mercurynews--2020-05-27--Bomb squad responds after West Oakland resident reports finding grenades

OAKLAND — Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office bomb squad members were heading to a vacant West Oakland home after @ @ @ @ @ reportedly found , authorities said Wednesday .
Around 2:35 p.m. , Oakland police received a @ @ @ @ @ and officers responded to the 800 block of Mead Avenue west of San Pablo Avenue @ @ @ @ @ said .
Just before 4 p.m , .
, bomb squad members were en route @ @ @ @ @ the grenades and an ammunition can also found , Alameda County Sgt .
Ray Kelly @ @ @ @ @ reports of injuries , and police were expected to provide traffic control nearby .

CLICK HERE if you can’t view the gallery in a mobile device.
OAKLAND — Two World War II era hand grenades in “pristine condition” that were found Wednesday afternoon in a vacant West Oakland house were later destroyed, authorities said.
The grenades were found around 2:35 p.m., Wednesday at a house under renovation in the 800 block of Mead Avenue west of San Pablo Avenue.
They were removed from the home by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and taken to the bomb range in Dublin where they were destroyed, Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said.
The grenades were the kind issued to U.S. forces in World War II and “were in pristine condition,” Kelly said. They apparently were in their original container and even though “they were historical in nature, they were still very dangerous,” Kelly said.
There were no reports of injuries, and police provided traffic control.
Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-05-27--What to stream: PlayGround SF new plays fest, Smuin Ballet, City Lights

Here are some intriguing concerts and shows available for streaming this week .
PlayGround Zoom Fest : This groundbreaking event features a wide variety of streaming new stage works presented by San Francisco ’ s Playground , the acclaimed incubator of new plays , in collaboration with the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ( SAG-AFTRA ) .
Some 140 actors and theaters artists are getting much-needed work putting on a series of new works by such playwrights as Lauren Yee , Aaron Loeb and Geetha Reddy .
This weekend , theater fans can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ Disbelief , ” by Garret Jon Groenveld , a # MeToo-themed reworking of the Myth of Cassandra , the daughter of the King of Troy who was placed under a curse by Apollo after rejecting his advances .
The festival also serves up short films and highlights from previous Playground new play festivals .
Details : “ Disbelief ” available for streaming Saturday and Sunday ; $ 10- $ 15 ; festival runs through June 14 ; full schedule and more information at playground-sf.org/zoomfest .
City Lights : The San Jose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series continues Friday with actors Ivette Deltoro and Davied Morales reprising their roles in a scene from “ I and You , ” which they starred in for City Lights a few years ago .
The Lauren Gunderson play is about two high school students from different backgrounds forming an unlikely bond over Walt Whitman ’ s poetry .
Smuin Contemporary Ballet : Besides offering a variety of online classes and converting used costumes into coronavirus masks ; the company is serving up free streaming performances of past works , as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s production is “ Take Five , ” Rex Wheeler ’ s high-spirited work set to the music of Dave Brubeck .
Details : “ Take Five ” available through Friday ; free ; facebook.com/SmuinBallet or instagram.com/smuinballet .
More information is at smuinballet.org .
Neil Young : The onetime Bay Area rock legend has been performing a series of fun and , yes , charming low-fi performances from his Colorado ranch , and he recently posted another .
It ’ s directed by his wife Daryl Hannah , who kicks things off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lazlo into an adorable close-up .
Then Young performs “ Tumbleweed ” on ukulele and “ Homegrown , ” according to Consequence of Sound website .
There are also lots of cameos from the Youngs ’ chickens .

Here are some intriguing concerts and shows available for streaming this week.
PlayGround Zoom Fest: This groundbreaking event features a wide variety of streaming new stage works presented by San Francisco’s Playground, the acclaimed incubator of new plays, in collaboration with the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Some 140 actors and theaters artists are getting much-needed work putting on a series of new works by such playwrights as Lauren Yee, Aaron Loeb and Geetha Reddy. This weekend, theater fans can get an early look at a semi-staged production of “Disbelief,” by Garret Jon Groenveld, a #MeToo-themed reworking of the Myth of Cassandra, the daughter of the King of Troy who was placed under a curse by Apollo after rejecting his advances. The festival also serves up short films and highlights from previous Playground new play festivals.
Details: “Disbelief” available for streaming Saturday and Sunday; $10-$15; festival runs through June 14; full schedule and more information at playground-sf.org/zoomfest.
City Lights: The San Jose stage troupe’s Next Stage streaming series continues Friday with actors Ivette Deltoro and Davied Morales reprising their roles in a scene from “I and You,” which they starred in for City Lights a few years ago. The Lauren Gunderson play is about two high school students from different backgrounds forming an unlikely bond over Walt Whitman’s poetry.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday; free but donations encouraged; cltc.org.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet: Besides offering a variety of online classes and converting used costumes into coronavirus masks; the company is serving up free streaming performances of past works, as part of its Hump Day series. This week’s production is “Take Five,” Rex Wheeler’s high-spirited work set to the music of Dave Brubeck.
Details: “Take Five” available through Friday; free; facebook.com/SmuinBallet or instagram.com/smuinballet. More information is at smuinballet.org.
Neil Young: The onetime Bay Area rock legend has been performing a series of fun and, yes, charming low-fi performances from his Colorado ranch, and he recently posted another. It’s directed by his wife Daryl Hannah, who kicks things off by cooing the couple’s llama Lazlo into an adorable close-up. Then Young performs “Tumbleweed” on ukulele and “Homegrown,” according to Consequence of Sound website. There are also lots of cameos from the Youngs’ chickens.
Details: Free; neilyoungarchives.com/movie-night.


mercurynews--2020-05-27--Kurtenbach: You shouldn’t have expected any better from A’s owner John Fisher

It was Black Tuesday for the A ’ s , as the team furloughed scouts and other team employees , issued pay cuts to “ a number ” of other employees , and eliminating a $ 400-a-week stipend for all minor-league players , citing the lack of revenue amid baseball ’ s work stoppage .
The A ’ s were not the first team to furlough jobs in the pandemic , but Tuesday ’ s moves made them the most aggressive cost-cutters in Major League Baseball .
The cuts brought about justified outrage and condemnation from fans and baseball media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though .
This is how the cowardly John Fisher has run the team since he became the team ’ s owner in 2005 .
Tuesday ’ s cuts were so significant that Fisher opted to make his first public comments since he bought the team , writing a letter to fans .
It did not contain any interesting or exonerating information .
It ’ s easy to say now , but the moves by Fisher should have been seen from a mile away .
It ’ s estimated that the A ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million by not paying their minor league player their poverty wages .
It looks like Fisher is sweating the small stuff , despite being worth an estimated $ 2.2 billion by Forbes , who updates their list of billionaires and their worths daily .
But it was only last week where the A ’ s were telling the city of Oakland and Alameda County that they did not have $ 1.2 million to pay their up-front rent at the Coliseum for 2020 .
Henry Gardner , the head of the Coliseum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the A ’ s told him that they had “ no ability to pay ” the annual rent due April 1 .
If you ’ re wondering where Fisher came up with the idea to not pay rent and issue widespread furloughs , it doesn ’ t seem as if you have to look far .
Much of Fisher ’ s wealth has come from being the youngest of three heirs to The Gap .
He is currently on that company ’ s board of directors .
Sure enough , The Gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American retail stores in April .
They also furloughed 80,000 retail employees , as well as cutting executive pay .
The company has seen its market capitalization go from $ 7 billion at the beginning of February to just above $ 2 billion at the beginning of April .
The A ’ s are not The Gap .
Sports teams carry a civic weight in a way that a place that sells corporate causal clothing never could .
This is why owners who make their teams a public manifestation of their egos .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ am ” guys might be gauche , but they ’ re good custodians .
Fisher is not that owner .
Despite baseball ’ s revenue boom and recent on-field success , the A ’ s are no closer to actually keeping star players who hit free agency and the organization has now struck out on two ballparks ( Howard Terminal , always a pipe dream , might as well be declared dead ) .
Fisher does not operate the A ’ s like a real big-league team .
Of course they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re small time .
Everything — even a pandemic — has at least a small silver lining , and one of the ones that I have seen show up over the last few weeks and months is a stripping away of pretense .
It ’ s becoming harder and harder to fake it these days .
I think that ’ s a good thing .
So of course the A ’ s were the first team in baseball to scream financial armageddon .
The A ’ s are an investment for Fisher — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so long as team valuations continue to increase .
Yes , he might be worth big bucks , but the team — which he has left to be self-sufficient — had the lowest revenue totals in the American League last year .
They were barely getting by when the season was going to be 162 games , with fans .
The notion of half a season , with no fans , is , in fact , armageddon when your owner refuses to go into his pocket to bridge the fiscal gap .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s actions , only trying to explain them .
Furthermore , the A ’ s will not be the last team to plead poverty .
Again , that doesn ’ t make their actions correct .
Beyond the actual dollars and cents , the moves were terrible public relations .
The juxtaposition of a fabulously rich man not paying employees less than $ 1,600 a month because “ he can ’ t afford it ” will not be forgotten anytime soon .
Fisher doesn ’ t like to be in the limelight — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and , for some unknown reason , he had maintained a semblance of plausible deniability with the fanbase .
But in the course of two weeks , he ’ s been pushed into the limelight .
I don ’ t know how much the A ’ s spend on advertising and public relations per season , but they have made two massive PR blunders — the rent strike and job cuts — over monies Fisher probably doesn ’ t notice he made or lost on a daily basis .
It seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently limited ) funds .
You ’ d like to think that team president Dave Kaval , a public relations “ guru ” , would have been able to avoid such blunders , but looking at his track record in charge , walking into them is par for the course .
The frustrating part for fans is that these cheapskate moves will further hurt the already hamstrung baseball operations department .
This year ’ s MLB Draft will only be five rounds — that means there will be hundreds of quality players who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agents .
Given what the A ’ s just did to their minor leaguers — something the bottom-of-the-barrel Marlins aren ’ t even doing — why would anyone want to sign with Oakland this summer ?
As for Matt Chapman , Matt Olsen , and soon-to-be free agent Marcus Semien , you can kiss them goodbye .
Why would anyone expect a team that won ’ t pay it ’ s most affordable players to pony up $ 20 , perhaps $ 30 million a year for their best players ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a big-time owner .
Maybe he does but is simply incapable .
Regardless , it ’ s been proven over 15 years that he ’ s not up for the job .
Actions like the last few weeks should not be so predictable .
My hope , for the fans of the A ’ s , the city of Oakland , and the East Bay , is that he can surprise us : by selling the team to someone who is actually up to the task .

