mercurynews--2020-08-11--Ask Amy: I know he has old photos of me, but he won’t hand them over

Dear Amy : Family photos from my childhood had been in my sister ’ s possession when our father died 14 years ago ( our mom had died years before ) .
My sister ( my only sibling , in her 70s , as I am ) had given the albums to her son .
I asked him 10 months ago if I could have them for a while , and he said he ’ d let me know .
He eventually sent scans of my parents ’ honeymoon , which are irrelevant to my own childhood photo history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still won ’ t let me have them , even for a week or two to show my kids , and he continues to stonewall me on the scans .
Part of the backstory is that neither he nor my sister thinks I handled my dad ’ s death properly ( I was working in another town ) .
Neither of them likes my current wife .
And he thinks only he can take care of these old photos .
What to do ?
I ’ d like to see these photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy : This game we played in school was so wrong , and the teacher is still teaching • Ask Amy : My wife is furious that these little kids don ’ t follow her tidy rules • Ask Amy : He ‘ only dates models.
’ Unfortunately , it ’ s me that he got pregnant .
• Ask Amy : My baby , my rules — but they got hostile and walked out Dear Upset : You should offer to pay your nephew to scan these photos and send the files @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time-consuming , and he might respond differently if you : a ) express your interest in and gratitude for the photos you ’ ve already received , and b ) offer to pay him a fee/photo .
Dear Amy : My daughter is in her 30s .
Her boyfriend has decided to be totally vegan .
She has decided to be vegan , too , which is fine .
They ’ re adults and they will do what they believe is best .
My question concerns these new dietary restrictions .
At some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like advice about whether being vegan is good for children in utero , and as they develop .
Is it healthy and advisable ?
These kids will be in situations over their lives when traveling , at social situations , or during holidays where they may have to make eating choices that are not compatible with plant-based diets .
I understand the benefits of a plant-based diet and the impact on saving the planet , but still I worry about an entire diet and lifestyle approach that the kids must follow ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe in it .
My approach will probably be that if you would like me to feed the kids something , let me know in advance so I can figure out how to provide it .
I ’ m curious if there ’ s research about how plant-based diets influence the development of young children .
Dear Concerned : You really are putting the cart before the carrot , here ( in fact , the cart is in the barn , and the carrot hasn ’ t even been planted yet ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of feedback is that , even though you assert that these people are adults and have the right to feed their own bodies , you don ’ t seem to really believe in their ability to use discernment to make good choices down the road .
I shared your question with Kathleen Rasmussen , professor of maternal and child nutrition at Cornell University , who responded : “ It is possible to create a vegan diet that is nutritionally adequate for a pregnant woman and a growing child , but it requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns are having an adequate caloric intake as well as sufficient high-quality protein and key several micronutrients .
These can be provided with a careful selection of appropriate foods .
“ Children learn to love what their parents eat and , if shown by their parents , how to navigate social situations related to eating.
” I will add that I have two very young vegan family members who have shown an amazing ability to identify and discern their food choices , starting when they were toddlers .
With guidance from their parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can/should eat something , they just ask !
Following that guideline , if you are unsure about how to feed vegan family members — you can do the same .
Dear Amy : “ Reluctant ” was worried about the risks of traveling and attending her daughter ’ s wedding during this pandemic .
Our granddaughter is having her bat mitzvah next month , in North Carolina .
The Boston grandparents and family will be Zooming in .
Is it what we envisioned ?
No .
We will wish we could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to see her .
This is a simple solution in a pandemic time .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: Family photos from my childhood had been in my sister’s possession when our father died 14 years ago (our mom had died years before).
My sister (my only sibling, in her 70s, as I am) had given the albums to her son. I asked him 10 months ago if I could have them for a while, and he said he’d let me know.
He eventually sent scans of my parents’ honeymoon, which are irrelevant to my own childhood photo history.
After many emails back and forth, he still won’t let me have them, even for a week or two to show my kids, and he continues to stonewall me on the scans.
Part of the backstory is that neither he nor my sister thinks I handled my dad’s death properly (I was working in another town). Neither of them likes my current wife. And he thinks only he can take care of these old photos.
What to do? I’d like to see these photos again before I die.
Upset
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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 Dear Upset: You should offer to pay your nephew to scan these photos and send the files to you. Scanning can be very time-consuming, and he might respond differently if you: a) express your interest in and gratitude for the photos you’ve already received, and b) offer to pay him a fee/photo.
Dear Amy: My daughter is in her 30s. Her boyfriend has decided to be totally vegan. She has decided to be vegan, too, which is fine. They’re adults and they will do what they believe is best.
My question concerns these new dietary restrictions.
At some point they may have children. I would like advice about whether being vegan is good for children in utero, and as they develop. Is it healthy and advisable?
These kids will be in situations over their lives when traveling, at social situations, or during holidays where they may have to make eating choices that are not compatible with plant-based diets.
I understand the benefits of a plant-based diet and the impact on saving the planet, but still I worry about an entire diet and lifestyle approach that the kids must follow (with no choice) because their parents believe in it.
My approach will probably be that if you would like me to feed the kids something, let me know in advance so I can figure out how to provide it.
I’m curious if there’s research about how plant-based diets influence the development of young children.
Concerned Mom
Dear Concerned: You really are putting the cart before the carrot, here (in fact, the cart is in the barn, and the carrot hasn’t even been planted yet). As a relationship adviser, my first bit of feedback is that, even though you assert that these people are adults and have the right to feed their own bodies, you don’t seem to really believe in their ability to use discernment to make good choices down the road.
(Also note: They are dating, no one is pregnant, and no one has asked you for your opinion.)
I shared your question with Kathleen Rasmussen, professor of maternal and child nutrition at Cornell University, who responded: “It is possible to create a vegan diet that is nutritionally adequate for a pregnant woman and a growing child, but it requires thoughtfulness.
“For children, the concerns are having an adequate caloric intake as well as sufficient high-quality protein and key several micronutrients. These can be provided with a careful selection of appropriate foods.
“Children learn to love what their parents eat and, if shown by their parents, how to navigate social situations related to eating.”
I will add that I have two very young vegan family members who have shown an amazing ability to identify and discern their food choices, starting when they were toddlers. With guidance from their parents, if they are unsure if they can/should eat something, they just ask!
Following that guideline, if you are unsure about how to feed vegan family members — you can do the same.
Dear Amy: “Reluctant” was worried about the risks of traveling and attending her daughter’s wedding during this pandemic.
Our granddaughter is having her bat mitzvah next month, in North Carolina. The Boston grandparents and family will be Zooming in.
Is it what we envisioned? No. We will wish we could have been there, but we will at least be able to see her.
This is a simple solution in a pandemic time.
Nana
Dear Nana: Mazel tov to your entire family!
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--2020-08-11--Harriette Cole: He told me to decide what to pay him, which is so awkward

