mercurynews--2020-10-30--Stanford’s oncology department honors cancer patients, firefighters

On Friday , the oncology department at Stanford Health Care in Pleasanton honored both its patients and firefighters , with @ @ @ @ @ for a Halloween celebration and “ giving cancer the axe.
” In addition to recognizing @ @ @ @ @ members paid tribute to firefighters who have worked tirelessly to put out wildfires throughout the @ @ @ @ @ from Livermore also came to show support , and donned T-shirts the department made for @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a way to bringing our community of patients and health care workers together @ @ @ @ @ ” said Mary Ore , director of operations for the oncology department .
About 40 @ @ @ @ @ age from 25 to 85 , who were at the outpatient facility for care throughout @ @ @ @ @ participate in the festivities and check out a vintage fire truck which was also on @ @ @ @ @ fire truck on display was owned and restored by retired Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Capt .
@ @ @ @ @ of cancer in 2019 .

On Friday, the oncology department at Stanford Health Care in Pleasanton honored both its patients and firefighters, with staff members dressing as firefighters for a Halloween celebration and “giving cancer the axe.”
In addition to recognizing their patients, the staff members paid tribute to firefighters who have worked tirelessly to put out wildfires throughout the state this year. Firefighters from Livermore also came to show support, and donned T-shirts the department made for the occasion.
“It’s a way to bringing our community of patients and health care workers together, and celebrating them,” said Mary Ore, director of operations for the oncology department.
About 40 cancer patients, ranging in age from 25 to 85, who were at the outpatient facility for care throughout the day were able to participate in the festivities and check out a vintage fire truck which was also on display.
The 1948 vintage fire truck on display was owned and restored by retired Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Capt. Joshua Gatkin, who died of cancer in 2019.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Senior Living: Older COVID patients battle ‘brain fog,’ weakness and emotional turmoil

For months , as Marilyn Walters has struggled to recover from COVID-19 , she has repeated this prayer day and night .
Like other older adults who ’ ve become critically ill from the coronavirus , Walters , 65 , describes what she calls “ brain fog ” — difficulty putting thoughts together , problems with concentration , the inability to remember what happened a short time before .
This sudden cognitive dysfunction is a common concern for seniors who ’ ve survived a serious bout of COVID-19 .
“ Many older patients are having trouble organizing themselves and planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the day , ” said Dr. Zijian Chen , medical director of the Center for Post-COVID Care at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City .
“ They ’ re reporting that they ’ ve become more and more forgetful.
” Other challenges abound : overcoming muscle and nerve damage , improving breathing , adapting to new impairments , regaining strength and stamina , and coping with the emotional toll of unexpected illness .
Most seniors survive COVID-19 and will encounter these concerns to varying degrees .
Even among the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and older — just 28 % of those with confirmed cases end up dying , according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
( Because of gaps in testing , the actual death rate may be lower . )
Walters , who lives in Indianapolis , spent almost three weeks in March and April heavily sedated , on a ventilator , fighting for her life in intensive care .
In October , she said , “ I still get tired real easy and I can ’ t breathe sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my legs get wobbly and my arms get like jelly.
” “ Emotionally , it ’ s been hard because I ’ ve always been able to do for myself , and I can ’ t do that as I like .
I ’ ve been really nervous and jittery , ” Walters said .
Younger adults who ’ ve survived a serious course of COVID-19 experience similar issues but older adults tend to have “ more severe symptoms , and more limitations in terms of what they can do , ” Chen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order of months and years , not days or weeks , ” said Dr. E. Wesley Ely , co-director of the Critical Illness , Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center .
Most likely , he speculated , a year after fighting the disease at least half of the critically ill older patients will not have fully recovered .
The aftereffects of delirium — an acute , sudden change of consciousness and mental acuity — can complicate recovery from COVID-19 .
Seniors hospitalized for serious illness are susceptible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immobilized for a long time , isolated from family and friends , and given sedatives to ease agitation or narcotics for pain , among other contributing factors .
In older adults , delirium is associated with a heightened risk of losing independence , developing dementia and dying .
It can manifest as acute confusion and agitation or as uncharacteristic unresponsiveness and lethargy .
“ What we ’ re seeing with COVID-19 and older adults are rates of delirium in the 70 % to 80 % range , ” said Dr. Babar Khan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Aging Research at the Regenstrief Institute , and one of Walters ’ physicians .
Gordon Quinn , 77 , a Chicago documentary filmmaker , believes he contracted COVID-19 at a conference in Australia in early March .
At Northwestern Memorial Hospital , he was put on a ventilator twice in the ICU , for a total of nearly two weeks , and remembers having “ a lot of hallucinations ” — a symptom of delirium .
“ I remember vividly believing I was in purgatory .
I was paralyzed — I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear snatches of TV — reruns of ‘ Law & Order : Special Victims Unit ’ — and I asked myself , ‘ Is this my life for eternity ?
’ ” Quinn said .
Given the extent of delirium and mounting evidence of neurological damage from COVID-19 , Khan said he expects to see “ an increased prevalence of ICU-acquired cognitive impairment in older COVID patients.
” Ely agrees .
“ These patients will urgently need to work on recovery , ” he said .
Family members should insist on securing rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speech therapy , cognitive rehabilitation — after the patient leaves the hospital and returns home , he advised .
“ Even at my age , people can get incredible benefit from rehab , ” said Quinn , who spent nearly two weeks at Chicago ’ s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab , a rehabilitation hospital , before returning home and getting several weeks of home-based therapy .
Today , he ’ s able to walk nearly 2 miles and has returned to work , feeling almost back to normal .
James Talaganis , 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also benefited from rehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after spending nearly four months in various hospitals beginning in early May .
Talaganis had a complicated case of COVID-19 : His kidneys failed and he was put on dialysis .
He experienced cardiac arrest and was in a coma for almost 58 days while on a ventilator .
He had intestinal bleeding , requiring multiple blood transfusions , and was found to have crystallization and fibrosis in his lungs .
When Talaganis began his rehab on Aug. 22 , he said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrophied .
I couldn ’ t get out of bed or go to the toilet .
I was getting fed through a tube .
I couldn ’ t eat solid foods.
” In early October , after getting hours of therapy each day , Talaganis was able to walk 660 feet in six minutes and eat whatever he wanted .
“ My recovery — it ’ s a miracle .
Every day I feel better , ” he said .
Unfortunately , rehabilitation needs for most older adults are often overlooked .
Notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of critically ill older adults who survive a stay in the ICU did not receive rehab services at home after hospital discharge .
“ Seniors who live in more rural areas or outside bigger cities where major hospital systems are providing cutting-edge services are at significant risk of losing out on this potentially restorative care , ” said Dr. Sean Smith , an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan .
Sometimes what ’ s most needed for recovery from critical illness is human connection .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville , Tennessee , in their late 80s , who were both hospitalized with COVID-19 in early August .
Ely , one of their physicians , found them in separate hospital rooms , frightened and miserable .
“ I ’ m worried about my husband , ” he said Virginia told him .
“ Where am I ?
What is happening ?
Where is my wife ?
” the doctor said Tom asked , before crying out , “ I have to get out of here.
” Ely and another physician taking care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from each other was dangerous for this couple , married for 66 years .
They needed to be put in a room together .
When the doctor walked into their new room the next day , he said , “ it was a night-and-day difference.
” The couple was sipping coffee , eating and laughing on beds that had been pushed together .
“ They both got better from that point on .
I know that was because of the loving touch , being together , ” Ely said .
That doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia and Tom still struggle with confusion , fatigue , weakness and anxiety after their two-week stay in the hospital , followed by two weeks in inpatient rehabilitation .
Now , they ’ re in a new assisted living residence , which is allowing outdoor visits with their family .
“ Doctors have told us it will take a long time and they may never get back to where they were before COVID , ” said their daughter , Karen Kreager , also of Nashville .
“ But that ’ s OK.
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came through this and we get to spend more time with them.
” Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation , which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

