mercurynews--2020-08-04--Coronavirus: How do 49ers alter practices for training camp?

Kyle Shanahan issued a compelling rallying cry Monday , and it ’ s one the 49ers should carry through training camp and into an uncertain season .
“ Football doesn ’ t matter if you don ’ t handle COVID right , ” Shanahan said Monday in a video conference with reporters .
So far , the 49ers are handling it impressively , at least judging by their apparently minimal COVID-19 issues since players began arriving for training camp two weeks ago .
Only two of 80 repeatedly tested players have gone on the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Wilson Jr. On Monday , James came off the list after a week and reverted to a non-football-injury list for a fractured hand from June .
“ The main thing that ’ s changed ( with camp ) is how you deal with it when people get COVID , ” Shanahan added .
“ But then , our first thing is going to be : how do you set up camp without preseason games.
” Perhaps with live tackling drills , at a time when social distancing is demanded everywhere else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a training camp ’ s further impact from COVID-19 ?
Let ’ s look : Safety protocol will limit the 49ers to walk-through practices , plus strength and conditioning over these next two weeks .
The first full-team practice in pads is not allowed until Aug. 17 .
“ We ’ ve got a plan and everything ’ s on the board that we ’ re supposed to do , but I ’ m not acting like that plan isn ’ t going to change , ” Shanahan added .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapt to anything .
You have to with the COVID stuff .
“ You never know when you ’ re going to lose people .
But the practice stuff is going to be fun , I think.
” That could mean allowing players to tackle each other , a no-no in modern-NFL practices because all-out contact is typically frowned upon outside game action .
Shanahan has never been on a staff that ’ s tackled in camp , but he acknowledges unusual drills might be needed if players are waging tight job competitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pros and cons .
A positive : Shanahan can better schedule out practice reps for improved balance without being interupted by on-again , off-again dates around meaningless exhibitions , especially the time lost traveling for the typical pair of preseason road trips .
The bad : Evaluating running backs and punt returns just got harder in terms of their ability to break tackles .
The 49ers know what they have in their top four running backs , so undrafted rookies Jamycal Hasty , Salvon Ahmed and fullback Josh Hokit better impress in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand injury opens the door for a new punt returner , and the 49ers surely will audition 2017-18 specialist Trent Taylor along with first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk , Dante Pettis and Travis Benjamin .
Rather than delve into football chatter and Super Bowl revenge , Shanahan steered his Monday team meeting into addressing concerns about the COVID-19 safety measures .
“ Before I got here , I was a lot more nervous , ‘ How can this work out ?
How can we social distant ?
’ I had a lot of skepticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day it got better and better , and you see the protocols and you get so much more optimistic , ‘ Alright , I get how this can work.
’ ” General manager John Lynch praised Al Guido , the 49ers ’ president , and Ben Peterson , their head of player health and performance , for leading the way in not only implementing the NFL and NFL Players Association ’ s safety measures but government guidelines .
“ So many people have been working their tails off to equip this place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families feel comfortable and our staff feels comfortable , ” Lynch said .
“ Does that assure us of anything ?
No , but it sure allows us to mitigate any risk and we ’ re proud of what they ’ ve done.
” Shanahan ’ s staff is relatively young , but a couple seasoned assistants figure to have a greater risk of catching COVID-19 .
Bobby Turner ( running backs ) , Johnny Holland ( linebackers ) and Stan Kwon ( special teams ) each have coached over 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistants include Robert Saleh ( defensive coordinator ) , Richard Hightower ( special teams coordinator ) , Jon Embree ( tight ends ) and John Benton ( offensive line ) .
Shanahan said all coaches needed permission from their doctors to report for camp , and now that they ’ ve been embedded for two weeks , concerns are receding .
“ When we got back in here , that eased a lot , ” Shanahan said .
“ The guys who had high concerns and guys I had concerned for , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that coaches discovered this past offseason how flexible they can be teaching via video conferences , which they ’ d be summoned to do if quarantined .
Eagles coach Doug Peterson is isolated after testing positive for COVID-19 and being asymptomatic .
Levi ’ s Stadium ’ s spacious United Club , on the west side ’ s suite tower , hosted Monday ’ s team meeting .
The stadium ’ s east side ’ s auditorium , where team meetings and press conferences have been held since 2014 , is now reserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30-person capacity .
The 49ers ’ locker room is just down the hall from the auditorium , and Shanahan doesn ’ t eye too many full-team meetings that would force players to walk halway around the stadium and up to the third-floor United Club .
“ Going through all these protocols is to really make sure you have a right to go outside and play football against each other , ” Shanahan said .
“ We all know once we play that sport , social distancing during that is a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if you do it the right way , and we have 10 days before start , then you get the right to go out there and practice with us.
” Reminder : Practices are closed to the public , unlike recent years that would attract drown daily crowds of about 2,000 fans .

Kyle Shanahan issued a compelling rallying cry Monday, and it’s one the 49ers should carry through training camp and into an uncertain season.
“Football doesn’t matter if you don’t handle COVID right,” Shanahan said Monday in a video conference with reporters.
So far, the 49ers are handling it impressively, at least judging by their apparently minimal COVID-19 issues since players began arriving for training camp two weeks ago.
Only two of 80 repeatedly tested players have gone on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list, those being Richie James Jr. and Jeff Wilson Jr. On Monday, James came off the list after a week and reverted to a non-football-injury list for a fractured hand from June.
“The main thing that’s changed (with camp) is how you deal with it when people get COVID,” Shanahan added. “But then, our first thing is going to be: how do you set up camp without preseason games.”
Perhaps with live tackling drills, at a time when social distancing is demanded everywhere else.
So how else are the 49ers bracing for a training camp’s further impact from COVID-19? Let’s look:
1. PRACTICE PLAN
Safety protocol will limit the 49ers to walk-through practices, plus strength and conditioning over these next two weeks. The first full-team practice in pads is not allowed until Aug. 17.
“We’ve got a plan and everything’s on the board that we’re supposed to do, but I’m not acting like that plan isn’t going to change,” Shanahan added. “We’re going to be ready to adapt to anything. You have to with the COVID stuff.
“You never know when you’re going to lose people. But the practice stuff is going to be fun, I think.”
That could mean allowing players to tackle each other, a no-no in modern-NFL practices because all-out contact is typically frowned upon outside game action. Shanahan has never been on a staff that’s tackled in camp, but he acknowledges unusual drills might be needed if players are waging tight job competitions.
2. EXTINCT EXHIBITIONS
The elimination of exhibition games comes with pros and cons.
A positive: Shanahan can better schedule out practice reps for improved balance without being interupted by on-again, off-again dates around meaningless exhibitions, especially the time lost traveling for the typical pair of preseason road trips.
The bad: Evaluating running backs and punt returns just got harder in terms of their ability to break tackles. The 49ers know what they have in their top four running backs, so undrafted rookies Jamycal Hasty, Salvon Ahmed and fullback Josh Hokit better impress in practice. Richie James Jr.’s hand injury opens the door for a new punt returner, and the 49ers surely will audition 2017-18 specialist Trent Taylor along with first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk, Dante Pettis and Travis Benjamin.
3. GETTING COMFORTABLE
Rather than delve into football chatter and Super Bowl revenge, Shanahan steered his Monday team meeting into addressing concerns about the COVID-19 safety measures.
“Before I got here, I was a lot more nervous, ‘How can this work out? How can we social distant?’ I had a lot of skepticism,” Shanahan said. “Then each day it got better and better, and you see the protocols and you get so much more optimistic, ‘Alright, I get how this can work.’ ”
General manager John Lynch praised Al Guido, the 49ers’ president, and Ben Peterson, their head of player health and performance, for leading the way in not only implementing the NFL and NFL Players Association’s safety measures but government guidelines.
“So many people have been working their tails off to equip this place such that our players feel comfortable, their families feel comfortable and our staff feels comfortable,” Lynch said. “Does that assure us of anything? No, but it sure allows us to mitigate any risk and we’re proud of what they’ve done.”
4. COACHING DEPTH
Shanahan’s staff is relatively young, but a couple seasoned assistants figure to have a greater risk of catching COVID-19. Bobby Turner (running backs), Johnny Holland (linebackers) and Stan Kwon (special teams) each have coached over 20 years in the NFL, while other long-time assistants include Robert Saleh (defensive coordinator), Richard Hightower (special teams coordinator), Jon Embree (tight ends) and John Benton (offensive line).
Shanahan said all coaches needed permission from their doctors to report for camp, and now that they’ve been embedded for two weeks, concerns are receding.
“When we got back in here, that eased a lot,” Shanahan said. “The guys who had high concerns and guys I had concerned for, they felt a lot better.”
Shanahan noted that coaches discovered this past offseason how flexible they can be teaching via video conferences, which they’d be summoned to do if quarantined. Eagles coach Doug Peterson is isolated after testing positive for COVID-19 and being asymptomatic.
5. MEETINGS MOVE
Levi’s Stadium’s spacious United Club, on the west side’s suite tower, hosted Monday’s team meeting. The stadium’s east side’s auditorium, where team meetings and press conferences have been held since 2014, is now reserved for only the defensive backs meetings with a 30-person capacity.
The 49ers’ locker room is just down the hall from the auditorium, and Shanahan doesn’t eye too many full-team meetings that would force players to walk halway around the stadium and up to the third-floor United Club.
“Going through all these protocols is to really make sure you have a right to go outside and play football against each other,” Shanahan said.
“We all know once we play that sport, social distancing during that is a little bit impossible,” Shanahan added. “But if you do it the right way, and we have 10 days before start, then you get the right to go out there and practice with us.”
Reminder: Practices are closed to the public, unlike recent years that would attract drown daily crowds of about 2,000 fans.