DEAR HARRIETTE : A good friend of mine owns a painting company .
I hired him and his workers to paint my home a new color .
I signed a contract like any other customer , but when I asked for the invoice , he said to pay what I am comfortable with .
He wouldn ’ t tell me what he usually charges , and I have never had something like this done before .
I don ’ t want to underpay him , but I don ’ t want to overpay him either .
What is the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers ?
DEAR A GRATEFUL FRIEND : What an uncomfortable position to be in !
Your friend thinks he is doing you a favor by telling you to pay what you can .
Unfortunately , this is not as kind as he thinks because it requires you to do work that may not yield accurate results .
You need to get your friend to understand how tough this situation is for you .
Thank your friend for being kind in not charging you his normal price .
Tell him that since you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know what it should cost , you have no idea what to pay .
Tell him that you will pay him when he is able to give you a price .
Point out that his workers did a good job and deserve to be paid right away , but you have no idea what to pay them .
Perhaps he can tell you his normal price and then offer you a percentage discount .
Sometimes the “ friends and family discount ” can run from 20 % to 50 % .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out from your research .
Perhaps he will be willing to share the regular price while recommending that you pay a discounted fee .
• Harriette Cole : Have I been blind to my white friends ’ true feelings ?
• Harriette Cole : No shampoo , no blow-dry , and a $ 68 tab ?
Yes , I ’ m annoyed .
• Harriette Cole : I don ’ t want her married on my wedding date , no matter what year • Harriette Cole : She called out of the blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m suspicious DEAR HARRIETTE : Thank you for the advice that you offered to “ On the Edge , ” who was concerned about their increased drinking .
May I offer one additional piece of information for future reference ?
Alcoholics Anonymous ( or any 12-step program ) is not for everyone .
An alternative or supplemental resource ( for some ) is SMART Recovery , which utilizes the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy to examine , analyze and alter the way in which we think and rationalize our thoughts .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve seen SMART Recovery ’ s meetings and methodologies help many , many people .
You can visit SMARTRecovery.org for more information .
DEAR ALTERNATIVE SUPPORT : Thank you for sharing information about another program that can help people who are battling addiction .
Indeed , there are a number of organizations that are dedicated to supporting people who have found themselves in the throes of addiction .
I encourage people to get support however they can , because it is possible to be freed of addiction .
I will point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option .
Many therapists are certified with specialization in treating people with addictions .
Do your research to find the right fit for you .
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: A good friend of mine owns a painting company. I hired him and his workers to paint my home a new color.
I signed a contract like any other customer, but when I asked for the invoice, he said to pay what I am comfortable with. He wouldn’t tell me what he usually charges, and I have never had something like this done before. I don’t want to underpay him, but I don’t want to overpay him either.
What is the best way to approach paying him and his workers?
A Grateful Friend
DEAR A GRATEFUL FRIEND: What an uncomfortable position to be in! Your friend thinks he is doing you a favor by telling you to pay what you can. Unfortunately, this is not as kind as he thinks because it requires you to do work that may not yield accurate results. You need to get your friend to understand how tough this situation is for you.
Thank your friend for being kind in not charging you his normal price. Tell him that since you have never hired a painter before and do not know what it should cost, you have no idea what to pay. Tell him that you will pay him when he is able to give you a price. Point out that his workers did a good job and deserve to be paid right away, but you have no idea what to pay them.
Perhaps he can tell you his normal price and then offer you a percentage discount. Sometimes the “friends and family discount” can run from 20% to 50%. You can tell him you have found that out from your research. Perhaps he will be willing to share the regular price while recommending that you pay a discounted fee.
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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 DEAR HARRIETTE: Thank you for the advice that you offered to “On the Edge,” who was concerned about their increased drinking. May I offer one additional piece of information for future reference? Alcoholics Anonymous (or any 12-step program) is not for everyone.
An alternative or supplemental resource (for some) is SMART Recovery, which utilizes the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy to examine, analyze and alter the way in which we think and rationalize our thoughts. It’s worth taking a look! I’ve seen SMART Recovery’s meetings and methodologies help many, many people. You can visit SMARTRecovery.org for more information.
Alternative Support
DEAR ALTERNATIVE SUPPORT: Thank you for sharing information about another program that can help people who are battling addiction. Indeed, there are a number of organizations that are dedicated to supporting people who have found themselves in the throes of addiction. I encourage people to get support however they can, because it is possible to be freed of addiction.
I will point out that traditional therapy is also an option. Many therapists are certified with specialization in treating people with addictions. Do your research to find the right fit for you.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Seattle PD chief resigns after cuts to police budget

SEATTLE – Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best resigned on Tuesday , a day after the city council cut her department ’ s budget as part of a reform movement following mass protests against racial bias and violence in policing .
Best ’ s surprise departure marked one of the most notable big-city police department shakeups in the aftermath of nationwide demonstrations spurred by the May 25 death of George Floyd , a Black man , who was pinned under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer .
Graphic video footage of the fatal encounter stirred a public outcry against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. criminal justice system , triggering months of street protests in cities across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In Seattle as elsewhere , much of the anger evolved into demands by some civil activists to “ defund , ” or radically scale back , police departments in favor of greater spending on social services .
“ Out of this challenge will spring new hope for a better future for all , ” Best said at a press conference on Tuesday announcing she was retiring after two years as Seattle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1992 .
“ I trust everyone will find a way to work together and put aside personal conflicts , political grandstanding , and power plays.
” Best , 55 , cited the council ’ s decision not to consult her more thoroughly ahead of the cuts , which will force the layoff of about 100 officers , as a major factor in her decision .
The Seattle City Council on Monday voted 7-1 to reduce the police department ’ s budget by $ 3.5 million , less than 1 % , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 17 million in community safety programs .
Council President Lorena González called Monday ’ s vote a “ down-payment for future potential reductions ” to the department ’ s budget .
Defunding advocates have pointed to a growing militarization of law enforcement , even as police officers are increasingly called to deal with issues , such as addiction , mental illness and homelessness , better addressed by social services .
Opponents say cuts in policing threaten public safety .
Sharpening his law-and-order message ahead of the Nov. 3 national elections , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a reckless goal of his political adversaries .
At a White House briefing on Tuesday , Trump praised Best for doing “ a very good job , ” adding , “ I think Seattle has made a tragic mistake.
” Monday ’ s city council action reduced Best ’ s annual salary by $ 10,000 , compared with the $ 100,000 initially proposed .
“ It is clear from the public statements of Chief Best that these pay cuts to her and her team weighed heavily in her decision to leave public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sad loss , ” said Councilman Andrew Lewis , who voted against the cuts .
Mayor Jenny Durkan told a news conference she regretted Best ’ s resignation , saying the former police chief , who is Black , understood “ the lived experience of Black America.
” U.S. Attorney General William Barr called Best ’ s resignation a “ lesson to state and local leaders about the real costs of irresponsible proposals to defund the police .
”

By Gregory Scruggs | Reuters
SEATTLE – Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best resigned on Tuesday, a day after the city council cut her department’s budget as part of a reform movement following mass protests against racial bias and violence in policing.
Best’s surprise departure marked one of the most notable big-city police department shakeups in the aftermath of nationwide demonstrations spurred by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man, who was pinned under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer.
Graphic video footage of the fatal encounter stirred a public outcry against heavy-handed police tactics and racism within the U.S. criminal justice system, triggering months of street protests in cities across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In Seattle as elsewhere, much of the anger evolved into demands by some civil activists to “defund,” or radically scale back, police departments in favor of greater spending on social services.
“Out of this challenge will spring new hope for a better future for all,” Best said at a press conference on Tuesday announcing she was retiring after two years as Seattle’s top cop. She joined the department in 1992. “I trust everyone will find a way to work together and put aside personal conflicts, political grandstanding, and power plays.”
Best, 55, cited the council’s decision not to consult her more thoroughly ahead of the cuts, which will force the layoff of about 100 officers, as a major factor in her decision.
The Seattle City Council on Monday voted 7-1 to reduce the police department’s budget by $3.5 million, less than 1%, for the remainder of the year while investing $17 million in community safety programs.
Council President Lorena González called Monday’s vote a “down-payment for future potential reductions” to the department’s budget.
Defunding advocates have pointed to a growing militarization of law enforcement, even as police officers are increasingly called to deal with issues, such as addiction, mental illness and homelessness, better addressed by social services. Opponents say cuts in policing threaten public safety.
Sharpening his law-and-order message ahead of the Nov. 3 national elections, President Donald Trump has cast the defunding movement as a reckless goal of his political adversaries.
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, Trump praised Best for doing “a very good job,” adding, “I think Seattle has made a tragic mistake.”
Monday’s city council action reduced Best’s annual salary by $10,000, compared with the $100,000 initially proposed.
“It is clear from the public statements of Chief Best that these pay cuts to her and her team weighed heavily in her decision to leave public service, and it is a significant and sad loss,” said Councilman Andrew Lewis, who voted against the cuts. Mayor Jenny Durkan told a news conference she regretted Best’s resignation, saying the former police chief, who is Black, understood “the lived experience of Black America.”
U.S. Attorney General William Barr called Best’s resignation a “lesson to state and local leaders about the real costs of irresponsible proposals to defund the police.”


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Trini Lopez, pop singer and actor, dead at 83

LOS ANGELES – Trini Lopez , the pop singer and guitarist who also acted in Robert Aldrich ’ s “ The Dirty Dozen , ” died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19 .
Palm Springs Life magazine first reported his death ; he was a longtime resident of the desert enclave .
Filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes had recently completed a documentary about his life , which was featured in the magazine .
Born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas , Texas , his parents were both from Mexico .
Lopez started playing in bands at 15 and in 1958 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Columbia Records after recording with Buddy Holly producer Norman Petty .
Lopez went solo shortly afterward and signed with King Records , for whom he released a series of unsuccessful singles before leaving the label in 1962 .
He soon scored a residency at the Los Angeles nightclub PJ ’ s , where Frank Sinatra saw his show and signed him to his Reprise Records in 1963 .
That year , his debut album , “ Trini Lopez at PJ ’ s , ” included a cover of “ If I Had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smash , topping the charts in multiple countries and reaching No .
3 in the U.S. Another live album followed , along with more hits over the next several years , including “ Lemon Tree , ” “ I ’ m Comin ’ Home , Cindy , ” “ Sally Was a Good Old Girl , ” “ Michael , ” “ Gon na Get Along Without Ya ’ Now ” and “ The Bramble Bush.
” He starred in the 1967 World War II film “ The Dirty Dozen ” alongside such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John Cassavetes , Lee Marvin , Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas , but was more recognizable than many of them at the time because of his successful musical career .
Lopez also appeared on television in “ Adam-12 ” and “ The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.
” During the height of his popularity in the mid-1960s , he designed two guitars for the Gibson Guitar company which are collector ’ s items .
While his chart successes and acting roles tailed off after the 1960s , he continued to release albums and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his adopted home of Palm Springs .
He was awarded a star on Palm Springs ’ Walk of Stars in 1993 and on Las Vegas ’ Walk of Stars in 2008 .

