mercurynews--2020-03-01--Rubin: Trump, Modi lead world’s key democracies, trash rule of law

To understand the growing global threats to democracy , you only had to follow President Donald Trump ’ s two-day visit to India this week .
Here was the leader of the world ’ s most powerful democracy and the prime minister of its largest democracy , India ’ s Narendra Modi , embracing each other at a massive campaign-style rally in a 110,000 seat cricket stadium .
Trump lapped up Modi ’ s flattery and basked in the spectacle of the rally in Ahmedabad , featuring dancers , singers , blaring music , cricket stars and Bollywood idols .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in better times it might have had huge symbolic significance .
It could have advertised the virtues of the world ’ s two most important democracies in contrast to the authoritarian model of China .
Instead , these two leaders displayed their disdain for rule of law and their embrace of a virulent strain of populist nationalism that is infecting democracies around the world .
The visit took place against a backdrop of Hindu-Muslim riots in Delhi , provoked by Hindu nationalist Modi ’ s harsh discriminatory laws against Muslims .
These laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizenship while fast-tracking the entry of non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries .
Trump appeared blissfully ignorant of Modi ’ s controversial history and attack on the liberal principles upon which India was founded .
Or perhaps he knew but didn ’ t care .
( After all , India is home to the most Trump business ventures outside North America . )
He should have known that India was created as a secular state whose constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion , language , race , ethnicity or gender .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of neighboring Pakistan , carved out of India after independence , which , to its enduring detriment , adopted a theocratic model .
Yet Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party wants to adopt that religious-nationalist model and link citizenship to the Hindu religion .
Modi himself is a member of the radical paramilitary wing of his party , known as the RSS , which was inspired by European fascism in the 1930s .
( An RSS member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi . )
BJP officials encourage vigilante violence while attacking liberal journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread the message of Hindu supremacy .
In violation of India ’ s constitution , Modi took over the autonomous , largely Muslim Indian state of Kashmir last year and shut down the internet for months , while keeping the entire population under police curfew .
Rule of law proved no barrier to Modi ’ s military move .
And , in 1992 , in the very city of Ahmedabad , where Trump embraced his rally , then-regional governor Modi was accused of promoting a massive pogrom that killed hundreds of Muslims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States refused Modi a visa for years .
I met up with this kind of Hindu fanaticism in 1998 , when writing about the first Indian election in which the BJP won a national victory .
In Mumbai , I interviewed Bal Thackeray , the leader of another fanatic Hindu movement called Shiv Sena , allied with Modi ’ s BJP party .
Guarded by goons who lined up for blocks outside his home , draped in crimson robes , Thackeray bragged of how he had orchestrated anti-Muslim riots in Mumbai in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if a fictional movie version of the riots didn ’ t meet his approval , he would shut any movie theater down that attempted showed it .
Such religious thuggery , now promoted by Modi , threatens to tear apart this vitally important , vibrant democracy and undermine its economic future .
All across India , thousands of non-Muslims are protesting the new anti-Muslim laws .
Yet when asked by journalists about the religious violence in Delhi , and about the ugly new citizenship laws , Trump praised Modi ’ s commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I really believe that ’ s what ( Modi ) wants.
” As for Kashmir , “ there are two sides to every story but they ’ ve been working on that very hard.
” Then the president went on to crazily misquote Modi as saying India went from 14 million Muslims “ a short while ago ” to 200 million now , as if Muslims had just flooded the country with caravans crossing the border .
Yes , 200 million Indian citizens are indeed Muslim , but that is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , displaying his real instincts , Trump segued into praise for his own travel ban , while falsely insisting it was “ not a thing against Muslims.
” Two populists on a roll , each extolling his ability to exclude one religious category of immigrants , a move that excites their base .
But the worst came last .
While in India , Trump could not resist continuing his tirade against the American judicial system , lambasting liberal Supreme Court justices , as he has done to judges , jurors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please him .
Two leaders praising each other , as each undermines rule of law in his own country .
That was the image presented by the “ leader of the free world ” alongside the head of the world ’ s largest democracy , and it should make us all very , very sad .
• Rubin : Coronavirus whistleblower ’ s death should sober Beijing and us • Letter : This candidate ’ s care for humanity reaches locally and beyond

To understand the growing global threats to democracy, you only had to follow President Donald Trump’s two-day visit to India this week.
Here was the leader of the world’s most powerful democracy and the prime minister of its largest democracy, India’s Narendra Modi, embracing each other at a massive campaign-style rally in a 110,000 seat cricket stadium. Trump lapped up Modi’s flattery and basked in the spectacle of the rally in Ahmedabad, featuring dancers, singers, blaring music, cricket stars and Bollywood idols.
While this visit produced little substance, in better times it might have had huge symbolic significance. It could have advertised the virtues of the world’s two most important democracies in contrast to the authoritarian model of China.
Instead, these two leaders displayed their disdain for rule of law and their embrace of a virulent strain of populist nationalism that is infecting democracies around the world.
The visit took place against a backdrop of Hindu-Muslim riots in Delhi, provoked by Hindu nationalist Modi’s harsh discriminatory laws against Muslims. These laws could deprive millions of Muslims of their citizenship while fast-tracking the entry of non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries.
Trump appeared blissfully ignorant of Modi’s controversial history and attack on the liberal principles upon which India was founded. Or perhaps he knew but didn’t care. (After all, India is home to the most Trump business ventures outside North America.)
He should have known that India was created as a secular state whose constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, language, race, ethnicity or gender. This was in sharp contrast to the founding of neighboring Pakistan, carved out of India after independence, which, to its enduring detriment, adopted a theocratic model.
Yet Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party wants to adopt that religious-nationalist model and link citizenship to the Hindu religion.
Modi himself is a member of the radical paramilitary wing of his party, known as the RSS, which was inspired by European fascism in the 1930s. (An RSS member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.) BJP officials encourage vigilante violence while attacking liberal journalists and using legions of media trolls to spread the message of Hindu supremacy.
In violation of India’s constitution, Modi took over the autonomous, largely Muslim Indian state of Kashmir last year and shut down the internet for months, while keeping the entire population under police curfew.
Rule of law proved no barrier to Modi’s military move.
And, in 1992, in the very city of Ahmedabad, where Trump embraced his rally, then-regional governor Modi was accused of promoting a massive pogrom that killed hundreds of Muslims. This massacre was so bloody that the United States refused Modi a visa for years.
I met up with this kind of Hindu fanaticism in 1998, when writing about the first Indian election in which the BJP won a national victory. In Mumbai, I interviewed Bal Thackeray, the leader of another fanatic Hindu movement called Shiv Sena, allied with Modi’s BJP party. Guarded by goons who lined up for blocks outside his home, draped in crimson robes, Thackeray bragged of how he had orchestrated anti-Muslim riots in Mumbai in December 1992. He told me that, if a fictional movie version of the riots didn’t meet his approval, he would shut any movie theater down that attempted showed it.
Such religious thuggery, now promoted by Modi, threatens to tear apart this vitally important, vibrant democracy and undermine its economic future. All across India, thousands of non-Muslims are protesting the new anti-Muslim laws.
Yet when asked by journalists about the religious violence in Delhi, and about the ugly new citizenship laws, Trump praised Modi’s commitment to “religious freedom” and said, “I really believe that’s what (Modi) wants.” As for Kashmir, “there are two sides to every story but they’ve been working on that very hard.”
Then the president went on to crazily misquote Modi as saying India went from 14 million Muslims “a short while ago” to 200 million now, as if Muslims had just flooded the country with caravans crossing the border. Yes, 200 million Indian citizens are indeed Muslim, but that is the number Modi is trying to dramatically shrink.
Then, displaying his real instincts, Trump segued into praise for his own travel ban, while falsely insisting it was “not a thing against Muslims.”
Two populists on a roll, each extolling his ability to exclude one religious category of immigrants, a move that excites their base.
But the worst came last. While in India, Trump could not resist continuing his tirade against the American judicial system, lambasting liberal Supreme Court justices, as he has done to judges, jurors, and prosecutors when verdicts don’t please him.
Two leaders praising each other, as each undermines rule of law in his own country. That was the image presented by the “leader of the free world” alongside the head of the world’s largest democracy, and it should make us all very, very sad.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Coronavirus precautions lead some California Catholic churches to alter communion services