It was Black Tuesday for the A’s, as the team furloughed scouts and other team employees, issued pay cuts to “a number” of other employees, and eliminating a $400-a-week stipend for all minor-league players, citing the lack of revenue amid baseball’s work stoppage.
The A’s were not the first team to furlough jobs in the pandemic, but Tuesday’s moves made them the most aggressive cost-cutters in Major League Baseball. The cuts brought about justified outrage and condemnation from fans and baseball media.
It should not have elicited surprise, though.
This is how the cowardly John Fisher has run the team since he became the team’s owner in 2005.
I shouldn’t be surprised the @Athletics are being cheapskates. I had to BUY my first TEAM-ISSUED equipment bag. Gets better. They tried to take it back at the end of Instructional League! “Ted Mart” waited til I was on the field to go in my locker & grab it. — Jeremy Barfield (@BarfontheField) May 27, 2020
Tuesday’s cuts were so significant that Fisher opted to make his first public comments since he bought the team, writing a letter to fans. It did not contain any interesting or exonerating information.
It’s easy to say now, but the moves by Fisher should have been seen from a mile away. It’s estimated that the A’s will save a little more than $1 million by not paying their minor league player their poverty wages. It looks like Fisher is sweating the small stuff, despite being worth an estimated $2.2 billion by Forbes, who updates their list of billionaires and their worths daily.
But it was only last week where the A’s were telling the city of Oakland and Alameda County that they did not have $1.2 million to pay their up-front rent at the Coliseum for 2020.
Henry Gardner, the head of the Coliseum Authority, told my colleague David DeBolt that the A’s told him that they had “no ability to pay” the annual rent due April 1.
If you’re wondering where Fisher came up with the idea to not pay rent and issue widespread furloughs, it doesn’t seem as if you have to look far.
Much of Fisher’s wealth has come from being the youngest of three heirs to The Gap. He is currently on that company’s board of directors.
Sure enough, The Gap stopped paying rent in their 2,785 North American retail stores in April. They also furloughed 80,000 retail employees, as well as cutting executive pay. The company has seen its market capitalization go from $7 billion at the beginning of February to just above $2 billion at the beginning of April.
The A’s are not The Gap. Sports teams carry a civic weight in a way that a place that sells corporate causal clothing never could. This is why owners who make their teams a public manifestation of their egos. The “look at how rich I am” guys might be gauche, but they’re good custodians.
Fisher is not that owner. Despite baseball’s revenue boom and recent on-field success, the A’s are no closer to actually keeping star players who hit free agency and the organization has now struck out on two ballparks (Howard Terminal, always a pipe dream, might as well be declared dead). Fisher does not operate the A’s like a real big-league team. Of course they’re sweating the small stuff — they’re small time.
Everything — even a pandemic — has at least a small silver lining, and one I have seen show up over the last few weeks and months is a stripping away of pretense. It’s becoming harder and harder to fake it these days. I think that’s a good thing.
So of course the A’s were the first team in baseball to scream financial armageddon. The A’s are an investment for Fisher — one that he will keep alive only so long as team valuations continue to increase. Yes, he might be worth big bucks, but the team — which he has left to be self-sufficient — had the lowest revenue totals in the American League last year. They were barely getting by when the season was going to be 162 games, with fans. The notion of half a season, with no fans, is, in fact, armageddon when your owner refuses to go into his pocket to bridge the fiscal gap.
I’m not justifying the A’s actions, only trying to explain them. Furthermore, the A’s will not be the last team to plead poverty. Again, that doesn’t make their actions correct.
Beyond the actual dollars and cents, the moves were terrible public relations.
The juxtaposition of a fabulously rich man not paying employees less than $1,600 a month because “he can’t afford it” will not be forgotten anytime soon. Fisher doesn’t like to be in the limelight — photos of him have a Patterson–Gimlin vibe — and, for some unknown reason, he had maintained a semblance of plausible deniability with the fanbase.
But in the course of two weeks, he’s been pushed into the limelight.
For what?
I don’t know how much the A’s spend on advertising and public relations per season, but they have made two massive PR blunders — the rent strike and job cuts — over monies Fisher probably doesn’t notice he made or lost on a daily basis.
It seems to me like a foolish use of (apparently limited) funds.
You’d like to think that team president Dave Kaval, a public relations “guru”, would have been able to avoid such blunders, but looking at his track record in charge, walking into them is par for the course.
The frustrating part for fans is that these cheapskate moves will further hurt the already hamstrung baseball operations department.
This year’s MLB Draft will only be five rounds — that means there will be hundreds of quality players who will be able to sign as undrafted free agents.
Given what the A’s just did to their minor leaguers — something the bottom-of-the-barrel Marlins aren’t even doing — why would anyone want to sign with Oakland this summer?
As for Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, and soon-to-be free agent Marcus Semien, you can kiss them goodbye. Why would anyone expect a team that won’t pay it’s most affordable players to pony up $20, perhaps $30 million a year for their best players?
I don’t know if Fisher wants to be a big-time owner. Maybe he does but is simply incapable. Regardless, it’s been proven over 15 years that he’s not up for the job. Actions like the last few weeks should not be so predictable.
My hope, for the fans of the A’s, the city of Oakland, and the East Bay, is that he can surprise us: by selling the team to someone who is actually up to the task.


mercurynews--2020-05-27--Milpitas: Four suspects arrested in attempted homicide

MILPITAS — Authorities on Wednesday announced four arrests in an attempted homicide where three people shot into a home on the city ’ s east side earlier this month .
In the early morning hours of May 12 , officers responded to the 200 block of Lynn Avenue after reports of numerous gunshots that had been fired into a home by multiple suspects , Lt. John Torrez said in a news release .
Torrez said no one was injured during the incident .
Detectives investigating the shooting identified three suspects , according to the release : 24-year-old Milpitas resident Jimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 24-year-old San Jose resident Joseph Feliciano .
Police did not release any more information about what led them to the suspects or any possible motive in the shooting .
Detectives obtained search warrants for several locations and arrest warrants for the three subjects on suspicion of attempted homicide , shooting into an inhabited dwelling and carrying a loaded firearm .
SWAT officers from Milpitas and others from several other area police and sheriff ’ s departments helped serve the warrants May 20 at locations in Milpitas and San Jose .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three men and found firearms inside two of the homes .
The three suspects were interviewed by authorities and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail .
Detectives learned a fourth person — Dennis Pham , 21 , of San Jose — was also involved in the incident .
They also obtained a no-bail arrest warrant for Pham and arrested him in Burlingame on May 26 .
“ While acts of violence such as this are shocking and rare in Milpitas , we want to assure our community this incident was not random @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
Anyone with additional information regarding this shooting incident can contact the Milpitas Police Department at 408-586-2400 .
Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at 408-586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department Website at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip .

MILPITAS — Authorities on Wednesday announced four arrests in an attempted homicide where three people shot into a home on the city’s east side earlier this month.
In the early morning hours of May 12, officers responded to the 200 block of Lynn Avenue after reports of numerous gunshots that had been fired into a home by multiple suspects, Lt. John Torrez said in a news release. Torrez said no one was injured during the incident.
Detectives investigating the shooting identified three suspects, according to the release: 24-year-old Milpitas resident Jimmy Nguyen, 28-year-old Milpitas resident Johnny Nguyen and 24-year-old San Jose resident Joseph Feliciano.
Police did not release any more information about what led them to the suspects or any possible motive in the shooting. Detectives obtained search warrants for several locations and arrest warrants for the three subjects on suspicion of attempted homicide, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and carrying a loaded firearm.
SWAT officers from Milpitas and others from several other area police and sheriff’s departments helped serve the warrants May 20 at locations in Milpitas and San Jose.
As the warrants were served, officers arrested all three men and found firearms inside two of the homes. The three suspects were interviewed by authorities and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.
Detectives learned a fourth person — Dennis Pham, 21, of San Jose — was also involved in the incident. They also obtained a no-bail arrest warrant for Pham and arrested him in Burlingame on May 26.
“While acts of violence such as this are shocking and rare in Milpitas, we want to assure our community this incident was not random,” Torrez said in the news release.
Anyone with additional information regarding this shooting incident can contact the Milpitas Police Department at 408-586-2400. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at 408-586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department Website at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.


mercurynews--2020-05-27--San Francisco: Residents sue to block sanctioned homeless camp

Up in arms over a plan members say will bring crime to their community , destroy local businesses and put everyone at risk of contracting COVID-19 , a group of neighbors is suing to stop San Francisco officials from opening a sanctioned homeless camp .
The camp , which is set to open as soon as Friday with spaces for 40 socially-distanced tents , is taking shape on a vacant city-owned lot on Stanyan Street , in the touristy Haight-Ashbury neighborhood .
It ’ s one of several tent cities officials are erecting to improve living conditions for people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global coronavirus pandemic .
But a group of residents and local businesses , taking the name Concerned Citizens of the Haight , argues the move will put the Haight community at risk .
The group sued the city in federal court Tuesday , asking a judge to stop the camp from opening .
“ If the City is allowed to unsafely house a large number of people in a small space in the middle of a densely-populated residential and business district , ” the lawsuit states , “ the result will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Campers and among the residents , merchants , and property owners of the surrounding area.
” City officials admit that the sanctioned camp , which will provide residents with portable toilets , hand-washing stations , showers and round-the-clock security , is a temporary measure of last resort .
But after homeless shelters stopped taking new arrivals in an effort to limit crowding and prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the number of tents throughout the city increased by 71 % .
Proponents of the sanctioned camps — dubbed safe sleeping sites — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative of dirty , crowded encampments where the virus could spread like wildfire .
A similar sanctioned camp adjacent to San Francisco City Hall has already opened , and a third is set to open next month between the city ’ s Castro and Mission districts .
More are likely to come .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that folks would try to block ( the Haight camp ) , as opposed to just contributing to it , and participating , and sharing their concerns , and getting the improvements and precautions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisor Dean Preston , who has been working to move the camp in his district forward .
Members of the neighborhood group , represented by San Francisco-based attorney Harmeet Dhillon , said they tried reaching out to the city with their concerns , and didn ’ t get meaningful — or in some cases any — responses .
The site formerly held a McDonald ’ s that spurred constant complaints of crime and drug activity .
After City Attorney Dennis Herrera declared the site a public nuisance , the city bought the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it into affordable housing .
Construction is set to start in about two years .
In the meantime , the site is expected to house the homeless for the next three to six months .
The lawsuit argues the proposed Haight encampment will draw crime back to the neighborhood , replicating the conditions created by the beleaguered McDonald ’ s .
Shoppers will avoid the area , hurting the nearby businesses , the lawyers wrote .
They claim that conditions inside the encampment may not be clean enough to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be serviced regularly enough , for example — which could put any nearby residents who walk down the street at risk .
The lawyers point out that the proposed encampment is in the direct proximity of a public bus stop , a Whole Foods where customers line up outside the store for their turn to shop , the entrance to Golden Gate Park , a skate park and two childcare facilities .
“ In short , ” the lawyers wrote , “ in the middle of a group of citizens of all ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmed by the imminent crime and disease that is amply foreseeable as a result of this change.
” The lawyers argue the proposed encampment creates a public and private nuisance , violates the rights of its neighbors and goes against the city ’ s zoning rules .
They ’ re asking the court to bar the city from going forward with the plan .
• What to stream : PlayGround SF new plays fest , Smuin Ballet , City Lights • Poll : Half of Americans would get a COVID-19 vaccine The lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business owners in San Francisco ’ s Tenderloin neighborhood sued the city for failing to address the sprawling , unhygienic homeless encampments in the area .
The new sanctioned encampments sprang out of Mayor London Breed ’ s plan to manage that crisis .
And , according to Preston , most neighborhood residents are on board .
“ There is not a broad-based movement against this , ” he said .
“ It ’ s really a handful of folks who have made clear since the day I took office that they oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide homeless services , navigation centers , any of that in the Haight or Cole Valley… But there ’ s overwhelming support for safe sleeping sites .
”

Up in arms over a plan members say will bring crime to their community, destroy local businesses and put everyone at risk of contracting COVID-19, a group of neighbors is suing to stop San Francisco officials from opening a sanctioned homeless camp.
The camp, which is set to open as soon as Friday with spaces for 40 socially-distanced tents, is taking shape on a vacant city-owned lot on Stanyan Street, in the touristy Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. It’s one of several tent cities officials are erecting to improve living conditions for people on the streets in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. But a group of residents and local businesses, taking the name Concerned Citizens of the Haight, argues the move will put the Haight community at risk.
The group sued the city in federal court Tuesday, asking a judge to stop the camp from opening.
“If the City is allowed to unsafely house a large number of people in a small space in the middle of a densely-populated residential and business district,” the lawsuit states, “the result will be a high risk of transmission of COVID19 among the Campers and among the residents, merchants, and property owners of the surrounding area.”
City officials admit that the sanctioned camp, which will provide residents with portable toilets, hand-washing stations, showers and round-the-clock security, is a temporary measure of last resort. But after homeless shelters stopped taking new arrivals in an effort to limit crowding and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of tents throughout the city increased by 71%. Proponents of the sanctioned camps — dubbed safe sleeping sites — say they’re better than the alternative of dirty, crowded encampments where the virus could spread like wildfire.
A similar sanctioned camp adjacent to San Francisco City Hall has already opened, and a third is set to open next month between the city’s Castro and Mission districts. More are likely to come.
“It’s unfortunate that folks would try to block (the Haight camp), as opposed to just contributing to it, and participating, and sharing their concerns, and getting the improvements and precautions that they want,” said San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, who has been working to move the camp in his district forward.
Members of the neighborhood group, represented by San Francisco-based attorney Harmeet Dhillon, said they tried reaching out to the city with their concerns, and didn’t get meaningful — or in some cases any — responses.
The site formerly held a McDonald’s that spurred constant complaints of crime and drug activity. After City Attorney Dennis Herrera declared the site a public nuisance, the city bought the property in 2018, with plans to turn it into affordable housing. Construction is set to start in about two years.
In the meantime, the site is expected to house the homeless for the next three to six months.
The lawsuit argues the proposed Haight encampment will draw crime back to the neighborhood, replicating the conditions created by the beleaguered McDonald’s. Shoppers will avoid the area, hurting the nearby businesses, the lawyers wrote. They claim that conditions inside the encampment may not be clean enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — the portable toilets might not be serviced regularly enough, for example — which could put any nearby residents who walk down the street at risk.
The lawyers point out that the proposed encampment is in the direct proximity of a public bus stop, a Whole Foods where customers line up outside the store for their turn to shop, the entrance to Golden Gate Park, a skate park and two childcare facilities.
“In short,” the lawyers wrote, “in the middle of a group of citizens of all ages and types, who will be irreparably harmed by the imminent crime and disease that is amply foreseeable as a result of this change.”
The lawyers argue the proposed encampment creates a public and private nuisance, violates the rights of its neighbors and goes against the city’s zoning rules. They’re asking the court to bar the city from going forward with the plan.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The lawsuit comes after a group of residents and business owners in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood sued the city for failing to address the sprawling, unhygienic homeless encampments in the area. The new sanctioned encampments sprang out of Mayor London Breed’s plan to manage that crisis.
And, according to Preston, most neighborhood residents are on board.
“There is not a broad-based movement against this,” he said. “It’s really a handful of folks who have made clear since the day I took office that they oppose any efforts to house homeless people, provide homeless services, navigation centers, any of that in the Haight or Cole Valley… But there’s overwhelming support for safe sleeping sites.”


