mercurynews--2020-08-21--NBA draft lottery: Warriors get No. 2 pick

The Warriors will have the No .
2 pick in Oct. 16 ’ s NBA draft , providing them with their highest draft pick since 1995 and the means to add an exciting player with the talent to blossom into the team ’ s next star .
After a season derailed by injuries , the Warriors aim to return to the playoffs next season after posting a league-worst 15-50 record last season .
Drafting a player who can contribute immediately , but who still has the upside to develop into a future All-Star , is a priority .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in the draft in the 22 times they ’ ve been involved in the lottery since its inception in 1985 .
Previously , the Warriors had moved up in the draft three times , dropped down eight times and stayed the same 10 times .
Entering Thursday night ’ s lottery , the Warriors had a 14 % chance at the No .
1 pick , a 13.4 % chance at the No .
2 pick , a 12.7 % chance at the No .
3 pick , a 12 % chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 47.9 % chance at the No .
5 pick .
Golden State is behind Minnesota at No .
1 , followed by Charlotte at No .
3 , Chicago at No .
4 , Cleveland at No .
5 , Atlanta at No .
6 , Detroit at No .
7 , New York at No .
8 , Washington at No .
9 , Phoenix at No .
10 , San Antonio at No .
11 , Sacramento at No .
12 , New Orleans at No .
13 and Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 .
Unlike the other teams at the top of the draft , Golden State has a playoff-caliber roster with Klay Thompson ( ACL surgery ) , Stephen Curry ( broken hand ) and Kevon Looney ( neuropathy , abdominal strain ) all set to return from injuries that sidelined them for all or most of last season .
Golden State has spent the months since the NBA season was postponed in mid-March scouting this draft ’ s top prospects , which include Georgia ’ s Anthony Edwards , former Memphis center James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League .
Because of the cancellation of May ’ s draft combine in Chicago , the Warriors and other teams have yet to gather key information such as health records or thoroughly evaluate prospects beyond game film .
But sources told ESPN that the NBA is developing plans for a virtual draft combine to be held at regional sites throughout September that would include team doctors administering physicals , the recording of body measurements and putting players through physical testing at team facilities .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Secaucus , New Jersey , due to the coronavirus pandemic , the NBA has yet to announce the location or format for the draft event .

The Warriors will have the No. 2 pick in the Oct. 16 NBA draft, providing them with their highest draft pick since 1995 and the means to add an exciting player with the talent to blossom into the team’s next star.
After a season derailed by injuries, the Warriors aim to return to the playoffs next season after posting a league-worst 15-50 record last season. Drafting a player who can contribute immediately, but who still has the upside to develop into a future All-Star, is a priority.
Despite having the league’s worst record, the Warriors actually had a better chance entering Thursday’s lottery to land the No. 5 pick (47.9% chance) than they did the No. 1 (14%) or No. 2 pick (12.7%).
“Steph Curry delivered as usual,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said, crediting Curry as the team’s representative for the lottery telecast. “It was about as good as you can get.”
Golden State will draft after Minnesota at No. 1, followed by Charlotte at No. 3, Chicago at No. 4, Cleveland at No. 5, Atlanta at No. 6, Detroit at No. 7, New York at No. 8, Washington at No. 9, Phoenix at No. 10, San Antonio at No. 11, Sacramento at No. 12, New Orleans at No. 13 and Boston (via Memphis) at No. 14.
Unlike the other teams at the top of the draft, Golden State has a playoff-caliber roster with Klay Thompson (ACL surgery), Curry (broken hand) and Kevon Looney (neuropathy, abdominal strain) all set to return from injuries that sidelined them for all or most of last season.
Steph tells @Rachel__Nichols about the good luck charm the Warriors have for the #NBADraftLottery 🐶 pic.twitter.com/xDnVzejRRA — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 21, 2020
The Warriors need to draft a young player who can fit alongside their core trio of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green, but league sources say the top priority is drafting the best player available, regardless of position, who can develop into the next face of the franchise.
Myers said Thursday that Curry, Thompson and Green will have a say in the pick.
“When guys win three championships for you, they deserve that,” he said.
Golden State has spent the months since the NBA season was postponed in mid-March scouting this draft’s top prospects, which include Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, former Memphis center James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball, who played for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League.
Analysts largely consider this a weak draft class but, according to a league source, the Warriors view it as “good” but not “great” because there is no sure-thing like Zion Williamson, the Pelicans star selected No. 1 last year.
According to a league source, the Warriors have narrowed their draft board to roughly 10 prospects, some of whom they believe are capable of making multiple All-Star games.
Meanwhile, some have speculated that they could trade the pick for an immediate contributor.
“A lot of people are talking about trades,” Myers said. “The first thing we have to do is rank our board.”
Because of the cancellation of May’s draft combine in Chicago, the Warriors and other teams have yet to gather key information such as health records or thoroughly evaluate prospects beyond game film.
But sources told ESPN that the NBA is developing plans for a virtual draft combine to be held at regional sites throughout September that would include team doctors administering physicals, the recording of body measurements and putting players through physical testing at team facilities.
While the virtual combine may not necessarily include the draft’s top prospects, it does provide vital information for teams making important draft decisions.
“You don’t hire someone over a Zoom interview and pay them $30-$40 million,” Myers said. “Ideally, you don’t do that.”
The Warriors have seen most of the top prospects play in person, but have been limited to interviewing them on video calls since the college basketball season was canceled in March. According to a league source, they have already interviewed several of those prospects, and expect to complete interviews in the coming weeks now that the draft order is set.
In a few weeks the Warriors will begin voluntary workouts at Chase Center. With the NBA allowing teams not invited to the season restart in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to hold voluntary workouts from Sept. 14 through Oct. 6, the Warriors could have a chance to evaluate the on-court fit between Curry, Thompson, Green and Andrew Wiggins, who was acquired from Minnesota before February’s deadline but has yet to play alongside those three.
That — plus an evaluation of Looney’s health and the development of incumbent youngsters like Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole and Marquese Chriss — will help determine the direction the Warriors take the rest of the offseason.
Though Thursday’s lottery was held virtually from Secaucus, New Jersey, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA has yet to announce the location or format for the draft event.


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Single-family housing in the Bay Area linked to more racially segregated cities: report

With California cities under mounting pressure to boost housing density , a new report suggests that coveted single-family neighborhoods may be a key driver of racial segregation in the Bay Area .
The University of California , Berkeley ’ s Othering & Belonging Institute found that single-family zoning typically leads to more expensive homes , while costs are lower in denser communities , locking out many middle and low-income families .
That , in turn , helps exclude many residents of color with less wealth , creating more racially segregated neighborhoods , said Stephen Menendian , the report ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life-enhancing resources — from jobs , from good schools , from infrastructure and transit , from neighborhood amenities , and parks and safety , ” he said .
The report comes as state legislators debate multiple bills that would make it easier to build denser and more affordable housing to alleviate California ’ s housing crisis , including one that would speed up the process of turning single-family homes into duplexes and another that would allow up to four-units on some lots now zoned for a single home .
Meanwhile , city officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are facing often contentious debates about efforts to add more homes in their cities .
The new data , which Menendian says is the most detailed analysis ever complied of the region ’ s housing , found that 83 percent of the five-county Bay Area ’ s residential land is zoned for single-family housing .
Piedmont , Lafayette , Hillsborough , Los Altos and Cupertino are among the cities where between 91 percent and 100 percent of residential land is limited to one home per parcel .
Those cities also tend to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of white residents in Piedmont is more than twice as high as in Alameda County overall .
Cupertino has nearly double the share of Asian American residents as Santa Clara County , said the report , which noted that the trends also hold true in cities with Asian majorities .
Even in Berkeley , which along with Emeryville is one of just two cities where less than half the residential land is single-family , standalone homes were concentrated in the wealthier , whiter northern part of the city , the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with many of its denser buildings in the Mission and Richmond districts .
And San Jose is 84 percent single-family , with much of the city ’ s denser housing in Japantown and downtown .
A New York Times analysis last year put the amount of San Jose ’ s residential land zoned for single-family housing at 94 percent .
In Oakland , where 64 percent of residential land is zoned single-family , denser housing is located in heavily Black and Latinx communities in east and west Oakland , while the whiter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Bay Area is one of the most diverse places in the entire world , ” said Menendian .
“ And yet , Oakland is one of the most segregated places in California.
” To increase community diversity , the report proposes changes that include the development of more affordable housing , which Menendian and others say can only happen with more density in more neighborhoods .
The findings follow a long history of housing segregation in the U.S. , experts said , going back to racial covenants and redlining that explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In fact , single-family home zoning was invented specifically to keep black people and low-income people out of communities , ” said State Sen. Scott Wiener , D-San Francisco , a strong backer of zoning reforms .
Wiener ’ s controversial SB50 , which has twice failed , would have forced cities to allow duplexes , triplexes and fourplexes on land currently zoned only for single-family homes and approve larger apartment buildings near transit stops and job hubs .
Wiener ’ s current bill , SB 902 would allow property owners throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their city ’ s size .
Susan Kirsch , the founder of Livable California , which has opposed efforts to increase housing density in the state , said redlining and racial covenants were a “ despicable mark on our history.
” But , she said , single-family homes still hold a special place in Californians ’ psyche .
“ The vision and the goal and the dream of having a single-family home is still what lingers in so many people ’ s hearts , ” she said .
“ If given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little plot they could call their own and a home that ’ s an investment.
” She doesn ’ t think the solution is to build denser housing in single-family neighborhoods .
Instead , she ’ d like to see a focus on expanding home ownership the way the U.S. did after World War II , with cheap mortgages that helped many families buy homes in the 1940s and 1950s .
In San Jose , a task force of community leaders , advocates and elected officials is considering changes to the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to a quadruplex on at least some lots currently limited to a single unit .
Mathew Reed , with SV @ Home , said the proposal , dubbed Opportunity Housing , would help the city take advantage of underutilized land by adding moderate density throughout various neighborhoods .
“ Nobody is forcing anybody to convert their home into anything they don ’ t want it to be converted into , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no mandate that neighborhoods convert to all apartments.
” Still , the idea raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives in a Victorian house in the Julian St. James neighborhood .
His two-story house had been a triplex since the 1930s , he said , but when he and his wife bought it they tore down the internal walls to turn it into a single-family home .
A retired teacher , he said , he ’ s concerned about racial segregation but worries denser housing would “ degrade ” neighborhoods such as Naglee Park , south of where he lives .
“ I don ’ t know what the answer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a better way.
” Wright ’ s opposition to denser housing in his San Jose neighborhood has made him bedfellows with one rather uncomfortable partner for the self-described liberal : President Donald Trump , who has decried efforts led by Wiener and others to build “ low income housing ” in suburban communities .
“ It ’ s an absolute nightmare for me to say anything that is so close to what Trump has been saying about the invasion of the suburbs , ” Wright said .
“ There ’ s a very @ @ @ @ @ @

