mercurynews--2020-07-18--White House moves Clinton, Bush portraits into little-used room

The official portraits of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were removed from the Grand Foyer of the White House within the last week , aides told CNN , and replaced by those of two Republican presidents who served more than a century ago .
White House tradition calls for portraits of the most recent American presidents to be given the most prominent placement , in the entrance of the executive mansion , visible to guests during official events .
That was the case through at least July 8 , when President Donald Trump welcomed Mexican President Andrés @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Cross Hall of the White House and made remarks , with the portraits of Clinton and Bush essentially looking on as they had been throughout Trump ’ s first term .
But in the days after after that , the Clinton and Bush portraits were moved into the Old Family Dining Room , a small , rarely used room that is not seen by most visitors .
That places the paintings well outside of Trump ’ s vantage point in the White House .
In their previous location , the pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descends the staircase from his third floor private residence or when he hosts events on the state floor of the White House .
Now , they hang in a space used mainly for storing unused tablecloths and furniture .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The portrait of former President Barack Obama is not expected to be unveiled for a formal ceremony during Trump ’ s first term , a sign of the bitter relationship between the 44th and 45th presidents .
Trump has accused Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has questioned whether Obama was born in the US for years .
Trump has — less frequently — similarly disparaged Bush and Clinton .
In his book , former Trump national security adviser John Bolton wrote Trump “ despised ” both Bush presidents , and people familiar with the conversations say Trump has lambasted George W. Bush as “ stupid.
” Trump has similarly castigated Clinton , the husband of his 2016 presidential rival , Hillary Clinton , and suggested he was a bad president .
Trump has not spoken to either man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greet them both in person during the funeral of George H.W .
Bush in December 2018 .
The Bush portrait has been replaced by that of William McKinley , the nation ’ s 25th president , who was assassinated in 1901 , and the Clinton portrait has been replaced by one of Theodore Roosevelt , who succeeded McKinley , three people who have seen the portraits this week tell CNN .
Trump has shown more of an affinity for those predecessors than his more recent ones .
He asked early in his term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tallest mountain in the United States , from Denali back to Mount McKinley .
And this summer he decried a decision to remove a statue of Roosevelt from outside the Museum of Natural History in New York that some said symbolized racial discrimination .
Photographs of the new portrait locations were reviewed by CNN , showing the Clinton and Bush portraits now hanging in the Old Family Dining Room , a small space off the grand State Dining Room .
The Old Family Dining Room is barely used in the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the list of locations visited during White House tours before the pandemic closed the executive mansion to the public .
“ President and Mrs. Trump did not want that room showcased on public tours , ” a separate official said , adding that the room had essentially become a storage room during the last three years .
• Portland mayor to Trump : Get your troops out of the city • Pentagon bans Confederate flag without using ‘ ban ’ or ‘ Confederate ’ The Old Family Dining Room had been renovated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations from the private White House Historical Association , and for the first time was open to public for viewing .
The room , which was established by President and Mrs. John Quincy Adams in 1825 , was decorated with modern art , including “ Resurrection ” by Alma Thomas , the first Black female artist to be part of the permanent White House collection .

By Jeff Zeleny and Kevil Liptak | CNN
The official portraits of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were removed from the Grand Foyer of the White House within the last week, aides told CNN, and replaced by those of two Republican presidents who served more than a century ago.
White House tradition calls for portraits of the most recent American presidents to be given the most prominent placement, in the entrance of the executive mansion, visible to guests during official events.
That was the case through at least July 8, when President Donald Trump welcomed Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The two stood in the Cross Hall of the White House and made remarks, with the portraits of Clinton and Bush essentially looking on as they had been throughout Trump’s first term.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/07/18/white-house-presidential-portraits-moved-collins-sot-cpt-vpx.cnn”]
But in the days after after that, the Clinton and Bush portraits were moved into the Old Family Dining Room, a small, rarely used room that is not seen by most visitors.
That places the paintings well outside of Trump’s vantage point in the White House. In their previous location, the pictures would have been seen daily as Trump descends the staircase from his third floor private residence or when he hosts events on the state floor of the White House. Now, they hang in a space used mainly for storing unused tablecloths and furniture.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The portrait of former President Barack Obama is not expected to be unveiled for a formal ceremony during Trump’s first term, a sign of the bitter relationship between the 44th and 45th presidents. Trump has accused Obama of unsubstantiated and unspecified crimes, and has questioned whether Obama was born in the US for years.
Trump has — less frequently — similarly disparaged Bush and Clinton. In his book, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton wrote Trump “despised” both Bush presidents, and people familiar with the conversations say Trump has lambasted George W. Bush as “stupid.” Trump has similarly castigated Clinton, the husband of his 2016 presidential rival, Hillary Clinton, and suggested he was a bad president.
Trump has not spoken to either man extensively as president, though he did greet them both in person during the funeral of George H.W. Bush in December 2018.
The Bush portrait has been replaced by that of William McKinley, the nation’s 25th president, who was assassinated in 1901, and the Clinton portrait has been replaced by one of Theodore Roosevelt, who succeeded McKinley, three people who have seen the portraits this week tell CNN.
Trump has shown more of an affinity for those predecessors than his more recent ones. He asked early in his term about reversing an Obama-era name change for the tallest mountain in the United States, from Denali back to Mount McKinley. And this summer he decried a decision to remove a statue of Roosevelt from outside the Museum of Natural History in New York that some said symbolized racial discrimination.
“Ridiculous, don’t do it,” Trump said.
Photographs of the new portrait locations were reviewed by CNN, showing the Clinton and Bush portraits now hanging in the Old Family Dining Room, a small space off the grand State Dining Room. The Old Family Dining Room is barely used in the Trump administration, aides said, and was taken off the list of locations visited during White House tours before the pandemic closed the executive mansion to the public.
“President and Mrs. Trump did not want that room showcased on public tours,” a separate official said, adding that the room had essentially become a storage room during the last three years.
The Old Family Dining Room had been renovated in 2015 by Michelle Obama, with donations from the private White House Historical Association, and for the first time was open to public for viewing. The room, which was established by President and Mrs. John Quincy Adams in 1825, was decorated with modern art, including “Resurrection” by Alma Thomas, the first Black female artist to be part of the permanent White House collection.


mercurynews--2020-07-18--Nancy Pelosi calls for FBI probe into “brutal police killing” and “murder” of Sean Monterrosa by Val

Nancy Pelosi calls for FBI probe into “brutal police killing” and “murder” of Sean Monterrosa by Vallejo police

VALLEJO — In a striking statement that referred to it as a “ brutal police killing ” and a murder , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly called for the FBI to investigate the June fatal shooting of Sean Monterrosa by a Vallejo police officer .
Pelosi ’ s statement , released online Friday afternoon , comes as both the Solano District Attorney and the California Attorney General ’ s offices are putting forth their best legal arguments to avoid taking on the Monterrosa case .
Monterrosa was fatally shot in June , by an officer who filed a rifle five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unmarked police pickup truck .
Police say the officer — who was responding to reports of looting at the Walgreens on Redwood Street — mistook a hammer in Monterrosa ’ s sweater pocket for a gun .
The officer has been identified by multiple law enforcement sources as Jarrett Tonn , a Vallejo police detective who had three prior incidents where he fired his duty weapon .
Vallejo police have not confirmed Tonn ’ s identity , and the city ’ s police union filed a lawsuit to prevent the city from naming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also comes on the heels of news that an as-of-yet unnamed city employee destroyed the windshield from the unmarked pickup truck .
The city has placed the employee on leave and called for a potential criminal investigation into “ destruction of evidence ” by federal authorities , according to a Vallejo news release .
“ The police killing of Sean Monterrosa was a horrible act of brutality that continues to shake our Bay Area community , ” Pelosi said .
Recent reports that key evidence in the investigation was destroyed are deeply disturbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outside , independent federal investigation .
I join Sean ’ s family , Vallejo city officials and community members in calling for an FBI investigation into Sean ’ s murder , including into the destruction of essential evidence in this homicide case.
” Pelosi ’ s statement is only the latest shocking development in the Monterrosa shooting to come Friday afternoon .
Hours earlier , the Vallejo interim city attorney released a letter publicly accusing Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams of dereliction of duty for attempting to recuse herself from reviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting of Willie McCoy , who was shot dozens of times by six Vallejo officers in February 2019 .
“ Your recusal violates your obligations as an elected District Attorney and the Solano County Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol , which you singed and to which you must adhere , ” interim city attorney Randy Risner wrote in the letter .
He later added , “ I respectfully demand that you reconsider your unlawful recusal and perform the duties you are mandated to perform…The city of Vallejo simply can not allow a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to interfere in the administration of justice in these two cases .
The officers and the families deserve more .
Risner said he would take legal action to compel Abrams to take the cases on , something he called “ unprecedented ” in his 25-year legal career .
Abrams attempted to recuse herself earlier this month , citing a lack of public trust .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra promptly denied Abrams ’ request that he take the case on , throwing the ball back in her court .
Monterrosa ’ s family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burris , a prominent Oakland civil rights attorney .
Burris ’ office is expected to file a federal lawsuit against Vallejo police later this month .
Burris ’ office is also suing the city on behalf of McCoy ’ s family , in a case that has called for federal oversight of Vallejo police .
“ We ’ re thankful that Speaker Pelosi is demanding an FBI investigation into Sean ’ s murder and this corrupt police agency , ” said Melissa Nold , an attorney with Burris ’ firm .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for FBI intervention.
” Monterrosa , 22 , was shot in the head the night of June 2 .
Officer body camera footage released more than a month later shows Tonn firing his rifle through the windshield , but doesn ’ t show Monterrosa before the shooting .
Police have alleged that he crouched down in a manner that officers misinterpreted as readying himself to shoot .
“ What ’ d he point at us ?
… Hey , he pointed a gun at us , ” Tonn can be heard yelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach Monterrosa after the shooting .
The video shows Tonn , upon approaching a mortally-wounded Monterrosa and realizing he didn ’ t have a gun , screaming , “ stupid ” and a series of expletives , as he runs back to the truck to retrieve a medkit .
He later discusses the shooting with Vallejo police Cpt .
Lee Horton , who is seen on the video without a lawfully-mandated body camera .
Horton tells the officer to take deep breathes , as Tonn laments that , “ I thought that ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and , “ This is not what I needed tonight.
” “ I thought he was armed too , you ’ ll be alright…You ’ ve been through this before , ” Horton replies .