mercurynews--2020-05-27--Contra Costa County opens cooling centers, attempting to balance need and COVID risk

Contra Costa County opened four indoor spaces for county residents to cool off and escape the heat Wednesday as temperatures in the region approached 100 degrees .
The decision to open cooling centers in the middle of the pandemic was challenging , said a spokeswoman for the Employment and Human Services Department , as officials had to weigh the importance of creating a space for vulnerable people to stay cool with the risks associated with having visitors gathered indoors during a pandemic .
“ Usually during the extreme heat , we ’ re able to recommend that people go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , movie theaters or those places that are open to the public and have air conditioning available , ” department spokeswoman Tish Gallegos said .
“ However , given the shelter-in-place , we can ’ t do that because all of those places are closed.
” With none of the traditional alternatives available , the department chose to open the doors of district offices .
“ Our director wanted to basically figure out how can we support ( seniors and people with disabilities ) and in conjunction with the health department , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the vulnerable community members that we serve to ensure that we do have a place that they can go to get some relief ?
” The county ’ s Employment and Human Services Department opened district offices in Antioch , Pleasant Hill , Hercules and Richmond for seniors and people with disabilities to cool off from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday , Thursday and Friday of this week .
Before visitors are permitted to enter one of the district offices to cool off , they ’ ll be asked whether they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough , a fever , difficulty breathing or had chills within the last 24 hours .
They ’ ll also be asked if they ’ ve had contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus within the last two weeks .
Unlike visitors to cooling centers in San Jose , visitors to Contra Costa County offices will not have their temperatures checked prior to entry .
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission , the Employment and Human Services Department will require visitors to wear face coverings and maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another .
• What to stream : PlayGround SF new plays fest , Smuin Ballet , City Lights • Poll : Half of Americans would get a COVID-19 vaccine Like San Jose , which opened five cooling centers in the city on Tuesday , Contra Costa County will follow CDC guidelines and attempt to keep symptomatic carriers of COVID-19 away from the cooling centers .
They can not , however , ensure that asymptomatic carriers will be kept out .
“ If someone is asymptomatic , as with anywhere , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallegos said .
“ How do we know ?
At this point , those are the guidelines and the requirements that we ’ re working with just with people self-regulating that and understanding whether they may or may not have been exposed .
We ’ re basically just following the guidance that if they ’ re exhibiting symptoms , they should not be going to any of these places .
”

Contra Costa County opened four indoor spaces for county residents to cool off and escape the heat Wednesday as temperatures in the region approached 100 degrees.
The decision to open cooling centers in the middle of the pandemic was challenging, said a spokeswoman for the Employment and Human Services Department, as officials had to weigh the importance of creating a space for vulnerable people to stay cool with the risks associated with having visitors gathered indoors during a pandemic.
“Usually during the extreme heat, we’re able to recommend that people go to senior centers, community centers, libraries, movie theaters or those places that are open to the public and have air conditioning available,” department spokeswoman Tish Gallegos said. “However, given the shelter-in-place, we can’t do that because all of those places are closed.”
With none of the traditional alternatives available, the department chose to open the doors of district offices.
“Our director wanted to basically figure out how can we support (seniors and people with disabilities) and in conjunction with the health department, what is it that we can possibly do for the vulnerable community members that we serve to ensure that we do have a place that they can go to get some relief?”
The county’s Employment and Human Services Department opened district offices in Antioch, Pleasant Hill, Hercules and Richmond for seniors and people with disabilities to cool off from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
Before visitors are permitted to enter one of the district offices to cool off, they’ll be asked whether they’ve had COVID-19 symptoms such as a cough, a fever, difficulty breathing or had chills within the last 24 hours. They’ll also be asked if they’ve had contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus within the last two weeks.
Unlike visitors to cooling centers in San Jose, visitors to Contra Costa County offices will not have their temperatures checked prior to entry.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Employment and Human Services Department will require visitors to wear face coverings and maintain a social distance of six feet from one another.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Like San Jose, which opened five cooling centers in the city on Tuesday, Contra Costa County will follow CDC guidelines and attempt to keep symptomatic carriers of COVID-19 away from the cooling centers. They cannot, however, ensure that asymptomatic carriers will be kept out.
“If someone is asymptomatic, as with anywhere, that’s the million dollar question,” Gallegos said. “How do we know? At this point, those are the guidelines and the requirements that we’re working with just with people self-regulating that and understanding whether they may or may not have been exposed. We’re basically just following the guidance that if they’re exhibiting symptoms, they should not be going to any of these places.”


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Letter: Vacant Walnut Creek lot more valued than high-density plan

This letter is regarding the proposed very high density 284-unit , six-story apartment project on the corner of Del Hombre and Roble Road in unincorporated Walnut Creek , under the review of the Contra Costa County Planning Commission , and its impacts on quality of life .
I represent a voice of the community and the environment .
COVID-19 has reminded us of our need to slow down .
We are living in a heightened sense of uncertainty and suffering ( physical , emotional and financial ) .
It is imperative to reduce stress , and to find comfort in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From my balcony , I delight in the birds and trees in my nearby view .
Nature impacts our state of mind , imparts a calming effect on the nervous system ; congestion creates stress in the mind and body .
• Letter : While renters , my wife and I saved for a down payment • Letter : Trump fully believes what he thinks or says • Letter : Freedoms include the right to refuse someone service There is unseen value in a vacant lot layered in trees , which takes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better when less is more .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

This letter is regarding the proposed very high density 284-unit, six-story apartment project on the corner of Del Hombre and Roble Road in unincorporated Walnut Creek, under the review of the Contra Costa County Planning Commission, and its impacts on quality of life. I represent a voice of the community and the environment.
COVID-19 has reminded us of our need to slow down. We are living in a heightened sense of uncertainty and suffering (physical, emotional and financial). It is imperative to reduce stress, and to find comfort in our homes and refuge from noise.
From my balcony, I delight in the birds and trees in my nearby view. Nature impacts our state of mind, imparts a calming effect on the nervous system; congestion creates stress in the mind and body.
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives Letters to the Editor | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances Letters to the Editor | Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language
Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language Letters to the Editor | Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path
Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps There is unseen value in a vacant lot layered in trees, which takes a backseat to the ideology that more is better when less is more.
Dina Varellas
Walnut Creek
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Violence again rocks Minneapolis after man’s death; 1 killed

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) — A man was shot to death as violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked Minneapolis for a second straight night , with protesters looting stores near a police precinct and setting fires that continued to burn Thursday morning .
Police said they were investigating Wednesday night ’ s death as a homicide and had a suspect in custody , but were still investigating what led to the shooting .
Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station , in the southern part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died on Memorial Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive .
News helicopter footage showed protesters milling in streets near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station , with some running in and out of nearby stores .
A Target , a Cub Foods , a Dollar Tree and an auto parts store all showed signs of damage and looting .
As darkness fell , fire erupted in the auto parts store , and city fire crews rushed to control it .
Protesters set other fires in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearby precinct , not attempting to intervene in the looting .
Multiple fires burned early Thursday at buildings and smoke hung over the city .
Fire crews worked to put out flames .
Blocks of buildings with broken-out windows and other damage from looting were seen , and KSTP-TV reported that some people were seen going through buildings .
Police spokesman John Elder said officers responding to a reported stabbing near the protests found a man lying on the sidewalk with what turned out to be a bullet wound .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elder said a suspect was in custody but said the facts leading up to the shooting were “ still being sorted out.
” It was the second night of violent protest since the death of Floyd , whom police were seeking to arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed .
A bystander ’ s cellphone video showed an officer kneeling on Floyd ‘ s neck for almost eight minutes as he eventually became unresponsive .
Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted for calm early Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not let tragedy beget more tragedy , ” he said on Twitter .
He also asked for the public ’ s help in keeping the peace .
The officer and three others were fired Tuesday , and on Wednesday , Frey called for him to be criminally charged .
Protesters also gathered Wednesday evening at the officer ’ s suburban home as well as the Minneapolis home of Mike Freeman , the Hennepin County prosecutor who would make a charging decision in the case .
No violence was reported in those protests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Police Chief Medaria Arradondo urged calm .
In an interview with KMSP-TV , he noted the internal investigation as well as the FBI ’ s investigation of Floyd ’ s death and said they offer a chance at justice .
“ Justice historically has never come to fruition through some of the acts we ’ re seeing tonight , whether it ’ s the looting , the damage to property or other things , ” he said .
Elder said officers from St. Paul , Metro Transit and the state patrol were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hundreds of people protesting Floyd ’ s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers on Wednesday .