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Word Game: Aug. 4, 2020

Word Game: Aug. 4, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — ALIMONY ( ALIMONY : AL-ih-mo-nee : Court-ordered allowance made to one spouse by the other @ @ @ @ @ you find 23 or more words in ALIMONY ?
The list will be published tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies @ @ @ @ @ must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters @ @ @ @ @ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not @ @ @ @ @ words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not @ @ @ @ @ , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” @ @ @ @ @ “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , @ @ @ @ @ or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — ALIMONY (ALIMONY: AL-ih-mo-nee: Court-ordered allowance made to one spouse by the other following divorce.)
Average mark 17 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 23 or more words in ALIMONY? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — DEFICITS deft deist dice diciest diet disc edict edit fetid
fisc fist fistic iced iciest ides cite cities tide tidies tied sect side sift site
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-05--Disney will release ‘Mulan’ straight to streaming – for a price

“ Mulan ” is no longer headed for a major theatrical release .
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service , Disney+ , on Sept. 4 .
But this is no “ Hamilton ” : Customers will have to pay an additional $ 29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent “ Mulan.
” The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available .
“ In order to meet the needs of consumers during this unpredictable period , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to bring this exceptional family-friendly film to them in a timely manner , ” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on the company ’ s earnings call .
“ We see this as an opportunity to bring this incredible film to a broad audience currently unable to go to movie theaters.
” The live-action remake of the animated film was one of the first major films to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Originally set for a March 27 release , “ Mulan ” moved to late July , then late August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all together as COVID-19 cases spiked through the U.S .
Along with Warner Bros. ’ “ Tenet , ” “ Mulan ” was going to be one of the first major movies to open in theaters since the shutdown .
Exhibitors , most of which have been closed for over four months , have been desperate for new films that would help draw wary audiences back to theaters .
But while Warner Bros. is moving forward with a theatrical release plan , which involves opening “ Tenet ” internationally first and then in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sept. 3 , Disney decided to pivot and direct consumers to its streaming service .
It is not unprecedented for a major studio to offer a premium video on demand release during the pandemic .
Universal Pictures debuted “ Trolls World Tour ” on streaming in April while most theaters were shuttered .
Although it caused a major rift at the time , it has since led to an historic compromise between the nation ’ s largest theater chain and Universal to shrink its theatrical window to 17 days .
But few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 million production , to go this route , even Disney .
In late June , when announcing its delay to August , Disney executives Alan Horn and Alan Bergman wrote in a joint statement that “ Mulan ” was , “ Everything the cinematic experience should be , and that ’ s where we believe it belongs—on the world stage and the big screen for audiences around the globe to enjoy together .
”

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated Press
“Mulan” is no longer headed for a major theatrical release. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4.
But this is no “Hamilton”: Customers will have to pay an additional $29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent “Mulan.” The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available.
“In order to meet the needs of consumers during this unpredictable period, we thought it was important to find alternative ways to bring this exceptional family-friendly film to them in a timely manner,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on the company’s earnings call. “We see this as an opportunity to bring this incredible film to a broad audience currently unable to go to movie theaters.”
The live-action remake of the animated film was one of the first major films to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Originally set for a March 27 release, “Mulan” moved to late July, then late August and was then pulled from the calendar all together as COVID-19 cases spiked through the U.S.
Along with Warner Bros.’ “Tenet,” “Mulan” was going to be one of the first major movies to open in theaters since the shutdown. Exhibitors, most of which have been closed for over four months, have been desperate for new films that would help draw wary audiences back to theaters.
But while Warner Bros. is moving forward with a theatrical release plan, which involves opening “Tenet” internationally first and then in select U.S. theaters a week later, on Sept. 3, Disney decided to pivot and direct consumers to its streaming service.
It is not unprecedented for a major studio to offer a premium video on demand release during the pandemic. Universal Pictures debuted “Trolls World Tour” on streaming in April while most theaters were shuttered. Although it caused a major rift at the time, it has since led to an historic compromise between the nation’s largest theater chain and Universal to shrink its theatrical window to 17 days.
But few expected “Mulan,” a $200 million production, to go this route, even Disney. In late June, when announcing its delay to August, Disney executives Alan Horn and Alan Bergman wrote in a joint statement that “Mulan” was, “Everything the cinematic experience should be, and that’s where we believe it belongs—on the world stage and the big screen for audiences around the globe to enjoy together.”


mercurynews--2020-08-05--Questions raised after big surprise for Kodak, its stock

Eastman Kodak ’ s potentially lucrative deal to help the U.S. government make more generic drugs domestically is threatening to turn into a regulatory headache for the fallen photography giant .
Kodak ’ s depressed stock price surged last week before the company announced its plans to work with the President Donald Trump ’ s administration in exchange for a $ 765 million loan .
That prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren to send a Monday letter asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether insider trading laws have been broken .
The SEC is now in the early stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal .
The newspaper cited unidentified people familiar with the matter .
The SEC declined to comment on the report .
Kodak said Tuesday that the Rochester , New York , company intends to cooperate with any potential inquiries , without saying whether it has been contacted by the SEC .
The company ’ s stock soared on the July 28 news about the $ 765 million loan from the federal government to help Kodak make factory changes necessary to make pharmaceutical ingredients in short supply in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 to as high as $ 60 before some of its former debt was converted into stock as part of a complex arrangement .
The conversion resulted in Kodak issuing nearly 30 million additional shares , undercutting the value of the stock already outstanding .
Kodak ’ s stock closed at $ 14.40 after falling 3.6 % in Tuesday ’ s trading .
Any investigation is likely to focus in an abrupt rally and trading frenzy in Kodak ’ s stock before the company and the Trump administration made their announcement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the news being shared online on Twitter and websites by at least two reporters in Rochester and two television stations before the official release of the information .
In its Tuesday statement , Kodak said it didn ’ t intend for the news to be shared by the media in advance .
Warren , a former Democratic Party presidential candidate from Massachusetts , also asked the SEC to look into whether Kodak board members were buying stock in the company while they were secretly negotiating the loan with the Trump administration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Kodak also disclosed in regulatory filings that it had issued stock options to several executives on July 27 before its shares soared .
Kodak CEO James Continenza was among the recipients .
Kodak said the stock option grants were approved by shareholders in May and issued July 27 to preserve the value of Continenza had already earned before the dilution triggered by the conversion of old debt .
• Your school wants a waiver to open in person ?
In the Bay Area , sit tight and wait • Jack Del @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of NFL players who opt out • P.J .
Hall trade to Vikings falls through , so Raiders waive him Although Kodak became world famous for its inroads in photography before digital technology decimated the market for film , it also has a lesser-known pharmaceutical division .
The government loan agreement , which hasn ’ t been finalized , is supposed to used to help expand and renovate existing plants in Rochester and St. Paul , Minnesota .

