mercurynews--2020-10-05--Horoscopes Oct. 5, 2020: Kate Winslet and Jesse Eisenberg share advice

Happy Birthday : Moderation , discipline and strategy will play an important role in the way you do things this year .
Refuse to let anyone talk you into something costly , risky or that leaves you in a precarious position .
Focus on health , fitness and taking care of unfinished business .
What you accomplish will be rewarding and pave the way to new beginnings .
Your numbers are 7 , 12 , 22 , 25 , 34 , 36 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Take care of business .
Put professional responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and be prepared to make adjustments to maintain a good rapport with your peers and superiors .
A partnership will change the way you live .
Avoid emotional spending .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Your ideas will lead to opportunities .
Discuss your plans with someone who shares your concerns and your interests .
A romantic gesture will encourage someone you love to be vocal about his or her intentions .
Personal improvements will fetch compliments .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : Keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you or what you have to offer .
Concentrate on whatever will benefit you the most .
You are better off handling a change you want to make secretively .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : The way you handle others will help you bring about the changes you endorse .
Stand up for your rights , and be the one to make a difference .
Your strength and courage will be recognized and appreciated .
Romance is on the rise .
4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Refuse to let the changes others make lure you down the wrong path .
Emotions will be prevalent if you can ’ t come to terms with what ’ s right and best .
The research will help you find alternative ways to use your skills .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Trust and believe in what you are capable of doing .
Bring about the changes that will improve your life and your emotional well-being .
Personal growth will open doors to new beginnings .
Love and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Be open to suggestions , but don ’ t be gullible enough to get involved in something that isn ’ t budget-friendly .
Trying to please others or being generous with your time or money will cause undue stress and limit your chance to advance .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Take a strong position if you want to get things done your way .
A passionate approach will help bring about positive change .
A discussion with a friend or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gesture will make your day .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Take care of unfinished domestic business .
The changes you make at home will encourage you to take better care of your health and well-being .
Make a point to only trust verified information .
You will be taken advantage of if you are too unsuspecting .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Follow through with your plans , and you will be happy with the results .
You can negotiate , take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal changes that will enhance your reputation , position or job prospects .
Romance is favored .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t make decisions while under emotional duress .
Ask questions , consider everyone ’ s motives and have confidence in what you can confirm .
Handle pressing money matters with care .
Joint ventures will lead to legal repercussions .
2 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Take care of unfinished business .
What you do for others will be rewarded .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or handle your financial affairs will be profitable .
A chance to reconnect with someone will be eye-opening .
Romance is in the stars .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are smart , secretive and persistent .
You are charismatic and entertaining .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jesse Eisenberg, 37; Scott Weinger, 45; Kate Winslet, 45; Guy Pearce, 53.
Happy Birthday: Moderation, discipline and strategy will play an important role in the way you do things this year. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something costly, risky or that leaves you in a precarious position. Focus on health, fitness and taking care of unfinished business. What you accomplish will be rewarding and pave the way to new beginnings. Your numbers are 7, 12, 22, 25, 34, 36, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take care of business. Put professional responsibilities first. Leave no room for error, and be prepared to make adjustments to maintain a good rapport with your peers and superiors. A partnership will change the way you live. Avoid emotional spending. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your ideas will lead to opportunities. Discuss your plans with someone who shares your concerns and your interests. A romantic gesture will encourage someone you love to be vocal about his or her intentions. Personal improvements will fetch compliments. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep your thoughts and emotions to yourself. Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you or what you have to offer. Concentrate on whatever will benefit you the most. You are better off handling a change you want to make secretively. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The way you handle others will help you bring about the changes you endorse. Stand up for your rights, and be the one to make a difference. Your strength and courage will be recognized and appreciated. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Refuse to let the changes others make lure you down the wrong path. Emotions will be prevalent if you can’t come to terms with what’s right and best. The research will help you find alternative ways to use your skills. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Trust and believe in what you are capable of doing. Bring about the changes that will improve your life and your emotional well-being. Personal growth will open doors to new beginnings. Love and romance are in the stars. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be open to suggestions, but don’t be gullible enough to get involved in something that isn’t budget-friendly. Trying to please others or being generous with your time or money will cause undue stress and limit your chance to advance. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a strong position if you want to get things done your way. A passionate approach will help bring about positive change. A discussion with a friend or relative will be enlightening. A romantic gesture will make your day. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of unfinished domestic business. The changes you make at home will encourage you to take better care of your health and well-being. Make a point to only trust verified information. You will be taken advantage of if you are too unsuspecting. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Follow through with your plans, and you will be happy with the results. You can negotiate, take care of pending problems, sign contracts and make personal changes that will enhance your reputation, position or job prospects. Romance is favored. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t make decisions while under emotional duress. Ask questions, consider everyone’s motives and have confidence in what you can confirm. Handle pressing money matters with care. Joint ventures will lead to legal repercussions. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take care of unfinished business. What you do for others will be rewarded. A change in the way you earn money or handle your financial affairs will be profitable. A chance to reconnect with someone will be eye-opening. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are smart, secretive and persistent. You are charismatic and entertaining.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Oct. 5, 2020

In an “ end play ” — which need not occur at the end of the play — you give an opponent the lead in a position where anything he leads will concede a trick .
In today ’ s deal , North-South brush aside East ’ s preempt and reach six hearts .
They probably would have bid to slam without the interference , but East ’ s bid gives declarer helpful information .
West leads the deuce of clubs , and South takes the ace , draws trumps and cashes three diamond tricks .
When East follows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had seven clubs for his preempt ( West ’ s lead of the deuce confirms this ) , one trump and at least three diamonds .
When South next takes the king of spades and leads a second spade , East follows low .
South knows that a finesse in spades can ’ t be right .
He takes the ace and exits with the jack .
West wins and is end-played .
He must lead another spade or a diamond , and declarer discards dummy ’ s last club , ruffs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You hold : S A J 2 H A J 9 3 D K J 4 C 10 9 3 .
Neither side vulnerable .
The dealer , at your right , opens one club .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : To pass might be right ; your hand is better for defense and may not make an attractive dummy if you double and oblige your partner to be declarer .
Still , you have 14 points and no honors in clubs that might win tricks on defense , and passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With J 5 2 , A J 9 3 , K J 4 , K J 4 , I would pass .

In an “end play” — which need not occur at the end of the play — you give an opponent the lead in a position where anything he leads will concede a trick.
In today’s deal, North-South brush aside East’s preempt and reach six hearts. They probably would have bid to slam without the interference, but East’s bid gives declarer helpful information.
West leads the deuce of clubs, and South takes the ace, draws trumps and cashes three diamond tricks. When East follows, South has a complete count: East had seven clubs for his preempt (West’s lead of the deuce confirms this), one trump and at least three diamonds.
NO FINESSE
When South next takes the king of spades and leads a second spade, East follows low. South knows that a finesse in spades can’t be right. He takes the ace and exits with the jack.
West wins and is end-played. He must lead another spade or a diamond, and declarer discards dummy’s last club, ruffs in his hand and has the rest.
This week: end plays.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A J 2 H A J 9 3 D K J 4 C 10 9 3. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one club. What do you say?
ANSWER: To pass might be right; your hand is better for defense and may not make an attractive dummy if you double and oblige your partner to be declarer. Still, you have 14 points and no honors in clubs that might win tricks on defense, and passing might miss a game. Double. With J 5 2, A J 9 3, K J 4, K J 4, I would pass.
East dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 7 6
H K Q 8 7 2
D A Q 9
C A 7
WEST
S Q 10 9 4 3
H 6 5 4
D 10 8 6 5
C 2
EAST
S 8 5
H 10
D 7 3 2
C K Q J 8 6 5 4
SOUTH
S A J 2
H A J 9 3
D K J 4
C 10 9 3
East South West North
3 C Pass Pass Dbl
Pass 4 H Pass 6 H
All Pass
Opening lead — C 2
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-10-05--Harriette Cole: I don’t want to be a controlling jerk, but she was going against my plan

