mercurynews--2020-12-06--COVID-19: Residents, business owners get in last-minute tasks before new shutdowns

Residents across the Bay Area spent Sunday preparing for weeks of staying in place with a last-minute rush to get in holiday shopping , a trip to the salon or a final meal at a restaurant , just hours before tougher new restrictions went into effect to help slow the latest COVID-19 surge .
Whether it was seeing Santa or grabbing one more box of chocolates as a gift , many people were taking care of as many pre-holiday tasks as possible in anticipation of lockdowns that were taking effect late Sunday and early Monday for millions of residents across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had announced the new measures Thursday , but said they would not take effect until hospital ICUs filled .
However , Bay Area health officials decided not to wait .
Then , conditions in hospitals in Southern California and the Central Valley deteriorated far more quickly than anticipated , so those regions are moving ahead with stricter shutdowns as well .
CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Counties across California continued to set records for infections over the weekend , with Contra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles County among those hitting new highs in reported cases .
In Contra Costa , San Francisco and Santa Clara counties , the lockdown was set to begin at 10 p.m. Sunday , while it would start two hours later in Alameda County and at midday Tuesday in Marin County .
Restrictions are set to remain in place through at least Jan. 4 .
“ It could be the last day of the ( holiday ) season , ” said Steve Kroninger , who has worked as a shopping-mall Santa for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of El Granada , greeted kids and families Sunday at the Stanford Shopping Center .
Two of his young admirers Sunday were Parker and Peyton Pachkofsky , ages 5 and 3 , respectively .
Mother Eileen Pachkofsky , a Palo Alto nurse , was not taking any chances with being stuck at home later .
She brought her children to the mall ’ s holiday display , m dressed for a Hans Christian Andersen Christmas tale .
“ We came for Santa , ” Pachkofsky said .
“ There is no guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of losing ” their holiday photos .
The state ’ s restrictions require Californians in affected regions to stay at home as much as possible to limit mixing with other households , which public health officers say can lead to COVID-19 spread .
The guidelines limit travel to critical services and restrict outdoor activities for exercise .
Although the Bay Area still has the most ICUs available among the state ’ s five regions , local officials said Friday they did not want to wait until reaching the state ’ s number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sort of like waiting to put the brakes on when you ’ re about to go over the cliff , ” Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith said .
“ If you ’ re going to get the public health benefit , you have to do it now.
” Ashley Flowers , general manager of Insignia Hair Salon in downtown Walnut Creek , spent Sunday servicing as many clients as possible .
She said the salon ’ s appointment slots were all booked by midday .
Flowers , who celebrated her 37th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday because of demand before the lockdown .
She said some of her stylists planned to work until the 10 p.m. shutdown .
“ We are trying our best to accommodate all of our clients , ” said Flowers , who added that the stylists worked late Saturday and opened early Sunday .
Flowers said the latest action is painful because December usually is the salon ’ s busiest month .
“ It was the month we were going to make up for the month we couldn ’ t work , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring that closed salons and barbershops , among other businesses considered nonessential .
“ It is impossible with the shutdown to make ends meet.
” Flowers did not plan to work through the evening Sunday .
She and her friends planned to eat out for a final time before restaurants had to revert to take-out-only because of the new rules .
Jack ’ s Bar in San Jose advertised on Twitter that Sunday was the “ last day to drink socially for a while.
” The bar was set to stay open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jtown Pizza in Japantown .
Jordan Trigg , owner of both Jack ’ s Bar and JTown Pizza , described the scene Sunday as sentimental .
“ Restaurants and bars are the fabric of the community , ” he said .
“ People just came in to mourn and say goodbye.
” Gaylord Gerlitz of San Jose said he and his wife went to the bar to watch the Raiders game and support the proprietors .
“ Now all of a sudden he has to shut down , ” said Gerlitz , 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they were when it all started .
People are getting fed up with this.
” Trigg , a father of two children ages 3 and 1 , considered disobeying the county orders to remain open .
In the end , it was not an option because “ dad isn ’ t going to jail , ” he said .
With 10 locations across the South Bay , Bill ’ s Cafe braced for difficult days ahead as officials shut down indoor and outdoor dining .
George Zafiris , one of three brothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday inside a small office at the Santa Clara location , working out the new schedule for next week based on the staffing he expected that he would need from to-go orders , he said .
Zafiris said he fielded many calls from customers confused about the new restrictions , with many expressing fear over the virus , even before the closure was official .
Zafiris said he hopes those phone orders pick up during the lockdown because “ without them , we are dead meat.
” Cameron Larsen , of Palo Alto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the See ’ s Candies shop at the Stanford mall .
See ’ s , he said , closed during the last shutdown , and he didn ’ t intend to miss out on some favorite sweets and gifts again .
Larsen , 48 , said he planned to buy a box of mixed chocolates , his traditional Christmas gift for his wife .
He said , though , that the latest shutdown didn ’ t frustrate him as it has many other people .
“ Let ’ s do what we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with , ” Larsen said .