VALLEJO — In a striking statement that referred to the incident as a “brutal police killing” and a murder, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday publicly called for the FBI to investigate the June fatal shooting of Sean Monterrosa by a Vallejo police officer.
Pelosi’s statement, released online Friday afternoon, comes as both the Solano District Attorney and California Attorney General’s offices are putting forth their best legal arguments to avoid taking on the Monterrosa case. Monterrosa was fatally shot in June by an officer who fired a rifle five times through the windshield of his own unmarked police pickup truck. Police say the officer — who was responding to reports of looting at the Walgreens on Redwood Street — mistook a hammer in Monterrosa’s sweater pocket for a gun.
The officer has been identified by multiple law enforcement sources as Jarrett Tonn, a Vallejo police detective who had three prior incidents where he fired his duty weapon. Vallejo police have not confirmed Tonn’s identity, and the city’s police union filed a lawsuit to prevent the city from naming the officer.
Pelosi’s statement also comes on the heels of news that an as-of-yet unnamed city employee destroyed the windshield from the unmarked pickup truck. The city has placed the employee on leave and called for a potential criminal investigation into “destruction of evidence” by federal authorities, according to a Vallejo news release.
“The police killing of Sean Monterrosa was a horrible act of brutality that continues to shake our Bay Area community,” Pelosi said. Recent reports that key evidence in the investigation was destroyed are deeply disturbing and highlight the urgency and necessity of an outside, independent federal investigation. I join Sean’s family, Vallejo city officials and community members in calling for an FBI investigation into Sean’s murder, including into the destruction of essential evidence in this homicide case.”
View Pelosi’s full statement HERE.
Pelosi’s statement was only one of the shocking developments in the Monterrosa shooting to emerge Friday afternoon. Hours earlier, the Vallejo interim city attorney released a letter publicly accusing Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams of dereliction of duty for attempting to recuse herself from reviewing both Monterrosa’s shooting and the shooting of Willie McCoy, who was shot dozens of times by six Vallejo officers in February 2019.
“Your recusal violates your obligations as an elected District Attorney and the Solano County Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, which you signed and to which you must adhere,” interim city attorney Randy Risner wrote in the letter. He later added, “I respectfully demand that you reconsider your unlawful recusal and perform the duties you are mandated to perform. … The city of Vallejo simply cannot allow a political dispute between you and the Attorney General to interfere in the administration of justice in these two cases. The officers and the families deserve more.”
Risner said he would take legal action to compel Abrams to take on the cases, a move he called “unprecedented” in his 25-year legal career.
Abrams attempted to recuse herself earlier this month, citing a lack of public trust. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra promptly denied Abrams’ request that he take the case on, throwing the ball back in her court.
Becerra’s office is going to investigate the destruction of the windshield, which has caused turmoil within the city of Vallejo, police announced Friday. Two city employees have been placed on administrative leave, though the city has thus far refused to identify them.
“I am deeply disappointed with the turn of events that led to the windshield not being preserved,” Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said in a news release issued Friday. “It is a priority for our department to conduct a thorough investigation and provide the transparency that our community expects and deserves. It is our hope that the State Attorney General’s Office can provide clarity in this investigation.”
Monterrosa’s family has retained the law offices of John Burris, a prominent Oakland civil rights attorney. Burris’ office is expected to file a federal lawsuit against Vallejo police later this month. Burris’ office is also suing the city on behalf of McCoy’s family, in a case that has called for federal oversight of Vallejo police.
“We’re thankful that Speaker Pelosi is demanding an FBI investigation into Sean’s murder and this corrupt police agency,” said Melissa Nold, an attorney with Burris’ firm. “We hope that her colleagues join in her demand for FBI intervention.”
Monterrosa, 22, was shot in the head the night of June 2. Officer body camera footage released more than a month later shows Tonn firing his rifle through the windshield, but doesn’t show Monterrosa before the shooting. Police have alleged that he crouched down in a manner that officers misinterpreted as readying himself to shoot.
“What’d he point at us? … Hey, he pointed a gun at us,” Tonn can be heard yelling on the video, as officers slowly approach Monterrosa after the shooting.
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Horton tells the officer to take deep breathes, as Tonn laments that, “I thought that (expletive) axe was a gun,” and, “This is not what I needed tonight.”
“I thought he was armed too, you’ll be alright…You’ve been through this before,” Horton replies.


mercurynews--2020-07-18--More that 100 Santa Rita Jail inmates now infected with coronavirus

DUBLIN — The number of coronavirus cases in Santa Rita Jail has more than doubled in 24 hours , bringing the total number of inmates with the virus to 101 .
Another 55 inmates tested positive Friday , the Alameda County Sheriffs Office announced .
On Wednesday morning , the jail had just six positive inmates , then another 40 tested positive by Thursday .
Friday ’ s is the biggest cluster of inmates who have contracted the virus since the pandemic began .
The newest cluster is contained in Housing Unit 22 , which is separate from the kitchen/laundry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Spokesman Sgt .
Ray Kelly .
Those in unit 22 are mostly medium-security inmates , Kelly said .
“ The buildings are completely separate , ” he said Friday .
“ But then again , all it takes is one person who can infect others.
” All the new positive inmates are asymptomatic , which means they showed no regular signs of the COVID-19 virus .
The jail is conducting proactive testing because of the outbreak .
“ We will continue to test as many as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sheriff ’ s office will also conduct “ contact tracing ” to determine how the new cluster may have been exposed .
There were a total of 1,844 inmates in Santa Rita Jail as of Friday .
All inmates will now be required to wear masks any time they leave their cell/living area .
This was previously not required and the decision was recently made in speaking with public health officials , Kelly said .
The sheriff ’ s office is in the process of filming an educational video with the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kelly said .
Friday ’ s new numbers now bring the total of inmates infected to 169 since the pandemic began in March .
None of the inmates have died because of the virus and generally , all inmates have had mild to moderate symptoms , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Gilbert Martinez was one of those inmates who tested positive Wednesday , he said in an interview with this newspaper Thursday .
He worked in the jail kitchen side-by-side with others and a third-party vendor , Aramark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the jail merged laundry workers and kitchen workers together on July 9 in one housing unit in bunk beds .
Soon after , one inmate tested positive , then four more , until he and around 36 others were informed they were positive on Wednesday night .
At least another 42 staff or contractors who work in the jail also have tested positive for the virus .
One deputy with COVID-19 is in critical condition , although it ’ s not clear where he contracted the virus , according to Kelly .