By Michael Liedtke | Associated Press
Eastman Kodak’s potentially lucrative deal to help the U.S. government make more generic drugs domestically is threatening to turn into a regulatory headache for the fallen photography giant.
Kodak’s depressed stock price surged last week before the company announced its plans to work with the President Donald Trump’s administration in exchange for a $765 million loan. That prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren to send a Monday letter asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether insider trading laws have been broken.
The SEC is now in the early stages of a probe, according to a report published Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper cited unidentified people familiar with the matter.
The SEC declined to comment on the report.
Kodak said Tuesday that the Rochester, New York, company intends to cooperate with any potential inquiries, without saying whether it has been contacted by the SEC.
The company’s stock soared on the July 28 news about the $765 million loan from the federal government to help Kodak make factory changes necessary to make pharmaceutical ingredients in short supply in the U.S. Its shares rocketed from around $2 to as high as $60 before some of its former debt was converted into stock as part of a complex arrangement.
The conversion resulted in Kodak issuing nearly 30 million additional shares, undercutting the value of the stock already outstanding. Kodak’s stock closed at $14.40 after falling 3.6% in Tuesday’s trading.
Any investigation is likely to focus in an abrupt rally and trading frenzy in Kodak’s stock before the company and the Trump administration made their announcement. The rally may have triggered by some of the news being shared online on Twitter and websites by at least two reporters in Rochester and two television stations before the official release of the information.
In its Tuesday statement, Kodak said it didn’t intend for the news to be shared by the media in advance.
Warren, a former Democratic Party presidential candidate from Massachusetts, also asked the SEC to look into whether Kodak board members were buying stock in the company while they were secretly negotiating the loan with the Trump administration.
After the news of the deal came out, Kodak also disclosed in regulatory filings that it had issued stock options to several executives on July 27 before its shares soared. Kodak CEO James Continenza was among the recipients.
Kodak said the stock option grants were approved by shareholders in May and issued July 27 to preserve the value of Continenza had already earned before the dilution triggered by the conversion of old debt.


mercurynews--2020-08-05--London’s Victoria & Albert Museum prepares to reopen

LONDON – Five thousand years of art and design history will be joined by some more modern items when London ’ s Victoria and Albert ( V & A ) museum reopens on Thursday – hand sanitizer dispensers and protective screens .
Mask-wearing visitors will be allowed to tour exhibits on two of the museum ’ s floors , strolling through 250 years of European Renaissance art , a dazzling Islamic Middle East gallery , and five centuries of fashion from around the world .
Tickets are free but visitors will be allowed in on a booking-only basis after months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Britain ’ s tentative economic and cultural reopening .
“ We want people to enjoy themselves again after all these months of looking at screens – to go and see an artifact for yourself , to stand in front of an object , that ’ s what ’ s so important , ” said museum director Tristram Hunt .
“ The V & A has been closed for 138 days , the longest period of closure in its history.
” The 160-year-old museum , named after Queen Victoria and her husband Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demands of social distancing regulations designed to prevent the spread of a COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 46,000 people in Britain alone .
Hand sanitiser dispensers have been dotted around the sprawling , mosaic-floored building .
The gift shop and cafe have been equipped with protective screens .
Further sections of the V & A ’ s seven miles of galleries will reopen in phases later in the month .
“ What we ’ ve all discovered is that it ’ s relatively easy to close , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hunt said .
“ We ’ ve got the pubs open , we ’ ve got the football playing , that ’ s great .
But museums , galleries , schools , places where people can nurture their souls is really important .
”

By Hanna Rantala | Reuters
LONDON – Five thousand years of art and design history will be joined by some more modern items when London’s Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum reopens on Thursday – hand sanitizer dispensers and protective screens.
Mask-wearing visitors will be allowed to tour exhibits on two of the museum’s floors, strolling through 250 years of European Renaissance art, a dazzling Islamic Middle East gallery, and five centuries of fashion from around the world.
Tickets are free but visitors will be allowed in on a booking-only basis after months of coronavirus-enforced closure, marking another step in Britain’s tentative economic and cultural reopening.
“We want people to enjoy themselves again after all these months of looking at screens – to go and see an artifact for yourself, to stand in front of an object, that’s what’s so important,” said museum director Tristram Hunt.
“The V&A has been closed for 138 days, the longest period of closure in its history.”
The 160-year-old museum, named after Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, has been modified to meet the demands of social distancing regulations designed to prevent the spread of a COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 46,000 people in Britain alone.
Hand sanitiser dispensers have been dotted around the sprawling, mosaic-floored building. The gift shop and cafe have been equipped with protective screens.
Further sections of the V&A’s seven miles of galleries will reopen in phases later in the month.
“What we’ve all discovered is that it’s relatively easy to close, but it’s a lot more difficult to reopen,” Hunt said.
“We’ve got the pubs open, we’ve got the football playing, that’s great. But museums, galleries, schools, places where people can nurture their souls is really important.”


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Former Google engineer gets 18 months for stealing trade secrets

OAKLAND – A U.S. judge on Tuesday sentenced former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski to 18 months in prison for stealing a trade secret from Google related to self-driving cars months before becoming the head of Uber Technologies Inc ’ s rival unit .
U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Levandowski , who was convicted on Tuesday following a March plea agreement , said Levandowski could enter custody once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided .
Alsup said a sentence short of imprisonment would have given “ a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ competitor ’ s game plan.
” The 75-year-old judge , who has been involved in Silicon Valley litigation for nearly five decades , described Levandowski ’ s conviction as the “ biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen.
” “ Billions [ of dollars ] in the future were at play , and when those kind of financial incentives are there good people will do terrible things , and that ’ s what happened here , ” Alsup said .
Levandowski requested one-year confinement at his Marin County home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years would make him susceptible to death from the novel coronavirus while in prison .
His attorneys asked the judge to consider that investigators found no evidence that “ Levandowski used any of Google ’ s trade secrets after leaving Google ’ s employment.
” Levandowski transferred more than 14,000 Google files including development schedules and product designs to his personal laptop before leaving the company and while negotiating a deal with Uber , where he briefly led its self-driving car unit .
Uber fired Levandowski in 2017 and then settled a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secrets , setting back the ride-hailing company ’ s self-driving project .
The dispute between the companies is ongoing .
Levandowski filed for bankruptcy in March because he owes $ 179 million to Alphabet Inc ’ s Google for his actions before resigning in January 2016 .
Google last week asked the bankruptcy judge to reject Uber ’ s argument that it is not responsible for paying the $ 179 million under his old employment agreement .
Levandowski , who now runs self-driving truck company Pronto , apologized to Google and said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with others in the tech industry .
“ Today marks the end of three and a half long years and the beginning of another long road ahead , ” he said in a statement .

By Paresh Dave | Reuters
OAKLAND – A U.S. judge on Tuesday sentenced former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski to 18 months in prison for stealing a trade secret from Google related to self-driving cars months before becoming the head of Uber Technologies Inc’s rival unit.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Levandowski, who was convicted on Tuesday following a March plea agreement, said Levandowski could enter custody once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
Alsup said a sentence short of imprisonment would have given “a green light to every future brilliant engineer to steal trade secrets,” comparing what Levandowski took to a “competitor’s game plan.”
The 75-year-old judge, who has been involved in Silicon Valley litigation for nearly five decades, described Levandowski’s conviction as the “biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen.”
“Billions [of dollars] in the future were at play, and when those kind of financial incentives are there good people will do terrible things, and that’s what happened here,” Alsup said.
Prosecutors sought a 27-month prison sentence.
Levandowski requested one-year confinement at his Marin County home, contending that bouts with pneumonia in recent years would make him susceptible to death from the novel coronavirus while in prison. His attorneys asked the judge to consider that investigators found no evidence that “Levandowski used any of Google’s trade secrets after leaving Google’s employment.”
Levandowski transferred more than 14,000 Google files including development schedules and product designs to his personal laptop before leaving the company and while negotiating a deal with Uber, where he briefly led its self-driving car unit.
Uber fired Levandowski in 2017 and then settled a lawsuit from Alphabet over the misuse of trade secrets, setting back the ride-hailing company’s self-driving project.
The dispute between the companies is ongoing. Levandowski filed for bankruptcy in March because he owes $179 million to Alphabet Inc’s Google for his actions before resigning in January 2016.
Google last week asked the bankruptcy judge to reject Uber’s argument that it is not responsible for paying the $179 million under his old employment agreement.
Levandowski, who now runs self-driving truck company Pronto, apologized to Google and said he plans to share his story of regret with others in the tech industry.
“Today marks the end of three and a half long years and the beginning of another long road ahead,” he said in a statement.