Residents across the Bay Area spent Sunday preparing for weeks of staying in place with a last-minute rush to get in holiday shopping, a trip to the salon or a final meal at a restaurant, just hours before tougher new restrictions went into effect to help slow the latest COVID-19 surge.
Whether it was seeing Santa or grabbing one more box of chocolates as a gift, many people were taking care of as many pre-holiday tasks as possible in anticipation of lockdowns that were taking effect late Sunday and early Monday for millions of residents across the state.
Gov. Gavin Newsom had announced the new measures Thursday, but said they would not take effect until hospital ICUs filled. However, Bay Area health officials decided not to wait. Then, conditions in hospitals in Southern California and the Central Valley deteriorated far more quickly than anticipated, so those regions are moving ahead with stricter shutdowns as well.
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Parker Pachkofsky, 5, left, squeezes some hand sanitizer for sister Payton, 3, right, as they wait to take a photo with Santa Claus at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 6: Gaylord Gerlitz, left, and his wife Martha watch football as they eat and drink outside at Jack's Bar in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
PLEASANTON, CA - DECEMBER: Lucy Ly cuts customer Jonathan Doarn's hair at a Supercuts hair salon on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Pleasanton, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
LIVERMORE, CA - DECEMBER 6: Visitors are photographed at a downtown farmers market on Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Livermore, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Steve Kroninger looks on as shoppers walk around Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Kroninger is the Santa Claus at the shopping center. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People do some shopping at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Parker Pachkofsky, 5, center, and sister Payton, 3, right, play with each other as they wait to take a photo with Santa Claus at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE - DECEMBER 6: Ramandeep Jagdev, left, gets a last minute haircut from K-Ci Maultsby, center, ahead of Santa Clara County's lockdown scheduled for 10 p.m. tonight at The Barbers Inc Barbershop in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Cameron Larsen waits in line for See's Candies at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.(Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PLEASANTON, CA - DECEMBER: Lucy Ly cuts customer Jonathan Doarn's hair at a Supercuts hair salon on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Pleasanton, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People wain in line at Bath & Body Works at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People wait in line at Nespresso at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 6: Gaylord Gerlitz, left, and his wife Martha watch football as they eat and drink outside at Jack's Bar in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People shop at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE - DECEMBER 6: Ramandeep Jagdev, left, gets a last minute haircut from K-Ci Maultsby, right, ahead of Santa Clara County's lockdown scheduled for 10 p.m. tonight at The Barbers Inc Barbershop in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People do some last minute shopping at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PLEASANTON, CA - DECEMBER: Lucy Ly cuts a customers hair at a Supercuts hair salon on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Pleasanton, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
LIVERMORE, CA - DECEMBER 6: A waitress serves customers at an outside dining area for Monica's Livermore restaurant on Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Livermore, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Signage is placed around the Stanford Shopping Center letting shoppers know to stay six feet apart in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: Parker Pachkofsky, 5, left, sister Payton, 3, center, and their mother Eileen, right, wait to take a photo with Santa Claus at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: The reflection of a shopper is seen in the window of one of the shops at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
LIVERMORE, CA - DECEMBER 6: Visitors are photographed at a downtown farmers market on Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Livermore, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE - DECEMBER 6: Allison Martin, left, plays a movie for their son Alexander, 3, right, as Angelica Perez, center, cuts his hair at The Barbers Inc Barbershop in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Martin wanted to get a haircut for their son before the planned lockdown by Santa Clara County. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People look at a bag at one of the shops at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: A shopper walks past some of the stores at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE - DECEMBER 6: Allison Martin, right, plays a movie for their son Alexander, 3, as Angelica Perez cuts his hair at The Barbers Inc Barbershop in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Martin wanted to get a haircut for their son before the planned lockdown by Santa Clara County. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE - DECEMBER 6: Ramandeep Jagdev gets a last minute haircut from K-Ci Maultsby ahead of Santa Clara County's lockdown scheduled for 10 p.m. tonight at The Barbers Inc Barbershop in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
PLEASANTON, CA - DECEMBER: A customer holds a photograph with markings for a stylist to follow at a Supercuts hair salon on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Pleasanton, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
LIVERMORE, CA - DECEMBER 6: Customers are photographed at an outside dining area for Monica's Livermore restaurant on Sunday, December 6, 2020, in Livermore, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 6: People do some last minute shopping at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
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Counties across California continued to set records for infections over the weekend, with Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County and Los Angeles County among those hitting new highs in reported cases.
In Contra Costa, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, the lockdown was set to begin at 10 p.m. Sunday, while it would start two hours later in Alameda County and at midday Tuesday in Marin County. Restrictions are set to remain in place through at least Jan. 4.
“It could be the last day of the (holiday) season,” said Steve Kroninger, who has worked as a shopping-mall Santa for the past 13 years.
Kroninger, 66, of El Granada, greeted kids and families Sunday at the Stanford Shopping Center. Two of his young admirers Sunday were Parker and Peyton Pachkofsky, ages 5 and 3, respectively.
Mother Eileen Pachkofsky, a Palo Alto nurse, was not taking any chances with being stuck at home later. She brought her children to the mall’s holiday display,m dressed for a Hans Christian Andersen Christmas tale.
“We came for Santa,” Pachkofsky said. “There is no guarantee. We’re not taking a chance of losing” their holiday photos.
The state’s restrictions require Californians in affected regions to stay at home as much as possible to limit mixing with other households, which public health officers say can lead to COVID-19 spread. The guidelines limit travel to critical services and restrict outdoor activities for exercise.
Although the Bay Area still has the most ICUs available among the state’s five regions, local officials said Friday they did not want to wait until reaching the state’s number before taking action.
“It’s sort of like waiting to put the brakes on when you’re about to go over the cliff,” Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith said. “If you’re going to get the public health benefit, you have to do it now.”
Ashley Flowers, general manager of Insignia Hair Salon in downtown Walnut Creek, spent Sunday servicing as many clients as possible. She said the salon’s appointment slots were all booked by midday.
Flowers, who celebrated her 37th birthday working, said the salon opened Sunday because of demand before the lockdown. She said some of her stylists planned to work until the 10 p.m. shutdown.
“We are trying our best to accommodate all of our clients,” said Flowers, who added that the stylists worked late Saturday and opened early Sunday.
Flowers said the latest action is painful because December usually is the salon’s busiest month.
“It was the month we were going to make up for the month we couldn’t work,” she said, referring to the lockdown in the spring that closed salons and barbershops, among other businesses considered nonessential. “It is impossible with the shutdown to make ends meet.”
Flowers did not plan to work through the evening Sunday. She and her friends planned to eat out for a final time before restaurants had to revert to take-out-only because of the new rules.
Jack’s Bar in San Jose advertised on Twitter that Sunday was the “last day to drink socially for a while.” The bar was set to stay open until 10 p.m. with food provided by Jtown Pizza in Japantown.
Jordan Trigg, owner of both Jack’s Bar and JTown Pizza, described the scene Sunday as sentimental.
“Restaurants and bars are the fabric of the community,” he said. “People just came in to mourn and say goodbye.”
Gaylord Gerlitz of San Jose said he and his wife went to the bar to watch the Raiders game and support the proprietors.
“Now all of a sudden he has to shut down,” said Gerlitz, 69. “Basically, they are back where they were when it all started. People are getting fed up with this.”
Trigg, a father of two children ages 3 and 1, considered disobeying the county orders to remain open. In the end, it was not an option because “dad isn’t going to jail,” he said.
With 10 locations across the South Bay, Bill’s Cafe braced for difficult days ahead as officials shut down indoor and outdoor dining.
George Zafiris, one of three brothers who own the small chain, sat Sunday inside a small office at the Santa Clara location, working out the new schedule for next week based on the staffing he expected that he would need from to-go orders, he said.
Zafiris said he fielded many calls from customers confused about the new restrictions, with many expressing fear over the virus, even before the closure was official.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Health | Letters: Secret deals | A difficult job | ALS research Zafiris said he hopes those phone orders pick up during the lockdown because “without them, we are dead meat.”
Cameron Larsen, of Palo Alto, stood in a short line at the See’s Candies shop at the Stanford mall. See’s, he said, closed during the last shutdown, and he didn’t intend to miss out on some favorite sweets and gifts again.
Larsen, 48, said he planned to buy a box of mixed chocolates, his traditional Christmas gift for his wife.
He said, though, that the latest shutdown didn’t frustrate him as it has many other people.
“Let’s do what we need to do and just get it over with,” Larsen said.
Staff writer Aldo Toledo contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-06--In Georgia, Ossoff attacks Perdue as senator skips debate