DUBLIN — The number of coronavirus cases in Santa Rita Jail has more than doubled in 24 hours, bringing the total number of inmates with the virus to 101 as of Saturday.
Another 55 inmates tested positive Friday, the Alameda County Sheriffs Office announced. On Wednesday morning, the jail had just six positive inmates, then another 40 tested positive by Thursday. Friday’s is the biggest cluster of inmates who have contracted the virus since the pandemic began.
The newest cluster is contained in Housing Unit 22, which is separate from the kitchen/laundry workers who are in Housing Unit 25, said Alameda County Sheriff’s Spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly. Those in unit 22 are mostly medium-security inmates, Kelly said.
“The buildings are completely separate,” he said Friday. “But then again, all it takes is one person who can infect others.”
All the new positive inmates are asymptomatic, which means they showed no regular signs of the COVID-19 virus. The jail is conducting proactive testing because of the outbreak.
“We will continue to test as many as we can,” Kelly said. The sheriff’s office will also conduct “contact tracing” to determine how the new cluster may have been exposed.
There were a total of 1,844 inmates in Santa Rita Jail as of Friday.
All inmates will now be required to wear masks any time they leave their cell/living area. This was previously not required and the decision was recently made in speaking with public health officials, Kelly said.
The sheriff’s office is in the process of filming an educational video with the new policy that will be shown to inmates, Kelly said.
Friday’s numbers now bring the total of inmates infected to 169 since the pandemic began in March. It was not immediately clear if any new cases were reported Saturday. None of the inmates have died because of the virus and generally, all inmates have had mild to moderate symptoms, according to the sheriff’s office.
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He said the jail merged laundry workers and kitchen workers together on July 9 in one housing unit in bunk beds. Soon after, one inmate tested positive, then four more, until he and around 36 others were informed they were positive on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, more than 40 sheriff’s deputies and staff, some of which work in the jail, also have tested positive for the virus. One deputy with COVID-19 is in critical condition, although it’s not clear where he contracted the virus, according to Kelly.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--San Jose: Authorities identify teen killed in shooting

SAN JOSE – A teenager killed in a shooting in San Jose on Wednesday has been identified as Uriel Mendiola @ @ @ @ @ San Jose , according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s Office .
@ @ @ @ @ from at least one gunshot wound about 12:20 p.m. when they were called to the @ @ @ @ @ for a report of a shooting .
Mendiola Zepeda was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s 19th homicide of the year .
No suspects have been arrested or @ @ @ @ @ center at the nearby Paseo Senter housing development was open at the time of the @ @ @ @ @ called to pick up their children .
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact @ @ @ @ @ or Detective Brian Meeker at 408-277-5283 , or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime @ @ @ @ @ svcrimestoppers.org .
Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward .

SAN JOSE – A teenager killed in a shooting in San Jose on Wednesday has been identified as Uriel Mendiola Zepeda, 15, of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
Officers found Mendiola Zepeda suffering from at least one gunshot wound about 12:20 p.m. when they were called to the 1900 block of Senter Road for a report of a shooting.
Mendiola Zepeda was pronounced dead at the scene. His death marked the city’s 19th homicide of the year.
No suspects have been arrested or publicly identified.
Mendiola Zepeda was returning from an outing with friends to get pizza when he was shot outside his home, according to an online fundraiser organized to cover his funeral costs.
“My youngest son was a very happy kid,” said Maria Elena Emily Zepeda, adding that he was caring, loved his siblings and was “very protective.”
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Detective Sgt. TJ Lewis or Detective Brian Meeker at 408-277-5283, or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Hells Angels murder plot revealed: Feds allege victim was lured to clubhouse, shot, and illegally cr

Hells Angels murder plot revealed: Feds allege victim was lured to clubhouse, shot, and illegally cremated

SONOMA — Nearly three years after 11 Hells Angels were accused of a range of violent crimes in a federal indictment , prosecutors have finally detailed the most sinister allegations against several defendants : that they lured a fellow member to a clubhouse , shot him , then disposed of his body through an illegal cremation .
In court filings this week , the U.S. Attorney ’ s office described the alleged murder plot , which involves Hells Angels in Sonoma , Fresno , and Massachusetts .
The victim , Joel Silva , was a sergeant-at-arms of the notorious biker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor with his former comrades , leading to his violent death and clandestine cremation almost exactly six years ago , prosecutors say .
There is still no trial date for the 10 remaining defendants — many of them members of the Hells Angels Sonoma chapter .
They face charges ranging from the Silva murder plot to assault , robbery , extortion and witness tampering .
Several defendants were at one point facing execution if convicted , but the U.S. Department of Justice recently opted not to pursue the death penalty , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendants include Jonathan Nelson , the Sonoma clubhouse president who is accused of joining the plot to murder Silva , Christopher Ranieri , president of the Boston/Salem clubhouse , Brian Wendt , the president of the Fresno chapter and accused of shooting Silva in the back of the head , and Raymond “ Ray Ray ” Foakes , a former Sonoma president who has been a prominent target of law enforcement in Northern California over the past 25 years .
Nelson ’ s attorney , Jai Gohel , predicted in an interview Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long list of Hells Angels members who ’ ve beaten life cases throughout the club ’ s 72-year history .
“ Remember , these are just charges , ” Gohel said in an interview Friday .
“ I wont go into the quality of the evidence , other than to say that this case will be fought vigorously and we believe that when this case goes to a jury , the government won ’ t be able to prove the allegations.
” The charges were filed under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal statute enacted during the Nixon Administration designed to take down organized crime rings .
Failed RICO prosecutions are rare , but the Hells Angels have had extraordinary success fending them off , most notably in the late 70s/early 80s when a RICO case aimed at dismantling the club ’ s Oakland chapter resulted in the dismissal of charges for 11 out of 18 defendants .
Prosecutors say the Silva murder plot was hatched because he had fallen out of favor with other club members , in part because of his growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” came in June 2014 , when Silva threatened to murder a well-respected member of the Salem/Boston clubhouse “ over a perceived personal slight.
” Ranieri and Wendt decided Silva deserved the ultimate consequence for his actions , and Nelson signed off on the plot , authorities allege .
“ On July 15 , 2014 , ( Nelson ) arranged for Hells Angels Sonoma chapter member and former president Russell Ott to take Silva from Sonoma County to the Fresno Hells Angels clubhouse , where Silva believed that he would address the grievances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Barry wrote in a motion filed Thursday .
“ Soon after Silva arrived at the clubhouse , however , Wendt shot him in the back of the head .
His body has never been found , and the government will establish at trial that the body was illegally incinerated at a nearby crematory.
” According to Nelson ’ s defense team , the evidence is based on cellphone records , law enforcement testimony about the Hells Angels , and a “ principal informant , ” whose identity remains a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The discovery indicates that this individual does not have any direct or personal knowledge of Mr. Nelson ’ s alleged role in the murder of ( Silva ) , nor does he claim to have specific information that Mr. Nelson ‘ authorized ’ the murder , ” Nelson ’ s attorneys wrote .
Nelson — who bailed out of federal detention shortly after he and 10 others were indicted in late 2017 ( one of the original 11 defendants has since been killed in a motorcycle crash ) — is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jail in Dublin .
He has been there since September 2018 , when the government filed a superseding indictment , making Nelson and several others eligible for a federal death sentence .
But the feds recently decided to take the death penalty off the table for this case , and Nelson is petitioning to get out of jail once again , Gohel said .
A federal judge is set to rule on Nelson ’ s motion for pretrial release on July 23 .
Prosecutors have vigorously opposed the motion .
“ As president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each of the violent acts committed by Hells Angels Sonoma chapter during his tenure .
He is responsible for the beatings , the armed robberies , the assaults , the extortion , and the witness intimidation alleged in the superseding indictment , as well as the numerous other violent crimes committed by HASC members that are not set forth in that charging document , ” Barry wrote .
Gohel , though , described Nelson as a “ father , son , coach , and small business owner ” and someone who is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just the biker community.
” He said the government secured the indictments as Sonoma Hells Angels were organizing a charity run to benefit Santa Rosa fire victims , suggesting the timing of the case was designed to sully the group ’ s reputation .
“ If you look at their patches , it says ‘ motorcycle club.
’ There is a big difference between the Hells Angels and a lot of these groups the government labels as gangs .
There is a different side to them than what is portrayed by law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Gohel said .
“ They are part of the fabric of America … These are people who build our roads and bridges , they ’ re members of our community .
”