DEAR HARRIETTE : How can I balance being independent and self-sufficient and still accept help when I need it ?
I am used to doing things on my own , by myself , and not really ever asking for help .
I am the type of person who most often likes to figure things out at my own pace .
I just sold my house , and I asked my sister to help me pack up and move furniture out of the house .
She agreed and was happy to assist .
I wasn ’ t in a rush , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over one weekend because I need to go to work during the week .
The whole time we were packing , she was doing everything wrong !
I told her how to pack the delicate items and store everything , but she just thought her ideas were better .
I explained how I wanted the furniture moved and stored in the garage , but again , she offered up so many other ways .
I told her that I have envisioned this move for a while now , and I want to execute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned , so please follow the plan .
It became a huge argument .
She made me feel like what I was doing was wrong .
I understood her suggestions , but I had a plan I wanted to keep .
At that point , I told her if she wasn ’ t going to help me with what I needed , she could go home and I would do it by myself .
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It was something else .
• Harriette Cole : From oblivious to stunned on 9/11 Is it me ?
Am I unreceptive to help ?
I hate the idea that I might be controlling , but I just feel like I have a certain order that can not be improvised or else I lose concentration and become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sounds like you want to be in control of your life .
The problem is that your sister may not be the best person to help you execute your tightly organized plans .
When you have a volunteer family member , it may be best to give a bit and to welcome other ideas — at least some of them .
In the future , you may want to hire helpers who are paid to follow your plans .
Start by laying out the plan and checking to make sure all involved are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My car has been through everything with me , but I find myself at a crossroads .
Should I continue to fix and put money into a 12-year-old car or give up on my car for a while and use the time to save for a new one ?
The obstacle is that I can not be without a car .
I need it to get to and from work .
There is no bus route to my workplace , and taking an Uber or Lyft gets expensive and will take away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my car consisted of two different jobs that have cost between $ 500 and $ 800 , and now a third job that needs to be done will cost within that same range .
I could buy a car for about the same cost as these repairs , but I run the risk of needing more repairs .
I can ’ t begin to figure out the best decision .
What do you suggest ?
DEAR CAR MAKEOVER : If you can figure out a way to get to work for a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Older vehicles can reach a point of being a financial drain .
Can you carpool ?
Get creative in getting to work so that you can replace your car as soon as possible .
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: How can I balance being independent and self-sufficient and still accept help when I need it?
I am used to doing things on my own, by myself, and not really ever asking for help. I am the type of person who most often likes to figure things out at my own pace.
I just sold my house, and I asked my sister to help me pack up and move furniture out of the house. She agreed and was happy to assist.
I wasn’t in a rush, but I wanted to get everything done over one weekend because I need to go to work during the week. The whole time we were packing, she was doing everything wrong! I told her how to pack the delicate items and store everything, but she just thought her ideas were better. I explained how I wanted the furniture moved and stored in the garage, but again, she offered up so many other ways.
I told her that I have envisioned this move for a while now, and I want to execute this project the way I had it planned, so please follow the plan.
It became a huge argument. She made me feel like what I was doing was wrong. I understood her suggestions, but I had a plan I wanted to keep. At that point, I told her if she wasn’t going to help me with what I needed, she could go home and I would do it by myself.
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Controlling
DEAR CONTROLLING: Sounds like you want to be in control of your life. The problem is that your sister may not be the best person to help you execute your tightly organized plans. When you have a volunteer family member, it may be best to give a bit and to welcome other ideas — at least some of them. In the future, you may want to hire helpers who are paid to follow your plans. Start by laying out the plan and checking to make sure all involved are willing to comply.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My car has been through everything with me, but I find myself at a crossroads. Should I continue to fix and put money into a 12-year-old car or give up on my car for a while and use the time to save for a new one?
The obstacle is that I cannot be without a car. I need it to get to and from work. There is no bus route to my workplace, and taking an Uber or Lyft gets expensive and will take away from my car fund.
Recently, fixing my car consisted of two different jobs that have cost between $500 and $800, and now a third job that needs to be done will cost within that same range. I could buy a car for about the same cost as these repairs, but I run the risk of needing more repairs. I can’t begin to figure out the best decision. What do you suggest?
Car Makeover
DEAR CAR MAKEOVER: If you can figure out a way to get to work for a while without your car, go for it. Older vehicles can reach a point of being a financial drain. Can you carpool? Get creative in getting to work so that you can replace your car as soon as possible.
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--2020-10-05--Ask Amy: They’re all urging me to go against my dad’s dying wish

Dear Amy : My father is 87 years old .
My mother died when I was a teenager .
Dad met a great woman almost 20 years ago and moved a couple of states away to be with her .
My brother and sister have both lost contact with him , but Dad and I talk every week on the phone , and I visit once or twice a year .
He has been battling cancer for years , but now the cancer has spread , and he is no longer receiving any medical treatment .
He is very weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone for more than a minute or two .
My husband and I made plans to drive several hours to see him .
Initially this plan seemed fine , but a few days later I got an email from his lady friend .
She said that he didn ’ t want to see me .
He knew it would be the last time , and he couldn ’ t handle saying goodbye .
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She just doesn ’ t want to put him through the emotional upheaval .
Deep down I understand my father , and know that I would probably feel the same way .
Everyone is telling me that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go .
What should I do ?
Dear Sad : People who are near the end of their lives sometimes withdraw from even close friends and family members .
I have experienced this with family members , and understand that it is painful to be on the receiving end of this sort of decision .
Shoot a video of yourself and send it to your father ’ s partner so she can show it to him .
Tell him how much you love him , share some happy or funny memories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , you should also travel to where you father lives ( do not ask to stay in their home ) .
Tell his partner that you understand that he doesn ’ t want to see you , but that you want to be nearby .
Do not sweep in and make this last period of your father ’ s life about you and your needs .
In being present , mindful , respectful , and helpful , you will find that some of your own needs will be met , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dear Amy : My closest friend from college is 65 years old .
We talk on the phone regularly .
He related a serious incident to me yesterday about his wife ( of 35 years ) physically attacking him .
She punched him in the head and split his lip with an ashtray .
He fell to the floor , and she continued punching and kicking him , bruising him in several places .
I tried to encourage him to leave , but he won ’ t .
He plans on staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent , relationship .
I don ’ t know what my next step should be .
He got angry when I mentioned that I would call his son .
However , what if I don ’ t do anything and this behavior escalates ?
Dear Friend : The National Domestic Violence Hotline ( thehotline.org ) quotes an alarming statistic : One in seven men in the U.S. age 18 and over has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in his lifetime .
Male victims of IPV ( intimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve the police because of a perceived bias toward female victims ( and the fear that the man will be arrested , even if he is the injured party ) .
Your friend told you about his abuse , which is an important step .
Keep talking and continue to be concerned and supportive .
Instead of urging him to leave the marriage , ask if he would come to visit you ( if possible ) .
Helpguide.org has extremely helpful information and resources specifically for male victims of domestic violence .
Share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reaching out to his son , you will have to decide if this would further isolate him .
His injuries , however , are alarming , and I believe the son should be told .
Dear Amy : No , no , no !
Your response to “ Rightful Owner ” was so off base .
This man ’ s wife basically commandeered the family car to take her daughter-in-law and her kids to the airport , when the DIL had a perfectly good car of her own .
Yet another example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I objected to was the way he responded to this challenge , which was to take off in the car on the day of the trip , leaving others to scramble .
I thought his behavior was cowardly .
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 .