Catholic Church leaders throughout Southern California have altered or suggested changes in their worship service practices amid concerns of the spread of the new coronavirus , church officials said Saturday .
The dioceses serving Orange , San Bernardino and Riverside counties issued statements to parishes in recent days highlighting the changes , which include a ban on communion by cup , receiving the bread from hand to mouth , and holding and shaking hands during prayer and greetings .
While the Diocese of Orange made the restrictions mandatory , the Diocese of San Bernardino , serving San Bernardino and Riverside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes are optional for parishes .
In the communion ceremony , worshipers are given a wafer and may sip wine from a chalice , or dip the wafer in the chalice before putting it in their mouths .
A minister may also place the wafer directly into a worshiper ’ s mouth , or can drop the wafer into their hand .
Catholics believe that the wafer and wine , after consecration by a priest , is a way to receive the body and blood of Christ .
Worshipers with celiac disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would still be allowed to accept the wine to partake in communion .
In Orange County church officials said the restrictions were established in response to a local health emergency tied to the virus declared by county leaders on Wednesday and to “ ease concerns of the faithful , ” said Tracey Kincaid , spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Orange , who read from a memo issued by church leaders to local parish pastors on Friday .
Church officials also encouraged sick or ill congregants to remain at home .
“ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to someone who is sick , you can stay home and you don ’ t have to attend mass , ” Kincaid said over the phone .
Church officials in Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino counties are also advising ministers to wash or sanitize their hands before communion .
Rather than shaking hands at the end of the service , worshipers were encouraged to make eye contact , smile , or bow their heads .
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles , in a memo issued to its clergy on Thursday , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but encouraged “ vigilance and discretion ” and to use “ common sense and good hygiene , ” giving similar suggestions as its counterparts across the region .
Though the diocese elected against mandatory restrictions , some individual Los Angeles-area Catholic churches have decided to suspend the giving of wine during communion until the concern of the virus had passed .
Among them was St. Pancratius Church in Lakewood .
The announcement of alterations came just days after Ash Wednesday , the start of Lent , a 40-day season leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also decided to issue similar restrictions on Saturday amid coronavirus concerns .
Churches throughout the Holy Land also put restrictions in place .
The virus has also affected Muslim worshipers abroad with Saudi Arabia announcing Thursday it closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims , disrupting travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj pilgrimage .
The coronavirus has spread to at least 83,000 people around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,800 of those infected .
The first death in the U.S. was reported in the state of Washington on Saturday The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Catholic Church leaders throughout Southern California have altered or suggested changes in their worship service practices amid concerns of the spread of the new coronavirus, church officials said Saturday.
The dioceses serving Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties issued statements to parishes in recent days highlighting the changes, which include a ban on communion by cup, receiving the bread from hand to mouth, and holding and shaking hands during prayer and greetings.
While the Diocese of Orange made the restrictions mandatory, the Diocese of San Bernardino, serving San Bernardino and Riverside counties, said on its website the changes are optional for parishes.
In the communion ceremony, worshipers are given a wafer and may sip wine from a chalice, or dip the wafer in the chalice before putting it in their mouths. A minister may also place the wafer directly into a worshiper’s mouth, or can drop the wafer into their hand.
Catholics believe that the wafer and wine, after consecration by a priest, is a way to receive the body and blood of Christ.
Worshipers with celiac disease, who cannot eat the wafers, would still be allowed to accept the wine to partake in communion.
In Orange County church officials said the restrictions were established in response to a local health emergency tied to the virus declared by county leaders on Wednesday and to “ease concerns of the faithful,” said Tracey Kincaid, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Orange, who read from a memo issued by church leaders to local parish pastors on Friday.
Church officials also encouraged sick or ill congregants to remain at home.
“If you are sick, or are even attending to someone who is sick, you can stay home and you don’t have to attend mass,” Kincaid said over the phone.
Church officials in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties are also advising ministers to wash or sanitize their hands before communion. Rather than shaking hands at the end of the service, worshipers were encouraged to make eye contact, smile, or bow their heads.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in a memo issued to its clergy on Thursday, said it won’t issue any restrictions, but encouraged “vigilance and discretion” and to use “common sense and good hygiene,” giving similar suggestions as its counterparts across the region.
Though the diocese elected against mandatory restrictions, some individual Los Angeles-area Catholic churches have decided to suspend the giving of wine during communion until the concern of the virus had passed. Among them was St. Pancratius Church in Lakewood.
The announcement of alterations came just days after Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, a 40-day season leading up to Easter.
Catholic Church leaders in Boston also decided to issue similar restrictions on Saturday amid coronavirus concerns. Churches throughout the Holy Land also put restrictions in place.
The virus has also affected Muslim worshipers abroad with Saudi Arabia announcing Thursday it closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims, disrupting travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj pilgrimage.
The coronavirus has spread to at least 83,000 people around the world and as of Saturday afternoon killed more than 2,800 of those infected.
The first death in the U.S. was reported in the state of Washington on Saturday
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Cupertino community briefs for the week of March 6

Aerospace engineer Nettie Roozeboom is next up in Cupertino ’ s NASA Speaker Series .
In her March 18 talk , Roozeboom will highlight her work to decrease the design cycle time for developing new advanced aerospace vehicles .
She will also share how experiences throughout her life have shaped her to examine and solve engineering challenges .
Roozeboom ’ s lecture is set for 4-6 p.m. at Cupertino Community Hall , 10350 Torre Ave. West Valley Community Services has slew of volunteer opportunities coming up this month .
The first one is March 9 , 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ susanlatshaw @ aol.com .
A couple volunteers are needed March 17 to help facilitate interactions between older adults and animals from Animal Assisted Happiness , 11 a.m.-noon at Live Oak , 20920 McClellan Road .
RSVP to joshs @ wvcommunityservices.org .
A fence painting is planned at the JW House on March 21-22 .
RSVP to craigcummings @ gmail.com .
About a dozen volunteers are needed March 28 , 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. , to help with yard clean-up at PACE Children ’ s Residence at 1968 Drake Drive .
PACE is a nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults and children with autism .
RSVP to llow1721 @ gmail.com .
Rootstock wine bar in Main Street Cupertino is hosting a semi-blind tasting event March 7 , where oenophiles can try to identify eight pours from California and other wine-growing regions of the world .
The wines will be paired with food , and whoever IDs the most will go home with a magnum of Roederder Estate rose .
The tasting begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $ 40- $ 50 at http : //www.rootstockwinebar.com .

NASA Speaker Series
Aerospace engineer Nettie Roozeboom is next up in Cupertino’s NASA Speaker Series. In her March 18 talk, Roozeboom will highlight her work to decrease the design cycle time for developing new advanced aerospace vehicles. She will also share how experiences throughout her life have shaped her to examine and solve engineering challenges.
Roozeboom’s lecture is set for 4-6 p.m. at Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave.
Volunteer March
West Valley Community Services has slew of volunteer opportunities coming up this month. The first one is March 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Our Daily Bread. RSVP to susanlatshaw@aol.com.
A couple volunteers are needed March 17 to help facilitate interactions between older adults and animals from Animal Assisted Happiness, 11 a.m.-noon at Live Oak, 20920 McClellan Road. RSVP to joshs@wvcommunityservices.org.
A fence painting is planned at the JW House on March 21-22. RSVP to craigcummings@gmail.com.
About a dozen volunteers are needed March 28, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., to help with yard clean-up at PACE Children’s Residence at 1968 Drake Drive. PACE is a nonprofit organization providing housing and education programs to adults and children with autism. RSVP to llow1721@gmail.com.
Blind wine tasting
Rootstock wine bar in Main Street Cupertino is hosting a semi-blind tasting event March 7, where oenophiles can try to identify eight pours from California and other wine-growing regions of the world. The wines will be paired with food, and whoever IDs the most will go home with a magnum of Roederder Estate rose.
The tasting begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $40-$50 at http://www.rootstockwinebar.com.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Milpitas community briefs for the week of March 6

The Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association is hosting a March 7 breakfast presentation on the state of the Milpitas Unified School District with Superintendent Cheryl Jordan and board Vice President Chris Norwood .
Jordan and Norwood will give updates on Measure AA , district milestones and achievements , and community partnership opportunities .
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. at the San Jose City College Extension , 1450 Escuela Parkway .
San Jose resident Janice Lobo Sapigao was named as the sixth Santa Clara County poet laureate at a Feb. 10 meeting of the county Board of Supervisors .
Sapigao will serve in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
“ The poet laureate ’ s role is to elevate Santa Clara County residents ’ awareness of the arts and help inspire all readers and fans of poetry , including the next generation of poets , ” said County Librarian Nancy Howe .
“ Sapigao is a poetry editor at Angel City Review and has authored two books of poetry and numerous chapbooks .
She was named one of the Bay Area ’ s “ 2017 Women to Watch ” by KQED Arts .
“ Janice brings a unique voice that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Silicon Valley , ” said Supervisor Cindy Chavez .
“ Her identity as a U.S.-born daughter of immigrants from the Philippines , and her ability to write about the intersection of these two identities , is a rich confluence of artistic influences.
” Sapigao , who works as an assistant professor of English at Skyline College in San Bruno , plans to develop a Youth Poet Laureate program for the county .
She assumes the poet laureate mantle from Mike McGee .
The county organizes the poet laureate program in collaboration with @ @ @ @