SONOMA — Nearly three years after 11 Hells Angels were accused of a range of violent crimes in a federal indictment, prosecutors have finally detailed the most sinister allegations against several defendants: that they lured a fellow member to a clubhouse, shot him, then disposed of his body through an illegal cremation.
In court filings this week, the U.S. Attorney’s office described the alleged murder plot, which involves Hells Angels in Sonoma, Fresno, and Massachusetts. The victim, Joel Silva, was a sergeant-at-arms of the notorious biker gang who’d fallen out of favor with his former comrades, leading to his violent death and clandestine cremation almost exactly six years ago, prosecutors say.
There is still no trial date for the 10 remaining defendants — many of them members of the Hells Angels Sonoma chapter. They face charges ranging from the Silva murder plot to assault, robbery, extortion and witness tampering. Several defendants were at one point facing execution if convicted, but the U.S. Department of Justice recently opted not to pursue the death penalty, according to attorneys familiar with the case.
The defendants include Jonathan Nelson, the Sonoma clubhouse president who is accused of joining the plot to murder Silva, Christopher Ranieri, president of the Boston/Salem clubhouse, Brian Wendt, the president of the Fresno chapter and accused of shooting Silva in the back of the head, and Raymond “Ray Ray” Foakes, a former Sonoma president who has been a prominent target of law enforcement in Northern California over the past 25 years.
Nelson’s attorney, Jai Gohel, predicted in an interview Friday that his client would be added to the long list of Hells Angels members who’ve beaten life cases throughout the club’s 72-year history.
“Remember, these are just charges,” Gohel said in an interview Friday. “I won’t go into the quality of the evidence, other than to say that this case will be fought vigorously and we believe that when this case goes to a jury, the government won’t be able to prove the allegations.”
The charges were filed under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO, a federal statute enacted during the Nixon Administration designed to take down organized crime rings. Failed RICO prosecutions are rare, but the Hells Angels have had extraordinary success fending them off, most notably in the late 70s/early 80s when a RICO case aimed at dismantling the club’s Oakland chapter resulted in the dismissal of charges for 11 out of 18 defendants.
Prosecutors say the Silva murder plot was hatched because he had fallen out of favor with other club members, in part because of his growing drug problem. The “final straw” came in June 2014, when Silva threatened to murder a well-respected member of the Salem/Boston clubhouse “over a perceived personal slight.” Ranieri and Wendt decided Silva deserved the ultimate consequence for his actions, and Nelson signed off on the plot, authorities allege.
“On July 15, 2014, (Nelson) arranged for Hells Angels Sonoma chapter member and former president Russell Ott to take Silva from Sonoma County to the Fresno Hells Angels clubhouse, where Silva believed that he would address the grievances Wendt had against him,” assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Barry wrote in a motion filed Thursday. “Soon after Silva arrived at the clubhouse, however, Wendt shot him in the back of the head. His body has never been found, and the government will establish at trial that the body was illegally incinerated at a nearby crematory.”
According to Nelson’s defense team, the evidence is based on cellphone records, law enforcement testimony about the Hells Angels, and a “principal informant,” whose identity remains a mystery, at least to the public.
“The discovery indicates that this individual does not have any direct or personal knowledge of Mr. Nelson’s alleged role in the murder of (Silva), nor does he claim to have specific information that Mr. Nelson ‘authorized’ the murder,” Nelson’s attorneys wrote.
Nelson — who bailed out of federal detention shortly after he and 10 others were indicted in late 2017 (one of the original 11 defendants has since been killed in a motorcycle crash) — is currently petitioning for a release from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. He has been there since September 2018, when the government filed a superseding indictment, making Nelson and several others eligible for a federal death sentence. But the feds recently decided to take the death penalty off the table for this case, and Nelson is petitioning to get out of jail once again, Gohel said.
A federal judge is set to rule on Nelson’s motion for pretrial release on July 23. Prosecutors have vigorously opposed the motion.
“As president, (Nelson) is responsible for each of the violent acts committed by Hells Angels Sonoma chapter during his tenure. He is responsible for the beatings, the armed robberies, the assaults, the extortion, and the witness intimidation alleged in the superseding indictment, as well as the numerous other violent crimes committed by HASC members that are not set forth in that charging document,” Barry wrote.
Gohel, though, described Nelson as a “father, son, coach, and small business owner” and someone who is “well respected in the Sonoma community, not just the biker community.” He said the government secured the indictments as Sonoma Hells Angels were organizing a charity run to benefit Santa Rosa fire victims, suggesting the timing of the case was designed to sully the group’s reputation.
“If you look at their patches, it says ‘motorcycle club.’ There is a big difference between the Hells Angels and a lot of these groups the government labels as gangs. There is a different side to them than what is portrayed by law enforcement and the media to some extent,” Gohel said. “They are part of the fabric of America … These are people who build our roads and bridges, they’re members of our community.”


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Outbreak accelerates: 1 million new cases in 100 hours

Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday , according to a Reuters tally , marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours .
The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months to reach 1 million cases .
It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million cases from 13 million recorded on July 13 .
The United States , with more than 3.6 million confirmed cases , is still seeing huge daily jumps in its first wave of COVID-19 infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of more than 77,000 new infections on Thursday , while Sweden has reported 77,281 total cases since the pandemic began .
Despite the surging cases , a cultural divide is growing in the country over wearing masks to slow the spread of the virus , a precaution routinely taken in many other nations .
President Donald Trump and his followers have resisted a full-throated endorsement of masks and have been calling for a return to normal economic activity and reopening schools despite the surging cases .
Other hard-hit countries have “ flattened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place to slow the spread of the novel virus while others , such as the cities of Barcelona and Melbourne , are implementing a second round of local shutdowns .
The number of cases globally is around triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually , according to the World Health Organization .
The pandemic has now killed more than 590,000 people in almost seven months , edging towards the upper range of yearly influenza deaths reported worldwide .
The first death was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe and later in the United States .
The Reuters tally , which is based on government reports , shows the disease is accelerating the fastest in the Americas , which account for more than half the world ’ s infections and half its deaths .
In Brazil , more than 2 million people have tested positive including President Jair Bolsonaro , and more than 76,000 people have died .
India , the only other country with more than 1 million cases , has been grappling with an average of almost 30,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those countries were the main drivers behind the World Health Organization on Friday reporting a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases of 237,743 .
• More that 100 Santa Rita Jail inmates now infected with coronavirus • Bolivians line up to buy fake – and toxic – coronavirus cure • Are schools in your California county required to teach students online this fall ?
Here ’ s the list In countries with limited testing capacity , case numbers reflect only a proportion of total infections .
Experts say official data likely @ @ @ @ @ @

By Gayle Issa | Reuters
Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours.
The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months to reach 1 million cases. It has taken just four days to climb to 14 million cases from 13 million recorded on July 13.
The United States, with more than 3.6 million confirmed cases, is still seeing huge daily jumps in its first wave of COVID-19 infections. The United States reported a daily global record of more than 77,000 new infections on Thursday, while Sweden has reported 77,281 total cases since the pandemic began.
Despite the surging cases, a cultural divide is growing in the country over wearing masks to slow the spread of the virus, a precaution routinely taken in many other nations.
President Donald Trump and his followers have resisted a full-throated endorsement of masks and have been calling for a return to normal economic activity and reopening schools despite the surging cases.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/07/17/lead-a2-jake-tapper-live.cnn”]
Other hard-hit countries have “flattened the curve” and are easing lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of the novel virus while others, such as the cities of Barcelona and Melbourne, are implementing a second round of local shutdowns.
The number of cases globally is around triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organization.
The pandemic has now killed more than 590,000 people in almost seven months, edging towards the upper range of yearly influenza deaths reported worldwide. The first death was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan, China before infections and fatalities then surged in Europe and later in the United States.
The Reuters tally, which is based on government reports, shows the disease is accelerating the fastest in the Americas, which account for more than half the world’s infections and half its deaths.
In Brazil, more than 2 million people have tested positive including President Jair Bolsonaro, and more than 76,000 people have died.
India, the only other country with more than 1 million cases, has been grappling with an average of almost 30,000 new infections each day for the last week.
Those countries were the main drivers behind the World Health Organization on Friday reporting a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases of 237,743.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Bolivians line up to buy fake – and toxic – coronavirus cure

By Diego Cartagena and Paolo Flores | Associated Press COCHABAMBA , Bolivia — Long lines form every morning in one of the Bolivian cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic as desperate people wait to buy small bottles of chlorine dioxide , a toxic bleaching agent that has been falsely touted as a cure for COVID-19 and myriad other diseases .
The rush in the city of Cochabamba to buy a disinfectant known to cause harm to those who ingest it comes even after the Bolivian Health Ministry warned of its dangers and said at least five people were poisoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the capital .
Dr. Antonio Viruez , who is treating the five at a hospital , said one incorrectly believed he had COVID-19 and developed pneumonitis , an inflammation of lung tissue , after taking chlorine dioxide and a medication used to treat parasite infestations .
The other patients are improving , he said .
“ The Health Ministry can not risk recommending something that doesn ’ t have a scientific basis , ” said Miguel Ángel Delgado , a senior ministry official .
However , Bolivia ’ s opposition-controlled congress is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , the Senate approved a bill authorizing the emergency “ manufacture , marketing , supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus.
” The bill would require the approval of interim President Jeanine Áñez , who is in quarantine after testing positive for the new coronavirus .
She has sparred with opposition lawmakers loyal to Evo Morales , the former leader who was forced to resign last year after an election marred by irregularities .
Many fearful residents in Cochabamba , where opposition support is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try .
Cochabamba has reported about 440 deaths from COVID-19 , or one-quarter of the total number of reported deaths in Bolivia .
The real toll is believed to be higher .
“ I am afraid .
I have to try it , ” said Andrés Poma , a 34-year-old teacher who is skeptical that beleaguered health services can help him if he gets sick .
“ What am I going to do ?
Wait to die at the door of the hospital or at the door of my house ?
” Federico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Cochabamba store , said thousands of people have bought it , consuming it in drops .
“ My wife and I took it and nothing happened to us , ” he said .
He said his clients had not fallen ill after taking the agent , though provincial health authorities reported 10 cases of poisoning from chlorine dioxide in the past week .
The governor of Cochabamba state , Esther Soria , said she supports a plan for a state law authorizing the use of chlorine dioxide and traditional medicine to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ José María Leyes , said he favors the free distribution of the bleaching agent to treat patients .
But Fernando Rengel , president of the Cochabamba ’ s scientific association , said there are old beliefs that the toxic substance is “ miraculous ” and cures cancer , AIDS , malaria and other diseases , “ but there is no scientific study that proves that it cures any disease.
” Chlorine dioxide is one of a number of fake cures that have been promoted , often by fringe groups online , since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge in South Florida ordered a Colombia-based group , the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing , to stop selling a related product , Miracle Mineral Solution , in the U.S .
Prosecutors said Genesis marketed the solution as a treatment for COVID-19 , autism and other ailments .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously issued public warnings that MMS can cause nausea , vomiting , diarrhea and severe dehydration .
In April , U.S. President Donald Trump mused about whether disinfectants could be injected or ingested to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other health officials .