By Jeff Amy and Bill Barrow | Associated Press ATLANTA — Democratic Senate challenger Jon Ossoff debated an empty podium Sunday , hammering Georgia Sen. David Perdue as a “ coward ” for skipping the pair ’ s lone scheduled debate ahead of twin Jan. 5 runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate at the start of Democrat Joe Biden ’ s presidency .
Ossoff suggested Perdue , the first-term Republicans whose prolific stock trading has drawn attention during the COVID-19 pandemic , left his podium vacant because he didn ’ t want to “ incriminate himself ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger summed up as “ cartoonish abuse of power.
” “ It shows an astonishing arrogance and sense of entitlement for Georgia ’ s senior U.S. senator to believe he shouldn ’ t have to debate at a moment like this in our history , ” Ossoff said , criticizing Perdue for avoiding the debate as the coronavirus pandemic rages and Congress continues to be at loggerheads over a new round of economic relief .
Ossoff ’ s one-man show is the undercard for the evening .
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stage later Sunday evening .
Republicans need to retain one of the seats to keep their Senate majority and stymie the Biden administration .
Democrats must sweep to position Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the Senate ’ s tiebreaking vote .
The runoffs have put Georgia squarely in the national political spotlight , drawing tens of millions of dollars and a flood of field workers and volunteers from around the country .
President Donald Trump came to the state Saturday to campaign with both Republican senators in Valdosta .
Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as former President Barack Obama headlined a virtual rally for Democrats .
Biden , the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since 1992 , has promised to visit before the runoff , acknowledging that the outcome will shape the legislative reach of his presidency .
Republicans have embraced the national consequences , framing Ossoff and Warnock as harbingers of a socialist takeover of Washington .
Neither are socialists but the GOP wants to stoke its base for a second round of voting with the fear of Democrats controlling both ends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their House majority , and the Republican argument concedes Trump ’ s loss to Biden , even if the president himself has refused to acknowledge his defeat .
Beyond the national stakes , Ossoff has zeroed in on Perdue ’ s financial activities .
The Associated Press and other media have reported details of key trades Perdue made after members of Congress began receiving classified briefings about COVID-19 but while Perdue and other officials were downplaying its dangers in public .
Perdue ’ s trades also involved companies whose business activities fall under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s committees .
Ossoff brushed aside a moderator ’ s reminder that Senate ethics officials and the Department of Justice have not found any legal wrongdoing on Perdue ’ s part .
“ His blatant abuse of his power and privilege to enrich himself is disgraceful , ” Ossoff said .
“ He can ’ t defend the indefensible .
… The standard for our elected officials must be higher than merely evading prosecution.
” Both runoffs are required under Georgia state law because no candidate reached 50 % in November .
Perdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Libertarian candidate won a small slice of the vote , while Warnock led Loeffler in a 20-way field in which no candidate came close to 50 % .
Loeffler and Perdue rallied Saturday in Valdosta with Trump , who came to the state to support the candidates despite continuing questions over whether Trump ’ s unproven attacks on Georgia ’ s presidential balloting will cause some of his Republican supporters to shy away from voting in the runoffs .
• At rally for Georgia Senators , Trump focuses on his own grievances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defend the integrity of the presidential election Sunday .
As a Republican , Raffensperger said on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” that he wants Loeffler and Perdue to do well even though they both called for him to be removed from office , echoing Trump .
“ These distractions , this disunity , it does make it more difficult , ” Raffensperger said .

By Jeff Amy and Bill Barrow | Associated Press
ATLANTA — Democratic Senate challenger Jon Ossoff debated an empty podium Sunday, hammering Georgia Sen. David Perdue as a “coward” for skipping the pair’s lone scheduled debate ahead of twin Jan. 5 runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate at the start of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency.
Ossoff suggested Perdue, the first-term Republicans whose prolific stock trading has drawn attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, left his podium vacant because he didn’t want to “incriminate himself” over his personal financial activities that the challenger summed up as “cartoonish abuse of power.”
“It shows an astonishing arrogance and sense of entitlement for Georgia’s senior U.S. senator to believe he shouldn’t have to debate at a moment like this in our history,” Ossoff said, criticizing Perdue for avoiding the debate as the coronavirus pandemic rages and Congress continues to be at loggerheads over a new round of economic relief.
Ossoff’s one-man show is the undercard for the evening. Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock are set to share the stage later Sunday evening. Republicans need to retain one of the seats to keep their Senate majority and stymie the Biden administration. Democrats must sweep to position Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the Senate’s tiebreaking vote.
The runoffs have put Georgia squarely in the national political spotlight, drawing tens of millions of dollars and a flood of field workers and volunteers from around the country.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/12/06/georgia-election-senate-runoff-race-explained-orig-kj.cnn”]
President Donald Trump came to the state Saturday to campaign with both Republican senators in Valdosta. Vice President Mike Pence appeared the day before in Savannah, as former President Barack Obama headlined a virtual rally for Democrats. Biden, the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since 1992, has promised to visit before the runoff, acknowledging that the outcome will shape the legislative reach of his presidency.
Republicans have embraced the national consequences, framing Ossoff and Warnock as harbingers of a socialist takeover of Washington. Neither are socialists but the GOP wants to stoke its base for a second round of voting with the fear of Democrats controlling both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Democrats already have protected their House majority, and the Republican argument concedes Trump’s loss to Biden, even if the president himself has refused to acknowledge his defeat.
Beyond the national stakes, Ossoff has zeroed in on Perdue’s financial activities. The Associated Press and other media have reported details of key trades Perdue made after members of Congress began receiving classified briefings about COVID-19 but while Perdue and other officials were downplaying its dangers in public. Perdue’s trades also involved companies whose business activities fall under jurisdiction of some of the senator’s committees.
Ossoff brushed aside a moderator’s reminder that Senate ethics officials and the Department of Justice have not found any legal wrongdoing on Perdue’s part.
“His blatant abuse of his power and privilege to enrich himself is disgraceful,” Ossoff said. “He can’t defend the indefensible. … The standard for our elected officials must be higher than merely evading prosecution.”
Both runoffs are required under Georgia state law because no candidate reached 50% in November. Perdue fell just short of defeating Ossoff because a Libertarian candidate won a small slice of the vote, while Warnock led Loeffler in a 20-way field in which no candidate came close to 50%.
Loeffler and Perdue rallied Saturday in Valdosta with Trump, who came to the state to support the candidates despite continuing questions over whether Trump’s unproven attacks on Georgia’s presidential balloting will cause some of his Republican supporters to shy away from voting in the runoffs.
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Bouie: Reactionary Republican lawmakers won’t stop at banning abortion National Politics | America’s educational culture wars hit Bay Area school district Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger continued to defend the integrity of the presidential election Sunday. As a Republican, Raffensperger said on ABC’s “This Week” that he wants Loeffler and Perdue to do well even though they both called for him to be removed from office, echoing Trump.
“These distractions, this disunity, it does make it more difficult,” Raffensperger said.


mercurynews--2020-12-06--Sheriff: Defiant NYC bar owner struck deputy with his car

NEW YORK — The co-owner of a New York City bar that authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody early Sunday after running over a deputy with a car , authorities said .
Danny Presti tried to drive away from his bar , Mac ’ s Public House , as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders , Sheriff Joseph Fucito said .
Deputies attempted to arrest Presti as he left the bar early Sunday , but Presti got into his car , struck a deputy and kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy was left hanging onto the hood , Fucito said .
Presti , 34 , was eventually stopped and apprehended , the sheriff said .
Presti was arraigned Sunday afternoon in Staten Island ’ s 122nd Precinct on 10 charges including third-degree assault , reckless driving , menacing and resisting arrest .
A phone message was left for Mark Fonte , an attorney for Presti .
The injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries .
The deputy ’ s condition wasn ’ t immediately available .
The Staten Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after the sheriff ’ s office arrested Presti on charges of violating restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus and obstructing governmental administration .
The tavern is in an area designated by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo as an orange zone because of spiking COVID-19 rates and was not supposed to be serving customers indoors .
But the owners had declared the bar an “ autonomous zone , ” a nod to protesters who claimed control over a Seattle neighborhood in June .
A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human life .
“ In both of these instances , whether it ’ s flouting public health laws or ramming a car into a uniformed deputy , this individual has endangered the lives of others , ” said the spokesperson , Bill Neidhardt .
Authorities said the bar was still serving patrons Saturday night even though it was ordered closed entirely after Presti ’ s earlier arrest .
Deputies surveilling the pub saw that the front door to the bar was locked but customers were being directed to a building next door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were able to enter Mac ’ s Public House through a back door and order food and beverages , he said .
• San Jose State to play key game against Nevada in Las Vegas Staten Island is much more conservative than the rest of New York City and is the only one of the city ’ s five boroughs that voted for Republican President Donald Trump in November .
The borough is home to many police officers and firefighters and is usually seen as supportive of law enforcement .