By Pat Saperstein | Variety.com
LOS ANGELES – Trini Lopez, the pop singer and guitarist who also acted in Robert Aldrich’s “The Dirty Dozen,” died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19.
Palm Springs Life magazine first reported his death; he was a longtime resident of the desert enclave. Filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes had recently completed a documentary about his life, which was featured in the magazine.
Born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas, Texas, his parents were both from Mexico. Lopez started playing in bands at 15 and in 1958, his group the Big Beats signed with Columbia Records after recording with Buddy Holly producer Norman Petty. Lopez went solo shortly afterward and signed with King Records, for whom he released a series of unsuccessful singles before leaving the label in 1962. He soon scored a residency at the Los Angeles nightclub PJ’s, where Frank Sinatra saw his show and signed him to his Reprise Records in 1963.
That year, his debut album, “Trini Lopez at PJ’s,” included a cover of “If I Had a Hammer” that was a global smash, topping the charts in multiple countries and reaching No. 3 in the U.S. Another live album followed, along with more hits over the next several years, including “Lemon Tree,” “I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy,” “Sally Was a Good Old Girl,” “Michael,” “Gonna Get Along Without Ya’ Now” and “The Bramble Bush.”
He starred in the 1967 World War II film “The Dirty Dozen” alongside such stars as Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, John Cassavetes, Lee Marvin, Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas, but was more recognizable than many of them at the time because of his successful musical career. Lopez also appeared on television in “Adam-12” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” During the height of his popularity in the mid-1960s, he designed two guitars for the Gibson Guitar company which are collector’s items.
While his chart successes and acting roles tailed off after the 1960s, he continued to release albums and perform regularly — particularly in Las Vegas and his adopted home of Palm Springs. He was awarded a star on Palm Springs’ Walk of Stars in 1993 and on Las Vegas’ Walk of Stars in 2008.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Santa Clara County to impose fines for coronavirus health order violations

Santa Clara County will impose fines on businesses and individuals that violate health orders , following the lead of other Bay Area neighbors to enforce mask-wearing , social distancing and other rules aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus .
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to adopt an ordinance that would allow a maximum $ 500 civil fine to be imposed for non-business violations and a $ 5,000 maximum for business violations .
It goes into effect immediately .
Unlike some other counties , Santa Clara County ’ s rules allow for a grace period of 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and businesses may work to “ cure the violation ” and report back to the county to avoid the ticket .
Alleged violators may also appeal the fine , in writing , within 10 days .
“ The whole framework around the ordinance is built around the conversation that ’ s occurring — it ’ s not an immediate imposition of any fines , ” said County Counsel James Williams , likening the ordinance to a fix-it ticket .
“ It ’ s a dialogue that occurs there.
” Over the past few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office has been deluged with thousands of complaints related to COVID-19 violations , Williams said .
With police and law enforcement agents generally uninterested in enforcing the orders on the criminal side — which would involve arresting people and potential jail time — civil fines are meant to give the public health orders more teeth .
Santa Clara County isn ’ t the first in the Bay Area to use fines as a way to crack down on health order violators .
Last week , San Mateo and Santa Cruz county officials passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napa and Marin did the same in late July .
Still , approval in Santa Clara came only after a lengthy debate over whether it could make health care providers liable for fines .
A June 10 health order — now enforceable through the new fine structure — requires health care providers to test certain groups , including people with symptoms or who are high-risk .
Several health care professionals , including some from Stanford Health Care and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation , called in during public comment to argue that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inability to test came down to a shortage of reagents or swabs .
In a compromise , the board decided that specific agreements over testing targets with providers may supersede the order , giving providers more individualized standards for fulfilling the testing requirement .
Supervisor Dave Cortese , who pushed for the amendment , said he agreed with civil enforcement on principle but wanted to make sure it was clear what the goalposts are .
“ If what we ’ re looking for is testing , testing , testing , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cortese said .
• Scientists uneasy as Russia claims it has a vaccine • A drive-thru gala ?
Welcome to the new world of nonprofit fundraisers • ‘ Awfully late ’ : In 11th hour reversal , San Jose teachers allowed to work from home The ordinance came after Santa Clara County reported 740 new coronavirus cases Monday as it parsed through a backlog of data from the state .
Over the past three weeks , the county ’ s seven-day case average has settled at about 250 cases , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts have decreased since a late April peak , with an average of two weekly deaths , while hospitalizations have hovered between about 169 and 185 people since the start of August .
Still , she said , the average daily case rate indicates that community transmission is high , Cody said — meaning that masking , social distancing , and not gathering in groups remain as important as ever .
“ The bottom line is that we are still seeing preventable deaths from COVID-19 , ” Cody said .

Santa Clara County will impose fines on businesses and individuals that violate health orders, following the lead of other Bay Area neighbors to enforce mask-wearing, social distancing and other rules aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus.
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to adopt an ordinance that would allow a maximum $500 civil fine to be imposed for non-business violations and a $5,000 maximum for business violations. It goes into effect immediately.
Unlike some other counties, Santa Clara County’s rules allow for a grace period of 24 to 72 hours, during which people and businesses may work to “cure the violation” and report back to the county to avoid the ticket. Alleged violators may also appeal the fine, in writing, within 10 days.
“The whole framework around the ordinance is built around the conversation that’s occurring — it’s not an immediate imposition of any fines,” said County Counsel James Williams, likening the ordinance to a fix-it ticket. “It’s a dialogue that occurs there.”
Over the past few months, the District Attorney’s office has been deluged with thousands of complaints related to COVID-19 violations, Williams said. With police and law enforcement agents generally uninterested in enforcing the orders on the criminal side — which would involve arresting people and potential jail time — civil fines are meant to give the public health orders more teeth.
Santa Clara County isn’t the first in the Bay Area to use fines as a way to crack down on health order violators. Last week, San Mateo and Santa Cruz county officials passed a similar ordinance; before that, Napa and Marin did the same in late July.
Still, approval in Santa Clara came only after a lengthy debate over whether it could make health care providers liable for fines. A June 10 health order — now enforceable through the new fine structure — requires health care providers to test certain groups, including people with symptoms or who are high-risk.
Several health care professionals, including some from Stanford Health Care and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, called in during public comment to argue that their facilities ought not face fines if their inability to test came down to a shortage of reagents or swabs.
In a compromise, the board decided that specific agreements over testing targets with providers may supersede the order, giving providers more individualized standards for fulfilling the testing requirement. Supervisor Dave Cortese, who pushed for the amendment, said he agreed with civil enforcement on principle but wanted to make sure it was clear what the goalposts are.
“If what we’re looking for is testing, testing, testing, I don’t see how ambiguity is our friend,” Cortese said.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The ordinance came after Santa Clara County reported 740 new coronavirus cases Monday as it parsed through a backlog of data from the state. Over the past three weeks, the county’s seven-day case average has settled at about 250 cases, said Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. Death counts have decreased since a late April peak, with an average of two weekly deaths, while hospitalizations have hovered between about 169 and 185 people since the start of August.
Still, she said, the average daily case rate indicates that community transmission is high, Cody said — meaning that masking, social distancing, and not gathering in groups remain as important as ever.
“The bottom line is that we are still seeing preventable deaths from COVID-19,” Cody said.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Gabe Kapler explains what Kai Correa is doing to improve Giants’ dreadful defense