By Diego Cartagena and Paolo Flores | Associated Press
COCHABAMBA, Bolivia — Long lines form every morning in one of the Bolivian cities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic as desperate people wait to buy small bottles of chlorine dioxide, a toxic bleaching agent that has been falsely touted as a cure for COVID-19 and myriad other diseases.
The rush in the city of Cochabamba to buy a disinfectant known to cause harm to those who ingest it comes even after the Bolivian Health Ministry warned of its dangers and said at least five people were poisoned after taking chlorine dioxide in La Paz, the capital.
Dr. Antonio Viruez, who is treating the five at a hospital, said one incorrectly believed he had COVID-19 and developed pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue, after taking chlorine dioxide and a medication used to treat parasite infestations. The other patients are improving, he said.
“The Health Ministry cannot risk recommending something that doesn’t have a scientific basis,” said Miguel Ángel Delgado, a senior ministry official.
However, Bolivia’s opposition-controlled congress is promoting the use of chlorine dioxide. Last week, the Senate approved a bill authorizing the emergency “manufacture, marketing, supply and use of chlorine dioxide solution for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus.”
The bill would require the approval of interim President Jeanine Áñez, who is in quarantine after testing positive for the new coronavirus. She has sparred with opposition lawmakers loyal to Evo Morales, the former leader who was forced to resign last year after an election marred by irregularities.
Many fearful residents in Cochabamba, where opposition support is strong, are giving chlorine dioxide a try. Cochabamba has reported about 440 deaths from COVID-19, or one-quarter of the total number of reported deaths in Bolivia. The real toll is believed to be higher.
“I am afraid. I have to try it,” said Andrés Poma, a 34-year-old teacher who is skeptical that beleaguered health services can help him if he gets sick. “What am I going to do? Wait to die at the door of the hospital or at the door of my house?”
Federico Anza, who sells chlorine dioxide at his Cochabamba store, said thousands of people have bought it, consuming it in drops.
“My wife and I took it and nothing happened to us,” he said.
He said his clients had not fallen ill after taking the agent, though provincial health authorities reported 10 cases of poisoning from chlorine dioxide in the past week.
The governor of Cochabamba state, Esther Soria, said she supports a plan for a state law authorizing the use of chlorine dioxide and traditional medicine to treat COVID-19. Cochabamba’s mayor, José María Leyes, said he favors the free distribution of the bleaching agent to treat patients.
But Fernando Rengel, president of the Cochabamba’s scientific association, said there are old beliefs that the toxic substance is “miraculous” and cures cancer, AIDS, malaria and other diseases, “but there is no scientific study that proves that it cures any disease.”
Chlorine dioxide is one of a number of fake cures that have been promoted, often by fringe groups online, since the pandemic began.
In April, a federal judge in South Florida ordered a Colombia-based group, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to stop selling a related product, Miracle Mineral Solution, in the U.S. Prosecutors said Genesis marketed the solution as a treatment for COVID-19, autism and other ailments.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously issued public warnings that MMS can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and severe dehydration.
In April, U.S. President Donald Trump mused about whether disinfectants could be injected or ingested to fight COVID-19, prompting intense blowback from doctors and other health officials.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Free candy: See’s will give out suckers on National Lollipop Day — and there’s a new flavor

Monday , July 20 , is National Lollipop Day , and See ’ s Candies will celebrate with a free @ @ @ @ @ by one of their fabulously retro black-and-white shops .
Their wrapped “ Lollypops ” come @ @ @ @ @ , Butterscotch , Cafe Latte , Vanilla and now Cinnamon — and will be handed @ @ @ @ @ at the door by a glove- and mask-wearing See ’ s associate , the company @ @ @ @ @ online purchases between now and July 25 will also receive a free Lollypop with their @ @ @ @ @ and Little Pops will be on sale in See ’ s shops and online in @ @ @ @ @ and customers can also enter a contest to win a year ’ s worth of @ @ @ @ @ s shops have reopened for socially distanced sales .
Customers can place orders via phone @ @ @ @ @ “ Click , Pick , Go !
” the company ’ s contact-free pickup service @ @ @ @ @ for participating shops and their Monday hours .

Monday, July 20, is National Lollipop Day, and See’s Candies will celebrate with a free sucker for anyone who stops by one of their fabulously retro black-and-white shops.
Their wrapped “Lollypops” come in five flavors — Chocolate, Butterscotch, Cafe Latte, Vanilla and now Cinnamon — and will be handed out in socially distanced fashion at the door by a glove- and mask-wearing See’s associate, the company said.
Customers who make online purchases between now and July 25 will also receive a free Lollypop with their order.
Boxes of Lollypops and Little Pops will be on sale in See’s shops and online in honor of the holiday, and customers can also enter a contest to win a year’s worth of Lollypops.
Most See’s shops have reopened for socially distanced sales. Customers can place orders via phone or online at www.sees.com for “Click, Pick, Go!” the company’s contact-free pickup service. Check the online list for participating shops and their Monday hours.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Are schools in your California county required to teach students online this fall? Here’s the list

Here ’ s a list of California counties that were on the state ’ s coronavirus watchlist as of July @ @ @ @ @ counties , which are hard hit by the coronavirus , must begin fall classes teaching @ @ @ @ @ than allowing them to return to classrooms , according to Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
@ @ @ @ @ classrooms only when the county is off the watch list for 14 days .
Thirty-two @ @ @ @ @ counties are on the list , according to Newsom , who unveiled a series of @ @ @ @ @ can return to classrooms and the measures schools must take to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ cases that occur .
Newsom made clear Friday that the online teaching requirement in watchlist @ @ @ @ @ not a suggestion .
It applies to private as well as public schools .
Here @ @ @ @ @ watch list and being monitored by the state as of Friday :

Here’s a list of California counties that were on the state’s coronavirus watchlist as of July 17. Schools in these counties, which are hard hit by the coronavirus, must begin fall classes teaching students remotely online, rather than allowing them to return to classrooms, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Schools can begin teaching in classrooms only when the county is off the watch list for 14 days. Thirty-two of California’s 58 counties are on the list, according to Newsom, who unveiled a series of rules that determine when students can return to classrooms and the measures schools must take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and deal with any cases that occur.
Newsom made clear Friday that the online teaching requirement in watchlist counties is a mandate, not a suggestion. It applies to private as well as public schools.
Here are the counties on the watch list and being monitored by the state as of Friday:
Alameda
Colusa
Contra Costa
Fresno
Glenn
Imperial
Kings
Los Angeles
Madera
Marin
Merced
Monterey
Napa
Orange
Placer
Riverside
Sacramento
San Benito
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tulare
Yolo
Yuba
Ventura


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Bay Area students launch organization to connect youth with senior citizens

