to longtime fans.
Players shouldn’t expect exploration and clever puzzles. Instead, as the name implies, “Hyrule Warriors” plays much like the beat-’em-up “Dynasty Warriors.” The developer, Koei-Tecmo’s Omega Force, has been making these type of games for decades, with a formula that has been adapted to other franchises such as “One Piece,” “Gundam” and “Fist of the North Star.”
Link, center, leads the other champions and pilots of the Divine Beasts -- Daruk, from left, Mipha, Urbosa and Revali -- in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Zelda is a playable character and has the central role in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Link, right, and Revali don't see eye to eye in their first encounter in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Link has the most diverse number of weapons. He can use spears, two-handed weapons, the Master Sword and a bow and arrow in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Urbosa is the Gerudo Champion and has powers based on electricity in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Mipha and Zelda have a shared bond as they venture together with Link and the others in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Daruk's fighting style centers on fire. He wields an enormous sword and throws out ramps of magma that can explode in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity." (Nintendo)
Unlike traditional "Zelda' games, "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity" is more of a beat-'em-up in the vein of "Dynasty Warriors." Don't expect much opportunity for exploration and puzzle-solving. (Nintendo)
"Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity" takes place 100 years before the events of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and lets players revisit some areas of the previous game. (Nintendo)
All the heroes in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity" can use Sheikah Slate powers including remote bombs, magnesis, stasis and cryonis. Link uses remote bombs in this battle. (Nintendo)
The games are marked by warriors defeating hundreds of enemies on the screen, racking up experience points as they sprint across the battlefield, smashing anything along the way. It’s mindless fun as each level comes with a goal often tied to defeating a number enemies, guarding a base or escorting an ally.
Although the idea gave me some apprehension, Omega Force worked closely with Nintendo, and “Hyrule Warriors” ends up capturing a bit of the “Breath of the Wild” flavor.
The game starts with Calamity Ganon laying waste to Hyrule. As Zelda’s powers awaken, a diminutive Guardian takes a portal to the past. It ends up 100 years before the events of “Breath of the Wild,” and the R2D2-like machine joins Zelda, warning her about the future. She embarks on a quest to stop Calamity Ganon by venturing into the other kingdoms and persuading their best warriors to pilot ancient machines called Divine Beasts that have the power to stop him.
Through the game’s seven chapters, Link and Zelda will gather their squad and several extra characters, outfit them with the gear and move forward with the seemingly doomed encounter. Unlike previous efforts, Zelda, not Link, is at the center of this tale as she’s the driving force behind gathering the champions and her struggle trying to unlock her potential takes center stage. “Hyrule Warriors” is her story though she may not be in all the missions.
The campaign features a map of a Hyrule that’s dotted with different missions and tasks. Initially, the pickings are sparse, but as players advance the campaign, they multiply deluge the screen with tasks.
The missions take Link and company across familiar terrain but the big difference is that the Hyrule in the prequel and “Breath of the Wild” are different. This is the land before it’s ruined, and players will run across thriving villages and soaring towers. They’ll also encounter fan favorite characters who are younger and more brash. It adds to the charm of the adventure.
As for the gameplay itself, combat revolves around mashing the buttons for regular and strong attacks. Players have to efficiently and quickly dispatch foes. Run long enough and the players sprint across the screen. If players have an ally, they can direct them to an important part of the map and switch over when they get there. The most compelling part of combat involves tougher heavies and bosses that require the heroes to pummel them so the Weak Point gauge zeros out, leaving them open to a heavy-damage strike.
That meter can be whittled down by dodging an attack at the last second, slowing down time for a Flurry Attack. Another way to fight relies on the Sheikah Slate abilities — Magnesis, Remote Bomb, Stasis and Cryonis. “Breath of the Wild” fans will recognize these powers as being important in puzzles, but in “Hyrule Warriors,” they’re used to counter enemy assaults or crowd control. It’s an inventive use of a critical “Zelda” mechanic, one that is used for slight puzzle solving such as getting a half-buried treasure chest out of the ground.
Those elements are few and far between, though, because most of the game is spent mashing buttons and finding better ways to defeat enemies. Some of that will come through the leveling process, but players can also power-up their weapons by fusing them with ones they find in each stage. They’ll also discover quests that offer stat boosts but require resources to complete. Players can redo missions to search for the needed materials or they can look for them in shops.
Also, each hero has a different set of attacks and powers, making each one feel unique with their own weapons and tactics. It gives the combat variety and the campaign feels more like an ensemble adventure led by Zelda than anything else.