By Karen Matthews | Associated Press
NEW YORK — The co-owner of a New York City bar that authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody early Sunday after running over a deputy with a car, authorities said.
Danny Presti tried to drive away from his bar, Mac’s Public House, as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said.
Deputies attempted to arrest Presti as he left the bar early Sunday, but Presti got into his car, struck a deputy and kept driving for about 100 yards as the deputy was left hanging onto the hood, Fucito said.
Presti, 34, was eventually stopped and apprehended, the sheriff said. Presti was arraigned Sunday afternoon in Staten Island’s 122nd Precinct on 10 charges including third-degree assault, reckless driving, menacing and resisting arrest. A phone message was left for Mark Fonte, an attorney for Presti.
The injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The deputy’s condition wasn’t immediately available.
The Staten Island bar was the site of protests last week after the sheriff’s office arrested Presti on charges of violating restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus and obstructing governmental administration.
The tavern is in an area designated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as an orange zone because of spiking COVID-19 rates and was not supposed to be serving customers indoors. But the owners had declared the bar an “autonomous zone,” a nod to protesters who claimed control over a Seattle neighborhood in June.
A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio said Presti’s actions showed a disregard for human life. “In both of these instances, whether it’s flouting public health laws or ramming a car into a uniformed deputy, this individual has endangered the lives of others,” said the spokesperson, Bill Neidhardt.
Authorities said the bar was still serving patrons Saturday night even though it was ordered closed entirely after Presti’s earlier arrest.
Deputies surveilling the pub saw that the front door to the bar was locked but customers were being directed to a building next door, Fucito said. From there, they were able to enter Mac’s Public House through a back door and order food and beverages, he said.


mercurynews--2020-12-06--Firefighters battle Bond fire overnight to reach 50% containment

The Santa Ana winds that have battered the region over the last few days slackened overnight , allowing firefighters still working in the Silverado Canyon area to surround more of the Bond fire that has been burning there since Wednesday , officials said .
Firefighters reached 50 % containment of the fire by Sunday morning , according to the Orange County Fire Authority .
So far , the Bond fire has burned 7,375 acres .
“ Firefighters took advantage of milder conditions overnight to construct and reinforce fire lines , which continue to hold , ” fire authorities said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the day to extend these fire lines and improve containment.
” Despite the better weather , thousands of canyon area residents and people living in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains remained under evacuation orders .
Fire officials said forecasters expected the winds to return by Monday morning , threatening the gains they ’ ve made .
They said the National Weather Service was likely to issue a red flag warning .
“ There is still potential in many areas for a strong wind event to spread the fire and threaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , the Bond fire has destroyed 28 structures and damaged another 19 .
That number could still go up — fire officials said damage assessment teams had combed more than half of the burn area , so they still had more work to do .
Details on all buildings lost so far were not available Sunday morning .
The fire started late on Wednesday night , after Southern California Edison turned off the power to residents in the Silverado and Santiago canyon areas .
Winds pushed the fires quickly along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fleeing in their cars .
Some residents may be able to return home Sunday — authorities downgraded some evacuations orders to just warnings , and other orders were lifted entirely .
Fire officials said the evacuation order for Modjeska Canyon was changed to just a warning .
And evacuation warnings in parts of Lake Forest , including Foothill Ranch , were lifted , though only residents would be allowed back in to these areas .
The Portola Hills area of Lake Forest was still under an evacuation order , officials said .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire .
A criminal investigation was being conducted at the house fire on Bond Way that immediately preceded the start of the larger wildfire .
Officials have not confirmed how the house fire started .

The Santa Ana winds that have battered the region over the last few days slackened overnight, allowing firefighters still working in the Silverado Canyon area to surround more of the Bond fire that has been burning there since Wednesday, officials said.
Firefighters reached 50% containment of the fire by Sunday morning, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. So far, the Bond fire has burned 7,375 acres.
“Firefighters took advantage of milder conditions overnight to construct and reinforce fire lines, which continue to hold,” fire authorities said in a statement. “They will work through the day to extend these fire lines and improve containment.”
Despite the better weather, thousands of canyon area residents and people living in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains remained under evacuation orders.
Fire officials said forecasters expected the winds to return by Monday morning, threatening the gains they’ve made. They said the National Weather Service was likely to issue a red flag warning.
“There is still potential in many areas for a strong wind event to spread the fire and threaten adjacent communities,” they said.
So far, the Bond fire has destroyed 28 structures and damaged another 19. That number could still go up — fire officials said damage assessment teams had combed more than half of the burn area, so they still had more work to do. Details on all buildings lost so far were not available Sunday morning.
The fire started late on Wednesday night, after Southern California Edison turned off the power to residents in the Silverado and Santiago canyon areas.
Winds pushed the fires quickly along the canyon walls, sending hundreds of residents fleeing in their cars.
Some residents may be able to return home Sunday — authorities downgraded some evacuations orders to just warnings, and other orders were lifted entirely.
Fire officials said the evacuation order for Modjeska Canyon was changed to just a warning. And evacuation warnings in parts of Lake Forest, including Foothill Ranch, were lifted, though only residents would be allowed back in to these areas.
The Portola Hills area of Lake Forest was still under an evacuation order, officials said.
#RT @CAL_FIRE: RT @OCFA_PIO: Evacuation orders in the Modjeska Canyon area have been reduced to warnings, & some warnings have been lifted. Access to areas will be for residents only. See release below for full details. Please drive w/caution as firefig… pic.twitter.com/EOZFMpgHqH — CAL FIRE PIO (@CALFIRE_PIO) December 6, 2020
Authorities have not said what they think caused the fire. A criminal investigation was being conducted at the house fire on Bond Way that immediately preceded the start of the larger wildfire. Officials have not confirmed how the house fire started.


mercurynews--2020-12-06--Wings change with migration changes

Wings change with migration changes

As California ’ s visiting monarch butterfly populations dwindle , will they lose their strikingly large wings ?
In an article in the November edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , UC Davis biologist Micah Freedman suggests that very well might be the case .
Freedman studied two centuries of monarch collections and found that the butterflies ’ wings change their characteristics when the monarchs ’ migration patterns are altered .
Even when compared with other species of monarch butterflies , the wings of North American monarchs are exceptionally big and elongated .
That enables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can fly long distances .
Like airplane wings , a monarch ’ s “ wing shape generates less drag , ” Freedman said in an interview .
When Freedman looked at the wings of monarchs that settled on isolated land masses and islands such as Hawaii , Guam and Australia — where they no longer needed to migrate — the change in the shape of their wings was obvious .
They became smaller and shorter over roughly 1,000 generations .
According to Freedman , islands are “ discrete little pockets where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them particularly useful when looking at physical changes in animals as they adjust their behavior to fit their new environments .
Many of the nonmigrating monarchs Freedman studied were likely the descendants of the North American butterflies that overwinter in places such as Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove .
The monarchs in Australia have been there since at least 1871 , Freedman said .
From samples he obtained Down Under from museum collections over time , Freedman found that their wings had shrunk in area by 7.3 % compared with their North American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance , migrational changes also affected the health of the monarchs .
Recent research indicates that when monarchs “ stopped migrating , they became much more susceptible to parasites , ” Freedman said .
“ I ’ m really concerned that we ’ re going to lose the incredible uniqueness of the western migration , ” said Emma Pelton , senior conservation biologist at the Xerces Society , an international organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates .
Part of Pelton ’ s job is tracking and counting monarchs on their yearly migration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountains and other parts of the western U.S. where the winters are cold .
• In face of climate change , butterfly populations continue to plummet • PG & E faces millions in fines for ‘ egregious and reckless ’ logging , roadwork in Santa Cruz Mountains fire area • No spectators to be allowed at AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February • Search continues for Northern California man , one other missing after Alaska landslide Because of the encroachment of humans on monarchs ’ habitats and sources of food , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monarch populations — from 300,000 in 2015 to under 10,000 this year .
“ The migration in California is super unique and really worth protecting and fighting for , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t know if we can get it back if we lose it .
”