Anna Aseltine peered at her computer screen : a grid of Zoom squares , populated by three other residents of the Sunny View Retirement Community and a handful of Bay Area teenagers .
“ Are any of you from India ?
” Aseltine asked .
One of the teenagers , Vibha Sathish Kumar , 14 , nodded , and they started comparing notes : Aseltine was born in Kerala , and Sathish Kumar ’ s parents brought her to the United States when she was just a few months old .
It was a small moment of connection in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aseltine and Sathish Kumar were participating in a call through Youth x Senior Buddies , an organization launched by four Bay Area high school and college students to connect students and senior citizens for cross-generational social interactions .
The students — two sets of siblings , Shrinandan and Sindhuja Narayanan and Sahith and Sriya Kudaravalli — have partnered with The Parkview in Pleasanton and Sunny View in Cupertino to host regular Zoom calls , each of which bring together a group of the senior citizens to talk with some of Youth x Senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually start off with a musical performance from one of the students or a TED talk to facilitate the discussion .
After that , the direction of the conversation is up to its participants .
On Thursday , Temple University student Rushil Vishwanathan , 19 , started off the call with a musical performance that spanned generations : He sang “ Imagine , ” by John Lennon , and “ Thinking Out Loud , ” by Ed Sheeran .
Then , battling laggy video and shaky audio , the students and seniors watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament — a speech focused on the value of connection and appreciating differences and complexities .
Their ensuing conversation touched on everything from social media — “ It makes people think more , and you see different opinions , ” said Sunny View resident Eleanor Incerpi — to the Black Lives Matter protests to the strangeness of talking over Zoom in the first place .
“ Look at how we can communicate , ” Aseltine said .
“ You have to pay attention .
We all have our own picture , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not impressing anybody .
You can leave if you want to have a temper tantrum.
” Shrinandan , Sindhuja , Sahith and Sriya started Youth x Senior Buddies this spring , as nursing homes began closing down , shutting out visitors in an attempt to ward off the virus .
The four friends — whose parents had been friends since the kids were born — had always wanted to start an initiative to give back to their community , Sriya said .
The pandemic gave them the opportunity to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Rice University and Sindhuja , 18 , home from the University of Washington in March .
High school for Sahith , 17 , at Bellarmine College Prep and Shrinandan , 16 , at Cupertino High School went online around the same time .
With the the time to pursue a new project , they drew on Sriya ’ s experience volunteering with Alzheimer ’ s patients at Rice , the Kudaravallis ’ close relationships with their grandparents and the Narayanans ’ wish for similar relationships in figuring out what to do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my grandparents ever since I was little , ” Sriya said .
“ I grew up with them for a few years , and I had a strong bond with them .
I would ask them to come to the US very frequently .
I know some people don ’ t have that bond with their grandparents , and they ’ re not very close with them .
That ’ s why we wanted to provide this forum where youth can connect with seniors and have this nurturing relationship with them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a few conversations with Parkview and Sunny View residents .
But they ’ re hoping to draw on their collegiate connections to grow their network of volunteers and eventually partner with care centers across the country .
At Parkview and Sunny View , they ’ ve already received a warm reaction .
“ I appreciate you taking the time to see the life that we have here , ” said Gennie Waters , one of the Sunny View residents on Thursday ’ s call .
“ You people are young , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really have to look around .
Communicate ; don ’ t go into your rooms all the time .
Call a friend .
”

Anna Aseltine peered at her computer screen: a grid of Zoom squares, populated by three other residents of the Sunny View Retirement Community and a handful of Bay Area teenagers.
“Are any of you from India?” Aseltine asked.
One of the teenagers, Vibha Sathish Kumar, 14, nodded, and they started comparing notes: Aseltine was born in Kerala, and Sathish Kumar’s parents brought her to the United States when she was just a few months old.
It was a small moment of connection in an hour designed to do just that. Aseltine and Sathish Kumar were participating in a call through Youth x Senior Buddies, an organization launched by four Bay Area high school and college students to connect students and senior citizens for cross-generational social interactions.
The students — two sets of siblings, Shrinandan and Sindhuja Narayanan and Sahith and Sriya Kudaravalli — have partnered with The Parkview in Pleasanton and Sunny View in Cupertino to host regular Zoom calls, each of which bring together a group of the senior citizens to talk with some of Youth x Senior Buddies’ dozen volunteers.
The calls usually start off with a musical performance from one of the students or a TED talk to facilitate the discussion. After that, the direction of the conversation is up to its participants.
On Thursday, Temple University student Rushil Vishwanathan, 19, started off the call with a musical performance that spanned generations: He sang “Imagine,” by John Lennon, and “Thinking Out Loud,” by Ed Sheeran.
Then, battling laggy video and shaky audio, the students and seniors watched a clip from a 2019 national debate tournament — a speech focused on the value of connection and appreciating differences and complexities.
Their ensuing conversation touched on everything from social media — “It makes people think more, and you see different opinions,” said Sunny View resident Eleanor Incerpi — to the Black Lives Matter protests to the strangeness of talking over Zoom in the first place.
“Look at how we can communicate,” Aseltine said. “You have to pay attention. We all have our own picture, we’re all the same size. You’re not impressing anybody. You can leave if you want to have a temper tantrum.”
Shrinandan, Sindhuja, Sahith and Sriya started Youth x Senior Buddies this spring, as nursing homes began closing down, shutting out visitors in an attempt to ward off the virus.
The four friends — whose parents had been friends since the kids were born — had always wanted to start an initiative to give back to their community, Sriya said. The pandemic gave them the opportunity to do so, sending Sriya, 19, home from Rice University and Sindhuja, 18, home from the University of Washington in March. High school for Sahith, 17, at Bellarmine College Prep and Shrinandan, 16, at Cupertino High School went online around the same time.
With the the time to pursue a new project, they drew on Sriya’s experience volunteering with Alzheimer’s patients at Rice, the Kudaravallis’ close relationships with their grandparents and the Narayanans’ wish for similar relationships in figuring out what to do.
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So far, they’ve only held a few conversations with Parkview and Sunny View residents. But they’re hoping to draw on their collegiate connections to grow their network of volunteers and eventually partner with care centers across the country.
At Parkview and Sunny View, they’ve already received a warm reaction.
“I appreciate you taking the time to see the life that we have here,” said Gennie Waters, one of the Sunny View residents on Thursday’s call. “You people are young, and this is the time that you really really have to look around. Communicate; don’t go into your rooms all the time. Call a friend.”


mercurynews--2020-07-18--Horoscopes July 18, 2020: Kristen Bell, set high standards.

Happy Birthday : Set high standards , and express your thoughts this year .
Execute your plans with passion , and make your life and the world around you a better place .
Adapt readily to the environmental changes necessary to sustain a healthy environment and lifestyle .
Doing your part will enrich your life as well as lead to greater involvement in a worthy cause .
Your numbers are 5 , 12 , 21 , 27 , 33 , 35 , 48 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Put your energy into something useful .
Apply your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your research , set up a game plan and prepare to market yourself for something that excites you .
Enjoy the company of someone you share common interests with and love .
4 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : The past will haunt you if you don ’ t take care of unfinished business .
Tidy up loose ends , let go of the past and live in the moment .
Once you decide to take the high road , satisfaction and happiness will be yours .
3 stars GEMINI ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t believe everything you hear .
Someone will try to sway your opinion or feed you information that isn ’ t accurate .
Trust is something you have to earn , not buy ; don ’ t let anyone pull you into his or her plan or scam .
Do your own thing .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Change begins with you .
Look around , observe how others are living and formulate a plan that will encourage a happier and healthier lifestyle .
The information you gather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enlightening .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Expand your interests , mind and future .
Draw on the past , and you ’ ll realize how best to move forward .
Look at what ’ s trending , mix old ideas with new and discover a winning combination .
Romance is in the stars .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A personal change is overdue .
Evaluate your situation , feelings and status , and you ’ ll come up with a plan that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a positive .
Surround yourself with people who have something to offer in return .
2 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Research a physical change you want to make , and you ’ ll learn to appreciate who you are and how you look .
Don ’ t buy into gimmicks or let anyone convince you that you need to change .
Love who you are .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Your intuition won ’ t lead you astray .
Distance yourself from anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are striving to achieve .
An opportunity is useful only if you know enough to take advantage of the offer made .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Get your life in order .
A change will lift your spirits .
Address home improvements , and set an itinerary .
Don ’ t stop until everything is in its place and you feel good about your surroundings .
Enjoy what you have accomplished with someone you love .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Refuse to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruin your day .
Gravitate toward the people you enjoy being with who share similar interests .
An intelligent observation will result in a valuable change to your residence or lifestyle .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Consider making a change to how you earn your living .
Think about how you can apply your attributes to what ’ s trending in the job market , and you ’ ll find a good fit .
Plan something special for someone you love .
Romance is in the stars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : A heart-to-heart talk with someone will help resolve any issues your relationship faces .
Honesty , patience and keeping the peace will play roles in maintaining a workable union moving forward .
Raising your voice will prove to be counterproductive .
5 stars Birthday Baby : You are proactive , intuitive and a self-starter .
You are responsible and helpful .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Chace Crawford, 35; Kristen Bell, 40; Vin Diesel, 53; Wendy Williams, 56.
Happy Birthday: Set high standards, and express your thoughts this year. Execute your plans with passion, and make your life and the world around you a better place. Adapt readily to the environmental changes necessary to sustain a healthy environment and lifestyle. Doing your part will enrich your life as well as lead to greater involvement in a worthy cause. Your numbers are 5, 12, 21, 27, 33, 35, 48.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put your energy into something useful. Apply your skills to something you enjoy. Do your research, set up a game plan and prepare to market yourself for something that excites you. Enjoy the company of someone you share common interests with and love. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The past will haunt you if you don’t take care of unfinished business. Tidy up loose ends, let go of the past and live in the moment. Once you decide to take the high road, satisfaction and happiness will be yours. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t believe everything you hear. Someone will try to sway your opinion or feed you information that isn’t accurate. Trust is something you have to earn, not buy; don’t let anyone pull you into his or her plan or scam. Do your own thing. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Change begins with you. Look around, observe how others are living and formulate a plan that will encourage a happier and healthier lifestyle. The information you gather and the results you achieve will be enlightening. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Expand your interests, mind and future. Draw on the past, and you’ll realize how best to move forward. Look at what’s trending, mix old ideas with new and discover a winning combination. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A personal change is overdue. Evaluate your situation, feelings and status, and you’ll come up with a plan that will help you replace what’s negative with a positive. Surround yourself with people who have something to offer in return. 2 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Research a physical change you want to make, and you’ll learn to appreciate who you are and how you look. Don’t buy into gimmicks or let anyone convince you that you need to change. Love who you are. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your intuition won’t lead you astray. Distance yourself from anyone trying to combat what you want and are striving to achieve. An opportunity is useful only if you know enough to take advantage of the offer made. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Get your life in order. A change will lift your spirits. Address home improvements, and set an itinerary. Don’t stop until everything is in its place and you feel good about your surroundings. Enjoy what you have accomplished with someone you love. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument or ruin your day. Gravitate toward the people you enjoy being with who share similar interests. An intelligent observation will result in a valuable change to your residence or lifestyle. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider making a change to how you earn your living. Think about how you can apply your attributes to what’s trending in the job market, and you’ll find a good fit. Plan something special for someone you love. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A heart-to-heart talk with someone will help resolve any issues your relationship faces. Honesty, patience and keeping the peace will play roles in maintaining a workable union moving forward. Raising your voice will prove to be counterproductive. 5 stars
Birthday Baby: You are proactive, intuitive and a self-starter. You are responsible and helpful.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-07-18--Word Game: July 18, 2020