Dear Amy: My father is 87 years old. My mother died when I was a teenager. Dad met a great woman almost 20 years ago and moved a couple of states away to be with her.
My brother and sister have both lost contact with him, but Dad and I talk every week on the phone, and I visit once or twice a year.
He has been battling cancer for years, but now the cancer has spread, and he is no longer receiving any medical treatment. He is very weak and not able to talk on the phone for more than a minute or two.
My husband and I made plans to drive several hours to see him. Initially this plan seemed fine, but a few days later I got an email from his lady friend. She said that he didn’t want to see me. He knew it would be the last time, and he couldn’t handle saying goodbye.
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Deep down I understand my father, and know that I would probably feel the same way.
Everyone is telling me that I will regret it if I don’t go.
What should I do?
Sad and Confused
Dear Sad: People who are near the end of their lives sometimes withdraw from even close friends and family members.
I have experienced this with family members, and understand that it is painful to be on the receiving end of this sort of decision.
Shoot a video of yourself and send it to your father’s partner so she can show it to him. Tell him how much you love him, share some happy or funny memories, and express your gratitude to him.
Yes, you should also travel to where you father lives (do not ask to stay in their home). Tell his partner that you understand that he doesn’t want to see you, but that you want to be nearby.
Do not sweep in and make this last period of your father’s life about you and your needs. In being present, mindful, respectful, and helpful, you will find that some of your own needs will be met, and yes, you will have fewer regrets.
Dear Amy: My closest friend from college is 65 years old. We talk on the phone regularly.
He related a serious incident to me yesterday about his wife (of 35 years) physically attacking him.
She punched him in the head and split his lip with an ashtray. He fell to the floor, and she continued punching and kicking him, bruising him in several places.
I tried to encourage him to leave, but he won’t. He plans on staying in a completely loveless, and now violent, relationship.
I don’t know what my next step should be. He got angry when I mentioned that I would call his son. However, what if I don’t do anything and this behavior escalates?
Concerned Friend
Dear Friend: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) quotes an alarming statistic: One in seven men in the U.S. age 18 and over has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in his lifetime. Male victims of IPV (intimate partner violence) are often reluctant to involve the police because of a perceived bias toward female victims (and the fear that the man will be arrested, even if he is the injured party).
Your friend told you about his abuse, which is an important step. Keep talking and continue to be concerned and supportive. Instead of urging him to leave the marriage, ask if he would come to visit you (if possible).
Helpguide.org has extremely helpful information and resources specifically for male victims of domestic violence. Share this with your friend. In terms of reaching out to his son, you will have to decide if this would further isolate him. His injuries, however, are alarming, and I believe the son should be told.
Dear Amy: No, no, no! Your response to “Rightful Owner” was so off base. This man’s wife basically commandeered the family car to take her daughter-in-law and her kids to the airport, when the DIL had a perfectly good car of her own.
Yet another example of male bias.
Disgusted
Dear Disgusted: What I objected to was the way he responded to this challenge, which was to take off in the car on the day of the trip, leaving others to scramble. I thought his behavior was cowardly.
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--2020-10-06--White House blocks new guidelines for coronavirus vaccine

White House officials are blocking new federal guidelines for the emergency release of a coronavirus vaccine , including one that @ @ @ @ @ vaccine could be authorized before the Nov. 3 presidential election , the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration submitted the guidelines to the Office of @ @ @ @ @ two weeks ago , but they stalled with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ citing people familiar with the approval process .
An administration official told Reuters that the @ @ @ @ @ and denied any Election Day connection .
The FDA is seeking other avenues to ensure @ @ @ @ @ , the Times reported .
“ A main sticking point has been the recommendation that @ @ @ @ @ vaccine clinical trials be followed for about two months after the final dose before any @ @ @ @ @ the Times reported , citing a senior administration official and others familiar with the situation @

Reuters
White House officials are blocking new federal guidelines for the emergency release of a coronavirus vaccine, including one that would likely ensure that no vaccine could be authorized before the Nov. 3 presidential election, the New York Times reported https://nyti.ms/36DGIdI on Monday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration submitted the guidelines to the Office of Management and Budget more than two weeks ago, but they stalled with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, the Times reported, citing people familiar with the approval process.
An administration official told Reuters that the approval process was still pending and denied any Election Day connection.
The FDA is seeking other avenues to ensure that vaccines meet the guidelines, the Times reported.
“A main sticking point has been the recommendation that volunteers who have participated in vaccine clinical trials be followed for about two months after the final dose before any authorization is granted,” the Times reported, citing a senior administration official and others familiar with the situation.


mercurynews--2020-10-06--Watch: Before and after CZU Lightning Complex fire drone images

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
Newly released maps comprised of 360-degree visualizations and before-and-after comparison photos captured by drones survey a little more than a quarter of the area scorched by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August .
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s Office worked with the Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office , Contra Costa County Sheriff ’ s Office and Stockton Police to deploy 15 drone teams that made over 315 flights to collect the photos , panoramas and videos .
Using the CAL FIRE damage assessment map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 23,000 acres — or 35 square miles — of the 86,509 acres burned over 37 days in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties .
The 650 images focus on most of the damaged areas of Boulder Creek , Bonny Doon and Davenport , the communities hardest-hit by the blaze .
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The teams that captured the images went out September 24 and 25 , two days after the fire was declared 100 % contained by CAL FIRE .
Between August 16 and September 22 , the fire killed one person , injured another , destroyed 1,490 structures and damaged 140 more buildings across the two South Bay counties .
Gregory Crutsinger , the Director of Applied Research at Geoacuity , helped the public agencies compile and visualize the data collected via drone .
“ It ’ s not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a rapid visualization , ” Crutsinger said .
If you are struggling to use the maps , Crutsinger recommends viewing them on a desktop computer in this nifty tutorial he created for users .

CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
Newly released maps comprised of 360-degree visualizations and before-and-after comparison photos captured by drones survey a little more than a quarter of the area scorched by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Stockton Police to deploy 15 drone teams that made over 315 flights to collect the photos, panoramas and videos.
Using the CAL FIRE damage assessment map for reference, the teams collected imagery over 23,000 acres — or 35 square miles — of the 86,509 acres burned over 37 days in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. The 650 images focus on most of the damaged areas of Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon and Davenport, the communities hardest-hit by the blaze.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult The teams that captured the images went out September 24 and 25, two days after the fire was declared 100% contained by CAL FIRE. Between August 16 and September 22, the fire killed one person, injured another, destroyed 1,490 structures and damaged 140 more buildings across the two South Bay counties.
Gregory Crutsinger, the Director of Applied Research at Geoacuity, helped the public agencies compile and visualize the data collected via drone.
“It’s not a complete assessment, it’s meant to be a rapid visualization,” Crutsinger said.
If you are struggling to use the maps, Crutsinger recommends viewing them on a desktop computer in this nifty tutorial he created for users.


mercurynews--2020-10-06--John McAfee arrested in Spain, faces extradition

John McAfee , the antivirus software magnate and former Libertarian presidential candidate , has been indicted for tax evasion .
McAfee allegedly failed to file his taxes for four years despite earning millions in income between 2014 and 2018 from promoting cryptocurrencies , consulting work , speaking engagements , and selling the rights to his life story for a documentary , according to the indictment filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Tennessee .
The indictment alleges that McAfee evaded taxes by having his income paid into bank accounts and cryptocurrency accounts in the names of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others to conceal ownership of property and assets including a yacht .
The amount McAfee owes was not specified in the indictment .
The June 15 , 2020 indictment was unsealed following McAfee ’ s arrest in Spain where he is pending extradition , prosecutors said .
According to an attachment to the indictment , if convicted , McAfee faces a maximum of five years in prison on each count of tax evasion and a maximum of one year for each count of willful failure to file a tax return .
McAfee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restitution , and over $ 350,000 in monetary penalties , according to the indictment .
The cybersecurity tycoon was also hit with a lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday , accusing him of making millions by recommending several cryptocurrency initial coin offerings ( ICOs ) on Twitter without disclosing that he was being paid to promote them by the companies issuing the offerings .
He also “ falsely claimed to be an investor and/or a technical advisor when he recommended several ICOs , ” the SEC said in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impression that he had vetted the companies involved and that he was willing to invest his own money in them .
“ In reality , McAfee ’ s tweets were paid promotions disguised as impartial investment advice , ” the complaint added .
The SEC said McAfee made more than $ 23 million from his recommendations , which the agency labeled as “ materially false and misleading for several reasons .
”