By DOUG GLASS
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man was shot to death as violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked Minneapolis for a second straight night, with protesters looting stores near a police precinct and setting fires that continued to burn Thursday morning.
Police said they were investigating Wednesday night’s death as a homicide and had a suspect in custody, but were still investigating what led to the shooting.
Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon near the city’s 3rd Precinct station, in the southern part of the city where 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive.
News helicopter footage showed protesters milling in streets near the city’s 3rd Precinct station, with some running in and out of nearby stores. A Target, a Cub Foods, a Dollar Tree and an auto parts store all showed signs of damage and looting. As darkness fell, fire erupted in the auto parts store, and city fire crews rushed to control it. Protesters set other fires in the street.
Officers could be seen surrounding the nearby precinct, not attempting to intervene in the looting.
Multiple fires burned early Thursday at buildings and smoke hung over the city. Fire crews worked to put out flames. Blocks of buildings with broken-out windows and other damage from looting were seen, and KSTP-TV reported that some people were seen going through buildings.
Police spokesman John Elder said officers responding to a reported stabbing near the protests found a man lying on the sidewalk with what turned out to be a bullet wound. The man was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Elder said a suspect was in custody but said the facts leading up to the shooting were “still being sorted out.”
It was the second night of violent protest since the death of Floyd, whom police were seeking to arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed. A bystander’s cellphone video showed an officer kneeling on Floyd ‘s neck for almost eight minutes as he eventually became unresponsive.
Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted for calm early Thursday. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” he said on Twitter. He also asked for the public’s help in keeping the peace.
The officer and three others were fired Tuesday, and on Wednesday, Frey called for him to be criminally charged.
Protesters also gathered Wednesday evening at the officer’s suburban home as well as the Minneapolis home of Mike Freeman, the Hennepin County prosecutor who would make a charging decision in the case. No violence was reported in those protests.
As the protests stretched into the evening, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo urged calm. In an interview with KMSP-TV, he noted the internal investigation as well as the FBI’s investigation of Floyd’s death and said they offer a chance at justice.
“Justice historically has never come to fruition through some of the acts we’re seeing tonight, whether it’s the looting, the damage to property or other things,” he said.
Elder said officers from St. Paul, Metro Transit and the state patrol were helping police the area.
In California, hundreds of people protesting Floyd’s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers on Wednesday.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Letter: Dr. Cody has prevented much suffering, death

We represent a group of 12 infectious disease and infection prevention specialists at six Santa Clara County hospitals ( not affiliated with the Public Health Department ) who have worked with Dr. Sara Cody for many years .
We were disturbed by the misleading advertisement attacking Dr. Cody in the May 23 Mercury News ( Page B12 ) .
While there is room for discussion of public policy , the description of Dr. Cody as unaware or unconcerned with the economic welfare of our county residents is incorrect .
Indeed , Dr. Cody has earned much praise for her dedication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our county , and we know her to be a physician and public health leader of unwavering integrity .
• Letter : While renters , my wife and I saved for a down payment • Letter : Trump fully believes what he thinks or says • Letter : Freedoms include the right to refuse someone service • Letter : Nancy Pelosi is showing off her freezer full of ice cream now ?
Her actions have prevented a great deal of suffering and death .
The claim that she is “ ignoring local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

We represent a group of 12 infectious disease and infection prevention specialists at six Santa Clara County hospitals (not affiliated with the Public Health Department) who have worked with Dr. Sara Cody for many years.
We were disturbed by the misleading advertisement attacking Dr. Cody in the May 23 Mercury News (Page B12).
While there is room for discussion of public policy, the description of Dr. Cody as unaware or unconcerned with the economic welfare of our county residents is incorrect. Indeed, Dr. Cody has earned much praise for her dedication to protecting the welfare of the residents of our county, and we know her to be a physician and public health leader of unwavering integrity.
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives Letters to the Editor | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances Letters to the Editor | Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language
Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language Letters to the Editor | Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path
Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Her actions have prevented a great deal of suffering and death. The claim that she is “ignoring local hardship” could not be further from the truth.
Dr. Jonathan Blum
Santa Clara
Dr. Carol Kemper
Mountain View
Dr. Lucy Tompkins
Stanford
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Horoscopes May 28, 2020: Carey Mulligan and Kylie Minogue share advice.

Happy Birthday : A passionate approach to whatever you take on this year will draw interest and encouragement to finish what you start .
You ’ ll learn if you use a creative process to develop a plan that will address issues that have held you back in the past .
Trust only well-sourced facts to avoid being taken advantage of or misled .
Your numbers are 7 , 13 , 22 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Don ’ t hesitate to make a change or share your thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Set long-term goals that will give you something to look forward to achieving .
Don ’ t trust someone who has disappointed you .
5 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Don ’ t jump into something for the wrong reason .
If your emotions are behind your desire for change , take a step back and consider what you want .
A premature move will set you back .
Don ’ t let your heart rule your head .
2 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Reasonable personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to make a change may entice you , but consider your motive or someone else ’ s before you set your plans in motion .
Moderation and a strict budget will be helpful .
4 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Consider your options and how you see yourself moving forward .
Paving the way to a better future doesn ’ t always mean more money .
Having peace of mind , doing something you enjoy and taking better care of your emotional well-being are priceless .
3 stars LEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change someone wants you to make will tempt you , but consider what ’ s involved .
Choose to bide your time .
Look inward , and you ’ ll discover what you can do to improve .
Truthfulness and being realistic begin within .
3 stars VIRGO ( August 23-September 22 ) : Avoid getting involved in someone ’ s problem .
If you want to make a difference , consider the changes you can make to up your game .
Learn something new , and expand your interests and skills .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better health .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Take greater interest in your creative endeavors .
Look for innovative ways to share what you have to offer with others .
Technology will play an active role in the way you use your strengths to get ahead .
Romance and personal growth are encouraged .
4 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Take a step back , and observe how others respond .
Avoid an emotional situation that could cost you if you say or do the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and putting everything in its place .
Protect your possessions and passwords .
2 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Be open to suggestions , but don ’ t be gullible .
Don ’ t expect everyone to be beneficial .
Paying attention to the way you look and how you take care of your health and well-being will make a difference .
Put your needs first .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Change begins within .
Consider what you want to achieve and the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you desire .
Discipline and hard work will pay off .
Avoid situations that are physically compromising or could hurt your reputation .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Make your place comfortable and geared toward being more productive .
Don ’ t be fooled by someone ’ s lavish plan or persuasive tactics to separate you from your money .
A straightforward layout and small expenditure will be sufficient to satisfy your needs .
3 stars PISCES ( February 19-March 20 ) : Take on only what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mandatory when dealing with others .
Problems at home will arise if you can ’ t get along with someone who lives with or near you .
Set boundaries if necessary .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are intelligent , unpredictable and curious .
You are helpful and approachable .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Carey Mulligan, 35; Kylie Minogue, 52; Christa Miller, 56; Gladys Knight, 76.
Happy Birthday: A passionate approach to whatever you take on this year will draw interest and encouragement to finish what you start. You’ll learn if you use a creative process to develop a plan that will address issues that have held you back in the past. Trust only well-sourced facts to avoid being taken advantage of or misled. Your numbers are 7, 13, 22, 28, 31, 35, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t hesitate to make a change or share your thoughts with a close friend or lover. Set long-term goals that will give you something to look forward to achieving. Don’t trust someone who has disappointed you. 5 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t jump into something for the wrong reason. If your emotions are behind your desire for change, take a step back and consider what you want. A premature move will set you back. Don’t let your heart rule your head. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Reasonable personal improvements will lift your spirits. A chance to make a change may entice you, but consider your motive or someone else’s before you set your plans in motion. Moderation and a strict budget will be helpful. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Consider your options and how you see yourself moving forward. Paving the way to a better future doesn’t always mean more money. Having peace of mind, doing something you enjoy and taking better care of your emotional well-being are priceless. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-August 22): A change someone wants you to make will tempt you, but consider what’s involved. Choose to bide your time. Look inward, and you’ll discover what you can do to improve. Truthfulness and being realistic begin within. 3 stars
VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Avoid getting involved in someone’s problem. If you want to make a difference, consider the changes you can make to up your game. Learn something new, and expand your interests and skills. Apply your energy to physical fitness and better health. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take greater interest in your creative endeavors. Look for innovative ways to share what you have to offer with others. Technology will play an active role in the way you use your strengths to get ahead. Romance and personal growth are encouraged. 4 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a step back, and observe how others respond. Avoid an emotional situation that could cost you if you say or do the wrong thing. Focus on home and family and putting everything in its place. Protect your possessions and passwords. 2 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be open to suggestions, but don’t be gullible. Don’t expect everyone to be beneficial. Paying attention to the way you look and how you take care of your health and well-being will make a difference. Put your needs first. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Change begins within. Consider what you want to achieve and the best way to turn what you already have into what you desire. Discipline and hard work will pay off. Avoid situations that are physically compromising or could hurt your reputation. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make your place comfortable and geared toward being more productive. Don’t be fooled by someone’s lavish plan or persuasive tactics to separate you from your money. A straightforward layout and small expenditure will be sufficient to satisfy your needs. 3 stars
PISCES (February 19-March 20): Take on only what’s feasible. Honesty and integrity will be mandatory when dealing with others. Problems at home will arise if you can’t get along with someone who lives with or near you. Set boundaries if necessary. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, unpredictable and curious. You are helpful and approachable.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Word Game: May 28, 2020