Word Game: July 18, 2020

Can you find 51 or more words in GLISSADE ?
The list will be published Monday .
YESTERDAY ’ S @ @ @ @ @ mare mean moan moaner more morn earn enamor name namer near norm omen ramen ream @ @ @ @ @ amen hare harem harm hear hero heron hoar hoer home homer hone hora horn To @ @ @ @ @ , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
@ @ @ @ @ of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the @ @ @ @ @ ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
@ @ @ @ @ by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used @ @ @ @ @ “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words @ @ @ @ @ explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — GLISSADE (GLISSADE: glih-SAHD: A sliding step in ballet.)
Average mark 37 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 51 or more words in GLISSADE? The list will be published Monday.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — MENORAH mane manor mare mean moan moaner more
morn earn enamor name namer near norm omen ramen ream roam roan roman aeon
ahem amen hare harem harm hear hero heron hoar hoer home homer hone hora horn
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


Bridge: July 18, 2020

Dummy play involves counting sure winners ( or , at a high-level suit contract , maybe possible losers ) , then developing additional winners .
Today ’ s North-South might have reached five diamonds but , reasonably enough , land at the cheaper notrump game .
West leads the queen of spades , and South wins and has plenty of winners : two spades , two hearts , four clubs and three diamonds .
But if South attacks the diamonds , he will fail .
The defense will win , force out South ’ s second high spade and cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their other high diamond .
South can ’ t succeed with the diamonds .
He must look to hearts .
A winning finesse with dummy ’ s jack will provide a ninth trick , but two finesses are better than one .
At Trick Two South gets an extra chance by leading the nine and letting it ride if West plays low .
If the nine lost to the ten , South would win the spade return and try a heart to the jack .
If both finesses lost , he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S A K H 9 8 D Q 10 9 6 2 C K Q 10 7 .
You open one diamond , your partner responds one heart , you bid two clubs and he rebids two hearts .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : Partner probably has a six-card heart suit ( rarely , he will have a seven-carder or strong five-carder ) but at most 10 points .
With 8 7 , A Q 10 6 5 2 , J 5 , A 6 3 , he would jump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game is unlikely , and his hand may win tricks only if hearts are trumps .

Dummy play involves counting sure winners (or, at a high-level suit contract, maybe possible losers), then developing additional winners.
Today’s North-South might have reached five diamonds but, reasonably enough, land at the cheaper notrump game. West leads the queen of spades, and South wins and has plenty of winners: two spades, two hearts, four clubs and three diamonds.
But if South attacks the diamonds, he will fail. The defense will win, force out South’s second high spade and cash at least three spades when they take their other high diamond.
NINTH TRICK
South can’t succeed with the diamonds. He must look to hearts. A winning finesse with dummy’s jack will provide a ninth trick, but two finesses are better than one. At Trick Two South gets an extra chance by leading the nine and letting it ride if West plays low.
If the nine lost to the ten, South would win the spade return and try a heart to the jack. If both finesses lost, he would be entitled to grumble.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A K H 9 8 D Q 10 9 6 2 C K Q 10 7. You open one diamond, your partner responds one heart, you bid two clubs and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner probably has a six-card heart suit (rarely, he will have a seven-carder or strong five-carder) but at most 10 points. With 8 7, A Q 10 6 5 2, J 5, A 6 3, he would jump to three hearts, invitational. Pass. Game is unlikely, and his hand may win tricks only if hearts are trumps.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 3
H A K J 3
D J 8 7 3
C A J 6
WEST
S Q J 10 9 5
H 10 5 4
D K 4
C 8 5 2
EAST
S 7 6 4 2
H Q 7 6 2
D A 5
C 9 4 3
SOUTH
S A K
H 9 8
D Q 10 9 6 2
C K Q 10 7
South West North East
1 D Pass 1 H Pass
2 C Pass 3 D Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S Q
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-07-18--Ask Amy: It’s not an insult — I really can’t touch your dog

Dear Amy : I have a severe general allergy to poison ivy .
If the tiniest amount of the poison ivy urushiol oil touches any part of me I will break out with hundreds of small , but itchy , blisters .
These blisters cover my body ( not just where I ’ ve come in contact ) .
Without a steroid prescription from my doctor it can take months for a breakout to clear up .
My problem is that I like to hike on trails that have been cleared of poison ivy , but frequently the areas off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay on the trail , so this isn ’ t a problem , but people love to bring their dogs , and if their dogs go off the trail , come in contact with poison ivy , and then touch me , it results in hundreds of blisters , doctors appointments , costs , medication and misery .
• Ask Amy : He ruins the evening with his political bullying • Ask Amy : Her insults on social media could cost her a lot of money • Ask Amy : She insists her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy : I found out I have a grandchild , and I ’ m plotting to see her • Ask Amy : Why shouldn ’ t I confront people who don ’ t wear masks correctly ?
Because of this , I try to be proactive .
I ’ ll say : “ Please , don ’ t let your dog touch me , I have allergies.
” They say : “ Oh , don ’ t worry , he is friendly.
” Then the person gets mad or acts insulted — or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over me .
I don ’ t hate dogs .
I just don ’ t want dogs ( or any animal ) touching me unless I absolutely know they haven ’ t had any contact with the common substance that makes me so sick .
How would you address this issue ?
Dear Allergic : I definitely enjoy dogs , but I also wonder why some dog owners don ’ t seem to realize that their beloved family members are actually animals .
Dogs are sometimes unpredictable ( this is understandable because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can pose a risk to humans .
Just as no parent should assume that every stranger will find their children charming , no dog owner should assume that everyone will want to interact with their dog .
“ Oh don ’ t worry , he is friendly ” is not an appropriate answer to a human who can ’ t have contact with a dog without experiencing extreme consequences .
The dog ’ s friendly nature is not in question .
You should say , “ I have extreme allergies and could land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your dog .
I ’ m going to stay on this side of the trail while you pass by.
” Dear Amy : I have three boxes of old love letters that must go .
Box A is from my high school sweetheart and first love , now deceased .
Box B is from my torrid college affair ( no longer in contact ) .
Box C contains letters from my dear husband of many years , written before we were married .
I have not opened nor read any of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisiting these would be very emotional for me .
Should I read them privately , then dispose ?
Should I share some of them with my husband ?
Should I revisit only my husband ’ s letters with him ( we have no secrets ) ?
Or should I just shred them all immediately and be done with it ?
Dear Three Boxes : Ah , COVID-cleaning .
Many of us are confronting bits and bobs ( and sometimes , actual “ Bobs ” ) from our past .
You should review all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself that you will at least open the envelopes and visually scan them .
This job might pair well with a hearty merlot .
The letters from your high school sweetheart might contain nuggets from his youth that his family would appreciate .
Because he is deceased , consider sharing some of this ( descriptive , wise , or humorous ) material with them .
Box B : Review and make the same determination .
Would these letters be of value to anyone else ?
Box C : Boom .
You have your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Put these letters into a binder and save them .
Dear Amy : I have enjoyed the testimonials in your column from people who have successfully quit smoking .
After smoking for decades , I managed to kick the habit , permanently , a few years ago .
I tried everything , and would be successful for a few weeks and a few months , even at one point for over a year .
But I always relapsed , and I always felt terrible about myself when I fell off the wagon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realized that , for me , quitting smoking would be a lifetime project .
Truly a one-day-at-a-time proposition .
Once I started focusing more on my successes than my failures , I was able to build on them .
Dear Smoke Free : Testimonials from people who have “ been there ” are inspiring to people who are still struggling .
Thank you .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Facebook .