As California’s visiting monarch butterfly populations dwindle, will they lose their strikingly large wings?
In an article in the November edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, UC Davis biologist Micah Freedman suggests that very well might be the case.
Freedman studied two centuries of monarch collections and found that the butterflies’ wings change their characteristics when the monarchs’ migration patterns are altered.
Related Articles Environment | As climate changes, California’s butterfly populations continue to plummet Even when compared with other species of monarch butterflies, the wings of North American monarchs are exceptionally big and elongated. That enables the butterflies to generate more lift so they can fly long distances.
Like airplane wings, a monarch’s “wing shape generates less drag,” Freedman said in an interview.
When Freedman looked at the wings of monarchs that settled on isolated land masses and islands such as Hawaii, Guam and Australia — where they no longer needed to migrate — the change in the shape of their wings was obvious. They became smaller and shorter over roughly 1,000 generations.
According to Freedman, islands are “discrete little pockets where you can study evolutionary processes,” making them particularly useful when looking at physical changes in animals as they adjust their behavior to fit their new environments.
Many of the nonmigrating monarchs Freedman studied were likely the descendants of the North American butterflies that overwinter in places such as Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove.
The monarchs in Australia have been there since at least 1871, Freedman said. From samples he obtained Down Under from museum collections over time, Freedman found that their wings had shrunk in area by 7.3% compared with their North American counterparts.
In addition to changing their appearance, migrational changes also affected the health of the monarchs. Recent research indicates that when monarchs “stopped migrating, they became much more susceptible to parasites,” Freedman said.
Freedman’s latest research has rattled conservationists.
“I’m really concerned that we’re going to lose the incredible uniqueness of the western migration,” said Emma Pelton, senior conservation biologist at the Xerces Society, an international organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates.
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Because of the encroachment of humans on monarchs’ habitats and sources of food, Pelton has seen a drastic reduction of the monarch populations — from 300,000 in 2015 to under 10,000 this year.
“The migration in California is super unique and really worth protecting and fighting for,” she said. “We don’t know if we can get it back if we lose it.”


mercurynews--2020-12-07--As coronavirus slams rural Northern California, many still pan restrictions

By JOCELYN GECKER and RICH PEDRONCELLI | The Associated Press REDDING — Brenda Luntey is openly violating California ’ s order to close her restaurant to indoor dining .
But she wants her customers and critics to know she isn ’ t typically a rule-breaker .
It ’ s a matter of survival .
“ This is my first episode of civil disobedience in my entire life .
My whole family is in law enforcement .
I ’ m a follow-the-rules kind of person , ” said Luntey , owner of San Francisco Deli , a popular sandwich shop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 320 kilometers ) north of the restaurant ’ s namesake city .
It ’ s in northern Shasta County , one of several rural California counties that appeared to dodge the virus in the spring but are now seeing some of the most alarming spikes in COVID-19 infections statewide .
In an effort to avoid overwhelming hospitals , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced a strict new shutdown order that has taken effect in many other parts of California and will likely soon affect Shasta County .
But outside California ’ s big cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash against tough new restrictions is growing , and some sheriffs say they won ’ t enforce health orders .
Luntey is not a virus skeptic .
She washes her hands so much they ’ re raw .
But she shrugs off the idea of a stay-at-home order that shutters businesses .
She watched other restaurants collapse , and she and her husband , both in their 70s , can not afford that .
“ I want people to understand we are not thumbing our nose at the government , ” Luntey said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep my business alive.
” California has had some of the most aggressive coronavirus measures in the country .
It was the first state to impose a stay-at-home order in March that shut businesses and schools for months , and now most of the state is under a nighttime curfew and a majority of restaurants were ordered to close indoor dining .
In the nation ’ s most populated state , confirmed infections have surged past 1.3 million , with an average of nearly 15,000 new cases a day .
Each day brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which neared a total of 20,000 on Sunday .
But many are still reluctant “ to accept that this is a real and dangerous virus , ” said Chuck Smith , spokesman for the COVID-19 response center in Sutter and Yuba counties .
“ A lot of transmission is caused by people not taking the precautions that are being recommended.
” Sutter County , about 100 miles ( 160 kilometers ) northeast of San Francisco , logged one of the state ’ s highest rates of positive tests last week at 20.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close behind at 17 % .
They share one hospital , Adventist Rideout Memorial , which is overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients .
It has no intensive care beds available , and staff were treating 50 COVID-19 patients after having none just a month ago , spokeswoman Monica Arrowsmith told the CBS-13 television station last week .
The strict new shutdown order in California took effect starting Sunday in Southern California , much of the San Francisco Bay Area and a vast swath of the Central Valley .
The new measures , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are triggered in any region that crosses an ICU capacity threshold of 85 % .
The rest of the state is on the brink of the same restrictions .
“ If we don ’ t act now , we will continue to see our death rate climb , ” Newsom said .
Tough in tone , his orders lack enforcement , which is frustrating for health officials issuing local guidance — often to no avail .
In a pre-Thanksgiving Facebook post , Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini asked people to be responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcing the compliance of any health or emergency orders related to curfews , stay at home orders , Thanksgiving or other social gatherings ” or mask mandates .
Several sheriffs in other areas have made similar statements .
In Sutter County , “ we ’ re not running around arresting people , so it ’ s all about personal responsibility , ” said Smith of the COVID-19 response center .
“ But can you tell me a law enforcement agency anywhere in California that is enforcing this ?
” Some officials in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fines .
Many in rural California were lulled into a false sense of security early in the pandemic when the virus seemed to hit mostly cities .
Counties with low virus rates last spring objected to a one-size-fits-all shutdown .
“ We had a lot of people who could not understand why in the world we would be doing that .
We had very few cases , and not a lot of spread , ” said Kerri Schuette , spokeswoman for the the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency .
Shasta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 50 deaths .
Illustrating how fast the virus multiplies , the agency noted that it took 206 days to hit the first 1,000 infections , from March 8 to Sept. 30 , while the second thousand took 28 days .
The third thousand came in 16 days .
The fourth thousand took seven days .
Schuette says people are taking it more seriously now , but officials nationwide are bracing for higher numbers after Thanksgiving gatherings and worrying about Christmas .
Most of the transmission in hard-hit counties is due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Tensions over virus restrictions are encapsulated at Luntey ’ s deli , where a sign on the door tells customers to wear masks but whether they do is up to them .
“ My take on that is , it ’ s your choice , ” said Luntey , adding that her staffers wear masks and she ’ s reduced seating by half , to a dozen well-spaced tables .
• Biden picks California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be first Latino health secretary • COVID-19 : Bay Area residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new shutdowns • Bobbi ’ s Coffee Shop returns to its ’ 50s roots to ride out shutdown The deli , in a strip mall , has no place to put substantial outdoor seating .
Earlier in the year , she tried to survive on takeout , but it wasn ’ t enough to pay the bills or wages for 15 employees .
She ’ s not concerned about getting penalized because authorities have taken a “ quiet , backseat ” approach to enforcement .
And her regulars praise her for staying open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said longtime customer Tracy Foster-Olstad who stopped to talk with Luntey after lunch .
She said she doesn ’ t agree with “ the way things are being governed ” and wants to support struggling local businesses .
“ The ripple effect of COVID is horrible , ” Foster-Olstad said .
“ To me , this is an essential place .
”