With California cities under mounting pressure to boost housing density, a new report suggests that coveted single-family neighborhoods may be a key driver of racial segregation in the Bay Area.
The University of California, Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute found that single-family zoning typically leads to more expensive homes, while costs are lower in denser communities, locking out many middle and low-income families. That, in turn, helps exclude many residents of color with less wealth, creating more racially segregated neighborhoods, said Stephen Menendian, the report’s co-author.
“It separates people from life-enhancing resources — from jobs, from good schools, from infrastructure and transit, from neighborhood amenities, and parks and safety,” he said.
The report comes as state legislators debate multiple bills that would make it easier to build denser and more affordable housing to alleviate California’s housing crisis, including one that would speed up the process of turning single-family homes into duplexes and another that would allow up to four-units on some lots now zoned for a single home. Meanwhile, city officials from Marin to Lafayette to San Jose are facing often contentious debates about efforts to add more homes in their cities.
The new data, which Menendian says is the most detailed analysis ever complied of the region’s housing, found that 83 percent of the five-county Bay Area’s residential land is zoned for single-family housing. Piedmont, Lafayette, Hillsborough, Los Altos and Cupertino are among the cities where between 91 percent and 100 percent of residential land is limited to one home per parcel. Those cities also tend to be wealthier and more racially homogenous — the share of white residents in Piedmont is more than twice as high as in Alameda County overall. Cupertino has nearly double the share of Asian American residents as Santa Clara County, said the report, which noted that the trends also hold true in cities with Asian majorities.
Even in Berkeley, which along with Emeryville is one of just two cities where less than half the residential land is single-family, standalone homes were concentrated in the wealthier, whiter northern part of the city, the report said. San Francisco is 51 percent single-family, with many of its denser buildings in the Mission and Richmond districts. And San Jose is 84 percent single-family, with much of the city’s denser housing in Japantown and downtown. A New York Times analysis last year put the amount of San Jose’s residential land zoned for single-family housing at 94 percent.
In Oakland, where 64 percent of residential land is zoned single-family, denser housing is located in heavily Black and Latinx communities in east and west Oakland, while the whiter Oakland Hills are predominantly single-family homes.
“The Bay Area is one of the most diverse places in the entire world,” said Menendian. “And yet, Oakland is one of the most segregated places in California.”
To increase community diversity, the report proposes changes that include the development of more affordable housing, which Menendian and others say can only happen with more density in more neighborhoods.
The findings follow a long history of housing segregation in the U.S., experts said, going back to racial covenants and redlining that explicitly or implicitly locked out non-white homeowners.
“In fact, single-family home zoning was invented specifically to keep black people and low-income people out of communities,” said State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, a strong backer of zoning reforms. Wiener’s controversial SB50, which has twice failed, would have forced cities to allow duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes on land currently zoned only for single-family homes and approve larger apartment buildings near transit stops and job hubs. Wiener’s current bill, SB 902 would allow property owners throughout California to build moderately denser housing depending on their city’s size.
Susan Kirsch, the founder of Livable California, which has opposed efforts to increase housing density in the state, said redlining and racial covenants were a “despicable mark on our history.” But, she said, single-family homes still hold a special place in Californians’ psyche.
“The vision and the goal and the dream of having a single-family home is still what lingers in so many people’s hearts,” she said. “If given the opportunity, most people would have a little plot they could call their own and a home that’s an investment.”
She doesn’t think the solution is to build denser housing in single-family neighborhoods. Instead, she’d like to see a focus on expanding home ownership the way the U.S. did after World War II, with cheap mortgages that helped many families buy homes in the 1940s and 1950s.
In San Jose, a task force of community leaders, advocates and elected officials is considering changes to the city’s 2040 general plan that would allow up to a quadruplex on at least some lots currently limited to a single unit. Mathew Reed, with SV@Home, said the proposal, dubbed Opportunity Housing, would help the city take advantage of underutilized land by adding moderate density throughout various neighborhoods.
“Nobody is forcing anybody to convert their home into anything they don’t want it to be converted into,” he said. “There’s no mandate that neighborhoods convert to all apartments.”
Still, the idea raised a red flag for Robert Wright, who lives in a Victorian house in the Julian St. James neighborhood. His two-story house had been a triplex since the 1930s, he said, but when he and his wife bought it they tore down the internal walls to turn it into a single-family home. A retired teacher, he said, he’s concerned about racial segregation but worries denser housing would “degrade” neighborhoods such as Naglee Park, south of where he lives.
“I don’t know what the answer is but there’s got to be a better way.”
Wright’s opposition to denser housing in his San Jose neighborhood has made him bedfellows with one rather uncomfortable partner for the self-described liberal: President Donald Trump, who has decried efforts led by Wiener and others to build “low income housing” in suburban communities.
“It’s an absolute nightmare for me to say anything that is so close to what Trump has been saying about the invasion of the suburbs,” Wright said. “There’s a very embarrassing and disturbing parallel.”


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Watch: Here’s what 10,800 Bay Area lightning strikes sparking 367 wildfires looked like from space

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having trouble viewing the video .
What does it look like when 10,800 lightning strikes spark 367 Bay Area fires ?
This video , compiled from more than 400 satellite images from late Saturday through Thursday morning , is the answer — a fascinating view of California ’ s latest wildfire infernos from miles high in the sky .
The weekend ’ s freak lightning storms were only the ignition .
Over the next 72 hours , hundreds of fires — some of them smoldering trees deep in the forest known as “ sleepers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Clara , Santa Cruz , San Mateo , Marin , Sonoma and Napa counties .
The time-lapse video compiles three separate sets of satellite imagery taken at 30-minute intervals , downloaded using the SLIDER tool from the Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch ( RAMMB ) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University .
The first layer shows lightning , flashes of bright light scattered over the first 36 hours .
The fires begin to show up in the hours after the storms in the “ natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can see smoke from the fires overtake the Bay Area on Wednesday with the classic satellite “ natural color ” view .
Sped up , in less than one minute , watch how lightning progressed to fires and then to smoke .

CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing the video.
What does it look like when 10,800 lightning strikes spark 367 fires in the Bay Area and beyond?
This video, compiled from more than 400 satellite images from late Saturday through Thursday morning, is the answer — a fascinating view of California’s latest wildfire infernos from miles high in the sky.
The weekend’s freak lightning storms were only the ignition. Over the next 72 hours, hundreds of fires — some of them smoldering trees deep in the forest known as “sleepers” — exploded across Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties.
The time-lapse video compiles three separate sets of satellite imagery taken at 30-minute intervals, downloaded using the SLIDER tool from the Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch (RAMMB) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University.
The first layer shows lightning, flashes of bright light scattered over the first 36 hours. The fires begin to show up in the hours after the storms in the “natural fire color” view. Then, you can see smoke from the fires overtake the Bay Area on Wednesday with the classic satellite “natural color” view.
Sped up, in just one minute, watch how lightning progressed to fires and then to smoke.