There ’ s no question that bench coach Kai Correa has his work cut out for him as he tries to help the Giants solve their woes on defense .
The Giants entered Tuesday ’ s game with the Houston Astros 30th and last in Major League Baseball in both errors ( 21 ) and fielding percentage ( .967 ) .
The Giants committed three errors in their 6-4 loss to the Astros on Monday , with two coming in an unsightly third inning as Houston took a 5-0 lead .
Playing third base for Evan Longoria , Donovan Solano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who owns a 15-game hitting streak and a .458 batting average , missed Tuesday ’ s game with abdominal soreness , although manager Gabe Kapler said he did not feel the injury affected his defense .
Solano will be reevaluated Wednesday when the Giants finish their three-game series at Minute Maid Park .
Correa , in his first season with the Giants , is trying some unique fielding drills in an effort to help .
In spring training , the Giants were using what Kapler called a high velocity training drill .
Correa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balls in close proximity at a fast rate to infielders to improve reaction time , force them to use their hands and partly replicate some of the unpredictability of a ground ball .
The drill ’ s been brought back .
“ ( Correa ) calls it a primer for the game , ” Kapler said .
“ If you see balls moving very quickly , you see them bouncing unconventionally , that mirrors the strange things that can happen in a game and the speed and the velocity of which it happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s one drill that we can do to kind of speed up the engine of our defenders , that ’ s it .
So we ’ ve been focusing pretty heavily on that .
He ’ s been gathering defenders in smaller groups and using that drill as a way to correct some of the issue we ’ ve has this far.
” Sign up for Kerry Crowley ’ s free new newsletter and podcast .
The Giants had committed at least one error in seven of their 11 losses before Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed a combined 15 errors .
“ We look at all defensive metrics and we probably lean most heavily on the eye test , ” Kapler said , “ and right now , the eye test tells us that our defensive work as a team isn ’ t good enough .
We have to get better.
” Monday marked the sixth time this season the Giants had committed at least two errors in a single game .
“ As a team , I think the fewer mistakes we make , the quicker we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely it is that those comebacks turn into wins and not just valiant efforts , ” Kapler said after the loss .
“ There ’ s no question if we make fewer mistakes , we ’ re going to convert those into opportunities to compete late in games.
” WEDNESDAY ’ S STARTER : Kapler would not say who his starter would be for Wednesday ’ s series finale with the Astros .
There has been speculation , though , that it will be right-hander Trevor Cahill .
If so , Cahill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squad earlier this week , would be taking the spot of Jeff Samardzija , who was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week with a shoulder impingement .
Cahill , 32 , was signed to a minor league game in February and hasn ’ t started a game since May 27 of last season .
In what became a forgettable year with the Los Angeles Angels , Cahill was then moved the bullpen .
He finished the year with a 4-9 record and a 5.98 ERA , his highest in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found Trevor to be a thoughtful , deep thinker about his work on the mound .
He really understands himself well and is a good self-evaluator , ” Kapler said .
“ Most of what we spent time doing was trying to put him in the best position to succeed his own development .
“ We ’ ve talked a lot about the way Cahill ’ s pitches move and we talked the way he can utilize his pitches best , and he ’ s been really influential in driving those discussions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley .
We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

There’s no question that bench coach Kai Correa has his work cut out for him as he tries to help the Giants solve their woes on defense.
The Giants entered Tuesday’s game with the Houston Astros 30th and last in Major League Baseball in both errors (21) and fielding percentage (.967). The Giants committed three errors in their 6-4 loss to the Astros on Monday, with two coming in an unsightly third inning as Houston took a 5-0 lead.
Playing third base for Evan Longoria, Donovan Solano committed two errors Monday. Solano, who owns a 15-game hitting streak and a .458 batting average, missed Tuesday’s game with abdominal soreness, although manager Gabe Kapler said he did not feel the injury affected his defense. Solano will be reevaluated Wednesday when the Giants finish their three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
Correa, in his first season with the Giants, is trying some unique fielding drills in an effort to help.
In spring training, the Giants were using what Kapler called a high velocity training drill. Correa uses a fungo bat to hit tennis balls in close proximity at a fast rate to infielders to improve reaction time, force them to use their hands and partly replicate some of the unpredictability of a ground ball. The drill’s been brought back.
“(Correa) calls it a primer for the game,” Kapler said. “If you see balls moving very quickly, you see them bouncing unconventionally, that mirrors the strange things that can happen in a game and the speed and the velocity of which it happens.
“So Kai feels if there’s one drill that we can do to kind of speed up the engine of our defenders, that’s it. So we’ve been focusing pretty heavily on that. He’s been gathering defenders in smaller groups and using that drill as a way to correct some of the issue we’ve has this far.”
Sign up for Kerry Crowley’s free new newsletter and podcast.
The Giants had committed at least one error in seven of their 11 losses before Tuesday. In those games, San Francisco committed a combined 15 errors.
“We look at all defensive metrics and we probably lean most heavily on the eye test,” Kapler said, “and right now, the eye test tells us that our defensive work as a team isn’t good enough. We have to get better.”
Monday marked the sixth time this season the Giants had committed at least two errors in a single game.
“As a team, I think the fewer mistakes we make, the quicker we can clean up these mistakes, the more likely it is that those comebacks turn into wins and not just valiant efforts,” Kapler said after the loss. “There’s no question if we make fewer mistakes, we’re going to convert those into opportunities to compete late in games.”
WEDNESDAY’S STARTER: Kapler would not say who his starter would be for Wednesday’s series finale with the Astros. There has been speculation, though, that it will be right-hander Trevor Cahill.
If so, Cahill, added to the Giants’ taxi squad earlier this week, would be taking the spot of Jeff Samardzija, who was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week with a shoulder impingement.
Cahill, 32, was signed to a minor league game in February and hasn’t started a game since May 27 of last season. In what became a forgettable year with the Los Angeles Angels, Cahill was then moved the bullpen. He finished the year with a 4-9 record and a 5.98 ERA, his highest in any one season.
“I’ve found Trevor to be a thoughtful, deep thinker about his work on the mound. He really understands himself well and is a good self-evaluator,” Kapler said. “Most of what we spent time doing was trying to put him in the best position to succeed his own development.
“We’ve talked a lot about the way Cahill’s pitches move and we talked the way he can utilize his pitches best, and he’s been really influential in driving those discussions.”
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Scientists uneasy as Russia claims it has a vaccine

By Vladimir Isachenkov and Daria Litvinova | Associated Press MOSCOW — Russia on Tuesday became the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine , a move that was met with international skepticism and unease because the shots have only been studied in dozens of people .
President Vladimir Putin announced the Health Ministry ’ s approval and said one of his two adult daughters already was inoculated .
He said the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and was shown to provide lasting immunity to the coronavirus , although Russian authorities have offered no proof to back up claims of safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has proven efficient and forms a stable immunity , ” Putin said .
“ We must be grateful to those who made that first step very important for our country and the entire world.
” However , scientists in Russia and other countries sounded an alarm , saying that rushing to offer the vaccine before final-stage testing could backfire .
What ’ s called a Phase 3 trial — which involves tens of thousands of people and can take months — is the only way to prove if an experimental vaccine is safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines entering final-stage testing in the U.S. require studies of 30,000 people each .
Two vaccine candidates already have begun those huge studies , with three more set to get underway by fall .
“ Fast-tracked approval will not make Russia the leader in the race , it will just expose consumers of the vaccine to unnecessary danger , ” said Russia ’ s Association of Clinical Trials Organizations , in urging government officials to postpone approving the vaccine without completed advanced trials .
While Russian officials have said large-scale production of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said vaccination of doctors could start as early as this month .
Officials say they will be closely monitored after the injections .
Mass vaccination may begin as early as October .
“ We expect tens of thousands of volunteers to be vaccinated within the next months , ” Kirill Dmitriev , chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that bankrolled the vaccine , told reporters .
The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow with assistance from Russia ’ s Defense Ministry uses a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that ’ s been modified to carry genes for the “ spike ” protein that coats the coronavirus , as a way to prime the body to recognize if a real COVID-19 infection comes along .
That ’ s a similar technology as vaccines being developed by China ’ s CanSino Biologics and Britain ’ s Oxford University and AstraZeneca — but unlike those companies , Russian scientists haven ’ t published any scientific information about how the vaccine has performed in animal tests or in early-stage human studies .
Dmitriev said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting vaccinated , advanced trials are set to start Wednesday that will involve “ several thousand people ” and span several countries , including the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia , the Philippines and possibly Brazil .
The Associated Press couldn ’ t find documentation in the Russian Health Ministry ’ s records indicating that permission to start the advanced trials was granted .
The ministry has not responded to a request for comment .
Putin said one of his daughters has received two doses , and had minor side effects such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ feeling well and has a high number of antibodies.
” It wasn ’ t clear if she was one of the study volunteers .
The Health Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the vaccine is expected to provide immunity from the coronavirus for up to two years , citing its experience with vaccines made with similar technology .
However , scientists around the world have been cautioning that even if vaccine candidates are proven to work , it will take even more time to tell how long the protection will last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any vaccine that was less than safe and effective would exacerbate our current problems insurmountably , ” Imperial College London immunology professor Danny Altmann said in a statement Tuesday .
The World Health Organization has urged that all vaccine candidates go through full stages of testing before being rolled out , and said Tuesday it is in touch with the Russian scientists and “ looks forward to reviewing ” Russia ’ s study data .
Experts have warned that vaccines that are not properly tested can cause harm in many ways — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of security or undermining trust in vaccinations .
Becoming the first country in the world to approve a vaccine was a matter of national prestige for the Kremlin as it tries to assert the image of Russia as a global power .
Putin repeatedly praised Russia ’ s effective response to the outbreak in televised addresses to the nation , while some of Moscow ’ s top officials – including the country ’ s prime minister and Putin ’ s own spokesperson – became infected .
And the U.S. , Britain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hackers to steal vaccine research from Western labs .
Russia has denied involvement .
Russia has so far registered 897,599 coronavirus cases , including 15,131 deaths .
The Gamaleya Institute ’ s director , Alexander Gintsburg , raised eyebrows in May when he said that he and other researchers tried the vaccine on themselves before the start of human studies .
Those trials started June 17 with 76 volunteers .
Half were injected with a vaccine in liquid form and the other half with a vaccine that came as soluble powder .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military , which raised concerns that servicemen may have been pressured to participate .
The test was declared completed earlier this month .
• A drive-thru gala ?
Welcome to the new world of nonprofit fundraisers • ‘ Awfully late ’ : In 11th hour reversal , San Jose teachers allowed to work from home “ It ’ s a too early stage to truly assess whether it ’ s going to be effective , whether it ’ s going to work or not , ” said Dr. Michael Head , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s University of Southampton .
It ’ s not Russia ’ s first controversial vaccine .
Putin has bragged that Russian scientists delivered an Ebola vaccine that “ proved to be the most effective in the world ” and “ made a real contribution to fighting the Ebola fever in Africa.
” However , there is little evidence either of the two Ebola vaccines approved in Russia was widely used in Africa .
As of 2019 , both of those vaccines were listed by the WHO as “ candidate vaccines.
” AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lauran Neergaard in Alexandria , Virginia , contributed to this report .