State of the district
The Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association is hosting a March 7 breakfast presentation on the state of the Milpitas Unified School District with Superintendent Cheryl Jordan and board Vice President Chris Norwood.
Jordan and Norwood will give updates on Measure AA, district milestones and achievements, and community partnership opportunities.
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. at the San Jose City College Extension, 1450 Escuela Parkway.
Sapigao named poet laureate
San Jose resident Janice Lobo Sapigao was named as the sixth Santa Clara County poet laureate at a Feb. 10 meeting of the county Board of Supervisors. Sapigao will serve in the honorary role through Dec. 31, 2021.
“The poet laureate’s role is to elevate Santa Clara County residents’ awareness of the arts and help inspire all readers and fans of poetry, including the next generation of poets,” said County Librarian Nancy Howe. “
Sapigao is a poetry editor at Angel City Review and has authored two books of poetry and numerous chapbooks. She was named one of the Bay Area’s “2017 Women to Watch” by KQED Arts.
“Janice brings a unique voice that speaks to the experience of many residents of Silicon Valley,” said Supervisor Cindy Chavez. “Her identity as a U.S.-born daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, and her ability to write about the intersection of these two identities, is a rich confluence of artistic influences.”
Sapigao, who works as an assistant professor of English at Skyline College in San Bruno, plans to develop a Youth Poet Laureate program for the county. She assumes the poet laureate mantle from Mike McGee.
The county organizes the poet laureate program in collaboration with Silicon Valley Creates.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Playwright shoots for the ‘Moon’ with TheatreWorks show

The headline for Jerrie Cobb ’ s obituary in the New York Times states that the pilot “ found a glass ceiling in space.
” Cobb , who died in March 2019 at age 88 , was well on her way to becoming the first female astronaut in the U.S. in 1961 when NASA abruptly pulled the plug on the Mercury 13 training program she and 12 other women were undergoing .
Playwright Laurel Ollstein says her discovery that the Mercury 13 even existed compelled her to write “ They Promised Her the Moon.
” based on Cobb ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appalled that NASA had cancelled the program , ” Ollstein recalls .
“ It was a story I hadn ’ t heard.
” The play , which had an off-Broadway run in 2017 , is currently being staged by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley .
It begins in the isolation tank that was part of the astronaut training program .
Ollstein says she chose the site in part because Cobb outlasted the men in the program on three separate occasions in the tank .
Also , being in isolation gives Cobb the opportunity to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go anywhere from there , ” Ollstein says .
The isolation tank wasn ’ t the only testing ground where Cobb excelled .
She finished in the top 2 percent of everyone—men and women—she trained with .
Despite her fitness for the job , a 1962 Congressional hearing to consider whether women should be astronauts found in favor of those like John Glenn , who testified , “ The fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order.
” “ The Mercury 7 guys were heroes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Women didn ’ t have opportunities .
To follow their dreams , they had to do a lot more a lot better than men.
” Since its off-Broadway run , Ollstein has developed her play in workshop productions at TheatreWorks ’ New Works Festival and the Powers New Voices Festival at San Diego ’ s Old Globe Theatre .
She says the play ’ s staged reading at TheatreWorks ’ 2018 festival was “ invaluable.
” “ You get to rewrite , workshop and hear how the audience reacts , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have two readings ; you learn from the audience in the first reading what plays and what doesn ’ t. ” Ollstein was making these determinations even prior to the staged readings .
“ We had a week of rehearsals , and I was rewriting every day , ” she says .
“ I love rewriting in the room .
As a writer , you have to love collaboration if you work in the theater.
” The playwright collaborated with Giovanna Sardelli , TheatreWorks ’ director of new works , on both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Moon.
” Ollstein says she ’ s happy to have Sardelli directing the full production for TheatreWorks .
“ Giovanna really responded to the script , and I really responded to her , ” she adds .
Ollstein says she ’ s also happy when she sees audiences walking out of the play with smart phones in hand to Google Cobb and Jackie Cochran , the other female pilot depicted in her script .
Cochran was the first woman to break the sound barrier .
“ Jackie Cochran was another unbelievable woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says the playwright .
“ She was a contemporary of Amelia Earhart—and a better pilot—but we still don ’ t know her .
“ I had to write ( about these two women ) because it ’ s a story we should know , ” she adds .
“ Hopefully , it will get audiences interested in finding out about other women they don ’ t know about.
” “ They Promised Her the Moon ” runs March 4-29 at Lucie Stern Theatre , 1305 Middlefield Road , Palo Alto .
Tickets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 650-463-1960 .

The headline for Jerrie Cobb’s obituary in the New York Times states that the pilot “found a glass ceiling in space.” Cobb, who died in March 2019 at age 88, was well on her way to becoming the first female astronaut in the U.S. in 1961 when NASA abruptly pulled the plug on the Mercury 13 training program she and 12 other women were undergoing.
Playwright Laurel Ollstein says her discovery that the Mercury 13 even existed compelled her to write “They Promised Her the Moon.” based on Cobb’s life.
“I was fascinated and appalled that NASA had cancelled the program,” Ollstein recalls. “It was a story I hadn’t heard.”
The play, which had an off-Broadway run in 2017, is currently being staged by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. It begins in the isolation tank that was part of the astronaut training program. Ollstein says she chose the site in part because Cobb outlasted the men in the program on three separate occasions in the tank. Also, being in isolation gives Cobb the opportunity to reflect on her life.
“You can go anywhere from there,” Ollstein says.
The isolation tank wasn’t the only testing ground where Cobb excelled. She finished in the top 2 percent of everyone—men and women—she trained with. Despite her fitness for the job, a 1962 Congressional hearing to consider whether women should be astronauts found in favor of those like John Glenn, who testified, “The fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order.”
“The Mercury 7 guys were heroes at the time,” Ollstein says. “Women didn’t have opportunities. To follow their dreams, they had to do a lot more a lot better than men.”
Since its off-Broadway run, Ollstein has developed her play in workshop productions at TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival and the Powers New Voices Festival at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre. She says the play’s staged reading at TheatreWorks’ 2018 festival was “invaluable.”
“You get to rewrite, workshop and hear how the audience reacts,” she says. “It’s great to have two readings; you learn from the audience in the first reading what plays and what doesn’t.”
Ollstein was making these determinations even prior to the staged readings.
“We had a week of rehearsals, and I was rewriting every day,” she says. “I love rewriting in the room. As a writer, you have to love collaboration if you work in the theater.”
The playwright collaborated with Giovanna Sardelli, TheatreWorks’ director of new works, on both workshop productions of “They Promised Her the Moon.” Ollstein says she’s happy to have Sardelli directing the full production for TheatreWorks.
“Giovanna really responded to the script, and I really responded to her,” she adds.
Ollstein says she’s also happy when she sees audiences walking out of the play with smart phones in hand to Google Cobb and Jackie Cochran, the other female pilot depicted in her script. Cochran was the first woman to break the sound barrier.
“Jackie Cochran was another unbelievable woman I’d never heard of,” says the playwright. “She was a contemporary of Amelia Earhart—and a better pilot—but we still don’t know her.
“I had to write (about these two women) because it’s a story we should know,” she adds.
“Hopefully, it will get audiences interested in finding out about other women they don’t know about.”
“They Promised Her the Moon” runs March 4-29 at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $25-$98 at theatreworks.org or 650-463-1960.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--League of Women Voters celebrates 100 years of women rocking the vote

When Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1920 , women celebrated getting the vote by forming a league of their own .
This month local chapters of the League of Women Voters are celebrating the 100 anniversaries of both achievements with various events around the South Bay .
As part of the Los Gatos Art in Chambers program , the Southwest Santa Clara Valley chapter has produced an historical photo exhibit highlighting the league ’ s activities over the past 100 years .
The exhibit will be in the Los Gatos Town Council Chambers until April 23 and then will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for display until the end of June .
On March 6 the Campbell Historical Museum is hosting a History Happy Hour , where Aisha Piracha-Zakariya from the League of Women Voters of California will discuss the history of the league and detail current league activities , such as the 2020 Census .
History Happy Hour runs 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at the museum , 51 N. Central Ave. Tickets are $ 15 at https : //www.campbellmuseums.com/product-page/history-happy-hour .
The League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale is hosting a celebration of the League ’ s centennial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chambers , 70 W. Hedding Street , San Jose .
Special guest speakers start at 6 p.m. , including Supervisor Cindy Chavez .
The event will also highlight what exactly the league does in local communities .
The main thrust of the league is influencing public policy through education and advocacy .
“ We always do a detailed study that precedes any position on public policy , ” says Los Gatos resident Meg Giberson , co-president with her husband Alan of the league ’ s Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to help people learn about government , become active participants , and try to encourage transparency and teach people to look for that.
” League volunteers staff the voter registration tables at the ceremonies to swear in new citizens held regularly at Campbell ’ s Heritage Theatre .
“ It is very uplifting work , ” Giberson says .
“ People are excited about becoming citizens and love learning how to vote in this country .
“ We also do candidate forums , pros and cons presentations , informational presentations , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing basis , the league recruits high school students from Saratoga , Los Gatos and Campbell as well as area community colleges to volunteer for voter registration drives .
• California finally matters — and that could make Bernie Sanders tough to stop after Super Tuesday • $ 250 million later , Tom Steyer drops out of presidential race after poor showing in South Carolina • Early voting ramping up in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties as new vote centers open According to Kerry Perkins , museum supervisor for the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth in helping shape public policy throughout the last 100 years while managing to stay nonpartisan .
“ The Campbell Museum is thrilled to host a member of the state board of the league to educate our event visitors on history , advocacy , and current activities , ” she says of the upcoming History Happy Hour .
“ In an election year , this type of presentation can help inform communities of ways to become engaged and active in issues that matter locally , statewide and nationally .
”

When Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1920, women celebrated getting the vote by forming a league of their own. This month local chapters of the League of Women Voters are celebrating the 100 anniversaries of both achievements with various events around the South Bay.
As part of the Los Gatos Art in Chambers program, the Southwest Santa Clara Valley chapter has produced an historical photo exhibit highlighting the league’s activities over the past 100 years. The exhibit will be in the Los Gatos Town Council Chambers until April 23 and then will be transferred to the Campbell Heritage Theatre for display until the end of June.
On March 6 the Campbell Historical Museum is hosting a History Happy Hour, where Aisha Piracha-Zakariya from the League of Women Voters of California will discuss the history of the league and detail current league activities, such as the 2020 Census.
History Happy Hour runs 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at the museum, 51 N. Central Ave. Tickets are $15 at https://www.campbellmuseums.com/product-page/history-happy-hour.
The League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale is hosting a celebration of the League’s centennial on March 29 at 5 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose. Special guest speakers start at 6 p.m., including Supervisor Cindy Chavez. The event will also highlight what exactly the league does in local communities.
The main thrust of the league is influencing public policy through education and advocacy. “We always do a detailed study that precedes any position on public policy,” says Los Gatos resident Meg Giberson, co-president with her husband Alan of the league’s Southwest Santa Clara Valley chapter. “We try to help people learn about government, become active participants, and try to encourage transparency and teach people to look for that.”
League volunteers staff the voter registration tables at the ceremonies to swear in new citizens held regularly at Campbell’s Heritage Theatre. “It is very uplifting work,” Giberson says. “People are excited about becoming citizens and love learning how to vote in this country.
“We also do candidate forums, pros and cons presentations, informational presentations, in addition to registering voters.”
On an ongoing basis, the league holds voter registration drives at high schools in Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell as well as area community colleges.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 According to Kerry Perkins, museum supervisor for the city of Campbell, the league has proved its worth in helping shape public policy throughout the last 100 years while managing to stay nonpartisan.
“The Campbell Museum is thrilled to host a member of the state board of the league to educate our event visitors on history, advocacy, and current activities,” she says of the upcoming History Happy Hour. “In an election year, this type of presentation can help inform communities of ways to become engaged and active in issues that matter locally, statewide and nationally.”


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Saratoga community briefs for the week of March 6

Artist Majella Pinto will demonstrate oil painting in the representational realism style at the March 7 meeting of the Saratoga Contemporary Artists .
The meeting is 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Share/Care Center , 14376 Saratoga Ave .
The Saratoga Village Development Council is hosting its annual St. Paddy ’ s party March 14 , 2-4 p.m. At this family-friendly event , kids can enjoy green cotton candy , get their faces and nails painted , and search for magical shamrocks and coins in the Village .
Bagpipers will provide musical entertainment .
The Falcon Sports Boosters are holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High School .
The family-friendly race starts at 9 a.m. Pre-register at www.falconsportsboosters.com or register day of the event .
The Los Gatos-Saratoga chapter of the Assistance League is holding a dinner dance fundraiser March 29 , 4-7 p.m. , in the Orchard City Banquet Hall of the Campbell Community Center , 1 W. Campbell Ave. , Campbell .
“ Oldies and Goodies ” will feature DJ dancing to music from the ’ 50s , ’ 60s and ’ 70s as well as wining and dining and a raffle .
There will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubble gum-blowing contest and music trivia .
Proceeds benefit Assistance League ’ s programs for local schools and families .
Tickets are $ 75 and are on sale only up to March 15 at 408-278-5300 , 01ALLGS @ gmail.com or http : //www.allgs.org/gala.html .

Realism in oils demoed
Artist Majella Pinto will demonstrate oil painting in the representational realism style at the March 7 meeting of the Saratoga Contemporary Artists.
The meeting is 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Share/Care Center, 14376 Saratoga Ave.
St. Paddy’s party
The Saratoga Village Development Council is hosting its annual St. Paddy’s party March 14, 2-4 p.m.
At this family-friendly event, kids can enjoy green cotton candy, get their faces and nails painted, and search for magical shamrocks and coins in the Village. Bagpipers will provide musical entertainment.
For more information, visit www.saratogavillage.info.
Falcon fun run
The Falcon Sports Boosters are holding a community fun run March 15 at Saratoga High School. The family-friendly race starts at 9 a.m.
Pre-register at www.falconsportsboosters.com or register day of the event.
Oldies and Goodies fundraiser
The Los Gatos-Saratoga chapter of the Assistance League is holding a dinner dance fundraiser March 29, 4-7 p.m., in the Orchard City Banquet Hall of the Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell.
“Oldies and Goodies” will feature DJ dancing to music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s as well as wining and dining and a raffle. There will also be activities like dance contests, a bubble gum-blowing contest and music trivia. Proceeds benefit Assistance League’s programs for local schools and families.
Tickets are $75 and are on sale only up to March 15 at 408-278-5300, 01ALLGS@gmail.com or http://www.allgs.org/gala.html.


mercurynews--2020-03-02--As coronavirus fears spread, some Bay Area shoppers stocking up

For many shoppers this weekend , a routine trip to Costco required braving another kind of crowd : People snatching up supplies in fear of finding themselves in coronavirus-related isolation .
As more cases of the new virus , known officially as novel coronavirus or COVID-19 , are confirmed in the United States , people in the Bay Area appear to be flocking to grocery and wholesale stores to stock up on dry foods , toilet paper , disinfecting wipes and other goods .
At a Costco Wholesale store in Santa Clara off Coleman Avenue , many shoppers came for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exited the store with shopping carts or flatbed hand trucks stacked with cases of water , toilet paper , pet food and other dry goods .
Wally McGee pushed a flatbed cart with one hand , piled with toilet paper and paper towels , through the parking lot .
With his other hand , the father of two dragged a shopping cart laden with diapers , instant oatmeal , breakfast crackers and boxed macaroni and cheese .
McGee decided to stock up for his family and his in-laws after hearing from family in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was running low on supplies .
“ I have kids , so if something happens , I don ’ t want to go out , ” said McGee on Sunday afternoon , wearing an N95 face mask .
( Federal health officials say healthy people do not need to wear masks , which are most effective at preventing sick people from spreading their illness . )
Martha Villanueva , a San Jose resident who was making her usual Costco trip to buy cat food , said customers were quickly clearing the shelves of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think people are creating their own panic , ” said Villanueva .
“ We did buy another pack of toilet paper — but we ’ re halfway through the one at home.
” Most of the more than 80,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus are in mainland China , where the virus originated .
But the disease has quickly spread in countries like Iran , South Korea and Italy , prompting a sobering warning from the Centers for Disease Control last week urging Americans to prepare for an outbreak as cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nation .
People seem to have been stocking up since that announcement , said Abel Zuniga , the assistant general manager for a Costco on Senter Road in San Jose .
Because of increased demand , the store has had to stock more shelf-stable items like toilet paper , paper towels , water , canned food , rice and noodles , said Zuniga .
“ It ’ s been going on for four days now , ” said Zuniga .
“ It ’ s not just Costcos in San Jose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a busy weekend for public health officials in the United States .
On Sunday , officials said they believe two health care workers in Solano and Alameda counties have contracted coronavirus , but are awaiting confirmation tests .
Earlier in the day , Rhode Island confirmed its first case of coronavirus in a person in their 40s who traveled to Italy in mid-February .
Washington state on Saturday confirmed two cases of coronavirus , including a man from the Seattle area who died , the first death from the illness in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third and fourth cases of coronavirus this weekend .
The third case involved a woman who was hospitalized for the illness without having traveled to China or having contact with someone who has .
A woman who lived with her , who did not show symptoms , became the county ’ s fourth case , officials said Saturday .
Officials Saturday said the risk to the general public is still low , but older and medically fragile individuals are at higher risk if the disease continues to spread .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was at the Santa Clara Costco on Sunday , wearing an N-95 face mask and pushing a cart stacked with several cases of bottled water .
The 82-year-old Santa Clara resident said she ’ s particularly worried now that Santa Clara County has four confirmed cases of the virus .
“ I had to look around town and come here three times before I could get water , and finally I got water today , ” said Rogers .