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Your school wants a waiver to open in person? In the Bay Area, sit tight and wait

School starts as early as next week in many Bay Area districts , so the window to apply for a waiver to open the school year in person is closing fast .
But the confusing process to get permission through county public health departments is just beginning .
That combination was leading to more questions than answers on Tuesday , as Bay Area health departments scrambled to assess the new guidelines that Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s office issued late Monday for “ in-person instruction.
” “ We ’ ve never done anything like this before , ” Alameda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald said .
“ We won ’ t find the gaps until we ’ re in them.
” With pressure building from teachers ’ unions and health officials , the governor last month mandated that K12 schools in counties on the state ’ s coronavirus watchlist — including all of the Bay Area — start the school year online .
But he cleared the way for county health departments to grant waivers to elementary schools that follow a rigorous set of guidelines — including reduced class sizes , mask mandates and routine schoolwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction .
“ Bringing in-person education and instruction is , of course , one of our key goals in California , ” California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said at a news conference Tuesday .
“ But as the governor has said and we ’ ve tried to communicate through this waiver process , we ’ ll only do it if we can assure that we ’ ve created a lower-risk environment for the spread of COVID.
” In the Bay Area , one thing is clear : Most public schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and starting the school year online .
But with the first day of school quickly approaching , some private schools are anxiously waiting for the go-ahead to apply for waivers .
“ The greatest frustration is that there are no clear guidelines between the county and the state , ” said Steve Macias , headmaster at Canterbury Christian School in Los Altos , a private pre-K-5 school .
“ I believe that if the county and the state want to go in the business of regulating private schools , they should be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been.
” And private schools that operate in more than one county are bound to find differences in the waiver process .
On Tuesday , a survey of Bay Area counties found Alameda , Contra Costa and San Francisco aren ’ t planning to even consider granting waivers until the virus slows its spread .
“ We consider in-person education too risky at this time , ” Contra Costa Health Services spokesperson Will Harper said late Tuesday afternoon .
“ Until daily case rates , percent positive test rates and hospitalizations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 2 weeks , we won ’ t be reviewing any waiver requests.
” Santa Clara County said it has already received about 80 inquiries from public , charter and private schools , but the county is still developing its waiver process and timeline .
San Mateo County Health is working with the Office of Education to develop a process to submit waiver requests and expects to release details “ soon , ” according to deputy county health chief Srija Srinivasan .
The state ’ s guidelines , issued Monday , call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waivers 14 days prior to their desired opening date .
• Consult with “ labor , parent and community organizations ” and publish reopening plans on the website of the local educational agency .
• Encourage periodic testing of school staff and recommend daily visual wellness and symptoms checks on staff and students .
• Require masks to be worn in class and on buses by staff and students in 3rd grade and higher .
• Designate a liaison to coordinate monitoring and reporting of positive cases .
• Close in-person instruction if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or when at least 5 % of the school — including students and staff — test positive within a 14-day period .
When it begins considering waivers , Contra Costa County said it will require schools to have a staff member trained in contact tracing and perform its own tests on the school staff at least once a month .
While educators largely support the guidelines , private school headmasters such as Macias say his school is already practicing many of the safety measures for in-person summer camp — so the waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we ’ re allowed to the open on September 8 as a day camp , what is changed between September 8 and September 9 to be open as a school ?
” he said .
“ Until the county can explain how that makes us any more or less safe , I ’ m very unsatisfied with how they ’ ve handled it.
” Ron Reynolds , executive director of the California Association of Private School Organizations , says he expects the majority of private elementary schools to apply for a waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in the guidelines are a plus because they “ leave some space , appropriately so , for the exercise of best human judgment and flexibility at the local level.
” Reopening schools has become one of the biggest debates across the country as the Trump Administration is strongly encouraging schools to open classrooms so parents can get back to work .
But while the state has opened the door for younger children to return to the classroom , middle and high schools are not eligible for waivers .
Studies have shown younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread the virus , but like so many other things with the coronavirus , the science is still emerging .
That ’ s why schools need to adopt their own safety plans , such as not chanting or shouting inside and capping groups at four to eight kids , Ghaly said .
George Rutherford , an epidemiologist at UCSF , said while there have been few large coronavirus outbreaks in elementary schools in the U.S. , the standard precautions of masks and social distancing are essential , as a recent outbreak in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Board of Education to sue Gov .
Newsom as it seeks the full reopening of schools • Here ’ s homeschool parents ’ advice for surviving another round of online learning “ Nobody ever said that children can ’ t be infected , ” Rutherford said .
“ And no one ’ s ever said the children can ’ t transmit .
All we said is that they seem less likely to .
So the risk is lower with younger children … ( but ) you have to have all the precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pick a group you wanted to educate first , I would do K through 3 .
”

School starts as early as next week in many Bay Area districts, so the window to apply for a waiver to open the school year in person is closing fast. But the confusing process to get permission through county public health departments is just beginning.
That combination was leading to more questions than answers on Tuesday, as Bay Area health departments scrambled to assess the new guidelines that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued late Monday for “in-person instruction.”
“We’ve never done anything like this before,” Alameda County Office of Education spokesperson Michelle Smith McDonald said. “We won’t find the gaps until we’re in them.”
With pressure building from teachers’ unions and health officials, the governor last month mandated that K12 schools in counties on the state’s coronavirus watchlist — including all of the Bay Area — start the school year online. But he cleared the way for county health departments to grant waivers to elementary schools that follow a rigorous set of guidelines — including reduced class sizes, mask mandates and routine schoolwide testing — to open their classrooms for instruction.
“Bringing in-person education and instruction is, of course, one of our key goals in California,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said at a news conference Tuesday. “But as the governor has said and we’ve tried to communicate through this waiver process, we’ll only do it if we can assure that we’ve created a lower-risk environment for the spread of COVID.”
In the Bay Area, one thing is clear: Most public schools in the region are avoiding the hassles and starting the school year online. But with the first day of school quickly approaching, some private schools are anxiously waiting for the go-ahead to apply for waivers.
“The greatest frustration is that there are no clear guidelines between the county and the state,” said Steve Macias, headmaster at Canterbury Christian School in Los Altos, a private pre-K-5 school. “I believe that if the county and the state want to go in the business of regulating private schools, they should be on the same page, and they have not been.”
And private schools that operate in more than one county are bound to find differences in the waiver process. On Tuesday, a survey of Bay Area counties found Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco aren’t planning to even consider granting waivers until the virus slows its spread.
“We consider in-person education too risky at this time,” Contra Costa Health Services spokesperson Will Harper said late Tuesday afternoon. “Until daily case rates, percent positive test rates and hospitalizations in our county are stable or declining for at least 2 weeks, we won’t be reviewing any waiver requests.”
Santa Clara County said it has already received about 80 inquiries from public, charter and private schools, but the county is still developing its waiver process and timeline. San Mateo County Health is working with the Office of Education to develop a process to submit waiver requests and expects to release details “soon,” according to deputy county health chief Srija Srinivasan.
The state’s guidelines, issued Monday, call for schools to:
Apply for waivers 14 days prior to their desired opening date.
Consult with “labor, parent and community organizations” and publish reopening plans on the website of the local educational agency.
Encourage periodic testing of school staff and recommend daily visual wellness and symptoms checks on staff and students.
Require masks to be worn in class and on buses by staff and students in 3rd grade and higher.
Designate a liaison to coordinate monitoring and reporting of positive cases.
Close in-person instruction if there are multiple cases across multiple classes, or when at least 5% of the school — including students and staff — test positive within a 14-day period.
When it begins considering waivers, Contra Costa County said it will require schools to have a staff member trained in contact tracing and perform its own tests on the school staff at least once a month.
While educators largely support the guidelines, private school headmasters such as Macias say his school is already practicing many of the safety measures for in-person summer camp — so the waiver process feels like more bureaucracy.
“If we’re allowed to the open on September 8 as a day camp, what is changed between September 8 and September 9 to be open as a school?” he said. “Until the county can explain how that makes us any more or less safe, I’m very unsatisfied with how they’ve handled it.”
Ron Reynolds, executive director of the California Association of Private School Organizations, says he expects the majority of private elementary schools to apply for a waiver. For him, the open questions left in the guidelines are a plus because they “leave some space, appropriately so, for the exercise of best human judgment and flexibility at the local level.”
Reopening schools has become one of the biggest debates across the country as the Trump Administration is strongly encouraging schools to open classrooms so parents can get back to work. But while the state has opened the door for younger children to return to the classroom, middle and high schools are not eligible for waivers. Studies have shown younger children are less susceptible to catch or spread the virus, but like so many other things with the coronavirus, the science is still emerging.
That’s why schools need to adopt their own safety plans, such as not chanting or shouting inside and capping groups at four to eight kids, Ghaly said.
George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at UCSF, said while there have been few large coronavirus outbreaks in elementary schools in the U.S., the standard precautions of masks and social distancing are essential, as a recent outbreak in a Georgia summer camp proved. Related Articles Education | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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“Nobody ever said that children can’t be infected,” Rutherford said. “And no one’s ever said the children can’t transmit. All we said is that they seem less likely to. So the risk is lower with younger children … (but) you have to have all the precautions in place. But if you had to pick a group you wanted to educate first, I would do K through 3.”