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Pelosi: Now is not the time for a small relief bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that now was not the time for the @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief bill , after more than 100 House Democrats urged their leadership to pass @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think strategically it ’ s where we should go right now @ @ @ @ @ to pass something like that and say forget about ” other Democratic priorities , Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ PBS ’ s “ NewsHour ” program .
Pelosi said she would also want any @ @ @ @ @ state and local governments , food aid for children , funding for vote-by-mail and other @ @ @ @ @ more than 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives issued a letter urging Pelosi to @ @ @ @ @ bill to reinstate the lapsed $ 600 a week unemployment benefits until the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ letter , Pelosi said : “ I don ’ t think the timing is for @ @ @ @ @ now .
”

By Eric Beech | Reuters
WASHINGTON – U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that now was not the time for the chamber to pass a stripped-down coronavirus relief bill, after more than 100 House Democrats urged their leadership to pass enhanced unemployment benefits.
“I don’t think strategically it’s where we should go right now because the Republicans would like to pass something like that and say forget about” other Democratic priorities, Pelosi said in an interview on PBS’s “NewsHour” program.
Pelosi said she would also want any legislation to include aid for state and local governments, food aid for children, funding for vote-by-mail and other initiatives.
On Tuesday, more than 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives issued a letter urging Pelosi to allow a vote on a bill to reinstate the lapsed $600 a week unemployment benefits until the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Asked about the letter, Pelosi said: “I don’t think the timing is for us to do it right now.”


mercurynews--2020-08-20--Contra Costa Community Warning System changes Caller ID

The Contra Costa County Community Warning System has changed the Caller ID that ’ s used to issue alerts , @ @ @ @ @ add the new number as an emergency contact .
The old Caller ID was 000-000-0000 @ @ @ @ @ ID is 925-655-0195 .
Residents are urged to make the new number as a contact @ @ @ @ @ label it “ Community Warning System.
” Assign or add the new contact to your @ @ @ @ @ Taking these steps should stop calls from being identified as spam or silenced by the @ @ @ @ @ mobile phones , according to a release from the county Community Warning System .
The @ @ @ @ @ time when the Community Warning System is critical , with wildfires and poor air quality @ @ @ @ @ change in Federal Communications Commission rules .
Those rules would have caused the calls from @ @ @ @ @ or undeliverable , according to the county ’ s release .
For more information about @ @ @ @ @ go to www.CoCoCWS.us

The Contra Costa County Community Warning System has changed the caller ID that’s used to issue alerts, and residents are urged to add the new number as an emergency contact.
The old caller ID was 000-000-0000, and the new caller ID is 925-655-0195.
Residents are urged to make the new number as a contact on the mobile device and label it “Community Warning System.” It is recommended they assign or add the new contact to their phone’s favorites or emergency bypass.
Taking these steps should stop calls from being identified as spam or silenced by the do not disturb feature on mobile phones, according to a release from the county Community Warning System.
The timing of the number change was not ideal — the Community Warning System is critical for notifying residents about wildfires and poor air quality. But it was required because of a change in Federal Communications Commission rules. Those rules would have caused the calls from the system to be rejected or undeliverable, according to the county.
For more information about the Community Warning System, go to www.CoCoCWS.us


mercurynews--2020-08-20--SF Giants cut their Opening Day right fielder for the second straight year

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second consecutive season , the San Francisco Giants cut their Opening Day right fielder before the player even recorded a base hit with the team .
The Giants announced Thursday that Joe McCarthy has been designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Joey Bart , the team ’ s top prospect who was promoted to make his major league debut against the Angels .
McCarthy follows in the footsteps of Michael Reed , who started in right field for the Giants on Opening Day in 2019 and went 0-for-8 with six strikeouts before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McCarthy went 0-for-10 with five strikeouts before being optioned to the Giants ’ Sacramento alternate site , but he never returned to the major league roster .
The Giants acquired McCarthy in a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2019 trade deadline .
McCarthy dealt with several injuries that hampered his development during his minor league career , but the Giants thought his above-average plate discipline could help their lineup against right-handed pitchers .
McCarthy emerged as an unlikely candidate for the Opening Day roster during summer camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heel injury .
The club wanted a left-handed hitting option at first base , but McCarthy never appeared at the position in his four games with the Giants .
The Giants ’ decision to designate McCarthy for assignment allowed the team to keep 2015 first round draft choice Chris Shaw on the 40-man roster .
Like McCarthy , Shaw plays the corner outfield positions and first base and also bats left-handed , but he was left off the summer camp roster and has yet to receive an invitation to the club ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot for Bart on the 28-man active roster , the Giants optioned catcher Tyler Heineman to their alternate site .
Bart will wear No .
21 , catch and bat sixth in his major league debut Thursday .
SF Giants Gameday : Listen to the Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley .
We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second consecutive season, the San Francisco Giants cut their Opening Day right fielder before the player even recorded a base hit with the team.
The Giants announced Thursday that Joe McCarthy has been designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Joey Bart, the team’s top prospect who was promoted to make his major league debut against the Angels.
McCarthy follows in the footsteps of Michael Reed, who started in right field for the Giants on Opening Day in 2019 and went 0-for-8 with six strikeouts before he was designated for assignment last year.
McCarthy went 0-for-10 with five strikeouts before being optioned to the Giants’ Sacramento alternate site, but he never returned to the major league roster.
The Giants acquired McCarthy in a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2019 trade deadline. McCarthy dealt with several injuries that hampered his development during his minor league career, but the Giants thought his above-average plate discipline could help their lineup against right-handed pitchers.
McCarthy emerged as an unlikely candidate for the Opening Day roster during summer camp after Brandon Belt went down with a heel injury. The club wanted a left-handed hitting option at first base, but McCarthy never appeared at the position in his four games with the Giants.
The Giants’ decision to designate McCarthy for assignment allowed the team to keep 2015 first round draft choice Chris Shaw on the 40-man roster. Like McCarthy, Shaw plays the corner outfield positions and first base and also bats left-handed, but he was left off the summer camp roster and has yet to receive an invitation to the club’s Sacramento alternate site.
To clear a spot for Bart on the 28-man active roster, the Giants optioned catcher Tyler Heineman to their alternate site. Bart will wear No. 21, catch and bat sixth in his major league debut Thursday.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-20--Feds to seek death penalty for Boston marathon bomber

By Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will seek to reinstate a death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , the man who was convicted of carrying out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing , Attorney General William Barr said Thursday .
In an interview with The Associated Press , Barr said the Justice Department would appeal the court ’ s ruling last month that tossed Tsarnaev ’ s death sentence and ordered a trial to determine whether he should be executed for the attack that killed three people and wounded more than 260 others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ We will do whatever ’ s necessary , ” Barr said .
“ We will take it up to the Supreme Court and we will continue to pursue the death penalty.
” Under Barr , the Justice Department has again begun carrying out federal executions , putting three men to death so far and scheduling at least three others next week and in September , despite the coronavirus pandemic and waning public support for the death penalty .
Barr has said it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out the sentences imposed by the courts — including the death penalty — and to deliver justice for the families of the victims .
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S .
Circuit court found in July that the judge who oversaw the 2015 trial did not adequately question potential jurors about what they had read or heard about the highly publicized case .
The defense acknowledged that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his older brother , Tamerlan Tsarnaev , carried out the attack on April 15 , 2013 , but sought to portray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said lured his impressionable younger brother into violence .
Tamerlan Tsarnaev , 26 , died following a gunfight with police and being run over by his brother as he fled .
Police captured a bloodied and wounded Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hours later in the Boston suburb of Watertown , where he was hiding in a boat parked in a backyard .
Tsarnaev , now 27 , was convicted of all 30 charges against him , including conspiracy and use of a weapon of mass destruction and the killing of an MIT police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The appeals court upheld all but a few of his convictions .
An email seeking comment was sent to David Patton , an attorney for Tsarnaev .
Patton said after the 1st Circuit ’ s decision that “ it is now up to the government to determine whether to put the victims and Boston through a second trial , or to allow closure to this terrible tragedy by permitting a sentence of life without the possibility of release.
” Prosecutors told jurors that Tsarnaev was just as culpable in the attack they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its wars in Muslim countries .
In the boat where he was found hiding , he wrote , “ Stop killing our innocent people and we will stop.
” Killed in the bombing were Lingzi Lu , a 23-year-old Boston University graduate student from China ; Krystle Campbell , a 29-year-old restaurant manager from Medford ; and 8-year-old Martin Richard , who had gone to watch the marathon with his family .
Massachusetts Institute of Technology police Officer Sean Collier was shot to death in his cruiser days later .
Describing media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in American legal history , ” the appeals court said U.S. District Judge George O ’ Toole fell short in running a jury selection process “ sufficient to identify prejudice.
” The 1st Circuit also found that O ’ Toole erred in refusing to let the defense tell jurors about evidence tying Tamerlan Tsarnaev to the killings of three people in the Boston suburb of Waltham in 2011 .
“ If the judge had admitted the Waltham evidence — evidence that shows ( like no other ) that Tamerlan was predisposed to religiously-inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s radicalization — the defense could have more forcefully rebutted the government ’ s claim that the brothers had a ‘ partnership of equals , ' ” Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson wrote in the ruling .
President Donald Trump tweeted after the decision that the federal government “ must again seek the Death Penalty in a do-over of that chapter of the original trial.
” The ruling came as the U.S. government recently resumed federal executions following a 17-year pause .

By Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will seek to reinstate a death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the man who was convicted of carrying out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Attorney General William Barr said Thursday.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Barr said the Justice Department would appeal the court’s ruling last month that tossed Tsarnaev’s death sentence and ordered a trial to determine whether he should be executed for the attack that killed three people and wounded more than 260 others. Barr said the Justice Department would take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We will do whatever’s necessary,” Barr said. “We will take it up to the Supreme Court and we will continue to pursue the death penalty.”
Under Barr, the Justice Department has again begun carrying out federal executions, putting three men to death so far and scheduling at least three others next week and in September, despite the coronavirus pandemic and waning public support for the death penalty. Barr has said it is the Justice Department’s duty to carry out the sentences imposed by the courts — including the death penalty — and to deliver justice for the families of the victims.
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit court found in July that the judge who oversaw the 2015 trial did not adequately question potential jurors about what they had read or heard about the highly publicized case.
The defense acknowledged that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, carried out the attack on April 15, 2013, but sought to portray his brother as the radicalized mastermind who they said lured his impressionable younger brother into violence.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died following a gunfight with police and being run over by his brother as he fled. Police captured a bloodied and wounded Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hours later in the Boston suburb of Watertown, where he was hiding in a boat parked in a backyard.
Tsarnaev, now 27, was convicted of all 30 charges against him, including conspiracy and use of a weapon of mass destruction and the killing of an MIT police officer during the Tsarnaev brothers’ getaway attempt. The appeals court upheld all but a few of his convictions.
An email seeking comment was sent to David Patton, an attorney for Tsarnaev. Patton said after the 1st Circuit’s decision that “it is now up to the government to determine whether to put the victims and Boston through a second trial, or to allow closure to this terrible tragedy by permitting a sentence of life without the possibility of release.”
Prosecutors told jurors that Tsarnaev was just as culpable in the attack they say was meant to punish the U.S. for its wars in Muslim countries. In the boat where he was found hiding, he wrote, “Stop killing our innocent people and we will stop.”
Killed in the bombing were Lingzi Lu, a 23-year-old Boston University graduate student from China; Krystle Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager from Medford; and 8-year-old Martin Richard, who had gone to watch the marathon with his family. Massachusetts Institute of Technology police Officer Sean Collier was shot to death in his cruiser days later.
Describing media attention in the case as “unrivaled in American legal history,” the appeals court said U.S. District Judge George O’Toole fell short in running a jury selection process “sufficient to identify prejudice.”
The 1st Circuit also found that O’Toole erred in refusing to let the defense tell jurors about evidence tying Tamerlan Tsarnaev to the killings of three people in the Boston suburb of Waltham in 2011.
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Mom of U.S. teen accused of trying to join Islamic State blames FBI ‘encouragement’ National News | Judge rejects bid to move Paul Pelosi attacker trial out of SF “If the judge had admitted the Waltham evidence — evidence that shows (like no other) that Tamerlan was predisposed to religiously-inspired brutality before the bombings and before Dzhokhar’s radicalization — the defense could have more forcefully rebutted the government’s claim that the brothers had a ‘partnership of equals,'” Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson wrote in the ruling.
President Donald Trump tweeted after the decision that the federal government “must again seek the Death Penalty in a do-over of that chapter of the original trial.” The ruling came as the U.S. government recently resumed federal executions following a 17-year pause.


mercurynews--2020-08-20--Wildfire smoke or COVID-19: Which is making you sick?

These symptoms are common to both wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19 , twin dangers to Bay Area residents .
To protect delicate lungs from both threats , medical experts are urging high-risk individuals to take extra precautions — such as staying home , closing windows , using an air purifier and wearing special masks when venturing outdoors .
“ People should be sheltering in place as much as possible during bad air quality from wildfire smoke , ” said Dr. John Balmes , UCSF professor of medicine in the divisions of occupational and environmental medicine and pulmonary and critical care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , it ’ s important for those at high risk to not seek clean air at public facilities such as libraries , community centers and shopping malls .
Instead , they should try to create a cleaner air space at home .
If necessary , use a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms , with doors and windows closed .
While it ’ s too soon to say that smoky air worsens the risk of contracting COVID-19 , there ’ s good reason to be wary .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollution worsens diseases like asthma and boosts the risk of other viral respiratory illnesses .
It ’ s also known that people with pre-existing lung problems , if infected , suffer more from COVID-19 disease than healthy people .
If you already have COVID-19 , smoke can worsen your recovery .
High levels of air pollution are linked to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome , which can be fatal to COVID-19 patients .
“ We ’ ve just given you another insult that could make matters worse , ” said Dr. Stephanie Christenson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pulmonary , critical care , allergy , and sleep medicine .
Q : How are symptoms from wildfire smoke exposure different from symptoms of COVID-19 ?
A : They share many symptoms .
But COVID-19 , unlike smoke exposure , can cause fever or chills , muscle or body aches and diarrhea .
If you have these symptoms , contact a healthcare provider .
If your symptoms worsen — such as difficulty breathing or chest pain — seek prompt medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency facility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that triggers disease , in general , and COVID-19 in particular ?
A : Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gas particles .
Our first line of defense when we breathe are cilia , little hair-like structures that line our respiratory tract and keep the airways clear of mucus and dirt .
Smoke and gas can damage the cilia , perhaps even kill them .
In addition , it has been linked to higher rates of diseases , including cancer , heart disease , stroke , diabetes and asthma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of death for COVID-19 patients .
Air pollution can also dysregulate the immune system , which is needed to fend off the viral pathogen .
Q : I need to go outside .
How do I stay safe ?
A : Two factors influence risk of both COVID-19 and smoke : proximity and duration of exposure .
The closer you are to smoke — that is , the more smoke you inhale — the higher your risk .
And the longer you ’ re exposed to smoke , the greater your risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to be hurt by a quick dash to the grocery store .
But people who work outdoors every day face bigger problems .
Risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus is also elevated if you are close — say , within six feet — of an infected person , and inhale many viral particles .
In hospitals , “ exposure ” is considered likely if you are close for 15 minutes or more .
“ To the extent possible , people should avoid outdoor exercise…individuals who work in the outdoors are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. Jahan Fahimi , UCSF associate professor of emergency medicine and medical director of the UCSF Emergency Department .
Q : Do masks help protect me from both COVID-19 and smoke ?
A : Yes — but only the N95 masks used in hospital settings .
While regular cloth masks reduce transmission of COVID-19 , they do very little to protect you from the particulate matter of wildfire smoke .
N95 masks filter out viruses and all particles larger than 0.3 microns ; ash and soot is about 2.5 microns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserved for healthcare workers and first responders — so it ’ s hard to find them .
More readily available are masks called K95s , produced in China .
While some of these are quite good , they ’ re not certified by U.S. authorities .
These N95 masks were never designed for extended use , however .
After about 15 hours , or if taken on or off about six times , the mask loses its ability to protect lungs .
Additionally , its usefulness is limited if you have a beard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s taken on and off about five to six times .
Surgical masks are only one-third as good as N95s , but they ’ re better than cloth masks .
Cloth masks ’ effectiveness vary , depending on the fabric used .
“ They do very little in terms of filtering out wildfire smoke , ” Balmes said .
“ This is kind of another reason to really try to be sheltering in place , ” Christenson said .
“ Because nothing ’ s 100 % .
” • Pelosi : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small relief bill • Pandemic porch concerts bring joyful music to the silent streets of Alameda “ We ’ re in this perfect storm , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve got more wildfires .
We ’ ve got heat .
We ’ ve got the pandemic.
” Feeling sick ?
Learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19 at : https : //www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html Worried about the air ?
Learn more about air pollution at : https : //www.airnow.gov/aqi/