By Vladimir Isachenkov and Daria Litvinova | Associated Press
MOSCOW — Russia on Tuesday became the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, a move that was met with international skepticism and unease because the shots have only been studied in dozens of people.
President Vladimir Putin announced the Health Ministry’s approval and said one of his two adult daughters already was inoculated. He said the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and was shown to provide lasting immunity to the coronavirus, although Russian authorities have offered no proof to back up claims of safety or effectiveness.
“I know it has proven efficient and forms a stable immunity,” Putin said. “We must be grateful to those who made that first step very important for our country and the entire world.”
However, scientists in Russia and other countries sounded an alarm, saying that rushing to offer the vaccine before final-stage testing could backfire. What’s called a Phase 3 trial — which involves tens of thousands of people and can take months — is the only way to prove if an experimental vaccine is safe and really works.
[vemba-video id=”world/2020/08/12/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-gupta-cooper-dmitriev-ac360-sot-vpx.cnn”]
By comparison, vaccines entering final-stage testing in the U.S. require studies of 30,000 people each. Two vaccine candidates already have begun those huge studies, with three more set to get underway by fall.
“Fast-tracked approval will not make Russia the leader in the race, it will just expose consumers of the vaccine to unnecessary danger,” said Russia’s Association of Clinical Trials Organizations, in urging government officials to postpone approving the vaccine without completed advanced trials.
While Russian officials have said large-scale production of the vaccine wasn’t scheduled until September, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said vaccination of doctors could start as early as this month. Officials say they will be closely monitored after the injections. Mass vaccination may begin as early as October.
“We expect tens of thousands of volunteers to be vaccinated within the next months,” Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that bankrolled the vaccine, told reporters.
The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow with assistance from Russia’s Defense Ministry uses a different virus — the common cold-causing adenovirus — that’s been modified to carry genes for the “spike” protein that coats the coronavirus, as a way to prime the body to recognize if a real COVID-19 infection comes along.
That’s a similar technology as vaccines being developed by China’s CanSino Biologics and Britain’s Oxford University and AstraZeneca — but unlike those companies, Russian scientists haven’t published any scientific information about how the vaccine has performed in animal tests or in early-stage human studies.
Dmitriev said even as Russian doctors and teachers start getting vaccinated, advanced trials are set to start Wednesday that will involve “several thousand people” and span several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and possibly Brazil.
The Associated Press couldn’t find documentation in the Russian Health Ministry’s records indicating that permission to start the advanced trials was granted. The ministry has not responded to a request for comment.
Putin said one of his daughters has received two doses, and had minor side effects such as slight fever, and is now “feeling well and has a high number of antibodies.” It wasn’t clear if she was one of the study volunteers.
The Health Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the vaccine is expected to provide immunity from the coronavirus for up to two years, citing its experience with vaccines made with similar technology.
However, scientists around the world have been cautioning that even if vaccine candidates are proven to work, it will take even more time to tell how long the protection will last.
“The collateral damage from release of any vaccine that was less than safe and effective would exacerbate our current problems insurmountably,” Imperial College London immunology professor Danny Altmann said in a statement Tuesday.
The World Health Organization has urged that all vaccine candidates go through full stages of testing before being rolled out, and said Tuesday it is in touch with the Russian scientists and “looks forward to reviewing” Russia’s study data. Experts have warned that vaccines that are not properly tested can cause harm in many ways — from harming health to creating a false sense of security or undermining trust in vaccinations.
Becoming the first country in the world to approve a vaccine was a matter of national prestige for the Kremlin as it tries to assert the image of Russia as a global power. Putin repeatedly praised Russia’s effective response to the outbreak in televised addresses to the nation, while some of Moscow’s top officials – including the country’s prime minister and Putin’s own spokesperson – became infected.
And the U.S., Britain and Canada last month accused Russia of using hackers to steal vaccine research from Western labs. Russia has denied involvement.
Russia has so far registered 897,599 coronavirus cases, including 15,131 deaths.
The Gamaleya Institute’s director, Alexander Gintsburg, raised eyebrows in May when he said that he and other researchers tried the vaccine on themselves before the start of human studies.
Those trials started June 17 with 76 volunteers. Half were injected with a vaccine in liquid form and the other half with a vaccine that came as soluble powder. Some in the first group were recruited from the military, which raised concerns that servicemen may have been pressured to participate. The test was declared completed earlier this month.
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One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining National News | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “It’s a too early stage to truly assess whether it’s going to be effective, whether it’s going to work or not,” said Dr. Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at England’s University of Southampton.
It’s not Russia’s first controversial vaccine. Putin has bragged that Russian scientists delivered an Ebola vaccine that “proved to be the most effective in the world” and “made a real contribution to fighting the Ebola fever in Africa.” However, there is little evidence either of the two Ebola vaccines approved in Russia was widely used in Africa. As of 2019, both of those vaccines were listed by the WHO as “candidate vaccines.”
AP medical writers Maria Cheng in London and Lauran Neergaard in Alexandria, Virginia, contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi could soon be first and second in line for president. How did Bay Area p

Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi could soon be first and second in line for president. How did Bay Area politics manage that?

One is a seasoned politician , long considered one of the most powerful people in Washington .
The other is a rising star , a trailblazer accustomed to breaking barriers .
Both have deep Bay Area ties .
And to many in the rest of the country who see the region as a left-leaning outlier , this may be hard to imagine : If the Democrats take the White House and maintain control of the House this fall , arguably the two most politically powerful women in the history of the United States — number one and number two in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bay Area .
Kamala Harris , Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden ’ s pick for his vice presidential running mate , was born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley .
And while Nancy Pelosi — the first female Speaker of the House — is originally from Baltimore , she has called San Francisco home for more than half a century .
“ It makes sense that some of the first women who have achieved a lot of power in American politics might come from the Bay Area , ” said Kimberly Nalder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor and expert in gender and politics .
“ In so many ways , the Bay Area has been at the forefront of movements and social justice and all sorts of progressive goals.
” There is plenty of precedent for women from the Bay Area making history in politics .
San Francisco voters sent Pelosi to Congress in the late 1980s and since 2003 , she has led the House Democrats .
California has sent two women to the Senate for decades .
Dianne Feinstein was born in San Francisco and became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco before being elected to the Senate in 1992 .
She would go on to be the first woman to chair the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee .
Barbara Boxer , who was replaced by Harris in the Senate after retiring in 2017 , won her Senate seat the same year as Feinstein .
Harris herself became the second Black woman and first South Asian American to serve in the upper chamber .
From Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier to Barbara Lee and Zoe Lofgren , Bay Area voters have long sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And plenty of women have made their way from the Bay Area into state and local leadership roles , including former San Jose Mayor Janet Gray Hayes , becoming the first female mayor of a major U.S. city in the 1970s .
Here , people who fall outside what might be considered the norm have been able to succeed , Nalder said , so women leaders may have been nurtured in a way that would be less likely in more traditional places .
Still , California has never had a female governor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be men .
“ Two powerful women are from California , but there are many other reasons than simply because they ’ re from California , ” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe , a longtime political analyst .
“ Timing , luck , the individual — all of that plays a role.
” In some ways , Jeffe added , Pelosi and Harris have gotten to where they are in spite of being from a state that many people think of as far-left and plain wacky .
Biden didn ’ t need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue California , where he is no danger of losing the state to President Donald Trump .
But , Jeffe said , when Biden committed to choosing a woman , “ that limited the farm team to begin with , ” and Harris ’ name skyrocketed to the top of the list and stayed there .
And , she said , it ’ s unlikely her selection will mean any special treatment for the Golden State .
Both women , Nalder said , have also had to navigate what ’ s known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had to appear feminine enough for voters to feel comfortable with them but they ’ ve also had to behave in ways traditionally considered masculine to be seen as leaders .
“ Both of them have done a good job of walking the tightrope , which is not easy , ” Nalder said .
Regardless , Harris ’ joining the ticket means an empty Senate seat for Gov .
Gavin Newsom to fill and a new chance to elevate the career of another woman from California .
Newsom could appoint someone like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seat , or someone like Rep. Karen Bass , who was also in the running for the vice presidential nomination .
Or he could choose to appoint a Latinx senator for the first time in the state ’ s history .
“ The cast of characters , ” Jeffe said , “ is vastly different than it ’ s ever been .
”