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Neil Young sues President Trump over use of his music

NEW YORK – Neil Young sued U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign on Tuesday , accusing it of copyright infringement for playing the rocker ’ s songs without permission .
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan , Young objected to the playing of “ Rockin ’ in the Free World ” and “ Devil ’ s Sidewalk ” numerous times at rallies and political events , including a June 20 rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Young said he has complained about Trump ’ s use of his songs since 2015 , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him despite lacking a license .
He had also objected when Trump played his music while visiting Mount Rushmore on July 3 .
“ This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens , who are free to support the candidate of their choosing , ” Young ’ s lawyers said in the complaint .
“ However , Plaintiff in good conscience can not allow his music to be used as a ‘ theme song ’ for a divisive , un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” released during the run-up to the Gulf War , tells of Americans struggling to get by while the country pours money into foreign wars .
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Young is seeking damages of up to $ 150,000 per infringement .
Born in Canada and now also a U.S. citizen , Young , 74 , was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1995 , and as part of Buffalo Springfield in 1997 .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged unauthorized use or invocation of their music .
In a prominent early case , Bruce Springsteen objected in 1984 , soon after the release of his blockbuster album “ Born in the U.S.A. , ” when then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan invoked his name during his re-election campaign .
Last month , dozens of artists including Aerosmith , Rosanne Cash , Green Day , Mick Jagger and Keith Richards , Elton John , Linkin Park , Lorde , Pearl Jam and Sia joined an open letter calling on politicians to obtain permission before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events .

By Jonathan Stempel | Reuters
NEW YORK – Neil Young sued U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign on Tuesday, accusing it of copyright infringement for playing the rocker’s songs without permission.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Young objected to the playing of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” numerous times at rallies and political events, including his 2015 announcement of his presidential campaign and a rally in June in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
At the president’s speech July 3 at Mount Rushmore, Trump’s campaign played “Rockin’ in the Free World” and two other of Young’s songs, “Like a Hurricane” and “Cowgirl in the Sand.”
Young said he has complained about Trump’s use of his songs since 2015, and that the campaign has “willfully” ignored him despite lacking a license.
“This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” Young’s lawyers said in the complaint. “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
“Rockin’ in the Free World,” released during the run-up to the Gulf War, tells of Americans struggling to get by while the country pours money into wars over foreign oil.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Young is seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringement.
Born in Canada and now also a U.S. citizen, Young, 74, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1995 and as part of Buffalo Springfield in 1997. He lived for many years in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Woodside; after his divorce in 2014, he moved to Southern California.
It is common for musicians to oppose politicians’ alleged unauthorized use or invocation of their music.
In a prominent early case, Bruce Springsteen objected in 1984, soon after the release of his blockbuster album “Born in the U.S.A.,” when then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan invoked his name during his re-election campaign.
Last month, dozens of artists including Aerosmith, Rosanne Cash, Green Day, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Elton John, Linkin Park, Lorde, Pearl Jam and Sia joined an open letter calling on politicians to obtain permission before playing their music at campaign and political events.


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Conviction reversed for Bay Area man who allegedly asked gang to murder teen daughter’s pimp; judge

Conviction reversed for Bay Area man who allegedly asked gang to murder teen daughter’s pimp; judge says gang ties not sufficient

In the latest shocking development surrounding the 2012 murder of a Los Angeles pimp at the hands of a San Francisco gang , a federal judge has thrown out the racketeering conviction for the man who arranged the killing , writing that although the crime was “ horrendous ” it was not enough to prove the defendant ’ s gang membership .
The decision by U.S. District Judge William Orrick means that San Francisco resident Barry Gilton — who has been in custody since he was indicted with members of the Central Divisadero Players gang in 2012 — is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gilton had been charged with arranging the murder of Calvin Sneed , a Los Angeles-based pimp who was trafficking Gilton ’ s 17-year-old daughter .
A spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the office would take up the case if federal prosecutors do not appeal after 30 days .
The unlikely chain of events started in March , when a jury acquitted Gilton of murder in furtherance of racketeering , a federal statute that requires proof the defendant not only committed a killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criminal organization .
The same jury convicted Gilton of a generic racketeering charge , which in layman ’ s terms means participating in a gang or organized criminal enterprise .
When the verdict was reached , Northern California U.S. Attorney Dave Anderson touted it in a news release , calling the trial ’ s outcome “ another significant step forward in dismantling a street gang that has imposed itself on San Francisco for far too long.
” But Gilton ’ s defense attorney filed a motion to throw out the racketeering charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him .
In his 21-page decision , Orrick said that while Gilton “ participated in the murder ” of Sneed , the legal issue was whether Gilton a member of the Central Divisadero Players gang , known as CDP .
Orrick ’ s decision , which upheld an accessory conviction for the mother of Gilton ’ s daughter , Lupe Mercado , found that Gilton was not part of the gang .
Orrick wrote that he had presided over the case for years and was intimately familiar with the facts .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Barry Gilton or Lupe Mercado was involved in CDP ’ s racketeering activities until Sneed ’ s murder , ” Orrick said .
“ By that date , they had learned that Sneed was sex trafficking their 17-year-old daughter .
… They were desperate to get their daughter away from him.
” The murder , Orrick wrote , was the only criminal act tying Gilton to the gang .
While it was “ horrendous , ” the law requires prosecutors to have at least two gang-related crimes or overt acts to prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney ’ s office declined to comment on the decision .
Federal prosecutors have 30 days to appeal , but have not yet done so , according to court records .
The two men allegedly solicited by Barry Gilton to kill Sneed — Alfonzo Williams , and Barry Gilton ’ s cousin , Antonio Gilton — are serving lengthy sentences in federal prison .
Williams was given 25 years and Antonio was sentenced to 22 , according to court records .
Orrick ’ s order doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in state court , according to legal experts .
That ’ s because of the so-called separate sovereigns doctrine , which allows federal and state prosecutors to file charges based upon the same act .
Famous examples include the federal prosecution of Los Angeles cops in the Rodney King beating after they were acquitted in state court , or the federal gun case against José Inez García Zárate , after he was acquitted of killing Kate Steinle in San Francisco but convicted of a state gun charge .
“ Because the state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t violate double jeopardy , ” said Joseph Tully , a prominent defense attorney based in Redding .
“ As long as the two different governments are separate , a defendant can be prosecuted by them .
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed this as recently as last year .
”