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
For many shoppers this weekend, a routine trip to Costco required braving another kind of crowd: people snatching up supplies in fear of finding themselves in coronavirus-related isolation.
As more cases of the new virus, known officially as novel coronavirus or COVID-19, are confirmed in the United States, people in the Bay Area appear to be flocking to grocery and wholesale stores to stock up on dry foods, toilet paper, disinfecting wipes and other goods.
At a Costco Wholesale store in Santa Clara off Coleman Avenue, many shoppers came for their usual Sunday trip, while others exited the store with shopping carts or flatbed hand trucks stacked with cases of water, toilet paper, pet food and other dry goods.
Wally McGee pushed a flatbed cart with one hand, piled with toilet paper and paper towels, through the parking lot. With his other hand, the father of two dragged a shopping cart laden with diapers, instant oatmeal, breakfast crackers and boxed macaroni and cheese.
McGee decided to stock up for his family and his in-laws after hearing from family in Tracy that the Costco in their area was running low on supplies.
“I have kids, so if something happens, I don’t want to go out,” said McGee on Sunday afternoon, wearing an N95 face mask. (Federal health officials say healthy people do not need to wear masks, which are most effective at preventing sick people from spreading their illness.)
Martha Villanueva, a San Jose resident who was making her usual Costco trip to buy cat food, said customers were quickly clearing the shelves of bottled water, toilet paper and disinfectant.
“I think people are creating their own panic,” said Villanueva. “We did buy another pack of toilet paper — but we’re halfway through the one at home.”
Most of the more than 80,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus are in mainland China, where the virus originated. But the disease has quickly spread in countries like Iran, South Korea and Italy, prompting a sobering warning from the Centers for Disease Control last week urging Americans to prepare for an outbreak as cases appeared in Northern California and other parts of the nation.
People seem to have been stocking up since that announcement, said Abel Zuniga, the assistant general manager for a Costco on Senter Road in San Jose.
Because of increased demand, the store has had to stock more shelf-stable items like toilet paper, paper towels, water, canned food, rice and noodles, said Zuniga.
“It’s been going on for four days now,” said Zuniga. “It’s not just Costcos in San Jose, but the entire region.”
It was also a busy weekend for public health officials in the United States.
On Sunday, officials confirmed five new cases in Northern California: three in Santa Clara County, bringing the total cases to seven, and two health care workers who fell ill after they were exposed to a patient in Solano County.
Earlier in the day, Rhode Island confirmed its first case of coronavirus in a person in their 40s who traveled to Italy in mid-February.
Washington state on Saturday confirmed two cases of coronavirus, including a man from the Seattle area who died, the first death from the illness in the U.S.
Santa Clara County also confirmed its third and fourth cases of coronavirus on Friday and Saturday. The third case involved a woman who was hospitalized for the illness without having traveled to China or having contact with someone who has. A woman who lived with her, who did not show symptoms, became the county’s fourth case.
Officials Saturday said the risk to the general public is still low, but older and medically fragile individuals are at higher risk if the disease continues to spread.
That’s why C. Rogers, a Santa Clara resident, was at the Santa Clara Costco on Sunday, wearing an N-95 face mask and pushing a cart stacked with several cases of bottled water.
The 82-year-old Santa Clara resident said she’s particularly worried now that Santa Clara County has four confirmed cases of the virus.
“I had to look around town and come here three times before I could get water, and finally I got water today,” said Rogers.


mercurynews--2020-03-02--What we learned from SF Giants’ spring training loss vs. Padres: Why Buster Posey is so special behi

What we learned from SF Giants’ spring training loss vs. Padres: Why Buster Posey is so special behind the plate

PEORIA , Ariz. — For the first time since signing with the Giants this offseason , Kevin Gausman got to pitch to Buster Posey in game action .
It could not have gone much better .
Gausman needed only 14 pitches — all strikes — to get through a clean two innings , including a couple of strikeouts .
In his words : “ I ’ ll take that.
” But his biggest takeaway ?
How lucky he is to have Posey behind the plate .
The Giants spent their afternoon in the fast-food capital of the world , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.F .
Chang ’ s in the clubhouse .
( Seriously , just on the street outside the stadium there is : Cheesecake Factory , Buca di Beppo , Texas Roadhouse , Hooter ’ s , Chipotle , Chik-fil-A , In-N-Out and , yes , P.F .
Chang ’ s ) .
Here ’ s what we learned from the 9-7 loss to the Padres .
Gausman first got a chance to pitch to Posey during a live batting practice session last week .
His first reaction ?
“ I was like wow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , ” Gausman remembered .
And that was after just a couple pitches .
Now that Gausman has a bullpen session and couple of live innings with his new favorite batterymate , he expanded on why Posey is — and has been for going on a decade — one of the best at his position .
“ He makes it look like you ’ re throwing 75 ( mph ) out there and just doesn ’ t move his glove , ” Gausman said .
“ If you hit the spot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ umpire .
I like the way he sets up , too , on high fastballs he kind of gives you a higher target .
Those things are important and that relationship is huge.
” Although there is always an adjustment period for catchers with their new pitches and vice versa , Posey and Gausman both said they ’ re already seeing eye to eye .
Gausman has yet to shake Posey off .
“ I ’ m sure he will , ” Posey said with a laugh .
“ As soon as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll shake.
” The catcher can hit a little , too , you know ?
Last season , Posey was coming off a microfracture in his hip and wasn ’ t able to build up strength in the offseason as he would normally , he said .
It resulted in him leaving the yard just seven times , after a five-home run season the year before .
On Sunday , he got his first home run of the spring .
First-pitching swinging with Brandon Crawford on second base , Posey put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in deep right-center field .
“ Buster has pop , ” manager Gabe Kapler said .
“ I think you can be fooled by looking at last year and thinking that a guy who wasn ’ t at 100 percent , that that was his peak power .
What we ’ re seeing now is he ’ s driving the ball.
” As noted above , Gausman needed only 14 pitches to make it through his two innings .
Even he was “ a little confused ” when he was pulled .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get an additional 20 pitches in .
But what he did while he was in the game should excite Giants fans ( with the enormous caveat that it is the first week of March ) .
Gausman touched 96 mph with his fastball and mixed in his three other pitches with success .
“ I felt good , ” Gausman said .
“ I had a good breaking ball today and threw everything for strikes .
I was able to elevate when I wanted to.
” Elevate , he did against Padres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got him to whiff on a 95-mph fastball up and away , which came after offering him a couple offspeed pitches — a changeup , then a slider — low and in .
Blevins needs to prove himself vs. right-handed hitters Jerry Blevins ’ career was complicated by one of MLB ’ s offseason rule changes : the three-batter minimum for all relievers who enter .
Blevins has built his reputation on getting left-handed hitters out .
Often he would enter just to get one out .
In 18 of his 45 appearances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced fewer than three batters .
So this spring , he ’ s been forced to prove himself against right-handers , too .
“ We ’ d like to see him land his curveball and have an effective usage outcome with his curveball , ” Kapler said .
“ That historically is what he ’ s done to get right-handed hitters out .
Obviously with the three-batter minimum , we need to see him against righties.
” Blevins faced four right-handers on Sunday , and the results were mixed .
He induced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Machado and Jurickson Profar plopped a home run into the Giants bullpen the next at-bat .
There was no update from Kapler on the injury announced earlier in the day to top outfield prospect Heliot Ramos , other than he doesn ’ t expect it to slow his development this season .
Get more details on Ramos ’ injury here .