One is a seasoned politician, long considered one of the most powerful people in Washington. The other is a rising star, a trailblazer accustomed to breaking barriers. Both have deep Bay Area ties.
And to many in the rest of the country who see the region as a left-leaning outlier, this may be hard to imagine: If the Democrats take the White House and maintain control of the House this fall, arguably the two most politically powerful women in the history of the United States — number one and number two in line for president — would hail from the Bay Area.
Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden’s pick for his vice president, was born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley. And while Nancy Pelosi — the first female Speaker of the House — is originally from Baltimore, she has called San Francisco home for more than half a century.
“It makes sense that some of the first women who have achieved a lot of power in American politics might come from the Bay Area,” said Kimberly Nalder, a Sacramento State University political science professor and expert in gender and politics. “In so many ways, the Bay Area has been at the forefront of movements and social justice and all sorts of progressive goals.”
There is plenty of precedent for women from the Bay Area making history in politics.
San Francisco voters sent Pelosi to Congress in the late 1980s and since 2003, she has led the House Democrats.
California has sent two women to the Senate for decades. Dianne Feinstein was born in San Francisco and became the first woman to serve as mayor of San Francisco before being elected to the Senate in 1992. She would go on to be the first woman to chair the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee. Barbara Boxer, who was replaced by Harris in the Senate after retiring in 2017, won her Senate seat the same year as Feinstein. Harris herself became the second Black woman and first South Asian American to serve in the upper chamber.
From Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier to Barbara Lee and Zoe Lofgren, Bay Area voters have long sent women to the House of Representatives. And plenty of women have made their way from the Bay Area into state and local leadership roles, including former San Jose Mayor Janet Gray Hayes, becoming the first female mayor of a major U.S. city in the 1970s.
Here, people who fall outside what might be considered the norm have been able to succeed, Nalder said, so women leaders may have been nurtured in a way that would be less likely in more traditional places.
Still, California has never had a female governor and most of those elected to office continue to be men.
“Two powerful women are from California, but there are many other reasons than simply because they’re from California,” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a longtime political analyst. “Timing, luck, the individual — all of that plays a role.”
In some ways, Jeffe added, Pelosi and Harris have gotten to where they are in spite of being from a state that many people think of as far-left and plain wacky. Biden didn’t need to choose Harris to ensure victory in deep blue California, where he is no danger of losing the state to President Donald Trump. But, Jeffe said, when Biden committed to choosing a woman, “that limited the farm team to begin with,” and Harris’ name skyrocketed to the top of the list and stayed there. And, she said, it’s unlikely her selection will mean any special treatment for the Golden State.
Both women, Nalder said, have also had to navigate what’s known as the “double bind.” They’ve had to appear feminine enough for voters to feel comfortable with them but they’ve also had to behave in ways traditionally considered masculine to be seen as leaders.
“Both of them have done a good job of walking the tightrope, which is not easy,” Nalder said.
Regardless, Harris’ joining the ticket means an empty Senate seat for Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill and a new chance to elevate the career of another woman from California. Newsom could appoint someone like current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis to the seat, or someone like Rep. Karen Bass, who was also in the running for the vice presidential nomination. Or he could choose to appoint a Latinx senator for the first time in the state’s history.
“The cast of characters,” Jeffe said, “is vastly different than it’s ever been.”


mercurynews--2020-08-11--Brazil’s president denies existence of Amazon fires

BRASILIA – Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday angrily denied the existence of fires in the Amazon rainforest , calling it a “ lie , ” despite data produced by his own government showing that thousands of fires are surging across the region .
Bolsonaro last year similarly denied a spike in fires that provoked a global outcry , with the right-wing populist trading barbs with French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders .
The president ’ s comments on Tuesday come even as Reuters witnesses in the remote Amazon town of Apui observed smoke blanketing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and large fires setting the sky aglow at night .
Fires in Brazil ’ s Amazon for the month of August hit a nine-year high in 2019 and this month so far looks even worse .
More than 10,000 fires have been recorded in the first 10 days of August , up 17 % from the same period a year ago , according to data from the country ’ s national space research agency Inpe .
But in a speech to other South American leaders on Tuesday , Bolsonaro challenged foreign representatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by air from the far flung cities of Boa Vista to Manaus , you would not see a single flame .
“ They won ’ t find any spot of fire , nor a quarter of a hectare deforested , ” the former army captain told a meeting of members of the Leticia Pact , an agreement between Amazon countries to protect the rainforest .
“ This story that the Amazon is going up in flames is a lie and we must combat it with true numbers , ” he said .
Bolsonaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data on Amazon deforestation last year , firing the agency ’ s head Ricardo Galvao who defended his agency ’ s numbers that showed rising destruction .
In his speech , Bolsonaro argued that Brazil has shown itself capable of protecting the Amazon alone because the majority of the forest is still standing .
He said the Amazon is a wet forest that preserves itself and does not catch fire .
The media and foreign governments are presenting a false narrative about the Amazon , he said .
Experts say that fires are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but are usually man-made in order to clear deforested land for pasture .
Deforestation rose 34.5 % in the 12-months through July , compared to the same period a year ago .
Forest clearances did fall in July , the first decline in 15 months , a point emphasized by Bolsonaro .
Foreign pressure is mounting on Brazil to protect the world ’ s largest rainforest , an ecosystem vital to preserving climate change because of the vast amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbs .
• Decline in hydropower hampered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose community briefs for the week of Aug. 14 • From outdoors to Oprah : Rue Mapp ’ s mission to open nature to everyone Global investors managing more than $ 2 trillion have threatened to pull their investments out of Brazil ’ s meatpackers , grains traders and government bonds if Bolsonaro ’ s administration doesn ’ t take action on Amazon destruction .
Bolsonaro has dispatched the military to fight fires and deforestation since May , with the armed forces working with environmental agency Ibama to combat fires near Apui , @ @ @ @ @

By Jake Spring and Maria Carolina Marcello | Reuters
BRASILIA – Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday angrily denied the existence of fires in the Amazon rainforest, calling it a “lie,” despite data produced by his own government showing that thousands of fires are surging across the region.
Bolsonaro last year similarly denied a spike in fires that provoked a global outcry, with the right-wing populist trading barbs with French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders.
The president’s comments on Tuesday come even as Reuters witnesses in the remote Amazon town of Apui observed smoke blanketing the horizon in all directions during the day and large fires setting the sky aglow at night.
Fires in Brazil’s Amazon for the month of August hit a nine-year high in 2019 and this month so far looks even worse. More than 10,000 fires have been recorded in the first 10 days of August, up 17% from the same period a year ago, according to data from the country’s national space research agency Inpe.
But in a speech to other South American leaders on Tuesday, Bolsonaro challenged foreign representatives to fly over the Amazon saying that traveling by air from the far flung cities of Boa Vista to Manaus, you would not see a single flame.
“They won’t find any spot of fire, nor a quarter of a hectare deforested,” the former army captain told a meeting of members of the Leticia Pact, an agreement between Amazon countries to protect the rainforest.
“This story that the Amazon is going up in flames is a lie and we must combat it with true numbers,” he said.
Bolsonaro interfered in Inpe after it released unfavorable data on Amazon deforestation last year, firing the agency’s head Ricardo Galvao who defended his agency’s numbers that showed rising destruction.
In his speech, Bolsonaro argued that Brazil has shown itself capable of protecting the Amazon alone because the majority of the forest is still standing.
He said the Amazon is a wet forest that preserves itself and does not catch fire. The media and foreign governments are presenting a false narrative about the Amazon, he said.
Experts say that fires are not a natural phenomenon in the rainforest, but are usually man-made in order to clear deforested land for pasture.
Deforestation rose 34.5% in the 12-months through July, compared to the same period a year ago. Forest clearances did fall in July, the first decline in 15 months, a point emphasized by Bolsonaro.
Foreign pressure is mounting on Brazil to protect the world’s largest rainforest, an ecosystem vital to preserving climate change because of the vast amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbs.
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Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances National News | Castle Rock State Park to expand in size due to rare state land purchase
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Bolsonaro has dispatched the military to fight fires and deforestation since May, with the armed forces working with environmental agency Ibama to combat fires near Apui, according to Reuters witnesses.