In the latest shocking development surrounding the 2012 murder of a Los Angeles pimp at the hands of a San Francisco gang, a federal judge has thrown out the racketeering conviction for the man who arranged the killing, writing that although the crime was “horrendous” it was not enough to prove the defendant’s gang membership.
The decision by U.S. District Judge William Orrick means that San Francisco resident Barry Gilton — who has been in custody since he was indicted with members of the Central Divisadero Players gang in 2012 — is a free man, according to public records. Gilton had been charged with arranging the murder of Calvin Sneed, a Los Angeles-based pimp who was trafficking Gilton’s 17-year-old daughter.
A spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the office would take up the case if federal prosecutors do not appeal after 30 days.
The unlikely chain of events started in March, when a jury acquitted Gilton of murder in furtherance of racketeering, a federal statute that requires proof the defendant not only committed a killing, but did so as part of a criminal organization. The same jury convicted Gilton of a generic racketeering charge, which in layman’s terms means participating in a gang or organized criminal enterprise.
When the verdict was reached, Northern California U.S. Attorney Dave Anderson touted it in a news release, calling the trial’s outcome “another significant step forward in dismantling a street gang that has imposed itself on San Francisco for far too long.”
But Gilton’s defense attorney filed a motion to throw out the racketeering charge and — last week — Orrick agreed with him. In his 21-page decision, Orrick said that while Gilton “participated in the murder” of Sneed, the legal issue was whether Gilton a member of the Central Divisadero Players gang, known as CDP.
Orrick’s decision, which upheld an accessory conviction for the mother of Gilton’s daughter, Lupe Mercado, found that Gilton was not part of the gang. Orrick wrote that he had presided over the case for years and was intimately familiar with the facts.
“There was no evidence in either trial that Barry Gilton or Lupe Mercado was involved in CDP’s racketeering activities until Sneed’s murder,” Orrick said. “By that date, they had learned that Sneed was sex trafficking their 17-year-old daughter. … They were desperate to get their daughter away from him.”
The murder, Orrick wrote, was the only criminal act tying Gilton to the gang. While it was “horrendous,” the law requires prosecutors to have at least two gang-related crimes or overt acts to prove a racketeering charge, he wrote.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment on the decision. Federal prosecutors have 30 days to appeal, but have not yet done so, according to court records.
The two men allegedly solicited by Barry Gilton to kill Sneed — Alfonzo Williams, and Barry Gilton’s cousin, Antonio Gilton — are serving lengthy sentences in federal prison. Williams was given 25 years and Antonio was sentenced to 22, according to court records.
Orrick’s order doesn’t prohibit San Francisco prosecutors from filing charges in state court, according to legal experts. That’s because of the so-called separate sovereigns doctrine, which allows federal and state prosecutors to file charges based upon the same act. Famous examples include the federal prosecution of Los Angeles cops in the Rodney King beating after they were acquitted in state court, or the federal gun case against José Inez García Zárate, after he was acquitted of killing Kate Steinle in San Francisco but convicted of a state gun charge.
“Because the state and federal court are different it doesn’t violate double jeopardy,” said Joseph Tully, a prominent defense attorney based in Redding. “As long as the two different governments are separate, a defendant can be prosecuted by them. The Supreme Court has reaffirmed this as recently as last year.”


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Palo Alto: Foothills Park now open to paying customers from outside the city

PALO ALTO — For the first time in half a century , the exclusive Foothills Park will be open to non-residents after the city council approved a pilot program that allows such visitors to buy passes to the pristine preserve .
The move comes a month after activists resurrected the decades-long conflict over the 1,400-acre park , a massive nature preserve off Paige Mill road believed to be the only publicly owned park in California that excludes non-residents unless they ’ re guests accompanied by Palo Altans .
In settling on a compromise between those who believe the restrictions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to more visitors threatens the park ’ s ecosystem , the city council this week also set out plans to put the issue to voters in 2022 — the first time since the 60-year-old park was purchased that Palo Altans will have a say .
Under the pilot program , 50 non-residents would be allowed per day to enter the park , and the city could adjust the number of such passes it gives out on busier days .
The new program is the same plan the Parks and Recreation Commission crafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the city council up to this point , causing the resignation of one commissioner in July .
In a letter sent to the city attorney on June 22 , former Santa Clara County Judge Ladoris Cordell — who decades ago served on the Palo Alto City Council — threatened legal action , noting a Connecticut Supreme Court decision that analyzed a “ residents-only ” ordinance similar to Palo Alto ’ s and found it to be unconstitutional .
She was joined by several members of congress tied to the Peninsula and Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a “ terrible message ” to neighboring communities .
Others who wrote the city council en masse decried the policy ’ s exclusionary nature as racist with its punitive measures targeting mostly people of color .
Those entering the park without proof of Palo Alto residency were subject to a misdemeanor — a punishment that hundreds of local activists , former mayors and council members have long argued should be struck from the city ’ s code .
One Palo Alto High school student who has worked in the park for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park ’ s rules .
“ The fact that some of the people who volunteered to help on my project , digging into the hillside so that Palo Alto residents can use that trail , can not themselves access that park is beyond me , ” Robin Ghosh said at the meeting .
But for Mark Nadim , a long time Palo Alto resident who lives close to the park , framing the non-resident ban as racist is “ an insult to every resident of Palo Alto.
” “ This is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nadim said .
“ Let ’ s not pay attention to words that are meant to intimidate you not opening the park to nonresidents.
” The pilot program — approved in a 5-2 vote — goes into effect immediately .
Council member Alison Cormack and Mayor Adrian Fine favored opening the park with no conditions so voted against the pilot program .
Council member Lydia Kou , however , was not as willing to open the park back up but voted for the plan on the condition that voters will decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening the park could be expensive , increase fire danger and create environmental challenges , Kou advocated for keeping the policy as is and letting the voters decide in two years .
Kou raised eyebrows from many in the audience when she supported previous council ’ s decisions to keep the park closed to outsiders , a policy which critics say has kept mostly brown and Black people out .
“ We should respect the history and learn from the history and learn about why we are doing it and why people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kou said .
“ There ’ s a reason .
That ’ s for our next generation .
We open it too soon we could be taking it away from future generations.
” But Cormack didn ’ t feel opening the park up would be taking anything away .
She voted against the plan because she felt a vote is unnecessary .
Already park ranges turns away some 3,100 vehicles a year because of the policy .
“ It isn ’ t going to make it any less special if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I firmly believe that there is room .
We turn people away and there is room for us to share it.
” Fine said he didn ’ t want to “ put civil rights to a vote ” by letting residents decide if non-residents should be allowed in .
He said “ we are literally discriminating against people because they ’ re not wealthy enough to live in Palo Alto .
”

PALO ALTO — For the first time in more than half a century, the exclusive Foothills Park could soon be open to nonresidents after the city council approved a pilot program that allows such visitors to buy passes to the pristine preserve.
The move comes a month after activists resurrected the decades-long conflict over the 1,400-acre park, a massive nature preserve off Page Mill road believed to be the only publicly owned park in California that excludes nonresidents unless they’re guests accompanied by Palo Altans.
In settling on a compromise between those who believe the restrictions are discriminatory and others who think opening it up to more visitors threatens the park’s ecosystem, the city council this week also set out plans to put the issue to voters in 2022 — the first time since the 60-year-old park was purchased that Palo Altans will have a say.
Under the pilot program, 50 nonresidents would be allowed per day to enter the park, and the city could adjust the number of such passes it gives out on busier days. Mayor Adrian Fine said the program — approved in a 5-2 vote — is still months away from going into effect.
The new program is the same plan the Parks and Recreation Commission crafted last year, which had been ignored by the city council up to this point, causing the resignation of one commissioner in July.
In a letter sent to the city attorney on June 22, former Santa Clara County Judge Ladoris Cordell — who decades ago served on the Palo Alto City Council — threatened legal action, noting a Connecticut Supreme Court decision that analyzed a “residents-only” ordinance similar to Palo Alto’s and found it to be unconstitutional.
She was joined by several members of congress tied to the Peninsula and Santa Clara County, who argued the policy sent a “terrible message” to neighboring communities. Others who wrote the city council en masse decried the policy’s exclusionary nature as racist with its punitive measures targeting mostly people of color.
Those entering the park without proof of Palo Alto residency are currently subject to a misdemeanor — a punishment that hundreds of local activists, former mayors and council members have long argued should be struck from the city’s code.
One Palo Alto High school student who has worked in the park for an Eagle Scout project was baffled by the park’s rules.
“The fact that some of the people who volunteered to help on my project, digging into the hillside so that Palo Alto residents can use that trail, cannot themselves access that park is beyond me,” Rohin Ghosh said at the meeting.
But for Mark Nadim, a long time Palo Alto resident who lives close to the park, framing the nonresident ban as racist is “an insult to every resident of Palo Alto.”
“This is one of the most progressive cities in the country,” Nadim said. “Let’s not pay attention to words that are meant to intimidate you not opening the park to nonresidents.”
Council member Alison Cormack and Fine favored opening the park with no conditions so voted against the pilot program. Council member Lydia Kou, however, was not as willing to open the park back up but voted for the plan on the condition that voters will decide in the future.
Firmly debating that opening the park could be expensive, increase fire danger and create environmental challenges, Kou advocated for keeping the policy as is and letting the voters decide in two years.
Kou raised eyebrows from many in the audience when she supported previous council’s decisions to keep the park closed to outsiders, a policy which critics say has kept mostly brown and Black people out.
“We should respect the history and learn from the history and learn about why we are doing it and why people have put this (policy) in place,” Kou said. “There’s a reason. That’s for our next generation. We open it too soon we could be taking it away from future generations.”
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Sonoma County seeks public advice on new park Local News | BART, East Bay parks police investigating separate homicides in Oakland But Cormack didn’t feel opening the park up would be taking anything away. She voted against the plan because she felt a vote is unnecessary. Already park ranges turns away some 3,100 vehicles a year because of the policy.
“It isn’t going to make it any less special if we share it,” Cormack said. “I firmly believe that there is room. We turn people away and there is room for us to share it.”
Fine said he didn’t want to “put civil rights to a vote” by letting residents decide if nonresidents should be allowed in.
He said “we are literally discriminating against people because they’re not wealthy enough to live in Palo Alto.”