By JOCELYN GECKER and RICH PEDRONCELLI | The Associated Press
REDDING — Brenda Luntey is openly violating California’s order to close her restaurant to indoor dining. But she wants her customers and critics to know she isn’t typically a rule-breaker. It’s a matter of survival.
“This is my first episode of civil disobedience in my entire life. My whole family is in law enforcement. I’m a follow-the-rules kind of person,” said Luntey, owner of San Francisco Deli, a popular sandwich shop in Redding, more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of the restaurant’s namesake city.
It’s in northern Shasta County, one of several rural California counties that appeared to dodge the virus in the spring but are now seeing some of the most alarming spikes in COVID-19 infections statewide. In an effort to avoid overwhelming hospitals, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a strict new shutdown order that has taken effect in many other parts of California and will likely soon affect Shasta County.
But outside California’s big cities, especially in conservative areas, the backlash against tough new restrictions is growing, and some sheriffs say they won’t enforce health orders.
Luntey is not a virus skeptic. She washes her hands so much they’re raw. But she shrugs off the idea of a stay-at-home order that shutters businesses. She watched other restaurants collapse, and she and her husband, both in their 70s, cannot afford that.
“I want people to understand we are not thumbing our nose at the government,” Luntey said. “I’m trying to keep my business alive.”
California has had some of the most aggressive coronavirus measures in the country. It was the first state to impose a stay-at-home order in March that shut businesses and schools for months, and now most of the state is under a nighttime curfew and a majority of restaurants were ordered to close indoor dining.
In the nation’s most populated state, confirmed infections have surged past 1.3 million, with an average of nearly 15,000 new cases a day. Each day brings dire new records in hospitalizations and deaths, which neared a total of 20,000 on Sunday.
But many are still reluctant “to accept that this is a real and dangerous virus,” said Chuck Smith, spokesman for the COVID-19 response center in Sutter and Yuba counties. “A lot of transmission is caused by people not taking the precautions that are being recommended.”
Sutter County, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco, logged one of the state’s highest rates of positive tests last week at 20.2%, and neighboring Yuba County ranked close behind at 17%.
They share one hospital, Adventist Rideout Memorial, which is overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. It has no intensive care beds available, and staff were treating 50 COVID-19 patients after having none just a month ago, spokeswoman Monica Arrowsmith told the CBS-13 television station last week.
The strict new shutdown order in California took effect starting Sunday in Southern California, much of the San Francisco Bay Area and a vast swath of the Central Valley. The new measures, which include a stay-at-home order and widespread business closures, are triggered in any region that crosses an ICU capacity threshold of 85%. The rest of the state is on the brink of the same restrictions.
“If we don’t act now, we will continue to see our death rate climb,” Newsom said.
Tough in tone, his orders lack enforcement, which is frustrating for health officials issuing local guidance — often to no avail.
In a pre-Thanksgiving Facebook post, Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini asked people to be responsible but said he “will not be enforcing the compliance of any health or emergency orders related to curfews, stay at home orders, Thanksgiving or other social gatherings” or mask mandates. Several sheriffs in other areas have made similar statements.
In Sutter County, “we’re not running around arresting people, so it’s all about personal responsibility,” said Smith of the COVID-19 response center. “But can you tell me a law enforcement agency anywhere in California that is enforcing this?”
Some officials in the San Francisco Area are handing out tickets and fines.
Many in rural California were lulled into a false sense of security early in the pandemic when the virus seemed to hit mostly cities. Counties with low virus rates last spring objected to a one-size-fits-all shutdown.
“We had a lot of people who could not understand why in the world we would be doing that. We had very few cases, and not a lot of spread,” said Kerri Schuette, spokeswoman for the the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.
Shasta now has more than 5,000 cases and at least 50 deaths. Illustrating how fast the virus multiplies, the agency noted that it took 206 days to hit the first 1,000 infections, from March 8 to Sept. 30, while the second thousand took 28 days. The third thousand came in 16 days. The fourth thousand took seven days.
Schuette says people are taking it more seriously now, but officials nationwide are bracing for higher numbers after Thanksgiving gatherings and worrying about Christmas. Most of the transmission in hard-hit counties is due to socializing with family or friends, officials say.
Tensions over virus restrictions are encapsulated at Luntey’s deli, where a sign on the door tells customers to wear masks but whether they do is up to them.
“My take on that is, it’s your choice,” said Luntey, adding that her staffers wear masks and she’s reduced seating by half, to a dozen well-spaced tables.
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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 deli, in a strip mall, has no place to put substantial outdoor seating. Earlier in the year, she tried to survive on takeout, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills or wages for 15 employees.
She’s not concerned about getting penalized because authorities have taken a “quiet, backseat” approach to enforcement. And her regulars praise her for staying open.
“We all need to eat,” said longtime customer Tracy Foster-Olstad who stopped to talk with Luntey after lunch. She said she doesn’t agree with “the way things are being governed” and wants to support struggling local businesses.
“The ripple effect of COVID is horrible,” Foster-Olstad said. “To me, this is an essential place.”
___
Gecker reported from San Francisco.


mercurynews--2020-12-07--Inside the Raiders: If Jets tanked, it was the most elaborate tank ever