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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 Despite the variety, “Hyrule Warriors” can grow a little rote, especially toward the end, and the mission whiplash from one character to the next without much buildup or context. It feels like a lost opportunity to understand the relationship between Link, Zelda, Mipha, Revali, Urbosa, Daruk and the other unlockable heroes they meet along the way.
Although these are flaws, “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity” does one big thing right: It makes you want to jump back into “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” The prequel hits the right notes for fans by scratching that nostalgia itch and scraping the inner lining of their “Zelda” memories. Players will be battling a horde and the setting will take them back to the grander adventure as they hunt for the hidden story, tragedy and surprise behind the beloved original.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
3 stars out of 4
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Rating: Teen


mercurynews--2020-11-27--As virus explodes, LA County issues a stay-at-home order

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surged out of control in the nation ’ s most populous county .
The three-week order takes effect Monday .
It came as the county confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The county had set a threshold for issuing the stay-home order : an average of 4,500 cases a day over a five-day period , but hadn ’ t expected to reach that level until next month .
However , the five-day average of new cases reported Friday was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ Acting with collective urgency right now is essential if we want to put a stop to this surge.
” The order advises residents to stay home “ as much as possible ” and to wear a face covering when they go out .
It bans people from gathering with others who aren ’ t in their households , whether publicly or privately .
However , exceptions are made for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are constitutionally protected rights , ” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement .
Retail businesses , which make much of their profits during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons , are allowed to remain open but with limited capacity , including nail salons and other personal care services .
Restaurants in the county already were recently barred from in-person dining .
They can still offer pickup , delivery and takeout services .
Beaches , trails , and parks will remain open , with safety requirements .
The order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more modest than a statewide closure order issued by Gov .
Gavin Newsom in mid-March .
That order closed schools and most businesses and severely restricted movement except for essential workers or to perform essential chores such as buying groceries or picking up medications .
The restrictions are said to have slowed the spread of COVID-9 and some restrictions were eased but the caseload picked up again in summer and in recent weeks has surged to record levels throughout most of the state — as well as throughout most states in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set records in recent days .
Hospitalizations statewide have increased more than 80 % in the last two weeks .
Nearly 2,000 people in the county are now hospitalized and the new order is part of an effort to prevent the county ’ s health system from being overwhelmed .
Meanwhile , public health officials are bracing for a wave of cases that could follow gatherings at Thanksgiving .
Officials say it usually takes two to three weeks for such serious cases to show but about 12 % of those infected could wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprawl , Los Angeles has some of the densest neighborhoods in the U.S .
Many of those areas have multi-generational households where workers who don ’ t have the luxury to telecommute are exposed to the virus at work or on public transportation and spread it to family members .
Case numbers in those communities have been higher and the virus has disproportionately affected more Latinos and Black people .
• 49ers injury report vs. Rams : Samuel , Mostert , Sherman back but outlook unclear on Williams , others • Cancellations mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t supposed to happen .
What went wrong ?
With infections out of control , the other options for public officials to take are even more onerous and unlikely to be enacted in the U.S. , said Dr. George Rutherford , an epidemiologist at the University of California , San Francisco .
China , for example , tested millions of people and enforced quarantines .
Italy brought in the military to enforce a shutdown .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine how much further you can go in a society like we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a balancing act , right ?
You want people to obey it but you don ’ t want to make it so draconian that people are trying to figure out ways around it all the time .
”

By Brian Melley | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County announced a new stay-home order Friday as coronavirus cases surged out of control in the nation’s most populous county.
The three-week order takes effect Monday. It came as the county confirmed 24 new deaths and 4,544 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The county had set a threshold for issuing the stay-home order: an average of 4,500 cases a day over a five-day period, but hadn’t expected to reach that level until next month.
However, the five-day average of new cases reported Friday was 4,751.
“We know we are asking a lot from so many who have been sacrificing for months on end,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Acting with collective urgency right now is essential if we want to put a stop to this surge.”
The order advises residents to stay home “as much as possible” and to wear a face covering when they go out. It bans people from gathering with others who aren’t in their households, whether publicly or privately.
However, exceptions are made for church services and protests, “which are constitutionally protected rights,” the county Department of Public Health said in a statement.
Retail businesses, which make much of their profits during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, are allowed to remain open but with limited capacity, including nail salons and other personal care services.