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Jack Del Rio can’t hide his opinion of NFL players who opt out

You ’ ll have to read between the lines to see it , but former Raiders coach Jack Del Rio has a strong opinion of NFL players who choose to opt out of the upcoming season due to coronavirus fears .
When asked what he thinks of the more than 50 players who ’ ve decided not to play because of COVID-19 fears , Washington ’ s new defensive coordinator tried to be politically correct in his answer to The Athletic .
“ I have personal views that would probably not sit well with my professional occupation right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it like that , ” said the former Hayward High three-sport star , who ’ s in his first NFL coaching job since being fired by his hometown Raiders in 2017 .
In June , the 57-year-old Del Rio wasn ’ t quite as evasive with his thoughts about playing football during a pandemic .
Del Rio retweeted a Sports Illustrated column that questioned why the NFL would prioritize its product over its players ’ safety , and put his own spin on it .
“ I think most players understand the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The priority is not trying to be perfectly safe …..if so perhaps you should never drive your car , ” Del Rio tweeted .
However , the nation ’ s leading health experts , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , are among those warning that the NFL could be flirting with trouble by pushing forward toward a regular season in September .
“ Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci said two months ago .
“ If there is a second wave , which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season , football may not happen this year.
” The continuing threat of the virus is what ’ s prompted a growing number of players to walk away from the risk , including two of Del Rio ’ s backup defensive players : defensive lineman Caleb Brantley and linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons .
Brantley is considered high-risk and Harvey-Clemons was worried about possibly infecting his two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thursday is the deadline for NFL players to opt out without contractual implications .
Players who have opted out before the deadline will have their contracts rolled over to the 2021 season and they ’ ll receive salary advances on their deals — $ 350,000 for players at high-risk and $ 150,000 for the others .
Del Rio taking issue with those who decided not to play this season is just the latest in a string of his pointed social media posts this off-season .
He ’ s had to defend his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of occasions , especially after the president declared he ’ d boycott the NFL this season if players kneel in protest during the national anthem .
Del Rio responded to one Twitter user ’ s criticism of him for supporting Trump by tweeting , “ I ’ m 100 % for America , if you ’ re not you can kiss my ( expletive ) .
” In his interview with The Athletic , the suddenly opinionated Del Rio said he ’ s happy to have a dialogue with those who may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am open to discuss at any time with anyone my thoughts and respectfully have exchanges , ” Del Rio said .
“ It ’ s just not always possible in today ’ s environment .
I think it ’ s important to be able to have your own opinion and respect for each other .
“ People may have an opinion that is different than mine , which is OK.
I ’ m OK with actually having a conversation about it with anyone , including my players .
”

You’ll have to read between the lines to see it, but former Raiders coach Jack Del Rio has a strong opinion of NFL players who choose to opt out of the upcoming season due to coronavirus fears.
When asked what he thinks of the more than 50 players who’ve decided not to play because of COVID-19 fears, Washington’s new defensive coordinator tried to be politically correct in his answer to The Athletic.
“I have personal views that would probably not sit well with my professional occupation right now. I think I’ll just leave it like that,” said the former Hayward High three-sport star, who’s in his first NFL coaching job since being fired by his hometown Raiders in 2017.
In June, the 57-year-old Del Rio wasn’t quite as evasive with his thoughts about playing football during a pandemic. Del Rio retweeted a Sports Illustrated column that questioned why the NFL would prioritize its product over its players’ safety, and put his own spin on it.
“I think most players understand the risk of playing the game of football. The priority is not trying to be perfectly safe …..if so perhaps you should never drive your car,” Del Rio tweeted.
I think most players understand the risk of playing the game of football. The priority is not trying to be perfectly safe …..if so perhaps you should never drive your car. https://t.co/pdtAfC370F — Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 24, 2020
However, the nation’s leading health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, are among those warning that the NFL could be flirting with trouble by pushing forward toward a regular season in September.
“Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci said two months ago. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”
The continuing threat of the virus is what’s prompted a growing number of players to walk away from the risk, including two of Del Rio’s backup defensive players: defensive lineman Caleb Brantley and linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons. Brantley is considered high-risk and Harvey-Clemons was worried about possibly infecting his two sons, both of whom have asthma.
Thursday is the deadline for NFL players to opt out without contractual implications. Players who have opted out before the deadline will have their contracts rolled over to the 2021 season and they’ll receive salary advances on their deals — $350,000 for players at high-risk and $150,000 for the others.
Del Rio taking issue with those who decided not to play this season is just the latest in a string of his pointed social media posts this off-season. He’s had to defend his continual support for President Trump on a couple of occasions, especially after the president declared he’d boycott the NFL this season if players kneel in protest during the national anthem.
Del Rio responded to one Twitter user’s criticism of him for supporting Trump by tweeting, “I’m 100% for America, if you’re not you can kiss my (expletive).”
In his interview with The Athletic, the suddenly opinionated Del Rio said he’s happy to have a dialogue with those who may have different views than him.
“I am open to discuss at any time with anyone my thoughts and respectfully have exchanges,” Del Rio said. “It’s just not always possible in today’s environment. I think it’s important to be able to have your own opinion and respect for each other.
“People may have an opinion that is different than mine, which is OK. I’m OK with actually having a conversation about it with anyone, including my players.”


mercurynews--2020-08-04--Photos: Marin property once owned by Bill Graham selling for $27.5M

Former WeWork co-founder and CEO Adam Neumann is selling a mansion in Corte Madera , Calif. with ties to famed music promoter Bill Graham for $ 27.5 million .
Click here if viewing from a mobile device .
The property was developed after Graham sold it .
The new owners then created the “ Guitar House.
” It lives up to its entertainment roots with a music studio , a theater and a waterslide .
The massive 13,635-square-foot compound , which comprises a main house and a two-bedroom guesthouse , includes a total of seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pool , cabana , indoor racquetball court , as well as a personal water well and solar panel systems .
Joshua Deitch with Compass is the listing agent .
Graham and partner Chet Helms were behind iconic music venues such as the Fillmore and Winterland Ballroom , which helped make famous such acts as the Grateful Dead , Jefferson Airplane and Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin .
On the cusp of WeWork ’ s IPO , Neumann stepped down from the company last year due to criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company withdrew its IPO in September .

Former WeWork co-founder and CEO Adam Neumann is selling a mansion in Corte Madera, Calif. with ties to famed music promoter Bill Graham for $27.5 million.
Click here if viewing from a mobile device.
The property was developed after Graham sold it. The new owners then created the “Guitar House.” It lives up to its entertainment roots with a music studio, a theater and a waterslide. The massive 13,635-square-foot compound, which comprises a main house and a two-bedroom guesthouse, includes a total of seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. The amenities go on: wine cellar, pool, cabana, indoor racquetball court, as well as a personal water well and solar panel systems. Related Articles Home and Garden | Photos: Ex-Warriors star Andre Iguodala selling Lafayette mansion for $3.898 million
Photos: Ex-Warriors star Andre Iguodala selling Lafayette mansion for $3.898 million Home and Garden | Photos: Ex-Symantec CEO sells Hillsborough mansion for $6.3 million
Joshua Deitch with Compass is the listing agent.
Graham and partner Chet Helms were behind iconic music venues such as the Fillmore and Winterland Ballroom, which helped make famous such acts as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin.
On the cusp of WeWork’s IPO, Neumann stepped down from the company last year due to criticism of his leadership. As a result, the company withdrew its IPO in September.


mercurynews--2020-08-05--New California rule requires meals with beers but not wine. Why?