By Rishi Iyengar and Christina Carrega | CNN
John McAfee, the antivirus software magnate and former Libertarian presidential candidate, has been indicted for tax evasion.
McAfee allegedly failed to file his taxes for four years despite earning millions in income between 2014 and 2018 from promoting cryptocurrencies, consulting work, speaking engagements, and selling the rights to his life story for a documentary, according to the indictment filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.
The indictment alleges that McAfee evaded taxes by having his income paid into bank accounts and cryptocurrency accounts in the names of others, while also using the names of others to conceal ownership of property and assets including a yacht.
The amount McAfee owes was not specified in the indictment.
The June 15, 2020 indictment was unsealed following McAfee’s arrest in Spain where he is pending extradition, prosecutors said.
According to an attachment to the indictment, if convicted, McAfee faces a maximum of five years in prison on each count of tax evasion and a maximum of one year for each count of willful failure to file a tax return. McAfee also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and over $350,000 in monetary penalties, according to the indictment.
The cybersecurity tycoon was also hit with a lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, accusing him of making millions by recommending several cryptocurrency initial coin offerings (ICOs) on Twitter without disclosing that he was being paid to promote them by the companies issuing the offerings.
He also “falsely claimed to be an investor and/or a technical advisor when he recommended several ICOs,” the SEC said in its complaint. The SEC alleges this gave the impression that he had vetted the companies involved and that he was willing to invest his own money in them.
“In reality, McAfee’s tweets were paid promotions disguised as impartial investment advice,” the complaint added.
The SEC said McAfee made more than $23 million from his recommendations, which the agency labeled as “materially false and misleading for several reasons.”


mercurynews--2020-10-06--What the Athletics and Astros are saying after Houston wins ALDS Game 1