Dry cough. Sore throat. Difficulty breathing.
These symptoms are common to both wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19, twin dangers to Bay Area residents.
To protect delicate lungs from both threats, medical experts are urging high-risk individuals to take extra precautions — such as staying home, closing windows, using an air purifier and wearing special masks when venturing outdoors.
“People should be sheltering in place as much as possible during bad air quality from wildfire smoke,” said Dr. John Balmes, UCSF professor of medicine in the divisions of occupational and environmental medicine and pulmonary and critical care.
While social distancing guidelines are in place, it’s important for those at high risk to not seek clean air at public facilities such as libraries, community centers and shopping malls.
Instead, they should try to create a cleaner air space at home. If necessary, use a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms, with doors and windows closed.
While it’s too soon to say that smoky air worsens the risk of contracting COVID-19, there’s good reason to be wary.
Here’s why: Previous research proves that air pollution worsens diseases like asthma and boosts the risk of other viral respiratory illnesses. It’s also known that people with pre-existing lung problems, if infected, suffer more from COVID-19 disease than healthy people.
If you already have COVID-19, smoke can worsen your recovery. High levels of air pollution are linked to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which can be fatal to COVID-19 patients.
“We’ve just given you another insult that could make matters worse,” said Dr. Stephanie Christenson, UCSF assistant professor of medicine, division of pulmonary, critical care, allergy, and sleep medicine.
Q: How are symptoms from wildfire smoke exposure different from symptoms of COVID-19?
A: They share many symptoms. But COVID-19, unlike smoke exposure, can cause fever or chills, muscle or body aches and diarrhea. If you have these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider. If your symptoms worsen — such as difficulty breathing or chest pain — seek prompt medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency facility.
Q: What’s in smoke that triggers disease, in general, and COVID-19 in particular?
A: Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gas particles. Our first line of defense when we breathe are cilia, little hair-like structures that line our respiratory tract and keep the airways clear of mucus and dirt.
Smoke and gas can damage the cilia, perhaps even kill them. In addition, it has been linked to higher rates of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and asthma. All of these conditions also increase the risk of death for COVID-19 patients.
Air pollution can also dysregulate the immune system, which is needed to fend off the viral pathogen.
Q: I need to go outside. How do I stay safe?
A: Two factors influence risk of both COVID-19 and smoke: proximity and duration of exposure.
The closer you are to smoke — that is, the more smoke you inhale — the higher your risk. And the longer you’re exposed to smoke, the greater your risk of lung damage. You’re unlikely to be hurt by a quick dash to the grocery store. But people who work outdoors every day face bigger problems.
Risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus is also elevated if you are close — say, within six feet — of an infected person, and inhale many viral particles. In hospitals, “exposure” is considered likely if you are close for 15 minutes or more.
“To the extent possible, people should avoid outdoor exercise…individuals who work in the outdoors are at particular risk for exposure to wildfire smoke,” said Dr. Jahan Fahimi, UCSF associate professor of emergency medicine and medical director of the UCSF Emergency Department.
Q: Do masks help protect me from both COVID-19 and smoke?
A: Yes — but only the N95 masks used in hospital settings. While regular cloth masks reduce transmission of COVID-19, they do very little to protect you from the particulate matter of wildfire smoke.
N95 masks filter out viruses and all particles larger than 0.3 microns; ash and soot is about 2.5 microns in size.
Unfortunately, N95s are reserved for healthcare workers and first responders — so it’s hard to find them. More readily available are masks called K95s, produced in China. While some of these are quite good, they’re not certified by U.S. authorities.
These N95 masks were never designed for extended use, however. After about 15 hours, or if taken on or off about six times, the mask loses its ability to protect lungs. Additionally, its usefulness is limited if you have a beard, if it gets damp or if it’s taken on and off about five to six times.
Surgical masks are only one-third as good as N95s, but they’re better than cloth masks.
Cloth masks’ effectiveness vary, depending on the fabric used. “They do very little in terms of filtering out wildfire smoke,” Balmes said.
“This is kind of another reason to really try to be sheltering in place,” Christenson said. “Because nothing’s 100%.” Related Articles Health | Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka
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“We’re in this perfect storm,” she said. “We’ve got more wildfires. We’ve got heat. We’ve got the pandemic.”
Feeling sick? Learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19 at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Worried about the air? Learn more about air pollution at: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Review: ‘The 24th’ is a sobering lesson for today

On Aug. 23 , 1917 , four months after the U.S. had entered World War I , the all-Black 3rd battalion of the U.S. Army ’ s 24th Infantry Regiment mutinied in Houston .
That night ’ s two hours of violence left nine civilians , four policemen and two soldiers dead .
It resulted in the largest murder trial in U.S. history in which 110 out of 118 soldiers were found guilty .
Nineteen were hanged .
The riot was incited by an incident between an African American woman and the police , and their subsequent beating of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just that day that sparked the violence .
As is most often the case with major eruptions , tensions had been brewing and indignities accumulating for some time between the African American regiment and the white police force .
The white police in Houston in 1917 not only did not see the uniformed soldiers as equals but were offended by their very existence — never mind the courageous history of African American troops throughout U.S. history to that point .
It ’ s this story that ’ s told in writer-director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a blisteringly relevant and important look at an under-explored chapter in our history .
Willmott , who won an Oscar for writing “ BlacKkKlansman ” with Spike Lee , brings the audience into this world through co-writer Trai Byers ’ William Boston , a highly educated and cosmopolitan character who has lived in Europe , seen what equality looks and feels like and is eager to share his enlightenment with his peers .
His fellow servicemen aren ’ t exactly open subjects for his teachings , however .
Many are both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South .
But even if they clash over Boston ’ s lighter skin and his affectations , they did all end up in the same place for a reason .
The men of the 24th wanted to serve the country that has never served them back .
They thought that in uniform they ’ d get equal treatment .
Instead , they get bullied , tormented , abused and disrespected by nearly every white person in town .
There are exceptions , including in Col. Norton ( a miscast Thomas Haden Church , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role ) , who oversees the men at Camp Logan , which they are bound to protect while it ’ s under construction .
But one ally is hardly enough and he has very little power anyway .
The hard-drinking and jaded Sgt .
Hayes ( Mykelti Williamson ) knows it ’ s a fool ’ s errand to assume they ’ ll get any respect or equality through service : He learned that the hard way as a Buffalo Solider leading the charge at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Boston .
This is a difficult story in which violence and dehumanization beget violence and dehumanization .
It is sobering material that Willmott mostly handles well in making it as straightforward as possible .
He also has an appealing protagonist in Boston .
You get to know him and the other men before the night and feel their rage .
Aja Naomi King is also a standout as a local piano player , Marie , who Boston falls for .
There are some liberties taken with some modern-sounding dialogue and phrasing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience but that sometimes feel a little too on the nose .
In one instance , a racist local proclaims that they ’ re going to “ take our country back.
” I ’ m not sure that the script needed to be that obvious for us to understand the parallels to today .
And many of those portraying racists here have also chosen to go big and obvious — snarling , sweating and spitting their lines to drive the point home .
It ’ s hard not to wonder if a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful and insidious .
But it is a sobering and worthwhile film for its exploration of the subject of police brutality and race and how little has really changed in over a century .

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated Press
On Aug. 23, 1917, four months after the U.S. had entered World War I, the all-Black 3rd battalion of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment mutinied in Houston. That night’s two hours of violence left nine civilians, four policemen and two soldiers dead. It resulted in the largest murder trial in U.S. history in which 110 out of 118 soldiers were found guilty. Nineteen were hanged.
The riot was incited by an incident between an African American woman and the police, and their subsequent beating of one of the soldiers. But it wasn’t just that day that sparked the violence. As is most often the case with major eruptions, tensions had been brewing and indignities accumulating for some time between the African American regiment and the white police force.
The white police in Houston in 1917 not only did not see the uniformed soldiers as equals but were offended by their very existence — never mind the courageous history of African American troops throughout U.S. history to that point.
It’s this story that’s told in writer-director Kevin Willmott’s “The 24th,” a blisteringly relevant and important look at an under-explored chapter in our history.
Willmott, who won an Oscar for writing “BlacKkKlansman” with Spike Lee, brings the audience into this world through co-writer Trai Byers’ William Boston, a highly educated and cosmopolitan character who has lived in Europe, seen what equality looks and feels like and is eager to share his enlightenment with his peers. His fellow servicemen aren’t exactly open subjects for his teachings, however. Many are both uneducated and products of the Jim Crow South.
But even if they clash over Boston’s lighter skin and his affectations, they did all end up in the same place for a reason. The men of the 24th wanted to serve the country that has never served them back. They thought that in uniform they’d get equal treatment. Instead, they get bullied, tormented, abused and disrespected by nearly every white person in town.
There are exceptions, including in Col. Norton (a miscast Thomas Haden Church, who sounds far too modern for the role), who oversees the men at Camp Logan, which they are bound to protect while it’s under construction. But one ally is hardly enough and he has very little power anyway.
The hard-drinking and jaded Sgt. Hayes (Mykelti Williamson) knows it’s a fool’s errand to assume they’ll get any respect or equality through service: He learned that the hard way as a Buffalo Solider leading the charge at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, as he explains in a stirring speech to Boston.
This is a difficult story in which violence and dehumanization beget violence and dehumanization. It is sobering material that Willmott mostly handles well in making it as straightforward as possible. He also has an appealing protagonist in Boston. You get to know him and the other men before the night and feel their rage. Aja Naomi King is also a standout as a local piano player, Marie, who Boston falls for.
There are some liberties taken with some modern-sounding dialogue and phrasing that are likely there as shorthand for the audience but that sometimes feel a little too on the nose. In one instance, a racist local proclaims that they’re going to “take our country back.” I’m not sure that the script needed to be that obvious for us to understand the parallels to today. And many of those portraying racists here have also chosen to go big and obvious — snarling, sweating and spitting their lines to drive the point home. It’s hard not to wonder if a little more subtlety there would have been more powerful and insidious.
But it is a sobering and worthwhile film for its exploration of the subject of police brutality and race and how little has really changed in over a century.
“The 24th”
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Unrated
Running time: 113 minutes


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Review: This is not the film to return to the theater for