Dear Amy: I have a severe general allergy to poison ivy. If the tiniest amount of the poison ivy urushiol oil touches any part of me I will break out with hundreds of small, but itchy, blisters.
These blisters cover my body (not just where I’ve come in contact). Without a steroid prescription from my doctor it can take months for a breakout to clear up.
My problem is that I like to hike on trails that have been cleared of poison ivy, but frequently the areas off the side have poison ivy. I stay on the trail, so this isn’t a problem, but people love to bring their dogs, and if their dogs go off the trail, come in contact with poison ivy, and then touch me, it results in hundreds of blisters, doctors appointments, costs, medication and misery.
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Because of this, I try to be proactive. I’ll say: “Please, don’t let your dog touch me, I have allergies.”
They say: “Oh, don’t worry, he is friendly.”
I say: “I don’t care. I can’t touch your dog.”
Then the person gets mad or acts insulted — or worse, they let the dog jump all over me.
I don’t hate dogs. I just don’t want dogs (or any animal) touching me unless I absolutely know they haven’t had any contact with the common substance that makes me so sick. How would you address this issue?
Allergic
Dear Allergic: I definitely enjoy dogs, but I also wonder why some dog owners don’t seem to realize that their beloved family members are actually animals. Dogs are sometimes unpredictable (this is understandable because they are animals), and dogs can pose a risk to humans.
Just as no parent should assume that every stranger will find their children charming, no dog owner should assume that everyone will want to interact with their dog.
“Oh don’t worry, he is friendly” is not an appropriate answer to a human who can’t have contact with a dog without experiencing extreme consequences. The dog’s friendly nature is not in question.
You should say, “I have extreme allergies and could land in the hospital if I have contact with your dog. I’m going to stay on this side of the trail while you pass by.”
Dear Amy: I have three boxes of old love letters that must go.
Box A is from my high school sweetheart and first love, now deceased.
Box B is from my torrid college affair (no longer in contact).
Box C contains letters from my dear husband of many years, written before we were married.
I have not opened nor read any of these for at least 30 years, and revisiting these would be very emotional for me.
Should I read them privately, then dispose? Should I share some of them with my husband? Should I revisit only my husband’s letters with him (we have no secrets)? Or should I just shred them all immediately and be done with it?
Three Boxes in Phoenix
Dear Three Boxes: Ah, COVID-cleaning. Many of us are confronting bits and bobs (and sometimes, actual “Bobs”) from our past.
You should review all of these letters, privately. Tell yourself that you will at least open the envelopes and visually scan them. This job might pair well with a hearty merlot.
The letters from your high school sweetheart might contain nuggets from his youth that his family would appreciate. Because he is deceased, consider sharing some of this (descriptive, wise, or humorous) material with them.
Box B: Review and make the same determination. Would these letters be of value to anyone else?
Box C: Boom. You have your next anniversary present for your husband. Put these letters into a binder and save them.
Dear Amy: I have enjoyed the testimonials in your column from people who have successfully quit smoking.
After smoking for decades, I managed to kick the habit, permanently, a few years ago. I tried everything, and would be successful for a few weeks and a few months, even at one point for over a year. But I always relapsed, and I always felt terrible about myself when I fell off the wagon, which made everything worse.
I finally realized that, for me, quitting smoking would be a lifetime project. Truly a one-day-at-a-time proposition. Once I started focusing more on my successes than my failures, I was able to build on them.
Smoke Free
Dear Smoke Free: Testimonials from people who have “been there” are inspiring to people who are still struggling. Thank you.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-07-18--Harriette Cole: I don’t appreciate my doctor trying to scare me

DEAR HARRIETTE : I just had a telehealth call with my primary care physician , and he grilled me about how I have been taking care of myself during this period of quarantine .
I didn ’ t want to admit that I have gained 10 to 15 pounds .
I am embarrassed that I haven ’ t been more disciplined .
I was already supposed to be losing weight , but instead I gained .
He cautioned me that I have to lose weight because obesity is one of the factors that can make one more susceptible to complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s right , but I didn ’ t appreciate hearing that from him .
It ’ s almost time to go back out into the world .
Now he has me scared all over again about getting sick and dying .
It ’ s not like I can reverse this weight gain with a blink .
What should I do ?
DEAR TARGET : Your doctor was right to caution you about your health during this time .
Sadly , the risk of getting ill has not yet passed .
You should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community recommends .
• Harriette Cole : He was probably drunk , but what he said gave me hope • Harriette Cole : He ’ s high all the time , and I ’ m worried • Harriette Cole : I think my boss is irresponsible to order us back to the office • Harriette Cole : I ’ ve put in so much work , and now it will look like plagiarism That doesn ’ t mean you have to stop in your tracks , though .
What you need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing you can do is walk for 45 minutes to an hour each day .
Put on a face covering , grab a bottle of water and walk in your neighborhood .
If you are up for it , you can turn on an exercise video and do an at-home workout .
Beyond that , it ’ s time to change your diet .
Cut out the sugar and fat .
Choose to eat lean meats and plenty of vegetables .
Drink lots of water and fewer ( or no ) sweet drinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can come down significantly if you are vigilant about what you eat and how you move .
DEAR HARRIETTE : My mom has planned a lovely baby shower for me in a couple of weeks .
Now she is worried that it may not be safe enough for people to come to our home .
The plan was for people to be in the backyard as socially distant as they can be , but since there is a surge happening , she is worried that she may expose me and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to change it to a drive-by party where people honk horns and drop off gifts .
That makes me sad .
We have been holed up for so long , and I want to be with people .
What do you think ?
DEAR BABY SHOWER : Your mother is right to be overly cautious .
Medical professionals do not know yet what the status of the virus ’ s spread will be in the coming weeks .
We do know that there is a surge happening in many parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hybrid event .
Invite most guests to participate in the outdoor drive-by so that you get to see your loved ones and they can see you and your blossoming belly .
Later , you can host a much smaller barbecue — still outdoors — where you can practice social distancing .
You will need to stay at least 6 feet away from everyone at all times .
But in this way , you can talk to guests and interact with them a bit more .
Everyone should wear facial coverings except when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plentiful hand sanitizer should be made available .
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: I just had a telehealth call with my primary care physician, and he grilled me about how I have been taking care of myself during this period of quarantine. I didn’t want to admit that I have gained 10 to 15 pounds.
I am embarrassed that I haven’t been more disciplined. I was already supposed to be losing weight, but instead I gained. He cautioned me that I have to lose weight because obesity is one of the factors that can make one more susceptible to complications from COVID-19.
I know he’s right, but I didn’t appreciate hearing that from him. It’s almost time to go back out into the world. Now he has me scared all over again about getting sick and dying. It’s not like I can reverse this weight gain with a blink. What should I do?
Target
DEAR TARGET: Your doctor was right to caution you about your health during this time. Sadly, the risk of getting ill has not yet passed. You should be extremely cautious based on what the medical community recommends.
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Harriette Cole: I’m ashamed to tell people I forgave my childhood friend Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve worked hard, and my poor siblings resent my success That doesn’t mean you have to stop in your tracks, though. What you need to do is move your body.
The easiest thing you can do is walk for 45 minutes to an hour each day. Put on a face covering, grab a bottle of water and walk in your neighborhood. If you are up for it, you can turn on an exercise video and do an at-home workout.
Beyond that, it’s time to change your diet. Cut out the sugar and fat. Choose to eat lean meats and plenty of vegetables. Drink lots of water and fewer (or no) sweet drinks, including alcohol. Track your weight. You can come down significantly if you are vigilant about what you eat and how you move.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom has planned a lovely baby shower for me in a couple of weeks. Now she is worried that it may not be safe enough for people to come to our home.
The plan was for people to be in the backyard as socially distant as they can be, but since there is a surge happening, she is worried that she may expose me and the baby to the virus inadvertently.
She wants to change it to a drive-by party where people honk horns and drop off gifts. That makes me sad. We have been holed up for so long, and I want to be with people. What do you think?
Baby Shower
DEAR BABY SHOWER: Your mother is right to be overly cautious. Medical professionals do not know yet what the status of the virus’s spread will be in the coming weeks. We do know that there is a surge happening in many parts of the country. You may want to host a hybrid event. Invite most guests to participate in the outdoor drive-by so that you get to see your loved ones and they can see you and your blossoming belly.
Later, you can host a much smaller barbecue — still outdoors — where you can practice social distancing. You will need to stay at least 6 feet away from everyone at all times. But in this way, you can talk to guests and interact with them a bit more. Everyone should wear facial coverings except when they are eating or drinking, and plentiful hand sanitizer should be made available.
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.