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
The Astros took an early lead over the A ’ s in the American League Divisional Series with a 10-5 win Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium .
After a flurry of home runs from both clubs early in the game , a two-out sixth-inning rally after a Marcus Semien error gave Houston a lead it wouldn ’ t relinquish .
Here ’ s what both teams are saying about Game 1 : On the offense struggling against the Astros bullpen : “ We just didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the game , we did at the beginning… give ( the Astros ) credit , they played the later innings better than we did.
” On breakdowns with RISP : “ With runners in scoring position , wasn ’ t our best today .
But usually with our team and how we finish games both in the batting and in the bullpen , we feel like we have a chance .
Just didn ’ t do it.
” On the game ’ s many home runs : “ You hit it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s going to go out … typically it does play a little smaller in the daytime here , but last time we played here at night , it played small too.
” On coming back from Game 1 loss : “ I mean , it ’ s a longer series .
Everybody wants to win Game 1 but we faced two elimination games and responded nicely .
I expect the same tomorrow.
” On playing a day game : “ It didn ’ t affect me .
I knew it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s really no pop flies here , pop flies are home runs.
” On the A ’ s mentality : “ Play the game , play our game , don ’ t really worry about the extra crap.
” On his pitching : “ Everything was up .
The ball wasn ’ t moving the way i ’ m used to it moving .
There wasn ’ t depth to any pitch , and again , I think you saw that across the board.
” On Semien ’ s error : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with two outs .
We can ’ t let that snowball into four runs , as a pitcher.
” On Khris Davis : “ The world ’ s just catching on but he really is back to his normal form.
” On the possibility of pitching Game 5 on short rest : “ I know how my body is — my body bounces back really fast .
So I ’ ll be available at the end of this series , I just don ’ t know when.
” • Why the Oakland A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ label to respond against Astros • ALDS : A ’ s lose to Astros in Game 1 as crucial error , bullpen role reversal prove costly • Dusty Baker on Astros ’ haters : “ I ’ ve been a villain most of my life ” On Bassitt ’ s outing : “ Obviously not the best and not the results he wanted .
He gave up some soft hits and some things didn ’ t go his way .
He ’ ll bounce back , no doubt about it.
” On J.B. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Nothing changed .
We went out there and we still tried to execute out pitches , and we didn ’ t .
A lot of soft contact in there .
Still had opportunities to get out of the inning and we didn ’ t , so it doesn ’ t fall on any one person.
” On last week ’ s comeback as a boost to mentality : “ It ’ s good to have done it , knowing that we even have a couple more games in this series is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got ta look at it as we ’ ve got to win three out of a four game series .
We ’ ve done that plenty of times throughout the seasons and just got ta come back tomorrow and win that game.
” On Semien ’ s error : “ Tough play .
Reddick is a good runner and hit it off the end of the bat and it was rolling pretty slow and we ’ re in the shift so Marcus had to cut across over towards second base .
It happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just happens like that sometimes in baseball .
Just put it in the rearview and come back tomorrow , get a win.
” On the ball carrying : “ There were definitely a few balls today that don ’ t go out of the Coliseum , but it ’ s part of it .
We ’ re here.
” On his own home run : “ It was good to see that ball get out and feel good on some swings today.
” On Khris Davis ’ home run : “ KD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You saw that ball today that went out to right field .
He has more right-field juice than any righty I ’ ve seen.
” On Yusmeiro Petit getting out of a jam : “ First and second and nobody out , turning into the guys not even advancing .
That ’ s what Yus does.
” On two-out home runs : “ You just take ( home runs with two outs ) when you can get them .
The ball was carrying .
I ’ ve never seen the ball carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air : “ I do not know ( why the ball carried the way it did ) .
It didn ’ t appear to be as much moisture in the air as there usually is .
And the ball is hot too .
And the weather ’ s hot .
Usually it ’ s not this hot in October here , usually it ’ s 20 to 15 degrees cooler , and all of that , I think , contributes to the ball carrying further.
” On George Springer ’ s big game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing in on 200 ABs and that ’ s when guys start swinging it .
… He ’ s finding some holes and he ’ s on a streak .
When a guy gets on a streak , he feels like he ’ s going to get a hit every time up .
We ’ re certainly enjoying this hot streak and George is only going to get hotter.
” On the ball carrying : “ It wasn ’ t ideal pitching conditions , but we had the same advantage , so to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great job battling and putting up good at-bats.
” On Chris Bassitt : “ Don ’ t get it twisted — ( Chris ) Bassitt ’ s a really good pitcher .
He ’ s pitched well against us.
” On winning Game 1 in a five-game series : “ It ’ s huge .
Beyond that , I think seeing the guys the way they had at-bats today was crazy impressive .
When you see our guys and they start to feel dangerous and look dangerous in that box as they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confidence .
It ’ s huge to get a big Game 1 victory over a quality team.
” On the Astros ’ status as villains : “ The way people want to perceive us is fine , but we have to go out there and win baseball games.
” On his big game : “ I ’ m just trying to get to first base , to be honest , and I know who is up behind me and I know what they can do.
” On holding his hand to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s just a way to celebrate the homer .
When I did it against the Yankees on the walk-off homer the fans went crazy and a lot of people said I should make it my thing .
With no fans in the stands , I decided to make it my own thing .
”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Oakland Athletics delivers the pitch to Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros walks off the field after retiring the side against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Cutouts are seated at Dodger Stadium as Houston Astros' Lance McCullers Jr., left, pitches against Oakland Athletics' Jake Lamb during the first inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Jose Altuve #27 after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics fails to catch a home run by Alex Bregman (not pictured) of Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Tommy La Stella #3 of the Oakland Athletics reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Houston Astros' George Springer, right, reacts after scoring a run next to Oakland Athletics pitcher J.B. Wendelken (57) during the sixth inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: A general view during the second inning in Game One of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Enoli Paredes #60 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Jake Diekman #35 of the Oakland Athletics delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros hits a two-RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros scores a run against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Oakland Athletics is taken out of the game against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics' Marcus Semien, right, scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Mark Canha past Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, center, during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros scores a run on a single by Jose Altuve (not pictured) against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game One of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Astros took an early lead over the A’s in the American League Divisional Series with a 10-5 win Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
After a flurry of home runs from both clubs early in the game, a two-out sixth-inning rally after a Marcus Semien error gave Houston a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Here’s what both teams are saying about Game 1:
Athletics manager Bob Melvin
On Marcus’ error: “That’s what team’s all about, and we gotta try to pick it up. Two out, nobody on and the next thing you know they’ve got four runs so you’ve got to give them some credit too. They hit some pretty good pitches to get to that point. Even Brantley off of Diekman, so they were pretty relentless after an opening that inning and they took advantage of it.”
On Wendelken: “Just gave up some hits. Probably some sliders in the middle of the plate. I think the one he threw to Springer was pretty good — he just went out there and hooked it down the line. And then the one to Altuve, even though it’s off the bat a little bit, it’s probably the worst pitch of the inning he made.”
On Bassitt: “Just looked like some balls up. Usually he’s able to pitch up and down, with his cutter and sinker side-to-side. Looked like every ball that was up was more in the middle of the plate, which he typically doesn’t do. Just a rough outing. He’s had a string of really good outings but they made him work and scored some runs. We still had a chance, you know, Petit came in and cleaned it up. But the sixth inning ended up being our toughest inning.”
On the offense struggling against the Astros bullpen: “They pitched pretty well. They have some guys with some velo too and matched up a little bit. We just didn’t have the at-bats we typically do toward the end of the game, we did ‘em towards the beginning, which we’ve had some trouble with. So you feel like no matter where you are, after we go into the late innings, we have a chance to come back especially after having a pretty good offensive output early on. Give (the Astros) credit, they played the later innings better than we did.”
On breakdowns with runners in scoring position: “At the time you’re putting together good at-bats and you feel good about where we are. Like I said, we have trouble early in games with scoring runs and we were not — we were putting together some good at-bats. Obviously with runners in scoring position, wasn’t our best today. But usually with our team and how we end up finishing games both offensively and in the bullpen, we feel like we have a chance. Just didn’t do it.”
On the home runs: “You hit it halfway good and, you know, it’s going to go out … typically it does play a little smaller in the daytime here, but last time we played here at night, it played small too.”
On coming back from Game 1 loss: “I mean, it’s a longer series. Everybody wants to win Game 1 but, you know, we faced two elimination games and responded nicely. I expect the same tomorrow.”
Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt
On playing a day game: “It didn’t affect me. I knew it was going to be a higher-scoring game … there’s really no pop flies here, pop flies are home runs.”
On the A’s mentality: “Play the game, play our game, don’t really worry about the extra crap.”
On his pitching: “Everything was up. The ball wasn’t moving the way i’m used to it moving. There wasn’t depth to any pitch, and again, I think you saw that across the board.”
On Semien’s error: “Errors happen. The error happened with two outs. We can’t let that snowball into four runs, as a pitcher.”
On Khris Davis: “The world’s just catching on but he really is back to his normal form.”
On the possibility of pitching Game 5 on short rest: “I know how my body is — my body bounces back really fast. So I’ll be available at the end of this series, I just don’t know when.”
Athletics catcher Sean Murphy
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On J.B. Wendelken’s pitching after Semien error: “Nothing changed. We went out there and we still tried to execute out pitches, and we didn’t. A lot of soft contact in there. Still had opportunities to get out of the inning and we didn’t, so it doesn’t fall on any one person.”
Athletics first baseman Matt Olson
On last week’s comeback as a boost to mentality: “It’s good to have done it, knowing that we even have a couple more games in this series is good too. It happened, we gotta look at it as we’ve got to win three out of a four game series. We’ve done that plenty of times throughout the seasons and just gotta come back tomorrow and win that game.”
On Semien’s error: “Tough play. Reddick is a good runner and hit it off the end of the bat and it was rolling pretty slow and we’re in the shift so Marcus had to cut across over towards second base. It happens. Things that happened after it, it just happens like that sometimes in baseball. Just put it in the rearview and come back tomorrow, get a win.”
On the ball carrying: “There were definitely a few balls today that don’t go out of the Coliseum, but it’s part of it. We’re here.”
On his own home run: “It was good to see that ball get out and feel good on some swings today.”
On Khris Davis’ home run: “KD can do things not everybody can do. You saw that ball today that went out to right field. He has more right-field juice than any righty I’ve seen.”
On Yusmeiro Petit getting out of a jam: “First and second and nobody out, turning into the guys not even advancing. That’s what Yus does.”
Astros manager Dusty Baker
On two-out home runs: “You just take (home runs with two outs) when you can get them. The ball was carrying. I’ve never seen the ball carry like that.”
On the seemingly thin air: “I do not know (why the ball carried the way it did). It didn’t appear to be as much moisture in the air as there usually is. And the ball is hot too. And the weather’s hot. Usually it’s not this hot in October here, usually it’s 20 to 15 degrees cooler, and all of that, I think, contributes to the ball carrying further.”
On George Springer’s big game (4-for-5): “George is closing in on 200 ABs and that’s when guys start swinging it. … He’s finding some holes and he’s on a streak. When a guy gets on a streak, he feels like he’s going to get a hit every time up. We’re certainly enjoying this hot streak and George is only going to get hotter.”
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.
On the ball carrying: “It wasn’t ideal pitching conditions, but we had the same advantage, so to speak, and the guys did a great job battling and putting up good at-bats.”
On Chris Bassitt: “Don’t get it twisted — (Chris) Bassitt’s a really good pitcher. He’s pitched well against us.”
On winning Game 1 in a five-game series: “It’s huge. Beyond that, I think seeing the guys the way they had at-bats today was crazy impressive. When you see our guys and they start to feel dangerous and look dangerous in that box as they did today is when you have a lot of confidence. It’s huge to get a big Game 1 victory over a quality team.”
On the Astros’ status as villains: “The way people want to perceive us is fine, but we have to go out there and win baseball games.”
On teammate Carlos Correa: “Carlos Correa is not a villain. He’s a humanitarian.”
Astros center fielder George Springer
On his big game: “I’m just trying to get to first base, to be honest, and I know who is up behind me and I know what they can do.”
Astros shortstop Carlos Correa
On holding his hand to his ear after a home run: “It’s just a way to celebrate the homer. When I did it against the Yankees on the walk-off homer the fans went crazy and a lot of people said I should make it my thing. With no fans in the stands, I decided to make it my own thing.”


mercurynews--2020-10-06--Why the Oakland A’s must embrace a familiar underdog label to respond against Astros