“ We hope you are as excited as we are , ” goes the promotional email from the studio , “ about bringing the beloved pastime of going to the movies back into America ’ s lives.
” Well , yes , of course we are .
But then we watch the film .
And we wonder … .
Really ?
THIS movie ?
It ’ s more than a little disturbing that “ Unhinged , ” essentially an angry-white-male revenge flick , will be the first wide release to invite patrons back to theaters since the coronavirus pandemic shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ besides an energetically committed ( no pun intended ) performance from Russell Crowe , “ Unhinged ” comes off as a frankly mediocre effort , with no apparent point other than titillating ( but somehow tedious ) gore , misogynistic rage , and endless ( though impressive ) car crashes .
It also lacks any discernible trace of deeper social meaning , or even — which might have saved it — a whiff of self-aware wit .
So , again , THIS is the movie that ’ s going to proudly welcome us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question is whether it ’ s even worth watching from your couch — where you don ’ t have to worry about distancing , let alone pay for parking , the babysitter or a vat of popcorn .
Let ’ s start with an odd filmmaking decision by director Derrick Borte and screenwriter Carl Ellsworth : In a brutal prologue , we see Crowe ’ s character beginning his day ( his terrible , horrible , no good , very bad day ) at 4 a.m. , in his truck outside the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He removes his wedding ring , exits his vehicle with an ax and a jug of gasoline , and proceeds to bludgeon the occupants to death and set the home on fire ( because this appears in the trailer , it hardly seems a spoiler ) .
OK , so this is a very troubled man — or Man , as he is identified in the script , with no name attached .
But why start the action here ?
It means we don ’ t have any mystery , and thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man can and will go .
Maybe this is why the 90-minute running time will still feel bloated .
We then get a documentary-style lesson , during opening credits , on the plague of road rage .
We hear news commentators saying deep things about anger , like “ When you ’ re very angry you lose a lot of self-control.
” Also : “ People have so much coming at them that their brains can ’ t handle it.
” ( This is pre-pandemic .
You want to shout at the screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ) But , you think , maybe there ’ s something interesting to explore ?
The precipitating incident is simple : Harried mom Rachel ( Caren Pistorius , doing her best to differentiate levels of fear behind the wheel ) , is going through her own divorce and trying to raise a school-aged son ( a sensitive Gabriel Bateman , who like everyone here deserves a better movie ) .
Of course she ’ s late getting him to school , because she ’ s a harried single mom in the movies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachel honks at the guy who fails to move when the light changes , then flips him off .
This is , as Julia Roberts would say in “ Pretty Woman , ” a big , huge mistake .
He asks her to apologize .
She doesn ’ t .
And the rampage begins .
Other than the slightly creative touch of having Man play Russian Roulette with the contacts on Rachel ’ s stolen phone — even this , though , is clumsily telegraphed in an earlier scene — there are few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubbed a “ psychological thriller , ” one is hard pressed to find the psychology .
As for a moral — well , judging from the end , it seems to be : “ Don ’ t intentionally enrage a big crazy angry guy in a truck.
” OK , noted .
At certain points that strain all credulity , you ’ re just hoping Crowe will look up and wink , and maybe whisper his famous “ Gladiator ” line : “ Are you not entertained ?
” Because then we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can with a humorous tweet he recently sent , promoting the film .
Alas , no such luck .
Follow Crowe on Twitter .
Find another film to bring you back to the theater .
Rating : R ( for strong violent content , and language throughout )

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated Press
“We hope you are as excited as we are,” goes the promotional email from the studio, “about bringing the beloved pastime of going to the movies back into America’s lives.”
Well, yes, of course we are.
But then we watch the film. And we wonder …. Really? THIS movie?
It’s more than a little disturbing that “Unhinged,” essentially an angry-white-male revenge flick, will be the first wide release to invite patrons back to theaters since the coronavirus pandemic shut them down. Because, well, besides an energetically committed (no pun intended) performance from Russell Crowe, “Unhinged” comes off as a frankly mediocre effort, with no apparent point other than titillating (but somehow tedious) gore, misogynistic rage, and endless (though impressive) car crashes.
It also lacks any discernible trace of deeper social meaning, or even — which might have saved it — a whiff of self-aware wit. So, again, THIS is the movie that’s going to proudly welcome us back to the multiplex?
The real question is whether it’s even worth watching from your couch — where you don’t have to worry about distancing, let alone pay for parking, the babysitter or a vat of popcorn.
Let’s start with an odd filmmaking decision by director Derrick Borte and screenwriter Carl Ellsworth: In a brutal prologue, we see Crowe’s character beginning his day (his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day) at 4 a.m., in his truck outside the home where he seemingly lived with his ex-wife. He removes his wedding ring, exits his vehicle with an ax and a jug of gasoline, and proceeds to bludgeon the occupants to death and set the home on fire (because this appears in the trailer, it hardly seems a spoiler).
OK, so this is a very troubled man — or Man, as he is identified in the script, with no name attached. But why start the action here? It means we don’t have any mystery, and thus narrative tension, as to how far Man can and will go. Maybe this is why the 90-minute running time will still feel bloated.
We then get a documentary-style lesson, during opening credits, on the plague of road rage. We hear news commentators saying deep things about anger, like “When you’re very angry you lose a lot of self-control.” Also: “People have so much coming at them that their brains can’t handle it.” (This is pre-pandemic. You want to shout at the screen: “Tell us about it!”)
But, you think, maybe there’s something interesting to explore? The precipitating incident is simple: Harried mom Rachel (Caren Pistorius, doing her best to differentiate levels of fear behind the wheel), is going through her own divorce and trying to raise a school-aged son (a sensitive Gabriel Bateman, who like everyone here deserves a better movie). Of course she’s late getting him to school, because she’s a harried single mom in the movies.
Stopped at a red light, Rachel honks at the guy who fails to move when the light changes, then flips him off. This is, as Julia Roberts would say in “Pretty Woman,” a big, huge mistake. He asks her to apologize. She doesn’t. And the rampage begins.
Other than the slightly creative touch of having Man play Russian Roulette with the contacts on Rachel’s stolen phone — even this, though, is clumsily telegraphed in an earlier scene — there are few surprises. And despite the film being dubbed a “psychological thriller,” one is hard pressed to find the psychology. As for a moral — well, judging from the end, it seems to be: “Don’t intentionally enrage a big crazy angry guy in a truck.” OK, noted.
At certain points that strain all credulity, you’re just hoping Crowe will look up and wink, and maybe whisper his famous “Gladiator” line: “Are you not entertained?” Because then we could laugh along with him — as we can with a humorous tweet he recently sent, promoting the film.
Alas, no such luck. Follow Crowe on Twitter. Find another film to bring you back to the theater.
“Unhinged”
1 star out of 4
Rating: R (for strong violent content, and language throughout)
Running time: 90 minutes


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Coronavirus: 49ers’ Nick Bosa reflects on his ‘wash your hands, stay clean’ advice

Nick Bosa unsuspectingly sat at at a podium on Super Bowl Opening Night in the Miami Marlins ’ ballpark , amid all the glitz and benign talk that kicked off the annual , media sideshow .
Out of the blue , a Chinese reporter asked him about the coronavirus .
This was Jan. 27 , before COVID-19 erupted into a global pandemic .
“ I definitely remember that , because people thought it was pretty funny , ” Bosa recalled Thursday .
What made it funny was , well , a lot about Bosa ’ s answer , and certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not flinch .
He relayed sage advice “ to all my Chinese friends out there , wash your hands and stay clean , because there is a virus going around.
” He capped off his impromptu , public-service message by hoping everyone enjoyed Super Bowl LIV .
( Six days later , the 49ers went on to lose 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs . )
The coronavirus question came during a 45-minute session that included Bosa being asked by reporters about a variety of topics about the upcoming game as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a question posed by his one-time babysitter .
“ I had never really heard of the virus at that point , ” Bosa said Thursday .
“ But I remember somebody talking about just making sure washing our hands and being smart about it .
I just said it and it turned out to be one of the most important things you could do to avoid it , which is pretty much any virus.
” Dr. Bosa , if you will , was ahead of the game on this , literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL ’ s Defensive Rookie of the Year award five nights later , on Super Bowl eve , for his on-field exploits as the No .
2 overall draft pick .
This is not “ any virus , ” not by the worldwide impact it ’ s done from a health , sociological and economic standpoint .
Over 22 million cases have been reported and nearly 800,000 deaths globally , including 5.5 million cases in the U.S. and 173,000 deaths nationally , according to Johns Hopkins University California currently has 647,062 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report .
In the 3 1/2 weeks since NFL training camps opened , teams have avoided a COVID-19 outbreak .
The NFL Players Associated reported Aug. 12 that 64 players had tested positive .
The 49ers have had only two players , Richie James Jr. and Jeff Wilson Jr. , go on the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list , and both came off it Aug. 4 .
Players are tested daily and follow social-distancing measures in meetings and weight room .
“ The protocols have been going great , ” Bosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgot that it ’ s going on at some points because everything is going so smoothly in here .
“ It ’ s been good to get my mind off of what ’ s going on and just focus on football .
The protocols are going really well .
Obviously we haven ’ t had two many cases and just hoping we can continue to be smart throughout the whole year.
” Bosa has been a picture of good health at training camp , and he is summoning his strength for a daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Nick Bosa unsuspectingly sat at at a podium on Super Bowl Opening Night in the Miami Marlins’ ballpark, amid all the glitz and benign talk that kicked off the annual, media sideshow.
Out of the blue, a Chinese reporter asked him about the coronavirus. This was Jan. 27, before COVID-19 erupted into a global pandemic.
“I definitely remember that, because people thought it was pretty funny,” Bosa recalled Thursday.
What made it funny was, well, a lot about Bosa’s answer, and certainly nothing about the actual virus.
Bosa did not flinch. He relayed sage advice “to all my Chinese friends out there, wash your hands and stay clean, because there is a virus going around.” He capped off his impromptu, public-service message by hoping everyone enjoyed Super Bowl LIV. (Six days later, the 49ers went on to lose 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.)
#49ers Nick Bosa asked to give a public-service message about the #coronoavirus pic.twitter.com/hZHcQtJK7d — Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 28, 2020
The coronavirus question came during a 45-minute session that included Bosa being asked by reporters about a variety of topics about the upcoming game as well as memories of his native South Florida, including a question posed by his one-time babysitter.
“I had never really heard of the virus at that point,” Bosa said Thursday. “But I remember somebody talking about just making sure washing our hands and being smart about it. I just said it and it turned out to be one of the most important things you could do to avoid it, which is pretty much any virus.”
Dr. Bosa, if you will, was ahead of the game on this, literally. He went on to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award five nights later, on Super Bowl eve, for his on-field exploits as the No. 2 overall draft pick.
This is not “any virus,” not by the worldwide impact it’s done from a health, sociological and economic standpoint. Over 22 million cases have been reported and nearly 800,000 deaths globally, including 5.5 million cases in the U.S. and 173,000 deaths nationally, according to Johns Hopkins University California currently has 647,062 cases and 11,689 deaths, as of Wednesday’s report.
In the 3 1/2 weeks since NFL training camps opened, teams have avoided a COVID-19 outbreak. The NFL Players Associated reported Aug. 12 that 64 players had tested positive.
The 49ers have had only two players, Richie James Jr. and Jeff Wilson Jr., go on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list, and both came off it Aug. 4. Players are tested daily and follow social-distancing measures in meetings and weight room.
“The protocols have been going great,” Bosa said. “I’ve honestly forgot that it’s going on at some points because everything is going so smoothly in here.
“It’s been good to get my mind off of what’s going on and just focus on football. The protocols are going really well. Obviously we haven’t had two many cases and just hoping we can continue to be smart throughout the whole year.”
Bosa has been a picture of good health at training camp, and he is summoning his strength for a daily matchup with new left tackle Trent Williams.