“Lord, give me back my memory.”
For months, as Marilyn Walters has struggled to recover from COVID-19, she has repeated this prayer day and night.
Like other older adults who’ve become critically ill from the coronavirus, Walters, 65, describes what she calls “brain fog” — difficulty putting thoughts together, problems with concentration, the inability to remember what happened a short time before.
This sudden cognitive dysfunction is a common concern for seniors who’ve survived a serious bout of COVID-19.
“Many older patients are having trouble organizing themselves and planning what they need to do to get through the day,” said Dr. Zijian Chen, medical director of the Center for Post-COVID Care at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. “They’re reporting that they’ve become more and more forgetful.”
Other challenges abound: overcoming muscle and nerve damage, improving breathing, adapting to new impairments, regaining strength and stamina, and coping with the emotional toll of unexpected illness.
Most seniors survive COVID-19 and will encounter these concerns to varying degrees. Even among the age group at greatest risk — people 85 and older — just 28% of those with confirmed cases end up dying, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Because of gaps in testing, the actual death rate may be lower.)
Walters, who lives in Indianapolis, spent almost three weeks in March and April heavily sedated, on a ventilator, fighting for her life in intensive care. In October, she said, “I still get tired real easy and I can’t breathe sometimes. If I’m walking sometimes my legs get wobbly and my arms get like jelly.”
“Emotionally, it’s been hard because I’ve always been able to do for myself, and I can’t do that as I like. I’ve been really nervous and jittery,” Walters said.
Younger adults who’ve survived a serious course of COVID-19 experience similar issues but older adults tend to have “more severe symptoms, and more limitations in terms of what they can do,” Chen said.
“Recovery will be on the order of months and years, not days or weeks,” said Dr. E. Wesley Ely, co-director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Most likely, he speculated, a year after fighting the disease at least half of the critically ill older patients will not have fully recovered.
The aftereffects of delirium — an acute, sudden change of consciousness and mental acuity — can complicate recovery from COVID-19. Seniors hospitalized for serious illness are susceptible to the often-unrecognized condition when they’re immobilized for a long time, isolated from family and friends, and given sedatives to ease agitation or narcotics for pain, among other contributing factors.
In older adults, delirium is associated with a heightened risk of losing independence, developing dementia and dying. It can manifest as acute confusion and agitation or as uncharacteristic unresponsiveness and lethargy.
“What we’re seeing with COVID-19 and older adults are rates of delirium in the 70% to 80% range,” said Dr. Babar Khan, associate director of Indiana University’s Center for Aging Research at the Regenstrief Institute, and one of Walters’ physicians.
Gordon Quinn, 77, a Chicago documentary filmmaker, believes he contracted COVID-19 at a conference in Australia in early March. At Northwestern Memorial Hospital, he was put on a ventilator twice in the ICU, for a total of nearly two weeks, and remembers having “a lot of hallucinations” — a symptom of delirium.
“I remember vividly believing I was in purgatory. I was paralyzed — I couldn’t move. I could hear snatches of TV — reruns of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ — and I asked myself, ‘Is this my life for eternity?’” Quinn said.
Given the extent of delirium and mounting evidence of neurological damage from COVID-19, Khan said he expects to see “an increased prevalence of ICU-acquired cognitive impairment in older COVID patients.”
Ely agrees. “These patients will urgently need to work on recovery,” he said. Family members should insist on securing rehabilitation services — physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive rehabilitation — after the patient leaves the hospital and returns home, he advised.
“Even at my age, people can get incredible benefit from rehab,” said Quinn, who spent nearly two weeks at Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a rehabilitation hospital, before returning home and getting several weeks of home-based therapy. Today, he’s able to walk nearly 2 miles and has returned to work, feeling almost back to normal.
James Talaganis, 72, of Indian Head Park, Illinois, also benefited from rehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after spending nearly four months in various hospitals beginning in early May.
Talaganis had a complicated case of COVID-19: His kidneys failed and he was put on dialysis. He experienced cardiac arrest and was in a coma for almost 58 days while on a ventilator. He had intestinal bleeding, requiring multiple blood transfusions, and was found to have crystallization and fibrosis in his lungs.
When Talaganis began his rehab on Aug. 22, he said, “my whole body, my muscles were atrophied. I couldn’t get out of bed or go to the toilet. I was getting fed through a tube. I couldn’t eat solid foods.”
In early October, after getting hours of therapy each day, Talaganis was able to walk 660 feet in six minutes and eat whatever he wanted. “My recovery — it’s a miracle. Every day I feel better,” he said.
Unfortunately, rehabilitation needs for most older adults are often overlooked. Notably, a recent study found that one-third of critically ill older adults who survive a stay in the ICU did not receive rehab services at home after hospital discharge.
“Seniors who live in more rural areas or outside bigger cities where major hospital systems are providing cutting-edge services are at significant risk of losing out on this potentially restorative care,” said Dr. Sean Smith, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan.
Sometimes what’s most needed for recovery from critical illness is human connection. That was true for Tom and Virginia Stevens of Nashville, Tennessee, in their late 80s, who were both hospitalized with COVID-19 in early August.
Ely, one of their physicians, found them in separate hospital rooms, frightened and miserable. “I’m worried about my husband,” he said Virginia told him. “Where am I? What is happening? Where is my wife?” the doctor said Tom asked, before crying out, “I have to get out of here.”
Ely and another physician taking care of the couple agreed. Being isolated from each other was dangerous for this couple, married for 66 years. They needed to be put in a room together.
When the doctor walked into their new room the next day, he said, “it was a night-and-day difference.” The couple was sipping coffee, eating and laughing on beds that had been pushed together.
“They both got better from that point on. I know that was because of the loving touch, being together,” Ely said.
That doesn’t mean recovery has been easy. Virginia and Tom still struggle with confusion, fatigue, weakness and anxiety after their two-week stay in the hospital, followed by two weeks in inpatient rehabilitation. Now, they’re in a new assisted living residence, which is allowing outdoor visits with their family.
“Doctors have told us it will take a long time and they may never get back to where they were before COVID,” said their daughter, Karen Kreager, also of Nashville. “But that’s OK. I’m just so grateful that they came through this and we get to spend more time with them.”
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Comcast, San Jose Sharks among members ditching Silicon Valley Organization in droves after racist a

Comcast, San Jose Sharks among members ditching Silicon Valley Organization in droves after racist ad

Less than five days after posting a racist political attack ad , Silicon Valley ’ s chamber of commerce has been hit with a growing exodus of influential and well-known board members .
As of Friday , at least a fifth of its 80 board members confirmed to The Mercury News they have resigned and a broad coalition of many nonprofits and businesses reportedly have withdrawn their membership from the Silicon Valley Organization , a business advocacy group that represents more than 1,200 businesses across the region .
The organizations that confirmed they cut ties with the SVO and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the board in protest of an image posted on the organization ’ s website earlier this week include Cisco , Comcast , PG & E , Kaiser Permanente , the San Jose Sharks , the San Jose Earthquakes , San Jose State University , Lockheed Martin , Sand Hill Property Co. , Team San Jose , Core Companies , Pivotal Now , SPUR , the California Apartment Association , Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center .
“ Comcast , like so many others , was appalled at the racist imagery recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SVO ) website , ” the company wrote in a statement Friday .
“ We found it unacceptable and effective immediately , Comcast will resign its positions on the SVO Board and SVO PAC Board and Comcast will rescind its membership in the SVO.
” In a statement Friday , PG & E said it also stopped payment on its recently submitted annual dues to SVO and is requesting that its $ 5,000 contribution made to the SVO PAC on Oct. 23 be refunded as well .
The latest resignation announcements come just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Mahood stepped down and two days after the organization ’ s executive board announced it was suspending all campaigning efforts and hiring a third-party investigator to determine how and why the ad was published .
The image at the center of all the fallout was posted on the organization ’ s website earlier this week — and promptly taken down after intense public scrutiny — as part of an attack ad funded by its PAC — the campaign arm that funds business-friendly candidates — against San Jose District 6 City Council Candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incumbent Dev Davis .
The black-and-white image featured a group of Black men in a South African street next to a cloud of tear gas overlain with the words : “ Do you really want to sign onto this ?
” The SVO said the ad was intended “ to demonstrate the consequences of cutting the police budget by 80 % , ” which the organization falsely claimed Tonkel — a proponent of more robust police reform — favored .
The image quickly circulated online and drew immediate backlash — from nonprofit leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own members .
SVO board members Joshua Howard and Anil Babbar of the California Apartment Association were the first to announce their resignation on Wednesday morning , citing their disappointment in the “ inappropriate and blatantly racist imagery that was posted on the SVO website.
” And by Thursday , a coalition of mostly nonprofit community leaders was calling for the organization to dissolve its PAC .
Terry Christensen , a longtime public science professor at San Jose State University , said he has never seen anything like this in his 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , Christensen said the SVO is not beyond salvage so long as it “ stops doing such negative campaigning.
” “ They need to refocus on their main job , which is representing the region ’ s businesses , especially its small and medium businesses , ” he said .
“ It ’ s just not good politics to be so extreme because some of them ( the candidates ) will win and then you ’ ll have to deal with them and grudges can last a long time in politics.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications expert and political consultant , said the SVO has a “ very significant uphill battle ” but is now trying to do “ the right things given the wrong that they ’ ve committed.
” “ Who are they going to be able to recruit to a ship that appears to be sinking ?
That ’ s the $ 64,000 question , and I think they ’ re going to have a hard time piecing this organization back together again , ” Singer said .
Dennis King , executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is among the SVO board members who have yet to resign .
In an interview Friday , King said he is on a quest to find members of the board who are “ willing to hang in for a short period of time to see if we can really make a serious change.
” “ There needs to be a dramatic change and we need to be engaged in that , ” King said .
“ But if we can ’ t make the change , then it ’ s time to walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , is that the first five board members he reached out to first had already resigned .
Board member Kevin Surace is urging those who have already left their seats to rescind their resignations and join the rest of the members who are staying the course in “ steering this critical organization to be a leader , not a follower , in inclusion.
” “ I stand here today not as someone who gave up but as a change agent , ” Surace said at a press conference Thursday .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from the inside and that is exactly what we are going to do .
You affect it by staying and bringing this organization to lead.
” The organization has refused to identify the individual responsible for posting the photo and has only referred to the person as a “ web administrator.
” The SVO is working with a public relations firm , PRxDigital .
Eddie Truong , the director of the SVO PAC , said Friday he was “ not allowed to comment.
” In a statement Friday , PRxDigital Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-party investigation into the image , which is being conducted by the law firm Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP , will be completed by the end of next week .
“ The board has taken swift action and launched a third-party investigation into how such an image could have been posted , ” Downing wrote .
“ To be absolutely clear , The SVO , including its board and staff , does not condone racist campaign practices from the PAC or anyone else in our community or organization .
Racism will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its member companies .
”