PEORIA, Ariz. — For the first time since signing with the Giants this offseason, Kevin Gausman got to pitch to Buster Posey in game action.
It could not have gone much better.
Gausman needed only 14 pitches — all strikes — to get through a clean two innings, including a couple of strikeouts. In his words: “I’ll take that.”
But his biggest takeaway? How lucky he is to have Posey behind the plate.
The Giants spent their afternoon in the fast-food capital of the world, and were treated to a postgame spread of P.F. Chang’s in the clubhouse. (Seriously, just on the street outside the stadium there is: Cheesecake Factory, Buca di Beppo, Texas Roadhouse, Hooter’s, Chipotle, Chik-fil-A, In-N-Out and, yes, P.F. Chang’s).
Here’s what we learned from the 9-7 loss to the Padres.
What makes Posey so special?
Gausman first got a chance to pitch to Posey during a live batting practice session last week. His first reaction?
“I was like wow, this guy’s the real deal,” Gausman remembered.
And that was after just a couple pitches.
Now that Gausman has a bullpen session and couple of live innings with his new favorite batterymate, he expanded on why Posey is — and has been for going on a decade — one of the best at his position.
“He makes it look like you’re throwing 75 (mph) out there and just doesn’t move his glove,” Gausman said. “If you hit the spot, he makes it look pretty for an umpire. I like the way he sets up, too, on high fastballs he kind of gives you a higher target. Those things are important and that relationship is huge.”
Although there is always an adjustment period for catchers with their new pitches and vice versa, Posey and Gausman both said they’re already seeing eye to eye.
Gausman has yet to shake Posey off.
“I’m sure he will,” Posey said with a laugh. “As soon as the first rocket gets given up, he’ll shake.”
The catcher can hit a little, too, you know? Last season, Posey was coming off a microfracture in his hip and wasn’t able to build up strength in the offseason as he would normally, he said. It resulted in him leaving the yard just seven times, after a five-home run season the year before.
On Sunday, he got his first home run of the spring. First-pitch swinging with Brandon Crawford on second base, Posey put a low-and-away, 95-mph fastball onto the berm in deep right-center field.
“Buster has pop,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “I think you can be fooled by looking at last year and thinking that a guy who wasn’t at 100 percent, that that was his peak power. What we’re seeing now is he’s driving the ball.”
Gausman getting into a groove
As noted above, Gausman needed only 14 pitches to make it through his two innings. Even he was “a little confused” when he was pulled.
Instead, he went out to the bullpen to get an additional 20 pitches in.
But what he did while he was in the game should excite Giants fans (with the enormous caveat that it is the first week of March). Gausman touched 96 mph with his fastball and mixed in his three other pitches with success.
“I felt good,” Gausman said. “I had a good breaking ball today and threw everything for strikes. I was able to elevate when I wanted to.”
Elevate, he did against Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado. He got him to whiff on a 95-mph fastball up and away, which came after offering him a couple offspeed pitches — a changeup, then a slider — low and in.
Blevins needs to prove himself vs. right-handed hitters
Jerry Blevins’ career was complicated by one of MLB’s offseason rule changes: the three-batter minimum for all relievers who enter.
Blevins has built his reputation on getting left-handed hitters out. Often he would enter just to get one out. In 18 of his 45 appearances last season with the Braves, Blevins faced fewer than three batters.
So this spring, he’s been forced to prove himself against right-handers, too.
“We’d like to see him land his curveball and have an effective usage outcome with his curveball,” Kapler said. “That historically is what he’s done to get right-handed hitters out. Obviously with the three-batter minimum, we need to see him against righties.”
Blevins faced four right-handers on Sunday, and the results were mixed. He induced a couple ground-ball outs, but he walked Machado and Jurickson Profar plopped a home run into the Giants bullpen the next at-bat.
Top prospect’s injury shouldn’t slow development
There was no update from Kapler on the injury announced earlier in the day to top outfield prospect Heliot Ramos, other than he doesn’t expect it to slow his development this season. Get more details on Ramos’ injury here.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Bay Area healthcare workers test presumptive-positive for coronavirus

Two North Bay healthcare workers have tested as presumptive positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation at their homes in Solano and Alameda counties , public health officials said Sunday .
Both patients , who are NorthBay VacaValley Hospital healthcare workers , are awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Both workers — one a resident of Solano County , and the other a resident of Alameda County — were exposed to the illness , also known as COVID-19 , after coming into contact with another Solano County patient .
This is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The original patient confirmed by Solano County officials earlier this week and with whom the healthcare workers came into contact , is currently being treated at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento .
The two healthcare workers are being isolated at home until they test negative for the disease .
Officials said they are in stable condition .
“ Due to the aggressive measures that public health and hospital staff undertook , all potential exposures to the case were promptly identified and isolated so that patients are not placed at higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated protocols and procedures to ensure patient safety is prioritized , ” said Dr. Bela Matyas , Solano County Health Officer .
“ This underscores the challenging environment that health care workers everywhere face to stem the spread of communicable diseases , including COVID-19.
” Public health and hospital staff quickly identified all healthcare workers who came into contact with the case during the case ’ s hospitalization , and all of them remain in isolation or in quarantine , officials said in a press release .
They will not be involved with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials added that more Coronavirus cases may occur among the other healthcare workers .
“ As always , our top priority is the health and safety of our patients , our staff , physicians and the community , ” said Aimee Brewer , president of NorthBay HealthCare Group .
“ Our two health care workers who tested positive have been in isolation at home since the day we learned they had contact with the patient who had contracted the virus .
We took immediate and comprehensive measures intended to stop any further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with public health officials to trace the contacts the two workers may have had.
” A full contact investigation is underway for the two new healthcare worker cases , officials said , and individuals potentially exposed are in the process of begin identified and evaluated .
Teams of epidemiologists from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health are assisting the health departments in tracing those who may be at risk for exposure because of the new cases .
“ We understand that the evolving news about COVID-19 is concerning , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan with the Alameda County Public Health Department .
“ This news is not unexpected in the Bay Area , and we are ready for cases here .
This is not the time to panic ; now is the time for all of us to work together .
”

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Public health officials on Sunday announced five new cases of coronavirus in Northern California, including three new cases in Santa Clara County and two health workers who were likely infected while exposed to a patient in Solano County.
The announcement brought Santa Clara County’s total to seven cases of the new virus, known officially as novel coronavirus or COVID-19, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said in a brief statement Sunday evening.
The county’s three new cases Sunday involve an adult woman with chronic health conditions, and a husband and wife who recently traveled to Egypt. The husband has chronic health conditions, and all three individuals are currently hospitalized, according to the department.
Santa Clara County declined to answer additional questions Sunday.
Two health workers at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital also tested as presumptive positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation at their homes in Solano and Alameda counties, public health officials said Sunday. Additional tests still need to be conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm they have the virus.
The workers were exposed to coronavirus after coming into contact with a Solano County woman who was hospitalized for 11 days before she was tested for coronavirus.
If confirmed, this would be the first case of coronavirus in Alameda County, according to officials.
“Due to the aggressive measures that public health and hospital staff undertook, all potential exposures to the case were promptly identified and isolated so that patients are not placed at higher risk. Health care officials have immediately updated protocols and procedures to ensure patient safety is prioritized,” said Dr. Bela Matyas, Solano County Health Officer, in a press release Sunday. “This underscores the challenging environment that health care workers everywhere face to stem the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19.”
The two new cases come after a sobering week of coronavirus developments. While most of the world’s 80,000 cases are in mainland China, near where the virus originated in Hubei Province, coronavirus has quickly spread in counties like Iran, Italy and South Korea. That prompted a warning last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging Americans to prepare for a local outbreak.
Researchers found evidence that the virus may have been spreading in Washington state weeks before it was discovered, according to the New York Times.
Santa Clara officials have not said how the individuals in the three new cases announced Sunday contracted the virus.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Four things we learned from the A’s vs Royals game: What makes Chad Pinder an essential part of the

Four things we learned from the A’s vs Royals game: What makes Chad Pinder an essential part of the team?