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Horoscopes Aug. 21, 2020: Usain Bolt, the more you have to offer, the better

Happy Birthday : Take the initiative to update your skills , knowledge and technology this year .
The more you have to offer , the better .
Don ’ t limit what you can do ; exploring the possibilities and the prospects that surface will encourage you to set higher goals and standards .
The information you receive on your quest for a better future will be enlightening and life-altering .
Your numbers are 5 , 13 , 19 , 22 , 32 , 36 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Be careful how you treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be easily hurt if you are too vocal about the way you feel .
Ease into personal matters with kindness and consideration in order to avoid getting into a fight .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : An emotional incident will lead to a change of heart .
Do what ’ s best for you , and you will have no regrets .
A personal change will be the pick-me-up you need to improve your attitude .
Romance is in the stars .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll avoid trouble .
If you stretch the truth , someone who knows the facts will be eager to question you .
Work on self-improvement , not trying to change others .
Avoid temptation and untrustworthy people .
Be kind to yourself , and strive for a healthier lifestyle .
2 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Don ’ t act in haste .
It ’ s in your best interest to assess a situation , look for solutions and do whatever is necessary to make things better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to resolve a pending problem .
4 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Don ’ t dismiss a change before you check it out .
Embrace new possibilities , and you ’ ll find a way to make whatever is happening around you beneficial .
A steady pace and open mind will help you gain confidence as well as support .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A change of pace will be revitalizing .
Make unique plans with someone who puts a smile on your face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference to someone going through a hard time and make you feel good as well .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Set goals , high standards and expectations that make you feel proud .
Refuse to let anyone deter you from concentrating on what ’ s important to you .
An opportunity to make changes at home conducive to getting ahead at work should be put in motion .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : How you help others will determine what you will get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s best for everyone will give you leverage when you want to bring about change .
Don ’ t labor over the impossible ; forge ahead with what ’ s doable .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Learn something new .
An open mind and a desire to make a difference will help you incorporate positive changes that encourage you to let go of the past .
Don ’ t let an emotional matter stop you from making progress .
4 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you ’ ll avoid getting into a spat with a friend , relative or one of your business associates .
Look for personal opportunities that will help you update your attitude , image or lifestyle .
Romance is encouraged .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Pay attention to how much you spend , eat or take on physically .
Moderation will be essential if you want to reduce situations that bring you down .
Aim to look and feel your best , and you will find it easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Extending a helping hand has to be for the right reason .
If you have ulterior motives , you will be disappointed with the results .
Put greater emphasis on using your imagination and delving into creative projects .
Romance is on the rise .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are logical , productive and helpful .
You are philosophical and astute .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Hayden Panettiere, 31; Usain Bolt, 34; Carrie-Anne Moss, 53; Kim Cattrall, 64.
Happy Birthday: Take the initiative to update your skills, knowledge and technology this year. The more you have to offer, the better. Don’t limit what you can do; exploring the possibilities and the prospects that surface will encourage you to set higher goals and standards. The information you receive on your quest for a better future will be enlightening and life-altering. Your numbers are 5, 13, 19, 22, 32, 36, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be careful how you treat sensitive issues. Someone close to you will be easily hurt if you are too vocal about the way you feel. Ease into personal matters with kindness and consideration in order to avoid getting into a fight. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An emotional incident will lead to a change of heart. Do what’s best for you, and you will have no regrets. A personal change will be the pick-me-up you need to improve your attitude. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep busy, and you’ll avoid trouble. If you stretch the truth, someone who knows the facts will be eager to question you. Work on self-improvement, not trying to change others. Avoid temptation and untrustworthy people. Be kind to yourself, and strive for a healthier lifestyle. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t act in haste. It’s in your best interest to assess a situation, look for solutions and do whatever is necessary to make things better. Anger is not the answer if you want to resolve a pending problem. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t dismiss a change before you check it out. Embrace new possibilities, and you’ll find a way to make whatever is happening around you beneficial. A steady pace and open mind will help you gain confidence as well as support. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change of pace will be revitalizing. Make unique plans with someone who puts a smile on your face. A kind gesture will make a difference to someone going through a hard time and make you feel good as well. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Set goals, high standards and expectations that make you feel proud. Refuse to let anyone deter you from concentrating on what’s important to you. An opportunity to make changes at home conducive to getting ahead at work should be put in motion. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How you help others will determine what you will get in return. Being cooperative and doing what’s best for everyone will give you leverage when you want to bring about change. Don’t labor over the impossible; forge ahead with what’s doable. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Learn something new. An open mind and a desire to make a difference will help you incorporate positive changes that encourage you to let go of the past. Don’t let an emotional matter stop you from making progress. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep your emotions under control, and you’ll avoid getting into a spat with a friend, relative or one of your business associates. Look for personal opportunities that will help you update your attitude, image or lifestyle. Romance is encouraged. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pay attention to how much you spend, eat or take on physically. Moderation will be essential if you want to reduce situations that bring you down. Aim to look and feel your best, and you will find it easier to resist temptation. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Extending a helping hand has to be for the right reason. If you have ulterior motives, you will be disappointed with the results. Put greater emphasis on using your imagination and delving into creative projects. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are logical, productive and helpful. You are philosophical and astute.


Bridge: Aug. 21, 2020

“ Do you think Cy will ever take another job ?
” I asked Rose in the club lounge .
“ Cy will get up and go to work ?
” she said .
“ His chances of winning the lottery are better.
” Cy the Cynic is a lazybones .
As declarer , he jumps on the first line of play he sees .
At today ’ s four hearts , Cy drew trumps and led the A-K and a third club .
East won and led the jack of spades , and the defense took three spades for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about a different play ?
” North asked with asperity .
“ I save wear and tear on my brain , ” the Cynic replied .
Cy ’ s play was worse than lazy .
He can win the first trump in dummy and try a diamond finesse with his jack .
West wins and leads a second trump , and Cy wins , cashes the king of diamonds , takes the top clubs , discards his last club on the ace of diamonds and ruffs a club .
When East-West follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes the good club for his 10th trick .
If clubs didn ’ t break well , Cy could try for a spade trick .
You hold : S A Q 5 H 6 3 D Q 10 8 6 2 C 10 8 5 .
Your partner opens one heart , you respond 1NT and he bids two spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Partner has “ reversed ” the usual order of showing two long suits ( higher-ranking first ) and has a strong hand — in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You must not pass ; his bid is forcing .
Bid three diamonds or raise to three spades .
Partner won ’ t expect four-card spade support since you didn ’ t respond one spade .