Less than five days after posting a racist political attack ad, Silicon Valley’s chamber of commerce has been hit with a growing exodus of influential and well-known board members.
As of Friday, at least a fifth of its 80 board members confirmed to The Mercury News they have resigned and a broad coalition of many nonprofits and businesses reportedly have withdrawn their membership from the Silicon Valley Organization, a business advocacy group that represents more than 1,200 businesses across the region.
The organizations that confirmed they cut ties with the SVO and their employees were stepping down from their seats on the board in protest of an image posted on the organization’s website earlier this week include Cisco, Comcast, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente, the San Jose Sharks, the San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose State University, Lockheed Martin, Sand Hill Property Co., Team San Jose, Core Companies, Pivotal Now, SPUR, the California Apartment Association, Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center.
“Comcast, like so many others, was appalled at the racist imagery recently posted on the Silicon Valley Organization (SVO) website,” the company wrote in a statement Friday. “We found it unacceptable and effective immediately, Comcast will resign its positions on the SVO Board and SVO PAC Board and Comcast will rescind its membership in the SVO.”
In a statement Friday, PG&E said it also stopped payment on its recently submitted annual dues to SVO and is requesting that its $5,000 contribution made to the SVO PAC on Oct. 23 be refunded as well.
The latest resignation announcements come just a day after Silicon Valley Organization CEO Matt Mahood stepped down and two days after the organization’s executive board announced it was suspending all campaigning efforts and hiring a third-party investigator to determine how and why the ad was published.
The image at the center of all the fallout was posted on the organization’s website earlier this week — and promptly taken down after intense public scrutiny — as part of an attack ad funded by its PAC — the campaign arm that funds business-friendly candidates — against San Jose District 6 City Council Candidate Jake Tonkel, who is running against Incumbent Dev Davis. The black-and-white image featured a group of Black men in a South African street next to a cloud of tear gas overlain with the words: “Do you really want to sign onto this?”
The SVO said the ad was intended “to demonstrate the consequences of cutting the police budget by 80%,” which the organization falsely claimed Tonkel — a proponent of more robust police reform — favored.
The image quickly circulated online and drew immediate backlash — from nonprofit leaders to elected officials to the organization’s own members.
SVO board members Joshua Howard and Anil Babbar of the California Apartment Association were the first to announce their resignation on Wednesday morning, citing their disappointment in the “inappropriate and blatantly racist imagery that was posted on the SVO website.” And by Thursday, a coalition of mostly nonprofit community leaders was calling for the organization to dissolve its PAC.
Terry Christensen, a longtime political science professor at San Jose State University, said he has never seen anything like this in his 50 years of watching Silicon Valley politics. Still, Christensen said the SVO is not beyond salvage so long as it “stops doing such negative campaigning.”
“They need to refocus on their main job, which is representing the region’s businesses, especially its small and medium businesses,” he said. “It’s just not good politics to be so extreme because some of them (the candidates) will win and then you’ll have to deal with them and grudges can last a long time in politics.”
Sam Singer, a San Francisco-based crisis communications expert and political consultant, said the SVO has a “very significant uphill battle” but is now trying to do “the right things given the wrong that they’ve committed.”
“Who are they going to be able to recruit to a ship that appears to be sinking? That’s the $64,000 question, and I think they’re going to have a hard time piecing this organization back together again,” Singer said.
Dennis King, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, is among the SVO board members who have yet to resign. In an interview Friday, King said he is on a quest to find members of the board who are “willing to hang in for a short period of time to see if we can really make a serious change.”
“There needs to be a dramatic change and we need to be engaged in that,” King said. “But if we can’t make the change, then it’s time to walk away.”
Part of his challenge, however, is that the first five board members he reached out to first had already resigned.
Board member Kevin Surace is urging those who have already left their seats to rescind their resignations and join the rest of the members who are staying the course in “steering this critical organization to be a leader, not a follower, in inclusion.”
“I stand here today not as someone who gave up but as a change agent,” Surace said at a press conference Thursday. “The way you fix things is to change it from the inside and that is exactly what we are going to do. You affect it by staying and bringing this organization to lead.”
The organization has refused to identify the individual responsible for posting the photo and has only referred to the person as a “web administrator.” The SVO is working with a public relations firm, PRxDigital.
Eddie Truong, the director of the SVO PAC, said Friday he was “not allowed to comment.”
In a statement Friday, PRxDigital Vice President Terry Downing said the organization’s third-party investigation into the image, which is being conducted by the law firm Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, will be completed by the end of next week.
“The board has taken swift action and launched a third-party investigation into how such an image could have been posted,” Downing wrote. “To be absolutely clear, The SVO, including its board and staff, does not condone racist campaign practices from the PAC or anyone else in our community or organization. Racism will not be tolerated in any form at SVO or from its member companies.”


mercurynews--2020-10-30--Study: 1M to 2M tons of US plastic trash go astray every year

More than a million tons a year of America ’ s plastic trash isn ’ t ending up where it should .
The equivalent of as many as 1,300 plastic grocery bags per person is landing in places such as oceans and roadways , according to a new study of U.S. plastic trash .
In 2016 — the last year enough data was available and before several countries cracked down on imports of American waste — the United States generated 46.3 million tons of plastic waste , by far the most in the world .
Between 2.7 % and 5.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned , placed in landfills or otherwise disposed of properly , according to a study in Friday ’ s journal Science Advances .
Between 1.2 million and 2.5 million tons of plastic generated in the U.S. were dropped on land , rivers , lakes and oceans as litter , were illegally dumped or shipped abroad then not properly disposed of , the study found .
If you took nearly 2.5 million tons of mismanaged plastic waste — bottles , wrappers , grocery bags and the like — and dumped it on the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high as the Empire State Building , ” said co-author Jenna Jambeck , an environmental engineering professor at the University of Georgia .
Previous studies hadn ’ t put the United States among the 10 worst offending nations for plastic waste in oceans .
That ’ s because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only tracks what goes into official parts of the waste stream such as landfills and recycling centers , and its data doesn ’ t capture the dirtier aspects of plastic trash disposal , study authors said .
So some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeper into what happens to U.S. trash and found so much is improperly handled that America ranks as high as the third worst ocean plastic polluter .
The study estimated that 560,000 to 1.6 million tons of U.S. plastic waste likely went into oceans .
“ We are facing a global crisis of far too much plastic waste , ” said study lead author Kara Lavender Law , an oceanography professor at the Sea Education Association in Cape Cod , Massachusetts .
The new research “ was motivated by the fact that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic than estimated , ” she said .
The study ’ s estimates range so widely , Law said , because so much of what the researchers explored were waste disposal activities that don ’ t get meticulously measured .
“ This more detailed estimate provides a more realistic view of our mismanaged waste and leakage , ” said University of Toronto ecology professor Chelsea Rochman , who wasn ’ t part of the study .
“ We consume a lot of plastic per capita which then becomes plastic waste .
We recycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large but hard to quantify part of the problem involves the 51 % of U.S. plastic waste shipped abroad for recycling to countries that routinely mismanage waste , Law said .
“ We ’ re putting this in the blue bin and then it ’ s getting trucked to Boston , ” Law said .
“ And then it ’ s getting put on a ship that ’ s sailing most of the way around the world for somebody to unpack it and pick through it and cut labels off it in hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be turned into ( plastic ) pellets and into a children ’ s toy or whatever.
” The situation has been changing , she said .
China and other countries have become more restrictive about taking U.S. trash imports , and more plastic is ending up in landfills here .
“ U.S .
exports of plastic waste have declined dramatically — nearly 70 % — since their peak in 2016 , ” Joshua Baca , vice president for plastics at the industry group American Chemistry Council , said in an email .
Beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t accept U.S. waste experts because of a new international agreement , he said .
Baca said the industry is spending billions of dollars trying to fix the problem , with modernized recycling technology and new business models to reduce waste while urging mandatory recycled content standards for new products and packaging .
• Trump officials end gray wolf protections across most of US • At least 2 dead as Typhoon Molave slams Vietnam • Killing feral pigs with bow and arrows ?
San Jose leaders nix the plan The EPA last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litter and next month will have a recycling summit , said agency spokesman James Hewitt .
“ The best thing you can do environmentally is to produce no waste at all , ” Jambeck said .