mercurynews--2020-08-11--Coronavirus: Pac-12 cancels nonconference basketball games

Pac-12 men ’ s and women ’ s basketball will not include nonconference games this season , the conference said Tuesday .
“ We know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes , and our hearts go out to them and their families , ” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement .
“ We have made clear that all of their scholarships will be guaranteed , and that as a conference we are strongly encouraging the NCAA to grant them an additional year of eligibility.
” On the same day the league announced college football season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic , athletic directors also opted to push back the start of the college basketball season by eliminating non-conference travel and games .
No games will be played in 2020 , according to Oregon president Michael Schill .
“ All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision , and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes , the coaches , support staff and all of our fans .
Ultimately , our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year .
”

Pac-12 men’s and women’s basketball will not include nonconference games this season, the conference said Tuesday.
“We know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes, and our hearts go out to them and their families,” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “We have made clear that all of their scholarships will be guaranteed, and that as a conference we are strongly encouraging the NCAA to grant them an additional year of eligibility.”
On the same day the league announced college football season would be postponed until spring because of medical concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, athletic directors also opted to push back the start of the college basketball season by eliminating non-conference travel and games.
No games will be played in 2020, according to Oregon president Michael Schill.
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans. Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”


mercurynews--2020-08-11--Editorial: Kamala Harris will strengthen Biden’s presidential bid

Joe Biden ’ s selection Tuesday U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate was a smart and safe pick that breaks barriers while maintaining the centrist positioning critical for carrying swing states in the election less than three months away .
Harris , an Oakland native , is the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent on a major national ticket .
As a presidential candidate , she proved to be a tough political debater and as a senator to be a razor-sharp interrogator and advocate for social justice .
Her skills as a prosecutor will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign , especially in her debate with Vice President Mike Pence .
And her relative youth , thoughtful approach to policy and background as a woman of color will provide Biden a solid sounding board if he is elected president .
If Biden turns to Harris as President Barack Obama relied on Biden for advice , it will broaden him as a candidate and as the nation ’ s leader .
As for the ultimate vice-presidential qualification — especially because Biden , if elected , would be 78 when he took office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-qualified to step in as commander in chief .
In most normal years , the selection of a vice-presidential running mate has not proven to significantly affect the top-of-the-ticket race .
But Biden , while running with Obama in 2008 , saw the damage of a bad pick when Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin .
Moreover , this isn ’ t a normal year .
Apart from the higher focus on Biden ’ s running mate because of his age , the Democratic candidate raised the stakes with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the anticipation that , in a time of increasing focus on racial inequity , his selection would be a person of color .
Harris was one of only two remaining top vice-presidential contenders — Sen. Elizabeth Warren being the other — who had already been campaign-tested during this election season .
And while Harris ’ presidential campaign failed to live up to its potential , she also knew when to quit and didn ’ t embarrass herself with gaffes in her first national campaign .
The selection of Harris will put California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the spotlight .
The daughter of two immigrants , an Indian-American mother and a father from Jamaica , Harris was born in Oakland , raised in Berkeley and served as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco before her election as San Francisco ’ s district attorney and then state attorney general .
President Trump undoubtedly will ramp up his attacks on Harris ’ native city and state and try to portray her as a left-wing radical .
But , as the nation has already found out , Harris is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed , she is sometimes to a fault cautious in her political approach .
Ironically , her only real breakout during the campaign was her takedown of Biden , when she questioned his record of opposition to busing in the 1970s and 80s and of working in Congress with two segregationist senators .
Biden deserves credit for his willingness to look past the attack and recognize the strength and stability Harris will bring to the ticket .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

Joe Biden’s selection Tuesday U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate was a smart and safe pick that breaks barriers while maintaining the centrist positioning critical for carrying swing states in the election less than three months away.
Harris, an Oakland native, is the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent on a major national ticket. As a presidential candidate, she proved to be a tough political debater and as a senator to be a razor-sharp interrogator and advocate for social justice.
Her skills as a prosecutor will serve Biden well during the remainder of the campaign, especially in her debate with Vice President Mike Pence. And her relative youth, thoughtful approach to policy and background as a woman of color will provide Biden a solid sounding board if he is elected president.
If Biden turns to Harris as President Barack Obama relied on Biden for advice, it will broaden him as a candidate and as the nation’s leader. As for the ultimate vice-presidential qualification — especially because Biden, if elected, would be 78 when he took office — Harris has demonstrated that she is well-qualified to step in as commander in chief.
In most normal years, the selection of a vice-presidential running mate has not proven to significantly affect the top-of-the-ticket race. But Biden, while running with Obama in 2008, saw the damage of a bad pick when Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Moreover, this isn’t a normal year. Apart from the higher focus on Biden’s running mate because of his age, the Democratic candidate raised the stakes with his announcement that he would pick a woman and the anticipation that, in a time of increasing focus on racial inequity, his selection would be a person of color.
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Opinion: Republican racism has finally weaponized Kamala Harris Editorials | VP Harris: Florida rules on Black history pushed by Gov. DeSantis are ‘propaganda’ Harris was one of only two remaining top vice-presidential contenders — Sen. Elizabeth Warren being the other — who had already been campaign-tested during this election season. And while Harris’ presidential campaign failed to live up to its potential, she also knew when to quit and didn’t embarrass herself with gaffes in her first national campaign.
The selection of Harris will put California, and the Bay Area in particular, in the spotlight. The daughter of two immigrants, an Indian-American mother and a father from Jamaica, Harris was born in Oakland, raised in Berkeley and served as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco before her election as San Francisco’s district attorney and then state attorney general.
President Trump undoubtedly will ramp up his attacks on Harris’ native city and state and try to portray her as a left-wing radical. But, as the nation has already found out, Harris is anything but. As her presidential campaign revealed, she is sometimes to a fault cautious in her political approach.
Ironically, her only real breakout during the campaign was her takedown of Biden, when she questioned his record of opposition to busing in the 1970s and 80s and of working in Congress with two segregationist senators.
Biden deserves credit for his willingness to look past the attack and recognize the strength and stability Harris will bring to the ticket.


mercurynews--2020-08-11--A drive-thru gala? Welcome to the new world of nonprofit fundraisers