Restaurants in the county already were recently barred from in-person dining. They can still offer pickup, delivery and takeout services.
Beaches, trails, and parks will remain open, with safety requirements.
The order, which runs through Dec. 20, is more modest than a statewide closure order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom in mid-March. That order closed schools and most businesses and severely restricted movement except for essential workers or to perform essential chores such as buying groceries or picking up medications.
The restrictions are said to have slowed the spread of COVID-9 and some restrictions were eased but the caseload picked up again in summer and in recent weeks has surged to record levels throughout most of the state — as well as throughout most states in the country.
Daily cases numbers in California have set records in recent days. Hospitalizations statewide have increased more than 80% in the last two weeks. Nearly 2,000 people in the county are now hospitalized and the new order is part of an effort to prevent the county’s health system from being overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, public health officials are bracing for a wave of cases that could follow gatherings at Thanksgiving. Officials say it usually takes two to three weeks for such serious cases to show but about 12% of those infected could wind up hospitalized.
Despite its reputation for sprawl, Los Angeles has some of the densest neighborhoods in the U.S. Many of those areas have multi-generational households where workers who don’t have the luxury to telecommute are exposed to the virus at work or on public transportation and spread it to family members.
Case numbers in those communities have been higher and the virus has disproportionately affected more Latinos and Black people.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms California News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge With infections out of control, the other options for public officials to take are even more onerous and unlikely to be enacted in the U.S., said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco.
China, for example, tested millions of people and enforced quarantines. Italy brought in the military to enforce a shutdown.
“It’s hard to imagine how much further you can go in a society like we have,” he said. “It’s a balancing act, right? You want people to obey it but you don’t want to make it so draconian that people are trying to figure out ways around it all the time.”


mercurynews--2020-11-27--Federal executions: New rules include expanded options for death by firing squad

( CNN ) — The Justice Department has rushed to change the rules around federal death penalties as they expedite a slew of scheduled executions in the final days of the Trump administration , including expanding possible execution methods to include electrocution and death by firing squad .
The approved amendment to the “ Manner of Federal Executions ” rule gives federal prosecutors a wider variety of options for execution in order to avoid delays if the state in which the inmate was sentenced doesn ’ t provide other alternatives .
The rule was included among three dozen policy changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through before the end of his term .
The proposed changes were first reported by ProPublica .
Attorney General William Barr and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs pushed the rule forward .
Once the approved amendment is published in the Federal Register — which could come as early as Friday , according to a Justice Department official — it will become effective in 30 days .
It ultimately may be moot .
President-elect Joe Biden campaigned to abolish the federal death penalty , and four of the five inmates scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lethal injection .
The Justice Department did not provide comment on why the new rule was made .
The proposed amendment , which was published in August , calls for alternative means for federal executions if the lethal injection is not available in the state in which a defendant is given a sentence of death .
It also suggests that if the state where the crime occurred does not permit death sentences , a judge can designate another state and utilize its facilities to carry out the execution .
Attorneys involved in death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ non-prescribed ” pentobarbital lethal injection is a violation of the Food , Drug , and Cosmetic Act and subjects an inmate to suffer “ the effects of flash pulmonary edema ” — a respiratory condition where fluid quickly floods the lungs , according to court documents .
Those arguments have been shut down by the Supreme Court and a federal judge , which have ruled it is not “ certain ” or “ likely ” that such an event could take place if the lethal injection is used and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Constitutional violation of “ cruel and unusual punishment , ” according to court documents .
Earlier this year , Oklahoma resumed executions after a 2015 incident in which Clayton Lockett received the wrong drug for the lethal execution .
Lockett died of a heart attack 43 minutes after receiving the injection .
There are 28 states that allow federal and state executions , and the lethal injection is the primary manner of execution .
At least nine of those states allow for alternative methods such as electrocution , lethal gas , firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned in the amended rule .
“ No one on federal death row committed the offense in a state that uses the firing squad to execute prisoners , ” Robert Dunham , executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center , said on Twitter Thursday .
When the Justice Department ’ s rule is published for future death penalty cases , prosecutors could request that the judge transfer a case to a state , such as Oklahoma , Utah or Mississippi , where firing squads are allowed .
Barr announced on November 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row inmates before Biden is sworn in ; two are expected next month .
If all the executions scheduled since July are completed , the Trump administration will have put the most federal inmates to death during a presidential transition since 1884 , Dunham told CNN on Monday .