By Seth Borenstein | Associated Press
More than a million tons a year of America’s plastic trash isn’t ending up where it should. The equivalent of as many as 1,300 plastic grocery bags per person is landing in places such as oceans and roadways, according to a new study of U.S. plastic trash.
In 2016 — the last year enough data was available and before several countries cracked down on imports of American waste — the United States generated 46.3 million tons of plastic waste, by far the most in the world. Between 2.7% and 5.3% of that was mismanaged — not burned, placed in landfills or otherwise disposed of properly, according to a study in Friday’s journal Science Advances.
Between 1.2 million and 2.5 million tons of plastic generated in the U.S. were dropped on land, rivers, lakes and oceans as litter, were illegally dumped or shipped abroad then not properly disposed of, the study found.
If you took nearly 2.5 million tons of mismanaged plastic waste — bottles, wrappers, grocery bags and the like — and dumped it on the White House lawn, “it would pile as high as the Empire State Building,” said co-author Jenna Jambeck, an environmental engineering professor at the University of Georgia.
Previous studies hadn’t put the United States among the 10 worst offending nations for plastic waste in oceans. That’s because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only tracks what goes into official parts of the waste stream such as landfills and recycling centers, and its data doesn’t capture the dirtier aspects of plastic trash disposal, study authors said.
So some researchers from previous studies decided to look deeper into what happens to U.S. trash and found so much is improperly handled that America ranks as high as the third worst ocean plastic polluter. The study estimated that 560,000 to 1.6 million tons of U.S. plastic waste likely went into oceans.
“We are facing a global crisis of far too much plastic waste,” said study lead author Kara Lavender Law, an oceanography professor at the Sea Education Association in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The new research “was motivated by the fact that we know the United States was leaking more plastic than estimated,” she said.
The study’s estimates range so widely, Law said, because so much of what the researchers explored were waste disposal activities that don’t get meticulously measured.
“This more detailed estimate provides a more realistic view of our mismanaged waste and leakage,” said University of Toronto ecology professor Chelsea Rochman, who wasn’t part of the study. “We consume a lot of plastic per capita which then becomes plastic waste. We recycle very little of this material.”
A large but hard to quantify part of the problem involves the 51% of U.S. plastic waste shipped abroad for recycling to countries that routinely mismanage waste, Law said.
“We’re putting this in the blue bin and then it’s getting trucked to Boston,” Law said. “And then it’s getting put on a ship that’s sailing most of the way around the world for somebody to unpack it and pick through it and cut labels off it in hopes that some portion of that material will be turned into (plastic) pellets and into a children’s toy or whatever.”
The situation has been changing, she said. China and other countries have become more restrictive about taking U.S. trash imports, and more plastic is ending up in landfills here.
“U.S. exports of plastic waste have declined dramatically — nearly 70% — since their peak in 2016,” Joshua Baca, vice president for plastics at the industry group American Chemistry Council, said in an email. Beginning next year, many countries won’t accept U.S. waste experts because of a new international agreement, he said.
Baca said the industry is spending billions of dollars trying to fix the problem, with modernized recycling technology and new business models to reduce waste while urging mandatory recycled content standards for new products and packaging.
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“The best thing you can do environmentally is to produce no waste at all,” Jambeck said.


mercurynews--2020-10-30--SF de Young exhibit explores ‘Being Human in the Age of AI’

The de Young Museum cleared out its cavernous contemporary art galleries , painted many of the walls black , and set up a harrowing tour through the landscape of artificial intelligence in the exhibit “ Uncanny Valley.
” Subtitled “ Being Human in the Age of AI , ” it suggests we ’ re in a precarious balance with intelligent machines .
The term “ uncanny valley ” was introduced by a Japanese engineer to describe the uncertainty we may encounter with the arrival of human-like robots or thinking devices .
The engineer , Masahiro Mori , came up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 years ago .
This exhibit suggests the “ existential uncertainty ” has been festering ever since .
The exhibit ’ s spirit recalls the de Young ’ s boisterous tribute to the “ Summer of Love ” : It ’ s not just an art show , it ’ s an experience .
“ Uncanny Valley , ” which opened briefly last winter , has reopened after the museum ’ s pandemic shutdown , and will run into next spring .
The curator for the de Young ’ s ramped-up contemporary art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the first exhibit in the United States to view the human/AI relationship “ through an artistic lens.
” More than a dozen international artists and collectives are taking part , and the results include film , video , constructions and productions .
One new work joined the trove for the exhibit ’ s reopening — a sculpture incorporating a beehive , with live bees .
Oddly , only the Bay Area ’ s Zairja Collective and San Francisco artist Lynn Hershman Leeson bring local input to this just-north-of-Silicon-Valley exhibit .
Stephanie Dinkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( based on her interaction with humanoid robot ) is included in the exhibit , was an artist in residence at Stanford University .
Making artificial intelligence concepts visible and compelling through the galleries can be challenging , but the exhibit opens with a blast : It looks like it could be a high-style cannabis dispensary .
Bathed in green light , “ The Doors ” is an installation commissioned from Zach Blas , who is based in London .
It ’ s meant to highlight what Blas sees as tech culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neoliberal ideas .
The result ?
A gallery including Jim Morrison , light-show visuals and a display of pill containers with names like “ Neuro Peak ” and “ Orange Brainwash.
” The curator ’ s wall text for “ The Doors ” sets the tone for much of the exhibit : how promising start-ups “ have been transformed into capitalistic mega-corporations that use the psychedelic experience to optimize brains and bodies for labor.
” Berlin-based Trevor Paglen focuses farther back in time , displaying thousands of mugshots of crime suspects that seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More recently , images of people like these were used to test facial-recognition software “ without their consent.
” The exhibit title recalls vintage horror stories : “ They Took the Faces from the Accused and the Dead… .
” The London-based human rights research lab Forensic Architecture offers a somewhat hopeful exhibit , “ countering the abusive potential of machine learning , ” as the museum describes it .
The lab created an algorithm to search millions of images to detect the use of an American-made tear gas grenade named “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas grenades that look like they ’ ve been used and damaged , as well as a wall filled with hundreds of photos of others .
There ’ s a video , too , showing how Forensic Architecture tracked the grenade , which has been used against civilian protesters .
Several exhibits offer interactive features using visitors ’ own mobile devices .
At Lynn Hershman Leeson ’ s “ Shadow Stalker , ” visitors can enter their email address to trigger an internet search of their digital footprint .
At Los Angeles-based Martine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interact with “ Teeny , ” described as an “ anti-Siri.
” Simon Denny , based in Berlin , created a new device from a 2016 patent application by Amazon .
It was originally called a “ system and method for transporting personnel within an active workspace.
” It looks like a warehouse runabout for a single operator who would be protected within a steel cage .
Amazon never made the personnel carrier , but Denny did , and his cage-like “ transporter ” is one of the exhibit ’ s most intriguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protective vehicle on city streets and sidewalks ?
Not so fast .
The exhibit ’ s text declares that the cage , along with its patent application , “ aptly illustrate the dehumanizing effects of data capitalism.
” The exhibit ’ s new addition is actually outside the galleries : in a secluded corner of the sculpture garden , beyond the museum ’ s café and terrace .
Pierre Huyghe ’ s sculpture “ Exomind ( Deep Water ) ” is both charming and unnerving .
Nestled beyond the gingko trees and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure with a beehive for a head , with real bees swarming about .
It ’ s fascinating ( and safe , about 20 feet distant ) to watch the beehive “ action sculpture.
” The worker bees , we are informed “ scan the environment and mine it for nectar like a line of code harvest data.
” But a warning sign cuts through the AI verbiage : “ Please do not approach the hive .
Honeybees should not be disturbed or they may get cranky.
” ‘ UNCANNY VALLEY : BRING @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The de Young Museum cleared out its cavernous contemporary art galleries, painted many of the walls black, and set up a harrowing tour through the landscape of artificial intelligence in the exhibit “Uncanny Valley.”
Subtitled “Being Human in the Age of AI,” it suggests we’re in a precarious balance with intelligent machines. The term “uncanny valley” was introduced by a Japanese engineer to describe the uncertainty we may encounter with the arrival of human-like robots or thinking devices.
The engineer, Masahiro Mori, came up with that concept in a famous essay published 50 years ago. This exhibit suggests the “existential uncertainty” has been festering ever since.
The exhibit’s spirit recalls the de Young’s boisterous tribute to the “Summer of Love”: It’s not just an art show, it’s an experience. “Uncanny Valley,” which opened briefly last winter, has reopened after the museum’s pandemic shutdown, and will run into next spring.
The curator for the de Young’s ramped-up contemporary art programs, Claudia Schmuckli, says this is the first exhibit in the United States to view the human/AI relationship “through an artistic lens.”
More than a dozen international artists and collectives are taking part, and the results include film, video, constructions and productions. One new work joined the trove for the exhibit’s reopening — a sculpture incorporating a beehive, with live bees.
Oddly, only the Bay Area’s Zairja Collective and San Francisco artist Lynn Hershman Leeson bring local input to this just-north-of-Silicon-Valley exhibit. Stephanie Dinkins, whose groundbreaking “Conversations with Bina48” (based on her interaction with humanoid robot) is included in the exhibit, was an artist in residence at Stanford University.
Making artificial intelligence concepts visible and compelling through the galleries can be challenging, but the exhibit opens with a blast: It looks like it could be a high-style cannabis dispensary.
Bathed in green light, “The Doors” is an installation commissioned from Zach Blas, who is based in London. It’s meant to highlight what Blas sees as tech culture’s conflation of the 1960s with neoliberal ideas. The result? A gallery including Jim Morrison, light-show visuals and a display of pill containers with names like “Neuro Peak” and “Orange Brainwash.”
The curator’s wall text for “The Doors” sets the tone for much of the exhibit: how promising start-ups “have been transformed into capitalistic mega-corporations that use the psychedelic experience to optimize brains and bodies for labor.”
Berlin-based Trevor Paglen focuses farther back in time, displaying thousands of mugshots of crime suspects that seem to date from the early 20th century. More recently, images of people like these were used to test facial-recognition software “without their consent.” The exhibit title recalls vintage horror stories: “They Took the Faces from the Accused and the Dead… .”
The London-based human rights research lab Forensic Architecture offers a somewhat hopeful exhibit, “countering the abusive potential of machine learning,” as the museum describes it. The lab created an algorithm to search millions of images to detect the use of an American-made tear gas grenade named “Triple-Chaser.”
The display includes 15 tear gas grenades that look like they’ve been used and damaged, as well as a wall filled with hundreds of photos of others. There’s a video, too, showing how Forensic Architecture tracked the grenade, which has been used against civilian protesters.
Several exhibits offer interactive features using visitors’ own mobile devices. At Lynn Hershman Leeson’s “Shadow Stalker,” visitors can enter their email address to trigger an internet search of their digital footprint. At Los Angeles-based Martine Syms’ complex video, visitors can interact with “Teeny,” described as an “anti-Siri.”
Simon Denny, based in Berlin, created a new device from a 2016 patent application by Amazon. It was originally called a “system and method for transporting personnel within an active workspace.” It looks like a warehouse runabout for a single operator who would be protected within a steel cage.
Amazon never made the personnel carrier, but Denny did, and his cage-like “transporter” is one of the exhibit’s most intriguing three-dimensional works. Could it serve as a protective vehicle on city streets and sidewalks? Not so fast. The exhibit’s text declares that the cage, along with its patent application, “aptly illustrate the dehumanizing effects of data capitalism.”
The exhibit’s new addition is actually outside the galleries: in a secluded corner of the sculpture garden, beyond the museum’s café and terrace.
Pierre Huyghe’s sculpture “Exomind (Deep Water)” is both charming and unnerving. Nestled beyond the gingko trees and ferns, it’s a crouching figure with a beehive for a head, with real bees swarming about.
It’s fascinating (and safe, about 20 feet distant) to watch the beehive “action sculpture.” The worker bees, we are informed “scan the environment and mine it for nectar like a line of code harvest data.”
But a warning sign cuts through the AI verbiage: “Please do not approach the hive. Honeybees should not be disturbed or they may get cranky.”
‘UNCANNY VALLEY: BRING HUMAN IN THE AGE OF AI’
When: Through spring (closing date TBA), 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Where: de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Tickets: $6-$15; 415-750-3600, deyoung.famsf.org