Want to go out for a beer ?
If so , you ’ ll have to order a meal with your drink , thanks to a state order issued last month .
The rule is intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus by encouraging brewpub patrons to sit and dine rather than mingle .
By encouraging the consumption of solid food with drinks , it also ostensibly helps soften the effects of inebriation , which may lead people to relax and let down their guard at a time when vigilant social distancing is considered critical .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I saw it happen — people started drinking a little and their social distancing practices just fell away , ” says Mike Altman , owner of Fairfax ’ s Iron Springs Pub and Brewery .
“ People start getting closer , and they want to hug each other.
” Altman appreciates what the rule is trying to achieve , but he thinks it ’ s too riddled with loopholes and inconsistencies to work effectively .
For one thing , it isn ’ t clear in all cases what constitutes a full meal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear on each transaction receipt .
Another weakness in the rule is the way it requires just one full meal on a receipt without regard to how many individuals in the party ordered drinks .
“ It makes the rule ineffective , since four people could be sitting at a table , so that one food item isn ’ t doing what it ’ s supposed to do , which is keep down the effects of the alcohol , ” Altman says .
For some breweries without kitchens , the rule is taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have premade snacks , but they don ’ t count as having meals , so we can ’ t serve people at our bar , ” says Jonathan MacDonald , owner and brewer at Adobe Creek Brewing , in Novato .
He didn ’ t elaborate on the financial stress that his business is enduring but noted that for small breweries like his , “ the taproom is the lifeblood.
” At Pond Farm Brewing , the owners — Stephanie and Trevor Martens — said in a written statement that they “ recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right thing , including our state and local regulatory bodies.
” But the rule has caused some turbulence .
Some customers , they explained in an emailed statement , have declined to buy a beer at all upon learning that doing so would require buying a meal , too .
To meet the requirements of the new rule , Pond Farm has had to upgrade operations .
As of early July , the Fourth Street brewery been partnering with local food purveyors to provide a menu of full meals .
This week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tacos , nachos , burrito bowls and quesadillas from PopupMarin ; and on Sunday , Japanese comfort food from Haraneco .
In the era of COVID-19 , the rule might seem like a reasonable measure — except that it offers a conspicuous loophole : Wine-tasting venues are exempt .
That is , people may still visit a winery and taste through a selection of wines without ordering food — an allowance that has many in the beer industry objecting .
“ This disparity between wineries and breweries makes no sense to our members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media and only adds to the sense of confusion , ” says Tom McCormick , executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association .
“ When state and county health departments make decisions that do not align or that do not make common sense , they lose the confidence and trust of the public.
” He noted that the new rule , by cutting off already waning cash flows , “ has put hundreds of breweries in jeopardy of permanently closing.
” So , why the disparity in the rule between places that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make and serve wine ?
The wine industry itself may have influenced the writing of the rule .
A July 22 story in the Press Democrat reported that reps with the Wine Institute , a trade group , argued months ago to state officials that a wine tasting is a fundamentally different thing than drinking beer at a bar , more like a dining experience than “ bellying up to your local tavern , ” as a Wine Institute director put it .
Lofty pretensions guide this logic , for inebriation happens in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What , after all , is different about someone drinking alcohol without food in the form of wine than in the form of beer ?
( I ’ m giving wineries the benefit of the doubt here , since their product typically contains twice the alcohol that brewers ’ products do . )
It ’ s also true that people can drink — dare I say taste — beer at taprooms without getting drunk .
• Budweiser Zero aims to capitalize on ‘ healthier ’ drinking trend • California breweries are grappling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new San Jose brewery , beer awards and other NorCal beer news “ We ’ re never allowed to overserve guests to the point of inebriation — meal requirement or no , ” the Martens wrote .
At Adobe Creek , MacDonald believes wine-tasting rooms have more in common than not with small breweries ’ tasting rooms , suggesting they shouldn ’ t be regulated so differently .
“ Our bar seats six or seven people , and wine-tasting rooms are pretty similar , ” he says .
All sources interviewed said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to help maintain social distancing vigilance and ultimately protect the public from COVID-19 — but the preferential treatment granted to wineries will surely make some brewers bitter .
Alastair Bland ’ s Through the Hopvine runs every week in Zest .
Contact him at allybland79 @ gmail.com .

Want to go out for a beer? If so, you’ll have to order a meal with your drink, thanks to a state order issued last month. The rule is intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus by encouraging brewpub patrons to sit and dine rather than mingle. By encouraging the consumption of solid food with drinks, it also ostensibly helps soften the effects of inebriation, which may lead people to relax and let down their guard at a time when vigilant social distancing is considered critical.
“I’ve been at a couple of parties where I saw it happen — people started drinking a little and their social distancing practices just fell away,” says Mike Altman, owner of Fairfax’s Iron Springs Pub and Brewery. “People start getting closer, and they want to hug each other.”
Altman appreciates what the rule is trying to achieve, but he thinks it’s too riddled with loopholes and inconsistencies to work effectively. For one thing, it isn’t clear in all cases what constitutes a full meal, proof of which is supposed to appear on each transaction receipt.
Another weakness in the rule is the way it requires just one full meal on a receipt without regard to how many individuals in the party ordered drinks.
“It makes the rule ineffective, since four people could be sitting at a table, so that one food item isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do, which is keep down the effects of the alcohol,” Altman says.
For some breweries without kitchens, the rule is taking a toll on business.
“We have premade snacks, but they don’t count as having meals, so we can’t serve people at our bar,” says Jonathan MacDonald, owner and brewer at Adobe Creek Brewing, in Novato.
He didn’t elaborate on the financial stress that his business is enduring but noted that for small breweries like his, “the taproom is the lifeblood.”
At Pond Farm Brewing, the owners — Stephanie and Trevor Martens — said in a written statement that they “recognize everyone is just trying to do the right thing, including our state and local regulatory bodies.”
But the rule has caused some turbulence. Some customers, they explained in an emailed statement, have declined to buy a beer at all upon learning that doing so would require buying a meal, too.
To meet the requirements of the new rule, Pond Farm has had to upgrade operations. As of early July, the Fourth Street brewery been partnering with local food purveyors to provide a menu of full meals. This week, for instance, Pond Farm is featuring tacos, nachos, burrito bowls and quesadillas from PopupMarin; and on Sunday, Japanese comfort food from Haraneco.
In the era of COVID-19, the rule might seem like a reasonable measure — except that it offers a conspicuous loophole: Wine-tasting venues are exempt. That is, people may still visit a winery and taste through a selection of wines without ordering food — an allowance that has many in the beer industry objecting.
“This disparity between wineries and breweries makes no sense to our members, to the public and to the media and only adds to the sense of confusion,” says Tom McCormick, executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association. “When state and county health departments make decisions that do not align or that do not make common sense, they lose the confidence and trust of the public.”
He noted that the new rule, by cutting off already waning cash flows, “has put hundreds of breweries in jeopardy of permanently closing.”
So, why the disparity in the rule between places that make and serve beer and those that make and serve wine? The wine industry itself may have influenced the writing of the rule. A July 22 story in the Press Democrat reported that reps with the Wine Institute, a trade group, argued months ago to state officials that a wine tasting is a fundamentally different thing than drinking beer at a bar, more like a dining experience than “bellying up to your local tavern,” as a Wine Institute director put it.
Lofty pretensions guide this logic, for inebriation happens in wineries just as readily it does elsewhere. What, after all, is different about someone drinking alcohol without food in the form of wine than in the form of beer? (I’m giving wineries the benefit of the doubt here, since their product typically contains twice the alcohol that brewers’ products do.)
It’s also true that people can drink — dare I say taste — beer at taprooms without getting drunk.
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Is it all over for Anchor Brewing or does hope still remain? Restaurants, Food and Drink | Anchor Brewing, America’s oldest craft brewer, has shut down after 127 years. Here’s how it could be saved “We’re never allowed to overserve guests to the point of inebriation — meal requirement or no,” the Martens wrote.
At Adobe Creek, MacDonald believes wine-tasting rooms have more in common than not with small breweries’ tasting rooms, suggesting they shouldn’t be regulated so differently.
“Our bar seats six or seven people, and wine-tasting rooms are pretty similar,” he says.
All sources interviewed said they agree with the intentions of the rule — to help maintain social distancing vigilance and ultimately protect the public from COVID-19 — but the preferential treatment granted to wineries will surely make some brewers bitter.
Alastair Bland’s Through the Hopvine runs every week in Zest. Contact him at allybland79@gmail.com.