Of the five federal inmates now scheduled to die , one does not have a manner of execution determined : Dustin Higgs , who has been given a date of Jan. 15 .
The four others : • Brandon Bernard , the youngest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , for a crime he committed as a teenager .
His last request to stay his execution was denied by the Supreme Court last week .
He is set to be executed on Dec. 10 .
• Alfred Bourgeois was sentenced to death by a Texas jury for torturing and ultimately beating his daughter to death in 2002 .
Bourgeois ’ attorney Victor Abreu said in a statement on Friday that his client is scheduled to be executed on December 11 .
• Lisa Montgomery , who would be the first woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nearly 70 years .
She was granted a stay of her execution because her attorneys were diagnosed with the coronavirus ; her date is now set for January 12 .
The Trump administration has rejected Montgomery ’ s request for a reprieve .
• Corey Johnson is scheduled for execution on January 14 for killing seven people in 1992 .

(CNN) — The Justice Department has rushed to change the rules around federal death penalties as they expedite a slew of scheduled executions in the final days of the Trump administration, including expanding possible execution methods to include electrocution and death by firing squad.
The approved amendment to the “Manner of Federal Executions” rule gives federal prosecutors a wider variety of options for execution in order to avoid delays if the state in which the inmate was sentenced doesn’t provide other alternatives.
The rule was included among three dozen policy changes President Donald Trump is attempting to push through before the end of his term. The proposed changes were first reported by ProPublica.
Attorney General William Barr and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs pushed the rule forward. Once the approved amendment is published in the Federal Register — which could come as early as Friday, according to a Justice Department official — it will become effective in 30 days.
It ultimately may be moot. President-elect Joe Biden campaigned to abolish the federal death penalty, and four of the five inmates scheduled for execution already have their manner selected — lethal injection.
The Justice Department did not provide comment on why the new rule was made.
The proposed amendment, which was published in August, calls for alternative means for federal executions if the lethal injection is not available in the state in which a defendant is given a sentence of death.
It also suggests that if the state where the crime occurred does not permit death sentences, a judge can designate another state and utilize its facilities to carry out the execution.
Attorneys involved in death penalty cases have argued that the use of “non-prescribed” pentobarbital lethal injection is a violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and subjects an inmate to suffer “the effects of flash pulmonary edema” — a respiratory condition where fluid quickly floods the lungs, according to court documents.
Those arguments have been shut down by the Supreme Court and a federal judge, which have ruled it is not “certain” or “likely” that such an event could take place if the lethal injection is used and that it does not rise to the level of a Constitutional violation of “cruel and unusual punishment,” according to court documents.
Earlier this year, Oklahoma resumed executions after a 2015 incident in which Clayton Lockett received the wrong drug for the lethal execution. Lockett died of a heart attack 43 minutes after receiving the injection.
There are 28 states that allow federal and state executions, and the lethal injection is the primary manner of execution. At least nine of those states allow for alternative methods such as electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad and hanging. Hangings were not mentioned in the amended rule.
“No one on federal death row committed the offense in a state that uses the firing squad to execute prisoners,” Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said on Twitter Thursday.
When the Justice Department’s rule is published for future death penalty cases, prosecutors could request that the judge transfer a case to a state, such as Oklahoma, Utah or Mississippi, where firing squads are allowed.
Barr announced on November 20 the schedule for the last three death row inmates before Biden is sworn in; two are expected next month. If all the executions scheduled since July are completed, the Trump administration will have put the most federal inmates to death during a presidential transition since 1884, Dunham told CNN on Monday.
Of the five federal inmates now scheduled to die, one does not have a manner of execution determined: Dustin Higgs, who has been given a date of Jan. 15.
The four others:
• Brandon Bernard, the youngest in the United States to be sentenced to death, for a crime he committed as a teenager. His last request to stay his execution was denied by the Supreme Court last week. He is set to be executed on Dec. 10.
• Alfred Bourgeois was sentenced to death by a Texas jury for torturing and ultimately beating his daughter to death in 2002. Bourgeois’ attorney Victor Abreu said in a statement on Friday that his client is scheduled to be executed on December 11.
• Lisa Montgomery, who would be the first woman to be executed in a federal case in nearly 70 years. She was granted a stay of her execution because her attorneys were diagnosed with the coronavirus; her date is now set for January 12. The Trump administration has rejected Montgomery’s request for a reprieve.
• Corey Johnson is scheduled for execution on January 14 for killing seven people in 1992.
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