mercurynews--2020-10-31--Editorial: Cities must level with voters and live within their means

The novel coronavirus not only exposed the nation ’ s and state ’ s lack of readiness for a pandemic , it also laid bare the failure of many local governments to financially prepare for emergencies .
As we interviewed candidates during this election , many wanted to expand one program or add another .
Indeed , some proposals are righteous and appropriate in these difficult times .
But , for all the campaign talk , governing at the local level should still include living within your means , paying down debts and , when times are good , setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What ’ s stunning , as we learned reviewing the fiscal health of cities this election season , is how many local leaders fail to govern by those basic principles .
How many didn ’ t learn the lessons of the Great Recession .
How many seem unconcerned about mounting debts — especially for public employee pensions — and don ’ t see the connection to the costly interest payments undermining city budgets today .
And how many are willing to try to cover their tracks by asking voters to approve more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so — without considering and communicating the costs , the terms of ballot measures or the other levies residents already pay .
In this left-leaning region of the nation , it ’ s a shame that so few recognize that progressive programs are not attainable without funding .
Households can ’ t give money to charity if they can ’ t first pay their bills .
The same fiscal fundamentals apply to municipalities .
We ’ ve listened to many candidates promise that they don ’ t need to cut spending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If only it were that simple .
Few seem to recognize how difficult that is , especially during a soft economy .
There ’ s a growing contingent that ’ s convinced large sums of money can be saved by trimming police budgets .
Often those cut-the-cops crusaders come from the cities with the largest problems of crime and gun violence .
Yes , the time has come to provide more oversight of police and demand more transparency .
We ’ ve been a leader in that cause .
And , yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way law enforcement responds to mental health calls and the homeless community .
As we strive to reduce needless police shootings , there ’ s clearly an important role for social workers and mental health professionals .
But it ’ s naive to think that they will venture out on their own into sometimes-dangerous situations without police support .
And it ’ s not realistic to think that this new approach is going to come with cost savings that will enable struggling cities to balance their budgets .
The reality is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reallocation of dollars , a financial break-even at best .
Expecting bailouts from understaffed county mental-health departments is unrealistic .
As we reviewed candidates for city councils and tax measures on the ballot in the East Bay , we sought to distinguish between those cities that are well run and those that are struggling — and between those that are transparent with voters and those hiding the big picture .
Whether you have already voted or not , we hope you have time to read our endorsements .
( We apologize that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all the races and measures . )
Go to www.eastbaytimes.com/endorsements .
In those recommendations , we tried to provide fiscal context .
We found that too many city leaders still need to trim back annual spending so that they have funds to pay down debts and weather this economic downturn that could last for years .
That means living within their means , not expecting residents , many of whom are themselves struggling through the pandemic , to be the financial saviors .

The novel coronavirus not only exposed the nation’s and state’s lack of readiness for a pandemic, it also laid bare the failure of many local governments to financially prepare for emergencies.
As we interviewed candidates during this election, many wanted to expand one program or add another. Indeed, some proposals are righteous and appropriate in these difficult times. But, for all the campaign talk, governing at the local level should still include living within your means, paying down debts and, when times are good, setting aside savings for when things get tough.
What’s stunning, as we learned reviewing the fiscal health of cities this election season, is how many local leaders fail to govern by those basic principles. How many didn’t learn the lessons of the Great Recession. How many seem unconcerned about mounting debts — especially for public employee pensions — and don’t see the connection to the costly interest payments undermining city budgets today.
And how many are willing to try to cover their tracks by asking voters to approve more taxes — often spending public money to do so — without considering and communicating the costs, the terms of ballot measures or the other levies residents already pay.
In this left-leaning region of the nation, it’s a shame that so few recognize that progressive programs are not attainable without funding. Households can’t give money to charity if they can’t first pay their bills. The same fiscal fundamentals apply to municipalities.
We’ve listened to many candidates promise that they don’t need to cut spending, they just need to find new revenues. If only it were that simple. Few seem to recognize how difficult that is, especially during a soft economy.
There’s a growing contingent that’s convinced large sums of money can be saved by trimming police budgets. Often those cut-the-cops crusaders come from the cities with the largest problems of crime and gun violence.
Yes, the time has come to provide more oversight of police and demand more transparency. We’ve been a leader in that cause. And, yes, the time has come to change the way law enforcement responds to mental health calls and the homeless community. As we strive to reduce needless police shootings, there’s clearly an important role for social workers and mental health professionals.
But it’s naive to think that they will venture out on their own into sometimes-dangerous situations without police support. And it’s not realistic to think that this new approach is going to come with cost savings that will enable struggling cities to balance their budgets. The reality is that it will probably just be a city reallocation of dollars, a financial break-even at best. Expecting bailouts from understaffed county mental-health departments is unrealistic.
As we reviewed candidates for city councils and tax measures on the ballot in the East Bay, we sought to distinguish between those cities that are well run and those that are struggling — and between those that are transparent with voters and those hiding the big picture.
Whether you have already voted or not, we hope you have time to read our endorsements. (We apologize that time didn’t permit us to get to all the races and measures.) Go to www.eastbaytimes.com/endorsements. In those recommendations, we tried to provide fiscal context.
We found that too many city leaders still need to trim back annual spending so that they have funds to pay down debts and weather this economic downturn that could last for years. That means living within their means, not expecting residents, many of whom are themselves struggling through the pandemic, to be the financial saviors.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--Five ways Raiders can beat the resurgent Browns on the road