“Do you think Cy will ever take another job?” I asked Rose in the club lounge.
“Cy will get up and go to work?” she said. “His chances of winning the lottery are better.”
Cy the Cynic is a lazybones. As declarer, he jumps on the first line of play he sees. At today’s four hearts, Cy drew trumps and led the A-K and a third club. East won and led the jack of spades, and the defense took three spades for down one.
“Did you even think about a different play?” North asked with asperity.
“I save wear and tear on my brain,” the Cynic replied.
TOP CLUBS
Cy’s play was worse than lazy. He can win the first trump in dummy and try a diamond finesse with his jack. West wins and leads a second trump, and Cy wins, cashes the king of diamonds, takes the top clubs, discards his last club on the ace of diamonds and ruffs a club.
When East-West follow, Cy draws trumps in dummy and takes the good club for his 10th trick. If clubs didn’t break well, Cy could try for a spade trick.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A Q 5 H 6 3 D Q 10 8 6 2 C 10 8 5. Your partner opens one heart, you respond 1NT and he bids two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner has “reversed” the usual order of showing two long suits (higher-ranking first) and has a strong hand — in some styles, strong enough for game. You must not pass; his bid is forcing. Bid three diamonds or raise to three spades. Partner won’t expect four-card spade support since you didn’t respond one spade.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 7 6
H A Q 9
D A 7 4
C A K 7 6
WEST
S A Q 5
H 6 3
D Q 10 8 6 2
C 10 8 5
EAST
S J 10 9 4
H 7 4 2
D 9 5 3
C Q J 9
SOUTH
S K 3 2
H K J 10 8 5
D K J
C 4 3 2
North East South West
1 NT Pass 3 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — H 3
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


Word Game: Aug. 21, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — ACROBATS ( ACROBATS : AK-ruh-bats : Persons skilled in feats of balance and agility in @ @ @ @ @ find 38 or more words in ACROBATS ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
@ @ @ @ @ book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last @ @ @ @ @ be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by @ @ @ @ @ , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed @ @ @ @ @ made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be @ @ @ @ @ if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are @ @ @ @ @ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang @ @ @ @ @ sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — ACROBATS (ACROBATS: AK-ruh-bats: Persons skilled in feats of balance and agility in gymnastics.)
Average mark 26 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 38 or more words in ACROBATS? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — MATRIARCH march mart match math mica mirth aitch
amah amir amtrac arch aria armchair tarmac tiara tram trim riata rich itch carat
cart chair char charm chart chat chirr chit cram hair harm hart
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-21--Ask Amy: Why would someone be so cruel in a funeral notice?

Dear Amy : This morning ’ s paper had the obituary of the father of a friend of mine .
The decedent ’ s younger son and daughter-in-law were mentioned by name , as was my friend ( the older son ) .
But my friend ’ s husband ( the two men are married ) was removed from the narrative .
In talking about that with another friend , she said that her ex-husband ’ s sibling was trans and had been mentioned in their father ’ s obituary by her birth name , the male name she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations share is deliberate cruelty to the immediate mourners .
In my friend ’ s situation , what does he do ?
Come by himself to the funeral , deprived of his husband ’ s comfort , or does he bring his husband and have to explain it all at the graveside ?
With the trans child , why did someone think that pretending that “ Jane ” was still “ John ” would be a good idea , when people not in-the-know will say , “ Who is that with the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • Ask Amy : She denies it happened , but I saw the proof on her phone • Ask Amy : I ’ m angry that the hostess didn ’ t tell me who this man was • Ask Amy : He was way out of line , and it shattered our friendship • Ask Amy : If I ’ m ‘ lucky to have a job , ’ why am I miserable ?
• Ask Amy : My in-laws don ’ t realize how horrible they are I ’ m so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain it .
Dear Angry : First of all , a death notice is not an invitation to a funeral .
Of course , your friend will bring his husband to his father ’ s service , because , well , they are married , and that ’ s what spouses do .
He doesn ’ t need to explain anything to anyone .
My daughter worked for a time editing death notices for a few newspapers , and what she took away from the experience was that many families use these notices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclude family members , or create a seemingly false narrative about a life .
She worked with funeral homes that would report former spouses submitting competing death notices , leaving out names of children from previous relationships .
The absurdity of it all would almost be funny , if it weren ’ t so cruel .
Dear Amy : My 19-year-old daughter ’ s freshman year of college ended with several weeks of online classes after California ’ s shelter-in-place mandate ended in-person instruction .
The online format was difficult for her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite well in her classes before then .
During quarantine she has become depressed and anxious about the coronavirus and the social and political upheaval our country is undergoing .
After discussion we ’ ve agreed that her starting her sophomore year online will not be a wise choice for her and she is going to take the semester , and possibly the year , off from college .
The question is : What now ?
The job market is tight .
Even volunteer opportunities are limited because of the pandemic .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously encourage her to join the Peace Corps .
She feels adrift .
She is in therapy , which is helpful .
I want to help guide her , but I am at a loss as to how , and what to suggest during this break from school .
Your suggestions ?
Dear Worried : I think your daughter should explore taking classes at your local community college .
This would also enable her to continue to identify as being a student , and would keep her on track , academically .
Taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important structure to her days .
The worst thing would be for her to have too much unstructured time .
This is when her anxiety would roam her brain ’ s hallways , looking for trouble .
She should spend as much time as possible outdoors .
Regular exercise will help .
Make sure she makes dinner for the family at least two times a week ( learning to cook will give her a sense of mastery ) .
She should also look for a part-time job or volunteer position .
Granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between , but exploring options and spitballing creative ideas ( could she perhaps be a Zoom tutor for an elementary school child ?
Does anyone need a dog walker ? )
will be good for her .
Also , make sure she limits her exposure to news/media/information/misinformation that triggers her anxiety .
The world will continue to spin on its axis if she spends one week with no media and only rereading Jane Austen and watching filmed adaptations of her novels .
Dear Amy : “ Trapped ” complained about a pal who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trapped could try documenting the behavior with a video and showing him his own behavior .
I ’ ve recently had infections that put me in a state of confusion that I don ’ t remember later .
My wife ’ s videos of me in that state were important evidence for my doctor and for me .
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 @ @ @ @ @

Dear Amy: This morning’s paper had the obituary of the father of a friend of mine. The decedent’s younger son and daughter-in-law were mentioned by name, as was my friend (the older son). But my friend’s husband (the two men are married) was removed from the narrative.
In talking about that with another friend, she said that her ex-husband’s sibling was trans and had been mentioned in their father’s obituary by her birth name, the male name she was assigned at birth.
What these two situations share is deliberate cruelty to the immediate mourners. In my friend’s situation, what does he do? Come by himself to the funeral, deprived of his husband’s comfort, or does he bring his husband and have to explain it all at the graveside?
With the trans child, why did someone think that pretending that “Jane” was still “John” would be a good idea, when people not in-the-know will say, “Who is that with the family? And where’s John?”
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Angry
Dear Angry: First of all, a death notice is not an invitation to a funeral. Of course, your friend will bring his husband to his father’s service, because, well, they are married, and that’s what spouses do. He doesn’t need to explain anything to anyone.
My daughter worked for a time editing death notices for a few newspapers, and what she took away from the experience was that many families use these notices to settle old scores, punish or exclude family members, or create a seemingly false narrative about a life. She worked with funeral homes that would report former spouses submitting competing death notices, leaving out names of children from previous relationships. The absurdity of it all would almost be funny, if it weren’t so cruel.
Dear Amy: My 19-year-old daughter’s freshman year of college ended with several weeks of online classes after California’s shelter-in-place mandate ended in-person instruction.
The online format was difficult for her, and she did poorly, after doing quite well in her classes before then.
During quarantine she has become depressed and anxious about the coronavirus and the social and political upheaval our country is undergoing.
After discussion we’ve agreed that her starting her sophomore year online will not be a wise choice for her and she is going to take the semester, and possibly the year, off from college.
The question is: What now? The job market is tight. Even volunteer opportunities are limited because of the pandemic. If it was an option, I would seriously encourage her to join the Peace Corps.
She feels adrift. She is in therapy, which is helpful. I want to help guide her, but I am at a loss as to how, and what to suggest during this break from school. Your suggestions?
Worried Mom
Dear Worried: I think your daughter should explore taking classes at your local community college. This would also enable her to continue to identify as being a student, and would keep her on track, academically. Taking at least one class would also provide an important structure to her days.
The worst thing would be for her to have too much unstructured time. This is when her anxiety would roam her brain’s hallways, looking for trouble. She should spend as much time as possible outdoors. Regular exercise will help. Make sure she makes dinner for the family at least two times a week (learning to cook will give her a sense of mastery).
She should also look for a part-time job or volunteer position. Granted these opportunities might be few and far between, but exploring options and spitballing creative ideas (could she perhaps be a Zoom tutor for an elementary school child? Does anyone need a dog walker?) will be good for her.
Also, make sure she limits her exposure to news/media/information/misinformation that triggers her anxiety. The world will continue to spin on its axis if she spends one week with no media and only rereading Jane Austen and watching filmed adaptations of her novels.
Also, podcasts. Gobs of podcasts.
Dear Amy: “Trapped” complained about a pal who drinks to excess without remembering the behavior. Trapped could try documenting the behavior with a video and showing him his own behavior.
I’ve recently had infections that put me in a state of confusion that I don’t remember later. My wife’s videos of me in that state were important evidence for my doctor and for me.
Recovering
Dear Recovering: Great suggestion. Thank you.
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.