SURPRISE , Ariz. — In the brief pauses between spring training games and workouts , Chad Pinder found some time to sit down and watch the NFL Combine .
One performance stuck with Pinder in particular : Clemson ’ s Isaiah Simmons — a 6-foot-4 , 238 pound linebacker — ran a 4.39 40-yard sprint .
Pinder knew Simmons ’ resumé included a list longer than linebacker .
He played safety , cornerback , defensive line , even .
There was something in Simmons that reminded Pinder of himself .
It reminded him of the versatility ’ s value .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in baseball more and more , even in the minor leagues , ” Pinder said “ They want players to be as versatile as possible.
” Pinder has been somewhat of a trailblazing super utility guy for the Oakland A ’ s .
Like Simmons ’ his resumé is just about as diverse as it gets .
In his four big league seasons , Pinder has played 191 games in the outfield ( spreading across all three positions ) , 71 games at second base , 35 at shortstop , 33 at third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll even catch a couple bullpens this spring and slide into an emergency catcher role , bench coach Ryan Christenson said .
The 27-year-old was a primary third baseman in his three seasons as a Virginia Tech Hokie .
The Oakland A ’ s drafted Pinder in the 2013 MLB Draft ’ s second round and essentially ensured he ’ d never plant his feet in one position again .
He ’ d become a trailblazer , of sorts .
An image of viability .
His versatility has essentially guaranteed Pinder a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It definitely carves out a spot for me , which is awesome , ” Pinder said of his jack-of-all-tradesman ability .
Pinder prefers a corner outfield spot — despite his infielder roots .
But appearances out on the grassy expanse might be at a premium with the level of depth at all three positions .
Stephen Piscotty ’ s rib injury could jut into the regular season , and there ’ s a long line of 40-man players ready to fill that roster spot and void .
Optically , the A ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes that there ’ s not “ It ’ s very valuable , especially as somebody who can do it as well as he can , ” Christenson said .
“ Not only do you have options if someone goes down with an injury , but you have options late in the game with a pinch hitter .
He ’ s one of our first guys we ’ re going to go to if he ’ s not in our starting lineup if there ’ s a lefty in the game.
” Coveted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plate , though .
Pinder ’ s done well for himself without the luxury of consistent at bats .
The quality of contact is well above average ; his average exit velocity ( 90.1 mph ) and hard hit percentage ( 43.4 percent ) is within the MLB ’ s top 76th percentile .
But inconsistent plate appearances yields some over aggression at the plate , too .
Pinder found considerable success swinging at a first pitch in the minor leagues .
That success faded as at bats became more scarce .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little too much .
Knowing that I have had success on the first pitch throughout my career .
Sometimes that gets me in trouble , ” Pinder said .
“ If you go in to pinch hit in the game against a reliever , typically you don ’ t want to get to their secondary stuff .
Just growing in that department can help .
And zeroing in on that one pitch I want.
” Plate discipline mastery is a high objective for this A ’ s team .
It ’ s something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an MVP-caliber season .
The philosophy requires hitters to embrace and not stray too far from a preferred zone and pitch .
Pinder is hoping that philosophy can guide him away from his first-pitch woes .
If he ’ s pinch hitting or filling in as the A ’ s Swiss Army Knife , he can not waste an at bat .
“ He ’ s almost overly aggressive up there , especially on that first pitch , ” Christenson said .
“ So seeing him get into an at bat and control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re looking to see and he ’ s definitely been doing that.
” If Piscotty were to miss the regular season ’ s first few games , a gut-reaction might be to assume the open roster spot will go to an outfielder .
And the A ’ s have a bundle on the fast track to break out on the big league scene .
Of course , that Piscotty will miss time is entirely speculative .
But , given his injury history , the A ’ s might find it imperative to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
Also , an open roster spot might afford the A ’ s more time to assess Jorge Mateo and Franklin Barreto on a bigger stage .
Mateo has yet to make his big league debut .
Reps in the outfield for both might indicate that the A ’ s are considering an extended look at the pair of middle infielders — without one key outfielder in Piscotty , beyond the starter depth , they ’ ll have the pair of middle infielders as potential fill ins .
Barreto got the centerfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise , Ariz. Mateo , Christenson said on Saturday , won ’ t see Mateo play in the outfield for now .
“ For sure ( Mateo ) is a candidate to go into centerfield because of the pure speed he possesses , ” Christenson said .
The baked-in nature of this second base race requires an update on the pair ’ s progression on Sunday .
Mateo struck out three times ; he ’ s batting .187 ( 3-for-16 ) with four walks and five strikeouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s batting .250 ( 5 hits in 20 at bats ) with 2 RBI , two walks and five strikeouts .
Jake Diekman was the only big league pitcher listed on Sunday ’ s roster for the split-squad game against the Royals .
With Jesús Luzardo making his rotational start over in Las Vegas , the Arizona squad rolled out a flurry of mini camp pitchers .
“ I saw the Royals lineup , they ’ re throwing all their big boys out against us , so I want to see Matt have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete , ” Christenson said before the game .
Whit Merrifield hit a leadoff home run , but Milburn turned in an otherwise solid three innings .
Diekman gave up two hits and a run in one inning .
• Four things we learned from A ’ s HQ : Why plate discipline could help determine the second base race • Four things we learned from A ’ s HQ : How Stephen Piscotty ’ s injury impacts outfield picture • Bob Melvin was suspicious of dugout camera in Houston for years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Piscotty rib injury “ a little worse , ” out for foreseeable future A ’ s No .
15 prospect Jeremy Eierman pinch hit and took over second base late in the game .
He promptly hit an RBI single in his first at bat , made a leaping catch off a line drive in his first defensive inning and smashed a solo home run in his second at bat .
Luzardo continued his fantastic spring with three shutout innings , collecting three strikeouts , with no walks and three hits allowed .

SURPRISE, Ariz. — In the brief pauses between spring training games and workouts, Chad Pinder found some time to sit down and watch the NFL Combine.
One performance stuck with Pinder in particular: Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons — a 6-foot-4, 238 pound linebacker — ran a 4.39 40-yard sprint. Pinder knew Simmons’ resumé included a list longer than linebacker. He played safety, cornerback, defensive line, even.
There was something in Simmons that reminded Pinder of himself. It reminded him of the versatility’s value.
“You’re seeing that trend in baseball more and more, even in the minor leagues,” Pinder said “They want players to be as versatile as possible.”
Pinder has been somewhat of a trailblazing super utility guy for the Oakland A’s. Like Simmons’ his resumé is just about as diverse as it gets. In his four big league seasons, Pinder has played 191 games in the outfield (spreading across all three positions), 71 games at second base, 35 at shortstop, 33 at third base and three at third.
He’ll even catch a couple bullpens this spring and slide into an emergency catcher role, bench coach Ryan Christenson said.
The 27-year-old was a primary third baseman in his three seasons as a Virginia Tech Hokie. The Oakland A’s drafted Pinder in the 2013’s second round and essentially ensured he’d never plant his feet in one position again.
His versatility has essentially guaranteed Pinder a spot on the active roster.
“It definitely carves out a spot for me, which is awesome,” Pinder said of his jack-of-all-tradesman ability. Pinder prefers a corner outfield spot — despite his infielder roots. But appearances out on the grassy expanse might be at a premium with the level of depth at all three positions.
Stephen Piscotty’s rib injury could jut into the regular season, and there’s a long line of 40-man outfielders ready to fill that roster spot and void.
Optically, the A’s infield is crowded with options. But Pinder notes that all of the infield positions, except second base, is set with one every day player. Along with Tony Kemp and Vimael Machin, Pinder is one of the team’s handful of players that provide depth.
“It’s very valuable, especially as somebody who can do it as well as he can,” Christenson said. “Not only do you have options if someone goes down with an injury, but you have options late in the game with a pinch hitter. He’s one of our first guys we’re going to go to if he’s not in our starting lineup if there’s a lefty in the game.”
Coveted defensive versatility still leaves room for improvements at the plate, though. Pinder’s done well for himself without the luxury of consistent at bats. The quality of contact is well above average; his average exit velocity (90.1 mph) and hard hit percentage (43.4 percent) is within the MLB’s top 76th percentile.
But inconsistent plate appearances yields some over aggression at the plate, too. Pinder found considerable success swinging at a first pitch in the minor leagues. That success faded as at bats became more scarce.
“Sometimes I just try to do a little too much. Knowing that I have had success on the first pitch throughout my career. Sometimes that gets me in trouble,” Pinder said. “If you go in to pinch hit in the game against a reliever, typically you don’t want to get to their secondary stuff. Just growing in that department can help. And zeroing in on that one pitch I want.”
Plate discipline mastery is a high objective for this A’s team. It’s something Marcus Semien essentially mastered en route to an MVP-caliber season. The philosophy requires hitters to embrace and not stray too far from a preferred zone and pitch. Pinder is hoping that philosophy can guide him away from his first-pitch woes. If he’s pinch hitting or filling in as the A’s Swiss Army Knife, he cannot waste an at bat.
“He’s almost overly aggressive up there, especially on that first pitch,” Christenson said. “So seeing him get into an at bat and control the strike zone is what we’re looking to see and he’s definitely been doing that.”
Franklin Barreto in center, Jorge Mateo at shortstop
Speaking of the Piscotty injury…
If Piscotty were to miss the regular season’s first few games, a gut-reaction might be to assume the open roster spot will go to an outfielder. And the A’s have a bundle on the fast track to break out on the big league scene.
Of course, that Piscotty will miss time is entirely speculative. But, given his injury history, the A’s might find it imperative to slow his roll into ramped up regular season action. Also, an open roster spot might afford the A’s more time to assess Jorge Mateo and Franklin Barreto on a bigger stage. Mateo has yet to make his big league debut.
Reps in the outfield for both might indicate that the A’s are considering an extended look at the pair of middle infielders — without one key outfielder in Piscotty, beyond the starter depth, they’ll have the pair of middle infielders as potential fill ins. Barreto got the centerfield start in Sunday’s 10-6 win against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Ariz. Mateo, Christenson said on Saturday, won’t see Mateo play in the outfield for now.
“For sure (Mateo) is a candidate to go into centerfield because of the pure speed he possesses,” Christenson said.
The baked-in nature of this second base race requires an update on the pair’s progression on Sunday. Mateo struck out three times; he’s batting .187 (3-for-16) with four walks and five strikeouts. Barreto went 1-for-3; he’s batting .250 (5 hits in 20 at bats) with 2 RBI, two walks and five strikeouts.
Rolling out the minor leaguers
Jake Diekman was the only big league pitcher listed on Sunday’s roster for the split-squad game against the Royals. With Jesús Luzardo making his rotational start over in Las Vegas, the Arizona squad rolled out a flurry of mini camp pitchers.
Midland RockHounds right-hander Matt Milburn made the start in Surprise.
“I saw the Royals lineup, they’re throwing all their big boys out against us, so I want to see Matt have a good tempo, throw strikes and compete,” Christenson said before the game.
Whit Merrifield hit a leadoff home run, but Milburn turned in an otherwise solid three innings. Diekman gave up two hits and a run in one inning.
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Jesús Luzardo in Vegas
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Luzardo continued his fantastic spring with three shutout innings, collecting three strikeouts, with no walks and three hits allowed.