We ’ ll have a better idea Sunday if the Raiders ’ hopes of being on the playoff fringe are legitimate or just another cruel joke played upon a tortured but loyal fan base .
Same goes for the host Cleveland Browns .
The Browns have had 12 consecutive losing seasons , and last made the playoffs in 2002 — the same year the Raiders won the AFC championship — losing their wild card game after going 9-7 .
Cleveland went 10-6 in 2007 and still didn ’ t make the playoffs .
So here sit the Browns at 5-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just three years removed from the 0-16 Hue Jackson and having fired last year ’ s coach Freddie Kitchens after one 6-10 season.. Is it real or a mirage ?
Upon closer inspection , Cleveland has beaten just one team with a winning record , defeating Indianapolis ( currently 4-2 ) .
When Cleveland played the top two teams in the AFC North , Baltimore ( 5-1 ) and Pittsburgh ( 6-0 ) , they lost by a combined score of 76-13 .
The Browns own a pair of wins over Cincinnati ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East teams Washington and Dallas , both 2-5 .
The Raiders , 3-3 , own wins over New Orleans and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City and have were competitive into the fourth quarter against division leaders Buffalo ( 5-2 ) and Tampa Bay ( 5-2 ) .
Their worst loss , in retrospect , was getting run over by a New England team currently looking lost at 2-4 .
Like the Raiders , who are giving up 32.8 points per game , Cleveland gives up points in bunches , surrendering 31.6 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaging 28.6 points per game and the Raiders 28.5 .
So don ’ t rule out something similar to their last meeting in 2018 , when the Raiders won 45-42 in Oakland in overtime and the teams combined for 1,052 yards of total offense in Jon Gruden ’ s first win in his second tenure as head coach .
“ It ’ s still wide open , ” Gruden said of the 2020 season .
“ I do think there are a lot of teams in the hunt and I think the cream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see that happen here in the next seven or eight weeks.
” Five ways the Raiders can win Sunday and become one of those teams : 1 .
Take care of the ball The Browns probably resemble the 2016 Raiders more than the 2020 Raiders Jack Del Rio ’ s team could score points and had a subpar defense but did take the ball away and ended up tied for the NFL lead with a plus-16 turnover margin .
For all the points the Browns are giving up , they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven fumble recoveries — which leads the NFL .
They ’ ve also turned it over nine times for a plus-5 margin .
The Raiders have only three takeaways with three interceptions and no fumble recoveries and eight giveaways ( two interceptions , six lost fumbles ) for a minus-5 .
“ They have 14 takeaways , we have three , and that ’ s a big reason why they ’ re 5-2 and we ’ re 3-3 , ” Gruden said .
Keeping Myles Garrett from wrecking the game with sack-fumbles is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest weakness at this point is a propensity to fumble when hit on the pocket .
Carr has already stared down Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes and come up short against Tom Brady in a week where his offensive line didn ’ t practice after Monday .
Carr is having his best season , mixing in deep throws now and then , even using his legs on occasion to escape trouble , find secondary receivers and even scramble for the occasional first down .
The Browns ’ Baker Mayfield is similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a portion of the fan base that remains skeptical if he ’ s the longterm answer in his third year after being the No .
1 overall pick in the draft .
Being quarterback of either the Browns or Raiders is an invitation to scepticism .
Mayfield is down two key weapons , with running back Nick Chubb out indefinitely with an MCL strain and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season with a torn ACL .
But Mayfield is an excepetional anticipatory thrower when given time , and like Carr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when paired with a strong running game .
Unlike Carr , Mayfield is in his first year in Stefanski ’ s system as opposed to Year 3 for Carr under Gruden .
“ That ’ s a huge deal for Derek .
There ’ s a saying , he knows where all the bones are buried on those plays , ” Stefanski said in a video conference .
“ He ’ s been though ’ em , he ’ s got a thousand reps on him now .
I think that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast and playing free.
” The old saying is “ throw to score , run to win.
” That should be the case when two very good offensive lines look to control suspect defenses .
The Browns are ranked third in the NFL in rushing at 157.0 yards per game , but in the last three games without Chubb have averaged 93.7 .
Kareem Hunt , with 463 yards , is the feature back .
Defensively , the Raiders defensively have been good against the run since a 250-yard orgy of missed tackles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving up just 3.3 yards per carry ( 228 yards on 69 attempts ) against Buffalo , Kansas City and Tampa Bay .
The Raiders will look to increase Josh Jacobs ’ average of 3.4 yards per attempt against a Browns defense giving up 92.1 yards per game , a dramatic improvement from last season ’ s sieve-like 144.7 figure .
The more the Raiders can run , the more it slows the charge of Garrett , who can rush the passer from either side and can have a Khalil Mack-like presence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected .
Carr has struggled in the cold and the temperature could be in the 40s .
He has had some good games in Oakland in the rain .
It could be a tight end kind of day , with Carr looking to Darren Waller for short gains with a few run-after-catch opportunities that could push his average beyond its current meager 8.6 yards per catch .
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How about Paul Guenther ?
Defensively , if the Raiders can keep up their decent work against the run , it will be incumbent on defensive backs to keep Mayfield from connecting on medium-depth throws against a receiving unit shorn of Beckham , Cleveland ’ s most explosive wide out .
The way the Raiders are constructed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few frills , they should be good in the rain and weather shouldn ’ t be a problem .
It sounded Monday like Gruden was challenging rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III .
He said Tampa Bay covered him — blanketed was the term — and reminded everyone Ruggs is still a rookie .
“ He ’ s developing every week , ” echoed offensive coordinator Greg Olson .
“ He ran into some good defensive backs last week , but he ’ ll continue to get better.
” If Ruggs reacts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get loose a time or two against Cleveland provided the field is in good condition .
Fast receivers can have the advantage in the rain because they know where they ’ re going .
A long touchdown could make a big difference , and it doesn ’ t have to come on a rainbow pass .
Ruggs is equally capable taking a bubble screen , jet sweep or reverse to the house .
If game circumstnaces permit , Gruden should have each of those plays in the game plan .