A gourmet catered meal , live entertainment and games may sound like your standard nonprofit affair .
But the Valley Medical Center Foundation ’ s Tribute to Heroes on Aug. 22 will have all that without guests ever leaving their cars .
It ’ s a “ drive-thru ” gala — and that means you can leave the fancy gown and tuxedo at home .
“ We took all of the fun elements that we usually do for our gala and put it all together in a different way , ” said Julie Ott , the VMC Foundation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inverted parade .
Instead of the entertainment going past you , you go past the entertainment.
” Guests , who buy tickets with a specified time between 4 and 8 p.m. , will arrive at the Citrix campus on Great America Parkway in Santa Clara and be directed to the entertainment course , which will include “ stages ” for live music , dancers and DJs , plus a car show of Lamborghinis and lowriders .
At the end of the ride , dinners prepared by Catered Too !
, along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Fine Wines , will be deposited contact-free into vehicles for people to enjoy at home .
You can get more details and buy tickets to the event at vmcfoundation.org/event/tribute .
VMC Foundation CEO Chris Wilder said the organization had to pivot to find a way to replace the revenue brought in by its popular fall gala .
The foundation has helped bring in millions of dollars worth of personal protection equipment for frontline workers as well as hospital equipment needed to fight COVID-19 .
The “ Tribute to Heroes ” theme was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s main image : a healthcare worker wearing a face mask and a flowing cape .
“ As much as the donor community stepped up in March and April , we can ’ t rest .
COVID-19 is that difficult of an opponent , ” Wilder said .
“ This is a way of thanking our healthcare workers and reminding people that we ’ re not out of the woods yet.
” Of course , the VMC Foundation is far from alone among nonprofits that have had to think outside the box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here are a few other upcoming fundraisers with social-distance twists : • What ’ s Cancer CarePoint ’ s annual Garden Party without a garden to host it ?
Well , the fundraiser , which has brought in more than $ 1 million in previous years , is “ Transplanted ” to a virtual at-home event on Aug. 23 .
Cancer CarePoint Executive Director Dawn Hogh and emcee LissaKreisler will host the event , which will include an auction and raffle to fund the nonprofit ’ s mission of supporting patients and families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to “ attend , ” and you can get more information at www.cancercarepoint.org/gardenparty .
• Teatro Visión Managing Director Leigh Henderson says there ’ s a silver lining to having the Latinx/Chicanx theater company ’ s “ Tardeada con Teatro ” event take place online on Aug. 22 .
“ In the past , our annual Tardeada fundraisers have been small , in-person events with very limited capacity , ” she said .
“ This year , the nice thing about being forced to go virtual is that we can invite an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , which will live-stream on Facebook and YouTube at 4 p.m. , will feature performances and testimonials from youth and adult artists , with the highlight performance coming from the Mexico City street theater ensemble , La Quinta Teatro .
Attendees will be able to ask questions of Teatro Vision ’ s staff and artists through the platforms ’ comment functions , too .
Get more information at www.teatrovision.org/tardeada2020 .
• Carmel-based AIM Youth Mental Health is putting its seventh annual Pebble Beach Gala online Thursday night .
The 5 p.m. event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Foodie Chap ” Liam Mayclem , will feature former 49ers player Dennis Brown , “ Nip/Tuck ” actress AnnaLynne McCord and pro basketball player Tayjay Ashmeade .
Go to one.bidpal.net/aim2020gala to register or get more information .
• And while it ’ s not really a fundraiser , the Si Se Puede Collective — a collaboration of five East San Jose nonprofits — is really thinking outside the box with its virtual block party on Saturday , Aug. 15 .
The afternoon event , which will be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/sspcmayfair at 3:55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speakers talking about the upcoming election , the U.S. Census , and how people can get more engaged in the Mayfair community .
• Former Google employees step up for Second Harvest Food Bank • Retiring San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle reflects on 20 years on the job • Why San Jose replaced all the shady trees on Post Street downtown • Santa Clara County Fair goes virtual because of COVID-19 • Will one of these ideas become San Jose ’ s new landmark ?
And there ’ s a promise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a party , anyway .

A gourmet catered meal, live entertainment and games may sound like your standard nonprofit affair. But the Valley Medical Center Foundation’s Tribute to Heroes on Aug. 22 will have all that without guests ever leaving their cars. It’s a “drive-thru” gala — and that means you can leave the fancy gown and tuxedo at home.
“We took all of the fun elements that we usually do for our gala and put it all together in a different way,” said Julie Ott, the VMC Foundation’s director of events. “We created an inverted parade. Instead of the entertainment going past you, you go past the entertainment.”
Guests, who buy tickets with a specified time between 4 and 8 p.m., will arrive at the Citrix campus on Great America Parkway in Santa Clara and be directed to the entertainment course, which will include “stages” for live music, dancers and DJs, plus a car show of Lamborghinis and lowriders. At the end of the ride, dinners prepared by Catered Too!, along with a bottle of wine provided by Joseph George Fine Wines, will be deposited contact-free into vehicles for people to enjoy at home.
You can get more details and buy tickets to the event at vmcfoundation.org/event/tribute.
VMC Foundation Executive Director Chris Wilder said the organization had to pivot to find a way to replace the revenue brought in by its popular fall gala. The foundation has helped bring in millions of dollars worth of personal protection equipment for frontline workers as well as hospital equipment needed to fight COVID-19. The “Tribute to Heroes” theme was a natural, as was the event’s main image: a healthcare worker wearing a face mask and a flowing cape.
“As much as the donor community stepped up in March and April, we can’t rest. COVID-19 is that difficult of an opponent,” Wilder said. “This is a way of thanking our healthcare workers and reminding people that we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Of course, the VMC Foundation is far from alone among nonprofits that have had to think outside the box to replace in-person galas and auctions. Here are a few other upcoming fundraisers with social-distance twists:
• What’s Cancer CarePoint’s annual Garden Party without a garden to host it? Well, the fundraiser, which has brought in more than $1 million in previous years, is “Transplanted” to a virtual at-home event on Aug. 23. Cancer CarePoint Executive Director Dawn Hogh and emcee LissaKreisler will host the event, which will include an auction and raffle to fund the nonprofit’s mission of supporting patients and families affected by cancer. The event is free to “attend,” and you can get more information at www.cancercarepoint.org/gardenparty.
• Teatro Visión Managing Director Leigh Henderson says there’s a silver lining to having the Latinx/Chicanx theater company’s “Tardeada con Teatro” event take place online on Aug. 22. “In the past, our annual Tardeada fundraisers have been small, in-person events with very limited capacity,” she said. “This year, the nice thing about being forced to go virtual is that we can invite an unlimited number of guests.”
The one-hour event, which will live-stream on Facebook and YouTube at 4 p.m., will feature performances and testimonials from youth and adult artists, with the highlight performance coming from the Mexico City street theater ensemble, La Quinta Teatro. Attendees will be able to ask questions of Teatro Vision’s staff and artists through the platforms’ comment functions, too. Get more information at www.teatrovision.org/tardeada2020.
• Carmel-based AIM Youth Mental Health is putting its seventh annual Pebble Beach Gala online Thursday night. The 5 p.m. event, hosted by KCBS Radio’s “Foodie Chap” Liam Mayclem, will feature former 49ers player Dennis Brown, “Nip/Tuck” actress AnnaLynne McCord and pro basketball player Tayjay Ashmeade. Go to one.bidpal.net/aim2020gala to register or get more information.
• And while it’s not really a fundraiser, the Si Se Puede Collective — a collaboration of five East San Jose nonprofits — is really thinking outside the box with its virtual block party on Saturday, Aug. 15. The afternoon event, which will be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/sspcmayfair at 3:55 p.m., will include music and guest speakers talking about the upcoming election, the U.S. Census, and how people can get more engaged in the Mayfair community.


mercurynews--2020-08-12--Elections in 5 states: Ilhan Omar, QAnon supporter, other notable results

Elections were held Tuesday in Minnesota , Wisconsin , Georgia , Vermont and Connecticut .
Among the results : Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar survived a Democratic primary challenge from a well-funded opponent who tried to make an issue of Omar ’ s national celebrity .
Antone Melton-Meaux , an attorney and mediator , had raised millions in anti-Omar money .
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith ( D ) and challenger Jason Lewis ( R ) easily won their primaries in the only statewide races on Minnesota ’ s ballot .
Smith is seeking election to her first full term since being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor Greene , a businesswoman who has expressed support for the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon and been criticized for a series of racist comments , won the Republican nomination for Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional District .
She beat neurosurgeon John Cowan in a primary runoff for the open seat in a deep-red district .
Vermont Lt. Gov .
David Zuckerman has won the state ’ s Democratic gubernatorial primary .
He will go up against two-term incumbent Republican Gov .
Phil Scott in the November general election .
Zuckerman says he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the imperative nature of the climate crisis.
” Thomas Gilmer , a Republican congressional candidate in Connecticut , abruptly ended his campaign after being arrested late Monday on a domestic assault charge .
Gilmer , 29 , was competing against Justin Anderson , a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard who served two combat tours in Afghanistan .
The winner of the race will face incumbent Joe Courtney , a Democrat who is favored to win .

Elections were held Tuesday in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vermont and Connecticut. Among the results:
Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar survived a Democratic primary challenge from a well-funded opponent who tried to make an issue of Omar’s national celebrity. Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney and mediator, had raised millions in anti-Omar money.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D) and challenger Jason Lewis (R) easily won their primaries in the only statewide races on Minnesota’s ballot. Smith is seeking election to her first full term since being appointed to replace Al Franken.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a businesswoman who has expressed support for the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon and been criticized for a series of racist comments, won the Republican nomination for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. She beat neurosurgeon John Cowan in a primary runoff for the open seat in a deep-red district.
Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman has won the state’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. He will go up against two-term incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott in the November general election. Zuckerman says he was motivated to run by what he calls “the imperative nature of the climate crisis.”
Thomas Gilmer, a Republican congressional candidate in Connecticut, abruptly ended his campaign after being arrested late Monday on a domestic assault charge. Gilmer, 29, was competing against Justin Anderson, a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard who served two combat tours in Afghanistan. The winner of the race will face incumbent Joe Courtney, a Democrat who is favored to win.