The Oakland A ’ s are so accustomed to being the underdogs that even when they ’ re the favorites , as they were coming into the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros , they refuse to accept it .
Good thing , too .
After taking a 10-5 beating Monday in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium , the A ’ s are now underdogs in the best-of-five series .
Oakland blew two leads — 3-0 after three innings and 5-3 after five .
A bullpen that was the best in Major League Baseball this season gave up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrible fielding error by shortstop Marcus Semien in the top of the sixth .
An Oakland offense that hit three early home runs went silent in the late innings .
Altogether it cost the A ’ s a chance to win Game 1 of a playoff series for the first time since the 2006 ALDS when Barry Zito outdueled Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana at the Metrodome .
“ I think people probably expected the White Sox to win the last series , ” A ’ s outfielder Mark Canha said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are underrated or not underrated amongst whoever ’ s opinion it may be , I feel like we wear that badge as a motivator .
“ I think the Oakland A ’ s will always be underrated and under-appreciated.
” The A ’ s have been underdogs longer than every current player has been on the roster , but the Astros are new to their role as the villains of the league .
When Houston upset Minnesota to advance to the American League Division Series , shortstop Carlos Correa expected his teammates would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know a lot of people are mad , ” Correa shouted into a television microphone last week .
“ I know a lot of people don ’ t want to see us here.
” The A ’ s might be the only group that was eager to see the Astros in the ALDS this week .
The A ’ s felt justifiably cheated by their AL West rivals , whose illegal sign-stealing operations were publicly exposed last offseason by Oakland starter and former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers in a scandal that rocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Game 1 loss to advance past the Chicago White Sox in a best-of-three wild-card round to meet the Astros in the ALDS , Bob Melvin ’ s club was thrilled it would have an opportunity to exact revenge against a Houston team it despises .
The lack of a true home-field advantage for each contender still vying for a World Series title is a disappointment , but it ’ s possible no team is hurt more than the A ’ s .
Oakland ’ s fans have routinely packed the Coliseum for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have benefitted from the hostile atmosphere created by crowds eager to remind the Astros of their reputation as cheaters .
The Astros didn ’ t have to experience the chorus of boos that would have greeted them at every stadium this year , so leaning into an us-against-the-world mentality never actually required Houston to face the world .
“ The role of villain was given to us , it ’ s not something that we took on , although most of us probably merit it , ” first-year Astros manager Dusty Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A ’ s appeared uneasy with their newfound status as favorites even after defeating the Astros in seven of their 10 regular-season meetings .
Oakland won 36 games in a truncated 60-game schedule , secured the second seed in the AL playoff bracket and had the best bullpen in baseball this year .
But the Astros pounded out 16 hits on Monday in a game that looked as if Houston still knew what pitches were coming .
Last week , the A ’ s lost Game 1 in a best-of-three series against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance .
Oakland will face elimination again if it doesn ’ t bounce back today in Game 2 .
“ Everybody wants to win Game 1 , ” Melvin said .
“ But , you know , we faced two elimination games and responded nicely .
I expect the same tomorrow.
” Oakland won ’ t need any additional motivation after a discouraging loss , but the A ’ s may want to keep the “ underrated ” badge on hand .
The Astros have now won all three of their playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must take three of the next four if they want to reset the hierarchy of power in the AL West .
After finishing in second place and losing wild card games in 2018 and 2019 , Melvin and the A ’ s felt the Astros ’ cheating scandal coupled with the chaos created by one-and-done playoff scenarios only highlighted the value of winning the division and playing full postseason series .
The A ’ s ran away with the AL West and the fair shot they were seeking is finally here .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Astros in an early hole .
Oakland had its best starter , Chris Bassitt , on the mound , hit three homers and had its bullpen in control of the game with a lead , yet still lost control .
The Astros will remain the villain , but a Game 1 loss means the A ’ s are no longer the favorites .
As Oakland showed in the late innings on Monday , playing from ahead didn ’ t seem to suit this team anyway .

The Oakland A’s are so accustomed to being the underdogs that even when they’re the favorites, as they were coming into the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros, they refuse to accept it.
Good thing, too. After taking a 10-5 beating Monday in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, the A’s are now underdogs in the best-of-five series.
Oakland blew two leads — 3-0 after three innings and 5-3 after five. A bullpen that was the best in Major League Baseball this season gave up seven runs. Four of them followed a terrible fielding error by shortstop Marcus Semien in the top of the sixth. An Oakland offense that hit three early home runs went silent in the late innings.
Altogether it cost the A’s a chance to win Game 1 of a playoff series for the first time since the 2006 ALDS when Barry Zito outdueled Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana at the Metrodome.
Last week, in the wild-card round against the Chicago White Sox, the A’s rebounded to win the best-of-three series after losing the first game.
“It’s good to have done it,” said A’s first baseman Matt Olson, whose fourth-inning homer broke a 3-3 tie. “Knowing that we even have a couple more games in this series is good too. It happened, we’ve got to look at it as we’ve got to win three out of a four-game series. We’ve done that plenty of times throughout the seasons and just got to come back tomorrow and win that game.”
The A’s have been underdogs longer than every current player has been on the roster, but the Astros are new to their role as the villains of the league. When Houston upset Minnesota to advance to the American League Division Series, shortstop Carlos Correa expected his teammates would remain the object of scorn.
“I know a lot of people are mad,” Correa shouted into a television microphone last week. “I know a lot of people don’t want to see us here.”
The A’s are just fine with seeing the Astros here, possibly even thrilled about it. This is their chance to exact direct revenge on the team that cheated them out of the American League West division title and the spoils that go with it. Houston’s illegal sign-stealing scheme — their hitters knew what pitch was coming! — resulted in enough victories to relegate the A’s to second-place status and a one-game shot as a wild-card team.
With games being played in neutral sites, such as Dodger Stadium, the lack of a home-field advantage is a disappointment to every team still playing. But it’s possible no team is hurt more than the A’s. Oakland would have been a hostile environment for the Astros.
Instead, it was just another escape for a team that everyone wants to hate.
“The role of villain was given to us,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said before the game. “It’s not something we took on, although most of us probably merit it.”
The A’s appeared uneasy with their newfound status as favorites even after defeating the Astros in seven of their 10 regular-season meetings. Oakland won 36 games in a truncated 60-game schedule, secured the second seed in the AL playoff bracket and had the best bullpen in baseball this year.
But the Astros pounded out 16 hits Monday. It was as if they still knew what pitch was coming.
Oakland won’t need any additional motivation after a discouraging loss, but the A’s may want to keep the “underrated” badge on hand. They must win three of the next four games in order to advance to the American League Championship Series, a best-of-seven against either Tampa Bay or the Yankees, for a spot in the World Series.
The A’s missed a chance to put the Astros in an early hole. Oakland had its best starter, Chris Bassitt, on the mound, hit three homers and had its bullpen in control of the game with a lead, yet still lost control.
“Everybody wants to win Game 1,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But, you know, we faced two elimination games and responded nicely. I expect the same (Tuesday).”
The A’s are no longer the favorites. But as they showed Monday, it doesn’t really suit them anyway.


mercurynews--2020-10-06--Santa Clara County prepares to allow limited indoor dining, gatherings such as religious services

Santa Clara County restaurants and places of worship could reopen indoor services this month for the first time since the start of the coronavirus shutdown , under a revised health order county officials announced Monday .
The changes in the health order would take place the day after the county moves into the orange tier of the state ’ s COVID-19 monitoring system .
Santa Clara County County Counsel James Williams on Monday said he expects that to happen as early as Oct. 14 .
While the revised “ risk reduction order ” — which replaced the shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for counties entering the orange tier , there are two exceptions .
Indoor gatherings , including in restaurants and churches , would be limited to fewer than 100 people or 25 percent capacity , similar to limitations put in place in San Francisco , the first Bay Area city to enter the orange tier .
Bur outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people would be allowed , if the new order takes effect .
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the county wanted to simplify its framework for reopening and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , but warned the county could slip back to the more restrictive red tier if businesses and their customers do not continue to wear masks and socially distance .
When restrictions were first eased , the average of daily cases increased six-fold , from 45 cases on June 15 to 269 cases a day on July 17 .
Santa Clara County has since cut its case rates but is still “ more than twice where we were in mid-June , ” Cody said .
“ We can get into trouble very fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to get ourselves out of trouble so we must continue to be cautious , ” Dr. Cody said Monday .
Williams said social distancing rules and wearing masks still apply and all businesses that reopen indoors need to submit a revised safety plan 14 days after the new order takes effect .
Supervisor Dave Cortese said restaurants owners and faith leaders have had to sacrifice and struggle during the shutdown .
Despite a Santa Clara Baptist church which defied the county health order and racked up fines , Cortese said the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have asked for the opportunity to show they can operate their businesses in a safe manner .
“ Today is a big leap forward , ” Cortese said .
“ But it is going to require that you make this work .
Every restaurant worker … every person sitting down to the last pew is going to have to make this work.
” Santa Clara currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases of any Bay Area county .
On Sunday , 106 new cases were reported , pushing Santa Clara to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Alameda County .