We’ll have a better idea Sunday if the Raiders’ hopes of being on the playoff fringe are legitimate or just another cruel joke played upon a tortured but loyal fan base.
Same goes for the host Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have had 12 consecutive losing seasons, and last made the playoffs in 2002 — the same year the Raiders won the AFC championship — losing their wild-card game after going 9-7. Cleveland went 10-6 in 2007 and still didn’t make the playoffs.
So here sit the Browns at 5-2 under rookie coach Kevin Stefanski, just three years removed from going 0-16 under Hue Jackson and having fired last year’s coach Freddie Kitchens after one 6-10 season.
Is it real or a mirage?
Upon closer inspection, Cleveland has beaten just one team with a winning record, defeating Indianapolis (currently 4-2). When Cleveland played the top two teams in the AFC North, Baltimore (5-1) and Pittsburgh (6-0), they lost by a combined score of 76-13. The Browns own a pair of wins over Cincinnati (1-5-1) as well as struggling NFC East teams Washington and Dallas, both 2-5.
The Raiders, 3-3, own wins over New Orleans and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City and were competitive into the fourth quarter against division leaders Buffalo (5-2) and Tampa Bay (5-2). Their worst loss, in retrospect, was getting run over by a New England team currently looking lost at 2-4.
Like the Raiders, who are giving up 32.8 points per game, Cleveland allows points in bunches, surrendering 31.6. Both teams can score, with Cleveland averaging 28.6 points per game and the Raiders 28.5.
So don’t rule out something similar to their last meeting in 2018, when the Raiders won 45-42 in Oakland in overtime and the teams combined for 1,052 yards of total offense in Jon Gruden’s first win in his second tenure as coach.
“It’s still wide open,” Gruden said of the 2020 season. “I do think there are a lot of teams in the hunt and I think the cream always rises. You’re going to see that happen here in the next seven or eight weeks.”
Five ways the Raiders can win Sunday and become one of those teams:
1. Take care of the ball
The Browns probably resemble the 2016 Raiders more than the 2020 Raiders Jack Del Rio’s team could score points and had a subpar defense but did take the ball away and ended up tied for the NFL lead with a plus-16 turnover margin.
For all the points the Browns are giving up, they’ve got 14 takeaways — seven interceptions and seven fumble recoveries — which leads the NFL. They’ve also turned it over nine times for a plus-5 margin.
The Raiders have only three takeaways with three interceptions and no fumble recoveries and eight giveaways (two interceptions, six lost fumbles) for a minus-5.
“They have 14 takeaways, we have three, and that’s a big reason why they’re 5-2 and we’re 3-3,” Gruden said.
Keeping Myles Garrett from wrecking the game with sack-fumbles is a must because quarterback Derek Carr’s biggest weakness at this point is a propensity to fumble when hit in the pocket.
2. Carr outplays Baker Mayfield
Carr has already stared down Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes and come up short against Tom Brady in a week where his offensive line didn’t practice after Monday. Carr is having his best season, mixing in deep throws now and then, even using his legs on occasion to escape trouble, find secondary receivers and even scramble for the occasional first down.
The Browns’ Baker Mayfield is similar to Carr in that there’s a portion of the fan base that remains skeptical if he’s the long-term answer in his third year after being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Being quarterback of either the Browns or Raiders is an invitation to skepticism.
Mayfield is down two key weapons, with running back Nick Chubb out indefinitely with an MCL strain and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season with a torn ACL. But Mayfield is an exceptional anticipatory thrower when given time, and like Carr, he’s at his best when paired with a strong running game.
Unlike Carr, Mayfield is in his first year in Stefanski’s system as opposed to Year 3 for Carr under Gruden.
“That’s a huge deal for Derek. There’s a saying, he knows where all the bones are buried on those plays,” Stefanski said in a video conference. “He’s been through ’em, he’s got a thousand reps on him now. I think that’s a big deal in a quarterback playing fast and playing free.”
3. Run to win
The old saying is “throw to score, run to win.” That should be the case when two very good offensive lines look to control suspect defenses. The Browns are ranked third in the NFL in rushing at 157.0 yards per game, but in the last three games without Chubb have averaged 93.7. Kareem Hunt, with 463 yards, is the feature back.
Defensively, the Raiders have been good against the run since a 250-yard orgy of missed tackles against New England in Week 3, giving up just 3.3 yards per carry (228 yards on 69 attempts) against Buffalo, Kansas City and Tampa Bay.
The Raiders will look to increase Josh Jacobs’ average of 3.4 yards per attempt against a Browns defense giving up 92.1 yards per game, a dramatic improvement from last season’s sieve-like 144.7 figure.
The more the Raiders can run, the more it slows the charge of Garrett, who can rush the passer from either side and can have a Khalil Mack-like presence on any game.
4. Manage the elements
Wind and rain are expected. Carr has struggled in the cold and the temperature could be in the 40s. He has had some good games in Oakland in the rain. It could be a tight end kind of day, with Carr looking to Darren Waller for short gains with a few run-after-catch opportunities that could push his average beyond its current meager 8.6 yards per catch.
Defensively, if the Raiders can keep up their decent work against the run, it will be incumbent on defensive backs to keep Mayfield from connecting on medium-depth throws against a receiving unit shorn of Beckham, Cleveland’s most explosive wideout.
The way the Raiders are constructed under Gruden, with a balance-oriented attack with few frills, they should be good in the rain and weather shouldn’t be a problem.
5. Regarding Henry
It sounded Monday as if Gruden was challenging rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. He said Tampa Bay covered him — blanketed was the term — and reminded everyone Ruggs is still a rookie.
“He’s developing every week,” echoed offensive coordinator Greg Olson. “He ran into some good defensive backs last week, but he’ll continue to get better.”
If Ruggs reacts the way Gruden hopes, he’ll get loose a time or two against Cleveland provided the field is in good condition. Fast receivers can have an advantage in the rain because they know where they’re going.
A long touchdown could make a big difference, and it doesn’t have to come on a rainbow pass. Ruggs is equally capable of taking a bubble screen, jet sweep or reverse to the house. If game circumstances permit, Gruden should have each of those plays in the game plan.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--NFL fantasy football: How 49ers project for Sunday’s visit to Seahawks

SANTA CLARA – Here are fantasy-football projections for the 49ers ( 4-3 ) heading into Sunday ’ s game at the Seattle Seahawks ( 5-1 ) : Garoppolo passed for more than 260 yards in each of the past two wins , benefiting from a short-passing game that not only preyed on defenses but protected his iffy ankle .
Because the Seahawks offense is red hot , Garoppolo could be pressed into an aerial war rivaling last December ’ s win at New Orleans .
Projected stats : TBD ( check back Saturday if off IR , and Sunday if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a five-game hiatus ( knee sprain ) and catch a rhythm that depends a large workload like Jeff Wilson did last week .
That is asking a lot , however , for a running back who ’ s had only one game with 20 carries and one with 100 yards since last season .
With just 10 carries for 17 yards the past three games , McKinnon is either well rested or simply passed up in the depth chart , or both .
Is Kyle Shanahan merely waiting to spring him on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out with a high-ankle sprain and expected to land on injured reserve Saturday .
He ran for 37 yards and then 57 yards on nine carries in each of the past two games , so obviously he is showing encouraging results that might warrant a bigger role .
Might .
Take your chances if you need a him , but more likely at the RB3 level .
If Coleman remains out , then definitely start Hasty .
He ripped NFC West rival Los Angeles for a 109-yard , one-touchdown game , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the division leader this Sunday .
He also will need to take up the slack of Deebo Samuel ’ s absence .
He is out with a hamstring strain that kept him from practicing .
There is hope he might play Thursday night against Green Bay , but the more likely bet is Nov. 15 at New Orleans if he responds well in upcoming practices .
This rookie is living up to his billing and is coming off his first 100-yard game , with six catches on seven targets to further earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him to replace Samuel on those backfield jet sweeps and tosses .
Gould ranks middle of the pack in terms of kicker scoring , but this game could be a shootout , and ideal conditions should cater to a busy day .
Holding a terrible Patriots offense to six points last week should put the 49ers defense on your fantasy radar .
But not this week , not against the No .
1-ranked offense .

SANTA CLARA – Here are fantasy-football projections for the 49ers (4-3) heading into Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks (5-1):
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo: Start him
Projected stats: 250 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Garoppolo passed for more than 260 yards in each of the past two wins, benefiting from a short-passing game that not only preyed on defenses but protected his iffy ankle. Because the Seahawks offense is red hot, Garoppolo could be pressed into an aerial war rivaling last December’s win at New Orleans.
Running back Tevin Coleman: Sit him
Projected stats: TBD (check back Saturday if off IR, and Sunday if active)
He very well might come off a five-game hiatus (knee sprain) and catch a rhythm that depends a large workload like Jeff Wilson did last week. That is asking a lot, however, for a running back who’s had only one game with 20 carries and one with 100 yards since last season.
Running back Jerick McKinnon: Sit him
Projected stats: 60 all-purpose yards, 1 TD
With just 10 carries for 17 yards the past three games, McKinnon is either well rested or simply passed up in the depth chart, or both. Is Kyle Shanahan merely waiting to spring him on the Seahawks? Possibly.
Running back Jeff Wilson: Sit him
Projected stats: 0 yards
He is out with a high-ankle sprain and expected to land on injured reserve Saturday.
Running back JaMycal Hasty: Start him, maybe
Projected stats: 70 yards
He ran for 37 yards and then 57 yards on nine carries in each of the past two games, so obviously he is showing encouraging results that might warrant a bigger role. Might. Take your chances if you need a him, but more likely at the RB3 level. If Coleman remains out, then definitely start Hasty.
Tight end George Kittle: Start him
Projected stats: 10 catches, 120 yards, 2 TD
He ripped NFC West rival Los Angeles for a 109-yard, one-touchdown game, and he will be pumped to key an upset over the division leader this Sunday. He also will need to take up the slack of Deebo Samuel’s absence.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel: Sit him
Projected stats: 0
He is out with a hamstring strain that kept him from practicing. There is hope he might play Thursday night against Green Bay, but the more likely bet is Nov. 15 at New Orleans if he responds well in upcoming practices.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk: Start him
Projected stats: 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
This rookie is living up to his billing and is coming off his first 100-yard game, with six catches on seven targets to further earn Garoppolo’s trust. Also look for him to replace Samuel on those backfield jet sweeps and tosses.
Kicker Robbie Gould: Start him
Projected stats: 3 PATs, 3 FGs
Gould ranks middle of the pack in terms of kicker scoring, but this game could be a shootout, and ideal conditions should cater to a busy day.
Defense: Sit it
Projected stats: Over 400 yards, over 25 points
Holding a terrible Patriots offense to six points last week should put the 49ers defense on your fantasy radar. But not this week, not against the No. 1-ranked offense.