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Sources: Buttigieg ending his presidential campaign

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Democrat Pete Buttigieg is ending his campaign for president .
Three people with knowledge of Buttigieg ’ s decision tell The Associated Press he is informing campaign staff .
They were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity .
His campaign says Buttigieg will speak Sunday night in South Bend , Indiana .
Buttigieg rose to the field ’ s top tier but failed to notch enough wins in the critical early states necessary to keep his bid moving forward .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor of South Bend , Indiana , defied expectations in a field of better-known candidates for months while becoming the first openly gay top contender for a major party nomination .
• Bernie Sanders hits Joe Biden at San Jose rally as Pete Buttigieg prepares to drop out of presidential race • League of Women Voters celebrates 100 years of women rocking the vote • California finally matters — and that could make Bernie Sanders tough to stop after Super Tuesday “ Mayor Pete ” burst onto the scene with a blitz of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising .
He leaned hard into a next-generation message of urgency on pressing issues while preaching a message of hope and inclusion .

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By Thomas Beaumont, Meg Kinnard and Steve Peoples | The Associated Press
Pete Buttigieg, who rose from being a small-town Midwestern mayor to a barrier-breaking, top-tier candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, is ending his campaign.
Three people with knowledge of Buttigieg’s decision told The Associated Press he began informing campaign staff on Sunday. They were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
His campaign said Buttigieg will speak Sunday night in South Bend, Indiana.
The decision came just a day after one of Buttigieg’s leading rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, scored a resounding victory in South Carolina that sparked new pressure on the party’s moderate wing to coalesce behind Biden.
Buttigieg had been critical of Biden, charging that the 77-year-old lifelong politician was out of step with today’s politics. But his criticism had shifted in recent days more toward front-runner Bernie Sanders, a polarizing progressive who was benefiting from the sheer number of candidates dividing up the moderate vote.
Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden traded voicemails on Sunday but did not speak, according to a source with knowledge of the attempted conversations. Buttigieg made the first call to tell Biden of his decision, then Biden returned the call. The pair missed each other because of travel logistics.
Buttigieg, the first openly gay candidate to seriously contend for the presidency, tried to make the case that his party thrived when it embraced candidates who offered generational change. But the 38-year-old Afghanistan war veteran ended up being more successful at winning older voters while Sanders, 78, captured the energy of younger ones.
“The Pete Buttigieg story isn’t over. It’s just beginning,” said Democratic strategist David Axelrod. “He’s 38 years old. He’s vaulted himself into the national conversation. He obviously has work to do on some things that — some weaknesses we’ve seen in this election — but whenever there is a conversation again about Democratic candidates, he’ll be in that conversation. And that’s a remarkable achievement, given where he started a year ago.”
Voters saw Buttigieg in the more moderate lane of the Democratic field, and he flourished early with a top finish in the Iowa caucuses and a close second place finish in New Hampshire. But as the race moved to more diverse states, less dependent on college-educated voters, Buttigieg struggled.
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He earned just 3% of the nonwhite vote in South Carolina’s Saturday primary, according to AP VoteCast, a a wide-ranging survey of the electorate.
As mayor of a city that is 25% black, Buttigieg faced criticism for firing the first African American police chief in the history of South Bend and for his handling of the case of a white police officer who fatally shot an armed black man in June.
A Black Lives Matter group from South Bend released a statement saying it was “excited” that Buttigieg left the race. “We hope that he learned his lesson — that neoliberalism and anti-Black policies will no longer be tolerated,” the group wrote.
After his unexpected rise to contention in Iowa and New Hampshire last fall, Buttigieg became the target of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren for the high-dollar fundraisers he was hosting, notably one in a wine cave in California.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar also went at Buttigieg in the months before the caucuses for lacking national experience. She noted that he had lost his only statewide race as a candidate for Indiana treasurer in 2010, while she had won three statewide terms in Minnesota in part by carrying Republican-heavy regions.
Buttigieg presented a starkly different figure on the debate stage than the other leading candidates — all septuagenarians — and drew admirers for his calm, reasoned demeanor and rhetorical skills that reflected his Harvard-trained, Rhodes scholar background but that some voters and operatives described as “robotic.”
Buttigieg had modeled his campaign somewhat on that of former President Barack Obama, who won the 2008 Iowa caucuses largely based on a message of unity and by drawing in a healthy bloc of first-time caucus participants, often the key in a crowded, high-turnout contest.
Jim Ward, a volunteer on the campaign in South Bend, said he and others were at the local campaign office training at around 6 p.m. when they learned of Buttigieg’s decision.
“They got word and left rather quickly,” he said in a text with the AP, noting that he had mixed emotions.
“I am so proud the campaign and proud of Pete for making this decision when he’s making it and not prolonging the campaign any longer than necessary,” Ward said. “I am just so, so sad that it didn’t work out this time.”


mercurynews--2020-03-01--Hotel evacuated in Menlo Park after hydrant breaks

MENLO PARK — Flooding from a sheared off fire hydrant halted construction work on a Stanford University housing project and forced the evacuation Saturday of the Stanford Park Hotel at 100 El Camino Real , the Menlo Park Fire Protection District said .
The flooding from the gushing hydrant , which put out an estimated 4,500 gallons a minute for up to an hour , threatened a retaining wall in a three-story-deep below-surface parking garage for the Stanford Properties construction site at 500 El Camino Real , which was filling “ like a bathtub ” fire officials said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been evacuated when firefighters arrived at the scene shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday and the source of the flood was determined to be the construction site next door , where a forklift had broken off a hydrant near the railroad tracks .
Firefighters and utility workers from California Water Service ( Cal-Water ) were hampered in trying to locate the hydrant valve “ due to the new construction , and changes needed for this large project , ” the fire district said .
Workers even went into the forceful cone of water coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the flow .
At least two separate units from Cal-Water responded quickly to the emergency and “ shut off a number of valves until finally locating this one near the Big-5 store on El Camino Real .
Because this is such a new project , the water distribution main had not been listed in their records yet , ” Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said .
“ We estimate that the water was flowing at up to about 4,500 gallons per minute for up to an hour , ” Schapelhouman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of water and the stabilization of the area , now that it ’ s been saturated and in some areas washed out , especially around the retaining wall , is of concern.
” • Good Samaritan killed on Highway 101 was always helping people , partner says • Baby rescued from upside down vehicle in Vallejo Construction has been suspended “ until the area is pumped out , the damaged area is inspected , then backfilled , re-compacted and then deemed safe , ” the district said .

Bay City News
MENLO PARK — Flooding from a sheared off fire hydrant halted construction work on a Stanford University housing project and forced the evacuation Saturday of the Stanford Park Hotel at 100 El Camino Real, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District said.
The flooding from the gushing hydrant, which put out an estimated 4,500 gallons a minute for up to an hour, threatened a retaining wall in a three-story-deep below-surface parking garage for the Stanford Properties construction site at 500 El Camino Real, which was filling “like a bathtub”
fire officials said in a news release.
The hotel had already been evacuated when firefighters arrived at the scene shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday and the source of the flood was determined to be the construction site next door, where a forklift had broken off a hydrant near the railroad tracks.
Firefighters and utility workers from California Water Service (Cal-Water) were hampered in trying to locate the hydrant valve “due to the new construction, and changes needed for this large project,” the fire district said.
Workers even went into the forceful cone of water coming from the hydrant in an unsuccessful effort to stop the flow.
At least two separate units from Cal-Water responded quickly to the emergency and “shut off a number of valves until finally locating this one near the Big-5 store on El Camino Real. Because this is such a new project, the water distribution main had not been listed in their records yet,” Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said.
“We estimate that the water was flowing at up to about 4,500 gallons per minute for up to an hour,” Schapelhouman said. “That’s a significant amount of water and the stabilization of the area, now that it’s been saturated and in some areas washed out, especially around the retaining
wall, is of concern.”