Word Game: May 28, 2020

Can you find 30 or more words in THEORIZE ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — THEORIZE (THEORIZE: THEE-uh-rize: To speculate; form a theory about.)
Average mark 22 words
Time limit 35 minutes
Can you find 30 or more words in THEORIZE? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — COLLAGES cage call case cell cello clog close coal cola
cole ogle lace lase legal local locale loge lose aloe also gale gall goal goes sage
sale scale seal sell slag sloe slog solace sole
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.


Bridge: May 28, 2020

Another sign standing guard beside a church in my town : “ God ’ s will is perfect , but people make misteaks.
” In today ’ s deal , South bid to a decent slam , and West led the jack of spades .
When East ’ s king covered dummy ’ s queen , South thought it a good idea to play low .
East then shifted to the nine of diamonds , and South faced an awkward guess .
He had to decide whether to stake the slam on a finesse with the queen or take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long club for a diamond discard .
At length , South rose with the ace — his best percentage play — and continued thus : club to the ace , club ruff , trump to dummy and a second club ruff .
Alas , West discarded , and South ’ s queen of diamonds was a loser .
South made a misteak at Trick One .
He should take his ace of spades and start the clubs , retaining his options .
When South ruffs the third round of clubs and sees West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spade and reach dummy with a spade ruff to finesse in diamonds .
You hold : S Q 2 H A J 2 D 8 6 3 C A Q 10 4 3 .
Your partner opens one diamond , you bid two clubs and he rebids two diamonds .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : To blast into 3NT might work ; if partner ’ s spades are A-x-x or K-x-x , a notrump contract might do better from your side of the table .
Still , partner might hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A K J 9 5 2 , K 2 .
Bid two hearts .
If he next bids 2NT , raise to 3NT .
If he bids three diamonds or three clubs , you will avoid notrump .

Another sign standing guard beside a church in my town: “God’s will is perfect, but people make misteaks.”
In today’s deal, South bid to a decent slam, and West led the jack of spades. When East’s king covered dummy’s queen, South thought it a good idea to play low.
East then shifted to the nine of diamonds, and South faced an awkward guess. He had to decide whether to stake the slam on a finesse with the queen or take the ace and rely on setting up a long club for a diamond discard.
CLUB RUFFS
At length, South rose with the ace — his best percentage play — and continued thus: club to the ace, club ruff, trump to dummy and a second club ruff. Alas, West discarded, and South’s queen of diamonds was a loser.
South made a misteak at Trick One. He should take his ace of spades and start the clubs, retaining his options. When South ruffs the third round of clubs and sees West’s discard, South can concede a spade and reach dummy with a spade ruff to finesse in diamonds.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 2 H A J 2 D 8 6 3 C A Q 10 4 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid two clubs and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: To blast into 3NT might work; if partner’s spades are A-x-x or K-x-x, a notrump contract might do better from your side of the table. Still, partner might hold 6 5, Q 4 3, A K J 9 5 2, K 2. Bid two hearts. If he next bids 2NT, raise to 3NT. If he bids three diamonds or three clubs, you will avoid notrump.
North dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 2
H A J 2
D 8 6 3
C A Q 10 4 3
WEST
S J 10 9 8 3
H 5
D J 10 5 4 2
C 7 5
EAST
S K 7 6
H 7 4
D K 9 7
C K J 9 8 2
SOUTH
S A 5 4
H K Q 10 9 8 6 3
D A Q
C 6
NorthEastSouthWest
1 CPass1 HPass
2 HPass4 NTPass
5 HPass6 HAll Pass
Opening lead — S J
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Ask Amy: Am I being creepy with this woman on Twitter?