Santa Clara County restaurants and places of worship could reopen indoor services this month for the first time since the start of the coronavirus shutdown, under a revised health order county officials announced Monday.
The changes in the health order would take place the day after the county moves into the orange tier of the state’s COVID-19 monitoring system. Santa Clara County County Counsel James Williams on Monday said he expects that to happen as early as Oct. 14.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody removes her mask before speaking during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Deputy County Executive David Campos speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 5: Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez speaks during a press conference for a Revised Risk Reduction Order outside of the county building in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Santa Clara County Counsel James Williams speaks during a press conference in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
While the revised “risk reduction order” — which replaced the shelter in place order in July — follows state guidelines for counties entering the orange tier, there are two exceptions. Indoor gatherings, including in restaurants and churches, would be limited to fewer than 100 people or 25 percent capacity, similar to limitations put in place in San Francisco, the first Bay Area city to enter the orange tier. Bur outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people would be allowed, if the new order takes effect.
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the county wanted to simplify its framework for reopening and align it with the state’s guidelines, but warned the county could slip back to the more restrictive red tier if businesses and their customers do not continue to wear masks and socially distance. When restrictions were first eased, the average of daily cases increased six-fold, from 45 cases on June 15 to 269 cases a day on July 17. Santa Clara County has since cut its case rates but is still “more than twice where we were in mid-June,” Cody said.
“We can get into trouble very fast, but it takes a very long time to get ourselves out of trouble so we must continue to be cautious,” Dr. Cody said Monday.
Williams said social distancing rules and wearing masks still apply and all businesses that reopen indoors need to submit a revised safety plan 14 days after the new order takes effect.
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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 Supervisor Dave Cortese said restaurants owners and faith leaders have had to sacrifice and struggle during the shutdown. Despite a Santa Clara Baptist church which defied the county health order and racked up fines, Cortese said the majority of businesses have abided by the rules and have asked for the opportunity to show they can operate their businesses in a safe manner.
“Today is a big leap forward,” Cortese said. “But it is going to require that you make this work. Every restaurant worker … every person sitting down to the last pew is going to have to make this work.”
Santa Clara currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases of any Bay Area county. On Sunday, 106 new cases were reported, pushing Santa Clara to 21,840 cases, or 132 cases more than Alameda County.


mercurynews--2020-10-06--Ex-social security employee gets one year in Oakland fraud case, but her husband avoids jail

OAKLAND — A former Social Security Administration worker who federal prosecutors say stole , with help from her husband , more than a quarter-million dollars intended for beneficiaries was sentenced to a year in federal custody , records show .
Kimberly Dominguez received the one-year term last week in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam .
Her husband , Erick Dominguez , was sentenced to three years ’ probation with no jail time .
The sentence is a victory for the defense ; prosecutors asked for much harsher jail terms , of two years for Kimberly and 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued for leniency , submitting letters from friends and family of the defendants to argue that the crimes were an anomaly in their otherwise law-abiding lives .
“ It was inconsistent with the person she believed herself to be and embodied to others : a hardworking , generous and loving mother , aunt and daughter who focused her life on caring for other people , ” Kimberly Dominguez ’ s attorney , assistant federal public defender Angela Hansen , wrote in a sentencing memo .
Prosecutors say the couple stole at least $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scheme that involved suspending benefits for people on social security , then diverting the funds to their own bank accounts .
To cover their tracks , they sent the payments to various family members ’ homes , prosecutors said .
• ‘ I have no faith in the justice system ’ Trial expected to be pushed back ( again ) in 2016 death of California woman • On the first day of trial , Contra Costa DA dismisses murder charges against man accused of killing wife , staging suicide • Former Dodgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a suspect in killing of his ex-girlfriend “ Defendants carefully designed their conduct to avoid detection for as long as possible , including by using three different methods to defraud the SSA and its beneficiaries , ” assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Vieira wrote in a sentencing memo .
Vieira noted that the couple bought a $ 400,000 home before they were arrested last year , in part thanks to “ gambling windfall ” profits .
As part of the sentencing , the couple will have to pay back the $ 263,924.70 , @ @ @ @

OAKLAND — A former Social Security Administration worker who federal prosecutors say stole, with help from her husband, more than a quarter-million dollars intended for beneficiaries was sentenced to a year in federal custody, records show.
Kimberly Dominguez received the one-year term last week in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam. Her husband, Erick Dominguez, was sentenced to three years’ probation with no jail time.
The sentence is a victory for the defense; prosecutors asked for much harsher jail terms, of two years for Kimberly and 15 months for her husband. The defense argued for leniency, submitting letters from friends and family of the defendants to argue that the crimes were an anomaly in their otherwise law-abiding lives.
“It was inconsistent with the person she believed herself to be and embodied to others: a hardworking, generous and loving mother, aunt and daughter who focused her life on caring for other people,” Kimberly Dominguez’s attorney, assistant federal public defender Angela Hansen, wrote in a sentencing memo.
Prosecutors say the couple stole at least $263,924.70 over a four-year period, in a scheme that involved suspending benefits for people on social security, then diverting the funds to their own bank accounts. To cover their tracks, they sent the payments to various family members’ homes, prosecutors said.
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Giuliani: Legal quagmires have left him broke Crime and Public Safety | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges “Defendants carefully designed their conduct to avoid detection for as long as possible, including by using three different methods to defraud the SSA and its beneficiaries,” assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Vieira wrote in a sentencing memo. Vieira noted that the couple bought a $400,000 home before they were arrested last year, in part thanks to “gambling windfall” profits.
As part of the sentencing, the couple will have to pay back the $263,924.70, court records show.


mercurynews--2020-10-06--East Bay sax man Dayna Stephens makes his own history at jazz’s most storied club