The nonsense is out there , and it ’ s unstoppable .
Even analyst Boomer Esiasion of CBS , who should know better as a former NFL quarterback and one-time MVP , seemed to be suggesting the New York Jets lost to the Raiders on purpose .
“ I have a headache thinking about this…the fact that Gregg Williams would play that coverage in that situation ?
It ’ s almost like the Jets drew that up to lose the game , ” Esiason said Sunday in the aftermath of a 31-28 win by the Raiders on a 46-yard touchdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds remaining .
Social media went further .
A tank job .
Losing for Lawrence .
Tanking for Trevor .
That would be Trevor Lawrence , the Clemson quarterback and alleged sure thing in the NFL draft .
Why else would the Jets send the house when all they needed to do was keep the Raiders from crossing the goal line ?
Neither Williams , the Jets defensive coordinator , or head coach Adam Gase are that diabolical .
If they were that smart , they wouldn ’ t be 0-12 .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d have to believe : The Jets would coach their guys all week into playing with heart , all-out effort and more intensity than an opponent fighting for a playoff berth .
That they would let those players fight and scratch for a 28-24 lead by playing old-fashioned football and running it down the Raiders ’ throats .
That they would make sure there were offsetting penalties on a potential Raiders go-ahead touchdown to Hunter Renfrow within the final two minutes , then take possession of the ball .
That they would then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it successfully all day ( 206 yards rushing ) so they would have to punt .
That they would give the Raiders the ball back with 35 seconds left , and after Carr narrowly misses Agholor for a game-ending touchdown , have Williams call for an all-out blitz that left Ruggs one-on-one with undrafted free agent Lamar Jackson .
That they knew in advance Carr would change to a maximum protection that would even include Darren Waller staying in to block , and be confident the Raiders quarterback would step into the breach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having set his feet .
Or maybe it went something like this : The Raiders got the ball back at the end of the first half with a chance to score after a strip sack by Clelin Ferrell and recovery by Maxx Crosby .
Williams sends pressure on the last two plays and gets two sacks of Carr to prevent more points from being scored .
After the Agholor near miss while playing softer coverage , Williams tries to close out the game the way he did the first half .
Only this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What the hell , we ’ re 0-11 .
Send everyone .
Hate to introduce logic , but sounds more like a bad coaching decision than “ Tanking for Trevor ” or “ Losing for Lawrence.
” It was also an equal amount of Carr being clutch not only with his throw , but with how he read the defense and made sure the blocking scheme was adequate to create the time he needed .
With that out of the way , five things to keep in mind with four games left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the playoffs at 7-5 : 1 .
Reinforcements are on the way — hopefully Right tackle Trent Brown could be back this week to start against Indianapolis .
It was at least a mild surprise when Josh Jacobs and Johnathan Abram didn ’ t make the trip .
Brown is a difference-maker , and the Raiders are in need of some juice up front .
They haven ’ t run the ball effectively for three games and Carr is getting pressured more often .
You ’ ll never convince me the Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indianapolis in mind , because Gruden doesn ’ t think in those terms and it is his call .
But it if both are anything approaching full strength , the Raiders are a much better team against the Colts than they were against the Jets .
Ferrell played for the first time since missing two games with COVID-19 , and in terms of pressuring the passer , it was his best game .
Cornerback Damon Arnette getting his second concussion in two games is a concern , more for his own health than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 9-7 record probably isn ’ t going to do it The Raiders own wins over three teams with nine or more wins — New Orleans , Kansas City and Cleveland .
All were no-doubters .
They were the best team on the field on game day against all three .
Still , their margin for error is razor thin .
The Browns ( 9-3 ) , Colts ( 8-4 ) and Miami ( 8-4 ) are all in front of them .
The Baltimore Ravens are 6-5 .
That the Raiders need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obvious and far from a sure thing .
That they can ill afford to lose to AFC West opponents ( Chargers and Broncos ) is also true .
Without delving in to the myriad permutations that exist with four games to play , they ’ ve got a real good shot to get in with 10 wins .
I ’ m not sure this looks like a 10-win team at the moment , but I ’ ve been wrong before .
3 .
Balance needs to be restored The Raiders beat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball 25 times .
Any time you see that kind of ratio , go ahead and assume they ’ re in trouble that day .
When the Raiders got up 24-13 after their first possession of the third quarter — the only time they were consistent running the ball — it was time to take control .
The Raiders , the way they ’ re built , take control through physicality .
They had two consecutive three-and-outs because they couldn ’ t run the ball , and it turned the game on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown and Jacobs returning or simply doing it with what they ’ ve got , the Raiders aren ’ t going to the playoffs as a pass-heavy team .
4 .
More big plays from Waller and Ruggs For all the catches Darren Waller has this season , his yards per catch of 8.5 going in to the game was curiously low .
That changed in a big way against the Jets , who single covered Waller enough to get burned for 13 receptions , 200 yards and two touchdowns .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 77 receptions for 742 yards and seven touchdowns after having just three a year ago .
As Carr noted , you can ’ t beat throwing a simple hitch and having it turn into a 38-yard touchdown .
Perhaps Ruggs ’ big game means more big plays as well .
He ’ s gradually starting to get more looks , and bounced back from having a ball glance off his hands for an interception as well as a costly fumble .
Ruggs ’ game-winner was his second touchdown of the season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 20 receptions .
Ideally , he ’ s targeted four or five times per game the rest of the way .
Haven ’ t seen a fly sweep in awhile either .
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Jets The season-long broken record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late , even in the Atlanta game .
Ferrell ’ s pass rushing seems to come and go , and they need him to be more consistent in that regard .
They got a handful of snaps from Vic Beasley , and it was interesting to note that Ferrell said his strip sack that resulted in the Crosby recovery came on a stunt suggested pre-snap by Beasley .
Abram ’ s return could also help fortify the rush , and Nicholas Morrow has proved adept at getting to the quarterback on occasion .

The nonsense is out there, and it’s unstoppable. Even analyst Boomer Esiasion of CBS, who should know better as a former NFL quarterback and one-time MVP, seemed to be suggesting the New York Jets lost to the Raiders on purpose.
“I have a headache thinking about this…the fact that Gregg Williams would play that coverage in that situation? It’s almost like the Jets drew that up to lose the game,” Esiason said Sunday in the aftermath of a 31-28 win by the Raiders on a 46-yard touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs III with five seconds remaining.
Social media went further. A tank job. Losing for Lawrence. Tanking for Trevor. That would be Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson quarterback and alleged sure thing in the NFL draft.
Why else would the Jets send the house when all they needed to do was keep the Raiders from crossing the goal line?
Neither Williams, the Jets defensive coordinator who reportedly was fired Tuesday, or head coach Adam Gase are that diabolical. If they were that smart, they wouldn’t be 0-12. To buy the tanking B.S., you’d have to believe:
The Jets would coach their guys all week into playing with heart, all-out effort and more intensity than an opponent fighting for a playoff berth.
That they would let those players fight and scratch for a 28-24 lead by playing old-fashioned football and running it down the Raiders’ throats.
That they would make sure there were offsetting penalties on a potential Raiders go-ahead touchdown to Hunter Renfrow within the final two minutes, then take possession of the ball.
That they would then purposely fail to gain yards after running it successfully all day (206 yards rushing) so they would have to punt.
That they would give the Raiders the ball back with 35 seconds left, and after Carr narrowly misses Nelson Agholor for a game-ending touchdown, have Williams call for an all-out blitz that left Ruggs one-on-one with undrafted free agent Lamar Jackson.
That they knew in advance Carr would change to a maximum protection that would even include Darren Waller staying in to block, and be confident the Raiders quarterback would step into the breach and loft a perfect touchdown strike without having set his feet.
Damn, that’s clever.
HENRY RUGGS FOR THE GO-AHEAD TD!!!!#LVvsNYJ | CBS pic.twitter.com/82kLmV1e5a — Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 6, 2020
Or maybe it went something like this:
The Raiders got the ball back at the end of the first half with a chance to score after a strip sack by Clelin Ferrell and recovery by Maxx Crosby. Williams sends pressure on the last two plays and gets two sacks of Carr to prevent more points from being scored.
After the Agholor near miss while playing softer coverage, Williams tries to close out the game the way he did the first half. Only this time, he’s more bold. What the hell, we’re 0-11. Send everyone.
Hate to introduce logic, but sounds more like a bad coaching decision than “Tanking for Trevor” or “Losing for Lawrence.” An offense worthy of dismissal.
It was also an equal amount of Carr being clutch not only with his throw, but with how he read the defense and made sure the blocking scheme was adequate to create the time he needed.
With that out of the way, five things to keep in mind with four games left and the Raiders still in position to make the playoffs at 7-5:
1. Reinforcements are on the way — hopefully
Right tackle Trent Brown could be back this week to start against Indianapolis. It was at least a mild surprise when Josh Jacobs and Johnathan Abram didn’t make the trip.
Brown is a difference-maker, and the Raiders are in need of some juice up front. They haven’t run the ball effectively for three games and Carr is getting pressured more often.
You’ll never convince me the Raiders gambled on sitting Jacobs and Abram with Indianapolis in mind, because Gruden doesn’t think in those terms and it is his call. But it if both are anything approaching full strength, the Raiders are a much better team against the Colts than they were against the Jets.
Ferrell played for the first time since missing two games with COVID-19, and in terms of pressuring the passer, it was his best game.
Cornerback Damon Arnette getting his second concussion in two games is a concern, more for his own health than the Raiders on-field needs.
2. A 9-7 record probably isn’t going to do it
The Raiders own wins over three teams with nine or more wins — New Orleans, Kansas City and Cleveland. All were no-doubters. They were the best team on the field on game day against all three.
Still, their margin for error is razor thin. The Browns (9-3), Colts (8-4) and Miami (8-4) are all in front of them. The Baltimore Ravens are 6-5. That the Raiders need to beat the Colts and the Dolphins is obvious and far from a sure thing. That they can ill afford to lose to AFC West opponents (Chargers and Broncos) is also true.
Without delving in to the myriad permutations that exist with four games to play, they’ve got a real good shot to get in with 10 wins. I’m not sure this looks like a 10-win team at the moment, but I’ve been wrong before.
3. Balance needs to be restored
The Raiders beat the Jets by throwing 47 passes and running the ball 25 times. Any time you see that kind of ratio, go ahead and assume they’re in trouble that day.
When the Raiders got up 24-13 after their first possession of the third quarter — the only time they were consistent running the ball — it was time to take control. The Raiders, the way they’re built, take control through physicality. They had two consecutive three-and-outs because they couldn’t run the ball, and it turned the game on its head.
Whether it’s Brown and Jacobs returning or simply doing it with what they’ve got, the Raiders aren’t going to the playoffs as a pass-heavy team.
4. More big plays from Waller and Ruggs
For all the catches Darren Waller has this season, his yards per catch of 8.5 going in to the game was curiously low. That changed in a big way against the Jets, who single covered Waller enough to get burned for 13 receptions, 200 yards and two touchdowns. He’s up to 9.6 per catch now with 77 receptions for 742 yards and seven touchdowns after having just three a year ago.
As Carr noted, you can’t beat throwing a simple hitch and having it turn into a 38-yard touchdown. Perhaps Ruggs’ big game means more big plays as well. He’s gradually starting to get more looks, and bounced back from having a ball glance off his hands for an interception as well as a costly fumble.
Ruggs’ game-winner was his second touchdown of the season, and he’s averaging 19.8 yards on 20 receptions. Ideally, he’s targeted four or five times per game the rest of the way. Haven’t seen a fly sweep in awhile either.
5. More pass rush
The season-long broken record. But pressure has gotten better of late, even in the Atlanta game. Ferrell’s pass rushing seems to come and go, and they need him to be more consistent in that regard.
They got a handful of snaps from Vic Beasley, and it was interesting to note that Ferrell said his strip sack that resulted in the Crosby recovery came on a stunt suggested pre-snap by Beasley.
Abram’s return could also help fortify the rush, and Nicholas Morrow has proved adept at getting to the quarterback on occasion.