DEAR AMY : I ’ ve been following a woman on Twitter for a few years now .
I ’ ve always thought she was great , but lately ( even before quarantine made us all lonely ) , I ’ ve started to really like her .
She ’ s fun , endearing , passionate , hilarious , and beautiful !
We ’ ve never met , but I ’ ve occasionally messaged her ideas that are relevant to her interests , and sometimes she ’ ll politely respond with a “ haha ” or “ lol.
” Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in me , she would have said more than those brief responses , and that I should stop bothering her .
( She has a bit of a following , so I ’ m surely I ’ m not the only guy contacting her through direct messages . )
I like her so much .
I think about her all the time , but maybe this is one of those times where someone is infatuated with the idea of a person ?
I ’ d hate for that to be the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be virtuous and not borderline creepy .
• Ask Amy : Now that she lives with me , her annoying habit is a big problem • Ask Amy : I speak my mind , and it makes these women cry • Ask Amy : She ’ s convinced we ’ ve been begging her for a three-way for 20 years • Ask Amy : I ’ m an engineer with poor people skills , and I ’ m getting these agitated calls • Ask Amy : If they were good people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & LONELY : Yes , you are infatuated with the idea of a person .
I know this because — speaking as someone with an active social media presence — I know that the persona many of us projects on social media is a construction .
It ’ s a controlled version of reality , and , yes , as you put it , an “ idea of a person.
” You are correct .
If this woman was available and/or into you at all , she would respond more fully and expressively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If she was interested , at the very least she would compose a complete sentence when responding to your contact .
“ haha ” and “ lol ” don ’ t qualify .
Those one-word lower-case responses are merely pro-forma acknowledgments that she has read your message .
Please believe this .
I can ’ t characterize your private feelings , but you do seem to be approaching the border of “ borderline creepy .
… ” You ’ ve got a crush on someone you feel connected to , much as anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer , actor , musician or public figure .
But it is as unrequited as my crush on Ryan Gosling , and you need to understand and accept that .
( Ryan… ?
Call me . )
If you are ruminating excessively about this woman and it is interfering with other activities and relationships , then you should take steps to deliberately dial down your access to her postings .
Repeated Twitter triggers reminding you of how awesome you believe she is don ’ t help .
DEAR AMY : I am currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad aspects and events of my life .
I had a friend in high school ( we eventually drifted apart ) .
His father used to play basketball with us , and invited me along on some of their family outings to the city and to interesting restaurants .
I ran into the father 20 years ago in a work-related setting and couldn ’ t believe how warm and helpful he was .
I would like to reach out to the father and let him know what high regard I have for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have often thought of him and wanted to emulate his positive behavior .
I have no desire to seek out the son ( my former friend in high school ) .
I realize it might seem a little odd to the old friend that I would reach out to his father but not to him , so how should I handle this ?
DEAR CONFLICTED : You are almost 60 years old .
High school is long behind you .
If you have this older man ’ s contact information , then write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact the son to obtain his dad ’ s address , there is no need for you to include the son in your outreach .
This is a very thoughtful and kind thing for you to do .
Don ’ t overthink it — just do it .
DEAR AMY : I disagree with your response to “ Deceived , ” who attended a wedding ceremony and reception , and later learned that the wedding wasn ’ t legitimate ( no wedding license ) .
I don ’ t feel the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wedding ceremony .
They invited guests to share in their wedding celebration .
The license is only a piece of paper .
It is no one ’ s business if they didn ’ t legally tie the knot .
The only mistake made was the couple not keeping this information private .
DEAR L : I received many responses to this letter , including from members of the clergy .
All agreed with you , that — when celebrating a wedding — the presence of an actual wedding license should not matter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: I’ve been following a woman on Twitter for a few years now. I’ve always thought she was great, but lately (even before quarantine made us all lonely), I’ve started to really like her. She’s fun, endearing, passionate, hilarious, and beautiful!
We’ve never met, but I’ve occasionally messaged her ideas that are relevant to her interests, and sometimes she’ll politely respond with a “haha” or “lol.” Part of me thinks that if she was interested in me, she would have said more than those brief responses, and that I should stop bothering her. (She has a bit of a following, so I’m surely I’m not the only guy contacting her through direct messages.)
I like her so much. I think about her all the time, but maybe this is one of those times where someone is infatuated with the idea of a person?
I’d hate for that to be the case. I’d like my feelings to be virtuous and not borderline creepy.
Sad & Lonely in Illinois
Related Articles Advice | Ask Amy: I found the videos she posted about me, with all the demeaning comments
Ask Amy: I found the videos she posted about me, with all the demeaning comments Advice | Ask Amy: My fiance wants me to stay home. Should I bolt?
Ask Amy: My fiance wants me to stay home. Should I bolt? Advice | Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment!
Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment! Advice | Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now?
Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy DEAR SAD & LONELY: Yes, you are infatuated with the idea of a person. I know this because — speaking as someone with an active social media presence — I know that the persona many of us projects on social media is a construction. It’s a controlled version of reality, and, yes,as you put it, an “idea of a person.”
You are correct. If this woman was available and/or into you at all, she would respond more fully and expressively when you slide into her DMs. If she was interested, at the very least she would compose a complete sentence when responding to your contact. “haha” and “lol” don’t qualify. Those one-word lower-case responses are merely pro-forma acknowledgments that she has read your message. Please believe this.
I can’t characterize your private feelings, but you do seem to be approaching the border of “borderline creepy. …” You’ve got a crush on someone you feel connected to, much as anyone might have a crush on a favorite writer, actor, musician or public figure. But it is as unrequited as my crush on Ryan Gosling, and you need to understand and accept that. (Ryan…? Call me.)
If you are ruminating excessively about this woman and it is interfering with other activities and relationships, then you should take steps to deliberately dial down your access to her postings. Repeated Twitter triggers reminding you of how awesome you believe she is don’t help.
DEAR AMY: I am currently 59 and reflecting on the good and bad aspects and events of my life. I had a friend in high school (we eventually drifted apart). His father used to play basketball with us, and invited me along on some of their family outings to the city and to interesting restaurants.
I ran into the father 20 years ago in a work-related setting and couldn’t believe how warm and helpful he was.
I would like to reach out to the father and let him know what high regard I have for him. In raising my kids, I have often thought of him and wanted to emulate his positive behavior.
I have no desire to seek out the son (my former friend in high school). I realize it might seem a little odd to the old friend that I would reach out to his father but not to him, so how should I handle this?
Conflicted
DEAR CONFLICTED: You are almost 60 years old. High school is long behind you. If you have this older man’s contact information, then write him a note. Unless you need to contact the son to obtain his dad’s address, there is no need for you to include the son in your outreach.
This is a very thoughtful and kind thing for you to do. Don’t overthink it — just do it.
DEAR AMY: I disagree with your response to “Deceived,” who attended a wedding ceremony and reception, and later learned that the wedding wasn’t legitimate (no wedding license).
I don’t feel the couple needs to share the details of their wedding ceremony. They invited guests to share in their wedding celebration. The license is only a piece of paper. It is no one’s business if they didn’t legally tie the knot. The only mistake made was the couple not keeping this information private.
L
DEAR L: I received many responses to this letter, including from members of the clergy. All agreed with you, that — when celebrating a wedding — the presence of an actual wedding license should not matter.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Letter: While renters, my wife and I saved for a down payment

Re : “ Think there ’ s a housing crisis now ?
Just wait for the rent relief plan ” ( Letter to the editor , Eastbaytimes.com , May 25 ) : Years ago my wife and I rented because we lacked funds for a down payment .
Not having to pay the full cost of ownership allowed us to save for our own home .
It was a win-win for the landlord and the renter .
In contrast , landlords today require renters to bear the full cost of home ownership ( mortgage , property taxes , income taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and manager fees ) without any of the benefits ( ability to save or equity ) .
This is a win-lose for landlord and renter .
Assuming the landlord put 20 % down to purchase the property , the renter now pays 80 % of the cost to buy .
Rents closer to 50 % would still be a heck of a deal for the landlord and restore the win-win to the relationship .
• Letter : Trump fully believes what he thinks or says • Letter : Freedoms include the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi is showing off her freezer full of ice cream now ?
Continued exploitation of those less fortunate in order to acquire real estate for pennies on the dollar will not garner the sympathy landlords seek .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “Think there’s a housing crisis now? Just wait for the rent relief plan” (Letter to the editor, Eastbaytimes.com, May 25):
Years ago my wife and I rented because we lacked funds for a down payment. Not having to pay the full cost of ownership allowed us to save for our own home. It was a win-win for the landlord and the renter.
In contrast, landlords today require renters to bear the full cost of home ownership (mortgage, property taxes, income taxes, insurance, HOA dues, repairs and manager fees) without any of the benefits (ability to save or equity). This is a win-lose for landlord and renter.
Assuming the landlord put 20% down to purchase the property, the renter now pays 80% of the cost to buy. Rents closer to 50% would still be a heck of a deal for the landlord and restore the win-win to the relationship.
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives Letters to the Editor | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances Letters to the Editor | Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language
Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language Letters to the Editor | Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path
Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Continued exploitation of those less fortunate in order to acquire real estate for pennies on the dollar will not garner the sympathy landlords seek.
Michael Kellogg
Crockett
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Harriette Cole: I must sit for hours without moving, and it’s stressing me out

DEAR HARRIETTE : Working from home every day and staring into a computer screen is making me nuts .
I feel like I sit all day long .
And I have the extra weight to prove it .
It ’ s horrible .
I don ’ t even want to get on the scale to see the damage I ’ ve done to my body .
I ’ m mortified by the thought .
I ’ m grateful to be working , but this isn ’ t sustainable .
I am on teleconferences all day long , and I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not moving for hours .
My smartwatch screams at me to stand up , but I keep sitting because that ’ s where the meetings happen — on my computer .
What can I do to take better care of myself ?
The end of this way of working is nowhere in sight .
I don ’ t know if I am going to survive it .
DEAR SOS : Can you elevate your computer so that you can stand during some of your calls ?
That is one way to get you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings , stand up , stretch and walk around .
Just like the guidelines to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome , every 20 minutes you should stand and stretch your body , including your arms and legs .
Listen to your watch and stand .
Beyond that , figure out a time of day when you can exercise .
If you can start your day an hour earlier , get up and either do a series of exercises in your house or take a walk .
Move your body to get the blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure to stretch again .
Since you aren ’ t as physically active as you used to be , eat less .
Dramatically reduce your carbohydrate intake , too .
Wear clothes that don ’ t stretch .
This will help you to keep track of your physical expansion .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I have hired two young people to work with me on a project .
It ’ s good because everybody can work from home .
Their work is mostly research , but it does involve talking to a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve been training them on the questioning process so that they can gather the data properly .
So far , that is going pretty well .
What is harder is getting them to realize that they have to look professional even though they are working from home .
All of our calls are videoconferences .
These kids are showing up looking like they just rolled out of bed with disheveled hair and the same sweatshirts every day .
I know we are working from home , but it is still work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point that this is a professional job , and there are expectations .
How can I get them to comply ?
DEAR DRESS FOR WORK : You have to be direct with them .
Call them on their attire , and tell them what you expect them to wear when they are talking to you and when they are contacting others .
Point out that even though you are working remotely , this is a professional engagement with specific expectations .
Write them down so that your team is clear about what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them , the easier it will be for them to follow your rules .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