Country musicians dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry .
Classical artists imagine themselves on stage at Carnegie Hall .
For jazz players , the holy of holies is a far more modest edifice .
A narrow subterranean room in the West Village , the Village Vanguard has absorbed sonic vibrations from the music ’ s greatest improvisers for more than seven decades .
East Bay-raised tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens made his debut at the venerable club in 2007 with veteran pianist Kenny Barron , and over the years he ’ s returned several times as a sideman with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another thing entirely to headline at the Vanguard , performing original music with his all-star quartet .
He wrote himself into the vaunted club ’ s annals last year in a show captured his on recently released 10th album as a leader , “ Right Now !
The Dayna Stephens Quartet Live at the Village Vanguard.
” Even without the recording , last year ’ s performance is an experience emblazoned on his memory , “ something I never stop thinking about for more than 10 seconds at a time , ” Stephens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ How many minds have been transformed in that place ?
I played there for a dozen years , but to lead my own group was another level of nervousness.
” The two-disc album captured his quartet with pianist Aaron Parks , bassist Ben Street , and drummer Greg Hutchinson .
Stephen and the his quartet were set to return to the Vanguard ( with Jaimeo Brown taking over the drum chair ) for two live-streamed shows Oct. 2-3 — coinciding with the release of the new album — but the venue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a month to fine-tune is streaming services .
Stay tuned for updates on when Stephens ’ shows might be rescheduled .
Founded in 1935 by Max Gordon and run by his widow Lorraine Gordon until her death in 2018 at 95 , the Village Vanguard isn ’ t merely the world ’ s longest continuously operating jazz venue .
The club has attained a singular status by consistently presenting jazz ’ s most prodigiously creative artists in concerts that have often ended up on era-defining live albums .
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an epochal trio session for Blue Note , “ A Night at the Village Vanguard.
” Bill Evans opened up new possibilities for interaction within a piano trio with his classic 1961 Riverside album “ Sunday at the Village Vanguard , ” a date with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian that eventually yielded enough music for a three-disc box set ( Motian went on to record several sublime albums of his own at the club decades later , but two weeks after the Evans date the 25-year-old LaFaro died in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Art Pepper and Dexter Gordon all recorded treasured albums at the Vanguard .
Vocalist Mary Stallings had been a star on the Bay Area scene for decades when her 2001 MaxJazz album “ Live at the Village Vanguard ” prompted the New York Times to describe her as “ perhaps the best jazz singer singing today.
” Vanguard albums get noticed .
If Stephens was nervous confronting the club ’ s legacy the jitters aren ’ t apparent .
With a broad , pillowy tone and a knack for crafting elliptically lyrical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on stage , unhurried and eager to see where the music takes the band .
“ For me it feels like playing with a singer , ” said Street , who ’ s become something of a house bassist at the Vanguard in the live-streaming era , performing in recent weeks with bands led by Billy Hart , Andrew Cyrille and Joe Lovano .
“ Dayna is a very special musician , ” Street said .
“ We feel lucky we get to play with him .
He reminds me more of Wayne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to everybody.
” Growing up in El Cerrito and Oakland , Stephens absorbed an unusually broad palette of influences far beyond the requisite work of Rollins and Coltrane .
The Berkeley High graduate also gravitated to cool-toned Lester Young-influenced tenor saxophonist like Stan Getz and Warne Marsh .
“ And Lee Konitz was one of my heroes , ” he said , referring to the great altoist who died in April from Covid-19 at the age of 92 .
Stephens ’ canceled Vanguard shows scuttled his chance to perform with one of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rafael-raised Jaimeo Brown started playing together as teenagers , sitting in at long shuttered jazz spots like North Oakland ’ s Bird Kage and Jack London Square ’ s First Stop .
“ From the first moment that we met each other we knew we had a lot of things in common , ” said Brown , who ’ s recorded a series of revelatory projects drawing on spirituals and gospel songs associated with the Gee ’ s Bend quilters near Selma , Alabama .
With vast technologic and pandemic-driven disruptions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms to release his third album of spiritually-infused jazz .
His mid-career perspective on collaborating with Stephens is deeply informed by his first-hand knowledge of the radically constricted path that leads down the Vanguard steps .
“ There are very few who figure out how to survive as musicians in New York , and even fewer who are able to play at the Vanguard , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a huge honor to be there with such a close brother .
It ’ s a blessing .
”

Country musicians dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry. Classical artists imagine themselves on stage at Carnegie Hall. For jazz players, the holy of holies is a far more modest edifice. A narrow subterranean room in the West Village, the Village Vanguard has absorbed sonic vibrations from the music’s greatest improvisers for more than seven decades.
East Bay-raised tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens made his debut at the venerable club in 2007 with veteran pianist Kenny Barron, and over the years he’s returned several times as a sideman with the NEA Jazz Master. But it was another thing entirely to headline at the Vanguard, performing original music with his all-star quartet. He wrote himself into the vaunted club’s annals last year in a show captured his on recently released 10th album as a leader, “Right Now! The Dayna Stephens Quartet Live at the Village Vanguard.”
Even without the recording, last year’s performance is an experience emblazoned on his memory, “something I never stop thinking about for more than 10 seconds at a time,” Stephens said from his home in New Jersey. “How many minds have been transformed in that place? I played there for a dozen years, but to lead my own group was another level of nervousness.”
The two-disc album captured his quartet with pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Ben Street, and drummer Greg Hutchinson. Stephen and the his quartet were set to return to the Vanguard (with Jaimeo Brown taking over the drum chair) for two live-streamed shows Oct. 2-3 — coinciding with the release of the new album — but the venue last week announced it was shutting down for a month to fine-tune is streaming services. Stay tuned for updates on when Stephens’ shows might be rescheduled.
Founded in 1935 by Max Gordon and run by his widow Lorraine Gordon until her death in 2018 at 95, the Village Vanguard isn’t merely the world’s longest continuously operating jazz venue. The club has attained a singular status by consistently presenting jazz’s most prodigiously creative artists in concerts that have often ended up on era-defining live albums.
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins started the ball rolling in 1957 with an epochal trio session for Blue Note, “A Night at the Village Vanguard.” Bill Evans opened up new possibilities for interaction within a piano trio with his classic 1961 Riverside album “Sunday at the Village Vanguard,” a date with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian that eventually yielded enough music for a three-disc box set (Motian went on to record several sublime albums of his own at the club decades later, but two weeks after the Evans date the 25-year-old LaFaro died in a car crash).
Saxophonists John Coltrane, Art Pepper and Dexter Gordon all recorded treasured albums at the Vanguard. Vocalist Mary Stallings had been a star on the Bay Area scene for decades when her 2001 MaxJazz album “Live at the Village Vanguard” prompted the New York Times to describe her as “perhaps the best jazz singer singing today.” Vanguard albums get noticed.
If Stephens was nervous confronting the club’s legacy the jitters aren’t apparent. With a broad, pillowy tone and a knack for crafting elliptically lyrical lines, he sounds utterly at home on stage, unhurried and eager to see where the music takes the band. “For me it feels like playing with a singer,” said Street, who’s become something of a house bassist at the Vanguard in the live-streaming era, performing in recent weeks with bands led by Billy Hart, Andrew Cyrille and Joe Lovano.
“Dayna is a very special musician,” Street said. “We feel lucky we get to play with him. He reminds me more of Wayne Shorter, though he’s listened to everybody.”
Growing up in El Cerrito and Oakland, Stephens absorbed an unusually broad palette of influences far beyond the requisite work of Rollins and Coltrane. The Berkeley High graduate also gravitated to cool-toned Lester Young-influenced tenor saxophonist like Stan Getz and Warne Marsh. “And Lee Konitz was one of my heroes,” he said, referring to the great altoist who died in April from Covid-19 at the age of 92.
Stephens’ canceled Vanguard shows scuttled his chance to perform with one of his oldest musical relationships. He and San Rafael-raised Jaimeo Brown started playing together as teenagers, sitting in at long shuttered jazz spots like North Oakland’s Bird Kage and Jack London Square’s First Stop.
“From the first moment that we met each other we knew we had a lot of things in common,” said Brown, who’s recorded a series of revelatory projects drawing on spirituals and gospel songs associated with the Gee’s Bend quilters near Selma, Alabama.
With vast technologic and pandemic-driven disruptions in the music business Brown is considering the best platforms to release his third album of spiritually-infused jazz. His mid-career perspective on collaborating with Stephens is deeply informed by his first-hand knowledge of the radically constricted path that leads down the Vanguard steps.
“There are very few who figure out how to survive as musicians in New York, and even fewer who are able to play at the Vanguard,” he said. “It’s a huge honor to be there with such a close brother. It’s a blessing.”