mercurynews--2020-12-07--Sponsored: Seller’s agent goes on vacation but advises homeowners to review their ‘pretty straightfo

Sponsored: Seller’s agent goes on vacation but advises homeowners to review their ‘pretty straightforward’ offers — how do they work with this ‘big shot’?

Q : Last night , the assistant to our seller ’ s agent emailed six offer proposals compiled in a Dropbox link .
This assistant also completed a spreadsheet comparing each offer ’ s strengths and weaknesses .
The assistant cc ’ d our seller ’ s agent .
The instruction was to text our seller ’ s agent after reviewing all the proposals and spreadsheet comparisons .
Based on our last home sale , this seemed odd .
In the past , we would review an offer on its merits with our seller ’ s agent , paragraph by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gently nudged the assistant and seller ’ s agent , indicating we would like guidance going over the proposals ; the assistant replied that the seller ’ s agent “ is out of town visiting family and would be available by text after we reviewed the offers and spreadsheet.
” Later , our seller ’ s agent responded , maintaining “ it ’ s all pretty straightforward , boilerplate stuff , ” adding , “ there are a few offers that are acceptable as written.
” We emailed everything to our adult kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreadsheet alone demonstrably proves each proposal would need a counteroffer .
Almost all of the offer proposals are noncontingent and have 20- to 30-day escrow periods .
A short escrow is out of the question .
We agree with your past columns about homebuyers being allowed to conduct contingency inspections with a rescission structure .
We have no interest in doing business with a homebuyer feeling rushed or pressured .
If a homebuyer doesn ’ t want our house after inspections , we won ’ t have a problem selling it again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one offer proposal expired this morning , and two more will expire at midnight .
How does one deal with a “ big shot ” vacationing seller ’ s agent by text while our offer proposals are expiring ?
A : Vacationing seller ’ s agents who are prudent will have like-minded agents cover any business that requires a real estate license .
These in-town , on-call agents are acting as understudies in home sale productions .
The safe residential real estate transaction is no different from the three acts of a theatrical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seat in your home sale theater , they expect the curtains to go up , the cast of players taking the stage while the dialogue begins .
If the cast is not onstage on time , that ’ s the buyers ’ cue to lose interest , become a critic and break for the door .
As a result , you and your spouse need a director on location .
Call your licensee ’ s broker/manager or supervising sales manager and demand direction , not in an hour , not tomorrow — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent is playing the role of a bad actor in more ways than one .
Don ’ t let him upstage you .

Q: Last night, the assistant to our seller’s agent emailed six offer proposals compiled in a Dropbox link. This assistant also completed a spreadsheet comparing each offer’s strengths and weaknesses. The assistant cc’d our seller’s agent. The instruction was to text our seller’s agent after reviewing all the proposals and spreadsheet comparisons. Based on our last home sale, this seemed odd. In the past, we would review an offer on its merits with our seller’s agent, paragraph by paragraph and page by page. We gently nudged the assistant and seller’s agent, indicating we would like guidance going over the proposals; the assistant replied that the seller’s agent “is out of town visiting family and would be available by text after we reviewed the offers and spreadsheet.” Later, our seller’s agent responded, maintaining “it’s all pretty straightforward, boilerplate stuff,” adding, “there are a few offers that are acceptable as written.”
We emailed everything to our adult kids, all of whom agree that the spreadsheet alone demonstrably proves each proposal would need a counteroffer. Almost all of the offer proposals are noncontingent and have 20- to 30-day escrow periods. A short escrow is out of the question. We agree with your past columns about homebuyers being allowed to conduct contingency inspections with a rescission structure. We have no interest in doing business with a homebuyer feeling rushed or pressured. If a homebuyer doesn’t want our house after inspections, we won’t have a problem selling it again. Regardless, after a sleepless night, one offer proposal expired this morning, and two more will expire at midnight. How does one deal with a “big shot” vacationing seller’s agent by text while our offer proposals are expiring?
A: Vacationing seller’s agents who are prudent will have like-minded agents cover any business that requires a real estate license. These in-town, on-call agents are acting as understudies in home sale productions. The safe residential real estate transaction is no different from the three acts of a theatrical play. When the homebuying audience takes a seat in your home sale theater, they expect the curtains to go up, the cast of players taking the stage while the dialogue begins. If the cast is not onstage on time, that’s the buyers’ cue to lose interest, become a critic and break for the door. As a result, you and your spouse need a director on location. Call your licensee’s broker/manager or supervising sales manager and demand direction, not in an hour, not tomorrow — right now. Your seller’s agent is playing the role of a bad actor in more ways than one. Don’t let him upstage you.
Questions? Full-service Realtor Pat Kapowich is a career-long consumer protection advocate and Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager. (408) 245-7700 Pat@SiliconValleyBroker.com DRE# 00979413 www.SiliconValleyBroker.com