Word Game: Oct. 31, 2020

Can you find 46 or more words in LIVERIED ?
The list will be published Monday .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — LIVERIED (LIVERIED: LIV-er-eed: Wearing the uniform of a male household servant.)
Average mark 31 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 46 or more words in LIVERIED? The list will be published Monday.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — INDEMNITY indent indite intend item nimiety nine ninety
deity demit demy denim dent dentin deny diet dime dimity dine dint edit emit enmity
mend midi mien mind mine mini mint minty mite tend tide tidy tied time timid tine tinned
tinny tiny yeti
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-10-31--Horoscopes Oct. 31, 2020: Sydney Park, let go of the past

Happy Birthday : No more procrastinating ; it ’ s time to set the record straight , take care of unfinished business and pay attention to meaningful relationships .
Clear space ; clutter will set you back and bring you down .
Let go of the past , and choose the path that will bring you satisfaction , happiness and peace of mind .
Good fortune depends on your performance .
Your numbers are 4 , 11 , 18 , 26 , 32 , 37 , 41 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Pick up the pace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leave nothing to chance .
Don ’ t leave yourself open for criticism or complaints .
Keep your life and actions simple , moderate and within your budget .
Take charge and focus on completion .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : A change of plans will turn in your favor .
Be quick to act on an opportunity that will entitle you to inside information or a competitive edge .
Stay on track , and stick to a doable plan .
Follow your intuition .
3 stars GEMINI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t waste time .
Channel your energy into something that matters to you .
You can make a difference if you set your sights on what you want to accomplish .
Helping others will be rewarding and lead to an exciting encounter with someone special .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Take charge and get things done your way .
Offer ideas , and be willing to do the work to ensure things get done right .
Listen to someone you love , and make adjustments to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
4 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Do what you do best .
Refuse to get involved in something that you don ’ t agree with or have any interest in doing .
Concentrate on personal improvements and fitness .
Expand your interests , skills and knowledge , and strive to reach personal goals .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : It ’ s up to you to bring about change .
Consider the best route to take , and summon support from the people you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Talks will lead to positive change , better relationships and a better future .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Don ’ t give in to someone trying to dictate what you can do .
Make it clear how you feel and what you intend to do .
Keeping the peace and giving in all the time are admirable , but there should be a healthy limit .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Call on experience to help you bring about positive change .
Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste time on payback .
The sweetest revenge is success and happiness .
Move forward with appreciation , gratitude and the desire to make your life better .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : An open discussion will lead to exciting plans .
The changes you make at home or to the way you live will dictate what you do next personally and professionally .
Someone close to you will offer insight that will lead to good fortune .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : The possibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on too much or overdo it , you ’ ll have regrets .
Be specific , stick to your plans and say “ no ” to anyone enticing you with unhealthy choices .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Keep your life simple .
Don ’ t feel compelled to make a move because someone else does .
Focus on your health , well-being , finances and shared expenses .
Tally up what everyone in your life is contributing , and make adjustments to ensure equality .
2 stars PISCES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are overdue for a change .
Consider who is most compatible to work alongside , and make suggestions that will be impossible to turn down .
What you accomplish will be acknowledged and position you for new and exciting opportunities .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are opportunistic , sensitive and unpredictable .
You are persistent and perceptive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sydney Park, 23; Justin Chatwin, 38; Mike O’Malley, 54; Brian Doyle-Murray, 75.
Happy Birthday: No more procrastinating; it’s time to set the record straight, take care of unfinished business and pay attention to meaningful relationships. Clear space; clutter will set you back and bring you down. Let go of the past, and choose the path that will bring you satisfaction, happiness and peace of mind. Good fortune depends on your performance. Your numbers are 4, 11, 18, 26, 32, 37, 41.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pick up the pace. Take care of details, be articulate and leave nothing to chance. Don’t leave yourself open for criticism or complaints. Keep your life and actions simple, moderate and within your budget. Take charge and focus on completion. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of plans will turn in your favor. Be quick to act on an opportunity that will entitle you to inside information or a competitive edge. Stay on track, and stick to a doable plan. Follow your intuition. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t waste time. Channel your energy into something that matters to you. You can make a difference if you set your sights on what you want to accomplish. Helping others will be rewarding and lead to an exciting encounter with someone special. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take charge and get things done your way. Offer ideas, and be willing to do the work to ensure things get done right. Listen to someone you love, and make adjustments to avoid getting into a spat over something inconsequential. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do what you do best. Refuse to get involved in something that you don’t agree with or have any interest in doing. Concentrate on personal improvements and fitness. Expand your interests, skills and knowledge, and strive to reach personal goals. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It’s up to you to bring about change. Consider the best route to take, and summon support from the people you know can offer you the most efficient help. Talks will lead to positive change, better relationships and a better future. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t give in to someone trying to dictate what you can do. Make it clear how you feel and what you intend to do. Keeping the peace and giving in all the time are admirable, but there should be a healthy limit. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Call on experience to help you bring about positive change. Don’t hold on to negativity or waste time on payback. The sweetest revenge is success and happiness. Move forward with appreciation, gratitude and the desire to make your life better. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An open discussion will lead to exciting plans. The changes you make at home or to the way you live will dictate what you do next personally and professionally. Someone close to you will offer insight that will lead to good fortune. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The possibilities are endless, but if you take on too much or overdo it, you’ll have regrets. Be specific, stick to your plans and say “no” to anyone enticing you with unhealthy choices. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your life simple. Don’t feel compelled to make a move because someone else does. Focus on your health, well-being, finances and shared expenses. Tally up what everyone in your life is contributing, and make adjustments to ensure equality. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are overdue for a change. Consider who is most compatible to work alongside, and make suggestions that will be impossible to turn down. What you accomplish will be acknowledged and position you for new and exciting opportunities. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are opportunistic, sensitive and unpredictable. You are persistent and perceptive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Oct. 31, 2020

The trump suit is supposed to be declarer ’ s inviolable domain , but defenders can often manufacture surprise trump tricks .
In an “ uppercut , ” a defender ruffs with a trump intermediate , forcing declarer to overruff to his cost .
In a “ trump promotion , ” declarer must either ruff a defender ’ s lead low and suffer an overruff or ruff high and strengthen a defender ’ s trump holding .
Some uppercuts are not too obvious .
In today ’ s deal , West leads the K-A of spades against four hearts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ace of clubs for his opening bid , West gives up on taking any more side-suit tricks .
The defenders ’ only chance lies with the trump suit .
At Trick Three , West leads the queen of spades .
East can see that the defenders ’ only remaining tricks will come in trumps , so he ruffs his partner ’ s high spade with the ace of trumps .
Then South loses a trump to West ’ s jack and goes down .
You hold : S J 10 8 6 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C K Q 6 .
Your partner opens one club , you bid one spade and he raises to three spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Your partner has a hand worth about 17 points with four-card spade support .
Your hand is potent : You have a sixth spade , fitting club honors and first-round diamond control .
Bid four diamonds , an ace-showing cue bid to show slam interest .
A minimum hand for partner such as A K 9 2 , 4 , K 6 5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six spades .

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and encourage logical thinking.
The trump suit is supposed to be declarer’s inviolable domain, but defenders can often manufacture surprise trump tricks. In an “uppercut,” a defender ruffs with a trump intermediate, forcing declarer to overruff to his cost. In a “trump promotion,” declarer must either ruff a defender’s lead low and suffer an overruff or ruff high and strengthen a defender’s trump holding.
ONLY CHANCE
Some uppercuts are not too obvious. In today’s deal, West leads the K-A of spades against four hearts. Since South is sure to have the ace of clubs for his opening bid, West gives up on taking any more side-suit tricks. The defenders’ only chance lies with the trump suit.
At Trick Three, West leads the queen of spades. East can see that the defenders’ only remaining tricks will come in trumps, so he ruffs his partner’s high spade with the ace of trumps. Then South loses a trump to West’s jack and goes down.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 10 8 6 5 4 H 8 7 3 D A C K Q 6. Your partner opens one club, you bid one spade and he raises to three spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has a hand worth about 17 points with four-card spade support. Your hand is potent: You have a sixth spade, fitting club honors and first-round diamond control. Bid four diamonds, an ace-showing cue bid to show slam interest. A minimum hand for partner such as A K 9 2, 4, K 6 5, A 10 8 5 2 will make six spades.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S J 10 8 6 5 4
H 8 7 3
D A
C K Q 6
WEST
S A K Q
H J 5 2
D Q 8 4 2
C 10 8 3
EAST
S 7 2
H A
D J 10 7 5 3
C J 9 7 4 2
SOUTH
S 9 3
H K Q 10 9 6 4
D K 9 6
C A 5
South West North East
1 H Pass 1 S Pass
2 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S K
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