DEAR HARRIETTE: Working from home every day and staring into a computer screen is making me nuts. I feel like I sit all day long. And I have the extra weight to prove it. It’s horrible.
I don’t even want to get on the scale to see the damage I’ve done to my body. I’m mortified by the thought.
I’m grateful to be working, but this isn’t sustainable. I am on teleconferences all day long, and I am forced to sit at my desk, not moving for hours. My smartwatch screams at me to stand up, but I keep sitting because that’s where the meetings happen — on my computer.
What can I do to take better care of myself? The end of this way of working is nowhere in sight. I don’t know if I am going to survive it.
SOS
DEAR SOS: Can you elevate your computer so that you can stand during some of your calls? That is one way to get you out of that chair.
In between meetings, stand up, stretch and walk around. Just like the guidelines to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome, every 20 minutes you should stand and stretch your body, including your arms and legs. Listen to your watch and stand.
Beyond that, figure out a time of day when you can exercise. If you can start your day an hour earlier, get up and either do a series of exercises in your house or take a walk. Move your body to get the blood circulating. In the evening, be sure to stretch again. Since you aren’t as physically active as you used to be, eat less. Dramatically reduce your carbohydrate intake, too.
Wear clothes that don’t stretch. This will help you to keep track of your physical expansion.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have hired two young people to work with me on a project. It’s good because everybody can work from home.
Their work is mostly research, but it does involve talking to a number of people they don’t know. I’ve been training them on the questioning process so that they can gather the data properly. So far, that is going pretty well. What is harder is getting them to realize that they have to look professional even though they are working from home.
All of our calls are videoconferences. These kids are showing up looking like they just rolled out of bed with disheveled hair and the same sweatshirts every day. I know we are working from home, but it is still work.
I need to drive home the point that this is a professional job, and there are expectations. How can I get them to comply?
Dress for Work
DEAR DRESS FOR WORK: You have to be direct with them. Call them on their attire, and tell them what you expect them to wear when they are talking to you and when they are contacting others. Point out that even though you are working remotely, this is a professional engagement with specific expectations. Write them down so that your team is clear about what they are.
The more direct you are with them, the easier it will be for them to follow your rules.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Miss Manners: A stranger accosted me in the locker room about a disease I don’t have

DEAR MISS MANNERS : I am a 58-year-old woman who looks much younger than I am , slim and fit thanks to decades of working out .
Two years ago , I was diagnosed with a cluster of autoimmune disorders , among them alopecia .
Within 18 months , I lost all my hair .
I wasn ’ t going to let that stop me from going to the gym .
After my workout , I typically wrap my head in a towel when in transit to and from the shower .
After I dress , I remove it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of whoever is in the area .
Most of the women in the locker room have supported me through my hair loss .
However , every few months I have an encounter like this recent one : A woman in her mid-40s , whom I had never seen before , asked me if I was in treatment .
( I had just gotten out of the shower and was only wearing a towel , which is an odd moment to start a conversation . )
I told her I was in treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer .
This was followed by a barrage of questions : “ What do you have ?
How long have you had it ?
Will your hair grow back ?
Is it grave ?
” She even asked me if I lost my pubic hair .
• Miss Manners : What should I do about sidewalk hogs , other than glare ?
• Miss Manners : I complained about her phone calls , and she took it badly • Miss Manners : How should one confront strangers who are breaking the rules ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rude theatergoer in this tale ?
• Miss Manners : I waved and kept walking .
Was that rude ?
Then she launched into a monologue about her breast cancer , her mastectomy , chemo , and her own hair loss and regrowth .
I tried several times to politely end the conversation and get dressed , but she was relentless .
This is the sixth or seventh time this has happened to me .
It is always cancer survivors who are looking to bond .
While I appreciate what survivors went through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to participate in an impromptu support group .
I am a very private person .
I don ’ t participate in alopecia groups , let alone support groups for a disease I don ’ t have .
Autoimmune issues can be exacerbated by stress , and I find these encounters extremely stressful and intrusive .
I would never approach anyone about their medical issues .
I am at a loss as to how to prevent this from happening , or at least to quickly terminate these conversations .
Hasn ’ t anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your reference to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act caught Miss Manners ’ attention — not because she pretends to be a lawyer , but because it reminds her of the current swirl of contradictions around privacy .
Consumers are rightly concerned about companies using data about them captured online , while simultaneously inundating social media sites with confessions that used to be considered private .
HIPAA demands confidentiality of persons who handle medical information in their professional capacities , not private individuals seeking emotional support for their medical conditions .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s advice that social support can help in managing serious illness , and therefore mistakenly felt deputized in imposing on you an unasked-for , and unwelcome , shower support group .
The solution , when your polite attempts to end the conversation have failed , is a firm “ Excuse me , I have no experience with cancer.
” Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 58-year-old woman who looks much younger than I am, slim and fit thanks to decades of working out. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a cluster of autoimmune disorders, among them alopecia. Within 18 months, I lost all my hair.
I wasn’t going to let that stop me from going to the gym. After my workout, I typically wrap my head in a towel when in transit to and from the shower. After I dress, I remove it and put on my wig, in full view of whoever is in the area.
Most of the women in the locker room have supported me through my hair loss. However, every few months I have an encounter like this recent one: A woman in her mid-40s, whom I had never seen before, asked me if I was in treatment. (I had just gotten out of the shower and was only wearing a towel, which is an odd moment to start a conversation.) I told her I was in treatment, but I didn’t have cancer. This was followed by a barrage of questions: “What do you have? How long have you had it? Will your hair grow back? Is it grave?” She even asked me if I lost my pubic hair.
Related Articles Advice | Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog
Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog Advice | Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong.
Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong. Advice | Miss Manners: She’s so rich, but she never gives us anything
Miss Manners: She’s so rich, but she never gives us anything Advice | Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend
Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third Then she launched into a monologue about her breast cancer, her mastectomy, chemo, and her own hair loss and regrowth. I tried several times to politely end the conversation and get dressed, but she was relentless.
This is the sixth or seventh time this has happened to me. It is always cancer survivors who are looking to bond. While I appreciate what survivors went through, I find it upsetting to be expected to participate in an impromptu support group.
I am a very private person. I don’t participate in alopecia groups, let alone support groups for a disease I don’t have.
Autoimmune issues can be exacerbated by stress, and I find these encounters extremely stressful and intrusive. I would never approach anyone about their medical issues. I am at a loss as to how to prevent this from happening, or at least to quickly terminate these conversations. Hasn’t anyone heard of HIPAA?
GENTLE READER: Your reference to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act caught Miss Manners’ attention — not because she pretends to be a lawyer, but because it reminds her of the current swirl of contradictions around privacy.
Consumers are rightly concerned about companies using data about them captured online, while simultaneously inundating social media sites with confessions that used to be considered private. HIPAA demands confidentiality of persons who handle medical information in their professional capacities, not private individuals seeking emotional support for their medical conditions.
Your shower inquisitor may have remembered her doctor’s advice that social support can help in managing serious illness, and therefore mistakenly felt deputized in imposing on you an unasked-for, and unwelcome, shower support group.
The solution, when your polite attempts to end the conversation have failed, is a firm “Excuse me, I have no experience with cancer.”
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-29--Letter: Inspectors general: If you do your job, you’ll lose it

I would like to tell our federal inspectors general : Just a heads up .
Don ’ t do your @ @ @ @ @ it .
This administration will brook no criticism , no oversight .
So turn a @ @ @ @ @ and play dead .
• Letter : Many studies seem more self-serving than useful • @ @ @ @ @ qualified than Palin , but is Trump ?
• Letter : I ’ ve driven @ @ @ @ @ leaders don ’ t get it • Letter : It ’ s ignorant to equate @ @ @ @ @ , do your duty , and look for another job .
Submit your letter to @ @ @ @ @ Read more Letters to the Editor

I would like to tell our federal inspectors general: Just a heads up. Don’t do your job or you will lose it.
This administration will brook no criticism, no oversight. So turn a blind eye, roll over and play dead.
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives Letters to the Editor | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances Letters to the Editor | Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language
Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language Letters to the Editor | Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path
Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Alternatively, do your duty, and look for another job.
Susan Swope
Redwood City
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor